kscans

Chapter 11 - The Monster-Repelling Bell and the Wind of the Test Cut

The Monster-Repelling Bell only made a light, karan karan sound.

...Does this thing really work?

"Well, that’s the reason it didn’t sell and never became a product," Mireille said, laughing as she pinched the bell between her fingers.

"It only has five uses, but everyone was so worried about its effectiveness that they shook it too much. Then, when they tried to use it again, it had become just a normal bell...."

It was an all too easy to understand failure story.

"We’d make a prototype like this with Master, it would fail, we’d make another... it was a constant cycle. We never put anything on the shelves unless its safety was confirmed. That was the policy of the Moonshadow Teahouse."

I see.

That would explain why, among the many alchemy shops in the Royal Capital, the Moonshadow Teahouse was exceptionally popular.

But... if that shop is gone, won’t Potions and other alchemy related products completely disappear from the market?

Is this really okay?

◇

It was about a five minute walk from the tower to the test site.

During that time, Mireille would walk a little, then stop, her eyes sparkling brightly.

"Is there something that catches your eye so much?"

"Well, yes. I’m not an adventurer, so I always have materials brought to me. But when that happens, their freshness deteriorates, and even the same material can have a different magical content. The person who gathered it wouldn’t know, so whether I get good materials or not is a matter of luck...."

"Hmm," he nodded.

"But the materials here contain an unbelievable amount of magic, and there are even things I’ve only seen in books... It’s like a treasure trove!"

Her eyes were more than just sparkling. She looked ready to dive in and start gathering at any moment.

...If I tell her, "Go ahead and take some," she probably won’t come back until sunset.

The high magic content was likely due to the nature of this land.

Today was for the test cut, but once things settled down.

I guess I’ll help her with gathering too.

It was unclear if the Monster-Repelling Bell was effective, but apparently monsters couldn't get within ten meters of it, and there was absolutely no sign of them.

"I don’t know what kind of effect it will have, so stay back." He had Mireille hold the bell and stand behind a tree about ten meters behind him.

"Ugh! I want to get closer."

She looked dejected, but no means no.

He smiled lightly and drew a line on the ground.

"This far and no further!"

Leonhard quietly drew his sword from its sheath.

Countless vines hung from the tree in front of him. They were a bit tough, but they should just about hold up for a test cut.

A powerful magical energy overflowed from the steel blade, and the moment he held it, it settled into his hand as if it were a part of him.

He let out a breath and took his stance.

He took a bold step forward, and the moment he swung the sword in a swift arc.

"Huh...?!"

The vines in front of him vanished.

The next moment, with a massive blast of wind, the tree at the end of the vines fell silently.

As his vision suddenly brightened, the fallen tree and the monster birds caught in the blast fell to the ground with dull thuds.

And he himself was sent flying by the impact.

"Whoa, hold on...!"

He desperately gripped the sword, and as he braced himself, he looked back.

To his surprise, Mireille had been blown back along with him and was lying on the ground.

"Mireille!!"

He rushed to her side. Her head was spinning.

"Hmm... was the wind output a little too strong, I wonder?"

Her nonchalant voice made him let out a wry smile.

"My apologies. I didn’t realize it had so many different properties. I misjudged its power."

He hurriedly helped her up.

Mireille, while getting up and saying she was fine, looked at the fallen tree and the surrounding area and said with an innocent voice.

"Wow! Birds! I haven’t eaten properly in days, so this food is a huge help!!"

"Y, you haven’t eaten in days...?!"

A cry of surprise escaped him.

But at the same time, he was truly relieved that Mireille was unharmed.

"...You should tell me things like that."

Though exasperated, he was somehow taken aback.

In this confusing situation, he felt a little saved by her positive attitude.

"...I’m still wondering what to do, yet you’re so resilient."