A mid-level (middle-aged) office worker's laid-back industrial revolution in another world - Chapter 38

Translator: Darling | Editor: Coming soon…

“Your tea is ready.”

The shop assistant placed the tea on the table in front of Alice and Takeo.

Incidentally, he even brought one cup for himself. He sat opposite Alice and Takeo.

“Umm. I would like to ask you once again but why are you here?”

“I explained the circumstances a little while back though.”

“Yes. You did. You found a strange accessory box.”

“Yes. That’s what it is. That’s why we came here.”

“Umm……….I would like to ask once again but……..why are you here?”

The store clerk of the magic goods store made a curious face as he asked.

“The only shops that I know of are the tailor shop, this store, and 2 general stores.

Out of them, this store is the only one that has various tools and in case something happens, can respond immediately.”

Takeo honestly answered.

“………..In case something happens, meaning?”

“Explosion.”

“Please go back home.”

The shop assistant politely lowered his head.

“No, no. That was a joke.”

“I understand.”

The shop assistant looked up and replied with a smile on his face.

“That’s how it is.”

Takeo also replied with a smile.

“What is…….this?

Did the two of you understand what it is?”

Alice watched the exchange between the two and asked.

“Yes. Lady Alice, the shop assistant guessed when he heard about the accessory box from me.

Even then he purposely asked me.”

Takeo told Alice and the shop assistant nodded.

“Why is that?”

“Haha, we were just playing around.”

The shop clerk laughed in amusement.

“Lady Alice, if you really don’t like it then I won’t serve the tea.”

‘Even if you say that.’ Alice thought as she started to sip her tea.

Takeo took out the accessory case from his backpack and placed it on the table.

“It looks like a normal accessory case.”

The shop assistant said when he saw the case.

“Though the bottom seems to be a little shallow.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Alice said.

“I guess we’ll have to open this up.”

The shop clerk said and went to get some tools.

“Lady Alice, is that alright?”

Takeo confirmed with Alice.

“Open it…….in what way?”

“He intends to take it apart.”

“I don’t mind. I’m not attached to that box.”

Alice didn’t seem to have any interest in the box.

A little while later, the shop clerk returned with small tools.

“Thank you for waiting.”

The shop clerk reached his seat.

“That’s alright.”

Alice said.

The shop clerk slowly started to work on the patterned material on the inside of the accessory box.

Even though he was working on it carefully the material wouldn’t peel off.

Takeo held the handle of the file in his left hand and said [Fire] x1 with the intention to only heat up the metal portion as he triggered the magic.

The metal part of the file didn’t catch fire but it was triggered as per Takeo’s intention.

Takeo touched the file with his right hand.

It was pretty hot.

“Will you be able to peel it off with this?”

He handed over the file to the shop clerk.

At first, both the shop clerk and Alice were confused as to what Takeo was doing but once he heated the file, they seemed to understand.

The shop clerk used the hot file to heat the adhesive and dexterously removed the material.

When the file cooled down, Takeo heated it up once again.

After cleanly peeling the material, there was a plate-shaped metal at the bottom.

“……..It’s too suspicious.”

Both Alice and Takeo nodded once the shop clerk spoke.

The clerk used a thin plier to remove the plate.

There was space under the plate that was partitioned by the same metal.

There were 3 rings inside.

“…….It’s more and more suspicious.”

Takeo and the clerk nodded.

“Anyway. Let not pick these rings up.

…………..Does this have any magic on it?”

“Understood.”

At the shop assistants’ request, the shop clerk began to investigate.

As the shop clerk started to investigate, he looked surprised and then made a difficult expression.

“Is there something?”

Alice asked the shop assistant.

“Yes………Lady Alice. Do you know this coat of arms?”

The shop clerk dexterously used the pliers to show it to Alice.

“……….It looks like the Royal family’s……….coat of arms.”

The smile left Alice’s face and she said seriously.

“Is that so… Hnn…”

The shop assistant was worrying. Soon he stopped worrying and started to explain to Alice and Takeo.

“It’s convincing enough to assume that this is a royal ring.

This ring most likely has a magic called ‘Prestige’.

This magic can only be used by magicians that are exclusive to the Royal family.

It’s an urban legend class magic.

This magic style and the way to apply it is only explained and taught through word of mouth, it’s not something that is commonly available.

There is a heavy punishment dealt when a regular magician uses ‘Prestige’ magic.

Even though there is no death penalty, it’s confinement till death.”

Takeo and Alice were listening quietly. Then Takeo asked a question.

“How do you know about it even though it’s not commonly available?”

As Takeo said that. The clerk made a ‘busted’ expression.

“…………Haa.

My system also doesn’t allow me to use magic for war, just like Sir Kitamizato.

My specialty is ‘Appraisal’.

I was studying under the exclusive magician of the Royal Family at the Royal Capital.

………My teacher accidentally used ‘Prestige’ in front of me.

After thinking whether he should use it in front of someone with ‘Appraisal’……he used it.

My teacher wondered if he would be punished if he was ever found out by the royal family and thus I decided to retire.

With the connections of my teacher, I opened a shop in this town.”

“That magician, to involve a disciple………haa…….”

Alice said as she let out a sigh.

“So can you use it?”

Takeo asked the clerk.

“No. I can recognize it but I can’t use it and I haven’t even thought of using it.

It’s ridiculous to risk being imprisoned for such a thing.”

The clerk flatly said.

“Now then………what should we do…….”

The three of them were confused as looked at the rings.

…………….. ’Prestige’ certainly sounded interesting.

Well, it’s a ring, let’s wear it and see……..both Takeo and Alice extended their hands out.

“Ah.”

Both of them look at each other.

“As expected, you would want to try it right?”

Alice said with a wry laugh.

“Yes. I would certainly like to experience it.”

Takeo replied.

The shop assistant gave up and watched their exchange.

They took the rings.

“Lady Alice, where will you wear it?”

“I’ll be removing it pretty soon so whichever finger is fine…….

That’s right. Sir Takeo, you can put it on for me.”

Alice said with said expectantly with a happy face.

………Eh? Me? Takeo only knew that the wedding ring is worn on the left ring finger……..he was in trouble.

She would remove it soon anyway so he put it on her right ring finger.

Alice had a surprised expression.

……….Eh? Is there something about this finger?…

“Please put it on me as well.”

He turned and extended his hand out to Alice.

Alice put the ring on Takeo’s right ring finger with a slightly red face.

“How is it? Did anything change?”

After their ring exchange, Takeo turned to the clerk and asked.

“No, nothing has specifically changed though?”

The clerk had a question on his face.

“But it’s the magic called ‘Prestige’ without a doubt………”

Hnn………….the shop assistant was troubled.

Takeo and Alice turned to each other and gave a wry smile.

“I thought that it might release a light or something.”

“Oh my? Sir Takeo, you too? I thought so too.”

Both of them laughed.

“Shall we remove it?”

Takeo and Alice decided to take off the rings.

“……….Lady Alice.”

“………Sir Takeo.”

Both of them spoke at the same time.

“Can’t take it off right?”

The clerks’ face turned blue as soon as he heard that.