#706 Superhero Making Project

And thus, we find ourselves creating a superhero.

Just by looking at the name, it sounds like some secret society trying to manipulate the world from behind the scenes.

We’re starting with creating the transformation belt that the superhero would wear.

We’ll leave the part with the buckle, the essence of the belt’s existence, for later. Let’s start with its main body, the strap.

When it comes to belt straps... it’s gotta be leather, right?

Thus, I visited Maelga and her leatherworking team.

“Oh, Lord Saint! Do you have an order for us?! It’s been a while since you last placed one!!!”

A while...?!

Come to think of it, the spotlight lately has been on Mieral from the woodworking team and Aileron, who went on an artistic rampage.

But that doesn’t mean you guys haven’t been busy, right? You’ve been handling various tasks in your daily routine, haven’t you?!

“Please rest assured. We will fulfill your order with utmost dedication, Lord Saint. You requested a belt, correct?”

“Ah, yes...!”

“In that case, we shall use the highest quality material that can withstand any pulling force. How about this Great Sheep leather? They are large magical beasts that only inhabit dangerous dungeons rated five stars or higher. The leather is elastic, resistant to moisture, and can be used for a long time.”

Like many other elves, Maelga was deeply engrossed in craftsmanship.

...But I just wanted some parts for a toy belt. We might end up with an extravagant luxury brand item at this rate.

“By the way, Lord Saint... I suppose becoming a father has caused some changes in your physique over the years?”

“?”

“Don’t be discouraged. Changes in body shape due to aging are common. We will make the new design with extra room for longevity... We’ll add more belt holes as well...”

Hold on a moment.

Could it be...? Are they assuming I want a new belt because my current one has become tight?

That’s not it!

My belly hasn’t gotten bigger!

I still have a long way to go before my belly protrudes!

It’s perfectly fine for the new belt to be the same size as before!!!

“How about suspenders, then? That way, your belly size won’t matter, right?”

“That won’t be necessary!”

In which world does a superhero transform with suspenders?!

***

And so, despite managing to obtain the belt’s strap, I couldn’t shake off the lingering feeling of weariness.

The suspicion of “Lord Saint’s belly protruding” continued to haunt me, and I found myself subjected to suspicious gazes.

“I feel like I attained something grand, yet at a significant cost...!”

I’m talking about the belt strap, by the way.

Yet, this isn’t the final point. It’s merely the first step of a grand plan, making the weight on my shoulders even heavier.

No, I can’t get disheartened over this.

I’ll create a superhero in this fantasy world and let Junior and Norito dream big.

So, how could a father falter here?!

If it’s for the sake of his children, what does it matter if his belly sticks out a bit?!

That said, we’ll proceed with the transformation belt’s making.

I have the strap ready, so it’s time to make the buckle next.

Even if you wrap it around your waist, it won’t function as a belt without something to secure it.

That metal piece that secures the belt is called a buckle or a clasp.

In the case of a transformation belt, it plays an even more important role.

It is, after all, the essential component of the transformation system across superhero series.

The transformation happens because the buckle catches the wind, or by inserting a card deck or attaching a beetle to the buckle.

For a superhero, the buckle is the most vital element.

The coolness of the gimmick on the buckle can also significantly affect toy sales!

...Anyway, I entrusted the production of such an important buckle to the dwarves.

Buckles are typically made of metal, and no one outdoes the dwarves when it comes to metalwork.

I’ve already handed over the appropriate amount of mana metal, so I expect them to make something great.

And today is the delivery day.

Pops Edward, the king of the dwarves, has come to visit the farm.

***

“Have you gotten used to handling mana metal yet?”

“No matter how much I touch it, I can’t seem to get used to it, Lord Saint...!”

Pops Edward, the top craftsman of the dwarf race, tends to have heart attacks whenever he sees or touches the world’s best metal—mana metal—so it’s always quite thrilling and challenging.

I wonder if he had an episode again?

“We always appreciate your challenging requests, Lord Saint. This job was also quite intriguing.”

“Hearing you say that eases my guilt a bit.”

I was worried that I was always making unreasonable requests.

But I understand. The dwarves also have a passionate craftsmanship spirit and are excited to create unknown and strange items!

“First, we must deliver this to Sensei... here it is.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Oh, you were here, Sensei?

What Pops Edward handed over to Sensei was a beautiful, shimmering small box.

It must be the box for storing letters from the graduates that he mentioned before.

It’s bedazzlingly shiny!

“As per your order, we have brought together the essence of our dwarven craftsmanship. We have decorated it with fifty different types of gems, and its glow should be second to none. Not even a rainbow coral rising from the seabed can compare.”

“Hmm, various colored gems harmoniously arranged, making the sparkle feel unified and not at all gaudy. It’s indeed like the faint rainbow glow of pearls.”

They started assessing the box out of nowhere...!

“Made with the mana metal you entrusted to us, the exterior material guarantees unprecedented hardness and strength. Go ahead and see for yourself...”

With those words, Pops Edward pulls out a hefty-looking gigantic axe...

...and swings it right at the small box?! 

What is he doing?!

But at the moment of the collision, the axe was overwhelmingly defeated and shattered.

Haha! It got axed! Just kidding.

“Oh no!” was the only thing that could be said about this!

“...Haha, a steel battle-axe is literally no match for it. The axe has shattered, and the small box... doesn’t even have a scratch.”

“This isn’t just due to the strength of the mana metal itself but also thanks to the dwarven craft that has made it into a much more durable structure. A job well done as always.”

“For its next feature... No matter how sturdy it is outside, it’s pointless if it can be easily opened and its contents are stolen. Would you mind pressing your finger here on the box?”

Pops Edward repeatedly touches the area on the small box where a normal keyhole would be with Sensei’s right thumb.

“With this, the box has registered Sensei’s fingerprint. From now on, the box will open just by Sensei touching it, but not for anyone else.”

Fingerprint recognition?!

They implemented such a thing in this world without relying on modern knowledge? Is this the amazing craftsmanship of the dwarves?!

“The box is imbued with curses from the jewels embedded inside and out, which trigger various phenomena. However, because it is protected by multiple layers of magic, an ordinary person would be immobilized just by holding it due to the curses. Of course, it’s a different story for a Lifeless King with a strong curse resistance...”

In other words, if anyone other than Sensei tries to take the box away, it won’t work?

That’s amazing.

But then, how did Pops Edward bring the box here?

“Ah, it’s better than I expected. It’s not just the flashy appearance, but also the theft-prevention functionalities are well-thought-out. It was worth asking the dwarves, famed for being the best craftsmen in the world.”

Sensei immediately places letters in the box and is quite satisfied with it.

...I witnessed the marvel of dwarven technology once again.

I wonder if the transformation belt they made will also be of incredible quality?!

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Now for the item you ordered, Lord Saint...”

“Oh, here it comes!”

My much-awaited commission from the dwarves!

The buckle part of the transformation belt!

It is, as expected of dwarven quality, flashy, and very extravagant in appearance.

It definitely looks like a transformation belt.

“Um, we made it extra-large as per your request, is this okay?”

Yes.

“We’re not following that elf’s opinion or anything, but isn’t this sacrificing too much functionality? For something you’ll use every day, being functional is important, isn’t it?”

No worries.

This belt has been designed with functionality more important than everyday use in mind.

Now that all the items are ready, the plan can move on to the next phase!