Seven days after I asked for an order for the battle pencils. I received a report yesterday that it was completed, so I decided to head to Erman's workshop today.

　Erman and his friends said they would bring their own, but it would be a hassle to entertain them and make them nervous if they came to the mansion, so I decided to head there as usual.

　Even though it's a bit far from the mansion, it's still a hop, skip and a jump for me with spatial magic.

　I changed from my sleepwear into clothes for going out and went outside, making sure that no one was around and activating the transition.

　The space is distorted for a moment, and before I knew it, I was in front of the Hermann Workshop.

　Then, Rael and Ruu were standing at the entrance of the workshop.

''Alfried-sama, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule today.

'Yeah, yeah. It's what I said I wanted to leg it, so don't worry about it.

　I wasn't expecting to find him waiting for me at the entrance.

　I feel young in such a way, but there is one thing that bothers me a little.

'You seem pale, could it be that you've been waiting outside the whole time?

　Rael and Lou's complexion did not seem flattering.

　Could it be that they were waiting under the cold weather until I came?

　I'm quite sorry if I've made you feel that bad about it.

'No, this was just an all-nighter,'

'What?　Could it be that your schedule was so reckless?

　Ehrman also said there was no problem at all in terms of schedule, but I don't think he was that desperate.

　I know it's hard to refuse a request from a nobleman, but I don't want him to go to such lengths to make it.

''That's not true. This is our personal one.........''

We were just immature.

Huh.

　I wonder what's going on. Both of them seem to be depressed at heart.

　What's wrong with Rael's confidence and Lou's enthusiasm when he first took the job?

　The two of them have told me so, but I may have actually pushed them pretty hard.

　I'll ask Ehrman again about the work situation.

'Well, come on in.

　Rael told me to regain my composure, and I was led to the center of the workshop. Ehrman was already sitting there, and tables and chairs were laid out.

　The room was well warmed with fire magic tools, so I didn't feel the cold.

''Alfried-sama, I'm sorry to have to wait for you this time.

'No, it's my fault for asking out of the blue, and it's not a problem because I'm within the deadline you gave me in the first place.

　Indeed, the items I asked Ehrman to deliver were always delivered earlier than the deadline.

　However, that doesn't mean that we have missed the deadline or that we couldn't do it. I'm grateful that he took time out of his busy schedule to take on the job itself.

Were you busy with your other work?

'No, I'm afraid not...'

We were not skilled enough. It was more difficult to make beautiful hexagons and pentagons than we expected.

And it was difficult to roll it cleanly. It was hard to find the best center of gravity.

Nah, I see...

　Apparently it was more difficult to make a battle pencil than we thought it would be.

　The fatigue in Rael and Lou's complexion was apparently due to the nature of their work.

''But the item was completed properly.

　Elman said and gave him a look, and Rael brought a battle pencil to the table.

'This way,'

　Ten battle pencils laid out on the table.

　A total of ten pencils are laid out, five hexagonal ones and five pentagonal ones.

''Then I'll take a look at them.

　When I said that and took it in my hand, Rael and Lou nodded with nervousness on their faces.

　The battle pencils are very pleasant to the touch.

　Whether you look at it from above or from the side, the face is exactly the same area.

'It's an amazingly beautiful shape,'

"Thank you.

　I let out a sigh of admiration, and Rael and Luu looked relieved.

　Even if I had made it, it wouldn't have turned out like this.

　The shape of the face comes apart, and when I tried to adjust it, the final shape became distorted.

　However, the ones made by Rael and Luu were just as ordered, with even hexagons and pentagons.

　It was perfectly shaped like a pencil by touch.

Then, can I roll it next time?

Come in.

　The shape of the pencil is of course important, but the next most important thing is how it rolls.

　Does the pencil roll nicely, does it spin nicely when it rolls, and does it make a good sound?

　The battle pencil is only as good as the combination of these elements. Even if the shape of the pencil is good, it's useless if it lacks those elements.

　The hexagonal Battle Pencil was rolled on the table.

　Karalalalat.

　There was a light sound like a pencil rolling on the table.

　I pick up the pencil again and roll it over as Rael and Lou watch with bated breath.

　Karalalalalah.

''Well that's a nice sound.''

　Oh, I miss it. It's the same sound that used to echo through school recess.

　It reminds me of my nostalgic childhood.

　Every recess we would bring our battle pencils to play with at recess.

　We would pick up one pencil and roll it around, one by one, remembering events from the past.

　And when you finished rolling the ten pencils successfully, Luu asked you in a tantalizing way.

'How did it go?'

It's all clear for now.

Is that...?

　Rael raised an eyebrow, probably because of the way I said it.

I shook it lightly, and there was no problem with the rotation or the sound, but you never know what will happen if you shake it hundreds of times. But you don't know what happens when you shake it hundreds of times.

In that case, we'll check...

'I can't ask you to do something boring like waving a pencil around when you're busy. I'll go to the mansion and test it out for myself. If it's still a problem, I'll ask you to fix it, and if it's not, I'll tell you.

　As expected, I can't make you swing a mere wooden stick for a long time. I'm going to examine it while playing with Silvio and Elinora at the mansion.

''I'll verify it while playing with brother Silvio and sister Elinora at the mansion. If it's Alfried-sama says so.

　I don't mean to sound like an adult, but sometimes it's because I really want to play Battle Pencil as soon as possible.

　When I think back to the old days, I can't resist the urge to play.

"Alfried-sama, is it correct to say that the request has been accomplished for now?

　I was somewhat sozzled and Ehrman asked me to check.

　'Oops, I didn't say anything important.

'Yes, you made something properly satisfactory. Rael, Lou, thank you for making it for me on such short notice.

No, it's been an educational experience for me.

I will continue to work hard to live up to Mr. Alfried's expectations.

　I wonder. It's rather normal for adults to be called these kinds of words, but it's a little irritating to be called that by people at this age.

'So, this is your reward then.

　I hand Ehrman a leather bag with the money for the price that was offered in advance.

''Well that seems a bit much, doesn't it?''

'And it sounds like it's more labor intensive than I thought it would be. I'll add on.

"Thank you for your concern.

　When Ehrman thanked him, a relieved Rael and Luu also bowed their heads together.

　It was a job that required more effort than expected. I thought it was only natural to raise the price for that as well.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of people who are willing to pay for your services.

''Well then, I'll go back to the mansion and have some fun.


　Thus, having obtained the bare bones of a battle pencil, I went out in high spirits and returned in transition.