Chapter 15 – Single Aristocrat Takes A Detour

　As I was scrambling to scribble down the inspiration I’d gotten at the opera house, the evening sun had already shone into the workshop. 

　When it comes to this time of the day, Rouge, who has to take care of her kid, starts to get fidgety. 

　The previous time I kept her late, so shall I call it here for today? 

please do read on

“Shall we end here for now?”

“Alright then, excuse me for leaving first. Thanks for your hard work!”

　As I’d thought, she wanted to head home soon. Rogue quickly arranged her desk and left with her bag on her shoulder.  

“Mr. Zirc, would you like to go out for dinner?”

　As I too, was also about to clean up my desk, Tristan came over to me and asked as though he’d been waiting for the chance.  

“You, the other day you said there’s no point in just two guys going, didn’t you?”

　I’m certain I remember that. 

　As we were about to go to the yakiniku place, he mentioned that when it looked like it was just going to be the two of us alone. 

“D, did I ever say that?”

“……I’m going home.” 

“Wait, wait, please wait. Right now, I’m short of money. Please treat me, Mr. Zirc!”

　As I got up from the chair and was about to leave, Tristan came begging wholeheartedly in tears 

“Why don’t you have any money? Don’t I pay enough for you even considering you’re an apprentice?”

　Tristan is properly paid as an apprentice magic tool maker.

　Of course, as an apprentice, it’s not a high salary, but it’s enough that he shouldn’t run out even if he indulges a little. 

　After I questioned him, Tristan looked uncomfortable.

“Um, well, I spent it on presents to my favourite girl at the cabaret club……”

“……I’m going home.”

　If he’d used it to make magic tools, or if he spent it on getting materials to practise processing on, it’d have been fine, but it’s way too foolish to get gifts for a girl at a store. 

“I, sorry! But, isn’t it okay to spend it on those kinds of gifts once in a while! I thought I could help out a pretty girl! I, I’ve never gone out to eat with you, Mr Zirc, you know!?” 

“Mmm……”

　Now that he’d mentioned it, I felt that was the case. I’ve known Tristan for more than three years, but we’ve never gone out for a meal. Although, the person who kept wasting such important opportunities was Tristan himself, but I’ll refrain myself from saying anything. 

　If he got too stressed out, it would be troublesome if it started to interfere for his work. For only something like dinner, I guess I can fork up. 

　Tristan’s attitude is at times questionable, but he still does manage to properly get his work done.

　This might also be part of the boss’ job, to reward their subordinates.

“……Can’t be helped. I’ll take you with me.”

“Really??

“Yeah.”

“I can’t believe Mr. Zirc is actually treating me! Yay, I’ll get prepared right away!”

　I wonder how much of a cold-hearted human Tristan sees me as.

　Haa, that’s why human relationships are troublesome. 

　I just want to comfortably make magic tools, have a good enough system for income, and live an elegant life by myself. 

　◆

　Having ended up going to dinner with Tristan, we walk through the central district of the Royal Capital. 

“I want to eat Nikubishi’s yakiniku!”

“Rejected. I was there the other day.”

“Ehh!? Who were you there with? 

I went there the other day. Who did you go with? Could it be Mr. Zirc’s girlfriend?”

　Just because I went to a yakiniku restaurant, why must it be that I went with someone? Why must it be a girl? I don’t understand Tristan’s thought processes. Maybe the circuits in his head are mixed up.

“Why would it be like that? Isn’t it obvious I went alone.”

“Eh? You went to a yakiniku restaurant by yourself?

“Anything wrong?” 

“No, there’s nothing wrong, but I’ve heard that a yakiniku restaurant is a place where everyone enjoys themselves together with others. Isn’t it?” 

“It’s not like you can’t enjoy yourself if you go alone.”

“W, well, that’s true, but…..”

　It’d only been about three months since the cuisine known as ‘yakiniku’ started, but has that kind of evil image already taken root? 

　I thought it was still too early to tell, but maybe I should recommend the manager to implement the one-man yakiniku style as soon as possible.

　No, maybe it’d be better to open a store specialising in solo yakiniku? 

　A yakiniku restaurant that is comfortable and enjoyable for the singles in Royal Capital must be made. 

“If Nikubishi’s no good, then where should we go? Oh right, Mr Zirc, please take me to a store you would recommend.”

“Fine.”

　I’d much rather go into a restaurant I like than to have to hang out with Tristan in some strange place he’d pick. 

　Now, which restaurant should we go to? That recently opened restaurant serving excellent white wine and shellfish dishes? Or that restaurant specialising in spicy food from a desert country?

　As I walked down the street while thinking about which restaurant to go to, I ended up stumbling upon my favourite treasure tool store. 

“Sorry. Let me stop by that treasure store” 

“Uweh. Seriously? Mr Zirc, you spend quite a long time in treasure stores–“

　There’s been a few times when I’ve gotten him to accompany me in the middle of buying materials, but I’ve never stayed that long.

　Ignoring Tristan’s comments, I entered the “Ardeus” treasure tool store.

　Opening the refined entrance, I hear the light tinkling of a bell.

　The first person to enter our sight is a large man.

　He’s wearing a black full-body armour and a helmet with ominous horns. Not a single piece of skin is exposed, his entire body is wrapped in protective equipment.

　An axe is tied to his waist, and on his back he carries a large sword.

　Nearly two metres tall, him just standing there is intimidating enough.

　He’s the guard protecting Ardeus.

“Hiee, no matter how many times I see him, that guy is frightening. Somehow just looking at him gives me chills.”

“He’s a maniac for cursed treasure tools.”

　A mask that can never be removed once worn, an axe that is filled with a grudge that pollutes the mind, and so on. 

　A cursed treasure tool is a treasure tool that imparts a large debuff to the wearer that equips it. 

　Although these are extremely dangerous treasure tools with severe demerits on the wear, they are also characterised by them having great merits that can outweigh those risks. 

　Some maniacs are fascinated by their risky yet outstanding abiltiies, this man was one of those maniacs.

“No wonder he gives me the chills. Are you okay wearing these cursed treasure tools?’

“…………”

“Huh? Can you hear me?”

　Tristan spoke to the guard, but he did not respond.

“There’s no point trying to talk to him. Because of a cursed treasure tool, he can’t speak.” 

　As I explained this to him, Tristan looked at the guard as if he were looking at a crazy person.

“……I knew it, people who like treasure tools have missing screws in their heads.”

“Are you saying that to me too? Don’t lump me together with that kind of cursed treasure tool maniac.”

　I may like treasure tools, but even I didn’t like it when they were cursed. 

　Depending on the tool, I’ve heard that some can move on their own in the middle of the night. 

　As you might think, even I can’t handle that.

tl: threw together a mailing list option for those who want to receive updates on this series whenever i release.