A mid-level (middle-aged) office worker's laid-back industrial revolution in another world - Chapter 161

Translator: Jasper Kadowaki | Editor: NovelMultiverse

Shopkeeper Taylor was making the three guests’ lapel badges at the counter. 

Takeo waited beside the desk while drinking tea. 

“By the way, Shopkeeper Taylor,” said Takeo. 

“What is it, Kitamizato-sama?” asked Taylor. 

“Could you apply the strengthening alteration to these trench coats?”

“I can. Would you like me to apply it to the ones currently being worn?”

“Yes. Could you apply it to the three coats being ordered for the capital, as well?”

“Of course. You’ve made the jeweler very happy with all of these orders, Kitmizato-sama. He commented on the fact that I’ve been ordering so many jewels, lately.”

“Hah, well, that’s to be expected. I think people will start buying these trench coats for soldiers, sooner or later. I’m sure someone will realize their strengthening qualities.” 

“That sounds good – as long as the users have the aptitude to activate them.”

“Oh? Do the people in the Elvis family and these three guests have the aptitude?”

“Yes, they do. They can activate… Or rather, they have the aptitude, yes. I would guess that about half of all people don’t have it. We measured your aptitude, too, Kitamizato-sama, before calculating how much magic should be applied. Do you remember?”

“Ah, yes,” said Takeo, nodding, thinking that this was true.

“Takeo, do you have the ability to use magic?” asked the king. 

“Yes, but only the basics. I received official notice from Shopkeeper Taylor that my magical power levels are too low to become a mage, though,” said Takeo, smiling sadly. 

“…Kitamizato-sama, that’s an unfair way of putting it,” said Taylor, staring at Takeo in protest. 

“Oh? I still believe you were correct in your assessment, Shopkeeper Taylor. After all, I’m not cut out to be a soldier,” said Takeo. 

“…Wow… I’m surprised you can even say such a thing,” said Taylor. 

“Hm? Do you disagree, Shopkeeper Taylor?” asked Layla. 

“Yes, it’s true that Kitamizato-sama has low magical power levels. However, he has a special ability in which his magical power levels don’t diminish,” said Taylor. 

“Hmm… If that’s all he has, though, I think Takeo-san is right in saying that he’s not cut out to be a soldier,” said Layla. 

“If he was just a regular person with that level of magical power, then, yes, I would say he should give up on being a mage. However, Kitamizato-sama has a strange way of thinking, and he has come up with an original method where he layers spells for effect. He’s probably the only person in this town that can battle Lady Alice and have it result in a draw. When it comes to defense, he’s probably in the top tier of this entire country,” said Taylor. 

“What?!” exclaimed the three guests at once in surprise, looking over at Takeo and Alice. 

“…The two of you battled each other?” asked King Azupal. 

“It was a mock battle, with Lady Alice using a wooden sword, though. Ah, that demon eye, is it called? Now that’s an extremely strong ability,” said Takeo, laughing softly. 

“Urgh… I’ll beat you one of these days,” said Alice, sulking. She was apparently still frustrated that she didn’t win that battle. 

“Wait, what? Takeo-san, you won against Alice?” asked Layla. 

“No, I didn’t win. I was granted a draw,” said Takeo. 

“I’ll have you know that your attacks won’t ever work on me again, Takeo-sama,” said Alice. 

“Yes, I accept that. That’s why I’ll never have a mock battle with you again, Lady Alice,” said Takeo. 

“You’re running away, now that you’ve won one?!” said Alice. 

“No, no. It was a draw, right?” said Takeo. 

“Urgh… We’re going to have a rematch someday, okay?”[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]

“Why would I want to fight a battle that I know I’m going to lose?”

“You will,” said Alice. 

“All right, all right,” said Takeo, smiling and attempting to calm down Alice, who was getting fired up.

The three guests huddled up for a private conversation. 

“Perhaps the reason why Grandfather didn’t order guards for us was because these two were with us,” said Layla. 

“You think so, too, Layla?” asked King Azupal. 

“I was thinking the same thing,” said William. “If we’re being protected by this country’s number one offensive power and the number one defensive power, there’s no need for any guards to watch over us.”

The three guests saw Takeo and Alice in an even more favorable light, now. 

“Is something wrong?” Takeo asked, calling over to the three guests. 

“Hm? No, nothing’s wrong,” said the king. “By the way, I’ve been wondering for some time, now. What is that, over there?” 

The king was pointing to a side table. On top of it was the New Rifle 1. 

“That? It’s my weapon. It’s called a rifle,” said Takeo. 

“Ah, I see,” said the king, “What kind of weapon is it?”

“It’s a weapon that shoots ice. Its range is 1000 meters, but… Well, personally, I can only reliably fire it from 100 meters off,” said Takeo. 

“Raifull… I’ve never heard of this, before,” said King Azupal. Layla and William nodded in agreement. 

“Is that so? I can describe it to you in detail after dinner,” said Takeo. 

“All right,” said the king. 

It was then that Shopkeeper Taylor walked over with the finished goods. 

“Here they are – ready to go,” he said, handing over the trench coats, glasses, and lapel badges. 

The three guests immediately put on the coats. 

“I see. You’ve applied a gold background and black lines upon it, with gold stars,” said Takeo, in admiration. 

“Yes, we went with my design,” said William. 

“I thought it was a good choice since the design was nice and simple,” said King Azupal. 

“It looks good, doesn’t it?” said Layla. 

“We will have the lapel badges sent to us tomorrow. It seems those will take a little more time to make,” said the king. 

“Well, that makes sense,” said Layla. 

“Ah, and the payment,” said King Azupal, taking 30 gold coins out from his leather satchel. 

“What… This is too much…” said Shopkeeper Taylor in bewilderment. 

“I’ve included your retirement package. I will make sure His Majesty pays for it,” said King Azupal. 

“Good for you, Shopkeeper Taylor,” said Takeo. “Well, shall we go home, then?”

“Hmm, yes,” said the king. 

“All right. Shopkeeper Taylor, we’ll be back again, soon,” said Takeo, standing up. 

With that, everyone left the shop to return home. [Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]