by Fujino Omori
Looking at Seal order a new drink and handing the drink to each person respectively, I could not help but reveal a wry smile.
This time, it once again let me recognized that you should not mess around with the employees of
Then, we continued to drink and eat delicious food until late at night.
× × ×
A clear sky, a comfortable breeze blew up.
The time is the morning after the celebrations were over.
I used my hand as an umbrella to cover against the hot sun rays and quietly looked at the building.
It was the huge, white tower,
Because I needed to purchase equipment, I decided to visit
Without saying, the weapons purchased here all have their quality assured. And since my insight was not good, there was naturally no need to keep my pride and head to another shop. Also, because I had come here together with Eina-san in the past, it was still a bit familiar.
As for the price, there is no need to be too concerned about it today. Because I had saved up a lot of money earlier……Plus, a few days ago, when I exchanged the
Anyways, the budget inside my hands was above 100000 Varisu. I could not help but smile. Then I headed into the main doors of Babel.
I did not use the Magic Elevator and instead climbed up using the stairs to reach my destination, the 8th floor.
Occasionally, I would look down from a certain window, the blue Orario scenery was extremely beautiful.
(I’m here.)
The 8th Floor.
Aside from the elevator in the center that extended to the very top, there were many shops surrounding it. Signs that mimic swords, spears and other weapons were decorated among the doors of the shops.
Every time I pass one of the shops, I would stop and look. Finally, I reached the armor shop.
The lightweight body armor that protected my body was completely destroyed, so I should start from there.
The shop was still like a forest of armor. Compared to the last time I was here, the shop’s model’s body’s armor’s color scheme was a lot less. It was all black or gray.
(I should be able to afford this Floor’s armor……Right?)
I confirmed the price of the items one by one……21000, 35000, 64000……Yes, looks like I can manage. I am not purchasing just armor, so I have to be careful.
Not so long ago, I would never have imagine that I would have a day like this.
(……Is it already sold out?)
From very tough to very beautiful, although I could casually pick even the high-class armor, I was still looking for a blacksmith’s work.
The lightweight armor that I was always wearing before it was destroyed by the Minotaur. Name, it seemed to be called
I walked through every corner of the shop. Just like last time when I found that armor, I even walked to the shop’s corner where armor was not decorated. Even the boxes, which were filled with spare armors, I confirmed each one.
The harvest was……zero.
“……”
I felt that my stomach seems to be showing some symptoms of indigestion. Even though there was no need for it to be tangled up.
I recall that he was called
(……Let’s try asking.)
Because I refuse to give up, so I decided to head towards the counter.
Even though there was many defensive gears that were more excellent than my previous armor, I could not make up my mind.
When did I become one of his patrons (Fan)?
“Why……is it like this……”
“?”
I walked a bit forward and could already see the counter. I heard a roar coming from near the counter.
One of the people at the counter,
“Why is it always, always……at that kind of corner……! Do you have a grudge with me……!”
Walking nearby, I could hear the voices clearly.
The person standing in front of the awkward employee was a male human. He was wearing a black casual kimono……However, it seemed more like rags.
The red hair reminded me of flames. It seems like he is bigger than me. His height was also a little bit taller than me, it was a mid-size body build.
His hairstyle was a slightly longer short hair, it gave off an impression that his hair was too long and it was troubling him, so he casually cut it off.
On the counter, there were many boxes filled with lightweight armor pieces. From his rage, it seems like he is an Adventurer. Was it because there was a defect in the armor he purchased?
“I desperately made it! Shouldn’t I have a better treatment!”
“This is the decision from above……At least when you are able to sell it……”
“Are you trying to shirk responsibility!? These kind of words, you should better——!!”
The Adventurer in the casual kimono shouted and refused to give up.
The employee beside the counter seemed to be impatient and was looking at him, then he noticed my existence. He immediately smiled and said “Welcome!”.
Although I was curious, I still headed next to the counter and prepared to directly ask the employee a few questions.
“Do you have any problems?”
“Yes. Right now are you selling Welf Crosso-san’s works……?”
——At this point, the sound stopped.
Not only was the employee in front of me shocked, but even the two people, who were arguing was stunned, and looked over at me.
Eh……W…What?
I could not help but be a bit afraid after being stared at from three directions.
“……Ah, about this, are you planning to purchase Welf Crosso-san’s works……?”
“Y…Yes. I want to use Welf Crosso-san’s armor.”
After being faced with a timid question by the employee, my response was also stuttered.
Then, the next one to respond was not the employee in front of me, but the youth who was protesting earlier.
“Fu……Hahahahahahahaha!? You deserve it! Even if it’s me, I would still have one or two customers!!”
I thought that he was going to laugh. Then suddenly, that person turned his body towards the employee, who he was quarreling with, and slammed his hands onto the counter.
The employee seemed to be speechless and uncomfortably shifted his sight.
Just when I did not understand what happened and could not conceal my confusion, the youth immediately turned over to my side.
“There is some, Adventurer. Welf Crosso’s armors are here.”
“Eh!?”
“They are these.”
He brushed past the box filled with armor and pushed it to the counter in front of me.
Inside, there was a brilliant, shining iron-blue lightweight armor.
This armor was similar to the one I used before.
Although the details of the shape were slightly different……but I am not mistaken, this is the real thing! “How is it, do you want to use it?”
“Eh? T…This, isn’t this your item……?”
I do not know whether he understood my question or not, he only blinked at me a few times, then he smiled like a child.
Just like that, he revealed a brilliant smile towards me.
“Ahhh, this is my item…….It is the work that I created.”
“——Eh?”
“Since it is a rare opportunity, let me tell you my name, patron (Fan) number 1. I am Welf Crosso. Currently, a very low-leveled blacksmith in
× × ×
“So you are that
“Your voice is too loud……And what is the World’s Fastest Rabbit (Record Holder)……?”
I was overwhelmed and made Crosso-san quiet down a bit.
Crosso-san and I was currently in a small lounge at the 8th floor and were talking near the Magic Stone Elevators.
After that, he asked me if I wanted to talk and invited me to this place.
I did not know that Crosso-san’s works have been only sold twice and I, who was among one of them, actually wanted to purchase his armor again, so he was extremely interested.
The hard and tiring experience……Although the business side gave him a decent evaluation, he did not get the corresponding treatment at the shop. His previously sold works were even requested to be returned, the colleagues inside the
Seems like he was slightly excited since he also had a customer. Crosso-san frequently revealed a mature smile towards me. Although I have not know him long, he gave off a professional impression.
“You really are smaller than me. No, Adventurer and Age is not related, right?”
I finally found the opportunity to introduce myself, Crosso-san gently nodded his head. His red hair casually move based on his actions.
Instead of saying he had a handsome appearance, saying he had a cool appearance was more appropriate. His features gave an impression of strong-willed ——Just like an uncompromising artisan in general —— His eyes and tensed up eyebrows. Even to me, who was somewhat passive, could see that he was very cool.
His physique was not extremely burly, it would be best described as a slim fit. However, from his open collar, his neck and chest were buff as he had undertaken blacksmith work.
“About this, Crosso-san, how old are you this year……?”
“I am 17 years old this year. Right, don’t call me Crosso-san. I do not like my surname.”
He suddenly said this to me in the middle of the conversation.
Although it was somewhat difficult for me to directly call out his name, but I still listened to his words.
“Then……W…Welf-san? What are you finding me for……?”
“Hey hey, do you have to add a –san? ……Forget it this time. Then, listen to me.”
Welf-san stood up from the chair and looked at me.
Beside his feet was the box carrying the new armor. “This is the item I created, taking it away is fine, right?” He casually carried it out just like this.
“Then I will say it bluntly, I do not want to let you go.”
“?”
“My works, whether it is a sword or armor, it does not sell. Although I am somewhat embarrassed saying it myself, I am confident about my own products. However, this point is useless. The works that were nearly sold seemed to have been returned and I do not know why.
“……”
Rabbit Armor……This name is the issue, right, but this is really an outsider’s opinion so I could not say it out.
“However, you appeared. An Adventurer who recognized the value of my armor appeared.”
“Yes, so……?”
“You came twice to purchase my products. You are my customer, a real customer. Is that not correct?”
If he says it like this……Then that is indeed true.
Even in the forest of armors, I still wanted Welf-san’s armor.
“So, we, low-leveled blacksmith, are constantly competing for customers. If you are famous, then everybody would be attracted and come here to purchase your products. However, if you do not have any fame, then nothing good would happen. Our products are the same as the fledgling Adventurers, who would occasionally purchase the items after consider the capacity of their wallets. It is such a thing.”
“Do you understand this situation?” He asked me like this. I reluctantly nodded.
Competing for guest……In other words, whether if they could become their customers. This could also be said as the basics of business. If the Adventurers, who were their customers, became famous, then the weapons he used may also shed some light. Even if the blacksmith was not famous.
In other words, it is similar to the meaning of advertisement……However, to the low-leveled blacksmith, having ties with the Adventurers seem to be more important than I thought.
“This is a very rare opportunity. An Adventurer personally requested to purchase low-leveled products. I have said it earlier, “You recognize me”, to us, there is nothing more happy than that. You are my first “Customer”, so I do not want you to escape……How could I let you escape.”
On the contrary with his bold words, Welf-san’s face still had a gentle smile.
Although I frowned and let out a wry smile, I still liked Welf-san’s character.
This person is an excellent blacksmith.
“So, you hope that I will be your customer from now on?”
“That’s correct……I want to go into this even further.”
Then, this time, Welf-san revealed a shameless smile.
“How about directly making a contract with me, Bell Cranel?”
——Directly making a contract?
I do not understand the meaning of this phrase. Welf-san simply explained it to me.
This is a contract signed between blacksmith and Adventurer. It is a very sturdy
Adventurers would bring
Mutual exchange. This is the cooperation between the blacksmith and Adventurer.
And most importantly ——the person who specially made the weapons are able to display a certain power.
I recall the phrase that Eina-san had once said.
“Hey……Is…Is that okay?”
“Hey hey, this is my line. You are already Lv.2, to the nameless me, who does not have the
I originally wanted to say that there is no such thing. However, I once considered my own position, indeed, probably it was just as if he had said.
Refuting his words is not being modest, I’m afraid it would make Welf-san unhappy.
I suddenly felt nauseating and said nothing.
Welf-san squatted down, used his arm to hold my neck, smiled and came over.
“And look. The shops that are selling swords, axes and shields. They have been secretly peeking at us, right?”
“Ah, yes……”
Although they are varying races, but a few demi-humans were frequently looking at our side.
It seems like that they are very anxious……
“These people all fancy you. They are just like me, they want to sign a contract with you.”
“Eh?”
“Not just only you. The Lv.2 Adventurers, who have
R…Really……?
I widened my eyes and intently stared at the side of Welf-san’s face.
He is currently letting out a smile of victory towards those blacksmith. After noticing my gaze, he gently smiled and said. “So that’s how it is.” He casually released the embrace on my neck.
“It is my desire to become your personal blacksmith. If you hesitate, another blacksmith will come over and I will lose the customer that I nearly have. No matter what, to me, I would like to sign a contract with you.”
“And if I were to sign a contract with a promising Adventurer, my value would also increase.” Welf-san simply said while laughing.
“…
…Before I say these words, you may not believe it. However, Lv.2 is not important. Within the many armor, you selected my work. I did not expect that one day a person would say that they would like to use my products……right?”
“……”
“It feels like a sudden surging passion appeared.”
This could be the luck of a blacksmith. Welf-san was somewhat shy.
I was also happy that I heard he had the intention of forming a contract with me from the very start.
Although I wanted to say that he overrated me, but we are both rookies. Once I thought about the two of us working together, I could feel warmth inside my heart.
Although I cannot express it……but I feel that this kind of thing was pretty good.
“……I understand. Then I’ll sign a contract with Welf-san.”
“Okay, let’s settle it! I was thinking of what I should do if I was rejected!’
He held onto my hand, which I extended, and stood up.
“Please take care of me from now on, Bell.” After hearing him say these words, I was somewhat embarrassed.
His hand was larger than mine and was warm like a stove.
“We will discuss about the formal contract next time……”
Welf-san said while gently shaking out hands.
He displayed his victory to the surroundings and the blacksmiths, who saw this scene, regretfully left.
After Welf-san looked around and confirmed that his peers are all gone, he released my hand and apologetic scratched his head.
“Then, I’ll say it……Could you listen to my selfish request?”
I was shocked and looked at Welf-san.
“I will obviously return the favor to you. I will remake your equipment free of charge.”
“Eh!?”
“So there is no need to be surprised. A blacksmith requires a reliable Adventurer, doing this should be taken for granted.”
I had never dreamed that he would promise to give his works to me free of charge.
If that’s the case, there is no need to purchase the completely destroyed equipment……
I revealed an idiotic expression.
“Then can I get to the main topic?”
“……”
I swallowed a mouthful of saliva and waited for his next words.
“Please let me join your party.”