Chapter 244
Having successfully completed the spatial teleportation device, Franz immediately reported to the emperor.
As it was an item that would cause a massive ripple in the world, he couldn’t decide anything on his own. If something went wrong, he would have to bear the sole responsibility.
“So what you’re saying is, if I pass through that device, I can arrive right in front of the Magic Tower at once?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“You really are…”
The emperor let out a hollow laugh.
Who could have imagined that a distance taking a full fortnight by carriage could be traversed back and forth in just a few seconds? The spatial teleportation device was an item that absurd.
“To be honest, I want to approve it right away. If such an innovative item exists, the quality of life will change. But as you know, it’s not an issue that can be decided so easily. We have to weigh the problems that will arise from it.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Unlike the Magic Tower lord who was merely presenting a magic tool he had worked hard to make, he was the emperor, who had to think of all the citizens of the empire. It was only natural to understand his caution.
“I said that, but there’s no need to worry too much. Just as you said, it is an absolutely necessary item for resolving the Gates.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Ah, there is one thing you should worry about.”
“What might that be…”
“Shouldn’t you worry about running around day and night from now on? According to your words, you’ll have to travel around and install them not just in the empire, but in every country.”
Franz felt as if he had been struck in the head with a hammer for a moment. Every single word the emperor said was true, without a single letter out of place.
He had certainly been beaming when he made it, but now that he thought about traveling around the entire continent to install it, his vision went dark.
'Well, it can’t be helped.'
Thinking that this too was for a comfortable retirement made it somewhat bearable.
No, actually, it wasn’t bearable. He hadn’t even done anything yet, but he already felt exhausted.
If there was one thing he could take comfort in amidst all this, it was that he could travel with the girls again?
Perhaps this time it would be a trip around the continent.
“Come to think of it, once that device is established, I’ll be able to have tea with you often.”
“Your Highness, even so, for you to move personally is…”
“Is not everywhere in the empire my land? There will be no one to say anything just because I set foot there.”
There was no way anyone would do such a thing to the emperor, of all people. At the very least, if they valued their lives, they would have to keep a smile on their faces.
Of course, that smile would contain a great many emotions.
Anyway, if possible, he hoped the emperor would refrain from coming over to the Magic Tower to visit for fun.
* * *
The Great Forest was a forest densely packed with giant trees that had lived for well over hundreds of years.
The Elves, situated in the deepest part of the region, were having an unusually busy day.
“Chieftain! I cut all of this!”
A young Elf ran toward Hera with a bright smile. The plate in her hands held beautifully sliced fruits.
“Yes, you did well.”
It was incredibly admirable that she was helping with work despite being at an age where she would want to play all the time.
However, her running figure looked rather precarious. It seemed like she would trip at any moment.
“Erin, walk slowly…”
“Eek?!”
Sure enough, at the same time Hera voiced her concern, the young Elf’s foot caught on a tree root.
The body of the child who had been running excitedly pitched forward, and the plate in her hands flew into the air.
“Really…”
Hera let out a short sigh and gestured in the air.
Creaaak-.
Tree roots jutting out from the ground gently caught the young Elf’s body. That wasn’t all. They even perfectly caught the plate and fruits that were flying through the air.
It was the power of the Spirit King that Hera possessed. Just as much as she loved nature, she was loved by nature.
“Erin, what will you do if you get hurt like that?”
The tree roots moved slowly and handed the plate of fruits to the young Elf.
Receiving it carefully, she bowed her head deeply.
“I’m sorry…”
“As long as you aren’t hurt, that is enough.”
Hera gently patted the young Elf’s head.
She had simply been worried; there was no great fault in the fact that she had run.
If she was reflecting on it, saying anything more was meaningless.
Did she understand those feelings? The young Elf’s expression brightened once again.
“What should I do with this?”
“Put it in here.”
Plop, plop-.
The fruits on the plate went into a large wooden barrel.
“Then I’ll bring more…!”
The young Elf scurried back the way she came, running off with a dash.
Telling her not to run happened just a moment ago, yet how did she forget it so quickly?
Hera let out a soft pfft-chuckle and focused on what she was doing.
“Put the herbs in here…”
What Hera was doing was none other than making fruit wine.
Although there was a little left of what she had made previously, there would soon be an occasion where a large amount of alcohol would be consumed at once, so she was making it in advance.
'Honestly, it’s a bit burdensome…'
As Hera thought that and let out a sigh. Her comrades who had gone to the forest to pick fruits returned.
“Chieftain, we will do it.”
“There is no law saying a chieftain cannot make wine, is there? You are the ones who have worked hard until now, so go back and rest.”
“Then let’s do it together…!”
They were tribe members who simply wouldn’t listen.
She knew their actions didn’t stem from ill intentions, so she didn’t say anything else about it.
Afterward, Hera made the fruit wine together with the tribe members. Doing it with several people was certainly faster than doing it alone.
It happened in the midst of that.
“By any chance, is the grand chieftain coming this time too?”
“I haven’t really thought about it, but…”
The grand chieftain would be referring to Franz.
She couldn’t call him every time just because it was an Elf festival. It was even more so because he had become much busier with the gates and labyrinths appearing in the world.
“Even though it’s the chieftain’s birthday?”
“What is the big deal about my birthday? There have been many such days before, and there will be many more in the future.”
“Chieftain, listen carefully. The grand chieftain is an attractive person even to me, an Elf. Would human women leave such a person alone?”
“I-If they don’t leave him alone, what then?”
“They’ll sway their tails like foxes and seduce him. And then, snap!, they’ll eat him right up.”
She held up a large spatula and mimicked a wild beast.
At that moment, three faces popped into Hera’s mind: Yuna, Yusti-ah, and Arian. They were women aiming for Franz, just like herself.
If it were they, they would definitely seduce Franz and drag him to bed. That is, wagging their tails like wicked foxes.
Naturally, she couldn’t allow that. She had discarded her desire to become a slave and vowed to become his first one.
Though, if asked if she hated being a slave, that wasn’t exactly true either…
She could stick closely by his side, after all…?
“No, no.”
Shaking her head, Hera made a decision. She would tell Franz that her birthday festival was being held.
But why was it? Strangely enough, her feet wouldn’t move.
It was because the thought that she might be interfering with his work had settled in a corner of her heart.
Wasn’t there something Franz had said once?
That staying still would at least get you halfway there.
Rather than becoming someone who couldn’t even reach halfway, it would be better to stay still…
“Chieftain, you think too much. It won’t be too late to think about what to do if you get rejected when it actually happens.”
She was absolutely right. If she got scared beforehand and didn’t make a move, nothing would change.
“Hold onto this for a moment.”
Hera handed the giant spatula she was holding to her.
“Make sure to tell me what happens.”
“Yes, I will do that.”
Hera left the smiling Elf behind and hurried her steps.
The place she arrived at was a small house carved from a tree stump.
Entering the house, Hera wiped her hands on her apron, wipe, wipe-, and grasped the necklace Franz had given her some time ago.
“Um… Franz, can you hear me…?”
Her trembling voice echoed quietly.
* * *
“This is a task the Magic Tower master has entrusted to us with faith! Let’s not make any mistakes!”
“Uwaaaah-!”
The researchers of the Magic Tool Development Department let out a shout, hardening their resolve.
The task Franz had entrusted to them was none other than processing the parts for the spatial teleportation device.
In truth, calling it a task was an understatement; for them, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They were able to learn firsthand the structure and design of a magic tool that no one could have ever imagined.
“I will come by periodically to inspect it myself. Please take good care of it.”
“Yes!”
Franz left the research lab, leaving behind the researchers who seemed to have turned into barbarians.
It was then.
[Um… Franz, can you hear me…?]
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his head. It was none other than Hera’s voice.
Franz immediately moved to a quiet place. After all, it could look like he was talking to himself.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
[Well… there is a large festival in the Great Forest in three days…]
“Sure, I’ll go.”
Franz spat out his answer before Hera could even finish her sentence.
It was obvious why she was saying such a thing.
[Mmm, understood. The festival will start in the morning, so come whenever is convenient.]
“Got it.”
[You seem busy lately, so don’t overdo it, and I will see you on that day.]
The conversation with Hera ended with that.
Franz stretched out both arms and thought to himself. The fruit wine he had drunk that day was quite delicious.