Mephisto nodded in understanding. Those serial numbers had annoyed him when humans first began using them. Like many ancient beings, he had massive amounts of treasure stashed away and a lot of that treasure was in jewels. Any of them that had been cut were a pain in the ass to turn into human currency once they started marking all their jewels.
"Well, it's arriving tomorrow afternoon. It wasn't due for another month and I have no idea how the hell they got it to me so fast."
Though he said that, part of him suspected Azazel had found out about him buying the laser and did something to expedite the shipping process. He didn't know whether he should be annoyed or grateful. At the moment, he was both.
"I see. Perhaps in the future, once you've joined a peerage perhaps, we could have another discussion. I would really like to talk to you in depth about your views on magic."
Junichiro nodded in acceptance. He didn't mind talking about magic, it just wasn't really his forte or where his interests really lay. The magic he focused on was what he liked to think of as 'Tool Magic' that is, spells and such that helped him make the next item he wanted to make. Sure, he had plenty of wands, scrolls, and other items that could cast offensive spells, but that wasn't his main focus really. It's probably why those items were spells that were so... cliché.
After finishing breakfast with Mephisto, Junichiro and Mittelt were led back out of the Grauzauberer base. Once back in the air and on their way, Mittelt turned to address Junichiro, "Where are we going now?"
Junichiro looked at his Loot Compass and thought for a bit. He had ways to teleport now so he could get home in seconds, there was no rush to fly back to Japan, "First, France because I've never seen the Eiffel Tower in person. Then? I haven't a clue."
He wouldn't be setting the Loot Compass for any specific treasure, rather he'd set it for the nearest treasure that he'd never heard of. He thought it might be nice to find something different or unique. Perhaps it would give him some inspiration. Or, if it was useless, he'd just trade it for something useful. He wanted to do this because he knew that once he got home and had access to the laser, he wouldn't be leaving again anytime soon.
Honestly, he was certain that was the reason the laser had come in early. If he was right, Azazel had gotten it delivered early as a way to call him back and keep him in Japan where he could easily be watched. Azazel probably didn't like him being out in the wider world, especially not after his run in with Mephisto and being discovered as 'The Artificer.' He knew Mittelt would have informed Azazel of that little tidbit.
Junichiro let out a small sigh. They'd only been in the air for a few minutes and there was already silence between himself and Mittelt. Sadly, it wasn't the comfortable silence of people used to being around each other, it was awkward and annoying. He supposed it should be expected. He also couldn't help wondering if his relationship with Mittelt would last much longer. He... didn't want it to end. Even if she was the only option, one taken because he had no other real choice...
Breaking up sucked no matter how old you were mentally. Add in goddamn rampant hormones and it was so much worse.
Junichiro pulled out one of his cigarettes and lit it. After a deep drag and exhale, he couldn't stop himself from muttering, "Fuck."
They flew for a while, crossing the English Channel and flying directly into the heart of France. It was just so nice to not have to deal with customs, flight plans, layovers, or any of the other bullshit that came with using mass transit. Not only that but he got to sit in a seat enchanted for comfort! Even First Class couldn't compare with his method of travel.
After landing a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, Junichiro turned to Mittelt, "Want to join me?"
Mittelt shook her head, "No, I think I'll head into the trunk and relax while you enjoy yourself. I watched it get built and was one of the first to ascend it."
Junichiro just nodded and left the vehicle and Mittelt behind. Once he was a good distance away, he sighed and shook his head, "Well, I suppose for my first relationship, it wasn't so bad." He chuckled to himself, "At least it wasn't as drama filled as a high school romance would be!"
He paused as that thought crossed his mind. He sighed again and shook his head, "If I do end up dating Rias, that's going to be one hell of a drama filled relationship."
He knew he wasn't so good with people, or much more than making things with his skills even, but he wasn't stupid and he could learn. He hadn't changed his mind about becoming a Devil, and likely never would, but he did know that he needed to keep his expectations with Rias in check. He didn't know if she would actually be like he expected or not. Worse, the longer he lived this new life, the more fuzzy his memories of the series became. They weren't all that great to begin with either.
Junichiro shook off those thoughts. He'd figure out what to do when the time came. If he had to, he'd find a way to steal an Evil Piece and try to discover how they worked. He didn't know if he could since they took the brilliant mind of Ajuka Beelzebub to create and probably had protections built into them. He protected his products, why wouldn't someone significantly smarter than him do the same thing?
His eye practically sparkled as he beheld the Eiffel Tower in all its glory with his own eyes for the first time. It was amazing. Not so much the tower itself, but what seeing it represented. Much like Big Ben did. It represented the drastic difference between his current life and what he could remember of his first life.