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Volume 2 Chapter 5-1: A New Magic Sword

「Ahhh this feels good…」

「Father maybe the Base Company should handle these as well?」

「That sounds good! If we can get the workers to install one at the company, I think it’d be a good idea too.」

We had guided our guests to try out the hot springs after the banquet. Anoke, his son Wilmark, and the Head Carpenter Ghent were completely enamored with it as they talked.

All the carpenters from the Base Company, Anoke, and Will-san enjoyed the banquet made with Sistina’s great skills as well as the delicious alcohol that we had provided in moderation. We had kept them from drinking too much because people who weren’t used to bathing in hot water might have passed out in the bath.

Upon finishing our meals we guided them to the baths. There were women craftsmen and Anoke had brought some of his ‘smiling’ secretaries, so we had the groups split. The women used the indoor bath and the men were sent to the outdoor bath.

At first, they had been nervous of the steaming water, but after getting inside they completely relaxed. Many of them said they felt their fatigue being washed away, but it was more likely the effects of the bath getting rid of stiffness and promoting healthy blood flow that made them feel more energetic.

I didn’t know the particulars, but apparently hot springs had something in the water that was good for the skin, and in truth Sistina’s skin was smoother and softer than before. When Sakura revealed that to the women, they all fought to be the first in.

I’m just glad they were satisfied.

「But I think it would be difficult to find a location where hot water springs out like this.」

Anoke said as he took his towel and wiped his face.

「Certainly this hot springs might be a bit difficult, but if we were to simply turn it into a bath then I think it’s doable.」

「Really!?」

「Indeed, if all you need is enough hot water, then you could combine water and fire stones and a place to store the hot water that you could pour out when you wanted to bathe. You could also make a commercial facility out of it. Places like that are called 『bathhouses』 back in my hometown.」

As I told him my thoughts, I could see Anoke-san’s face looking calculative.

「Certainly…if it’s just hot water then it isn’t too difficult. Ghent! Would it be possible to make a prototype in the workman’s dorms?」

「Wait a moment….take a part of the garden to make a bathing cabin…connect it to the first floor warehouse and with the magic stone equipment…location-wise it should work. I can leave the design of the magic tool to that division I think?」

I was sure he was coming up with a mental floor plan on how to implement this. It seems like it fit well since Ghent had a pleased smile on his face.

「I don’t mind. Inform the secretary of how much space you need and come up with the most efficient design. If you can come up with a list of necessary materials before the day is out we can have them delivered tomorrow afternoon.」

「Okay! I’ll have some of the guys start now. Revar! Minato! Jin! Turk! And…Teru and Bol! All of you will be helping set up a bath at the dorms starting tomorrow! Tezza follow up with them and make sure there aren’t any mistakes!!」

『『『『『Roger that!』』』』』

All of the craftsmen nominated by Ghent replied energetically seeming excited by the prospect of getting their own bath at the dorms.

「Boss how long do we have?」

「It only took 4 days to build this one…so I’d say 3 days is plenty.」

「Got it. Leave it to us!」

The matter was settled before I even got the chance to say anything, and at this rate I feel like a Base Company public bathhouse would open in Fresberg before long.

「Fujinomiya-sama, as I said earlier today the 『Magic Craftsman』 and 『Magic Tool Craftsman』 have been arranged to meet with you. You can get the location and that map you wanted before from the secretary.」

「Thank you very much! After such a series of events I was uneasy with the quality of our equipment, so a complete change is something I feel is necessary.」

「You asked for 『skilled』 craftsman so I went around to all the ones I could find, and some interesting ones heard the rumors and came to sell their services.」

So, he went around to the craftsmen in Fresberg…really Will-san is caring for us. I don’t feel like it’s good to get too attached, but when we’re being treated so well it makes things difficult.

「They came selling themselves as the number one most skilled craftsmen in Fresberg? That’s some amazing confidence.」

「They are a married couple of one Magic Craftsman and one Magic Tool Craftsman who have recently moved here and set up a workshop. However, since Fresberg is known around the world for Magic Craftsmanship it’s difficult for new workshops to get business even if they are highly skilled.」

「That seems like it would be the case…」

It is difficult to get customers in any world. No matter how good the food was, there were many restaurants in Japan that couldn’t get customers.

You needed an elaborate business plan to attract the necessary customers.

「As far as I can see, their skill is not bad. It can be said that they may be in the top ranks of this city.

I recommended this couple whose name is not selling to you because they aren’t popular yet and have plenty of time to work on your requests.」

Time…. time huh…I see, as expected the inheritor of a large business has some wisdom.

「You’re saying it would be more helpful to get the full attention of a workshop that has just entered first class than being the afterthought of a large and popular top-class craftsman?」

Will-san simply smiled at my words.

「The most popular stores have many customers and many important people among those customers.

Even if we introduced you with our name as the Base Company, they wouldn’t have the time to provide you with their very best items. Unfortunately, our company doesn’t have the power to control them.」

I could definitely understand what Will-san was saying. If a popular shop suddenly gave priority to a newcomer adventurer, they could possibly lose their current customers.

In that case they would try to sell premade goods or get away with using an apprentice’s work. Even so I had the feeling that I could get something I would be fairly satisfied with but…

「But if they are first-class craftsmen who are trying to make their names, they will listen to all of Fujinomiya-sama’s requests and take them in completely. They will even try to exceed those requests most likely.

The more Fujinomiya-sama’s party succeeds with their equipment, the greater fame they would garner. They will spend plenty of time and effort on it as well.」

I could absolutely understand why he was saying this. If Will-san was recommending them then I decided to trust him.

「It looks like you found the best people for the job then. Thank you very much….it might not be much but you and your father can come back to experience our hot springs anytime.」

As I was jesting about that, Anoke-san actually latched onto it fiercely and I’m a bit scared he would come *whenever* he wanted to.