A few days after receiving Riku’s report, Kousuke met with Andoni again in the management layer.
“I’m so sorry for the trouble this time…”
“Ah, please, cut the formalities,” Kousuke said, returning Andoni’s bow with a bitter smile and waving his right hand.
“Thanks to that report, it seems like things have tightened up at Crown. In the end, I think it turned out for the best, don’t you?” When Kousuke said that, Andoni nodded with a subtle expression.
While the content of the conversation was something to be happy about, the person involved couldn’t honestly be joyful. Moreover, even though it was at his request, Andoni had lost his position, and there was no doubt he was currently causing trouble for his master, Kousuke.
Sensing the atmosphere, Kousuke decided to change the subject forcefully. “So, about your future, Andoni…” When Kousuke started speaking, Andoni stiffened. Noticing this, Kousuke smiled wryly and waved his hand. “No, you don’t have to be so nervous. For now, if we were to create a new place, about how many members do you think would gather?” He had heard talk of wanting to gather again with the former Madsaku members, including those who had been dismissed. However, he didn’t know the exact number, so he wanted to confirm.
Andoni, asked by Kousuke, looked thoughtful for a moment before replying, “I think it would be about enough to count on both hands. Some of them have normal lives now…” Andoni remained a slave, but some had already been freed and started families. It was unlikely that many of them would want to give up their stable lives at Crown to join a new venture. Seeing Andoni looking apologetic, Kousuke nodded, accepting it. “That’s true. It’s best to proceed according to their wishes. Forcing them would only lead to trouble again.” When Kousuke replied, Andoni looked relieved.
Seeing Andoni’s expression, Kousuke inwardly wondered if he really was that forceful, but without voicing his thoughts, he continued, “For now, we’ll have you make enough magic tools to match that number. Actually, there’s one more thing I’d like you to do.” “Something new? What is it?” Andoni, unable to guess what Kousuke meant, tilted his head and asked. “I’ve also started managing an orphanage a little while ago. I want you to teach the basic skills to those orphans too.” “I see. So that’s it. If that’s the case, there’s no problem.” Understanding Kousuke’s intention, Andoni nodded with a convinced expression.
This was something Kousuke had considered since he first spoke with Andoni. However, looking at Andoni’s face, Kousuke became serious and said there was one thing he needed to emphasize. “Let me be clear, you don’t need to force the orphans you train to join the new venture, okay? That’s entirely up to their individual wishes.” “…Understood.” When Kousuke stressed this point, Andoni replied with a slightly surprised look. Observing his reaction, Kousuke inwardly sighed, thinking, “Just as I thought.” Andoni’s loyalty (?) to Kousuke could sometimes run wild, leading him to think such things. Wondering where such a personality came from, he noticed Kouhi standing beside him and stopped himself from commenting further. It felt like he knew who or what was the cause without even thinking about it.
As he watched Andoni, who had quickly turned serious from his surprised expression, Kousuke continued, “After all, the orphanage was established to help the orphans find their future paths. I have no intention of binding their futures prematurely.” While the orphanage was intended to train strong adventurers, Kousuke never intended to crush the children’s potential by dictating their futures. That sentiment remained unchanged.
Watching Kousuke, Andoni inwardly thought how kind-hearted he always was, but Kousuke didn’t notice. Bowing his head, Andoni replied, “Understood.” “All right then, that’s settled. For now, the new workshop will be built next to the orphanage.” Using the tower’s functions, a building suitable for a workshop could be erected in an instant. That amount of divine power wouldn’t be a burden given their current income.
Having said that, Kousuke suddenly remembered something important. “Ah, and we’ll need to get the tools… Hmm. Maybe we should just make them ourselves.” Generally, the tools used by magic tool artisans were specialized and made by dedicated craftsmen. These tools were typically expensive, and gathering them all would incur significant costs. While Kousuke’s assets could cover such an amount, his ingrained habit of avoiding frivolous spending remained.
Furthermore, it wasn’t uncommon for magic tool artisans to craft their own tools. If that were the case, they could make them as long as they had the materials. These materials could be purchased through Crown, or in some cases, they could hunt for them themselves. Normally, establishing a new workshop would present obstacles, but Kousuke could easily overcome them. It was also because of this that he was able to establish divisions like Madsaku in the past.
Muttering as if to himself, Kousuke looked at Andoni and asked, “No problem with that, right?” “Um… While making the tools themselves should be possible, the materials for them…” Seeing Andoni’s response, Kousuke realized he had spoken his thoughts aloud without realizing it and bowed his head. “Ah, sorry. You don’t need to worry about materials. We’ll prepare a basic set here, but let me know if anything is missing.” When Kousuke rephrased his statement, Andoni bowed his head in acknowledgment.
Once the initial discussion about the new workshop concluded, Andoni left the management layer. He returned to the Fifth Floor to speak with his former companions. As Kousuke saw him off, Silvia approached him. “So, is this a cause for relief for now?” “I suppose so? Well, it feels like things have settled in their proper places.” “Yes, it does.” Kousuke and Silvia had a brief conversation before returning to their usual daily lives.
A few days after this discussion, Andoni returned with his companions to the meticulously prepared location provided by Kousuke. The newly established workshop would go on to be a place where magic tools that Kousuke deemed suitable for public release would be created.
