Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 371

371: The Neuen Workshop

The tea served at the Neuen Workshop was, if I were to judge it fairly, without the filter of a cute maid serving it, more delicious than Liz’s.

The grade was probably different. I could feel the effort they had put into entertaining their important customers.

The comfort of the sofa, the cleanliness of the reception room, were all highly rated.

“Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Shika Brand. Please call me Shika. I am the contact person for the Neuen Workshop, and I also handle the magical enchantments.”

Shika-san, the dark elf who was sitting opposite me, bowed her head slightly. And she introduced the large, dark brown-haired, droopy-eared beastman woman beside her.

“She is Neuen. The chief of the Neuen Workshop, a craftsman with undeniable jewelry-making skills and a high-level sense of style. We promise to do our best to meet our customers’ requests and to satisfy them.”

“Um, I’m not really a chief, it’s just the two of us—”

Neuen-san’s words were cut short. An elbow. A minimal movement, a blow that came from within, that I would have missed if I hadn’t been used to Liz, an elite assassin from the Royal Guard. It didn’t make her groan in agony, or even cry out. It was a blow that was just enough to cut her off, a tool to convey her will.

“First, I would like to hear an overview of your request. We can discuss the budget after that. And the consultation and the estimate are free.”

And a business smile. She was competent, in every sense of the word.

“I am the Lord of Disease. And this is…”

“Lizlit Finis, vice-commander of the Sixth Army.” Liz bowed her head slightly.

“I… am not needed.”

“Yes, Rebecca-sama. I cannot thank you enough for your wide-ranging support. Thanks to you, our workshop’s clientele has increased, and our business is stable—”

Neuen-san tilted her head.

“Stable…?”

Another elbow.

“…Our customers are satisfied.”

From the way the two of them spoke, it wasn’t that they were on the verge of bankruptcy, but their business was probably a little unstable. I thought that the demand would eventually return, but from the end of the war to immediately after, the demand for jewelry must have plummeted.

And besides, in Listrea, where many people used long-lasting items for a long time, and with metal accessories being the most long-lasting of all, it probably wasn’t an easy business. Though, since there was a culture of respecting a craftsman’s skill, it wasn’t all a headwind.

“This time, we would like to order some accessories for a wedding, including the wedding rings.”

“Yes. Who will be wearing them?”

“Me, and Lizlit… Liz.”

“The two of you…? Huh? You’re having a wedding… at the same time?” Shika-san’s face was a mask of confusion.

Then I looked at Rebecca.

“Um… Rebecca, it’s a little late to be asking this, but is it alright if I explain in detail?”

“It really is late. The announcement will be made soon. It’s fine.”

“It has been decided that several laws will be amended, and one of them will permit same-sex marriage.”

“…Huh? Same-sex…?”

“Yes.”

“Like, between two women… or two men?”

“That’s right. And between different races… specifically, the undead, demons… and even dragons will be able to get married.”

Until now, an interspecies marriage had meant only between a dark elf and a beastman. From now on, that would not be the case. I had a feeling that a dragon was unlikely, but it was also a way to show that there were no exceptions.

“Between different races, and even the same sex…”

“I… am a wraith. And she is a dark elf. …And yet.”

I squeezed Liz’s hand, who was sitting beside me. Liz squeezed back.

“So, I want a visible form. A ring, for her and for me, to wear on our left ring fingers.”

“…Understood.”

The design of the rings was to be simple. As for the other accessories, I only conveyed the general direction I wanted, and it was decided that they would be coordinated with Elisha-san’s dress.

The deadline was short, but since the budget was practically unlimited, and it was mostly up to them, the meeting went smoothly. You could also say I had delegated everything.

Since there was no real market price, they could have ripped me off if they had wanted to… but well, since it was an order from the Lord of Disease, and Rebecca, who was also a sponsor, was involved, I didn’t think they were the kind of fools to do that.

“Then, what about the magical enchantments? I recommend a strength enhancement. It will make them less likely to break or get dirty. And while they are weak, we can also add various enchantments, such as illusion magic, defensive magic, and offensive magic. Though the offensive magic is basically a one-time use.”

Liz and I looked at each other. And after a light nod, we each stated our wishes.

““Defensive magic.””

“…Yes.” Shika-san nodded.

“But it’s not that strong… so please think of it as an insurance.”

“My master is already wearing multiple items, and if it’s too strong, it will interfere, so that’s just right.”

Three amulets hung from my chest. For a time, since the other two had been damaged, I had only been wearing the disc-shaped one for magical defense. But I had felt a little uneasy, so I had had the fang, which was mainly for physical defense, and the vial, restored. In truth, my physical defense was more than enough.

“Fire or light for me?”

“Since you’re an undead, that would be about right. For me, I suppose it’s physical defense…”

“I want to have you in full defensive gear, Liz.”

“It’s more important not to be found. And besides, I can just dodge.”

Her words were convincing, but since I had also seen her injured, I was still a little worried. Then Shika-san spoke, with a slight hesitation.

“…Um, excuse me, but Lizlit-sama is a vice-commander… but is she not a maid…?”

“No, my Liz is a maid that I would not be ashamed to show anywhere—”

Slap, I was hit on the head.

“What was that for? I was about to tell you all about Liz’s charms as a maid.”

“You should have the common sense to know that that would be a nuisance.” Liz smiled.

I fell silent and looked away, to show my surrender. Then, my eyes met Neuen-san’s. We both smiled, and we ‘understood’ each other.

“…It is true that I am a maid, but at the same time, I am a guard with a military registration.”

“A superior and a subordinate… colleagues…?” Shika-san nodded once. And she thumped her thin chest.

“Leave it to me. The Neuen Workshop will add a touch of splendor to your new beginning.”