{Sorry, had to make a correction on the previous chapters. Tight on time, it seems, so Svetislav would not get new clothing(in the previous chapter), and will stay at the shop.}
Just how Vanir suggested I sat down, occasionally getting asked to materialize another batch, until there were a few tables with lighters and others with crates full of masks that are similar to Vanir's.
My mind drifted, over what to do, maybe the next thing I would do is make a gramophone, or another way to record information on the physical level. Would be nice to have a machine that plays the music without me constantly having to put information in my brain. Eh, later.
Vanir also left for wherever, leaving me alone with Wiz, who offered me some tea.
I raised my hand and simply nodded for 'no.' She brought me tea anyways... The fuck?
"Wiz..."
"I said no."
"Oh? But you nodded and I thought-"
"Mannerisms from my old self, don't fuss about it." I said calmly, taking a sip, pretty sweet.
I think of asking for where she gets sugar from, but argued with myself against it, some other day.
After all of that, my friends walked in. I looked at them weirdly. "Huh?"
"Hey, Wiz!" Kazuma greeted, looking at her, and then at me. "Oh, hey Svet!"
"Sup, man." I greet briefly.
Aqua sat down opposite of me, ordering some cookies and tea while looking at how the others are admiring the work of my machines, well it's more magic than machine, I don't like it when things are too complex to the point that I have to cheat.
I didn't take their praise, I didn't need it. To the point that every time someone tried to say something, I just looked them straight in the eyes and ate a cookie.
Aqua also wanted a lighter, but when she reached to take one, Kazuma slapped her wrist.
"What was that?... I want one too." She said, looking at him slightly annoyed, but her tone was neutral.
"Sorry, Aqua, but you will have to pay." Kazuma said.
"HUh?! But they get to pick any they want."
I pitch the bridge of my nose and pull out my own lighter, playing with the cap to maybe influence them, but they weren't bothered at all. This broke in a worthless argument, where Aqua exposed Kazuma's secret of sniffing... dirty underwear. Before rushing out, wailing and crying.
So now she was out there performing party tricks, which gathered the attention of a big crowd.
"Advertisement is good, go get the attention of the people, Wiz." I told her.
Suddenly, Vanir's yells were heard, another meaningless argument, which had Aqua and him at each others necks - just a normal day of Vanir and Aqua being the biggest haters for one another.
Amongst all the commotion Wiz went out and announced that they are launching a new item, and that she'd like to present it to them.
In the end everyone settled, well everyone else except Aqua and Darkness, because Darkness was holding her outside while she tried to wiggle and get out of her grip.
So now the lighters and the mask was selling like hot bread. I was lucky to witness the start of my official sell business, even though I wasn't getting any money from this after all - Kazuma still owned the rights and is waiting to get his money for them.
Vanir did comment on it over Kazuma's shoulder while also teasing him about what happened in the crimson demon village.
---
And so the time has come, well for my friends, I still needed new clothes so I went to the tailor's shop, where I was immediately greeted by a set of clothes that was very fitting for my style. Steampunk aesthetically pleasing. Mostly brown color, with a white shirt - the trimming was insanely well made to the point that it carried my overall opinion on the clothes. "You like it?" The lady said, prideful of my admirations on her creation.
"Yeah, very much... But where did you get inspired from?"
"Oh, a silver haired thief lady came by." She replied.
I nod. Guess she used the money I gave her to treat me to a new set as well.
"How much?"
"It's pre-pair."
Thought so...
I got in the set of clothes, looking fine.
"She also asked for a nightgown..." She looked at me suspiciously. "Is that your woman?"
I tense when she asked that.
"...Huh?"
The tailor raised a brow, clearly enjoying my reaction. "The silver-haired lady requested a nightgown as well. Rather delicate, too. So I wondered-" she leaned forward with a grin, her tone playful, "-is that your woman?"
"...You could say she's... special."
Her lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Ahh, so that's how it is."
I cleared my throat, trying to play it cool. "Don't read too much into it. She just... worries about me, I guess. Dresses me better than I dress myself."
"Mmhm." She game me a smile - the kind that saw straight through lies. "Well, whoever she is, she has taste. The suit matches you perfectly."
I adjusted the cuffs, avoiding her eyes for a moment. "...Yeah."
And so after this I got in Acat and drove to the Dustiness manor. When I got in Acat and drove off, I whispered. "Thank you, my dear Eris."
Soon enough I was there the gates closed; I got out and locked the doors after parking my dear creation to the side of the gates.
Moments later of waiting a butler came, opening the gates. "Welcome, sir Sverislav."
"Goodday to you too." - I said before walking in, through the front yard, and then in the mansion.
A maid bowed and led me deeper into the mansion. "Sir, would you like to change into something more formal?"
"No, just lead me to where the meeting is happening."
"But - "
"I said no." My tone was calm, absolute. "The suit I'm in is enough. Lead"
She bowed her head in apology before leading me to the dinning room.
We stopped before tall, double doors.
I exhaled through my nose, straightened my cuffs, and pushed the doors wide.
Cutting off everything Kazuma was saying.
"Good day, ladies and gentleme-" My voice carried smoothly across the chamber. But when I spot that Kazuma was the only other guy in the room. "-an"
The only people in the room were my friends and three strangers. My friends were seated closer to the door I just entered from, and at the far end sat Princess Iris, her two guardians on both her side.
She perched on a throne-like chair, back straight, small hands folded neatly in her lap. Despite her youth, the aura of dignity wrapped her like a cloak. Her two guardians - the knight, she had a blonde hair with a single streak of blue; the other - the mage, hair with a mix of what seems between blonde and ginger, her expression quieted, but no less firm.
The knight narrowed her eyes. "You are late."
I slid my hands into my pockets and gave her the ghost of a grin. "Sorry. Had to get myself looking good."
At that, Darkness' face drained of color. Her chair scraped against the floor as she shot to her feet.
"M-my apologies, I just need to speak with him!" She rushed towards me - or tried to.
Calmly, I turned my gaze to her, in that instance she was rendered immobile. "As you can see... I split the physical from its fundamentals - motion itself." I looked back at the princess, then announced myself. "My name is Svetislav Delchev. The mastermind. Creator. Maintainer of all my machines and innovations."
I released Darkness from the invisible hold. She stumbled slightly but caught herself, wide-eyed, trembling. Leaning towards her, I lowered my voice so only she could hear. "Sorry I used you as a test rat. Please sit down."
She blinked rapidly, then returned to her chair, though her body remained stiff.
Th blue-striped woman stepped forward, anger flashing in her eyes. "How dare you treat a noble of Dustiness so-"
But Iris placed a small hand on her arm. The young princess leaned, whispering something in the. As she did that I was kind of looking down on her.
The knight's frown deepened. "The princess demands you not look at her like that. Such disrespect is intolerable towards royalty."
My gaze still locked directly onto Iris. My posture relaxed, but my eyes remained sharp, burning with a will that bowed to nothing.
"For the sake of peace," I said smoothly, "I won't clash my philosophy with yours. I'll yield this much. But don't think you'll receive my respect just for existing."
"You dare-" the knight's jaw tightened.
"I'm not a fake person." My voice sharp, each word cutting deliberate and cold. "I will not bend my will for some title that cannot stand against real power." I took a single step forward, boots echoing in the chamber. "You might have heard of me. I'm the man who embarrassed Alderp. Showed him what true power is. Proved him a corrupt scum before the people."
The atmosphere in the room could be cut with a knife, everyone was on edge. But Iris seemed composed.
The mage finally spoke,,, her voice quiet but firm. "Your words walk dangerously close to treason. Do you mean to imply-"
"I mean to state," I cut her off, "that titles are shackles without substance. A king without strength is just a man in clothes. A princess without resolve is just a child on a chair."
That stung. I saw it in Iris' flinch - brief, but real.
The knight immediately bristled, hand twitching to the hilt of her blade, but Iris raised her hand, stopping her cold.
Her clear, steady voice filled the hall, breaking the tension. "Sir Svetislav..."
I finally inclined my head slightly, acknowledging her directly.
"You are bold." Her words were careful. "Few would speak so openly in this situation. Fewer still to me. But..." She folded her hands again, straightening her back. "I have heard of your deeds. Of your creations. Of the enemies you've faced and felled. For that, I will allow your insolence. Once."
The knight hissed under her breath, but Iris didn't waver.
I gave thee faintest of smiles, finally breaking eye contact as I inclined my head in a mocking sort of half-bow. "That's fair enough. I only needed you to know where I stand."
Silence lingered for a beat too long. Then, at last, Iris gestured towards the empty chair with the dishes in front of it.
"Then stand with words, not with posturing. Sit, Sir Svetislav. And let us speak properly."
I straightened, the faintest glimmer of satisfaction hidden beneath a neutral face. "Gladly."
With unhurried steps, I approached the chair next to Darkness and sat down.
The room exhaled all at once - tension easing, but not fully. The game had only just begun.
I leaned back a little, casual but not careless, my voice warm in contrast to my earlier steel. "So, what do you want to hear from me? I'm asking how much, because I've got quite a lot I could say. And don't get me started on my creations - that would take a very long time."
"Don't talk so casuall-" The blue-striped lady snapped, her tone cutting.
"It's alright, Claire," Iris interrupted gently, her hand rising just enough to quiet her knight. She turned her bright gaze toward me, her curiosity glinting. "I want to hear about your past."
I tapped a finger against my armrest, lips quirking. "My past... well, I'm a descendant of a long-gone civilization."
Gasps rippled through the room. Kazuma wasn't buying it though, cuz he already knew.
I let the beat linger, then added smoothly, "My family held a book of ancient knowledge - of logic, of skill. It gave me the ability to craft new skills whenever I had a solid theory or the right inspiration. For example... the wings of a butterfly."
Her eyes sparkled.
Then I chuckled, waving the moment away. "I'm just messing. That was a tricky example... But take the skill Steal, for instance. I used it as the base to make my astral storage. An infinite space of information. I can put literally anything that is smaller than my area of effect. From that branched off perfect conversion. The sad part is, I can't teach those skills to anyone. They appear blurred on the cards of adventurers."
"Can you show us?" Iris asked quickly.
"What? The conversion, or the blurred stuff?"
"Both."
"Sure."
I turned my palm upward. A cube of brass shimmered into existence, gleaming in the light before it thudded softly into my hand. "It's here now because I converted it - from pure information to the physical world."
Kazuma muttered into his fist. "Never thought I'd get a deep explanation of his abilities... Show-off."
"Claire, right? Mind checking your adventurer's card? See if you notice anything unusual."
She narrowed her eyes but pulled her card out regardless. For a moment, her expression was flat - until it cracked wide in shock.
"That's... impossible."
I leaned back slightly, twirling the glass of wine and taking a sip. "So anyways," I said at last, voice light and casual, "anything else?"
Iris shifted forward in her chair. "Can you tell me... how you defeated four of the Devil King's generals?"
I pulled a face, that looked like this :/, then shrugged. "Alright."
Her guardians leaned in slightly, everyone was listening as to how I explained it. The fight with Verdia, where half my hand was burned and bloodied for shooting rocks, then the fight with Vanir, the epic hand to hand combat - ahh, good times - then the fight with Hans, where I indeed died after the battle was over, guess rest wasn't meant to be as of then, and finally the fight with Sylvia, while Kazuma and the others were retrieving the weapon, I fought without any skills, except my equipment, which lead to my death and a graze with the goddess Eris.
By the time I finished, I downed the last sip of wine and set the glass on the table with a quiet clink. My gaze returned to the princess. "Anything else?"
Iris hesitated, then tilted her head slightly. "You... you talked earlier about your philosophy. Can I hear about it?"
"Princess!" Claire's voice snapped sharp and immediate, her instincts telling her that this will lead to nowhere good.
"Please..."
I regarded her for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Individuality above all else," I began, my voice calm and steady. "That is my philosophy."
Her eyes locked on me, wide and intent.
"Where I come from, there's a story - of a lad named Бай Ганьо. My teacher told me about him when I was younger. They said he was a chameleon, a liar. And no, don't give me that look-" I flicked my gaze at the princess, whose head tilted in innocent confusion. "A chameleon isn't just an animal. It's a person who changes themselves based on the situation."
I let the words linger for a second before continuing. "In Бай Ганьо's case, he cozied up to those in power, always twisting himself, so he could get richer, or just for power, the story slips from the cracks in my mind as time goes on. He is cruel, not like i'm not also sometimes cruel, but I have honour... A sense of self... That's why I dislike being fake. Or fake people. That twist, bend and lie just to climb. I... am everything against that."
The silence stretched after my last words. Iris's gaze lingered, thoughtful.
At last, Iris spoke, her voice soft but clear. "That... is impressive."
I raised a brow. "What is?"
"The way you speak. The way you stand by what you believe in. It's... rare." She leaned forward just a little, her small frame practically glowing with earnestness. "Most people of the noble class-" She hesitated, glancing at Claire as if expecting her to scold her, "-they only act polite because they have to. They smile when they don't want to. They flatter even if they despise someone. But you... you speak as yourself. Without bending.
I tilted my head, regarding her carefully. She wasn't just saying that because she was naive. There was genuine admiration there, something she couldn't hide even if she wanted to.
Claire, on the other hand, frowned deeply. "Your highness, you shouldn't glorify such dangerous defiance. Respect for order and titles keeps the world from falling into chaos."
I gave her a sharp smile. "Chaos, huh? Maybe. But order built on lies won't last. When someone plays at being your friend but stabs you the moment it benefits them, what good is their order?"
Claire bristled, but Iris raised her hand. "It's alright, Claire. I want to hear this."
Her eyes returned to me. "You said individuality above all else... does that mean you don't trust anyone but yourself?"
I leaned back in my chair, letting the question linger as I consider it. "Trust? No. I trust people - but not masks. When someone is real, when they show themselves honestly, then I can respect them. Whether I like them or not, whether they're ally or enemy, at least I know where they stand. That's worth more than all the fame smiles in the world."
Iris' lips curved, just slightly. A faint smile, thougthful. "That's... actually quite noble in its own way."
Claire groaned, rubbing her temple. "Your Highness, please. Don't call that noble."
Darkness, who had been quiet until now, shifted uneasily. "It... does sound admirable. But isn't it lonely? To push away all pretense, to demand truth when the world thrives on masks?"
I chuckled, leaning forward and looking to my right. "Lonely? Maybe. But better to be alone with the truth than surrounded by liars. And besides... the few who remain when you strip away the masks - those are the ones who matter."
Darkness looked down.
Iris nodded slowly, her admiration now clear as day. "I understand now why you said you wouldn't bow just for a title. It's not arrogance... it's honesty."
Only if she knew I was ready to beef with someone.
I tried not to laugh at the thought as I began talking again. "Exactly. Don't mistake my refusal to kneel for disrespect. I acknowledge your position, Princess. But my respect... that has to be earned. Same as with anyone else."
Claire stepped forward. "You-"
"Claire," Iris said sharply, her voice firmer than before.
She froze, returning to her position beside the princess.
Iris straightened her back, her hands folded elegantly once more, but her tone carried a warmth that undercut the regal air. "Then... I will work to earn it."
I smile to myself gently, she has already earned my respect, if she is willing to pursue it.
Kazuma muttered under his breath. "She's falling for him already..."
So after a moment of silence she continued. "You spoke of individuality. But what of your vision? What do you intend to do with... all of this? With the knowledge and skill you possess?"
"My end goal?..."
I pinched the cube of brass I had conjured earlier between my fingers. "To create heaven on earth."
Her eyes widened slightly. Claire stiffened.
I rotated the cube, my voice steady. "A world where labor is an option. Where machines do all that needs to be done. Imagine a farmer who no longer breaks his back just to eat, or a craftsman who spends his time creating beauty rather than barely scraping by."
The brass cube shimmered, edges disappearing, sliced by an invisible force, soon forming into a small gear.
Claire commented, scowling. "Grand Ideals, but dangerous ones. A machine that replaces a man's labor threatens his dignity. Not everyone will welcome-"
"Dignity? There is no dignity in starving. There is no honor in breaking your bones in fields only to die with nothing to show for it. Dignity comes when people can life fully as themselves- when they can choose who they are, not chained to survival."
Her mouth tightened, but she had no retort ready.
I rose from my seat without hurry, rolling the gear in my hand, each tooth catching the light. Claire was already preparing, hand on the hilt of her blade.
"Stand down." Iris' voice firm.
Claire hesitated, but the moment I stepped towards the princess her sword hissed from its sheath.
I stopped just short of it, calm as ever. My eyes didn't leave Iris'. Slowly, I extended my hand, the little brass gear resting on my palm like a coin.
"A token of friendship." I said simply, my tone low and steady.
The princess' lips parted, her gaze flicking between the gear and my eyes. Then, without hesitation, she lifted her hand and accepted it. Her fingers brushing mine for just an instant before curling around the gear.
Darkness shifted uncomfortably in her chair, watching the tension play out. Kazuma muttered under his breath, "Smooth bastard..."
I finally stepped back, moving back to my seat.
The princess lowered the gear into her lap, studying it's intricate teeth as though it were some relic. When she looked up again, her eyes were shining - now with childish wonder, but with a budding respect. "Thank you... Svetislav. I will treasure it."
I nodded once.
"So... My vision isn't so distant... I have already started, factories, farms."
"And how do you intend to make such a world? Lofty words are easy. Implementation."
"For nearly a month I have multiplied the number of building I have by four or so. And I have got a new project in mind - one that could benefit your kingdom as much as it benefits me."
That drew Iris' full attention. "Go on."
"There's that land around the highway to the water city. The badlands. Worthless to most, ignored by everyone else. But it has potential. With the right technique, I can turn it into something thriving. A testing ground for what I intend to build."
The princess tapped her chin thoughtful. Claire scowled immediately. "That land is barren for a reason. It devours resources and gives nothing back. What use could you possibly-"
I raised a hand. "That's exactly why I want it. Because no one else does. No nobles to step on, no farmers to uproot. Just wasted space begging for purpose. And I'll give it one."
Kazuma let out a low whistle. "Turning garbage land into profit... sounds like you in a nutshell."
I ignored him, focusing on the princess. My tone shifted slightly, dipping lower, more serious. "With it also comes my promise. To be an ally to this kingdom, officially."
The words hung heavy in the air. Claire's eyes snapped to the princess incredulous. "Your Highness, you can't be seriously considering-"
But Iris raised her hand, demanding silence. Her gaze locked on me, bright and steady. She didn't look offended, or threatened. She looked... impressed.
"You would bind yourself to us. As an ally," she said carefully. "Not as a subject."
"Never a subject," I confirmed. "But an ally? That, I can be."
The brass gear glinted in her lap, and she tightened her fingers around it. "...I will consider it," she said finally. "Seriously."
I gave a single nod and so the dinner finally began, I ate my food, occasionally speaking about my creations, because we were poor in options of stuff to talk about.
By the end, the sun was setting, and it was time for the princess to go.
Outside, the evening air was cool. We stood in the front yard of the Dustiness estate, butlers and maids gathered in organized rows behind us. I stood in the right-most of my ground, next to Kazuma.
"...It's a shame," she said softly, almost to herself. "That we must part here."
A smile tugged at my lips. "Parting is part of life. We'll talk again."
The mage girl prepared for teleport, but in the last second, Iris yoinked me off my balance, to not fall I grabbed Kazuma by the shoulder and we fall anyways. But not in Axel, in front of some big fucking castle.
I stand up and look up. "...Huh?" I blinked... She dragged me in the teleport, and I accidentally dragged Kazuma with me. "Well, that was definitely not on the schedule."
Iris stood firm, her cheeks flushed. "Now that you're here... we can keep talking."
Welp, it's going to be some interesting time...