Arc 26: What can be done for tomorrow

Chapter 258: The Prize Capsule, and the Third

So, due to those reasons, this is a new product(Touya)

Ho-hou. What on earth is that thing? It looks like theres something inside of it(Alba)

An unfamiliar object has been placed in front of Alba-sans Strand Company branch store in Brunhild.

The upper part consists of a large box containing something inside while the lower part consists of a gap for inserting money inside, a rotating handle and a hole where the user takes the item coming from the box.

This is an object referred to as a Capsule Toy.

I suppose I should call it a Lottery-style Toy Purchase Machine, I think? Anyway, please try it out(Touya)

As I talk to him, Alba-san puts inside the gap-shaped like a coin slot a bronze coin and turns the handle, producing a clattering sound. Afterward, a round cylindrical object about 10 cm in diameter drops down to the hole serving as the exit of the contents from the box above.

Whats this?(Alba)

Please open it(Touya)

Alba-san unfastens the cover made of leather which is locked with a cord, and a miniature Frame Gear then shows up from inside of it. Its a Chevalier figurine, thoroughly made from hardened rubber up to the tiniest details.

Hoo! This product is done quite nicely! But if thats how that object works, wont it also be fine to just sell them the usual way? (Alba)

The content of those objects is not just Chevaliers. I have other, different items inside of those capsules. Heres the list(Touya)

Alba-san looks at the list Ive given him and becomes a bit surprised as to how many items are inside those said capsules. Yet he still doesnt seem to understand how that lottery works even now.

Ehm. As expected. That box still means something else What if we can also sell each of those items inside the stores? (Alba)

Let me see. For example, lets say Alba-san wants a Night Baron from that list. Youll be able to buy it for a bronze coin if the store sells it, wont you? But if you put it inside that box, then(Touya)

! Thats right! It wont necessarily come out on the first try! Then you need to turn it again and again I see! Youre saying that we will be able to earn that much! (Alba)

Its a commodity which stirs up the users gambling spirit, but its cheap enough for it not require that much money. Moreover, if someone brings ten of those cylinders to the shop, they will be able to exchange them for a bronze coin, thus making it possible to refill and recycle those commodities.

I open [Storage] and take out one more similar looking capsule toy lottery box.

And this one here has items that have a higher class than the previous one. Each turn costs a copper coin, making this new one ten times the price of the previous one, but the articles it gives out are made of metal which are of very good quality(Touya)

The so-called toy for children and for adults. Oh well, it wont be a problem even if an adult or a child uses both lotteries.

(ED: Kujibiki Tokushou?)

Alba-san tries to turn the handle of the second one as well. The prize that came out is a Blue Moon, the frame of the Vice-Commander Norun-san.

In comparison to the one made from hardened rubber, this one is slightly bigger in size, so it will look good even as an ornament due to it being thick and heavy.

By the way, the line-up is divided into:

Types of Frame Gears:

Gerhilde (Elzies frame)

Schwertleite (Yaes Frame)

Siegrune (Hildas frame)

Ortlinde (Suus frame)

Helmwige (Linzies frame)

Grimgerde (Rins frame)

Shining Count (Commanders frame)

Night Baron (Vice-Commanders frame)

Blue Moon (Vice Commanders frame)

Chevalier (Regular Soldiers frame)

Dragoon (Ends frame)

A set of every kind of weapons.

And types of magic beasts:

Black Dragon

Wyvern

Sunora Wolf

Mithril Golem

Scorpinas

Demon Lord

Blood Crab

Wood Golem

King Ape

Small magic beasts (In assortment)

The reason Ive added those monster types is that Ive considered that rival characters might be necessary and that people might say What, its the Chevalier again when they open up the cylinders if we just include frame gears.

Oh well, the chances to get each of the figurines are somewhat different, only getting frame gears as a prize can happen though.

This time, I take out one more stand from [Storage] and, to be honest, this one is the main attraction. This one is even bigger than the previous two and doesnt contain magic beasts inside it.

This one doesnt require you to put money in to turn the handle. Rather, this one is for giving out freebies when someone spends a certain amount of money on goods in Alba-sans store. For that reason, the materials used for the items of this lottery box are the bones of magic beasts. They are quite sophisticated due to their colorful designs. In addition, Ive also managed to make their arms and legs mobile.(Touya)

Those are the so-called action figurines, and theyre super-extraordinary items which can reproduce even the transformations of Linzies frame. Ive manufactured them using the bones of magic beasts whose material properties are identical to plastic.

When you say a certain amount, do you mean as much as a silver coin?(Alba)

Nn~, well, I wonder about that. To be honest, Im somewhat an amateur when it comes to the money spent on shopping, so you can change the amount on your side(Touya)

For him to say a silver coin, thats about 10, 000 yen, right? Well, after all, those prizes are freebies a customer gets for shopping.

The manufacturing process shouldnt be that difficult. Mobile figurines require a certain amount of skill to make, but it also looks like theres a dwarven craftsman working as Alba-sans intermediary. Therefore, everything will probably be alright.

Right after installing a bronze coin vending machine inside the store (because theres a possibility that the prizes will be stolen if we leave the vending machine outside the store, as one would expect), children have immediately flocked around it and started turning the handle. Oh, a Dragoon figurine came up. That one is considered to be a rare item.

This is certainly Being able to save on the labor costs for professionals if we alternate the content (Alba)

It seems that Alba-sans is making a lot of calculations in his head while looking at the children turning the clattering handle.

I pass the metallic mold for figurines to Alba-san and leave the store.

As I continue walking through the main street of the castle town, theres something happening up ahead thats making a lot of noise.

I try to peek through the gaps between the onlookers, and I can see that an arrest is taking place.

Pin him down! Its an arrest!(???)

Four knights are subduing two violent men. Having quickly tied up their hands behind their back with a rope, three knights then take the men away.

Sorry for the inconvenience. Its alright now(???)

The remaining knight calls out to the surrounding citizens in order to relieve them. Oya? If Im not mistaken, this person is

Ya. Thanks for your hard work(Touya)

N? H-hello there, Your Majesty(Lance)

The knight with short blond hair tries to kneel on his spot. Lance Tempest, a young newcomer knight born in the Knight Kingdom Restia.

Ooh, its fine already. Stand up. Stand up. Ive already told you guys that this sort of behavior is unnecessary unless on formal occasions. Its very troublesome(Touya)

Ye-yes(Lance)

The young Lance stands up, looking perplexed. I guess this sort of knightly behavior is imprinted in guys like him who were born in the knight kingdom, so it cant be helped.

So, has something happened here?(Touya)

Yes. There has been a harassment towards a female shop assistant at the restaurant. We then mobilized after the child of the waitress rushed to the station(Lance)

I see. So theyve sexually harassed the waitress-san, huh? Lets have them firmly reflect on what theyve done even if it isnt a grave crime.

Still, the scene of the knights arresting those hoodlums using ropes sure looks like a historical play despite the fact that using something similar to handcuffs is more convenient than ropes. There have to be arm chains, arm shackles or anything similar in this world.

Shall I make it then?(Touya)

Ha?(Lance)

Right here in this spot, I take out a steel ingot from [Storage] and start transforming it into a handcuff as described in the net. O~to, I also have to craft the keys. In a few minutes, I complete a pair of dull shining handcuffs.

Your Majesty, whats this?(Lance)

Those are handcuffs. Theyre lighter and easier to carry than arm shackles. Can you bring out your hands a little?(Touya)

I put the handcuffs on both of Lances hands that he has presented. Those cuffs then momentarily restrain him.

Th-this is amazing. Moreover, theyre tough(Lance)

Lance tries to put strength into his arms to tear off the cuffs. As expected though, they arent budging. Not even inch. However, they easily come off after I take out a key, insert it into a keyhole and twist it.

Ill give them to you, so use them instead of ropes to make arrests. Afterward, lets make those cuffs a standard equipment for patrol knights. Be careful, you wont be able to open them if you lose the key. Ah, a spare I will give you a reserve key as well(Touya)

Yes! (Lance)

Stiff, so stiff. If Im not mistaken, the captain of the patrol knights is Logan, right? I will have to speak to him and decide on the fine details afterward.

Have you gotten used to living in here?(Touya)

Yes. Everything that I see and hear in this country is unusually stimulating. Its a wonderful country, and its flourishing because everyone is being kind to others(Lance)

Im glad that he can speak like that. As I thought. It makes me glad when people coming from other places are praising this country.

Ara? If it isnt Touya-san. Ah, Lance-san is here too(Mika)

The one who happened to pass by is the Brunhild branch owner of the [Silver Moon] inn, Mika-san. Shes carrying lots of purchased goods in her hands. I wonder, did she go out shopping?

Its been awhile, alright. Have you been well? Are you eating properly?(Mika)

I do, you know. Im healthy as well(Touya)

I reflectively end up smiling towards the girl whos the same as always. That reminds me, I havent eaten in [Silver Moon] lately.

Mi-Mika-dono! That kind of conduct toward His Majesty is(Lance)

Ahh, its fine, its fine. Mika-san and I are long-standing acquaintances, even more so than with Elzie and the others. Its not a problem (Touya)

I calm down Lance whos panicking. Speaking of acquaintances longer than Mika-san, theres probably no one but Zanack-san from [Fashion King Zanack], but the difference between them is only of a few hours.

So Mika-san is acquainted with our Lance here, right?(Touya)

Yep. Lately, he has been visiting, like, every day. Hes our frequent customer, you know?

Y-Ah-That! Mika-sans cooking is marvelous, so I always end up having my legs unconsciously take me there! It might be because her cooking has a flavor no one gets tired of, or maybe because of the warm homely flavor of her dishes!(Lance)

Lance suddenly stands upright and becomes talkative as if hes in a hurry. His face is red for some reason. Oya? Is that, perhaps, because of th