Chapter 103 – Magical Communication Device

“Are we all going shopping together?”

“Yes. We need to get new coats too.”

We’d stayed up later than usual last night.

Plus, since we’d finished a big job, we slept in a bit later this morning.

We discussed today’s plans while having breakfast together. Everyone seemed enthusiastic about the shopping proposal. There were various things to do – maintaining equipment, stocking up on supplies, and so on.

I happened to notice Irmhild, who seemed to dislike the cold, wearing relatively thick clothing and standing near the fireplace, holding her hands toward the flames.

“Irm, do you dislike the cold?”

“Yes. I’m fine once I’m fully awake, but the morning chill is a bit…”

Hmm. Is that because she’s a Lamia? This morning is particularly cold.

In contrast, Lavigne had positioned herself near the doorway, apparently choosing the coolest spot in the house.

I imagine that during summer, Lavigne would be the one struggling instead. It would be good to prepare magic tools engraved with life magic and counter-curses so we can all live comfortably. With that in mind, I’ll stop by the workshop too.

Then there’s… what we need for transportation. Traveling by dragon palanquin in winter – well, aside from the wyverns, I hear people don’t usually do it because the riders suffer from the cold. But in my case, I can compensate with magic, so it’s not a problem.

“Even though it only started falling late at night, it’s accumulated quite a bit.”

Outside was a snowy landscape. Probably enough to cover one’s ankles.

When we returned last night, it was quite cold, but it wasn’t snowing. Our breath was visible in white puffs.

Before heading out, let’s quickly clear the snow in front of the house. I snap my fingers and use magic to create Snow Golems.

Their forms ended up somewhat resembling snowmen… Since snowmen themselves are simple to make, similar things exist in this world too. With three sections – head, body, and legs – they’re closer to Western snowmen than Japanese ones.

I have the Snow Golems roll snowballs and clear the snow in front of the house. When I have them pick up small stones and branches from the exposed ground and attach them as facial features, Marlene seemed delighted.

Just to be safe, I create two or three more Snow Golems and order them to clear the snow around the house before we depart.

“Theo”

“Hmm?”

“Please don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Yeah. I’ll be fine.”

I answer Grace with a smile, and she gives a small smile and nods in return.

Grace knows that I dislike winter.

But well. This winter, there are many things to do, and everyone’s here making it lively. Grace also always seems happy, unlike when she was in that mansion.

So I think it’ll be much more enjoyable than usual.

“It’s frozen. Be careful not to slip.”

Marlene, who grew up in the castle, isn’t just unaccustomed to snowy roads but also seems unfamiliar with walking on ice. She appears somewhat cautious. I take her hand and help her cross the frozen sections.

“Fufu. Marlene-sama, I’m jealous.”

Seeing this, Grace says something like that. Well then. I suppose I should play the escort role. Holding hands with everyone and helping them cross icy patches, we leisurely make our way through the winter town.

Eventually, we reach the tailor where we previously bought the Lunaworm coat.

“Welcome… Oh my. Everyone’s here together today.”

The shopkeeper woman’s face lit up as soon as she saw us. Well, we’ve had Grace’s dress and Sheila’s coat tailored here too. We’ve become regular customers.

It’s a magic clothing store that calls itself a witch’s tailor. I found this place while searching for a robe after coming here.

“What can I help you with today?”

“It’s about this coat.”

I show her the coat that got holes punched in it during the battle with Luceriage.

“Oh my. It got holes in it?”

“My apologies.”

“That’s quite alright. It’s common among adventurers.”

“Her dress as well.”

When I say this, the shopkeeper nods as if she understands.

“Right now, I’m a bit short on Lunaworm fabric… If you could leave this coat and dress with me for a short while, I could reuse them for alterations… What do you think?”

“Please do.”

I don’t mind if they’re not brand new. If the items are good quality and can last long, that’s even better.

“Then may I take your measurements? I’ll tailor them slightly larger so they can be used longer.”

I nod at the shopkeeper’s words. There’s no reason to refuse.

While I’m being measured, Grace and the others seem to be enjoying looking at the accessories displayed in the shop.

“Is that made of Mithril Silver?”

“Ah, yes. Though these accessories weren’t made by me, but by a friend who’s a craftsman.”

…They celebrated my birthday recently. And my finances have become more comfortable lately.

Mithril Silver can store magical power. Combined with magic stones, various things become possible. Buying them for everyone, processing them in the workshop, and giving them as gifts… That doesn’t seem like a bad idea at all.

After the measurements are done, when I mention this idea to everyone, they all try to refuse, saying they’re too expensive.

“With Mithril Silver equipment, I can make interesting armor. It’ll also expand the workshop’s repertoire, so I’d like you to choose something as a sort of protective charm.”

With that reasoning, I manage to convince everyone to each choose one item.

Rosemary blocked my Light Bind with armor of this type too. The design as everyday accessories isn’t bad either.

“Um. If that’s the case, I’d like to wear something that Theo likes.”

Grace says this, and Ashley and Marlene nod as if they share the same opinion.

So it was decided that I would choose what the three of them would wear. That’s quite a responsibility. Hmm. Is my Sense good enough for this?

Bracelets, rings, necklaces. There were various options, but I chose hair ornaments. They featured designs of birds and flowers with quite delicate decorations. Each had slightly different designs.

Now then. Equipping the party as the Leader and giving gifts to my fiancées are different matters. Separately from this, I’ll have dresses made for the three of them at this shop – ones suitable for evening parties and such.

“By the way, I heard, Theo-kun. You’re returning to your hometown soon?”

After finishing various other shopping and stopping by the workshop, consulting with Viola about Irmhild’s cold protection, Lavigne’s heat resistance, and turning the Mithril Silver accessories into magic tools, when everything had settled down a bit, Alfred asks me.

“I won’t stay long though.”

There’s the labyrinth conquest too. We plan to start exploring another section, and even if I meet familiar faces there, it wouldn’t exactly put me in a good mood.

When I asked what everyone else would do, Grace goes without saying, and both Ashley and Marlene want to accompany me. Sheila and Irmhild also want to come along.

I glance at everyone’s situation. They seem to be relaxing, sitting in chairs arranged near the fireplace while drinking tea.

Today, Ophelia, Prince Albert’s fiancée, is at the workshop, happily chatting and laughing with everyone.

“Well now. Is this a gift from Theodore-sama? It’s very lovely. It suits you well, Ashley-sama.”

“Thank you, Ophelia-sama.”

Well, it’s quite an atmosphere that’s difficult for men to enter. Especially since it’s about gifts from me.

“Hmm. Maybe I should give Ophelia a gift too.”

“Wouldn’t an ornament that could serve as protection be good? Like an Amulet of Evil Repulsion?”

“I already gave her one. Marquis Fobrester too.”

“I see.”

Regarding the Amulet of Evil Repulsion, since King Melvin did the groundwork with the safe claim that it protects from curses, it seems there were quite a number of orders from nobles within the country. Alfred was apparently very busy, but as a result, the workshop seems to be prospering with enhanced equipment.

“Ah, it was tough during the Amulet of Evil Repulsion period.”

As if remembering the hardships of that time, Alfred gazes into the distance and sighs.

“We even got help from the Moon Temple. Because of that, the communicator prototype that was delayed is finally ready. If Theo-kun is going far away, would you like to try it out?”

“Impressive. Then I’ll borrow it.”

Alfred happily nods at my words but looks somewhat troubled.

“Well, I do know there are parts that need improvement.”

“Is there some problem?”

“No, it’s fine up to the point where it can communicate one-on-one with a specific partner. But with Contract Magic, exchanges beyond that don’t work well.”

“Ah…”

It seems there are some issues in the development. Even though they can create something like a master and slave device by establishing a magical connection through Contract Magic, exchanges with unspecified multiple parties don’t work properly.

“Why not create a dedicated magic tool to act as an intermediary and route everything through it?”

In other words, like a telephone exchange or server. If that becomes the master of the Contract Magic, and all other terminals become the servants, there shouldn’t be any discrepancies or problems with the Contract Magic.

“That’s… a good idea… Yes. That might work.”

As if a path has formed in Alfred’s mind, he nods with a bright smile. As he was about to bring his teacup to his mouth, I mention something before he drinks.

“Well, the problem with that method is… if we, who manage the intermediary magic tool, wanted to, we could know all the exchanged information.”

When I murmur this, Alfred’s smile twitches and his movement to bring the cup to his mouth stops.

Even Alfred can probably imagine what it would mean to hold all communication secrets in one hand if magic communicators become widespread.

Even in Japan, it’s only nominally “not done” under the name of communication secrecy – if we’re talking about possibility, it’s possible. Especially if those in power want to.

If they become widespread, checking all communications one by one wouldn’t be practical, but focusing on suspects’ communications or extracting specific keywords… It’s not impossible to do.

“If it weighs on your conscience, wouldn’t it be fine to use an application of the magic key spell so both parties individually encrypt? That way, you can’t do anything malicious unless you conspire together.”

“A-ah.”

“But if that’s the case, we should definitely inform His Majesty Melvin and have him involved. Since we haven’t done anything yet, if it’s no good, he’ll probably stop us.”

When I say this, Alfred lets out a dry laugh.

When the mechanism becomes widely known or analyzed, whether communication secrecy is guaranteed or not is important. Because it concerns matters of trust.

Even from the perspective of damage control, King Melvin would almost certainly agree to creating a mechanism that can’t be easily misused. And proof of keeping secrets can be established through Magical Inquisition.