Chapter 38 Quiet Days with No Problems Whatsoever Arc Part END

What do you mean 'you can't build a smithy'?" Michael narrowed his eyes. "This isn't a 'I can't because I don't know how', so," Michael nodded in a way to say that, 'there better be a good explanation'. "Please elaborate, Jo."

After finding out Cecily was their neighbor, and fending her off himself and the younger looking members of his party, Michael was on his way to just fix the mansion. However Aqua revealed that she hired the local construction crew to refurbish and renovate as needed, not just their house but also the old church next to them.

"I'm investing in the local community." Aqua gave a wide bright smile, like a kid that did something they thought was pretty clever. While annoyed, Michael didn't have the heart to lower her spirit and headpatted her.

"You do realize that between the two of us, we could have easily did both places in like, a few hours, and saved on the labor costs?"

Before completely shattering her pride before she get too big of a head. After a laugh, he told her it was fine as they were 'supporting local businesses', so in the end it was all good.

"Look, Chaser," Jo sighed, as he scratched the back of his head, awkward and embarrassed. "You're a good guy, regardless of the rumors, and I really don't want to stiff you up like this. But I'm sorry, it's just a new rule that came from the governor's office. Our company, or anyone in the same business in Axel for that matter, aren't allowed to build you specifically a smithy where you live." Jo scowled as he waved his hand in a gesture to show things being chaotic. "It's a load of bull, but they said something about, 'fearing mass productions of Evil Swords' or some shit."

Michael was seriously contemplating taking back what he thought, about 'supporting local businesses'.

"But I'm the one who ordered the job, not Michael." Aqua pointed out.

It wasn't Jo's fault, and he didn't want to stiff the guy up after getting him a commission (even though technically it was Aqua that commissioned the job), but Michael didn't want to set a precedent or a pattern of just following rules, because 'it's the law'. If there are rules specifically targeting him, he'll fight against them. However...

"You're right," Jo grimaced. "It's not going against the letter of the new rules, but well..." He looked to the side and frowned, as if thinking about something unpleasant. "It's really for the best that you don't get involved with the Governor. If you're not noticed by him, then you can live an easy, peaceful life. That man, well..." Jo gave Michael smile that to cut off his obvious displeasure.

Michael didn't want to harm Jo's business. The construction worker and leader was a good man. Just because Michael was beginning to feel pissed off, didn't mean he should take it out on Jo.

"Not well liked, is he?" Michael smiled with a huff.

"If he was burning in the middle of town, no one would piss on him." Jo said immediately. "At least that's what I heard."

"Of course," Michael said easily, for plausible deniability. Even if no one unwelcome was around.

"Why not build it in the church?" Cecily interjected, not letting go of hugging the Twinkle Priest from behind, who was pouting at Michael to do something.

"Well," Jo looked up, while thinking about it. "Technically, the house and the church are different jobs. We're not really breaking any rules by building a smithy in a place that happens to be near where Michael lives." He said with a sly smile.

Cecily gave one in turn and a thumbs up, before looking at Michael waiting for his approval.

"...Okay."

""Yay!"" Aqua and Cecily pumped their fist in the air.

"However," Michael cut them off. "Jo, sorry for cutting your job in half, but just bring the materials for both buildings, and I'll take care of the constructions. Don't worry, it won't break the rules, and I'll pay you double for the materials. I just don't feel like waiting for both buildings to be done," Michael said, then gave a look to Aqua and Cecily. "Especially since while you're working on them, we wouldn't have had a place to sleep."

"You're all welcome to sleep at the church while they...Oh right they would be rebuilding the church too." Cecily said before she realized the problem.

"It's fine, Chaser. Honestly, I don't think you should pay any extra for the materials--"

"I'm cutting off most of yours and your men's work and pay, paying double for material isn't a big deal. I insist."

"Okay, okay," Jo raised his hands. "How are you going to get fix the two buildings though? I mean, what, you're gonna do the whole thing on your own?"

Michael smiled. "Magic, of course."

===x===

After some argument with Aqua about the blueprint for the church, and what it would end up looking like, inspecting both buildings inside and out, as well as their surroundings, and drawing magic circles, things where ready.

The buildings materials, wood, iron, brick, cement etc, where placed in two piles. A magic circle around each pile. Said magic circle was then connected to one drawn around the mansion and the church respectively.

"Okay, Aqua. I'll turn on the spell, just feed your mana into circle, okay?"

"Got it."

Next to each magic circle connected the building material, was a small one, enough for a hand to fit in. Aqua place her hand connected to the building material for her church, while Michael did the same for the house.

"Emblaze." Michael turned on his magic circuits, and turned on the magic circles, while lit up at being activated. Aqua flared up her magical energy and pushed it into her own magic circle with a dramatic shout.

Jo, Megumin, Yunyun and Schwanhild watched as the building materials as well as the house and church lit up. The material dispersed into motes of energy, while the buildings were enveloped in light and began to change.

The whole thing continued for ten or so minutes, before the light on the buildings deemed and the new refurbished manor and church were in their places.

The manor didn't seem different, but now had a clean look to it, and anything old or broken was fixed and replaced. Even the garden was trimmed and looked neat and properly tended to.

The church however had a...bit of a different look.

The new church was a tank.

The new church was on a tank.

Originally Aqua just wanted some standard grandiose. Something big, loud and obnoxiously bright that anyone in Axel, and maybe outside of Axel, could see it.

Then Megumin interjected.

"What about making it able to throw out Explosions?"

Michael guessed that she was bored that they spend the morning talking, and working, rather than doing fun stuff like going on quests or blowing stuff up.

"Not everyone is obsessed with Explosions, Megumin." Aqua scoffed.

"What about Holy Explosions? To ward off Devils?"

Aqua stilled at that, and thought about it for a minute. Then she and Megumin slowly turned to Michael with an expectant look.

Michael really didn't want to get in trouble with the government again.

On the other hand, the Governor didn't want him to build what he wanted in his own home.

"Fuck it. What do you want it to look like?"

After a lot of talk between Megumin, Aqua and Michael about expenses and the limits of the building material and the finished product, while Schwanhild look on in interest, Cecily biting her finger to contain her laughter and excitement at what her new home would look like, and Yunyun looking at everything in quiet panic but not wanting be the odd one out, didn't say anything.

Jo Foreman just stood quietly in the background, praying to the gods in gratitude that Michael never used his transmutation magic while working for him, as it would put a lot of other workers out of a job. Jo was also starting to think that maybe he should have just said 'fuck it' to the governor's office, and gave Michael his smithy.

Honestly though, it's not my problem, and besides what the fuck are they gonna do now? Jo found himself smiling at the thought.

And so the new Mobile Axis Church was build and furbished, acting as a great contrast to the humble but large manor Michael and his party now would live in. Also real estate prices in the area were about to drop even further.

"Welp, I say that's a job well done. What's say we go choose our rooms, put up our luggage, and then head out some training. Eh, Megumin, Yunyun, Schwanhild?" Michael said.

Michael received varies agreements.

Aqua let out a pleasant groan as she stretched. "After working so hard, I think I'm just gonna relax today."

"Yep, yep, we should totally go get something nice to drink, Lady Aqua." Cecily said.

"Don't forget to actually get drinks and pay for them." Said Michael.

"I know, I know." Aqua waved him off. "You guys go and have fun with throwing magic spells around."

""We will!"" Megumin and Yunyun said together. Megumin feeling excited after seeing the church tank, and Yunyun due to spending time being taught by Michael. Schwanhild just had a quiet smile as she stared at the new church and then the group.

"Oh, by the way," Michael said to Aqua and Cecily before they left. "I used some of the materials to make a manual book for the mobile church, be sure to read it, both of you."

""Y-Yes!""

The firm intensity in Michael voice had both Goddess and Priest shiver and salute in showing that they took his words seriously.

Unseen by the adventurers, there was the little ghost girl peeking out from behind the mansion's gate, listening to everything they were saying, as the magic used in fixing her old home made her very curious of her new housemates.

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