Chapter 551

The Last One, Lana, Arrived
Rumaja was satisfied with the sightseeing ranch, but since she still had work to do in Vardmoi, it seemed she would be staying for a while.
Besides, her main purpose was my platinum-rank merchant debut party, so it wasn’t like she was going to leave anyway.

So, about a week later, a report came from the gate guard.
A girl calling herself Lana of Dark Green Sprout had appeared.

"... So, what happened with Lana?"

"Well… she tried to force her way through the gate, so we had no choice but to subdue her. She’s currently lying down in the infirmary under watch."

"... That sounds like Lana."

"Sure does."

"Um, is Lana really that kind of person?"

I mean, barging into the house of the person you’re supposed to guard… that’s a bit much.
But Fanny and Juna both gave sorrowful nods.
So… that’s just the kind of person she is, huh.

"... Even if it’s something the rest of us discussed and agreed on, if it clashes with her own opinion, Lana tries to blow it all up with brute force."

"Um, she’s not a bad kid, really. She just… has a few quirks in her personality."

Does that really count as "just a few"?
I’m starting to have doubts.
Anyway, I should go see Lana for myself.

"Let go! Let go! Let me gooo!"

When we reached the infirmary, her energetic shouting was loud enough to hear through the door.
Judging from the sighs Fanny and Juna let out, there was no mistake—it was Lana.
Now then, what kind of state was she in?

"Thanks for your work. What’s the situation inside?"

"Yes, ma’am! When the girl woke up, she tried to go on another rampage, so we asked Kiblinki Saltas to restrain her."

"Good. That explains the ruckus."

"Should we have gagged her as well?"

"There aren’t any guests today, and the reception rooms are far away from here, so I think it’s fine. For now, let me meet the girl inside."

"Yes, ma’am! Please be careful!"

Careful, huh?
Sounds like she’s a little too lively.
Sure enough, when I opened the door, her voice grew even louder.
Wow, this was something else.

"Ah! Fanny, Juna!"

"... Lana, what do you think you’re doing causing a scene in the client’s mansion?"

"I’ll have you know, even I wouldn’t go so far as to be that rude! I admit I don’t have the best manners, but still!"

"I don’t accept her as my client!"

Oh boy, like a child.
Then again, since Highlanders are considered children at her age, I guess that checks out.
Now, how should I handle this?

"... What should we do, Lady Lily?"

"Hmm, what indeed?"

"... Huh? Lady Lily?"

Oh?
Lana suddenly quieted down.
Does she know me?

"Lady Lily… as in, the one who granted Lumite Company the patents for leaf-spring suspension and power steering?"

"Yes, that would be me."

The two main pillars of my patent agreements with Lumite Company are indeed those technologies.
Leaf-springs are used in carriage and truck beds, while power steering goes into magic cars.
We also jointly developed ball bearings and drive recorders.
But ball bearings aren’t stable enough in precision yet to be practical, and the drive recorder can’t capture video properly.
Those two still need some time before practical use.

"No way! Why would Fanny and Juna take on guarding someone like you!?"

"... Because it was a request from Grandmaster Rumaja. More importantly, are you participating or not?"

"I am! Lady Lily, I’ll be in your care from now on!"

"Ah, yes, okay. Looking forward to working with you."

Well now, this is quite the energetic one.
I heard she specializes in magitech, so maybe she’s interested in mechanical engineering too.
I wonder if the Goddess’s books had anything on mechanical engineering?
I never looked, since I didn’t need it myself.
Things like leaf-springs came up in dictionaries, but for specialized techniques you’d need a dedicated book.
… But should I really be teaching this girl mechanical engineering?
That… makes me a little uneasy.

What do you think about this chapter?