Chapter 86
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 86
“A carbonated water maker?”
“Yes. With this, we can significantly lower production costs.”
Innovation and creation are important, but true wealth comes from mass appeal. And mass appeal begins with lowering costs so a product can be supplied to the masses.
To achieve that, I needed more than just the recipe for ‘Cola’—a player-exclusive item. I needed a carbonated water maker. Fortunately, the blueprint for one was contained within a scroll found inside the Union.
It’s one of the rewards for delving into the ruins associated with the Union’s Seven Great Mysteries.
I didn’t have it yet, but it was something I could obtain immediately if I put my mind to it. I’d have to take Chloe on a little ruin exploration in the near future.
Besides, Ciel had mentioned that Chloe was quite shaken after seeing me collapse and cough up blood. Ciel said she’d kept the matter quiet, so in return, I planned to help Chloe write an article about the ruins. There was also the fact that she had written a favorable article about Verdandi at my request before.
In any case, this Sports Festival would serve as the foundation for the Academy Festival’s ultimate success.
The moment I mentioned the carbonated water maker, Trish slammed her hand on the table and exclaimed, “If—if that’s real, it’s a revolution! A total revolution! There must be hundreds of low-ranking mages who abandoned their research to produce carbonated water because they couldn't afford funding. That market alone is worth billions! Of course, the price will drop if a luxury item like that is mass-produced, but even then…”
Trish launched into a passionate lecture on the economic benefits of the device.
I scratched my cheek and asked, “You seem to know a lot about this. Did you have a side job in the field?”
“Ah, I didn't do it myself. I just looked into a few part-time gigs… because of a certain someone.”
“…Ahem.”
At Trish’s sharp gaze, I deliberately looked away. Well, it wasn’t me who had proposed an investment to Trish and then canceled it; it was the original owner of this body, that bastard Roen. I decided not to feel guilty about it anymore.
“Anyway. The important thing is that I can make it.”
“But… shouldn’t you be discussing this with the kids from Meister, not our club?”
“I’ve already negotiated with them.”
“Really? Who’s the manufacturer?”
“…You’re better off not knowing.”
I frowned, recalling the encounter. A few days ago, after classes ended, I had taken the time to visit Meister Academy.
Meister Academy was a school for technicians. They specialized in the processing and development of artifacts and magic devices—essentially the field of Magic Engineering. This field was originally under Eredor’s jurisdiction, but because it was difficult to group with pure magic, the academy was eventually separated. That said, it wasn’t a completely independent institution; it was best to think of it as a branch campus of Eredor.
In any case, during my visit to Meister Academy, I had contacted the three dwarf brothers: Melga, Malgor, and Murgan. The three of them were exceptional research fanatics, even by the standards of Meister Academy, which was already populated by eccentrics.
“…”
I didn't particularly want to remember the meeting. They were so foul-tempered and difficult that they made Demian look like a gentleman.
Regardless, the negotiations went reasonably well, and there was no risk of the technology being leaked. Those three brothers might be a little crazy, but they weren't malicious enough to sell someone else’s blueprints.
They don’t care about money or fame. They’re satisfied as long as you let them build something new and interesting.
In a way, they were similar to Demian, who only took on design commissions that piqued his interest. From my perspective, that made them easier to control. After all, the blueprints for the "over-technology" that would fascinate them were all stored in my head. It seemed I would be needing their help often in the future.
“So, when will the prototype for this carbonated water maker be ready?”
“I’ll have it by next week. Until then, prepare the ingredients for the drink. Tell the other club members, too. The more hands we have, the better.”
I handed Trish a thick envelope stuffed with checks.
“I know a merchant guild. It’ll be faster if you contact them to procure the ingredients. I’ve written down their information.”
I could have done it myself, but I had too many other things to manage. I could leave this much to Trish.
Trish’s eyes sparkled like stars as she snatched the envelope. “O-of course! Just leave it to me!”
“…”
Trish wiped a bit of drool from the corner of her mouth and tucked the money into her clothes.
I sighed and added a reminder. “You can keep whatever is left over after buying the ingredients. Just make sure the preparations are thorough.”
*
The next day. A lecture hall in Seintea.
“That is all for today’s lecture. Good work, everyone.”
The Divine Studies lecture ended with the grand, echoing chords of a pipe organ. The class was mind-numbingly dull, but simply sitting through it brought considerable benefits.
[Divine Power Resistance level has increased.]
Specifically, a level-up for my Divine Power Resistance trait. It wasn’t a massive increase, but for Roen—who was half-human and half-demon—it was incredibly useful.
The students flowed out of the hall like an ebbing tide, accompanied by the singing of the choir.
“Yawn.”
I yawned as I packed my textbook and stood up.
“Lord Roen, are you heading to your swordsmanship lecture?”
“Well… I suppose I have to. After lunch.”
Perhaps because my stamina had improved and I’d grown accustomed to the exertion, I was doing much better. I could now attend Ishtal’s swordsmanship lectures without vomiting or collapsing.
“Speaking of which, Garfield, you should be able to rejoin the swordsmanship lectures as well.”
“I-is that true?” Garfield’s eyes widened.
“Yes. I settled things with Zimmer. He said he’d allow your return.”
“Oh! Thank you so much! To think you would go that far for me. I must buy you a meal. Please, choose anything you like.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Let’s go.”
Just as Garfield and I were about to head out for lunch, it happened.
Rustle—.
“Roen, excuse me, but do you have a moment?”
A calm voice accompanied the rustle of priest’s robes. Professor Andrea from the Divine Studies lecture had approached me. He continued with a benevolent smile.
“I have something important to discuss with you. I see you were about to dine with student Garfield. If it’s not too much of an imposition, would you like to join me instead?”
“I understand.”
I nodded without much thought. A professor’s invitation was essentially a command; as a student, I had no grounds to refuse.
“Garfield, would you like to come along?”
“Um, I worry I might be a hindrance to your conversation.”
Andrea smiled faintly and shook his head. “Please, don't say that. Student Garfield is more than qualified to participate. Then, I’ll take that as a yes. Shall we?”
*
We arrived at a high-end restaurant in Seintea’s territory with Professor Andrea. It was lunchtime, but because it was an expensive establishment, there were few customers. As we were led to a private room, we saw someone already sitting at the table, waiting for us.
“We meet again~ It’s nice to see you.”
The person was, of course, Elena.
Looking at the faces gathered here, I had a rough idea of why Professor Andrea had invited us.
It’s about the club admission test.
Professor Andrea was not only one of Seintea’s ten cardinals but also the supervising professor for the Demon Purification Club. It seemed a response had arrived from the Celestia mainland regarding the answer I had given for question 25—the weakness of the ‘Blood Demon.’
“I’ve already ordered something light. We don’t have much time before the next lecture, do we? And moving around too much on a full stomach might make you feel bloated.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Somehow, it felt like she already knew I was heading to a swordsmanship lecture afterward.
I sat down and glanced at the carbonated water the waiter was pouring into my glass. Bubbles fizzed to the surface. That single glass cost roughly fifty thousand won—more than a decent bottle of wine. In the modern world, carbonated water cost almost the same as regular water. The price gap here highlighted the sheer difference in production costs.
What would be a fair price to sell it for?
As I was calculating the cost difference between the two worlds and pondering a suitable retail price, Elena spoke up.
“You know why I invited you here, don’t you?”
“…Yes, but is this information Garfield should be hearing?”
“Of course. Garfield is a member of our club, and furthermore, the Morty family has very close ties with our kingdom.”
Come to think of it, the Golden Elephant Guild’s main trading partner was Seintea. They held contracts to supply goods to temples and churches across the continent. In that sense, Garfield was perfectly qualified to be part of this conversation.
“I see. What was the response?”
This time, Professor Andrea answered instead of Elena.
“I cannot explain the precise details, but it caused quite a stir among the leadership on the mainland. Some hardliners insisted that student Roen should be summoned to the Papal See’s tribunal to uncover the source of his information. They argued that possessing such knowledge meant you could be involved with demonic forces. Honestly, those people have no sense of moderation.”
“…”
No demonic being had ever survived the Papal See’s tribunal. Even I would have a hard time. All artifacts were forbidden there, so I wouldn't be able to rely on Derod’s ring to deceive them.
The professor continued, “However, aside from a few extremists, most of the cardinals reacted favorably toward you, student Roen. There was a suggestion that we should use this opportunity to cooperate closely with the Devalis family and request an exchange of information. I, too, view the idea positively.”
“I see.”
It seemed Celestia’s leadership believed the source of the ‘Blood Demon’ information was the Devalis family. It made sense; the Devalis family had been fighting monsters on the western front for centuries, accumulating vast amounts of data.
“Before I contact Duchess Aslan regarding cooperation between our two families, I thought it was only right to speak with you first, student Roen.”
They could have just let the leadership handle it, but the fact that they went out of their way to inform me showed a level of respect I appreciated.
“A wise decision. It will be much faster to speak with me than with my sister. Besides, wouldn't it be a better deal to trade with Roen the individual rather than the Devalis family?”
“Does that mean…”
I affirmed Andrea’s suspicion with a silent nod.
On the surface, it would be an exchange of information between two powerful houses, but in reality, it would undoubtedly result in them unilaterally receiving information and paying a steep price for it. It would be a blow to their pride, and the fees would be astronomical.
But if they went through me as an individual, they could obtain the information with far less red tape and at a much lower cost.
Elena looked thoughtful. “An interesting proposal. Are you saying that you, as an individual, can provide information equal to or greater than what the Devalis family offers?”
“Maybe I can, maybe I can’t.”
While I knew the weaknesses of various high-level monsters, there were surely things I didn't know—just as the bookshelves of Water Melon Books were filled with information I had never encountered.
“But there is one thing I can assure you: it will by no means be a loss for you or your kingdom.”
“…”
Elena fell silent for a moment. In reality, she had no reason to refuse. If I truly provided high-level information at a low price, it was a massive gain. And if she later decided that cooperating with me wasn't beneficial, she could always join hands with the Devalis family then.
Having made up her mind, she extended her hand for a handshake.
“Alright, Roen. For now, I will deal with you personally. Elena Sion Celestia—you have my word.”