Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Visit to the Magic Tower
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"That dress was truly fantastic."
Now that the tea time nagging—er, reminders—were over, Mother immediately showered praise on the dress I'd given her yesterday.
Not just 'It was good,' but 'truly fantastic.'
"Heheh~ Come on, it's not that great."
Mother wasn't one for exaggeration, yet here she was smiling as she used such words. I couldn't help but feel my lips twitching upward toward the heavens.
"It was cozy and warm, with just the right amount of gentle pressure... Thanks to it, I slept more comfortably than I have in ages."
"Really? Was there anything uncomfortable about it?"
"Not at all. I was completely satisfied."
"In that case, shall I make another one right away?"
"Hmm..."
Her expression filled with hesitation, utterly at odds with her earlier glowing review.
Frowning and dithering, Mother glanced at me cautiously before speaking up gingerly.
"I... I know this sounds selfish to ask you, but... could you possibly make two?"
"Two?"
She must have liked it that much to request a second one immediately.
I grinned as I looked at her.
"You must have loved it a ton, huh?"
"That's part of it, but one of the maids who attends me is quite sensitive to the cold. Seeing her eye the dress so enviously made me want to give her one too."
"You mean Mariana?"
"Yes. Her wistful gaze stuck with me. If it's not too much trouble for you, I'd like to ask for two... Is that possible?"
"Hmm~"
Mother's pleading eyes tugged at me, but I furrowed my brow in thought.
It wasn't impossible, but knitting them all by hand would take until midsummer...
If only I had a machine...
A machine?
"Mother, for the one for Mariana, would wool or cotton be okay?"
"Of course."
"In that case, I have a way to make them in just a few days."
"What?"
Mother stared at me with wide eyes, like a startled cat.
"Didn't you say yesterday it would take a month?"
"Silk is expensive yarn, so people handle it carefully. But with cheap yarn like wool or cotton, there's this thing called a knitting machine that does the work for you."
"A knitting machine? Aren't you confusing it with a loom?"
Mother narrowed her eyes suspiciously, peering at me intently.
"It was developed by the Magic Tower decades ago. You didn't know?"
"Decades ago? I had no idea."
"From what I know, the previous emperors gave it scathing reviews, so it never really caught on in the Empire."
"Ah..."
The criticism was so harsh that there's even a tale of the emperor shouting, 'We don't need a machine that makes garbage like this!' before hurling the machine and the offending stockings to the floor.
Of course, it wasn't baseless.
The first knitting machines could only handle thick wool yarn, resulting in a coarse texture that didn't suit noble tastes.
That was understandable enough.
The real issue was that the mage who got the bad review sold the machines to a neighboring country out of spite.
After that, imperial pride kept them ignored for decades, but I'd heard they were starting to be used a bit in the Empire in recent years.
"If such a machine exists, it would definitely speed things up."
"Yes, it cuts the time by 90%, they say."
Not down to 90%—by a whopping 90%.
"Heavens... That's impressive."
Mother's lips parted slightly in awe at the miracle of tenfold productivity.
"But William, do you know anyone nearby who has one?"
"Uh... No... Heh heh..."
And yet, I didn't actually have the crucial machine.
I laughed awkwardly, scratching my nape.
Mother eyed me pitifully, her gaze narrowing.
"So I guess I'll have to knit them myself after all..."
"Yeah..."
"That'll take forever, then?"
"Pretty much. Probably not done until midsummer."
"Ugh..."
Both Mother and I wore troubled expressions as we stared at our teacups.
Even if I started now and rushed one first, it'd be mid-June.
No matter how cold-sensitive someone was, they'd be sweltering by June.
Why not just buy a machine?
It'd come in handy for all sorts of things.
"How about we buy one while we're at it?"
"A knitting machine?"
"Yes."
"Do we really need one? They're not cheap, and buying it just for a single dress doesn't seem right."
At Mother's negative response, I hurriedly listed the machine's benefits.
"We don't need it right now, but come winter, it'll be useful. With yarn, you can make sweaters, thick stockings, gloves, scarves—anything. Sourcing winter gear every year is a hassle, right?"
"Winter gear..."
Mother murmured thoughtfully, pursing her lips and tapping the table with her finger.
"You're right. It wouldn't hurt to look into it."
After a brief deliberation, she nodded and stood, glancing at me as she continued.
"You said the Magic Tower developed it?"
"Yes."
"Then let's head to the Magic Tower right away."
"Pardon?"
Right now?
_
Like she was planning a casual outing, Mother summoned the head butler to prepare the carriage and set off for the Magic Tower at once.
Including me, of course.
Going to the Magic Tower itself was fine.
I wasn't a shut-in who hated going out.
But the mages there were infamous for their arrogance—raised on tales of their own genius from childhood, lacking any manners.
Visiting such a place unannounced...
I was worried.
"Um... Mother, is the Magic Tower really okay to just show up at like this?"
Gazing up at the towering structure—soaring perhaps 100 meters, majestic enough to stir the heart—I asked Mother anxiously.
"Others might not be welcome, but we are."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Just stay quiet and watch what happens."
"Okay..."
Mother crossed her arms, staring intently at the Magic Tower's door.
"Hnnng..."
She must have some plan...
I swallowed my anxiety and stood by her side, eyes fixed on the door.
- Clunk!
"!"
As I waited nervously, a heavy bolt unfastening echoed, and the massive door began to creak open slowly.
When the gap widened enough for one person to pass,
an elderly man with white hair appeared in the doorway.
His robe bore the marks of age, he leaned on a staff as tall as himself, and he wore the pointed hat typical of mages and witches.
His aura and appearance screamed high-ranking mage. I gulped, waiting to see his reaction.
"Countess Hume! Welcome! It's been too long—such a pleasure to see you!"
"Hehe~"
"Uh...?"
No trace of dignity—just the eager demeanor of a shopkeeper greeting a customer.
His response was so far from what I'd expected that I stared at Mother in confusion, but she smiled nonchalantly and extended her hand to the mage.
"Magic Tower Master, it's been ages. How have you been?"
"Very well, of course. Thanks to the Count and you, Madam. And how have you been?"
"I'm always well, thanks to my husband."
"...Huh?"
I could only doubt my eyes and ears once more.
The Magic Tower Master—the top authority there—had come out personally to greet us?
And why was Mother treating him like a subordinate so naturally?
"William, say hello."
Too stunned to react as I gawked at them, Mother poked my side to snap me out of it.
I hurriedly bowed to the Magic Tower Master.
"Ah, uh, hello. I'm William Henry Howard, second son of Count Hume."
"Young Master William! Seventeen this year, right? I've heard much about you from Count Hume, but you're far more sturdy than the stories suggested!"
"Hehe~ He's still got a long way to go."
So much didn't make sense.
How did he know me when I'd never visited the Magic Tower?
"So, Madam, what brings you to the Magic Tower in person?"
"I've taken an interest in this 'knitting machine.' Do you still handle them here?"
"Of course. Mid-level mage Heini Bailey is researching it, I believe."
And why was the Magic Tower Master bowing and scraping to Mother and me, a mere youth?
"Could we meet that mage right now, by any chance?"
"Absolutely. Allow me to guide you."
"Thank you."
And why was Mother accepting it all so casually? Everything baffled me.
"......"
I stood there with my mouth agape in a daze until Mother, about to follow the Master inside, burst out laughing and patted my shoulder.
"Pfft~ William, pull yourself together. What kind of spectacle is this?"
"Uh? Huh?"
Words failed me.
As I mumbled incoherently with a bewildered look, Mother grinned and took my hand gently.
"Come on, William. Let's go inside. We need to meet the mage who knows all about that machine."
"Yes......"
And so, led by Mother's hand, I entered the Magic Tower.
I still couldn't quite believe it.