https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-8-Thalia-Finds-Humans-Incomprehensible/12582085/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-10-Is-There-a-Problem-with-the-Magic-Cards-Lance-Made-/12582088/
Chapter 9: Lanchi is about to start Card Making
Chapter 9: Lanchi is about to start Card Making
Donning his coat, Lanchi picked up the grimoire he had borrowed from the Border Library and left his room.
As dawn broke, the world outside became clearer and more vibrant.
After his usual breakfast and a brief chat with the butler, Hans, and a farewell to the maid, Fran, Lanchi set out from his mansion and headed towards the street corner that held a special memory for him.
Soon, he spotted Talia standing by the wall.
"Good morning, Tata."
Lanchi greeted Talia, who had been waiting for him early in the morning.
Previously, when Lanchi had asked for Talia's name, she hadn't given him her real one.
Instead, she had introduced herself as "Tata."
Although Lanchi already knew her true identity, he had to pretend otherwise.
If he accidentally called her "Talia," it could cause major problems.
After all, he was just an ordinary commoner, and there was no reason for him to know the true identity of this demon princess.
So, Lanchi naturally addressed her by the nickname "Tata."
"Hn."
Talia merely nodded, not paying further attention to Lanchi.
When Lanchi started his journey for the day, she kept a distance, following him from a short way off.
...
About half an hour later, Lanchi and Talia arrived at the Card Maker's Association - the South Vantyna Border Branch in the Kingdom of Hutton.
Even before Lanchi could touch the thick, heavy door, a mysterious energy began to permeate it.
Under the influence of this power, the ancient emblem on the black iron metal door began to glow with a faint blue light, as if it had come to life, pulsating with magical energy.
With a slight vibration, the gap in the door of the Card Maker's Association gradually widened.
What lay beyond was a scene completely unlike the outside world -
The interior of the association was simple yet elegant, with a well-organized layout consisting of a counter area divided into sections, devoid of excessive and intricate decorations.
Even though it was still morning, the association was already bustling with busy staff members. Several visitors waited at the counters, discussing topics related to magic cards and the Shadow World.
Lanchi had just taken a step into this grand and majestic building when he suddenly stopped.
"Tata, I'm not sure when I'll finish today, so why don't you come in with me?"
He turned to Talia and asked.
Ever since he had made a deal with Talia, Lanchi had been informing her of his daily schedule in advance, including what time he would leave in the morning and return in the evening.
And Talia, as his bodyguard, was very dedicated to her task.
Previously, whether Lanchi went to the Border Library or the Card Maker's Association, Talia would wait outside until he emerged.
The guard forces in these important areas were not weak, and Lanchi had explained to her that she didn't need to accompany him everywhere.
For instance, once he reached his mansion, her duty was done for the day.
Additionally, Lanchi was well aware that Talia didn't have the necessary credentials to enter these places.
Currently, she was just a stowaway in the Kingdom of Hutton, her true identity unknown.
If she were to intrude into these large association branches and her identity was investigated, it could cause quite a stir.
"No need."
Talia's tone was devoid of any emotion, maintaining her usual distant demeanor.
Lanchi sighed and, with his hands on his hips, looked at her:
"I might have to stay here for long hours every day from now on. If you wait outside every day like this... wouldn't it be more conspicuous?"
"..."
His words rendered Talia silent as she seemed to ponder his suggestion.
"Don't you think it would be much more convenient for your work if you could also enter and exit the Card Maker's Association freely?"
Lanchi asked further, "Here's the plan. I'll rent a card-making workshop within the association. There will be no one in the card-making room except me, so you can just pass the time there. If anyone from the association asks, I'll just say you're my bodyguard."
"Here's my savings crystal card," Lanchi said as he took out his card.
It was obviously the highest-level card, and the Card Maker's Association in the border city-state would not offend a VIP like him.
"Okay." Talia hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly and followed him.
Compared to waiting outside, she had long wanted to enter the human Card Maker's Association to take a look.
Unfortunately, she had been unable to do so due to her lack of legal status.
This human... always seemed to inadvertently grant her wishes.
...
Not long after Lanchi and Talia entered the association, a butler came to greet Lanchi.
Although he was not a registered card maker with the association, the staff knew that Lanchi was here as a "merchant."
After all, the Lanchi family was the well-known Wilford Chamber of Commerce in this South Vantyna border region.
"I would like to rent a high-level private card-making workshop, and I will need some materials."
Lanchi expressed his intentions concisely and clearly to the butler and handed him a list.
The butler then politely nodded and gestured for them to follow him.
Led by the butler, they walked around half of the association's first floor and arrived at the third floor via a floating staircase.
The corridor on this floor seemed to be several decades old, but it had not been overly renovated to preserve a certain artistic feel.
At the end of the corridor, a room with a purple signboard caught Lanchi and Talia's eyes.
The butler opened the door for them and stepped aside, indicating that they could enter.
"Mr. Lanchi Wilford, the rental fee is 1 pound per hour. You can settle the bill when you leave, and I will send the materials to you shortly."
The butler operated a small magical device and returned the crystal card imprinted with Lanchi's identity to him.
"Alright, thank you."
Lanchi chatted with the butler at the door.
Talia stood quietly near Lanchi, scrutinizing their surroundings.
She immediately noticed that the spacious card-making workshop was equipped with a complete set of card-making facilities, all of which were relatively high-end.
In a border city-state, having these facilities was already quite impressive.
Talia couldn't remember the last time she had touched these familiar tools.
But she had no desire to touch them now.
The magic cards she crafted, inscribed with Demon Script, could not be traded freely in the human realm.
If she left any traces that could be traced back to her and the human kingdom's alliance council started investigating, it would bring nothing but deadly trouble...
...
Before long, the staff prepared and delivered the materials on Lanchi's list.
In addition to the standard materials such as blank cards, energy crystals, imprinting magic stones, and magic core fluid, there was also a stack of scrolls.
The main materials required for making the three major types of magic cards differed.
Equipment cards needed equipment prototypes and enchantment and sealing tools.
Summoning cards required monster crystal cores or soul crystals.
Spell cards, on the other hand, needed spell scrolls as materials, which would be processed and rewritten.
Spell cards were undoubtedly the best choice for practice.
Since a large part of the materials and craftsmanship for spell cards were already integrated into the spell scrolls, creating them was more like "reprocessing" than starting from scratch!
"You can stay here, or you can leave and come back at any time. Just find the butler, and he will bring you back in."
Lanchi picked up a chair and placed it not too far from the workbench, indicating that it was for Talia.
Talia nodded.
She didn't like standing and waiting all day either.
So, Talia walked lightly to the chair and sat down gracefully, her spine straight and her hands gently folded in her lap like a noble queen.
Her gaze was indifferent as she looked straight ahead, seemingly unconcerned with her surroundings.
However, after sitting down, she realized that all she could do now was watch the young man make cards to pass the time.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
