That day, Xelloss was disassembling the Air Rider in his living room.
　This is not an exaggeration to say that this is a hobby, but a kind of disease that develops from curiosity in the name of romance.
　Technical intellectual curiosity and passion in the name of playfulness scorch one's body, and when the spice of killing time is added, it causes one to run wild.
　He finishes his work in the field early in the morning, attends to the training of the cockerels, and after a light breakfast, laughing like a mad scientist, he disassembles the Air Rider and records its structure on the clipboard.
　With a big smile on his face, he manipulated the tools with the pure curiosity of a child and grasped the internal structure like a scientist dissecting an unknown organism.
The Air Rider is similar to a motorcycle in appearance and structure.
　It is equipped with a semi-gravitational magic irradiation device at the bottom, and is propelled forward by aero jets at the rear.
　The power output can be changed by twisting the handlebar grip, and if you still can't stop, the air jet nozzle in the front will slow you down. The structure itself is simple.
　The problem is the semi-gravity magic formula.
　It was engraved inside a large crystal at the bottom, and the magic formula was terribly precise.
　It was made with such precision that even Xelloss could not have made something like this, and it was almost a black box. The technology was too different.

It's impossible to replicate ....... It seems that the magic formula of semi-gravity magic is transmitted to each crystal, and the magic is launched downward, how long will the dwell time be?

　As long as it's a magic-powered machine, it has an activity time.
　If you're not sure what to do, you can always ask for help. As long as we can't determine the safety aspect, we can't do anything rash.
　That's what most people would think, but we're hobbyists here.
"Safety?　What is that, is it good? He is a weirdo who acts on the spur of the moment, and smashes the scene with a flurry of energy. There is no way such a person can do a proper system analysis.

Well, let's just keep the black box and replace the magic projection crystal. It's cracked, so let's just get more than one. ......

The Air Rider is reasonably large.
　It's about three meters long. Most of it is occupied by the magic power tank, the control system is completely integrated, and the thrusters and other parts are surprisingly small and can be replicated.
　The frame had to be rebuilt, but somehow it seemed that it could be mounted on the [Waste No. 13].
　And like a doctor performing a transplant operation, he had already begun the installation process.

The magic tanks were compressed, and magic projectile crystals were added. If the aero-thrusters were attached to the weapon shield, it would be possible to fly. But then you won't be able to use the built-in weapons. ......

　Based on the currently completed 【Waste No. 13】, the frame design has been completely redesigned.
　I envisioned how it would look with external equipment installed, and drew out the modifications on a piece of paper.
The simple installation structure of the built-in equipment of the [Air Rider] can be used as additional parts for the [Waste No. 13], and since it is a large motorcycle, there is room for additional equipment.
The parts of the Air Rider are often small, lightweight, and compact, and this is one of the great things about the old magical civilization.
　However, due to the change in the frame structure, the motor must be installed in the rear wheel in order to ride it as a motorcycle.
　It was originally an off-road type bike, but due to the changes in the frame, the shape of the bike became more like a battle bike that might appear in some anime.

I'm not a cyborg, though. I don't want to mount a turret on the back, it would be unbalanced.

　The resulting design was a jet-black motorcycle with a sharp-edged form.
　The result was a jet-black motorcycle with a sharp-edged form. The design completely ignored the background of the time period, and was more suited to the image of a motorcycle blasting down the highway with the skyscrapers of the future in the background, rushing to the scene of evil, knocking down the enemy in a violent battle, and dashing away.
　Or it looks like something a hero of the dark side would ride, but it would no longer be able to run through the woods.

Now, let's get on with the work.

　The old man continued to work on the bike without resting on his hands.
　The price would be ridiculously high, as it would be made from the scales and shells of black dragons. At the time, I had no idea that a single bike would become the equivalent of a small country's national budget.
　As I have said many times, the old man is a man of hobby.
　Incidentally, the name of this bike has been changed from "Waste No. 13" to "Azi Daqaha".
　A man can never forget his boyish heart.

　This is a very good story.

"Huh~......

　It was the sisters, Lusay and Luceris, who let out a deep sigh.
　The reason for this is because of their mother, who is well known, and Luceris has been discussing with her about her position in the future, and they have been discussing various opinions and deciding on a policy.
　Rousselis wants to maintain the status quo, and has no desire to return to the royal family even if she is asked to do so now.
　Luceris also wanted to respect her sister's wishes, and had informed the Atollum Empire of her decision via a diplomat, but it was likely to cause many problems.
　The biggest problem was that their mother, Meir Imara, had remarried.
　Her ex-husband, Rahfon Imara, had fallen asleep in shock, and the family had been informed of the uproar. It's been two weeks now, and the fuss is only getting louder.

"Luceris ....... What are you going to do?　I've been asked by my country to return once.
I have no intention of returning. I have found what I want to do, and I don't feel like being called a member of the royal family now. I don't think I can handle a position with such strict rules.
"Your father wants to see you, but at this rate it's impossible. My father wants to see you, but at this rate it's impossible. He'll probably try to keep you with him, and if you go to the Atollum Empire, you won't be able to come back.
"I think it would be unreasonable to force me to do something when I'm not aware of being a member of the royal family. To be honest, I don't like the idea of being forced to educate myself as a member of the royal family.
Well, I guess you're right. Hah ...... I heard that the imperial family is beginning to push each other's responsibilities and is in acrimony. Even if it's self-inflicted, it's a shame. I don't want to leave either.

　The two women talked about the hardships they would face in the future, and they got to know each other surprisingly quickly.
　However, the place where the girls are discussing is...



I wonder why you're asking me for help.　In this case, I can't help you.　Not if the other party is going to attack us with force.
"No, I just wanted to give you my opinion, even if it's something small. ......
I also feel that if I go back to my country now, I will get into a lot of trouble. ......

　In the event that you have any kind of questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.
　The living room of this house is the only place that is far from the color of fantasy.
　The black box of the Air Rider was currently being built, and the semi-gravity magic deployment system and air thrusters were being integrated into the exterior of the weapon shield.
　Everywhere on the frame and primary armor were engraved magic formulas for strengthening magic, and compressed magic tanks were connected by cables. When completed, it will be over five meters in length.

I say ......, but I really don't know how it will turn out. Even if you respect Luceris's opinion, the four gods are still a problem. The Roofail tribe is a creationist religion.
Should we convert them?
It might be better.　That country will be finished soon. The smaller countries around it are looking at it as an enemy, and its diplomacy under the guise of power is under siege and being blocked.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.　They are .......

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
　Today's lunch seems to be an omelette. He seemed to want to eat it for some reason.
　Beside him, freshly made tomato ketchup was boiling in a pot. There is a disadvantage that it does not last long, but the inventory can cover that to some extent.

Do you want the sausage boiled or grilled?　Do you prefer boiled sausage or grilled?
I'll have the grilled one.
Me too. Would it be too much trouble to boil it in a pot now?
Hmm, I'll fry the rice with ketchup, but I'll put ketchup on the eggs too. I should have made some demi-glace sauce.

　The old man, who had been single for a long time, was a reasonably good cook.
　I like my eggs fluffy and thick, but when there are three of us, somehow we all have to wait until the last one is done.
It would have been fine if they had eaten first, but both Luceris and Roussei were very disciplined about waiting.
　As an old man who is planning to cook his own portion last, he feels very sorry during the waiting time. He is a small man.

How are the kids doing?　They were working out with the cocks this morning.
"They seem to be earning money to register with the mercenary guild. Lately I've been wondering if they're deliberately acting like young children.
"Now you mention it. They're pretty well-behaved, aren't they?　They must have learned from their experience as orphans living in the back alleys. They've learned how to catch their opponents off guard. ......
What good is that going to do?　To be honest, I'm not sure.
It's a useful technique for gathering information. Posing as a child who knows nothing and getting the information you want through small talk. It's quite a cunning trick. Commonly used by thieves.

　Mercenaries place a high value on information.
　In the requests posted by the guild, it is often too late for most of them to be killed.
　If you accept a request and go to a remote village, it is likely to have been destroyed before you can fulfill the request. For this reason, it was necessary to obtain information from mercenaries who traveled from place to place.
　Even a small piece of information can be a lifesaver. In this world where there are no vehicles that can move at high speed, one must anticipate the situation before accepting a request and prepare for the unexpected.
　The information you get and the travel time of the mercenary who brought you the information will allow you to predict the possible situation, and if you negotiate with the guild based on your guess, you may get more reward.
　After all, most of the requests from remote villages and towns are for killing. Unexpected events are likely to occur, and rewards will be paid not only by the village or town but also by the lord depending on the situation.
　If a village or town is destroyed, you will be paid even if you just bring the information back to the guild, so it is essential to be able to accurately read the content of the request and accurately predict the situation at the time the request is issued.
　The higher-ranked mercenaries had their own information network.

"Hmm ......, we Lufeyr can fly, so we can shorten the time it takes for information to travel. The accuracy of the information we can pass on is more valuable the faster we can pass it on. But this is not the case for humans. That's why they need a way to get accurate information.
"A mercenary who lives for the day would value information even more. At their age, they can do that. They're quite clever and to the point.

　Most mercenaries stick together and don't trust the rest of the group. But those who do stop at a certain rank and can't move up.
　The rough, unthinking, and self-centered thug mercenaries stay in the lower ranks, while the mercenaries who are able to make informed judgments and accurately fulfill requests with a high rate of achievement and contribution rise to the higher ranks.
　In the end, it is important to be able to win the trust of others. There is no mercenary among them who does not value information.
　The old man did not stop cooking while talking.
　Soon, the omelet for three people was ready.

By the way, we have wine, would you like some?

　It was a kind of aperitif.

"Drinking in the daytime?　Is this a good idea? ...... This seems too extravagant.
What kind of wine is this?　I'm a little picky about wine.


It's something I made myself. It's an ingredient for liqueur potions and mana liqueur potions. I made a little too much before. ......

As the name suggests, liqueur potions and mana liqueur potions are recovery items. It's a material item made from Sword and Sorcery.
　There are many items in the game that are now gathering dust in my inventory. Of course, I also kept a lot of materials for recovery items.
　The old man thought casually, "It's an omelet, so I'd better have some white wine. He casually took out a white porcelain bottle and chilled it with simple ice magic.
　For some reason, he put his wine glass on the table and brought me a freshly made omelet.

"Now, shall we eat?
"I'm sorry. I've never cooked before, so I can't help you. ......
"Well, I haven't been helping either. I'm sorry. ......
Well, don't worry about it. It won't taste good when it's cold.

　As he said this, he uncorked the white porcelain bottle and poured white wine into a wine glass.
　The unique aroma of grapes tickled their nostrils.

It smells good. ......
"Mmm, this is quite good.

　Luceris and Roussei enjoy the aroma of the white wine in their wine glasses and take a sip.

"?

　The taste was indescribably exquisite.
　It was truly indescribable, and I could not help but be astonished at how elegant the taste was.
　It was a top-quality product that even the word "top-quality" was too simple to describe.

"What the heck ...... is this, just one bottle of this wine is enough to tip the country!
"Can I drink this kind of wine ......?　This is ......
You're overreacting.　It's just a potion material.　This is .......

　The old man didn't know what he had gotten himself into.
　Wine has an aging period, and no matter how much it is aged, it will not last eighty years.
　Old wine is aged in barrels, but as time goes by, the amount of wine inside evaporates and the taste diminishes. But the problem is that this is a different world.
　Magic exists in this world, and as the wine ages in the barrel for a long time, the water evaporates, but the ingredients of the wine are refined and the magic contained in the wine is condensed.
　The concentrated magic will eventually begin to attract the magic of the surrounding environment, and this magic will further enhance the taste of the wine. The hundred-year-old wine of the Kingdom of Issaras falls into this category.
　One of the ingredients for the Elixir, which is said to revive even the dead, is this hundred-year-old wine. Red wine is especially effective, and is also called "God's blood" in old pharmacological books.
　Shiro wine can also be used as a material for [Elixir], but it is more effective in restoring magic power, and was used as a material for a magic restoration potion called [Spirit Drop].
　There are only a few of these in existence, and they are rare material items that cannot be easily obtained.

　The wine that Xellos made was based on the concept of "If the more magic power you have, the more effective it is, then why not just condense the magic power from the beginning? The concept was that the more magic power you have, the more effective the wine will be.
　The wine was made from [Elemental Grape] or [Dragon Jade Grape].
　If you made wine with such a material, you would be able to make a high quality wine that contained a much higher concentration of magic power than the [holy water] made in temples. Moreover, the taste would be just like heaven.
　It was as if the two of them had drunk the divine wine called Soma, which was said to be effective against all diseases. It is a holy wine that can make a 900 level undead ascend to heaven in one shot.
　Its medicinal effects were terrifyingly high, and it was also a dangerous drink in many ways.

"Pot, potion ingredients?　Is this ......?
It's halfway to being a "soma," but it's a pretty tasty drink. I think I'll go to the Deep Green Zone next time and look for the ingredients.　You'll never be in trouble no matter how much you have. ......
So, [Soma] ...... is the drink of a legendary god. It is said to heal any sickness in no time at all. ......
What the heck are you making me drink ......?　You can't drink any other liquor if you drink this!
"It's homemade liquor.　You're really overreacting. ......

　The taste of the wine was so strong that they could not taste the omelette.
　It's such a superb wine. It is a sacred wine that is not available to the general public. The old man has a large amount of it, and he is lucky to be alive to drink it.
　If such a thing becomes known to the public, it is a dangerous thing that could start a war among nations for this sake.

Should we not sell it? From the reactions of both of you, I have a feeling that this is a bad idea. ......
That's wise. ....... People will go to any extreme for this wine.
[Soma] ...... What a thing I've drunk. [Soma] ...... aha, ahahahaha ......

　Luceris laughs dryly. Her reaction is normal.
　In the past, soma was so precious that it had to be kept in the back of the country's treasury under strict control, and even in Metis Holy Law God Country, there were only three vials in one place.
　Naturally, no small country would possess them, and even if they did, they would probably be hidden away as a royal secret.
　In any case, the Metis Holy Law Divine Kingdom treats this [Soma] as a holy relic. If they found out that it was being kept in a small country, they would be the first to make up a good reason to invade.
　Even if it is not strictly a [soma], as long as it has similar effects, it can only be a spark for warfare.
　It is very dangerous.

Should I not share it with Naguri and the others?　The dwarves would love it. ......


"I'd rather take it than let them drink it!　They don't know what alcohol tastes like!
That's a terrible accusation. I'm sure even the dwarves know what alcohol tastes like.
"Luceris ....... They'll even drink up industrial fuel alcohol if they have it.　Do you really think they can taste alcohol?
Well, ...... I don't think so.

　For dwarves, liquor is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
　If they get a good bottle, they drink it all right then and there. And they do it with gusto.
　Whether it is fine wine or industrial methyl alcohol, they are a group of drinkers who will drink anything to get drunk. Their motto is, "Drink and drink.

I'm beginning to think it's a waste. They've been drinking every day.

　The proverb "Pearls for pigs" came to the mind of the old man who has known more dwarves than anyone else.
　And he was right.
　He was fed up with the daily revelry at the road construction.
　Thinking of this scene, Xelloss exhaled a sigh and brought a spoonful of omelet to his mouth, when he found a group of children hanging outside the window.
　The naughty kids were hungry again today. 　

　In the end, the old man had to prepare omelette for the children.

　...

　After Luceris and his friends left the house, he had been assembling the "Azi Daqaha" for about three hours, and suddenly, what was on his mind, he went to Creston's house.
　Behind the house is a small forest, and in the middle of the forest is the villa of the Dukes of Solistea.
　It is a very elegant little old castle that is basically self-sufficient in vegetables and has no unnecessary decoration.
　Before the founding of the magical kingdom of Solistair, this castle played an important role as a defense point. This impregnable fortress, built on the drop of a cliff, tells the history of the many bloodshed in this place.
　This is still the case today, but the fact that it has become a strategic point for trade is probably due to the passage of time.
　The Dukes of Solstair warmly welcomed Xellos to their ancient castle.
　He was ushered into the drawing room and waited quietly for Creston to arrive.

'Well, I think I'll put this wine on the table. Share.

　I'm hesitant to give wine to a dwarf, but Creston has no problem with it.
　After all, he's a duke, albeit a former one, and he's taken care of a lot of people. He knows his neighbors very well.
　Ceramic jars lined up. Of course, the mouths are fixed with corks and metal lids. There are five of them in total.
　Creston finally showed up, but for some reason he looked very tired.

"Oh, Lord Xellos. Long time no see!　What's wrong with you today?
What brings you here today?" "I've come across some fine liquor that I'd like to share with you, Mr. Creston. What's happened to you since then?　You look a little worse for wear. ......
I'm sure you're aware of that. I've been retired.

　I'm not sure what to make of that. The Duke of Delsacis is a very busy man.
　I wish I had a subordinate who could match him, but such a person would be in an appropriate position in King's Landing. And old Creston, who had retired, was suffering the consequences.

"Is this what Lord Xellos calls wine?　I'll enjoy it later.
"Well, it's a bit of a special wine, but it's good.
"Well, that will be fun. By the way, Lord Xellos, ......, I have a question for you.
What is it?
Do you have any idea what it takes for a demon to run amok?

　Creston's expression hardened. It is very likely that something serious is going on.

I'm not sure.　Have there been any signs of a stampede?
"Lately, demons seem to be appearing frequently in the territory of the Libald Frontier Count. I've been doing some research while consulting with him, and the number of requests to take down demons has been increasing rapidly.
"Hmm ......, as far as I know ----

[Stampede]. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It can be caused by being chased by a powerful demon.
　The exception to this is when they are expelled from a dungeon, but none of these are easy to cause. There is no such thing as a powerful demon or a food shortage in the realm of countries including the magical kingdom of Solstair, unless a dragon appears.
　In fact, the land is so fertile that it is impossible for demons to starve.
　This would mean that a powerful demon had appeared and chased them, but Creston didn't seem to have heard any such information. The information network of the Dukes of Solistea is not to be underestimated, but this time they did not seem to have any information.

I don't know. The other thing is the Hell's Legion, which is a phenomenon in which a group of demons move around while feeding on the surrounding demons in a state of hunger, but I don't think there are any demons in this area that can run amok like that. Even if there were, it would spread and things would eventually go away.


"Well, ....... Oh, Lord Xellos. ......
Oh, I have a bad feeling about this: ......
"I would like to request you, Lord Xellos, as an S-ranked mercenary, to find out what is causing the demons to appear.　I've got a bad feeling about this,......," he said.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It should have been difficult for a situation to occur where requests for defeating demons were frequently sent out.
　Even if a runaway were to occur, there would be some signs. There are various signs, such as the sighting of a demon that is not normally seen, or the confirmation of several demons that are a little more troublesome.
　Even if an old man can easily win, even a [Goblin King] can be a threat in a region where many human races live, where there are many nations.
　Not many mercenaries are good enough to survive in the Great Dark Green Zone of Far Flan.
In terms of [Sword and Sorcery], they are barely at the intermediate level. In the case of the summoned hero, he has not even left the intermediate level.

The worst ...... you can do is to visit a neighboring country.
I don't care. You can move freely as a mercenary, and if necessary, you can break into Metis Holy God Kingdom without complaint. If it's a request from the Mercenary Guild, that country won't complain.

　The position of a mercenary is relatively free.
　Even if the country they are working in is another country, it is certain that many people have been saved by the work of mercenaries.
　Some of them may be insolent, but they never leave the city where they are based.

An organization that crosses national boundaries? It's a dangerous organization if you think about it.
Each country has its own laws and regulations. The people who cause trouble are either criminals or people who have been kicked out for causing some kind of problem.
Huh. ....... I'm not going to work for a while after this is over, okay?
Hmmm. I'll let Delsasis know. I'll let Delsacis know, but if he doesn't move, I'll make sure he does, no promises. ......
"You're a nasty one. It's all in your hands, isn't it? ...... This is unfashionable.

　For the first time, the old man realized that he was being used for good.
　However, he decided to accept the request because the demon runaway was not a stranger to him and would eventually threaten his own life. He decided to accept the request because the damage caused by a runaway demon would be much more devastating than expected.
　Back at home, Xellos struggled desperately to complete the "Azi Daqaha".

　...

　There was something running through the streets of the Atrum Empire that was not possible in this world.
　It was, in a word, a car called a [light wagon], and it was driven by a mage.
　In the back seat sat two female mages, boredly watching the scenery through the window.

'Finally, the borders of the Atrum Empire. It used to take us a long time to get there because we had to go around from the Metis Holy Law God Country side, but thanks to this road, we can get there easily.
But it's so boring~Ad-san ....... There are no service areas or drive-ins anywhere.
You can't ask for that in this world. The culture is medieval. ......

　Ad also has production job skills, which he used to create a certain manufacturer's [light wagon].
　The tires were also wrapped with chains to prevent slipping, but they made a noisy noise every time we kept driving. The road surface freezes in the mountainous area, so the driver took measures.

I heard that the town up ahead is a hot spring resort.　A civil engineer from Solistea dug them up.
Seriously?　Germanium?　Maybe it's radium?　Or maybe sulfur. ......
"Lisa ......, there's no way in the world you can analyze the composition of a hot spring. I'm just happy to take a bath, okay?

　There are many types of hot springs, but there is no technology in this world that can provide a complete analysis of the ingredients.
　I'm just happy to rest my body.

I want to soak in an open-air bath while drinking sake.

　Ad's perception of hot springs was that of an old man.
　Ad's perception of the hot spring was that of an old man, but Lisa and Shakti didn't bother to comment. But Lisa and Shakti didn't. They were also looking forward to the hot spring.

"Speaking of alcohol, I heard you sent wine to the allies.
Yeah, a good one, a hundred years old.
"......... What?
Hmm?

　There was a moment of silence in the car.

"Mr. Ad, can you drink ...... hundred-year-old wine?
Isn't the best wine usually thirty years old?
"What?　But I've had a hundred and fifty year old.
Where?
In Sword and Sorcery, a vintage found in a dungeon: ......
"What?


"What?　Did I do something wrong?

　Yes, I was wrong.
　There was no way he could drink a hundred-year-old wine that had been stored in a barrel, let alone one that had been corked and properly stored in a glass bottle.
　And Ad's knowledge was mostly a hazy one.
　If he had read gourmet comics in detail, he might not have been able to do so, but unfortunately he only read shonen manga. Unfortunately, he only read shonen manga, and thought that B-grade gourmet food was good enough for him.
　At this time, Ad realized that he had made a terrible mistake.

"Oh, no. ...... I suggested that we send a hundred-year-old wine to each country. ......
That's not a good idea!　Wine that's been aged in barrels for a hundred years is absolutely terrible!
If it's not good, it's war. Ad-san ......, what are you going to do?　What are you going to do about it? Will it ruin the alliance?
"......

　Ado, I'm in trouble. Well-meaning knowledge gone wrong.
　If the alliance falls apart, the kingdom of Issaras will be destroyed. Worst-case scenario, I'll be a sinner.
　Or worse, many lives would be lost. I can't help but break out in a cold sweat.

"What should I do ......?　What should I do?
Look ahead, look ahead, drive!
There's a carriage, there's a carriage in front of us!

　Ad, I made a terrible mistake.
　But fortunately, this world has its own logic.
　The longer you wait for the wine to mature in the barrel, the better it tastes. The providence itself is fundamentally different from that of Earth.
　Thanks to this, my life was saved by the skin of my neck, but I have no way of knowing that now.
　The [mini-wagon] driven by a panicked Ad snaked its way through the streets.