Chapter 666

Chapter 666: Deepening Mystery

“This is…”

As John spoke, he ventured further into the hut.

“Indeed, it’s a bicycle.”

The wheels were made of iron, engraved with block patterns as if they were biting into the ground. Judging by the worn corners of the pattern, it seemed to have seen considerable use.

The frame had a light silver appearance. Although lacking suspension, the saddle was supported by a structure known as leaf-spring or leaf-suspension, offering a reasonably comfortable seating experience.

Leaf-suspension is a structure that stacks plates of different lengths as springs, providing both suspension and damping effects as a damper.

Setting that aside, what caught John’s attention was the chain.

More specifically, a roller chain. This is the mechanism used by almost all bicycles and motorcycles to transmit power to the rear wheel.

Its function is straightforward, but the structure is intricate. Outer plates, inner plates, rollers, bushes, and pins are intricately combined in various arrangements.

“Would someone from another culture create something like this…?”

Jin could probably make it, but it’s something he hasn’t made yet.

Moreover, there were no bicycles in the demon territory. It appears even the ‘Origin Founder’’ hadn’t ventured into creating bicycles.

“Oh, you noticed those?”

Turning towards the voice from behind, it was Maya.

“Yeah, it’s used as our means of transportation, a thing called a bicycle. But the magical engineer, Tenkunhan Magiengineer, who came last time, gave up, saying he couldn’t figure it out.”

“I see…”

Looking closer, several bushes and pins are missing. It seems like the pin broke, causing the chain to snap.

“It’s okay to start fixing tomorrow. What do you think about it? Can those be repaired?”

John, seeing this as an opportunity to build trust, nodded in agreement.

“Oh, really! That’s a relief. Thank you.”

“Since it’s already dark today, I’ll fix it tomorrow.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s fine. As long as it gets fixed. I’ll count on you tomorrow!”

Maya said happily, but as if remembering something, she added,

“Oh, right, dinner is ready. That’s why I called you.”

With that, she gestured for John to follow.

Dinner was served at Maya’s house. It appeared that Maya lived alone. While there was a romantic atmosphere between Oliver and Maya, John opted not to inquire.

The menu included barley porridge and a modest stir-fried vegetable dish. Vegetables seemed to be a precious commodity.

“…How is it? Is it tasty? Isn’t it too bland?”

According to the analysis function in John’s mouth, the result was that it was a bit low on salt. Of course, compared to Jin’s preferences.

“Yes, it’s fine. It’s light, but it tastes good.”

“I see, that’s good. Salt is precious, you know.”

John speculated that salt must be valuable inland. Then, Maya added a somewhat concerning comment.

“Lately, transportation has been a bit sluggish…”

John deliberately refrained from delving into the details of that matter, thinking it was too early to ask such things.

The accommodation was in a lodging adjacent to Maya’s house, apparently a facility for visitors.

It wasn’t clear whether it was utilized by travelers from the Shouro Empire or by visiting outsiders.

Oliver appeared to be lodging at Maya’s house. Catching sight of John from the doorway, Oliver wore a slightly embarrassed expression.

Nevertheless, sleeping alone had its conveniences.

The Old Man, John, wanted to transfer a small amount of carbon steel from Hourai Island.

The components of the roller chain were crafted from hardened carbon steel.

In modern-day Earth, various elements are added to enhance strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. However, from what he observed, this bicycle chain seemed to be simple carbon steel, approximately S45C.

(S45C is a carbon steel with a carbon content of 0.45 percent.)

The Old Man confirmed the knowledge obtained from Jin and prepared the material. He added carbon to the stocked pure iron using ‘Additive Add’ and homogenized it with ‘Homogenization Homogenize.’

Using his magic as a marker, he transferred about one kilogram of S45C.

The next morning, following a satisfying breakfast, John began the repairs. He quickly fixed the pots with holes. However, the real challenge was the chain.

If the sizes weren’t uniform, it would be useless. He carefully used ‘Deformation Forming.’

Fortunately, the number of missing parts was minimal, allowing him to complete the chain repair in approximately two hours.

John also inspected and maintained other components throughout the process.

To his greater astonishment, he found that ball bearings were employed between the wheel and the axle.

(A magical craftsman with this technology, a MagiCraftsman, apart from Master Mylord… in the past?)

Then, the Old Man suddenly realized.

(Could it be… the First Lord?)

Yes, if it wasn’t Adrianna Balbora Ceci, the first magical engineer, MagiCraft Master, this precision machining would be possible.

(But Earth’s engineering knowledge…)

Jin inherited Adrianna’s knowledge, and there shouldn’t be anything related to modern Earth’s science and engineering in it. There were several similar technologies, but they didn’t surpass the realm of similarity.

Therefore, the Old Man arrived at a conclusion. Adrianna Balbora Ceci didn’t create this.

(Then, who did?… This adds another mystery…)

＊ ＊ ＊

“Hey, did you say your name is John? Your skills are fantastic! Thanks a lot!”

Maya, seeing the two bicycles fixed, jumped with joy.

“This one is mine. Thanks a lot.”

“Mr. John, impressive job. The Magi Engineer who came last time gave up on the bicycles.”

“Absolutely, it was exceptionally crafted. Personally, I’m intrigued about the creator.”

That genuinely reflected the Old Man’s sentiments, and that statement marked the beginning of a new discovery.

“Oh, it looks like you’re curious.”

A voice came from behind John and the others.

Turning around, a man in his early forties came into view. He had a robust and well-built physique, keen eyes, brownish-black hair, and gray eyes. A short beard adorned his face.

What caught John’s eye the most was the color of his skin. Compared to Maya, it was much darker, reminiscent of Lucas and Netros, the servants of the demon tribe.

“I’m Daro. I’m the chief of this village.”

The man who introduced himself as Daro had almost no accent.

“You’re Mr. John, right? Are you really interested in bicycles, or rather, in that kind of technology?”

The Old Man perceived this as an invitation to explore the topic more deeply.

“Yes, indeed.”

He replied promptly, without hesitation.

“I see, hmm.”

Upon hearing John’s response, Daro rested his hand on his chin, lost in thought.

Subsequently, with probing eyes, he asked a question.

“So, for that, even if it might mean you can’t return to your country?”

Pausing there, he turned around.

“If it’s now, you can still reconsider. Please think carefully.”

Even with that suggestion, the Old Man, portraying John, had only one answer.

“There’s no need to think about it. Let me be clear. I want to meet the people we call outsiders.”

Simultaneously with those words, a dozen or so men surrounded John. They held something resembling clubs in their hands.

“Can you prove that you’re not a spy from the Shouro Empire?”

It appeared that suspicions of being a spy from the Shouro Empire lingered even in this place.

“…I can’t. Probably, no matter what I say, I won’t be completely trusted. On the contrary, what would make you trust me?”

This was the turning point, and the Old Man, as John, opted to hope for negotiation.

“…If you’re not a spy, can you look at this?”

In response to John’s words, Daro took out a rainbow-colored… no, a magical crystal that shimmered with an iridescent hue, from his pocket.

A light that naturally flickered. The Old Man quickly sensed that it was a hypnotic magical tool. However, the effect was very weak, and it couldn’t induce a permanent hypnotic state.

“…”

Based on his knowledge, the Old Man decided to make John Dini pretend to fall into a hypnotic state.

He relaxed, creating an expression as if his eyes were unfocused.

“Answer the questions. What is your name?”

“John Dini.”

“Country of origin?”

“Egelia Kingdom.”

This was a prearranged scenario. As long as it wasn’t the Shouro Empire, having some suspicious points in behavior or knowledge wouldn’t be too strange.

“What is your purpose in coming here?”

“I wanted to see an unknown world.”

“Are you a spy?”

“What is a spy? I don’t know.”

This was the riskiest answer. There was no way to determine how much thinking ability remains in a hypnotic state.

However, it seemed that this answer didn’t pose a problem.

“What do you know about the outsiders?”

“I heard they were west of the Hari-Hari Desert and had targeted the Shouro Empire in the past.”

“Your family?”

“I don’t have any.”

“Are you okay with not being able to return to your homeland?”

“I don’t mind.”

After a series of these questions for about ten minutes, it appeared that John had been deemed trustworthy.

“When I clap my hands three times, you’ll come back to consciousness. Forget the questions we discussed… 1, 2, 3.”

Daro clapped his hands, and John pretended to wake up.