Chapter 37
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Efficient Designs
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What was the most important thing when making something?
In Ian's mind, it was undoubtedly the concept.
An object was born from necessity. You had to think ahead about why it was needed, where it would be used, and how.
That was why Ian had been sitting at his desk for two hours already, quill in hand, locked in a staring contest with the paper.
The stereotypical image that came to mind first for a mansion servant was a maid, so Ian had started designing a female human-type homunculus.
But after sketching a few blueprints, he scrapped them.
He realized this wasn't about personal tastes or aesthetics.
This creation was different from the others. It wasn't for fun.
Unlike his previous creations, these new ones would exist solely for mansion management. With such a clear purpose, he had no choice but to adopt a different approach.
'Focus on efficiency.'
Ian thought to himself.
What would be efficient?
How could he manage the mansion most efficiently?
'Efficiency isn't everything. They have to be good at it. I need to keep things comfortable here.'
As he racked his brain, Kes, who had been quietly standing by, timidly offered his opinion.
"M-Master. Forgive this lowly servant's impertinence, but might I humbly suggest an idea to please you? Would you grant me the honor? Keruk."
"An idea? What is it?"
"Make spirits, keruk."
"Spirits?"
"Yes. Specifically, spirit-type homunculi. Keruk."
"Oh ho."
Ian nodded thoughtfully. Spirits. He hadn't considered that.
"Why spirits?"
"Keruk, unlike other creatures, spirits have no physiological needs. That means no unnecessary actions, making them perfectly efficient for mansion management. Keruk."
Ian's eyes widened at that. Physiological activities?
Now that he thought about it, that was true.
Spirits didn't eat, shit, or sleep much. They only needed a bit of mana to maintain their form.
"Oh, Kes. You're really smart, you know that?"
"H-Honored! Such praise from you! This lowly one is so overjoyed, I could die without regret right now!"
"Spirits have simple structures too, so they'd be quick to make. Okay, let's go with that."
"M-May I have a chance to do it, master?"
"Huh? You?"
Ian looked at him skeptically, but Kes's eyes gleamed with determination.
"Yes. Something as trivial as basic spirit-type homunculi doesn't require your talents. Please, use this lowly servant for such menial tasks."
"You confident?"
"Yes. My alchemy skills are poor, but even I can handle that much. Please, give me this chance, keruk."
'Should I let him try?'
It wasn't anything grand anyway.
If it was just for basic housework, Kes could probably pull it off.
"Fine. Give it a shot."
"Yes! I'll do my best. Keruk."
Ian entrusted the mansion servant homunculi production to Kes.
Not because he trusted him, but because even a bad result wouldn't matter.
He could just scrap failures and remake them.
With no pressure, Ian turned his attention away from it entirely and headed to work.
The moment he arrived, he went to Bren to report the failure of the "Fairy Capture Mission."
Thanks to Edelin parading a bunch of fairies in front of humans, it was effectively a success, but Ian's assigned task had been to capture an unidentified tiny fairy. So, failure it was.
But for some reason, Bren didn't seem disappointed at all.
"It's fine. Not a failure."
"Pardon? It is though. I didn't capture one."
"Just step outside. Fairies are everywhere on the streets now. That's as good as bringing them alive to the capital. Mission success, obviously."
Ian tilted his head. That made no sense.
'What kind of bullshit is that?'
Wordplay?
"See? You succeeded again. The Magic Management Division's top ace. Haha."
"Deputy Director, did you eat something bad today?"
Ian shot him a look, and Bren burst out laughing.
"Nah, just joking."
"Joking?"
"Yeah. Elves brought the fairies, not you. Totally different. But..."
Bren stubbed out his cigarette and continued.
"The mission's been canceled."
"Really?"
"His Majesty's decree. Fairies are recognized as upright civilized species with roots on the Terradium continent. Get it?"
Ian nodded.
Recognized as civilized species meant treated as intelligent beings like humans. No longer monsters, now protected under continental and imperial law.
In simpler terms, they'd leveled up from monster to human status.
'Edelin must've negotiated well.'
The capture order stemmed from not seeing fairies as intelligent, but now they were civilized like humans or elves, so capturing them was off-limits.
Enslaving or kidnapping civilized beings was illegal under imperial law, regardless of race.
"Mission never existed, so no failure. Understood?"
"Yes."
"Feeling better now?"
"Better about what...? You think I was sulking?"
"Obviously. Four years—no, nearly five now. Never failed once, perfect success rate. Your reputation was on the line. I'd be down too."
"That's nonsense... I don't care about that stuff. You know me."
He meant it. Ian couldn't care less about success rates.
Unlike other investigators, he ignored performance metrics entirely. A dip wouldn't faze him.
"Knew you'd say that. So you."
"Pardon?"
"Truth is, we had a bet. Whether you'd mope or show negativity on failure."
"With who?"
"Chief Supervisor Anton."
Right on cue, Anton burst in.
"Damn it, my money. Here."
"Heh heh."
"I'll win next time."
"Sure."
Anton grumbled, handed over the gold coins to Bren, and left.
Ian chuckled dryly at his back. What kind of bet was that?
"You won, Deputy Director."
"Of course. I read people well. Upset?"
"Nah."
"Tea?"
"Cold water."
Bren fetched drinks. After sipping his hot coffee, he spoke again.
"Ian. No interest in promotion?"
"Pardon?"
"No interest in advancing?"
Bren's tone was serious. Ian met his eyes. The low voice matched the grave gaze.
There was a reason for the mood.
"Who said that? I'm disinterested."
"No need for words. People speak through actions too."
Ian smirked. Sharp as ever.
"Don't misunderstand. I love promotions. More than anyone."
"Hah. Most absurd thing I've heard working with you."
"Just... something I value more."
"Something more important."
"Work-life balance? Off-time? You won't get that. Leisurely life."
Ian took a sip of water and continued.
"Think about it. Promotion sounds great, but more work, right?"
"True. But you have plenty now."
Ian flinched. Fair point.
"Eh, that's just lately. Normally, I slack off."
"Heh, true."
"Anyway, my free time matters. Won't trade it for promotion."
"So, guarantee leisure, and you're interested?"
"Yeah."
"Oh ho."
"One more condition."
"What?"
"Hate exhaustion."
"Meaning?"
"Grab a high post, get dragged into politics—tiring."
"Fair. Higher you go, shorter lifespan in bureaucracy."
"Exactly. Better stay put."
"Heh. Not very manly."
"Call it wise."
Bren stroked his chin, nodding.
"Leisure, no politics, but promotions? Greedy much?"
"Why I'm content here."
"Makes sense why you turned down the Lightning Sword."
Ian smirked. Lightning Sword. Yeah, that happened.
Blake stopped asking after rejections.
"But seriously, why ask? Planning to push me somewhere?"
"Me? Powerless. If I had it, I'd escape this division first."
"Then what? Fortune teller?"
"Not quite. People have come asking about you."
"About me?"
"Yeah. Plenty eyeing you."
The tone dropped ominously. Ian straightened up.
"Eyeing me? Who? I haven't made enemies."
"Not enemies. Admirers."
"Huh?"
Ian's eyes widened. Admirers?
"Me? Why?"
'That bored?'
"Why? Forgot your missions?"
"Missions... um."
Ian nodded. No retort.
'I've handled big ones, all successes.'
"Plus, you wooed the elf princess, next queen."
"That's not—"
"Even big shots would bow to a guy like that."
Ian went silent. Sounded right.
"So, who?"
"Duke Vallua first."
"Again."
"Duke Karsten."
"Again?"
"Lady Siena."
Ian let out a hollow laugh.
'Sword master, war hero, archmage. Great.'
Why him?
"Not shocked. More?"
"Crown Prince."
"Pfft!"
Ian spat his water.
"What?"
"Crown Prince. Too thrilled? I'd be. Royal blood wants you."
"No, why?"
'Seriously, why?'
Couldn't fathom it.
"No special agenda. Just hopes you advance."
"..."
"If opportunity knocks, choose wisely. Better I use honorifics with you."
"..."
"Talking works up appetite. Lunch time."
Bren left. Ian stared silently.
Shocking words, but not really.
Just bewildering.
In the rugged highlands of southwestern Terradium continent lay Dragon Mountain. A dragon of the great Black clan dwelled there.
His name: Balteros.
In hibernation, his lair was guarded by lair guardians, including the Iron Golem Molrak.
Molrak stood watch over the peaceful lair as always, gazing at the clear sky—until faint tremors hit.
-What's this vibration?
Earthquake? No. Then what?
-Strange. Like artificial vibrations...
Molrak froze. He sensed it.
Mana. Not natural—external mana. From outside.
Molrak sprang up.
-Intruders.
He moved. Overlapping mana source and tremors pinpointed the spot.
Deep in a sheer gorge, something buried in rock.
-Intruder. You...
Molrak's eyes widened.
-Stone Golem?
Definitely. Abnormally huge, but unmistakable to a lair guardian.
-Hey, Stone Golem.
-Hm?
The massive Stone Golem, engrossed in the rock, turned.
-Whose guardian are you?
-You...
-Don't know whose, but you can't be here. This is the domain of the great Black Dragon Balteros.
-Golem!
The giant Stone Golem leaped up.
-Ddol Ddoli! Amazing! First being like me! So happy!
Molrak tilted his head. Speech lacking.
-Newborn, huh. Who made you?
-Ddol Ddoli made by master.
-Obviously your master. I mean your creator's name...
-Our master amazing. Best in world.
Molrak shook his head. No communication.
Like talking to a child.
-You're young, so warning: leave quietly.
-Ddol Ddoli can't. Recovering. Will leave when recovered.
-Balteros's domain. You're intruder. No place here, even for dragon guardian.
-Ddol Ddoli doesn't understand. Mountain. No one's. Ddol Ddoli stays.
Molrak sighed. Hopeless.
-Sigh, kid. Won't leave? I'll have to act.
Molrak unleashed power. Dense mana surged from core, rippling out. Ddol Ddoli's gem eyes narrowed.
-Ddol Ddoli senses hostility. Golem attacks.
-Yes. So leave. Unless you want it.
-Attackers are enemies. No mercy.
-Hah, no choice. Don't blame me.
Molrak released fully. Power poured smoothly—then Ddol Ddoli crouched.
-Ddol Ddoli attacks enemy.
Ddol Ddoli's 'Charge'
[Massive body hurtles forward with explosive speed]
Kuwaaang!
The colossal frame rocketed forward with a roar.
'Fool. Stone Golem challenging an Iron Golem like me to melee...'
Kwaang!
-Guh!
Molrak groaned roughly. Core hammered by immense impact.
'Im-Impossible. Such power...'
Followed by a stone fist thrust. Cheek struck, Molrak's body flew back, smashing into the gorge wall. Dust and rubble buried him as it crumbled.