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nI gave the slimes the ale that I’d brought back, then Serge-san and I continued our conversation from earlier.

n“Commissioning the music box would be best.” Serge

n“I suppose that really would be the best way to go about it, isn’t it?” Ryouma

nI can’t produce enough on my own and I don’t have any technical knowledge either. But then it begs the question, to whom should I commission it to? Serge-san and the Morgan Firm can take care of the sales, but what about the craftsman?

n“I know many people we can ask, but for starters, how about trying Dinome-dono first? His skills are guaranteed and because of his work in the development of magic cars, he has some knowledge in magic tools like your music box. He also likes new things and he’s already met you before, so he should be much easier to deal with.” Serge

n“But won’t it put too much burden on him?” Ryouma

n“That would depend on how he goes about it, but I think it will be fine since he has three disciples under him. Moreover, your music box is really simple such that even someone like me could understand it, so I think there will be a lot of imitations once we introduce it to the market.

nWe can incorporate some countermeasures for that and patent the music box, but… Wait. I’ve already talked to you about this before with the water proof cloth, haven’t I?” Serge

n“Yes.” Ryouma

nAlthough he did give me an explanation about patents, it wasn’t really any different from Earth’s.

nAn application is submitted to the merchants guild, then once the guild has certified it, they will crack down on anyone who infringes upon the patent. But to that end, it will be necessary to reveal the materials and technique used to the entire artisan guild. Supervising the patent would be difficult without this step, so it’s not possible to refuse this step. Also, once the patent has been passed, anyone can then pay a fee to be able to use the technique or technology used legally.

nBut of course, it’s up to the rightful claimant whether to reveal his product to the public via a patent or keep it a secret. In the case of the waterproof cloth, I chose not to publicize the method since I could easily sell it through Serge-san. And in the case that people found out how to make it, well, that wouldn’t be too bad either since it would shed some light on the usefulness of the slimes.

n“Should the music box sell well, I’m sure other people will start to make a move. But if we turn to Dinome-san, we will most likely be able to limit the possibility of being flooded with orders.” Ryouma

n“Exactly.” Serge

nSerge-san wants to patent the music box, but…

n“Is there something worrying you?” Serge

n“I have to register at the artisans guild before being able to file a patent, right?” Ryouma

n“Yes. That is correct.” Serge

n“Although the only reason I will be registering to the guild is to allow me to apply for a patent, I am currently registered at the tamers guild, something I’m sure you’re well aware of. As such, even if I register, I won’t be able to accept any work. I don’t think it’s very nice for a person to be affiliated with an organization and not work…” Ryouma

nThe rimel birds can deliver letters, but there are experts that do the same job. And as for the slimes, well… nothing more needs to be said, really. Branch Head Taylor is very kind to me, but that just makes the guilt of not working even worse.

nThat’s why I want to work at least a little if I’m going to register myself, but frankly, I have my hands full just with the adventurers guild and the store already. I could probably get something done if I were to push myself, but the duke’s household told me not to push myself, so…

n…I can’t believe I’m actually thinking like this.

nBack in my previous life, I would just go “I can do it if I push myself a little? Then let’s get to it!”

nI wonder if this is what it means to grow up.

n“I know. Since I’m going to be commissioning the music box to another person anyway, maybe I can just ask that person to submit the application in stead?” Ryouma

n“That’s… possible, but… UMUMU…” Serge

nSerge-san suddenly held his head and appeared troubled.

n“Anyone can serve as the applicant, but Dinome-dono… That man would surely say, ‘You think I can just claim someone else’s work!?’ and refuse.” Serge

nSo, it’s pride.

n“Also, if someone else applies for the patent, then the holder of the patent won’t be you anymore, Ryouma-sama. In the worst case, he might take the profits for himself. What do you think about that?” Serge

n“It would depend on the circumstances, but…” Ryouma

nWhen you think about it, I don’t really have any right to the profits either. If anyone did have a right to it, it would be a person from a long long time ago. All I really did was imitate what he did and make it here. It just so happens that there’s no one to rebuke me for what I’ve done. A stroke of luck that happened to fall right into my lap without doing anything. A windfall even greater than that of the cleaner slimes.

nAs such, I’m not really that attached to the proceeds made from the music box. But at the same time, I also don’t have the pride or sense of justice to straight-up refuse any money made from it. In short, I’ll take what I can, and if there’s no income, then there’s none. I feel bad for Serge-san, but this is how I personally view things.

nHence, my response to Serge-san was…

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nI have no intentions of making things difficult over trivial matters, but if say… said partner is somewhat lacking in manners, then… I still have an idea up my sleeves.” Ryouma

n“…I take it this is not just a music box with a different melody?” Serge

n“Of course not. And I haven’t made a prototype yet either, but if it works, then it will eclipse the music box. So much so that the music box’s value plummet.” Ryouma

nSerge-san placed his chin over his hand and became thoughtful.

nThe gramophone and recorder that I thought of back at the store are both things that were developed after the music box. It is also said that they replaced the music box afterwards. If I could make them in this world, then…

n“…So what you’re saying is that even if the rights to the music box is taken, you have a plan to crush them.” Serge

n“It’s just a possibility.” Ryouma

nThe gramophone had a build kit for children included with a magazine in my previous life and I do know how it works to some extent. It shouldn’t be an issue making it with magic. The problem is the recorder. I’m not really sure how far I can go with that one. It’s a bit vague, so I can’t guarantee I can make something that will become popular in society.

n“And in the case that my new product can’t compete with the music box, we’ll just have to owe it to my lack of foresight, knowledge, and ability. But that’s a story for then.” Ryouma

nIn other words, there’s no telling what will happen unless we get to it.

nWhen Serge-san heard that, he sighed.

n“I understand. We’ll go in that direction then.” Serge

n“Are you sure?” Ryouma

n“Yes. I’m a bit surprised, though.” Serge

n…What?

nSerge-san laughed when he saw me confused.

n“Although I’m surprised to hear that you have an idea for a product that’s better than the music box, I was even more surprised to hear you suggest to use that to steal someone’s customers. I thought for sure you would choose a more pacifistic route and try to talk things through.” Serge

n“I do prefer that, in fact, but there are times when you need to do things the hard way. Like when attacked, for example. Although, I do admit that I’m usually the easygoing sort.” Ryouma

n“Although this would mean I’m yet inexperienced myself, this also means that I’ve misread you, Ryouma-sama. What an interesting turn of events.” Serge

n“What are you talking about?” Ryouma

n“Fu fu fu… My expectations for you have just gotten even higher.” Serge

nWas there a factor like that? Or is he just drunk?

nSince we were already done talking and I was starting to worry for Serge-san, I decided to end the day.

nI saw Serge-san to his room, then after confirming our promise tomorrow, went back to my own.

nThe next day.

nAfter leisurely eating breakfast, Serge-san and I went to town. The main street was even livelier today than it was yesterday. Crowds of people would pass to and fro the already narrow street, and it was not until after much effort that the stagecoach was able to reach the central plaza.

n“So this is the fair. Fuu…” Ryouma

nMany tents were lined up in the plaza and carriages were forbidden inside. Luggages had to be brought from the carriages via wagons, and the pedestrians were free to walk around.

n“The master over there! How about giving our store goods a look!” Clerk 1

n“Young master, we have some interesting toys here!” Clerk 2

n“New magic tool designs from the capital here! Our products are cutting edge!” Clerk 3

n“…There’s so many people calling out, I don’t know where to go. So, what’s the plan?” Ryouma

n“Actually, I also just drop by any store I find interesting. Ryouma-sama, don’t you have something you’re looking for?” Serge

n“Hmm… Well, I was thinking of building a kitchen in my house, so something that would be useful for that would be nice. Also, something useful for the maintenance of the mines or something that would prove useful in my travels.” Ryouma

n“Then let’s go around and look for those.” Serge

nAnd so, we roamed around the tents.

n“This one is all farming tools.” Ryouma

n“Yes. Most of them are farming tools enchanted with physical strengthening magic. These tools can make one’s life much easier at the cost of mana. There’s a high demand for these.” Serge

n“Oh? …I think I can use these in the maintenance of the mines.” Ryouma

n“Welcome. What would you like to purchase?” Clerk

n“Do you have a lumbering axe and a sickle for mowing?” Ryouma

n“We have several axes here, but for the sickle, we only have this one.” Clerk

n“That’s a scythe.” Ryouma

n“The small ones are easy enough to use without enchantment, so we’ve already sold out our stock.” Clerk

n…Well, it’s not that bad. I mean with a bigger sickle, I can cut more at a time. I just have to get used to it.

n“Fine. I’ll take that scythe along with that axe, and then that… Pitch fork.” Ryouma

n“Would you prefer the tools that consume magic stones or the ones that consume one’s own mana?” Clerk

n“The latter, please.” Ryouma

n“That’ll be 29,000 suits all in all.” Clerk

n“Do you have change?” Ryouma

n“Of course. Please come again.” Clerk

nI paid three small gold coins and got back a medium silver coin.

nI stored my purchased items into my Item Box and proceeded to the next store.

n“What are these?” Ryouma

nBefore me were some mysterious products lined up.

n“Hmm… This seems to be a store aimed at traders. This magic tool, for example, is meant to be used for things related to construction.” Serge

nA metal rod with seven round bumps equally spaced. How do you use this?

n“These round bumps have been imbued with varying strengths of the earth magic, ‘Break Rock’. If you use this rod on a stone wall or anything made out of stone, you will be able to measure how resistant the wall or object is toward earth magic. This is useful even if the target has been painted with earth-magic-resistant paint, as the effect of such paint declines over time.” Serge

n“Huh. So, tools like this are a thing too.” Ryouma

n“Incidentally, the building stones you sold me were rated quite favorably by this tool.” Serge

n“Somehow, it feels like that was ages ago.” Ryouma

n“It hasn’t even been a year, though— MU?” Serge

n“What happened?” Ryouma

n“A store caught my eye.” Serge

nI followed after, and Serge-san stooped over a corner of the plaza, where several products were laid over a carpet.

n“Mind if I take a look?” Serge

n“P-Please go ahead!” Clerk

nThe young man looked really nervous, but Serge-san just seriously examined the products.

n“This millstone… Has this been enchanted with Spin?” Serge

n“Yes! In fact, all of the products here have!” Clerk

n“If you don’t mind me asking, what workshop are you affiliated with.” Sereg

n“I’m… not presently…” Clerk

nSerge-san smiled when he heard that, and after purchasing the small millstone, handed the man a letter. When the man saw that, he bowed his head deeply and saw us off as we left his store.

n“Serge-san, isn’t that heavy? I can store it in my Item Box for you.” Ryouma

n“Thank you.” Serge

n“No problem. By the way, what was that just now?” Ryouma

n“That man didn’t have a tent, right? Well, those tents are actually loaned by the steering committee to stores and workshops that have applied for a position. So if someone is without a tent, that means they’re here alone. This is usually taken to mean that they are currently looking for an employer or somewhere to hone their skills.

nIn his case, he was probably chased out of his workshop. His skills are still somewhat lacking, but the rotation of this millstone is something. He seems like a serious kid, so I though if he had a place to hone his skills, he might be able to develop himself further.” Serge

nSo, he saw a promising individual? In that case, that paper must be a letter of introduction.

n“Exactly. It’s addressed to Dinome Workshop.” Serge

n“…You hope to use him to speed up your magic car?” Ryouma

n“Hopefully, in the future, he’ll be able to do just that.” Serge

nIt’ll be some time before his investment bears fruit, but Serge-san sure doesn’t let an opportunity pass.

nWe chatted while continuing to walk around the fair.

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