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

"There are a lot of uneven surfaces outdoors, so it would be better if the stove bottom could be non-slip."

"Is it okay to draw a jagged line on the bottom?"

"That's very labor-intensive and doesn't have any anti-slip effect."

"Otherwise, use Kraken tape to prevent slipping."

"That'll be expensive. Don't use monster materials. It's better to use anti-slip material made from jelly beans."

Gummy candy is a plant whose fruit looks like gummy candy. After the fruit is boiled, dried and cut, it can be used as material.

It's very flexible and should stop slipping if used on slippery surfaces. Unfortunately, it breaks down very quickly.

"Gummy feet are easy to break, right?"

"If it breaks, just replace it. You can make four holes in the bottom of the oven and insert the candy cane into them, so users can replace it themselves."

"Ah, that's a great idea! This way we'll have a regular income from parts."

The cheese gradually melted in the wine, releasing a unique aroma. Wolff adjusted the heat to prevent the cheese from burning, then placed the skewers of sausage and white bread into the cheese pan and demonstrated to the others.

After listening to the instructions, Ivano tried it carefully.

"This pot is really too small..."

"Young people eat a lot... so it's better to make it retractable."

Placing the bread sticks in the cheese pan immediately reveals how shallow the pan is.

Fermo also had a piece of white bread with cheese on it, which tasted good, but his mind was full of the telescoping pan.

"Ms. Dahlia, the bottom of the stove won't get hot, right?"

"Yes, I put in a reflective material specifically for fire magic stones, so the heat will only be transferred upwards. But after a while, the whole furnace will become warm."

"Is that so? Then we don't have to worry about fire."

Ivano turned the sausage over and was relieved to hear the answer.

If used inside a tent, fire is a real concern. For safety reasons, reflective materials must be installed.

"Don't you have campfires on expeditions? I thought you guys would light a fire every day to ensure safety."

"It's half and half. Sometimes, lighting a fire will attract monsters, and I won't light a fire in places where fires are likely to start. I can't light a fire in the rain or in swamps either."

"Are monsters attracted to fire?"

"Most of those attracted here are those who want to eat people, or those who have never seen people and fire and come out of curiosity. However, there are exceptions. Giant moths are attracted to light at night, so we dare not light fires where giant moths are present."

"Is the giant moth really that huge?"

"They're half my size. If it's just one, I can take it down with one sword, but if there are too many, it's going to be troublesome."

Half Wolfe's height was about one meter. How terrifying would a swarm of moths that size be? Dalia shuddered at the mere thought. Firmo's face turned pale, his mouth pursed.

"Um, Mr. Fermo, are you afraid of moths?"

"...It would be best if all the giant moths died."

"Is this so annoying?"

"I once went to Xishan and forgot to bring insect repellent. Moths got stuck to my body. It was so itchy..."

"The giant moth's scale powder is poisonous. It's extremely itchy when you touch it..."

Wolfe's expression of disgust matched Fermo's. It looked like it was really itchy.

"Is it that itchy?"

"Whenever I touch the scales, it itches like being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes!"

"I once had scale powder sprinkled on my head. It was so itchy that I wanted to pull all my hair out."

"Wow……"

Dalia felt very uncomfortable just by hearing it.

She reminded herself that she must never forget to bring insect repellent and antipruritic medicine when going to the mountains.

"Oh, that just occurred to me! There's a mass-market anti-itch ointment that comes in a collapsible metal container. Could the pot be made to resemble that collapsible part?"

"The ointment container...ah, it's 'Magic Steel Slag'! Is it a gray material with some black sand mixed in?"

"Yes, so it's called 'Magic Steel Slag'?"

Metal that is imbued with magic to increase its durability is called "Magic Steel."

Magical steel slag is made by melting down unused scraps of materials and magical tools. While this treatment leaves little or no magic behind, it's difficult to re-enchant, making it significantly cheaper than magical steel.

"But I heard that magic steel slag is not suitable for storing food..."

"As long as the surface treatment is done properly, turning it into a pot shouldn't be a problem. I've used magic steel slag to make the lining of a kettle before. However, only a magic tool master can do the folding and laminating process... If you want durability, use the sticky magic steel slag."

Dahlia hadn't expected this.

Changing the shape of the magic steel slag requires the magic of a magic tool master, and making it into a pot requires the processing skills of a craftsman.

Therefore, the retractable pot of magic steel slag requires the cooperation of magic tool masters and craftsmen to make it.

“How much will this cost?”

Ivano's voice rang out mercilessly.

Ultimately, the biggest hurdle is cost.

Whether in the past or present, cost must be taken into consideration when making products.

She really wants to do whatever she wants without being restricted by budget and materials, but the reality is that there is no such good thing.

"It will be twice as much metal as we use now..."

"There aren't many materials that are both light and bendable, so choosing magic steel slag might be the right choice. Let's think again about whether to order materials in bulk to control the price or reduce other costs."

"That's right. Anyway, let's sort out the areas that need improvement and give it a try."

"Mr. Fermo, I'd like to discuss surface treatment methods with you. I apologize for disturbing you during your busy schedule."

"Yes, no problem. I can always make time. Feel free to ask."

As Fermo and Dalia were talking, smoke was coming out of the stove beside them.

"This stove has quite a powerful fire."

Seeing that the bone-in sausage was about to burn, Dalia quickly asked the other three to pick up their plates and forks.

Everyone chose to drink black ale first, and she handed the small bottle directly to everyone.

"Uh, let's toast to the Chamber of Commerce's impromptu exchange meeting and wish everyone good luck tomorrow."

"Cheers to the Roseti Chamber of Commerce!"

She hurriedly led the toast, but fortunately she managed to act serious.

It's a little difficult to eat a sausage on the bone gracefully.

Dahlia gave up the thought and took a big bite of the sausage, the hot gravy spreading in her mouth. To avoid being burned, she took a sip of dark ale after swallowing the sausage.

The black ale dilutes the spicy black pepper, the tongue tastes the meaty aroma, and the throat feels the bitterness and coolness of the beer. There is an indescribable wonderful feeling under the blue sky.

"Wow, this is awesome! Eating and drinking outdoors in broad daylight, such a treat!"

"Mr. Ivano, would you like another sausage on the bone?"

"Thank you! I'm welcome!"

"...Mr. Ivano, weren't you just lamenting your protruding belly in the carriage?"

"I'd forgotten about that a long time ago. Ah, that black ale is so delicious!"

Ivano laughed off Fermo's warning and drank the dark ale happily.

Wolff, who was standing next to him, had finished his beer and opened some white wine.

"Ivano, dry white wine and bone-in sausages go really well together."

"Eh, really? Miss Dahlia, can I have a bottle of white wine too?"

"sure."

“You guys…”

Fermo sat down at the edge of the tarp.

It's really pleasant to drink dark ale in the yard with a gentle breeze.

However, there is still much to consider regarding expedition furnaces, and it is too early to get excited.

He was thinking back to what they had just discussed and thinking seriously about the surface processing method when the red-haired woman came over with a cup and a plate, smiling.

"Mr. Fermo, please have some white wine and bone-in sausages. They go really well together."

“…Thank you.”

He took the white wine and bone-in sausage and had to admit that the taste really went together.

"Excuse me, Miss Dahlia! Can I have some water? I think I've had too much to drink."

"Okay, I'll bring some other drinks."

Dahlia smiled and walked towards the Green Tower. Wolfe wanted to follow her, but Ivanor pulled his sleeve and whispered to him:

"Mr. Wolfe, wait a moment."

"What's wrong?"

"I have a way to lower the price. Just like with the dry insoles, we can sign a long-term contract with the monster-slaying team. That way, we can also sign a long-term contract with the material supplier and get a bigger discount. Please help introduce it to the captain."

"Okay. I was planning on showing the expedition furnace to the captain anyway, and I'll mention it to him soon."

"Could you please demonstrate the expedition oven when the dry insoles are officially delivered?"

"I don't know about that... I don't have the authority in that area."

Wolff's expression turned serious. While he could introduce it to the captain, formally presenting it to the entire team was another matter.

He is Chikai, not a cadre, and has no right to decide whether the exhibition can be held.

"If the team members' response isn't good, could you please put in a few kind words for the captain privately? Say, 'Perhaps our knight order should be the first to procure expedition furnaces before other nations do.'"

"What's the meaning?"

"Knights' expeditions aren't necessarily for monster subjugation; they could also be due to interpersonal conflicts. If I advertise that 'expedition stoves can be used anywhere, don't produce much smoke, and won't leave cooking marks during marches,' other organizations might buy from us in bulk. If we're only considering the Chamber of Commerce itself, selling to foreigners wouldn't be a problem."

The more Wolff listened, the uglier his expression became.

"...Ivanor, have you told Dahlia this?"

"That's unnecessary. Any product depends on what the user thinks of it. As long as we make a useful product, it will definitely attract attention. This furnace can be used as a military device, but it can also be used maliciously. So for the sake of the Chamber of Commerce and Miss Dahlia's safety, I hope to cooperate with the Knights as soon as possible."

"I understand. I'll do my best. Just tell me if you have any questions."

"Okay. Oh, sorry to hold you back. It's hard for Ms. Dahlia to carry the drinks by herself. Go help her."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Wolff nodded, put down his glass, and walked towards the green tower.

Ivano glanced at his back out of the corner of his eye and stretched himself.

"...Hey, what do you want?"

"Ah, Mr. Fermo, did you hear that?"

Fermo spoke from behind, and Ivano didn't turn around and took out two bottles of dark ale from the ice bucket.

"You made me hear it on purpose. Anyway, once the small stove becomes commonplace among the Knights, it will soon be discovered by other countries."

"That's right. Cooperating with the Knights is like advertising in advance. Just treat the rest of this as my own monologue. I really hope Mr. Wolfe can gain the captain's trust, remove his red armor soon, and move up the ladder to mediate on behalf of our guild."

It sounded like a joke, but for some reason, Fermo knew he was serious.

"Mr. Ivano, aren't you rushing too fast by yourself? Be careful not to fall."

"I admit I was a bit anxious. So I need your help in case someone cries after I fall."

Although his voice was filled with laughter, his deep blue eyes looked at Fermo tentatively.

"Even in such a dangerous situation, aren't you worried about the 'woman you're obsessed with'?"