Volume 3 - Chapter 4 – RIVAL (1/2)
Jin and the others are having dinner at the Sea Pavillion, it wasn’t much but they had a toast for the formation of the team.
「Well then, here’s to celebrate the formation of team 『MJR』」
They raised and tapped each other’s glasses. And,
「Let’s aim for for victory!」
Incidentally MJR was made up of the initials of Marcia, Jin and Reiko. Of course, Jin had left the naming up to Marcia.
After a peaceful meal, they began the meeting. Then Jin remembered,
「By the way, that smug man from before, who was that guy?」
「……」
Marcia seemed to have difficulty saying it. Jin sensing that,
「You don’t have to force yourself to say it.」
He said, but Marcia had resolved herself,
「No, I don’t want to keep secrets from a team mate.」
Saying that, she began to talk.
「That guy is a Marquis of this Elias Kingdom. Marquis Hudson’s 3 men are the assistants of the ruler of Port Rock, Valentino I believe he is called, however…… he says he wants me to be a mistress without any hesitation」
「Huh?」
「He also has three other wives and two mistresses. That guy said he wanted to have the same number of wives and mistresses.」
「What a ridiculous guy……」
Jin was disgusted of course.
「I don’t know why he’s taken an interest in me.」
She asserted. Marcia didn’t seem to be lying as Jin thought she was beautiful enough herself. However he didn’t say that,
「So is that guy also entering the competition?」
「He will. More so, he’s the favourite to win. He can use his family’s power and money to employ a good shipwright and a skilled Magi Craftsman. There’s also a rumour that he’s invited a Magi Craftsman from the center of Magi Craft, Celuroa Kingdom.」
「It is impossible for Onii-sama to lose to such a man.」
Reiko who had stayed silent until then couldn’t bear it any longer and interjected.
「Y-Yeah. I believe so too.」
「So, what are we going to do now?」
Somewhat forcibly, Jin attempted to change the subject.
「Right, a-anyway, we’ll need to get the materials for Jin to make a golem. Cost is no concern is what I would like to say, but as you can see, please don’t expect much.」
「It’s fine, normal materials are enough.」
「Since I’ll be helping with the fishing in the mornings until the day after tomorrow, we’ll have to take care of getting the materials during the afternoon. Therefore you can do as you like during the mornings.」
「Helping with the fishing? Why?」
Hearing that, Marcia with a little embarrassment,
「It’s a bit embarrassing, but even if it’s just a little, I want to get used to riding a boat and while I’m at it, earn a little money.」
「Oh, I see. Then are you all right with having lunch in this dining room?」
Since Jin liked how delicious the meals were. On the side, Reiko diligently made note of Jin’s tastes.
「Yeah, let’s do that.」
Marcia nodded.
In addition to that, we heard that the the lord might come take a look at the competition and there will be a prize for design and idea besides just speed before we finished up that evening.
「Otou-sama is really whimsical. Are you helping others again?」
She was probably talking about what happened in Blue Land.
「Well, I guess so. But it’s also because I’m curious about the race, it’s seems like fun.」
「I’m fine with it if Otou-sama is too, but I’m worried you’ll work your body too hard.」
Since Jin was overworked by the boss and seniors of the company in his previous world, even though he was aware of it, it was his disposition and that can’t be easily corrected.
「Yeah, I’ll be careful.」
That was the best answer he could give right now.
「Now then, I want to take a shower to refresh myself.」
He was somehow sticky from the sea breeze blowing on him all day.
「I’ll go wash my body.」
Jin said to Reiko and went to the communal bathroom with a change of clothes and a towel… But soon immediately came back.
「Otou-sama? What is it?」
「No way, no way. The water doesn’t flow out, you have to draw it yourself with the bucket on the shelf, you can’t bathe at all. Even worse, because the sea is nearby, the well water is also muddy.」
Jin once again recognized that water was precious. A pump was made at Kaina Village, but it doesn’t seem to have spread to here yet.
「I’ll go back to Hourai Island tomorrow and take a bath there.」
Jin who gave up on taking a bath and shower for the day, thought about various things and plans while lying on the inn’s bed, but he soon fell asleep before he knew it.
The next day. Jin and Reiko had returned to the Laboratory using the Warp Gate to bring the materials.
Reiko carried a barrel of fish paste. They couldn’t find any soy sauce so they got it for its similar flavour.
Getting out of the morning bath he had Reiko prepare, Jin immediately began preparing.
「Now then. Reiko, I believe there was the leather of a Sham Dragon.」