Published: August 25, 2025
Today, two chapters are posted simultaneously.
This is the second chapter.
“So that’s why the old butler isn’t here.”
After lunch... during our regular post-meal tea gathering, we shared information with the mountain survey team.
“That’s right. So, I wanted to consult with Mr. Jeff—are there any people in the slum who know how to braid rope? If so, it would be helpful if we could individually hire them and some children to make ropes for us.
We could purchase ropes like we did this time, but considering the possibility that we’ll need a large quantity in the future, and the influence on others who also need ropes, I think it would be more convenient to produce them ourselves.”
“If you check with the people who drifted in from the farming villages, you might be able to gather a decent number of hands. But don’t have too much expectation from the kids. I think they can learn if you teach them, but it’ll take some time before they become useful.”
According to Mr. Jeff, ropes are often made by people living in farming villages during breaks in their agricultural work or in the winter. It’s not that the city doesn’t make ropes at all, but the materials like straw are harder to come by than in farming villages, and job specialization is more advanced in the city, so the opportunities to make rope are fewer.
“Wouldn’t it be faster to have the goblins make them, Ryoma?”
“We can have the goblins make them. We can use the stalk parts left after threshing the small speargrass as materials. But the goblins also need to take care of the slime, and for those goblins who are free, I want to prioritize their help with my research... mainly to prevent information leaks.”
“True, I can’t imagine goblins stealing info and selling it to others. Even if they did, I doubt they’d find buyers, so they’re pretty good at keeping secrets.
For something as common as rope, there’s no need to keep it secret, and depending on the quantity needed, it could be a big job. From Sebas-sama’s reaction... I also think it’s better to prepare human labor.”
Ms. Eleonora agreed, so we decided to hire someone for the rope. But Mr. Jeff’s point was valid too.
Then... I took something out from the Item Box.
“How about this?”
“What’s this? These thin sticks and pointed lumps?”
“These are also something I’m thinking of using as cursed arts tools; they’re called incense sticks.”
“Ah, the ones you said you want to make from firebreak trees. You’ve already made them?”
As Mr. Eudam said, I used branches collected during earthwork breaks and made a prototype last night.
“The method is to finely grind wood powder, mix it with finely ground fragrant powder, knead it with water, shape it, and dry it. I used a little magic to speed up drying, but production without magic should also be possible.”
“Seems easier to make than rope. Even little kids who can’t pick up trash could probably do it. Saying it’s like playing in the mud is a bit harsh, but the work content is close.”
“When doing everything by hand, it kind of feels that way, yeah.”
During prototyping, I experimented with water content, so it really felt like that. This difference is probably between craftsmanship and amateur imitation and should be improvable later. Also, with dedicated molds and tools, production efficiency and quality can be improved and stabilized.
“We’ll also need someone to manage dust inhalation during work.”
“We’ll need some strong people for wood crushing too. Hiring several adults and having them take care of the kids at the same time should work. If the work isn’t too difficult, calling out should gather people. So, how do you use these?”
“You just light them. Want me to try? I haven’t tested them yet, only made them.”
Since others seemed interested, I placed the cone-shaped incense sticks on an empty small dish and lit them using magic. When I fanned the small flame with my hand, it went out, and a momentary puff of smoke rose thin and white toward the ceiling. Then a unique scent began to fill the room.