Shop 40.2

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Chapter 40.2. The Secret Diary In The Wilderness

■■■ <Crimson Chain> Cherina Veliero (2) ■■■

Now, I need to make Akira understand the gravity of the situation. I took only Akira and Melvin outside the city. 

I handed Akira an Aerial Tool with a light blade for protection. 

He looked at it curiously, but I instructed him to use it as a simple light blade without providing too many preconceptions.

After pondering with a slightly bewildered expression, he aimed the Aerial Tool at a large rock. In the next moment, instead of a light blade, a barrage of light arrows was continuously shot like rain. The large rock turned to dust in an instant.

I had imagined it. If Akira could use the Aerial Tool, it would undoubtedly have unbelievable power. In my imagination, the light blade would exceed ten, causing cracks in the large rock. No, perhaps even splitting it into two. No, that's too exaggerated. 

However, it might have the power to significantly chip away at the rock.

Who could imagine such a thing? Probably shooting hundreds. 

I couldn't tell with my eyes, but maybe thousands of light arrows, pulverizing the rock instead of splitting or cracking it. Truly beyond imagination.

My thoughts stopped, and even Melvin, who is usually calm and composed, seemed to lose his composure and was on the verge of tears. It would be understandable.

When I noticed, I was getting held by Akira. Somehow, I had lost consciousness. Trusting my weight to him, I felt strangely calm. So when he hurriedly let go of my body, I inexplicably felt a strange loneliness.

After a strange exchange with Akira, I regained composure and showed him Melvin's air blade, which should be more powerful than usual.

He seemed to understand his abnormality. 

"If that's the case, you should have told me earlier," he said, looking at the Aerial Tool he received from Melvin. 

I was convinced he absolutely didn't understand. That got proven a few seconds later.

He changed the trajectory of the light blade, shot it into the sky, and scattered it beautifully. It was very frustrating. He didn't understand anything.

I understood one thing. 

"Akira-sama... common sense doesn't apply."

I asserted this, and Melvin nodded.

When I look at Akira, I feel like I'm forgetting what common sense is. And to make matters worse, he adds insult to injury.

"Oh, by the way, can I try how many I can shoot at once?"

A casual proposal from Akira. I judged it would be better to confirm that in less than a second. The Aerial Tool for the light blade would probably be lost.

He casually wielded the Aerial Tool, and light swords appeared—three, four, five—and suddenly accelerated, increasing to five, ten, fifteen. What on earth is he doing?

If something like this gets discovered by a mage studying Aerial Tools, it might lead to a brain dissection. Honestly, I didn't have the confidence to witness more light swords multiplying. 

It seemed the gods heard my wish, and finally, the Aerial Tool broke with a sound.

Akira has the power to break an air tool, even though he's not a professional mage.

I became unsure of how to handle him. It seems like he is taking the situation lightly. When I consulted with an elf, he responded without any hesitation.

My insistence was dismissed with a wave of his hand. I am uneasy.

――――

The next day, the morning chat took a turn for the worse. 

We discussed some matters about this country, and I couldn't help but reacknowledge the bleak situation regarding the future. 

No, I must make an effort. 

Will the situation change a bit when my father returns?

――――

And then 2 days pass without anything special happening.

Akira occasionally mutters opinions that he probably doesn't understand are revolutionary. 

The merchants who accidentally heard the world's secrets pretend not to notice and leave their seats.

Everyone, praying that I don't notice, smoothly concludes unremarkable negotiations. It's enjoyable. As I'm already overwhelmed, all I need from them is some achievement to bring to our company.

Touching a glimpse of groundbreaking ideas, they will surely give their all to realize them.

However, Akira, who came up with such ideas, yawns and looks sleepy when alone with the two.

If my subordinates behaved like this, they'd get fired immediately. What on earth am I doing?

Finally, I received a message that the charcoal prototypes and Japanese paper were completed.

I cancel all post-lunch negotiations and head to the designated location.

It's one of our Veriero Company's experimental sites.

Here, various agricultural and river-utilizing research is usually conducted. Although it hasn't been used recently, it turned out to be the perfect place for this prototype production.

Douro, a craftsman and avid researcher, shows me the samples.

First, the Japanese paper—seeing the actual thing, I instantly fell in love.

This is unbelievably good. I've decided to make it the cornerstone of our company's products.

Land transportation falls under my father's jurisdiction. When he returns, I'll discuss increasing the transport carts. Until then, let's get the mass production system in order anyway.

Following Akira's advice, we decide to produce paper for aerial tools, documents, and unbelievably versatile paper for wiping off dirt.

Even if citizens won't buy it, it should sell like hotcakes to slightly prosperous merchants and nobles.

Akira firmly concluded that the charcoal hasn't reached the minimum quality, so it's been postponed a bit. 

Maybe it's because it's not yet complete, but I still don't fully understand the benefits of charcoal. It's best to leave it to Douro.

While contemplating the Japanese paper usage, I enjoyed chatting with Akira on the return carriage, but an interruption occurred.

Due to the abrupt stop of the carriage, I ended up clinging to Akira. Strangely, I didn't feel like letting go and remained attached.

It turns out, it's a group of bandits. If it's them, leaving it to the escorts should be enough.

I wanted to maintain this posture, but something was odd.

Observing the movements of the bandits, I quickly realized it was a diversion.

In other words, there must be a separate team directly targeting this carriage.

My pleasant time was disturbed, and I got annoyed, so I got off the carriage.

As expected, there was a pervert hiding.

Since it's a deliberate diversion, only one person was lying in ambush. They should have thought a bit more.

I controlled the crimson chains and defeated the pervert. There was no challenge or excitement.

Seeing Akira's surprised face, I strangely felt relieved.

However, that was a complete oversight.

Maybe it was a plan to get me off the carriage.

As I trampled on the bandit, suddenly, Akira jumped in. I didn't understand what happened for a moment, but I realized everything with the wound on his cheek. 

Another bandit was hiding, and he aimed a crossbow at me. Akira noticed and shielded me.

It's the first time a man has attacked me. Well, I've probably been protected by escorts throwing themselves in front of me many times, but it hasn't left much of an impression.

Akira's face is in front of me.

My heart is pounding violently.

It seems I've fallen ill somehow.