Chapter 74 – Artifact Presentation Ceremony

That evening, the alchemy club is in trouble. All the members of the alchemy club except Artine were gathered and were waiting for Artine.

The reason was simple. Since the first equipment that Artin was going to share with them has been completed to some extent, he has called everyone to share it.

“… Brother Artin is very late.”
“I see~ Is it because the Bronze Dormitory is a little far away?”

And although they claimed to be an alchemy club on the outside, Zorba was not very happy with the current situation in which Artin was absent in a situation where half of the members were Artin’s lovers.

“Oh, would you like some more tea, Miss Violet? Miss Xiaomei?”
“Ah… Thank you, Princess Agnes.”

First of all, looking at the awkward atmosphere of those women sitting at the central table, they are not on bad terms, but basically they are united out of goodwill toward Artin, and only Violet and Xiaomei are close friends.

“Ah, I heard that a villain will appear during the midterm season and midterm exams soon. Are you two preparing for the exam in advance?”
“…I am training in preparation for any possible corps commanders or subordinates. I think it doesn’t matter to her, since she has the confidence to score points in close combat and real combat.”
“Oh, I see. Training is also important.”

At that brief conversation, Zorba was momentarily dizzy from her suffocation. That passive yet disruptive dialogue is even more malicious because it is not intentional.

In the first place, except for a few close people, Xiaomei, who prefers to keep a distance, was predicting. And while Agnes is used to talking to others, she is exceptionally weak when it comes to getting close.

“Ah~ I’m too busy with magic training these days, so I’m postponing my studies. Could we get together later and help with the study?”
“Oh, is that so? If I can help you as a senior at the academy before acquaintance, I’m welcome. Miss Violet.”

Perhaps having read the atmosphere between the two, Violet talked to Agnes in a friendly way, and Agnes nodded and naturally accepted the offer.

“What do you think? Shao Mei is going to study with you too, right? Wouldn’t it be nice to get together with the girls?”
“Um… I don’t think it’s bad. I like it too.”

After getting Agnes’ confirmation, Violet asked Xiao Mei, and Xiao Mei thought with a slightly expressionless face, then nodded.

And again the still silence that followed, Zorba was admiring and wanted to do her somersault. In Zorba’s opinion, the cause of this awkwardness was obviously Artin. If she boldly shouted that she would establish a harem, isn’t it a man’s role to help women to come together?

Adding to this awkward atmosphere was the presence of Cayenne, who was half-glaring at the three women sitting at the center table with a sullen face beside her, and Violet, too, was too busy paying attention to Cayenne’s notice and was unable to bring her topic to the fore.

In the end, until Artin arrived, Zorba had two options.

Either she was buried in this awkward atmosphere, or she led the flow of the conversation herself.

“Come to think of it, hasn’t everyone said that Artin is sharing something? Anyone heard?”

Brilliantly getting up from her seat her, Zorba took a look at the swords and staffs stored in the machines around her.

“I see, you said you made the wand for Violet’s sister at the cafe earlier, right?”

A staff, Zorba looked around and saw that there was only one staff. A national treasure level staff that any magician would covet, with transcendentally powerful magical power flowing through it, even to those who are unfamiliar with alchemy.

‘I could buy two city-states with just one…’

The problem was, except for the staff, two swords and one gaiter were all that stood out.

“The leggings are like Shao Mei’s, and the two swords… I guess they were made for Agnes and Cayenne, respectively?”

Agnes, who was drinking the black tea with dignity, and Cayenne, who were silently staring at the three women, couldn’t help but react to those words. A sword that Artin made for himself. Slowly, the two of them got up from their seats and looked at the sword in the alchemy device with their eyes.

The two swords were laid facing each other like a couple swords.

The sword on the left was a sharp small sword, the handle shining like gold, and the dense magic structure engraved on the cross guard, you could tell how much effort Artin had put in for the person who wielded it. Thanks to the entire sword body made of mithril, its power can be imagined even without seeing it.

‘…Huh, Artin really doesn’t have to make such a great sword.’

The sword that Agnes still wears around her waist is a famous sword called ‘chivalry’ that her brother, Prince Richard, gave her as a gift right after she was ordained a knight at the age of 15. It was a sword that boasted a sharpness and durability that could not be imagined with ordinary steel, mixed with a very small amount of mithril. Until today, it was Agnes’ favorite sword of hers.

Clap.

Agnes gently unzipped the scabbard of the sword she had been saving for four years from the belt around her waist her. When there is a meeting, there is also a farewell, and in Agnes ‘mind her, she has already made up her mind to decorate her room her with the’chivalry’ gifted to her by her older brother her.

Meanwhile, the sword on the right was a well-balanced longsword. Well-balanced with Orkhonheil, the best metal made by the Dwarves, which is said to be more valuable than Mithril, this sword was as beautiful as a noble lady with dignity even to Cayenne.

In addition, there is magic that Artin gave to the sword itself as a driving force, so if there is only this sword, it will be able to buy time even if the corps commander appears.

‘Artin has a pretty good sense too… The length seems to suit me as well.’

Cayenne, who had been in a bad mood because those cheeky three women had bewitched innocent Artine, was suppressing the corners of her mouth her as much as possible now. At this rate, she would be able to relieve her anger at Artin, who was indifferent to her these days. Cayenne gave her a small nod.

Xiaomei and Violet, like the other two, were approaching the leggings and staff that were made for them before they knew it, and were looking at their brilliant appearance. There is a saying that a craftsman does not choose a tool, but a good tool is a craftsman’s way to recognize the value.

‘…So where is mine really?’

When Zorba was looking around for her own things, the door to her room her opened lightly.

“Hi! Are you all early? Have I waited long?”

**

As I greeted them and entered the club room, the guys who had just been standing hurriedly returned to their seats. Even if I put on a puzzled expression at that awkwardness, no one will explain what happened.

‘What? Did you prepare a surprise party without me knowing?’

It’s a party. Come to think of it, Artin’s birthday was in the fall, but mine was right around now. It’s a birthday that no one takes care of, but should I take care of it myself?

“Brother! What if I call someone and I’m late!”
“Ahaha, I was late finishing one of the artifacts. Sorry.”
“…Hmm, I don’t know why I made you follow me.”

While I was explaining the reason for my delay, Unicor with a pouty expression followed through the open door and sat down on a chair. I didn’t know that I would still go to the cafe the day before, but it seems that the wound in my heart was bigger than I thought.

‘It’s a bit annoying, but…Even if I don’t attack, it’s better to relax.’

I hurriedly took the box containing the artifacts out of my pocket and set it down on the desk.

“Ruler! Well, because I was late. I’ll hand out the artifacts right away and let them disperse. Is everyone okay?”
“Phew, I’m only going to look at you this once, okay, brother?”

As Xiaomei said that and came forward, the guys who had been sitting hesitantly got up at once and started to line up on their own accord. Even if you don’t show it, you must have expected it quite a bit, right?

“Now, first of all, leggings for Xiao-Mei! I made the black dragon’s bones and skin as a base, so I’ll be able to lightly knock out pretty much any magic or attack with this one!”

When I handed out the gaiters, Xiao-Mei, who had just received the gaiters, began to look at them with sparkling eyes.

“Wow…A by-product of the Black Dragon?”
“There, the metal uses mithril, and there are more than 20 auxiliary magics on it, so it will be easy to use at any time. Try it on!”
“Thank you, brother! When I get home, I will make it my family heirloom!”

Xiao Mei must have liked the gaiters, so she kissed me on the cheek and went back to her seat to try on the gaiters.

“Now, next is Violet, a staff with two dragon hearts, phoenix feathers, a skeleton made of world trees, and a celestial eagle claw for stability. As I have embedded all the circuits used in magic as well as I can think of, this one might be much stronger than the wand that the lich uses, so please keep it.”

I felt self-satisfied when I saw a staff that filled me with life and mana just by holding it lightly. I put a lot of effort into turning the wand I originally intended to use into an artifact for Violet. As the one who ate up the most points among the artifacts I made this time, I liked that the color was very fine.

However, Violet, who had been standing in line with an expression of anticipation for the cane until just a moment ago, upon hearing the explanation about my cane, showed a rather stunned expression and a reluctance to even hold the cane.

“Hey, can you really give me this? I think it would be much better if Artin wrote it…”
“Again, I told you earlier at the cafe. Violet should have confidence in her own skills in her. Violet deserves this, so don’t worry and accept it.”
“Yeah, but… “

I squeezed the staff into Violet’s hesitant hand her. Violet kept putting on a burdened expression, but I didn’t think I would give up. I finally gave up and went back to my seat.

In the meantime, it was a bit frustrating to see her holding the staff with both arms to care for it, in case she dropped it, but believing that time would solve the problem, I took out the next artifact, the Small Sword.

“Now, next is the small sword I made for Agnes, made with 100% pure mithril, and supplemented with mana and strengthening magic to make up for the lack of strength. I think it would be perfect for Agnes, since there are also a lot of auxiliary magic formulas inscribed to maximize the efficiency of the aurora sword and mana release.”
“..Thank you, Artin, for such a precious gift… “

When I held out the sword and handed it over to her, Agnes received the sword and made a very happy face, and then suddenly started to have tears in her eyes.

“Go, why are you crying all of a sudden, Agnes?! It’s really nothing like this, so there’s no need to cry!”
“It can’t be anything special! He said that he had received all of these ingredients as an achievement Artin had made in his previous life… How could I not cry after receiving such a valuable item…”

Agnes whimpered while looking at the sword, as if she genuinely moved, and I looked at Zorba in bewilderment. I give a lot of attention to hug.

Following Zorba’s advice her, I hugged and patted her, and Agnes, perhaps calming down a bit, caught her breath her and hugged me gently.

“I’m sorry, Artin, I was in a happy situation, but I cried… “
“It’s okay. Are you calm now?”

After wiping the tears from Agnes, who nodded like a child, I untied the hug and Agnes lightly kissed my lips.

“Thank you so much Artin, but don’t overdo it in the future?”

Agnes, who returned to her seat after leaving a word of concern for me until the end, felt happiness welling up in my heart. This is happiness

“Now, it’s good to be happy, but now it’s my turn, Artin. What great things have you prepared for me?”

At that time, because of Zorba’s husky voice that came in with overwhelming happiness, all my excitement was broken.

He has a knack for pissing people off just because his voice his is so good that he does n’t have to use it.

“Don’t have yours?”
“..No? Artin? What are you talking about?”
“You are a man. Why do I make men’s stuff?”
“…You’re kidding, right?”
“It’s a joke. I got pissed off and teased him.”

When Zorba’s expression his, which was taken aback by my words, hardened, I finally took out a small dagger with a satisfied face.

“It’s a dagger made of unicorn horns. Because it is effective in breaking or destroying magic. If someone tries to capture you with magic, you can escape with this.”

When I held out the white dagger wrapped in red silk, Zorba, who had drawn the dagger and grasped its value, slowly moved his gaze to Unicor.

“It’s not a Unicor horn, so don’t look away and go in if you get it.”
“Oh, did you notice? I was also concerned about that. Thanks Artin.”

…Actually, I really wasn’t going to prepare. It’s a gift for men.

Still, I don’t even remember myself, but if I don’t make anything for Zorba, who believes in my words and moves with me, I have nothing to say even if others call me a horo bastard, so I made it light . I used the lowest number of points, but wouldn’t it be because I was satisfied?

“…Partner.”

At that time, Cayenne, who was the furthest behind, quietly stood in front of me.

“To prepare this much in such a short time, my partner is amazing.”
“…Uh, um…”
“Then, can I expect a little bit of mine? Partner?”

Cayenne looked at the longsword lying next to me with an expression of great anticipation.

“…Don’t have yours?”

Saying so, I took out my long sword and stuffed the sword into the belt of my student uniform. As expected, it is a bit long now, but considering that it will grow in size in the future, the answer was to make it a long sword rather than an arming sword.

“… You don’t have mine? What are you talking about?”
“Yes? Yeah… You’re a man.”
“Because he’s a man… Didn’t he prepare Zorba Felcas too?”
“Zorba is weak. You should prepare some tools for self-defense.”
“…I! Mine is ready too. Are you kidding? Right?”

Cayenne started to annoy me with an urgent voice that hadn’t been seen before, but I shook my head resolutely.

“How long will you get the holy sword and the archangel’s ring?”
“That, though. Is that in a few months? You can fight the demon king’s army right now.”
“You are strong even if you don’t take care of me. If the power thief from the other day hadn’t been vigilant, he’d have gone on his own.”
“…Sha, Xiao-Mei is strong too! Agnes is strong too! How are you different from me?”
“Jane is my lover. Of course it’s different, Cayenne.”
“I, I am a partner…!! Artin, you are an irreplaceable partner…!!!”

Haha, annoying boy. If you’re the main character, you can take care of your harem like the main character and grow up eating opportunities. Are you saying that BL nerd dares to aim for my points? I gave it to you in the previous episode and I almost had a nightmare because of that blatant gaze, but I can’t repeat that.

I put my hand on the boy’s shoulder, whose pupils and whole body were shaking. Then his trembling began to diminish like a ghost. That’s why he felt even worse, but he didn’t show it, and he smiled as refreshingly as possible.

“Because it’s my partner, because it’s you, Cayenne, so I believe that you will take care of me even if I don’t take care of you. Do you trust me too, partner? I believe in you that much.”

When I said that, it was nice to see Cayenne’s expression fluctuate between stiffening and laughing in real time. In the original work, it was always written that it was difficult to read emotions due to the expressionless expression, but looking at this, it would be nice to honestly say that the author was wrong in setting it up.

“….That, yes…Okay partner…You believe in me…?”
“Sure, we promised, right? Let’s defeat the demon king together and create a peaceful world.”
“That…That’s right… Defeating the demon king… After that… No, it’s nothing…”

In the end, Cayenne returned to his seat with a very downcast expression, probably accepting my sophistry.

That shouldn’t have interfered with my relationship. Being a homo is unbearable, but I couldn’t stand the grudge that interfered with dating.

By the time everyone was satisfied except for one person, I pointed at Unicor, who was watching the scene with pouting eyes in the corner.

“Unikor, come out too! Now it’s your turn!”
“…Yes? Bo, are you saying that I also prepared the main seat? Really?”
“…You said Unicor was prepared too, partner?!”

I held out the small box I had taken out on the desk earlier to Unicor, who stood up hesitantly with a startled face behind Cayenne’s scream and walked forward.

“This, what is this, Artin… ?”
“I thought I was hurt by what I said unintentionally earlier…Well, I prepared lightly. Try opening it.”

When Unicor slowly unwrapped the box and opened the lid, there was a small earring I made myself.

“Earring…?”
“The time was short, so I couldn’t prepare anything great, and the last time I fought the power thief, and when I was fighting Marianne, I could see a bit of a waste of holy power and mana… These are earrings that help with that.”
“…Really, did you make it yourself for me?”
“Yes, so take this and let go of your anger, Unicor. Because if you sneeze for a long time, it’s harder for me.”

When I patted Unikor on the shoulder, Unicor nodded violently with a very happy face and clutched the box of earrings with both hands.

“Ah, I see! I will be especially angry this time, so be more polite from now on!”

Looking at the guy who smiles excitedly while talking as if he can’t help it, I think he did well to prepare.

“…I like earrings more than leggings, too.”
“Can’t I also ask for something like a ring instead of a staff… ?”
“It would be too greedy to say this, but… I envy Unicor today.”

At that time, I heard my lovers muttering quietly to themselves behind me.

‘Children, it’s much more expensive and better… ? It takes longer and has more meaning…?’

When I skipped Cayenne, which seemed to be shedding tears of blood, and looked at Zorba with the intention of asking me to tell him what the problem was, he looked at me on the contrary and sighed as if to show off.

‘What? It’s very unfair…’

At the Artifact Presentation Ceremony, which everyone should be delighted with, only Unicor was jumping around with excitement.

‘Yes…I’m glad you’re happy too…’