Chapter 103

"Master Ludger, this is the report about this month's earnings. Right, I also have put the news about the new item. Because of Sir 'Nero's' fame, there are a lot of people who have made an order to be the person who able to try the first production item. I also have prepared the documents for the ownership of the new item. We only need to bring it to the merchant guild to fulfil the requirement." Hugo makes a report like usual. 

"Hmm, that was quite fast. How about the communication magic device that we made for the Duke? It was a top-secret item that the Duke ordered us to make. But we need to prevent it from leaking to the masses. Right now it will cause dangers if it was leaked to others as that kind of communication device will make people with evil intentions able to gather the information quicker." Ludger reminds Hugo to prevent any possibility that might cause danger.

"Don't worry about that, Master Ludger. Only a few of my trust workers know about it. Hmm?! Master Ludger, are you alright?" Hugo stopped his reports when he saw Ludger change his expression as he touched his left chest as if he was in pain.

Babump.

Ludger's heart suddenly beats hard as if something beating from inside. It makes him hard to breathe as if someone is squeezing his lung. As he feels the strange pain, tears drop from his eyes. He turned his face and looked at the carriage window with the curtains preventing him from looking at the outside of the carriage and the same way for the people outside. But when he looks at the window, Ludger is able to feel something similar to longing.

'What is this feeling? I don't understand why I feel something like this... Is this something related to the black robe group? But rather than a repulsive feeling that I felt before, it was a warm and nostalgic feeling. Is this related to 'Shia' memories? I think there is no relation with 'Renneshia' because she never has anything related to the West.' Ludger tries to analyse himself. 

"I-I'm alright. You don't have to worry about it. It might be caused by my weak constitution. I often get sick easily in the past (life) but I might get some stress lately and worsen my health again. I thought it had been healed after I arrived in this city." Ludger calmly said as the pain suddenly went.

"I never knew that you had such a constitution. It must be hard for you in the past..." Hugo timidly said as his voice got smaller and smaller.

'What kind of horrible past that Master Ludger experience in his past before he came to this city?' Hugo started to imagine Ludger's past as he heard Ludger's story.

After Ludger make the (fake) story about his past, both of them stop talking until they reach the alchemy guild. Ludger appreciated Hugo's silence as he was thinking about what just happened to him. Hugo also didn't dare to say anything as he was afraid that his words might hurt Ludger's feelings or give him more stress that might worsen his health like his explanation.

"I have been waiting for your arrival, Teacher!" Favian happily greets Ludger's arrival with Aqila standing behind him.

"Long time no see, Master Ludger! You are as dashing as always." Aqila greets and praises Ludger's appearance while blushing and acting shyly. 

"Let's go to the Laboratory and continue our conversation there. I want to quickly check the items and the progress of the other items. I need to go back before lunchtime because I don't want both of them to start their sermons again like before." Ludger urges them as he doesn't want to remember about what happened last time.

A few days ago, Ludger came to check the progress of the item that they were trying to make. Because Ludger is teaching different things to Favian and Aqila, he needs to spend more time and is only able to return in the evening. As Ludger often forgot about his meals when he got too focused, he was greeted by two people with a scary smile. They dragged him to the kitchen as if they wanted to slaughter him before they began their sermons. Even until today, Brother Winslow still feels angry and worried about his bad habit. 

"Do you mean Mr. Winslow is scolding you again?" Aqila asked with an excited expression.

"Haa, please don't remind me about it again. It was really horrible." Ludger sighed and said.

"Oh my gosh! What a wonderful brotherly love! Could it be similar to what was written in that books?! Is it caused by jealousy?" Aqila mutters in a small voice with a red face.

Ludger is able to hear her words but he doesn't mind it because it means that Aqila is one of 'Nero' loyal fans and also his loyal customers. Ludger never thought that the bromance genre books that he wrote would be easily get a lot of fans, especially female readers. But because of it, the fans in this city started to make connections or relate to what happens with what is written in the books.

Like how often they relate his relationship with Winslow. Ludger was even able to hear the female customers squealing when he talked normally with Winslow. Ludger understands their feelings as he also likes some popular bromance stories from his past life. But it didn't mean he wouldn't feel uncomfortable when it was something that happened to him.

'I think it was a similar reaction even in my past life. Well, I can't do anything because it was related to their preference but I'm glad there are a lot of culture people even in this world that understand this genre. But I really feel weird when they were talking about me as if I was the character from those books.' Ludger's thoughts as he feels some mixed feelings between happy and annoyed.

As they arrive at the Laboratory, Favian quickly shows the result of what they are making. The first one was the new fruit alcohol and cheese. As they were able to make koji, yeast and a few other things that were useful in creating more foods, they started to mix Ludger's (past life) knowledge and the magic, alchemy and monster-related ingredients to make more types of foods. 

They also started creating some beauty products such as lotion, shampoo, soap bars, masks, and other items that help the user to make them more beautiful. They also make a few items like nail clippers and hair dryers that are able to help people to prepare their appearance more easily. There are also some items that the Duke secretly asks Ludger to make like the communication device. 

As Ludger keep making the things from his past life, this city becomes more and more similar to his previous life. Ludger feels that it becomes harder for him to leave this city as he feels familiar and comfortable living in this city. And as more people get familiar with him make he finds it more difficult to leave this place.

"Hmm..., I think we need to try the communication device to check it's distance and how long we are able to use it. How about we give it to some trustworthy person, to help us to check it?" Favian said after he showed them the communication device able to work.

"You are right. Should we take one for each of us? But could you spare me one more communication device to send it to the Duke to show him the sample of our invention?" Ludger nodded his head and asked as he wanted to show the Duke the communication device. 

"Can you meet with the Duke or do you know the secret inspector that working directly with the Duke? Please let me know about it." Hugo asked with shining eyes.

"Even if I know the secret inspector, do you think I would take the risk of telling you about his identity? It would be better if you didn't know about it." Ludger said as he reminded Hugo.

"Hahaha, thank you for reminding me about it, Master Ludger. I almost forgot about it as my greed blinded me." Hugo honestly said while laughing to calm himself.

"Master Ludger, please try this. This is what I'm currently making from what you told me before. Can I try to apply it to you?" Aqila asks while holding a small container and looking with dazed looks and heavy breath at Ludger.

"Hmm, could you help me to apply it, Sister Aqila? Is it different from the usual one?" Ludger asks and acts as if he is unable to use it because it is something for women to use, a makeup product. 

"Please wait for a moment. I will definitely make you more beautiful with my skills." Aqila proudly said as she started to apply the makeup to Ludger's face.

It took a while until she finished to apply the makeup for Ludger. Aqila was thrilled when she finished applying the makeup on Ludger's face. Favian and Hugo were also surprised by the change in Ludger's face after Aqila applied the makeup. Ludger took the mirror and he was surprised by Aqila's hidden talent as a makeup artist. The makeup makes Ludger look more adult-like but doesn't ruin his beauty and it looks natural.

"Wow, I never thought that you have such talent. The colour looks natural and it is also made by the ingredients that are safe for the skin. Good job! It was a good improvement." Ludger praises Aqila.

"Then, Master Ludger, please don't remove that makeup for a whole day. I think it will be a good advertisement for the people in this city." Aqila said with an enthusiastic expression.

Ludger made a wry smile but he could only do what she asked him to do as he also agreed that currently he had a great influence in this city.