An Unconscious Genius Magic Tool Maker Wants to Live a Leisurely Life

Chapter 44: City of Water

“…sigh I’m exhausted.”

I collapse onto the bed as if my body can’t take it anymore.

It might be the first time in a while that I feel so tired at the end of the day.

Lidoria-san has been talking with a naked Nero-kun for almost two hours since she became interested in his body.

I was the only one who was troubled the whole time.

When I close my eyes, I recall the words Nero-kun said to me.

“Someday, I too…”

The face of His Highness came to mind.

The person I love.

I involuntarily shake my hand above my empty head, having had an inappropriate imagination.

It seems that I have no resistance to men.

Seeing Lidoria-san made me realize it.

I wonder if His Highness will eventually be disappointed with me.

I become a little anxious and close my eyes again.

❂❂❂

The next morning.

Nero-kun and I were summoned to His Highness’s office.

The royal guards were already waiting inside.

Gardo-san greeted us with a big wave.

“Hey, it’s been a while! You look good.”

“Yes. Have you all been doing well?”

“We’re as usual. And this is the one next to you, the golem we found in the dungeon…”

“Nero Claudius. Nice to meet you.”

The royal guards also knew about Nero’s circumstances.

But this was their first time meeting face-to-face.

All four of them looked interested.

“Oh, when he moves, he doesn’t look like a golem at all.”

“He’s just a pretty boy.”

“But he’s really an old man inside! That hurts!”

“Watch your words.”

They were still as lively as ever.

“You guys also played a part in waking me up. Thank you. Thanks to you, I am here.”

“Don’t worry about it. We didn’t enter the dungeon to help you or anything. By the way, you’re the one who made that dungeon, right?”

“Yeah, it was my secret hideout for research.”

“That’s amazing. How did you even create something like that?”

“It’s easy. Making dungeons and such.”

They immediately start chatting and getting along well. It seems that Nero-kun also gets along well with these friendly people.

I feel relieved for now.

Then, His Highness arrives late.

“Sorry for being late. What’s this? Are you all already getting along?”

“Oh, we were waiting for you, Your Highness.”

“Ah, you’re here.”

“Everyone’s here.”

His Highness looks at each person in turn, and finally sits down on the sofa.

Of course, next to me.

“Well then, the reason we gathered today is none other than to discuss the next mission.”

“Finally. I’ve been waiting for a while and had nothing to do.”

“That’s what I thought. This time it’s going to be a bit more complicated. Or rather, it seems like Freya’s power will be essential.”

“Me?”

His Highness nods.

It seems that the case requires the use of a magic tool.

If that’s the case, I definitely want to do my best.

I’m determined to show His Highness my best side.

“What’s the job?”

Nero-kun asked.

His Highness spread out a map and explained, “In the town of Acrysta, located south of the capital, they are currently suffering from an unexplained water disaster.”

“Acrysta, isn’t that the water city? It’s known for having lots of waterways and fountains throughout the town!”

“That’s right.”

“Water disaster, so is it a flood or a drought?”

Lest-san asked.

Those were the two things that came to my mind as well, but it seems like it’s different.

“The water in Acrysta’s waterways comes from underground springs. The water is so clean that you can drink it as is and it supported the lives of the people in the town. But it seems that the water has been contaminated.”

“Contaminated? Why now all of a sudden?”

“I don’t know. That’s why Gardo, we’ll investigate it ourselves.”

“I see. It could be man-made.”

Gardo-san hits his fists together as if to psych himself up.

I don’t want to think that it’s man-made…that someone intentionally contaminated it.

But it’s a possibility.

I recall someone who had connections to the darkness behind a calm facade.

❂❂❂

We quickly finished preparing and departed from the capital by carriage.

The city of Acrysta, our destination, is about four hours away by one way.

Although the distance isn’t that far, we have to cross a mountain.

On the other side of the mountain, the temperature rises sharply and the sun shines brightly.

“This side is really hot.”

“I can’t wear armor in this heat.”

“But don’t suddenly take it off. If you do that, I’ll freeze your whole body.”

“…It’s really hot.”

“I agree.”

Iris-san is exasperated by Gardo-san and Dan-san’s reactions.

As he watches their interaction, His Highness smiles fondly.

But it’s really hot.

I’m surprised that the temperature could change so much just by crossing a single mountain.

I wish we had brought a magic tool that could produce cool air.

Shall I make it here since I have the ingredients?

“Don’t waste your magic power.”

“Oh, you caught me?”

“You’re easy to read from your expression. It’s obvious.”

Nero-kun stopped me, so I’ll stop making it.

Certainly, I can endure this level of heat.

If we rely on magic tools for everything, what will happen if we run out of them?

“I wonder what would happen if we actually run out of magic tools? I can’t imagine a world like that.”

“It means that magic tools have become so integrated into modern life. But civilization doesn’t always develop. It can collapse from small triggers.”

“Don’t say scary things.”

“It’s just a possibility. The more you take for granted, the more you fear losing it.

There’s an unusual weight to Nero-kun’s words.

He may have experienced such situations before.

In fact, the same thing was happening in the city we are heading to.