Volume 2 Chapter 11 Essentially, 'The Person Being Tangled Up on the Way Out
While Ellie was thinking about how to punish Cedal.
"I made a copier, and I want you to test it. Just place the paper here, close the cover, and press the switch, and it will make copies. As long as there's enough paper and ink, you can make as many copies as you want."
Horace was out selling the copier.
And he was dressed in a high-quality suit, shirt, and leather shoes.
"A copier, huh? That's impressive."
By the way, he was pitching it to Princess Lucia.
"However, when I tried using the paper sold in this town, the recognition was a bit weak, so I also prepared suitable paper and pens for this."
Saying that, he pulled out the pen and paper.
"Wow, this paper is really high quality. And... this pen is the easiest one I've ever used!"
Lucia was testing it out, drawing circles, and she seemed quite satisfied.
"...A copier and stationery. The Golem Master can create things like this."
A girl with short black hair, likely Lucia's aide, was also trying it out, and she nodded in approval.
"Without this, the stress would be overwhelming."
Horace said that with a distant look in his eyes.
His nearly ten years of solo work in the royal capital was no joke.
"Well, looking at your face, I can tell you've reached a level of hell that's unimaginable."
"Really, that bad?"
"Yes, indeed, Your Highness. For now, let's go ahead with the test."
It seemed like her subordinates were discussing various things, but Lucia didn't seem to care.
"In this palace, there will be plenty of opportunities to use this copier, so let's get started right away."
"If there are any issues, let me know. It's a prototype, so there are still many parts that are still in the filthy curse stage."
"Got it! Um... it's a prototype, right? What happens when it's finished?"
"It will always be in communication with the main Cube in my room at the Hero's Mansion, and if there's any issue with the documents, the correction lamp will blink when the copier cover is closed. You can also get the corrected documents right then and there."
"Is that even possible!?"
It's got sensors to detect any errors.
This thing is obviously not just a copy machine.
"It needed to have at least these functions. Seriously. No joke."
Ten years of running the royal capital alone isn't nothing.
"Well, it's just a prototype, so those features won't be ready for a while. For now, just treat it like a copy machine."
"Understood."
"Alright then, I'll bring you something else when I make it."
"That's fine, but remember, the palace isn't a lab, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I get that. But one thing at a time."
"Come visit anytime!"
She was a cheerful princess.
With that, Horace left the palace behind.
* * *
"...So what're you doing with that cart?"
The palace isn't the only place getting a prototype copy machine.
The guild branches want one too.
They're still hand-copying quest sheets, which have a set format.
Of course they want it.
There are other recipients, so he loaded a few units onto the cart, but...
"Hey! What's wrong with this cart? It won't move at all!"
"How is this magic tool fixed? It won't budge an inch from the cart."
"There's stationery inside a glass case, but it won't open at all!"
Here was a criminal──an adventurer──busy robbing in broad daylight.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing with my cart?"
Horace was beyond angry──more like stunned──as he approached them.
"Huh? Is this your stuff?"
"Yeah, it is."
"Here, sell this."
The man reached into his jacket and tossed something at Horace.
It was 3 copper coins.
"...That's all?"
"We're the S-rank guild Excalibur. You know how big a deal it is to be able to sell us something, right?"
"Adventurers... huh."
Horace sighed at the guys grinning like that.
"──Ah, so they think I'm some newbie from a merchant guild."
Horace looked like a teenager and was wearing a suit.
If they were meeting for the first time, they'd probably assume he's some apprentice from a merchant guild or something.
And... the mere mention of 'dealing with an S-Rank guild' does sound impressive. He must think he can bully his way through by throwing that name around, and he's probably done it before.
"Think this is an unequal trade? Well, in this world, such things happen. Consider it a lesson in society, and just hand it over quietly..."
"The 'Excalibur'... it's pretty rusty, huh?"
"Ack!? What the hell, you!"
A man who seemed to be the leader lunged at Horace.
Just to be clear, they call themselves an 'S-Rank guild,' not an 'S-Rank party.'
Simply put, there are plenty of folks with high status but low combat power.
Of course, being an 'S-Rank guild' is by no means a light title.
The strength of a punch doesn't always reflect a person's true 'strength.'
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