Chapter 136: The Principle of Having Just One Luxurious Article (2/2)
“Well, I guess it would be something like this.” [Ryouma]
I released the slimes from my Dimension Home, and then I checked up on the rimel birds and the tunnels.
I was only gone for 5 days, and yet the cave mantises have started taking nest again.
I got rid of them immediately, but maybe I should keep the entrance closed tighter…
Although, I guess it’s not really too bad since I can just hunt them and use them for food, but…
“Next is…” [Ryouma]
Somewhat deep into the mines, I chose a tunnel that was a little damp and created a simple stand in it using earth magic.
I’m going to move the mushroom bed that I made a few days ago in my Dimension Home and set it up here.
“Hmm?” [Ryouma]
That’s strange…
There were already some slender enoki-like mushrooms growing from the mushroom bed made with alchemy. I didn’t accelerate their growth using magic, so if they’re growing this quickly, could it be that these are actually a different kind of mushroom? Still, the mushrooms did successfully grew, so should I take this to mean that my mushroom cultivation is a success? …Either way, let’s just keep observing these guys for now.
I moved the mushroom bed to the tunnel, then I added a door to prevent enemies from entering.
“Next is… Ahh.” [Ryouma]
It’s the extra job I made for myself. But with this I can take care of both at the same time.
I gathered the sticky slimes at the place where the waterproof cloths were normally made and lined up the winding machines I purchased. They only had five in stock, but five should be plenty.
The winding machines I purchased were built simply and they looked just like a sewing machine placed on a tabletop. I turned the knobs at the side and spun the spool supported by pillars on the tabletop. By attaching the end of threads around the empty spools, I could wind the threads around the spools.
First, I’ll have one sticky slime puke out its threads, then I’ll turn the knob and teach the slimes how to do it themselves.
I told the slime to pay attention on the distribution of threads on the spool. We don’t want the threads to be gathered only at the center, it has to be even.
Then I had another sticky slime change places with it, and left the turning of the knob to the other slime.
It’s not a job that requires a lot of power, so there weren’t any problems.
…With two slimes paired together, they were able to wind the threads properly.
I stationed slimes for the other four winding machines as well and had them practice.
While they were doing that, I left to do another job.
While the sounds of threads being winded resounded, I prepared some charcoal and drew a magic formation on the ground.
What I’m about to make now is a ‘jewel’. A jewel formed from carbon known as ‘diamond’.
“I’m a bit nervous… But a slightly big diamond should do just fine.”
Personally, I’m fine with a plain navy blue suit, but it’s too plain according to the standards of this world, so the nobles probably won’t like it. Formal wear that’s too plain will make me look shabby and might cause problems for the person that invited me.
…As such, i had the clerk working with me advise me. I feel like 80 percent of what he was saying was true and the other 20 percent was just sales talk, but anyway, he says that the best way to deal with the lack of extravagant clothing is by attaching some expensive accessory.
But that supposedly plain suit alone cost 500,000 suits. That’s 50 small gold coins. That’s a lot of money at this point in time for me, but the other clothes were 2 to 3 times more expensive. Apparently, when high-ranking nobles buy clothes and accessories, they actually spend platinum coins.
You’re driving the prices up too much, nobles! Well, the money will still flow into society, so whatever. Anyway, since I’m going there to greet them, then I might as well spend money like a commoner and bring myself up to a level that could match the people I’m going to be meeting.
I understand that much. But exactly what am I supposed to do?
I generally don’t wear jewels and it’s bad taste to cover oneself in jewels. As such, I decided to instead wear just one big jewel as dictated by necessity.
Acquiring an expensive jewel seemed like it would be difficult, however, so I just decided to go and make one!
I’ll just pass it off as an inheritance from my grandmother.
“First, I’ll use Separation on the carbon and remove it of all impurities, and then… Fusion!” [Ryouma]
Diamond, just like graphite, is an allotrope of carbon.
It’s essentially a lump of pure iron.
The difference lies in its bonds.
It’s because of that that it’s hard, transparent, and insulated from heat and electricity.
As I ruminated on my knowledge one by one, I watched the glowing magic formation as the fine powder of carbon turned into a transparent lump.
“…” [Ryouma]
I waited for a little longer, and when the light vanished from the formation, what was left was a distorted, transparent lump.
“Identify” [Ryouma]
Plume Diamond
A special diamond with no impurities.
Color: Colorless
Weight: 218.34g = 1091.7 carats
“Plume?” [Ryouma]
It became a diamond as I’d intended, but what’s a plume? This ‘special’ under the description has me concerned. …I should ask someone I can trust about this.
And the size is clearly strange.
If I recall correctly, 0.2g should translate to 1 carat, and the biggest diamond should be either 500 or 600 carats.
But the diamond in front of me is 1091.7 carats.
“Did I put too much material in?” [Ryouma]
For the mean time, let’s divide it into smaller parts and adjust the shape.