Magical Tool Master Dahlia Never Compromises ~ Starting Today: Life as a Freelancer ~

Rukia was also surprised and exclaimed.

Looking up, I saw Wolff sipping his wine, Fortunato still had a wry smile on his face, and Jedda was beaming.

"Please try the bacon too."

At the green-haired team member's suggestion, she used the metal skewer that came with the plate to pick up the bacon. Although the piece of smoked bacon was only three centimeters in size, it was still quite thick.

I was a little hesitant whether I should eat it in one bite, but finally I followed everyone's actions and put it in my mouth.

The bacon is still warm, salty and delicious, with a hint of sweetness from the meat. The fat from the frying process balances the saltiness. It's perfect with bread or a glass of wine.

"Perhaps we can replace some of the expedition jerky with this smoked bacon."

"If the budget allows, then change it."

"By the way, this stove is really great. It allows me to cook hot meals even during expeditions."

"Won't the smell of food attract monsters or animals?"

"When we cook outdoors, we use wind magic to dissipate odors or apply deodorizers. But we'll have to try it out first to know for sure. If any creatures actually come to the camp, we'll just have to defeat them all."

It's easy to say, but is it really okay? Dahlia is worried that a large animal or a powerful monster might suddenly appear.

But on the other hand, those monsters and animals attracted by the smell are also a bit pitiful.

"In short, President of the Roseti Merchants Guild, we estimate that we will place an order with you for one hundred furnaces for the expedition."

Cough, the wine I just drank seemed to flow back. Dalia quickly looked at Gulat.

"Thank you, thank you. I'll try to lower the price..."

"No, as long as it's within a reasonable range and we can continue to purchase, that's fine. If the budget runs out, I and those with more money can pay out of our own pockets and buy it bit by bit."

"I think there should be many people willing to buy it at their own expense."

Wolff said this with aplomb, but wait a minute.

Expedition furnaces aren't cheap. Monster-suppression troops include both civilians and low-ranking nobles, and not everyone has spare cash. Some members also have families to support.

"This was also done by the Roseti Chamber of Commerce? That's amazing."

"Thank you, Master Fortunato."

Fortunato praised with a smile, and Dahlia thanked him while sweating coldly.

The Costume Guild had nothing to do with the Expedition Furnace, yet he was forced to stay and listen to all this. Dahlia felt a little embarrassed for him.

"I hope to have everything ready before the winter expedition."

"Yeah, that way we don't have to drink coffee burnt by the bonfire after the subjugation."

Going on an expedition in the cold winter, enduring a dangerous expedition, and then having to drink burnt coffee - just the thought of it makes me feel uncomfortable.

If no one in this country, in this world, stops the monsters, the damage to humanity will be even more severe.

Throughout history, villages and towns have indeed been destroyed by monsters; this is not just a figment of our imagination.

The monster-suppression troops who fought these monsters deserved better treatment.

Thinking of this, Dalia suddenly remembered something.

When she used a small magic furnace to cook for Wolf, he had asked, "Would you like to teach the monster-suppression team (us) how to use the magic furnace?"

Without giving it much thought, she said that she also hoped to help improve the expedition's food.

At that time, I never dreamed that I would enter the royal city one day, and I just thought Wolf was joking.

Is the reason why I’m here now related to that day?

This was what they called "fate." If she could accept this, she would do her best to assist the entire unit, including Wolf.

"President, it seems we'll be even busier from now on."

"Yeah, that's a blessing."

Hearing Ivano say this, she answered with a smile from the bottom of her heart.

His deep blue eyes widened slightly, then he smiled back.

"That's exactly what a guild president would say."

"No, it's more like what a magic tool master would say."

The sweet aroma of wine, combined with the scent of fried bacon, lingered in the room for quite a while, and everyone chatted and laughed happily in the aroma.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

After catching the return carriage at the royal city's horse farm, Dahlia was finally able to catch her breath.

Rukia, who was sitting next to her, did the same and let out a long sigh.

Maybe it was because of the glass of wine just now, her cheeks were still flushed.

"Rukia, are you okay?"

Rukia wasn't much of a drinker, and even though the drink wasn't much, less than half a glass, she might have been drunk.

"...Their standing figures are so handsome..."

She didn't answer Dahlia's question and sighed again.

Ivano, who was sitting opposite them, looked at them with an indescribable expression.

"Ah... I really want to strip those three naked and help them change their clothes..."

"Rukia."

Perhaps I should be thankful I'm sitting in a carriage. If my friend had said something like that in the royal city, Dahlia would have had to stuff her handkerchief into her mouth.

"Scarfalot-sama looks great in colorful clothes. A sweet ruffled top in black and white would be a good choice. Ah, a long coat would also go well with it. Jedda-sama has beautiful white hair, how about a pastel-colored outfit? Oh, and adding some beautiful patterns would be great. Fortunato-sama usually wears a suit, so a princely knight's or equestrian outfit would look great too..."

Her dew-grass eyes searched for something only she could see, her gaze drifting off into the distance. At times like these, only by embodying her thoughts could she regain her composure. Dahlia, having occasionally fallen into this state while crafting magical tools, knew it all too well.

Dahlia took out the beige paper and pencil that came with the flashcards and handed them to her.

"This is for you. Don't draw your face, it's disrespectful to adults."

"Yeah, I know! Thank you, Dalia!"

She quickly sketched the clothes she had envisioned, modeled after three men. The men's clothing seemed a bit overly decorative, a departure from the usual fashions in the capital, and very much in Rukia's style.

"Um, Ms. Dalia, Ms. Rukia likes making clothes, right?"

"Yes. Not only does she like it, but she's also very good at it. She makes all her clothes herself."

“That’s amazing…”

Rukia either didn't notice Ivano's gaze or didn't care. She was putting a long coat on the man she suspected was Wolf, drawing irregular curved lines on the hem. She was frustrated that she had no colored pencils.

"Ms. Rukia, what do you think of Lord Wolffred and Lord Luini?"

Ivano asked Lucia, who was painting furiously, but she answered without even looking up:

"Scarfalot-sama is tall and looks good in anything. Fortunato-sama is also quite tall and has long hair. I think a new hairstyle would open up a wider range of styles. Ah! They both look great with precious metals and furs!"

"From a female perspective, would you want to date both of them?"

"Not at all. Being with nobles always requires attention to etiquette, and besides work, there's not much to talk about. If they're willing to smile and let me change clothes, I'd be happy, but if they're just interested in looks, portraits and memory are usually enough."

Rukia asserted without hesitation.

"There really are people who don't feel anything for Wolfe-sama."

"Mr. Ivano, what do you want to confirm..."

"I think it's best for people who interact with our guild not to get too emotional. After all, I don't want to get into trouble."

That's true. It would be terrible if I was attracted to Wolf and Fortunato and couldn't work.

However, I don’t know whether it is difficult or easy to find such a person.

"Ms. Rukia, excuse me for asking, but are you in a relationship now?"

"No, but I'd really like to go out on a date."

"What type do you like?"

"If you're going on a date, it's better to go with a girl. That way, you can wear all kinds of cute clothes. Oh, and skinny guys are also good. It would be great if they could pull off both men's and women's clothing."

Ivano exclaimed "Huh", too surprised to speak. Dalia explained to him quietly.

"Rukia's brothers all say her lovers are cloth, lace, and ribbons."

“…I understand.”

"Every time I go out with her, I become her dress-up doll."

"Dalia, you're tall and beautiful, and you look good in anything. I'm so happy that you're finally willing to wear clothes that suit you and put on makeup. Will you spend a whole day shopping with me next time?"

Rukia said as she carefully wrote down the material of the clothes on a piece of paper.

"I'll think about it."

"Please stay with me once in a while! We can go to the magic tool store in the morning and then to the clothing store in the afternoon."

"Afternoons are obviously longer."

"There aren't many magic tool shops, and the space is small. Is it worth browsing with so many things?"

"It has nothing to do with the number or size of the shops. It takes a lot of time to look at each magical tool one by one."

"Clothing also includes underwear, shoes and jewelry, which takes even more time."

"There are all sorts of magical tools, too, including household items, outdoor gear, and combat gear. Even the same items have different specifications, so it takes a long time to look through them all."

Dahlia accidentally became serious and quickly came to her senses. Ivano, who was standing opposite her, had a smile in his eyes.

"How about, to make it fair, we each have one day. Let's go to the magic equipment store on the first day, and then go to the clothing store on the next day off. You come to my house in the morning to change clothes and put on makeup, and then we go shopping together in the afternoon. Is that okay?"

"Rukia, how much clothing do you want me to wear?"

"As long as time permits, the more the better."

Should we say this is a conversation between young female friends, or a conversation between a magic tool maker and a costume designer?

They continue to argue.

Ivano smiled and leaned back in his chair.

"Ah, this is what they call 'birds of a feather flock together'."

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

In the evening of the day after the official delivery in the royal city, people related to the Commercial Guild held a dinner party.

In addition to Dahlia, those present included Gabriela, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, notary Dominic, as well as Wolf and Ivano.

Last time, the same team, after much deliberation, finally finalized a production plan for five-toed socks and insoles. While there were some setbacks along the way, fortunately, the products were delivered successfully yesterday.

The restaurant Gabriela booked was in the central area, and the five of them sat around a round table in a private room.

The main course was the Red Bear steak that I had eaten before at the Merchant Guild.

The steak had a unique flavor but was delicious. The restaurant offers dry white wine, dark ale, and spicy Dong wine as pairings, so everyone toasted three times, creating a lively atmosphere.

Despite drinking so much wine, we still couldn't decide which wine would go best with Red Bear.

"What a month full of changes."

Ivano seemed to be the drunkest person after the meal. He held a bottle of black ale in his hand and nodded happily to himself.

"It only took twenty days from the establishment of the guild to the arrival and departure of the royal city. This should set a new record for the guild."

"No, the first time I entered the city was because I received an invitation from a punitive expeditionary force... and then it took me an extra month to visit again under the guise of the Chamber of Commerce."

"It's still pretty fast though. The fastest one I've seen so far is the Zora Chamber of Commerce."

"Mr. Oswald is amazing too."

"Yes, Oswald will soon be promoted to baron. This year, the royal city purchased a large number of ice-type cooling fans from him, referred to as 'Ice Fans'. Perhaps he won't have to wait until the next generation to be promoted to viscount."

"Then Mr. Oswald will be named 'Viscount Ice Fan', right?"

Ivano's words made Dahlia think.

The "Ice Fan" I'd seen at the magical tool shop "Goddess's Right Eye" was practically an air conditioner, and it was incredibly labor-intensive to make. Shipping large quantities to the Royal City would undoubtedly keep Oswald very busy. Dalia was a little concerned that future classes would burden him.

"If Miss Dahlia keeps up this pace, she should be able to get the Baron's recommendation, right?"