CH 49

49 - The Compatibility Between the Pixies and the [Magic Cloth]

We found ourselves in front of the Western Forest once more.

Stopping the carriage at the end of the road, we continued towards the front of the stump.

We intended on waiting for the pixies to receive us since we had informed the ones we met at the house that we were making our way here, but──

“”Please, enter the forest!””

Melodious voices invited us in from the entrance of the forest.

As usual, I couldn’t see them. Are they still embarrassed?

Yet they were welcoming me.

“Please don’t hesitate to come in, I’ll guide you to René.”

“…….We have been waiting for you.”

“I passionately welcome you with open arms!”

“I’m excited? And perhaps nervous?!”

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

I can even make out the sound of the trees being tapped like drums.

Since we were welcomed so warmly ──

“Let’s enter. Mabel, Agnis-san.”

“Yes, Thor-sama.”

“Since we have a guide, we are unlikely to lose our way.”

In any case, the pixies must be granted a permit, and I want to meet Soleil, the light pixie, to request a favour as well.

Besides, I was excited to enter the pixie forest.

I’m really curious about the place where the mysterious pixies reside.

We walked one behind the other, Mabel leading and Agnis trailing just behind me.

Mabel would survey the path, and were I to trip, Agnis would support me.

And so we proceeded into the forest…

It was very difficult to advance.

“……Watch your step here.”

“Thor-sama. There are large roots on the ground. Please be careful.”

Mabel and the pixies warned.

When I glanced at my feet, I found tree roots as thick as a man’s arm. Similar tree roots extended deep into the forest, filling the ground.

I gazed upwards and was greeted by a huge tree branch that enveloped my entire field of view.

The pixie who had warned me waved abashedly and quickly disappeared.

I understand why the pixies came to inhabit this forest.

This place is not designed for humans or demi-humans to traverse.

Or rather, there are no paths to begin with. They aren’t necessary for the airborne pixies.

There are no menacing beasts dwelling here, which means no trails created by them were present either.

Without the guidance of the pixies, it would be impossible to advance on a linear path.

This forest is like a sanctuary for the pixies.

“Please turn right at the tree with triangular leaves.”

“……Then continue straight through the trees bearing yellow berries.”

“I will guide you as though my life depends on it!”

“Hey, hey! This fruit is delicious, try it~”

They threw the fruit towards Mabel.

She caught it and handed it to me.

It was a fruit similar to a large grape but each vine only bore three fruit.

“I have never seen this kind of fruit before.”

“It’s a specialty of the Demon Territory called elver fruit. It’s juicy and delicious.”

“It’s my first time hearing of it as well.”

“That should be the case for most people. It’s so scarce that even the Demon Lord is only able to enjoy it on their birthday.

“Wait.”

Isn’t this a highly luxurious product?

“It bears fruit on a whim, so it’s very difficult to find ripe fruit.”

“Agnis has only ever eaten it once.”

“I wonder if the pixies know when it’s ripe…”

“Maybe they possess the ability to recognize when something is ripe, perhaps through the flow of magic power.”

“……The pixies are amazing…”

I split the elver fruit and offered a portion to both Mabel and Agnis.

I ate my share…. Yeah, it’s sweet.

It’s also extremely juicy, eating it moistened my throat.

As we enjoyed the fruit, we took a short breather.

After relaxing ourselves for a short moment, we started walking again…

「「「We’re arriving~」」」」

The forest suddenly cleared up. 

The gap between the trees widened and a square bordered by flowers and grass greeted us.

The translucent water of a spring glistened as rays of radiant light illuminated both it and the area surrounding it.

A rock protruded out of the ground and water gushed out of it.

The pixies informed us that this was a spring for drinking; the river used for bathing was deeper in the forest. They asked if we wanted to see the river.

I involuntarily nodded and noticed the pixies beside the spring.

One of them was the black-haired pixie, René.

She was floating in the air, staring at another pixie on the ground.

On the ground was a fair-skinned pixie sporting platinum blonde hair, one that I didn’t recognize.

She was soaking relaxedly in the silver [Foot Bath] with her wings out of the way in order to avoid them becoming damp.

The faint trembling of the [Foot Bath] indicated that it was operating.

She hummed pleasantly as she shook her shoulders.

""

“Soleil, how are you feeling?”

René floated down and sat at the edge of the foot bath.

“I can make an assumption from your appearance, but I would like to hear it from you directly.”

“……Um, René onee-sama.”

“Yes, Soleil.”

“For the first time in my life, Soleil is feeling wonderful.”

Soleil replied as she withdrew her legs.

“The bath that Alchemist-sama gifted me is adjusting the magic power in my body ……. It’s stimulating the stagnant magic power in my body. I can’t believe this is possible…”

“I’m so happy for you, Soleil.”

“Y-yes. By all means, I would like to thank Alchemist-sama.”

“That’s right, thanking people is only proper etiquette.”

“Un. When I meet him, I will thank him a lot and repay this favour with my life.”

""

“I think that it would be better if you conveyed your thanks directly.”

“……eh?”

“I heard that he was also concerned about Soleil’s health, so I invited him in.”

René extended her hand towards us.

Splash, the light pixie, Soleil, bolted upright in the [Foot Bath] and looked at us.

Her pure white back sprang into view.

Translucent wings sprung forth from around her shoulder blades.

Her damp hair covered her back while somehow avoiding the wings. It seems her wings were generating a force field of magic power.

The force field, which can also be used for flight, must be repelling the wet hair.

Aside from the wings, her body is no different from that of a human or demi-human.

She is just smaller in size.

But pixies are sensitive to magical power, right?

I’m unsure whether the wings are the parts that react to magic, or if there’s something else… As I was considering this, I noticed Soleil’s face turning increasingly crimson.

With her eyes wide open, her petrified little body began to tremble.

This is bad, I’m staring too much – as soon as I  turned my gaze, my vision was blocked by René.

“I’m sorry. Alchemist-sama. It seems that Soleil has been unexpectedly frightened.”

The dark pixie René said apologetically.

“Soleil has already bathed in Alchemist-sama’s bath and dressed in the clothes Alchemist-sama provided. In other words, it is as if she is being grasped by Alchemist-sama in her birthday suit.”

“…That logic is questionable.”

“That’s why I invited you in during her bath, but I think it was still too stimulating for Soleil.”

“……I can see that.”

“Pardon my rudeness, but please wait a moment while Soleil gets dressed.”

René said seriously and bowed her head.

“I’m sorry, too. I’ll turn around until Soleil gets dressed.”

I replied to René, while adding, “While Soleil gets dressed, would you please assist me with something?”

“Y-yes, of course.”

“Mabel and Agnis-san too.”

“Yes, Thor-sama.”

“Understood!”

Mabel, Agnis, and I settled onto the roots of a tree with our backs to the square.

I took out the dark [Magic Cloth] from the [Ultra-Small Simple Warehouse].

Mabel and Agnis started to move as previously planned.

First, Mabel grabbed the magic weave and stretched it out so that it would be flat.

Next, Agnis took out a needle and thread.

“René-san, would you please lie facedown on this cloth?”

“Eh? Yes? Could you be taking my measurements?”

""

“That’s right. I want to use René-san as the model for the pixies’ clothes.”

I’ve been deliberating about providing clothes to the pixies with Mabel since then.

As a result, we concluded that providing three articles of clothing without permission wouldn’t be an issue.

I’m going to ask the pixies to deliver the application to the Demon Castle.

In return, I want to give a gift to the pixie who will deliver it with clothing.

That’s why I decided to ask René if I could take her measurements; I want to finalize a basic size for the pixies, as the others were too shy to step forward.

“So, René, did the [Foot Bath] work?

“As you can see, Soleil is feeling much better.”

René replied while lying on the cloth.

“She’s probably pleased with herself too; she would take a bath every few minutes. Normally, it would be very hard for her to even stand up, but she flew perfectly fine today.”

“I see, I’m glad.”

I’m truly glad.

It’s gratifying to know that the items you create are useful.

“The light attribute clothes are also wonderful. Soleil is able to fly while wearing them, and she can manipulate them freely, as though they are a part of her own body.”

René told me something unexpected.

“She can move it like your own limbs?”

“Yes. She can spread out the skirt and shape it into a spare wing. She said that it makes it easier to adjust her posture in the air.”

“……The pixies are amazing.”

“No, I think the clothes that Alchemist-sama made are far more amazing.”

René looked at me with sparkling eyes. 

But …… I see.

If a pixie wears clothing of the same attributes, she can move and transform it as she pleases.

What about people from other races?

I wonder if Agnis can change the shape of her clothing if I give her a set of fire attribute clothing.

There’s still a lot of room for experimentation.

If that’s the case, it might be better to have René test the theory first.

It’s a good idea to use it as a defence mechanism in case the pixies get attacked by a monster……

“As expected, the pixies are a mysterious race after all. Many innovative ideas occur to me when I’m talking to them.”

“No, I’m happy to be of use.”

“Anyways, can you leave the design of your clothing to me?”

“Yes, of course.”

René smiled happily.

“I’m sure that Alchemist-sama will be able to create something that will make full use of René’s power.”

“Of course, I’m going to make something that completely optimizes René-san’s magic power.”

“If that’s the case, I can be relieved!”

“Yes. I’ll make sure that everything progresses smoothly.”

“Thank you very much!”

“Thank you as well. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

René and I thanked each other.

Okay, I’ve gotten permission.

I’ll attach magic wings onto René’s clothes and a ribbon that can be maneuvered like extra limbs.

“Thor-sama, you truly are a very kind person, aren’t you? I can’t believe you thought that much about René….”

Agnis is wiping her eyes as if she was touched.

Mabel is… It’s as though she can read my thoughts.

She’s nodding her head in agreement.

While we were discussing this, Soleil seems to have finished dressing…

“T-thank you for waiting. Alchemist-sama ……”

When I turned around, I caught sight of Soleilfl floating in the air, dressed in clothing made of light [Magic Cloth].

""

She looked stunning.

Her long, platinum blonde hair swayed with the wind and her shoulders shook faintly as if she was nervous.

But her big eyes were stared straight at me.

“It’s nice to meet you, Alchemist-sama. I’m Soleil, the light attribute pixie.”

Soleil greeted, bowing her head.

The bright rays raining down from the sky enveloped her pale skin with a radiant glow.

The clothing she was wearing was the piece made by Mabel and Agnis from the light [Magic Cloth].

The cloth, which becomes transparent when magic flows through it, has been transformed by the two of them into a more translucent article, functioning as clothing to hide the body.

In particular, the ribbons and folds around her chest and waist are completely translucent. As expected of the adroit Mabel and Agnis.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t thanked you until now… Thank you for the bath and the clothes.”

Soleil bowed again.

Her skirt and ribbon changed orientation and shape as she moved.

Just as René said, it’s just like a spare set of wings.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Thor Canaan, an alchemist. These are my companions, Mabel and Agnis.”

As I introduced them, Mabel and Agnis bowed their heads.

Then I looked at Soleil and said,

“First of all, I would like to hear your impression on the [Foot Bath]. I’m planning on making a [Bubbly Bath] for all the big demons and demi-humans, so I want you to tell me what it feels like to soak your whole body in a [Foot Bath].”

“U-um…”

Soleil turned her head in embarrassment.

“Y-you see. I’ve always suffered from a fever and my head would burn up. I knew the cause; the light magic power in my body was far too potent and wouldn’t flow properly. I had to bathe in the river to force it to circulate, but…”

“But the fever quickly returned, didn’t it?”

“Yes, but when I soaked in the bath that the Alchemist-sama made, the …… heat that had been accumulating in one place …… slowly dispersed into every corner of my body. My whole body felt warm and, …… magic power spread to every corner of my body, and the pain disappeared.”

She mumbled, forming a gesture of prayer.

“After that, I waited a while, but the fever didn’t recur.”

“Hmm? But René-san told me that you would take a [Foot Bath] every few minutes…”

“That’s because I feared that I would return to my previous state if I were to stop, but ……”

Soleil shook her translucent wings and flew up gently.

Using the light [Magic Cloth] as support, she flew around my head.

Then she stopped right in front of me.

“I think I’m okay now. I feel that I will be able to fly properly.”

“Please don’t overdo it and use the footbath regularly and report any changes immediately.”

“O-okay.”

“How are your clothes?”

“These clothes are like a part of me.”

Soleil pinched the hem of her dress and said.

“The magic flows through very easily. I don’t feel any weight at all. I can move the skirt of the dress to catch the wind or flatten it to change direction. It’s very convenient.”

""

“So you’re saying you feel more comfortable?”

“Yes, I can only thank the Alchemist-sama for that…”

I see.

As expected, the [Magic Cloth] has extraordinary effects on the pixies…

The reason is pretty obvious.

The pixies wear clothing made of foliage  because they can pass their magic power through it and feel the flow of the wind. However, it is thick, hard, and rough, making even covering their body a hassle.

But the [Magic Cloth] is light and smooth, and it provides the same effect of being able to pass magic power through it.

If the pixies can make the leaf clothing one with their body, then they can make the [Magic Cloth] clothing the same too.

“……Thor-sama.”

I noticed Mabel tugging on the sleeve of my shirt.

“May I speak to you for a minute, Thor-sama?”

“What’s the matter, Mabel?”

“Thor-sama is going to provide every pixie with clothes eventually, right?”

“Yes, if possible.”

I don’t know how many pixies there are, so it might not be possible to cater to all of them.

But if I get permission from Demon Lord Rukie, she might be able to send me tailors to fashion the clothes.

That way, I’ll only need to create the [Magic Cloth].

It’s not very difficult to create. All it requires is infusing the cloth with the elemental attribute that corresponds with the intended recipient.

If I acquire a large piece of cloth and add the attributes, I can create a substantial amount of [Magic Cloth] at once.

All that is required afterwards is cutting it into smaller pieces…

“Even if I can’t provide all of them with clothing, I should be able to make 100 or 200 sets.”

“With this, the pixies would be able to live peacefully in the Demon Territory, right?”

“Yes, they will. They are shy, so they may find it difficult to appear in public immediately. But I’m sure they will be able to work normally.”

“And the [Magic Cloth] clothing will help them fly, right?

“Yes, it looks like it can be used as auxiliary wings.”

“That’s right. Flying seems to be easier for Soleil…”

Mabel’s face became serious.

“So, if Thor-sama gives the pixies clothing, many of them will have the same ability as Soleil, right?”

“That’s right.”

“That means that the abilities and lives of the pixies will evolve with Thor-sama’s help, right?”

“…… Yeah.”

“In other words, won’t you be evolving a race by yourself?”

…Certainly, it might be something like that.

“However, it’s not due to my own power. The [Magic Cloth] was originally from the [Body Pillow] of the heroes’ world.”

I said.

“In other words, it’s not too far-fetched to say that the [Magic Cloth] is an item from the heroes’ world.”

“…Ah.”

Mabel grasped her chin with her hand as if she thought of something.

“It’s like you said. Since the [Body Pillow] existed in the heroes’ world, the [Magic Cloth] which was a material for it should have existed there too.”

“Yes. If that’s the case, there’s the possibility the heroes wore clothing made out of [Magic Cloth] as well.”

“The heroes wore clothing made of this material?”

“There are no records of it, but it does explain the heroes’ swift movements and sharp reactions. A swordsman also once said that it was as though they had eyes on their back.”

“Yes, there is a legend about how they turned around and cut down a demon that snuck up behind them.”

“Yeah, that’s the hero from the legend.”

I nodded.

“This means that the heroes were like the pixies, passing magic power through their clothing and making it a part of them… like a sensory organ.”

“For example, using a [Magic Cloth] for a cloak in order to make it a sensory organ?”

“Yes. I think that’s how they were able to sense the presence of others and react to them.”

“…If that’s the case, then that explains the heroes’ sharp reactions.”

Mabel took my hand and looked convinced.

“If that’s what the [Magic Cloth] is, then it’s inevitable that it will change the way the pixies live.”

“It’s an item of the heroes’ world after all.”

This is probably why Chancellor Kelve asked me to request permission first.

If the [Magic Cloth] is carelessly spread, it may also spread to The Empire.

That’s presumably what Chancellor Kelve was concerned about when he handed me the application.

I think he has amazing foresight.

I’m relieved the Chancellor is on my side.

“For now, I think I’ll start by asking a few of the pixies to use the [Magic Cloth].”

“That’s right. Giving it to the pixies puts me at ease.”

“Even if someone acquires it, it’s too small to be used by them.”

Mabel and I glanced at each other and nodded.

Agnis and René are continuing to take measurements for the clothes. Soleil is helping them as well.

Soleil is energetically flying around between them.

I think it’s safe to request a favour from her.

“To tell you the truth, I have a favor to ask of you, Soleil.”

I looked at Soleil.

The pixie that was flitting around spiritedly came to a stop in front of me.

“Can you take a look at this first?”

I pulled out a [UV Cut Parasol] from my [Ultra-Small Simple Warehouse].

I unfolded the white umbrella and placed it at the base of the tree.

“I have been researching holy swords, and as part of my research, I created a parasol that prevents light magic attacks.”

Soleil stared blankly at the pure white parasol, René doing the same. 

The excited voices of the pixies sitting on top of a branch reached my ears. They all seem to be surprised as most of them have never come across a parasol before.

“Is that a ride?”

“A house?” 

Some of them guessed.

A ride? It’s true that from the perspective of pixies, it could be used as a vehicle or a house.　

My original intention was to search for someone capable of using light magic, but because the user, Soleil, was sickly, I gave up. However, now that she has recovered, I think that there’s no harm in asking her.

I continued to explain, “This is a copy of one of the heroes’ items. We have verified that it can extinguish a lamp powered by magic power, but we were unable to assess its resistance against light magic since there weren’t any light magic users around.”

“So that’s what you meant when you said you needed light magic.”

Soleil muttered as if she was convinced.

“René told me why you requested my help. She said that you wanted me to help you with something regarding light magic.”

“Of course, you can help when your health improves.”

I said.

“You only need to cast a single, powerful magic attack. Could I request that of you?”

“Of course.”

She flew up in between my eyes and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. 

“I’m still worried about my health at the moment. However, in a short while…… I will be by your side, not just to unleash a single attack, but to assist you until you are completely satisfied.”

“Thank you for your help.”

“Also, it’s still a bit embarrassing at the moment, but I’m sure that I’ll become accustomed to having my body beheld. Until Alchemist-sama is satisfied──”

“Please wait. That’s an unrelated matter.”

I interrupted Soleil who seemed as though she just resolved herself for something.

I am interested in the bodies of pixies that resembled works of art, but not now…

Anyways, now we can experiment with the [UV Cut Parasol].

When Soleil arrives, I’ll request General Reisenga’s presence during the testing.

Just in case, it would be better to speak with Rukie as well.

I’ll write that in the letter that will accompany the application.

Regretfully, I already completed the application in the carriage, otherwise it would have been best if I wrote it there.

As for the clothes for the pixie that will deliver the letter, Mabel and Agnis have already begun preparing to make them.

One dress is for René. She’s also the one who negotiates with us, so it’s easier to give her clothes.

The owners of the other two will depend on whether someone is willing to deliver the letter.

I’ll ask them.

“As I said before, I would like to have the letter delivered to the castle.”

I said, looking up at the branch.

“I would like to ask two pixies to deliver it, the ones who are willing to do so──”

“Thor-sama!?”

“Thor Caanan-sama, those words are dangerous!”

I involuntarily turned towards Mabel and Agnis.

Both of them pointed at my head.

…Ah. Uh oh.

As I noticed my slip of the tongue, I slowly looked up at the tree branch─

「「「「「「「「「「I’m at your service! 」」」」」」」」」」

A swarm of pixies rushed towards me from above.

For the time being, let’s begin by extricating the ones clinging to my clothes and those buried in them.

I even had to rouse a pixie who had somehow fallen asleep in my pocket… and restrain another who was trying to enter the [Ultra-Small Simple Warehouse].

In the end, I handed two pixies my application and letter.

The two who were compensated with new clothing danced happily around us before hastening towards the castle. A few of the pixies in foliage clothing also followed them.

The girls clad in foliage were slower than the girls clad in [Magic Cloth]. Your speed increases when you shape spare wings out of [Magic Cloth] after all…

We handed the clothing to René. 

After receiving René’s promise to visit occasionally and Soleil’s to come assist with the experiment when her health permitted, we headed for the exit of the forest.

""

And so, Mabel, Agnis, and I left the Western Forest, escorted by a crowd of pixies.

“I wonder if Rukie-sama and Chancellor Kelve will approve the clothing?”

“I’m sure Her Majesty will allow it, but the Chancellor may prove difficult to convince.”

“Agnis will ask father to send a letter to the castle as well.”

While discussing the matter, we returned to General Reisenga’s residence.

TL: Please welcome our two new proofreaders, Starpie and Nocturnal, to the team!

Also would you guys prefer having split chapters 2 times a week? (At the end of the week, the 2 split chapters would still add up to 1 full chapter.) So the amount of content each week is still the same.

Sorry for the weird formatting, wordpress is being really slow on me today.