Chapter 54
The welcome party for Demon Lord Lukie began at exactly noon.
"People of Raizenga's territory. I am Demon Lord Lukie Evergald. I shall be in your care for the next few days."
When Demon Lord Lukie finished greeting them, the great hall was filled with a wave of applause.
Everyone from Raizenga's territory gazed at Lukie as though deeply moved.
"──To think we could see Her Majesty Demon Lord Lukie Evergald from this close..."
"──I participated in the Gargalossa Magical Beast Subjugation, you see. I witnessed Her Majesty's Dark magic at close range."
"──Yes. I heard she wiped out the magical beast and its subordinate spiders with Dark flames."
"──Apparently, she used a powerful item called a 'Laser Pointer.'"
"──It was an item made by Thor Kanan-sama, the general's honored guest!"
Swish.
All the attendees turned to look at me at once.
No, you don't need to look this way.
Her Majesty the Demon Lord is still giving her greeting.
Please don't pay any attention to me.
I'm not the "strongest alchemist," or "the one who raises the art of magic to greater heights," or "the creator of destructive items."
I mainly make health goods and body pillows, after all.
"Her Majesty the Demon Lord looks even more beautiful than usual today."
Mabel murmured this beside me.
Perhaps prompted by her words, the people around us turned back toward Lukie. Thanks, Mabel.
Today, Lukie had removed her 'Perception Obstruction' robe.
The magic item she wore looked like a mask.
Perhaps because of that, the effect of 'Perception Obstruction' was weaker than usual.
That allowed her black dress and golden hair to be seen. She looked mysterious and incredibly beautiful.
"I have come to this land to conduct an experiment with a certain item and investigate the Empire's movements."
Demon Lord Lukie's speech continued.
"As for the item, I shall refrain from discussing the details. What matters is the Empire's movements. They claim that they will only conduct military training near the border, but we must be prepared for anything. That is why I have decided to inspect the area around the border."
"I do not think the situation will become dangerous immediately."
Chancellor Kelv-san took over from Lukie.
"However, we may need to borrow the strength of everyone in Raizenga's territory. I ask that you keep this in mind."
"Understood!!"
The attendees, including the general, all called out at once.
Then Lukie softened her tone and said,
"By the way, it seems that Pixies have recently begun appearing frequently in Raizenga's territory. Have any of you noticed?"
──She suddenly changed the subject.
"The reason the shy Pixies have begun showing themselves is thanks to my alchemist, Thor Kanan. By giving the Pixies special clothing, he made it possible for them to appear in public."
"Thor Kanan-sama did that...?"
The people around me looked at me again.
Furthermore, everyone gathered in the hall moved toward the walls.
They cleared a path to Lukie.
Lukie was staring intently at me. Beside her, the chancellor was beckoning me over.
I suppose I have to go.
When I happened to look toward the corner of the hall, I saw Rune, the Dark Pixie. She was wearing black Magic-Woven Fabric clothing.
I wondered whether she had come while hiding, but Rune flew straight over to Lukie.
She was watching me near a chair behind Lukie. It seemed that she was calling me over, too.
...Oh, well.
"I'll be right there, Mabel."
"Y-yes, Thor-sama."
I headed toward Lukie.
Rune, who was shy around strangers, had come out, so I couldn't hide myself away.
"Some of you may already know this person. This is Thor Kanan-sama, the alchemist directly under Her Majesty the Demon Lord. Thanks to his power, we were able to annihilate the Gargalossa Magical Beast and its minions without suffering any casualties."
With that, Chancellor-san began introducing me.
That I was a guest who had come from the Empire.
But that I was also a trustworthy ally of the Demon Lord's Territory.
The powerful 'Laser Pointer.'
The Magic-Woven Fabric worn by Agnis and the Pixies.
How the Pixies had been able to work alongside the people of the Demon Lord's Territory thanks to those Magic-Woven Fabric clothes.
That I was a dedicated alchemist who loved research.
How quickly I made items.
And that the pillars of the Demon Lord's Castle had begun deteriorating after I arrived──wait, what? What was that supposed to mean? Was it related to me? Lukie was nodding, though.
In any case, the chancellor enthusiastically introduced me.
He spoke very carefully and with a serious expression about everything that had happened since I arrived, placing particular emphasis on how surprised he had been during the Gargalossa Magical Beast Subjugation.
──Because of that introduction,
"──I see! With Thor Kanan-sama around, we have nothing to fear from magical beasts!"
"──What incredible power he must possess to trouble even the chancellor!"
"──Has there ever been such a powerful alchemist before...?"
...For some reason, they seemed to think I was incredibly powerful.
They haven't mistaken me for someone with Combat Skills, have they?
The people of the Demon Lord's Territory probably wouldn't suddenly challenge me to a mock battle like the Imperial nobles did, but...
After that, I gave a brief self-introduction.
My name and occupation. Then I said how happy I truly was to have come to the Demon Lord's Territory.
I also expressed my gratitude for being allowed to become one of Her Majesty the Demon Lord's subordinates.
Finally, I concluded by saying, "I look forward to working with you all."
It was far simpler than Chancellor Kelv-san's introduction, but the general, Agnis, and the people of Raizenga's territory still applauded. Mabel and Rune did as well, of course.
That brought the stiff formalities to an end.
I bowed to Demon Lord Lukie and Chancellor Kelv-san, then returned to where I had been standing.
Afterward, Lukie sat in a chair set up in the hall──and while she watched over us, everyone was free to enjoy the party.
"That was a splendid greeting, Thor Kanan-sama."
"No, I was so nervous that I barely remember what I said."
I answered Agnis.
"Still, attending the party was worth it. I got to see Agnis-sama in her dress."
Yes. That alone made coming to the party worthwhile.
Agnis stood before me in her dress.
It was made of yellow-dyed Magic-Woven Fabric. It suited her incredibly well.
Agnis smiled bashfully, though.
Her dress was decorated with ribbons and frills inspired by flames.
There was a space at her chest to hold the 'Health Enhancement Pendant.' Ribbons adorned that area as well. In fact, the dress seemed to have been designed so that the pendant itself became part of it.
The dress brought out Agnis's charms and even used a magic item to adorn her.
The clothing artisans from the Demon Lord's Castle were amazing.
"You look beautiful, Agnis-sama."
"...Ugh. I'm still embarrassed."
Agnis was holding the 'Health Enhancement Pendant' in both hands.
Light from the pendant leaked through the gaps between her fingers.
The 'Health Enhancement Pendant' still seemed to be functioning properly.
"R-rather than praising Agnis, please praise Mabel. I had her wear my mother's dress, but it suits Mabel perfectly..."
"W-what?!"
Mabel let out a startled cry at Agnis's words.
Then she looked at me and said,
"H-how do I look, Thor-sama?"
"You look great. It suits you very well."
Mabel's dress had a design similar to Agnis's.
The main differences were its size and color. Agnis's was yellow, while Mabel's was sky blue.
The ribbons and frills seemed to be inspired by flowing water.
It was perfect for Mabel, an elf of the Water Attribute.
However, looking at Mabel made me unconsciously remember the 'Water-Attribute Magic-Woven Fabric Dress' she had been wearing until a moment ago.
That one had been a beautiful sky blue as well, and it had suited Mabel perfectly.
I couldn't help comparing the two dresses.
The dress Mabel was wearing now was designed for her body to conform to the clothing.
But the one she had been wearing earlier was designed for the clothing to fit her body, so the impression was completely different. Both versions of Mabel were beautiful, but they emphasized different things──
"...Thor-sama. I-it's embarrassing when you stare at me like that..."
"S-sorry."
My face grew hot before I knew it.
Mabel seemed to feel the same way, because she covered both cheeks with her hands.
Her skin was so fair that it made her embarrassment especially obvious.
"I'm going to get some air and calm down. See you later."
I left the area with a cup of tea in my hand.
In any case, I had thoroughly enjoyed seeing Lukie, Agnis, and Mabel in their dresses.
The beauty created by gods and nature is incredible, I thought.
Even more impressive was the skill of the clothing artisans. They could make Mabel and the others, who were already beautiful, even cuter. Design really is important.
When I make items, I need to think about their design as well as their practicality.
And so, after enjoying the party to my heart's content──
──I decided to take a look at the Pixies' area.
"Alchemist-sama!"
"Welcome, Alchemist-sama!"
"...Please, have a seat."
"Please relax and take it easy here!"
"Sure. Then I'll stay for a little while."
I sat down and poured tea from the pot into a cup.
The Pixies' area was beside the windows, separated from the rest of the hall by potted plants and screens. Its entrance was in a gap near the wall, making it difficult to see from the hall.
But the windows remained wide open.
That was where the Pixies came and went.
"...This is really relaxing."
Dappled afternoon sunlight streamed through the window.
The party was still going on, but its voices felt very distant.
Places like this, almost like a hideaway, are nice.
"Is the tea good, Alchemist-sama?"
Before I knew it, the Pixies had gathered around me.
They were all sitting on the tabletop and looking at me.
There was a small pot for the Pixies on the table as well, but they were all focused on my cup.
Perhaps they weren't used to brewing tea.
"Would you like some?"
I scooped up some tea with a spoon, blew on it to cool it, and held it out.
One of the Pixies approached and said,
"Thank you, Alchemist-sama."
They pressed their tiny mouth to my spoon.
Glug, glug, gulp.
The Pixie drank all the tea.
"Stare..."
Before I knew it, the other Pixies were staring intently at me as well.
Some rested their knees on the table, while others clasped their hands as if in prayer... They seemed to be expecting something.
"Would the rest of you like some, too?"
When I asked, all the Pixies nodded at once.
"Then I'll have tea poured into cups for the Pixies... huh?"
Shake, shake.
This time, all the Pixies shook their heads.
Apparently, that wasn't the answer they had been hoping for.
When I scooped up more tea with the spoon, they nodded repeatedly.
They wanted me to do it the same way as I had with the first one.
I suppose I couldn't refuse.
Actually, when had the Pixies formed a line?
Some bowed, some held their chests, and some fluttered their wings in tiny bursts.
I couldn't understand the Pixies' expressions of emotion, but they all seemed expectant.
"Then, one spoonful per person."
"Thank you!"
The Pixies each gave a tiny bow.
I gave tea to the Pixies one after another.
I scooped up tea with a spoon, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to the Pixies' mouths.
I repeated the process over and over.
After finishing their tea, each Pixie would flutter their wings once and let out a satisfied sigh.
"If it's too much, you can leave some. I don't think you're used to drinking tea, so don't force yourselves."
"No, no! We're fine!"
As I said that, one of the Pixies patted their stomach.
Their complexion was good, and the wings on their back were glossy. They looked satisfied.
In that case, I suppose it's all right. Next, I'll give them some cookies.
"Ah... But if crumbs get on your clothes, that would be bad. The clothing artisans worked so hard to make them."
Rustle.
As soon as I said that, the Pixies began untying the sashes of their clothes.
Wait, don't take them off.
When I asked whether the Pixies weren't supposed to be shy and wary around strangers, they replied, "We're different with Alchemist-sama."
"The materials for our clothes were given to us by Alchemist-sama. Therefore, it is the same as being embraced by Alchemist-sama."
"Rune said that before, too. Has that way of thinking spread among all the Pixies?"
When I asked, they answered, "Yes!"
I see. So it had spread among them. In that case, I suppose it couldn't be helped.
Still, I couldn't have them take off their clothes here...
I took a handkerchief from my pocket and placed it on my palm.
I put a cookie on it and broke it into pieces small enough for a Pixie to eat in one bite.
This way, there shouldn't be any crumbs.
When I said that, the Pixies all gathered around and began taking pieces of cookie to eat.
"...Actually, now that I think about it, there was no point in putting it on my palm. If I put the handkerchief on the table and broke up the cookie there, it would have been the same──"
"That is completely different!"
"...It is!"
"It is utterly different in every possible way!"
"Eating it like this makes us feel all warm and fuzzy..."
The Pixies all shook their heads.
Apparently, taking it from my hand instead of the table made a decisive difference.
"So please continue to treat us this way, Alchemist-sama."
──Just as I was thinking that, a black-haired Pixie fluttered down in front of me.
Rune had come over, too.
Well, why not? Today, I would keep them company until everyone was satisfied.
And so I enjoyed tea time with the Pixies, but──
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"...Hey, Mabel."
"...What is it, Agnis-sama?"
"...Can Mabel get in there?"
"...No. Thor-sama and the Pixies have created a unique atmosphere..."
"...I couldn't possibly break that atmosphere."
"...Indeed. That would be impossible."
"...All we can do is watch over them like this."
"...But Thor-sama seems to be enjoying himself."
"...There doesn't seem to be any way we could intrude..."
"Your Majesty, why have you been walking back and forth here for so long?"
"It's your imagination."
Agnis, Mabel, and Demon Lord Lukie listened intently to the voices coming from the Pixies' area.
The other guests had also been listening to the exchanges between Thor and the Pixies──
"It seems that the Pixies have taken a liking to Thor Kanan-sama..."
"He is an incredible person. Even while making weapons like the 'Laser Pointer,' he has earned the trust of the Pixies. He must possess both strength and kindness."
"I would like to hear more about Thor Kanan-sama."
"Indeed. Is Chancellor Kelv-sama close to Thor Kanan-sama?"
"That is true. Chancellor Kelv-sama gave such an enthusiastic introduction of the alchemist earlier!"
"Please tell us about him."
"As the head of the civil service, you must know the details, don't you?"
"Tell us everything you know... Huh? What is the matter, Chancellor? Why are you staring at the pillar in the hall? Um, Chancellor? Where are you going...?"
──It would be quite some time before I learned that everyone had been watching over us like that.
And so, the party ended without incident──
Immediately afterward, we began the experiment with the 'UV-Cut Parasol.'