“…Hey, it looks like it’ll take some time to complete. Is that okay?”

On the way back from the workshop where we placed our order, Zighart suddenly asked as if recalling something.

What I ordered was 20 figurines of monsters and beasts and one shelf.

The shelf was a high-end piece with glass doors, and together with the figurines, it came to two gold coins.

I don’t know if that’s expensive or cheap, but for me, it seemed reasonable.

The production period would take about two months.

The figurines themselves could be completed in about a month if worked on intermittently.

However, the workshop we just visited doesn’t handle glass, and apparently, glass isn’t produced in Riana either, so they’ll have to order it through a trading company from another territory.

During the old Lutrol era, this town had several woodworking workshops, but when it became part of Riana’s territory, the workshops were consolidated.

Instead of just purchasing lumber, they start from processing logs, and by consolidating into a larger workforce rather than operating smaller workshops, they can work more efficiently.

Apparently, since the current master and head craftsman were part of the same original workshop, there wasn’t much friction during the merger.

Even with those connections, this was the fastest they could do.

To make it faster than this…

“Hmm? Ah…well, it can’t be helped. I don’t feel right using the Lord’s name for something that’s just a hobby purchase…”

Using Seriana or Liesel’s name might have allowed for some extra leeway.

I doubt either of them would get angry over something like that.

But since it’s not something absolutely essential, I plan to just wait normally this time.

“More importantly, what did you order, Zigh? You seemed to be making some pretty detailed specifications…”

What Zighart ordered was U-shaped and E-shaped desks and shelves, down to precise height and width measurements.

There were several of them, and it didn’t seem like they were for home use.

“The desks are for use in the underground workspace. The ones we’re using now are standard sizes for the Magic Guild or alchemists, but…with the increase in larger materials, likely due to the nature of this magic-filled land, we’ve started using parts that we would normally discard. Unlike the dismantling area at the Adventurer’s Guild, it’s not convenient to work with them here.”

“Huh… So, there are standards for sizes like that?”

Even though they’re not machine-made, they’ve standardized the sizes…

I’m not underestimating them or anything, but this world occasionally surprises me with its progressive ideas in unexpected areas.

“It’s a carryover from the ‘Sage’s Tower.’ Fiora was the one who designed the underground facility, right? The equipment is high-quality, but the tables and boxes weren’t chosen with care… Now that it’s up and running, there’ll probably be more people using it. I plan to reorganize the storage room and prepare another workspace.”

“Interesting.”

It’s a gathering point for all sorts of things, after all.

No wonder it’s starting to feel cramped.

The underground facility is no longer a secret.

That doesn’t mean it’s open to the public, though—it connects to important facilities and the Lord’s mansion, so outsiders aren’t easily allowed in.

Even the craftsmen, I assume.

That’s probably why Zighart went to the workshop himself.

“It was a good opportunity for me to visit the workshop anyway.”

He said that with a smile.

Remembering the scene at the workshop…yeah, he was a hit there.

Even though no one called out to him on the way back or to and from the workshop, residents were sneaking glances at him.

When I’m moving around alone, no one does that, so it must be Zighart they’re interested in.

Even though his outfit doesn’t stand out, he’s still recognizable.

How do they know it’s him without photos?

…Now that I think about it, I don’t know much about daily life in this world.

Do they spread information through chit-chat at the village well?

I might ask the maids at the mansion about it sometime.

◇

Chatting leisurely, we entered the noble district, and instead of heading straight to the mansion, we went to the Knight Order’s headquarters.

The items I ordered will be delivered to the mansion, but Zighart’s will be sent here.

So, we needed to file a request in advance, or they might refuse to accept the delivery.

Typical bureaucratic process…well, it’s the Knight Order directly under the Lord, so I guess it’s expected.

After completing the delivery request, we headed deeper inside to explain how the items would be arranged.

Eventually, we reached an area lined with doors on both sides of the corridor.

The door at the far end, from the perspective of the Knight Order headquarters, led to the alchemy research lab—Riana’s Alchemy Headquarters.

I’d been inside a few times before, but recently I’d only passed by without entering.

When I stepped inside, I couldn’t help but gasp.

“…Whoa.”

The floor was crammed with oversized barrels, large jars, and massive boxes… The shelves were tightly packed with bottles.

While the workbenches were neatly organized, the floor and shelves were so cluttered that it seemed inconvenient to move around.

It was messier than 【Hideout】 before Fiora tidied it up.

No wonder it felt cramped.

“Fiora isn’t here today… Is she upstairs? I’ll stay here. What about you?”

“Me? I’ll head back to the mansion.”

The interior looked interesting, but hanging around would probably make me a nuisance.

“Alright. If you see Fiora, let her know I’ve placed the order.”

With that, Zighart called out to the workers and headed further inside.

Well, time for me to head back too.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Seria・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Robe】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Snake’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】・7 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・28 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・3 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・7 cards