The Banished Villainess’ Husband

“Eh!”

With the help of a knife, the blood spills into the dragon stone core.

After getting dripped in blood, the core shines in a pillar of light as the effect integrated into the storage.

When the blood dried, it became metal fittings sustaining the dragon stone, and after finished acclimating, the dragon stone tool is ready.

Dragon stone basically never break, but it’s different when they become a dragon stone tool.

That’s why there is never a time when a dragon stone craftsman has a hard time making a living, and the blueprint is expensive… I wonder if Lana knows about it and trying to sell the blueprint for a high price?

But she didn’t know what dragon stone craftsman is?

“F-frac! Look at your finger!”

“Ha? Eh?”

“You’re bleeding! What should I do?! No… where’s the band-aid? Let’s use water to disinfect it first?!”

“Hey, calm down a minute, Lana. If you lick it, the wound will heal.”

“What are you saying! But it’s bleeding!? I never heard such a scary system!”

“Ehhhhh…”

Where the heck is this confidence came from?!

“A-anyway use handkerchief…”

“Uwaaa! Ouch. Fine! The wound will heal after you wash it with water!”

“No! The blood is still coming out!”

“Cut it out, both of you. I have ointment for you.”

….Ah, hand… she held my hand.

So tiny… and warm… uwaahhhh!

Regulus hand over the cut ointment from his carriage.

He thanks him for the salve. Then, lightly tied the wound with gauze.

Lana trembles at sight.

I thought that was the case, but didn’t she know how to make the dragon stone tool?

“So, what happens after this?”

“Uh, umm… the engraved effect shockingly complex. I can’t believe it… engraved medium-sized dragon stone usually doesn’t have a complex effect.”

“Really? It’s a little bit difficult, but not impossible.”

“………”

“What??”

Why did Grice-san stare angrily at me?

Before I had the chance to ask him what’s wrong, Kurou-san’ men who seemed to be interested in what we were doing in the garden gathered.

“Did you see that beam of light?”

“Hey? Is that a dragon stone tool?”

“But it’s a box?”

“The revolution that you talked about… is this what you mean? Oi, tell me about it, ojou-chan.”

“Ehhh. Quick, tell me what this box is?”

“If this is going to works…”

And I opened the lid… no, door.

When I open the door, a little cold air flowed outside, and the surrounding people stiffen.

During that one beat.

Regulus is the first person to move, opening his eyes and putting his hand in the refrigerator.

“No way, it’s cold!”

“Did Lana say something about freezing? You can do that in the bottom storage. It’s a two-tiered structure, the freezer is at the bottom, and the chiller is above. What do you think? Isn’t this cool?”

“Did you really include the freezer?! Amazing! Franc genius!”

“………”

Oh, crap.

“Eh, why are you getting angry when I’m praising you?”

“I’m not angry. For a moment, I thought I saw insect flying.”

“No way! Is it mosquito?!”

“Uh… what is it, a fly?”

…That was so close.

I can feel my expression slacken, but I can’t show it.

Please turn back.

If I rub my face, will my expression back to normal?

“This is it! Come on! What do you think, Regulus-san? I called this 『Refrigerator』! Things like vegetables, fruit, raw meat, and milk! If you put them inside, they won’t quickly get spoiled. Moreover, there’s a freezer down there! See? This is revolutionary!”

“I can’t believe it… and I’m sure… compared to the underground warehouse, it’s colder! How is that possible?! To be able making a cold box to store something! The idea is genius! And the skill to make it possible using the medium-sized dragon stone! Marvelous! How incredible!”

“The blueprint is 800 gold coins! In case you sell it, we get 10% off the monthly sales. What do you think?”

“I’ll definitely buy it!”

“Are you for real?!”

What a quick decision?!

I didn’t expect that, and I can feel the chill down my back!

N-no, no, not yet!

“Wait, wait, wait! This is a prototype model?! Please wait for a month! If you use it while it’s not perfect yet, there will be problems! Dragon stone tool is a dragon stone’s power container, and they will break when they can’t withstand the power… then it will become a defective product?!”

“Really?”

“Yup!”

“Ah, that can happen. I can’t wait for the month to be over to see the amazing product! And I’ll immediately sell that to the castle~”

“C-castle…!”

Seriously, that was risky~~!

What kind of scheme this beefy onee-san is playing at…!

And I can see Kurou-san and Grice-san open their eyes wide in surprise.

And the other craftsmen as well.

W-what is it?

“T-this guy acting like this… do you think that 『Arsegios』is swimming in a dragon stone tools pool?”

Kurou-san mull over that question as he strokes his beard and stares at the refrigerator.

No way, I shrugged my shoulder.

I don’t even think about it until Lana suggested it.

“Hey… d-didn’t you say you are a former n-noble? I mean… I can’t… !”

“Eh?”

What are you talking about, dragon stone craftsman?

I remember I can’t help but learn the dragon stone’s effects through trial-and-error for Alfred and friends.

That’s how an amateur learns to get better, right?

But, Grice-san was visibly flustered, Kurou-san dan the other craftsman made a little commotion.

Eh… what?

“That’s it! Eufranc-chan, let’s work at our company!”

“Hey, no poaching! I have the right to sell Franc’s inventions! Right, Franc?

“Um, yes.”

I’m not sure, but it’s exactly what Lana says.

And Lana sliding in front of Regulus with her arms spread looking adorable.

The Duke’s daughter gets training as Crown Princess, and I have some questions about the things she did.

“Fine! If that’s the case, then I claim for Eufranc-chan’s inventions preemption right!”

“OK, we have a deal!”

Huh!

And both shaking hands…

Is it only me?

Or I’m the one who can’t keep up with them?

When I absentmindedly look around… yeah, I’m not alone.

“Well then, would you let my brother know the blueprint of the dryer as promised?”

“Eh! …….N-no, um… Regulus, you aren’t going to buy the blueprint and get me to do it, right? That’s impossible! I can’t engrave the one that I saw right now on a medium-sized stone! Unless it’s a large-sized stone!”

Eh?

Well, I know it’s somewhat hard to engrave on a medium-sized stone, but it’s not impossible, you know?

Isn’t Griece-san a professional dragon stone craftsman?

Why are you not so confident?

Generally, the large-sized stone is not easily accessible to ordinary people.

But it’s circulated to the general merchant?

“That’s right, brother? Isn’t the large-sized stone is difficult to obtain nowadays?”

Just as I thought.

“………”

Hm?

“Franc, do you understand? What you did is more unexpected than you thought.”

“Umm… no, I’m a little confused… eh? I know the dragon stone core for the refrigerator is difficult to make, but… any craftsman can do that, right?”

“Are you asking for a punch?! It is impossible to engrave a medium-sized stone with such a precise and fine effect?! B-bastard! Are you saying this is noble’s talent?! You rascal, I trained for ten years for this!”

“Wait, brother! Please calm down! It’s okay, brother is recognized as the best master! Right?!”

I was dazed.

I was shifting my leg instinctively.

But, I… until now I’ve been doing something unreasonable by the craftsman standard?

Must it be a lie?

I tried to look at Lana; for some reason, she had this proud expression on her face.

N-no, but why?

“Please calm down. The dryer design is not so complicated! Right, Franc?”

“Eh, mmm… compared to the refrigerator…”

“………”

Uh, they gave me a deadpan glare.

This is scary…

I quickly hand over the blueprint for them to learn.

If you look at the blueprint, you’ll know it’s not difficult, yeah.

“Etto, this is the blueprint.”

“Yeah… rather than the refrigerator… B-but temperature control? Reducing the tool’s burden?! The absurdity… this kind of effect…! Is it possible?! If these effects are true, it will greatly improve item preservations! Th-this is! You also adjust the wind pressure?! Such details…”

…Really?

“Well, this amount… for me… So, Regulus, have you prepared medium-sized dragon stone to be engraved

“Oh? I heard something about small-sized dragon stone?”

“Yes. About the small-sized stone usage…”

“”………””

Lana punched my shoulder with a slap.

…I guess I can sympathize with that.

Really.

Did I… normally do something unusual?

I was stunned.

And I can hear Lana said something in a low whisper.

Alfred and his friends were freely taking advantage of me, someone who called 『Genius』! They’ve been using me.

And she wants me to understand that.

“Well, do you understand? They’ve been taking your time and using your talent without paying any compensation. It’s not like you aren’t noble.”

“………”

You are also noble.

Me too.

And why do you get so angry?

“Uh… well, at the time, I haven’t realized it yet. But now, I understand a little bit.”

“Really? Then it was good! Hey, I’m different from Alfred, right? I’ll pay you properly for the compensation!”

“E-ehh?”

“What’s with that reaction?!”

Reward… compensation, right?

She’s telling me that I had such a talent and getting angry for my sake.

–No one else, but her.

Ah, I think that’s enough.

I didn’t do it for them, they in their own way did it 『For the girl they love』, and I can understand their feelings.

From the beginning, he’s not pleased with their behavior but resigned himself to it.

Well, I don’t have the social obligation to work for them anymore.

Still, there’s nothing in me, and I feel hollow…

Nevertheless, I did some trial and errors『For the girl they love』.

I think she would be delighted with this.

It was something that I envied.

And now, I’m… after this, I… I can make you whatever you want, for any reason, just for you.

I had the ability.

And I was able to tell you like no other.

“Uh, no. I already got the reward.”

“Eh? But I haven’t got any money that I can give you?”

“Fufu, I won’t tell you what it is.”

“Huh?! That’s not fair!”

I think this is it, for my self-satisfaction.

It can’t be exchanged with money.

I have it.

I finally got it.

“Eh!”

With the help of a knife, the blood spills into the dragon stone core.

After getting dripped in blood, the core shines in a pillar of light as the effect integrated into the storage.

When the blood dried, it became metal fittings sustaining the dragon stone, and after finished acclimating, the dragon stone tool is ready.

Dragon stone basically never break, but it’s different when they become a dragon stone tool.

That’s why there is never a time when a dragon stone craftsman has a hard time making a living, and the blueprint is expensive… I wonder if Lana knows about it and trying to sell the blueprint for a high price?

But she didn’t know what dragon stone craftsman is?

“F-frac! Look at your finger!”

“Ha? Eh?”

“You’re bleeding! What should I do?! No… where’s the band-aid? Let’s use water to disinfect it first?!”

“Hey, calm down a minute, Lana. If you lick it, the wound will heal.”

“What are you saying! But it’s bleeding!? I never heard such a scary system!”

“Ehhhhh…”

Where the heck is this confidence came from?!

“A-anyway use handkerchief…”

“Uwaaa! Ouch. Fine! The wound will heal after you wash it with water!”

“No! The blood is still coming out!”

“Cut it out, both of you. I have ointment for you.”

….Ah, hand… she held my hand.

So tiny… and warm… uwaahhhh!

Regulus hand over the cut ointment from his carriage.

He thanks him for the salve. Then, lightly tied the wound with gauze.

Lana trembles at sight.

I thought that was the case, but didn’t she know how to make the dragon stone tool?

“So, what happens after this?”

“Uh, umm… the engraved effect shockingly complex. I can’t believe it… engraved medium-sized dragon stone usually doesn’t have a complex effect.”

“Really? It’s a little bit difficult, but not impossible.”

“………”

“What??”

Why did Grice-san stare angrily at me?

Before I had the chance to ask him what’s wrong, Kurou-san’ men who seemed to be interested in what we were doing in the garden gathered.

“Did you see that beam of light?”

“Hey? Is that a dragon stone tool?”

“But it’s a box?”

“The revolution that you talked about… is this what you mean? Oi, tell me about it, ojou-chan.”

“Ehhh. Quick, tell me what this box is?”

“If this is going to works…”

And I opened the lid… no, door.

When I open the door, a little cold air flowed outside, and the surrounding people stiffen.

During that one beat.

Regulus is the first person to move, opening his eyes and putting his hand in the refrigerator.

“No way, it’s cold!”

“Did Lana say something about freezing? You can do that in the bottom storage. It’s a two-tiered structure, the freezer is at the bottom, and the chiller is above. What do you think? Isn’t this cool?”

“Did you really include the freezer?! Amazing! Franc genius!”

“………”

Oh, crap.

“Eh, why are you getting angry when I’m praising you?”

“I’m not angry. For a moment, I thought I saw insect flying.”

“No way! Is it mosquito?!”

“Uh… what is it, a fly?”

…That was so close.

I can feel my expression slacken, but I can’t show it.

Please turn back.

If I rub my face, will my expression back to normal?

“This is it! Come on! What do you think, Regulus-san? I called this 『Refrigerator』! Things like vegetables, fruit, raw meat, and milk! If you put them inside, they won’t quickly get spoiled. Moreover, there’s a freezer down there! See? This is revolutionary!”

“I can’t believe it… and I’m sure… compared to the underground warehouse, it’s colder! How is that possible?! To be able making a cold box to store something! The idea is genius! And the skill to make it possible using the medium-sized dragon stone! Marvelous! How incredible!”

“The blueprint is 800 gold coins! In case you sell it, we get 10% off the monthly sales. What do you think?”

“I’ll definitely buy it!”

“Are you for real?!”

What a quick decision?!

I didn’t expect that, and I can feel the chill down my back!

N-no, no, not yet!

“Wait, wait, wait! This is a prototype model?! Please wait for a month! If you use it while it’s not perfect yet, there will be problems! Dragon stone tool is a dragon stone’s power container, and they will break when they can’t withstand the power… then it will become a defective product?!”

“Really?”

“Yup!”

“Ah, that can happen. I can’t wait for the month to be over to see the amazing product! And I’ll immediately sell that to the castle~”

“C-castle…!”

Seriously, that was risky~~!

What kind of scheme this beefy onee-san is playing at…!

And I can see Kurou-san and Grice-san open their eyes wide in surprise.

And the other craftsmen as well.

W-what is it?

“T-this guy acting like this… do you think that 『Arsegios』is swimming in a dragon stone tools pool?”

Kurou-san mull over that question as he strokes his beard and stares at the refrigerator.

No way, I shrugged my shoulder.

I don’t even think about it until Lana suggested it.

“Hey… d-didn’t you say you are a former n-noble? I mean… I can’t… !”

“Eh?”

What are you talking about, dragon stone craftsman?

I remember I can’t help but learn the dragon stone’s effects through trial-and-error for Alfred and friends.

That’s how an amateur learns to get better, right?

But, Grice-san was visibly flustered, Kurou-san dan the other craftsman made a little commotion.

Eh… what?

“That’s it! Eufranc-chan, let’s work at our company!”

“Hey, no poaching! I have the right to sell Franc’s inventions! Right, Franc?

“Um, yes.”

I’m not sure, but it’s exactly what Lana says.

And Lana sliding in front of Regulus with her arms spread looking adorable.

The Duke’s daughter gets training as Crown Princess, and I have some questions about the things she did.

“Fine! If that’s the case, then I claim for Eufranc-chan’s inventions preemption right!”

“OK, we have a deal!”

Huh!

And both shaking hands…

Is it only me?

Or I’m the one who can’t keep up with them?

When I absentmindedly look around… yeah, I’m not alone.

“Well then, would you let my brother know the blueprint of the dryer as promised?”

“Eh! …….N-no, um… Regulus, you aren’t going to buy the blueprint and get me to do it, right? That’s impossible! I can’t engrave the one that I saw right now on a medium-sized stone! Unless it’s a large-sized stone!”

Eh?

Well, I know it’s somewhat hard to engrave on a medium-sized stone, but it’s not impossible, you know?

Isn’t Griece-san a professional dragon stone craftsman?

Why are you not so confident?

Generally, the large-sized stone is not easily accessible to ordinary people.

But it’s circulated to the general merchant?

“That’s right, brother? Isn’t the large-sized stone is difficult to obtain nowadays?”

Just as I thought.

“………”

Hm?

“Franc, do you understand? What you did is more unexpected than you thought.”

“Umm… no, I’m a little confused… eh? I know the dragon stone core for the refrigerator is difficult to make, but… any craftsman can do that, right?”

“Are you asking for a punch?! It is impossible to engrave a medium-sized stone with such a precise and fine effect?! B-bastard! Are you saying this is noble’s talent?! You rascal, I trained for ten years for this!”

“Wait, brother! Please calm down! It’s okay, brother is recognized as the best master! Right?!”

I was dazed.

I was shifting my leg instinctively.

But, I… until now I’ve been doing something unreasonable by the craftsman standard?

Must it be a lie?

I tried to look at Lana; for some reason, she had this proud expression on her face.

N-no, but why?

“Please calm down. The dryer design is not so complicated! Right, Franc?”

“Eh, mmm… compared to the refrigerator…”

“………”

Uh, they gave me a deadpan glare.

This is scary…

I quickly hand over the blueprint for them to learn.

If you look at the blueprint, you’ll know it’s not difficult, yeah.

“Etto, this is the blueprint.”

“Yeah… rather than the refrigerator… B-but temperature control? Reducing the tool’s burden?! The absurdity… this kind of effect…! Is it possible?! If these effects are true, it will greatly improve item preservations! Th-this is! You also adjust the wind pressure?! Such details…”

…Really?

“Well, this amount… for me… So, Regulus, have you prepared medium-sized dragon stone to be engraved

“Oh? I heard something about small-sized dragon stone?”

“Yes. About the small-sized stone usage…”

“”………””

Lana punched my shoulder with a slap.

…I guess I can sympathize with that.

Really.

Did I… normally do something unusual?

I was stunned.

And I can hear Lana said something in a low whisper.

Alfred and his friends were freely taking advantage of me, someone who called 『Genius』! They’ve been using me.

And she wants me to understand that.

“Well, do you understand? They’ve been taking your time and using your talent without paying any compensation. It’s not like you aren’t noble.”

“………”

You are also noble.

Me too.

And why do you get so angry?

“Uh… well, at the time, I haven’t realized it yet. But now, I understand a little bit.”

“Really? Then it was good! Hey, I’m different from Alfred, right? I’ll pay you properly for the compensation!”

“E-ehh?”

“What’s with that reaction?!”

Reward… compensation, right?

She’s telling me that I had such a talent and getting angry for my sake.

–No one else, but her.

Ah, I think that’s enough.

I didn’t do it for them, they in their own way did it 『For the girl they love』, and I can understand their feelings.

From the beginning, he’s not pleased with their behavior but resigned himself to it.

Well, I don’t have the social obligation to work for them anymore.

Still, there’s nothing in me, and I feel hollow…

Nevertheless, I did some trial and errors『For the girl they love』.

I think she would be delighted with this.

It was something that I envied.

And now, I’m… after this, I… I can make you whatever you want, for any reason, just for you.

I had the ability.

And I was able to tell you like no other.

“Uh, no. I already got the reward.”

“Eh? But I haven’t got any money that I can give you?”

“Fufu, I won’t tell you what it is.”

“Huh?! That’s not fair!”

I think this is it, for my self-satisfaction.

It can’t be exchanged with money.

I have it.

I finally got it.