Chapter 48
The house at the second location stood on land where the magic power was extremely unbalanced.
Flap, flap. Flap, flap. Flap-flap-flap-flap-flap!
The ones on the roof were Fire Pixies.
There were three of them, at that.
The red-haired Pixies stretched both arms toward the sky and swayed them gently.
Maybe they were trying to represent flames.
Beside them was a yellow-haired Earth Pixie.
There was only one, and it was merely poking its head out a little, rather timidly.
The other Pixies did not show themselves.
In other words, this place had extremely strong Fire magic power. It had Earth magic power, too.
Apparently, though, the other types of magic power were too weak to sense.
This place was beside a hot spring, with a volcano nearby.
That might have been why the Fire magic power was so strong.
The building was still new. We could probably use it without renovating it.
The hot spring and the town were both right nearby. The location was perfect, but...
"For now, let's put this place on hold. Could you show us the next location?"
I asked Agnis and Rondal-san.
I felt bad for them, but I didn't think a place with such an extreme imbalance of magic power would be suitable for an alchemy workshop.
And so, we left the mansion at the second location.
We headed straight for the final 'prospective workshop site.'
"This will be the last location."
Rondal-san said this while stroking his beard.
A two-story mansion stood before us.
It was large enough. The grounds were spacious, and it even had a well.
Water was properly overflowing from the well. It seemed to be maintained regularly.
"This is an old mansion... There is no record of who used it in the past."
"You don't know who used it...?"
"Yes. Since it is part of the general's assets, the person in charge maintains it regularly, but I am somewhat reluctant to recommend a place of unknown origin to you, Thor Kanan-dono."
"But the building is sturdy."
"Indeed it is. It belongs to the general, after all. We manage it properly."
Rondal-san puffed out his chest.
The building itself was not bad.
According to the plans, it apparently contained a large hall that could be converted into a workshop.
There were also plenty of water sources inside the mansion. Cooking and laundry would be easy here.
It was nice that the bathroom was so spacious, too.
I had just been planning an adaptation of the 'Footbath' called the 'Bubbly Bath Plan.'
If I could make an item that made an entire large bath 'bubbly,' I should be able to make the bath at the Demon Lord's Castle 'bubbly,' too.
Lukie would be pleased, and it should also be good for managing the health of everyone at the Demon Lord's Castle.
Since the mansion's bathroom was spacious, the boiler room was spacious as well.
The boiler room was highly heat-resistant, so I should be able to conduct Fire-related research there, too.
"Yeah. This isn't bad."
There were no magical beasts in this area. It was perfectly safe.
The only concern was that it was a little far from town.
It took a little over an hour to walk to town, and more than twice that long to reach General Raizenga's mansion. So access was not very good.
However, the forest and the mines were extremely close, making it a convenient place to gather materials.
I could see the western forest, too. I would be able to go visit the Pixies.
"So, what do the Pixies think...?"
I looked at the roof of the building.
Flap, flap. Flap, flap.
Peek, peek. Peek, peek.
As before, they were poking their faces out from the roof.
This time, there were two each of the Earth, Water, and Wind Pixies, and one Fire Pixie—for a total of seven.
Two of them were holding black flowers. What were those for?
"Could those be representing Dark magic power?"
Nod, nod. Nod. Yes, yes. Nod, nod, nod!
The Pixies holding the flowers nodded.
Rune was the only Dark Pixie. But she was taking care of Soleil.
So they were probably using the flowers as a substitute.
In that case, had Rune come to inspect the magic power, too?
Or was the flow of magic power in this area simply common knowledge among Pixies?
Either way, what mattered was──
"So this land has relatively strong Earth, Water, Wind, and Dark magic power, as well as Fire magic power?"
Nod, nod. Nod. Yes, yes. Nod, nod, nod!
The Pixies lined up side by side and nodded in turn.
Apparently, I had gotten it right.
Of the prospective workshop sites, this one had the richest magic power.
The first site had good access, but weak Water and Earth magic power.
The second site had excessively strong Fire magic power.
And this one had a good balance of five attributes, making it just right for a workshop.
The only problem was the distance to town... But I should probably prioritize magic power after all.
"The Pixies are amazing."
Mabel whispered this in my ear.
"Even elves have a hard time examining the magic power in the land... But Pixies can tell just by sensing it..."
"I think Mabel is more amazing for noticing the Pixies."
"No... I was watching you, Thor-sama..."
Mabel murmured this, looking embarrassed.
"I wanted to see what you were looking at, Thor-sama... and that's when I noticed the Pixies."
"I-I see..."
"That's right..."
"..."
"..."
"M-more importantly, about the Pixies..."
"Y-yes. The Pixies."
"Why do you think they're following me?"
"Probably because you mentioned the workshop when we went to the forest earlier, Thor-sama."
I knew it...
While Mabel and Agnis were making the clothes, I had been chatting with Rune.
That was when I let slip that we were going to visit possible sites for the workshop.
"So they came to help me? They really didn't need to go to all that trouble..."
When I said this, Mabel smiled and said,
"It can't be helped. Pixies are a dutiful race."
I understood. Even though they were shy around people, they had gone to all this trouble to follow me.
Even now, the Pixies were hiding beyond the roof.
Though one of them had gotten their clothes caught on the chimney and was halfway undressed.
"They don't come out in front of people because they're embarrassed about their leaf clothes, right?"
I said.
"Rune also said it's because the clothes wither so quickly that they have to be remade from fresh leaves."
"That's right. She said they would really like to live together with the people of the Demon Lord's Territory."
"Hey, Mabel."
"Yes, Thor-sama?"
"When I give my items to a large number of people, I need Chancellor Kelv-san's permission. But... if I give them to just a few acquaintances, would that be all right?"
Mabel's expression turned troubled at my words.
I continued.
"What about giving clothes to someone who helped me with my work?"
"That would be cutting it close..."
"Cutting it close, huh?"
"But it sounds like something you would do, Thor-sama."
Saying this, Mabel smiled at me.
"One outfit each for the Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Dark Pixies, right?"
"Two each, so they can do laundry."
"Ten outfits...?"
"That way, the Pixies will be able to come out in front of people. I think they might even be able to live freely alongside the people of the Demon Lord's Territory."
"I understand. But..."
Mabel tilted her head.
So this was right on the borderline of whether I needed permission.
I had already given the Pixies Light-attribute clothes and a 'Footbath.'
To give them any more items, I should probably get permission.
"It will take a little time to get the application to the Demon Lord's Castle, won't it?"
"Yes. Even if we sent it in a great hurry, it would take a day to reach the castle, and about two days round trip."
Flap, flap. Flap, flap.
"It would be difficult to arrange a fast horse, too. The general would probably send a courier if I asked him, but... I don't want to impose on him that much."
"I think there are regular deliveries from the general's territory to the castle. Why not use one of those?"
"It will take time, but that's probably the safest option."
Flap-flap-flap! Flap, flap!
"So I'll go back, write the application, find out where to send it with the regular delivery... and then send it that way. It's not as though I have a personal courier who delivers letters for me──"
"We'll deliver it!"
It happened without warning.
The Pixies who had been hiding behind the roof all appeared at once.
"Why are the Pixies here?!"
"P-Pixies, this many of them?! I have never seen them before..."
Agnis and Rondal-san were both startled by the Pixies' sudden appearance.
The Pixies, however, paid no attention to them.
In fact, they did not even try to make eye contact with either of them. They were embarrassed...
The Pixies' hair colors were yellow, yellow, blue, blue, red, green, and green.
The two Earth Pixies, two Water Pixies, one Fire Pixie, and two Wind Pixies flew around my face, staring intently at me.
They called out to me one after another.
Each of them said something along these lines──
"The Alchemist-sama is Soleil's benefactor."
"Whenever you are in trouble, we will help you unconditionally."
──The calm and polite ones were the Earth Pixies.
"...Deliver letters."
"...It's not impossible. We want to do it."
──The cool ones were the Water Pixies.
"If it concerns the Pixies, bring it on! Giiiiive it to meee!"
──The Fire Pixie was tugging earnestly at my sleeve.
"Throw us the letter and we'll carry it! We'll whoosh it to the castle!"
"I-It's embarrassing to appear in front of people... Ah, m-my clothes are coming undone again..."
──The Wind Pixies spoke based entirely on feeling.
"──Wait."
I said this.
The Pixies fell completely silent.
Then they looked at Mabel beside me.
They looked at Agnis, then at Rondal-san.
Realizing that they were no longer hiding themselves, they began to panic.
And then──
"Here we go!"
The Pixies all hid inside my coat at once.
I thought there was no way they could all fit, but somehow they did. Four of them clung in a row to the inside of my coat, while the other three pressed themselves against my back, out of everyone's sight.
...Um, what should I do?
I suppose I should start by thanking them...
I bowed my head to the Pixies hiding inside my coat.
"Thank you for advising me about the magic power in the land."
The Pixies all answered at once, "Not at all!"
They clung to my coat and bowed.
"Thanks to you, I was able to identify land rich in magic power. If I open a workshop, I think this is the best location."
After telling the Pixies this, I said the same thing to Agnis and Rondal-san.
Of the three sites, we'd secure this one first.
Then we would discuss how to renovate the building.
"I think I'll go to the western forest one more time."
After looking around at everyone, I said this.
I wanted to give the Pixies 'Magic-Woven Fabric' clothes.
I had seen their leaf clothes come undone over and over, and they had helped me by telling me about the magic power in the land.
But I couldn't just do it without getting permission from Lukie and Chancellor-san.
Even if I submitted an application, 'Magic-Woven Fabric for every Pixie' would probably be impossible. The impact would be too great, and I couldn't make that many all at once, either.
...Couldn't make them... Well, maybe that wasn't true.
It would be a major undertaking... but it sounded fun.
Yeah. I supposed it would be fine. If I worked nonstop for three days, I could make around a hundred outfits──
"Thor-sama."
Before I knew it, Mabel was looking at me with concern.
"Her Majesty ordered me to make sure you do not stay up all night, Thor-sama. She told me to put you to sleep by any means necessary if you tried to pull an all-nighter..."
"How did you know what I was thinking, Mabel?"
Besides, why had Lukie given her an order like that...?
"I-I have been entrusted by Her Majesty with managing your health, Thor-sama. To do that... I have to watch you closely and learn to understand your thoughts, at least a little..."
Mabel emphasized this while staring fixedly at me.
If that was the reason, I couldn't really object.
I couldn't worry Mabel and Lukie.
Two Magic-Woven Fabric outfits each for the Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind Pixies.
Two outfits for Rune, the Dark Pixie, and one more for Soleil, the Light Pixie.
I would get Chancellor Kelv-san's permission and make them.
The application form was in the Super-Miniature Simple Storage.
I would fill in the necessary information and have the Pixies deliver it.
"But before that, I want to go check on Soleil, the Light Pixie."
I lifted my coat and spoke to the Pixies clinging to it.
The yellow-haired and blue-haired Pixies nodded repeatedly.
"I want to see how she feels wearing the Magic-Woven Fabric clothes and make sure there are no strange effects. So please go back to the forest first and check whether it is all right for us to visit Soleil."
I continued.
"Also, find out whether it is all right for us to enter the forest. If that would be difficult, I'll just speak with Rune at the forest entrance."
"Understood!"
"...Got it." "...Leave it to us."
"I will come at the speed of a flame arrow!"
"La la la!" "W-wait, wait!"
"Well then──!"
Whoosh.
The Pixies all flew toward the western forest at once.
That left Mabel and me, along with the stunned Agnis and Rondal-san.
Mabel was one thing, but Agnis and Rondal-san were utterly dazed.
The sudden appearance of the Pixies had apparently shocked them.
"Thor Kanan-sama... What on earth happened?"
Agnis finally managed to whisper only that.
"When did the Pixies...?! How long have they been here...?"
"Actually... they've been here the whole time."
I said this.
"The Pixies followed us here from the western forest."
"Those mysterious beings followed Thor Kanan-dono?"
Rondal-san exclaimed.
He scratched his beard hard, as if unable to hide his astonishment.
"How did you earn the Pixies' trust?! I have never seen them approach a person so closely! To hide in the clothing of a human or demi-human... How much trust would it take to make that possible...?"
"They're a very dutiful race."
They must have been grateful that I gave Soleil the 'Footbath' and 'Light Magic-Woven Fabric' clothes.
It seemed the entire race had decided to help me in return.
"They came to help me choose a place. That's why I was saying things like 'The well is dry' and 'It might be hot.'"
I explained this to Agnis and Rondal-san.
"So that wasn't my ability. The Pixies were simply telling me what they found──"
"No. If you have received the 'Pixies' Blessing,' then that itself must be an ability of yours, Thor Kanan-dono..."
Rondal-san was trembling as though he were looking at something impossible to believe.
"Good heavens... To think I would witness such a mystery at my age. It is astonishing."
Then Rondal-san composed himself and looked at me.
"S-so, may I assume that the selection of the land is complete?"
"Yes. I would like to use this location."
I looked up at the building and said this.
"The Pixies told me that this place has Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind magic power, as well as Dark magic power. It is the best place for alchemy. Please let me live here."
"Understood. Let us discuss renovating the workshop."
"Please do."
"I will now return to Young Master Raizenga... that is, the general. I will report on the selection of the land, but what shall I do about the Pixies?"
"Agnis will explain that to you. Until then, I would like you to keep it secret."
Agnis pressed a hand to the bodice of her dress and said this.
"This concerns the bond of trust between Thor Kanan-sama and the Pixies. I would like you to leave it to Agnis to decide how it should be made public."
"Understood, Miss."
Rondal-san bowed.
"If Miss trusts Thor Kanan-dono, then I shall trust him as well. In any case, my duty is to show him the land. I will keep the matter of the Pixies to myself."
"Thank you, Rondal-san."
"No, no. You showed me something truly rare."
Laughing, Rondal-san continued,
"There has never been anything like Pixies happily flying around a person in the history of the Demon Lord's Territory. I feel I now understand how Alchemist Thor Kanan-dono will change the Demon Lord's Territory from here on. To think I would live long enough to see it for myself! My, my, longevity does have its rewards!"
"I don't intend to cause too much trouble... I think."
"Not at all. Please don't worry about it. Well, then!"
With that, Rondal-san returned to the mansion.
After he disappeared from sight,
"Well then, let's go see Rune and Soleil."
"Yes, Thor-sama."
"I shall accompany you!"
And so, we decided to head to the western forest once again.