Any Requests?
“I apologize for yelling.”
Nanally apologizes while serving tea.
“No, I’m the one who showed up unannounced.”
“So what’s the request?”
I explain the need for a magic tool to make the thick toothpicks used in cocotte fry and cocotte-coated bake.
“Household tools?”
Her tone sounds a little disappointed.
“I heard from Maria you want to make swords and blades, but do you make any for women?”
“For women?”
“We have female knights in the territory. Even if there aren’t many, why not try making swords tailored to them from a woman’s perspective?”
“That’s it—women-only swords. I almost never hear of anyone making those. Young Master Reinhardt, I’ll start right away.”
“Could you hear a bit more about my request?”
“Ah, sorry.”
“Even if you get orders for women’s swords, they’ll be few. Could you also help with tools that enrich the lives of the territory’s people?”
“Tools that enrich lives?”
The bath salts let people enjoy hot springs at home, and the bamboo skewers make it easier for everyone to eat while strolling the new district.
“Maria, let Nanally test the bath salts.”
“Is that okay?”
“If she tries them, she’ll understand.”
“Got it.”
Pushing too hard today wouldn’t be good, so I’ll get her answer later and head back.
“Maria, if anyone consults about women’s swords, borrow a sample.”
“Sure, but what will you do with it?”
“Have the female knights test it.”
“Understood.”
When we stepped off the carriage, I asked Meyer to have the female knights try the women’s swords Maria brings.
Heading to my room in the mansion, Lucas stopped me. “Hardt, aren’t you going to the head chef?” Urged by Atre and Lucas, I headed to the kitchen.
They’re sharp about things like this.
On the way from the kitchen to my room, I ran into Brother Gerald.
He must have just returned from Southcourt.
“You’ve been up to interesting things while I was gone.”
He apparently heard about the town and village visits from Brother Chris.
“Perfect timing. I have a hair ornament I’d like Young Lady Diana to try at some party—could you show it to her?”
“Hardt, another new piece?”
He sounds exasperated, so I say, “It’s a request from the gods. If she likes it, I’ll offer it to them.”
“From the gods?”
“Yes. The small gems from the Eminira Dungeon were apparently there because the gods wanted the people to enjoy fashion too.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Brother Chris said they were inspired by glass beads.”
“Fine, show me later.”
“If you buy it, you pay full price.”
“You’re charging me?”
“It’s a gift for Young Lady Diana.”
The next day, I head to the shed of the Tonmi and Uga slime duo.
Atre and Lucas come along.
I need Atre to translate with the slimes.
At the slime shed, both are happily munching Tonmi and Uga leaves.
“Been a while. Mind if we talk?”
The slime eating Tonmi approached.
I passed some of my mana to the slime; it jiggled, the signal we can now communicate. I asked why they don’t split.
They’re prioritizing fluid production.
They can’t increase food intake, but if they halve fluid output for a while, they can split.
“Could they split if we increase food?”
They won’t know until trying.
“Any issues if we return to normal food after splitting?”
Just returning to normal, so no problem.
That makes sense—Helios and Lax villages’ slimes gorge on Goosh’s fur daily, but ours get fixed portions from the gardener.
“Why prioritize fluid?”
Because Tonmi and the others happily take it.
They really watch the people caring for them.
Stubborn in a good way. Great job, I think, stroking its head.
“Any requests?”
They want more Tonmi and Uga from the greenhouse mixed with the garden ones.
Got it. I’ll grant the wish of you hard workers.
I should stop being lazy and water the greenhouse myself.
What do you think about this chapter?
