TN: Please read my translations only on my website nyx-translation.com since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi and Patreon to read several chapters ahead!
Sponsored chapter by Patreon. Enjoy~
TL: ALT
Chapter 34 – Baron Moye’s Excitement
The cylindrical object that Wataru showed Baron Moye was about 10 centimeters long and 3 centimeters in diameter.
Its surface was wrapped in brightly colored Japanese paper, which gave it a texture that prevented fingers from slipping.
Moye’s expression showed no particular sign of admiration as he took it in his hands without reservation.
The unusual color and paper quality were certainly valuable, but that alone did not make it a valuable work of art.
“Hmm, I’ve never seen paper like this before. The color is rather pale, I suppose. I’m not saying it’s not valuable, but what’s so special about this plain tube?”
“Appearance is only a small part of its charm. Hold this and look into it from the end.”
Wataru gestured as if he was holding something up to his eyes.
The appearance is only a bonus.
Here, the real action begins.
What do you think? What kind of reaction will this person have when he sees this?
Moye looked into the tube as instructed, and his expression changed to one of astonishment.
“Look in…? Whoa! What a vivid sight! The multicolored light is like a painting that has captured a jewel!”
“That’s not all. The tube can rotate.”
“The scenery has changed! What is this? The more I turn it, the more new patterns appear! How many pictures are stored in here?”
Fufufu, he’s surprised.
Of course, he is.
Wataru couldn’t help but smile.
He must have seen many pictures painted by skilled artists.
The same goes for sculptures and embroideries.
However, for the people of this world, ‘moving pictures’ are an unknown experience.
“Well, the more you turn it, the more things appear, so I don’t know how many there are.”
“My goodness… I’ve never seen anything like this before! What in the world is this thing called?”
Moye’s fresh, well-groomed face is flushed with excitement.
Seeing him so excited and wanting to know the answer right away, Wataru is finally able to calm down.
“Yes, it is called a ‘kaleidoscope.'”
Moye repeated the word “kaleidoscope” over and over again, clearly impressed by Wataru’s comment.
“I see. It’s a beautiful sight, like a thousand flowers blooming. Since it’s called a mirror, does it use a mirror?” [T/n: The kanji for kaleidoscope is taken from 万華鏡, which also can be translated as a thousand flower mirror.]
“Yes, it does. It’s made by a unique method, and it uses a material different from the mirrors you see here.”
The history of kaleidoscopes dates back to 1816, almost 200 years ago.
They were invented by a Scottish physicist, Dr. David Brewster.
They were introduced to Japan incredibly quickly, and there are records of them being used three years later.
It is a toy that shows a series of patterned mirror images by combining several mirrors and placing the original image you want to reflect behind them. It was originally an optical product.
Wataru came up with the idea of using kaleidoscopes because he noticed that there were very few windows in the buildings of the other world.
The fact that the technology for making glass is poor means that mirrors made of glass are not widely used either.
When he showed it to Mariel and Aire and asked for their reactions, he got a good response.
He thought that Moye would probably like it as well, so he chose it as a candidate, but it was even more popular than he expected.
After looking intently at the kaleidoscope, Moye nodded.
“This is wonderful. You’re right to be confident.”
“This is a product like no other in the world. I’m sure you’ll be pleased with it, but what do you think?”
“Hmm. But it’s not without its problems.”
“Yes. What are they?”
“The value of my side is too low.”
Wataru’s face clouded with surprise and fear as he wondered what kind of problem there could be, but he was relieved when he heard the next words.
It would be better to at least get a higher estimate.
“I believe in doing business fairly. It’s not good in the long run if one side benefits too much.”
“But I’ve heard that Great Tiger Ice is a very special product…”
“It’s certainly a very good weapon, but it can’t be compared to the only one in this world.”
Wataru wonders if Aire will be offended.
He looks back, but Aire is sitting calmly.
“Is that okay?”
“Yes, I already trusted you once, so I’ll leave everything to you, Master.”
“Thank you…”
As long as it came back to her hands, there seemed to be no problem.
However, her eyes were still fixed on her beloved sword.
“So you mean you will make some kind of compensation?”
“Yes, but I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to give up any more of my precious collection. They are all things that I have a lot of affection for.”
It was a kind offer, but it also presented a problem that made him hesitate to answer.
He wanted to take advantage of the situation and get a good deal, but if he was too greedy here, he might upset Moye, who valued fair trade.
Above all, he still didn’t understand what was needed.
If Wataru had known more about how the world worked, he could have suggested something appropriate for their lack.
It was Mariel who came to Wataru’s aid when he was lost in thought.
“May I make a suggestion?”
“Mariel, what is it?”
“I think that Master will continue to search for and find rare items. Since the Baron collects rare items, it would be nice if we could sell them to him, but at the moment, it is difficult to travel from outside the territory, and it is also difficult to meet with him.”
“Hmm, so you want the freedom to visit the castle and a direct answer, is that it? But you know that this is not something to be granted lightly.”
Mariel nodded in agreement.
In feudal society, in order to maintain authority, it was often not even allowed to give a direct answer.
To allow it would be tantamount to the noble giving his seal of approval that the other party was a powerful being.
It was only natural that Moye would not give his permission so easily.
And knowing this, Moye also understood what Mariel was proposing.
“Will you be able to bring me things that will satisfy me without fail in the future?”
“If it’s my master, then definitely.”
“You are trusted quite a lot. It seems like you’ve only known each other for a short time, but I wonder how you managed to gain such trust?”
“Ha-haha… I’m honored.”
There’s no way he can tell the truth.
He swallows the words that are on the tip of his tongue.
“Very well. If you insist on it so much, Wataru, you shall be my official merchant in the Moye territory! From now on, if you come across anything interesting, feel free to come and talk business with me!”
“Yes, thank you very much!”
Wataru replied, bowing deeply in gratitude for this unexpected kindness.
If you like my translations, please support me on Ko-Fi and subscribe my Patreon to read several chapters ahead!
Thanks for the treat.
LikeLike
I wonder if that noble has kids. Some toys that don’t contain electronics might be well received then. Anything that’s not powered by batteries, like clockwork dolls wound by spring, for example. Or a vintage toy train with its track set, but that might become an inspiration for the real thing being reproduced too. Or as I have said before, a mechanical music box. What about some elaborately decorated wind chimes? Or something disposable like commercial fireworks, if he is okay with the risk of them being mishandled and injuring someone. A mechanical wristwatch or an alarm clock would be quite an overkill though. Decorative variety of colorful glass marbles would be cheap and still impactful, I guess. Or Newton’s cradle or pendulum wave baubles you can place on a desk. It would be a great icebreaker for noble conversations for some time. Some neodymium sphere magnets too. Any alternative among those might be well received.
LikeLike