SADGM 05

Chapter : 05

The Bachelor Noble Remains Unchanged

—Twenty years have passed since then.

I, Zilk Luren, am now twenty-eight years old. Naturally, I am still unmarried.

I have since left the Luren family mansion and am living in the royal capital.

Having finally obtained the qualifications to become a magical tool craftsman, I built a workshop in the capital and make a living selling the magical tools I develop myself.

This morning, greeted by another refreshing day, I quickly got ready and moved to the living room.

I took ingredients like ham, cheese, and lettuce from the fridge and quickly cut them up.

Placing them on the bread I had bought yesterday, I set them in the hot sandwich maker I had crafted myself.

While it was cooking, I cleaned up the kitchen and returned the leftover ingredients to the refrigerator.

“…I still want to make it a little smaller.”

This magical tool was the first blueprint I drew when I was eight years old.

With the help of my parents, I had been able to reproduce it after multiple improvements.

In this world, apart from some extremely cold regions, methods of preserving food were limited to drying, salting, or temporary freezing using ice magic stones or ice mages.

However, with the invention of the refrigerator, although slightly expensive, anyone could easily preserve food using refrigeration, and refrigerators gradually became common in households.

By establishing this unprecedented method of food preservation, the Luren family prospered greatly, and a regular amount of money is deposited into my account.

However, the refrigerators my parents and I improved were slightly larger than those from my previous life.

The difference was only a few centimeters, but to someone who knew the original compact size, it felt far too big.

Especially in kitchens, where space is limited, its presence felt even more imposing.

The kitchen in my apartment is quite spacious.

If even I feel that way, in an ordinary home it would probably feel cramped.

“…That’s another challenge, then.”

Still, I cannot be fixated on just one thing.

Over the past twenty years, I’ve developed not only refrigerators but also magical stoves, hair dryers, fans, and many other tools.

Yet, there are still many things missing for a truly comfortable life.

I cannot afford to be obsessed with a single magical tool when there is so much else to create.

Lost in these thoughts, the hot sandwich maker signaled that it was done.

Having just finished cleaning the utensils, I took out the piping hot sandwich and cut it in half with a knife.

The golden-brown bread released a savory aroma, and inside, melted cheese, cooked ham, and slightly wilted lettuce peeked out.

Taking a bite of the slightly hot sandwich, the crisp texture of the bread resonated. The rich melted cheese intertwined with the salty ham, while the lettuce and bread mellowed the flavors.

Since I made the hot sandwich maker myself, it isn’t sold commercially—but perhaps it could be.

“I really did make a fine magical tool.”

After breakfast, I left my apartment and headed to work.

My workshop is in the Central District of the capital, a little far from my apartment in the North District.

Still, it’s no more than a fifteen-minute walk. There are horse-drawn carriage services, similar to taxis in my previous life, but using them during the crowded morning hours doesn’t save much time, so walking is the best option.

It’s spring, but the morning air is still slightly chilly.

I like this crisp air; it feels like it clears my mind as I breathe it in.

Walking along the cobblestone streets as usual, the quiet residential areas gradually give way to bustling shops as I approach the Central District.

Besides shops, the district houses various facilities, so naturally more people are headed that way.

Not only humans walk these streets, but also beastmen, elves, dwarves, lizardmen, and other non-human races.

At first, I was surprised by the presence of non-human races, but after living here for over twenty years, I’ve grown used to it. Despite different appearances, they have emotions just like humans, and communication is possible.

Their unique magic and skills often prove useful, allowing the various races in this world to coexist smoothly.

As I continued through the streets, the crowd thickened, with food stalls and shops creating a lively scene.

“Welcome! Try our fat-rich red beef!”
“We’ve got freshly caught Elephant Tuna this morning! Boil it, grill it—your choice! Special today: eight copper coins per serving!”

Vendors called out to sell their stocked ingredients.

These ingredients are supported by refrigerators.

My refrigerators aren’t just for households—they’ve also been scaled up for commercial use.

Thanks to this, food distribution in cities like the capital has flourished in recent years.

Fresh meat and fish at such prices have only been available in the last few decades.

A rich culinary life is essential for a luxurious bachelor lifestyle.

I’m truly glad that by the time I became an adult, fresh meat and fish were available.

It made all the studying of magical tools worthwhile, even with my siblings constantly interfering during my childhood.

Passing through the commercial area and nearing the Central District’s residential section, my Zilk Workshop stood there.

A three-story brick building surrounded by a wall, with neatly kept grass inside.

I chose the Central District for easy access to materials and deliveries, but the workshop is primarily a development space.

I didn’t want it in the noisy parts of the Central District, so I selected a quiet area with minimal foot traffic.

Inside the workshop, a small entrance leads to a spacious work area.

There are many rooms on the second and third floors, but most are filled with magical tools and materials, so effectively, all active work happens on the first floor.

“Good morning, Zilk.”

A young man with blonde hair and blue eyes greeted me as I entered the workshop.

This is Tristan, an employee at Zilk Workshop and my subordinate.

“Ah, good morning.”

“Are you in a bad mood today?”

Tristan asked abruptly as I returned the greeting.

Do I really look that grumpy? I’ve always been aware that I have a cold expression and a rather unsociable demeanor.

“Not really.”

“Don’t make that sulky face—it’s a waste. Zilk, you’re good-looking, so smile more. You’d be irresistible.”

“I don’t need to be popular with women. Mind your own business.”

“You’re so dull. If I were you, I’d be having fun with girls all the time.”

His only flaws are excessive chatter and a cheerful headspace.

I cannot understand the appeal of playing around with random women.

“By the way, have you finished processing the ice magic stones?”

I forcibly shifted the conversation back to work.

Tristan looked briefly bored but brought the processed magic stones to my table.

“They’re done.”

He carefully inspected each stone infused with magic.

Magic stones, the cores of monsters, cannot be used as-is.

They need to be cut to sizes suitable for magical tools, and their uneven magical energy must be balanced.

Otherwise, the tools will function inconsistently.

I assign Tristan these menial tasks.

“No problems. Next, process these materials here.”

“That’s a lot today, too.”

After inspecting each processed stone, I took the materials I wanted next from my desk drawer and handed them to Tristan.

He was surprised by the sheer amount but returned to his desk.

“Alright, let’s make some magical tools today.”

Summer is approaching. With the refrigerator project completed, it might be time to start working on air conditioners.

Though it’s not as hot as in my previous life, there are days when fans alone aren’t enough.

Holding the processed ice magic stones, I got to work crafting magical tools once again.