Considering Trade and Distribution in the Demon Lord's Territory

──Thor's POV──

A few days after we visited the western forest.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Light Pixie Soleil has come to help with the experiment!"

Light Pixie Soleil came to my room.

Her complexion and the luster of her skin were considerably better than before.

Her body, with its improved magic-power circulation, was glowing faintly.

It was glowing so brightly that her clothes made of Light Magic-Woven Fabric almost seemed translucent.

"Soleil will use any Light attack magic for the sake of Alchemist-sama. Come now, give me your orders!!"

"Thanks. Then I'll contact Demon Lord-sama before we begin the experiment."

I immediately had a messenger Pixie fly off.

The 'UV-Cut Parasol' experiment was going to be conducted in the presence of Demon Lord Lukie.

The reply came back right away.

Apparently, Lukie and the others had already finished preparing to depart.

Demon Lord Lukie and Chancellor Kelv-san would be coming to Raizenga's territory at once.

"Your Majesty Lukie Evergald and Chancellor Kelv are both here!"

"I-I'm nervous."

Having received word, General Raizenga and Agnis hurriedly began preparing a welcome party.

Since it was rare for Lukie and Kelv-san to visit the territory together, everyone decided to give them a proper welcome.

The Pixies were invited to the party along with Mabel, me, and the people of Raizenga's territory.

So I suggested making a space for the Pixies at the party venue.

I thought that if we made a space near the windows where they could not be seen by the others and placed drinks and sweets there, even the shy Pixies would be able to attend the party.

The Pixies could easily come and go if they were near the windows, too.

"I see! As expected of you, Thor-dono. I'll arrange it at once!"

General Raizenga agreed without hesitation. He's a good man.

If I left it to the general, the welcome party would surely be a great success.

The 'UV-Cut Parasol' experiment was scheduled to take place the same day after the party ended.

That was more important to me.

According to Lukie's letter, the Empire was apparently planning something else near the border, so I wanted to test whether the parasol could defend against Light-Attribute magic before then.

So—

"I don't have to attend the party, do I, Mabel?"

"How did you arrive at that conclusion, Thor-sama?!"

Mabel looked at me in surprise.

This was my room in one corner of the general's mansion.

Several more days had passed since then, and today was the day of the party.

Lukie and Chancellor Kelv-san had already arrived at the mansion. I had just met and spoken with them.

After that was over, Mabel began preparing to attend the party, but—

It seemed that I really could not simply stay away.

"All right. I'll explain why I don't want to attend the party, so listen carefully."

"Yes, Thor-sama."

"A long time ago, I attended a party in the Empire where the children of nobles gathered."

I said this.

Mabel's expression changed as though she had realized something.

She seemed to understand why I was uncomfortable with parties.

"It was back when I was still with the ducal family. The children at the party were all nobles, and they all possessed powerful combat Skills."

"...I see."

"The Empire is a society where people with the power to fight are considered important. I had no combat Skills, so... I didn't have a very good time at that party. My father—Varga Rigas—was there, too."

I remember clearly what that man said to me while the children around me looked down on me. I do not want to remember it, but I have not forgotten it.

That was because I swore that if I ever became a parent, I would never say anything like that to my own child.

"That's why I feel uncomfortable about parties. Of course, I know the people of the Demon Lord's Territory won't look down on me. But I still can't bring myself to go..."

"I have a request, Thor-sama. Could you make a magic item that travels back in time?"

Mabel suddenly said this.

"Then I will travel back in time and cast attack magic at the people who insulted Thor-sama. Of course, I will hold back. I would not want to show young Thor-sama anything cruel..."

"Wait, wait, wait."

Mabel's eyes were frightening. More than that, she was serious.

A time-traveling item... Surely even the Hero's world did not have one.

And even if it did, it was probably beyond my ability to make.

"I can't let you do that, Mabel."

"...What a shame."

"Anyway, that's why I would like to skip the party."

"Understood. I will inform Demon Lord-sama accordingly."

"Sorry."

"Lukie-sama will be disappointed, won't Lukie-sama...?"

Mabel lowered her shoulders as she said this.

"Lukie-sama said, 'I want to boast about Thor's achievements at the party.'"

"...Huh?"

"Thor-sama accomplished the remarkable feat of making all the Pixies his allies soon after arriving in General Raizenga's territory. The Pixies had never shown themselves publicly before or interacted with the people of the Demon Lord's Territory, and yet..."

Well, that was certainly true.

But all I had done was provide the fabric.

Mabel and Agnis, along with the dressmakers who had come from the castle, were the ones who turned it into clothes.

I thought that at most, half the achievement was mine.

"But if you say that you dislike parties, Thor-sama, then it cannot be helped."

Mabel suddenly raised her face and—

"Lukie-sama may be disappointed, but it cannot be helped. This time, Lukie-sama plans to wear only the 'Perception Obstruction' mask with a black dress... Lukie-sama was looking forward to you seeing the dress, Thor-sama, but..."

"...Mabel?"

"Come to think of it, Agnis-sama is apparently going to show off her dress for the first time at this party. Agnis-sama has never been able to attend parties because of her fire-prone constitution. The Earth-Attribute Magic-Woven Fabric dress Thor-sama gave Agnis-sama must suit her wonderfully..."

"...Um, Mabel, wait a moment."

"A-and, well, I was also able to borrow a dress. It is, of course, nothing worth showing off to Thor-sama, but... b-but still..."

"...Mabel."

"Yes, Thor-sama."

"I give up."

I raised both hands.

After she had gone that far, I could not refuse.

Besides, I really wanted to see Lukie, Agnis, and Mabel in dresses.

There was no way I could pass up the chance to see them. Yes.

"In that case... I'll attend the party, too. Could you prepare my clothes?"

"Certainly, Thor-sama."

Mabel took my clothes out of the closet.

They were the clothes I had been wearing when I was sent from the Empire to the Demon Lord's Territory. I would have to have a new formal outfit made sometime.

"Actually, I was planning to make a new item during the party."

"What were you planning to make, Thor-sama?"

"I was thinking of making an item useful for distribution."

I answered Mabel while flipping through the 'Mail-Order Catalog.'

"After Lukie-sama arrived, I had a chance to speak with Chancellor Kelv-san, remember? That's when I learned that the Demon Lord's Territory was trading with human towns near the border."

Apparently, the Demon Lord's Territory and the Empire did not conduct any official trade as nations, but trade between towns was perfectly ordinary.

There were crops and minerals that could only be obtained in the Demon Lord's Territory, as well as things that could only be acquired in human territory.

Apparently, packhorses and wagons traveled back and forth from time to time to exchange those goods.

I did not know whether the emperor and nobles of the Empire were aware of it.

"When I heard about that, I suggested, 'Wouldn't trade be easier if we gave the Pixies ultra-small simple warehouses?'"

I said this.

Mabel's eyes went blank.

"I-I suppose you're right. If that could be done, transporting supplies would become much easier."

"Exactly."

I continued.

"Even the Pixies could carry an ultra-small simple warehouse, right? I thought that if we had them put merchandise and cargo inside and transport it, distribution in the Demon Lord's Territory would change completely."

If wagons traveled along the highways, they might attract the attention of Imperial soldiers.

But if the Pixies merely moved around carrying ultra-small simple warehouses, no one would notice.

Then all the merchants of the Demon Lord's Territory would have to do was move secretly and meet up before conducting business.

According to Lukie, the Empire would soon begin military training near the border.

Even at a time like that, I thought this method would allow us to trade without being noticed by their soldiers.

"So that's what I suggested to Chancellor Kelv-san, but—"

"What did the chancellor say?"

"He said no, because distribution would change too much."

The chancellor had started clutching his head while I was explaining it, so I had expected that answer.

But it could not be helped.

I found the reason for the rejection understandable, too.

'Everyone would be shocked, and losing a simple warehouse would cause a serious problem!'

That was what Chancellor Kelv-san had said.

I could understand what he meant by everyone being shocked.

I had been told this during the 'Gargalossa Magical Beast Subjugation,' but the supply corps transported cargo partly to tell everyone else, 'We are properly carrying the weapons and food needed for battle.'

So using simple warehouses to say, 'I brought a huge amount of items, though I have no idea what they are,' would apparently make the other side uneasy.

Well, if a merchant started laying out a huge amount of merchandise with Pixies without a wagon, everyone would be shocked.

They would probably worry about whether the merchandise being laid out was legitimate, too.

So it would be difficult to use 'simple warehouses' for business.

That was Chancellor Kelv-san's conclusion.

The chancellor had also mentioned one other thing.

'If we are going to keep using simple warehouses, we should have a sturdy lock,' he said.

Simple warehouses were too convenient, making the risk of losing one very great.

So they needed sturdy locks.

Locks were made even in the Demon Lord's Castle, but considering how convenient simple warehouses were, something more powerful was necessary.

Besides, a powerful lock could also be used for ordinary cargo transport.

The chancellor wanted a sturdy, easy-to-use lock or locking mechanism that would make it difficult for cargo to be stolen when human bandits attacked in human territory.

"So that's why I was planning to make a powerful locking mechanism during the party."

"Do you have something like that?"

"Yeah. I found an item that seemed suitable."

I turned the page of the 'Mail-Order Catalog.'

It showed a black chain encased in something like a tube.

──────────────────

Protect your motorcycle or bicycle with 'Earth Lock,' which connects to the ground!

Have you ever had a motorcycle or bicycle you just bought stolen?

With our 'Chain Lock,' you will never have to worry again!

The special-alloy chain is resistant to both heat and cold, and no blade can cut it.

Since it uses a combination lock, anyone who does not know the number will be unable to open it.

The moment a villain touches this chain lock, they will despair at its toughness.

Of course, anyone who knows the number can open and close it with ease.

It is long enough to attach to a street tree or a pillar of a building!

You can even use 'Earth Lock' to anchor your precious belongings to the ground.

Your beloved vehicle, firmly tied to the ground, will not budge unless you can move the Earth itself.

This truly is the strongest locking system!

Enjoy a safe and secure life with the 'Chain Lock,' which can also be used as Earth Lock!!

──────────────────

"I don't really understand what these 'motorcycles and bicycles' are, though."

"Are they something like wagons?"

"Probably. If I look around, I might find some documents about them. I'll investigate later."

"But I am more interested in the term 'Earth Lock.'"

"I know what you mean. That caught my attention, too."

I nodded.

"I have read about the 'Earth' in a document. It is the world where the Hero lived."

"There are records of it in the Demon Lord's Territory as well. Apparently, all the Heroes came from a world called Earth."

"The catalog says, 'You can use Earth Lock by attaching it to a street tree or a pillar of a building,' and, 'Your beloved vehicle, firmly tied to the ground, will not budge unless you can move the Earth.' In other words—"

"...Please wait, Thor-sama."

Mabel was looking at the catalog with a pale face.

I understood how she felt.

If everything written in the 'Mail-Order Catalog' was true, this 'Chain Lock' possessed an extraordinary ability.

"In other words, this 'Chain Lock' can fuse matter to the ground."

I realized that my voice was strained.

This 'Chain Lock' was close to being the ultimate item for sealing and anchoring objects.

It could use the earth itself as part of the item.

"Can this 'Chain Lock' really connect matter to the ground...?"

"Probably. I think the chain becomes one with the ground."

"But I cannot believe it. I cannot believe something like that is possible."

"I know. But there is a saying about the Hero in the Empire."

I read aloud a passage from the Hero's legend preserved in the Empire, explaining it so Mabel could understand.

I think it went like this.

'Nothing can stop the Hero's advance.'

The Hero entered every kind of place and continued fighting magical beasts and demons.

Neither high mountains, deep valleys, nor even the Demon Lord's barrier could stop the Hero's advance.

In other words—

"To stop a Hero, you have to anchor them to the ground in the literal sense. So I think this 'Chain Lock' is also an item for stopping a rampaging Hero."

That kind of item must have been necessary in the Hero's world.

It was not hard to imagine, considering that a world with items like the 'UV-Cut Parasol' existed.

A world where people who could stand against Demon Lords and dragons lived must have needed that kind of deterrent. That must be what 'Earth Lock' was for.

To stop a Hero's movements, they had to borrow the power of the earth itself.

Otherwise, even something as large as a wagon could probably be carried away without difficulty... What a terrifying world. The Hero's world, I mean.

"Of course, this Chain Lock isn't only for anchoring things to the ground. It can also be used as an ordinary lock. That's why I thought it would be good for locking the door of a 'simple warehouse,' but..."

Saying that, I closed the 'Mail-Order Catalog.'

I put the 'ultra-small simple warehouse' on the desk into the pocket of the clothes Mabel had prepared for me. There.

"But I'll test the Chain Lock after the party and the 'UV-Cut Parasol' experiment are over. I won't be able to relax until I take care of those first."

"I understand... Huh? Thor-sama, did you just say, 'I'll test it'...?"

"M-more importantly, I'm looking forward to seeing Mabel in her dress!"

I quickly changed the subject.

"Mabel looks cute in her maid uniform, but it would be nice to see you in something else once in a while. Yes. That's practically the reason I'm attending the party this time."

"Honestly, Thor-sama..."

"Come to think of it, I gave you Water-Attribute Magic-Woven Fabric when it was decided that we would hold a party. Did you make your dress from that?"

"N-no... That one..."

Mabel suddenly blushed and—

"I intended to make a dress, but... I made a bit of a mistake."

"A mistake?"

"...Water-Attribute Magic-Woven Fabric changes shape to fit the body, doesn't it?"

"Yes. Water changes shape to fit its container, and that image is incorporated into the Magic-Woven Fabric."

"So the finished garment ended up making the shape of the body very clear."

"I see."

It was true that Water-Attribute Magic-Woven Fabric changed shape to fit the body.

So if you used it to make clothes, it would reveal the shape of the body...

"I-I'm the one at fault. I told the dressmaker, 'Please conserve the Magic-Woven Fabric I received, and make something Thor-sama will be happy with,' and the result was a swimsuit-like garment."

"I understand. Let me see it."

"...Huh?"

"Maybe it can be improved. For example, we could weaken or strengthen the Water Attribute added when making the Magic-Woven Fabric. If it has flaws, I want to improve them as much as possible. So I would like you to actually put the dress on and show it to me, Mabel."

"I-I understand... If that is what you wish, Thor-sama."

Saying that, Mabel left the room.

After a while, she returned holding a sky-blue dress.

She told me to face away from her and began changing in the corner of the room. The maid uniform slid to the floor with a whisper. Then came the sound of fabric rubbing together.

I remembered what the dressmakers who had come from the Demon Lord's Castle had told me.

They had said that Water-Attribute Magic-Woven Fabric had to be handled carefully, too.

When it was used to make clothes, it clearly revealed the body's lines. That was why the clothes had to be decorated with ribbons, frills, and things like that.

The Pixies loved ribbons and frills, so there had been no problem.

But I had not considered making a dress for Mabel.

I should have thought more about Mabel. She was the person closest to me, after all.

I was still far too inexperienced—

...Y-you may turn around now, Thor-sama."

Mabel's voice suddenly came from behind me.

When I turned around—Mabel was standing there in a dress.

She was beautiful.

The sky-blue dress suited Mabel's fair skin wonderfully.

I thought it was bold in a good way that the skirt only reached above her knees.

Actually, Mabel really had conserved the Magic-Woven Fabric. The dress had no ribbons or frills, only thin shoulder straps. It looked like a swimsuit.

The Water-Attribute Magic-Woven Fabric had changed shape to fit Mabel's body, making even the shape of her chest and navel clearly visible... Yes.

"...Thor-sama... Could you say something?"

"I think it's beautiful and cute. It suits you very well, Mabel... but—"

"...But?"

"I don't really like you wearing it in front of other people, Mabel."

The words came naturally out of my mouth.

Even I was surprised by how naturally they had come out.

"I-I see... So that's how it is."

Mabel smiled, looking extremely happy.

"I-I understand. Then I will wear this dress only in front of Thor-sama. Or rather, since it turned out like a swimsuit, I will wear it when swimming or doing work that might dirty my clothes."

"Y-yeah. I think that's a good idea."

"Y-yes."

"...Yeah."

"...Understood. I-I will do that."

In any case, I had learned that the Magic-Woven Fabric could be improved. I would study it later.

Thinking that, I continued gazing at Mabel's 'Water-Attribute Magic-Woven Fabric Dress'—

Perhaps unable to bring herself to stop, Mabel spun around and around in front of me, making her short skirt flutter—

Before long, it was time for the party to begin.