How to Use Discarded Materials?
The next day, I placed one of the blue magic stones into the pond we made yesterday.
When it became about half transparent, the water stopped flowing, so I added another one, and the pond filled up completely.
Next, I placed a light green magic stone into the pond, and it turned completely transparent.
When I added another one, about two-thirds of it became transparent.
I had the Alraune drink the pond water, and she happily spun around in the air, exclaiming, "It's delicious!"
When I asked how the World Tree would absorb this water, she explained that it would extend its roots into the pond.
Using the magic stones we tested yesterday, we sprinkled mana water around the World Tree.
A month later, when we return, we plan to give the Alraune pre-infused magic stones so that she can replenish the pond water as needed.
I mentioned that winter would be too cold to visit and that this would likely be our last trip this year.
But the Alraune protested, saying that the magic stones wouldn’t last until spring.
Then, she unreasonably suggested that we go hunt more Skeleton Flowers right now.
She argued that, due to the influence of the White Dragon, the mana water would continue to be necessary.
Ugh, that means enduring that awful stench again… I let out a sigh and slumped my shoulders.
Following the Alraune's lead, we hunted Skeleton Flowers in two locations.
Afterward, we thanked Ripka and Bianca’s family for guarding us and parted ways before heading back to the fortress.
Since we arrived at the fortress in the evening, we decided to stay overnight and return to the mansion the next day.
Apparently, a messenger bat had been sent ahead to inform the mansion.
While having dinner at the knights’ mess hall, I sighed.
“Haah, this whole trip was just Skeleton Flowers… That smell was brutal.”
Brother Gerald replied, “I was more surprised that there were so many Skeleton Flowers near the World Tree. But the petals sell for a high price, so it was a worthwhile hunt.”
“Brother Gerald, are the leaves and stems of Skeleton Flowers used for anything?”
“No, they’re discarded. Recovering the petals one by one in that stench is impossible.”
“That sticky stuff seems like it could be useful for something, though.”
“If you’ve got an idea, you should tell Captain Kyle. Reducing waste is always a good thing.”
From the two locations we hunted today, we only got 20 magic stones, which was fewer than yesterday, but with both days' total, we should have enough to last until spring.
I felt bad for Captain Kyle, but over the next month, he would need to infuse 15 of the magic stones with his mana.
The remaining 15, meant for water magic infusion, would be handled by the knights with water attributes.
This meant that we wouldn’t need to visit the World Tree again until spring, which was a relief.
Five days later,
A magic bag filled with a large amount of Skeleton Flower leaves arrived for me.
Father asked, "What are you planning to do with that?"
I replied that I would discuss it with Maria and report back if we found a use for them, then took the magic bag.
Maria received the bag and asked, “So this bag is filled with Skeleton Flower leaves?”
“Yes. Their stickiness makes it so that metal gets stuck and won’t come off, right?”
“Yes, but since they’re so rare, the cost-effectiveness makes them impractical for use.”
“By the way, is there an adhesive for attaching copper plates to glass?”
“No… Are you suggesting that we use these leaves?”
“Exactly. Can you test it?”
She said she could try it right away, so I stayed to observe.
First, she placed a Skeleton Flower leaf on a board.
Then, using a wooden spatula, she scraped off the sticky substance from both sides of the leaf and transferred it onto a dish.
Next, she used a brush to apply the sticky substance to the edge of a glass piece. Then, she pressed the coated edge of the glass against a copper plate with her hand. When she lifted the glass, the copper plate remained firmly attached.
“That… worked surprisingly well.”
“Yes, it did. So, what do you plan to make with this?”
“Well… if we can make the copper sheet thin enough to wrap around like a bandage, then maybe something useful.”
“Thin enough to wrap by hand, you say…? Give me some time. I’ll try it out.”
I told her not to rush and left the workshop.
What do you think about this chapter?
