Case: Nerune

A book on magic tools that Kehma had brought back from the Demonlands.

Nerune was reading it together with Golen's blacksmith, Kantra (who was also a magic tool crafter).

"Wow, this is amazing!"

"Kehma's souvenir is something else…"

The Demonlands was much more advanced in the field of magic tool crafting when compared to the empire as a result of relentless competition for practical purposes.

The magic tool book was something that Kehma managed to obtain by placing third in the fighting tournament.

To be specific, it contained everyday items and blueprints for magic tools.

Moreover, as should be expected from a third-place prize in that fighting tournament, it also included the latest magic tools.

… It was to the point that it was on the level of something that should presented to the Emperor; its contents going toe to toe with the empire's cutting edge research. Only the Hero Workshop, which was in its own unique dimension, managed to surpass it.

"And look~, there's event magic sword creation attempts~, isn't that something~?"

"Yeah… this thing here will considerably advance my research… a magic tool that shoots fireballs! Such a thing's possible huh! Its efficiency seems poor though."

"Wouldn't a sword that shoots fireballs when swung be cool~?"

"I get it, that's a great idea…!"

So, given that there was more than one book among Kehma's souvenirs, Nerune and Kantra decided to read the rest of the books as they pleased after briefly looking at the interesting parts.

"Ice~… cold air~… oh! So~ many potential applications~."

"A magic fomation for projecting masses of magical power… This one's good, you'd normally have to toss in some magic stones. If it can be activated with one's own magical power, even those who don't know magic can use it."

As they continued reading, their creative instincts gradually made them want to create something. Nerune and Kantra took out copper plates for engraving magic formations for magic tool prototypes and began carving magic formations with iron needles while looking at the book.

If Wataru saw them, he would probably be jealous of how well they were working together.

Furthermore, since Kantra was a blacksmith, he could prepare as many copper plates as needed and reuse the ones that failed by melting them down. He'd created an environment where they could experiment at any time by buying magic stones from adventurers and guilds with the earnings from his blacksmithing work.

Nerune too had indulged in the environment and experimented with magic formations here, separate from her research lab.

"Alright! Let's try to make this magic formation that shoots fireballs work with our own magic power!"

"Then I'll~ start working on weakening this ice-creating magic formation~ and turn it into a magic formation that produces cold air~!"

"Oh! That would be quite comfortable when forging. If you succeed, teach me, I'll use it as a reference."

"Please do your best with the fireball-shooting magic formation using your own magic power~!"

By embedding the formation into the hilt of a sword, it'd become a magic sword capable of casting spells. The two of them continued to scratch and carve into the copper plates to draw the magic circles… Their research seemed to be a lot of fun.

 

Case: Kinue

Kinue had received recipes for Demonlands cuisine from Ichika, along with ingredients to match.

Additionally, she'd also received freshly made dishes that had been stored in [Storage], preserved from their time being stopped.

"Hohoh, so this is Demonlands… udon?"

"Yep. But Goshujin-sama said the wheat flour from the Demonlands is a bit different in terms of quality and ease of use, so I brought some of that as well."

"I see, like the distinction between cake flour and bread flour. The recipe I got from Master mentioned that."

As she listened to Ichika's explanation, Kinue compared it with her own knowledge while eating the udon with a fork. Cooking was Kinue's second favorite household chore, after cleaning. She was a silky, after all.

(Of course, since she was her Master Kehma's silky, she had no complaints about being in charge of cleaning the inn and the depths of the dungeon.)

"Heeeh, so we could make some of that udon here too if we asked Goshujin-sama?"

"… I don't need to ask Master. I can simply purchase it with DP, you know? Ichika-sensei."

"Oh yahhh, Kinue can use the catalog too."

As a slave, Ichika was unable to use the menu function or exchange DP, even as a dungeon executive. She needed to ask Kehma to use the DP set aside for her.

However, if Kinue was given DP beforehand, it would be convenient for her to use food-related DP without going through Kehma. She should do that next time.

"Well I brought back tons of other ingredients and desserts I found in the Demonlands, so use them as references. See? This warm, sweet dessert's great, right? Let's eat it together."

"W-what is this sticky orange thing… Oh, is it a carrot? I thought it was something else."

Kinue and Ichika ate the Demonlands desserts together.

Kinue was secretly overjoyed to taste dishes and snacks that were rarely eaten in the empire.

 

Case: Rei

Rei, who was dedicated to dungeon management, and her subordinate fairy, Ereka. In her hands was a wrapped souvenir from Niku that came from the Demonlands.

"Ereka, we got a souvenir from Niku-senpai."

"A souvenir? Rei-sama."

Rei then took out the souvenir wrapped in cloth. There were worn-out jerseys that Niku had brought back.

"… What are these?"

"It's Master's used jerseys. Apparently, Master went through intense training in the Demonlands and she managed to obtain some used jerseys. It's our share."

"I see?"

Ereka tilted her head, not quite understanding the significance of Kehma's used jerseys. However, Rei, her respected boss, was happily hugging the jersey… so Ereka didn't want to dampen her spirits.

"Fufufu, as expected of Niku-senpai. This will be put to good use. The sweat from his intense training has seeped into it…!"

"How amazing, Rei-sama."

"Yes, very! Oh, that's right. I should share this joy with my subordinate, Ereka… Which would you prefer, top or bottom?"

Rei tried to let her subordinate choose one of Kehma's used jerseys, despite it being difficult for her to part with either.

However, Ereka had no particular desire for a jersey. Rather, she couldn't understand why Rei was so happy about it.

"Aha! I just had a great idea. I'll give you the jersey that Master previously bestowed upon me. I'll keep these fresh used jerseys for myself."

"!"

Ereka's wings twitched.

"Wasn't that the one you used to make your hug pillow, Rei-sama?"

"Yes. I've already enjoyed it, but if you don't mind, Ereka—"

"Please! I would prefer it, even."

Ereka nodded eagerly. She didn't want Kehma's jersey, but if it was the used one of her beloved boss, it was a different story.

"Understood. I'll go to my room and switch the jersey from my hug pillow."

"I'm looking forward to it, Rei-sama."

… Truly, they were a boss and subordinate who resembled each other.

As for who was resembling who… well, one could follow the list of names all the way back to the top.