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Chapter 28 – Possibility of Alchemical Enhancement
While selling potions is excellent news, Wataru still hasn’t figured out how to mass-produce them.
There’s no doubt that Stella’s joining has been a huge step forward.
The next step is to gather all the alchemy tools.
To do so, he needs to talk to Stella again in detail about alchemy.
Meanwhile, at home, Aire and Cloche were engrossed in a fighting game while Mariel cooked for them.
Meanwhile, the remaining two, Wataru and Stella, were discussing future plans.
As usual, he brewed coffee without considering the cost and handed Stella a mug.
She seemed to be the type who added plenty of sugar and milk to her coffee.
She wrapped both hands around the mug and blew gently to cool it.
As she slowly sipped the coffee, her long ears perked up.
She still didn’t seem accustomed to the taste of coffee.
Despite her mature demeanor, it was endearing how she also had a childlike palate.
Since the arrival of winter and the turn of the season, the girls in the house had started wearing sweaters more often.
They seemed to enjoy flaunting their figures to catch Wataru’s eye.
Even now, her magnificent breasts, encased in a deep green sweater, sat prominently on the table, drawing Wataru’s gaze intensely.
If this weren’t a work discussion, he would have lingered longer.
“Stella, if we can gather the necessary tools for manufacturing, we’ll be able to create potions and produce transformation effects, right?”
“Yes, but separate materials are needed. I promise I can make them. I personally think the enchantment technique should be used more often, not just for transformations.”
“True. I was really helped by the ‘Cooling Cloak,’ too.”
“Beyond heat and cold, it’s also possible to increase the strength or lighten the suit you’ve been wearing lately.”
“Huh, interesting. What other uses are there?”
Stella’s gentle voice was soothing.
In a relaxed state, Wataru was able to ask his questions.
He didn’t know much about the enchantment technique.
He only vaguely understood that while some effects, like the Cooling Cloak, could be replicated with modern technology, others produced magical-like effects that couldn’t be replicated.
The legendary sword “Great Ice Tiger,” for instance, which was passed down by Aire’s clan, possesses effects that defy common sense, such as being indestructible—which practically challenges science—and the ability to instantly freeze everything around it.
“Enhancing physical abilities is a particularly common application. In your case, using it to thin out one’s presence might be well-suited for bodyguard duties.”
“Does that kind of thing work on Aire or Cloche?”
“The effect weakens against those with keen senses. However, it’s not rendered meaningless, and layering is possible. Also, if someone focuses their attention solely on you, that’s one thing. But if you’re with others, it can subconsciously guide their awareness toward you instead.”
“Huh, that’s amazing.”
“There’s also the option of enhancing Aire-san or Cloche-san’s presence to more effectively guide awareness.”
“I see. It might be useful depending on the situation.”
“Yes, but since you want to avoid drawing more attention than you already do, it’s just something to keep in mind.”
“Forgetting to remove it could spell trouble. No, this is a huge help! Thank you. Having you here is invaluable.”
“Oh, I’m hardly doing anything special.”
“Not at all! As I’ve said before, you’re exactly the kind of person I’ve been looking for! Your abilities are incredibly appealing. It was worth asking General Etgar for a favor.”
“…Fufufu. Well, well. It’s my pleasure to be of service…”
Though he was being met with intense stares, Wataru was focused on turning the enchantments into a business and hadn’t noticed.
No matter what kind of enchantments or potions he planned to make, he couldn’t start without the necessary equipment.
After enjoying Mariel’s cooking, he prepared to leave and asked her for details.
“So, it’s in the capital, right?”
“Yes, but I’ve never actually been myself. I hear there’s a district lined with shops where alchemists and mages can get whatever they need. They call it Alchemist Street or Mage Alley.”
“Ah, like Shinsaibashi-suji or Dotonbori? So it’s kind of like a shopping district?”
[T/N: A bustling shopping district featuring a wide range of high-end, tax-free shops with airport delivery. Dotonbori is a district in Osaka, Japan, known as one of Osaka’s principal tourist and nightlife areas.]
“If I had to compare it to a place you’ve taken me, it’s closer in feel to Doguya-suji.”
“Ah, I get it. Like a wholesale district?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
In the Namba district of Osaka, also known as Minami, there is a shopping district called Doguya-suji.
While most of the remaining shops are geared towards restaurants, the wholesale dealers are so concentrated that just strolling down the street is enough to find shops selling specialized knives, tableware, commercial kitchen equipment, neon signs, and more.
Years ago, the area was filled with specialized wholesalers for various professions, such as AV equipment and carpentry tools. Now, however, it has transformed into Otaku Road*.
[T/N: It’s basically the Osaka version of Akihabara.]
The sight of all these specialty shops facing each other is spectacular. It’s fun to walk by, even if you don’t need anything.
It’s also a popular tourist spot, visited by many foreigners.
He immediately imagined that Alchemist Street or Mage Alley would give a similar impression.
“Alright, let’s go then.”
What kind of shops would there be?
Wataru left home feeling excited.
Chapter 29 – Alchemist’s Street・Mage Alley Part 1
They traveled to the capital city through the gate and walked alongside Mariel, who was guiding them.
At first, they walked along a busy main street. Soon, however, the road narrowed slightly, and the people became sparse.
The appearance of the people walking gradually changed as well.
Many carried the scent of medicine or herbs, wore staffs, rings, or other ornaments, and wore robes adorned with intricate embroidery.
“There it is. This is Alchemy Street.”
“Huh? That? We’re already here?”
“Yes. Apparently, a powerful magic is cast here to ward off strangers, so those unfamiliar won’t notice.”
Only when Mariel said this did Wataru realize they had arrived.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen it.
It was right before his eyes, yet his consciousness hadn’t registered it.
“Huh… Is this magic? Or alchemy?”
“Since it uses an artifact with a sustained effect, I suppose it’s alchemy’s power.”
Stella, who knew about both, answered Wataru’s question directly.
“Alchemy is pretty amazing. Do you have this kind of skill, Stella?”
“Yes, but something this potent requires incredibly rare materials, so it’s not practical. If we scale it down or reduce the potency, though, it’s entirely feasible.”
“I see. That’s a relief.”
Using these techniques at home, on purchased land, or in future workshops would significantly increase secrecy.
Even top-tier warriors like Aire and Cloche couldn’t escape the effects of these human-repelling measures.
They could detect a human presence, so the measures wouldn’t hinder their guard duties. However, they wouldn’t have found the wholesale district.
Impressed, he entered the alchemist’s district.
Across a road about six meters wide—roughly the width of a single lane—shops lined up end to end.
Each was a three-story building, almost identical in height.
They were built in the so-called eel bed pattern—long, narrow shops where goods filled every inch from floor to ceiling.
About twenty percent of the items were somewhat obvious: tongs, cooking chopsticks, beakers, and pots.
The rest were mostly strange shapes that made you wonder what they were for.
The materials varied, too. There were rarely seen glass items and many metal objects in peculiar hues.
Among them were blades stretching several meters long—items so large that their purpose was unclear, perhaps for cutting tuna or even whales.
Even without knowing their purpose, seeing items with unfamiliar shapes was enjoyable and left room for imagination.
Wataru gazed at the alchemical items, his eyes sparkling.
Aire, who would normally be the most excited in such a situation, remained surprisingly calm.
Perhaps she was fascinated inside, but she firmly prioritized her role as a bodyguard.
Cloche, who looked up to Aire, also didn’t let herself get carried away.
“Huh… There sure are a lot of tools lined up here that I can’t figure out how to use.”
“This is a compressor. It’s used to increase the strength of materials or imbue them with special magical properties. Oh, this one is surprisingly cheap for its quality. Only eight gold coins.”
“Eight gold coins?”
“Ara, and this press is twenty gold coins.”
“T-twenty gold coins?”
Wataru nearly shouted in shock.
Even with Maso’s significant discount, he couldn’t believe that these tools cost more than Mariel’s or Aire’s.
In this world, however, slave prices are extremely low while tools for specialized uses are shockingly expensive.
Only a limited number of people can make them, so they’re incredibly rare. Since they can’t be produced just anywhere, transportation costs are added on, resulting in a hefty price tag.
He remembered that the dull-looking treasure sword, which was all show, was also more expensive than Mariel’s and Aire’s swords.
Considering such market prices, Stella’s impression was probably correct in this world.
“I don’t know the market rates, but I’m not getting ripped off, am I?”
“If you were to travel to each production site to buy items individually, you could probably find cheaper shops. However, if you want a comprehensive selection, buying from this alchemy shop is probably your best bet.”
“Got it. Even if it’s an investment for the future, it’s still going to cost me. Ohoho…”
Wataru didn’t know exactly what was needed for alchemy equipment.
He thought that even something like a knife or a beaker could be Earth-made blades, but Stella dismissed the idea.
“The methods are different,” she explained.
The top priority was avoiding unnecessary magical influence, both receiving and giving.
For stable quality, neither was acceptable. Metals suited for such specialized purposes were exceptionally rare in terms of both resources and manufacturing methods.
Furthermore, certain materials were said to be easier for the maker to infuse with their magic.
Wataru was about to unload the large amount of gold coins he had saved up from selling sugar all at once.
“If I can’t make proper potions with this, it’ll be horrific.”
“Ara, ara… What kind of punishment are you going to give me, Master? Oh, that’s not good at all.”
“Hey, what kind of fantasy are you having!?”
“Ah, you wouldn’t do something that cruel…”
Stella flushed bright red and began wriggling, causing Wataru to seriously doubt whether he could rely on her.
Seriously, give me a break, he thought.
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