Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 61

Kainchel, arriving at the Tower of the Sages, looked utterly bewildered.

Usually, the words ‘magic tower’ evoke images of a grand, imposing structure.

However, what stood before Kainchel resembled a general store more than anything else.

“…Limited-time sale on all items?”

“Wow! Following you always brings good luck, Brother! Sales like this usually only happen once every six months.”

“Is that so…”

Come to think of it, a magic tower *was* essentially a store dealing in a vast array of magical artifacts.

The Zoma Mirror that Kainchel still wore around his neck had also been crafted in a magic tower.

Even so, why was this one so small, barely large enough to fit three people?

Zeke, who had eagerly tagged along, provided the answer.

“Every city of a certain size has a Tower of the Sages. But most of them look like this from the outside. What’s here is just the entrance. If you go inside…”

Opening the door and stepping through, Kainchel found himself inside the *real* magic tower.

The sight of countless magical artifacts displayed in a space that stretched hundreds of meters high was truly breathtaking.

“Are the magic towers in other places all like this?”

“That’s right, Brother. Originally, you had to travel to the main Tower of the Sages at the continent’s edge, but as magical artifacts became more popular, they started opening branches like this. After all, accessibility is the most important thing for a store, right? That idea is actually…”

Kainchel sighed. To think such an incredible place was hidden in plain sight, a place he passed by every week.

He understood why Count Well-Ride had assigned Siegfried to him.

If he had come alone, he would have been so overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the magic tower that he would have been paralyzed for days.

But Zeke had vanished.

“Where did that guy go now…”

Fortunately, Zeke wasn’t hard to find.

His characteristically loud voice echoed from behind a display case.

“Ooh! A comb that increases hair growth speed by 100 times! I always felt bad after using the Memorial Cutter [presumably a magical item that cuts hair], but with this, I won’t have to! Ugh! Two hundred gold is too expensive!”

A sigh escaped Kainchel’s lips.

Wasn’t he acting like a child in a toy store?

“T, this is another interesting magical artifact!”

“But is it okay to touch them so carelessly?”

“It’s okay, Brother. The ones displayed here are all mock-ups anyway.”

“What’s a mock-up?”

“Ah, it means a meticulously made replica. You don’t think they’d display magical artifacts worth several gold like this, do you?”

Just then, a businesslike voice, utterly devoid of emotion, halted Zeke’s movements.

“Excuse me, sir, but all the items on display are genuine, so please handle them with care. Defensive magic is in place to prevent theft.”

Standing there was a woman dressed as a clerk, appearing to be in her early twenties.

Her short, blue hair, cropped close to her ears, shimmered in the light.

“Ooh! If they’re genuine, I can’t resist even more!”

“A very powerful impact magic is in place. If you touch them incorrectly, you may become sexually disabled, so please be careful.”

“…H, heek!”

The clerk, who had silenced Zeke with such ease, smiled at Kainchel.

“Hello, sir. My name is Vivianne, and I’m in charge of this Tower of the Sages. How may I help you?”

“Ah, yes. I’d like to order a magical artifact.”

“I see. Currently, the main branch has over 13,000 different products available. As a recommendation, how about this winter coat over here? It’s made of fine fabric and has magic that constantly maintains body temperature, so you can stay very warm even in places like the White Mountains. If you purchase it now, you’ll receive a light orb that can be used for up to three days on a single charge as a free gift…”

The salesmanship of the clerk named Vivianne was truly impressive.

If he kept listening to her, he felt like he would unknowingly spend all his money.

Kainchel grabbed his right hand, which was already reaching for the pouch containing gold coins, and said,

“I’d like to order a magical artifact that can use gate magic to a specified coordinate.”

Vivianne bowed, still with a blank expression.

“I’m sorry, sir. Unfortunately, we cannot create magical artifacts containing gate magic for those who do not have a spatial magic handling permit.”

“Do you need something like that to use a magical artifact?”

“Yes, sir. There are several military and administrative issues involved.”

“Military… Certainly, if anyone could use spatial magic, problems could arise.”

What would happen if a magical artifact that allowed spatial teleportation fell into the hands of a thief?

That’s why such magical artifacts were managed so strictly.

A savior appeared before Kainchel, who wore a troubled expression.

“Ahaha! Brother! That’s why I came along! Look, here’s a spatial magic handling permit! A Class 2 one, no less! And I even have a letter of guarantee from Well-Ride, the big boss!”

Vivianne, receiving the certificate Zeke handed over, began to examine it carefully.

She even took out a quill pen from her pocket and rubbed the parchment with the feather part [a method to check for authenticity].

It stated that the Edelweiss Merchant Guild would take full responsibility if any problems arose.

The Edelweiss Merchant Guild was a long-time customer of the magic tower.

If its owner was guaranteeing his identity, then they were, in a word, very important customers.

“Identity confirmed. However, with a Class 2 permit, you can only use gates with a limited number of uses. Is that alright?”

“Yes, yes!”

“Then please wait a moment.”

Vivianne touched her earring and began to speak to someone.

“…Yes, I understand. I’ll bring them over.”

Finishing the conversation, Vivianne smiled brightly and said,

“Normally, I would take the order and put in an offer, but the branch manager would like to meet you in person. I’ll guide you to the VIP room right away.”

Vivianne walked towards a full-length mirror that had appeared before her.

And just like that, she vanished.

Kainchel muttered, dazed,

“I guess there’s spatial teleportation magic on that too. But if it’s Bishop, surely it’s not *that* Bishop, right?”

“Is there any other Bishop besides *that* Bishop? The artisan who created countless magical artifacts, and one of the three who came closest to the Philosopher’s Stone [a legendary alchemical substance]. You’re talking about the alchemist of alchemy, Bishop.”

Kainchel unconsciously stroked the Zoma Mirror hanging around his neck.

This was also a magical artifact made by the alchemist Bishop.

To think that such a person would be working as a branch manager in a place like this.

Perhaps he could find out why his Zoma Mirror worked differently from others.

Kainchel licked his lips and stepped towards the mirror.

@

The place was a library filled with tens of thousands of books.

In the center sat a man wearing an iron mask. Kainchel greeted him with the etiquette of a knight.

“My name is Kainchel van Zistad. It is an honor to meet the pinnacle of alchemy, who seeks great knowledge.”

A bizarre laugh echoed from behind the iron mask.

“I am Bishop. Little Greg vouched for you, so I suddenly became interested and called you in.”

“L, Little?”

Zeke, who followed, chuckled and replied.

“I heard that he and the big boss have known each other since they were kids. But no one knows how old Bishop is.”

“…Then does that mean that all the Bishops in the history books are the same person? I just thought it was a title given to outstanding alchemists…”

“Ahaha! Amazing, right? This is also my first time meeting Bishop… Wow, with that build and wearing armor, he looks like some kind of half-ogre.”

“I can hear you! I can hear you, Zeke!”

Kainchel began to frantically search for something to shut Zeke up.

Fortunately, Bishop didn’t seem to care much about Zeke’s tone.

“I heard everything you discussed with Vivianne. You need a Class 2 Gate.”

“Yes, I need a gate that leads to a specified coordinate. The number of uses is once a week, and the number of people is two.”

“If unauthorized use is detected, the magic power supply will be cut off immediately. Then those who have entered the gate will become lost in the dimensions. You will hear other precautions through Vivian.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The conversation with Bishop, the master of alchemy who had lived for hundreds of years, proceeded surprisingly businesslike.

Vivianne, standing next to Bishop, spoke in a voice that still conveyed no emotion.

“A customer is causing a disturbance. Would you like to instruct me on how to handle it?”

Bishop slowly raised his hand. A mirror appeared in the empty space.

It seemed to serve as a communication device to talk to other clerks.

The face of a clerk who looked exactly like Vivianne floated in the mirror.

“It’s Vivianne number 147. What’s the matter?”

― Yes, a customer is asking for compensation because she got sick from the side effects of a magical artifact she purchased.

“Let me see her face.”

The image of the sick customer appeared in the mirror.

It was a noble young lady wearing a fancy dress, but red rashes covered all the parts of her skin not hidden by clothing.

She wore a mask, but if she removed it, her face would likely be in a similar condition.

“It’s a disease called Wolfs. Ask the customer if the magical artifact she bought was the type that prevents infectious diseases.”

After a moment, a reply came from Vivianne number 147.

― Yes, she said she used it several times because she was anxious.

“She used a magical artifact that boosts immunity too much. Tell her that eating fresh vegetables like tomatoes and onions, shiitake mushrooms, salmon or oily fish, and fresh milk or eggs regularly, and getting plenty of rest will improve her symptoms.”

Kainchel’s eyes widened as he listened to Bishop’s explanation.

Wolfs was a disease that young women working in the fields occasionally contracted.

The skin all over the body turned red as if bitten by a wolf, and every joint screamed with pain upon movement.

In rural areas where superstition was rampant, they were sometimes driven out of the village for being bitten by a lycanthrope [a werewolf].

But Bishop was claiming that the disease could be cured by eating food.

“Sorry for the wait. Then let’s continue taking your order.”

“I’m sorry, but I overheard the conversation. Can the disease really be cured just by eating food?”

“Hoo… Are you also interested in medicinal cuisine?”

A strange curiosity flickered in the eyes briefly visible behind the iron mask.

“If it’s not rude, I’d like to know what medicinal cuisine is.”

Bishop chuckled softly.

“I like people with a lot of curiosity. Isn’t that the basis of alchemy? Then I’ll briefly explain medicinal cuisine.”

Kainchel swallowed hard. To think he would learn the secrets of cooking from the master of alchemy in this way.

Perhaps he had stumbled upon another stroke of good luck.

“All humans have Aura. Where do you think it comes from?”

Kainchel recalled Ian’s explanation of Aura.

Living things gain the Aura they need to live by eating, sleeping, and breathing.

Perhaps the answer Bishop wanted was…

“Isn’t it food?”

“Kahaha! You are the first person to give that answer to this question. And I think the same way. And it’s not just Aura. The things that make up human bones, flesh, and blood were originally ingredients.”

Confusion clouded Kainchel’s eyes.

“So, are you saying that it’s possible to cure diseases by eating the ingredients that the body lacks?”

“That’s right! That’s what medicinal cuisine is! Of course, you can’t cure diseases with medicinal cuisine alone. But by replenishing the lacking nutrients, you can make the body stronger and give it the strength to fight the disease. Medicinal cuisine is divided into health-promoting medicinal cuisine that strengthens the body and disease-curing medicinal cuisine that helps heal diseases. The difference is…”

Kainchel, sweating profusely, interrupted.

“I’m sorry. I suddenly heard too many stories and need time to organize my thoughts.”

“Cough, cough. I’m sorry about this. I never thought I would meet someone interested in medicinal cuisine in my life, but I was so happy to meet you that I…”

Bishop coughed and began to fidget with the hair sticking out from under the iron mask.

‘He has surprisingly cute aspects… Ugh, ugh! What am I thinking, looking at that ogre-like man!’

Thinking that, Kainchel felt his body tingle.

To think there would be a dish that strengthens the body and helps heal diseases!

He wanted to make that medicinal cuisine right away.

But that opportunity would come sooner than he thought.

The Magic Tower Alchemist #3