Chapter 1-8

“Well, well. It’s been awhile since you’ve come, young master.”
“Hey, Maron-jii.”
“Hoho. Lately you’ve been taking a lot of actions, huh. Your appearance is also becoming that of a st.u.r.dy young man. It’s as if you’re a different person from the time you were a child.”
As expected of someone such an age, he observes others well.

“I can’t deny it. Has this place regained a bit of its liveliness from when Moran-jii was young?”
“I didn’t reside here when I was young, but I don’t believe it was ever this lively.
I believe that Helan is exactly in the middle of its most flouris.h.i.+ng period.”
“Hm-, it’s the most prosperous right now, huh.”
Good, good. While letting your guard down is bad, this is certainly a good flow. If I don’t make any large mistakes from here on, there shouldn’t be a problem, should there?
If I can just manage that wife I haven’t met yet… .
Let’s think about this again next spring.

“For the first time in awhile, I’ve been thinking of reading a magic tome in the library. As expected, I concentrate best in here after all.”
“Is that so. While I am present, I shall maintain the best study environment for you.”
“Thanks.”
“The second magic tome’s contents get to be difficult, but what did you think, young master?”
“It’s certainly difficult. However, after reading it through four or five times, I’m starting to understand it.”
“That’s good. It seems you understand the basis of learning.”
“Where did you study at, Moran-jii?”
“I only engaged in self-education by rummaging through books, an old man with only knowledge. Though, I am also a lucky man to receive this post at my old age,” Moran-jii laughed.

“From handing over this series of tomes so easily, I thought Moran-jii to be quite knowledgeable, but for you to be self-instructed.
Well, I don’t actually believe everything you said, though.”
“Hohoho, please don’t tease this old man so much.”

After enjoying a brief conversation, Moran-jii and I returned back to our own work.
Moran-jii spends the whole day rummaging through books. Having finished reading all the books in the library, he has a grasp of where everything is. He stocks new texts for the library from the funds given to him, and reading through the books is both a source of enjoyment for him and his job.
I’ve heard that a country where the elderly are happy is a good country.
If you’d say that, then that would make Helan a good territory.

The contents of the second magic tome place the preservation of mana after separation from the body as it’s main point.
Both flames brought from property alteration and vegetation brought about from material change cannot be sustained for long periods of time after being separated from a source of mana.
However, this is only at my current level.

Cutting off the supply of mana, yet maintaining form. If you master this, you have finished the second magic tome.
I’ve understood the contents and succeeded at maintaining the vegetation I produced with material change.
The reason I came to the library today was to concentrate on the application section’s creation of magic tools.

In regards to the core used to make a magic tool, through material change, it’s possible to make a flower grow from a piece of iron; while through property alteration, it’s possible to make a piece of iron that is always cold.
Well, that’s only in theory as I haven’t succeeded in it yet myself.

The item I brought today to become the tool’s core was an apple.
I’m going to add water’s property alteration.
Even though I say water, I’ll alter the mana to become infinitely close to honey and put that inside of the apple.
Due to having created the honey by mana, the apple was able to absorb it naturally.
It looks just like a normal apple.
After splitting apart the apple, mana flows out.
It seems that it still won’t turn out well.
I’m thinking that if this goes well, I’ll be able to make an extremely delicious apple.

In accordance to Moran-jii’s teachings, I should just keep attempting.
Moran-jii is immersing himself in the library.
And I continued pouring mana into apples.
“Young master, just what are you trying to do?”
“Ah, Moran-jii.” It seems he’s returned to reality.
“I’m in the middle of performing the application section’s magic tool creation.”
“With an apple?”
“Yeah, I wanted to try eating an extremely sweet apple.”
“Hoho, You do some strange things.
Usually, the creation of a magic tool is performed on a ring, sword, protective equipment, or something similar.
It is generally used by equipping the ring that was turned into a magic item and fighting, or by using a sword that has property change used on it.
This is the first time I’ve heard of someone turning food into a magic item.”
“Is that true!? What a waste.”
“Hoho, everyone has a different way of thinking.
In regards to this matter, young master is an irregular.”
“Moran-jii hasn’t ever tested it?”
“I haven’t. Absorbing the mana that one has produced. While it seems possible, it isn’t something many people would try.
First of all, the amount of magic users that can maintain mana outside of the body aren’t very large. Young master is already quite the magic user.”
“Huh. In terms of magic only, I wonder how strong I am in combat.”
“Hm, being unable to sustain mana outside of the body, there are those who pursue only powerful property alteration and material change.
In terms of combat, you’ve still got a ways to go. Hohoho.”
I can’t ask about these kinds of things from anyone else. I suppose I should say, as expected of Moran-jii.
“Hmm.”
“I made an apple, but would you like to try it, Moran-jii?”
Around evening, below Moran-jii, who was working hard on the second floor, I had completed my creation on the first floor.
I had become able to almost perfectly store mana in the apple.

“I refuse. As an old man, I need to treat my body with care.”
“That’s a bit rude, Moran-jii.”
“Hoho, well here’s the third volume.”
That d.a.m.ned Moran-jii swiftly ran away to the recesses of the library after throwing the book to me.

Though I say that, when it came to eating it I also became scared.
“Alright, let’s eat it.”
I proclaimed such many times, however.

It can’t be helped. Since it’s come to this, I’ll have to use that hand.
There’s a perfect person for poison tasting.
“Father.”
“What is is, Kururi?”
I found father relaxing in front of the fireplace.
“I picked an apple. It’s very sweet.
Tou-san is carrying a lot on his back with the position of the feudal lord, so I picked it with the desire for you to take in the proper nutrition so that you don’t collapse.”
“Ah, Kururi. You’re really a great child.
Now that I think of it, after climbing to take that apple three years ago, you’ve changed a bit after falling.
After that, whenever I saw an apple-” “That’s fine, eat it.”
“A-ah, I’ve got it.”

After pa.s.sing over the apple, father seemed to hesitate to take a large bite out of it.
He glanced over at me to read my mood, but gave up and bit into it.

“Nn!!! Delicious!!
What a deep composition! Although the apple is still immature, the fruit’s hardness and acidity remain while holding a sweetness that can only be described as perfect. In addition, it strangely also possesses a refres.h.i.+ng taste! It’s as if the sweetness is mixed from a variety of sources, possessing a rich flavor, the nectar melting inside of your mouth creates what can only be called a supreme natural soup! While I had been snacking earlier and I was full, without any concern to that, this apple directly penetrates my stomach! My mouth makes a fuss of, ‘Just one more, just one more!’ At this point, speaking of this taste by mouth reaches its limit—!!!”
“…”
What’s up with this guy. Resisting the urge to punch him in the stomach, I left the room.

Is it that good?
In the end, father pestered me for more, so I made some more for him until he calmed down.

After nightfall, I exited the bath and entered my room.
In front of me is a single apple filled with mana.
I already at dinner so I honestly didn’t feel good about it, but father said that much after all.
Only one bite.
“Delicious!! The deep sweetness spreading out in the inside of my mouth… .”
Whoops, I almost repeated what father did.

Well then, let’s sleep. I also have a lot of things I want to do tomorrow.
Father said that he felt his fatigue go away after eating it, but I don’t currently have such a feeling. Perhaps there was a difference in production?
Well, let’s not think too deeply about that. I’ll end up not being able to sleep.
…Strange.
My body is hot. It feels heated up like after going on a run, and my mind is in a state of arousal.
Why!?
There’s only one possibility. It’s the apple!!
I jumped out of bed and, restraining the urge to shout, observed my body.
Mana is overflowing.
It’s as if a flood of mana is occurring within my body.

If I ate the magic tool that I put my own mana into, what would happen? If you think logically, this is the only result.
It’s not just mana. I feels like I could lift up this bed right now. I have a feeling like that!!
“Yo-to,” I really lifted it up.
I restrain the feeling to shout again and put the bed down gently.
Right now I am unrivalled! I’m being placed into that kind of feeling.

I can’t sleep anymore today. I might as well use this opportunity. This condition, that I will call super mode, I will use for the benefit of the population.

Due to the visitors to the territory, the citizens are becoming affluent, and the amount of immigrants have increased largely lately.
The problems of people increasing are always market price and the amount of food.
I’ve decided on the area for the new residential area. I also know that there is water pa.s.sing by underground.
As such, I can build even just a well in one night.
“Uoooooooooo!!” I’ve got this–!!

“Little brother, why do you think we, the famous thieves ‘Dark Shadow’ have come to such a backwater place as Helan?”
A suspicious man wearing a black mantle opened his mouth.
“Dunno.”
A man with a large stature answered; this side also wore a black mantle.
“Well, let’s explain this time’s job.”
“Ah, please.”
The two were making quite a dangerous conversation, but the spot is a bar. The sort of person to listen in on the two wasn’t present.
“This Helan territory is the only place with a break in it’s history.
I don’t know the reason. However, before that gap, all records list this place as a deserted and desolate land.”
“This land filled with flowers was desolate?”
“It was. The current Helan has a figure completely unlike that in history.”
“Please continue.”
“You know that the first king, Marley Kudan had a strong love for this land, right?”
“Of course.”
“Those feelings so were pa.s.sionate that he desired to die on this land.
I’ll enter the main point. This time’s target is the first king’s hidden treasure.”
“The yet unfound first king’s treasure. You say it’s here?”
“In accordance with the records erased from history, the king’s directly appointed historian, Moran, went out of his way to live here. And what guarantees it’s here is the actions of the feudal lord’s son, Kururi Helan.”
“Ah, if I’m not mistaken, the son of the lord that dug up the hot springs.”
“That’s right, that b.a.s.t.a.r.d seems to have hired people to investigate Helan. There’s some information that he was digging deep into the ground himself the other day.”
“You’re saying that he already has an idea of where it is?”
“I wouldn’t say that. There’s not enough of a pattern to his actions. He probably got some information out of Moran or is acting as Moran’s p.a.w.n.”
“Have you investigated the location, brother?”
“Of course. I don’t have certainty, but well, if I fail, we can just try again.”
“Where is it? Hurry up and tell me.”
“People unexpectedly don’t catch notice of what’s close to them. The treasure in the Helan estate!!”
“Brother, that seems to be the Helan estate.”
Two men snuck in the Helan estate from outside. at the dead of night.
“There aren’t even any guards, huh? Just what you’d expect of a backwater feudal lord.”
“Where are we entering from?”
“There’s a lot of treasure, you know. It has to be underground. Find a door leading below.”
“Understood.”
“It’s just as you said, brother.”
“For there to be a door leading underground outside of the mansion… .”
The two didn’t take too long in their search. This was to be expected from a pro’s job.
The older brother opened the lock and the two descended the stairs underground.

Their eyesight in the darkness must have been good, as the two didn’t need a lamp.
“It looks to be a storage room.”
“It seems so. There should be a hidden door.”

This also didn’t take much time to find.
There is no futility in the two’s work.

“I found it, but the amount is odd.” Behind the hidden door was a large s.p.a.ce with a single small wooden box that stood out.
“What is this, brother!!?”
“It means this isn’t it. Only that. Don’t worry so much about a failure.
Well, let’s go ahead and take this.”
“A book?” The bulky younger brother said loudly.
What appeared from the box in front of the two was simply one copy of a book.
“s.h.i.+t, let’s leave, brother.”
“Ah.”

The two were also quick on their retreat.
It’s unnecessary to stay longer than needed. This was one of the reasons they have never fell through on a job before.

“Wait right there!”
Today isn’t going well for them. Not only was there no treasure, but after exiting the cellar, they were spotted by a person.
“Che-, found, huh?”
“My senses are really clear after blacksmithing. As I thought, that simple work has a good effect on the mind or perhaps it’s the rhythmical sound of metal cras.h.i.+ng together.”
“What is this guy saying… Nn?
Isn’t he Kururi Helan?”
“Since I heard something, I came and found two rats. This Kururi Helan will apprehend you!”
“Brother, isn’t this guy’s tension a bit odd?”
“It is!! I ate another magic apple as a test today and ended up like this! I can’t fall asleep, so I’ll be your opponent!”
“Brother, leave this place to me. Go on ahead.”
“I won’t let you do that! Water magic! Water bog!!”
Along with Kururi’s voice, a swamp appeared at the two men’s feet.
“I created a swamp underfoot with water magic. You can’t run away with this. This swamp has no bottom, so your life will be in danger!!
I’ll go call the guards, so if you behave, you’ll go to prison and if you struggle, you’ll go to the other world!”
“Dammit.”
Ah, this is crazy. I used up a lot of mana with a pair of thieves as an opponent, but I’m still overflowing with magic.
It seems what the pair of thieves stole was a single book.
They handed it over immediately, so it seems they don’t really want it.
‘Magic tome 5’
Oh! This is one of the books of the series Moran-jii has be lending me.
See, the author is Chris Helan.
For now, let’s place it in my room.

Well, my parents not waking up even with all this fuss worries me, but I’ve handed over the thieves to the guards. Shall I go and dig another well?
However, I shouldn’t eat the magic apple for a while. The fatigue I feel tomorrow will be extremely high.

The next day at the bar.
“Did you hear? Yesterday, Kururi-sama caught the thieves ‘Dark Shadow’,” A single man said.
“Ah, this morning the information broker spread it. It seems there’s a bounty being paid by the royal capital,” The man to his right said after drinking down his alcohol.
“Lately, there’s been only good news and the town is cheerful. Things are good, huh,” the man to the left continues.
“Kururi-sama will make a good feudal lord. While Kururi-sama is here, this land will be tranquil.”
“That’s true. By the way, there’s something that’s been bothering me, though.”
The two gave a reaction to the doubt of man in the middle
“What?”
“According to the information broker, it seems that the Dark Shadow pair was caught while leaving by Kururi-sama after barely taking anything.”
“That big-shot thief group barely took anything!?”

… .

“Perhaps, the feudal lord’s household has nothing of value?”
“You certainly don’t hear any talks of luxury.”
“I’ve seen the crotch of the lord’s pants have a tear in them once. The man himself made a unconcerned face while wearing them.”
“Hm, I feel like that’s a different discussion. That’s a problem of the lord’s nature.”
“What about this? It seems Kururi-sama used to be fat, but now he’s that skinny.”
“Hey, hey. They surely couldn’t be troubled in food, right? It’s the lord’s household, right!?”
“I suppose that’s true. But I’ve had the experience of working with Kururi-sama before.
His hands I saw that time were extremely rough and the muscles of his upper body weren’t the kind you could put on in a short about of time. That was the body of a man that does heavy labour every day.”
“Hey, is that true? But due to the hot springs, the population is thriving. Aren’t the taxes going up along with that?”
“The thing is, the tax hasn’t been raised one bit. In addition, Kururi-sama has been putting more and more money into land development lately. Perhaps, in a place we can’t think of, the lord might be suffering some outrageous hards.h.i.+ps.”
“d.a.m.n it, I can’t believe only we’ve been enjoying the benefits. After this, I’m going to try talking to the company head.”
“That’s right. We have to repay Kururi-sama!”
“Exactly! That’s what we call Helan’s chivalrous spirit!”

 

Hakushun!
“Uu, I might have caught a cold from working every night.”
“Haha, Kururi’s not managing his body properly, huh. Otou-san is working at his job hard, but is healthy as you can see.”
“Ah, as expected, Tou-san. Which reminds me, Kaa-san seemed to be looking for you in an angry mood.”
“Eh-!? Well then, I’ll be out for a bit.”
“Dear!! The tourists and increasing and the population is affluent, so why isn’t the money coming into our household increasing!?”
“T-that’s, it will surely start increasing from now.”
“Dear! Are you not managing the taxes properly!?”
“O-of course I am. … of course I am!”
“Is that so, then it’s fine.”
“… . Well then, shall I go to the hot springs.”