Chapter 58 Installation of the Air Conditioner
The shop called──the outer shell I ordered was finally ready.
I rushed over, grabbed it, then slapped on the circuit board I'd built in advance.
Ran a test, made some tweaks... Got it just right for delivery.
By then, the capital felt like it was boiling over.
The moment I contacted the palace, they shot back: "Bring it today if you can."
"Yeah, it was brutal last time. I thought I'd melt."
"Right? Princess Ellen toughed it out, but even the arcanists──they hate machines and still managed not to complain. They're made of stronger stuff than me."
Yuruyana remembered too.
Just thinking about it made him wilt inside.
There was no way I could finish it that same day, so I promised to come by tomorrow.
Welp──guess what day it is.
On Princess Ellen's orders, Yuruyana showed up all proper: slacks, hair tied back, looking every inch the gentleman.
It was almost weird seeing him like this, but honestly?
It worked. Credit goes to Mr. Joel, the tailor──he could make a potato look stylish.
"Ugh, seriously, who told it to be this hot?! You there! Yes, you, whoever's in charge of the sun──maybe dial it down a notch?!"
The princess's door was open wide when we arrived.
Sweat glued her hair to her neck as Princess Ellen shook her fist at the blazing sun outside, yelling like royalty on the edge.
I feel like I've seen this exact scene before.
Déjà vu or just the usual palace life?
"...Your Highness, Sir Tsukumo and Sir Yuruyana have arrived."
Ms. Helmine coughed awkwardly.
She looked like she wanted to melt through the floor.
"...Hello."
"Ah! W-welcome! You honor us with your presence!"
The princess scrambled to smooth her hair and grabbed her skirt, bowing with all the grace she could summon.
Too bad the heap of squished pillows on the floor kind of ruined the effect.
"My apologies! I was just... a little too excited about today. How embarrassing!"
She shot her attendants a look to hurry up and hide the mess behind the canopy bed, but honestly, it was way too late.
Must've been hot enough to fry her patience, too.
"...I'll get it set up right away."
"Thank you... Please, hurry..."
Since it's a huge machine, they let me bring in my Arcane Art case today.
Guess they really trust me now.
Maybe Lord Osric vouched for me──or maybe they just figured, weapons or not, if I wanted to use magic, they couldn't stop me anyway.
"Sir Yuruyana... you really are a man after all..."
Thanks to that sharp outfit, Princess Ellen could finally get a good look at Yuruyana's not-so-curvy build.
He seemed impressed all over again.
Yuruyana, on the other hand, squirmed under her stare, looking pretty uncomfortable.
"Oh my! The Arcane Art case can fit something that big?"
When I pulled out a machine about as tall as me──and just as wide as a skinny cupboard──the princess stared at it like she'd never seen anything like it.
I'd told them to clear some space by the wall, so I set it down gently, making sure not to scratch the floor.
"This one's custom-made."
I didn't realize Grandfater's case was weird until I joined the army.
Store-bought ones, even the biggest, can barely hold all the stuff from a family fridge.
And those cost as much as 3 months of living expenses for a family of 4.
So if you tried to put a price tag on my case... let's just not go there.
Lately, I've been piecing together that my Grandfater never really knew the word "restraint."
"And, it makes you super strong!"
"That's body enhancement magic."
The same magic I used to pull survivors from rubble is just as handy for furniture.
"I'll walk you through the controls while I do a test run, okay?"
"Yes, please!"
The princess hurried right over to my side, all eager.
"When you open the side door, you'll see the supply panel for the reserve tank. It depends on the temperature, but if you run it all day, you'll probably have to refill it every 2 or 3 days."
Actually, half the bulk of this thing is just the reserve tank.
Guess I'll handle the refilling myself for now──was what I thought.
"Mind if I take care of that?"
Lord Osric popped in out of nowhere.
Didn't even notice him come in.
"Sir Lumines!"
The princess jumped, and Ms. Helmine froze mid-gesture, stuck somewhere between stopping and panicking.
Did he just let himself in?
Do Head Arcanists always get to do whatever they want?
"Hey there, hi. Yuru-Yuru, looking cool today!"
"Really? I'm so nervous in this outfit, it's making me all jittery."
"Nah, it suits you."
"Phew, glad to hear it."
Yuruyana, often told he's cute but rarely called cool, looks genuinely happy.
Amazed by the expert technique, Lord Osric steps aside, transitioning from a genial gentleman to an arcanist as he studies the panel with keen interest, then gently touches it.
"Oh, quite the appetite you have. Your Highness, it might be better to let someone else handle this."
Despite the warning, he looks like a kid with a new toy.
Such a dedicated researcher.
"Oh really? But I want to try it at least once myself. Next time, I'll do it."
Suddenly, I remember the tale of how royal magic is said to be pure.
It's become such a luxurious machine.
"This is the switch to turn it on. You can adjust it for hot or cold weather."
"Set it to the coldest temperature, please!"
"You'll catch a cold..."
The princess pouts, so they compromise by suggesting she test it when she's not sweating.
Once she confirms the cold air works, they explain how to use it for regular ventilation and what to do if there's a malfunction.
Her attendants and Ms. Helmine listen intently.
With this, even if the princess messes up, it should be fine.
Just as I think today's going to end smoothly, Princess Ellen takes Yuruyana's hand.
"Sir Yuruyana, do you have time later? My grandmother says she'd love to have a chat with you."
"Eh! With me!?"
"Since it's such an opportunity, let's invite grandmother here and enjoy the cool air while we talk."
An invitation from the former queen is not something you can easily decline, even if you had other plans.
Yuruyana looks up at me, clearly uneasy.
"Of course, Sir Tsukumo should come along too──"
"Oops, I will borrow Kreis for a bit."
Just as I steel myself to accept that I can't refuse, Lord Osric gives me a playful nudge on the shoulder.
"Eh!?"
"Wanna see the Royal Arcanist research labs and the Arcane Art archives?"
"...Yes, please."
"Tsukumo?!"
Forgive me, Yuruyana.
I'd rather get the stink-eye from the Royal Arcanists and see those priceless facilities than sip flavorless tea while sweating my ass off.
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