Hi, Mr. Tar, good to see you. How nice of you to let me use the Farenheit, huh?

　Mr. Hetty, who was having a strategy meeting with Rebecca and the others over there, came over and smiled at Evta.
　Hetty likes to call people by their nicknames. It's a good thing that you've got a good idea of what you're looking for, because you're going to be able to find it difficult to maintain your dignity as a member of the original family. ...... No, I don't remember Evta originally acting alone.
　But the Farenheit?
　There must be a Celsius at the head office.

'Sister, give me a break ....... When you get a message like that, you have no choice but to come. The fuel consumption of this thing is also bad ....... Oh, Farenheit was lent to me as soon as I told my brother about the situation.

　I believe it was the second son of the Solo family who was in charge of Marichella. I think it was ...... where the eldest son is still in charge of the main store in the Imperial City as the heir apparent. I don't remember if I'm not too interested.
　Hetty must have been at least older than the second son.
　I can't go against my sister. All things being equal.

'Heh. Do you think her training at Marischera has softened her up a bit, too?
That's because we all know what you're capable of and we're scared to death of you, yada yada yada yada!

　Hetty doing a grizzly to Efta's temple with her fist.
　You're a good sister and brother, aren't you?

Didn't you ever wonder why you're so scared of your sister when you got her all these years ago?
My sister is at .......

　Efta stammered for a moment.

'What, is there something you have to say?
'Sis ...... I wasn't at the funeral, but did you know that Uncle Dida died?'

　Dida's name came up unexpectedly.
　No, it's not surprising. ─ I've heard of him, of course.

I've heard of it, for the most part. ─ I've heard a lot about it, but that man was on a vendetta against you, you know.
They were all buzzing about how she finally did it.

　What?

'Oh. That's funny, didn't that guy just go out of control and die?
The paperwork may have been handled that way, but if your uncle died a strange death in Elisheh, where your sister is, you can't blame them for suspecting you of involvement, can you?
I'm innocent. Well, I don't really care one way or the other.

　In fact, Miss Hetty is innocent.
　I'm sure she helped me, but it was Aeon and I who actually did the work.

...... Well, as expected, there's no proof, and Dad didn't want to take a chance with his sister, so the matter went on its way. But ...... he was pretty pissed off about it. Uncle Dida was a good friend of his, and he was very helpful to him in his shenanigans. You might want to be a little careful.

　If he was angry, does that mean, from a solo dad perspective, that someone else killed him, even if it wasn't Mr. Hetty, that it's confirmed ......?
　It's not my intention to contradict the actual innocent Mr. Hetty in that case. At worst, it might be better to look at the possibility of setting things up with the Solo family.

　However, the alibi was supposed to be close to perfect, but he hadn't expected Ms. Hetty to be suspected.
　Hetty-san has a powerful military force to begin with, and furthermore, she is at odds with her parents' family, so is it natural to say that it is ......?

''Um, Evta-san. Is it true that Dida-san is dead?
'It's true. They were found dead in an inn in the next town to Elishe.
'Yes. ......?　She's been over here a few times, and wasn't she supposed to be a support person for Deanna's guidance?　In fact, they hadn't done anything with it yet.

　I'm just here to interrupt you.
　Officially, I've only met with you two or three times since you said you were going to be a support person.

That's what I've been saying. 'Oh, do you know anything about that, Jiro? When was the last time you saw him?
The last time I saw you was during the parade with the knights. I haven't seen you in a while, and I said a few words of greeting to you and I haven't seen you since. That man, who claimed to be a support person, never showed his face at all.
'I was a self-serving person. To tell the truth, I didn't think I could do a decent job in a supportive role either. I may have to apologize to Jirou-san for that.

　It's no good.
　In fact, it was pretty bad.

So how did he die?　You don't really think Mr. Hetty killed him, do you?

　I ask in a sensible and good-natured sort of way.

'The cause is apparently an outburst of magical equipment. 'I can't give you any details,'
So it was an accident. I'm sorry for your loss.

　Efta was giving me a slightly quizzical look, but I let it pass.
　A person died in a place that had nothing to do with it. There is no proof. I don't care.

'Mr. Tarr, we can talk about Uncle Dida another night, but let's take care of business first.

　Mr. Hetty changed the subject forcefully.
　It's not as if Evta is suspicious of Dida. There is no benefit to me in killing him.

Oh, yes. I'm sure you've got some guidance for me, right, Mr. Jirou?
'Yes, that's right. It's been on the table for a long time now, but it's called 'Doing Business with the Imperial Merchant. I mean, we want to do business with Mr. Efta.
''I understand. --But is the equivalent of 100 spirit stones insane?　You can't possibly--

　I asked Efta to bring back 100 spirit stones for this deal.
　They are worth about 300 million yen. That's a lot of money for a private transaction.

''Sanity is also sanity. Of course, that is if you can make good use of them. And of course you're bringing it to me, right?
I can't not bring it to you if you ask me.

　The spirit stones are said to be loaded on the airship.
　Because 100 spirit stones are too heavy for you to carry around.

Well, let's get right into business. Please wait for me while I prepare.

　I set the things I had prepared for the business meeting (the products) on a huge table set up in the square.

'...... By the way, is this the Hitotsudzuki's preparation ......?'

　Efta says, looking at the great work that is going on in the square.
　Dirt is being dug up, sandbags are being piled up, and the yagura is being assembled.
　The work is being done by the dwarves, female knights, and golems working together.
　I hired a good number of people and feet for this purpose.
　I've also hired a good number of people to help me with this. The level of perfection is quite high, if I do say so myself.

Oh, it's going to be a bit of a rush job this time.
You still don't know what kind of buntings you got this time?
It's still in the realm of possibility, but I heard it could be a "tour of the gods".

　What we were talking about and putting together was finished.

'What is this?　Are you suggesting that we sell this for 100 spirit stones?　It's certainly an item I've never seen before: ......

'No, this is more of an idea than ....... Not just this one, of course, but first things first.

　I flipped the switch.
　The thing starts to click on the curving rails, building a plastic squeaking sound.
　Round and round. Two laps.
　The plastic rail runs.
　A toy toy that resembles a steam train runs.

　What I'm showing Evta is a plastic rail, a plastic toy for children.
　I bought a set of rails and a train at a toy store. It's battery-operated, so it works fine here too.
　So what I'm trying to sell is the concept of a train and its power.
　I'm thinking of selling an invention that could revolutionize the transportation industry in the future: the steam engine.

　Steam engines and locomotives.
　It's the one that needs no explanation. There is still a locomotive in my home town, so I have seen and ridden in one.
　However, the influence of fumes is severe, and nowadays they are mostly used as a sightseeing item and the fare is quite high. The fuel is also coal or coke, and the cost seems to be higher than the train. The efficiency of the trains is probably not good either.

　However, there is clean energy in this world.
　It's the fuel used in Luklaera, the fruit of the fire.
　We use them in our mansion as well, but they don't emit any soot and have a lot of heat, yet they are a cheat plant that can be grown normally.
　I don't know if there is fossil fuel in this world or not, but if we use it as a fuel, it is not a problem for the time being.
　In fact, there is no doubt that the cultivation of firefruit will be the core industry of the future. Even now, it seems to be cultivated quite intensively, but it's inevitable that it will be in short supply.
　It's more like I might as well start cultivating fire nuts.

　Efta was still staring at the plastic rail that just kept spinning in circles.
　There is no concept in this world of a car running on a train ...... rail, at least not on a practical level.
　The concept of the railroad was originally born out of mining, it seems. In other words, it's a trolley that carries mined ore. It is said that at first the rails were made of wood.
　But in the country's largest mining town of Luklaera, such a thing did not exist at all.

　I wordlessly lifted the train and gently put it back on the rails in the opposite direction.
　The train began to spin around again in silence.
　A small "Oh ......" exhale escaped Efta's mouth.

'Of course we can carry people too, or we can use it as a freight train. Just connecting the three cities of Imperial City, Marischera, and even Elishe would have immeasurable economic benefits. Also, if you build a station along the way, you can find .......

...... Did you think of this, Mr. Giraud?

　Ehta said without taking his eyes off the spinning plastic rail.
　I replied curtly.

'The idea is, yes. In addition, I've invented the power to operate this thing. This time I'm hoping to sell that to you in the crowd as well. This is something that will be of no use to you unless you sell it to a place with some power.
'So that's 100 spirit stones: ......
It's a small price to pay, right?
...... It's not cheap. ...... I'm not sure if I'm allowed to settle at my discretion. ......

　100 spirit stones is about 300 million yen, to put it simply.
　It's not a large amount of money when you consider it's a large company's project, but it's certainly not an amount of money to do a contract with an individual like me.
　But this is a watershed moment. Not mine or Evta's, but this world's.
　In a world where magic makes life moderately convenient, there's no doubt that we've been able to live comfortably under the protection of the gods for the past thousand years without any major inventions.
　Because 1,000 years is a long time. In Japan, it's the Heian period.
　That is to say, in a thousand years, this world should have developed at the same level as the earth.
　Of course, I understand that it's not so easy in the world where there are monsters and things like that. I understand, but we still don't even have a steam engine in this world. We don't even have a steam engine in this world.
　It's probably the same level of civilization as it was in the game world, and it's been a non-evolving game world for years.
　I wouldn't say that's a bad thing. There are many aspects to the evolution of a civilization, so I'm too stupid to judge it as such.
　I even feel that the correctness of human activity in the true sense of the word is more here than on earth.
　In a literal sense, this world managed by "God" is a much gentler world than Earth.

　So I don't know what would happen to a single steam engine if it collapsed.
　It could be a steampunk world with steam and magic, or it could be out of date sooner than you might think, without taking root.
　It could even trigger a larger war.
　But that's for the people who live in this world to decide.

The real thing would have to be much larger ...... as wide as two adults with their arms outstretched, since this train is only a model. It will take a lot of money, but it won't be a technical problem. I also made a sample of the rail.

　I put down the rail with a thud.
　It was a used rail that I brought in for the big master as iron material. Of course, I cut them to a size that is easy to use, so I explain it as such.
　It was a real Japanese rail, so it would make a great sample.
　The rail is laid with sleepers and pebbles on it.
　I need to study the materials used. You don't need to be concerned about iron, as long as the original material from another world can serve its purpose.

''So, the power in question is this.

　I put down the model of a wattage steam engine that I had built over night (purchased at Amazon).
　It's a so-called "steam engine".
　I put an alcohol lamp under the flask and started to heat up the water.
　As the water boils, the engine begins to spin around.
　Ehta is watching it all the time.

'This is just a sample of a sample, but I've prepared a separate blueprint. It may take some effort to bring it to the practical stage, but this power can be handled by anyone with water and fire, and the power is strong. It is not even comparable to the current mainstream horse. Of course, it can also be used for other purposes than powering vehicles.

　The steam engine has a few weaknesses, but this world can cover both of them.
　Fire berries are clean energy that doesn't produce soot (we don't know what the exhaust components are, but given the way this world was built, there's zero chance of a bad substance being released), and water can be produced out of nothing if you're a magician. Of course, if you can successfully build a condenser that turns steam back into water, you won't need that much water, but it's not going to work that well to begin with.
　If you have a blueprint and an engineering vocation who can understand it, you may be able to make a practical level one in a short time. The logic is not so difficult to understand.

'Everyone will be able to move from city to city at the speed of the airship that Mr. Efta has been riding in,' he said. The efficiency of transporting goods will be incomparable. You could call it a social revolution. It could be used not only as a locomotive, but also to power ships.

　Now that I've already given the story so far, I had to make sure that Evta would buy it.
　Besides, I had a personal thought that once the train was laid down, it would be easier to go to the Imperial Capital and Marischera for sightseeing.
　Well, there's a scary sister, and above all, it's a deal that was decreed by "guidance". It's unlikely that the deal will break down, even if there is a discount.

...... I'll ask again, did you think of this, Jirou-san?
Yes, sir. Isn't that a great invention?

　I'm going to answer with a bang and my chest. He's a natural born con artist, so he's safe. I'm sorry, Wat, I'm sorry.

'Even if I paid 100 spirit stones here, it would pay for itself as soon as the product is completed. Well, it is expected that building this will make a big difference between towns that have stops and those that don't, so the fare should be higher at first.

　If there is no station, it will go out of business. If it is far from the main road, it will go out of business.
　After all, if you are left out of the flow of people, you will become obsolete.
　However, this is already a kind of social providence, and it is a matter that can only be resigned to the negative effects of convenience.
　Well, even in our present world, there is more than enough disparity. It's too late for that.

...... I didn't expect this kind of business meeting to happen. To be honest, I didn't expect it. I wasn't at peace inwardly wondering if I'd been called in for a money grab.
'No, no, no, no, no, what kind of person am I in Mr. Evta's mind?'
Like a philandering crook.
Harsh!

　But it's about right.
　When you're in the female knightly corps, it's very suspicious.
　Since Hetty, Efta's sister, is also a member, it's possible that she's pissed off inside. Efta looks like a sis-con.

'But it's really amazing. I can't believe they produce power with water and fire. ...... But are you sure you're glad you sold it to me?

'I don't know anyone else who is rich, and what a blessing it is. ...... Oh, but I'll ask you to promise me one thing: you won't use it for anything bad.

　You can use it for as many bad things as you want. I don't particularly want it to be used for war.

Bad things ...... will do good, but I can't promise. It's going to be a big project, and of course it's not necessarily going to be used only for peaceful purposes.
'Mr. Efta should be recognized for making a profit from this steam engine and become the heir to the Solo family. And once you're at the top, no one will have a say in it.
Yeah, yeah!

　It's unclear how high up the pecking order Efta is in the Solo family.
　But he's basically going to have his relatives take over, and it's not hard to get over it with at least two brothers.
　There should be a good enough chance.

'Oh, great, that's a good one. Wouldn't the country be better off if you were to take over, Tar, rather than the two idiots above you?　If you're up for it, I'll support you.
"Hey, ......, take your sister to .......
I think we should go that route. For my part, it is more convenient for me to have my acquaintance Evta-san as a successful merchant. You see, it's just a matter of guidance for us. Hahaha.
'Shh, but ....... ...... No, can you do it ......?　Surely your brothers have only safe jobs and ......?

　Efta is puzzled, but seems to be unsurprisingly unconcerned.
　He seems to have some upward mobility in his own right. Well, just because he's the third son, doesn't mean he has to be the little brother all the time.
　If it's something that seems to be within his reach, he can just reach out.

　After that, the business meeting with Efta was successfully concluded and I got 101 spirit stones.
　From now on, it's up to him how Efta handles his inventions.
　I think he'll do well.



　◇◆◆◆◇



　Finally everything was ready and I was in my room setting up the bulletin board for the first time in a while.
　The time is 22:00.
　I'm going to go to bed early for tomorrow, but I'm going to give a little report on the board.

　I'm not going to die in that world, he said.
　All the members of the knight squad are also registered with the clan.
　So I'm sure I can clear it without anyone dying. Even if we don't clear it, at least we'll be able to survive on our own.
　However, we didn't try that. We didn't confirm it by dying.
　So there's a chance that if we die, we won't end up resurrected or anything like that.
　I thought about that possibility and wrote a will. When I die, I will be able to leave 100 million yen to my family, so it's a little bit like filial piety.
　If I put it in a drawer in my desk, if I die, people will find it for me.
　But, well, of course, I don't intend to die. That's why I sold my knowledge to Efta.
　Well, with a hundred spirit stones, I'll be able to get by indeed.