The sun peeked out from behind the horizon, truly a view to behold.
As I stood up and looked at the beautiful hues the light made in the sky, I took a deep breath. I prepared by cleaning myself first, after which I got into my usual clothing, well mostly, I really liked how I made myself look in Arcanletia so I kept that. It was comfortable.
I went out of the mansion, my little workers, lots of them, waited for me to come out.
"Y'all can just pass through walls. What? You want to say 'good morning'?" I smiled, opening my arms. "Good morning to me too."
As I said that the little workers came to me to get reabsorbed.
And if they are here the work is done. I got in Acat and began driving towards the plot on which I placed all the schematics. As I got closed I could see the tip of the glass factory, poking out from behind the crowns of the trees.
As I gazed to the side I saw the glory of my creations, It was quite the sight, though there was still stuff to be added, like stone paths, because currently It was just dirt between every building and farm.
I got to reach farm, and gave a simple command to my extensions, to check if a fruit is ripe, if it is - turn into information; if not - cast Growth. There was also the need to sync the mechanical and magical part, so I did that. For the glass factory I made a code which makes sand, then came the refining which converted everything in the sand that isn't silica dioxide - then this pure product is placed in a furnace, then it gets melted and finally into molds which are pressed by a mechanical press, the molten glass is split on two conveyor belts, one for the bottom part of the bottle and the other for the bottom. After all of this they roll together and mold into a full bottle.
Now i need to move to the cork part. The wood that gets cut when ready, by a mechanical saw that is alive, gets transported to the cork factory, dehydrated, crushed and then compressed so tightly that the wood molds into corks. I smile as I watch everything work.
I decided to make factories that are one with the farms, like orange squeezing factory and an olive oil factory. So I lay down in Acat and rest, one quick meditation later I have a simple design in which everything will happen. I paste the schematic into reality and unleash my army of little workers to build it. Within thirty minutes It was build, all I needed to do is... Ugh...
I do the coding there, fruit on the conveyor, pit and seeds removing, then press it... The product is then sent through the astral storage. The orange juice is split in two, one for fermenting and the other for direct bottling. The bottling plant is a part of the glass making factory.
At the end of all this work... It was a success- No, something is missing. I went from factory to factory looking into everything and finally as I got to the last part, the soap making part, I saw... I was missing soapwort.
"I completely forgot!" I say to myself placing and hand on my forehead. Quickly I move out and in Acat, because I would need to get a soapwort.
I rode in town and right in front of the botanist's shop. "Hey, uh, I forgot to grab soapworts, do you have those."
"Haha, I predicted that, yes I do have them." The man laughed whole-heartedly, pulling a pouch out of his pocket. "This is what you are looking for." Without hesitation the florist tossed the pouch and I caught it.
"Thank you!" I said before driving away.
Now I just needed to make it a place to grow and I will be fine... Actually I will place it in the herb house, wouldn't be an issue.
---
After this process I went back to see what is happening on the conveyor belt - It was glorious. All the unnecessary scraps were turned into mana, which is fed back into the system, bottles of juice were rolling, which I was too weak to resist. I reached and grabbed one, before it rolled into the area which transforms the bottles into information for storage. I pop the cork off and drink - It was sweet, sweeter than any orange that I have tasted.
The florist sure did bring me good seeds.
The good part is that the starch is very easy to make, I just transform all the water, leaving the pure compound. The rice that is left is transformed into information, I could use it for later.
I just waited as the soap mixture dried and solidified. Perfect...
Then came the bottling of the detergent, it also went as planned.
This gave me an idea, to call my brand "Vintage" because it would have all the goods.
And so I did, I integrated the name into my buildings.
With the job done I went to the herb house and took a shower with the soap I have made. It's not like the usual soap and it was shrinking pretty quick, but it was useful, foaming was right and the feel also, it did what it was set out to do - clean. I also used the detergent to clean the clothes from my old world. In the end they didn't smell of anything else, but the detergent.
I give a sigh and get dressed in my ordinary clothing, got out and went into town giving away soap and detergent and taking the minimal money they could give me. This way everything I promised is true. I call it "Nearly free sample."
---
That night I went to the guild, when I stepped in and walked to my friends, I saw that they had nothing on the table, except glasses of water.
"What happened?" I asked, looking down on them.
Kazuma snapped. "This idiot blew up the monster along with the tuna, now everyone is blaming us!"
I give a sigh. "Why are you gu-"
In that moment Aqua interrupted. "Not only that, but we are in debt again! I don't want to work part time jobs anymore. Can't you do something?!"
In that moment the front door of the guild snapped open with a loud sound. Megumin's friend rushed in and walked to our table, well it was theirs I still haven't sit.
"You okay, Yunyun? You look sort of intense."
Ok, so she's Yunyun, definitely Megumin's friend.
"I... I... I want to have your baby!" She said straight to Kazuma's face.
I looked at Kazuma, who turned away, a smug smile painted over his face.
---
This, of course, continued in the mansion, where Kazuma asked her. "So, back at the inn, you were saying?"
"I-I said I want to have a baby with you." Yunyun said blushing, she was definitely uncomfortable.
"I always saw myself as having a daughter first." Kazuma said with what seemed like a dreamy expression.
"The first child we have has to be a boy!"
Megumin got to Yunyun's side. "Honestly, what's wrong with you?!"
Darkness tried to explain just how bad Kazuma is for a man.
"I don't know what's gotten into, but you better snap out of it befo-"
Yunyun cut Megumin off, trying to explain it. "If Kazuma and I don't have a baby the world, uh... And the Devil king will-"
"The Devil king?" Megumin asked confused.
"So it's out of 'duty'? To treat coupling as such a casual thing that you'd do it for duty... Disgrace, Shameful, Unworthy..." I say calmly.
"What are you talking about? Don't come and try ruining this for me! You have Chris or whatever!"
"This isn't true love," I replied, my brows furrowing. "It's a disgrace to approach connections as something that just has to be done."
"Well, I don't care! Screw you!" Kazuma turned back to Yunyun, his expression instantly shifting to a more romantic one. "If it's about saving the world and that it requires the fruits of our longing, you can count on me. When duty calls I am to do my part."
"But when there are monsters to be slain you always try to get out of it!"
"Shut up!!!" Kazuma yelled. "Keep your noses out of our relationship. I have finally hit my popular phase so don't you spoil it."
popular... phase? Gross fantasies. Why settle for quantity when you can have quality?
"If a friend of mine is getting involved with a weirdo - I'm gonna say something!" Megumin said loudly.
"Finally, Finally! For the first time I'm happy I came here. I know why you are mad - Y'all got a crush on me, don't ya? Love is in air for me and Yunyun(That's not love, cheap imitation) and you are jealous. Well you had your chance, so now both of you can suck it!"
Megumin continued arguing, until Yunyun's voice rang through all the commotion. "Megumin! Our village is... our village is going to be destroyed."
This took everyone's attention, and so they settled on the table, ready to hear her out.
After Aqua gave her warm water in a cup, Megumin said. "Alright, tell us what happened."
Yunyun placed two letters on the table. "My father sent me these."
Megumin took them and began reading. "By the time you receive this letter, I, your father, will be dead. WHAT?! He says that the Devil king's forces are attacking our village. And this page." She shifts the two papers position. "A fortune teller has foretold the destruction of the crimson demon village, but they also saw a ray of hope in the clan's sole survival - Yunyun... You are the sole survivor? What about me?!"
"Never mind, keep reading."
"But i'm still alive, darn it! Ughh. In a town of beginning adventurers, she will meet a man, who she will take to be her husband - he is lazy, has no special powers to speak of and is otherwise unremarkable." Megumin glared at Kazuma.
"What the hell are you looking at me for?" Kazuma would ask, before looking at Yunyun, slamming his hands on the table. "Is that all it took to convince you that I was the guy?!"
Megumin continued reading. "They would give birth to a son, who will grow healthy and strong and would one day set off on a journey. But this boy, who is now a man, would not know that he would be the one to avenge his clan and slay the Devil king."
Everyone, except me and Yunyun, are in shock.
"No way, my kid is going to kill the Devil king."
I won't be waiting for anyone else to slay him...
Aqua began complaining, being all impatient.
"The fortune teller in our village is never wrong, I'm sorry." Yunyun says.
"Not even. If you need me to save, then let's get to saving it."
Darkness and Kazuma began arguing, while Megumin saw something, she straightened the folded corner. "The heroic tales of the crimson demons, Chapter 1, written by Arue."
Yunyun grabbed the pieces of the paper, rolled them and threw them, she cried on the floor, face towards the floor.
Honestly, I think the problem is solved.
As Darkness mentioned Megumin's family and friends, Yunyun realized what was actually important. "Oh my gosh, they are in danger, what do we do?"
"I seriously doubt our village would fall to the Devil king. There is a reason the crimson demons strike so much fear in him. And besides, if he does destroy our village - as long as you, the chief's daughter is safe, the clan will survive. This might be the end of our village, but in our heart, our friends and families will live on forever."
Yunyun grabbed her and shook her. "You are such a monster!"
In the end I came out with them to send Yunyun off.
"I'm sorry I bothered you."
"It's no biggie, I will live. Are you going back to your village?" Kazuma said.
"Yeah... Just to make sure it's safe - I mean, I have so many friends there." She said, clearly not even believing herself. "I'd better go now, bye."
---
By the next day, Megumin had convinced us to go to the crimson demon village.
Kazuma suggested that we'd go to Wiz and ask for her to teleport us. I agreed... well, not exactly. I told them that I'd go after I check on my farms, to make sure everything is fine. That was just a distraction, I was stalling, because I'm worried I might run into Vanir... Though not that much. I trust him.
---
As the next morning rolled by, my friends left early early, well I actually drove them, finally letting them see what if feels like. I could tell they liked it. I left them off at Wiz's shop before quickly leaving to go 'check' on the farms.
---
All went well there.
---
I drove back to the mansion, but then I saw him - Vanir waiting on the front porch. It was too late, he saw me. He raised a hand and waved with a smile.
I got out and went to him.
"Hoho, you have changed quite a lot since wee last met. Quite a craftsman now, are we? It's been a while..."
I leaned back on Acat. "Yeah... How's it been?"
"As well as one could expeect in this cesspool of stupidity. I am ready to buy the rights for Kazuma's... 'Inventions,' but alas, there is no craftsman who can guarantee both quality and scale." His voice dropped half a note, amused, testing. "So naturally, I came to the one who can."
I allowed myself a little prideful smile. "Naturally."
His head tilted, as if he was watching me from a dozen angles. "Though there are... a few more matters. Best discussed in comfort, don't you agree?"
I shrugged, unlocking the mansion door, and gesturing him inside.
We moved to the living room, where we sat at the table.
"So, you want me to make a factory for those things?" I asked.
"Yes. A proper arrangement, of course... Let's say fifty-fifty profit sharing. You produce, I distribute. A fair division, no?"
"Very good," I said, nodding. "Almost too fair..."
He chuckled. "I know when a short-term win outwheighs long-term extortion. Besides-" He leaned forward, voice softening into some conspiratorial. "There is another matter."
I didn't reply.
"Heaven and Hell rarely cooperate. Yet... I am willing to make an exception." He pulled out a parchment paper. "With this contract, I bind myself unable to reveal her identity - to anyone but you, her and myself."
He let the words hang.
I didn't need to call her, but I could feel Eris' glow stir behind Vanir.
"Sacred exorcism!" she cried, casting before the last syllable left her mouth.
Vanir tore his mask away, tossing it to the side. "Oh my, temper temper! No wonder the goddess of fortune never gambles!"
I raised my hand. "Love, calm down! He's a friend."
Her eyes snapped to me, wide with betrayal. "A friend? I told you I didn't want you near him."
"He found me, Eris," I said gently, standing up and walking around the table. "It wasn't my idea. But listen - he's offering more than business. He's willing to vow silence. A contract that makes him unable to reveal your secret."
"That's right," Vanir added smoothly, as he reformed his body. "I am, after all, a demon. Do you think me foolish enough to break my own binding?"
Eris' voice cracked, equal parts anger and fear. "You can't trust him! He'll twist the words, he'll-"
I reached out, taking her trembling hand, guiding her into my arms. Her forehead pressed against my chest, her shoulders shaking. I stroked her hair slowly, whispering. "There, there... It's alright. He could be a really good wingman, you know."
She pulled back just enough to glare up at me through tear-bright eyes. "That's not funny."
"It wasn't meant to be," I said softly, brushing her cheek with my thumb. "But it's the truth. If we shut him out, he'll circle anyway. Better to have him as an ally, under our terms."
Vanir clapped once, mock applause. "Well said! Practical, efficient, utterly unromantic - exactly my kind of reasoning. Truly, you'd make a fine demon yourself."
"Not helping," I muttered, guiding Eris to sit beside me at the table. She folded her arms tight, but at least she stayed. Vanir was opposite of us.
"Let us draft properly," Vanir said, but he then looked at me. "Do you have a quill and ink? It'd be weird of me to carry two in my back pocket."
"Nope. I have this though." I pulled my coding pen.
"Eh, would get the job done." And with that he began writing.
"Clause one: I, Vanir, am forbidden from disclosing the goddess Eris' identity as Chris, to anyone outside this circle."
"Clause two: Profit-sharing for all factories constructed under Svetislav's design, fity percent of net revenue to each part. Distribution and sales handled by me, production by him."
I interjected. "Clause three: No manipulation of wording. No loopholes. Straight truth."
Vanir's grin widener. "Hoho, a man after my own heart. Done." He flicked his wrist, sealing the phrases.
We both signed and shook hands on it.
"Well!" Vanir rose, stretching his arms. "Factories will run, coffers will fill, and secrets will remain... secret. A pleasure as always." I gave a dry smile. "Glad to be in business."
Eris leaned against me, exhausted but calmer now, while Vanir strode towards the door.
Just before leaving, he looked back, voice lilting. "Oh, and Svetislav? Do take care. Love is plentiful work."
The silence left behind was heavy, but not suffocating. I kissed Eris' forehead and pulled her closed. "See? It's settled. We are safe."
She didn't answer right away, but finally, she whispered. "...I trust you."
I gave her one last squeeze, pressing her close, almost desperate. She vanishes into light.
After this I stand up and rush out to catch up with Vanir. "Want a ride? I'm heading to Wiz for teleportation anyways."
"Why, I wouldn't mind in the slightest," he replied. "You do radiate pride when it comes to that little contraption. Go on then - show me your glorious creation."
I smirked and climbed into Acat. Vanir also got in, arms crossed like a noble in his private carriage.
I began driving.
For a while, the only sound was Acat's steady rhythm. Town drew closer with every turn of the tracks, but the silence sat heavy. I kept catching myself drifting - her laugh, her warmth against me, the way she said "I trust you." Each time, I couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips.
And every time, I noticed Vanir shift ever so slightly, as if drinking it in.
Finally, he chuckled, voice low and amused. "Hohoho... I should learn to feed on joy, with you around. Every time you think of her... you radiate. It is almost wasteful not to gorge myself."
"Don't push it."
"Oh, come now. A little compliment from a demon never killed anyone. Unlike my colleague who traffics in misery, I find joy... so much more palatable. It is rarer. More... intoxicating."
"Funny way of saying you're jealous."
"Jealous? Perhaps. Or perhaps fascinated. A maiden of heaven entwined with a not-so-mortal, building factories instead of temples..." He tapped his mask thoughtfully. "You are delightfully unpredictable. That makes you valuable."
"Or dangerous."
"Why not both? the line between danger and value is ever so thin." His grin widened.
We reached town, entering through one of the gates.
"Still," Vanir went on, softer now, "the joy you carry... it's genuine. Rare for mortals. Even rarer for gods. Don't squander it, Svetislav. You might find it feeds more than just demons."
I let out a breath, staring out the window as we reached the street on which Wiz's shop was. "...Not planning to."
He didn't answer this time. The silence returned, but it wasn't heavy anymore.
I slowed down, the shop coming into full view. "End of the line."
"Splendid." Vanir said, opening the door once I had fully stopped, and rising to his feet smoothly. "The gesture is much appreciated."
As we walked towards it, I placed Acat in the astral storage.
"Let us hope the lich has not squandered our revenue on another pile of worthless trinkets while I was away."
"Already betting against her?" I smirked.
"Betting?" he scoffed. "I'd call it... statistical certainty."
The door creaked open, the bell above it jiggling. Wiz popped her head out from the backroom. "Ah, Vanir! Svetislav! Welcome!"
Vanir froze. Then, slowly, almost begrudgingly, he tilted his head. "No suspicious packages? No mountains of junk? Remarkable. My dear Wiz, perhaps you are finally learning restraint."
She blushed and waved her hands frantically. "I-I wasn't going to buy anything useless!"
"Progress," he mused. "Sweet, unexpected progress."
"Hey, Wiz!" I greeted warmly.
She beamed. "Hi, Svetislav, I'm glad to see you. Kazuma told me you'd come by for teleportation to the Crimson Demon Village."
"He has? Nice. Saves me the trouble of explaining them. We can get straight to it."
"Yes," she nodded leading me to the center of the room.
A magic circle appeared underneath me.
"Alright, send me off."
"Safe travels!" Wiz said, clasping her hands. The spell flared, and in a heartbeat, the world dissolved into rushing light.
When my boots touched earth again, I was standing in a wide, grassy field. Wind rustled though tall stalks, carrying a lovely smell. But there was no village, no houses, just horizon.
"...Convenient."
I crouch down, take a deep breath and convert a lot of mana into kinetic, with which I jumped high high up, spinning slowly to look at where the village might be. I placed a brick under my feet, repeatedly taking it's kinetic energy to prevent it from falling.
My legs were shaking, it was only natural, but I held on and looked around, finally spotting a village. Now came the descending part... I took the bricks back into my astral storage and fell down, stopping myself just before reaching the ground.
In that moment I heard an explosion... Megumin!
I put on the exo-suit and began dashing repeatedly, quickly reaching my friends. "Good day, ladies and gent."
They were all laying there, smoked.