Chapter 174 – Towards Renovation

“How’s the usability?”

“Not bad.”

As she answered, Sheila shot sticky thread toward a small stone lying in the garden and pulled it back toward her. The thread she snapped and launched hit its target at considerable speed—though this level of accuracy largely depended on Sheila’s skill.

I looked at the others too. Irmhild was firing numerous glowing arrows at a target set up in a corner of the garden. Being able to practice to her heart’s content without worrying about arrow consumption or retrieval seemed to put her in high spirits.

Marlene was also moving phantom images to check the handling… It felt less like training and more like everyone was playing around.

Ashley and Seraphina were test-firing their magic and horn respectively against golems. Ashley’s magic accuracy had visibly improved, and the power of Seraphina’s sound wave bullets was quite impressive.

…Speaking of Ashley, with the enhancement from Ocean’s Queen, she might even be able to handle high-tier water magic.

“How about you, Grace?”

“I feel like I’m in good condition. When I’m released under the sunlight, my body usually feels somewhat heavy, but that’s not the case now.”

Hmm. Seems quite well-received.

As for me, I was also experimenting. With two creatures hiding inside the coat, it would be more convenient in various ways if they had individual names. So I named the lion Nemea and the goat Capella.

To check their destructive power, I went out to the courtyard and tried various things against an iron golem… and they turned out to be quite powerful and reliable.

Nemea, enhanced through the circulation, had enough biting force to tear off the iron golem’s limbs, and her claws were also remarkably sharp.

I thought Capella mainly used her breath, but her headbutt also proved powerful enough to send the iron golem flying. The fact that her horn shape could be somewhat freely altered was another plus, allowing for simple thrust attacks, entangling to restrict movement, and offering a wide range of applications.

…With this many extra limbs, it seems like I could develop various techniques.

For example—having Nemea and Capella hold down the golem’s neck and legs respectively, then supporting its back with a shield to lift it into the air and immobilize it. While using the shield to push up and damage the spine, I could then deliver shock strikes or magic. It would be something like a magically modified version of an Argentine backbreaker.

“What a brutal thing you’re doing…”

The voice that spoke with astonishment as the iron golem began to crumple belonged to Rosetta, who had appeared at the gate.

“Good morning, Theodore-kun.”

“Yes, good morning.”

I released the golem from the technique and set it down. The animals were also sent back. I’m somewhat aware of how dangerous it looks.

“Good morning, Rosetta-sensei.”

“Yes, good morning, Ashley.”

After exchanging morning greetings with everyone, Rosetta turned to face me.

“Was that technique earlier designed with humans in mind?” she asked, looking intrigued.

I suppose this is to be expected. Since it was originally based on a pro-wrestling move, she seemed to have some idea of the technique’s nature, or rather its purpose.

“No, I just thought of it, so not particularly. Unless it’s against an ogre, I’d only perform it partially.”

I couldn’t exactly say it was based on a pro-wrestling technique, so I answered like that, and Rosetta gave a wry smile.

Since Rosetta was probably curious too, I briefly mentioned the Chimera Coat’s origin.

“This clothing was given to me as a reward. I hear it has magical creatures incorporated into it.”

“I see.”

Now, back to the main topic.

Since we were buying the neighboring vacant house, I had asked Rosetta to speak with the manager.

“More importantly, how did things go with the neighboring house?”

“The real estate agent is supposed to come. They seem generally willing to discuss the sale. There might be room for negotiation on the finer details regarding price.”

“That helps.”

In that case, it seems we can proceed with plans for renovation. While waiting for the real estate agent and discussing renovation plans with everyone, once the deal is settled, we can arrange for materials and so on.

“Um. The brokerage fee—”

“No need. Such matters were originally entrusted to Henry by me.”

Waving her hand lightly, Rosetta smiled.

“Ah, not exactly in return, but I’d be happy if you showed me the magic construction too. I was disappointed I couldn’t see you building the theater.”

“Understood. I’ll invite you on the day.”

I answered with a wry smile. That much is an easy favor.

I invited Rosetta into the house too, and we decided to wait for the real estate agent. Activating Grace’s cursed tool, we all moved to the living room.

“Anyway, it looks like we’ll be renovating, so I’d like to hear everyone’s requests.”

So while drinking the tea Grace prepared, I created a scaled model combining the current house and the neighboring house… and based on that, first constructed a Western-style mansion as a prototype.

Since we can use the land for two houses combined, and considering we’ll be accepting residents from the labyrinth village—it should be fine to make it quite spacious.

Create an underground section… and add up to three floors to the above-ground part as well.

“Is this how magic construction is done?”

“Well, I’ve self-taught a lot of it, so I can’t really say.”

“Self-taught—. This is convenient, isn’t it?”

Rosetta looked at the model with admiration.

“For the kitchen, maybe we should keep the current shape as much as possible?”

“That’s right. We’re used to it.”

“Then, let’s just fix the parts of the current kitchen we’re dissatisfied with.”

Grace smiled and nodded. I’ll add an ice room to the kitchen. Lavigne will surely be pleased too.

The living room and master bedroom—we have attachments to them, so let’s keep them. That means the storage room and soundproof room made with magic construction should stay too. Adjust the overall design to match the current house.

“What about Sheila and Irm’s personal rooms? Keep them the same? Or make them bigger?”

“Hmm. I’d be happier with what I’m used to too.”

Irmhild said, and Sheila also nodded in agreement.

Hmm. So our living space will remain basically unchanged. In that case, let’s just add what we need.

First—create individual rooms for everyone to keep their personal belongings, separate from the master bedroom.

A hidden room might also be part of a magician’s taste. Mother made one too, after all.

Bathroom. A spacious bath for our use—and separate men’s and women’s baths that can accommodate large numbers when residents from the labyrinth village stay over.

Create a fairly large courtyard to get good sunlight, and put a fountain and gazebo to relax. The training space will be here too.

“What’s this room?”

Pointing at a section added to the living room, Claudia tilted her head. It was a newly created space, raised one step higher than the living room floor.

“That’s, well—a place where you can sit directly on the floor, I guess? Well, I have some ideas.”

“Hmm… Sounds interesting. I’ll look forward to it.”

I dodged the question since it was hard to explain, but essentially it’s a Japanese-style room.

I plan to use wood magic to create something like tatami mats, put a kotatsu in the middle, and so on. It’ll be a space where we can relax after meals and play games.

Then facilities for labyrinth village residents to stay overnight. According to Claudia, if we create a teleportation stone monument, travel from the labyrinth village would become much easier cost-wise.

Create a large room in the underground section capable of teleporting many people, and design it so they can access guest rooms on each floor.

A large kitchen and dining hall that labyrinth village residents can use. Toilets on each floor. A reception room for welcoming guests.

“What’s this large room?”

“That’s the entertainment room.”

I thought I’d try making billiards and darts. With tables and sofas, we can play cards too, and have leisurely conversations while drinking tea.

In that case, let’s put in a counter and include cafe-like facilities as well.

And so, consulting about various things while constructing… we eventually created something satisfactory to a certain extent.

“…I feel like it’s turned into quite a mansion…”

Since it was a house in the Eastern District, the land was originally relatively spacious… but combining two houses made it quite substantial for a private residence.

“Well, we’ll be welcoming people from the village.”

“That’s true.”

Looking at the whole thing, it feels more like an inn than a home, but it suits our purpose. Now—if I calculate the necessary materials, we should be able to build it.

While preparing, I’ll need to visit the labyrinth village too.