Chapter 498 Warrior ⑤
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After getting the lowdown from various women on how their Ddo-Buddies were holding up and the extent of their wear and tear, I was finally ready to tackle the “resurrection” of “Warrior Alex.”
That said, you can’t exactly bring a mangled Ddo-Buddy back to life that easily. There were two main conditions I had to treat: the outer skin, which was scraped and scaly, and the vibration mechanism, which was likely shattered into a million pieces.
Basically, I was looking at internal and external damage. The first thing I had to deal with, though, was the internal stuff. Since the inside of a Ddo-Buddy is airtight, I’d have to physically bore a hole or cut it open to get in there. Since that would create a major “wound,” it would be most efficient if I could use the same technique to seal the hole or bond the cut surfaces back together as I would for the exterior repairs. The problem was whether or not the Ddo-Buddy material, once set with Hardening Magic, would actually fuse back together with a fresh coat.
”So, what’s the plan?”
”First, we experiment. I’m going to make some material samples, cut some holes in them, and figure out the best way to patch them up.”
Joining me for this experiment was my partner in information-gathering, my beloved Mage Satsuki. A while back, I’d asked her to look into developing a Ddo-Buddy designed for internal component swapping, so I figured I could pick her brain for some insights.
We set up shop in “Experiment Room #1” in the basement of the Ddo-Buddy Mansion. I didn’t feel like hauling “Alex” all the way to “Experiment Room #2” in the northwest of the Royal Capital, and besides, it’s easier to focus here.
”I see… but that might be trickier than you think,” Satsuki said.
”Really?”
”Yeah. Here, look at this prototype I whipped up.”
Satsuki wasted no time sharing her findings. She pulled out what looked like a perfectly normal Ddo-Buddy, but a closer look revealed a circular slit just above the base.
”Ah, so if you pull this, the internals come out?”
”Exactly.”
I grabbed the base and gave it a tug. With a heavy shloop, the vibration mechanism slid right out of the slit. It was true-if we built them to be modular like this from the start, swapping parts would be a breeze. The structure was simple enough that even someone who couldn’t use magic could handle it. That meant regular staff at the various shops could do it, which made it a great design from a business perspective. However…
”I’m sure you can see the problem: durability and waterproofing,” Satsuki noted.
”Yeah. If you’re sliding the internals in and out all the time, the seal is going to get loose. And then the fluid’s going to leak in. Considering what a Ddo-Buddy is actually used for, that’s a deal-breaker.”
If the guts of the thing came flying out in the heat of the moment, it would be a total mood-killer. Plus, if love juices seeped inside, you’d have to take it apart and wash it every single time, which is a massive pain, and the more you do that, the looser the fit becomes. I could think of a few fixes, but…
”I considered threads, fasteners-all sorts of things,” Satsuki continued. “But then you’re looking at more advanced molding techniques, more steps in the manufacturing process, and more complicated inspections. The cost would be astronomical.”
She pulled out a few more prototypes. The screw-type had grooves like a soda bottle cap. Trying to pull that off with a mold would definitely require some high-level tech. On top of that, if you poured the “Ddo Pleasure-Aid Fluid” into those fine grooves, you’d almost certainly get air bubbles. The extra effort during production and inspection would make the time and labor per unit ridiculous.
”Nothing’s ever easy, is it?”
”No… Well, if it’s just for this one ‘Alex’ guy, it’s not impossible.”
”Hmm, let’s put that on hold. If we make the structure too complex, I’m worried about it breaking. Given how brutally this thing gets used, it would probably just need more repairs immediately, right?”
”True, especially considering… this,” Satsuki muttered.
Satsuki and I stared at “Alex” with a sense of genuine awe. It didn’t look like there were any shortcuts. If that was the case, I’d have to stick to the original plan and start with the experiments.
I set Satsuki’s prototypes aside and brought over a pot of “Ddo Pleasure-Aid Fluid.” The skin of a Ddo-Buddy is made by taking this liquid-a blend of Akanashi Tree sap and Red Slime bodily fluid-and solidifying it with Hardening Magic. First, I poured the liquid into a small, rod-shaped mold. Once it set, I had my mock Ddo-Buddy for the experiment. It was a tiny thing, about the size of a pinky finger.
”So, what are you going to do with it?”
”Well, for starters, I’m going to cut it in half and try to find a way to stick it back together.”
I pulled out a knife. Even though it was just a tiny test sample, it took a surprising amount of mental fortitude to cut into it. (It’s just a green onion… it’s just a green onion…) I chanted in my head as I pressed the blade against the surface.
”Urgh…!”
”…That takes a lot of force, doesn’t it?” Satsuki said.
”Yeah. I was obsessed with making it ‘tough yet flexible’ when I first developed it. Considering how many beastfolk women tend to bite down or dig their claws in, it looks like my obsession paid off… Alright, it’s through.”
After a considerable amount of sawing, I had two halves of a tiny Ddo-Buddy. The knife’s edge was totally chewed up. I should probably use a saw next time.
”First things first… let’s see if we can just stick them back together by applying some Ddo Pleasure-Aid Fluid to the cut.”
If that worked, it would be the easiest solution. I could use it to restore Alex’s mangled skin and easily seal up the “surgical” wounds I’d need to make to swap the internals. I picked up one half of the test sample, dipped the cut end into the pot of liquid, and carefully aligned it with the other half. Then: “Hardening Magic.”
”How is it…?”
”Is it stuck?”
”Wait…”
I lifted the “repaired” sample. At first glance, it looked like it worked. Some of the liquid had squeezed out and clumped up, but I could just shave that off… assuming the bond was actually solid.
”…Hmph!”
”Ah-“
”…No good,” I said.
Sadly, with just a little bit of a tug, the sample snapped right back into two pieces. Looking closely, the new layer had failed to fuse with the old one. Each piece of skin had hardened on its own; the new material didn’t crack, but it didn’t bond either. The adhesion between the old surface and the new material was just too weak.
”…I have to find a way to melt the surfaces. If the new material doesn’t mix with the old material before it hardens, they’re just going to stay separate.”
”…Should we try heat?” Satsuki suggested.
”Let’s give it a shot.”
The moment an idea hit, we tested it. I nodded at Satsuki’s suggestion and used magic to light a small flame on my fingertip, then held it to the cut surface. Magic really is convenient. In my old world, I’d still be looking for a lighter.
Sizzle, sizzle. I kept it right at the tip of the flame, praying for the skin to melt. There wasn’t much change. If I got it too close, it would just char, so I had to be patient.
”How’s it look?”
”…I can’t tell. Let’s try sticking them together anyway.”
I pressed the halves together again. No sign of melting, and no sign of bonding. I didn’t give up; I lit a flame on my thumb and tried heating the surfaces while they were already pressed together. I tried rubbing them, sliding them-nothing.
”It’s a bust.”
What I ended up with were two pieces of a tiny Ddo-Buddy that were now just stained with soot. I guess it wasn’t going to be that easy.
”Fine. Plan B: we start looking for solvents and adhesives.”
”Got it. In that case, maybe we should get Nina to help too?” Satsuki said.
”Good idea. I’ll feel bad, but I’m going to have to work her to the bone.”
And so, our exhaustive, trial-and-error research began.
—
Summary:
The protagonist begins the process of repairing a heavily damaged adult good nicknamed ‘Warrior Alex’. He collaborates with Satsuki to test modular designs and material bonding techniques. After a failed attempt at simple magical adhesion and heat-based melting, they decide to seek more chemical solutions.
—
Trivia:
- The ‘Ddo Pleasure-Aid Fluid’ is a hybrid of tree sap and slime fluids.
- Beastfolk users are noted for being particularly rough on the products (biting/claws).
- The protagonist has access to at least two specialized ‘Experiment Rooms’.
- Hardening Magic is a permanent state change that makes subsequent bonding difficult
—
Character Insight:
The protagonist displays an engineer’s mindset, considering production costs, quality control, and air bubble prevention during manufacturing. His use of a ‘green onion’ mental mantra suggests a need to compartmentalize his work from its adult nature to stay focused.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses technical manufacturing jargon (molds, cost-performance, inspections) to ground the absurd subject matter in a realistic isekai ‘crafting’ framework.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Satsuki – Miranda’s granddaughter, a court mage with long black hair in staff‑and‑robes, is a prickly tsundere companion of Kento, humbled yet fulfilled as Harvest’s new worker; her research flourishes under his guidance while she whispers romantic tips to Amelia. Former top Academy student, she lives alone, role‑plays a ‘Professor‑Student’ dynamic with the protagonist, and serves as a Love‑Mage associate of the shop.
• Slop – Leader of the hound-kin pack; Laika’s father. Has orange hair and fluffy tail.
• Soi – An old professor from Ajire seminary, the first to raise a question. Looks like wizardly.
• Suu – Secretary for the Royal Capital Beast-person Mutual Aid Association and a cat beast-person. Sample No. 19 in Kento’s report. She steps up as the first witness for the defense. Wears glasses and a tight suit.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply