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

"Okay, I want to visit a few more stores too."

The two chatted while picking fish bones, but unexpectedly, Wolf was in a tough fight.

If you think about it, the fish bones should have been picked out when the nobles ate.

"Can you lend it to me? I'll help you pick it out with my chopsticks."

"You're so good with chopsticks. By the way, where did you learn how to cook this dish?"

"My father taught me. He would also specify the dishes for me to cook."

She didn't lie, but it was her father in her previous life who taught her how to use chopsticks.

Her father in this life often asked her to make snacks to go with his wine or seasonal dishes that he wanted to eat, so after many attempts and failures, she learned how to cook many dishes.

"How can something so delicious just by grilling it..."

The young man said with emotion while eating the fish with the bones removed with a fork.

The fish was indeed plump and tender, and most importantly, it went very well with Dongfang wine.

"I think pan-fried catfish is delicious, but to pair it with Japanese sake, it has to be grilled."

"I see. I must remember this combination."

Dalia guessed that except for expeditions, he usually ate well, so this simple dish was new to him.

Afterwards, Dahlia taught him how to eat cucumbers roughly with his hands. The two of them ate while crunching the food and talked about their plans for making the magic sword in the future.

They also agreed that although it tasted better this way, they must never do this outside again.

"I'm going on another expedition the day after tomorrow. Every year around this time we have to exterminate giant frogs. Luckily, it's only three days."

After finishing their meal, they switched from Dongjiu to Baijiu and talked about the expedition.

"How big are the giant frogs? Is it hard to kill them?"

"At this stage, they're still relatively young, roughly the size of a medium-sized dog. The swamp is difficult to navigate, so the mages primarily burn it or use wind magic to split it apart. Our job is to clean up afterward and hunt down any that jump onto land. There are so many of them, so almost all of our team members and mages will be deployed."

"How many are there?"

"Last year there were about 500."

"……Thanks for your hard work."

Destroy the giant frogs that appeared in large numbers. Dalia did not want to participate in such activities, not even to watch them.

In her previous life, she was terrified even by toads at the zoo, and couldn't imagine a frog the size of a medium-sized dog. How high could such a large frog jump?

"Is it dangerous to exterminate the giant frog?"

"Fortunately, their attack power isn't very high, and their toxicity is also weak. Excessive numbers are a bit troublesome, but the heat is even more unbearable. There's no wind in the swamp, and the mage keeps using fire magic. Although I can change clothes inside my armor, my shoes are soaked with sweat, so wet that I can't tell which is the real swamp inside or outside."

"Why not enchant the shoes to dry them?"

"The shoes must be given a 'strength increase'. On an expedition, you never know what you might step on or kick, so if you don't increase your strength, it's dangerous."

"What about changing socks and adding insoles?"

"We changed our socks every day, but it didn't help. The insoles wore out quickly too."

"You're sweating so much... Ah, wait a minute, there's something that might help you."

Dahlia quickly climbed to the fourth floor of the Green Tower and went to her father's room.

She once ordered something for her father, who didn't like wearing socks in the summer. It arrived two weeks after her father's death. She inspected it but kept it because she didn't want to remind her of him.

Since she couldn't use it anyway, she might as well give it to Wolfe as a replacement. It didn't matter if she threw it away after use.

"These are 'five-toe socks'. They absorb sweat between the toes. They should make your feet feel better."

"These socks have a unique shape! This is the first time I've seen socks with five separate toes..."

After returning to the second floor, Dahlia handed Wolf a pair of five-toed socks. He spread them out with excitement. Seeing his surprise, Dahlia felt a little embarrassed.

"You want your socks and the insides of your shoes to stay dry, right?"

"Yes, that would be best."

"I'm going to enchant my socks with drying magic. I have some unused insoles at home, and I'd like to use the materials to enchant them... Can I give it a try?"

"Of course I have no problem with that, but you just finished making the magic sword, aren't you tired?"

"I'm fine."

Once she started thinking about how to try it out, she forgot all about her tiredness.

"Are these five-toed socks a commercial product?"

"No, it's because my father always complains, 'It's too hot to wear shoes in the summer, I don't want to wear socks anymore'... But leather shoes wear out easily when worn barefoot, so I tried to make these socks."

"Your father must be very happy."

"It's a shame I finished it after he passed away, so I couldn't show it to him. I'm glad to have the chance to show it again. It might also help prevent athlete's foot problems from wearing boots all the time."

Dahlia said with feigned cheerfulness.

If her father had lived longer, she would have been able to give it to him with a smile. So she decided to give it to Wolff with a smile.

The two men went to the first floor, laid a silver mat on the work table, and then placed socks on it.

"The drying magic I've given the socks will be a little weak. Too much will cause the skin to lose moisture, so just the right amount is good."

As Dahlia spoke, she picked up the Fire Demon Stone and slid her right index and middle fingers over the socks.

Thin red and colorful lights formed a small spiral and wrapped around the socks.

She imagined herself weaving tiny bits of magic between the threads, silently and attentively bestowing them upon the left and right socks.

After finishing the gift of the socks, she looked up and found that Wolff across from her was staring at her.

"Is magic bestowal so rare?"

"Yeah, it's fun to watch from the side. Because I usually only see attack magic against monsters, or healing magic used on oneself."

After hearing what he said, Dalia finally understood.

He usually uses finished magic tools and weapons, so he should rarely see the production process of magic tools.

"Next is the insole. I will give it wind magic."

"Dalia, what is that green powder?"

"Green slime powder."

The green powder that looks like mold is the dried powder of green slime.

"This powder, when fixed to the insole, encourages air flow and has a slight drying effect. Unfortunately, you have to throw it away if it gets wet, but it can be used with toe socks."

Green Slime has a slight effect of wind magic. While it is possible to attach wind magic stones to shoes, this is quite inconvenient for the wearer. While the effect of Green Slime is weaker, it has the advantage of being able to be applied to fabric.

"I'll put the insoles on right away."

Dahlia poured green slime powder onto a work plate, added the blue liquid, and then, stirring with a glass rod, injected magic power with her fingertips. The powder and liquid blended quietly, gradually becoming thicker.

She poured some slime onto the insole and released tiny magical powers from her fingertips to spread the slime evenly.

Wolfer frowned as he saw the green slime slowly wriggling. It wasn't alive, merely driven by magic. However, the way it moved did resemble slime.

The single-sided green insole was completed. It looked a bit strange, but Wolff had to be patient to keep the inside of the shoe dry.

"Wolver, could you please try it on?"

"it is good."

Wolfe took off his socks and put on toe socks. The image of a handsome young man wearing toe socks seemed quite precious—Dahlia stopped thinking and began to doubt her own brain.

She coughed lightly and asked Wolf to confirm the shoe size and cut the insole to the appropriate size.

"Amazing! The sweat seems to dry up as soon as I put on those five-toed socks. The insoles are great too."

"Great, then I'll take this opportunity to give you the rest."

Without looking at Wolff's face, she began to add the other five-toed socks and insoles.

Perhaps because she is used to the process, she can now slow down her speech while giving instructions.

The two chatted about topics such as magic tools, magic swords, and monsters, and finished everything in the evening.

"How much are these? I must pay for them this time."

"Well... I won't charge you any money, but could you please write a trial report?"

He might feel bad if he did it for free, so Dalia suggested asking him to write a trial report. She had also asked her friend Irma to write one.

"Report?"

"Yes, please try them out in the swamp and tell me if they really do remove moisture, if they'll break down after a while, and how effective they are at absorbing sweat. Write down any findings you have. Only those who actually use something like this can truly tell if it works."

"How many pairs will you give me?"

"All of them are yours. These socks don't fit me, and I don't wear toe socks. The reason I have so many is because you have to order at least ten pairs from the workshop. If you don't need them, you can give them away."

"Got it. I'll write a good report."

Dahlia wondered if she had arrogantly asked the knights of the royal city to write a report on five-toed socks and insoles. But she became increasingly curious about whether these things would be effective in the humid swamp.

If it works well, she'll order more for Wolfe.

"I have two days off in six days. If it's convenient for you, would you like to go buy some glasses for the Dong wine together?"

"Okay, as long as I'm not rushing to ship something, I'm usually free."

"Then I'll send a messenger to you when I return from my expedition."

They returned to the second floor, drank wine, and made plans to go out together next time.

Every time Wolff tilted the wine glass he bought, the surface and bottom would glow with colorful luster.

The rainbow is so beautiful that one wants to stare at it forever.

Volume 2 The Witch of the Duke's House

"Wolfred, haven't seen you for three weeks."

A sweet and gentle voice sounded from behind the black fan.

Atya Gastoni.

Of the four ducal families in the country, the Gastoni family is the most powerful. Atya is the mother of the current head of the family.

When she was in her forties, her husband died of illness, and her son succeeded her to the Dukedom. However, her son was still young, so she and her uncle assisted her son and attended various social events.

Etaea's beauty never fades, her age completely invisible. Whether due to her appearance or the power she wields, people privately call her the "Witch of House Gastoni."

It was widely rumored among the nobles that Atya and Wolf were very close.

Wolff did visit Eteya's residence frequently.

He also came to her today wearing black silk clothes.

"Wolfred, is there anything happy happening lately?"

A slightly deep female voice sounded slowly.

She had dazzling long golden hair, slightly curled and spread across her porcelain skin, which was wrapped in a black dress. Her deep emerald eyes were covered with long, thick eyelashes, making them look a little sleepy.

"Feiryuu took me on a vacation."

"Yes, I heard that. It's exciting and fun, but don't overdo it."

Atya lowered her fan and smiled sweetly on her orange-red lips.

"How has Madam Atya been doing lately?"

"As usual. But... I'll have to ask you to pick me up at the dinner again."

"Are there annoying little birds around you again?"

"You could say that."

Wolff's job was to pick up Atya in her carriage when she attended a dinner party at someone else's house. After returning to the mansion, they would sometimes drink wine, and sometimes just go back to their rooms.

The next morning, Wolfe only needed to ride Etaea's carriage back to the royal city to create rumors that would benefit both parties.

"What about you? Are you still as easily tempted by romantic interests as before?"

"...No, something happened. Now I finally dare to go out on the street alone."