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

Even though she knew he was Wolf, she still thought of her father and felt very delicate.

Thinking of her father, she said firmly to her friend:

"You're wrong, Wolf. A magic tool maker's job is to create magic tools. They make the same thing better and easier each time."

To be honest, this magical empowerment was the most difficult of the three she had ever encountered.

But so what?

Being able to create items to protect friends is something a magic tool maker would love to have. Making two or three sets is no problem.

"Wolf, isn't it the same with monster subjugation? The first time you subjugate it, it doesn't go well, but the second time you encounter the same monster, you'll know its weaknesses, right?"

She didn't know what analogy to use, so she gave the example of work.

"That's true, but you've worked so hard..."

"Even if I fail, I'll just faint. I won't lose my life like I would when I subdue a monster. Don't worry about me."

Dahlia had almost exhausted all her magic power, and her knees were shaking, but she pretended to stand up so as not to be noticed.

"I did it, let's drink!"

"it is good."

Wolff poured red wine into two glasses, and they drank for the umpteenth time that day.

For her parched throat, the slightly sweet red wine was a true delicacy. She couldn't help but drink it all in one gulp.

"Ah! I forgot to ask you... Can I bring these glasses into the royal city and the military camp?"

Dahlia couldn't help but raise her voice and ask.

Only now did she realize that it was inappropriate to bring this in, as it might allow him to disguise himself freely in the royal city.

"No problem. Magical equipment needs to be identified and registered when brought into the royal city. These glasses should be acceptable. Just take them off inside the city. After all, identification is required every time you enter or leave the city. Also, many high-ranking nobles disguise themselves when leaving the city. Some are cursed by monsters and must wear bracelets that obstruct perception to conceal their presence."

"Is it okay for me to know about this?"

Seeing her ask worriedly, the face that was a combination of Wolf and her father showed confusion.

"Monster curses aren't limited to the royal city; adventurers often get them too. Haven't you heard of them?"

"Yes, this is the first time I've heard of it. Could you tell me what forms of curses there are?"

"For example, scales may grow from the hand that slew the monster, or magical marks similar to burns may be left on other parts of the body. Some can be healed in the temple, while others cannot. Furthermore, removing the curse is expensive, so some people wear jewelry that obstructs their cognition until they can save up the money."

“I’ve never heard of that…”

Such people certainly need jewelry that hinders cognition.

She was a little curious, wondering if the so-called curse was revenge for the monster's life or some kind of controlled reaction.

"Wouldn't that bracelet be able to create a barrier to perception on your face?"

"I haven't heard of using a bracelet to block vision. Glasses might exist, but they haven't been released into the market as magical tools. The Intelligence Department might have them."

"...Don't tell anyone I did this."

"Okay, I promise. I'll say I got it through my family."

Dahlia stared at the man in front of her who nodded.

That face sent a wave of anxiety through her.

"Excuse me... could you please take off your glasses when you drink in the tower?"

"Are you still not used to it?"

"No... maybe because I'm thinking of my father, I really want to stop you from drinking too much."

"I know. I don't wear glasses in the tower."

After he took off his glasses, he drank his first glass of wine with her that day.

The uncovered golden eyes stared at Dahlia with joy.

Volume 1 ◆ Interlude Orlando Chamber of Commerce President

Tobias went to the Orlando Chamber of Commerce in his hometown to purchase materials for magic tools.

My mother, who usually works at the store, was not there today, and the employees were strangely quiet.

"Tobias."

He heard a still sound and turned around to see his brother, who was ten years older than him, walking towards him.

Ireneo Orlando, this person is both his brother and the president of the Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

He was tall and thin, with the same dark, slanted eyes as his father and burnt brown hair.

Tobias doesn't like this brother who looks so much like his father.

"Welcome back, brother. When did you get home?"

"It was late the night before yesterday. I have something to tell you. Are you free?"

"available."

They entered the conference room, Ireneo sat in a chair on the inside, and Tobias sat diagonally across from him.

The clerk brought two cups of black tea, bowed, and left. Then, only the two brothers were left in the room.

"I heard everything from the breaking off of the engagement to what happened afterwards."

"I'm sorry, it happened so suddenly and caused trouble for my brother."

"I didn't expect you and Mom to do something like this while I was away. I'm more amused than angry."

My brother came into the room with a huge stack of documents, which he plopped down on the table.

Looking closely, he had obvious dark circles under his eyes, and veins appeared on his hand holding the documents, exuding an unconcealable sense of fatigue.

"I've repaid the money you borrowed from the guild and deposited thirty gold coins into your account. That's credit to the guild, so don't spend it. Don't borrow money in the guild's name next time; it damages its credibility."

"sorry……"

"Next is the matter of registering magical tools with the Merchant Guild. This is more serious. I've asked the guild members under my care not to tell anyone, but once rumors spread, they're unstoppable. I can't do anything too obvious, or Gabriella might use them against me. Stay away from the Merchant Guild for the time being."

"I see."

"Also, rumors are spreading that you abandoned Dalia, who worked so hard for you before your marriage, for a new woman."

“That matter…”

This was indeed the case, and Tobias had nothing to say.

"Whether it's a rumor or fact, bad publicity will affect your future and the reputation of the Chamber of Commerce."

Ireneo said as he flipped through some documents.

Among the scribbled words, Dalia's name was written several times.

"I asked someone to investigate Dahlia, and it seems she's dating someone from Count Scafarot's family. I'll hire a few rumormongers to spread the rumor that 'she has a new partner and wants to make magical tools, so she doesn't want to quit her job and get married with all the restrictions.' Your rumors should die down in about two months."

A rumormonger is someone who spreads rumors or advertisements on the streets.

Their original job was to promote the advantages of the store or products, but this time my brother used it to spread rumors.

"Dalia is with the Earl's son? Is this true?"

Tobias thought back to the handsome man he had seen earlier at the restaurant's outdoor seating.

The man did say he was a member of the Scafarot family.

When he thought about how Dalia ended up being with that man, he felt inexplicably unhappy.

"Someone saw her walking with a tall, handsome man with black hair and golden eyes. These characteristics are the same as those of the youngest son of the Scafarot family. In the store near the Green Tower, someone also saw a tall man in a black cloak helping Dahlia pay for and move things. It seems that he is quite obsessed with Dahlia."

My brother said as he blew on the hot tea.

The document was in the name of the Earl's family. He had only been home for two days, so I didn't know how he had conducted the investigation.

"The man is the earl's son, so I don't think they will get married. But the Scafarot family, who control water rights, should be a good financial sponsor for her."

Tobias originally wanted to say that Dahlia would not look for a financial sponsor.

But then I thought about how Dalia didn't say anything that day, and it was that man who answered for her.

"If possible, I would also like to marry Dahlia, and even regret that I'm already married."

"Brother, don't joke like that."

"I'm not kidding. She graduated from a high school, is quick with math and good at accounting. She's a talented magic tool maker, holds the title of Baron's daughter, and owns the Green Tower. And even after breaking up with you, she handled things so calmly, even hooked up with the Earl's son and founded her own guild. It's rare to find such a capable woman..."

My brother put the documents related to the Roseti Chamber of Commerce on top and sighed bitterly.

"Tobias, what exactly are you unhappy about?"

"To me, Emilia is more..."

Tobias was halfway through his words when Irenaeus looked at him coldly.

That look brought back memories of being severely scolded by his father, and he didn't dare to say anything more.

"Since it involves a preference for women, there's nothing I can do about it. But we should always be reasonable. Why can't you wait six months after breaking off the engagement before being with Emilia?"

"I want to be with her as soon as possible."

"Then let me ask you, if Dalia said she had a new boyfriend and wanted to break up with him, and moved into a new home with him the next day, would you be able to accept that?"

"I……"

"That's exactly what you did. Don't approach Dahlia again. If our guild clashed with the Water Earl's family, we would be easily destroyed."

My brother said as he pulled out the file below.

"As for Emilia, although she has noble blood, marrying her won't help us."

"What do you mean no help?"

"I looked it up. She's the child of the previous Viscount Talini's younger brother and a maid. The Viscount's family even spent a fortune hiring a notary to officially sever ties with the maid. Mom said she wrote a letter to the Viscount's family, but they said no such person existed in their family. The surname Talini is also common among the people, and Emilia's mother happened to have it. They might have deliberately taken advantage of this."

Among the papers was a letter indeed from Viscount Talini, and their mother's letter had been returned, tied with a tawny string to the Viscount's.

"...I don't care. Emilia is Emilia."

"I have no objection to your feelings. I'll apologize to the Viscount's family. However, Mom was trying to gain a relationship with the Viscount, but she was furious when she learned the truth. And people's words can be scary, so don't let Emilia come to the Chamber of Commerce anymore."

"okay, I get it."

"From today on, I won't let Mom show up at the Chamber of Commerce anymore. She'll stay in her room inside the Chamber of Commerce or at home. If you need anything, go find her there."

"Why? Is she feeling unwell?"

"Just in case. I'll explain to the Viscount's family that my mother wrote that letter out of old age and send something to apologize. That's the best way."

“It’s necessary to do this…”

Before Tobias could finish his words, Irenaeus stared at him with his bottomless black eyes.

"Don't underestimate the nobles. Their connections are incredibly extensive. People like us won't be able to gather any intelligence at all."

"There's no need to do this for just a letter, right?"

"If there's even a one in ten thousand chance of a family dispute, our chamber of commerce will be ruined."

"this……"

"Tobias, do you know how many employees the Orlando Chamber of Commerce currently has?"

"About seventy people, right?"

"One hundred and twenty-one people domestically and thirty-seven abroad. Add to that the mages, magic tool makers, craftsmen, publicity staff, and cleaning staff we have contracted with, and the total is over two hundred. If you include their families, the number could exceed a thousand. The Orlando Chamber of Commerce isn't just ours. As the president of the Chamber of Commerce, I must protect this chamber of commerce."

Ireneo said firmly with a face that looked just like his father.

Tobias couldn't find the words to respond.

"Do you know why Dad and Carlo want you to marry Dalia?"

"Master said that since we're both magical tool masters, we should be able to work together and take care of each other. Dad just told me... to take good care of Dahlia."

My brother let out the deepest and longest sigh yet, clasping his hands together on the table.

He looked at Tobias, narrowing his eyes into the same deep black color as his father's.

"...You're not a child anymore, and things have come to this. Even though it may be a little cruel, I'll tell you this. Your marriage was arranged by Dad at Carlo's request for you."