Chapter 31 The Unexpected Disciple
The knife I use to break down large beasts was based on the Arcane Machinery I first designed when I was around ten years old, even before I started attending the academy.
To be honest, the first thing I thought it would be good for was slicing bread.
Watching the jagged blade moving back and forth made me think, "What if it just moved by itself? Then I wouldn't have to do anything to cut it," which was laziness at its finest.
My grandfather laughed and said, "Inventors come up with ideas because they're too lazy."
When I actually made the circuit, it turned into a mysterious mechanism that shook rapidly instead of moving back and forth, so it was basically a failure.
But since I made it, I tried using it, and it cut through all sorts of things, not just bread.
So, my grandfather, taking a liking to it, crafted it into a large, fancy knife, even making one for me, and we both ended up using them.
After joining the military, I begged a senior Arcane Engineer to lend me their workshop and made enough knives for all of [Fourth].
"Back then, I asked if he could sell them because they cut so well."
The male hunter stroked his broad forehead, pulling up memories from ten years ago, and muttered in a low voice that rumbled in his throat.
"Well, these soft materials cut really well. ...Did your grandfather not sell them?"
"Ah, he said I need to get permission from the creator to sell."
So that meant me.
Since my grandfather was the one who made the knife, I wouldn't even be angry if someone commercialized it without asking.
"Anyway, that guy was your grandfather? He was a pretty cheerful man, so I didn't realize he looked like you."
That's a roundabout way of saying I'm gloomy.
Don't laugh, Yuruyana.
Even with your face hidden, your shoulders are shaking.
"So, what's your name?"
"I'm Tsukumo. My grandfather was Momota."
"Right, that was his name. Mr. Tsukumo, if you have connections to the creator, could you let me buy some?"
The male hunter had a very serious expression.
It seems he decided that, considering the thick-skinned beasts around here, these would be useful for a long time, not just this one occasion.
"No problem, but... it's not mass-produced, so it'll take a bit of time to make."
"I understand that. Give me an estimate."
"Got it. Once this is done, I'll ask you what else you need."
The moment I brought up my grandfather, I felt the guy's attitude soften a little.
My grandfather must've been working his charm again.
"...if it's okay, could you lend it to me after you finish with it?"
"Sure thing. We'll leave in the afternoon, so just give it to Thomas over there after you're done."
"Understood."
"──I'll return it safely, senior!"
Thomas, finding an excuse to come to my house, gave a big happy salute like a soldier.
After finishing up explaining how to use it, I pulled out the magic gems I was taking home today and handed over the knife to the hunter guy.
Just like I thought, he was the one who organizes the hunters around here, and his name is Dustin.
I asked for his contact info, and we agreed that I'd send a formal estimate after returning to the capital.
"Was it okay to leave the knife with him?"
Yuruyana asked quietly in the car on the way back.
"I have one that my grandfather used, so it's fine."
"You mean a keepsake?"
"Yeah. It was inside the bag when I got it."
He probably thought he wouldn't be using it anymore after getting sick.
It's clean because it has magic to prevent rust and dirt.
Then Yuruyana propped his chin on the window frame, staring out at the scenery with a puzzled look, his nice brows scrunching up.
"There's no way Tsukumo was thinking about going out to hunt a Salamander, right?"
"There's no way my grandfather anticipated that──"
But then I suddenly thought of something.
"...no, he might have been able to guess."
"Huh?"
"He probably couldn't know the exact timing, but if he was sure I'd take over the shop, it's possible."
About 5 years from making the machinery to closing the shop.
If sales for dried fish were good during that time, he should've been able to expect requests to increase the number of dehydrators.
"I thought about sourcing the magic gems locally after seeing the books."
Pulling a prank in the work report with that message, leaving the key to the underground workshop in a way only I'd understand.
And even if the prediction is off, there's no real loss.
For grandfather, it's a pretty good bet.
"...I see. It makes sense, in a twisted kind of way."
"Huh?"
Yuruyana let out a rare, heavy sigh and tousled his fine, silver hair.
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