The Civil Official's Check

After that, Agnis and the others entered the cave.

There were signs that someone had been here.

What lay scattered on the ground were burned wood remnants and dried-out bread.

Someone had probably eaten here.

General Raizenga called out to everyone, "Stay alert."

The magic soldiers used 'Light' magic to secure their vision.

With the general at the head, Agnis and the others proceeded deeper into the cave──

──Several days later, from Thor's perspective──

"──After that, Agnis and the others safely completed their exploration."

"Wait. What happened to the magic circle?"

When I asked, Agnis lowered her head awkwardly.

This was my workshop in Raizenga Territory.

Right now, we were having a tea party with Agnis, who had returned from the exploration.

Mabel and the pixie Soleil were listening with keen interest.

I was no different.

I was very curious about what had happened during the exploration and whether they had found the magic circle with the 'Magic Power Detector,' but──

"We found the magic circle. Thor Kanan-sama's 'Magic Power Detector' was flawless."

Agnis said this as though she had pulled herself together.

Then she bowed her head toward me and said,

"But I'm sorry. Agnis wasn't allowed to see the magic circle..."

"You weren't?"

"That was the decision of the civil official who accompanied us. Agnis really wanted to see the magic circle properly and tell Thor Kanan-sama what kind it was, but..."

Come to think of it, the general had said that a civil official from the Demon Lord's Castle would accompany the exploration.

So that person had refused to give them permission?

"But why?"

"If the magic circle used for summoning magic remained intact, it would be extremely dangerous. The decision was that it should be strictly managed and investigated under Demon Lord Lukie's authority..."

"I see. That makes sense."

"I heard that once it has been investigated and deemed safe, Demon Lord Lukie will make it available to anyone who wishes to see it. So Thor Kanan-sama should be able to see it."

"I see... So that's what happened."

"Also, the civil official who accompanied us said that if Thor Kanan-sama acquired knowledge of the summoning magic circle, he might create an unexpected summoning item incorporating it, so we should be wary. Father and Agnis both protested, but..."

"I see... Wait a second."

I understood why they wanted to strictly manage the circle if it was dangerous because it was used for summoning magic.

But why were they wary of me making a magic item for summoning?

"I wasn't planning to make anything that unexpected."

"Um, Thor-sama."

"What's up, Mabel?"

"For example, if you learned the exact shape of the magic circle and the formula for summoning magic, what would you do, Thor-sama?"

"Of course, I would make gates for summoning and returning, so Lukie-sama could come visit whenever she wanted."

I intended to make this Demon Lord's territory a more comfortable place than even the hero world.

I had to be able to do at least that much.

The hero world's 'Smartphone'—an item used in magical rituals—had the 'ability to talk to people far away.' So I had to apply this world's summoning magic to create an item with the 'ability to bring people far away close by so we could talk at leisure.'

If I made gates that could summon and return people, Lukie could come visit anytime.

When she was tired from her work as Demon Lord, she could rest in this workshop.

I had even made relaxation items for that purpose.

──That was what I explained to Mabel, Agnis, and Soleil.

"How wonderful, Benefactor-sama!"

"Thanks, Soleil."

"Why couldn't the pixies accompany the exploration? If Soleil and the others had gone along, we could have secretly copied the magic circle and given it to our benefactor, the alchemist-sama."

"You can't do that secretly. It would cause trouble for Lukie and General Raizenga."

"The alchemist-sama is so serious."

"I'm Lukie-sama's direct-appointed alchemist, after all. I have to do things properly."

Then I looked at Mabel and Agnis and said,

"So, I'm planning to write Lukie-sama a letter later. I'll ask her to show me the magic circle once the investigation is complete. I should be able to explain how useful the 'Summoning and Return Gate' would be, so I'm sure Lukie-sama will understand... Huh? Mabel, Agnis, what's wrong with both of you?"

"...We were just surprised."

Mabel's silver hair swayed as she opened her eyes wide.

"The idea of using the magic circle to create a gate that could bring other people close was far beyond anything I imagined. As Thor-sama's maid... I have realized how inadequate I am..."

"A world where people can move instantly as part of their daily lives... I can't even imagine it..."

Agnis also stared blankly.

"But if that is what Thor Kanan-sama wants, Agnis will ask Father. I will bring detailed information about the magic circle tomorrow!"

"Thanks, but don't. I don't want to cause trouble for the general."

Besides, having the magic circle alone would not be enough.

The magic circle should not activate unless we knew the incantation used in the summoning ritual.

"More importantly, Agnis. They found something like a mage's robe in the cave besides the magic circle, right?"

"Y-yes, they did!"

"Isn't that information secret as well, Agnis-sama?"

"Don't worry, Mabel. The information about the robe will be made public, and we will also hear what Princess Sofia of the Empire has to say."

Agnis nodded.

Apparently, fragments of a robe had been found in the cave where the magic circle was located.

It was a high-quality item decorated with gold thread, and it hadn't been made in the Demon Lord's territory. It seemed to be from the Empire or another country—from the human world.

And the robe had bloodstains on it.

There was no sign of its owner anywhere.

"Does that mean someone came from the human realms and secretly used summoning magic there?"

"That is what Father seems to think."

"The Empire is the only country known to possess the technology for summoning magic. So they will show the robe to Princess Sofia and ask whether she recognizes it."

"Yes. That will probably happen after the trading post opens..."

"The person who summoned the new demon beast was from the Empire. Even if we consider the possibility that the technique of summoning magic leaked out, it still points to someone from the human world, doesn't it?"

I really wondered what they had been thinking.

They had come all the way to the Demon Lord's territory and used strange magic. I wished they would stop.

"I wonder where the person who used the magic went...?"

"Maybe the 'Demon Beast Gargarossa' defeated them."

"The demon beast they summoned did?"

"The 'Demon Beast Gargarossa' and that giant centipede were both completely new species, with nothing like them elsewhere in this world. Maybe they summoned it intending to control it, but failed and became its prey instead."

That was why that person might have performed the next ritual in the lair of the 'Sleeping Demon Beast.'

If they performed the ritual at the cave entrance while the 'Sleeping Demon Beast' was dormant, the summoned demon beast's attention would be drawn to the 'Sleeping Demon Beast.'

They could then try to control it, and flee when they failed.

As a result, the 'Giant Centipede' might have made the 'Sleeping Demon Beast'—the 'Great Dark Bear'—its prey.

"...Well, we have far too few clues right now. There's no point in letting my imagination run wild."

I shook my head.

We would discuss the magic circle and the robe after meeting Princess Sofia.

Since Agnis had finally returned, we should talk about something more enjoyable for now.

"Actually, Agnis, the item we talked about is finished."

"Yes. I helped with it, too."

Mabel raised her hand beside me.

What I had made was a relaxation item that the pixies could use as well.

It had been more difficult to make than I expected.

I had to ensure that the effect reached the entire body without getting in the user's way.

For that reason, Mabel had helped me determine the size and decide where to place the item. Of course, she had kept her clothes on.

"So, I want to run an experiment. Mabel and Agnis, could you try it and tell me what you think? Soleil, you too."

"Yes. Of course!"

"Leave it to Agnis!"

"I'm sure everyone will be delighted!"

"Thanks. Then let's start preparing──"

Just as I said that──

"──Please wait, alchemist-sama."

A voice came from beyond the workshop's front door.

"I have come from the Demon Lord's Castle. If you are going to test a magic item, may I observe as well?"

It was a woman's voice.

I couldn't see her. Naturally—she was on the other side of the door.

"Before that, I must apologize. I'm sorry for eavesdropping."

She was a very polite person.

The unseen woman knocked two or three times and waited for my response.

"It's open. Come in."

"Excuse me."

I sensed her bowing on the other side of the door.

Then a tall girl slowly appeared.

She was wearing a black robe.

Underneath it, she wore a collared shirt and a black tie.

Her long gray hair was tied behind her neck, and she held a bundle of parchment in her hands.

Her appearance was neat and precise, perfectly suited to her polite manner of speaking.

"Pleased to meet you. My name is Elte, and I am a civil official dispatched from the Demon Lord's Castle."

The girl bowed to me.

"I have recently been assigned to work in General Raizenga's territory by order of His Excellency the Demon Lord and the esteemed Chancellor Kelv-sama. I look forward to working with you."

"Ah, yes. Likewise."

I hurriedly stood and bowed to Civil Official Elte-san.

"Also, thanks to the 'Magic Power Detector' you created, the search for the magic circle proceeded smoothly. You also saved us from the demon beasts. Thank you very much."

Elte-san bowed deeply once again.

She really did seem to be an extremely polite person.

...Huh? Wait a minute. If the search for the magic circle went smoothly, then...

"Could you be the civil official who participated in the search for the magic circle...?"

"I am. I was also the one who refused permission to show you the magic circle."

Civil Official Elte-san looked at me and nodded.

"You may be dissatisfied, but I ask for your understanding. It was Chancellor Kelv-sama's instruction."

"If it was the chancellor's instruction, I suppose it can't be helped."

"Yes. I understand that you are dissatisfied. But Kelv-sama made that decision with the Demon Lord's territory in mind. I hope you can accept it... Huh? What did you just say?"

"I said that if it was the chancellor's instruction, I suppose it couldn't be helped."

"...Huh?"

"I'm grateful to the chancellor. He always gives me hints for developing items."

Chancellor Kelv-san and I had completely different ways of thinking.

That was why his opinions were so useful to me.

Opinions from a different perspective could provide hints for developing items and raise my motivation as well.

If the chancellor had said that I should not be shown the magic circle, there had to be a reason for it.

Perhaps he was encouraging me by saying, 'It would be pathetic for the Demon Lord's direct-appointed alchemist to rely on teleportation magic from the human world.'

Perhaps an alchemist of the Demon Lord's territory should complete the teleportation formula with his own hands.

...That was certainly possible.

"I'm satisfied with the decision about the magic circle. I'll follow the chancellor's judgment... Huh? Is something wrong?"

"...You are not the person I expected."

Civil Official Elte-san muttered under her breath.

"Since the alchemist-san was someone who troubled my uncle, I expected you to be more rebellious and arrogant... But you seem like a good person. Huh? Huhhh?"

"Um, Elte-san? What's wrong? Why are you walking toward the pillar...? And why is Agnis grabbing your shoulder and stopping you? Hey, wait!"

"...Huh!"

As though coming to her senses, Civil Official Elte-san looked at me.

"I-I apologize. Um..."

Elte-san placed a hand on her ample chest and took a deep breath.

Nodding repeatedly as though confirming what she needed to say, she said,

"From now on, I will be working in Raizenga Territory as a civil official of the Chancellor's Office. I came to greet the alchemist-sama for that very reason. My work will involve you as well."

"It will?"

"Yes. I have also been entrusted with serving as the accountant for the trading post in the border region."

"I see. Princess Sofia will be involved with the trading post, after all."

"That is correct. I was also instructed by His Excellency the Demon Lord and the esteemed Chancellor to inspect the magic items made by the alchemist-sama."

Suddenly, Civil Official Elte-san spoke up.

She put her hands on her hips, thrust out her chest, and wore an expression full of confidence.

"For items that seem likely to have significant effects or influence, I will submit an application to the Demon Lord's Castle. For items that are not particularly significant, I will decide on the spot whether they should be made available for people to use."

I see. That made sense.

Sending a letter all the way to the Demon Lord's Castle every time would be a lot of work.

So Lukie and Chancellor Kelv-san had dispatched Elte-san for that purpose... How impressive.

"For the sake of my esteemed Uncle Chancellor Kelv, I intend to perform this work perfectly."

"Uncle Chancellor Kelv? Then, Elte-san, you are the chancellor's..."

"I am his niece. I have watched my uncle work since I was little, and I have always admired civil officials. I wanted to become a splendid civil official like him. Following the example of my gentlemanly uncle, I also wanted to become a lady."

Saying this, Civil Official Elte-san gave an elegant bow.

"Helping Uncle Chancellor Kelv is my goal now. You may not understand, but the work of a chancellor is extremely demanding──"

"I know. The Demon Lord's territory is home to many different races. He has to reconcile their opinions and negotiate so everyone is satisfied. There must also be negotiations with the Empire, as well as managing crops and provisions whenever troops are dispatched. Compared to the Empire, where only humans live, the work of a civil official must be difficult."

"..."

"Huh? Was I wrong?"

"...You are not wrong, but..."

"When I lived in the Empire, I thought civil officials should be given a much higher status."

The Empire believed strength was everything, so civil officials had held a weak position.

They were called 'people who could not fight' and 'people who had to be protected' by military officials.

Civil officials who were also nobles were treated even worse, as 'people who could not fight despite being nobles.'

"The work of civil officials is properly valued in the Demon Lord's territory. As expected of Demon Lord Lukie. She truly understands its importance."

"...Huhhh?"

"Is something wrong?"

"...This isn't what I imagined, Uncle. Since he troubles you, I thought he would be more... selfish...?"

"Um, Elte-san?"

"...I thought you were some arrogant, amazing-trick alchemist. Huh?"

Elte-san clutched her head while muttering under her breath.

...I wasn't sure what was going on, but she seemed troubled.

She probably needed something to drink and a chance to calm down.

"Sorry, Mabel. Could you make some tea for Elte-san?"

"Yes, Thor-sama."

"Agnis... Sorry, but could you go to the boiler room? I want you to manage the fire before we begin the experiment."

"Understood!"

"Soleil... Huh? She's gone."

She had been here just a moment ago.

It seemed she had hidden because Elte-san arrived.

"Pixies are shy around strangers. When someone they are meeting for the first time comes over, they hide..."

"They've gotten used to me and Mabel, though."

"Sometimes they even come into the bath. They seem embarrassed to let me see them naked, so they sit in the water back-to-back with me."

"I see. I wanted them to help with the new magic item's experiment, but it looks like that won't be possible."

"If it is one of Thor-sama's experiments, then it's a different story. I am sure they will all be happy to come."

"Really?"

"I saw pixies gathering around the workshop earlier. They must have heard about the new item from Soleil-san. Once the experiment begins, they won't be able to wait──"

"That's it! The new magic item!!"

It happened all at once.

Civil Official Elte-san pointed at me and exclaimed sharply.

Then she straightened her back──

"I overheard you discussing the magic item outside the door. I would like to apologize again for eavesdropping. I am very sorry."

She pinched the hem of her skirt and bowed deeply.

She really was an extremely polite person.

"Putting that aside, I would like this Elte to inspect the new magic item."

"Huh?"

Elte-san was going to inspect that item...?

"Does that mean you will use the item yourself, Elte-san?"

"Of course."

"No, but... Surely that is too much."

"This is part of my duty. I am in a position to approve the alchemist-sama's magic items. To judge accurately whether something should be used in the Demon Lord's territory, the best approach is to experience it myself."

"But making someone I just met do something like that..."

"I have a responsibility as a civil official of the Demon Lord's territory."

Civil Official Elte-san placed a hand on her chest and declared,

"No matter how frightening the item may be, I will not fear it."

"Are you really sure?"

"You are being repetitive, alchemist-sama. Even if it were a vicious weapon or an astonishing teleportation system, I would──"

"It's a bath."

"I do not mind! Even if a million baths came attacking me, I would face them without fear── Wait, what did you say?"

"I made a bath that fizzes, warms you up when you get in, and lets you relax."

Strictly speaking, it was a large version of the 'Foot Bath.'

I had attached items that created bubbles and water currents at the four corners of the bottom of the tub, giving the entire tub the effect of a 'Foot Bath.'

Though I had not yet conducted the final experiment.

There had been no extra-large foot bath in the 'Mail-Order Catalog.'

But there was no doubt that such a thing existed.

The book contained pictures of people from the hero world bathing, and the water had unnatural currents and bubbles forming in it.

Mabel had suggested, 'Maybe the bubbles, currents, and mysterious lights are there to hide the bodies of the people in the bath?' But I thought that was wrong.

For heroes with overwhelming power, sneaking into a bath and looking at someone naked should have been easy. There would be no point in hiding them deliberately.

The baths in the hero world probably all had functions like those of a 'Foot Bath.'

Perhaps they activated their magic power by bathing in them.

Since such baths were commonplace, they were not listed in the 'Mail-Order Catalog.'

If everyone already had one, there would be no need to buy one.

"So I turned the bath in my workshop into an 'Extra-Large Foot Bath.' I named it the 'Bubbly Bath.'"

"..."

"Just like the 'Foot Bath,' it uses wind and fire magic stones to create currents and bubbles. Since there is more water, though, it requires more magic stones."

"..."

"Eventually, I want to have these installed in public baths throughout the Demon Lord's territory. Everyone will be able to relax, and it should improve the flow of their magic power as well."

"...I see."

"Since it is an advanced version of the 'Foot Bath,' its safety has already been confirmed. Demon Lord Lukie and the chancellor have both inspected it and granted permission. So there is no need for you to be the test subject──"

"No!"

Elte-san shook her head.

"A civil official never goes back on her word! If a civil official who manages money and land casually took back her statements, the people would be dissatisfied. To become a splendid civil official like Uncle Kelv, I must serve as the test subject for your item!!"

"No, but... You wouldn't want to bathe in a stranger's home, would you?"

"Th-that is..."

Elte-san lowered her head.

That was understandable. Elte-san had said she was a lady, after all.

Someone like her could not undress and bathe in the home of someone she had just met.

"...No."

"Huh?"

"I will do it. My work comes first! I will enter the 'Bubbly Bath'!"

"But... Even though this is an experiment, it has two stages. After you bathe alone, other people will also──"

"Are you going to come in too?!"

"No, the people entering will be women!"

"Then there is no problem!! When I say there is no problem, I mean there is no problem!!"

Um, wait a second.

Why was she glaring at me? Why were tears welling up in Elte-san's eyes?

"I-I am a proper civil official──"

"I understand! I understand already!"

Being serious was a good thing, but she seemed rather stubborn.

Well, there was no helping it.

I asked Mabel to prepare a towel (made from Earth Magic-Woven Cloth, with excellent absorbency).

Then I began preparing the 'Bubbly Bath' in the bathing area.

──A dozen or so minutes later──

Fizzzzz.

I could hear the sound of bubbling water from the bathing area.

The 'Bubbly System' installed at the four corners of the tub seemed to have activated successfully.

"How does it feel, Elte-san?"

I called out to Elte-san from the changing room.

"...Fwaaah."

"Elte-san?"

"Ah... Y-yes?!"

"How are the currents and the amount of bubbles? Are they too strong?"

"...There is no problem. Bubbles and fizzing water are surging in from all four directions... It feels as though my body is melting..."

"I see."

I wrote a note on a piece of parchment.

"How is the temperature? Since the hot water is spraying onto your body, it may feel hotter than usual."

"...I like hot baths."

"I see. By the way, what about Chancellor Kelv-san?"

"...Uncle likes drinking cold alcohol after taking a hot bath."

"'Chancellor Kelv-san likes hot baths and cold alcohol.'"

I would keep that in mind when asking the chancellor for favors.

"...Huh?!"

There was a splash of water.

"W-what am I doing?! This is an evaluation test of a magic item, so why am I relaxing?!"

"Please relax. That's what the item is for."

"Y-you are tempting me?! As I thought, you are a fearsome person, fwooo..."

Plop.

Once again, I heard Elte-san sink into the water.

"I-I will not lose. I am a proper civil official and a lady... I cannot think that I do not want to work anymore today just because I am bathing in the home of someone I have just met... Mmm. So soft. Mmm... so soft..."

What was Elte-san fighting against?

"Come to think of it, Elte-san, could you grant permission to use this 'Bubbly Bath'?"

"...My stiff shoulders are getting better. The shoulder stiffness that troubled me for so many years..."

"Hellooo? About the usage permission?"

"...But I will not lose. I have not lost yet. I cannot let myself be corrupted by the alchemist-sama's item..."

"...Usage permission."

"...Fwaaah."

Elte-san fell silent.

After that, all I heard were contented sighs.

She seemed exhausted.

That was only natural.

She had just come from the Demon Lord's territory and had also accompanied the search for the magic circle.

Working in an unfamiliar land must be difficult.

Unlike me, who had come to a new land and found my work incredibly enjoyable, she was probably the exception.

"The usage permission can wait. Let's leave her in peace today."

"I agree."

"Elte-san is very serious, so I think she has been tense the entire time."

Mabel nodded beside me.

Agnis answered from the boiler room; only her voice reached us.

In any case, the experiment had been a success.

There was no doubt that the 'Bubbly Bath' felt wonderful.

As for permission to use it... I thought it would probably be fine.

She was enjoying it herself, so she probably would not refuse to let other people use it. As Chancellor Kelv-san's niece, she was surely a good person.

Now, the only thing left was──

"By the way, Elte-san."

"...Fwaaah."

When I called through the door, a blissful voice answered.

"I would like to move on to the next experiment soon."

"...Experiment?"

"The one where someone else enters the bath with you."

"...Huh! I-I suppose there was that, too."

"Are you all right with that?"

"I-I'm at work! There is no problem."

Was she sure?

Well, I would take her at her word.

"Elte-san says it is fine, but what does everyone else think?"

I called toward the outside of the workshop.

Then──

"We're coming in! Here we go!!"

A large group of pixies flew into the bathing area.

I had left a small gap in the bathing area's window for this purpose.

The 'Bubbly Bath' had originally been made for all the pixies to use together.

The 'Foot Bath' could only accommodate one or two people.

I wanted to let all the pixies who liked it enter at once.

Originally, Mabel and Agnis had been planning to bathe with the pixies... But it was fine. Elte-san had said it was fine herself.

"──Excuse us, civil official-sama."

"──Plop. Fizz, fizz."

"──It is meltingly hot."

"──Soft and fizzy and exciting!"

I could hear the pixies' voices.

The shy pixies seemed unable to resist the temptation of the 'Bubbly Bath.'

Well, but──

"...Fwaaah."

──Elte-san also seemed to be relaxing, so it was probably fine.

For the time being, I left the changing room and went outside the workshop.

When I went around behind the bathing area, I found the pixies' clothes hanging from a tree branch.

Just as I thought.

The pixies had taken their clothes off here.

For now, I hung a towel (made from Earth Magic-Woven Cloth) over the branch.

No one came around here, and no one would peek at them changing... or so I thought, when the wind pixie came out already?! Isn't that too fast? Didn't you like the 'Bubbly Bath'? Huh? That's not it?

I see. It was so comfortable that they wanted to enjoy it slowly.

Get in the bath, cool off outside, then get back in. That way, they could enjoy it for a long time──I see, so there was demand for that as well... I had overlooked it. Thanks for telling me.

In that case, I should make a place outside where people could cool off.

If I put some chairs and partitions here to hide their bodies──Wait, wind pixie? It would be a problem if you lay down on my palm. The height of my hand is just right for the breeze...?

Well, all right. You might catch a chill, so I wrapped them in a towel and dried them off. While they rested there until they were satisfied, I asked them to tell me any other thoughts they had. Good.

That was how Civil Official Elte-san and the pixies enjoyed the 'Bubbly Bath.'

Of course, it was a huge success.

Then, after the bath was over, Elte-san──

"...The alchemist-sama is a frightening person. To make me relax this much... B-but I have not lost yet. I am a civil official of the Demon Lord's territory, so I must keep a close eye on dangerous people. Ah, my shoulder stiffness is gone. Thank you. Also, who were the girls who came in during my bath? I remember their voices... N-no, I wasn't asleep. I was awake, all right? I am at work, so of course I would not sleep. It's true! Excuse me!"

──Saying that, she hurriedly left.

Incidentally, she granted permission for the 'Bubbly Bath' to be used privately and in public facilities in the Demon Lord's territory.

Excellent. Now Princess Sofia could use it, too.

I would ask General Raizenga to build her a private bathing area at the trading post.

If we installed a wooden tub inside a tent, it should not be too difficult. Since it was for diplomacy, I was sure we could manage it somehow.

At that time, I could ask whether she had any idea who had used the summoning magic.

I was curious about who had worn that robe as well.

Thinking about that, I began designing a 'Bubbly Bath' for Princess Sofia.