Chapter 1672: Chapter 1670: Ordinary Daily Life (Living Peacefully as an Orange Cat)

The sun sets in the west.

On the soft, large bed, Fang Zheng looks at the red-haired girl beside him and reaches out. The girl exhales lightly, lifts her head, and then the two gradually......

Ahem, what am I thinking?

Fang Zheng shakes his head, casting aside the fantasies in his mind. It’s all Little Hei’s fault; whenever magic infusion is mentioned, his thoughts drift there. But... looking at the Ram in his arms, he thinks it’s impossible to be like Little Hei back then!

After all, Little Hei is his servant, and as she said, though they appear to be little children, their actual ages qualify them as legal lolis. Plus, he and Little Hei are perfectly compatible. Ram, on the other hand, is just an ordinary little girl, well, not so ordinary, but still just a kid.

Fang Zheng tries giving Ram the magic potion he had given to Megumin before, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work. Ram’s body now seems close to collapse, unable even to swallow, almost choking. This frightens Fang Zheng and Rem, making them reluctant to feed her further.

"Even Holy Light is ineffective."

Fang Zheng tries the Healing Technique on Ram again, but shakes his head helplessly. Holy Light heals physical ailments, but Ram’s issue is insufficient magic power absorption, akin to a person not eating for several days; casting Holy Light won’t help.

"What should we do? Lord Fang Zheng, will my sister die?"

Rem is nearly crying, and Fang Zheng furrows his brows before a thought flashes in his mind.

"Right, let me check again."

Saying this, Fang Zheng stares at Ram, reopening his eyes wide.

Soon, the radiance of magic appears in his eyes.

Arcane Sight!

In an instant, the image of the red-haired girl in his arms changes in Fang Zheng’s eyes, from a girl to a cluster of dim light. The light around Ram’s body is incredibly dim, as if about to vanish. Only her forehead has slightly brighter radiance, flickering like a faulty light bulb.

So that’s it.

Seeing this, Fang Zheng somewhat understands the principle behind Ram’s race. Her horn is like an antenna, capable of receiving signals when intact. But if cut off, though the signal reception ability isn’t entirely lost, it’s greatly impaired. Ram’s situation is like this; if her horn were complete, she would absorb magic power at full capacity.

Now Ram’s horn is nearly amputated, hence her magical absorption is less than one percent of potential, insufficient indeed.

This is like someone going from eating three bowls of rice a day to just three grains; it’s surprising they’re not starved.

So the wireless charging is damaged, and only wired charging works?

It’s all Little Hei’s fault! If not for her, how would he have such unnecessary thoughts about magic infusion!

Considering this, Fang Zheng deeply exhales, closes his eyes, then places his hand on Ram’s forehead, beginning to release magic power.

"Mm......"

As Fang Zheng channels magic power, Ram lets out a gentle hum, her previously labored breaths becoming calm. Seeing this, Fang Zheng and Rem sigh in relief. Without Arcane Sight, it’s clear this technique is beneficial for Ram.

"Mm...... Hmm......"

Soon, Fang Zheng notices something odd. As magic power flows into Ram, her expressions and actions change. It’s like a cat being scratched under its chin, clinging to Fang Zheng’s chest and curling up while occasionally sighing contentedly like during a massage.

Hearing these sounds, Rem’s face blushes as she looks at Fang Zheng and then at Ram, seemingly... envious?

After a moment, Ram slowly opens her eyes. She blinks at Fang Zheng.

"I apologize greatly, Lord Fang Zheng......"

"No need to apologize; I should’ve noticed your condition, sorry."

Saying this, Fang Zheng pats Ram’s head, while she blushes shyly, lowering her voice. Rem silently watches, saying nothing.

...... 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Why does it feel a bit awkward?

"Knock, knock, knock."

Fortunately, as Fang Zheng plans to say something to ease the awkwardness, knocks sound, followed by Kiare’s voice outside the door.

"Lord Fang Zheng, breakfast is ready."

"Alright, I’ll be right there."

Hearing Kiare’s voice, Fang Zheng sighs in relief, releases Ram, and pats her head again.

"Okay, don’t worry, you now have enough magic power to last a while. If it’s not enough, come find me later; I’ll think of something."

"Yes."

Ram also looks down, face flushed.

"I’m very sorry to trouble you, Lord Fang Zheng."

"I’ve said not to apologize... and you can sense it, right? This amount of magic power isn’t a loss for me."

As he speaks, Fang Zheng glances at the standing Rem beside him, extending his hand to pat her head.

"You’re worried about Ram too; you’re a good sister."

"Eh? Ah, that......"

Feeling Fang Zheng’s touch, Rem blushes, muttering unsurely.

"Okay, let’s have breakfast."

With Ram’s issue resolved, Fang Zheng relaxes, taking the two girls to eat breakfast.

As usual.

"Boom!!!"

"Ha... so refreshing."

Watching the water column soar from the lake, Megumin lets out a breath, sprawling contentedly on the ground as Fang Zheng gestures. Then several maids, accompanied by children, row boats towards the lake—considering the disturbance from Megumin’s Burst Magic elsewhere, Fang Zheng and Megumin agreed to set the magic release site near the castle’s lake.

Firstly, it’s manageable; secondly... why waste an explosion? Why not catch some fish for extra meals?

Hence, Fang Zheng always brings people to watch Megumin cast Burst Magic, and afterward, folks row to the lake to fish. Granted, most fish are cooked from the magic’s effect... Recently, fewer fish are caught.

"Speaking of, you’re really carefree."

Looking at Megumin sprawled on the ground beside him, Fang Zheng shrugs helplessly.

"Can’t you change the habit of collapsing after casting Burst Magic? At least keep some magical energy for self-movement instead of relying on Ais every time."

"That’s disrespectful to Burst Magic!"

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s suggestion, Megumin weakly protests.

"If I can’t unleash all my magic, how can I show my love for Burst Magic?!"

"Oh ho?"

Seeing Megumin’s response, Fang Zheng raises a brow.

"Then I’ll give you some motivation."

As he speaks, he squats down beside her.

"Eh? What... Eh? Eh? Wait, what are you doing?"

Feeling the sensation on her leg, Megumin’s face shifts slightly. Fang Zheng reaches with his hand, following her calf, slowly moving upwards.

"What do you think?"

"W-wait, you’re actually doing this?"

"Didn’t I tell you before? If you don’t change this bad habit... heh heh, it seems that even if your body can’t move, you can still feel it, huh."

"N-no, stop touching, it’s ticklish... ugh..."

Speaking as she squirmed, Megumin tried desperately to wriggle her body to struggle, but she couldn’t even move a single finger.

"Fang Zheng, you beast! Such a beast!!"

"I’m doing this for your own good. Instead of having you come back one day crying about being harassed by some stranger, I might as well take the initiative now!"

"Is that really the reason?"

"What else could it be? Besides, giving yourself to me isn’t really a loss, is it? Better than an adventurer or a tramp or Goblins or whatnot..."

"That’s true, but... ah!"

"Alright, that’s enough for today."

As he reached the thigh area, Fang Zheng released his hand and then gave Megumin’s butt a firm slap.

"Next time, I’ll go further. If you don’t want this to happen again, obediently prepare to leave some magic for me!"

"Ugh... ugh ugh..."

Megumin’s face turned bright red as she glared at Fang Zheng fiercely.

"I-I’m not going to let you get away with this!"

"Hehe, still want to be stubborn?"

"......"

Seeing Fang Zheng raise his right hand again, making a grabbing gesture, Megumin decisively shut her mouth.

After returning to the castle with Megumin, the maids, and a cart of fish, Fang Zheng tossed Megumin to the Priestess of the Goddess and then engaged in some more training with Ais.

However, what surprised Fang Zheng a little was...

"It seems like you’ve improved again?"

Fang Zheng put down the greatsword and looked at the sweat-drenched Ais, who nodded.

"Lord Loki has granted me a new gift; I’m now at LV5."

"Why does this feel like playing a game..."

Hearing Ais’s reply, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but make a snide comment. On a related note, the Priestess of the Goddess upgrading was also quite interesting to him because, unlike Ais, she had to take a trial at the Temple. If she passed, the Earth Mother Goddess would grant her new divine arts; if she failed, then she’d get nothing... In fact, these few days, the Priestess has been in the Earth Mother Goddess’s Temple taking her trial; who knows if she’ll draw SSR divine arts or just N level ones...

Come to think of it, this world’s system is really complex, with elf magic, white magic, black magic, elemental magic, gifts, divine arts... I even heard there’s something called Grants as a special ability...

Unfortunately, Ais uses a rapier; otherwise, I could teach her the Undead Squad’s Wolf Sword Technique...

"Oh, right, Ais."

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng had an idea.

"Interested in learning a new swordsmanship?"

"A new swordsmanship?"

"That’s right, paired with a new weapon... I can craft a brand-new weapon for you, more suitable for use during adventures."

What Fang Zheng thought of was Sister Maria’s swordsmanship he once saw in Anan, which would be perfect for Ais. In Fang Zheng’s view, Ais’s current issue was that her speed was impressive, but her agility wasn’t quite there. Maria’s swordsmanship leaned toward being graceful and nimble, which could easily compensate for Ais’s shortcomings in this area.

"Of course."

Hearing Fang Zheng’s explanation, Ais nodded vigorously.

"We can start right now."

"Let’s wait until I’ve crafted the weapon; for today, let’s stop here."

Fang Zheng directly declined Ais’s request; right now, Ais was like Asuna in the game back then; if no one stopped her, she’d relentlessly try to level up... well, even Ais needs to rest occasionally.

After lunch, Meiyin also returned to Fang Zheng’s castle, reporting her latest progress to him.

"So, you reached a cooperation deal with that guild... They’ll help you apply for a workshop?"

"Yes."

Meiyin nodded.

"Mr. Banno promised to apply for a workshop under his name through the guild, but I still hope Mr. Fang Zheng could help..."

At this point, Meiyin looked eagerly at Fang Zheng, since although they were all transmigrators, Meiru was just a high schooler before reincarnation, and Meiyin was merely a college student. Fang Zheng was the only one with work experience among them, so compared to the merchants in this world, Meiyin still trusted Fang Zheng more.

"Hmm..."

Hearing Meiyin’s report, Fang Zheng tapped the table with his hand.

"A workshop... so what’s the function you set for the workshop? Large-scale paper production? I think that’s quite challenging."

Although Fang Zheng provided assistance for Meiyin’s grand paper-making plan, he hadn’t intervened in the equipment specifics. While Fang Zheng could just bring out a paper-making machine if he wanted, it had no real purpose, and Meiyin had actually already created a paper-making machine, which Fang Zheng had seen—it was quite ancient and clunky. Honestly, it wasn’t really suited for those kids to work on continuously.

Admittedly, people in the Middle Ages didn’t care about child labor issues, but Fang Zheng did care to some extent.

"Indeed, that’s why I hope the Meiyin Workshop mainly focuses on improving paper-making apparatuses, oh, and ink, too. Ink is very expensive in this world and only comes in black. I also hope to make significant improvements in this area..."

"So, you’re planning to run the workshop like a laboratory? Then transfer it via patent rights to the guild for profit?"

At this, Fang Zheng instantly understood, and Meiyin happily nodded vigorously too.

"That’s right, exactly, Mr. Fang Zheng, that’s it!"

Looking at Fang Zheng in front of her, Meiyin also sighed with relief. These concepts were hard to communicate to others, but Fang Zheng was at least from the same era so he understood right away.

"So, what about cooperation?"

"Mr. Banno wants to see our finished products first, confirm their quality, and then finalize the contract, buying it all at once."

"So it’s a one-time buyout of the patent? Don’t you think it’s not quite worthwhile?"

"Ugh..."

Facing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Meiyin furrowed her brows.

"Um... Mr. Fang Zheng, I’m really not sure..."

"I understand."

Looking at Meiyin, Fang Zheng nodded.

"In that case, let me handle the discussions with them, and in the meantime, you can learn..."

At this, Fang Zheng’s mouth curved into a slight smile.

"What modern business and negotiation skills are all about."