Chapter 49

7/20 This is my second post for today.

Phew……

Opening my eyes while praying, I confirm that my soul has returned to my body.

I'm not sure how long I was on the other side, but it felt like about 10 to 20 minutes.

I stand up immediately and look around, but there's no one waiting in line behind me, and I feel relieved that I haven't caused any trouble for anyone.

The fact that I have to come directly when the church is open is a drawback, but compared to the 【Divine Power】 skill, this method allows for longer and more direct face-to-face conversations, making it a more intimate form of communication.

Most of all, my eyes are happy.

Being able to see that form simultaneously is a feast for the eyes.

Moreover, I don't think there are many people who are called in such a way……

If this is special treatment from beautiful women, I might feel so superior that I could break through the heavens.

However, I need to understand.

They are goddesses—gods, in other words.

If I get used to their appearance, I might become a luxury lover and lose the ability to marry in this world.

So, I need to keep it moderate.

If I don't exercise some self-control, I might end up losing myself, so I should set some conditions for meeting them directly, like only when something special happens, as with 'Karii.'

But 'Karii' has already gone there several times, so I'm fully aware that I'm quite susceptible to temptation.

As I walk towards the church's exit, I can see Meris-san wiping another bench, confirming that not much time has passed.

"Thank you, Meris-san. I prayed and felt a bit more at ease."

"Oh, that's good to hear. Come over here."

When I follow Meris-san, I'm led to a room I've never been in before.

It seems to be a kitchen and dining area, with a large wooden table and four chairs on each side.

On the table, there are yellow fruits on a plate.

"Here, these are Lapol fruits. The boy brought them, so go ahead and have a few."

"Huh? Hasn't everyone eaten yet?"

"We start our meal break when the noon bell rings, so we'll eat the leftovers then. Since they're the boy's, don't be shy."

Even though I didn't buy them for myself, I hesitate.

But since the fruits are quite large, there are probably more than 20 pieces, so taking 1-2 shouldn't be a problem.

I pick one up and take a bite……

"Ah, so sweet!!!"

"Of course, they're famous high-end fruits. Usually, only nobles eat them, and commoners are lucky to have one a year."

I can understand the sweetness.

It's even sweeter than the high-sugar melons and strawberries I've eaten in Japan.

At 3500 becks, and with this size, it's actually quite a bargain.

"Thinking about it, it seems quite cheap. The fruits are also large."

"It's a fruit that can be harvested in large quantities. If it were a rare fruit that couldn't be harvested in large quantities, commoners would never get to eat it."

I see.

There must be farmers growing these or hunters harvesting them from the wild.

（One more…… just one more for a keepsake……）

After savoring that one, I thank Meris-san and leave the church.

Checking my watch in a hidden alley, it's just before 11:00.

With this, I can take my time for lunch, so I start exploring the town.

▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

Gong, gong……

As the noon bell rings, I enter the Hunter's Guild and call out to Amanda-san.

"I'm here for the guild master's special request. What should I do?"

"It seems the equipment was sold successfully. I'll call the guild master, so please wait a moment."

As I sit on a bench at the reception, there are fewer people, but a few hunters are eating at the dining area.

"Hey… it's a special request from the guild master, huh?"

"Yeah… even this town has such things…"

"Why a kid like that? I could do it just as well, right?"

"It's probably a difficult request that requires more materials than he can provide. It's unlikely he can do it."

"Hearing that, it seems impossible…"

Sigh… When this kind of thing happens, I get depressed…

I worry that someday an E-rank or higher hunter might challenge me, which makes me feel down.

If the rumors make people too scared to challenge me, I'd welcome them, but…

"Hmm? What's wrong? Did the equipment not sell well?"

As I hang my head in dejection, I look up to see Yagov-san standing in front of me.

"The equipment sold reasonably well, so it's fine. It's just that I've become quite famous…"

"It's to be expected after what you did. It'll settle down eventually, and you're not the type to worry too much, right?"

"Well, that's true, but I don't want more trouble…"

"I doubt anyone will challenge you after what happened to Adent and the others… but you should be a bit more careful with E-rank hunters."

As Yagov-san starts walking, I follow him into the staff area, which I usually don't enter.

"Huh? Can I go in here?"

"Yeah, we have to go through here."

Feeling a bit awkward, I follow him through the office space, and to my surprise, Amanda-san is also following me.

I'm used to it by now, so I don't think much of it.

Yagov-san then approaches a male staff member and starts talking to him.

"Peyro, come with us."

"…Understood."

Peyro stands up and glances at me… What's with that look?

He seems a bit scared.

Is it because of yesterday's rumors?

I don't think I'm harmful unless provoked…

The four of us head down a corridor to a door leading to a staircase that goes underground.

"Roki, from here on, this is strictly confidential. The special request includes the money for this, so I'm counting on you."

"Understood… I don't have anyone to talk to, so you can rest assured."

It's a bit sad to say, but I don't have anyone to talk to, so I'm probably one of the most tight-lipped people.

With Yagov-san leading the way, we descend the stairs. There are no windows, so he inserts magic stones into the lights along the way to illuminate our path.

We arrive at the first basement level, pass a few doors, and continue down to the second basement level.

By this point, it's clear that this is a highly secure area.

The slight dampness and musty smell are a bit concerning, but I follow silently. When we reach the second basement level, there's a single door.

Yagov-san unlocks the door, and we enter a small room about six tatami mats in size with wooden shelves on both sides.

"Normally, we would take these out in advance and show them in a bright room with sunlight, but to avoid anyone else seeing them, I brought you here directly."

As he inserts magic stones into a few lights, the full extent of the items becomes visible.

"……"

"These were apparently picked up by a hunter in the Palmera Great Forest about six years ago and are considered lost property by the guild. At the time, Amanda received them at the reception, and Peyro, who is in charge of managing lost property, has been keeping them secure."

"I see."

"Let me ask you directly. Do you know what these are?"

Well, anyone from the modern world would recognize them at first glance.

"Yes, I do."

There was a sneaker, originally white but partially discolored by what looks like blood, a smartphone of unknown age, a severed cable—probably an earphone cord—and a watch with a dead battery.

These are clearly items belonging to a modern person, someone who has been transferred to this world.

Seeing this watch, Yagov-san must have identified the watch I was wearing as a 'watch.'

"Just to confirm, are these the only items?"

"Yes, we haven't received any reports of other mysterious items being found."

"I see… Can I examine them in detail?"

"Of course. I'd like you to explain as you look at them, especially the mysterious board with the glass attached."

"That's fine, but… Amanda-san and Peyro-san, do you already know the situation?"

"Today, I told them that Roki is from another world. But don't worry. Only these three people know about the lost property, and I have no intention of telling anyone else. The upper echelons of the country are aware of the lost property, but they won't be told about Roki."

"Understood. Let's start with the first item. This is quite straightforward, isn't it? It's a shoe from the world I came from, one of a pair. The logo here is the same as one I owned, so it's definitely from my world."

"What is it made of? It's not leather, right?"

"I can't say exactly, but it's probably a mesh material for breathability. I think this is a running shoe."

"Running shoe?"

"Basically, it's a shoe specialized for running. In my world, shoes are categorized by purpose, such as business shoes, which are usually made of leather, hiking shoes, and sports shoes."

"I see… By the way, do you think it's possible to recreate this shoe in this world?"

"Um, I only know this town. I have no idea about the technology and civilization levels of the capital or other countries. How do they compare to Bezart?"

I ask, but if magic has halted the evolution of civilization, as Lady Riste said, it's probably hopeless.

"Of course, the quality of items in the capital is better than in a rural town like Bezart, but the difference isn't that significant. It's probably the same in other countries."

"That makes it quite difficult. The rubber parts might be possible if there are rubber trees, but do you know what petroleum is? Without it, the plastic parts can't be processed."

"Petroleum? I've never heard of it. What is it?"

"It's a natural resource buried underground. It's a black, viscous substance, probably found thousands of meters deep."

"Thousands of meters underground!? I can't even imagine how to dig or extract it…"

"Exactly. It requires large-scale machinery—specialized tools. It's practically impossible with manual labor."

"Understood. What about the other items?"

"This is a watch, as Yagov-san suspected. It's a wristwatch, a type worn on the wrist."

"Is it the same type you were wearing?"

"Yes. The manufacturer is unknown, but I think it's a cheaper model than what I have. It runs on a battery and only tells time."

"Hmm? Battery?"

"Ah… I can explain it simply, but it's quite complex. I'll have to explain the explanation."

"…Can I ask you to explain it anyway?"

"Sure, it's a formal request. A battery stores electricity. The stored electricity powers the watch. If we had a battery that fits this watch, it might work."

"Really!? What about this electricity?"

"That's the tricky part. The easiest example is lightning. If we can artificially create lightning, it becomes electricity. In my world, we used coal to generate electricity, but in this world, with magic, it might be possible. However, storing electricity in a battery is very difficult, especially for a small wristwatch. I'm not an engineer, but I think mercury is needed."

"Damn! I thought we could recreate it, but it seems impossible…"

Yagov-san's calm demeanor is rare. Amanda and Peyro are also a bit surprised.

"However, even if we can't fully recreate it, we can try to get close. For the watch and the shoe. I've heard that rich people in this world have watches. Is that true?"

"Yes, but only a select few in the privileged class have them."

"What about pocket watches?"

"Probably only the royal family, but I think they exist."

"Then it's an extension of a pocket watch. There are electric-powered and mechanical wristwatches. In my world, mechanical ones were more expensive. Attaching a leather strap to a pocket watch would be similar. Consider it an evolved form of a pocket watch."

"I see! So, what about the shoe?"

"For the shoe, it would be difficult to replicate the exact material, but measuring the shape of the sole and reproducing it with available materials would make a big difference. These shoes are designed for running and to reduce fatigue. They're not just shaped like feet. To adapt them to this world, focus on making them lightweight and durable. Combining available materials is the job of researchers."

"Ooh…"

"Despite the blood, I don't think just looking at them will help. Try them on to feel the difference. The size is 26.5 cm, suitable for an adult male."

As I say this, Yagov-san looks at Peyro.

Peyro, probably feeling pressured by his superior, reluctantly puts on the shoe.

"Peyro, how does it feel?"

"It's… amazing. It feels like I'm not wearing anything. It fits perfectly, and there's no discomfort at all!"

That's what you'd expect from a high-end running shoe.

Compared to the standard heavy leather shoes in this world, the difference would be like night and day.

"In my world, these shoes are durable. Try them on, measure them, and aim to replicate the shape."

"Amazing… People from other worlds… They live in a world where such things are common…"

"Thank you for your valuable insights. Roki, what about this board, which we can't understand at all?"

"This is… a smartphone."

"What? You don't know what it is?"

"No, I know what it is, but it's the hardest to explain. It was created by a genius in my world, and it's impossible to recreate in this world. I can say that with certainty."

"Is it that amazing…?"

"It's not just amazing. In my world, almost no one can understand and recreate its structure. People buy it because it's convenient, but few can fully utilize it."

"…What is its purpose?"

"It will involve a lot of unfamiliar terms, and I can't explain the detailed mechanisms."

"Please… try."

"Starting with basic functions like phone calls and emails, it can take and store photos and videos, transfer and edit them, collect and provide information through the internet, and offer additional features through apps. You can shop, listen to music, play games, and even check the time and your location. It's so versatile that it's harder to find things it can't do."

"……"

"Unfortunately, this board… a smartphone… is impossible to recreate. Even if you disassemble it, you won't find any clues."

"Roki's… Roki's world… what is it…?"

"It's a world without magic or skills, where various sciences like chemistry and physics have advanced. So, if you change direction and focus on research for a thousand years, you might be able to create something like this board."

"A thousand years…"

"Yes. To complete it, you'd need to solve numerous problems, including electricity, radio waves, and satellites. It's definitely not something that can be achieved in a few decades."

I think Yagov-san showed me these items, hoping to find clues about their purpose and how to recreate them.

Of course, if they could recreate something like a smartphone, they could become the rulers of this world with its current level of civilization.

…The conversation with the goddesses earlier comes to mind.

（I said I would help if they needed anything…）

"Yagov-san, and the two of you. You said this is confidential… You will keep the secret that I'm from another world, right?"

"Of course. We promise not to cause you any trouble."

"Yes… If we can't keep such a secret, we'll face a worse fate than Adent and the others."

Peyro doesn't say anything, but he nods vigorously in agreement with Amanda.

I don't know if these three can make use of Earth's knowledge, but who knows what might trigger them to act.

They already know I'm from another world.

In a way, there are things only these three can do for me.

So—

"Would you like to see the items I brought from my world?"

—At these words, the three people in front of me are speechless.