Chapter 135 - The Magic Clothing Workshop and the Tailor
The “Magic Clothing Workshop,” built under the leadership of the Tailors Guild, was reportedly constructed in a hurry to produce five-toed socks and shoe insoles.
However, upon being invited, Dahlia found that the building was large and sturdy, made of brick, with spacious grounds that even included a riding arena.
Dahlia was led into a reception room adorned with a red carpet and a glossy dark brown table, where she sat on a black leather sofa that seemed to sink under her weight.
In the reception room were Fortunato, the head of the Tailors Guild, his attendant and maid, as well as Lucia, Ivano, and Dahlia.
Ivano had already briefed Fort on the general idea beforehand.
Today’s meeting was to discuss whether the several prototype fabrics they brought could be put to practical use.
“...So, regarding this fabric, we’d like to proceed with joint development, have the Monster Subjugation Force test the prototypes, and aim for mass production starting next year.”
“This is an incredibly groundbreaking magical tool. I’m fine with the conditions you’ve presented. On behalf of the Tailors Guild, I extend my gratitude to the Rossetti Company.”
Fort, wearing a light green scarf, smiled cheerfully. Ivano, who had been explaining, smiled as well.
The relaxed expressions on their faces made it seem as though they had grown quite close in no time at all.
“Now, regarding the details... For the headgear under helmets, it would be better to teach them how to wrap fabric rather than using a hat, considering the need for frequent changes. Those who prefer hats can use them. As for scarves, they can be adjusted as they are, so no changes are needed.”
“What about fabric for back and chest padding?”
“Since knights’ body types vary significantly, I suggest starting with a single piece of fabric that can be pulled over the head, followed by sleeveless undershirts.”
Fort flipped through the documents as he smoothly answered Dahlia’s questions.
“Fort-sama, wouldn’t it be better to start with half-sleeve undershirts to cover the underarms?”
“Knights tend to prefer sleeveless undershirts because they’re concerned about shoulder mobility. It would be best to offer both options. As for trunks... horseback riding is a factor, so these should be prioritized. To prevent riding up, we’ll make them slightly longer.”
“Regarding the range of motion... would fabric behind the knees be obstructive?”
“That would likely affect mobility as well. Since preferences vary, we could offer options like removable padding or support straps.”
As expected of Fort, the head of the Tailors Guild and someone well-versed in knights’ needs.
The sketches he began drawing in his sketchbook, incorporating improvements and prototype ideas, were so beautiful they could be framed. Dahlia couldn’t help but be captivated.
“This is the first draft. If all goes well, not only knights but also nobles in the royal castle will be pleased.”
“Um, doesn’t the royal castle already have cool and cold wind fans?”
“They do, but the formal attire for noblemen consists of a coat, trousers, and a vest. Even with lighter summer fabrics, they sweat quite a bit.”
“Fort-sama, you always look so cool and composed...”
“It’s a mix of willpower and magical tools.”
As he spoke, Fort removed his coat. What he detached from the collar and pockets was a small magical tool.
The thin casing, about the size of Dahlia’s two hands, was connected to long tubes that extended through the back and sleeves. He pulled them out and placed them on the table.
“This is a ‘compact air blower.’ It uses wind magic stones to send air through the tubes into the back and sleeves. I use it during hallway walks or in etiquette rooms to manage sweat.”
“It’s not always activated?”
Dahlia couldn’t help but ask. That would mean it could only be used for short periods.
“It makes a bit of noise, so it can’t be used in quiet settings. The movement of air also subtly affects the lines of the clothing, which complicates things.”
“Isn’t it possible to remove the coat or wear short sleeves?”
“For nobles, not removing one’s coat is part of etiquette. While the royal castle has cool and cold wind fans, higher-ranking nobles tend to occupy the cooler spots. After long meetings, standing up can be a cold-sweat-inducing experience. If this fabric can be used, it should help reduce sweat stains.”
“It sounds tough being a noble...”
Ivano’s voice carried a hint of sympathy.
Even with magical tools like the compact air blower, it seemed nobles had to endure the heat.
“Those who can use ice magic or are part of the royal family likely don’t need such things. They can create large blocks of ice or cool entire rooms with ice-wind depending on their mana.”
That sounded enviable during summer. In that case, cool and cold wind fans would be unnecessary.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we could integrate the clothing?”
“Integrate the clothing?”
“Like cutting and sewing only the visible parts of the sleeves and shirt onto the coat... Oh, but would that be considered rude...”
“Dahlia, that sounds interesting! Let’s try it sometime!”
As she spoke, Lucia finally got her hands on the cooling fabric.
Out of respect for Fort, she had only listened until now, refraining from touching it.
“It’s so cool...”
Lucia ran her fingers over the light green fabric, then wrapped it around her neck before burying her face in it.
“Lu-Lucia?”
“...I want this for lingerie material... I absolutely need it!”
Her first words upon lifting her face were practically a shout.
“This could stop underarm sweat stains! I want it for the chest area of bras and the back of corsets! I want it for the back of panties and the lining of underskirts! It would keep dresses from getting stained by sweat.”
“I see. Since thin fabric tends to cling to the legs, using this in between layers would make layered dresses more comfortable to wear in summer.”
Lucia’s outburst seemed familiar to Fort, who nodded casually.
“Clothing tends to wear out from underarm and back sweat. This could cover those areas too!”
“Yes, this would be great for summer bridal wear. White shows sweat stains easily. For noblewomen’s ceremonial dresses, which use heavy fabrics, this would surely be welcomed.”
“Um, about that... eventually, I’d like to make it available to the general public as well.”
“The general public? You mean commoners?”
Fort seemed puzzled, as if the idea of targeting commoners hadn’t crossed his mind.
“Yes, people who do physical labor in the summer struggle with the heat, and many suffer from heat rash.”
“I see. Even just having one scarf like this would make a difference.”
Ivano had already discussed this with Dahlia.
Beyond knights and nobles, making the fabric available to commoners would increase scale and lower prices.
While the initial prototypes would be delivered to the Monster Subjugation Force, they hoped the Tailors Guild would handle broader distribution in the future to reduce costs. She wanted it to be an affordable product, not a luxury item.
“In that case, we’ll need tens, if not hundreds, of times more green slimes next year... We should immediately increase the breeding facilities in collaboration with the Adventurer Guild and the Tailors Guild.”
“I’m sorry to cause so much trouble again...”
“Not at all, please go ahead. If the Adventurer Guild isn’t on board, the Tailors Guild will handle it alone. I’d even turn the gardens of my mansion and vacation home into slime breeding grounds if necessary.”
“Fort-sama...?”
Dahlia couldn’t help but wonder if breeding slimes in the gardens of a noble’s mansion was appropriate.
She didn’t know where Fort’s vacation home was, but she imagined his family, servants, and neighbors would be quite concerned.
“Hey, Dahlia, could this work with even thinner fabric?”
“Yes, as long as it allows good airflow.”
“Can the color be changed? This light green. I’d like to use the fabric in various colors.”
“That’s... because it’s the natural color of green slime.”
The green of green slime resembled the color of wind magic.
Dahlia had tried using neutralizing agents from color powders, but the color only shifted slightly and couldn’t be completely removed.
“...It can be removed.”
“Huh? It can?”
Dahlia couldn’t help but latch onto Fort’s offhand comment.
“Monster-based dyes can often be hidden with complementary colors or thinned with opposing materials. I think the same principle could be applied to green slime. The specific mixtures are trade secrets among dye artisans... ah, but let’s keep this between us.”
“Fort-sama, you’re amazing!”
Lucia let out a delighted cry.
Indeed, if this were possible, the fabric’s applications would expand significantly.
“It feels wasteful for this to be disposable.”
“Hm? ...Lady Dahlia, do red slimes and blue slimes also retain their colors in enchanted magical tools?”
“Yes, to some extent. Red slimes are even detoxified and used in lipsticks.”
“So, they could also have potential as dyes, right?”
“Yes, I suppose you could think of it that way.”
“Then, why don’t we try every ‘dye fixation method’ used by tailors and dye artisans?”
“‘Dye fixation methods’?”
As a magical toolmaker, Dahlia had worked with dyes before, but this was the first she’d heard of such methods.
They must be specialized techniques used by tailors and dye artisans.
“‘Dye fixation methods’ don’t involve magic. They use heat, cooling, or various chemicals to stabilize the dye. Since they don’t interfere with the magic already applied, there’s a good chance they’ll work. There are about eighty methods, so one of them might do the trick. We’ll also need to test whether we can change the color before or after fixation...”
“Won’t the artisans in charge be too busy?”
“Not at all. They’ll be more than happy to prioritize this. Myself included.”
Fort’s voice was filled with enthusiasm.
Lucia was still rubbing her face against the fabric.
“Dahlia, have you decided on a name for this?”
“Not yet. Since it’s cooling fabric, maybe something like ‘Wind Cloth’ or ‘Low-Temperature Cloth’?”
“Sounds like something that’d give you a cold. How about ‘Flowing Breeze Cloth’ or ‘Cool Breeze Cloth’... No, that doesn’t quite hit the mark.”
“...What if we go a bit more poetic? Something like ‘Auratello’?”
“That sounds like it’s from another world! So cool!”
“Fort-sama, you’re quite the poet...”
Ivano was impressed, and rightly so.
The naming sense was leagues above Dahlia’s.
“Also, if the wind could be a bit stronger, it’d feel even cooler...”
“I do have a slightly stronger version.”
At Lucia’s words, Dahlia pulled a small magic-sealing box from her bag.
Inside was a small white gauze handkerchief. The gauze was double-layered, with thin green lines of green slime forming a grid pattern on the back.
“It’s a failed prototype. The lines were too thick for the area, so the wind is quite strong.”
Just holding it, you could feel the wind pressure.
Lucia unfolded the handkerchief and pressed it against her cheek.
“Dahlia, let’s make garter belts with this!”
“If your skirt feels hot, you could wrap it around your knees... W-wait, Lucia?!”
Suddenly, Lucia hiked up her skirt and tucked the handkerchief into the top of her thigh-high stockings.
As she stood up energetically, the hem of her skirt floated and swayed dramatically.
“This is it! The skirt floats even without a pannier! It’s sleek and sexy around the waist! This will expand the possibilities for dresses!”
“That’s it, Lady Lucia! You can layer lace and chiffon to your heart’s content. A new dress silhouette is born!”
Seeing the man’s beaming smile, Dahlia understood.
Until now, she had seen Fort as the head of the Tailors Guild and a noble.
But beneath that exterior was a ‘Tailor,’ just like Lucia.
“Lady Dahlia, I sincerely thank you. This has the potential to bring so much joy.”
“Thank you as well.”
“To think you’d offer this as a joint development... I feel like I could pledge my sword to you. I want to protect you with all my might...”
“Uh-uhm Fortunato-sama?”
For a knight to pledge their sword was a gesture reserved for their chosen lord or loved one.
Dahlia knew it was a joke, yet she was flustered enough that she couldn’t bring herself to use the abbreviation “Fort.”
“Dahlia, let’s talk about how to use this fabric! Stay over at my place tonight! Or I’ll go to the tower!”
“Lu-Lucia...”
Lucia clung to her arm, her eyes not just sparkling but gleaming with an intense shine. It was a little scary.
But when it came to fabric and clothing, Lucia was far more knowledgeable.
It might be best to spend time thoroughly discussing applications and improvements.
“There are so many other potential uses. We should also consider adjusting the wind strength... Oh, why don’t both of you come to my mansion? Not only can we talk, but I also have a workshop there. You can use as much fabric and material as you like for testing. I can call in some skilled seamstresses, and we can create things on the spot. It sounds like fun.”
“That sounds great, Fort-sama!”
“Also, as a personal hobby, I have a collection of monster-based fabrics and threads. Just the variety I have is enough to boast about. Would you like to see them, Lady Dahlia?”
“Monster-based fabrics and threads...”
“There’s fabric and thread from various butterflies and spiders, magical silkworms and sheep from neighboring countries, sleipnirs and unicorns, and even thread made from giant crayfish whiskers.”
“That sounds fascinating...”
Dahlia had been trying to apply the brakes, but now it felt like oil had been poured on the wheels. Her curiosity was irresistibly drawn in.
“This is truly exciting. We could stay up all night discussing this, even without alcohol.”
Fort smiled, not as the head of the Tailors Guild, but as a tailor.
From the moment Fort’s expression turned boyish, Ivano had subtly pushed his chair back.
He was clearly out of his depth.
He had known that Lucia’s personality was similar to Dahlia’s.
But he had assumed Fort, with his noble and merchant sensibilities, would keep things in check and rein them in when necessary.
However, it turned out he was just as much of a creator at heart.
While he alternated between his roles as a noble, merchant, and tailor, his passion for fabric and clothing rivaled Lucia’s.
With all three of them caught up in their excitement, it would be difficult for Ivano alone to stop them.
Besides, it seemed like a good opportunity for business, so he decided not to intervene.
With a stiff smile, he turned and slightly raised his cup.
Instead of the maid, Fort’s attendant, who had been waiting in the wings, poured him more tea.
Their exchanged glances conveyed mutual resignation and understanding. Ivano silently sipped his tea.
An hour later, the plan to move the gathering to Fort’s mansion for an overnight stay was firmly vetoed by Ivano and the attendant.
Instead, a room in the Magic Clothing Workshop remained lit late into the night, filled with lively chatter.
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