128 Episode 24: The Invited Again (2/2)

”Yep. Since the unveiling of magic, the Kingdom of Palletia is ushering in a time of transformation. But there is no shortage of people anywhere to support this transformation. The goal is to get orphans and aristocratic bastards tested for their magical fitness and to secure and develop talent for the future.”

Uffi takes a breath to see if Tomas is following the story. You guessed Yuffi's intentions, nodding as Tomas also understands.

”We are talking about the future, but the children who have been found fit are to be taken by the nobility as adoptive sons or to be guardians to mediate in an appropriate position. In some cases, we are even looking at granting a special aristocratic status. In a close precedent, there is a system whereby an adventurer is awarded aristocratic status as a reward for accomplishing his feats. It's going to be a system close to this.”

”Ha... how does that relate to my story?

”Tomas has been a dedicated craftsman for Annis for a long time. As a result, it contributes to the invention of many magic props, including Mana Blade. If Tomas is going to become a dedicated advisor again at the suggestion of Annis, we also have aristocratic status if Tomas wants.”

”... ha!? Me, come on, to the nobles!?”

Tomas lifted his hips and opened his eyes to see if Yuffi's suggestion was too unexpected.

Let Yuffi gently raise her hand to calm such a tomas.

”If you want, it is. But I think Tomas would have been talking about it regardless of whether he took it or not...”

”... is that right?”

Tomas shrugs small as he was troubled to find out how he had responded, knowing that a meeting might come where he would become a nobleman.

”What if, if Tomas is going to be the exclusive of Anis again, it's less trouble for you to acknowledge that you're going to be a nobleman. Besides, nobility doesn't necessarily give you territory. It may be easier for you to understand that rewards for their skill and contributions are just as honorable as nobility.”

”Honor equal to nobility......”

”Yes. So I think I will have the opportunity to be invited to a social meeting or something. We're basically going to be a one-generation title, and we're moving on to talking about giving out grants and other rewards from the state instead of territory. Of course, the content of the reward will vary depending on your preference, so we need to discuss it.”

Yes, the aristocrats who will be born in the new policy now contemplated, if I say so, may be easy to understand when I say ”honorary aristocrats” rather than actual aristocrats.

Although it has the same honor as a nobleman, it is basically a one-generation title, and even if a child is made, it does not inherit that title.

And there's no way I can get a territory to rule as a nobleman. Of course, that's what we're talking about at this stage, that it would be reasonable to transfer an amount corresponding to the title from the state.

I heard from Yuffi that Tomas looked troubled and seemed to hold his fist hard on his lap.

”... I just happened to have an affair with Master Anis. You can't snort as a blacksmith when you're told you're not confident in your arms. But I'm in trouble, honestly. No, I'm in trouble.”

”Speak easy, Tomas. I don't mind.”

”... excuse me. Well, I'm a common man who doesn't know how to be heard like this. I don't care if they say that all of a sudden...”

”I remember talking about this story in a similar way when you took on the advisor...”

”... I thought I was done doing what I could.”

”I won't deny that, but things have changed.... can't you? Tomas. I want to fulfill Tomas' hopes whenever I can. I need you to help Tomas again.”

I look straight at Tomas and inquire. I frowned that Tomas would still be this after receiving my gaze. He meditates his eyes as they are, arms together to shrink and grind.

Tomas's silence keeps the room quiet. It was Tomas who sighed like he'd given up that ended the silence.

”... ok. What am I supposed to do?

”Tomas!”

”Damn, I haven't tried to turn down Master Anise's favor...”

That's what Tomas said as he turned that way scratching his head galloping. I was filled with thoughts to stroke my chest down for what Tomas had responded to.

”Good, what would I have done if Tomas hadn't taken it on?”

”... that's good enough. I'm not saying that other blacksmiths would have been better because you decided to take it on. So? This is where the real deal starts, isn't it?

”Yeah, that's the point, then. As I was saying, the Empire will be spilled with magic props technology. Though I don't think it's likely that the Empire will use demonic props as a weapon of war, I can't say enough that they don't. So just in case, I thought we wanted to develop new technologies.”

”... new technology?

”That's true when it comes to existing technology, because it's still unexplored. I was behind in my quest for a way to make use of it.”

Phew, and exhaled before I uttered my thoughts.

”There is one major resource in the Kingdom of Palettia that has not been utilized. Using it to develop weapons and tools… that's what I want to do with Tomas.”

”Unutilized resources......?

Tomas listens back with a suspicious look on his face. I nodded and then replied to Tomas like this.

”-” Demon Stone. ”Other than me, I haven't found many ways to make use of it.”

”Huh...!?... Seriously. No, we should finally say...”

Sighing like a shudder, I return with a full grin to Tomas, who is smiling bitterly.

”Yeah. Thanks to the Ministry of Magic, we're also working on the Spirit Stone, and I'm going to take this as an opportunity to research it. Tomas will be his assistant.”

”... ha. I'll let you do as much as I can.”

”Thank you. So what, it's better to have Tomas become a nobleman based on what he's accomplished so far than be my exclusive. So, what, you don't need tomas for territory, do you?

”Well... don't bother getting it”

”Yeah. So, I'm going to have a new workshop in Tomas for the Magic City, what do you think?

”... does that mean closing my workshop?

”I really think my current base will be a magic city, and I will continue to do more research and development in magic cities. So either way, the workshop has to be built because I'm going to need it. Now the workshop hires someone to manage Tomas while he's away if he wants to.”

”... can you ask for a while? I still don't feel like letting go of that workshop... I can't be”

Tomas says softly closing his eyes with a slightly contemplative look on his face.

The Gana Workshop was inherited by Tomas from his late parents now. Even for me, I can't tell you to let go because I'm going to have a new workshop. This point was intended to fulfill Tomas' hopes.

”Of course not, because it's like I'm asking for something I can't.... That's why it's good to see you again, Tomas”

”Ah. Again, thank you. Dear Annis.”

I took my seat and offered my hand to go to the front of Tomas and ask him to shake his hand. Tomas also took a seat and shook hands with me.