Act 5: Chapter 8: Unpleasant Visitor

Act 5: Chapter 8: Unpleasant Visitor

「I see... Pencil already exists huh.」

「Yes, but since the core material, which is the graphite is pretty rare, Kanata-san must've the impression that it's never made before right? It's actually made before, and really expensive, not even I have that.」

Mel cocked her head as she replied upon hearing my words.

「I mean look, it needs a really huge and heavy mineral to be made. And if it got a crack, it can't be used anymore.」

「I see... In that case, we can make it cheaper by using alchemy to put together the broken pieces or make it using a completely different material. And by the way, is something to erase pencil has been created?」

「Uhm... I've never made a pencil before. Ah, I've heard that you can erase it with bread.」

「I see, meaning that we can cross the eraser from the list too.」

I crossed the word "Eraser" from the list of products written on the paper.

Gramophone and motor were written in the list but, I crossed those first since I had no idea if it was possible to create those from scratch.

While we had such a conversation, Philia who couldn't follow such a difficult conversation had already departed to the dreamland.

「Uh... Sorry, Pomera has never heard about those items before...」

Pomera who had no idea about what we were talking about also had an extremely confused look on her face.

「Uhm, I see.」

And though Rosemonde threw some appropriate words every once in a while, the sour look on her face made it clear that she also had no idea what we were talking about.

It seems she felt responsible for making me help Mel and trying to follow our conversation till the end.

Her prideful nature prevents her from backing off.

But, it wasn't Pomera and Co's fault if they were confused about our conversation.

One needs a flexible mind and broad knowledge to hear about the civilization of my world and connect it with this world.

Rosemonde's evaluation of Mel in this regard was correct, Mel did prove herself as a genius.

If I was out in her shoes, I would be left in an extremely confused state without understanding anything.

In the first place, Mel was the only one among the four native Locklore gathered in this place who knew that pencil had existed in this world too.

「Development aside, I think Mel-san has to raise her proficiency in alchemy.」

After talking with Mei, I realized that Locklore lacked the finishing touch for the product that had already been available.

That was only natural since the convenient product in Japan was something that was remade and developed over and over again over decades, or hundred years.

Take pencils for example, maybe not even Japan would make them by shaving the existing graphite.

As long as we knew the direction, even the hidden technique for the finishing touch that became the secret of the company could be replaced by alchemy.

「Uhm... But, even if I raise my alchemy skill, I don't think that'll be enough to lift me up from hot water. Not to mention that it can't be learnt within a si—」

As for canning, though we still had no idea what to insert in the can, as long as the technique existed in this world, it would surely be caught the eyes of the other store.

We could even make preserved food by stuffing the items bought outside.

The problem was... It took time for it to become famous.

「No, let's go with ballpoint and bicycle! I think I can make it!」

「... I'm not sure about it, it seems rather difficult for me.」

「Please... Please let me do it! I need impact to win against that trashy swindler Wontz! I'll need something that can attract everyone's attention first regardless of their usability!」

I understand her point but, that was quite a difficult story.

「But thanks to Kanata-san and co, I started to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel! I'm sure that I can win with this! My very being is brimming with inspiration! My brain is all fired up! Together, nothing can beat us! Let's become multi-millionaires and take control of Polorock!」

I didn't have such a dream though...

The moment I was about to answer Mel, there was a sound coming from the entrance of the store.

It was the bell installed at the door that made a sound when the door was opened or closed.

「I-It's a guest! Wait a minute, I'll see the situation a little bit!」

Mel said as she stood up delightfully and trotted toward the storefront.

After that, the sound of the door closing vigorously resounded in the store.

It was obviously done deliberately.

「C-Could it be that something happened over there? I'll go first to see the situation.」

I decided to go with Rosemonde to see the situation.

「Good day and long time no see, Mel-san. How's the condition of your store?」

The visitor was a skinny guy whose eyes screaming "I'm a swindler".

He was well groomed and wore neat attire as well.

Standing behind him was a beardy, strong-looking man.

A sword strapped on that man's waist.

It seems the strong-looking man was his bodyguard.

「L-L-L-Long time no see, Wontz-san!」

Mel bowed her head again and again with a stiff smile plastered on her face.

It seems the skinny man was the trashy swindler called Wontz.

And Mel's brave tone from a while ago was nowhere to be seen.