Kuromaku Investigation

When NaanaToy went to search for Kuromaku, various things quickly became clear.

But Narikin, even though we have control over Toy's main body, aren't you giving NaanaToy a bit too much freedom? … Well, it's fine. But to even show her the map…

Well, the map displayed from dungeon menu was, in the end, just a [Regular Map] when used there. It wasn't really important since even a small bird could take aerial photos and people could easily obtain a detailed map. To be honest, it wasn't really valuable.

Ah but I must remind them to not leak information about Soto's [Storage] transportation.

"So, this point is where Nayuta and Setsuna are. The others are merchants, a spy, and an adventurer."

"Hmm! So, a spy has come to Golen. Master, this is a suspicious situation!"

[No, no, Narikin, we already anticipated that happening. Besides, even Nayuta and Setsuna are spies from Wakoku. We were actually quite defenseless, so it would have been strange if there wasn't at least one.]

"Yes, it's better now that the White Goddess's followers are protecting the place, but there must be spies intentionally overlooking others as well."

Apparently, completely shutting them out would lead to suspicions of holding incredibly classified information, which would cause more trouble. It was better to let some unimportant information slip from time to time.

"By the way, they were treated rather well, so they're probably enslaved technicians. It seems they have a daily quota of creating two magic items. That's quite a pace if it's the norm."

[Were they captured?]

"It actually seems more like they were infiltrating. I didn't make contact, but the elder sister might have seen my face. She has a good intuition."

Setsuna, the older sister, was skilled enough to compete on equal terms with Niku. She was a mixed lop-ear dog and rabbit beastkin with a somewhat natural looking appearance.

Her rabbit part probably gave her heightened alertness.

[Infiltrating? What were they trying to investigate?]

"I was eavesdropping, but it seemed like they were looking into the source of the Chaos Pharmacy' magic potions. They probably suspect Leona's involvement."

[How convenient, if they already have the information, cooperating with them will make the investigation progress quickly.]

NaanaToy nodded in agreement. Narikin placed his hand on his chin and thought.

"What do you think, Master? Should we make contact?"

[Yes. Let's approach them by saying that we liked their work and want to order custom pieces. Insist that only the craftsmen themselves would understand, go so far as to even try buying Nayuta herself at first.]

"Naana is good at that kind of thing. I'll leave it to her."

"… Yes, Master… Excuse me, Kehma-sama? I know it's not my place to say, but isn't this Master here trusting me a bit too much?"

[… It's true that you're useful as a servant, but be sure to tentatively be cautious, Narikin.]

"Of course, Master, I am being cautious."

Is this what he calls being cautious?

"Don't you think it's a cop-out when even you say [Tentatively], Kehma-sama?"

I pretended not to hear her.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

Promptly after that, Narikin and the others were guided by NaanaToy to the location where Nayuta and Setsuna were—a magic tool workshop where they were being forced to work.

When they said they wanted to talk in the workshop (giving them some money as a bribe), they were led to a reception room.

"—So, my beloved wife here has taken a great liking to your work. She was hoping to meet its creator."

"It is a great honor. I am the one who made this magic item."

The one who responded was a slightly overweight, dark-skinned man.

Of course, this man couldn't be Nayuta. First of all, he wasn't a beastkin. Realizing this, the wife―Rokufa―tilted her head in confusion.

NaanaToy had predicted such a careless reaction and quickly stepped in to support.

"Ah, Mistress, you've noticed? Yes, it's not him."

"Wh-what? But this magic item is from our workshop. As the workshop director, it is my work."

"My Mistress is praising the actual craftsman. She was impressed by how clean the circuits in the magic item were. Isn't that right, Mistress?"

"Ah, yes, that's right. This magic item is of such high quality!"

Rokufa nodded along with Naana'sToy's follow-up.

"Indeed, that's why I'd like to place an order directly with the craftsman."

"I see. In that case, let me pass along your order."

"You won't let us meet the craftsman? My wife wishes to meet them. As the workshop director, can't you do something about it? Just call your subordinate."

"The craftsman is very shy and is not someone who can easily appear in public."

"I see."

Narikin placed a silver coin on the table with a snap.

"That is troublesome."

The workshop director couldn't take his eyes off the silver coin.

"… Is there a reason we can't meet? For example, is it because a slave made it?"

"Master, I'm sure that's it. A beastkin slave made it! Mistress, what do you think if it's a beastkin slave's work? Oh, how filthy!"

"Wh-what are you saying? It's inappropriate."

"Right, Naana. Having slaves make things is normal, isn't it?"

"But if it's a beastkin slave, that's a different story, right? Right, my lady?"

As the actual craftsman was indeed a beastkin slave, the workshop director could only sweat at Naana'sToy's accusations.

In this country, there was quite a debate about selling items made by beastkin slaves. Many people didn't care, but those who did dislike it would avoid those goods entirely. This was based on the teachings of the Church of Holy Light which said that [Humankind is the most superior].

"Well, is that so? I don't particularly mind… This magic item is truly wonderful. So, could I perhaps meet the craftsman?"

"Even so, Mistress, that is—"

"Enough. Naana, I understand that you are a person of this country, but I disapprove of a servant interfering further in my wife's desires."

"Mm… I apologize for being presumptuous."

"… Now, workshop director. We are travelers, and we have no aversion to beastkin. We don't mind if the craftsman is a beastkin slave. Call them."

Narikin added another silver coin to the pile.

At some point, it was assumed that the craftsman who made the magic accessory was a beastkin slave, but since it was true, the workshop director didn't notice the discrepancy.

He picked up the silver coins from the table and put them in his pocket.

"… I have no choice, you guests are travelers and I trust that you won't speak of this to anyone else. Please give me some time to have the craftsman readied."

"Very well."

And so, Narikin and his companions successfully made contact with Nayuta.