Magical Tool Master Dahlia Never Compromises ~ Starting Today: Life as a Freelancer ~

Those deep blue eyes were even bluer than usual, narrowed like a cat. Just as Dahlia was thinking, "Just like Gabriella," she heard him continue in a deep voice:

"Don't you always tell me not to work overtime and to take care of my health?"

"Uh, that's right..."

"You are my superior. Those in higher positions must lead by example."

Then Ivano began to earnestly exhort her to stay hydrated.

He also promised her that he would go to the royal city with her until she found a guard.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

The "Clothing Magic Workshop" was built under the leadership of the Clothing Guild. It was said that it was built in a hurry because they were in a hurry to make five-toed socks and insoles.

But when Dalia was invited there, she found that it was a large and sturdy red brick house covering a large area and even a large horse ranch.

Dahlia was taken to a reception room with red carpet and bright dark brown tables, and sat on a soft black leather sofa.

Inside the room were Fortunato, the head of the Clothing Guild, his attendants and maids, as well as Lucia, Ivano, and Dahlia.

Ivano had already outlined the plan to Fortu. They had brought some trial fabrics today to discuss their feasibility.

"...In short, we hope to develop this fabric with you and provide prototypes to the monster-suppression forces. We plan to begin mass production next year."

"This is truly a groundbreaking invention. We accept all the terms your Chamber of Commerce has offered. On behalf of the Clothing Guild, I would like to express my gratitude to your Chamber of Commerce."

Fortu wore a light green scarf around his neck and wore a cheerful smile. Ivano, who was in charge of the explanation, also smiled.

Seeing the two of them getting along so well, Dalia couldn't help but wonder when they started to get along so well.

"Let's briefly discuss the plan... First, should we go with a hat or a turban under the helmet? For ease of replacement, we'd prefer a turban. It would be best if the knights learn how to tie a turban. We can also produce a small number of hats for those who need them. As for the scarf, the length can be adjusted freely, so this will be sufficient for now."

"What do you think about the cloth attached to the chest and back?"

"Knights have different body shapes. Initially, holes were cut in the cloth to pull it over their heads, and later it was modified into a sleeveless bra."

Fortu flipped through the documents and answered Dahlia's questions fluently.

"Fortune-sama, could you make it into a short-sleeved bra from the beginning, so that the fabric fits snugly under the armpits?"

"Knights value shoulder mobility, so most prefer sleeveless underwear. We can produce both. Next, the boxer briefs... Since they ride so often, these must be produced first. To prevent the trouser legs from riding up, the trouser legs should be longer."

"Mobility...Will it hinder movement if the back of the knee is covered with cloth?"

"Some people might be concerned about this, and it really comes down to personal preference. It might be better to make it a replaceable pad or a removable knee brace for them to choose from."

As expected of Fortu, both the head of the Clothing Guild and a man well-versed in knights, he corrected the flaws in the prototype and quickly sketched out designs in his sketchbook. The drawings were so beautiful they could be hung directly as decorations.

"Let's finalize the preliminary plan. If it goes well, it will be welcomed not only by the knights but also by the nobles of the royal city."

"Aren't there cooling fans and refrigeration fans in the royal city?"

"Yes, they do, but the formal attire for aristocratic men is a three-piece suit consisting of a jacket, trousers, and a vest. Even if you wear a thin summer shirt, you'll still sweat a lot."

"But you always look so relaxed, sir."

"I rely on willpower and magical tools."

Fortu took off his coat and removed a small magical tool from his collar and pocket.

The thin body was about the size of Dahlia's hands, and long tubes connected to it, extending into the back and sleeves. Fortu pulled out the tubes and placed them on the table.

"This is a 'small air blower.' It's powered by a wind magic stone and blows air through a tube onto our backs and sleeves. We turn it on when we're walking down the hallway or going to the dressing room to dry off the sweat."

"Can't it just stay open?"

Dahlia couldn't help but ask. It sounded like it would only last a short time.

"This thing is a bit noisy, so I can't use it in a quiet place. Also, the wind is pretty strong, which can easily dent clothes, making it inconvenient to use all the time. The smell is also a problem."

"Men are not allowed to take off their coats or wear short sleeves in the royal castle?"

"Leaving aside women, for men alone, wearing long sleeves and not taking off their coats is considered etiquette. While there are cooling fans and refrigeration fans in the city, only high-ranking nobles can sit in the cooler areas. After a long meeting, standing up always makes you break out in a cold sweat. If we can use this kind of fabric, the sweat stains should be reduced."

"The nobles have it hard too..."

Although the nobles had magical tools such as small air blowers, they still had to use their willpower to persevere in the scorching heat.

"However, royals and nobles who can use ice magic probably don't need it. If their magic power is strong enough, they can conjure large ice cubes in hot weather or blow cold air to cool the room."

Such a capability is really enviable in the summer. They may not even need a cooling fan or an ice fan.

"It would be nice if all the clothes could be combined into one piece."

"Integrated into one piece?"

"I could cut off the cuffs and the exposed part of the shirt and sew it onto the jacket... but I'm not sure if that would be rude..."

"Dalia, that's an interesting idea! I'll try it next time."

Rukia said as she finally reached out and picked up the cooling cloth.

Perhaps out of concern for Fortu, she had only listened quietly and had not touched the fabric before.

"It's so cold..."

She first touched the light green cloth with her fingertips, then wrapped it around her neck, and finally buried her entire face in it.

"R-Rukia?"

"...I really want to use this fabric to make underwear...I really want it!"

She raised her head and almost shouted.

"This kind of fabric can prevent underarm sweat, right? I'd love to use it for bras and the lining of corsets! I'd also like to use it for the back of my underwear and the inside of my petticoats! That way, I won't get sweat stains on my dresses."

"I understand. This thin fabric will fit snugly against your feet, and if used as a lining, you can easily wear a layered dress even in the summer."

Fortu seemed accustomed to Rukia's loss of control and nodded calmly.

"This fabric can also solve the problem of sweat from the armpits and back easily damaging clothes!"

"Yes, it's also suitable for summer wedding dresses. After all, white fabric easily shows sweat stains. The dresses that noble women wear during ceremonies are made of heavy fabrics. They will definitely be happy to change to this kind of fabric."

"If possible... I hope to be able to produce it for the general public one day."

"The general public, do you mean civilians?"

Fortu asked doubtfully, it seemed he had never considered that this kind of cloth could be used on civilians.

"Yes, people who do manual labor in the summer are most afraid of the intense heat, and many people suffer from prickly heat."

"I see. If that's the case, then simply wearing a cooling towel makes a big difference."

Dahlia has discussed this with Ivano.

If it could be made for civilians, in addition to knights and nobles, production could be expanded, lowering the price. Initially, it would only be supplied to monster-slaying troops, but she hoped to expand sales through clothing guilds in the future, allowing for volume and price adjustments. Therefore, she wanted to position this fabric as an affordable product, rather than a luxury item.

"Then, next year we'll need dozens, no, hundreds, of times more green slimes than we have now... The Adventurer's Guild and the Costume Guild must jointly cultivate these slimes, and additional breeding tanks will need to be added starting now."

"Sorry to trouble you again..."

"It's not a problem. I'd actually welcome it. If the Adventurer's Guild refuses to cooperate, the Costume Guild will find a solution. Even if it means turning my house and villa yard into a slime farm, that's fine."

"Fortu-sama...?"

His house should be on Noble Street. Is it really okay to raise slimes in his yard? Although I don't know where his villa is, his family, servants, and neighbors would probably be scared to see so many slimes.

"Dalia, let me ask you, can this be changed to a thinner cloth?"

"Yes, as long as it's breathable fabric."

"Can the color be changed? I want a different color of fabric."

"But... this is the natural color of the green slime."

The green slime's color is the characteristic green of wind magic. She tried using commercially available color neutralizers, but the color became somewhat cloudy and the green color couldn't be completely removed.

"...It can be removed."

"Eh, can it be removed?"

Hearing Fortu mumbling to himself, Dalia couldn't help but ask.

"Most monster-related dyes can be masked with an opposite color, or diluted with an opposite material. If this principle can be applied to green slimes, the green color can be removed. However, only dyers know the formula... Ah, please keep this a secret."

"Master Fortu, you are amazing!"

Rukia cheered. Indeed, if dyeing could be successfully accomplished, a wider variety of clothing could be created.

"It seems a shame to make it disposable."

"Hmm? ...Ms. Dahlia, after the red and blue slimes are given magical tools, will their colors also remain?"

"Yes, it will leave some color. After the red slime is detoxified, it can be made into lipstick."

"So, they can all be used as dyes?"

"Yes, you could say that."

"Then how about trying out the 'coloring methods' of the costume designers and dyers one by one?"

"'Color-fixing method'?"

Although magic tool masters also use dyes, she has never heard of this method.

Perhaps it's the expertise of the costume designers and dyers.

"'Color Fixation' isn't magic, but rather a method of fixing color through heating or cooling, and the addition of various chemicals. The magics granted aren't mutually exclusive, so it's worth a try. There are eighty methods in total, and perhaps you'll find a viable solution among them. We'll also need to test whether to dye first and then fix the color, or fix the color first and then dye..."

"But the craftsmen who know how to fix the color should be very busy, right?"

"No, no, I'm one of the people who would be happy to prioritize this."

Fortu's tone sounded cheerful. Beside him, Rukia was still rubbing her face against the fabric.

"Dalia, have you decided on a name for this cloth?"

"Not yet. This cloth is cool. How about calling it 'wind cloth' or 'low temperature cloth'?"

"It sounds like it might give you a cold. 'Flowing Wind Cloth', 'Cool Breeze Cloth'... No, I can't think of a good name."

"...How about being creative and calling it 'Auratelo'?"

"It's like coming from another world, so cool!"

"Master Fortu, you are a true poet..."

Dahlia agreed with Ivanor's compliment. Fortu's naming taste was far different from hers.

"Besides, if the wind were a little stronger, it would be even cooler..."

"I've made a version with stronger wind."

Hearing Rukia say this, Dalia took out a small magic box from her bag. Inside was a small white gauze handkerchief. The gauze had two layers, and the back was painted with light green grid lines.

"Unfortunately, it failed. Perhaps it was because the area was too small and the lines were too thick, resulting in too strong a wind."

You can feel the wind pressure just by holding it in your hand.

Rukia took the handkerchief, spread it out, and put it against her face.

"Dalia, use this to make garters!"

"If you feel like your skirt is too hot, you can wrap the cloth around your knees... er, Rukia?"

Rukia suddenly lifted her skirt and stuffed her handkerchief into the opening of her stocking at her thigh.

Then she stood up suddenly, and her skirt fluttered up.

"This is exactly what I want! I don't need a bustle, and the skirt still puffs up! The waistline is slim and sexy! This way I can design more diverse dresses!"

"So you can use it this way, Rukia! You can layer lace and chiffon to create new dress styles!"

Seeing the man smiling, Dalia understood something.

The Fortu he had met so far was the head of the Clothing Guild and a nobleman with the title of Viscount.

But like Rukia, there is a "dress maker" living in his heart.

"Ms. Dahlia, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm sure you'll be able to create many interesting things in the future."

"I should thank you."

"I'm so touched by your invitation to collaborate on this product that I want to offer you my sword and protect you with all my might..."

"U-Um, Lord Fortunato?"