## Chapter 975 – The Sea

I was having such handsome days.

“Father, a letter came.”
“A letter?”

I had just finished my morning training and entered the house when Ari informed me that a letter had arrived. It felt like ages since I last received a letter. But who on earth would send me one?

“The sender is listed as the Magic Tower.”
“What? The Magic Tower?”

The Magic Tower shouldn’t have any reason to call me. I took the letter from Ari.

The stationery was quite luxurious. Now that there was no need to worry about anthrax, I didn’t hesitate to explode the letter with my Heavy Water Method and checked the contents.

「Notification of New Magic – Magical Engineering Technology Public Presentation Event Schedule.」

As soon as I opened it, that phrase appeared.

“What is this?”

I read the letter carefully.

Apparently, the Magic Tower was holding a public presentation event for new magic and magical engineering technology. The letter contained the schedule and information about it, along with an invitation.

“Ooh.”

So, being a paladin got me an invitation to this event.

Come to think of it, I was a celebrity who won the martial arts tournament. I had neatly organized all the prizes I received back then during a big cleaning. Some of the prizes were donated by the Magic Tower.

“They’re inviting me to an event?”
“Is it a magic event?”
“Looks like it.”

Anyway, Winia would know best about this kind of thing. It was almost time for her to wake up, so I immediately called Winia, showed her the invitation, and asked if she knew what it was.

“Ah… I guess something like this was happening. It’s not held often, but every once in a while, the wizards from the Magic Tower show off their skills to try and get investment and sponsorship.”

Winia’s reaction was very cynical.

“Hey, no need to be so harsh. But what exactly do they do?”
“What do you think? It’s exactly as it says here. It’s an event where they reveal new magic or magical engineering. They show off things like golems. It’s all stuff that can be used in business, but even those are hard to commercialize.”

She knew quite a bit.

“Have you been there often?”
“No? I’ve only been once.”
“But why ‘every once in a while’?”
“I just mean it like that.”
“Hehehe, I guess so.”

Anyway, this event seemed to be a public event in the truest sense.

The wizards of the Magic Tower would announce new magic or technology, attract attention, and then meet with nobles who were interested to discuss business and receive investments.

This was completely corporate.

It was even open to the public, so it would be fun to watch. Nobles interested in this kind of business would carefully examine the exhibits and request meetings with the wizards.

But Winia just said that only things that are hard to commercialize come out… Even considering that, it seemed like a decent event. Originally, these kinds of events promote technological development.

“Why? Do you want to go, Shorty?”
“Doesn’t it sound fun? Since they invited me, it might be nice to go and take a look.”
“If Shorty wants to go, you should go.”

Either way, our Kadia was so busy with meetings with various royal figures and influential people these days that she was away from the Great Temple far too often. I had been skipping my usual attendance checks and just doing handsome training at home, so it wouldn’t be bad to go and take a breather.

I needed to keep up with how the world was turning.

It was a Magic Tower event held in the capital of Karga, the largest human kingdom. I might be able to see some pretty good stuff.

It would be nice to buy some useful souvenirs too.

More than anything, I needed to keep up with these things to avoid falling behind. I was just going to look around anyway. There was no pressure.

“There’s still some time left until the event, so let’s decide leisurely. It wouldn’t be bad to go out and see it together, right?”
“I guess so? Then I’ll tell the sisters.”
“Yep.”

Looking at it roughly, there wasn’t much time left until the event day.

“But seeing as they gave me an invitation, is this an event that anyone can’t come to?”
“Hmm… I don’t think so, from what I remember. I think you can come to see it if you buy a ticket?”
“So it’s a relatively public event.”

Mostly people interested in magic, businessmen, and nobles would come. As many of those people come, there would be a lot to see.

Then should I finish my training?

* * *

A few days later, I headed to the Great Temple.

When I last met the Saintess, she told me that she would be at the Great Temple for a while this morning. She had been extremely busy lately due to the series of incidents that had occurred, and she was away from the Great Temple a lot.

So it had been a while since I last saw her.
Though she would be leaving again soon.

I vigorously opened the door to the audience chamber.

“Saintess! I’m here!”
“Paladin, you ca…”

She was about to greet me, but when she saw my face, she stopped and widened her eyes. I strode towards her.

“…Paladin?”
“Yes.”
“Your hair…”

She stood up from her seat and approached me, bringing up the topic of my hair. This really did get a great reaction. I was tormented by the girls at home who were squealing about it, so Kadia wouldn’t be any different.

“I had it properly trimmed.”
“Hmm…”

The Saintess, standing in front of me, gazed at my face and stroked her lips. After all, a man’s hair is his strength. Originally, long hair is a style for tall and muscular people.

“Y-You should have cut it sooner. You look like a different person.”

The Saintess, slightly averting her gaze, said that.
She must like it.

“Hehehe, is that so? Wow! This is amazing! You’re flustered by my handsomeness! I’m honored!!!”
“Quiet. Maintain your dignity.”
“Yes. Anyway, don’t avoid my gaze and show me your face.”
“J-Just a moment…!”

I grabbed her face with my hands and made her look at me.

“U-Ugh…”

Her face turned red.
I really like seeing this face.

“…Your face is flushed. You’re very arrogant, Paladin.”
“Hehehe, you’re right. Please sit down first.”

I sat the Saintess back in her seat.

“…”

After hesitating for a moment, she looked at my face again and said.

“…Indeed, hair care is important for both women and men. Good. As the Saintess, I issue a dignity maintenance order. From now on, maintain that kind of look. Long hair suits you very well.”

It worked well.

“I was planning to do that even if you didn’t say so. The reaction has been very good.”
“From your other wives?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… Certainly… it can’t be helped.”

The Saintess said that and stared at me intently.

“Truly, you have a face fit for a philanderer.”
“No! How can you say such a thing!!!”

A woman who is a Saintess keeps saying such bad things…!!

“Are you saying that because you want to be `philandered` by me!!!”

If she keeps saying such things, I have no choice but to ravage her.

“Hmph, if I had the time, I would want to be as much as possible. Of course, that’s not something we can do here. So calm down.”
“Yes.”

Anyway, I put the greetings aside and started the real conversation.

“You know that I, the Saintess, am very busy. I am currently holding meetings with royal figures and influential people due to the various incidents that have occurred.”

There have been so many problems lately.

“So I haven’t been able to pick out anything for the Paladin to do… I think you can just stay at home for the time being. Isn’t that a good opportunity? Unless something serious happens, you can rest well.”
“Then I’ll stay home and rest properly. But what do you talk about when you have meetings?”
“We have meetings on various topics. For example, discussions about the invading demons or the undead in the border regions. The restless movements of the spirits and… things like that. There are so many things to talk about that there’s not enough time.”
“Haa… It seems like you’re going through too much.”
“I am going through a lot.”

She nodded and took out a cigarette.

“But above all, military consultations are the most important. The small lords in the provinces can deal with the rampant monsters, but they are powerless when it comes to those problems.”

The lords can’t identify or catch strong demons.

“I feel like the world is changing rapidly. This is both an opportunity and a crisis. If we don’t respond properly here, there will be a large number of people who will fall. Economic chaos could occur.”
“That certainly seems to be the case.”
“Well, you could say that I’m busy talking about those things.”
“Indeed…! You truly seem to be a leader worthy of humanity!”
“That’s right.”

Well, that was roughly the situation.

The Saintess was fighting by doing things that I couldn’t do. Like this, roles and methods are very diverse.

“It’s almost time. It’s a shame, but I’ll call you next time.”

After talking for a while, it was time for the Saintess to go to another meeting.

“Yes. Oh, but Saintess. My armor doesn’t fit me at all anymore, so I can’t wear it. Are there any other equipment coming out?”
“Armor?”

My armor doesn’t fit at all these days.

“Certainly… you’re getting bigger and bigger.”
“Could you make me something new that’s decent? Nothing too flashy. Something that can be used in actual combat.”
“I understand. I’ll place an order. We’ll make a special item.”
“Good.”

With that, I left the Great Temple.

* * *

The largest Magic Tower in the capital.

The Magic Tower street was now very well maintained. The pedestrians moving in groups here and there were wearing very luxurious clothes, and guides were running around in all directions.

Is this what an event is like?
The atmosphere is very good.

“Wow. It’s very well done, isn’t it?”
“Those magic nerds.”

Liztina, seemingly pleased with the sophisticated atmosphere, clasped her hands together and exclaimed. It was the day of the magic event. I ended up accepting the invitation and coming. Seeing the vitality in the streets, I thought it was a good idea to come.

“Well, it looks okay. Shall we go to the venue first? It’s already started, so we can see everything there first and then look around.”

Winia said that.

She was talking about “magic nerds” and all, but she looked quite excited.

“Winia is right. Shouldn’t we look around the venue first?”
“Katt. Let’s go see the venue first.”
“Yeah, yeah.”

We immediately traversed the Magic Tower street and headed to the main venue.

I wonder what they’re doing.

“Ooh.”

When I arrived at the venue, I couldn’t help but exclaim.

It was kind of like G-Star.

It wasn’t indoors, but outdoors, and there weren’t that many booths, but the wizards who had set up shop all over the venue were showing off the technology they had created to potential investors and explaining their vision.

“Ka, Katt-nim…! Over there! Look over there!!!”

At that moment, Hilde, a connoisseur of shock, exclaimed in shock and pointed over there.

“Why, what is it?”
“Look, quickly!! Let’s go there first!!”
“Okay. Let’s do that.”

Wondering what it was, I immediately went over there.

“Now, now! Look! These are the new species we have created, called ‘Gray Slave Goblins’!!”

I saw some wizards holding goblins by the leash and shouting loudly. There were already quite a few people gathered around. Gray Slave Goblins?

“Oh my, there are goblins?”
“Slave Goblins, I wonder what kind of magic they use?”

Liztina and Karin tilted their heads.

ㅡKerreuk…
ㅡKereuk, kereuk.

What was in front of me was literally a goblin.

But its skin was gray, and it seemed a little bigger than a normal goblin. The ones bound by chains were trembling as if they were uneasy, holding pickaxes, sickles, and some farming tools and carts.

“This is a new species that our circle has created through long-term breeding! They are a little smarter than normal goblins, but they are also more timid, less violent, and incredibly docile!!!”

While the wizard was explaining enthusiastically, a man who looked like a noble asked.

“How much smarter are they? And what are these tools?”
“Good question!!!”

Tension rising.

“As much smarter!!! Now these goblins can perform simple labor according to human orders! For example, they can do mining or labor on large farms!!”

Oh.

“Goblins who are timid, docile, and even have their violence suppressed! They are weaker than humans, so they can’t even dream of rebellion, and they will work for their owners until they die! Of course, they are a little weaker than human workers… but considering labor costs, wouldn’t it be better to use these slave goblins?! That’s the kind of ideology that went into creating this species!!”

Wow, seriously.

There’s even this.