by Fujino Omori
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The girl who stubbornly pursued strength only wanted to invest her body and mind towards the battlefield.
(……I can still…become stronger.)
The mutters caused the heat in the dungeon to dissipate. Aizu flew towards the possibility that was mentioned.
Within the girl’s eyes, the back of the boy, who surpassed the limits, still remained.
× × ×
Early in the morning.
It is around the time when the sun began to stick out its head from outside the dungeon walls.
I originally planned to explore the dungeon, but I was pulled away by Seal-san in front of the bar.
“Sorry, please wait a little longer! The food earlier was a failure……”
“About that, Seal-san, it is fine if you don’t force yourself……I was always being taken care of by you, today……”
“No, I will help you prepare it! So please accept it!”
Looking at Seal-san, who had an aggressive expression as she moved her face closer, I could not do anything other than nod and say “O…Okay”. Because she was embarrassed and had her entire face red, she hurried back into the bar.
Seal-san makes my bento every day. It seems like she had failed in the cooking process today. Because Seal-san would usually do things orderly, her appearance now was extremely rare. It made one have the urge to smile……What kind of taste would today’s lunch have? Although accepting this goodwill was a bit too much, the fear accompanied with cold sweat prevailed.
“Good morning, Cranel-san.”
“Ah, Ryuu-san. Good morning.”
“We are extremely sorry for delaying your trip. That being said, Seal-san is also working hard……so please wait for a bit longer.”
Just when I was feeling bored, I heard the sound of the doorbell ring and Ryuu-san came over to talk with me. Understanding her good intentions of hers for Seal-san, I smiled and said: “No problem.”
Ryuu-san, who specially set aside her shop preparations, even stayed to chat with me.
“I see, so you found a party member safely.”
“Although it may only be temporary……”
A few days ago, I was asked once about the matter about my party members and successfully delivered good news to Ryuu-san. After Ryuu-san, who was wearing an waiter’s outfit and a white headband, listened, she asked:
“Cranel-san, is that person a trustworthy person?”
“Huh……?”
“No, sorry, I am not doubting you, but once you get involved with another
Aside from personal problems, you will also have to pay attention to the background of the faction——Ryuu-san used her pair of sky-blue eyes to look and say this to me.
I quickly realized that she was worried about me. On the day of the celebration, that person came forward and protected me, who was tangled with other Adventurers. Right now, she must be worried about me.
I felt happy for the sincere feelings of Ryuu-san and replied her:
“The other person is from the
“Because
If it was only Welf-san, then naturally I would not be dissatisfied……Speaking of which.
I recalled the conversation I had with Kami-sama yesterday night, and after considering it for a while, as if I was observing Ryuu-san’s ractions, I bit the bullet and told her Welf-san’s name. I also mixed in a little bit of action to explain that he was a blacksmith who was extremely good with his hands.
It feels that my thoughts were completely seen through by Ryuu-san……
“Crosso……”
After she listened to Welf-san’s surname, she stopped her actions and repeatedly muttered this surname.
Looking at Ryuu-san’s reactions, which would usually not be seen, my heartbeat increased.
“D…Do you know anything…….?”
“No, instead of saying that I know……the name
E…Elves?
I had heard information regarding about
“If it is possible, can you please tell me? I would like to know more about Welf-san……”
“……Okay. That being said, it is probably not the information you want to know.”
After Ryuu-san made a prologue, she began to tell the story.
“Surely you must know about the existence of
“No, I don’t know.”
“It is a country called Rakia. Among all the countries, it is a country close to Orario.
Rakia……Before coming to Orario, I had often heard of this name when I was still in the countryside.
Like how that country had declared a war again, or like how that country seemed to have started an expedition to somewhere.
“Rakia is a country that is governed by a single God’s country-type
Up to this point, it was basically the same as what Lili had said. I nodded my head.
“It was also due to the divine influence of the Main God who was known as a War God. In short, Rakia is an extreme militant country. Although their forces are currently dormant, but as long as the time is correct, they will start a battle with other countries and cities.”
(It really is like this……)
“Then after numerous battles in the past, the power of
I feel that I was about to get to the core of the story and held my breath as I listened carefully.
“Cranel-san, can you imagine an army that even the soldiers are equipped with
“……Could it be?”
“That’s correct. At that time, Rakia relied on the terrible firepower of the Magic Sword. It was an overwhelming firepower that could eliminate their enemies without any strategy.”
Winning battle after battle, zero losses, invincible. An undefeated myth.
It was said that the Rakia’s army, with the Magic Sword’s blessing, did not know when to stop their attacks.
“Rakia went too far. It was said that due to the improper use of the Magic Sword, it had caused the battlefield’s terrain to be completely changed into a barren scorched land…… Then that war had also spread to my fellow elves living in the forest.”
Although after the Gods descended to the Lower World, humans and demi-humans’ exchange have reached an unprecedented peak. However, there are still some people in the modern times that have closed thoughts.
One of the most serious example is the elves. Although it is only a portion of them, they, who have a strong pride, hated communicating with other races and seemed to have constructed a village within the depths of the forest and hid themselves.
So to say, in other words……
“The elves were driven out? Due to the war, they were driven out of the forest they lived in?”
“To be precise, it was burnt down. The entire forest including even the village.”
The village was burned down.
After hearing this sentence, I could not help but take a deep breath.
According to what happened after this matter, the elves that lost their village requested the help of a certain god……That is by accepting a
tain
At that time, Rakia had already lost the Magic Sword’s power and suffered enormous damage. The elves’ revenge also temporarily calmed down.
“The area that was indiscriminately damaged is where the soldiers were carrying Magic Swords. They hated the Magic Sword that was used by humans, and then hated the
“……”
“In other words, elves cannot ignore the name of
“……Is Ryuu-san the same?”
“No, not to that extent.”
I looked at Ryuu-san, who replied straightforwardly, and was surprised.
It was said that the elves have extreme pride towards their own race, they should also be highly conscious of their elf comrades.
Although Ryuu-san claimed that this was still something from the past and that the village was not directly burned down……About that, how should I put it, I could not suppress my surprised feelings.
There is no need to mention Seal-san and the others, but because she even cared about me, who she only met recently, I thought that she would cherish her own people.
“Bell-san, you’ve waited for a long time!”
“……It seems like it is time. Then Cranel-san, please be careful when you are exploring the dungeon.”
“Ah, okay……”
After Ryuu-san noticed Seal-san coming out from the bar, she bowed her head towards me and said goodbye.
Towards her receding figure that seemed to have replaced Seal-san, I could only watch silently.
“It is slightly late……”
I slightly quickened my pace at the West Main Street area and headed forwards. The morning bell sound rang from the eastern side of the streets and the citizens were slowly appearing on the street. I held the feeling that I was going to be late and rushed towards Lili and the others, who were waiting for me at Babel.
My feet kept on moving, yet my thoughts flew to somewhere else. Inside my mind, I constantly chewed on the words that Ryuu-san had said and did not realize in time the person who was approaching me directly.
“Oh, you really came.”
Ah, I slightly widened my eyes. The person who raised his hand and walked towards me was Welf-san.
I felt that it was a bit strange. Even though the meeting location was the same as yesterday……Or should I say, he specifically came to meet me?
“Yo, Bell. Good morning.”
“Ah, good morning. About that……Welf-san, why are you here?”
“Ahhh, Follower Lili had sent a message. It seems like she is unable to attend today’s dungeon exploration.”
“Eh!?”
It seems like when Welf-san was at Babel alone, Lili rushed over with amazing momentum and explained the situation. Because recently the shop was busy, the Gnome owner that Lili was living with had become fatigued. It seems like there is nobody else who could take care of him. Lili had bowed down and apologized several times.
Welf-san heard that I would be coming from West Main Street so he personally came over to tell me.
“What should we do, should the two of us go down to the dungeon?”
“Ah, Ah……”
If Lili, who was the Supporter, is not here, the Magic Stone and Drop Loot recovery will become slow. Having said that, if we do not explore, it will be an extremely free day today……This is what I wanted to avoid.
Since it is like this, Do I have to do what I did when I was solo, carrying a backpack while being a part-time Supporter?
“……Bell, why don’t we do this, can you accompany me today?”
“Ah?”
After I heard Welf-san’s proposal, I tilted my head.
He slightly lifted his mouth and patted his own hands.
“Didn’t I say it before? I will completely remake your equipment.”
× × ×
“A…As expected, this light armor is enough, Welf-san……”
“There’s no need to be polite. A blacksmith will never go back on his words.”
I looked at the back of Welf-san, who continued to move forward, and revealed a troubled expression as I chased after him.
Although it was something he promised before, when he said again “Right now I will provide you your equipment free of charge”, my feelings of guilt continued to increase.
I wanted to reject it, but Welf-san continued to calmly insist “Leave it to me”, and walked openly in the streets with his black casual clothes.
“Bell, although it might be a little arrogant, but it would be better if you are a little bit more greedy? Adventurers won’t know what they will become tomorrow. Even if it is for that time, then they should arm themselves in the best possible state, right?”
“Yes……”
It does make sense. He successfully shut me up.
There is no meaning once you died, this is what I have always heard from Eina-san.
I had made a promise with Kami-sama, to not let her become alone. Under this situation, I should say that saving is important……but I cannot mistaken what was most important, right?
I was slightly troubled for a while, then I finally accepted Welf-san’s good intentions.
I said this while I bowed down my head. Thus, Welf-san smiled and said: “No problem”.
“Then, Welf-san. Where are we heading to?”
“My
Workshop? I asked and Welf-san explained it to me.
The so-called
It was said that his
“Even though it is a privilege, but it is not common to give everybody a individual workshop, right?”
“It is not common. A common workshop would be cheaper to build, and the work efficiency would also be higher.”
“Then why?”
“In order to not allow other blacksmiths to see their own techniques. Claiming that
This is the disposition of a craftsman……It can also be considered the modesty of a blacksmith?
The companions inside the
“Don’t you think that we are gloomy or eccentric? Because this is all Hephaestus-sama’s policy.”
Welf-san half-jokingly said while his feet moved faster.
We are currently walking on the North-East Main Street area. I have never been here so I was thinking while looking around.
There were both big and small shops with roofs on the two sides of this large street. There were no bars, it seems like shops that specialize in tools were more conspicuous. The pedestrians were wearing all kinds of clothes and it made others feel that they were craftsmen. There seemed to be many citizens that were not affiliated or members of a
Speaking of which, Orario’s main source of income comes from manufactured Magic Stone products which seems to be created at this North-East Main Street?
Industrial Zone. This phrase immediately appeared inside my head.
“Turn at the next corner.”
I had my attention captured by the dwarves, who were slowly walking while carrying thick logs, as I followed Welf-san.
Leaving the Main Street, we turned and entered a small path. The time was still early and the stone road that was not lit up by the sun’s rays was slightly dark and cool. If you lift up your head, you would see a beautiful narrow sky.
The tall city walls seemed to be getting closer. Just when I wondering if we had to walk till the end of
the city, Welf-san stopped.
“WAAA…….”
After turning numerous times on the small road, I finally saw it.
A small, refined building.
Although the black stains all over the place were very eye-catching, it indeed gave off a feeling of a blacksmith’s room! A chimney stuck out from the roof and it made me feel that it was a bit cute.
“You probably already knew, this area is the site for craftsmen. This kind of workshop or factory are all over the place. Our headquarters are also nearby.”
I, who obviously was not aware of such things, could only utter “I…Is that so!” and began to observe the surroundings.
Welf-san’s workshop was slightly far from the Main Street. It was similar to the small alley that my headquarters were. The surroundings also felt somewhat dark.
Even if I don’t stick out my ears, I could still hear the sound of hammering……The sound of tempering metal echoed everywhere and I could immediately feel the presence of the blacksmiths.
After all,
Although it was still managed by themselves…… they were still extremely generous.
“Don’t just stand there, isn’t it time to head in?”
“Ah, okay.”
At the same time I muttered “Excuse Me”, I finally passed through the door of Welf-san’s workshop.
The first feeling I had was the strong smell of steel. Until Welf-san had opened the shutters and the interior brightened up, the previously dark interior finally revealed its original appearance.
Many iron tools were placed on the walls. Hammers, Scissors, in short, there were many. There were even tools that I have never seen before.
At the corner of the room was a large furnace, and beside it was a steel-built table. I remember that it was called an anvil?
Within this room that had no partitions, the tools and facilities used for smithing were placed in rows.
This is a true workplace for a blacksmith.
“Sorry, it is a bit dirty here. Could you please put up with it?”
“I…It’s fine! No problem!”
Rather, I would like to observe it even more……I felt excited while I shook my head.