《Weakest Occupation “Blacksmith” Become The Strongest》


 1 Episode 1 Oracle Ceremony

    It''s an oracle today, Lelius.


    With that voice, my childhood friend - Lynn - shook me.


    When I lightly opened my eyes, a pretty girl was there.


    She was fifteen years old, the same age as me. Her slightly thinner red hair was trimmed around her shoulders.


    She was looking at me in a teasing tone.


    I turn over to ignore Lynn''s words, still wanting to sleep in bed.


    ''Let me sleep some more,''


    Shit!��If you don''t hurry, you won''t be able to attend the oracle!


    There''s no need to rush. So there''s no need to be in such a hurry.


    Besides, the church is crowded from the morning because everyone is waiting for today.


    It''s just that it''s a little less crowded in the afternoon.


    When I turned my back to her, Lynn stopped moving.


    She seems to have given up. The next time I thought I was going to sleep until the afternoon, Lynne came in when I slipped into bed.


    "...Hey. Why do you have to come in too?


    Because Lelius looks so good asleep, and I just want to lie down.


    Lynn smiled happily and squeezed me into a hug.


    I was more than a little nervous at the unexpected behavior.


    Totally.


    ''Okay, okay, okay. I''m up now.


    Yeah. Good.


    Lynn smiles at me, then gets up from the bed.


    I adjust my clothes and check in the mirror in my room.


    I left the room and went downstairs.


    Lynn was there, of course. She was at the door, ready to leave at any moment.


    Lynne''s father and mother were working in the dining room. Lynn''s father, who had glanced at me, noticed me and came over to me.


    "Oh, Lelius," he said, "it''s time for the oracle. Today is the day for the oracle.


    Yeah, well,


    I hope you get some good skills and an artifact, Relius.


    Well yes. Hallelujah, I hope it''s not.


    Well, well. I''m sure God is watching you. You''ll be fine.


    Ton, he pushed me back.


    I nodded to him once and then headed for the front door where Lynn was waiting.


    I walked out with her.


    The city is completely buzzing.


    The oracle ceremony only happens once a year. On that day, the divine world where God lives is closest to earth.


    And God gives power to the children who have passed the age of fifteen.


    That''s what God will give them: divine instruments and vocations.


    First of all, every child is given a divine tool, a weapon created by God.


    If they are lucky, they will be given a profession as well.


    Depending on the power given to them, they could even become very rich in the future.


    Lynn, who was walking next to me, looked at me.


    "What kind of powers does Lelius want?


    Yeah. At the very least, a knight, a swordsman, a fighter, something like that. How about you, Lynn?


    Fighting. Fighting, yeah. I''m not really into that kind of thing. I''m an innkeeper, so if you have the ability to understand the feelings of the guests, you''ll be able to make an even better innkeeper than you already are!


    ''Ah, I see.''


    But did Relius want to be an adventurer?


    Yes, he did. Yeah, I want to be able to protect something important from those demons.


    Yeah, I know.


    Lynn lowered her gaze a bit.


    ........I''ve said some bad things.


    My parents were killed by a demon and died about five years ago.


    I had been picked up by Lin''s house, who was a good friend of mine.


    That''s why I want the power to be able to live without bothering anyone.


    Ideally, it would be a divine weapon and a profession.


    At worst, I''d like to have only good divine instruments.


    There was a huge line in the church.


    All the kids in line were about our age.


    Occasionally, some of the kids are a little bigger than us. Maybe they couldn''t participate in last year''s oracle ceremony.


    As we stood in that line, we watched the entrance to the church approach little by little.


    Our turn comes closer.


    We could see the installed divine stones and hear the joy and sorrow of the people who had received the oracle.


    Wow, my artifacts are so dangerous. And I don''t have a job...


    ''Yay!��I''m a Fireblade, the same divine weapon as a knight who was active a hundred years ago!


    .........I like it, I think while looking at the person in front of me.


    It''s as if a famous divine weapon is promised to be active in its own right.


    ''''Next children, three of you. Please stand in front of the divine stone over here.''''


    The churchman said so, and me and Lynn went forward in line.


    I hope there will be good divine instruments and professions.


    ........I''ve been looking at it for a long time, but no child has been given both a divine weapon and a profession for a while.


    It should be good to get out by now.


    With that in mind, I turned my hand to the divine stone, which was bigger than me.


    Immediately a letter appeared.


    I was excited, but I was distracted by the excitement next to me.


    ''''This kid''s divine weapon and profession is just the most powerful!


    Next to him is Linh.


    You can''t help but look at them.


    A weapon, Excalibur and a job as a hero...?


    What a combination. The combination is something that anyone who has ever researched the oracle ritual knows about.


    Once, the most powerful knight in this empire. It is said that no one else has ever been able to match him, and yet he had this combination of the two.


    And the one I wanted most.


    That''s right, my divine weapon and my profession are already out there too!


    If Linn is the jackpot, then surely I will be too--!


    With that thought, I looked up and saw the worst of the characters.


    The Divine Weapon: Create Hammer.


    Occupation: ''Blacksmith''


    All people are given weapons by God in this world, a profession that is considered the least necessary.


    Even divine weapons were given to all blacksmiths.

 2 Episode 2 Inn

    The surroundings were boiling and the church officials were running around in a hurry.


    The thought that all of this was working for Lynne was an indescribable feeling.


    We were now being ushered into the church room.


    Us, or rather, Lynn.


    There''s also a church knight in the room. He never spoke to us, but he was there like a sentry.


    Normally Linn is relaxed, but as expected, she seems to be feeling uneasy about the situation.


    She''s squeezing my hand. It''s also trembling.


    ''''Rerius........what do I do....... What is going to happen to me now?


    Will I be advised to become a knight or an adventurer?


    At least, that''s what I had in mind after the oracle.


    If I get a famous enough ability to be invited to knight school, I''m going to just take it.


    If not, I was thinking of earning it as an adventurer.


    Lynn........was going to take over the inn in the first place. He hadn''t thought about this kind of development, I guess.


    ''''Well I don''t want to do either of those things. I''m kind of scared of fighting and all that.


    ....


    I''d trade you for me if I could.


    But I can''t do that.


    I was jealous, but not for Lynn.


    I didn''t know what to say to her either.


    A few moments later, the door to the room opened.


    A person came in, out of breath, dressed in a gorgeous outfit.


    The bishop is more excited than you can imagine.


    He stood in front of Lin and looked at me with a snort.


    ''''Ha, yes........yes, but.......''''


    ''That''s great!��I''ve reported you to the country as well!��A person as talented as you will definitely be able to defend the church and the country as a brave man and protect it from the demons who are the warden of the evil gods!


    ''''Keh, but........I''m the--''''


    Fighting demons. Until now, Lin had no experience with that at all.


    That''s why she was frightened by those words.


    The bishop looked at the listless Lynn curiously.


    ''''Why do you look so sad?


    ''''........I have to fight as a brave man, don''t I?


    The bishop raised an eyebrow at Lin''s words.


    Of course. God decided that you have the talent for it and gave you the job.


    ...but I... I''m a pretty normal person--


    This occupation or divine instrument given by God is a person''s role to live in this world. Fulfilling that role is our way of showing our gratitude to God for giving us strength. ...you have been commissioned to be the hero. A brave man who will dispel the demons that are rampant in the world!


    The priest said that with an excited look, but Lin seemed to be frightened to the contrary.


    ........Unlike them, who thanked God on a daily basis, we didn''t believe in God that much.


    The temperature difference is this.


    ''I''m sorry. I''m sorry, but that Lynn is still in a state of shock. So, I was wondering if you could give me a moment to think about it.��We''re in the Migratory Bird House. I would like to inform my parents as soon as possible, so.......well, is it possible for me to get back to you later on?


    I raise my hand modestly to tell the bishop.


    And that''s when the bishop seemed to notice me for the first time.


    ''''Well yes. No, no, I''m sorry. It''s true, you should greet your parents once. ''The Migratory Bird Innkeeper, right? I see. Let''s visit again at a later date. ........Oh, but first, may I ask you one thing?


    The bishop loosens his cheeks in happiness.


    Linn lifted her shoulders at the smile.


    What is it?


    Can I have your autograph?


    The bishop''s eyes lit up and he said to Linh.


    Linn signed his autograph and then left the church.


    They walked through the city side by side, but the city looked completely different than usual.


    ''''Hey, I heard there''s a brave man in everything!


    "And the sacred artifacts are like the Excalibur given to you by the famous Knight Commander, Arthur-sama!


    This is the topic of conversation as we walked around town.


    Whenever those words entered his ears, Lin lowered his gaze with a frightened look.


    ''''........What should I do, Lelius?''''


    I don''t know what to do.


    I honestly don''t know what to do.


    I knew I shouldn''t be there anyway, so I got out of there like this, but I didn''t know what to do.


    When we got to the house, Lynn''s father and mother noticed us.


    There were already a lot of adventurers in the dining room on the first floor.


    ''''Oh, you two are back. You''re late........Lin?��What''s going on?


    My father-in-law, who was standing in the kitchen, looked at me with wide eyes.


    ........Oh, dad.


    Linn?��I''m sorry, I''ll hold on to that.


    My father-in-law came over after calling out to the other cook.


    ''''Well it''s kind of hard to talk to you in here.


    When I said that, my father-in-law nodded his head and looked at the stairs.


    Our room was in a room at the inn it was on the second floor.


    I walked into my room, but Lynn was still holding my hand anxiously.


    Seeing Linn, who was unable to get out of it, my father-in-law looked at me.


    ''''Well what happened, Lelius?''''


    That''s why...


    I''ll tell my father-in-law all about what I was in the church.

 3 Episode 3 Awakening

    I didn''t realize that the brave man the adventurers were talking about was Lynn.


    Lynn, who was in low spirits, was given a rest in her room for now.


    I was now in the room with my father-in-law.


    ''''........I didn''t expect this to happen. Of course, I did think that Lelius would become an adventurer and a knight.


    I was a ''blacksmith'' by the way.


    To tell the truth, I was pretty depressed too.


    As long as every human has the best divine weapon for each of them, there is no need for a blacksmith who can manufacture weapons.


    That''s why it was famous as one of the hazing professions, and in the past few decades, that profession had never been bestowed upon me.


    So the only people in this world who have this profession, if not the only one, are me and Lin.


    Their value is very different, though.


    ''''I see.......as a parent, I feel safer that way.


    What?


    You always wanted to be an adventurer because you didn''t want to get us in trouble.


    Yeah, yeah, I know, but...


    The family is not exactly wealthy.


    So I didn''t want to bother them, so I helped out at the inn on a daily basis.


    But they still provided me with a day off at least once a week, like today. Even that, though, I didn''t think it was necessary.


    ''Well I don''t want you to get hurt or anything. You''re my friend''s kid, and you''re also my son.


    My father-in-law huffed and loosened his mouth.


    ''I wish you didn''t say anything too embarrassing.


    ''''So I''m a little relieved that it''s not a job I can fight too much.


    They were both adventurers, with strong divine weapons and professions in their own right.


    To me, they were also my admirers.


    That''s why I was forced to accept a request of high difficulty, and it cost me my life.


    ''''It''s Lynn now, right? ........but it''s hard to say no, isn''t it?''''


    Don''t think so.


    I say, and my father-in-law glances toward Lynn''s room.


    ''If he''s on board, I''m worried about him as a parent, but I can send him off..............


    What is the best way to go about this?


    If my father-in-law is right, if he''s willing to go through with it, that''s the best thing to do.


    In fact, if I was the same divine weapon and profession as Lynn, I wouldn''t have had to worry about it so much.


    ''''For now, we''ll just have to ask him to take the day off today and talk to him again later.


    Yeah, I guess.


    Good. You should get some rest today, Relius.


    With that, my father-in-law walked out of the room.


    A sacred artifact and a profession, huh?


    I hope it''s a good one!��What an idea, but that doesn''t necessarily mean it''s something that would please him....


    I''m terribly jealous, but I don''t think she''d like me saying this to Lynn.


    There''s a knock at my door. A discreet knock.


    Is that Lynn?


    Yeah.


    The door opened slowly.


    A listless Lynn was there, looking at me.


    ''''I''m sorry. Maybe Lelius won''t like it, but I need to talk to you about something...''


    Yeah, no problem.


    I could tell by Lynn''s preamble that she was trying to talk about her profession.


    Next to the bed I was sitting on, Lynne sat down too.


    ''''Well I have to admit, I don''t want to be a brave man.


    I suppose.


    I used to follow my parents on walks and hunt demons.


    Fighting demons has always been a natural part of my life, and I knew it was going to be my future job.


    But Linn........has always grown up as the only daughter of an innkeeper in this town.


    She has been working at the inn since she was my age.


    I might have thought about taking over the family in the future.


    That''s why, from Linn''s point of view, she can''t imagine defeating a demon - or even being the first person to fight it.


    ''I thought fighting a demon was scary and absolutely impossible. Probably, I don''t even know if I''ll ever get used to it.


    ....


    But do you think I''ll have to become a knight or an adventurer?


    I suppose so, yes. The country would like you to become a knight. But they''ll also suggest an adventurer who can radically reduce the number of demons.


    ...You know what? Isn''t a brave man an amazing person?


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to make it work. I''m sure you''ll be able to find a good deal more to say about it.


    ...Yeah, what. Do I have to do that too?


    Yeah, I guess so. Apparently, the brave man lived like that for a long time until his strength wore off.


    I see.


    Lynn huffed and let out a small breath.


    I gently squeezed her trembling hand.


    Linn moved my hand once to check it, then squeezed it tightly.


    ''''Do I have to live like that too?


    Maybe....


    I''ve been thinking that I''d like to live my life as just an innkeeper''s daughter.


    Well.....


    Yeah. It''s the best thing for me to do if I can take over the house. He''s going to live his life by joking and chatting with various guests. Listening to the stories of the adventurers and the merchants, you know.


    Yeah.


    ''I thought that kind of normal life was waiting for me...''


    I couldn''t do anything but stare at Linn, who was scratching her cheek.


    Linn closed her eyes for a while, but eventually she slowly smiled.


    ''Relius. I, the brave one, am going to try my best.


    Are you sure you''re okay?


    ''Because if you think that there might be someone out there somewhere that''s in trouble right now after being attacked by a demon you have to help them.


    ....


    Lynn is kind at the root, so she thinks that way.


    ''''........Go for it.


    Yeah, I''ll try.


    Lynn smiled at that.


    As she left the room, I was thinking to myself.


    ''Blacksmith,'' huh?


    If I had some kind of occupation and divine weapon that allowed me to fight, I might have been able to choose the same path as Linn.


    ........God is unfair.


    Still.


    When Lin asked me to help him one day, I also wanted to help him in any way I could.


    I don''t know what "The Blacksmith" can do.


    Nevertheless, I''ll do my best, believing that this profession and the divine artifacts that have been given to me are surely meaningful.


    With my resolution in my heart, I slowly closed my eyes.


    ''''As the owner grows, the blacksmith''s abilities have been released. Their levels have been released and they can now level up by gaining proficiency.''''


    As the owner grows, the ability to create hammers has been unlocked. You will be able to create anything your hammer destroys.

 4 Chapter 4 Ability

    The farewell to Lynn was an easy one.


    Later, someone from the church came to the inn and explained the situation.


    Lynn''s parents didn''t try to hold her back, saying that if she was willing to do it, they wouldn''t. They knew that it would be useless to try.


    They knew that it would be useless to try.


    I heard that Linn will be entering the academy and will be receiving instruction on knowledge and combat.


    One thing that was reassuring was that there were four other brave men this year.


    That''s why the great people of the country are said to be very excited about it.


    ........well, it wasn''t anything special to me.


    The topic of conversation regarding Lynn was a lot of fun for the first week or so.


    The adventurers who visited the inn were always talking about her, but even that has died down now.


    I went back to my usual life of helping out at the inn.


    Lynn''s absence had made my job a little harder, but that was resolved when I hired a new part-time worker.


    The new part-time worker was a woman and her name was Mea. She is a child of the beast race and is fifteen years old.


    She was a pretty person and had quickly become the inn''s signature girl.


    I saw that she had settled into the place that Lynne had been working, and I thought that the change was surprisingly easy to make.


    Today is a very busy day.


    The number of adventurers who visit the cafeteria is quite large. The reason for this is because the inn was the home of a brave man named Lin, and it has become a bit popular.


    I was cleaning the tables where the guests had gone home when I heard Mea''s screams.


    I heard Mea-san scream and looked up.


    It looked like Mea had dropped a plate and there were plates scattered all over the floor.


    I had to hurry up and clean them up, but Mea-san seemed to be in a panic.


    ''Mea-san, I''ll take care of the cleaning, please clear that table over there.


    Oh, God!��I''m sorry!


    Mea-san bowed her head repeatedly and hurriedly made her way over to me.


    I went to get my cleaning kit and grabbed a large piece of the stuff.


    ''''It can be destroyed using the Create Hammer. You will be able to create a new plate.''''


    What?


    I tilted my head at the sudden sound of a voice.


    There''s nothing but rowdy adventurers around.


    I don''t know, but it''s a sacred artifact, isn''t it?��You want me to use this?


    I took out my hammer and tapped the pieces.


    Then I heard the voice again.


    "Material, do you want to touch and retrieve the plate?


    No one ever bothered to ask me.


    I''m pretty sure it''s echoing in my head.


    Do you wish to retrieve the plate fragments?


    I don''t know. Let''s see if we can''t get it back.


    I touch it with a hammer and the plate disappears.


    Is this all that''s left to do if I touch it?


    I try to touch the other pieces to see if I can do it all.


    Then all the pieces disappear somewhere.


    ........I don''t understand.


    Well, I guess it''s a good thing that I was able to clean up easily.


    The day''s work was completed an hour later.


    The cafeteria was completely quiet, and I was cleaning up.


    As I was cleaning up the cafeteria, Mea-san, who had joined me, lowered her head, wagging her dog ears and tail.


    ''Le, Lelius!��You really helped me today!��Thank you!


    ''''It''s fine, that much is fine. Just be careful, please be careful.


    Oh, God!��I''m really, really sorry.


    Mea, who bowed her head repeatedly with a bow.


    ........come to think of it, I didn''t pay attention to it at the time, but what happened to the pieces of the plates?


    ''''Do you want to use the pieces of the plates to create the plates?''''


    ........Huh?


    I heard the voice from that time again.


    The only person present was Mea and she was frantically cleaning the dining room.


    That means it must be because of something inside me after all.


    Making the plates I don''t know, but I''ll try.


    I asked him to follow that voice, and the next moment I saw that a plate had been created in my brain.


    I tried to think if I could take that plate out and a plate appeared in front of me.


    ........it was the very plate we use in the store.


    As I was tilting my head, Mea-san noticed me.


    ''Yeah?��What do you mean by that?


    Uh, no. Well, you know. I just happened to have some plates left over. I''m gonna go do some work.


    ''Oh, is that right?��And ... I''ll do the rest of the cleaning. Hey, Lelius. Can you finish up first?


    Really?��Well, why don''t you just go ahead.


    Normally I''d be with you to the end, but I''ve developed a bit of a problem.


    I put my tools away and then head back to my room.


    If there''s a possibility it''s definitely this blacksmith, right?


    A blacksmith that I hadn''t thought about at all since then due to Lin''s mess and such.


    Because blacksmithing is one of the most needless professions in the world.


    I tried to think about that blacksmith in my head.


    The Blacksmith


    Level 1 1/10


    ...What is this?


    It shouldn''t have been marked like this before.


    I''m not sure what the numbers mean.


    That''s when I tilted my head and looked at the things around me.


    "What''s this?


    I wanted to scream.


    Because I saw the words "createable" and "impossible to create" appear on the things in the room.


    Everything large, such as the bed I''m sitting on right now, is unmade, but I can create a pillow or so.


    Basically all other small items seemed to be able to be created.


    However, there seemed to be two conditions.


    One is that they all need to be destroyed once with a create hammer.


    The other seems to be that you need a material to make them.


    When I looked at what I could create, it also stated the materials I needed. However, it seems that the destroyed items can also be broken down into materials, so once they are destroyed, there seems to be no problem.


    I started to get a headache from those letters that filled my vision.


    ''''Can''t you make it a little easier to see?


    Like, only recognize what I want to create.


    Just when I thought that, a bunch of words disappeared from my vision.


    No way...


    I turn my gaze to the plate I''m still holding in my hand, intending to create it.


    It''s much easier to see than before.

 5 Episode 5 Level up

    I''m not sure, but it looks like it was my unmistakable ''blacksmithing'' power that made the plate earlier.


    The problem is how to use this, right?


    ''''........Or rather, wasn''t ''blacksmith'', as I recall, an occupation that involved the manufacture of weapons?''''


    At least, that''s what was said.


    So, a blacksmith is useless.


    But it seems that I can use the create hammer to increase the number of things I can create.


    Most importantly, although it''s limited in terms of what you can create, you can also fix it when the inn''s stuff breaks down.


    You could even help a little bit, couldn''t you?


    ''And then there''s the level, huh?


    As for the levels, I had heard about them.


    That some professions have levels that can increase it''s power.


    The professions that have levels are rare, but they have the disadvantage of not being able to produce a certain amount of power without increasing the level.


    On the contrary, they are stronger than professions that don''t have a level when they pass a certain level.


    Raising the level is simple.


    You can raise it by defeating demons.


    Next to the level is probably the proficiency level. I had already acquired a proficiency level of 1.


    Of course, I don''t remember defeating any demons.


    If that''s the case.......isn''t the reason for the creation of the one I just made?


    At any rate, I''ll just have to try it.


    I break the plate I brought with my Create Hammer and retrieve it.


    Then I create it again.


    When the new plate is done, I check the level.


    It was 2/10.


    ........Apparently, I was right.


    Let''s try to get to level 2 for now.


    After the remaining 8 times, I moved up to level 2.


    Then the number changed to level 2 0/30.


    It wasn''t just the number that had changed.


    I felt a little lighter, too.


    I looked at the things in the room and saw that there were more things that could be created than before.


    I see........so the number of things that can be manufactured increases as you raise the level.


    I''m starting to enjoy this, and I try to gain proficiency by breaking plates again, but this time, once is not enough.


    The proficiency level increased when I created two plates.


    Was it because it was something that could be created at level 1?��If so, what about the ones you can create at level 2?


    I saw a chair that was handy and could be created at level 2.


    I take out the hammer that was handed to me.


    I take out the hammer, which destroys the legs of the chair. Then I touched the destroyed leg and the chair, created it in my brain and took it out.


    ........Proficiency level has increased.


    Apparently, after reaching level 2, the ones newly created at level 2 are more efficient at earning proficiency.


    ........I wonder how ''Blacksmith'' can make anything.


    While thinking about this, I continued to earn proficiency until I got bored.


    A week has passed since I started leveling up.


    The level went up and up, and when I reached level 6, a new change appeared.


    ''It is now possible to create items using magic.''


    I heard those words.


    It is possible to create using magic power?


    I nodded my head at those words. Even in the past, the creation of these items required materials and magic power.


    What''s the difference between that and this?


    I turn my attention to the bed that can be created with level 5, which I was destroying earlier.


    As I stare at it, the word "createable" appears and the material appears there.


    ........nothing has changed, I thought for a moment.


    Next, the words "Create that bed with magic," emerge.


    Is it correct to say that this bed can be created using only magic power?


    I try to activate it immediately.


    In that moment, all the magic inside my body is gone.


    I almost lose consciousness for a moment, but I still manage to raise my body.


    There was a bed that was clearly in the way.


    ........I felt like running my hand over my forehead. I should have created something a little smaller.


    I''ll collect the bed for now. I didn''t disassemble it, but kept it under control.


    I''m grateful just to be able to carry my belongings like this.


    For now, while sitting on the bed, I project a screen that can be operated by ''Blacksmith''.


    Lately, I''ve noticed that I can project the screen in the air like this without having to think about it in my brain.


    I check the list of items that can be manufactured, which has increased now that I''m at level 6.


    Up until level 5, they were all things that I would use in my daily life, but now that I''m at level 6, new weapons have been added to the list.


    Speaking of blacksmiths, this is exactly what they are.


    I was checking out the four added swords, spears, axes and rods.


    Magic stones are what demons drop.


    If you have that and some magic power, it seems that you can make weapons.


    Weapons, huh?


    There''s probably no money to be made for that. Weapons are something that no one would use if they had a divine weapon.


    The household goods that can be made before level 5 would be much more valuable.


    ...didn''t there used to be jobs like that?


    I''m sure there were furniture-making jobs as well.


    I''m sure it wouldn''t be a bad idea for me to go in that direction.


    I''ll be making weapons for now.


    I also want to level up, so I want to collect the magic stones for now.


    ........If I ask the adventurers in the shop, they might be able to give me one of them away.


    I go down to the cafeteria and lightly explain the situation.


    However, I have no intention of talking about the blacksmith.


    I just said that I wanted to hear that the magic stone is beautiful, and he gave me the lowest F-ranked magic stone.


    I returned to my room with it.


    Let''s make the equipment now.


    I''ll start with the sword.


    After collecting the magic stone, I touch the word "create".


    Then the magic power is removed from my body and the sword is made.


    And, perhaps because I got the sword, the number of new weapons I can create increased.


    It''s called a broadsword. ........Is it more powerful than the Sword?


    This one requires more magical stones, so it seems difficult to create.


    When I examine the sword I took out, its rank is displayed.


    It wasn''t until the blacksmith''s level reached 5 that I found out that everything has a rank.


    The higher the rank, the better it is in many ways.


    My sword has an F rank, or so I heard.


    F is the lowest rank for a demon.


    The same standard would mean that this sword is the lowest rank.


    I took out my sword and hit it with the Create Hammer.


    The moment I hit the sword, it emitted a light glow and then broke easily.


    All that''s left is the magic stone used as a material.


    With this, leveling up from level 6 seems to be no problem.

 6 Episode 6 Be careful about duplication

    The time is night. The restaurant is already closed and no one is in the building except for the guests of the inn.


    Even for those guests, most of them were in their rooms, so the only ones in the dining room right now were my father-in-law and mother-in-law.


    They wrinkled their brows, so I called out to them.


    ''What''s wrong?''


    I walk up to them and call out to them.


    My father and mother-in-law were looking at me with a difficult look on their faces.


    ''Oh, Lelius. The thing is, I''ve gotten a lot of complaints about the hard bed in room 201. I think it''s time for a new bed.


    ...I see.


    I just thought, since I don''t have that much money to spare, I''ll see what I can do.


    They exhaled together.


    A bed, huh?


    I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I''m sure it''s something that can be created by magic alone.


    Do you want me to make it for you?


    Huh?��Make a bed?��What do you mean, you''re going to make it?


    I''m a blacksmith. I''m a blacksmith. I can make a bed for you.


    ''''Eh ... is that so?��Blacksmiths are pretty handy, aren''t they?''''


    My father-in-law was nodding, but my mother-in-law, who had heard that, shook her head.


    ''''Wait a minute, Lelius. ...Didn''t blacksmiths have a job where they could only make weapons?


    ''''I thought so too, but if it''s something I''ve broken with my divine weapon, I can make it.


    Well that''s just the way it is. Now, if you''ll do me a favor how long will it take you to do it?


    I think I can do it right now.


    ''Now!''


    My mother-in-law sounded surprised. Even my stepfather''s eyes widened at that.


    ...did I say something funny?


    ''Lelius, what''s going on here?


    ''''If it''s the same thing you want to make, I''m sure I could make it right now...''''


    Wait a minute, wait a minute, are you sure you can make this stuff up?


    Yeah. Yeah.


    I don''t know much about the production professions, but isn''t that the kind of thing you''re capable of making right away?


    For now, it would be faster to show them.


    I broke a nearby chair with a hammer and then produced the same thing with my magic.


    I took it out and put it in its place, and the two of them were crunching their eyes and mouths.


    ''Whoa, where was that!��I don''t know, and how did you just make that?


    Well, I just made it up as usual and took it out.


    Well, that''s impossible!��Because these things are usually made by cutting wood and stuff like that!


    Oh, really?


    I''ve never seen this kind of furniture made in real life.


    I''ve always thought that anyone who has a profession can make this kind of furniture.


    ''And anyway, I found out that the ''blacksmith'' has great abilities. Then Lelius. Can I have the bed in room 201 made right now!


    ''Yeah, sure.''


    After nodding my head, I made my way to room 201.


    My father-in-law was following me.


    He has the innocent look of a child.


    After I enter the room, I head to the bed in question.


    When I sit on it, it is indeed hard.


    In addition, the legs of the bed are fragile, and it sinks more than I expected.


    It made an unpleasant creaking sound when I moved slightly.


    It would be better to rebuild everything, including the mattress.


    As you can imagine, it might be hard to sleep now, right?


    ''Yes. Yeah, I''m not sure I''m going to be able to get as much sleep as I should in this bed.


    I destroy the bed once and then retrieve it as material.


    After that, I''ll build up my magic power to build up the bed.


    I''ve recently learned that the amount of magic power you use to create a bed increases the rank of the item you''re creating.


    I put more magic into the bed than usual, and I got an S-ranked bed.


    I placed it where it was originally.


    Ankuri and my father-in-law were looking at me.


    ''''Ho, you really can do it in an instant........''''


    How''s that?


    What the f*ck is this?


    Was I wrong?��My stepdad was on the bed, and he was shaking it up a few times.


    It''s so soft!��It''s so much fluffier than the bed in the other room!


    Oh, I see. I''m glad to hear it.


    This is not the kind of bed we''d expect to find in our inn!��It''s the kind of thing you''d expect to find in a more upscale inn!��That''s great, Lelius!��Thank you!


    I''m glad I could help.


    I owe them both a lot for their help.


    ''''If you want, I can find some time to rebuild the furniture in the other rooms as well?��It consumes a lot of magic, so we can''t do it all at once, but.......


    That''s about the only debt I can repay to this house.


    My father-in-law nodded with a twinkle in his eye.


    ''I''d appreciate it if you would do it!��Just do it in your spare time!''''


    Yeah, okay.


    It''s a good way to earn proficiency.


    For now, I went back to my room after I reworked the one in room 201.


    ''Blacksmith''.


    It''s not a profession suitable for combat, but it''s not bad for everyday life.


    I''m not sure what this "blacksmith" can''t create, but so far I haven''t found anything that he can''t create.


    There are things that cannot be made due to lack of level.


    However, there is nothing else that cannot be made.


    For example, the books that are there are the same.


    If you use magic, it''s possible to replicate it completely.


    However, this doesn''t seem to be enough at the current level.


    Weapons might increase from level 6 onwards.


    If that happens, it won''t be possible to collect the materials and make the same thing again.


    In the future, I''ll need to secure materials as well.


    ........It would also cost money to buy magic stones.


    Since I''m helping him with his work, I''m getting some money, but even so, I can''t afford to buy a large number of tools.


    Money, money, money........what should I do?


    It would be nice if it was possible to duplicate the money as well, I thought, and tried, but it was listed as impossible to create at the moment.


    ................................No, it''s possible.


    That''s not a good idea. I''m afraid of what will happen when I''m found out later, so I decided not to duplicate the money.

 7 Episode 7 Stay

    Apparently, a nobleman is staying at our inn.


    It is customary for noblemen to stay at more luxurious lodgings, but it seems that they have known the nobleman for a long time.


    .........to be exact, my parents once received a request from him as an adventurer.


    From that connection, he seems to have known my father-in-law, the owner of this inn, as well.


    I''ve met him too, but that was probably before I was five years old.


    So I didn''t remember it at all.


    ''''Lelius, have you finished cleaning room 201?


    My father-in-law looked somewhat nervous about the fact that a nobleman was coming this evening.


    The room I prepared was room 201.


    It''s the room where I made the bed again before.


    Well, it''s not the only room I rebuilt. It''s all the rooms.


    But room 201 was the only one with an S bed, and the others were B and A beds.


    The most comfortable bed was the S-rated bed, so I had left room 201 for the nobility.


    That said, I was uneasy.


    ........All of the furniture in this room was rebuilt by me.


    I had made them all S-grade top-of-the-line, but would they really be accepted by the nobility?


    ''''All the furniture Lelius has prepared for me is a great hit with the guests, so it''s fine.


    My mother-in-law tapped me on the shoulder with a ton and smiled.


    ''''Our usual guests are adventurers, but the ones who are coming are nobles.......''''


    ''''Don''t worry, it''s okay, even the A-ranked adventurers raved about it!��It''s more comfortable than the beds in the fancy hotels I''ve stayed in before!��The chairs are very comfortable!��The food is just average!��She said!


    Hearing my mother-in-law''s words, my father-in-law slumped his shoulders.


    The ingredients are all different from those in a fancy hotel.


    Oh dear. Your food is good.


    My mother-in-law smiled and I nodded.


    Then my father-in-law finally regained his energy and scratched his nose.


    ''They''re going to be here soon, everyone get ready!


    We took my father-in-law''s words as our cue and headed outside to meet him.


    Today, our inn is reserved for all.


    I''ve heard that not only the nobles are planning to stay, but also their knights-in-arms.


    Because of that, my father-in-law was fired up from this morning.


    He would definitely have to make it a success.


    I glanced at Mea-san who was next to me.


    ''''Mea-san, please don''t be nervous.


    "I know what I''m doing...!


    ........I guess not. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one who has been entrusted with the task of welcoming them in this way, since Mea-san is the most handsome in our inn.


    A carriage runs through the city in the dark.


    It was slowly coming towards us. The carriage with the family crest on it was definitely the carriage.


    It belonged to the Schells family.


    I heard that he''s a nobleman of a viscount, and he''s the one who''s been entrusted with the administration of this region.


    He''s currently making the rounds of the territory.


    The one who came down from inside with the knight was a young man of about twenty years old.


    ........He''s younger than the person I''ve heard about.


    Maybe it''s your son.


    ''''........Oh!��Is that face any chance you''re Lelius?


    Well, uh yes, I''m Lelius.


    He smiled like a boy and approached me.


    ''I''m Crya Shels. It''s been a long time. We used to play together when we were little do you remember?


    Uh yes, sorry. I don''t remember.


    Ha, that''s all right. You were about three years old at the time, weren''t you?��You got your father''s eyes.


    ...I see.


    They say a little bit of happy.


    But I can''t stay happy.


    She glanced at Mare and grinned at the inn with a drawn-out smile, pointing her hand in the direction of the inn.


    "Oh, that''s right!��Hey, over here!


    But it''s not like he''s angry.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to make it work.


    It''s been a long time since I''ve seen you. I used to have not many girls who would play with me, so I miss it.


    ...Is that right?


    Yes, that''s right. I''m a nobleman, even though I''m a viscount. The children of the fiefdoms still kept their distance. Their parents didn''t get too involved in it.


    That''s true........but don''t you think it''s inevitable that we get nervous when we hear the word "aristocrat"?


    Don''t say that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s a good thing that the previous nobleman who was in charge of our company was a badass person, and that''s probably one of the reasons why everyone is so scared of the nobility.


    ''''Well that certainly might not be an option,''''


    "So, well, my demons and Relius were the only people I played with. It was really fun having your parents take me monster hunting with you... Oh, I''m sorry about that. I''ve often been called insensitive.


    No, it''s fine. Just don''t worry about it.


    It was clear enough from the last few minutes of the exchange that he didn''t go there with any ill intentions.


    He is a man who likes to talk, though, so he ends up showing me inside while I''m listening to him.


    He takes me to the dining room and brings the food there.


    It''s like a light banquet, including the knights.


    The whole time I''m seated with Mr. Cryer, listening to him talk.


    The alcohol seemed to have already gone around, and Mr. Cryer was looking at me with a red face.


    ''''Well it''s hard to be an adventurer, isn''t it?''''


    ''Well......... I''m a ''blacksmith''.


    That''s ... unfortunate. Come to think of it, the child of this inn was a ''brave man'' as I recall, right?


    As expected of his own territory, he seems to know a lot about it.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this.


    ''''Yes.''''


    We''ve found a lot of other ''brave men'' this year.


    Everything seems to be getting pretty exciting upstairs.


    ''Well, yeah. I can''t help but wonder if it''s a sign of something terrible happening.


    No way, sir?


    Yeah, it is. Why do you think God gave us jobs and tools?


    Because we need that power in this world?


    Yeah, that''s it!��So that''s it!��What''s going to happen in there that might require the power of a hero!��And five of them!


    ...that''s for sure.


    If you think about it the other way around, that''s a possibility.


    Well, I hope it''s a groundless fear on my part. Huh........I''m getting sleepy....


    Mr. Cryer stretched as he put his hand over his mouth.


    ''''The room you''ll be staying in today will be room 201. Would you like me to show it to you?


    Hmmm, sure. It''s time to go to sleep.


    Mr. Cryer stretched and then stood up.


    Quickly, two knights came to support Mr. Cryer.


    I show them to room 201.


    As soon as I enter the room and carry Mr. Cryer to the bed, he closes his eyes.


    When the knight saw this, he looked at him in surprise.


    ''''Kuh, you said that Mr. Claia fell asleep in an instant?


    ''''........Is it really that surprising?''''


    The knight sounded surprised and then held his mouth.


    They quietly left the room, and I followed suit.


    ''''Well Master Cryer is quite a nervous person. He couldn''t sleep if the pillows were changed, so I had to get them ready for him.


    ...I see. That''s a bit surprising.

 8 Episode 8: Another aristocrat

    It was the next morning.


    Many of the knights overslept.


    It was past the time I was supposed to get up, so I had no choice but to go wake up one of the knights.


    I didn''t think you''d oversleep.��I''m sorry, please help me wake up the other knights!


    He said, so I woke them up one by one.


    They all looked surprised and hurriedly started to change their clothes.


    Then, as I came down to the cafeteria, a knight came running down with a bang.


    ''''........that bed was so comfortable to sleep on.


    ''Really I didn''t think they''d have that much to offer at this inn.


    You know, it''s just that these chairs in the dining room aren''t very comfortable, you know?


    Yeah!��I was tired from my trip that time and I thought I was wrong, but I guess not!


    The knights were having this conversation.


    It seems that what I created was accepted by the nobles and knights as something reasonably good.


    That was what I was most worried about.


    A little later than the knights, Cryer came down the stairs.


    ''Huh ... totally. Apparently, the knights overslept and made trouble for you.''''


    ''No, not really. I have a service for the adventurers who want me to wake them up in the morning.


    Isn''t that what that clerk is after?


    Yeah.


    Ms. Cryer glances at Mea.


    As I was laying out the food, Mr. Cryer tapped the seat next to me.


    I guess he wants me to eat with him.


    So I sit there too.


    ''Nevertheless. That bed it''s really awesome. I''m a bit of a fussy sleeper, but I didn''t expect to sleep this well on the road. Do you know who made the furniture?��I''d love to have the same thing!


    Well I don''t know the person who made it, but if you talk to the owner about it, you might be able to work something out?


    I see!


    You''re not going to be able to get your hands on any of these.


    I''m not going to say that I made it myself.


    I''m not a member of the artisans'' guild, so it''s forbidden for me to make something and sell it.


    I didn''t expect to meet anyone like this on this trip. I could sleep soundly every day with that thing!


    Sleep is so important.


    Ah!


    Then Mr. Cryer ate his breakfast and then left the inn.


    As for the furniture, it was decided that someone would come later from the mansion to collect it.


    ........A ''blacksmith'', huh?


    I never thought I could make someone smile in this profession.


    I loved to see my parents defeating demons and making the people of that village and town happy.


    I was even proud of them as if they were my own.


    Was it someone''s smile that I wanted to see?


    Maybe ''The Blacksmith'' could make more people smile.


    Even though being an adventurer is difficult, I guess it''s one way to go about it.


    00


    The days of completing the work of the inn while improving the level of the "Blacksmith" continue.


    Then one day, a man came to the inn. A man came into the inn.


    I was working as a receptionist and thought he was just an ordinary customer, but on his way home he said, "I''m making furniture here.


    ''Do you know who makes the furniture here?''


    The man asked as if he was thinking.


    I had been taught not to talk about my powers, so I didn''t immediately identify myself.


    ''Was there a problem?''


    I didn''t think there was a problem.


    I didn''t think there would be a problem, as visitors to the inn had recently been raving about the furniture.


    Many of them had been talking about the comfortable beds.


    ''''No... it was just a rumor, but I didn''t think they had such a comfortable bed. I thought I''d like to go to the Merchant''s Guild once and ask them about it.


    ''''....I see. As for the furniture, some of it has been modified by me personally, so it''s very different from the original.


    It was you?


    He was staring at me.


    Observational eyes.


    "Yes.


    At such a young age, you''re already showing glimpses of your talent as a cabinetmaker. I''d like you to make some furniture for me, if you don''t mind.


    ''''Well.... I don''t belong to any production guild. I''m only doing this on a personal basis, so if money is exchanged, I''m not sure...


    I sold my bed to Mr. Cryer before, but that was an exception to the rule.


    If money is going to move, you need to belong to a craftsmen''s guild and follow the proper procedures.


    Apparently, technical guilds are especially difficult to communicate with their superiors.


    Normally, you need to become an apprentice or graduate from a craftsman''s school.


    It is said that there are many things to do, such as communicating directly with the shop or selling the products through merchants.


    I see..... Can you get the job done in secret, then?��I won''t blow the whistle on this to anyone.


    Huh, well, in that case, well, just in case...


    Oh, yeah?��That''s good to know. Do you know where I can find a place for it?


    Uh, let me see if I can help you.


    In the meantime, I can''t even make time to talk to my father-in-law about it.


    Leaving the receptionist to someone else, I head to my father-in-law.


    When I told him about what I just said, my father-in-law made a thoughtful expression and then nodded.


    ''It''s all right over here. You should talk to him for a bit.''''


    Okay.


    With my stepfather''s permission, I led him to my room.


    I let him into the room, pulled a nearby chair and we sat down on each other.


    I''m sorry you had to make time for me at work.


    No, I''m fine.


    ''Well I don''t know where to begin - I guess I''ll start by introducing myself. I''m from the Countess of Arsus.


    Are you a nobleman?


    Yes. Viscount Cryer told me about the inn.


    An aristocrat again.


    That surprised me a bit, but there was definitely something graceful about his mannerisms.

 9 Episode 9: Aristocratic bedding

    ''Oh, yes. This will be the crest of the House of Arthus.


    He pulled a piece of cloth from his pocket to prove it.


    On it was a family crest that probably belonged to his family.


    ........Another nobleman.


    This time I''m a little nervous since I''ve never interacted with him before.


    The Arsus family has a daughter about your age and she''s been having trouble sleeping for a while now. I''ve seen a doctor, but he couldn''t find the cause, so now I''m trying to find the right bedding for her, and I''m trying.


    ...I see.


    What''s your stake in the lodge''s furniture?


    I''m just saying, it''s all there.


    ''I see. Then would it be possible for you to come to the mansion to have a piece of furniture made to suit the young lady once?


    That was an unexpected offer.


    I didn''t expect to be able to come to a conclusion right away.


    I have parents, so can I talk to them first?


    ''Yeah, sure. You don''t have to do it right away. I''m going to go back to the house. You can answer this letter and that''s fine.


    He quickly handed me a letter with an address on it.


    It is probably from the Countess.


    Glancing at it, I see that the only thing I need to write is in regards to a reply.


    ''I understand,''


    I''ll leave you to it, then.


    He quickly stood up and left my room.


    .........But then again, I didn''t expect a nobleman to ask me to make furniture.


    Or rather, I''m a ''blacksmith''.


    My specialty is more of a weapon, though.


    I''ll have to consult with the two of them first to get started.


    That night.


    I told my father and mother-in-law, who made time for me, about what happened today.


    Then they looked at me.


    "What do you want to do about Relius?


    I don''t know if I''m gonna do it or not.


    ''''Well I see. If Lelius is going to be doing that kind of work in the future, I don''t think it would be a bad idea to build a relationship with him now.


    I was a little surprised by my stepfather''s words.


    ........Maybe there is a way to live like that.


    I had vaguely thought that I would be working at this inn.


    As long as I don''t have any talent as an adventurer, I''ll just have to do my best here, I thought.


    But.........there are other ways to live, right?


    ''I don''t know... yet... but I''d like to try, I guess.


    Well, yeah. Well, why don''t you try it?


    Yeah, okay I''ll give it a shot.


    Oh, good luck with that.


    My father-in-law says that and taps me on the shoulder.


    My stepmother lets out a small breath.


    ''I''ve missed Lynne, but eventually Lelius is going to leave this house.


    My mother-in-law said, and then she looked at me.


    Lin, huh?


    I wonder if she''s studying to fight in the school right now.


    00


    It had been a week since I had written my reply to the letter.


    One of the carriages came to me with the intention of sending for me.


    It''s a gorgeous carriage that I''ve never ridden in before.


    That''s a nobleman.


    It was a knight and his servants who came to greet me.


    After I got into the carriage, we left for the house of Arsus.


    But still, a bed for a child who can''t sleep at night, eh?


    I wondered if I would be able to make them.


    I arrived at the house two days after we left town.


    It''s a long way from here, I thought as I arrived at the town managed by the Arsus family.


    I''ve heard that this town and the land nearby is the territory that the Arsus family has been entrusted with.


    When I arrived at the mansion, I got off the carriage.


    When I entered the mansion, the head of the House of Arsus - Leon Arsus - arrived.


    I wondered if he was in his mid-30s?


    ''''Lelius. ''''I''m Leon, the lord of the house. Thank you for accepting my request.


    No, I''m grateful to be nominated as well.


    And by the way, I understand you''re a blacksmith, as I''ve heard you say.


    Yes, sir.


    The servant who heard my reply looked at me anxiously.


    It''s no wonder that blacksmiths are unhappy. History has proven that.


    The lord looked at me intently and then sighed.


    ''''Well, as far as we''re concerned, it doesn''t matter who you are as long as you can manage it. Well, now, as soon as you can, can you take a look at my daughter''s room?


    ''Yes, sir.''


    Mr. Leon seems to be busy, so a servant will show him to his room.


    I follow the butler and head to my daughter''s room.


    ''''........Fira-sama. May I enter your room?


    The young lady''s name seems to be Fira.


    ... okay.


    A sullen voice returned from inside the room.


    The butler opens the door and walks in.


    The room was dark. There was only the moonlight streaming in through the window.


    The girl''s beautiful blonde hair swung around, but both of her eyes were sharp and pointy.


    Her hair, in loose waves, stretched to the middle of her back.


    She must have been trying to sleep. The clothes he wore were thin, and even his skin was visible.


    A necklace with a red magic stone shone on her chest.


    I wonder how much it cost. It was beautiful.


    She was lying in bed, hugging a pillow.


    Both of her eyes were marked with dark circles.


    As I thought, she hadn''t slept for a long time.


    ... is that the guy who made that amazing bed?


    The first knight I went to investigate said it was the best bed he''d ever slept in.


    But you''re a blacksmith, aren''t you?


    Yeah, but...


    This isn''t the weakest dropout job in the world. What can you do?


    I don''t blame you for saying that. If I didn''t know anything about it, I would have felt the same way.


    Or rather, even before she met me, Feela seemed to be in a very bad mood.


    It''s probably because of the lack of sleep that she''s in a bad mood.


    ''''Well I''d like to be able to go to bed early, but being a blacksmith.


    Still, Feela glares at me.


    ''''For that reason, I''m going to have you take a look at the bed now. ........could you please, Lelius-dono?


    The butler glanced at me, and I nodded as he glanced at me.


    I walked closer to the bed where Fira was.


    The only way to prove my power is to solve her problems.


    She remains staring at me.


    I''ll have to break it once and then manufacture it again, right?


    I''ll stare at the bed and check the current capabilities first.


    Not bad.


    However, what I''m curious about is the effect granted to the bed.


    Sleep Deprivation S-rank.


    Looking at those letters, I wondered.


    ....Can you give an effect to something you''ve created?


    Does that mean it''s possible to aim for some kind of effect on my weapons?


    I had never seen anything like that before.


    I''m a little confused by my first experience.


    ''''Well what do you think? Do you think you can make a new one?


    ''Wait a minute. Excuse me, but I''d like to watch it for a while longer, is it possible for you to rest in the other room?


    What?��Why not?


    Feela makes a sullen sound.


    When I let out a concentrated air, the butler gently grabs Feela''s shoulder.


    ''''........Feela-sama. Craftsmanship is a job that requires concentration. Let''s not get in the way of that.


    Okay, okay.


    Fira bit her lip gingerly and then stood up.


    A wobbly gait.


    ........I guess she hadn''t slept very well.


    When they were gone, I took out my hammer.


    Well let''s see if I can make it work.

 10 Episode 10 Woke up

    We know we can create them.


    The problem is with the word sleep deprivation.


    Come to think of it, I''ve heard of it.


    I''ve heard that some magic tools have special abilities--skills attached to them.


    It is said that adventurers can enhance their physical abilities by wearing such magical tools and accessories.


    Perhaps this sleep deprivation is one of those things.


    There are also cursed accessories, and unknowingly wearing them is said to be detrimental to you.


    But there was supposed to be no way to know the effects of these things.


    I can apparently see it.


    If this is why Fira couldn''t sleep, it makes sense.


    But in that case, sleeping in another bed should have no effect.


    Maybe there is some other reason.


    Anyway, for now, I''m going to start rebuilding this bed.


    Once we destroy it, we''ll retrieve the bed.


    Then I''ll rebuild it in my brain.


    Once the S-rated bed was finished, I re-installed it in its original position.


    In addition, I rebuilt the bedding and pillows until they were S-ranked.


    The reason is that the bedding and pillows had a sleep-disturbing effect on them.


    The bedding and pillows had no sleep-disturbing effects.


    It seems that rebuilding them will eliminate the bad skills.


    That should be no problem.


    The work is done, so I head out of the room.


    There was Feela, who was shaking her head in the hallway.


    Next to her, the butler was looking at her with concern.


    ...Are you done?


    Yeah, well. For now, I''ve made some minor adjustments. Try to sleep once tonight.


    Really?��You can sleep?


    I don''t know... but I think he''s changing in a lot of ways.


    All right!


    Fira heads to her room.


    For now, I follow her inside with her.


    That''s when she crawls under the covers.


    ''What is this........!��It''s so soft!��And the bed is also........so soft that it wraps around your body.......


    Fira''s eyelids close.


    ''Oh, thank you. Blacksmith you''re amazing....


    That''s good. I''ll be able to sleep no problem.


    I didn''t want to disturb him, so I left the room with the butler.


    When I went out into the corridor, the butler looked at me with a surprised look.


    ''''........I didn''t think that things would change like this in a moment.


    Can I ask you a few questions?


    Excuse me?


    Did Miss Fira sleep in any other beds?


    Yes, she did. I tried a couple of new beds, and a couple of beds in other rooms, but they didn''t work after a day or two. But after a day or two it was no good, and Miss Fira was under a lot of stress from changing beds every day, so...


    So... how long hasn''t Miss Feela been out of bed?


    A month or so.


    ''''.......I see. If the other bed that Miss Fira slept in is still available, can I have a look at it?


    Sure. But what does that tell you?


    Well, I''ll get some information for you.


    The butler tilted his head.


    It seems that that bed is not the only cause of the problem.


    Then we have to think about other possibilities as well.


    For example, is someone putting that curse on Feela in order to keep her from sleeping?


    I walked down the corridor with the butler and went around to each room.


    The beds that the butler introduced me to were all equipped with sleep disturbance.


    However, the ranks were sparse.


    The bed I was looking at right now had a Sleep Disturbance F rank.


    It''s the bed that Fira used a week ago.


    ...I''m beginning to see some of the rules.


    Anything that had been used for a long time after Feela slept had lost its rank.


    On the contrary, everything that was close to Feela''s sleep had a high rank.


    In other words, the cause could be Feela?


    ''''Has anything changed in the past month for Miss Feara?


    "....changed in the last month?��Well... although I didn''t notice anything strange about it, as far as I was concerned.


    Yeah?


    Then I can''t think of anything else to do.


    Together with the butler, he returned to Feela''s room.


    Silently, the butler slowly opened the door and found Feela sleeping soundly.


    ''....Oh, she''s asleep!


    ''''But probably only for today.


    What, do you know what happened?


    Every bed that Miss Feela slept in, I got a bad feeling about it.


    Do you mean to tell me that I am cursed?


    Yeah, I guess so.


    Or rather, can you understand that, Master Relius?


    I''ve only been around for a short while.


    As you can see, we shouldn''t say that we can see clearly.


    The butler looked at me in surprise.


    ''''....I see. Surely that would make sense as to why you couldn''t sleep anymore.''''


    ''Yes. So if anything has changed in the past month, it could be because of that.


    ''''Ummm ... what do you think?��Maybe we''ll have to ask Miss Fira directly.


    Okay. Okay, I see. Well, I guess we''ll see you tomorrow.


    ''Yes, sir. Master Lelius, I''ve prepared dinner and will take you to the dining room.


    Oh, yes.


    A nobleman''s meal.


    It''s probably very different from what I usually eat.


    Especially me, I have a poor taste, so I''m not sure if it''s good for my mouth.


    Z


    After dinner, I was led to the guest room.


    ........guest room, you know.


    It''s one size larger than the room I usually use.


    The furniture that has been arranged is all luxurious.


    As expected of an aristocrat.


    I''m going to look at the furniture in the room.


    I can only build furniture that has been destroyed once.


    The more pieces of furniture I can make, the better.


    I steadily repeated the process of destroying and fabricating one piece of furniture at a time.


    When I was done, I went to sleep.


    00


    Hey, honey. Wake up.


    My body shook.


    Slowly, I opened my eyes and there was Feela.


    Dressed in simple clothes, the lines of her body were clearly visible even in the darkness.


    Her anxious expression was adorable.


    ''''I can''t sleep again.


    I see.


    I sat up, brushing off the delusions that had come to mind.

 11 Chapter 11: Secret

    Feela let out a breath of relief as I picked myself up.


    ''Wow, I''m sorry. I didn''t want to wake you up in your sleep.


    No, no, it''s okay, but can''t you just not sleep again?


    Yes.


    Suddenly, Fira lowered her gaze.


    A glittering red gemstone glowed on her chest.


    ''Shall we go and find out why?


    You sure you don''t want to?


    Well, that''s what I came here for.


    I got up from the bed and stretched lightly.


    Then I left the room with Feela.


    Feela was no longer in a bad mood, probably because she''d gotten some sleep.


    Hey, you. You don''t like it?


    Don''t what?


    Because you don''t like being woken up in your sleep, do you?


    Well, yeah, but... I got enough sleep.


    I looked at my watch and saw that I had slept for about four hours.


    Not a lot by any means, but enough from my point of view.


    The innkeeper was early in the morning and late at night.


    So, this much was no problem. As I said, though, if it goes on forever, please don''t do it.


    ''Besides, I know how hard it is not to sleep. I''ll do my best for Fira-san.


    ....


    Fira''s cheeks colored and then she removed her gaze.


    ''''........What''s wrong?''''


    Did I say something rude?


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to make it work.


    It''s nothing. It''s the first time I''ve ever heard someone say that to me. .... and people look a little uncomfortable when I wake them up?


    Well, that''s not hard to understand.


    It''s not that I''m not aware of, but I''m sure I can''t just wake up in my sleep and deal with it perfectly.


    ''''I''m fine. Well, it was a bit of a surprise, though.


    Surprise?


    Because a pretty girl is right next to you all of a sudden?��You''d be surprised, Miss Fira, to suddenly find a cute boy next to you, wouldn''t you?��I mean, wouldn''t you be surprised if he was the prince of your dreams?


    I mean, yeah, but... or is he cute?��Who is?


    Well, that would be Miss Fira...


    When I said that, Feela''s face turned bright red.


    Is she not used to being called cute?


    As I returned to my room with Feela, I checked her bed.


    ........For some reason, it had been given a sleep-disturbing S-rank.


    So is it because of Feela''s sleep?


    ''''Miss Feela. Did anything change in this way before and after you couldn''t sleep?


    I don''t think so.


    Okay.


    I temporarily change my eyes.


    Up until now, unless I''ve been paying close attention, I''ve made sure that it doesn''t appear to be possible or impossible to create, but I''ve returned it to a state where I can make a decision just by looking at it.


    A massive amount of information flows into my brain that covers my vision.


    If I can figure out what it is that causes this skill--.


    He looked at the room first, then at Feela.


    Feela, of course, is impossible to create. But I look at what she wears on her body.


    A necklace that glows on her chest.


    When the red jewel on the necklace glowed suspiciously, I returned my eyes to it.


    It makes sense. I found the cause.


    I close my eyes to give my eyes and brain a rest.


    I can''t be the one with so much information coming in at once.


    When I opened my eyes again, I saw that Feela''s cheeks were kind of stained and she was looking away.


    ''''Miss Feela,''''


    What?


    Did you wear that necklace across your chest all the time?


    No, no. I bought it just over a month ago.


    Yeah, I see.


    What''s the big deal?


    I think that necklace is cursed.


    What?��Oh, really?��I bought one at the market a while back that I thought was pretty cool, but is it cursed?


    Yes, I''m cursed. It''s not impossible to be cursed. You might want to take it off when you go to bed.


    Oh, yeah, that''s right.


    Fira took off her necklace and placed it on the table.


    Then it was time for her to get into bed.


    The necklace quickly moved to Feela''s bedside.


    ...I see.


    ''What is this........''


    It seems to come back automatically.


    I can''t sleep with this thing on, you know!


    I stare at the necklace.


    A necklace of red magic stones, S-grade.


    Sleep Deprivation grant S-rank, auto-return S-rank


    Because of these two things being granted, it''s interfering with Feela''s sleep.


    I already know that if I rebuild it, these skills will be gone.


    ''''Feela-san, can I play around with these magic stones a bit?


    ''''Yes, yes, of course.


    Fira squeezes my left arm.


    Cursed, I''ve heard.


    Feela looks uneasy.


    A little nervously, I took out the divine weapon in my right hand.


    ...Is that your artifact?


    "Yes.


    You don''t seem very strong.


    It''s not that strong.


    The only thing I could do was to break it down into materials.


    When I lightly tapped the magic stone with it, it shattered.


    ''''What, you broke this for me?


    ''''I''m sorry. I''ll bring it back in a minute.


    Well, no it''s okay but I don''t need it cursed.


    Fira says so, but it''s her jewelry, for one thing.


    After I recover the materials, I''ll rebuild it.


    I take out the newly created red magic stone necklace and show it to Feela.


    The appearance is the same as before.


    However, this time all the bad abilities are eliminated.


    ''''This, this........isn''t it the one from before?��How did you make it?!


    ''''Well, it''s.......it''s something I adjusted, so I don''t think it''s going to happen like it did earlier.''''


    ....


    Handing the necklace to Feela, she grabbed it and then put it far away.


    Then Feela lay down on the bed.


    ''....Ho, true.


    When she was sure the necklace wasn''t coming back, Feela''s eyes lit up.


    ''''That''s amazing, you. You figured out the cause so quickly!


    ''It was just a coincidence. In the future, you might want to pay more attention to what you wear.


    ...Uh-huh. Thanks!


    Fira smiled and then gasped.


    So what''s your name, anyway?


    My name is Lelius.


    Yeah. Thank you, Lelius.


    ''Yes. I''m glad I could help you, Miss Fira.


    It''s just that it''s not completely resolved yet.


    I glance at the bed. The curse is still in effect.


    ''Mr. Feela. I don''t think you''ll be able to sleep in this bed right now, so I''ll adjust it for you.


    Oh, is it ruined again?��It was the best bed I''ve ever had and now...


    I''ll make another one just as good.


    Really?��I''m expecting you!


    Feela sat down in a nearby chair and then looked at me.


    ...I wouldn''t have wanted her to see me if she could, but oh well.


    I''m showing it to her, even though it was a small one earlier.


    I destroy the bed and collect it as well.


    "Hey, hey!��Where''s the bed?


    "I''ll get it back to you in a minute, but you''ll have to wait.


    Feela hissed, but I quickly remade it.


    The S-ranked bed was ready and I put it back in front of me.


    Poppycock, Feela looked at me.


    ''I had no idea what was going on...?


    ''Well, please keep it to yourself.


    "Don''t tell?


    Yes. Yes. We''ll keep it between us, won''t we?


    It''s just us two... yeah, yeah, okay.


    Fira smiled happily and then got up from her chair.


    Then she stood next to me and moved her face closer to mine.


    I was about to look at her when I noticed it and felt a soft touch on my cheek.


    ''What is it?!''


    ''It''s a secret between us, so to speak. Thanks, Lelius!


    Feela''s cheeks were slightly stained and she dove into bed.


    She kissed you?


    My cheeks heat up at an action I hadn''t even considered.


    I left the room to get away from her.

 12 Episode 12 Skills

    The problem of the Arsus family was successfully solved.


    After staying there for the next three days, I returned to the inn.


    When we said goodbye, Fira told me to come visit her again, but I doubt that I, a commoner, would ever see her again.


    If I could see her again, I''d like to see her again.


    I went back to the inn with that in mind and went right to work.


    I heard that a new person had joined the company just as I was gone, but he wasn''t yet used to the job.


    I also teach him a lot of things while I do the work I usually do.


    ........Nevertheless, the innkeeper is busy.


    Until now, there were days when it was impossible to fill up with guests, but now it seems to be fully booked every day.


    In addition, they are all guests who have paid for the long term.


    They seem to have liked this inn very much.


    Seeing people like that, I had to work hard again.


    It''s so cozy in this place, isn''t it?


    I was working in the cafeteria when I heard that voice.


    ''True. Sleeping on a bed in this room will seriously tire you out...


    "Huh?��The chairs are comfortable and the rooms are a lot better than those fancy hotels!


    These are my pieces of furniture.


    I''m happy that my work is being recognized.


    I can''t help but loosen my mouth.


    I can''t help but loosen my mouth.


    "Hey, Lelius!��You just got back and you need to leave early today!


    I was working with all the enthusiasm I could muster, when my father-in-law said to me, "It''s still okay, but...


    "It''s okay, but...


    ''Come on, come on, come on, take a break once in a while!


    It''s a good thing that you''re able to do that, because it''s a new part-time job, and it looks like you have a lot of leeway without my help.


    I took care of the work I had started and went back to my room.


    It''s not that I''ve run out of things to do, but it''s not that I''ve run out of things to do.


    I hadn''t been able to try it out since I had been working with Feela all the time at the Arsus house, but I had acquired new powers.


    ''''As I leveled up, it is now possible to grant skills to the things I created.


    My current ''blacksmith'' level is 10.


    But still, skill granting?


    You can only grant skills that have been acquired at the moment. Also, the number of skills that can be attached to a created item is specific to its creation.


    ........What are the acquired skills?


    I looked into it and found three skills.


    Sleep-disturbing, auto-return, and sleep-disturbing.


    The same ones you just destroyed. ...Can I get this skill if I destroy it?


    So now I can put it on for myself?


    But there''s nothing in particular that you want to put on right now, is there?


    All of them are only useful for harassment.


    At least the auto-return might not be a bad idea, though, since it would save me from forgetting or losing things.


    There were more weapons that could be made. Iron swords, iron lances, and other equipment with the word "iron" in it, are increasing.


    There were also more accessories that could be made.


    However, unlike furniture, to create any of these accessories, you need a lot of magic stones.


    Fortunately, I''ve received about a month''s worth of compensation from the Arsus family.


    It won''t be difficult to buy the materials.


    What I''m worried about is the skills.


    If I can get the equipment to give me skills, I can make it better.


    If that happens, maybe even I will be able to fight.


    If I can make a living as an adventurer, all the problems I''ve had will be solved.


    For that, I''ll have to visit the market.


    I look at the clock in my room. There''s nothing to do, so let''s go.


    With the money in my hand, I then headed into town.


    00


    When I got to Adventurer''s Street, I looked at the various magic stones and accessory shops that lined the streets.


    The adventurers were all equipped with divine artifacts that were visible.


    As I stare at the sacred artifacts, my eyes analyze them.


    Hama''s Tachi Sword, A rank, Kirisame A rank, Automatic Recovery B rank, Sharpness C rank.


    .........Oh, even divine weapons can be analyzed?


    After all, it''s called a divine artifact, and it has many skills.


    In fact, the divine artifacts I''ve just seen are rather rare.


    As I stared at it further, the words "impossible to create" appeared at the moment.


    ........at the moment?


    I raised an eyebrow at those words.


    ........Does this mean that it will be possible to create it if it is raised to a higher level?


    Wouldn''t it be great if it became possible to create a divine artifact at will?


    Once I think about it, I can''t stop getting excited.


    If I can create a sacred artifact, I''ll be able to play an active role as an adventurer for sure.


    I''ll have to work hard.


    In order to do so, the only thing I can do now is to acquire new skills.


    I look around the shops.


    I will look at the stores with the accessories.


    Since I don''t know the conditions for acquiring the skills, I''ll have to buy the ones I think I need.


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 13 Episode 13 Skill Grant

    The first step is to create an iron sword that can be fabricated.


    Once the iron sword, S-rank, has been fabricated, I take it out.


    I hold the sword in my hand, which is in its scabbard.


    It''s a pretty good sword........ It''s a high rank, so it must be a good sword.


    ........and it can be given skills, right?


    How do we grant skills to it?


    I''m going to look it up in my brain regarding skill granting.


    It seems that skill granting can be done to this sword as it is.


    Let''s give it a muscle-strengthening S-rank as soon as possible.


    I project those information in front of me.


    .........Yeah, yeah, I see.


    I was going to grant the skill, but it doesn''t seem to be that simple.


    The iron sword I''m holding right now had a number of 0/100.


    When granting a skill, this number would increase.


    For example, if I granted a muscle strengthening S-rank, it went to 50/100 at once.


    Maybe, but it would not be possible to grant skills beyond 100.


    Does this vary by weapon?


    I try to create some equipment to test it out.


    ........Yeah, it''s quite different. At first I thought it was because it was an S-ranked equipment, but it seems that''s not the case.


    I was able to make another Iron Sword S-rank, so I checked it, and it had a number of 0/120 in that one.


    The criteria for a good weapon seems to be influenced by this high number.


    That was when I was looking at it in regards to skills.


    I found that I could set the ranks to be granted.


    This meant that instead of a Strengthening S rank, it could be an A rank and so on.


    Is this because I got the Strengthening S rank?


    Looking at other skills, it seemed to be possible to grant F to S ranks as well.


    And with an F-ranked skill, the number consumed would be much lower.


    However, the lower the rank, the weaker the effect would probably be, wouldn''t it?


    It will be important to find out which skills are usable and which are not, even if the rank is low.


    I''m going to make the equipment right away.


    The first one is the iron sword, and since I''ve created two S-ranks, I''ve added two skills to it.


    An S-rank for muscle strength and an S-rank for auto-return.


    This is how it should look like.


    I''ll use my leftover magical stones to make the accessories. I put two S-ranked muscle-strengthening accessories on this one.


    These skills are effective just by wearing them. At least, that''s what is common knowledge among adventurers.


    I have all the equipment and accessories.


    Then there are a few things I want to try out.


    Can we really fight the demons with these equipment?


    Tomorrow is a holiday.


    Then we might at least have room to do battle with a weak demon.


    Let''s give it a try.


    If we can fight a little, we might be able to at least collect some magic stones.


    The more magic stones we have, the more weapons we can create.


    Shall we fight the goblins tomorrow?


    Mu.


    The next day. I was out of town.


    I only registered as an adventurer when I turned ten years old as proof of my identity.


    I thought about getting a request from the guild, but they might worry about a lot of things.


    So I decided to act alone.


    After receiving the oracle ritual, I also updated my profession and divine weapons.


    It''s common knowledge that ''Blacksmith'' is an occupation that cannot be fought and cannot be used.


    At that time, I don''t want to get too involved in the guild because I was told a lot.


    I walk past the knight guarding the gate that connects the outside and inside of the city.


    As expected, I couldn''t stop him because it''s not like his occupation would be revealed just because we looked at each other.


    For now, let''s go defeat the goblins.


    As for the battle, I can do it reasonably well, since I was planning to become an adventurer.


    So far, I''ve been training my body all this time, and I''ve done hard labor at the inn every day.


    Even now, I even go to the nearby dojo on my days off.


    I walk for a while outside the city.


    After all, there are few demons near the city.


    We need to head a little further away from the city.


    When I''m far enough away from the city that it looks small, I spot a goblin.


    I turn my attention to the two swords I''ve crafted.


    I''ve fought demons a few times. Goblins would have fought them before they had these weapons.


    He was confident that he could fight them without a problem.


    He threw his sword as hard as he could at the one goblin that was twitching his nose.


    The sword flew straight up and pierced the goblin''s left shoulder.


    Just as I intended.


    ''''Gii!


    .........It was a surprisingly quick stab.


    The goblin screamed and stared at the surroundings.


    It seems to have noticed me.


    I throw the other sword I was holding at it.


    Again, it stabs into the goblin and the goblin flinches.


    The cut seems to be pretty good.


    Besides, it''s much stronger than usual.


    Maybe this is also the effect of the muscle strengthening.


    The goblin seems to have already taken quite a bit of damage and is kneeling down.


    Still, it''s indeed a wild demon.


    The goblin is about to move towards me, and then the automatic return is activated.


    The two thrown swords returned to my scabbard as if they were moving instantly to my scabbard.


    Simultaneously, blood spurted out of the goblin''s body and the goblin collapsed on the spot.


    It seems that it''s still alive.


    So I throw my sword at it in the same way.


    When it completely stopped moving, I put the sword back into its scabbard.


    ........It worked.


    I thought I could use the automatic return skill well, but I was right.


    However, if you''re going to be based on throwing, something lighter, like a throwing knife, might be better.


    As I recall, there was also a dagger among the weapons that could be made.


    Anyway, let''s gather some magic stones and make a dagger today.


    I was about to extract the magical stone from the body of a goblin I defeated when it occurred to me.


    I wondered what would happen if I struck the Goblin''s body with a hammer.


    With that kind of curiosity, I used the hammer I took out to strike it, and its body disappeared.


    I wondered where the goblin''s materials had gone.


    Curious, I checked the usual production screen and found that equipment related to goblins had been added.


    The materials required were listed, but the numbers in that section had also increased.


    Goblin fangs, can I get them out?


    When I made a conscious effort, the Goblin Fang appeared in my hand.


    It was bloody just now, but it turned out to be a beautiful thing.


    I see. I don''t need to dismantle it part by part.


    This is easier and better.


    As I recall, my parents must have also dismantled it with a divine object, and divine objects are convenient.


    And it''s much cleaner than dismantling it yourself.


    ''''Alright, at this rate, let''s take down the demons.


    It seems that if you defeat the demon, you''ll get a proficiency level as well.


    However, it''s not as efficient as when I''m creating it.


    It may be that the goblins are weak.


    If I keep leveling up, I might be able to become at least a little stronger.

 14 Episode 14 New Skills

    I was able to defeat about twenty goblins today.


    However, it''s a small amount in regards to the proficiency I gained from the goblins.


    Probably, if I was only thinking about leveling up, I''d be better off repeating the smithing process.


    Nevertheless, with the materials obtained from the goblins, he was able to make equipment related to goblins.


    What''s important is that you can now make accessories with the magic stones you''ve collected.


    The accessories could be bought by the guild.


    With this, he could earn money naturally as an adventurer.


    It was much more efficient than selling magic stones normally.


    On top of that, if I repeatedly buy and sell magic stones from the guild, as long as my magic power lasts, I''ll be able to make money indefinitely.


    ........In other words, I won''t have any problems with money in the future, right?


    If there''s a problem, I might get some strange looks if I sell a lot of accessories.


    You''ll need to keep it in moderation.


    After all, you may have to do it only once a week.


    Then it would be hard to get to independence.


    Using the goblin materials I acquired today, I''ll try to create a new piece of equipment as soon as possible.


    It was called the Goblin Iron Sword.


    It seems to be made by combining an iron sword with goblin materials.


    I''m going to make one.


    I was wondering what would happen to the skills I had originally attached to the weapon, but as I suspected, the skills would be gone.


    It became a Goblin Iron Sword, which was 0/200.


    Since I had more room to spare, I gave him three skills: body enhancement, auto-return, and strength enhancement S-rank.


    With the skills I have now, this should be the strongest.


    However, as I acquire new skills in the future, I should be able to create more powerful equipment.


    He might even be able to create skill sets like those found in other divine weapons.


    For now, all the equipment I had was made into a Goblin Iron Sword.


    With the leftover magic stones, I will make a throwing weapon.


    I thought about using a bow and arrow, but I don''t have any experience with them, so I decided against it.


    It''s still a throwing knife.


    I made a Goblin Iron Knife, which was small enough to be handled with one hand, so I made two of them.


    I''ll have the two daggers ready to use right away.


    Using the goblin skins, I''ll try to create the newly increased goblin belt.


    It has a pouch for knives that I can put my goblin iron knife in. When I put it in there, it felt good.


    However, since it was made from goblin skin, it had a bit of a barbaric feel to it, but that can''t be helped.


    That''s about it for the equipment.


    All equipment is equipped with S-ranked muscle strength and S-ranked auto-return for the time being.


    If you don''t use them on a daily basis, you can put them away in the item list.


    I think this item storage capacity is the most useful aspect of this profession.


    From tomorrow, it''s back to work at the inn.


    ........Right. I wanted to do a little research on automatic recovery.


    Starting tomorrow, I''ll look around at the available rooms and try to give this skill to the bed.


    If I''m right, I''m sure it will have a positive effect.


    I got another new part-time job.


    My job is now four days a week and I have three more days off.


    The innkeepers seem to be going around a lot lately.


    A few days ago, someone from the merchants'' guild came by and we were talking about a new store.


    My parents didn''t seem to have any thoughts of adding a store.


    For now, I was satisfied with the effect of the automatic recovery, as I had hoped for.


    ''''Oh, Lelius. Oh man, this inn!


    While I was working at the reception desk, a frequent adventurer approached me.


    What''s going on?


    Lately, the day after I rested at the inn, I felt even lighter than usual!


    That''s good.


    There seemed to be two effects of automatic recovery.


    The first is that the granted objects would automatically regenerate.


    For example, even if it breaks, it will heal over time, and so on.


    Also, it seems to have the effect of healing the wounds of the person wearing it.


    These are not flashy things, but if you grant it to your bed, for example, all of your wounds will be healed while you sleep.


    It''s only been a week since they were granted, but there were already rumors that it was effective for adventurers who do a lot of physical labor.


    Speaking of which, someone from the merchant guild was here the other day.


    They were talking about the new store. My father-in-law and mother-in-law seemed to have refused, saying they couldn''t get around to it any more.


    If they had someone who could do the work, all I had to do was furnish the place and we could have as much lodging as we have here.


    But then, it would be a different store than my father-in-law and mother-in-law.


    It shouldn''t be able to be another store, any time soon.


    I only went into work for the busy morning hours, and then I was free to go after that.


    ........Let''s visit the market first.


    Because I''d be happy to get some new skills.


    As for the money, everything was managed using item storage, so there was nothing to carry with me.


    Once I headed to the market, I would look around the shops.


    I''m going to spend the morning looking around the shops.


    As I looked around the market, there were weapons and other items for sale.


    Those things are all traded at cheap prices.


    That''s because it seems that when you hunt demons in the labyrinth, equipment will drop in rare cases.


    Weapons are a big miss, armor is usually a big miss, and accessories are a big miss, according to adventurers.


    Weapons are only valuable as antiques and decorations. At best, they''re only used by people who haven''t received the oracle ritual.


    The only way to do that is if they are good looking.


    You can''t even get a meal for something as commonplace as my iron sword, for example.


    So, as far as I''m concerned, weapons are a targeted commodity, but merchants rarely handle them in the first place either.


    They want to sell things that make money, you know.


    But for today, I was lucky.


    ''I''ll give you a discount on that sword, brother.


    How much?


    All right, 500 gold.


    Isn''t that too much?


    The merchant hasn''t lost his smile at my words.


    Now it''s time to negotiate.


    Then I did some negotiating, and for 500 gold, I managed to get some magic stones attached to it.


    ........And yet, it seems that no one knows what skills are attached to the equipment.


    Thanks to that, I was able to acquire some interesting skills.


    I turn my gaze to that sword.


    Skeleton Sword, Bone Shot S-rank, Poison Attack S-rank, 100/100.


    It is indeed a sword of bones. Even if it is decorated, it is a very bad taste.


    I mean, it looks like it''s cursed, but this bone shot is the first time I''ve seen it.


    I''ve heard that some of the divine weapons also have skills to attack and so on.


    I''m sure this is something similar to that, right?


    I''ll have to go try it out right away.

 15 Episode 15 Attack Skills

    I immediately head to my usual hunting grounds.


    The only monsters I''m going to kill are goblins.


    It''s not that I want to kill strong demons.


    I just want to get the materials I need for blacksmithing, so goblins are a convenient opponent.


    Goblins basically work in packs.


    It''s rare for them to act in unison, like the last time.


    Today we found three of them.


    ........Since we don''t know the effects of the Bone Shot, it''s too risky to try it right away.


    Let''s reduce the enemy numbers first.


    For now, I''ve given the throwing knife an S-rank poison attack, so let''s check its performance first.


    I hid behind a nearby rock and threw the knife at the goblins.


    I think I''ve improved this throwing a lot lately. The two knives I threw were right on target and pierced the two goblins.


    I activate auto-return and return the two knives to their original locations.


    The goblins still don''t seem to be able to locate me.


    In the meantime, two goblins have fallen from the poison.


    ........Poison attack, that''s pretty handy.


    It''s a perfect match for the skills I have right now.


    In this situation, it seemed like it might be better to train with a bow.


    Maybe I should try making a bow sometime?��No, but I don''t think I''ll be able to use it so easily.......it would be good if I could get a weapon with a long range attack that is even easier to use than a bow.


    When I''m at the last one, I show up.


    The goblin seems to notice me and looks at me with an irritated look.


    For now, I throw the knife. It stabs the goblin, and the goblin''s face turns pale.


    Now I can try the bone shot to my heart''s content.


    The goblins jumped at me, but I activate the skill for now.


    Bone Shot.


    As he muttered, a bone flew straight off his sword.


    When it hit the goblin, it blew its body away.


    ........More powerful than I imagined.


    The staggered goblin raised its body, but next it spat out a bubble and fell down.


    It seemed to have died from the poison.


    Bone Shot, it''s an easy skill to use.


    It can be used to hit opponents at mid-range, so it''s best to set it up after they''ve noticed you with a poison attack.


    There were other things I wanted to try, so I went to find the next demon.


    I found another three goblins.


    The next thing I want to try is on the long range activation of the skill.


    I first throw the knife into a suitable position.


    The knife falls at the feet of the goblins.


    The goblins seemed to have noticed the sound and were looking at their surroundings warily.


    I looked at the knife and reminded them to activate the bone shot.


    A bone appeared and punched the goblin''s body away.


    ........Oh. So the skill can be activated even from a distance?


    The goblin''s pale face as it raised its body up.


    .........It seems that the skill also has a poison attack on it.


    This seems to be a fun combination of various combinations.


    If I just let the rest of them go, the goblins can be defeated.


    I retrieved only the knife and waited for the goblins to die from the poison while being wary of the surroundings.


    Once the goblins were dead, I retrieved the materials.


    For now, I changed all of my current equipment into a Goblin Iron Sword and gave it a poison attack and bone shot.


    This will make goblin hunting a lot easier.


    However, my body would become lame if I only fought from a distance.


    From time to time, I will fight at close quarters as well.


    Maybe it''s because my level has gone up. I can read all of the goblins'' movements.


    Still, you must not let your guard down.


    In a battle against a demon, the one who is careless will be killed.


    Pay attention to each of the goblin''s movements as you deal with their attacks.


    The goblins move quickly to try to hit me.


    But if I do so, the poison will also turn faster.


    It didn''t take long before it bubbled and fell over.


    ........The poison is too powerful.


    I have to be careful not to accidentally hurt myself.


    I''ll have to get some items that can deal with the poison.


    In the meantime, I should purchase an antidote potion at the apothecary on the way home.


    After that, I''ll continue to defeat the goblins for a while, and when I''ve accumulated about 50 magic stones, I decided to return to the city.


    00


    Back in town, I head to the apothecary as planned.


    I look around for antidote potions and recovery potions.


    As for potions, they''re also divided by rank.


    ........only the prices are all the same.


    It''s probably because the people who can create potions don''t realize the difference.


    I bought a few of the highest quality ones as possible and then left the store.


    ...Speaking of which, my hammers are all recoverable as materials, but what about potions?


    Could it be that potions can be created as well?��It would be great if you could make them with magic alone.


    After returning to my room, I was looking at the potions.


    Everything is a challenge.


    If it doesn''t work, one will be wasted, but it''s such a small expense.


    You''ll never know unless you try.


    I swung the hammer down on the potion and was able to retrieve the material after the bottle broke with a crunch.


    ........so it''s back to the herb.


    As an added bonus, the bottle is also a normal material.


    It seems that by combining these things it''s possible to create potions.


    I never thought I''d be able to create a potion.


    What''s more, it seems to be possible to create potions using only magic.


    .........it looks like we''re really going to be able to feed ourselves.


    I''m sure that anything broken by this hammer will be able to be created.


    And if that''s the case what about food?


    What about clothes?


    I''ve seen the potential in all kinds of things I''ve never looked at before.


    It would be better to break out the things we can do, once and for all.

 16 Episode 16 Merchant

    The next day.


    I''ve thought for a while now, but it seems that basically nothing is impossible to create except for things related to life.


    It was possible to create clothes, and of course, food.


    In terms of restrictive things, there are levels.


    But even so, the restrictions currently in place were mostly about equipment.


    Who had spread the word that a blacksmith was someone who could only make weapons?


    He was good enough to want to think so.


    Self-sufficiency was now possible.


    Now I''ll just have to raise the level of my skills.


    For now I look around at the furniture that was in the inn.


    Then I fix the furniture that is damaged or has been damaged more and more.


    The beds and chairs were all equipped with automatic recovery, but not even the small items.


    I always want to give you the best room possible. Along with that feeling, I look at the room.


    Especially after gaining skills, the furnishings are all more excellent than what you see in those high-class lodges.


    That''s why it was good for me to go around fixing things up.


    However, my father-in-law warned me, "What are you doing on your day off?��So I had to be careful.


    When I finished repairing the furniture, I packed up my things and left the inn.


    From here on out, it''s time to hunt monsters.


    It might be more accurate to say that I will be collecting magical stones.


    The equipment is already in place, so hunting demons is not difficult.


    ........But even so, thanks to the excellent weapons, hunting demons is much easier.


    However, you also need to acquire skills that are as good as the weapons.


    While being aware of the technical aspects of the game, I took down the goblins.


    When I''ve killed a certain number of goblins, I round up.


    I got about thirty magic stones.


    Now I can finally get my hands on some new rank equipment.


    With that in mind, I returned to the inn.


    When I arrived at the inn, my mother-in-law, who was at the reception desk, seemed to notice me.


    Oh, Lelius. You have a visitor here to see you?


    ...A visitor?��Who is that?


    I had no idea.


    You must meet the man who''s staying in the last room on the second floor. How would you like to meet him?


    Well, okay.


    What the hell is this?


    I walk up the stairs with my mother-in-law smiling mischievously at me in the background.


    When I reach the farthest room, I knock on the door.


    "Yes, who is this?


    It''s a woman''s voice.


    ...Who is it really?


    This is Lelius.


    Oh, you''re Lelius?��We''re opening it now!


    The one who came out with a happy voice was a woman.


    She''s probably about my age, or a little older.


    The tightly fitted clothes suggest a seriousness, but she seemed to be struggling a bit in the chest area.


    Oh, they''re big. I almost turned to look at her, but it was rude.


    I desperately stared at her face.


    The woman looked at me and looked a little nervous.


    ''''Ha, nice to meet you!��My name is Krua!


    Mr. Krua, you are........er.....so what do you want?


    I''m a merchant, and I''m...


    With that, she showed us a handprint that was a merchant''s proof.


    .........Fake, I guess.


    It''s not going to come out that it can be made or something. Because it makes me want to break it with a hammer.


    You''re a merchant, right? I heard it''s pretty hard to get one.


    Well, yes. I''ll have to join the merchant''s guild and then follow my mentor around and be recognized by him.


    ...I see.


    As I recall, the Craftsmen''s Guild was similar.


    By being recognized by their master, they would finally be able to create what they wanted to create.


    ''''So, Krua-san. What do you want from me?


    Oh, I''m sorry, sir. I''ve heard about the reputation of the inn and in fact, I''ve come to stay here a few times.


    ''I see. Thank you for that.


    ''No, not really. ...And I thought the best thing about the inn was the furniture.


    .........well, it certainly seems to be quite well received and I''m happy to see it.


    I wonder if that''s why she came to see me?


    Only my parents know that I make furniture.


    It reminds me of my mother-in-law.


    It could have been a good thing for me, or it could have been about me.


    Krua-san stared at me and ducked her head.


    "I don''t mind if I do, but would you be willing to sign a contract with me?


    But I''m not an upholsterer, you know?


    Yes, I''m aware of that. But your parents tell me that all the furniture in the house is highly regarded because of your modifications. We thought you were a talented cabinetmaker, Mr. Lelius!


    ''.........


    I see. I guess that''s not a bad thing for me, and that there is a way to make a living as a furniture maker in partnership with a merchant.


    But as I said before, I''m not a member of the Artisans Guild.


    ''''I know you don''t belong to the artisans'' guild, but I''ll take care of that one.


    How is it possible to get a handle on it?


    ''''Yes. The Craftsmen''s Guild and the Merchant''s Guild are in a close position. We have a lot of help from each other, so it''s quite possible.


    I''ve certainly heard that story before.


    The merchant is in a position to sell what the craftsman has made. Also, the merchant may gather materials and get work.


    ''''I won''t do anything to interfere with Lelius-san''s manufacturing.......can we sign a partnership agreement?


    When it comes to a partner contract, it should be very important for a merchant.


    If my products don''t sell, her position as a merchant will be in jeopardy.


    It''s an important choice that could determine her future life.


    And I can''t create the original," she said.


    This is something you need to tell them for sure.


    As I''m sure my parents have told you, I can only make something better from what I have.


    What''s the meaning of...?


    Well....


    I took out my hammer, a divine weapon, and destroyed a nearby chair.


    Krua-san''s eyes widened at the sudden action.


    Before she can say anything else, I use those materials to create a chair.


    Krua-san''s eyes widen.


    ''I''m a ''blacksmith'' by profession. It''s a good idea to be able to use the materials to create this kind of product, for example, if you ask me to make an original item, I can''t do it. Therefore, our partnership agreement is--


    I''ve been told that every craftsman can make something unique to themselves.


    They create things from scratch, and I am fundamentally different.


    The only thing I can make from scratch is weapons, armor, and accessories.


    ''''That''s too awesome!��This isn''t normal!


    Krua-san reacted differently than I had imagined.

 17 Chapter 17 Replica

    I couldn''t help but nod my head at Krua-san''s reaction.


    ''''Is.......something funny?''''


    ''''There is something strange about it!��How is it possible to make furniture just by preparing materials? That''s not possible!


    .........Really?


    I had never seen how other craftsmen made furniture, so I didn''t know.


    I wanted to confirm one more thing with Krua-san, who was still surprised.


    ''''Then what about the fact that if you reach a certain level, you can make things using only magic power?


    ...You can make something?��I mean, without even using any materials?


    Well, yeah, it''s possible.


    ....


    Mr. Krua stared at me with his mouth hanging open.


    May I ask you to try it?


    Yes. But please understand that I can only make things that are broken with a hammer, so please be aware of that.


    What I''ve learned recently is that I''m only a blacksmith after all.


    That''s why I can''t create anything other than so-called weapons from scratch.


    That alone is too great.


    I fabricate what was in the room.


    Krua-san, who had been staring at me, then turned her gaze to me.


    ''''........You really can make anything, can''t you?


    ''Yes, well. It''s just a matter of destroying the finished product once, though.


    ''''It''s more than enough!��This one is good for mass production. In addition, every single one of them is perfect - and this chair is better than the original.


    Mr. Krua quickly reaches for a chair and observes.


    ''You say original but what you have here is already something I''ve tweaked.


    Uh, no. No, no. I''m looking into the people who made the furniture for the inn and meeting them.


    Oh, really?


    Yes. It''s just that... well, you know. I think it''s a little different.


    Krua-san slurred his words and said so.


    ........Indeed, the chair that was originally there was the equivalent of an E grade.


    The one in this room at the moment is S-ranked. The difference may be large.


    I say maybe because I am not a gifted connoisseur.


    In fact, when I sit down, I can''t see that big of a difference.


    It''s only a matter of time before you notice it if you''re told.


    So, in a way, I was lucky that I was able to get these eyes.


    At the same time, I knew that Krua-san''s eyes are solid.


    That''s what a merchant does.


    ''Didn''t you say you couldn''t make the original?


    Yes, that''s why I can''t make what the nobleman is looking for.


    ''No I rather thought it was more likely that I would be better at replication.


    What''s this all about?


    The price of furniture and accessories nowadays is so high and low that it reaches the general public. The price of furniture and accessories varies from top to bottom to reach the general public. Because a craftsman is a person...well, it''s not easy to keep producing the same thing," he says.


    Do you mean I have to step in there?


    Yes. Of course, I don''t want you to keep on mass-producing them. When you''re able to make your own original product, you can make it, too.


    I see.


    A certain amount of freedom, I suppose.


    What happens to the money when a trader and a craftsman team up?


    Basically, the craftsman gets 70% of the money and the merchant 30%. But if there is a special need for materials, for example, then the split is different.


    ....


    So I''m just going to be paid for what I create to increase my proficiency?


    ''''How long am I going to be held back?��''''I''m only working at this inn,''''


    If I don''t put him on duty, there''s a chance the inn won''t turn around.


    At the very least, it will be difficult for the new kid we have now to grow up and get at least one more in.


    I don''t want to get my parents in trouble, so that''s my priority.


    ''Well I''m not sure yet, but I do have a warehouse. For example, how about having them visit that place for one day every week and mass produce the items we specify?��I will then watch the market and flow the products through.


    ....


    Then we''re pretty much free to act as we please.


    ''All right. I''d like to take that up.


    Oh, really?


    Yes. Of course, we haven''t discussed the details yet, so...


    ''Of course!��We''ll put the details in writing here and come back to you later to discuss the details!


    Oh, yes, thank you very much...


    A happy Krua smiled and took my hand in hers.


    In doing so, her breasts are emphasized and I can''t help but look at them.


    It''s not that I''m attracted to her breasts.......but they''re still big.


    Lightly soothed, I go back to my room.


    Someday I''d like to be able to at least help Linn.


    Maybe I can help her a little by making these necessities of life.


    A furniture maker, huh?


    I still don''t know what exactly I should be doing.


    I can''t help but think about it. We can ask Krua-san about it again later.


    Nevertheless, there is one thing that surprised me.


    I didn''t know that furniture wasn''t all made by this profession.


    Thanks to that, I was embarrassed.

 18 Episode 18 Adventure Together

    I was given a position as a cabinetmaker, apparently.


    Mr. Krua talked to his mentor and he readily agreed to use his mentor''s contacts.


    I had heard that there is a long and hard road to becoming a furniture maker, so I was disappointed.


    So he has no problem building anything anymore.


    But there is one thing to be careful about.


    That is, they are not allowed to duplicate only the original ones on which the craftsman carved his name.


    It is strictly forbidden to duplicate them and sell them.


    It''s not that they are legally punished or anything, but it''s said to make it difficult for them to register with the guild as a craftsman.


    ........It was a close call.


    There might be some of the furniture I''ve learned so far that''s like that.


    I''ll have to be more careful from now on.


    Of course, modifying it for private use doesn''t seem to be a problem.


    Mr. Krua told me such a story.


    Come to think of it, I wonder if Mr. Krua has started his business now.


    I''ve already delivered the products I was instructed to make.


    This time, all the items I made are designated for mass production.


    The price is not as high as the originals, but even so, I''ve prepared quite a few.


    The rest will be up to Mr. Krua''s skill.


    As for the contract between Krua-san and I, it was decided that the contract would be for one year for the time being.


    This means that if we are dissatisfied with each other, we can end the contract once and for all.


    Basically, the merchant rarely asks to terminate the contract.


    As you can see from the distribution of rewards, the craftsmen are in a better position than me.


    I glance at Mea.


    At first he looked quite intimidated, but now he''s doing his job admirably.


    She has done a great job training the newcomers. The newcomer is also a lovely girl, listening intently to Mea-san and nodding her head.


    If she grows up, I might have less work to do, I thought, when my father-in-law came toward me.


    ''Oh, Lelius. Don''t look at my new guy, do you?


    I''m not admiring them. What''s up with all the pretty girls you''re hiring these days?


    Well, well, it''s just that there are a lot of applicants these days. Wouldn''t Lelius be better off with a pretty girl?


    Well, yeah, but...


    That''s because he''s a man.


    My father-in-law is nodding his head in satisfaction.


    Maybe I should report it to my mother-in-law later.


    X


    He finished his work and cleaned the quiet dining room.


    Mea was the late shift today.


    I was working with her to clean the cafeteria.


    Relius, got a minute?


    What is it?


    Well there''s something I need to talk to you about. Could you give me a moment to talk to you later?


    No problem.


    When I replied that, Mea-san smiled happily.


    What could it be?


    After cleaning up, my work is done.


    I took off my uniform after preparing for tomorrow morning''s work without delay.


    While I was resting in the waiting room, Mare came in.


    Mere was already dressed in simple clothes.


    Mea has rented a room at the inn, so she can rest if she continues up the stairs.


    By her side, her equipment was also placed.


    Come to think of it, Mea was an adventurer.


    What she is wearing now is an armor that only protects the local area.


    As I was following the ranks and materials with my eyes, Mea-san looked at me.


    ''''Sorry to bother you!


    ''''It''s fine. So what did you want to talk about?


    Ah ... well ... the other day I saw you, Relius is an adventurer?


    Mea-san raised her voice happily.


    ........Come to think of it, I''ve never told anyone I was an adventurer.


    My parents have kind of guessed it, though.


    Where did you see him?


    He came back to the inn with some equipment.


    ...I see.


    So that''s what happened.


    Mair scratched her head in embarrassment.


    "And you know what? Hon I was wondering if you would like to throw me a party?


    I want my thumping heart back.


    I thought they would confess to me or something, but there''s no way that''s possible, right?


    ''''Ah!��Well, well, you see, I''m not very strong.


    I''ve only fought goblins myself. Are you okay?


    Totally fine!��Yeah, I''ll go with you next time!


    Yeah, okay. Next time we have time off, we can go.


    ''''Ah!''''


    Mea-san is smiling at me happily.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this in the future.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about that........please.........


    Mea bows her head with a smile. Together they lowered their dog ears.


    ........only its ears and tail were wagging happily.


    ''Yes.''


    I stared at Mea''s back.


    The equipment you wear, they all have bad skills.


    Muscle weakness and agility reduction.......was it intentional that they were wearing those?


    The next time we''re on an adventure together, I should ask him about the details.

 19 Episode 19 Material

    I was meeting Mr. Krua at a nearby shop.


    ........Since today was my day off, does that mean you want me to make new furniture for you?


    While I was waiting with that in mind, Krua-san came over to me.


    I''m sorry, Mr. Lelius, I''m sorry to keep you waiting. I''m sorry to have kept you waiting.


    No, I''m not waiting for you to make me any more furniture, sir.


    No, no, that''s all right!��I still have some of my old stuff left!


    Krua-san shakes his head in a panic.


    Is that so.........


    Mr. Krua said they sold quite well, but maybe he was just lying to avoid hurting me.


    I''m not a furniture specialist, but it was still a little sad to know that the things I made were not appreciated.


    However, even if a craftsman of that caliber worked hard, the products would remain unsold.


    There was no way someone like me could do so well.


    ''''Everything made by Lelius-san is highly regarded,''''


    Apparently, it was on his face.


    Krua-san said something to cheer me up.


    ''''........is that so?


    ''''I''m selling like crazy!��.........But as I told you before, the price will drop if too many are distributed, so we sell them while we wait and see how they go. And so, today, I thought I''d bring it to you first to pay Relius-san for his compensation.


    Mr. Krua showed me a sheet of paper.


    The number of pieces of furniture I had made was on the sheet of paper, and the number of pieces sold and the amount of money spent on them were written on it.


    The amount of money is different for each item.


    ''My mentor allows me to place the items in one of his stores. There are also some items that I sold directly to them.


    It''s not a freebie to have it in your shop, is it?


    Well, yeah, I guess so.


    ''''In that case, you can split the amount for that, okay?


    The paper she showed me didn''t appear to contain any store fees.


    ''''No, that''s just something I did on my own.


    ''But it''s because of Krua-san that I''ve been able to work as a craftsman. And I haven''t been able to repay you for that.


    My reward was roughly the equivalent of three gold coins.


    It is said that an adult needs roughly five gold coins to live for a month without inconvenience.


    Or rather, the amount of money I was working at the inn was roughly three gold coins.


    Conversely, Krua''s remuneration would be equivalent to one gold coin at best.


    If I were to pay the fees for renting the store from there, I couldn''t help but wonder if I could live this month.


    ''''No but........''''


    ''For now, I''m asking that we pay each other until we are stable. If anything happens to Mr. Krua, I won''t like it.


    There will be no more money in my pocket.


    If that happens, it will all be in vain.


    When I appealed with serious eyes, Krua-san squeezed her lips together.


    ''''....I understand. When I can earn more money, I''ll pay you back properly.''''


    I understand.


    If I said this, Krua-san would accept it with open arms.


    I took the gold coins and paper as my reward and looked at her.


    Mr. Krua, do you need anything else besides your furniture?


    "Huh?��What do you mean?


    ''No, I have a lot of things I can make.


    At my words, Krua-san''s eyes widened.


    Can you make more than just furniture?


    ''Yes. Well, I''m a ''blacksmith'' for a start.


    Well, that''s right... but can a blacksmith do everything so well?


    I''m best at making weapons. However, they can also create accessories and armor, and potions.


    A pop-population potion?


    Yes.


    Is it possible to make this potion using only magic?


    Yes, it is.


    Krua-san opened her mouth with an acorn and then moved her face closer to mine.


    ''''Right now, potions are being exchanged at a very high price due to the fact that heel grass, the material for potions, is not very available... did you know that...?


    ''I didn''t know that.''


    ''''So if you can mass-produce a potion, you can sell it for quite a bit of money.


    ...I see.


    In addition, all adventurers have potions, so you don''t have to go through me, a merchant. So why do you need to go through me, a merchant?


    Does that mean you don''t mind if I ask the guild to buy it from you?


    Yes.


    If all I''m doing is making money, that''s probably better.


    However, just as Ms. Krua rented a store to sell her products, the upfront investment is important.


    The best upfront investment I could make in Krua-san is to raise her profile.


    ''Then I have a better idea. Can you help me with that?


    ...A good idea?


    Yes. We''ll have to move to a new location.


    After drinking the only drink we had ordered, we left the store.


    ''Can I go to Mr Krua''s warehouse?


    ''Yes, that''s fine.''


    She gave me permission to go to the warehouse.


    The warehouse was lined with chairs and tables. The warehouse was covered with cloth to keep them from getting dusty.


    I made a box in the corner of the warehouse.


    I used my magic to create a large number of potions there.


    ''''This, this........!��In such an instant!


    Looking at the potions that were in the box, Krua-san''s eyes widened in surprise.


    These are all potions created with magical power, but their effects are the same as the regular ones.


    How is it?


    ...it''s amazing!��And all these potions seem to be of excellent quality!


    Well, most of them are B-rated or better.


    I took out a divine weapon and simultaneously prepared one of the potions in my left hand.


    When I hit it with the hammer, the potion shattered and the herb, the material, was recovered.


    I take out the herb and hand it to Krua-san.


    Did the potion that Relius-san made earlier become the material for this?


    Yes. You can use a hammer to destroy it, and then you can recover the material that I created.


    ''''........that''s too bad. It means you can make a lot of things out of nothing, right?


    That''s what it means.


    However, weapons and armor inevitably require magical stones.


    Since it is not possible to create them out of complete nothingness, they are hunted by demons.


    If you can spare the money, you can buy the magic stone.


    But I like to move my body, so I probably won''t.


    ''''Relius-san. That power is too much, you''d better keep it under wraps, wouldn''t you?


    ...is that so?


    That''s right!��You''ll get killed!


    Well that''s a little disgusting.


    Fleur coughed, then coughed.


    ''''Anyway, I understand that the materials can be recovered. Are you sure that Lelius-san wants to sell these as well?


    ''''Yes, that''s right. But just this once, I want Krua-san to tell the guild that we have a route to prepare the materials and potions.


    Shall I start?


    Yes. And if you do that, your status as a merchant will be enhanced, right?


    Krua''s eyes widened at my words.


    You''re already thinking that far ahead, aren''t you?


    I just happened to think of it. Can you do it?


    Well sure, sure. Thank you.


    Mr. Krua bows his head.


    With this, as Mr. Krua becomes more famous, the things I make will be sold.


    This is an upfront investment for that.


    00


    After leaving Mr. Krua, I return to the inn.


    For now, let''s take my parents out to dinner or something.


    I talked to the part-timers and asked them to make a day when my parents would be away from the inn and I treated them to dinner.

 20 Episode 20 ``Strengthening

    Today, I was supposed to be working with Mea-san as an adventurer.


    The meeting place was in front of Mea''s room.


    The reason for this is that all of our employees were staying at this inn.


    There were various reasons for this. One of the newcomers had come to town to paint, for example.


    Mea was to become a top-notch adventurer.


    Each of them had various dreams and worked at our inn.


    Our inn would pay about two gold coins a month, including lodging and food.


    Maybe that''s part of the reason why there are so many applicants.


    I knocked on Mea''s room and she appeared in the hallway.


    ''Lelius, good morning.''


    Morning ... and you''re ready to go?


    Oh, yeah ... what''s the matter with you?


    Mare''s expression was grim as she said this.


    I''m sure you''re right.


    All of her equipment, while not exactly powerful, has bad skills.


    I''d like to say how you''ve been able to arrange it so beautifully.


    ''''........haha, haha.''''


    Mr. Mair is gasping for breath as if he''s tired just from facing me like this.


    Sweat was beading down on her forehead.


    When I used to work at the cafeteria, I used to move around like I was proud of my physical strength.


    At the same time, he recalled Mea falling and breaking a plate. I had to secretly fix it behind the scenes.


    Mea-san had more physical strength than anyone else.


    And yet right now, she looked exhausted just walking.


    .........It was because of the basketry she was wearing.


    Her baskets were given a strength reduction S rank.


    The effect isn''t clear, but it seems to be getting easier to get tired, judging from Mea''s current state.


    The others attached to it are Muscle Strength Reduction D rank and Agility Reduction C rank.


    ........Perhaps the current Mea-san is only able to exert about a third of her usual strength.


    ''''........Mea-san. About that equipment--


    No, it''s not!��I didn''t buy it because it''s pretty!


    No, it''s not.


    It''s true that the bear embroidery on the chest is cute, but it''s not.


    ''''That equipment seems to have a not-so-good effect on it.......are you okay?''''


    ''''........Eh.


    I guess Mea didn''t really notice.


    She froze as she looked at me, her face pale.


    ''''What kind of effect is that?''''


    ''''........Well. Roughly speaking, it''s like my physical abilities are reduced to about a third of their normal level.


    "....What?��That''s why I haven''t been able to accomplish the request at all since I bought this equipment.......!


    Mea-san''s shoulders slumped with a gulp.


    She was depressed, and I asked her for details.


    ........Apparently, Mea-san was originally an excellent adventurer who had risen to D rank.


    In the middle of it all, she changed to her current set of equipment and then her body became increasingly slow.


    No, he should have noticed and changed his equipment at that stage, but Mea-san was different.


    She had been wearing it for a long time without paying any attention to it because it was cute.


    Now he had been relegated to an E rank adventurer, and on top of that, he was going to be an F rank soon.


    ''''If the cause is equipment, we''ll just have to throw all this away for now, right? It''s cute and my favorite--not that it was pretty expensive, but...''''


    Do you want me to make you a new one?


    What?��You can''t do that!


    Well, I suppose... you want to give it a shot?


    Oh, please!


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this.


    Because she was wearing light clothing underneath, the lines of her body were clearly visible.


    ........a very feminine and attractive body. I want you to be a little more aware that a man is looking at you.


    When I turn my gaze to the side, that''s where Mea-san seems to have noticed.


    She looked relieved and brought the vest to her chest.


    ''I''m sorry!��I''m sorry for letting you see my dirty stuff!


    It''s not dirty. I''m sorry I couldn''t resist looking at it.


    Hey, it''s my pleasure...


    Mea, who bowed to me, quickly handed me the vest.


    She also pointed the other equipment she was wearing, including a basket hand and shoes, at me.


    I was troubled by Mea-san, who was looking at me intently.


    ........I had never shown her my forging.


    Well, it doesn''t matter.


    ''''Mea-san, your own adjustments might be a little different from the others, but please don''t say anything else.


    Of course.


    Kokuoku Mea-san approaches my face with a curious look on her face.


    ........close.


    Mea-san''s delicious scent tickles my nose.


    I concentrated on my equipment as if to forget about it.


    For now, I can just make enhancements that will eliminate this negative effect.


    However, it would be gentler to give her a few new skills as well, anyway.


    I gave her a set of equipment with an S-rank of muscle strength enhancement.


    Even though Mea''s equipment was S-ranked, she didn''t have that much room to add skills.


    There was only one skill that could be given.


    I knew that Mea-san originally fought in the vanguard, so I made sure that I could assist her with that.


    ''''Do people who make armor take it out and erase it?��I''ve never seen them make it before, but it''s pretty interesting.


    I think I''m a little different.


    ''Well is that all adjusted now?


    Yes, sir. Try it out.


    I put the equipment back in Mea''s direction.


    Mea-san quickly put them on and her eyes widened.


    ''''What!��I can''t believe my body is this light!


    ''''I removed all the negative effects that were originally attached to it and also strengthened it to the extent that I could. Then there shouldn''t be any problems, but...


    Oh, no!��It''s rather light!��It''s like I grew wings!��You can fight all you want with this one!


    Oh, I see. Well, let''s go to the guild then.


    Oh!��Thanks Lelius!


    I don''t feel bad for her as she has sparkling eyes and wags her tail around.


    Today, Mea-san was going to receive a request at the guild.


    This is because adventurers have ranks, and this does not go up or down unless they receive a request.


    Initially, all registered adventurers have the lowest rank of F, but this rank will increase as they receive requests.


    The rank is an approximate indicator of the adventurer''s strength.


    It is said that adventurers can make a living as an adventurer from the D rank, and if they are over the B rank, they will be called a top adventurer.


    Mea is currently ranked E, but she has failed many requests in a row.


    The next time he fails, the rank will be lowered to F.


    Also, there is a period of time to maintain the rank.


    If you don''t receive a request for more than half a year, your rank will be demoted by one.


    Failing a request three times in a row will result in a rank demotion.


    That''s why Mere hadn''t received any requests recently, but since it will soon be half a year, she came to accept the request.


    I could only hope that I could be of some assistance to her at least a little.

 21 Episode 21 Position

    I came to the Adventurer''s Guild.


    But I didn''t even know how to take requests.


    The memories of the time my parents took me with them had completely faded away.


    Basically, you can''t accept a request until you''ve been given a divine weapon and a profession.


    That''s why I never visited this place.


    I was also busy helping out at the inn.


    ''Excuse me, Mea. I''ve never been an adventurer before, so I don''t know what to expect at all.''''


    Oh, is that right?


    ''Yes. I usually only hunt goblins by myself, so...


    ''Well, then, it''s no use. Why don''t I teach you a lesson?


    With a thud, she taps her chest.


    As she does so, her chest shakes slightly.


    After walking around the guild for a while, I noticed that the adventurers were glancing at Mea-san.


    The adventurers who were looking at Mea-san huffed and loosened their mouths, then approached us.


    I''m sure you''re not the only one. What''s that?


    ".........


    A man called out to Mr. Mair in a familiar manner.


    However, Mea-san tried to ignore it and started to walk away.


    The adventurers who had called out to him earlier stood in front of Mea-san.


    ''....Can you please get out of the way?


    "Oh, come on, you can''t talk to me like that, can you?��You don''t want to get demoted to F-rated, do you?


    The adventurers smirked at the adventurers, and Mair reacted with a twitch.


    It''s a good idea to have a good time.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find the right one for you.


    These men might be organizing a party.


    A skinhead at the front of the party, presumably the leader of the party, glanced at us.


    ''You''re young. Didn''t that guy over there just finish the oracle ceremony?


    Yes, but...


    Are you really going to invite this guy to do one last job for you?��Even if you don''t want to get demoted, isn''t that the end of the line for you?


    Even if we don''t get demoted, isn''t that the end of it?


    Mr. Mair pursed his lips together.


    The man chuckled and moved his face closer to Mair''s. "I''m not going to say anything bad, okay?


    "Would you like to have a party with us?��You''re going to have a party with us.��I''m going to show you what being an adventurer is all about.


    The man huffs and smiles.


    .........What a bad mouth, but a good person.


    ''''Of course, you''ll have to do a lot of service for me over there, though!


    He was a clean-cut, lowlife bastard.


    The men grinned and twisted their mouths.


    Mea''s lips were quivering as she stared at the men.


    I quickly grabbed Mea''s hand.


    ''Mea-san is having a party with me. Can you just mind your own business?


    "....What''s up with you. You are a novice who just received the oracle, right?


    I do. So what does it matter?


    Don''t get in the way, kid. Don''t get in the way.


    The man reached out his arm towards me and I grabbed his wrist.


    A man tried to unwind it with all his strength.


    .........As expected, I''m losing strength?��I thought so, but--.


    What''s this guy''s strength!


    The man flailed about, but he didn''t feel any power at all.


    It''s enough to make you wonder if he''s doing it on purpose.


    If not on purpose, it might be the effect of the equipment I''m wearing.


    I have a total of five S-ranked body-strengthening abilities. The effects of the skills are duplicated.


    It''s not like they all strengthen the same amount, though.


    The man fired a kick at me.


    It was an unexpected move, but I was able to let go and avoid it.


    These guys are senior adventurers!��I don''t want to be taken for a fool!


    Didn''t you suck up to me in the first place?


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this.


    The adventurers around them do not stop seeing us.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find it.


    ''''Oh dear!


    This one''s going to be fun!��Which one do you want to bet on?


    Well, of course, it''s Boonsue, right?��He got ranked "C" last time.


    Well, I''m gonna give the kid a run for his money. He''s the most aggressive adventurer I''ve ever seen.


    "beat up on the smart-ass rookie, Bunsue!


    "Hey, kid, you can do it!��It''s costing me my lunch money!


    He is laughing at us, looking at us with a cynical smile.


    It''s a good idea to have a good time with them.


    It''s a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.


    Bunsuet clenches his fists and then glares at me.


    ''You wanna apologize, now''s the time, okay?


    ''''Then why don''t you apologize to Mea first?��If you do, I''ll apologize for my actions towards you.


    He also thinks it''s bad, only that he suddenly grabbed his wrist up.


    However, Bunsuet laughs and sticks out his tongue.


    ''''What, you have something to apologize for?��Senior students instruct their juniors. On top of that, juniors serve their seniors, there''s nothing wrong with that?��That''s what happens in many places, not just adventurers, kid.


    I didn''t know those places existed.


    I don''t know anything about it.


    I don''t need to know that.


    Bunsuet raised his eyebrows once and then jumped towards us.


    ......... late.


    I completely saw his move through.


    I dodged to the left just in time to hook his leg.


    Bunsuet rolled out of his face with a flourish.


    He hit his face on the ground and he glared at me.


    ''''I was moving too slowly.


    ''''........Screw you!''''


    Bunsuet jumps at me again, but I hook my leg as well as I did before.


    Boonsue, who had rolled over with a flourish, staggered up.


    Bunsuet had both eyes wide open.


    ''Ugh, a lie..... Oh, you can move faster than me.........


    You finished?


    Don''t lick it!��They''ve been adventurers for ten years...!


    Bunsuet shouted and shook his fist in the air.


    .........Apparently, I''m at least stronger than this C-rank adventurer.


    It''s probably because I have a large amount of skills in my equipment.


    ........I could dodge just like before, but that doesn''t seem to be enough to show the difference in power.


    I catch Bunsuet''s fist with one hand.


    Then, I exert my strength to clench his fist.


    "Gah!��Sir, please let go of me!


    Would you stop messing around with Mare, then?


    Uh-uh!��I won''t!��I won''t!


    I see...


    I let go of his hand quickly and Bunsuet leaves, his body trembling.


    His friends look at me as if they are seeing something horrible.


    Do you need anything else?


    ... nothing, sir.


    They walked away from the place, leaving only those words behind.


    ''''Oh!��Wow!


    "The little bastard won!


    "Even though Bunsuet didn''t use his divine artifacts, he still managed to defeat them head on!


    There''s a lot of noise around.


    I don''t look at them, I look at Mea.


    I''m sure you''re not the only one.


    Mr. Mea. I''m sorry, I couldn''t make you apologize.


    No, no, no, no. Thank you.


    Her dog ears were twitching happily.


    ''''Mea-san, I''m sorry. Can you teach me how to accept a request or something?


    ''Yes.........''


    Mea made me smile, so that was good for now.

 22 Episode 22 Trial

    There''s a request posted on this board.


    After saying that, Mea led me to the bulletin board.


    There were a lot of papers stuck against the bulletin board, or rather the wall.


    They were roughly divided into ranks, but their boundaries were difficult to understand.


    ''''I believe this request can only accept the same request as the rank, right?


    No, we can accept up to one above and one below.


    So, you''re saying that Mare can get a D and an F?


    Yeah.


    In order not to reduce the workload of new adventurers, they are preventing people of higher ranks from accepting requests from lower ranks.


    ''''What do you want to do about the requests you''re going to receive this time?��As I recall, the only request that had anything to do with ranking up or down was a request to kill someone, right?


    Yeah, that''s right. I need to complete a request for an E rank. So, would you mind if I made it up to you?


    Sure.


    Well..... Well, since you were able to move that much earlier, you must have much more talent than I do. It''s more of a question of whether or not I''m going to drag you down....


    ''''That''s not true. There are many parts of me that are helped by equipment. In that sense, Mea-san should be different from before, so I''ll be fine.


    Well, I hope you''re right.


    Ms. Mair popped her cheek and then shook her head.


    "I''m sorry. I''m sorry that I, as your senior and older sister, said something so shameful to you.


    ''Don''t mind me. I''m the senior in the inn. My position shouldn''t be so different.


    Yeah, I guess so.


    Ms. Mair loosened her mouth and picked up one of the requests.


    I peeked in from next to her.


    She says it''s to defeat a demon called Red Wolf.


    The difficulty level is the E rank she seeks.


    ''''Is that it?''''


    "...Yeah, I guess so. The red wolf is a demon that I defeated a long time ago I should be able to handle it.


    A long time ago, huh?


    Wouldn''t it be perfectly fine now that I''ve changed my equipment?


    I took the request form and headed to the reception desk with Mair-san.


    Do I just have to bring the request form to that receptionist to be accepted?


    Yeah.


    I was looking at the receptionist and I realized that''s where I was.


    Everyone was giving money when they received a request.


    ''You pay when you take a request,''


    With a chuckle, Mair nodded.


    ''Requests have a time limit. When an adventurer receives a request, it means they have a monopoly on the request.''


    .........it''s true.


    The guild will need to ask another adventurer to help them in case they fail to defeat the enemy. The more urgent it is, the higher the reward, so...well, that''s just the cost of the labor. You can rest assured that you will receive your money back along with your reward if you achieve it.


    ''''....I see. Then it looks like the request purchase fee will increase when it comes to high rank requests.


    ''Oh, yes. So adventurers are told to always have enough money to receive requests. ........Well, there are some constant requests without receiving a request to defeat them.


    Well I see, I''m learning.


    The constant requests are mainly delivery-based requests, he said.


    As Mea-san explained to us, it was our turn.


    Mea-san and I presented the guild card we had taken out.


    When the fairy sitting at the reception table touches the guild card, a request that is currently being received is written on it.


    The technology on this guild card was brought in by the fairies.


    It''s a technology that is too old for the current human race and its analysis is not advanced, but we use it because it''s useful.


    The fairies don''t speak, but they wave their hands adorably, perhaps in support of our request.


    Waving back at it, we left the guild.


    ''Lelius. I''m sure you''ll be able to find Red Wolf and his friends just outside the north gate. Shall we head that way?


    Yes. Okay.


    We walked to the north gate to each other.


    ''''What kind of a fight does Lelius have in mind?


    Well I guess. I''m more of a mid-range guy.


    Mid-range, huh? Don''t tell me this weapon has an offensive skill set?


    Well, yeah, I guess so.


    Bone Shot is a skill anyone can use, but I don''t need to tell you for now.


    ''''I can only fight in close quarters. ........Can I have you cover me this time?


    Yes, that''s fine. I''d like to ask you a few questions too, but what is your artifact?


    Oh, this is mine.


    Mea turned her right hand to the side and a sword appeared in her hand.


    The sword, which was covered in fire, was slightly curved.


    ''''It''s a divine weapon flamberge.''''


    As I stared at it, I could see the skills of her divine weapon.


    Flamberge.


    Flame Attack S rank, Flame Slash S rank, Forgetting S rank


    The three were attached to it.


    It''s like a divine weapon that specializes in attacking the fire attribute.


    It''s much cooler than my hammer.


    ''Can''t Lelius'' divine artifacts be used in battle?


    ''''I''ve never used them.......so I use these swords and knives when I fight.


    So you''re good at mid-range, is that what you''re good at?


    Yes.


    ''I guess we''ll have to see it in person, won''t we?


    ''''The only way to practice is to try it out with Red Wolf. ........It''s just that this is the first time I''ve ever fought an E-ranked demon, so I''m sorry if I''m dragging my feet.


    "...just in case we don''t want to fight the goblins before the Red Wolf?��I''m still not sure I''m up to the task, either.


    I understand.


    We have to work with each other and so on, and that''s better.

 23 Episode 23 Crusade

    We spotted the goblins, and we stayed away and observed them.


    The goblins were looking at us too, but they didn''t attack us right away.


    Some of the goblins may be acting in unison now.


    The goblins are still staring at us without caution.


    ''''Lelius would you like to try fighting alone for once first?


    Alone?


    Yes. I honestly don''t know what you''d do in a fight. I''m only allowed to cut down my enemies with my sword, but you fight at mid-range, don''t you?


    Yes, sir.


    I can''t imagine why. Could you show me? I too ... can win as much as a goblin, even if I''m not before. I''ll help you if it happens.


    I understand.


    That makes me a little nervous.


    Mea has been an adventurer for a long time.


    She might complain a lot about the way I fight.


    At the very least, I''ll try not to be seen as a drag.


    As I approached the goblins, they seemed to think that combat was inevitable.


    I raise the club I was holding.


    It''s a threat.


    I throw the knife at the goblin without question.


    The goblin dodges it. That much was expected.


    So I attack by bone shot. The skill from the dagger attacks the goblin.


    The goblins dodge it too.


    However, I''m in a disadvantageous position.


    Then he throws the knife at it. The snatched knife itself does not do much damage.


    The goblins were also looking at the knife, but they had a smile on their face, as if they could afford it.


    Is it really so?


    A goblin dashes towards you.


    In order to switch to close combat, you draw your sword.


    Handle the goblin''s attacks.


    Since I also have a muscle strengthening skill, handling the goblin''s attack is not a contrivance.


    However, right now, there are things I want you to know about the effects of the poison attack, so I won''t directly deal with it.


    It was a minute or so later that the goblin collapsed.


    Suddenly it spits out blood and collapses just like that.


    I knew it was the breath of an insect, so I gave the goblin the last word.


    ''''It''s like this,''''


    I looked at Mea to show her the goblin I had defeated.


    She opened her eyes.


    .........I wonder if there was a problem with the way she fought, after all.


    ''''Hey, what did you do!


    Mea raised her voice and looked at me.


    What''s going on?��I''m tilting my head, and Mea comes up to me.


    ''What''s going on?''


    Why did the goblin fall?��I wouldn''t have given him a single blow!


    I attacked him once first. The knife was snatched, wasn''t it?


    I indicated the goblin''s wound, and Mair was staring at it.


    ''That''s the damage you''re doing!


    "Yes, sir. It''s a poison attack. My knife has poison in it....


    Poison?��And yet, it shouldn''t be hard to find a poison that will work against a demon...


    Is that so?


    ''''Oh, yeah. As I recall, a divine weapon with a poisonous attack was a hazel. Most demons are resistant to state disorders, you know.


    ...Is that so?


    Perhaps if they were ranked higher than their poison resistance, they could break through.


    ''''Ah. It depends on the poison, but it''s not completely hazed, since it can''t be used for torture or anything else, but... at least it''s not that much of a demand.''''


    If it''s your divine weapon, you''ll know what skills are being granted.


    There used to be scams using it.


    You can''t see other people''s skills.


    So, you could say a skill that was stronger than you needed and threaten them.


    ''''Anyway, I''ve never seen a poison strong enough to kill a demon!��That knife is terrifying...!


    ''I see ... well, this is how I fight. How did you like it?


    At my words, Mea-san crossed her arms and nodded.


    ''''Well I can''t complain about that. If you''re not good at it, I''m sure you''re much stronger than me.


    ''No, it''s not. I''m a dead divine object, you know?


    But still. The way he carried himself was much better than most of those gods.


    I wonder if that''s true.


    Well, I think it''s probably more than half flattery from Mea.


    ''''Could you show me Mea-san''s fight next?��It''s since you changed your equipment, and I''m sure your movements have changed as well.''''


    Well I hope you''re right. If you''re more mobile than you''ve ever been, you''ll be the one to make it happen.


    I hope you can move.


    I just look different than I did when I was wearing the equipment before, and I''m sure I''ll be fine.


    I walk with Mea and find the next goblin.


    There are two goblins.


    I decide to take on one of them instead of Mea-san, who says she''s not sure if she can move yet.


    This time I wanted to watch Mea-san fight, so I decided to take care of the goblins in an instant.


    I wanted to experiment a little bit, so I tried a few things.


    I dealt with the goblin''s cudgel that was coming at me and stabbed the knife into it.


    The knife is given a weakness skill that I got from Mea''s equipment, such as muscle power reduction.


    The fact that the knife is stabbed into it is the same as being equipped, right?


    About ten seconds after I stabbed it, the goblin''s movements had clearly slowed down.


    On the contrary, my body becomes lighter. ........After all, I don''t want to wear equipment with a reduction effect.


    I bounce the head of the goblin whose movement has slowed down and look at Mea-san.


    Mea-san was facing the goblin right now.


    Mea-san and the goblin were both looking at me in surprise.


    ''Mea-san, please be careful.


    Oh, oh!


    Mair shouts out and faces the goblin.


    The goblin pounces on her, shouting at her, probably because she''s been hit by her friends.


    Mea-san dodged the blow.


    Mea-san........dodged too much, or maybe she was a long way from the goblin.


    Mea-san looked at her body in surprise.


    ........What''s going on?��I wonder if the effects of the curse were still present after all.


    There''s nothing wrong with the equipment.


    Then what else--.


    As I was thinking, Mea-san kicked the ground.


    In an instant, he closed the distance between him and the goblin and swung his sword down.


    The fire burned the remains of the goblin''s slash, and the goblin died in an instant.


    Even in a situation where the curse remained, Mea-san could still move like that.


    I mean, is this what makes you an E rank adventurer?��........I knew it would be difficult for me to be an adventurer.


    The disparity between those who have sacred weapons and those who don''t is too great.


    ''''........Mea-san, you''re very good.


    As I approached Mea-san while clapping, she jumped towards me with a glint in her eye.


    What!��Oh, my tits!


    Thank you, Lelius!


    What do you mean?


    Because of you, I''m able to fight like I always have... well, more than I ever have before!


    Oh, really?


    He seemed to feel uncomfortable during the process..............is it true?


    ''Oh!��This equipment you made me is awesome!��My body is light as a feather!��I didn''t believe it until after the battle began, but the only reason I was able to make those moves earlier was because of you!��Thank you!��Thank you so much!


    Mea-san is happy with tears of joy.


    ........No, Mea-san must have had this much power in the first place.


    I should only be a trigger.


    ''''I see. I''m glad if I was able to help you, even if only a little.


    It''s great!


    Mea-san squeezes me into a hug.

 24 Episode 24 Red Wolf

    Then Mr. Mair turned red and moved away.


    ''''I''m sorry. I got too excited....''''


    When he looks shy, we''re aware of it too.


    I shake my head with the intention of driving the soft touch away from my head.


    ''''If this is the case, is there any more problem with the battle?''''


    ''''Ah, ah but even so, the armor you''ve made is really amazing. It''s light, it''s easy to move around.......and most importantly, it fits my body perfectly.......


    That''s pretty handy.


    ...Did you make that weapon too, by the way?


    Yes, sir.


    ''........stronger than a divine artifact, don''t you think?


    That''s not true, sir.


    It must have been a great shock to Mea-san.


    My strength is only in ordinary weapons.


    If I went up against a divine weapon, I wouldn''t stand a chance at winning at first.


    Depending on the future, I might be able to imitate their skills alone, but their durability is completely different.


    ''''For now, let''s go hunting for the Red Wolf.


    ''''I suppose so. ........Before that, do you want me to at least dismantle this goblin?


    The goblin from earlier went with a hammer while Mea wasn''t looking.


    ''''You don''t have to dismantle it separately, do you?


    ''Oh, really?''


    Is that the common sense of an adventurer?


    ''Yeah. Basically, it''s going to take some time.


    How long will it take?��It''s something that can be done with just a little whack with a divine weapon, isn''t it?


    I remember as a child, I think my parents did it too....


    ''''Apart from that, as long as it''s done with divine instruments, it''s not a problem, right?


    ...What?


    What?


    We look at each other.


    Mea''s cheeks twitch.


    ''Well, you don''t think you can...?''


    Yes, I can, but...


    Yeah, you wanna give it a try?


    Mea-san looked at me as if she were thinking.


    .........Could it be that they can''t do this normally?


    I had never heard of such a thing before, so I don''t know for sure.


    I took out my create hammer and hit the corpse with it.


    It all breaks down into materials and disappears into my body.


    "Where did it go?


    Well I''ll take it out.


    And take it out?��You can do it!


    Yes, yes....


    It''s like an item box.


    However, I''m sure quite a few adventurers have this too.


    When I took out the materials, Mea-san was looking at me with an open mind.


    What I retrieved was a fang recovered from the corpse of the goblin I mentioned earlier.


    There are also other things left behind, such as skins.


    What is new to me is that damaged items cannot be recovered as material.


    To a certain extent, they can be used as material without problem.


    However, if they are torn to shreds, it''s no good.


    That''s why almost all the materials can be recovered if you defeat them with a poison attack.


    ''Ah, an item box................something like that?


    ''Yes. It looks like he was working for the blacksmith.


    No, that''s not possible!


    Huh?


    ''Huh, they don''t usually have that kind of thing attached to their profession!��That''s a very lucky thing for you!


    ...Is that right?


    I don''t think they''re all on it for sure, but I still thought about half of them had it.


    ''But you do have an item box, don''t you?


    It''s a commercially available magic tool and has an item box.


    It seems to be a relic of the past and can be picked up rarely in the maze.


    I thought that adventurers who didn''t have an item box would buy these things.


    ''''Oh, there are some but those are pretty expensive.


    ........I see.


    So that means I was luckier than the average adventurer just to start.


    But if you don''t have the strength to fight after all, then it''s a waste of treasure.


    ''''Well, this is just like a byproduct.


    I''m so jealous.


    But he''s a blacksmith.


    What do you think?��Is it possible that my blacksmiths are exceptionally good........?


    It''s also possible that the same profession has different performance.


    It could even be that they are compatible with the divine weapons they have.


    ........Well, my combination is a very common blacksmith''s set.


    ''But Mea-san''s divine artifacts are cool and I envy you.


    Oh, yeah?


    ''Yes. Mair''s waving it around was so beautiful, I couldn''t help but admire it.


    ...Oh, don''t give me too many compliments, I''m so embarrassed.


    Mea turned away, scratching her vermillion cheeks.


    We both knew how to fight.


    I looked in the direction where I thought the Red Wolf was.


    ''''Well let''s head over now.


    Yeah.


    Mr. Mair nodded widely and we headed off to hunt Red Wolf.


    ��


    The three stray red wolves are the three currently known to exist.


    Right now we are in a dense area of trees, though not so much a forest.


    If the red wolves settled here, there was a possibility that the current ecosystem would collapse.


    For example, if the damage would end up being just the loss of one species, then there would be no other problem to consider.


    However, that''s the nature of nature.


    If one species disappears, the lives of other species that feed on it will change.


    In some cases, they might even attack humans.


    The demons might evolve unexpectedly in order to counter the Red Wolf.


    In this way, when one collapses, it collapses like a chain of events.


    That''s why the guild was primarily responsible for managing the demons.


    Basically, they would use ordinary adventurers, and if that wasn''t enough, knights would be dispatched.


    That''s the guild''s job.


    We were walking through the woods right now looking for Red Wolf.......but he wasn''t there.


    Could it be that they had already moved to another place?


    I was walking with that thought in mind.


    Mea-san was looking at her feet.


    ''''Those footprints ... maybe it''s a Red Wolf.


    As I stared at the footprints, I saw the words "can be created".


    ........eh?��What''s this?


    At any rate, it showed up as Red Wolf''s footprints, so it looks like there''s no mistake.


    "Mea-san. It''s from a red wolf.


    What?��Do you understand?


    ''Yes. Thanks to the blacksmith.


    ''Blacksmith you can do everything........''


    Mea looks at me in surprise.


    I thought this was handy too, but it seems to be something only blacksmiths can do.


    I didn''t get it, since I''ve never compared it to other people''s professions or anything.


    ''These footprints are pretty new, aren''t they?''


    Well I guess if we follow this we might find it.


    ''Yes. Let''s go for it.


    Mea and I headed towards where I thought the Red Wolf was.


    We had been walking for a while when the number of red wolf tracks increased.


    The number of red wolf footprints increased.


    The size of their feet is very different..... From what I saw of all of them, it looked like there were about six of them.


    ''''Maybe they''re already breeding........''''


    That''s a bit tricky, though, isn''t it?


    ...Yeah. And Wolf''s kids are lovely.


    No, it''s not there.


    ... well, I don''t know.

 25 Chapter 25 Achievement

    We followed the trail of the red wolves.


    Once we were out of the woods, we found the red wolves.


    They seemed to be moving from one place to another. There was also a small wolf that seemed to be a child.


    It seems to be teaching them to hunt right now, attacking other goblins.


    It''s things like this that make it impossible to miss the demons that have moved in from other places.


    Six of them in total.


    Two of them are adults and four are children.


    Are you ready?


    ''Yeah. I feel a little sorry for you, but my life depends on it, too.


    Mea, in particular, would be demoted if she failed this time.


    Adventurer ranks don''t get demoted unless there''s something extraordinary going on.


    If he has experienced it even once, he is embarrassed by it.


    I don''t want to be ridiculed any more. I could see such a will in both of Mea''s eyes.


    ''''If it''s an adult Wolf, it''s easy to hit a throwing knife, so I''ll aim first.


    Yeah. I''ll do the proximity if they notice.


    I''ll join you as soon as I''m done covering you.


    Yeah.


    However, the other side is more numerous than the other.


    Even if they could move so that they wouldn''t drag each other down, they wouldn''t be able to hope to work together to hunt down the unity of the two of them.


    Mea-san took a light, deep breath and then grabbed her sword.


    I threw my knives at him handily as he seemed to be done with his preparations.


    I was approached when two knives stabbed into the adult Wolf and one into the child Wolf.


    ........From here, it''s proximity.


    Mea-san swung out her divine weapon. Red Wolf quickly jumped and dodged it.


    It was moderately fast. However, due to the poisonous knife stuck in it, he gradually began to show a pained expression.


    The red wolves jumped at him without a break, but the adult red wolf fell first.


    Perhaps because of the parent''s fall, the children stopped moving.


    In the meantime, Mea''s sword was swung out.


    Fire clung to the wide sword. It sliced through the nearby Red Wolf to engulf it.


    There are three bodies left.


    I thrust my sword into one of them and kick it away.


    I avoid the attacks of the wolves that jumped at me and activate automatic return.


    Then the sword that was thrust into the first red wolf returns to my hand.


    In the process, I cut off the body of the red wolf.


    Automatic return can also be used in this way.


    I slammed the returned sword on the staggered red wolf.


    That''s a good decision.


    There''s only one left.


    I throw the knife at the red wolf as he tries to escape.


    The Red Wolf ran away, but eventually its body collapsed.


    This is the end of the battle.


    Mea-san, who let out a small breath, put away her sword.


    I apply the hammer to the fallen Red Wolf.


    In order to accomplish the request, I''ll need materials.


    In Wolf''s case, the fangs fall into that category.


    When I finished dismantling all the materials, Mea-san came looking at me intently.


    ''''It''s too easy not to dismantle them.... That ability alone is something I''d like to have.''''


    Well, it''s the only thing I''ve got.


    Rather, I was a little glad that the others didn''t have this ability.


    Because if they all had a divine weapon that looked strong, and even better this and that than me, I wouldn''t be able to just say I was jealous.


    ''''Let''s go back and look around a bit more, shall we?''''


    Yeah.


    There could still be a Red Wolf.


    If there are any survivors, that''s a problem.


    ''How active is Lelius usually as an adventurer?


    ''''Well yes. I don''t think you can call yourself an adventurer. All I did was take out goblins.


    Oh, really?��He carried himself well, so I thought he was pretty active as an adventurer.


    Absolutely. I''m a blacksmith after all.


    I see.


    However, I''ve learned a few things.


    Apparently, up to about rank E, I think I can get by.


    It might not be a bad idea to try working as an adventurer up to that point.


    If possible, I could make a living as an adventurer if I could handle a rank D request.


    I couldn''t find the Red Wolf anymore.


    ''''Let''s go home, Relius.


    Yes.


    There would be no point in looking for it any longer.


    We decided that if they found us again in the future, it wouldn''t be our fault, it would be the guy who moved in from elsewhere.


    When we arrived in the city, we headed straight for the guild.


    ........The adventurers who had harmed Mea-san, Bunsue and the others were approaching us.


    I wonder how long they''ve been waiting for us. They were grinning and their mouths were twisted in a grimace.


    ''''Mea, how was your request?''''


    Yeah, you made it, though, didn''t you?


    Saying that, Mea showed them the six Red Wolf fangs that she had deposited in the bag.


    Bunsuet and the others widened their eyes and then stared at us with irritated eyes.


    You ruined our whole plan, you piece of shit.


    I''m glad I was able to protect Mea-san from them.


    Mea-san stuck out her tongue at the back of Bunsuet and the others who had left.


    I''m happy for you, Mr. Mair.


    It was when I was standing in line at the checkout counter to report the accomplishment of my request.


    ''''Well don''t get me wrong, Lelius!


    Ms. Mair suddenly raised her voice.


    The people around her glanced at her and Mea lowered the volume of her voice in embarrassment.


    ''What''s the mistake?''


    Even if you know you''re going to lose your rank. I wasn''t going to continue to be an adventurer by asking those guys to do that, you know?


    ...Oh, is that right?


    Oh, what the hell!��You''re d*mn right!��Do I look like such a light woman to you!


    ''No, I can''t see it. But you''re a beautiful person, so be careful of people like that.


    It''s beautiful ... uh, uh ... yeah. Okay, I''ll be careful.


    She scratched her reddened cheeks with her beautiful thin forefinger.


    It was our turn and we held out the material.


    The receptionist''s eyes widened as Mea-san confidently handed it in a bag.


    ''''This, this........Mea-san didn''t dismantle it, did she?


    How did you know that?


    ''If it''s Mea-san, you can''t make it this clean........ Is it you, by any chance?


    The receptionist glances at you.


    "Yes?


    ''''Well this is the first time you''ve asked me to look at your guild card records, isn''t it?��Do you live in a butcher shop or something?


    ''No, that''s not what I meant, but...''


    ''''........That means it''s a natural talent. Even a top-notch adventurer wouldn''t be able to dismantle it so beautifully.


    I glanced over and saw that Mea-san was still depressed.


    The rewards were split up and we returned to the inn from the Adventurer''s Guild.


    ''''........Are you sure you want to split it up?��Honestly, like all this equipment, I''ve only been able to help.


    ''I didn''t get to experience some things on my own either. Thank you for the day.


    Well, yeah. Thank you for the day on my end. You''ve been very helpful. If it wasn''t for you looking at the equipment, I don''t think I would have made it out of this job. Thank you.


    I can''t help but admire Mea as she smiles in the sunset.


    She''s really beautiful. My father-in-law hired her on the basis of her face alone.


    ''''Well then, please go back to the store and work the late shift.


    ...Oh, that''s right.


    Unlike me, who had a full day off, Mr. Mair was putting in a busy evening shift.

 26 Episode 26: Sake

    I had to leave work this evening because Mr. Krua contacted me about something he wanted to talk to me about.


    What is it that you want to talk about?


    What happened to the story of selling medicinal herbs to the adventurers?


    I hope it''s going well.


    He had visited the Adventurer''s Guild, but he hadn''t received any detailed information.


    It''s possible that Krua-san has failed to sell it.


    If that were the case, the herbs I created would be wasted.


    Well, it''s fine, since it''s something I made with magic power.


    ........What if it''s something else?


    For example, I''ll be terminated from the contract........ Since the contents weren''t deliberately written down, I was worried.


    When I went to the store that Krua-san called me to, she was getting a little dressed up.


    She''s dressed in a way that would be acceptable even if she were called a lower class nobleman. However, what she''s wearing is similar to a swallow-tailed suit.


    It''s the kind of clothing that merchants often wear.


    When a female merchant wore it, she looked like a woman who could do her job.


    ''''Ah, Lelius-san. It''s been a while.''''


    Yes, it''s been a while.


    ''I''ve spoken to the shop and we''ll be inside in a minute. Are you okay?


    Yes, sir.


    Ms. Krua walks inside with a smile on her face.


    I walk into the restaurant with her, watching her back.


    There were a number of tables lined up. Unlike the tavern and our diner, the atmosphere of the restaurant was a bit more relaxed.


    Once we were seated, we ordered our food.


    However, it seems that they have a course meal.


    As I recall, the dishes come out in order, right?


    That makes me a little nervous when I hear of a course meal.


    ''Do you usually come to places like this, Krua-san?


    ''No, I have very little. I''ve been taken by my master a few times as a matter of experience.


    It was my first time, so I''m really nervous right now.


    I did the same the first time.


    Krua-san smiled with a smile.


    .........Krua-san''s expression didn''t seem to have changed from the usual.


    I hope it''s not a bad story, but I wonder how it is.


    The salad is brought in first, and Krua-san serves it to me on my plate.


    ''''Oh, speaking of which, do you drink alcohol?''''


    I don''t like it. I don''t drink.


    That''s right.


    I looked at Krua-san when I finished sharing the salad.


    ''Mr. Krua. So what is the story today?��Sorry, are you talking?


    I would have to listen to her already.


    At my words, her eyes widened.


    .........I knew it, right?


    No, no!��It''s rather a good story!


    ...Oh, is that right?


    Yes!��I don''t even know where to begin anymore.......first of all, I was approached by my mentor''s shop to put up some products, and now I don''t need to pay for a place!


    ...Is that so?


    ''''Yes. Even though he''s a master, he''s still a business partner. All of Lelius-san''s products are very highly rated. That''s why we were able to negotiate forcefully. ........Well, he''s a master, after all. I did tolerate him somewhat, though.


    That''s good to hear.


    It''s a relief.


    It''s always nice to hear that something you''ve made is appreciated in this way.


    As for the furniture, I hope you continue to deliver.


    I understand.


    And now for the herbs...


    I''ll break up the conversation there once.


    I would be happy if it was a good story too, but it wouldn''t be so convenient.


    When I was prepared to a certain extent, Krua-san''s eyes lit up with a flash of light.


    ''''We''ve been able to successfully channel the herbs into the market!


    ''....Oh, really?��But I''ve been an adventurer myself, but there''s not much in circulation, is there?


    It''s just the beginning.


    Now?


    ''''Yes. I''ve negotiated with the guild to ask the adventurers I know to collect the medicinal herbs on a priority basis. So I''ve made it possible for me to deliver the medicinal herbs a little at a time, more than normal.


    ''''...I see. You mean you''ve given the adventurers some flexibility?


    ''Yes. I''ve decided to use my connections to do that.


    Surely that would allow it to flow well.


    ''Only, wouldn''t that mean that the adventurers could just deliver it directly or something?


    ''I''ve decided that I originally asked an adventurer operating in another city to help me. ........I strongly emphasized the part about using my connections.


    I see...


    However, this adventurer is only a fictional existence. If you poke him too hard, it could lead to trouble.


    Are you okay?


    ''I''m not lying to you, you know. I can deal with it as much as I want later.


    So that''s how it is.


    ''''For now, we''ve processed quite a few medicinal plants as our first delivery. I hope you can make another delivery.


    Basically, I get paid for all my products when I deliver them.


    It''s a good deal for me because I get paid for what I deliver, whether it sells or not, but I was wondering what it would be like for her.


    However, if I was able to handle a lot of them, my worries were a little lessened.


    ''Anyway, thanks to Lelius-san, I was able to sell my name. Thank you so much. I''ll pay for today''s meal, so please feel free to eat!


    No, that''s okay. Let''s just be equal in that regard.


    It''s not that I''m not worthy of being treated to a treat.


    I mean, I''m probably making more money than you are right now.


    However, Krua-san looked pale at my words.


    ''''What''s wrong?''''


    ''''Well Mr. Relius, you''re somehow different from the other craftsmen.


    Another craftsman?


    ''Yes. .........Well, can you pretend that you didn''t hear what I said here?


    Yes, I don''t mind.


    When I said that, Krua sighed a small sigh and then said.


    ''''After all, craftsmen sell skills, don''t they?''''


    Yes, sir.


    So, well, you know, there are a lot of people who are quite uptight or arrogant about it.


    ''....Oh, I see.


    Well, in my case, I don''t feel like I''m making things.


    Other people are making them from scratch, and I''m sure they have a lot of love for them and so on.


    That''s why it''s quite difficult for me to do. Sometimes I have the opportunity to have dinner with craftsmen, but it''s not easy to get along with them.


    ...I see.


    ''To begin with, they''re all older people, and they usually make s*xually harassing remarks, and if you want to, sometimes they try to touch you... if you want to do that, you can go to those places!


    She said with a bushy face.


    If you look closely, your face is a little red.


    She sips at the glass that was at hand.


    .........Is that, perhaps, alcohol?


    She and I have already reached adulthood, so I can drink alcohol with no problem.


    But I never really tasted much of it, so I rarely sipped it.


    In case you''re wondering, I had a drink with my parents on the day I came of age. I didn''t get drunk at all, so I guess I''m a strong drinker.


    I called out to the waiter who brought us our next meal.


    Excuse me, sir. Did you bring me some alcohol?


    "...no?��This seat is--Wait, wait a minute!


    She looked at Mr. Krua''s glass and dropped back to the back, looking flustered.


    Then the clerk and possibly the manager came over.


    ''I''m sorry. This one, I think I carried it by mistake...''''


    ...Huh, I see.


    ''''We didn''t have all you can drink today, but due to our ineptitude, you are free to drink as you wish...''''


    ...Okay. Mr. Krua, what do we do now?


    Okey-dokey.


    Honestly, I''m not happy just because I can drink all I want.


    If anything, I would have been happier if they''d cut the price in half, but well, it looks like Krua-san is having fun, so what''s the point?


    ''''Leliusu!��Listen to me!


    She pulls on my arm as if to spoil it.


    .........Krua-san, you seem to be quite weak on alcohol.

 27 Episode 27 Misunderstanding

    The dinner with Mr. Krua lasted for the next hour or so.


    Mr. Krua. He''s not a big drinker, but he drinks well.


    I had no choice but to drink along with him.


    "God, Lelius. I haven''t been drinking at all........


    I don''t know what the fun is in saying that, but Krua-san laughs out loud.


    ........yeah. It''s troublesome, like when my father-in-law had too much to drink.


    I can remember my mother-in-law always caring for my father-in-law with a dumbfounded look on her face.


    ........I wonder who would care for Krua-san?


    For example, does he live at home?��It''s not good. I don''t even know where Krua-san lives........


    Krua-san drank down the fruit wine as if it was the last drink.


    I mean, this is pretty easy to drink, not very booze-like. It''s like a juice.


    I still don''t like the particular taste of liquor, and I rarely drink it, but this one seems to have no problem.


    The bill........seems to have already been paid.


    I walked out of the shop while helping Krua-san with his shoulder.


    For now, I looked at Krua-san. He seems to be completely drunk. .........or is it better that he can still walk?


    I shoved half the price of the food I heard about earlier into Krua-san''s pocket.


    He''s probably too drunk to remember it anyway.


    Thank God for alcohol for that one....


    Uh, Mr. Krua. Let me take you home. Can you tell me where it is?


    Well, I''m with Relius.


    Sliding and hugging me. Oh, my tits are softly slapping my cheeks.


    How defenseless. I stop before the titty slap, but I quickly come to my senses.


    I shouldn''t.


    She was drunk and complaining a lot about the other craftsmen, you know.


    I can''t afford to be s*xually harassed.


    "Lelius, Lelius...


    So please don''t get too close to me.


    My throbbing heart jumps.


    It''s such a shock to me that it destroys my reasoning, as I''ve never been with a woman before.


    But I ... I''m going to build a good merchant and craftsman''s relationship with her!


    I walk through the city, awakening something like a craftsman''s spirit.


    ...........................What should I do?


    Where should I carry Krua-san to?


    The only thing I know about Mr. Krua''s house is the warehouse.


    It''s where my goods are stored, and if I can haul them there, I might be able to make it.


    Just think of what would happen if I carried Krua-san there now and there was nothing there.


    No, it would be great because every time I walked, my chest would hit my cheek, but there was no guarantee that Krua-san wouldn''t get sick.


    As soon as possible, I''d like to get her laid down.


    ''Can''t help it, huh?''


    It would be best to take them to our inn.


    ........My parents might get suspicious, but let''s just take it as it comes.


    I let out a small breath and then headed to the inn with Krua-san.


    ��


    It was about twenty minutes after that when we arrived at the inn.


    It was because Krua-san had originally chosen that restaurant as a place close to my house.


    ........That was a great help, but our inn is already closed for reception.


    It would be nice if there were extra rooms, but it''s so popular now.


    In the past, it wouldn''t have been hard to stay for a day or so, but now it would be difficult.


    .........You can stay in my room. I''ll just rest in the waiting room, I guess.


    When I entered the shop with that feeling, I found Mea-san who was just cleaning up.


    ''Is that Lelius?


    ''That was just fine, Miss Mair. If you could, would you mind helping me to care for her?��I''ll be sure to thank you later...


    What, she?


    Yes, yes....


    Did he look like a man?


    As I''m tilting my head, Mea-san is staring at me.


    ".........or let me take care of her....... Jeez, why don''t you just do it yourself?��It''s her.


    "...no, that''s why I thought I''d have Mea do it.


    What does this mean?��That''s it!��You want to show me off!


    You want to show me how it''s done?��What the hell is going on?


    I glance at Krua-san. ........She has a very selfish body for a woman.


    .........In contrast, what about Mea-san?��This one, of course, has larger breasts and such, but Krua''s would be larger.


    Perhaps, as a woman, she might be concerned about those aspects.


    I don''t mind.


    I''m not a tall person, so I still admire people who are bigger than me when I see them.


    ''No, I don''t mean that. I thought it would be Mea-san....


    Oh, that''s right...


    ''I''m sorry I didn''t think much of it. I should have considered Mair''s feelings as well...


    I bow my head deeply, and Mea''s eyes widen. Then he crammed in on us, his face bright red.


    Dust flew in the air. My mother-in-law would be mad if she saw me....


    ''Wow, you''ve noticed my feelings!


    Um, well, you know, I''m sorry.


    ...I shouldn''t have said that much.


    I''m not a delinquent man. I remembered that Lynn had scolded me for it once.


    Mea was red up to her ears and was bobbing her dog''s tail.


    She covered her face with her hands and bobbed her head.


    ''....Oh no. I didn''t think they noticed....


    "...Mr. Mare?


    Hmm, baby?


    Aren''t you a dog person?


    I check her ears and tail. I''m pretty sure it''s Dog People.


    That''s when it happened.


    Perhaps it was because of the noise, but my mother-in-law came down the stairs.


    ''What''s going on, mare?


    ...er, uh, well!


    Mare looked at me in a panic.


    My mother-in-law glances at the dust scattered about.


    Then she looks at the woman leaning towards me.


    ''Oh my, is that you, girlfriend?��You''re already growing up. We''ll have to get you one room!


    No, stepmother. Don''t you recognize this face?


    ''Oh, my God, I can''t believe you''re introducing her to me Lilina, Lugis, your son is an adult now.


    I''d appreciate it if you didn''t introduce me to my parents.


    After all she is, after all.............


    Mea''s shoulders are slumped in a crumpled heap.


    At the same time, my mother-in-law winks at Mair, "Yes, that''s right.


    ''Yes, that''s right. It''s a good thing that you''re able to have a good time with them. As I recall, she''s a merchant, right?


    ''If you remember,'' he said, ''don''t say anything else.


    Yeah. I accidentally drank a bottle of alcohol and it went down. If you have an extra room, I''d like to rent it to you.


    Oh, why don''t you go to your room?


    No, of course not.


    All right, all right. I''ll go get you some.


    Please.


    My mother-in-law walked up the stairs in a hurry.


    Mea looked at me in surprise.


    ''''Well you''re not going out with them, are you?


    Yes, although we''re business partners.


    ...right. What a misunderstanding.


    What is your mistake?


    Hey, it''s nothing. Don''t worry about it.


    Mea shook her head happily.


    And that''s when it happened. My mother-in-law glanced at the mare from the stairs.


    "You''re going to have to clean that up, aren''t you?


    The smile was scary.

 28 Episode 28 Friends

    After talking to my mother-in-law.


    I was given the use of the waiting room.


    Mr. Krua was to have the use of my room.


    Had Ms. Krua been awake, I''m sure she would have refused at all costs.


    In the first place, if she had been awake, I would not have brought her to the inn.


    In the anteroom, I made my bed for today only, and I lay down.


    Not that it was any different from what I normally do.


    The bed isn''t any different from the one I usually use.


    I''m starting to get a little sleepy, probably because I''ve had a good amount of alcohol too.


    Not long after I closed my eyes, I fell asleep.


    ��


    If I woke up in the morning and woke up in a strange room, I''m sure Krua-san would be worried.


    I woke up before she woke up, and I tidied up the bed before I went to my room.


    Several times, I knocked.


    But there was no response.


    ........As expected, would she still be asleep?��I was tempted to let her sleep for the rest of the day, but she might have plans for the rest of the day.


    ''If you''ll excuse me, Miss Krua,''


    I call out to him and then enter the room.


    ''Whoa,''


    What I noticed when I entered the room was how badly Krua was sleeping.


    Perhaps his mother-in-law would have put the covers on him, but the covers had been thrown up in the day after tomorrow.


    Her mother-in-law had changed Krua-san''s clothes for her, but she had taken them off as well.


    She is breathing in her sleep unprotected. Each time she does so, her huge breasts go up and down.


    I thought they were big even on top of their clothes, but raw is even more amazing.


    No, no.


    It''s rude to Krua to have impure feelings.


    It''s just a very difficult situation to wake up in.


    ...Should I go get your mother-in-law or Mea?


    No, both of us will already be busy getting ready to open in the morning.


    It was a holiday for me, so I have the whole day to spare.


    After all, she''s my partner in the first place.


    "Krua-san. You have to get up. It''s morning.


    ...up?


    My voice seemed to reach Krua, and his eyes snapped open.


    He looked as if he hadn''t slept. He still doesn''t seem to grasp the situation.


    ''''Huh...?��Uh, Mr. Relius, is it?


    It doesn''t seem to have been called out like yesterday.


    That one was fresh, so it was rather possible, but it was a shame.


    ''Yes. ''I''m Lelius. Yesterday, Krua-san drank alcohol by mistake and collapsed as it was, so I carried him back to the inn...''''


    "...what?��What?


    I''ll tell you the situation in a nutshell.


    Krua-san is probably thinking back to the situation yesterday.


    Gradually, her face changes to a pale one.


    The expression on her face changes to one that looks as if she has done something irreparable.


    "I''m sorry too!


    Ms. Krua bowed her head vigorously, still in her underwear.


    It was an all-out apology, rubbing her hands, knees and forehead on the floor.


    ''Uh, no. I don''t mind.''''


    ''That''s not going to happen!��Wow, I''m a merchant and I''ve caused a lot of trouble for the craftsmen!��This is not a good way to be a partner!


    Polopolo and she lowered her head over and over again, spilling tears.


    ........For now, I want you to get dressed, but even that was hard to cut out.


    The only thing that turned out to be true was that I was glad I didn''t act like I was looking for someone I knew in Krua-san''s life.


    If a close merchant had seen Mr. Krua, wouldn''t he have been furious about that?


    ........Krua-san is serious about being a merchant and trying to make a living. That''s why he wants to face the craftsmen properly as a merchant.


    And, well, yesterday, I made a mistake because of some ineptitude on the part of the store.


    I''ve made a few mistakes in dealing with customers, too.


    It would be fine if it was just me, but I might get the store in trouble. The moment I think that, I feel so sorry.


    I''m sure Krua-san is feeling similar to that right now.


    It''s not enough for me to say, "That''s fine.


    I don''t know how the other craftsmen will respond. But I think they will generally terminate the contract, based on this kind of attitude from Mr. Krua.


    However, I was hoping to continue working with Mr. Krua.


    It''s not because she''s beautiful or anything like that. No, it''s about 10 or 20 percent.


    It''s simply because she''s serious and fun to be in contact with.


    Even if the amount of money that comes to me in the allocation in the future is reduced, I''ll still be the same and I''ll continue my current relationship with her.


    I simply liked the one person she was.


    ''Miss Krua,''


    Oh, um ... wow, it''s my own fault. My carelessness led to this, so--


    Would you just put your clothes on for now?


    What?


    Then she glanced at her own body.


    Then Krua-san turned bright red and put her hands on her chest.


    ��


    For now, he was able to calm down some, having changed his clothes.


    Krua-san was sitting flat on the bed with a bright red face.


    ''Krua-san.


    Yes, sir.


    First of all, I don''t think I was in any way responsible for this.


    Why is that?��I have caused you a lot of trouble. I had you carry me to the inn and even provided me with a room.


    .........Krua-san must have become aware of the part that it''s work.


    Then you need to get rid of that part first.


    ''''I didn''t go to see Krua-san on business, you know?


    ''What?��Um ... what do you mean by that?


    I was just going out for a drink with my friends.


    ....


    Mr. Krua looked at me in surprise. Then he shook his head.


    ''Even if you are, I went there as a job. And yet, like that--


    ''I hope you''ll be sorry about that, but I went out drinking with my friends, and they drank like idiots, and I got drunk on it. That''s about the extent of my perception, you know?


    Ms. Krua gave me an indescribable look, and then her face sank.


    Before she could say anything else, I continued.


    ''And when I was carrying Krua-san up here... well, you know. I got hit in the chest a few times. I even thought it was better for me to apologize rather than the other way around, you know?


    ...nothing. I don''t think Lelius-san did it with such an ulterior motive.


    ''Really?��But then again, I''m a man myself. It''s not like I wasn''t aware of it at all.��...anyway. This one is here to make that apology too. I''m sorry.


    ....


    She closed her mouth and I reached out to her again.


    ''Besides, sir. Will you continue to work with me in the future?��I like this man, Mr. Krua. I want to work with you.


    ....


    Mr. Krua''s eyes widened, and then he gave a small nod.


    She nodded and gave me a nod.


    ''''........I understand. I''m sorry. I will make sure that this doesn''t happen in the future.''''


    ''That''s fine for work, but when we go out for drinks as friends, please don''t worry about it. I was happy to see Krua-san, which I don''t usually see, too.


    But I won''t make any more mistakes like today!


    Krua-san turned red in the face and exclaimed.

 29 Episode 29 Skill Verification

    Mr. Krua then left the inn.


    By the time she left, her expression had softened a lot, so she should be fine.


    ........Good. We can work together again in the future.


    Krua-san, I was feeling pretty responsible.


    You don''t have to worry about it so much. I just wish you would relax a little more.


    I look at the paper on the desk in my room.


    The days of the merchant''s visit to the city that Krua-san had told me about before were written in a row.


    I heard that the market will be held this afternoon.


    The square will be busy preparing for the market this afternoon.


    I woke up early today because Mr. Krua said he was going to help.


    The reason I went to check on the market is to acquire new skills.


    Hopefully they have some good equipment for sale.


    I''m heading to the city in the afternoon.


    In the morning, I had a few things I wanted to verify about the equipment and skills.


    First of all, when I''m an adventurer, I''m equipped with a large amount of weapons.


    That''s because the effects of skills are only activated when you''re wearing them.


    I knew that, but then, how far does it go to be treated as equipment?


    In fact, the skills of the equipment that left my hands during the battle would have been activated as well.


    So, what makes it off the equipment and what makes it a piece of equipment?


    I wanted to find out about those.


    In particular, the problem is the one that comes off.


    We wouldn''t want it to come off the equipment unexpectedly in the middle of battle.


    First things first.


    Right now, the item box that''s being used as a storeroom is...


    We can''t do that, can we?


    Well, I understood this. Even now, I have the knife and other things with the skill on it tucked away, but it doesn''t have any effect on my body.


    For now, I take out the skilled knife and start examining it.


    I grabbed it and after about ten seconds passed, my body felt lighter.


    ........I guess that means I''ve equipped it now.


    The next step is to verify the skills.


    The easiest thing to examine is the automatic return.


    This is probably one of the curses, but it''s one of the curses that returns to the equipmenter when the equipment reaches its limit.


    Once it is worn, it cannot be removed again.


    Well essentially, it''s not very useful, but when applied to combat, it can be used like a boomerang.


    I keep that equipment at a distance and count the seconds.


    ........After ten seconds have passed, the skill seems to have been activated and returned to my hand.


    Is it ten seconds to cease to be treated as equipment?


    Try it with other equipment.


    Equip the one with a large amount of muscle strengthening and then place it away from you.


    ........Huh?


    After a while, there is no change in my body.


    ........maybe it''s because it''s so close?


    Does it have to be worn separately as long as it''s placed at a distance where you can reach it?


    It was then.


    There was a knock on the door of the room.


    ''Who is it?''


    It''s me, Mare.


    It''s Mea-san.


    When I opened the door with my mind, I found Mea-san dressed in cute clothes.


    ........Huh?��I wonder what that is.


    It looks like our uniform, but it seems to be more glamorous than before.


    ''What''s going on?''


    Hey, I heard they''re going to be adopting a new uniform for the occasion. They''re going to take this opportunity to change it.


    Well, it looks great on you.


    Does it look good on me?��I haven''t worn frilly clothes like this very often, you know...


    ''You have a nice ex, Mea, so you''ll look good in anything you wear.


    Mea''s face turned red at that moment, as if it had exploded in a blur.


    Her face was depressed, but her tail was wagging happily.


    ........that''s right. It was just as well.


    ''''Mea-san. Is it time for a break?


    Oh, yeah I''m taking a lunch break.


    Then can I ask you to come along for a moment?


    ''What?��No, no ... well, I can''t afford to go anywhere near that--


    Would you mind grabbing one of the knives I have lined up there?


    ''What?��.... yeah.


    After tilting her head, Mair grabbed one of the knives that were lined up on the bed.


    ''Is this the right one?''


    Yes.


    Then ten seconds passed and my body got a little heavier.


    ........It means I''ve moved away from the equipment.


    If it''s up to a certain distance, does that mean the skill will activate if the owner doesn''t move to another one?


    If the demon is a messed up idiot, then just rolling the equipment with the skill on it out there is going to raise my ability by a lot.


    ........However, such a situation would be hard to come by.


    ''''Thank you, Mea-san.


    ''Oh, oh my God what have you been doing?''


    I was looking into the requirements for activating the skills on the equipment.


    I see...?


    Mair nodded and tilted her head.


    I then explained briefly.


    Thanks to Mea-san''s help, we''ve done a little more research on the skill.


    Now it''s just a matter of how far away we need to activate it.


    ''Lelius. Do you have a moment?


    What is it?


    I''m thinking of taking on the nearby labyrinth next time. But I think it would be difficult to be alone, as expected........would you like to come with me?


    Are you sure it''s me?


    ''No, I suppose if you''re as powerful as Lelius, you''re perfect...''


    ...Is that right?


    Even now, the only demons I would defeat are goblins.


    However, I also wanted to try to fight as many strong demons as possible while Mea-san was here.


    It might cause you trouble, Mea-san.


    But I''d like to have a bit of an adventure, too.


    ''''I understand. I''m good.''''


    Oh, really?��Then why don''t you come with me on my next vacation!


    ''Okay. If I recall, we were off together three days later, right?


    Oh!


    So let''s go to that day.


    Yeah, nice to meet you.


    Mea-san bowed her head to me, so I returned it in the same way.


    Mea-san raised her face and then scratched her cheek.


    Her expression seemed somewhat difficult to say.


    ''''What''s wrong?


    Well no, you see. I just wanted to ask you something.


    What is this?


    ''Was it Mr. Krua, the one you brought in yesterday?��You''re a merchant of everything, and you work together, right?


    Yes, sir.


    Come to think of it, I hadn''t explained the details of the situation since I met Mea-san yesterday.


    I should have told Mea-san since she has done a lot for me, so I should have told her.


    ''''You don''t have anything more than a working relationship with her...?


    "...more than a business relationship?��What is it?


    You mean, like, like a lover?


    What...


    How dare you ask me that!


    In my brain, I can picture Krua-san in her underwear. And to top it all off, it''s a little naughty!


    Oh, no!��Piss off!


    None. Krua-san and I are merchants and craftsmen.


    Mr. Krua is a person who is chasing his dream of being a merchant.


    He would never do anything to stand in the way of that person.


    ''Is that so?��Well, you see, it''s just that... Ristina heard me!��I thought it was a shady relationship!


    Mr. Ristina... oh.


    He''s a newcomer who is quick to make fun of people.


    He was quiet for the first week or so, but now he''s gotten used to it, or maybe he''s teasing people.


    ........He''s not a bad kid, and he''s good at his job, so it''s okay.


    ''I''m sorry. I''m sorry to hear that!��So long!


    Yes. Good luck with your work this afternoon.


    ...ah...


    Mea smiles at me and then leaves the room.


    I then perform the final skill verification.


    The range that would be recognized as equipment was roughly up to about three meters.


    It was shorter than I expected.


    However, it didn''t seem to matter how far away they were from me for ten seconds after I grabbed it.


    If automatic feedback was activated during that time, it would be treated as an equipment again.

 30 Episode 30 Encounter

    In the afternoon, I head to the city to strengthen my equipment.


    Currently, in order for me to get stronger quickly, acquiring skills is a must.


    Even though there is a numerical limit to the skills that can be given to equipment, if it''s a recently crafted weapon, I can still get at least four S-ranked skills.


    So there''s no need to be so conscious of it.


    And in the first place, having one attack skill, such as Bone Shot, is enough.


    With that in mind, I headed to the plaza.


    Called Fountain Plaza, this place was a serene place surrounded by a fountain.


    There are even rumors that couples who tie the knot in front of this fountain will live happily ever after....


    But now.........it may not seem like it, but it doesn''t have a shred of that mysterious atmosphere.


    ''Welcome!��This is Ritheia''s famous mangeo!��It''s fresh and good!


    ''We have a ton of accessories today!��Whoa, there''s a couple of them!��What do you say, why don''t we take a look!


    Merchants were touting here and there.


    Normally, the sound of the fountains flowing would have soothed me, but when I listened carefully, all I could hear was the wild voices of the merchants.


    Occasionally, there were women, but in total, there were fewer of them.


    Would there be fewer women merchants until they made the journey?


    While thinking about that, I search for skilled equipment.


    The fact that I had found them so easily so far was probably a stroke of luck.


    It was when I went around to a few shops.


    I found a sword.


    It must be an ornamental sword. The beautiful blade caught my attention.


    ''Oh, come in!��Brother, how about this accessory over here!


    The shopkeeper recommended the accessories, as well.


    I was just curious about the sword.


    The Sword of Torimino, C rank.


    Visual enhancement S-rank, transparency S-rank.


    I can kind of understand the visual enhancement.


    It could be used for detecting demons and such.


    But I was very curious about the Invisibility S rank.


    I''m going to be able to look into the women''s bathhouse if I have this, right?


    With those guilty feelings in one corner, I look at the accessories first.


    Even if I tell the merchant that I want a sword out of the blue, he or she might look at my feet.


    I look at the accessories first, but none of them have skills attached to them.


    ''''Do you sell swords over here too?''''


    Well, we''re selling it. How''s that?��That''s a nice little sword, isn''t it?��How about five thousand gold!


    No, no. It''s too high.


    It''s not that you can''t pay, but it''s stupid to pay for this amount.


    ''''No, how can I pay that amount for a mere ornamental sword?��Hasn''t it sold out in the past?


    No, no, no, he was very popular.��It just so happened that they were all customers that we didn''t have on hand.


    Okay.


    This merchant seems to really want to sell it for that price.


    I was looking for an ornamental weapon and if that''s what you''re looking for we can go around to the others.


    ...Oh wait, sir. Would you like me to put some other accessories on you?


    Accessories. How long will you be wearing it?


    I don''t really need any accessories, though.


    After talking to the merchant for a while, I ended up having him sell it to me for 3500 gold.


    I also had him put on some accessories.


    I didn''t need them, but what I did have them put on was a ring.


    I had never made a ring before.


    If it''s a ring, it''s not that noticeable even if you wear it.


    If you wear it on all of your fingers on both hands, it would be easy to benefit from your skills.


    I guess I''ll have to cover my hands with something like a glove.


    In order to receive more of the benefits of the skill, wearing a number of thin clothes is one way to do so.


    Gloves and the like would be a candidate for that.


    I look around the city for a while while thinking about that.


    .........hmmm. I can''t find any new skills.


    I happened to have a skill on the accessory, but it was a C-rank in muscle strengthening that I already had.


    It was time to go home.


    ''''Welcome!''''


    I heard a familiar voice, so I turned around.


    When I looked over there, I saw Krua-san dressed in a maid''s uniform.


    Her cheeks were a little red, but it couldn''t be my imagination.


    Her ample breasts are emphasized and her appearance is quite exciting.


    I wasn''t the only one who felt this way.


    Her appearance made all the guests flock to her.


    With a smile, Kurua leads the men toward the shop.


    I head closer. And then my eyes met with Mr. Krua''s.


    "Rerius-san!


    Yes. Hello.


    Krua-san''s face gets redder and redder as I lightly bow my head in greeting.


    ''''Hey, why are you here!


    I''m an adventurer, so I thought I''d see if I could find some bargains at the market.


    The sword I purchased earlier was secretly tucked away in the back.


    I had already destroyed it with a hammer and retrieved it as a material.


    It was also newly made possible, so I''ll try to make one at some point.


    I don''t know how well it works, but it seems to be stronger than the equipment of the goblin and red wolf systems.


    And aside from the glass-like blade, the rest of it is just a normal double-edged sword.


    ''''Nah, I see.......Oh, can you not look at it too much?''''


    ''It suits you, so you don''t have to be so shy, do you?


    It''s nothing, it''s just, uh, uh, thank you.


    Peco and Krua bowed his head in embarrassment.


    The customers around her are looking at us suspiciously or unhappily.


    .........Even if I''m not too close to her, I''m afraid I''ll cause trouble for her and the shop I''m helping her in.


    ''''Well then, see you later.''''


    Yes!


    After telling Krua-san that much, I left the place.


    ........I can''t wait to get home and try out my skills.


    I didn''t usually run, but I did my best to get home.


    When I got to my room, I took out the equipment that the Invisibility S rank gave me.


    Now, let''s try out my new skill.


    Desperately suppressing my throbbing heart, I activated Invisibility.

 31 Chapter 31: Labyrinth

    Today, I was going to enter the labyrinth with Mea-san.


    .........Labyrinth, huh?


    I''m worried about whether it''s okay for me, who doesn''t even have a divine weapon, to challenge the labyrinth.


    However, the difficulty of the labyrinth to challenge is E rank labyrinth.


    The lowest is an F-ranked labyrinth, so I was a bit wary, but Mea-san saw how well I fought and told me there was no problem.


    According to the information that Mea-san had researched beforehand, the demons that appeared were only a hair''s breadth from the goblins I''m currently fighting.


    In fact, Mea-san also dove alone and decided that it was safe.


    If that''s the case, I agreed that it''s okay. If it was impossible, we could simply turn back at a lower level.


    I came to the adventurer''s street with Mea-san.


    ''''Mea-san. Didn''t you prepare to go to the labyrinth yesterday?


    Me and Mea both have everything we need ready to go by yesterday.


    We didn''t cover the holidays, though, so we didn''t get ready together.


    I even had a hard time getting to sleep yesterday because I was rechecking before I went to bed.


    ''Yeah, but apparently they''ve got a lot of potions in stock.


    ...I see.


    ''''It''s because of the fact that we''ve hardly been able to get any medicinal herbs lately, which is why herbs have gone up in price. Huh........If I had known, I wouldn''t have gotten into those expensive medicinal herbs.


    Mea-san was biting her lips in frustration.


    ........A large shipment of potions.


    Maybe the herbs I created had something to do with it.


    If that''s the case, then maybe it would have been better to tell Mea-san about it.


    ........Or rather, I didn''t even tell Mea-san that I could create potions in the first place.


    ''''Mea-san. If it''s potions, I''ve prepared a lot of them too, so please don''t worry.


    What?��Was it?


    I wasn''t sure if I should tell him, but I''m sure Mea would be fine.


    ''He''s my blacksmith and can create potions too. I''m sorry I forgot to tell you.


    ''What?


    Maybe.


    But I don''t have any combat-type abilities, and the only thing I can take advantage of is that I can make anything at the moment.


    Of course, thanks to my increased level, I''ve been able to handle battles against demons without difficulty - but it''s still plain.


    It doesn''t have the flamboyance of a divine weapon.


    I also wanted a power that could burn down everything around me like Mea-san.


    ''''Then I might turn to Lelius if it comes to that.


    Yes, I''ll take care of it.


    ''I think we''ll go to the labyrinth just outside the south gate. Are you ready?


    ''Yes, sir. I''m sure you''ll be taught a lot of things in the labyrinth. I look forward to working with you.


    Yeah, I''m on it.


    I walked with Mea-san to the labyrinth.


    ''Speaking of which, Mea-san. Your shift has been reduced a bit recently, hasn''t it?


    "Well yeah, I guess. I''ve been doing great since Lelius reviewed my equipment.


    Mr. Mair was wagging his tail happily.


    ''Really?��Good for you!��You told me that your dream was to become famous as an adventurer.


    ''Oh!��All of this is because of you.


    Is it because you reviewed your equipment?


    ''Of course you do!��Ever since you gave me the equipment, my body isn''t as sharp as it used to be.


    ''That''s just a start. It''s only because of your groundwork, Mair.


    Equipment is equipment.


    If the person wearing it doesn''t have the skills to handle it, it will be a waste of treasure.


    Is that so?


    Mea is happily puffing out her chest.


    Her tail is also wagging and bobbing.


    ''''Yes.


    Yeah.


    ...So you''ve been cutting back on your shifts.


    ''Yes, you will. From now on, even adventurers will be able to earn a good deal of money, you know. Of course, I''ll be able to get a part-time job at the inn until things stabilize, but.... I may leave it completely at some point, you know.


    Yeah?


    I''m a little disappointed.


    As was the case when Lynn was gone, it''s sad to see someone so close to you go away.


    I wonder if Lynne is training at the school right now.


    He''s a brave man, and I''m sure he''s become absurdly strong.


    I''m sure he''s not even close to being a match for me.


    I''ve spoken to your parents about it.


    So, you''ve been looking for a new job.


    I had heard that they have been recruiting again recently.


    Apparently it wasn''t just because they were busy.


    ''''........Yeah.''''


    Mea-san had an apologetic look on her face.


    ........Why does she look like that?


    ''''Mea-san. Good luck, adventurer.


    ...Relius?


    "I''m supporting Mea''s dream of becoming a famous adventurer. .... become a famous adventurer, and then one day come back to stay at the inn. At that time, I''ll bring a lot of disciples and friends with me, and I''ll just rent out the inn.


    "...Relius.


    Miss Mair pursed her lips and then huffed.


    I know. Thanks to you, I''ve been able to break free of my doubts.


    Lost?


    I love the atmosphere of the workplace.


    ...It wasn''t hard to see why.


    A place where I could feel safe.


    When my parents were killed by a demon, I was worried.


    But thanks to my current in-laws and Lynn I was able to bounce back reasonably quickly.


    I''m going to be strong enough to defeat the demon that killed my parents!��Maybe it was also because I had the thought that.


    ''Dreams, right?''


    Yeah.


    ''''Then good luck with that. I''ll tell the customers and the new part-timers that an S-ranked adventurer used to work here.


    ''Well, I''m still rated E!��Don''t do it!


    Mr. Mair shook his head in a panic.


    ''''That''s right. Let''s start with today''s labyrinth attack.''''


    You''ll have to help me with that. Thank you, Lelius.


    ''Yes. I''ll do my best not to drag you down.


    Well no, well, I''m sure Lelius will be fine.


    Even so, I don''t have the power to kick the place apart in an instant.


    I can only fight them one by one, steady and steady.


    When we reach the entrance of the labyrinth, we look at each other.


    ''''You''re ready?''''


    Yes. I''m pretty sure there are ten levels, right?


    ''''Yeah. I''ve researched the terrain as well as the demons at all levels beforehand, so it shouldn''t be difficult to capture them. And when the time comes, we have these magic tools too.


    Mea holds out a green ball.


    It''s a magic tool that allows you to escape from the labyrinth.


    I''ve already been able to make that too. It''s a pretty good price, so it wouldn''t be a bad idea to take it to the guild if you''re in need of money.


    Once we both confirmed that we could escape at any time, we stepped into the small mountain that is the entrance to the labyrinth.


    When I thought of that, I felt sad, but at the same time, I felt I had to enjoy today''s day to the fullest.

 32 Episode 32 ``Transparency

    As I descended the stairs, I reached the first level of the labyrinth.


    It is said that the demon that appears on the first level is a wolf.


    ''''I''ve heard that the wolves in this labyrinth aren''t very strong.


    I see.


    When I asked Mea for more information, she said that the demons in this labyrinth are for novice adventurers.


    One level of the labyrinth is a grassland-like space.


    The structure of the labyrinth is full of strange things, but it''s no use thinking about it.


    It''s a world that scholars smarter than me couldn''t figure out even if they looked into it.


    As I walked through the meadow, I activated my visual enhancement.


    The effect of the visual enhancement was still intact. It was an enhancement of vision and also an increase in vision.


    It''s easy to use for detecting demons because you can also see overhead.


    It was a good idea. A little further on in the meadow, in a dense space of trees, I saw Wolf resting.


    ''''Mea-san. There''s a wolf just ahead of you,''''


    What?��Lelius. Can you possibly detect it?


    Yeah, well. I''ve been able to do that lately.


    Oh, really? You''re still the same, man.


    Mea-san looks at me in surprise.


    I just happened to get the skill. I just got lucky.


    ''''Come to think of it, labyrinths have demons coming out of the walls, don''t they?


    As I was activating my visual enhancement so as not to miss the Wolf, I was also able to witness the Wolf being born from the walls of the labyrinth.


    I had some knowledge of it, but there was a part of me that was surprised to see it in person like this.


    ''''Ah, yes. So the basic rule is to avoid walking on the wall side in the labyrinth.''''


    ...It''s possible to be attacked by a demon out of the blue, isn''t it?


    A surprise strike is a quick attack to bridge the power gap.


    We wouldn''t have to walk all the way to a place where we could be caught by surprise.


    When we got to the forest, we found the Wolves right away.


    There''s only one.


    ''Mr. Mare. I''d like to try out a few new skills, if that''s okay with you?


    Oh, a new skill?��Come to think of it, you can see the skills.


    ''Yes. Last time I visited the city, I was able to buy some skills.


    At my words, Mea-san had a surprised look on her face.


    ''''........I see. Being able to see your skills also has that advantage?''''


    Yes, so can I try a few things?


    Yeah. Okay.


    I really wanted to check it out before Mea and I dove into the labyrinth, but unfortunately I didn''t have a day off.


    I take out my knife and then activate the skill.


    The skill to be activated is invisibility.


    This is the ability to make the thing granted to me invisible by being aware of it here.


    ........In other words, it can''t be used against a human target.


    That''s why the dream of me becoming invisible myself was so quickly cut off.


    I fell asleep that day, depressed.


    I throw the invisible knife at Wolf.


    The knife hit Wolf''s body, which was evident by the spurt of blood.


    Wolf looks around in surprise. He seems to know that the knife is stuck in his body, but his expression is dubious.


    ........The only advantage of making a weapon invisible is this.


    Being able to deliver an invisible blow from a long distance would be a huge advantage by itself, but it''s not that much of an enhancement.


    The Wolf jumped at me.


    I dodge the attack with plenty of time to spare and kick him.


    The Wolf was blown away by my kick.


    After rolling on the ground a few times, it disappeared, leaving only the material behind.


    In the labyrinth, no demon corpses are left behind.


    They would disappear, leaving only some of the material behind.


    I heard that many ordinary adventurers have a rather favorable opinion that it would save the trouble of dismantling them, but for me, it simply reduces the amount of material.


    My physical abilities have improved enough.


    The reason for this is because I''ve mass-produced a ring and put it in my pocket.


    As expected, it was a hindrance to wear it on my finger to fight, so I stopped.


    However, you can''t put that many skills on rings and other accessories.


    The best ones were about 0/80, and if I wanted to add an S-ranked skill, I''d have to settle for just one.


    Perhaps the size of the equipment determines the limit value to some extent.


    I''m not going to be able to get it right.


    As I was collecting the materials, Mea-san approached me with a drawn-out expression.


    ''''Relius you''re getting even stronger.


    ...Is that right?


    The increase in levels may have something to do with it.


    But for me personally, it''s hard to tell.


    Strengthening of muscles, for example, is the sense that the limits of strength are being stretched.


    Of course, basic strength has also improved, but it''s not the kind of growth that makes it impossible to bend a fork by accident.


    But you''ve been feeling better lately, haven''t you, Mair?


    Well, yeah, well what, did someone tell you?


    Yes, sir. To the adventurers who came to the inn.


    Whatever it is, Mea says that she is now being invited by others from the party.


    She says she now has enough time to accomplish her request a hundred percent.


    ''''Mea-san''s divine artifacts are excellent, so I''m sure you won''t have any difficulty in attacking the labyrinth, right?


    Of course I''m not going to give you a hard time. I need to get some light prep work in, too. Okay?


    Yes, sir.


    I''ll spot the Wolf again.


    There he is.


    "Mea-san, we found the wolf. Let''s just keep going in that direction.


    Your detection skills are very useful.


    Mea-san looks at me enviously.


    ''''Shall I grant it to Mea-san''s equipment as well?''''


    ''No, no it''s fine!��Because I can''t be a really strong adventurer if I''m relying on you to do it for me!


    Mea-san shook her head.


    I wouldn''t be able to fight that much without the equipment I have now.


    It''s good to have more equipment, but I have to grow more myself.


    Mea''s words reminded me of that again.


    Then we found the Wolf and Mair-san attacked.


    A beautiful fire burns away the Wolf.


    ........After all, it''s nice to have a divine weapon that can fight so well.


    Will I be able to make even more amazing weapons one day?


    I''ll have to raise the bar even more in order to get to the day when I''ll be able to make a great weapon that ranks up there with the divine weapons.


    ''''No problem for me either. This should take me to the lowest level.


    I understand. Well then, thank you again for your time.


    Yeah, nice to meet you.


    We descended into the lower levels of the labyrinth at the same rate.

 33 Episode 33: Boss Battle

    We went down the hierarchy with no problem at all.


    Then we arrived at the tenth level.


    While descending the stairs that connect the nine and ten levels, I read out the paper that Mea-san took out.


    ''The boss of this labyrinth is a demon called Poison Snake.


    Poison Snakes, huh?


    It''s a giant snake, to put it bluntly.


    A snake, huh?


    Does that mean they''re going to launch a poisonous attack?


    ...I suppose. And I hear it''s resistant to poison.


    So, the current attack of poisoning it and then slowly grinding it away won''t work, right?��Well, you can try it for now.


    "I''ll drink this poison resistant potion beforehand against their poison, so there''s no problem.


    ''Poison resistance potions........is there such a thing?''


    Yeah. I have ten of them ready. One of these will give you about five minutes of effect. We can fight for twenty-five minutes together.


    ....


    I turn my attention to the poison resistant potion.


    ...can be created, she says, with an F-grade.


    All of the potions she brought me were F-rated.


    What''s the matter, Relius?


    ''''I was just wondering, is there a case where each potion has a different effect time?''''


    Yeah, sure. But it''s all in about five minutes. Rest assured, it''s my own personal choice of potion. All for good effect.


    .........Mea-san.


    Come to think of it, she was dressed in equipment with a negative effect on her whole body.


    I guess she''s no good at connoisseurship. No, I would have been on the same level as Mea-san if it weren''t for the blacksmith.


    For her to become famous as an adventurer in the future, the first thing she will have to do is to partner with someone who can be a connoisseur.


    ''''Mea-san. These potions, they''re all F-rated.


    ''Wha...?��No way!��.........Oh, by the way, did Lelius can see the ranks too?


    Yes...... Maybe, Mea-san. I don''t think I''m much of a connoisseur.


    I tell her with a heartbeat, thinking of her future.


    With a shudder, Mea slackened her ears and tail.


    ''In the future, when you buy something for yourself, you might as well buy something you feel bad about.


    Oh, yeah.


    Or you can find a fellow connoisseur.


    Okay.


    Mea-san said without energy.


    For now, I take the potion from Mea-san and destroy it with my hammer.


    Then, I spend my magic power to create a potion.


    The first one is A-ranked. It''s roughly equivalent to a B to S rank.


    Come to think of it, Lelius can make potions too!��You''ve rebuilt it!


    ''Yes. I think this will all last at least five minutes. All of them have a rank of B or better.


    ''Really?��That''s great, Lelius!��...I''m sorry, I''m sorry to make you have to clean up my mess.


    ''I don''t mind it at all. I''ve been able to create new potions as well. Also, I''ll give you a state recovery potion just in case.


    I quickly handed some of the potions to Mair-san.


    Then Mea''s eyes widened.


    ''I wondered why ... but you can make Relius.


    ...Yes. What''s going on?


    There aren''t many state recovery potions on the market these days. They''re commanding a high price.


    ...Oh, I see.


    I''ve only been looking at skilled equipment lately, so I wasn''t familiar with those circumstances.


    I''ll have to check with Krua-san later.


    ''''Is this what the preparations look like?


    Yeah. If anything goes wrong, we''ll use an escape ball. We''ll have to make our own decision.


    I understand.


    However, it will probably be Mea-san who will make that decision.


    I''m just going to repeat the basic mid-range battle.


    After Mair-san uses it, I can use it to escape.


    And, you know what? The only thing you have to watch out for is the poison mist that you use when the normal poison snake is weak.


    The poisonous fog?


    Yeah. That poison seems to be the only one that releases a stronger poison than normal. That''s why even a poison resistant potion can''t protect against it.


    I see. I get it. But since I''m mostly covering you from mid-range, you should be more careful, mea-san, right?


    I know.


    Mea-san smiles.


    Taking that as our cue, we went down to the tenth level.


    00


    A huge snake was looking down at us.


    ........The snake moved as if it were sliding on the earth. The trees that were caught in it snapped off from the root.


    It was probably about thirteen meters long.


    The poison snake finds us and squints at us happily.


    It reacted as if it had found a bait.


    ''''Well, let''s do it!


    At the same time as Mea shouts out, she takes out her divine weapon.


    The flamberge erupts in fire. It''s as if Mea-san''s motivation has shifted.


    As Mea-san closed the distance in one fell swoop, Poison Snake spat poisonous liquid at her.


    Mea-san received it with her sword. The fire that erupted from the swung sword burned the poisonous liquid in an instant.


    It''s still a great amount of heat.


    Perhaps because Mea-san wielding it was the owner, she didn''t look hot at all.


    ........well, it''s too hot to touch the divine weapon, how embarrassing.


    As Mea-san gets closer, Poison Snake swings its tail down.


    I can''t watch it forever either.


    I move so that I''m in Poison Snake''s line of sight and throw the knife.


    It''s a knife with a poisonous attack.


    He said it''s resistant and probably won''t work.


    Still, it was when I had thrown it a few times as a stall, to get his attention.


    The moment the fifth knife stabbed into Poison Snake, it was obvious that Poison Snake''s face became pale.


    No, I''m not familiar with Poison Snake''s complexion, so it''s possible that it''s just my imagination.


    As I carefully observed Poison Snake, he looked like he was in pain every time he moved.


    ........After all, was the poison working?


    I slashed Poison Snake and leapt and Mea-san, who lined up next to me, looked at me.


    She has a surprised look on her face. I, too, widen my eyes at Mea-san''s inhuman movement.


    ''Your poison is working!��So that''s how good Lelius''s poison is!


    Did it work?


    ''Oh, it''s definitely working........'' With this, it looks like it won''t be a problem to focus on evading it somewhat!


    Ms. Mair chuckled and headed for Poison Snake.


    As she declared, her attacker''s hand was loosening up.


    The poison, without fail, is eating away at Poison Snake.


    As if unable to resist, Poison Snake opened its mouth wide.


    No way, it was a poisonous fog!


    Mea-san, who was nearby, gives me a look that says she''s put away.


    He hadn''t thought that Poison Snake would weaken so quickly.


    The poisonous fog that was spewed out attacked Mea-san.


    ''''Mea-san!


    ...No, I''m fine!


    Mr. Mair raised his voice and swung his sword out to dispel the fog.


    The blow slashed Poison Snake''s throat.


    ........He must have been caught off guard after the attack. Poison Snake slumped heavily. Mea kicks the earth and follows up with a chase.


    I fire a bone shot and cover him too.


    After receiving Mair''s blow, Poison Snake, which had been hit by my bone shot, shook its large body with a tremor and then fell.


    It shakes the earth with a thud.


    All that was left was the material lying on the ground.


    Mea-san was looking in that direction, breathing heavily.


    ''''........You did it, Mea-san.


    ...Oh, oh!


    Mare happily twitched her dog ears and then grabbed my hand.


    ''Lelius!��Thanks for helping me out here!��I could have beaten you because of you!


    Mair happily grabbed my hand and bounced on the spot.

 34 Episode 34 Dream

    The battle was over and we used our escape balls to get out of the labyrinth.


    We could have walked back, but we also felt elated that the battle was over.


    Since there was a chance of making an unexpected mistake, we used our magic tools to escape.


    ''''Relius. I didn''t expect your poison resistance potion to be that good!


    ''''Well come to think of it, you were consumed by the poisonous fog, weren''t you?��Don''t tell me you were okay with the effect of the potion?


    Oh!


    I see.


    Perhaps, but I suspect that rank has something to do with it.


    The poison resistance potions on the market were probably not effective enough to prevent Poison Snake''s poison.


    It was a higher-ranked potion, so it was able to prevent the poison. That''s about it.


    ''''Back then, using the escape ball was also on my mind, but thanks to Relius, I was able to defeat it like this.


    ''I only prevented the poison. The only reason we were able to defeat them was because of Mea-san who was attacking us.


    No, it was poisoned, too.��I didn''t know you were using such a powerful poison...


    Perhaps it was because the poison attack was S-ranked, and we were able to defeat it.


    It''s because the opponent''s poison resistance was less than our attack.


    ''''Well, I''m glad it all worked out.


    Mea''s mouth relaxed at my words.


    Then she stretched lightly.


    ''I''m glad I blew it too. I''ve failed to capture this labyrinth before.''''


    ''''Oh, so you were strangely fired up about it.


    Mea-san nodded her head.


    ''''As for me, it was my first attempt at a new set of equipment. That time ... I almost died.


    ........I shuddered to think of Mea-san challenging the labyrinth with that equipment in place.


    If things were bad, I might not have been able to meet Mea-san like this.


    I''m not sure I can say that I was able to completely capture it today because I had a powerful companion in Lelius, but still, I feel more confident. Thank you, Lelius.


    I''m just an assistant.


    That''s exactly what my move today was, only one role at the party.


    It was Mea-san, of all people, who mainly cut down on the Poison Snake.


    So I could be proud enough, but Mea-san was humble enough.


    ''Thank you Lelius,''


    ... no. I wish you the best of luck in the future.


    Yeah.


    Mea-san clenched her fists and smiled.


    ........There will not be much time left to spend with her like this.


    It was lonely, but that''s what being an adventurer is all about.


    I have to grow up even more before we meet again one day.


    I don''t want the future Mea to laugh at me.


    00


    Two weeks later, after she had settled into her new job, Mea had to quit her job.


    Her parents were sad to see her go, but of course they wanted to support her dream, so they were smiling more than usual on her last day.


    On their last day, they closed the shop a little early and threw a party to celebrate their departure, albeit a simple one.


    We also invited the people from the party that Mea is currently working with to celebrate.


    I told Mea''s friends over and over again to be careful because she was not a connoisseur.


    We drank like we were bathed in liquor.


    Thanks to that, we all fell asleep in the dining room, so we had no choice but to clean up and tidy up.


    ........Totally.


    I wonder if it''s going to be all right when we have to go about our business as usual tomorrow.


    I''m a good adult, and I want you to be more careful.


    As I was cleaning my room, I met eyes with Ristina-san, who came back with a red face.


    Her face is red, but she still seems to be firmly conscious.


    ''''That, Lelius-senpai. Are you not drunk?''''


    Yes Mr. Ristina, if you''re okay with it, can you help me clean up?


    ''Eh, it''s a pain in the ass! There''s nothing I wouldn''t do for you if you insist, senior?


    Ristina-san, who had the cuteness of a small animal, moved her large eyes around.


    ........Totally.


    It''s our bite that came in after Mea-san.


    Her fluffy chestnut-colored hair, cut at the shoulders, tickles the tip of my nose.


    I''m a good worker, but I''m a bit of a cocky junior.


    "I''d really like to, please.


    ''''Well, I can''t help it. Well, then, can the seniors carry these people for me?


    Ristina, who took the broom I was holding, glanced at the drunk people.


    ........unusually, your mother-in-law was drinking a lot too.


    Normally she''s the one in charge of stopping her runaway stepfather.


    Come to think of it, she was like this when Lynn left.


    That''s how much he cared for Mea-san.


    I huff, loosening my mouth as I carry them one by one.


    Tomorrow morning, I need to wake them all up and have them wash up.


    They''ve all had a day''s work, and they''ve all had a drink. How could it not stink?


    When I finished carrying the snoring father-in-law, I went back to the dining room.


    Ristina, who had been cleaning up quickly, was hiding a yawn with one hand.


    I also help her with the cleaning tools I brought with me.


    ''''It''s just the two of us, isn''t it, senpai?''''


    She says something that is a bit of a shocker.


    But I know she just wants to tease me.


    I still get a pounding heart, so sad my heart.....


    ''So what''s the deal?''


    It''s the first time I''ve ever been alone with my seniors like this.


    Tehe," she smiles as if embarrassed.


    .........When I couldn''t help but look at that smile, Ristina-san approached me, her eyes shaking with an annoyance.


    I''m a little drunk right now. I''m hot.


    Oh, is it hot?


    Yes so can you cool it down a bit?


    With that said, he approached, letting his chest peel off.


    ........Although she wasn''t as big as Mea-san and Krua-san, she still had enough to make me firmly aware that she was a woman.


    The moment I unintentionally swallowed raw saliva, Ristina-san laughed with narrowed eyes.


    ''''Haha, I was just kidding, senpai. Don''t take it seriously.''''


    ...and I don''t mean to be taken seriously.


    This junior is really cocky.


    On top of that, from what I''ve heard, he has a serious attitude towards everyone but me.


    It seems I''m the only one he''s going to take a swing at.


    I don''t know. Well, as long as she''s happy working here at the expense of me, I''m fine with it.


    It''s not that I''m a cocky guy, but I can just smile and tell her she''s a cocky guy.


    Even if she''s a little cocky, this level of entanglement is not bad.


    It may be because the other party is a beautiful girl, but....


    ........Now that Mea-san is gone, from now on, Ristina-san will probably have scenes of her acting as a senior.


    I''d be happy if you''d be a little more aware of that.

 35 Episode 35 Alcohol

    It had been a week since Mea''s departure.


    At first, everyone seemed to miss her, but that faded away as the days got busier and busier.


    We knew that Mea-san would eventually leave, so there were no major problems at work, as her shifts had been reduced.


    Holiday.


    I was looking around at a couple of stores.


    I was looking for skills, as usual, but apart from that I was also researching the current market.


    What was in short supply and what was in excess?


    Well, I was going to discuss this with Krua-san afterwards anyway.


    I had also made an appointment to meet with Mr. Krua today.


    When we signed the contract, we hadn''t planned to see each other this often, but now we saw each other at least once a week.


    After looking around the market, I headed to the store where I was going to meet Klua.


    Mr. Krua was near the doorway of the store.


    She was tossing her bangs around as if she was worried about them and didn''t seem to notice us.


    As we approached, our eyes met with hers.


    Krua-san straightened up quickly and smiled.


    ''''Thank you for taking the trouble to do this, Relius-san.


    Don''t be so formal.


    ''That''s not going to happen. I have a reservation at the restaurant, please.


    A conversation with Ms. Krua usually begins with this.


    I enter the restaurant with her.


    This is the same restaurant where Krua got drunk on a grand scale before.


    Maybe that''s why he looks a little tense.


    Do you want to have a drink today?


    Well, uh, no, I don''t drink.


    Krua-san puffed up her cheeks slightly and turned away with a pout.


    ........It''s a cute expression.


    I can''t help but want to tease her.


    Could it be that Ristina-san also feels that way?


    The cocky junior comes to mind.


    No, that guy just wants to play with me and tease me.


    ''What''s wrong with you?''


    Oh, no. I''m talking about the new part-time worker at the inn, but he''s a cocky guy in some ways.


    Is that so?


    ''Yes. I always make fun of people all the time, and yet I can''t say anything because I do my job well. And yet, I can''t say anything because I do my job so well.


    ''I see. Oh, but I can''t help but want to tease Lelius-san.


    ........Eh. Does Krua-san have a personality like that too?


    .........It might be better than being teased by Krua-san.


    Because I know that she''s a gentle girl.


    Ristina-san is not kind.


    ''''Well, I guess it''s half a joke.


    So the other half of the story is no joke.


    If it''s Krua-san, I don''t mind. I was tempted to tease him, but I pushed it away.


    So, what did you want to do today?


    ''What?


    Polly Krua-san was scratching her cheek.


    I''ve been gathering information in the time I''ve had so far to keep up with Krua-san''s merchant knowledge.


    Even though I''m a craftsman, I''m also close to a seller.


    I''ll need to check the market situation and if I think there are new products that need to be delivered, I''ll need to call out to them.


    ''''It seems like there aren''t many state recovery potions in this city right now, right?��Is that delivery?


    What?��Ah, ah........that''s true. As of now, we can''t supply the supply very well, and the attack on the D-ranked labyrinth has been delayed.


    ...Nah, I see, I see.


    There was some talk about the difficulty of attacking the labyrinth, but is that part of the connection coming through?


    This is still a close connection, and you can imagine it if you want to.


    But it could also be that things are decreasing for seemingly completely unrelated reasons.


    It''s hard to be a merchant, after all.


    I was in deep thought. Mr. Krua quickly bowed his head.


    ''''I''m sorry, I''m sorry........''''


    What''s going on?


    Yeah, well, you see...


    Mr. Krua''s face was red and slumped.


    What was wrong with him?


    ........You said once, Lelius, that it was like going out to dinner with friends. It''s like going out to dinner with a friend.


    Yes, sir.


    ''''I also thought I''d like to get a little closer to Relius-san. I''m sorry, too!��I''m not here to talk about business in particular!


    Krua-san is a serious person, so I was sure that was the case.


    I shook my head at her, who was shaking her body in an apologetic manner, and I shook my head.


    ''''I''m grateful to hear you say that.


    "...what?��Is that so?


    ''Yes. I''ll have to learn to fit in with Mr. Krua myself!��I thought, "I only had a tacked-on knowledge. I didn''t want to get in any more trouble than I already had.


    Just then, glasses were brought in.


    A glass of juice for Mr. Krua and a glass of alcohol for me.


    When we grabbed each other''s hands, we brought our glasses closer.


    Well, then, let''s talk without any hesitation today.


    ...Yes!


    Mr. Krua said and sipped his glass.


    I also drank as I stirred the glass.


    Today, I was an alcoholic. I was just in the mood for something to drink.


    When I glanced at Krua-san, her body shook with a twitch.


    ........Huh?


    I glanced at Krua and she was already red in the face.


    ''''Oh, that. Is that alcohol.........?


    Mr. Lelius....


    Mr. Krua stood up with a strange, interminable voice.


    Then he sat down next to me.


    Chi, close. Her chest touches my left arm and she squeezes me.


    How soft it is.


    I feel like my head is going to melt. But I have to keep my wits about me here.


    Otherwise, I won''t be able to carry her to the inn.


    I send a desperate command to Krua-san''s hand that almost reaches for her chest, and I hold her hand to gently remove it.


    ''''W-what''s wrong, Krua-san?''''


    ''Listen to me!��Last time I was helping out in the shop........!


    Then Mr. Krua exploded into a whine.


    ''I almost got my ass touched!��What the hell is that pervert?!


    It''s vaguely connected to the story.


    I didn''t expect to make it this far in just one bite.


    Predictably, it''s like I was almost s*xually harassed when I was serving customers?


    ...I see. Well, Krua-san has a charm, so it can''t be helped.


    Is there a charm, Mr. Relius?


    Yes, yes....


    Where is it?


    Yes......


    Is it a beautiful, pretty place?


    I can say this much separately.


    Please, just get it over with.


    Oh, is that all you''ve got?


    She turns bright red and teasingly leans in closer to us.


    That''s not all. I think it''s her breasts and ass that are most attractive.


    She has a slightly juvenile face, and her body is a selfish body.


    It was impossible not to be attracted to her like that.


    ''''There''s something else, isn''t there?


    ''Uh, well...''


    Where is it?


    He pulls himself even closer.


    A soft touch wraps my left arm with a soft smile.


    I''m going to have to take it with me, my reasoning........


    Krua-san is just drunk.


    Krua-san is a valued business partner.


    I don''t want you to do anything. I mustn''t do anything.


    I grabbed Krua by the shoulders and smiled at him.


    ''The positive attitude towards work, isn''t it?��Watching it makes me feel better.


    Oh, really?


    Krua-san''s complexion turned even redder, and she quickly moved away from me.


    ........Thank God. I''m glad that you''re convinced by this.


    When I took a breath of relief, I stared at Krua-san.


    Mr. Krua-san had a dazed look on his face.


    He looked as if he was about to fall asleep.


    Krua-san, please take it easy today, and I''ll take care of the accommodation for you. I''ll make sure you get some accommodations.


    ...Yes, yes. Thank you.


    Mr. Krua nodded his head like a child.


    I wonder why.


    Mr. Krua looked a little apologetic and drank more alcohol.

 36 Quiet story: Everyday life of a brave man

    Linn is enrolled in the National Ubalsa Academy, one of the country''s leading vocations, where the owners of divine weapons attend.


    The name "Ubalsa" was taken from the name of a legendary hero who is said to have single-handedly driven away hordes of demons that flooded the city from the demon world.


    A little northeast of the royal capital, the city was built around the Ubalsa Academy.


    Many of the people living in the city are also graduates of the school. In addition, because the distance to the royal capital is moderately close, and yet the cost of living is cheaper than that of the royal capital, many of the lower-grade knights have houses in this city.


    For this reason, it was the second most developed city in the country after the King''s Capital.


    When it came to safety, it was famous as a place that was said to be even better than the royal capital.


    It was also meant to protect the children who attended the Ubalsa School.


    As for Linn, who was brought into the academy half-heartedly, well...


    Come on, get up, Linn.


    Her roommate was rocking her body.


    The woman who shook Lynn was Benny. Benny, with her fluffy blonde hair swinging, is somewhat smaller in stature than Lynn.


    Overall, she has a small appearance, but she was the same age as Linn and was a hero.


    No, I don''t want to get up!


    Again, don''t say that. Well, I''m going to throw this letter I just received away.


    Benny shook him to show him the letter that arrived with the package.


    I''m not going to be able to get it right.


    It''s a fast move, partly because of the physical skills he trained as a brave man.


    Benny quickly dodged it, too, and the two began to play tag.


    Eventually, Lynn took the letter back from Benny and picked it up.


    The letter says ''The Migratory Bird Innkeeper''.


    ''That''s nice, that someone would give me a letter like that.''


    Benny stared at Lynn''s hand.


    Benny didn''t know anyone originally, as he was from the slums.


    It was only because he happened to be given the profession of a brave man in the oracle ceremony that he was able to be here.


    If the results had been terrible, he would still be living in the slums even now.


    That was one of the reasons why Benny''s body was generally small.


    Lynn had heard that from her too, so she gave him a vague smile.


    ''Benny''s going to have a lot more to do. I''m already that close to him, too.


    It''s not because I''m jealous of those things, you know.


    Benny shook his head, looking flustered.


    Lynn shifted her gaze from Benny to the letter.


    There were many letters, and inside was a necklace of red magic stones.


    ''Beautiful. ''A gift?''


    Maybe?


    Lynn looks through them one by one.


    Lynn flipped through the letters, thinking that she would read them slowly later, except for the letter she wanted to read.


    When Lynn found the letters, her mouth relaxed.


    ''''What is it?��A letter from your boyfriend?


    I mean, it''s not like that!��We''re just childhood friends!


    So you have a crush on him?


    No!


    Lynn was trying hard to deny it, but Benny saw the grin on Lynn''s face and his mouth relaxed into a grin.


    Lynn moved away from Benny to run away from him and look through the letter.


    It contained information about the things that had changed recently and how he was able to make a living as a blacksmith.


    ''''Well this was made by Lelius.


    What? Who made that?


    Benny reacted to Lynn''s words as she mumbled.


    Lynn closed her mouth in a hurry and shook her head.


    ''What, was it a gift from your boyfriend?


    ''He''s not my boyfriend!��I mean, if you''ve been listening, don''t ask me nasty questions!


    I didn''t catch your name. It sounds like a lot of fun.


    Benny loosens his mouth and then changes into the school''s uniform.


    Lynn lowers the red magic stone necklace around her neck. Then she looked at the mirror in her room and thanked him heartily.


    Following Benny''s example as he began to change clothes, Lin also sleeves into his uniform.


    The school''s uniforms are made by top-notch ''craftsmen''.


    For that reason, it was thought that every uniform was given a high performance skill.


    Since there is no one in this world who can judge what skills have been granted, we don''t know the effects in detail.


    However, the products made by the so-called top-tier ''craftsmen'' have good skills attached to them.


    It is also said that being able to choose a uniform with the right skills for you is also a talent.


    Lynne slides the sleeves on the uniform and checks the necklace.


    The necklace swings around the chest and gives off a strange sense of power.


    ''You shouldn''t look so sloppy,''


    You are?


    Yeah, that''s pretty much it. We''re supposed to be heroic and set an example for everyone, you know?


    ''I don''t want to be a brave man, but I don''t want to be an example to everyone.


    Lin was getting somewhat used to fighting, but he was still not used to being given a second glance as a ''brave man''.


    ''''But. It''s a great opportunity, you know?��We get a special allowance for acting brave and we get invited to the nobleman''s ball!��You could be sitting on a ball!��Money guzzling!


    I guess I''d rather be more normal....not like a nobleman or anything.


    It''s okay that Lynn already has a boyfriend, but I don''t!


    He''s not here!


    Anyway, I''m going to marry a famous aristocrat and become one!��I''m going to make my parents sorry for abandoning me!


    Benny with a fighting spirit in his eyes.


    Feeling the smile on Benny''s face as he clenched his fists and talked about his dreams, Lynn''s mouth relaxed too.


    ''We''re investigating the labyrinth today, aren''t we?


    Yeah, I know. Well, what''s wrong with us?


    ''Yeah, I know. Sometimes I''d like to get a request for an expedition or something.


    What, do you miss home?


    Hmmm, a little bit.


    ''An expedition, huh? As I recall, Lynn''s hometown is about a week''s drive from here and back, right?��You''re right, it''s not very often you get to go that far away on commission, is it?


    Yeah.


    Requests are basically made in the vicinity.


    When calling for people from far away, it is only when a very powerful demon appears and it is deemed impossible for those in the vicinity to handle it.


    If such a demon appears, the knights will be sent out.


    The growth of the ''heroes'' of this season was certainly outstanding, but even so, the knights are still indeed more skilled.


    ''''Anyway, I''ll raise my level until I can do a lot of things freely!��So, if we get strong, the nobles will come to us like ants!


    Oh, Benny. Sorry to say it but.........level up, huh? Benny''s level 10 now, right?


    Yes. Lynn is 12, right?��I''ll catch up with you in a minute.


    Benny smiles as he sticks his finger at me with a narrow finger.


    ''I can''t lose, either, can I?''


    Yeah. Let''s see who can hunt more demons today! Who can hunt more demons today?


    Benny smiles at her, and Lynn smiles back.


    Lynn grips the hilt of the Excalibur inserted in her waist.


    He opens the door to the room and begins his day as a brave man.

 37 Chapter 36: Restraint

    Eventually, after that, I took Mr. Krua back to the inn and stayed in my room again.


    I slept soundly in the changing room as before, and then went to wake up Klua-san.


    Krua-san, are you awake?


    Yes, I''m awake.


    That''s good. It''s looking good for today.


    Is it safe to come in?


    Yes, sir.


    Mr. Krua''s permission was granted, so I opened the door.


    Ms. Krua was just putting her hair up.


    She had tied it back into a ponytail and was stroking her hair as if to tidy it up.


    ''''I''m sorry but I think I got drunk again yesterday.''''


    ''I''m just out for a drink, don''t worry about it.


    Yes thank you very much.


    Mr. Krua did not make a series of apologies like he did before.


    I guess it''s because he wasn''t there for work originally.


    ''Are you still working today?''


    ...Yes.


    Good luck with that.


    ....


    Mr. Krua looks at me and his eyes widen.


    .........what?


    ''Oh, well I hope you don''t mind, but can I ask one thing of you?''


    What is it?


    Can you tell him/her to go?


    After doing so, Krua-san''s face turned bright red.


    Does it have any special meaning?


    ''No, no!��I''m sorry, too!��Then--


    Have a good day.


    Is this the right thing to do?


    The moment I told her, Krua-san''s eyes lit up.


    ''''........I''m going!


    With a happy voice, Krua-san ran out of the room.


    ........What was it?


    After looking at Krua''s grinning back, I entered the room.


    Now, it''s time to craft a new weapon.


    The blacksmith''s level is currently 15th level.


    At 15th level, it''s much easier to give skills to equipment.


    For example, it is now possible to give skills to equipment while holding it.


    In other words, it''s possible to switch skills while in combat.


    ........There aren''t that many skills that can be used yet itself, so I can''t really feel it that much, but it''s not bad.


    As a condition, it looks like I need to touch it, but I''ll only use it on my own equipment anyway.


    The rest of the weapons with steel on them could be made.


    Probably because it was the next weapon to come out after the Iron, so it was probably stronger than the Iron type.


    Spend a magical stone to create a steel sword.


    For now, I''m going to repeat the process until an S-ranked steel sword is created.


    ...Okay, it''s done!


    Steel Sword S Rank 0/250


    So this is how it looks so far.


    Even with a steel sword, the limit is 250? This may be the limit of an ordinary sword.


    Strengthening your strength and muscle are the basic skills that you should be wearing.


    That would be 100/250.


    There''s only three left.......especially this one!��I don''t have a thing that''s currently available.


    I''m looking for new skills, but it''s hard to find them.


    I''ll just add the auto-healing S-rank for now.


    It can repair itself automatically, so it won''t lose its sharpness.


    ........well, in my case, it can be rebuilt, so it''s not something I''d put that much emphasis on.


    In the meantime, it can also heal the wounds of those equipped with it over time, so there''s no harm in having it on.


    I''d also like to put on automatic feedback, too. This is more than enough for a D-rank or so.


    ........What about the Invisibility S rank?��When attacking at close range, not being able to see your weapon is going to be hard for them to do... but it''s hard for me too.


    I''ve got 80 points left.


    I''m still looking for some kind of.......attack skill.


    In the meantime, I''m going to switch all the equipment I have to steel.


    I''ve spent the entire morning doing just that.


    However, I had the feeling that I had done it.


    After a quick stretch, we ate lunch.


    Shall we spend the afternoon looking around the shop?


    That said, I haven''t been able to find any skilled equipment at all lately.


    No, it''s probably because I''ve found too much so far.


    But there are times when I can find it in the oddest of places.


    After all, it''s probably because no one else can see what skills are on it.


    I was thinking about what I was going to do this afternoon, but I still think I should try out my new equipment.


    It wouldn''t be a bad idea to visit the E rank labyrinth that I attacked before.


    If it''s a low-level demon over there, I can fight well enough on my own.


    As I left the room with that thought in mind, I found Ristina-san.


    Do you have a date coming up?


    He was dressed up and seemed to be going out.


    ''''Isn''t that senior Lelius? What''s going on?


    I was going to go hunting for demons now. Bye.


    I raise one hand as if to escape.


    Crudely, he grabbed my wrist.


    ''........What is it, Ristina-san?


    No, it''s just that I, uh... I need to ask you a favor.


    What is it?��Do you want me to get you something?


    Not really, if it''s that much shopping.


    Lissyna''s eyes moisten.


    "Will you go on a date with me?


    So, a date?


    I cringe at the unexpected words.


    Ristina-san has a big smile on her face already.


    ''''Yes. I was thinking that my senior and I would like to go somewhere together.


    ...uh, well...


    Whoa, he''s gotta be kidding me!


    I know, but I wasn''t sure what to say in return.


    ''''Senpai, can''t I?''''


    ''''No, no, it''s fine. There''s ... something ... a reason, isn''t there?


    ...Yes. I want to get to know my seniors better.


    You''re lying...?


    "You''re in the clear?


    "...the usual teasing, right?


    Yes, well. ........Well, have you ever been pestered by a customer, senior?


    No, I don''t have one.


    That kind of thing is usually more common with female clerks.


    Krua-san was also complaining a lot yesterday.....


    The best thing to do is to get a lot of attention from customers, even when you''re walking around in private.


    ''....Oh, I see.


    .........As expected, I was a bit worried. I have a feeling they''re doing something stalker-like...


    Oh, I see. So you mean, you''re a bodyguard.


    ''Yes. But that would be boring from a senior citizen''s point of view, and it would be nice to feel like a date, okay?


    ''That''s fine. It''s a senior''s role to protect his or her juniors, and if you''re that selfish, I''ll listen to you. I''ll listen to your selfishness to that extent.


    ....


    Ristina looks at me in surprise.


    Then she quickly moves away as if to protect herself.


    ''You won''t make me do anything naughty with such kind words, will you?


    I won''t. Don''t be silly. Shall we go?


    Yes.


    Listina-san lines up next to me and walks away with a smile.


    ''''Anyway, well... thank you, Lelius-senpai.''''


    Okay.


    I don''t know where I''m going to look around, because maybe I''ll see some skilled equipment as well.


    As far as I''m concerned, it''s just a slight change of schedule.


    It''s not that I don''t appreciate it.


    ''''Please make it look like you''re having a little more fun already!


    Saying that, Ristina-san is smiling.


    ........For now, I''m glad you''re smiling.

 38 Chapter 37 Next

    This is the first time you''ve ever gone out with your seniors like this, isn''t it?


    ''Yes. I mean, I haven''t gone out with too many other business associates.


    ''Oh, really?��Come to think of it, you didn''t show up at the rally, either.


    ..........................What?


    I''ve got it.��Come to think of it, you told me you were going to ask him out, but you didn''t.


    No, ask me out.


    "Do you think I''m not a hack?


    I''m going to cry.


    ''I don''t think so. They all said they were good seniors.


    I wonder if it''s true.


    I didn''t feel like it was just comforting, but now I had to believe it.


    We walked side by side for a while, but somehow I got the feeling that Ristina-san was wandering around aimlessly.


    ''''Speaking of which, where do you have business to attend to?��Why don''t we head over?


    ''''........or rather, senpai. Can I have a word?


    ...What is it?


    Why does senior Lelius always speak to everyone in a respectful manner?


    Ristina stares at me.


    ''It''s already become a habit. It''s basically this for everyone but my relatives.''


    It''s rather easy to be comfortable with this.


    In general, if you speak in polite language, you won''t be confused about the transition between work and personal life.


    For example, when a visitor comes in the middle of talking comfortably at work, I can talk naturally.


    I mean, I made a lot of mistakes with that when I wasn''t used to it, so this is how I talk to them now.


    ''It''s kind of like I feel like I''m being distanced from them,''


    Am I in the clear?


    When I say that, Ristina-san stares at me.


    ''Oh, you took it after all?


    Just kidding.


    I''m not trying to keep my distance.


    Well, but. It''s also true that I''ve been hiring only young women lately, so I''ve drawn a certain line.


    So it was unusual for us to go out together like this.


    ''''Already. Lelius-senpai has such a pretty junior, don''t you think about touching her or something?


    ''Isn''t that a normal problem? Your father-in-law and mother-in-law will beat you up.


    You''re a pussy.


    ''What is it, Miss Ristina? Do you want to get your hands on me?


    I''ll let your parents know as soon as I get them out.


    Ristina smiles at me.


    I''m used to this exchange.


    So, Ristina-san. Where do you want to be?


    ''I was going to buy some clothes. That way.


    Yes, sir.


    As I started to walk towards where Ristina-san was pointing, my left arm was grabbed tightly.


    ''''Ri, Ristina-san!


    Why are you crossing your arms!


    It''s a date, okay?��You''re keeping me company, so I''ll make you feel a little better, okay?


    I do my best to stifle the feeling of the softness of my nose, which almost makes it stretch out underneath my nose.


    As I did so, Ristina-san started laughing at me.


    ''''God, your senior''s reaction is too childish!


    Can you not make fun of him?


    When I raised my voice, Ristina-san laughed even more happily.


    ........totally.


    I try to pay off Ms. Ristina''s arm, but she doesn''t move away.


    ''''Isn''t that enough?''''


    No, no ... well ... a little more, please.


    Instantly, Ristina-san''s expression became a bit grim.


    .........what?��None of the congeniality that had been teased earlier was anywhere to be found.


    ''''What''s going on?''''


    ...No, I mean. There was an adventurer who approached me outside earlier........s-sorry.


    Ristina-san, who suddenly shows a weak-looking face.


    .........Haha, that kind of face is so sly.


    I closed the distance a bit, as if to protect her.


    ''''Please don''t leave. I''ll protect you as long as you''re near me.


    ...Relius, my senior.


    Shall we go?


    S-Sorry. Please, please...


    Kuni, Ristina-san nodded and squeezed my arm.


    ��


    ''''Lelius, senior, this is the place I wanted to come to!


    With that, I walk into the store with Ristina.


    ''''Nah!''''


    The store was built in such a way that you couldn''t see inside from the outside.


    This place that I had never been to before - it was an underwear shop.


    It will be a rare shop that specializes in women''s goods.


    My face gets hot when I see women''s underwear lined up. What a place you''ve brought me to, you junior!


    When I stared at her with that thought, Ristina-san had a very happy expression on her face.


    ''''Lelius-senpai, please go out with me, right?


    I understand.


    I said in a buzzing voice and walked around the store with Ristina.


    The store is not that large.


    Looking at the line of underwear, Ristina grabs it.


    ''How about this or something?''


    Well no, why do you ask me for my opinion?


    Because isn''t it only fair to ask your boyfriend?


    .........temporary, I suppose.


    I let out a breath to cool my cheeks, which are hot with shame, and then stare at the two underwear she holds in her hand.


    I don''t care if it''s possible to create or not. I don''t need to trigger it now.


    That''s when I was thinking about it.


    My eyes are unconsciously drawn to the underwear in the corner of my vision.


    Well, that''s some insanely naughty underwear........!��Not that!


    What I focused on was the skill on those underwear.


    Weapon Break S Rank.


    The skill was granted to the black, almost line-like underwear.


    It was a blind spot.


    But when I thought about it, it''s not strange.


    The clothes I''m wearing now also have the skill granted to me.


    The shirt I''m wearing is only 0/50, so I can only give it one S-ranked skill.


    But I can give it to you.


    The same goes for my underwear.


    All the clothes I wear have some kind of enhanced skill attached to them, even if the S rank skill is not possible.


    But up until now, when I was looking for skills, the only things I paid attention to were accessories and weapons.


    If we were really looking for them, even private clothes are in the running for them.


    ........I''ll have to look for them from now on.


    It''s thanks to Ristina-san that I was able to discover a skill here.


    Weapon Break........what exactly is the effect of this?


    Actually, I''d like to try it out.


    But, but--.


    I don''t think it would be a good idea for me to buy the underwear.


    If this is the kind of city you''ll never be in, this is the kind of city you''re going to be in.


    So what do you say we come back to your disguise later, hmm?


    Or I''ll let Ristina-san buy it here........


    I''ll let Ristina-san buy it and only collect the skills when I see an opening.


    That''s still better, isn''t it?


    What, sir?��Why are you so serious about looking at your underwear?��I''m kind of pulling back...


    It''s your most important piece of clothing for protection.��I can''t just pick and choose so randomly.


    I''ll fake it by saying something like that.


    ''That doesn''t mean you have to go in with that kind of gusto...''


    Of course you''ll be there.


    I want Ristina to buy me these naughty black underwear.


    No, that''s a very misleading statement.


    I''ll tell you how.


    How to get her to buy it?


    That''s how I do it.

 39 Episode 38 Stalker

    Now..........


    I glance at the underwear Ristina-san was holding, then turn my gaze to another pair of underwear.


    The first step would be to get her to shift her interest to the other underwear.


    ''''Those two, did you like them?''''


    ''In its own way. ''What is it, senior?��Have you found something you like?


    Yeah, right.


    If I told them as it is, it would usually be s*xual harassment, wouldn''t it?


    No, but........I also wanted to get that underwear here.


    ''''Tell me, senpai. Maybe I can put them on for you?


    .... the one you like is your underwear.


    I glanced at her. Ristina looks at the thin line of black underwear on the shelf, and her eyes widen as she looks at me.


    Her face turns vaguely red.


    ''''Hey, what are you suggesting!


    No, she said she liked it.


    Just because I like it...��Who would recommend this stuff!


    I was embarrassed too, but I''ll hold back for the sake of my skills here.


    ''Is there someone you''re dating now, Ristina?


    ''What?��No, no--I''m here!��I''m here, but what is it?!


    Why would he affirm it with such full force?


    It was a reaction as if he wasn''t there, but Ristina-san seems to be popular and that''s not true.


    If you''re there, why don''t you just go on a date with that person?��I also thought, but there might be some circumstances.


    For example, if the other party is a knight, it could be that he is away from the city on an expedition.


    Even adventurers and the like can be away from the city for a week to a month on a long journey.


    ''''See, I think you can win that person''s heart by wearing these underwear, don''t you?


    I don''t need to rely on those tools, my charm is enough!


    Red in the face, she exclaims.


    It''s rare that I''ve cornered Ristina-san like this.


    Normally I''m the one who gets cornered.......


    .........Perhaps I''m good at making fun of people as I thought, but I''m not good at getting beaten up.


    I''m in a similar situation. That''s exactly what''s happening right now.


    ''''But, after all, there''s a saying that you have to start with a form, right?


    Well, that''s not hard to understand.


    Don''t you think it would be more effective to say, "I''m going to seduce you"?��Atmosphere is important, right?


    I''m fine!


    Ristina-san pouted and turned her face away.


    Even her ears are red, but I wonder if she got angry.


    ''''........Would you like to buy it?''''


    I''m not buying it!��Lelius senior''s s*x!


    Listina sticks out her tongue and grabs the first pair of underwear she had chosen for herself and heads towards the clerk.


    I glance at the black underwear as I watch her posterior as she negotiates the price.


    ........it can''t be helped.


    I''ll just have to come back to buy them later.


    X


    As we were leaving the underwear shop, Ristina-san looked at me with a bushy face.


    ''''You''re a senior.......teasing me all over the place.......''''


    He is complaining about mumbling.


    ........No, I didn''t mean that.


    I was rather serious about recommending those underwear, you know?


    If you bought it, I was going to give you an extra body-enhancing S-rank instead of Weapon Break, right?


    Well, I''m glad to hear it. I was afraid to go into a place like this unless I was with someone else.


    ''Well, yes. You never know where your stalker is, do you?


    Yes.


    Suddenly, Ristina hides her previous cheerful tone and closes her mouth.


    It''s a shame.


    I should have been more deliberate in my words.


    "Ristina-san, is there any other place you can go?


    ''''.......For now, I''m fine. Lelius-senpai had some things to do too, right?


    Don''t worry about it. I can run my errands whenever I want. But you can''t always move around freely, Ristina.


    Thank you very much. But I''m fine.


    Ristina smiled at me.


    That''s fine then.


    ''''Well then, shall we go back to the inn?


    I said, and Ristina nodded widely.


    ''Right!''


    Then we walked down the road to get back to the inn.


    A man blocked our way in front of us.


    Ristina!��Hey, why are you walking around looking so friendly with a man like that!


    The man who raised his voice and stared pointedly at me.


    Is he an adventurer?��He''s a lot older than us.


    The small, fat man is approaching us, his voice spitting and spitting.


    I saw Ms. Ristina''s expression turn pale, and I knew he was a stalker, or something close to it.


    So I stepped between him and Mr. Listina.


    What are you?


    Hey, it''s you!


    A man snorts.


    ''I''m...''


    It felt a bit low impact to say that he was a business associate of Ristina-san''s.


    ''''My name is Relius, I''m dating Ristina-san. And you are?


    He met Ristina''s eyes for a moment with a surprised look in them, but he seemed to understand her intentions immediately.


    ''Bo, I''m her and the gagair she''s dating!


    ...Is that so, Mr. Ristina?


    I check with her to get her to say it directly from Lystina''s mouth.


    ''Nope, no!��I''m not in a relationship!


    Ristina turns a heartily uncomfortable face to Gagael.


    Gagair shakes his head.


    ''Bo, I''m going out with you!��You''re the one who said hello to me.��And I''m going to see your... you every day!


    It''s my job!��I''m not just dealing with you, I''m dealing with others as well!


    ''Ugh, you''re cheating on me...!��Y-You can''t........I won''t allow it!


    Gagair raised his voice and took out the sword that was hanging at his waist.


    A divine weapon, the Aizoblade, huh?


    It''s not an offensive skill, but it comes with an S-rank of physical and physical strength enhancement skills that I''m familiar with.


    It''s not so much a hit, but it''s a sufficient divine weapon, isn''t it?


    As he took out his sword, Ristina-san finally turned pale and retreated.


    Gagair''s mouth loosens, perhaps out of a sense of superiority, and then he points his sword in my direction.


    ''''Hi, hihi!��You''re being duped by the man, Mr. Listina!��Then let me help you!


    Gagair drew his weapon and the area around him began to buzz.


    Gagair swings his sword out.


    It''s just ... a perceptible speed.


    I dodge, and Gagael looks annoyed and swings even more.


    Mr. Ristina!��Go get the knight!


    "But........senpai........!


    I''ll be fine. Now!


    In a situation like this, it''s better to appoint someone instead of relying on ''someone''.


    Well, in this case, I meant to let Ristina-san go.


    Ristina-san runs off with a face that looks like she''s about to cry.


    Gagair looked in that direction, but he didn''t chase after her.


    ''''Heehee, dude, if you look closely you''re the guy working at that inn, right?


    ''Yes, but so what?''


    ''You''re using that position to force Miss Ristina to obey you, aren''t you!


    We have a healthy relationship, but...


    I could picture him suggesting naughty underwear in the back of my brain.


    ''First of all, I''m going to kill you for interrupting Mr. Ristina and I........!


    Can you do it?


    I''m a C-rated adventurer!��Guys like you, I can twist and turn!


    I dodge as Gagair swings his sword at me.


    I''ll just have to stall for time. In the meantime, Ristina will call for a knight for me.


    I dodge and get behind Gagair and slap him on the back.


    A staggered Gagair glares at me with a bright red face.


    And then he starts moving again--


    Oh, what?


    It was slowing down.


    Of course. I gave his clothes a muscle reduction skill, you see.


    It was as if he wasn''t expecting it.


    It was a bullshit sword, like a child.


    Gagair still didn''t seem to notice that the skill had been granted.


    It wouldn''t be something that he would be able to notice so quickly.


    ''''What''s going on?��Your attacks are quite crude.


    Gagair looked at me in surprise.


    I fired a kick at its face.

 40 Episode 39: Knight

    Gagair retreats after taking my blow.


    He was holding his face, but blood was gushing out.


    It was added or subtracted at one point.


    However, if I put a knee in his face, it would do that much damage.


    ''''........Ki, you!


    Gagair rages and wields his divine weapon.


    It was reasonably easy to dodge, because he took the time to correct his misaligned senses.


    He would occasionally throw a fist or a kick at Gagair when he was out of alignment.


    ''I''m a customer in your shop!��You don''t think it''s okay to do this!


    If you bother your employees, you''re not a customer.


    The kick he swung at in frustration struck Gagair in the gut.


    That''s when Gaghair stumbled.


    ''Over there!


    Ristina''s voice echoed.


    I glanced over and saw Ristina-san with three knights in tow.


    ''''Ri, Ristina-san!��You called for help for me!


    Gagair looked at Ristina-san with an expectant smile on his face.


    .........What kind of nerves do I have to have to have such an idea?


    I''d like to see the inside of your head once.


    ''''Who!��Knight!��I explained it to you earlier!


    It seems that Ristina-san told him what happened.


    The knight restrains Gagair''s body.


    ''''Ha, let go!��I''m fighting to save Miss Ristina!


    Gagair was still flailing about, but the knight dropped his hand sword once, knocking him unconscious.


    I breathed a sigh of relief at the knight''s masterful skill.


    As the knight came over here, I bowed to him.


    ''''Thank you ... thank you, thank you for your help.''''


    ''No, never mind, this is my job. ........I''ve heard briefly about the situation from the woman here, but I''d like to hear more about it. Can I ask her to come down to the clog?


    Yes, no problem.


    Thanks for coming along.


    The knights gave a quick bow and then walked away.


    One of the knights was carrying Gagair, while the other knight was talking to the people around him.


    ........They seemed to be checking the situation and so on.


    Ristina-san came over here with tears in her eyes.


    ''''Se-senpai, are you hurt?!


    ''Yes, Mr. Ristina called me over earlier than I expected. Thank you.


    I bow my head quickly to Ristina-san.


    ........Her body was still trembling.


    Maybe that''s also why, until we headed to the stuffing station. Ristina-san was holding my left arm the whole time.


    00


    He was to be interrogated at the knight''s choke point.


    However, it seems that Ristina-san was talking about it when she called the knight.


    The conversation ended with a careful recheck of each one.


    You live in the ''Migratory Bird Inn'', right? Well, okay. I may head out again when I have something else to ask you. At that time, I''d appreciate it if you would take some time out of your day.


    Okay. Well, thank you very much.


    Yeah. We appreciate the help.


    After finishing our interrogation, we left the knight''s mess.


    ........We ended up being interrogated until the time when the sun was setting.


    The area was getting darker and the magic stones in the streetlights began to light up here and there.


    I walked down that road with Ristina-san.


    ''''Ristina-san. Please don''t feel so responsible.


    ...because I didn''t expect it to come to this point.


    I can''t imagine what that was like.


    This is a man whose imagination is running wild.


    He''s a criminal that we can''t possibly imagine.


    ''Besides, I''ve caused a lot of trouble for my seniors.


    I didn''t mean to bother you. You told me you''d protect me if anything happened.


    I say that and stare at Ristina-san.


    ''.........''


    ''Keep doing what you usually do. You have such a charm that you''ll have such enthusiastic customers. Please continue to behave the way you always have. And if anything else happens, I''ll be there to help you.


    ...Relius, my senior.


    She nodded a few times with a kokoku, wiped the tears from her eyes, and then smiled.


    It looked like she forced a smile.


    But that seemed to be the most beautiful of Ristina-san''s smiles.


    ''''I understand........!��I''ll continue to tease you about your seniority!


    Please don''t do that.


    I won''t stop.


    She smiles happily and walks away.


    ........totally.


    I''d like you to grow up a bit more in that area.


    ''''Even so, I didn''t expect Relius-senpai to be so strong. I was surprised!''''


    ''''Well, in a manner of speaking, I''ve been working with Mea-san as an adventurer a few times as well.


    ''So that''s what happened........ It was cool, wasn''t it?


    Cool I''m embarrassed to be upfront about it.


    ''I thought for sure you knew you could fight in your own way and asked me out.


    ''No, it''s not. ...I mean, I didn''t expect you to act like that. I thought you''d give up, right away.


    ''That''s right. Well, don''t worry about it. If you need anything else, you can always count on me.


    Thank you very much.


    With a smile, Ristina bows her head and then smiles.


    Then Ms. Ristina''s eyes and mouth finally quirk up into a smile.


    Is she up to something again?��The next time I thought that, she intertwined her arm with my right arm.


    I felt a soft touch and involuntarily tried to pull my arm away. But Ristina-san has a firm grip and won''t let go!


    What the hell are you doing?


    Oh, you''re welcome.


    Thank you......... If you keep making body touches like this all the time, they''ll misunderstand you, won''t they?


    ''Rude!��I won''t...to...anyone?


    She moistens her eyes with an ooze, and I can''t help but be thrown off by her.


    ''''By whom.........''''


    "I only do this to people I like. Do I seem like a light woman to you?


    ''What?��Well, uh... well...


    I asked her in surprise, and she let her mouth relax as usual with a grin.


    ''Just kidding.��Senior, you''re a real tease!


    Her cheeks were a little red as such.


    ........Don''t make fun of people until you''re embarrassed.


    I thought so, but I was embarrassed too, and I couldn''t return the words.


    I had to come back to buy some underwear after I left Ristina-san.


    I had to hurry back to the inn and head out again soon.


    As I started to walk away, Ristina-san discreetly grabbed her clothes.


    I turned around and saw her cheeks tinted with a bit of embarrassment.


    ''''That, um, I mean, Lelius-senpai,''''


    ...What''s going on?


    Well, another time do you mind if I join you?


    I exhaled lightly and then nodded.


    ''Of course. If you need help, you can count on me.


    Thank you very much.


    Listyna exhaled in relief.


    After we got to the inn, I headed off to buy some underwear.

 41 Episode 40 Weapon Break

    The next holiday.


    I had come to the E rank labyrinth that Mea and I had conquered before.


    Today, I didn''t come here to capture it, but simply because I wanted to try out a new skill.


    I would try the Weapon Break I got the other day.


    I point my hand at the steel sword that was granted to me.


    Would it be a skill that would destroy the opponent''s weapon?��Or maybe it''s a skill that will destroy my weapon.


    Either way, if activated, it will have some effect.


    ........although it''s not without the possibility that it''s a negative system skill.


    When we descended to the third level of the labyrinth, we found Sahagin.


    The Sahagin is a demon that looks like a human-shaped fish.


    It has scales unique to fish, and is quite agile.


    In addition, it has a spear, and it is an excellent monster to handle.


    When I came to attack it with Mea-san before, we fought together, so we didn''t have a hard time with it.


    However, what will happen this time?


    I''ve grown up compared to the past.


    I''ll be fine, I guess.


    I want to verify it one-on-one first.


    However, Sahagin was acting with at least two of them.


    We can''t take our time with this.


    For now, let''s do one of them.


    I''m going to attack first with my knife with a poisonous attack, as usual, to kill one of them.


    The Sahagin, enraged by the death of its companion, jumped at me.


    Even though it''s a fish, it has great leg strength.


    It dodges the blow that fell with the spear from the leap.


    ........Let''s try it, shall we?


    After dodging the spear thrust out by Sahagin, I swing the sword down on its hilt.


    Simultaneously, he activates the skill.


    "Weapon Break!


    It was the moment I activated it.


    My sword shattered. At the same time, a powerful impact went through the surroundings.


    It was like a blast.


    Sahagin and I were blown away. I''m sorry.....


    Is that the weapon break?


    I quickly get up and throw the knife at Sahagin, who has staggered back to his feet.


    Just before I threw it, I gave him a Weapon Break.


    Seeing the moment it was impaled on Sahagin, I activate the Weapon Break.


    ...........Instantly, it exploded.


    However, the weapon shattered and disappeared........


    I see. So this is the Weapon Break.


    .........A skill that unleashes a powerful blow at the cost of a weapon, huh?


    This would be an attack that could be used quite well.


    One thing I''m curious about is whether it only works on weapons.


    I''m not going to be able to get rid of it.


    I give the ring I''ve created a weapon break.


    This is easy to use, like a pebble.


    I threw it at Sahagin, who was nearby, and when I activated the skill, a small explosion occurred.


    ........The skill is activated.


    However, it''s not that powerful.


    Is it affected by the size of the weapon?


    I try different sizes of swords, knives, axes, spears, staffs, etc.


    My first prediction seems to be correct.


    It means that the larger the object given to it, the more powerful it becomes.


    I run away from Sahagin.


    Then, I enter the nearby woods and touch the trees with my hands.


    I check behind me.


    When Sahagin is near the trees I touched, I activate the Weapon Break.


    The trees in the labyrinth explode all at once, swallowing Sahagin and the others.


    A burnt out field was created behind them.


    Even the material of the Sahagin that was thought to have died first is caught in the explosion and is a piece of wood.


    ........That was a close call, me.


    If I wasn''t careful, I might have ended up like this myself with the first blow.


    The more dangerous place is that lingerie shop.


    A woman accidentally wears these underwear and mentions Weapon Break.


    All hell''s breaking loose.


    You see, when a man and woman get together like that, they say, "Weapon break! And try accidentally screaming.


    Your underwear could have exploded and men and women could have exploded all over the place.


    It''s kind of horrible in a way that other people can''t see their skills at all.


    ........Speaking of which, there are times when the world is filled with inexplicable incidents, like a big mysterious explosion, or a mysterious divine cover-up.


    Perhaps a skill has been activated in an unintended place and something has happened.


    Best of all, it''s a great match for my profession.


    ...my profession, huh?


    Who on earth started calling blacksmiths unfair?


    It''s true that blacksmiths can only make weapons.


    However, it''s the same for other craftsmen as well.


    For example, if they are good at making everyday items, there is no doubt that they can make other things as well, but compared to their strongest skills, the results will be subtle.


    First of all, all the other craftsmen make them by hand from scratch.


    Blacksmiths can make anything on the spot, as if a god had made a sacred object.


    As an added bonus, anything broken with a hammer would be fabricated.


    How did this come to be known as an unusable profession?


    Would you know this if you studied history or something?


    Or rather, with the content taught in the country''s educational institutions, it''s probably just information that the public knows.


    Everyone is given a weapon. So a blacksmith who can only make weapons is a has-been.


    What a blacksmith can make - if it''s something that is used in everyday life, knives and knives are things that can be made by people of other professions.


    So there''s no need for a blacksmith.


    ........but the facts are different.


    A blacksmith can make anything.


    Is my blacksmith the only one who is abnormal in this?


    Or was there a major historical distortion somewhere?


    I''d like to look into it next time I can find out what it is.


    For now, let''s proceed with the labyrinth attack.


    I wanted to test how far my current abilities could go.


    Thanks to the Weapon Break, I was able to make up for my lack of attack power in one fell swoop.


    For example, it seems to be possible to use it on the trees growing around it.


    But, of course, there are many restrictions on the skills that can be put on trees and the like, unless they are rebuilt.


    For natural objects, there seems to be only about a D-rank at best.


    Speaking of natural objects, it seems that soil, trees and stones can also be given a rank.


    ........Because trees can be used as weapons by smashing them into enemies?


    Dirt is a great weapon if you think of it as an eye opener, and so is a stone if you throw it at it.


    I''m not sure what the criteria are for what can and cannot be equipped.


    However, it''s possible to use natural objects as weapons if you are very selective.


    A handful of soil, for example, doesn''t show its rank. The same is true for stones.


    It seems that a certain amount and size are needed.


    There is no harm in remembering it. That''s the perception.


    I went down the hierarchy, humming to myself.

 42 Episode 41 Judgment of the current situation

    I was taking on the labyrinth to check my current strength, but I could still do it.


    I had set some guidelines for returning home.


    I was going to return home when the battle was becoming more difficult, or when I could see fatigue and so on, but it was unlikely that I would become fatigued in battle.


    He threw his sword at them from a long distance, a weapon break.


    Even if that didn''t handle it, they were mostly poisoned.


    Even in close combat, he could handle it without a hitch, thanks to his daily training.


    Worst case scenario, you can just run and run away, equip the nearby trees and activate the Weapon Break.


    Now that you''ve got your offensive skills, you''ve got a whole lot more firepower.


    Now it''s just a matter of which rank of the labyrinth I can fight to with this skill structure.


    ........The most difficult labyrinth around this city is the D-ranked labyrinth.


    It might not be a bad idea to challenge that one day.


    Thinking about this, I broke through the ninth level and headed to the tenth level.


    Well, the worst that could happen is that I could escape.


    I fought this opponent last time, and I know his behavioral pattern well.


    I took a bottle of the Poison Resistance Potion and then descended to the tenth level.


    A large snake was looking down at me.


    A long tongue slithered in and out several times.


    Both of the snake''s eyes seemed to chuckle.


    ........The question that sprang up a bit was about the demon''s memory.


    Will the memories of the demons that died in the labyrinth be passed on to other demons?


    Maybe now Poison Snake felt like he was lucky that I came alone?


    With that thought in the corner of my mind, I drew my sword.


    The first attack is a poisonous snake.


    A poisonous liquid is shot from his mouth.


    It''s as fast and sharp as an arrow.


    While dodging it, I throw a throwing knife.


    He throws two, and both of them wound Poison Snake''s body.


    He would have been in a poisoned state due to the occasional painful and unnatural movement.


    Now, as long as they fought to keep the effects of the poison resistance potion intact, there would be no problem.


    This is the first time I''m dealing with Poison Snake''s attack.


    Last time, I left the vanguard to Mea-san and I was all about covering up.


    Poison Snake has pre-movements when it attacks with its body.


    For example, if it''s a body strike, he folds his body once.


    When striking with his tail, he swings his tail so that it has a centrifugal force before he strikes.


    Because of such a preliminary action, it is easy to see it off.


    The attack range is proportional to the size of the body, so it is quite wide.


    Still, it''s something you can dodge even after seeing the pre-move.


    Once you''ve dodged it, you''ll have an opening.


    I throw the sword I made for combat at him.


    The sword''s skills are Invisibility and Weapon Break.


    The invisible sword thrusts through and destroys the weapon at the same time.


    The Poison Snake that was close to the sword screams in pain.


    The Poison Snake''s scales flake off, revealing its flesh.


    Even though it was bleeding purple, it still showed no signs of diminishing its battle spirit.


    He dodged the Poison Snake''s poisonous liquid and threw his knife.


    Several knives with negative effects also pierced Poison Snake.


    That may be why their movements are much slower than the first.


    Even if my reaction was a little slow, I was able to avoid it in time.


    It was a little while later.


    Poison Snake vigorously starts blowing out poisonous fog.


    It''s a move that can be seen when his strength has been reduced to some extent.


    I''ve already learned this from Mea last time.


    That poisonous fog doesn''t work on me. .........Although, I did have a state anomaly recovery potion in my possession for a while.


    As long as I''m spitting out the fog, there''s an opening.


    He entered Poison Snake''s bosom and stabbed his sword into it.


    He creates a new sword from the side of the stab, gives it a weapon break, and then stabs it.


    Five swords in total.


    He activates those skills, thrusting them in one place in a concentrated manner.


    The moment - all the swords exploded with an explosion that made me want to cover my ears.


    Poison Snake was also caught up in it and slumped heavily.


    Still moving?


    I observed it carefully, but Poison Snake didn''t move any further.


    ........Even for me, it was a blow I fired with the intention of being a thorn in the side.


    While collecting the remaining material, I look at my fist.


    The fact that I got the Weapon Break made up for the attack power I lacked before, too big.


    At this rate, I might even be able to capture a higher labyrinth.


    But that doesn''t mean we should be in a hurry.


    We need to proceed carefully, little by little.


    Even so........for now, it''s okay to be happy with your growth.


    But at the same time, however, my doubts within myself have changed to certainty.


    I look at the place where Poison Snake had fallen. After remembering the giant''s fallen form and chewing on my victory, I walked out of the labyrinth.


    0


    Back in town, I had come to my usual shop to meet Mr. Krua.


    I had originally planned to meet him. As I was waiting, Krua-san called me in a hurry.


    ''''I''m sorry!��Did I keep you waiting?


    That''s okay. I just got here.


    Is that so?


    ''''Yes. I''ve been doing a little adventuring today...


    I go into the store with her.


    Then we sat down to face each other.


    ''Did you also work as an adventurer?''


    Yeah, well,


    ''''........I see. But a blacksmith.......can you do combat?


    You can do that.


    When I said it, Krua-san looked at me in surprise.


    After all, that''s how you''d react.


    At least, that''s my perception, too.


    It''s because I was brought up hearing that ''only blacksmiths are hazards'' since I was a child.


    "Excuse me, Mr. Krua. I''d like to ask you a few questions.


    What is it?


    ''I''d like to check Krua''s perception of the blacksmith - the public''s perception of the blacksmith. May I ask you to tell me?


    Are you sure?


    Yes, sir.


    Mr. Krua put his hand to his chin once and then nodded.


    ''You have an idea about Mr. Relius, don''t you?��Then I''ll tell you about the blacksmith I was taught.


    Please.


    ''''........First of all, I suppose that the blacksmiths can only make weapons. Besides, I heard that the weapons they can create are all delicate, so they are inferior to divine weapons.


    ...right?


    ''''........That''s right.


    Well that''s certainly true.


    I''ve heard that the church outwardly hates blacksmiths.


    They believe in God, because to them it is evil to deny them what God has given them.


    ''The other thing........is the knowledge that the blacksmiths can only make weapons and not any commodities or anything else that I noticed was also in my head.


    That''s exactly what I''m doing.


    Don''t you think it''s odd?


    ''''........That''s right. The blacksmith is such a good blacksmith, so why did they say that?


    ''No, of course, that too, but...''


    You mean there''s something else strange about it?


    How is it that only blacksmiths know so much about their darkest professions?


    "....!��Ta, sure, yes I didn''t think about it until you told me.


    There are other professions besides blacksmithing that are not true.


    I have heard of many things, but they only come to mind vaguely.


    But how can the people of the world declare that the blacksmith is the only one to be a loser?


    I''m not sure why.

 43 Episode 42 Carefully

    ''''It''s strange that only blacksmiths are being told this much...''''


    Mr. Krua said with a nod of his head.


    ''''That''s right. You said earlier that I went to the labyrinth, didn''t you?''


    Yes, sir.


    ''''I''ve been to the E rank labyrinth, how far do you think I''ve gotten?


    ...alone?


    Yes, sir.


    ''What is your adventurer rank, Relius-san?''


    ''''It''s an F. But I went in with a D-ranked person once before, and we''ve beaten the boss up to ten levels.


    ''''....I see. If so, were you able to get to about three to five levels?


    I guess that''s about how many F-ranked adventurers with normal knowledge.


    I shake my head at Krua-san''s answer.


    ''The lowest level, I''ve defeated the Poison Snake.


    ''What?��Alone?!


    ''Yes. ........I can make enough weapons to fight on my own. And yet, it''s strange that only blacksmiths are being told so much.


    Normally, it wouldn''t be possible for me to conquer the labyrinth all by myself.


    Mr. Krua puts his hand to his chin, surprised.


    There are other professions that are more subtle, too.


    And yet, for some reason, the blacksmith is the only one that is so ingrained that everyone knows it as common sense.


    This would be obviously strange.


    ''''Why on earth is that?''''


    Mr. Krua shook his head as if to say he didn''t know.


    ''I don''t know yet. ...I''d like to find out about it.


    Do you want to check it out?


    ''Yes, sir. ...I just don''t have any idea how to find out, though. So I was wondering if you could tell me something about it, Krua-san.


    It''s a common sense that''s ingrained in the world.


    So you won''t find it if you''re looking for it normally.


    Krua-san, who is much more knowledgeable than I am, might be able to give me some good suggestions.


    Krua-san put his hand to his chin and replied to me as if he were talking to himself.


    ''If blacksmiths are mentioned so much, then it must be true that someone who had the profession of blacksmithing in the past did something about it. We''ll just have to find out about it first.''''


    ...The past, I mean, is there any way to find out?


    ''Ah,'' said Krua-san in response to my question.


    ''''........If we can decipher the documents from the past, unearthed from the ruins and labyrinths, it''s possible.


    Was it called an ancient document or something like that?


    Yes, sir.


    Krua-san nodded persistently.


    ........I''ve heard of ancient documents.


    It''s just that they have yet to be deciphered, even if researchers who are several times smarter than me have examined them.


    As a result, the ancient documents that used to be of reasonable value are now treated as mere pieces of paper.


    ''''If I hear of any information, shall I gather it too?''''


    Can you do that for me?


    I''ll take care of it.


    Mr. Krua, the merchant, would be able to find it much faster than I would be able to find it steadily.


    ''''It just doesn''t make sense if I can''t read it even if I get an ancient document...''''


    ''''Well that''s true. However, Lelius, you can tell what the thing is capable of by looking at it, can''t you?��Maybe you can find some old documents, to a degree?


    ''''That''s right. Let me know if you get any in the future.


    I understand.


    Krua-san looked somewhat amused.


    ''''It looks like you''re having some fun.


    Oh, really?


    When I questioned him, Mr. Krua looked embarrassed and depressed.


    When I nodded my head in question, Krua-san scratched her cheeks, ''''Ah.


    I thought it would be fun to find out something that no one else knows about... but I''m so sorry.


    ''No, not really. I thought it looked like fun too.


    Is that so?


    Mr. Krua smiled and then reached for his food.


    ''But Lelius, you have a valid question. From what I''ve heard, blacksmiths are too useful. ........It''s enough that one person can even support one city.


    You might be able to do it, but it sounds like it''s going to be hard enough to die for.


    ''If it''s such a profession, why is it treated as a hazmat so much that everyone knows about it... maybe there''s some reason why they shouldn''t know about it.


    ''''Well yes. It''s so convenient that some people may have gotten sick of it.


    Too much power, one might think. ...I''m a little worried about it, too.


    Is that so?


    That''s right......... Lelius-san, you use your abilities quite casually, so I''m worried about you.


    Krua-san says in a muttered voice as he removes his gaze.


    Indeed, as Krua-san said, there was a part of him that didn''t care too much about using his abilities.


    ........There was also a part of me that didn''t think about the danger too much.


    ''''........To be honest, Lelius-san''s ability is more useful than I can imagine. That''s why I''ve been trying to be a little more cautious with my deliveries and such recently. In fact, I sometimes think that it might have been better not to invite Lelius-san as a craftsman.


    I shake my head at Krua-san''s words.


    You''ve been thinking about it that much.


    As for me, would anyone be happy with my delivery?��I only thought it was about as good as it gets.


    Besides, I thought that all the people I''ve used so far were trustworthy people, because I thought...


    But that might be unsettling from Krua-san''s point of view.


    ........I''m so grateful that you''ve been thinking about me that much.


    However, I was able to get to know Krua-san because I was using my powers freely.


    It was a stroke of luck.


    ''I enjoy working like this with Mr. Krua. So it''s not a mistake.


    ''....Really?��Still, it''s dangerous to do it too broadly, isn''t it?


    ''Maybe so. I''ll be more careful from now on.


    We should only tell them about their abilities after we''ve assessed them properly.


    Until then, you should only use a power that''s a divine ability, or as much as you can deceive.


    ''''Yes ... please be careful, right?��If something happens... well, I don''t want to.


    Krua-san smiled at that.


    Krua-san''s smile right now looked much more attractive than I had imagined it would be.


    I looked away and said.


    ''''Thank you so much for today. I appreciate your help in discussing things with me.


    No, I''ve heard some interesting things too.


    There''s still a lot I don''t know.


    I''ll have to look into it.

 44 Episode 43 Design Figure

    While I was working at the inn, I received a letter.


    It was from Mr. Krua.


    During my lunch break, I took out the letter and looked at the contents.


    ''You''re not behaving yourself while you''re eating, are you?


    Lystina glances at me.


    ''No, it''s fine.


    As I was eating my bribed food in the anteroom, Ristina, who was also on a lunch break, sat down next to me.


    The anteroom is not large by any means, but there are still two long desks set up facing each other.


    There are also four chairs, so it''s not hard to sit down.


    And to begin with, it''s hardly ever the case that four people take a break at the same time.


    ''What are you looking at?''


    Here''s a letter for you.


    Is this for Lelius, sir?


    In a manner of speaking, yes.


    Ms. Ristina seemed to be bothered by it, and she glanced at the letter.


    I looked at another piece of paper that had accompanied Krua-san''s letter.


    It was written in letters that I had never seen before. Could it be that this was--?


    I hurriedly looked at Krua-san''s letter.


    ''When I told you about Lelius-san, there was an old document stored in my master''s warehouse. It didn''t sell at all, so since he doesn''t need it anymore, I''ll give it to you.''''


    .... oh. I didn''t think I could get it so easily.


    While thanking Krua-san, I tried to revise the old documents.


    There were two old documents.


    I wonder if what is written in both documents is the same?


    ''''........Can you read that, senpai?''''


    ...No, I can''t read it at all.


    Ristina looks at me intently.


    At least I know what she''s talking about.


    With that feeling, I stared at the paper.


    The design of the dragon''s egg.


    That''s what was written on it.


    .........dragon egg?��That means it''s a dragon egg, right?


    "Handgun Schematics.


    What is this?


    But does that mean that the blueprint is for making a dragon''s egg?


    Isn''t a dragon egg a life?


    I don''t understand.


    After looking at it for a while, the words "can be made" also appeared.


    ........does that mean I can make this blueprint?


    Or can we create the contents of the blueprint?


    I don''t know which one, but I''ll try to destroy it later with a hammer.


    What have you found out?


    Yeah, why is that?


    It made me smile a little bit.


    Well I guess you could at least get a start.


    I don''t know, I haven''t done anything yet.


    She looked at me while muttering a hmmm, and then unexpectedly pointed the tip of her fork at me.


    There was a carrot attached to it.


    ''''Yes, senpai. Ahhhhh, please.''''


    I won''t.


    ''Eh, sir!��This is such a cute little junior member of the family feeding him!��You don''t want it?!


    Would you stop giving me food you don''t like?


    ''No, it''s not!��Oh, are you possibly embarrassed?


    Ristina loosens her mouth as usual with a grin.


    That''s because of course it''s embarrassing.


    I took a bite of the tip of the approaching fork.


    As I ate with a crunch, Ristina''s eyes widened.


    ''Not at all. You''re an adult, so please don''t like it.''''


    Then I remove my gaze.


    When I glanced at Ristina-san, she was looking at the end of her fork with a bright red face.


    I drank the water to cool my cheeks, which were hot with shame.


    00


    After I parted with Listina, I went back to my room and put the hammer to the ''dragon egg blueprint'' and ''handgun blueprint''.


    Then they became materials, and at the same time, letters began to flow in my brain.


    ........Could this be the letters of the blueprint?


    Thanks to this, I was able to figure out all the letters.


    The ''dragon''s egg blueprint'' that I just destroyed was, as the name implies, a blueprint for creating a dragon''s egg.


    Whatever it was, it was a blueprint used by an alchemist in ancient times to create life.


    It turned out that by making it from dragon eggs, it was possible to safely raise a dragon hatched from it.


    It was, in fact, still done today.


    The dragon knight unit should have been something like that.


    Modern day alchemists only create potions and the like.


    ........What I''m curious about is that this is possible to create.


    If I have the materials, can I make a dragon''s egg?


    When I tried to create it, the dragon egg was still capable of being created.


    Plus, it could be made with magic alone.


    --I want to make it. I thought, but I couldn''t help but be surprised by the strangeness of this profession.


    I''m going to spend my magic power to create it right away.


    But it''s not enough.


    As expected, it seems that a certain amount of magic power is needed to create life.


    However, it seems that the magic power consumed for this creation can be saved.


    Right now, I poured most of my magic power into the dragon''s egg, and I have some left over.


    If I do it three more times, I should be able to make one dragon egg.


    I should pour all my magic power into it every day before I go to bed.


    ........Just a dragon, huh?


    The instructions on how to raise it were also written on the blueprint like a note.


    It seems to say that you should collect fresh demon meat and the like.


    If you''re serious about keeping it, it''s probably best to collect as much monster meat as possible while you''re at it.


    You never know what kind of meat a born dragon will like.


    The more variety you collect, the more the dragon will be happy with it.


    We need to do something else-- a name.


    Also, where to keep it.


    Fortunately, our inn is pet-friendly. Knowing that, that''s why I decided to create a dragon egg.


    The question is, will I keep them in the room forever?


    The question is, do I leave it in the room all the time?


    I don''t think there''s anything wrong with raising a dragon.


    It''s not so much a pet as a familiar one, but some noblemen have them.


    I''m sure you''ll find it difficult to raise them, you just don''t have to produce eggs.


    You can take your time and think about it a bit more.


    But the thought of growing them makes me look forward to it.


    I''m lying in bed, thinking about the dragon''s eggs.


    But still, blueprints, eh?


    I''m not sure if all old documents are blueprints or not.


    If that''s the case, if we continue to collect ancient documents in the future, it might be possible to create something ancient.


    Aside from the ones that exist in the world today, even those that are completely unknown may be found in the blueprints.


    Even if they can be made, it would be better not to make them.


    It''s a difficult thing to do.


    I''ll think about the dragon egg later.


    The other is a handgun.


    I''ve never heard of this one.


    Is it a weapon?��Or is it some kind of demon or something?


    Reading through the handgun''s blueprint it looked like a weapon of some sort.


    It is said to be a weapon that attacks at a distance, such as a bow.


    If that''s the case, I''d like to create one.


    I immediately put all my magic into it and created it.


    What appeared in my hand was a handgun with an interesting shape and a size that I could handle with one hand.


    He analyzed it using the blueprint as a reference.


    .........It seems to have a cylinder attached to it, and by putting magic power into it, it seems to be able to launch bullets of magic power.


    I wanted to test how powerful it was, but I couldn''t do it in this room.


    I''ll do it again next time when I''m out hunting for demons.

 45 Episode 44 Val

    It had been a few days since I''d seen the blueprints.


    I hadn''t been going into the shop much lately, but I hadn''t been able to validate the handguns because I was taking the place of someone who had been sick.


    I hadn''t been in the store in a row in a long time, so I was tired.


    There was a different kind of fatigue from being an adventurer and working.


    After finishing my work, I was in my room, checking on the demon meat.


    There was enough of it to go around. Besides, it was still freshly recovered now, as corrosion and other things do not progress in the item box.


    Speaking of demon meat, as far as ingredients are concerned, I can create them as well.


    ........Only, to tell the truth, I rarely ate it.


    It''s food produced by my own magical power.


    I''m not sure if it will have any adverse effects.


    I was on the verge of finishing filling the dragon''s egg with magical power, and I was worried once there.


    I''ve told my parents that I want to keep a pet, and they''ve given me permission.


    They were of the opinion that as long as I took good care of them, there was no problem.


    The problem is the dragon to be born.


    Even if you look up the blueprints for dragon eggs, you don''t know what kind of dragons will be born.


    There are many types of dragons, too.


    Some are good at the sky, some live on land and some on the sea.


    I''m sure you''ll find that a lot of things will change depending on that.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to raise a dragon that is easy to raise.


    I''m sure you''ll find it easy to raise a dragon, if you can.


    Yes, I am worried about what kind of dragon will be born.


    I had an idea that I wanted to raise a dragon.


    And if a dragon is raised, it might be able to fight with me.


    Depending on the type of dragon, we could even let them pull wagons and such.


    If the dragon is raised, there will be more things that can be done than ever before.


    I''ve put the last of my magic power into creating a dragon egg.


    The dragon''s egg appeared right in front of me.


    The dragon''s egg S-rank.


    ........yeah. Do dragon eggs also have a rank?


    I don''t know if it''s just a coincidence or it''s a must, but it''s a good thing that an S-ranked egg was laid.


    It''s the size of a human child.


    I could hold it in both hands and finally lift it up.


    ...and the egg is complete. But, yes. We need to hatch them from here?


    How does a dragon egg hatch?


    He picked up the blueprint he had made after translating it into modern language.


    It says: "Dragon eggs hatch when well heated.


    ........I see. Then they need to be kept warm all the time.


    I''ll make the best bedding and wrap it up.


    I''ll make an S-grade futon and wrap it up tightly.


    Then the egg shakes a little with a bang.


    ........oh?��The dragon inside may have reacted.


    All we have to do now is wait for it to hatch.


    How long will it take from here?


    I''ll have to look into dragon hatching, too.


    00


    Morning. I woke up to something slapping my face.


    Could it be Ristina, who had intruded on her own again?


    This might be a good time to take a cue once.


    I open my eyes at the right moment and stare in that direction.


    It wasn''t Miss Ristina. And by the way, it wasn''t a human either.


    It was a blue dragon.


    The one at my bedside was as big as my head.


    It was not large, as it had just been born.


    The scales were there, but they were a bit cool. It was comfortable to touch.


    ''''Vaah!''''


    The dragon chirped happily and tapped me on the head again.


    It''s a dragon that walks on four legs. It had small wings on its back, and now it was smacking me in the face with its paws.


    Its tail was wagging happily, like a dog''s tail.


    ........eh?��Has it hatched yet?


    As for me, I wanted to see the birth of life with my own eyes.


    I glance at the egg, and I see what appears to be a piece of the egg lying on the ground.


    I glanced at the dragon.


    There was a piece of egg on the dragon''s mouth.


    ''Eggshells, did you eat them?''


    Vow!


    The dragon screams with joy. Its tail swings around and slaps me on the cheek as I was still lying there with a flop.


    As I sit up, I try to hold the dragon.


    It''s a size that I can hold with one hand if I put it on well. It''s much smaller than an eggshell.


    I put it on my left hand and stroke the dragon''s back with my right.


    The wings were chubby and comfortable to touch.


    There are no scales yet, and it was as puffy as human skin.


    It looked a little too cute to be a dragon.


    It''s a stuffed dragon, and it doesn''t feel strange to be told that it''s a stuffed dragon.


    The dragon rubs its face against my arm in a comfortable manner.


    ........cute.


    I was soothed by it for a while, but then I suddenly realized.


    ''Yeah. We''ll have to feed her.


    Wahhh!


    The dragon looked at me happily.


    ........Don''t tell me this guy understands my words?


    ''The dragon ... uh, we need to decide on a name too.


    Vaah, vah!


    Name!��The dragon''s eyes sparkle and he gets close to my face.


    ''Do you understand what I''m saying?''


    "Wah-woo.


    He twitched his tail as if to say, "I''ll take care of it.


    ........I see, it seems to be quite a clever demon.


    I sit on the bed and place the dragon on my lap.


    What should we call it?


    I had many names I had been thinking about.


    However, the moment I came face to face with this child, I wanted to think about it again.


    Hmm.........


    "Val-?


    Where did the dragon go?��I''m just tilting my head up.


    He''s flapping his little wings and flying up to my face.


    It''s desperate. It didn''t seem to have much flying ability, and it was cute how hard it was trying to move its wings, so I held it in both hands to support its body.


    The dragon happily rubs its cheek on my hand. Cute..........


    ''''I''ve decided. Can I name you Val?


    ''Val!��Val!


    He shakes his head repeatedly in happiness.


    Okay, I''ll just call you Val.


    "Nice to meet you, Val.


    Valu!


    There had been all sorts of squeals up to that point, but Val purred.


    A lot of things had been bothering her, but for now, this cuteness was enough.

 46 Episode 45 Confirmation

    Since I finished naming them, I decided to give them food and took out the materials.


    The food taken out of the item box was based on demon meat, but I also prepared meat that is usually eaten by livestock and other animals.


    ''''Val, here, do you want something to eat?''''


    He put the meat on the plate he had prepared.


    However, Val didn''t try to show much interest.


    ........hmmm, what does that mean?


    Isn''t he a carnivore?


    He knew that there were herbivorous dragons, but there were very few of them.


    He could at least prepare some medicinal herbs, but would they be happy with that?


    It''s not good for him to go without eating anything.


    We can''t let him starve to death.


    It can''t be helped.


    I took a potion and turned it into a herb.


    I handed it to Val and she gobbled it up.


    "Va!


    Val''s eyes sparkled with deliciousness.


    The herb in his hand was soon finished and he looked at me as if demanding a refill.


    Herbivore, is that what you mean?


    I point the herb at Val again, but she shakes her head.


    Then he points to the raw meat that had been sliced and diced.


    You want to eat it?��But Val doesn''t speak.


    He stares at me.


    ....no way.


    I have a theory.


    I destroy the meat that was being used as a rough guide with a hammer and retrieve the meat.


    Then I used my magic to create the demon meat and pointed it at Val.


    Val''s eyes lit up and she took a bite of that meat.


    ''''No, no, you can''t eat too much.


    I pay attention to Val, and she looks disappointed and ducks her head.


    As I watched Val run around the room, I remembered the answer I''d arrived at.


    Perhaps Val wanted to eat what I had created?


    I glanced at Val and snacked on the meat that had been left behind.


    No, you can eat it.


    But compared to when they ate my meat, they didn''t react particularly well.


    The meat I created would be of a higher rank.


    In contrast, the meat obtained from defeating demons is all of a low rank.


    Maybe it was simply because Val''s tongue wanted to eat something tastier, so she demanded it from me.


    ........The only thing that bothers me is that Val knows what I''m capable of.


    If it''s because I created it, it''s conceivable.


    Well, whatever. Val is cute. That''s all.


    "Can Val be a fighter?


    I''ve heard that even newborn dragons are stronger than the average goblin.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this in the next few days.


    "Valu!


    You''re confident?


    He shakes his head up and down.


    "I''ve got the whole day off today. Can we go outside and hunt some demons?


    Val!


    Val shuffled and shook out her paw.


    ........I was also a little curious how we would fight, so let''s go together.


    I don''t intend to fight a demon that strong.


    We can go and kill some goblins as usual.


    I also wanted to try out the other blueprinted weapon.


    I take out the handgun I created.


    I roughly understand how to use it when I destroy the blueprint.


    You can put magic in this cylinder and pull the trigger to fire a bullet, right?


    I stepped out into the hallway with Val. Val flaps her little wings as hard as she can and gets on my head.


    It''s usually heavy, so I walk over to hold Val in my arms.


    The people at work are just as empty.


    I''ll let everyone know later, I thought, which is fine.


    I was just about to walk out the back door when I met my mother-in-law who was packing up the trash.


    ''Oh, that''s Lelius!��That''s the dragon that she wanted to keep!


    My mother-in-law''s eyes were shining. I took my hand off Val and she was flying hard, flapping in front of her mother-in-law.


    ''Oh. His name is Val.


    Val!��Cute!


    Her mother-in-law hugged her tightly.


    Val seemed a little nervous at first, but she soon got used to her stepmother.


    .........Val, I thought she was quite friendly, but it seems that there is a part of her that gets nervous for everyone but me.


    Maybe it''s because I created it, in case you''re wondering.


    ''''Oh, is Lelius going out today?''''


    My mother-in-law looked at me as she tilted her head.


    ''''I''m thinking of going demon hunting for a bit. Val seems to be pretty good at fighting, too.


    ''Oh, really?��It''s only a dragon, after all.


    Her mother-in-law stroked Val''s head and she purred comfortingly.


    We parted from my mother-in-law there and walked down the street.


    As expected, people might be surprised if I was flying Val around, so I asked her to stay still in my arms.


    They looked like lizards while they lingered in his arms.


    Val looked at the city with interest. When he saw a large building, he would purr happily and turn his head to look at it.


    As we walked through the gate and out, I released Val.


    Val moved her wings and looked closer.


    ''I''ll have to check one thing before the battle.


    ''How is Val going to fight?''


    Speaking of dragons, they are basically attacking either by using their strong bodies for proximity or by using breaths and the like.


    However, the current Val is still a child.


    I''m sure it''s not easy to fight with a newborn, but it would be difficult to fight with melee.


    ''''Var.''''


    The next time I squeaked that, Val burst into fire.


    ''You mean you can do a breath attack?''


    Va!


    Val blew a few more breaths.


    Heh, a dragon can do so many things.


    As I was looking at Val''s breaths, I found a goblin.


    ''''Val!


    Val glared at the goblins as if he wanted to fight them.


    The goblins were already closing in on us.


    There were two of them.


    I just wanted to experiment and try them out.


    ''Well then, Val, since I''m attracting one of them, why don''t you try fighting one first?


    Val!


    As soon as Val nodded, he pattered closer.


    ''If you''re in danger, fly high and get away, okay?


    Va!


    I followed Val and approached the goblins.

 47 Episode 46 What You Can Do

    While looking at Val, I take out the handgun I created.


    I point it at the goblin. Even though the goblins see my handgun, they don''t seem particularly frightened.


    If so, they may think it''s just a finger being pointed at them.


    This weapon is apparently called a gun.


    I knew it was classified that way because it was written on the blueprint.


    It is lighter and easier to carry than other guns.


    It was also said to be less powerful for that reason - does that mean that other guns are more powerful and larger?


    With that thought in mind, I filled the cylinder with magic power and then pulled the trigger.


    A bullet of magic power shot straight from the muzzle of the gun.


    It hit the goblin and pierced its body.


    ........Eh?��It was unexpectedly powerful. It was as if he had stabbed the goblin with a spear, or even more lightly pierced the goblin''s body.


    I, what the hell is going on here?


    The fallen goblin was already not breathing.


    It hit him in the chest, so it might have pierced his heart.


    I don''t know if the internal structure of a demon and a human is the same or not, but in human terms, it was just the heart part.


    Maybe it was because one goblin was killed, but the movement of the other goblin became suspicious.


    Then Val pounces on it.


    The goblins glide toward you and strike you in the face with their tails.


    The staggered goblin''s nose was bent. .........Hey, hey, what kind of power is that?


    As if to chase after that goblin, Val let out a breath.


    Breath of fire. A bright red flame engulfed the goblin''s body.


    .........The breath you showed me earlier was considerably less powerful, wasn''t it?


    In less than a minute, the two goblins were burnt to a crisp.


    Val poured a water breath on the burnt goblins and then came back to us.


    ''''Well?��He tilted his head back. It''s cute, so I stroke her head. It feels nice and smooth.


    ''Well done, Val.''


    Val-!


    It was strong without being overdone, but I forgive it because it''s cute.


    I put a hammer to the charred part.


    The flesh I disassembled with the hammer is brand new itself.


    As long as the fire isn''t so bad that there''s no shape left, I can collect as much as I want with my hammer.


    ''''Val is that what Val''s fighting ability is?''''


    Val!


    He still looks like he can afford it.


    ........This is more of an accomplishment than I thought it would be.


    ''''........If we mass-produce dragon eggs, that''s what we''ll do--''''


    That would make for the strongest army, wouldn''t it?


    The moment I thought that, Val- puffed out her cheeks in muffled puffiness.


    ''''Val Val!''''


    A flop and a tail lightly slap my cheek.


    ''Dude, what''s wrong with you, Val?''


    Va-vah!


    Val moves her tail as if to indicate herself.


    .........From the flow of the conversation just now, could it be--.


    ''''Does that mean we shouldn''t do mass production?


    Val!


    ........Apparently, Val is saying that it''s not okay to make other dragons.


    It seems that even demons have a thing called jealousy.


    ''''Alright, alright. I won''t make anything other than Val, so is that okay?


    Valu!


    It seems to be good as long as it''s understood.


    What about if other eggs are found in the future?


    Not that I can find it anymore.


    "Val. I''d like to try a few more of these weapons. Can we leave it alone?


    Val!


    Kokufu nodded at Val.


    I join Val in looking for the next goblin.


    I point my gun at the goblin we found.


    What we want to investigate here is how to increase or decrease the power of the gun.


    Does the more magic you put into the gun, the more powerful it is? Also, how far does it reach?


    Let''s start with power.


    I''m going to put more magic power than ever before and pull the trigger.


    The chest of the goblin that was running towards us has been pierced.


    The power seemed to have increased from earlier.


    Next time, I''ll release a lesser amount of magic power.


    It hit the goblin''s chest, but it didn''t pierce it.


    However, there seemed to be a shock when it hit, and it popped the goblin.


    The goblin staggered up and fell down, blowing bubbles.


    As it was, it didn''t move.


    This is convenient.


    Until now, I had been desperately throwing knives at it, but it means I won''t have to.


    I dismantle the goblin''s corpse with a hammer and then head to the next test.


    Next, it''s about distance.


    How far can the handgun reach?


    I activate my visual enhancement and find out before the goblins notice me and point the handgun in that direction.


    The distance is roughly 50 meters.


    First, I take a shot. The power is lowered and released.


    The more distance the magic bullets advanced, the smaller they became, and eventually they disappeared.


    About 20 meters?


    Next, I put in a medium amount of magic.


    When I pulled the trigger, it gradually shriveled up as before.


    ........About thirty meters?


    Next time, I''ll release a little more of it.


    ........hmmm, about 40 meters.


    Then it looks like I should put in a bit more strength.


    That was the moment I thought that and put more magic into it.


    The handgun begins to tremble with a clatter.


    .........What is this? It''s similar to when you activate a weapon break.


    I quickly discarded it as soon as I could, and the next moment the handgun went off with a clang.


    That''s about it.


    I''m sure that I can only shoot up to 40 meters.


    So I point the handgun in that direction while activating the visual enhancement.


    And then I pull the trigger.


    However, the recoil is stronger than the increase in power.


    The bullets are slightly dislodged from the direction I was aiming at, and they land at the foot of the goblin I was aiming at.


    As something like an explosion occurred, the goblin seemed surprised.


    ........Let''s shoot while correcting this gap as well.


    I raised the handgun again and pulled the trigger.


    The bullet went straight ahead, and this time it killed the goblin without missing a beat.


    ...Oh, that''s handy. No, it''s not convenient.


    Isn''t it the most powerful?


    Are other guns as strong as this?


    I hope I can find the blueprints again.


    The last experiment can be done without the demons.


    I take out a handgun with a Weapon Break granted to it.


    Will the skill be activated by the weapon, or will it be granted to the bullet....


    If it''s given to the bullet, though, it will be much easier to use than before.


    The moment I activated it, I could feel an unpleasant magical power from the handgun.


    When I quickly discarded it with a pop, the handgun exploded.


    ........This is no good.


    It''s not a good match for Weapon Break. It''s just good to know that.


    ''Val. Should we go back now?


    Valu!


    Val flew toward me and stuck to my back.


    I reach behind my back and try to catch Val. But Val moves to get away from me.


    I catch her back and hold her.


    "Come on, Val. Let''s go back to the city.


    "Vallee.


    Val happily rubs her cheeks.


    He''s really cute........


    I suddenly think while holding him.


    I''m a little concerned about the act of granting skills and putting them away in the item box.


    Until now, skills could be given to anything created or recognized as a weapon.


    However, in Val''s case, it was not possible to grant skills.


    Tucking it away in the item box.......didn''t seem to be possible either.


    Couldn''t life be done?��Or is there some other requirement?


    There''s still a lot we don''t know.

 48 Episode 47 Mouse

    I''m back in town.


    I''m not sure if I should head to the guild to sell the materials.


    It''s not that I''m in need of money, but recently I had a huge surplus of goblin materials.


    It''s not that there''s a limit to how many I can have, but that doesn''t mean I''m going to keep holding on to them.


    After thinking about it for a bit, I decided to leave Val at the inn and then go to the guild.


    I went in through the back door of the inn and headed to my room.


    ''''Ah, Lelius-senpai. Where have you been?��.... hmm?��What''s that pretty girl?


    It was Ristina-san with a glint in her eye.


    Ristina-san, who was cleaning the hallway, approached us with a broom in her hand.


    Then she brings her face closer to Val and smiles at him.


    Val let out a high-pitched ''va'' and Ristina-san glanced at me.


    ''She''s cute, isn''t she? What kind of animal is it?


    Ah, the Dragon Children.


    ''Oh, really?��I heard that dragons are pretty hard to keep, is it safe?


    Val''s so quiet and smart, it''s almost like he can handle it.


    Wow, that''s nice. Is it okay if I pat your head?


    You''ll be fine.


    I released Val in my arms and it pattered and flew away.


    When Ristina-san lightly patted its head, Val purred modestly.


    It seemed to be slightly shy, after all.


    ''''Kawaii.''''


    Ristina-san stroked Val.


    Val seemed to have gotten used to Ristina-san and was rubbing her cheek on his hand.


    ''''I''m going to the guild after this, so Val, can you go back to your room?


    "Va.


    Val squeaked with conviction.


    There would be no need to take Val to the guild.


    It could be stressful for Val.


    ''''Since that''s the case, Ristina-san, you should get back to work.


    ''I know - please take care of your seniors, too.


    Do we really know?


    Mr. Ristina stroked Val''s head until I left the hallway.


    After leaving the inn, we walked through the city.


    The guild is located close to the central district of the city.


    The main facilities of the city are usually clustered in the central district.


    As I was heading towards the central district, the moon soon came out.


    I could see the gates closing in the distance.


    During the night, there would be no access to the outside and inside of the city. I''m sure the area around the gates will be crowded with people who were able to get inside just in time by now.


    Soon the guild was in sight.


    On the way, I walked down the street where there were several shops that were aimed at the adventurer class, and I arrived at the guild.


    As we got closer to the guild, it became noisy.


    The adventurers would also come in the evening and into the night to deliver the fruits of their day.


    I think I might have been shifty.


    I thought about switching to the next vacation, but the next one was in three days.


    I also wanted to go to the guild once, so I ended up heading straight for it.


    I entered the guild, but it was still full of people.


    I went to the board first to wait for the number of people to decrease.


    It''s not that I''m an idiot who is about to receive a request.


    The request gives me a good idea of the situation in this city right now.


    When I glanced at it, I saw that the urgent request to collect medicinal herbs had been returned to the permanent request position.


    In addition to ranked requests, there is also a place for emergency and permanent requests.


    A permanent request is a list of materials and other items that the guild is always looking for.


    For example, to make clothing for people to use on a daily basis.


    Kinusheep, Asasheep, Watasheep, and each of the hairs that can be harvested from these are often used as material for clothing, so they are placed in the permanent requests.


    The rest of the city''s garbage collection was the same.


    For now, I can see that the city''s medicinal herb problem has been solved.


    I was relieved to hear that the problem of medicinal herbs in the city had been solved, but I was concerned about the one new request that had been added to the urgent request list.


    It''s to take out the bloodmouths that have been breeding in the underground waterways.


    It''s closely related to our lives, so I look at the other requests, wondering if anyone will accept the request.


    The number of requests for defeat and other requests have increased since the last time I saw them, but there is nothing remarkable.


    There''s nothing like a mass recruitment for harvesting requests and the like.


    The only problem now is the rats.


    The reception area is getting pretty empty, so I get in line.


    As I stood in line, the occasional adventurer came down the stairs and made a lot of noise, but it was enough to make me laugh.


    Upstairs was the cafeteria. It''s a dining room set up by the guild for adventurers only.


    It''s open until late at night, and many adventurers are said to be drinking and eating there and making noise.


    I''ve never been there, so I don''t know what kind of place it is. I''ve never been there either, so I don''t know what kind of place it is.


    The echoing laughter bothered me a bit, but when I got home, Val was there.


    I want to see Val as soon as possible, so let''s just sell the materials and then go home.


    ''''Sorry for the wait. What can I do for you today?


    We''re here to sell you the material. This is the material.


    I take out a large bag, divided into parts.


    Goblin horns, fangs and claws.


    The horns and claws are said to be slightly more effective when mixed with potions.


    Claws are said to become simple bombs when mixed with magical stones.


    However, its power is quite modest compared to a weapon break. At best, it can only be used to surprise demons.


    As for the meat, I stopped. Goblin meat isn''t particularly tasty, and since it''s raw, the guild has trouble handling it.


    The staff member who received it counts the materials.


    In the meantime, I decided to ask the staff.


    ''I have an urgent request for Bloodmouth.��Did anyone else take it?


    ''''Ah, no.


    Is that so?


    ''Yes. Bloodmouth itself is an easy monster to hunt, you know.


    Well.....


    Are you interested in the offer?


    ''Well if it''s so easy to take it, I guess I''d be a little concerned about it.


    ''Really?��So let me explain a few things to you.


    The staff member started talking about the urgent request with a woozy smile.


    The request was made by the church. This is because the church uses purification magic to treat the sewage.


    I''m sure they found mice during that process. It''s also a bizarre number of them.


    Bloodmouths are not strong monsters.


    But they have a cowardly nature, and when they see a person, they run away immediately.


    That''s why the only way to kill them is to set traps and kill them one by one.


    This is a very sober and painful task, and adventurers are reluctant to take it on.


    The church will prepare traps for you, but you have to set them, and after the rats are caught, you have to defeat them.


    Because of this repetition, it takes a lot of time.


    ''''What kind of thing is a trap?''''


    We leave food that the mouse species likes to eat.


    ...I see.


    ''How about it!��Would you like to take it!


    ''''Well yes. Me, I''ve got another job, so I''ll take it on the next break if no one else has taken it yet.


    ''Really?��No one is going to take it anyway, so I''ll be waiting for you!


    ...No, that would be a bad idea, wouldn''t it?


    I gave a wry smile and left the guild.


    I had been walking for a while after I left the guild.


    I found a small mouse skulking around in an alleyway.


    It seemed to be scavenging for some food.


    I activated my visual enhancement and followed the mouse''s whereabouts with my bird''s eye view.


    The mouse was scrounging for food nearby again at some distance.


    .........food, huh?


    There was a spit-roast in the alleyway that someone had probably thrown away.


    That''s where the mice are coming from.


    As I retrieved the skewers, I thought to myself.


    ........What happens if I eat food with a poison attack on it?


    With that thought in mind, I gave its bait a poison attack and left it there.


    After watching it with visual enhancement for a while, the mouse came over.


    The mouse took a mouthful of that skewer and immediately collapsed.


    .........Heh, I see the poison is activated.


    With this, it wouldn''t be difficult to exterminate the mouse at once, right?


    It''s not that I''m in need of money, but I might be able to accomplish that smoothly.

 49 Episode 48 Request Start

    Three days later.


    I went to the Adventurer''s Guild and checked the emergency request.


    ........However, the emergency request for the underground water system was still the same.


    I go to the receptionist with that request.


    It''s a different receptionist than before.


    The receptionist looked at the request form I brought and looked at me in surprise.


    "Yo, are you sure?


    Yes, sir.


    I wondered if it was something I would bother to check.


    Then the receptionist glanced at my clothes.


    "Yes, sir.


    I''m only wearing simple equipment, including a leather breastplate.


    So I guess that''s why they deemed me a novice adventurer.


    I can fight reasonably well, but as a novice adventurer, I''m not wrong.


    ''You will be held until you are completed, is that alright?


    Yes, I''m fine.


    I''ve only been on the late shift the last few days.


    The request would be for a 9am to 5pm hold.


    My late shift is from 6pm to 11pm.


    So, no problem.


    ''Well then, I''ll need to see your guild card.


    Yes, sir.


    He hands the guild card he took out to the receptionist.


    The receptionist holds it out to a fairy sitting nearby.


    When the fairy touches the guild card, a request is written on it.


    Your request has now been received. The bloodmouths that are targeted to be defeated this time are not strong monsters, but don''t be alarmed. If it becomes dangerous, it will counterattack unexpectedly.


    I know, sir.


    The fairy holds up the guild card with both hands.


    Tapping it, she walks over to me and hands it to me.


    My adventurer rank is currently F-rated.


    There are many requests that can only be accepted if you raise your adventurer rank.


    If you want to be a top-notch adventurer, you need to keep up with the requests.


    You need to accumulate points to get your adventurer rank.


    There is a number 0/100 next to the word F rank on your guild card.


    When you complete a request, you''ll get the points allocated for each request.


    The point earned for this request is 10.


    When I looked at it before, it was 5, but I guess that''s because there were not too many people taking the request.


    On top of the number 5, the number 10 is written down as if it were written over and over.


    The increase or decrease of points to the guild card will be managed by the fairy.


    Also, if you fail a request, the points to be increased will be subtracted.


    If you fail a request in succession, the guild will decide that you are not worthy of that rank, and will drop one rank.


    Up to D rank, adventurers can receive points for requests of other ranks.


    If a D-rank adventurer completes an F-rank request, he or she will still get points.


    However, the points will be much less than they should be.


    From C rank, you have to complete requests of the same rank or higher to get the points.


    Also, in order to be promoted to the B, A, and S ranks, you need to take an exam at the guild headquarters.


    Therefore, adventurers with a B rank or higher are that valuable.


    It is also the reason why many people languish at C rank.


    There is no harm in raising your adventurer rank.


    The requests you can receive will change with each rank, and the rewards will increase.


    If you want to live a wealthy adventurer''s life, you should at least get C-ranked.


    If possible, you should aim for a B rank.


    I go to my client, the management office that manages the underground water system.


    When I told the receptionist at the control center, I presented my guild card and explained my situation.


    He is a friendly man.


    I''m glad to hear that. It was not easy for the staff to deal with the situation alone. I''m glad to hear that you are willing to work alone.


    It''s so much a part of our lives.


    ''Great for a young man!��You will work with the sisters that the church has sent to do the cleansing. I will introduce you to that person and you will follow me.


    I understand.


    I walked up the stairs with him.


    We went upstairs to a corridor and entered a room.


    "Here''s Sister Linial. He''s a bit of a peculiar boy, but he''s a real hand at purification. Now, let''s get to work together. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to. You''ll have to hear the details from Linial.


    He was busy and he left.


    ........almost everything was thrown at him, but is this the way it is?


    This is the first time I''ve ever received a request from someone, so I don''t know what to expect.


    For now, let''s hear from Linial-san.


    When I knocked on the door, I felt the presence of a person approaching.


    ''''An........adventurer?''''


    Her pale green hair swayed as she tilted her head. Her hair was long, almost reaching to her waist.


    Seeing that she was dressed in a monastic uniform, she was definitely the Linial in charge of purification.


    There doesn''t seem to be anyone else in the room.


    She turned her slightly languid eyes to me.


    ''''Yes, sir. My name is Lelius, the one who received the Bloodmouth hunt this time. It''s nice to meet you.


    Lelius it''s nice to meet you. I''m Linial.


    You must be Linial, nice to meet you.


    With a calm voice, Mr. Linial said.


    ''....Come inside, come in. I''ll explain the situation briefly, just in case.


    I understand.


    Along with Mr. Linial, I walked into the room.


    On the table in the room was a sheet of material.


    Is it a map of the underground utilities?��The blacksmith''s ability to check and confirm it was confirmed.


    ''The cleansing we do once a month, what is it... we''ve managed to finish this area now.


    With that, Mr. Linial circled the map of the underground water system.


    ''''I was doing it while taking down Bloodmouth, but it''s hard when I''m on my own.


    ''The staff are helping you, aren''t they?


    Yeah. But he can''t devote much time to it because he has other duties. I''ve asked the church for help, but they''re short on people too.


    "...I see. So you got a request for an adventurer.


    "...Yeah. One, but I''m glad to have an extra person. It''s going to make things a little easier.


    Huh, and even so, Linial-san let out a breath that seemed to be very hard to take.


    ''''For now I''m going to cleanse this compartment next. I''m going to set a trap, and after about an hour or so, I''ll go check the trap. We''ll repeat the process and take it down.


    I understand.


    There are only five traps in all. I''ve already set them up and we''ll go look at them together.


    Yes, sir.


    I get a map from Ms. Linial.


    I walked with her from the administration office to the underground waterworks.

 50 Episode 49 Trap

    There was a locked gate at the entrance to the underground water system.


    Mr. Linial unlocked it and opened the gate.


    As soon as he entered, he locked it from the inside and closed the gate tightly.


    ''I''ll lend you one of these keys,''


    Thank you.


    Give it back to me when you''re done.


    When I received the key that was handed to me, the words "can be made" appeared.


    ........It would be better not to lose it, but it would be better to destroy it once, in order to put it away in the item box.


    It''s probably because of the guild card that I can hand over the key like this.


    It seems that all the personal information on the guild card is shared by all the fairies.


    I don''t know how it works, but it seems that people who register with a guild card once cannot escape from the fairies'' pursuit unless there''s something very wrong.


    After receiving the key, I descend the stairs leading to the underground waterworks with Linial-san.


    The underground aqueducts are dimly lit, and I can finally see what''s ahead using the lights of my magic tools.


    I receive one of the lights that Linial-san had prepared for me.


    It''s an expensive magic tool in its own right.


    I''ve often heard of noblemen''s homes and traveling merchants carrying them around, but they have yet to spread to the average household.


    There is still not enough technology to mass produce them.


    However........it seems to be possible to produce them. Shall we secretly destroy it later?


    Do you have any magic stones?


    Um... yes, I''ve got it.


    I put my hand in my back pocket and took out a magic stone from the item box.


    ''''The back of the handle is open, so just put the magic stone in there and you can use it.


    I understand.


    As you asked, I opened the back of the handle part.


    Then I put the magic stone inside and it flickered several times.


    Is this magic stone not good enough?


    The moment I looked into it, it emitted a strong light.


    It hit me directly in the eye, and as I winced, I heard Linial-san''s little laugh.


    When my vision recovered, Linial-san''s expression had already returned to a somewhat unwilling expression, as if she was miffed.


    ''''Ri, Linial-san just laughed!


    A little.


    Well that''s just awful, isn''t it?


    That''s bad enough that it blew itself up.


    Remembering, Linial-san relaxed her mouth a little again.


    .........well, did we get a little closer?


    Me and Mr. Linial walk down the path by the underground waterworks using the light.


    Me and Linial-san walked side by side, and the path is just barely clear.


    Considering the fact that we''re even going to be fighting, it''s going to limit our movements to just the two of us.


    ''What kind of fighting style do you have, Linial-san?''


    I''m going to hit you with this stick.


    Yeah.


    Linial''s motivational words startled me.


    She lightly turned the staff she was carrying on her back before placing it on her hip.


    ''''My divine weapon is this one, but I prefer to fight in close quarters.


    ...I see.


    Yeah. So, I''ll take care of the close quarters combat.


    ...Some people''s divine artifacts are not what they dreamed of.


    It''s the same for me.


    I wanted a crunchy, crunchy combination like Linn.


    But in reality, I''m a blacksmith. ........No, I don''t feel bad about this profession now either.


    There are probably people in this world who have obtained divine weapons and professions that are different from what they were intended to do.


    ........Weapons, huh?


    Is it really not necessary for a blacksmith to make weapons?


    If a person wants to fight but can''t, only a blacksmith can provide him with the right weapon for him, can''t he?


    But, well, I''m very aware that the divine weapons are too good for ordinary weapons.


    If we can make a weapon that is good enough to match the divine weapon, or maybe the story will be different.


    Mr. Linial''s mouth twitched.


    Over there, a barrier like a square ward was unfolding.


    There was one bloodmouth desperately flailing inside the barrier.


    On the floor, there was food on the floor to catch the bloodmouth.


    The bloodmouth must have been eating it.


    There are food particles on the floor.


    ''Here''s the trap. When the Bloodmouth steps on this magical stone placed under the bait, a small ward is activated.''''


    Linial-san points to a flat magic stone placed on the road.


    ........I see.


    It seems that that warding device can also be mass-produced. As expected, it''s small in size, so it won''t be that useful, but I''ll ask you to secretly lend it to me later.


    All we need to do now is break the warding and defeat the Bloodmouth.


    ...Okay. That sounds like a lot of work.


    Mr. Linial points his hand at the warding device.


    I draw my sword and look at Bloodmouth.


    The moment the warding device is released, the Bloodmouth runs away. I go around to the end of it and swing my sword down.


    I severed the body of the Bloodmouth.


    As expected, Linial-san let out a breath of relief when he saw Bloodmouth stopped moving with it.


    ''''After all, it''s a lot different with two of us around.


    ''''........When Linial-san was on her own, did you go to take her down after the wards were lifted?''''


    Yeah. So I could get away with it sometimes.


    That was pretty hard to do...


    Yes.


    Mr. Linial sighed lightly and then looked at me.


    ''At this rate I''ll go check all the warding devices.


    I understand.


    After that, he and Linial-san went to check the rest of the warding devices and successfully killed the five Bloodmouths.


    Still, the Bloodmouths still seemed to be everywhere. I was checking and counting them with my visual enhancement, but I got so tired of it that I stopped.


    ''I''ll set up a new ward again.


    ''''Well I understand that, Mr. Linial. I have an idea.


    What?


    I take out my own divine weapon, a hammer.


    Looking at it, which is small enough to handle with one hand, Linial-san tilts her head.


    ''''Poison?��But I thought poison didn''t work on demons?


    ''''No, that''s what worked for the goblins and other demons. So I thought that if I could mix the poison with their food, maybe....


    ''''...I see. It''s going to take a long time to do it this way anyway, so maybe we should give it a try.


    Mr. Linial hands the bait to me.


    I grabbed it and then pretended to tap it with the hammer.


    Of course, my divine weapon has no such ability, but it''s easy to fake it if I say, the power of a divine weapon.


    The poison attack was granted while I was holding it.


    ''''Now we just need to lay these out in a few places.


    Yeah. And we''ll set up the wardrobe as usual.


    In case I fail, I''ll just have to hunt as usual.


    But I''ve already experimented with it.


    It should be fine.

 51 Episode 50 Ali

    We had set traps all over the underground water system and we were out.


    All that was left to do was wait for the bloodmouth to feed and for its venom to take effect.


    ''You''ve got the smell on your clothes,''


    The underground water system never smelled good.


    Especially the women, Linial, who was a woman, would probably care about it.


    ''Sure, it smells pretty bad, but you''ll get used to it.


    He is already used to it. Linial-san walks briskly.


    ''''Linial-san, is it okay for you to be free for the next 30 minutes?


    It''s fine. I''ll just stay in my room and rest.


    ''''.......I see. I need a break too, is it okay?


    I don''t care.


    If you say so, I''ll go to my room and rest.


    I go back to the administration office with her.


    I go into a room on the second floor.


    However, I went out into the hallway once to duplicate lights, keys, maps, etc. before returning to my room, so it was already time to leave again.


    ''I''d better get going,''


    Please.


    He and Mr. Linial headed for the underground waterworks once more.


    That''s when I took out my light and illuminated the path of the underground utilities.


    ''Oh, no!''


    Mr. Linial exclaimed in amazement, along with a pretty voice.


    There was a bloodmouth lying on the road.


    They were all already dead.


    ........Okay, it worked just like the experiment.


    "Well, Mr. Linial, the poison worked!


    Well, yeah this is going to be a lot easier but now we have to get rid of the body, so it''s hard to get rid of it.


    Would you like me to take it apart for you?


    Demolition?��Oh, by the way, do adventurers get paid by the number of kills they take, apart from the hourly rate?


    ''Yes. So I need to take my fangs or my tail as proof that I am a Bloodmouth.


    Then you can take it apart. In the meantime, Lelius. Can you make another poisoned bait?��Because I''m setting it up.


    I was hoping you would say that, so I made some during the 30-minute break I just had.


    I hand a bag of poisoned food to Mr. Linial.


    ''....ready to go.


    ''Thank you. Please set up the bait.


    Yeah, I''m on it.


    When Mr. Linial''s back was out of sight, I took out my hammer.


    Now all I have to do is take it apart.


    More and more hammers are being knocked down.


    I''m getting a lot of Bloodmouth material.


    It''s a relief that the Bloodmouths were able to bite the bait more than I thought they would.


    When I had dismantled a total of fifty Bloodmouths, Linial-san came back.


    ''''.......Huh?��Is it over already?


    Yeah, well,


    Mr. Linial looks at me in surprise.


    As if to show it, I show her the bag full of bloodmouth tails that were separated as material.


    ''''Are you good at ... dismantling them?��It''s so clean.


    I think some of them died from poisoning. We can collect them without any wounds.


    ''I see.... Anyway, I''ve set up all the poisoned food you gave me.


    Mr. Linial opened the map and showed it to us.


    Roughly, it notes the location of the installation.


    After putting it away, we get out of the underground water system and rest in our room once more.


    Fifty bodies today..... I''ve been sticking around for a week, but that was the last fifty or so...


    Linial-san looks a little depressed.


    ''''Well, well it just happens to be a good match for my skills, so...''''


    ''Yeah well anyway, this one was going to be a lot quicker than I had planned, so that''s a relief.


    Linial-san looked at me with a relieved look.


    ''''Speaking of which, do you have any other weapons besides the divine weapon?''''


    Yeah, well,


    I think she noticed the sword I was holding out.


    ........well, I took out the hammer so that I could show her.


    ''My own divine weapon, since it''s not that strong.


    ''Doesn''t she seem capable of fighting?


    But where did you get a weapon like that?��Like a labyrinth?


    ''Well...''


    It wouldn''t be a problem to tell him, at least a blacksmith.


    ''I''m a blacksmith by profession.


    ''What?��That''s right!


    The reaction I was expecting and Mr. Linial''s reaction was completely different from what I was expecting.


    Mr. Linial-san was looking at me with a glint in his eye.


    ''''What''s going on, all of a sudden?''''


    You do know how to make weapons, right?


    ''Yes, yes I mean, I''m a blacksmith and I can only make weapons, but...''


    ''No, I think that would be very, very awesome.


    Mr. Linial''s eyes lit up, and then he pointed his wand in my direction.


    I''m the only one with a weapon. But it''s not going to do me any good.


    ........how punishing is that?


    ''''........Is it okay for a churchman who serves God to say such things?''''


    One of the reasons why the blacksmith is unhappy is that he is one who rebels against God.


    The reason is that the blacksmith creates weapons as if he ignores the weapons that God has given him.


    ''Because I''m thinking, "f*ck God,


    Punishing again.


    ''''Huh, well, that''s fine. So I understand that that wand is useless, but.......why are you closing the distance to us?


    I need you to make me a weapon. I''ll pay for it.


    What?


    I was a little surprised to hear her say that.


    I want you to make a weapon. I didn''t expect her to say that.


    As I looked at her, Linial-san nodded happily.


    ''Quite a while ago, the day of the oracle ceremony. There was a lot of excitement in the church about the blacksmith being found, so I was curious. Could it be you?


    ''You''ve been making a big deal out of it?''


    ''Yeah. He said the blacksmith was a bad person for rebelling against God.


    ''''....Bad person. Is that because you ignore the divine weapons and make weapons?


    I think so...


    I didn''t know that.


    So that''s what it is. That''s what he''s trying to keep me from finding out.


    And if so, you''ve succeeded.


    "The bishop of this city soothed it. "There''s nothing wrong with building a weapon. He said there will be times when we will need them. The fact that God gave them a profession and a weapon means something.


    So that''s what happened.


    Yeah. Well, I don''t want to get into that. How much do I have to pay you to make that for me?��Or worse, a body.


    Mr. Linial smiles with a huff.


    ''''Hey, what are you talking about!


    You weren''t a f*cking sister!��I''m blushing, and Mr. Linial hides his mouth with one hand.


    His eyes are narrowed teasingly.


    ''You''re ubiquitous. Well, I''m half joking. Half serious. I want to do my best to be an adventurer after all.


    ''''........Really? Well, you know, about the reward....


    It''s embarrassing to say ... here and now.


    Yeah, no one asks for it here!


    So, what''s the night?��I have to work tomorrow, so don''t stay up too late, okay?


    ''No, sir!��...I would like to see the bishop and talk to him. Would that be possible?


    ...The bishop is a man, is that okay?


    ''What are you confused about!


    That''s a private matter, but...


    ''Please don''t make me ants!��I''d like to ask the bishop to elaborate on his views on the blacksmith earlier.


    When I said that, Mr. Linial tilted his head slightly.

 52 Episode 51: Wisely

    What do you mean?


    Uh...how should I put it? I was wondering why you covered for me.


    I replied somewhat muddled.


    ''I haven''t told Mr. Linial about the blacksmith''s ability to make anything, because I haven''t told him yet.


    ''I don''t know the details of the situation either, but that''s why you want to talk to the bishop?


    Yes, sir.


    Mr. Linial nodded as he considered my words.


    ''All right. I''ll talk to you about it for a bit.


    Are you sure?


    Since the bishop went out of his way to care about the blacksmith and did that, maybe if he tells the blacksmith that he wants to talk to him, maybe he''ll be interested.


    Mr. Linial''s words become more realistic.


    ''I want to see you after work. Do you have someplace to stay, someplace you''re based?


    Then I''m working for The Migratory Bird Innkeeper.


    ''The Migratory Bird Inn'' I''ve heard of it.


    ''Oh, really?''


    "There''s a buzz among the adventurers these days. For the price of a regular inn, you can get a great deal of rest.


    ... "Yeah, well, yeah. We are, I guess.


    Where are we?��Maybe you''re the one doing the work?


    Yes. I''m in here as an employee.


    Okay. All right. At any rate, I''ll talk to the bishop and then I''ll go back to the Migratory Bird Inn.


    ...please.


    Mr. Linial glances at his watch.


    It''s almost three minutes.


    We headed back to the underground utilities.


    On the way there, I asked him one question.


    "Uh, Mr. Linial," I said. You said you want me to make a weapon, but you don''t need to be concerned about me, right?��We can collect weapons and other items from the maze, and you can actually get them on the market.


    "...I''ve tried a few things. But it just didn''t seem to fit.


    Didn''t fit, huh?


    The length and weight of the weapon would certainly be a good fit for that person.


    ''But I don''t know if the weapons I make will necessarily fit?


    I need you to make it for me until it fits.


    Well, as long as I can talk to the bishop, that''s fine.


    "Hang in there.


    .........well, if you can provide me with a certain amount of rewards, that''s probably not the limit.


    A weapon, huh?


    I never thought I''d be asked to make something like this.


    But it is, isn''t it?


    I was disappointed with my artifacts at first, too.


    There are many people like that in this world.


    There are people who want to fight, but are unable to do so, and they convince themselves that their artifacts are the weapons given to them by God.


    Of course, there will be people who hold their grievances inside, but if they speak out about such things, the church will not be silent.


    ...Armsman.


    An idea came to me.


    Couldn''t I do the kind of work that would bring weapons to the people in the world who were looking for them?


    That is one of the ways to live as a blacksmith, isn''t it?


    But that would be repugnant too, wouldn''t it?


    It''s a difficult place to be.


    00


    ''''Yea, you took out this many Bloodmouths in one day?


    When I showed the defeated Bloodmouth''s tail to the staff, his eyes widened in surprise.


    ''''Yes. It just so happens that the poison from my divine weapon worked.


    "...nah, I see. That''s really fortunate ... just if this is it!��There must have been quite a few less bloodmouths already!��If my divine weapon is only capable of detecting demons, I can do it. I''ll check later and report back!


    Please do. So I''ll be back tomorrow.


    ''Oh!��Thank you, Lelius!


    The staff members shouted happily.


    Me and Linial-san each returned the keys to the underground water system and the lights for the magic tools that we had, and left the administration office.


    Because we were able to help each other.


    I make the bait, and while I do the demolition, Mr. Linial goes to install the new bait.


    The process repeats.


    ''There were probably about three hundred of them, weren''t there?


    That''s how many you took down today.


    This can be reimbursed by taking it to the guild.


    Yes.


    ''''Well I''m pretty sure the last time we had a mass outbreak, we only had to take out that many of them, so I think that''s what we''ll end up doing this time as well.


    That would be three days of work lost.


    But I''m sure he''ll be paid for three days.


    Well that would be nice.


    It''s not that I''m in need of money, but I still want to take what I can get.


    ''''Relius, is he an adventurer rank F right now?''''


    Yes, sir.


    I didn''t show her my guild card, but she must have decided that I was here to accept this request.


    ''''Armor, I think you should get it in order. As it is now, I''m a little worried.''''


    ...Is that right?


    I think it''s better to equip the equipment with a little more magic ore. Otherwise, it will be difficult to improve your rank from now on... or perhaps the danger will increase.


    Well that''s certainly true.


    Head, arms, chest, legs. Equipment that protects these parts is important.


    The bloodmouths in this case can also attack back, biting people.


    For example, those attacks are all so weak that they can''t be penetrated if you are wearing protective gear.


    ''''Do you have any recommendations for an armor shop anywhere?''''


    ''Yeah. Do you want to go look at it tomorrow, maybe after we set the trap?


    I''m at work.


    ''Let''s kill time before the trap. Live wisely.


    Cunning, isn''t it?


    To Linial-san who smiled at me, but I was also interested in armor.


    No, there is a possibility that the store Mea-san introduces may not have very good items.


    ''''But Linial-san is in monastic clothes, right?��Do you have any armor?


    I''m wearing them down here. I don''t wear tights.


    ...Oh, I see.


    Flippantly, Linial-san turned up her thighs.


    I thought it was some kind of tights, but when I stared at it, I realized that it was indeed armor.


    I''ll be leaving now. Bye.


    Yes, sir.


    Linial-san raised one hand as she softly shook her monastic clothes.


    .........Come to think of it, Linial-san''s monastic clothes are a bit flashy, or something like that.


    There is a cutout in the part that hides her legs.


    Every time I walk, my feet, hidden by the tights, are exposed.


    ........Are you really a Sister?��He was the kind of person you''d think.

 53 Episode 52 Armor

    We checked yesterday. There''s only about a hundred left.


    When I arrived at the administration office, Linial-san was already there and handed me a piece of paper with the results of yesterday''s investigation.


    ''''........I see. There''s still more left than I thought.''''


    ''Yeah. Anyway, I think I''m going to go set the trap like I did yesterday.


    In that case, I''ve laid a trap for you. Shall we go?


    Mr. Linial nodded as I showed him the bag.


    We both went into the underground waterworks and split off into two at once.


    After setting traps all over the place, we left the underground waterworks.


    ''Well then, let''s go look at the armor until we can see how well the traps work.


    Nice to meet you.


    There is also a guild in the central district where the administration office is located.


    It was a bit far from the administration office, but there are some armor on the street towards the guild.


    I walked alongside Linial-san.


    ''''What kind of armor do you want?''''


    What kind of... what kind of...?


    The choice of armor depends on your fighting style. If mobility is important to you, do not use heavy equipment. If you want to focus on mobility, don''t wear heavy equipment. However, you should only protect the vital points.


    ...I see.


    ''If you''re good at long-range attacks, it''s still similar. However, this one should choose equipment with as much magic power contained in the magic ore as possible. Because it will affect your own magic power.


    Mithril and all that, right?


    I think it''s a little early to tell.


    Linial is right.


    ''''As I recall, there were two types of demonic ore: common and special, right?


    ''''Yeah. Generally speaking, most people use bronze, iron, steel, silver, gold, and platinum magic ore armor.


    ........I know that area because there are a few things I''ve been able to create as well.


    But in the case of me creating them, I was only able to do it by consuming magic stones.


    Even if I dismantle it, I can''t recover the magic ore, only the magic stones come back.


    It might eventually be possible to create silver, gold, and other weapons.


    ''''The less common rare demonic oreses are mithril and orichalcon, right?


    Yeah. And then there''s the baboons, adamantite, damascus magic ore and so on. It is extremely rare that you can collect them in the labyrinth. If you get them, you might want to ask them to make you your own personal armor.


    If we can make armor out of mithril and other materials, we can get a power that is comparable to a divine weapon.


    ''''For now, I think F to E rank adventurers should have armor made from a combination of bronze and demon materials.


    I have quite a bit of money to spare, so I want the best I can get.


    ''Then ... maybe there''s even some steel-type armor in the store.


    Well, I''d like to get a firm grip on them.


    Okay, we''re going to the store. Follow me.


    He and Mr. Linial went into a back alley off the street.


    ........I hadn''t been in this area much.


    There are some men hanging around who seem to be of bad character.


    Some of them seem to be vagrants. When you see their heavy eyes, you can''t help but want to stop them.


    If it was a beautiful girl like Ms. Linial, they would probably be targeted by them.


    I thought so, but no one got involved with us.


    ''''The people here have been bumped off once, so don''t worry.


    Mr. Linial, you''re very strong.


    I''m a C-rated kid right now, but I''ve got a lot of points, so I''ll be able to move up to a B-rated kid as long as I can take the test.


    ...I see.


    Not many adventurers are able to rise from a C to a B rank.


    ........It seems that Linial-san has quite a good skill.


    I entered with Linial-san at a house.


    ........From the looks of it, it looked more like an ordinary house than a shop.


    However, by going inside, I could tell that it was an armor shop.


    The dolls placed on the floor as soon as we entered were fitted with blue full body armor.


    ........cool.


    When I stared at it, I saw that it had been given a skill.


    It''s a damage increase S-rank.


    Heh. It''s an equipment with a demerit, but it looks strong if you can grant it to the opponent.


    I want this one. If I looked closely, I could see that the equipment in the store was given quite a few skills from top to bottom.


    ''''Oh, Linial. Customer?


    The owner looks like an old woman. She had the appearance of a witch.


    ...I wonder if she makes the equipment here.


    ''Well, sort of. I''d like you to mend the equipment for this one.


    Yeah, I didn''t know Linial brought a man here.


    It''s nice to have a change of scenery.


    Yeah, you''re right. He has no boyishness. A baboon, so, brother. You said you wanted a riot gear?


    Yes.


    The question shifted to me. The old woman glanced over to me.


    Well, these two accessories first. Which one do you want?


    "...what?��What do you mean?


    I thought I''d like to see it in your eyes.


    I stare at the two trinkets the old woman is holding.


    ........The right magic stone and the left magic stone.


    Both were given negative skills.


    ''''Both of them are good to appreciate, but I don''t want to wear them.


    The old woman''s eyes widened at my words.


    At the same time, Linial-san also looked at me in surprise.


    ''....Linial. Did you guys talk about it beforehand?


    ''I can''t tell you because every time the old lady asks a different question. I''m not telling you anything.


    Yeah, heh, heh, heh. Will you do your job here?��I could make a living with those eyes alone.


    ........Apparently, he was surprised to find out that he was granted a negative skill.


    Uh, well, I''m not really interested in that right now.


    That''s a waste of time. I''ve got a good eye for it. I''ve made these two things up as I go along. They don''t do much good, do they?


    ...Yes.


    ''Eighty percent of the merchants in the world don''t have eyes for the most part. So you''re more than talented enough to be a merchant.


    ........Indeed. There are more worthless things out there in the world than you might think.


    On the other hand, many valuable things aren''t given their due recognition.


    ''I''m glad to hear that, but I''m more of a craftsman.


    A craftsman?��What, are you a craftsman too, huh?


    No, I''m a blacksmith.


    Oh, yeah. Well, that''s another shame.


    Baa sounded sincerely depressed.


    Then Baa glanced at Mr. Linial.


    ''So you like Linial. You want me to make a special weapon for you, don''t you?


    Yes.


    Mr. Linial nodded, and Baa chuckled.


    ''''An ''artisan'' can make anything, but the only thing they can''t make is a weapon.


    The profession of a "craftsman" can create just about anything.


    Unlike me, they can''t create things in an instant, but they can create anything with dexterity.


    ''Can''t you make a weapon?''


    ''Yes. It''s a pain in the chest when you try to make one. At best, a wooden sword, a sword without a blade, a knife for everyday use, and that''s about the limit.


    ...I see.


    Does that mean they can''t make something that can be used in a real battle?


    I digress.


    ''Well can I have a look around the store for a moment?''


    Yeah, that''s fine.


    I take a quick look around the store.


    ...I see.


    There are various equipment.


    Many of them are steel-based equipment, but they are combined with dragon scales and so on.


    It seems that there are various types of dragons as well.


    ........I also wanted to look into Val''s race later, but I''m busy right now.


    And that was when it happened.


    I found the dusty armor placed in the corner.


    ''''.......This--''''


    It may have been made of silver-based equipment, but it looked like it was just made of hemp.


    Skills were also granted. It''s called damage reduction and slash resistance.


    Both were S-ranked, and I thought they were the best ones in the store.


    ''''Is this one good?''''


    As I said, the old lady looked at me in surprise.


    ''''As I thought........your eyes are a gift from heaven.

 54 Episode 53: A New Challenge

    ''Bah, do you like that equipment?''


    Mr. Linial seemed to be unable to be discerning, as expected.


    Baa nodded dully as he brushed the dust off.


    It''s quite something. I''m sure the artisans in this city wouldn''t be able to make it.


    Linial-san''s gaze turned to me.


    Both of his eyes were wide open.


    ''''...Great, Lelius.''''


    It wasn''t so much that I was awesome as it was that this profession made up a good portion of it, but it was better to keep it a secret.


    There''s no way to know about skills, that''s what this world is all about.


    Any ability that would override that would be dangerous just to have.


    ''''Would you like to try that on?''''


    Yes.


    I put on the armor Baa handed me.


    It''s the type of clothing that you put inside.


    At first, I thought it would be a little tight, but when I put it on, I was able to wear it so that it stuck to my body.


    Most importantly, they are not too tight, even if you move your body.


    Normally, protective gear is something that inhibits movement in some small way.


    This is why I was surprised at this armor, which does not make you feel that at all.


    ''''It''s really easy to move,''''


    That''s right. They''re made from the skin of a dragon called a rubber dragon. Stretches well, doesn''t it?


    Yes.


    That''s not the only thing that surprises me. Do you know the nature of the demon called a rubber dragon?


    No, I don''t know.


    Their skin has the ability to fend off attacks. You can use it to mitigate attacks. It''s especially strong with slashing attacks. That''s why your clothes shouldn''t let half-hearted claws and blades through.


    That''s nice.


    Some demons have weapons.


    Especially humanoid goblins, because they have a habit of finding something they can get and wearing it.


    And they also have a little bit of slime liquid mixed in. They have perfect resistance to physical attacks. You have a knife, don''t you?��You should try it.


    Baa glanced at the knife that was stuck in my waist.


    I nodded and held the knife in my hand.


    I flipped up my stomach and stretched out my clothes.


    Then I pushed the knife against it.


    I could push the knife in, but I couldn''t slash it.


    This is the power of the rubber dragon material?


    With the weapons I have now, it seems to be difficult to make a scratch on this.


    I need to make it sharper. I felt a little frustrated.


    ''''What do you think?''''


    It''s very solid.


    Of course, there is a painful feeling of being hit by a knife, but it''s not a slash.


    It would depend on the situation, but it seemed a lot better than a knife sticking out.


    ''Have you got the money ready?''


    ''Yes. And may I see a few other pieces of equipment that I''m curious about?


    Yeah, that''s fine.


    I then proceeded to look around the store.


    The skills were pretty much on, but many of them were similar.


    Could this be because of the same creator?


    The skills in the store that I don''t yet own are damage increase, damage reduction, increased potion range, enhanced agility, and heal attack.


    The equipment in this store is excellent because there are many equipment with physical enhancement, strength enhancement, and agility enhancement skills.


    I bought each of these equipment that had an S rank.


    ''''What''s the point of having so much?


    ''Yeah, well. Yes, but I wish I could be like ''The Craftsman''.


    Well, it''s important to take a look at a good piece of work.


    When Baa said that, Mr. Linial loosened his mouth.


    ''You call that yourself?''


    ''It''s obvious. It''s stupid to not have a proper understanding of one''s worth and ability.


    ...that''s a word that sticks in my mind a bit.


    I need to know more than that, too.


    Baa''s eyes turn to me.


    "If you want to become a ''craftsman'', you should gather materials and try to combine them together by yourself to make various things. Of course, you''ll probably make a lot of mistakes.


    Okay.


    So that''s about it, then.


    I''m grateful for all the help I got from Baa.


    I bowed, and Linial-san also waved a fluttering hand.


    ''''Well, I''ll see you next time.


    I don''t have high hopes for the Linial, but this makes me think twice. Go get some more good customers!


    Baa said teasingly, and Mr. Linial stuck out his tongue with a bae.


    He left the shop and returned to his original path.


    ''Mr. Linial and Baa are good friends, aren''t they?


    ''Well, to a point. More importantly, I''m glad Lelius isn''t interested in the armor at the entrance.


    Entrance armor?


    As I recall, it was blue, sturdy looking armor.


    That was the coolest thing to look at, but all the skills that came with it were negative.


    ''Yeah. That armor was put there to trick the stupid customers. Didn''t it stand out the most?


    ''''....I see. So that''s what it was meant to do.


    ''Yes. Is Lelius going to go home for once?��You want to leave that stuff behind?


    ''Yes but are you okay with that?��I''m at work right now, in case you were wondering.


    ''It''s all right. It''s actually going to take a lot more work, but thanks to Lelius, we''ll be done by tomorrow.


    That''s fine then.


    Well, I''ll come back.


    Yeah. I''m resting in the admin room, so we''ll meet up there.


    I understand.


    After leaving Mr. Linial, I return to the inn once more.


    After dismantling all the equipment in my room, I return to the administration office once more.


    ''''Mr. Linial, I''m sorry to keep you waiting.


    Hmmm.


    Ms. Linial was asleep.


    When I called out to her, she stretched lightly and then stood up.


    ''I have some new traps ready for you.


    We''re ready. Okay, let''s head to the underground utilities.


    Yes. Please.


    We enter the underground waterway with Mr. Linial.


    Unlike weapons, armor is rarely tested in battle.


    If I were to try out armor, it would not be in actual combat. At the very least, it''s in training.


    Even so, it is tempting to deliberately try to eat an attack, at least for a little while, but all bloodmouths die from poison in the first place.


    I''ll have to try that some other time.


    I''d also like to use my newly acquired skills.


    If I can equip them, maybe I can at least challenge the D-rank labyrinth.


    When I think about the things I want to do, I can''t help but loosen my mouth.


    I should pull myself together.

 55 Episode 54 Silver Sword

    Third day.


    As a last check, we set up the bait several times, but there were no more demons on it.


    The detection of the staff was complete and it was confirmed that all the Bloodmouths were dead.


    ''''Well, I didn''t expect it to be over so soon........ Thank you, Lelius!��You made it happen!


    The staff member who screams with joy grabs my hand and swings it around in a circle.


    I didn''t expect the poisonous attacks to be as active as they were.


    If there were a large number of Bloodmouths, that would be enough to make a living.


    If I wanted to, I could make a living if I only had to go around all the cities and accomplish the sewer requests.


    That''s not a bad idea, but I''ve got a new goal in mind.


    ''''I''ll pay you through the guild for the reward. ........Only, you took out the Bloodmouth a lot earlier than planned. It will take a little while to prepare the reward, but are you alright?


    I don''t mind, sir.


    ''''Well I see. I''ll contact the guild as well. Well then, thank you.


    I left the administration office.


    ''Ah, done, done. Thanks to Lelius, I''ll be able to relax and rest for a while.


    Is that so?


    Yeah. Originally, I was going to be working on the sewerage system for a month or so, so I''ll be able to take it easy until I can get on a new schedule. I can take it easy until I can get on a new schedule.


    Okay.


    Thanks to Lelius. And Lelius, you make weapons for us, don''t you?


    ''Yes. I suppose you will allow me to speak to the Bishop?


    Yeah. He said we should talk. Just that he''ll call you later through me when he has a better time.


    I understand. Thank you for everything.


    No, not at all.


    Can I ask you a question? What kind of weapon do you want to use?


    A sword, maybe?


    Okay.


    Mr. Linial stretched lightly.


    ''I''ll see you next time then. ''The Migratory Bird Innkeeper'' is fine, right?''


    Yes, sir.


    I left Mr. Linial, and I still had time until the late shift.


    Let''s go back to my room for now.


    When I got back to my room, I check my level.


    Level 20, I guess.


    I''m sure it has something to do with the experience I gained during the bloodmouth hunt.


    The new equipment that could be made was marked with a silver mark.


    It was a weapon that could be created by consuming magic stones, so I tried it out right away.


    At the same time, I''m going to create an armor.


    It''s a rubber dragon''s leather armor.


    The primary goal is to create a sword that can slay this thing.


    ........However, if I can''t slash with the Silver Sword S rank, it would be difficult to do so with my current weapons.


    However, he also said that it would be good to try things out.


    I''ll have no choice but to try out some combinations that I hadn''t tried before.


    First of all, I''ll create a Silver Sword S rank without a hitch.


    It''s closer to silver than the sword I''ve been using so far.


    I''ve heard that silver magic ore is more sturdy than steel magic ore.


    Just silver is not that sturdy.


    However, when it contains magic power, it is said to be easier to process and still be sturdy.


    Using the silver sword, I try to cut the rubber dragon leather armor for now.


    However, I can''t cut it.


    The leather armor expands and contracts to match my sword.


    It expands and contracts in time with my sword, but it doesn''t reach the body. Even if I put all my strength into it, it was difficult to cut it off.


    ........This is amazing.


    I''d like to mass-produce it too, but I don''t have any rubber dragon material, so I can only make leather armor.


    For now, I''m going to combine the Silver Sword with the materials I''ve obtained so far to make a sword.


    Goblin, Red Wolf, Sahagin, Poison Snake....


    I tried combining each of these materials with the Silver Sword to create a new sword, but it was no good.


    As expected, the sharpest increase was when I mixed Poison Snake''s fangs with it.


    However, it''s difficult to do more than this in the current situation.


    For now, I''ll create a transparent no sword. Originally, this sword had an invisibility attached to it.


    I created this sword and wielded it, but it didn''t feel very formidable.


    From the feel of the sword, it was about as sharp as an iron and steel.


    This was not good enough.


    The goal is to make a sharper sword.


    The reason I''m so obsessed with this is also because I''m making a weapon for Mr. Linial.


    For the first time, I''m making a weapon for someone else.


    My first step as a blacksmith. I want to make a sword worthy of it.


    Is there anything else I can do now?


    A new demon.........


    It was just then. Val, who had been sleeping in the room, woke up.


    When she realized I was there, she looked at me happily.


    ''''Var?''''


    No, it''s not that I''m trying to beat Val.


    What I came up with was the part where Baa used more than one material.


    He also used a bit of slime liquid, he said.


    That''s something I could do, right?


    Let''s just try it for now.


    I''m going to try combining a silver sword with a goblin and a red wolf fang.


    No one has ever made a weapon before, so I have to try and do it by hand.


    Soon, the Silver Sword was made.


    Wulfrin Silver Sword, S Rank.


    Shake it lightly. It''s lighter than a normal silver sword.


    And I feel that the sharpness of the sword has improved.


    ...I see. So by combining multiple materials, a more powerful weapon will be created?


    Then we can just add more to it.


    Once it''s disassembled, we add the Sahagin.


    However, the weapon wasn''t created and a failed sword was created.


    ........Three is not good enough?��Or is it because I''m not at my current level?


    Then I tried a couple of times, but more than three seemed difficult.


    It''s no use. I just have to find the best combination with two.


    I try various combinations and then swing my sword.


    With the Goblin and Sahagin, the sword was a little heavier, but still powerful.


    With the Goblin and Poison Snake, it''s not much different from the Red Wolf''s sword. However, this one was granted a poison attack from the start. It''s a D-rank poison attack, so it doesn''t seem to be very useful.


    The Wolf and Poison Snake are lighter swords, with only an added poison attack... probably the best looking ones.


    And so we arrived at a combination of Sahagin and Red Wolf.


    A light and powerful sword was created.


    Perhaps because Sahagin''s scales were blue, the sword has a slight blue tinge to it.


    I wielded it lightly, but it felt comfortable in my hand.


    I guess I''m making one for myself now.


    With that sword, I swing it into the Rubber Dragon Leather Armor.


    The first time, it was palpable, but not enough to break it.


    He swung it out in succession. He hadn''t gotten any scratches with his previous weapons, but now he was definitely making scrapes.


    .........I guess this is the best sword I can make right now.


    The finished sword........is for me for now.


    Now it''s Linial-san''s sword that I''m going to make.


    I''m going to make this sword with Linial-san in mind.


    I''m going to repeat this process over and over again.


    It''s the biggest S-ranked sword I''ll ever make.


    I won''t compromise.


    Is it because I am trying to combine several materials?


    After 30 minutes of repeated creation and disassembly, I finally finished it.


    Now it''s just a matter of what skills to give it.


    In order to do so, I had to figure out what new skills to give it first.

 56 Episode 55 Skill Effect

    Lately, perhaps because my level has gone up, I can now tell if a skill is good or bad.


    It seems that the ones in blue are good skills and the ones in red are bad skills.


    The skills in the equipment I purchased this time are as follows.


    The first thing to note is that the skills are given to the things I created, perhaps because of Baa''s talent.


    It''s good to recognize that this isn''t completely random, but rather a certain one is granted.


    However, as Baa-san had mentioned, not all skills were visible, so the actual performance would have to be confirmed.


    Even so, the artisans seemed to be able to understand some of the abilities such as the ability to meet.


    First of all, they would separate the good abilities from the bad ones.


    With the one I purchased this time, damage reduction and agility enhancement seemed to be good abilities.


    The bad abilities are damage increase, heel attack and potion range expansion.


    And - perhaps because I reached level 20, I can also see the effects of the skills.


    However, it''s not very smart. The only explanation is that it''s frankly stupid.


    Damage reduction. Reduces the burden of attacks.


    Agility enhancement enhances agility.


    In other words, it wasn''t very helpful.


    I''m going to try these two for now.


    I''m going to use damage reduction and agility enhancement on the clothes I''m wearing now.


    What kind of damage reduction is that?


    ''''Val, can you come rushing in?


    Vaal!


    Val''s eyes widened happily, and then he flapped at me.


    It''s a jabbing blow. I take Val''s head-butt to my chest and fall back to the futon.


    At the moment of the direct hit, I felt like my breath was about to escape from deep inside my body, but by the time I fell, the pain had eased.


    ........Is this a damage reduction?��It''s not visibly obvious, but it''s a mess.


    Let''s take it again after I take off the damage reduction to try it out.


    Val is still lying on the bed, cheek to cheek on my chest.


    I nod Val''s head and raise my body up.


    ''Val. Can you try it again with the same amount of force?


    Val!


    Once up and out of range. He touches it with one hand to disarm the skill, and then gets a rush from Val.


    ''Bube!��....Ha!��Oh!


    Val-?


    I swallow as hard as I can.


    The pain was unbearable, and he coughed repeatedly.


    My breathing is erratic and I stagger back to my feet.


    Now, it''s just like before.


    This is the blow of the dragon........!��Just because it''s small doesn''t mean that Val''s real rush is a joke.


    ''''Vu, Val...?''''


    He tilts his head in concern.


    ''Duh, I''m fine!��I asked you to do it, remember?��Don''t look so sad!


    I laugh as brightly as I can and hug its body.


    After drinking a couple of the potions I took out, I grant damage reduction to my clothes.


    Can this be layered on?


    I''m going to start with three things. The clothes and the ring.


    Then I''ll try to take the attack but the effect is the same as with one.


    ...Is there something wrong with it?��Or does it only trigger one?


    I hang out with Val for a while and look into damage reduction.


    ........And I found out one thing.


    Maybe the damage reduction is activated in the part of the body that was attacked.


    This doesn''t seem to be a skill that is always activated, but rather a skill that automatically activates when you are attacked.


    I guess it''s similar to auto-return. Then it would be easier to understand if it was automatic damage reduction.


    I was able to notice the effect when I layered my leather armor and clothes on top of each other.


    In other words, if you dress really thickly, you won''t take any damage at all.


    To test it out, I put on the underwear I had in my room anyway.


    Ten pieces in total. My body grew a size and I felt slightly breathless.


    In that state, I took Val''s thrust to my chest.


    It was popped, but it didn''t hurt at all.


    As expected, doing this much would inhibit my movement, but I should dress well enough not to get in the way.


    For now, I knew that damage reduction is activated depending on the part of the body that was hit.


    The best way to use it is to wear it in layers, as I mentioned earlier.


    Damage Reduction is a good place to start, next is Agility Enhancement.


    I''m going to try wearing a necklace with agility enhancement.


    I noticed this one the moment I put it on.


    It feels like my body is lighter.


    It''s not the same as "muscle strengthening". For example, it''s not that my leg kicking power has increased, but that I can move really fast.


    Of course, because I can move faster, the power of my thrusts may increase to the extent that they are accelerated, but my ability to kick something doesn''t seem to have changed.


    This is another piece of equipment that wouldn''t be a loss to grant with the extra points of equipment.


    For now, we''ve finished confirming the skills that have a positive effect.


    The problem starts here.


    From now on, we''ll only have skills with negative effects.


    The first step is to increase damage.


    I''ll check the effect of the skill first.


    ...increases the damage. Only. It''s a really clunky skill.


    You can think of it as the exact opposite of the damage reduction from earlier.


    If it was on the armor, the big miss should be a big miss too.


    "Valu?


    No, I''m not going to verify this equipment.


    I made damage increasing armor to try it out, but if I got hit by Val''s blow earlier, it would interfere with my bones.


    If it''s not done well, even my life will be in danger.


    That''s why I will never try it.


    ''''........Valu.


    I don''t want you to sound disappointed.


    Because you''ll want to try to cheer me up.


    Well, then, I''ll move on.


    The heel attack.


    First, let''s see how it works.


    When you attack, it will heal you.


    ........This would be a huge miss if it was on a weapon.


    The point is that it will create a recovery sword, right?


    What does it actually look like? I''d like to try it out.


    I make one of my knives, which I''m not particularly skilled at, and poke my finger.


    A puff of blood came out.


    Then I make another knife and give it a Heel Attack S rank.


    Then I poke the wounded end of it.


    It''s a test to see if I need to say the name of the skill.......but I didn''t need to.


    Some kind of gentle power wrapped around my finger.


    A little later, the wound on my finger closed up.


    ''You''re resilient in your own way.


    "Val-


    If it''s on a weapon, it''s a big miss, but...


    Then it occurred to me.


    If I could use it without activating the skill, it would be a good match for a handgun.


    I''d like to try it out right away, but I''m afraid of what would happen if it didn''t activate, so it would be better to try it out on an actual demon.


    Lastly, you can expand your potion range.


    The effect of the skill is to increase the recovery range of potions.


    ........What does that mean?��Potions are also used to cover wounds by putting them on the wound.


    Does this mean that its range is expanded?


    It''s just a demerit effect, right?


    I''m not sure.


    ''Anyway, Val. Let''s go hunting for demons.


    "Val-


    There''s still time until nightfall. Let''s go hunting for a bit.

 57 Chapter 56 Convenience

    If there''s one thing we''re going to have to worry about when it comes to skill testing, it''s goblins.


    It''s because they aren''t that strong, and if you leave them alone for a while, they are demons that will multiply before you know it.


    Val is also following along with me, flying in a flap behind me.


    Once outside the city, we continued on the road for a while, as usual.


    Lately, it''s rare to see goblins near the city.


    Therefore, we had to walk quite a bit.


    Still, it wasn''t as painful as before.


    I can work with Valu now.


    ''''Valu.


    Every once in a while, Val would come up to me and purr happily.


    I couldn''t help but relax my mouth when I saw it.


    I walk along the path that was created by people walking along the beast path.


    The path is divided into several parts. One that goes to the labyrinth and another that goes to another city.


    In the direction of another city, the ruts of a carriage can be seen.


    From the dryness of the soil, it doesn''t look like it''s been that long since we passed through.


    Is that why? I could see a goblin figure that seemed to have come for such a carriage.


    With its ugly face, the goblin was staring at us.


    There were three of them.


    When the goblins found us, they let out a joyful cry and raised their respective gains.


    A goblin with a weapon?


    It''s a rusty sword, an axe, and a spear.


    ........For now, I just want to try a heel attack.


    The first thing I took out was an ordinary handgun.


    I aim at the belly of the goblin with the sword that was moving the fastest.


    At the same time as I pulled the trigger, the bullet released hit the goblin''s stomach.


    I kept the power down. The purpose of this time was to try a heel attack.


    I fired the handgun I pulled out with my left hand at the goblin with the sword as he staggered to his feet.


    It''s a handgun with a heel attack attached to it.


    The bullet that was released struck the goblin straight between the eyes.


    The current one is a bullet with such power that it could be killed with a single blow in normal circumstances.


    So far, the bullet had penetrated the goblin''s body several times, but just now, nothing had happened.


    On the contrary, the weakened goblin got up energetically.


    ........It seems that the effect of the heel attack has been activated.


    Indeed, this is a weapon of disadvantage if it was used unnoticed.


    Particularly, wouldn''t it be the worst if you drew a low-ranked Heel Attack?


    You can''t hurt yourself without recovering much.


    It would be hard to notice it in the middle of a battle.


    I retreated, putting away the handgun that was granted a heel attack.


    The spear goblins were approaching.


    I quickly retreated and let go of my handgun.


    The spear goblin pounced to the side in an agile move.


    It was probably because it had seen its companion get hit earlier that it expected something to jump and dodged by jumping to the side.


    It was a reasonably smart thing to do.


    As the spear goblin was trying to straighten out his stance, the axe goblin was rushing at him.


    It was the largest goblin of them all.


    I dodged the blow that was swung down and I plunged the sword in my waistband into the axe goblin.


    The goblin stumbles and tries to pull out the stabbing sword.


    ''Weapon Break.''


    At the same time as he murmured, the sword that was stuck in the body of the axe goblin exploded.


    The impact popped the sword goblin that was approaching me.


    I throw my sword at the fallen sword goblin.


    It was also granted a Weapon Break.


    The skill was activated to engulf the sword goblins, and in the blink of an eye, two of them died.


    They must have been angry at being hit by their friends.


    The spear goblins rushed in with their faces red.


    But I fired a bullet into its gaping body.


    The goblin''s face turns pale. A poisonous attack.


    The spear goblin staggered to its feet, but it must have already used up quite a bit of its energy.


    It collapsed with a crumble.


    ''''........For now, the heel attack is useful.


    It can be used to heal your friends, and it activates instantly.


    I''m not sure how well it heals wounds, but it also seems to heal them reasonably well.


    You just have to be careful not to miss your aim and hit the enemy.


    And then there''s the potion range expansion. I''m not sure about this one...''''


    I take a sip of the potion as a way of recovering from my fatigue.


    .........hmmm, I can''t really tell what the effect is.


    There''s no indication that the amount of recovery is going up, either.


    I''ve been thinking about it, but I don''t know. For now, I''m hungry, so let''s get some food.


    I make a loaf of freshly made bread. It''s a little hot and warm to hold in my bare hands.


    Next, I make some melted cheese and pour it over the bread.


    The hot bread and cheese mix together. The cheese spills out and I rush to get it to my mouth.


    It''s hot ... but it''s good!��Cheese and bread. Normally, I would not be able to eat anything this hot.


    It''s impossible to eat all these things outside.


    These were all created with magical power.


    After I saw that I was giving them to Val as food, I didn''t particularly care to eat the things created by my skills.


    I hadn''t experienced any problems with my body.


    However, I still liked to bribe at home, so I still had a bribe in my mouth as well.


    As long as you have magic power, you can be self-sufficient.


    No other profession could be more convenient.


    I''d like to meet the bishop as soon as possible to talk to him.


    Valu, Valu!


    It was then that Val called out as if to complain about something.


    ........did he want to eat my bread?


    Val doesn''t like things that are quite hot.


    I had to adjust the temperature before I fed him, or else I made soup before and he got teary-eyed from the heat.


    I''ll just wait here for a minute, Val. I''ll make you another bread.


    Valu!


    I shake my head. Do you want meat in between instead of cheese bread?


    That was good in its own way.


    We put the meat in the bread, and then we put the cheese and tomatoes together.


    Then we put special sauces and sauces on top of that. Those condiments are not easy for the average person to get to, but I can make them, because I destroyed them once.


    ''Wait and see. I''ll put some meat in there too.


    Valu!


    No, no, no!��I just shook my head.


    ........what the hell?


    Then Val jumped in front of me with a flap and put her paw on her hip.


    Then he made a motion with his other paw as if he were drinking something.


    ''Are you thirsty?''


    Val!


    Stupid!��And then he swung his tail out.


    It hits my head and hurts a little.


    Val looks at my pouch and pounces on it.


    There''s nothing in there, but I use it to take out potions when I hunt with someone else.


    ........potions?


    When I drank the potion earlier, it did the same thing as Val did earlier.


    No way, is that it?


    I take out the potion and Val nods in agreement.


    Then Val stares at my necklace.


    The necklace has been given a potion range expansion.


    ........Val takes away my necklace and grabs the potion with his tail at the same time.


    The moment Val dexterously brought the potion to her mouth, my body recovered.

 58 Episode 57 Work

    Does that mean that Val''s drinking the potion has triggered the effect on me as well?


    I understood the meaning of Val, who had been showing signs of thinking until then.


    Val must have been recovering when I drank the potion.


    He thought about it and actually acted on it.


    Unlike me, who was leisurely enjoying my bread.


    I prepared one of the raw meats and fed it to Val, and he took a bite of it, which looked delicious.


    It''s Val''s favorite food. Then I point the vegetable at him and he looks at me.


    I don''t want to eat them, do you mind if I don''t?


    It appeals to me with those eyes.


    Most dragons are omnivores, so I feed them vegetables too.


    It''s a human thought, but I thought it was healthier.


    ''Eat,'' I told him, and Val ate reluctantly.


    Thank you, Val, I think I understand the benefits of your skills.


    "Valu.


    ........but does this skill have any use?


    Wouldn''t my potion allow the goblins to recover as well?


    First of all, if you''re recovering, a heal attack is easier to use.


    Then, if you can develop a potion that makes you state-deterrent, maybe you can use it.


    Drink a state-deterrent potion beforehand, and then wear one that has a skill to extend the range of the potion.


    Then, though, you could drink various state-deterrent potions, which might work.


    There aren''t any potions that make you state-deactivated in the first place.


    If I can make it somehow, maybe it will make sense.


    Until then, it might be better to save this skill.


    ''''Val. Now that we''ve tested the skill, let''s go back to the city once we''re done.


    Vaaloo.


    Okay.��Val nodded and pattered over to me.


    By the time we entered the city, I held Val.


    I presented my guild card and entered the city.


    I walked through the city.


    A short time later, the gates close as the sky darkens.


    The air in the city changes with the sound of the gates echoing.


    Many shops opened as the sun came up and closed as the sun went down.


    Watching these people, I returned to the inn.


    I still have time to get to work.


    Once I got into my room, I then decided to create my equipment.


    I also found out the effects of my skills. I want to make it as strong as possible.


    We''ll start with the Sahalf Silver Sword.


    If I can create an S-ranked weapon, it will be 0/250.


    Three of those slots would be basically muscle strength, agility and strength.


    The other two slots will depend on the situation where we use them but what should we do?


    If we''re going to be safe, automatic return and automatic recovery.


    Auto-return will allow you to return after throwing a projectile, and auto-return will recover from blade spills.


    It''s also good to add multiple strength, agility, and stamina enhancements.


    Other skills can be used with rings and other items.


    In particular, Weapon Breaks are useful if you put them on equipment you don''t need, and then take them out and throw them during battle.


    Therefore, I gave these five skills to the weapons I created.


    ........I need more skills.


    This time, I know that the craftsmen can give themselves random skills.


    .........Is there anything like that for me?��So far, I haven''t been able to discover them.


    I hope I''ll be able to automatically create skills in the future, too.


    ........I mean, my weapons are fine.


    I need to build Linial-san''s weapon next.


    I''ll create a weapon for Linial-san while keeping her very much in mind.


    Will this work?


    I''ll check the finished S-ranked weapon. It''s a bit awkward.


    I''m going to compare it to the sword I created for myself.


    Linial-san''s sword........the blade is a little thinner and the sword itself is shorter.


    ........I see. The sword is adjusted slightly to fit Linial-san''s arms and height.


    Feeling it in my hands, Linial-san''s sword is lighter.


    Mine is more of a cutting sword, but Linial-san''s seemed to be good at shallow slashing and grinding attacks.


    It''s not a good idea to give a skill to someone and then explain that this sword has a skill called 00.


    After looking at the finished sword, I put it away in its scabbard.


    All I have to do now is give this to Linial-san.


    That can be done after you talk to the Bishop.


    ''Do you want something to eat, Val?


    Val!


    Whatever, right?


    I make a plate and then put the meat on it.


    Val starts to eat it.


    I pat its head and it stops eating and rubs its head against me.


    ''Well then, Val,'' he says, ''I''m off to work. I''m going to go to work.


    Val!


    Val raises his paws and bobs his tail.


    I move to my bed and Val lies there.


    I''ve gotten used to living with Val.


    If you need anything else, you can come to the waiting room, okay?


    Vaaloo.


    I''ve introduced Val to the people at the inn. Someone will tell me.


    Nevertheless, Val has never come to us with any problems before.


    He has never had any such problems.


    I walked downstairs and headed to work.


    My shift today is to go in and help out in the kitchen and take a break turn.


    Then you''d work as a waiter.


    As I headed to the kitchen, I met eyes with Ristina, who was working as a waiter.


    ''''Ah, Lelius-senpai. Good morning.''''


    ''It''s not a good morning. It''s been a while.


    Listina said she was going to take the last few days off because she has another job.


    It looks like she will start working here again today.


    ''''That''s right. I''ve missed my seniors!''''


    Okay.


    ''You''re already cold. I''m going to cry!


    You can do that after work.


    It would be the usual appropriate word again.


    I ignored Ristina''s look of concern and went to work.

 59 Episode 58 Bishop 1

    ''''Lelius-senpai. ...There''s someone who says he has something to do for you, senpai.


    For me?��Who is it?


    It''s a woman.


    What''s your name?


    It was a woman.


    I get a jittery look from Lystina.


    I''m sure they''ll tease me about this again.


    Just in time for work to be less busy. After checking with my stepfather, I headed towards the receptionist.


    The only people who would need me would be Krua-san or Linial-san.


    When I went to the reception desk, I saw a familiar woman in monastic clothes - Ms. Linial.


    She noticed me and raised one hand in a light tone of voice.


    ''Long time no see.''


    It''s been a while.


    ''I''ve come to tell you that the bishop has set a date for you to meet him. Four days from now is fine, right?


    Mr. Linial had confirmed to me beforehand that he had a day off.


    ''Yes. That day will be fine.


    All right. Well, I''ll tell him that. I''ll be waiting for you at the church entrance that day. What time will you be there?


    ''''Well, yes. Is about ten o''clock okay?


    No problem. Okay, I''ll see you another day.


    Yes. Please.


    Mr. Linial said just that and left with one hand raised.


    ''You can meet the bishop, huh?


    Does this solve some of the mystery about the blacksmith?


    When I headed to the cafeteria with that in mind, Ristina-san was still looking at me.


    She wasn''t in her usual teasing tone.


    ''''What is it?��Are you really that concerned about me and Mr. Linial?


    What?��No, no, not really!��What are you talking about?!


    I was a little curious and when I called out to Ristina-san, she shook her head in a panic.


    .........What kind of reaction is that?


    I just asked her normally.


    As I was snickering, she looked at me with a slight stain on her cheeks.


    ''''........What kind of relationship do you have with the person you just met?''''


    For some reason, he looked a little serious.


    It wasn''t like he was asking me to tease me or anything.


    ''You said before that you were going to work on the underground water system?


    Oh, was it the rat hunt?


    ''That''s it. That''s who I worked with at the time.


    ...You mean your workmates?


    ''Well, yes. It''s kind of like you, Lystina.


    Well....


    Lystina exhaled lightly.


    Her expression relaxed a little and her mouth relaxed.


    ''''I''m glad to hear that. I thought for sure you had a girlfriend, senpai!''''


    He''s not here. Not now.


    ''Yes, of course!��Well, I was in a hurry to see if my senior had beaten me to it!


    ''Ah, so that''s why you looked so serious.


    Yes!


    At that moment, my mother-in-law, who was working in the dining room, chuckled and looked at me.


    ''''You two are as close as ever already, aren''t you?''''


    We don''t get along...


    Ms. Ristina calls out in a panic.


    Just then, a guest enters and takes a seat.


    Ristina-san headed towards it, her cheeks coloring a little.


    ''00''


    It was the day of my promise to Mr. Linial.


    I had just brought my sword with me to give it to Mr. Linial.


    When I went to the entrance of the church where we were to meet, Linial-san was already there.


    ''Good morning,''


    Good morning.


    I''m coming in the back. Follow me.


    Mr. Linial walks out and follows his back.


    When shall I give him the sword?


    Would it become a burden if I gave it to him now?


    Would it be better to give it to him after I talk to the bishop?


    While thinking about this, I enter through the back door of the church.


    The back of the church it''s not a place I would normally see so much.


    A number of grave markers are lined up there. Just then, one of the sisters was tending to it.


    "Oh, Linial. ...With a man?


    The woman said teasingly with a calm voice.


    ''No, no. I brought you here at the bishop''s behest.''


    ''Oh, I see. And the bishop, not the bishop?


    ''I know. I''ll do right by the bishop when I stand before him.


    Just have a good time, okay?


    I love you.


    I bowed lightly, too, and then walked away from the woman.


    The church came into view. A short distance away was what looked like a small hut.


    ''That''s the quarters where the sisters and knights stay,'' Mr. Linial told me.


    I guess that''s why I was staring at it.


    It''s mainly used by knights, he said. They stay there and take the night''s watch.


    As I walked through the garden, there were a few benches, perhaps for a break along the way, but it didn''t happen to be empty, or that anyone was sitting there.


    We walked in through a door made to be embedded in the wall.


    I glanced to my left and saw an altar.


    There weren''t many, but I could also see people.


    ''I''ve got things to do today, this way.


    They took me to the right side of the room.


    There was a narrow passage and several rooms.


    At the far end of it - that''s where we go.


    It was probably the bishop''s room. It was a bit more luxurious than the other doors.


    After Mr. Linial stopped, he knocked on that door.


    Shortly, there was an answer and the door opened.


    It was the Sister who appeared, but she could also see an elderly man through the door.


    He entered through the door and went out into the hallway as the sisters replaced him.


    ''Welcome, thank you for coming, Mr. Relius,''


    It''s nice to meet you. I''m sorry, but I had to ask you to be selfish.


    No, don''t worry about it. I''ll have the sisters fix you a drink in a moment.


    Oh, no, I''m fine.


    Not at all. I''ve got something I wanted to talk to you about as well.


    The bishop smiles softly at me.


    I sit down on the sofa, thinking that he seems like a warm-hearted person.


    ''''Lelius-san. You came here today to ask me about the blacksmith, right?


    ''''Yes, I know. I heard that the blacksmiths were being treated unfairly, but the bishop stopped them from doing so. I was wondering if there was a reason for that.


    ''''Well yes. I don''t know a lot by any means, but I''ll tell you as much as I can.


    The door opened and the sisters brought me a drink.


    I listened to the bishop''s words as I sipped on it.

 60 Episode 59 Bishop 2

    Let''s start with the current situation. But how did you come up with that, Relius-san?


    ........I can''t explain in detail about the ability.


    However, I had already prepared an answer about it.


    ''''For example--like Linial-san, there are some people in this world who will never be able to recognize their profession and their divine weapons, right?


    ''Yes. I have something similar in mind.


    ...and the bishop, too?


    ''Yes. I had this divine instrument with cleansing skills, so it was decided that I would work in the church without choosing to do so myself. So this is what God has ordained, right?


    ....


    Indeed, it''s quite common for divine instruments and professions to determine one''s future path.


    ''''The same is true for you, Linial.


    ''Well, half of it. But I haven''t abandoned the adventurer''s path yet.


    Yeah, I guess so.


    Huh, the bishop chuckled lightly.


    Then the bishop nodded.


    ''A blacksmith who can make weapons for such a person is not inferior. Is that what you''re saying?''


    ''Yes. Of course, church officials may take offense at what they see as a disrespectful act to God.


    Well that may be true for the dedicated church people but not for those who have been forced to serve by their profession and divine instruments.


    ''I also believe that blacksmithing is not an unfair profession. So why have blacksmiths been treated so poorly - it has a lot to do with history.


    ''I don''t think very many of us already know this history. I had only heard about it from the Pope myself.


    ...What is that history?


    Once - a crisis struck this world. It is said that a vortex suddenly appeared in the world and a brave man protected the world from it.


    ...That''s something you hear from your parents in fairy tales and stuff, right?


    ''Yes. These are real events. But there''s more to this story.


    All the brave men were killed by a man.


    ...What?


    As I said, as if surprised, Mr. Linial also looked at the bishop.


    ''''Well according to the Pope, the man had the profession of a blacksmith. The people of those days killed the man as a traitor, he said.


    ....


    I didn''t know that history.


    ''The existence of the blacksmith has gradually faded throughout history. Few people know what happened back then anymore.''''


    ''But there were a lot of people who didn''t like the blacksmith, and that''s all that remained after the time had passed.......?


    ''Yes, that''s right. ........And also, the Pope has distorted history, I guess.


    ...by the Pope?


    ''Not because the blacksmith killed a brave man. I switched the part about the blacksmiths being able to make weapons.


    ........Oh, I see.


    That''s why everyone was emphasizing the part about the blacksmiths having a divine weapon, though.


    ''By the Pope, I''ve heard it all before. ...I had the same thought as you.


    Then the Pope spoke to me and told me that if anything happened to the blacksmith, he would protect him.


    "...the Pope is an Ancient Elf, if I recall.


    If you want to hear the details, you''ll have to talk to the Pope in the Holy State.


    We''ll have to cross the ocean.


    Crossing the sea is not an easy task.


    The demons in the sea are powerful, so you need to have enough strength and sturdy ships to defeat them.


    ''''Is this all I can tell you? I''ve only heard it from the Pope myself.''''


    ''No, it was very valuable to hear your story. Thank you.


    I''m glad to hear it.


    The bishop loosened his mouth.


    ''Blacksmiths are not unfairly treated because they are never a weak profession, and this is probably right.


    I think so, too.


    The bishop finished his story.


    ''Well may I ask you one last question?''


    Excuse me?


    If I told the Church I was an arms dealer, would it still look bad in the eyes of the Church?


    ''''Well yes. Perhaps they might deny it.


    I guess, I guess.


    Because from the church''s point of view, it''s nothing but the enemy.


    ''But many of the people who have changed the world so far have still been in denial. They may be in denial at first, but some of them will thank you for it.


    I glanced at Mr. Linial.


    Mr. Linial nodded his head.


    ''''I want my own weapon. It would be nice to have a weapon that is easy to use.


    ''That''s what I mean. That''s all I have to say, but is there anything else you want to ask?


    No, thank you.


    No, if I find out anything else, I''ll let you know through Mr. Linial.


    The bishop smiled and looked away from us.


    p.


    I think I''ve heard some things I shouldn''t have.


    I''m sorry Mr. Linial, I''m sorry.


    No. It''s not that I don''t like it. I''m just having fun.


    You''ve heard some valuable things from the bishop, haven''t you?


    I left the bishop''s room, satisfied.


    I held out the sword I was holding to Mr. Linial.


    ''Is this my weapon?''


    Mr. Linial grabbed the sword he had received from me.


    ''''Yes. It was made to fit Linial-san''s physique and so on. Please let me know if you''re not feeling well again.''''


    She drew her sword from its scabbard and then lightly swung it on the spot.


    It was a brilliant sword-handling move. I''m sure she has practiced with a similar sword before.


    ''''........Wow. It''s as familiar as if I''ve been using it for years.


    ...Is that so?


    ''I didn''t expect it to be as perfectly adjusted as it was. ....Thank you.


    No.


    So, when you get a free moment, we should have a party.


    ''What? Are you sure?


    ''Yeah. It''s just that when you''re an oddball like me, there''s not many people who will partner with you. Nice to meet you.


    Nice to meet you.


    Mr. Linial smiled at me and held out his hand.


    I took his hand in mine.

 61 Episode 60 Bishop 3

    Now I was in the artisanal district.


    I was talking with Krua-san before about looking around the artisanal district--because it was today.


    We''ll meet at the entrance of the artisanal district........I heard that Krua-san was--.


    When I was looking for Krua-san''s appearance, I saw her usual figure.


    Her hair was tied up at the side. His clothes were tightly fitted.


    When Krua-san came in front of me, he loosened his mouth.


    ''Good morning, Krua-san.''


    ''Good morning. Good day to you, Mr. Lelius.


    I''m looking forward to working with you, too.


    We bowed lightly to each other and then went to look at the artisanal area.


    Mr. Krua is.


    ''Come to think of it, how did you like that paper in the ancient language?��What did you find out?


    Yes, sir.


    ''''..... I knew it--Yeah!


    Krua-san turned to me as if surprised.


    ........I only told him thank you in the letter.


    ''''That was a blueprint for a weapon and other things. I''m a blacksmith and can now create those weapons.


    ''''........Nah, I see.


    ''Yes. Thank you so much.


    Next time I find it, I''ll give it to Mr. Relius.


    Thank you very much.


    We may continue to get new weapons in the future.


    That''s exciting to think about.


    I walked with her through the artisanal district.


    Krua-san stopped.


    ''''This is the workshop we''ll be taking care of. You''re an acquaintance of the master, and I''m a little acquainted with you.''''


    Okay.


    I''m a little nervous.


    I''m a craftsman, but I have to admit, the wicked way is also the wicked way.


    I follow Mr. Krua inside.


    It looks like this is a store that deals in furniture.


    There are many pieces of processed wood in the building.


    A man with a bandana on his head pauses his work when he notices us and comes over.


    ''Oh, Krua-chan. Krua-chan. Is that the craftsman you contracted with Krua?


    Yes. This is Mr. Lelius.


    ''Well, well, well. You look like you''ve been working out a bit, but are you physically fit?��It''s a physical job for a craftsman, you know?


    The man in front of me is certainly stout.


    ........It''s not like the way I created it, you know.


    ''For now, it''s manageable,''


    Yeah, right. And you said you wanted to see the other craftsmen. What do you want to see?


    I was just wondering what kind of work you actually do.


    Oh, come on. Craftsmen may make different things, but they''re all pretty much the same, aren''t they?


    Well, yes.


    The man lifted his chin to tell us to follow him and lead us around.


    "First, this is where we roughly process the wood. Then we cut it up, make it piece by piece and put it together at the end.


    The work going on in front of me is quick and smooth.


    ''There''s a fast-moving man over there, what the hell is that?''


    Yeah. It''s a rare skill that craftsmen rarely have, you know?��That''s the one that accelerates your movements when you''re working.


    ...I see.


    You don''t have one?��That''s a bit disappointing then. Well, eighty percent of us don''t have it, but we''re still getting by.


    ...So that''s what it''s all about.


    Then I go around to look at the whole place.


    People creating tableware, such as forks and knives, were also in another workshop.


    "It seems that even craftsmen can create things that are not recognized as ''weapons''.


    It might be difficult if it gets any larger than that.


    ........This is how things are made.


    I''ve never been to a craftsman''s town since I was a child.


    I''ve only ever seen finished furniture and such, so I had no idea how they were made.


    ........And yet, while there were people mass-producing the same item, there were also people creating one item.


    In this workshop alone, there were many different craftsmen.


    ''''It''s roughly like this.''''


    The man turns around with his arms crossed.


    Mr. Krua glanced at me.


    ''Thank you very much. That was very helpful.''


    Oh. Well, don''t be a craftsman who makes little Krua sad, okay?


    ''''Well yes. I''ll do my best.


    After bowing briefly to the craftsman, we left the workshop.


    When we went outside, it was late in the evening.


    You''ve been looking around a lot.


    ''Thank you for your time today, Mr. Krua.


    You''re welcome.


    I know, I want to make it too.


    ...I want to make something that only I can make.


    I want to make my own best weapon - to be one step ahead of the blacksmith.


    Well, Mr. Kurua. Could you listen to one of my dreams?


    What is it?


    I tell her what I''ve felt so far.


    ''I ... wanted to bring this weapon to the whole country. I want to make a weapon that''s as good as a divine weapon.


    ''I see. ...I think it would be difficult to do it right away. If we were to do it, the only way to do it would be to first find people who want such weapons and then sell them to individuals. I will seek out those customers as well.


    Are you going to help us?


    That''s the only reason I consulted with you, that''s all I want to do.


    I figured I might have to terminate our partnership agreement in the future.


    ''Because I''d be more than happy to have Mr. Relius enjoy working with me, too.


    She smiled as she scratched her cheek.


    ''''Thank you ... thank you.''''


    Oh no. It helps me too. I''m really grateful that everything you make is highly regarded, Lelius-san. People compliment me on how great and awesome they are.


    I''m going to keep trying to get people to say that.


    Oh, well, I don''t want you to be on edge, do I?


    I know, sir.


    So I broke up with her.


    My own personal weapon - from now on, I''ll have to level up and expand the range of weapons anyway.


    Also, I want to find the blueprints.


    If I have information on those things, I want to keep looking for them.

 62 Episode 61 Rank Up

    The only way to raise your rank as an adventurer is to complete the requests.


    After completing F-rank requests for a while now, I finally reached 100 points.


    I''ve decided to become a first-class blacksmith.


    In order to do that, I need to be able to make new things.


    I can make basic weapons, but I need to combine materials.


    In order to collect a lot of those materials, I wanted to move up a higher rank.


    Currently, I had come to the guild to receive a request for promotion to E rank.


    ''''Have you heard about the promotion request?


    ''No, this is my first time. May I ask you to teach me?


    When I went to the guild''s reception, I immediately asked the receptionist about the promotion request.


    Basically, a promotion request is a request that can only be made by one person.


    However, that''s not the case, depending on the difficulty of the promotion request.


    In this case, the request is for a player to move up from rank F to rank E. However, there are only promotion requests that can be received by multiple players.


    The promotion requests are not always received now.


    It''s also possible to continue receiving requests for rank F without being promoted.


    But that''s not going to get me to the point I should be aiming for.


    Anyway, for now, I wanted to raise it to rank C.


    ''''What do you want to do?''''


    The request I''m going to receive this time is a monster called Rabbit Kangaroo.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to make the most of your time in the city.


    ........I think it''s probably safe.


    But we can''t be too careful.


    "Do you know how many people are participating in the promotion request right now?


    ...three people. With you, that makes four.


    Would it be possible to ask about them?


    The receptionist looks at me as if surprised.


    ........Have I asked you something rude?


    ''''I''m sorry. If you can''t tell me, it''s fine, but--


    Of course, I can''t give you any personal information, but I can easily tell you.


    ''Oh, I see. You were so surprised, I knew I''d asked an insane question.


    ''''No........I didn''t know anyone of that rank who thought and acted to that extent. You are quite a cautious and well-thinking person.


    I have a feeling you''re just a scaredy-cat.


    While dodging such jokes, I proceeded to talk with the receptionist.


    The three adventurers you''ll be taking on this time--all three have completed many requests for defeat. The percentage of requests accomplished is also 100%, so I think they are able to consider their own abilities and the level of difficulty of their requests and act accordingly.


    ''''........I see. Isn''t it true that the three of you are having a party together?


    If the three of you were trying to take it together, you might interfere.


    ''''Two of you seem to be in a party, but one of you was working with another higher rank.


    ''''....I see. What is your attack style like?��I''m fighting at close and medium range myself, are you covered?


    ''That won''t be a problem then. Two will be close and one will be long distance.


    In terms of party balance... well, I don''t see a problem with that.


    If the one additional person coming in is long range, then I''ll just fight as I normally would.


    If the one more person is in close proximity, I can be more of an assistant.


    ''''I understand. Let me accept the request.


    Okay. Now, let''s go through the formalities.


    The receptionist prepares a request form. I presented my guild card and waited for a while.


    ''''Yes, your request has been received here. The request itself will be in two days.


    I understand. Can I take another request?


    ''Yes, sir. You can take the request as you normally would.


    Then I left the guild after receiving a request to take out the goblin magician.


    Once I returned to the inn and collected Val.


    Come to think of it, according to what the receptionist said, we''re not allowed to take demons and other things with us, right?


    I can''t expect Val''s backup.


    I head out of the city with Val and look for the goblin magician.


    ''''Val-?''''


    What are you doing?��And Val comes closer to me.


    ''Yeah. ...I''ll be getting a promotion request next time, so I was just making some adjustments to my weapon.


    The problem is my fighting style.


    I need to adjust it to fit in with my surroundings and make it as unnatural as possible.


    When it comes to dismantling, I can''t use a divine weapon. Even if we were to do it, we''d have to do it secretly.


    As for auto-return, up to one can be faked as a divine artifact.


    As for the body strengthening skills........well, it doesn''t matter how many you have.


    It''s just as long as you don''t exert your power excessively.


    I think it''s fine to have a poisonous attack as well, but it''s dangerous if it hits your friends.......


    It''s hard to use throwing weapons in a melee.


    Handguns, of course, are forbidden to use, right? Nobody has them.


    ........You can''t even make use of the item box, so prepare a pouch in advance.


    However, it''s easy on this one. I can just stick my hand into the pouch, make a potion there and take it out.


    As for the use of the item, you won''t be that limited.


    It''s just a little more of a hindrance to the usual motion of sticking your hand in the pouch and then using it.


    What to do about the heel attack? That''s the only thing I''m worried about.


    Can I have one just in case?


    Make some of your equipment invisible, give it a weapon break and you''ve got an invisible bomb.


    You should be able to wear a few of those on your person.


    As you experiment, you''ll engage in combat with the Goblin Magician.


    Repeat the battle with the goblin magician and throw the throwing knife.


    .........Combat using a throwing knife, huh?


    I think about it for a bit there.


    Unlike demolition knives, throwing knives are not marketed as a weapon, or are treated as a weapon.


    I''d like to put them to work for a bit of publicity.


    Hopefully, other adventurers might want it.


    Then it would be my turn to be a blacksmith.


    The goblin magician works with regular goblins, but is a bit smarter.


    He seems to be the leader of the goblins and gives them instructions from behind.


    Three goblins rush towards us, and Val spits out a breath and kicks them away.


    The goblin magician in the middle distance prepares his magic, raising his staff as he does so.


    There, he throws a knife.


    The knife, which flew straight up, pierces the goblin magician''s arm.


    This allows him to pinch the middle distance at once.


    The goblin magician seems to be distracted by the knife stuck in his arm.


    I jumped in between them and swung my sword down.


    I cut off its head without resistance.


    It''s very sharp.


    I look behind me. The goblins were blown away by Val with his tail and finished them off with his breath.


    He throws the knife at the leg of one of them that tried to escape.


    He thrusts his sword into the goblin that fell down.


    ........Okay, the battle is over without a problem.


    I exhaled lightly and then headed to take out the remaining goblin magicians.

 63 Episode 62 Information gathering

    After I finished defeating the Goblin Magician, I returned to the guild to report the accomplishment of my request.


    When I took the materials back and handed them to the receptionist, the receptionist looked at me in surprise.


    ''''Ha, you''re early.......''''


    Really?


    If I usually got a request, it was usually because it was a validation of a new skill or something like that.


    There were times when I was just taking it easy on the road.


    But this time, I finished it as quickly as possible, partly because I wanted to gather information in the Adventurer''s Guild.


    The reason for this is because I wanted to gather information from the Adventurer''s Guild.


    I had never seen a demon called a rabbit kangaroo before.


    I had heard of it briefly, but I wanted to talk to someone who had actually fought it.


    The goblin magician had purple horns.


    That was the material for the proof of defeat, as normal goblins don''t have them.


    I accomplished my request, but I still had a question for the receptionist.


    ''I need to ask the adventurer about the rabbit kangaroo, should I ask the adventurer?


    ''I can give you some simple information, but if you want to hear my opinion on the actual fight and so on, I''d better do that.


    Okay. Can we go upstairs to the dining room and ask them?


    I suppose so. Maybe if I buy you a little something, you can ask me.


    I understand.


    It wouldn''t be a mistake for an information fee.


    It was just as I was about to move upstairs from reception.


    The guild was suddenly boiling over.


    ''''........What the hell?''''


    Maybe it''s that guy.


    Is that him?


    Have you never seen that man, Mr. Relius?


    Maybe.....maybe not. I''ve never seen it this exciting before.


    ''''I''m the strongest adventurer in the city, having recently accumulated points as a rank C, and I''ve been scheduled to head to the guild headquarters to be promoted to rank B.''''


    ...Is this the most powerful city in the world?


    It''s not a big city by any means, so a C rating would be a surprise.


    To begin with, in this city, it''s a D-rank at best.


    Adventurers above that level often move to another city to continue being adventurers.


    So, C-ranked adventurers are talented in their own right, but some of them have risen in rank in illegal ways.


    The idea is to team up with other strong adventurers to earn points.


    If you are up to C rank, the guild won''t be able to look at you and investigate you that much.


    The guild does not give a d*mn if the adventurer falsifies his or her rank.


    Therefore, anything below C rank was only for reference.


    Even so, the person who is about to come in is this reputation, albeit with a C rank.


    He must be a very skilled person.


    I wanted to catch a glimpse of him, but I couldn''t see him because the adventurers were in the way.


    ''''Oh, hey ... look at that.


    ''''.......You''re still beautiful as always. I wonder if I''ll be able to venture with you when I''m stronger too?


    d*mn you, man. She''s never had a party with anyone before.��You can''t do it.


    ''''Ah.........sister, you look dignified and beautiful today.......''''


    Is she beautiful?


    I''d love to see one, too.


    I push past the adventurer and step forward.


    ''Hey, kid!��Yay!


    Excuse me. I saw a little bit of that too--


    I look at the woman as I get tangled up in them.


    My eyes meet the woman''s.


    "Oh, Lelius. Oh, hi.


    It was Linial-san who answered in a light tone.


    .........Heh?


    The man who had grabbed me up was surprised to see me and took his hand away from me.


    ''Isn''t that Linial-san......... Eh?��Are you the most powerful adventurer?


    Well, I pride myself on being the best in town, but you''ve made me more mobile lately, thanks to you. Thanks.


    She smiled happily, and the people around her shouted out.


    ''''Oh, that Mr. Linial is talking to such a dull man!


    What does this mean?��Who the hell is that guy?


    ''La, how many ranks do you have!��Could it be that guy is a C-rank too!


    ''No, I just saw him completing an F-rank request!��Why is he like that?


    The surroundings are noisy.


    Seeing this, Linial-san looks at me tiredly.


    Then she grabs my hand.


    The surroundings become noisy again.


    ''What have you been doing?''


    ''''Earlier I accomplished the request and I was thinking of going upstairs to get information on the promotion request.


    A promotion request?��What''s your rank?��What demon?


    "We are requesting an upgrade to rank E. The demon is a rabbit kangaroo.


    Well, I''ve fought that one myself. I can sell information.


    Linial-san runs her hand over her stomach and smiles.


    Because that would have been the only way to get information from someone originally.


    ''All right. I''ll buy you lunch.


    Thank you. It''s pretty noisy in here, so why don''t we go to another place?


    ''''Well yes. I''d appreciate it that way.


    Okay. You ready to go?


    Mr. Linial pulls my hand away.


    Tightly, the hand remains in his grasp, and the surrounding gazes are turned on.


    ''''........Um, you can let go now.


    Well, at least until we get out of the guild.


    Mr. Linial pulled a little harder.


    An arm lightly hit Mr. Linial''s chest, startling him away.


    ''''S-Sorry!''''


    Don''t worry about it. I''m the one who put you within this distance.


    I left the guild as Linial-san pulled me out of the guild.


    A little while after I left the guild, my hands were removed.


    ........Thank God.


    When I was relieved, Linial-san tilted her head.


    ''''I hope the people around me misunderstood me as your boyfriend or something...''''


    ...Why is that?


    I get asked out a lot. I don''t want to deal with that.


    I see.


    It''s like when you had a date with Ristina-san before.


    Oh," Linial-san says, sounding as if she has noticed something.


    ''Do you have a girlfriend?��I''m sorry if I misunderstood you in a weird way. All I had in mind was my convenience.


    No, no I''m fine, he''s not here.


    Oh, really?��I thought that was what you were worried about when you looked so relieved earlier.


    ''''No it''s not. It''s just that I get nervous about being so close to women.


    ''Really?��That''s cute.


    Mr. Linial smiles teasingly at me, then walks off.


    ''Do you know of any cheap places?��I don''t care where I am, as long as it doesn''t hurt my wallet so much.


    ...I see.


    It''s a cheap place, and so is our diner in terms of cheap restaurants.


    ........it''s just that it''s so crowded these days.


    Besides, if people at work or my family see me there, it will definitely be a story later.


    Let''s go to another restaurant.


    Well then, can you follow me?


    Yes, please.


    With Mr. Linial, I walked out of the city.

 64 Episode 63: Drawing

    The shop I came to with Mr. Linial is one that I may visit from time to time.


    There are a few adventurers here and there.


    Some of them seem to know Linial-san.


    ........well, she''s still in her monastic uniform today.


    There aren''t many people doing adventurer activities in this.


    Of course, it''s not that people from the church don''t fight at all.


    It''s not strange that they who travel in their own way have the ability to fight, but that doesn''t mean that there would be many people who would come to the guild in their monastic clothes.


    I took a seat with Linial and then ordered our food.


    It was bread, soup, and some demon meat.


    We both ordered the same thing.


    ''I don''t know if it will suit Mr. Linial''s taste,''


    This is a reasonably priced restaurant.


    ........There was nothing wrong with a more expensive restaurant, but from her point of view, knowing my rank, I wondered if going to such a restaurant too much would cause her to feel strangely uncomfortable.


    It wouldn''t matter if I ate a reasonable amount of food here.


    That''s why I came here with her.


    ''It''s okay. I like everything.


    She smiled at that.


    ........I''m glad you said that.


    ''So, can I ask you something quickly?''


    Yeah. Ask me anything.


    What kind of demon is a rabbit kangaroo?


    "...First of all, do you know the rabbit and the kangaroo?


    ''''Well yes. I''ve seen each of them if they are wild demons.


    ''It''s like a combination of the two. I just have to be careful with my footwork because both of their strengths are much stronger on their legs.


    Then those who engage in melee combat will have to be careful.


    ''Yeah. And there''s also the attack with the horns that Rabbits have.


    ...I see.


    There''s also the fists by the kangaroo''s paws I think it''s a good idea for one of us to be the bait in the vanguard and have someone around to finish it off.


    I understand.


    If we know how the enemy attacks, it''s easier for us to respond.


    I take note of what she says.


    ''The trickiest thing about rabbit kangaroos is that they have an escape.


    ...to escape?


    ''Yes. They will run away when they are weakened to some extent. We need to kill them all at once before they weaken, or we need to be ready for them to escape.


    I''ll make sure he can''t get away.


    Or maybe you could set a trap in front of them where they''re expected to escape.


    But I don''t think it would be that easy.


    If anything, it would be better to kill them all at once.


    ........Can the members we met on the spot work well together?


    It might be more difficult than I thought.


    Where did the rabbit kangaroo appear this time?


    It looks like a forest.


    ...Oh. Oh, I see. Then I''m sure there will be demons that go after the rabbit kangaroo. Be careful.


    What kind of monster?


    A wolf demon. Well, I guess a wolf around here shouldn''t be too much of a problem.


    ''Certainly, yes. But there are times when they move from one place to another.


    Yeah. It''s best to be cautious. However, if it''s out as an E-rank request, then we should have investigated it once. So we don''t have to worry about another kind of demon for now.


    Yes, I understand.


    And be careful, rabbit kangaroos are demons that eat magical ore.


    ...oh, that''s right, there is such a monster.


    As I recall, eating the demon ore changes your ability, right?


    Yeah, they''re very strong. You can see that the individual who eats it has magical ore in his or her body. The magic ore they eat will affect their strength, so be careful!


    Okay.


    As I was taking notes, she popped her hand.


    Then she took out a sheet of paper and began to draw something with a pen.


    .... it''s a picture.


    ''Well, what''s that?''


    "Rabbit kangaroo.


    What did you say?


    It''s too ... well, original and unrecognizable.


    However, Linial-san pointed the picture at me with a confident face.


    ''I''ll give you this. I hope it will be of some use to you.


    ...Oh, thank you very much.


    I''ll take it, since I''m so confident. ........But maybe the actual demon is like this too.


    It''s rude to say this or that when I haven''t seen the real thing yet.


    I put the paper away, tucking it into a note.


    I asked more questions and wrote down more and more of what I needed to know, when Linial chuckled.


    ''What is it?''


    Seriously.


    ...Is that right?


    As an adventurer, isn''t this the least you can do?


    Not many people who just became adventurers do that much research. They don''t think about it that carefully until later.


    ''I just want to move up in the ranks as quickly as possible. If I fail once, my points will be negative again, won''t they?


    The number of points needed to advance in rank is reduced by 50 points when a promotion request is failed.


    You need to receive at least five requests before you can accumulate them again.


    ''''Yeah. Do you have any goals for raising your rank in such a hurry?''''


    I wasn''t sure where to go with this, but I gave Mr. Linial my first weapon.


    Briefly, let me tell you my dream.


    ''''I........I want to become a top-notch blacksmith. Like Linial-san''s equipment, I think I can still make even stronger weapons. To do that, I want to touch a variety of materials, plus I want to make weapons that match the demons.


    ...better weapons. And to match the demon...?


    ''Yes. Someday, I hope to make a weapon that rivals, and even surpasses, the Divine Weapon.


    ....


    As expected, it came out too big.


    I was just about to cover up my embarrassment and try to fool myself when Linial grabbed my hand.


    ''''Great, dream. ........I''ll support that with all my might.


    Oh, really?


    Yeah. Because I''m sure there are people like me who want a weapon.


    I''m so glad to hear you say that.


    I''ll do my best.


    Yeah. I''ll be back after I pass my exams at the guild headquarters. I may ask for weapons again some other time.


    ''''Well I''ll try to make something better by then,''''


    ''I''ll do my best to play an active role and get your weapons in front of as many people as possible.


    If Mr. Linial is willing to help me out that much, I''ll have to work even harder.


    ''''Speaking of which, Linial-san. The guild headquarters is in the royal capital, right?


    Yes.


    Have you ever heard of the Ubalsa Academy north of King''s Landing?


    Of course. Especially this year, with five brave men, that''s already a celebration, I hear.


    Do you need to go, Mr. Linial?


    It''s been a long time since I''ve been away, and I''ve got things to do at that church, so there''s no reason not to go.


    ''If you''re not busy, that''s fine but if you have any information on brave people or anything else, could you keep that in mind?''


    "Brave?


    Yes. My childhood friend has become a brave man. We''ve been exchanging letters for a while now, but I was wondering if you were having a hard time.


    Maybe there are some problems that you can''t write about in a letter.


    Especially in Lynn''s case, she''s the kind of girl who keeps those things hidden.


    She keeps them to herself and tries to solve them all by herself. It''s a bad habit.


    Yeah, it''s a bad habit. "Yeah, I get it. But, well, I suppose it''s just a matter of what you hear on the grapevine and so on.


    Still, if you know anything about it, please let me know. Oh, my name is Lin, just in case you''re brave.


    ''Oh, that sounds familiar. The brave boy from our town he was a childhood friend of Relius.


    ''''........The blacksmith remembered and the brave man didn''t?''''


    ''Because he''s basically unrelated to me. The blacksmith was more important to me.


    You''re a church official, so it''s more important to be brave than anything else.


    The food is brought to us.


    Steam is rising from the freshly made bread and soup.


    Both look delicious.


    They faced each other and prayed lightly to the gods before taking their meals.

 65 Episode 64 Promotion Exam

    I woke up earlier than usual and got ready for the day.


    Today is the day of the promotion request.


    First, I need to meet up with the other candidates at the Adventurer''s Guild.


    The preparations will be over soon.


    Six strengthened muscles, six strengthened strength, six strengthened agility, six strengthened agility.


    That''s the sum of your clothes and the knives and swords you currently wear.


    With this much gear, there would be no problem as long as there wasn''t anything too serious.


    As expected, it is noticeable to wear accessories idly, so I only wore one necklace and bracelet.


    However, there is only one skill frame that can be worn with both of them at best, but it''s enough.


    This time, there are no skills that I plan to use in my attack skills, so I''m granting them mainly to improve various basic abilities.


    As expected, with this much equipment, my body feels lighter the moment I wear it.


    ........There''s just one thing you have to be careful about.


    The speed at which your body can move is completely different from the one you use in your daily life and the one you can move at after the skill has been granted.


    You need to be aware of that difference and fight the demons.


    ........In a manner of speaking, I don''t think there''s a problem since I was moving my body in this state on a daily basis.


    ''''Well then, Val. I''m going off.


    I stroke Val''s head once as she gives me a lonely look.


    ''Va,''


    The cries are somewhat hushed.


    I can''t let Val join me, so I have no choice.


    I leave the room and go out the back door.


    Just then I see Ristina-san, who was sweeping with her broom.


    ''Good morning, Ristina-san,''


    Mr. Relius. Isn''t today the day to ask for a promotion?


    Yes, sir.


    Good luck with that.


    I look at Ristina in surprise.


    ''What''s going on?''


    ''Eh, what? Did you want me to make fun of you, senior?


    Ms. Listyna leans in closer, squinting at me.


    She pokes my arm with the broom handle.


    ''No, because you were honestly cheering me on I read the back of it.


    It''s terrible. I''ll support you properly too when I do!��Oh, it''s a bento!��That said, all we have is bread and a little food!


    Thank you very much.


    It''s handed to me to be pushed around.


    Listina waves her hand fluttering back to the store.


    Her cheeks are slightly tinted with vermilion.


    Or rather, is it okay to be in the middle of cleaning?


    ........well, there''s not much trash or anything, so it won''t be a problem.


    I put the received lunch into the small bag I was carrying on my back.


    Today I couldn''t take my stuff out of the item box, or I had prepared a bag to hide the action of taking it out.


    I''ll put my lunch in it. That''s all I have to pack.


    As you would expect, I can''t do such a wild thing as disassembling the lunch you made for me and collecting it.


    I can''t just take it apart and collect it.


    When I arrived at the guild, the four of us were already there except me.


    ''''It''s nice to meet you, Lelius.


    When I went to the reception desk, there were already four people who were scheduled to be paired up today.


    ........You''re early.


    We arrived 30 minutes earlier than the designated time, but I was the last to arrive.


    Oh, nice to meet you. I''m Warrior.


    The one who raised one hand in a friendly manner was a man carrying an axe.


    It''s a divine weapon that looks quite strong.


    It seems to be a weapon called a break axe.


    There are five attacking skills in a row, and three body-strengthening skills as well.


    It seems to be a type that specializes in physical techniques.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find it. I''m Sifu.


    Smiling, the fresh man smiles and carries what looks like a knife.


    It''s a weapon called a six dagger.


    This one''s weapon is rather modest. It has three body-strengthening systems on it, but they are all agility-enhancing.


    He is a dagger, so perhaps he focuses on speed.


    Now I have a rough idea of the abilities of the two vanguards.


    He glanced at the woman they were with.


    ........Are they the pair of them that the receptionist had told me about earlier?


    I''m Racine. Nice to meet you.


    "Wow, my name is Chiyu!��Yo, nice to meet you, please!


    One looked imposing.


    The other looked very nervous.


    Rashin-san''s weapon is a spear and Chiyu-san has a staff.


    Racine-san also has a vanguard skill, but Chiyu-san is more of a rearguard.


    If you had a purification magic with this, you might have received an invitation from the church.


    ''''With this, we have all the members. Now please choose a leader.''''


    With a smile, the receptionist smiled and at the same time, Mr. Warrior raised his hand.


    ''Ole!��I want to do it!


    The members of the group, minus Warrior, look at each other.


    ''I don''t mind.


    is Mr. Racine.


    Following that, Chiyu-san shook her head.


    ''''Wow, I''m........the same opinion as Racine,''''


    I don''t mind, either. It''s not easy being a leader.


    That''s fine with me, too.


    It was a unanimous decision, and Mr. Warrior clenched his fists happily.


    As we watched that, we looked at each other with a wry smile.


    ........For the moment, it seems that there are no bad people among the party members.


    ''''Then here''s the request form. Please let the leader, Warrior-san, manage it.


    The receptionist gives a piece of paper to Ms. Warrior.


    Ms. Warrior takes it and the receipt of the request is complete.


    ''Well then, good luck with your promotion request. Of course, if you can''t make it, you''ll have to turn back immediately. I''m an adventurer who lives for my life.


    The receptionist said, and after a bow, she returned to her duties.


    ''Well then, let''s go outside as soon as possible. So, all right, guys?


    Yes. Okay. Let''s go.


    Mr. Warrior said and Ms. Racine nodded.


    Mr. Warrior walked to the front of the line, with Mr. Racine and Mr. Chihu following behind him.


    Me and Ciyu-san lined up the same way.


    ''''Relius-san is a pretty good fighter, isn''t he?''''


    ''What?��Why?


    ''Didn''t you used to protect women from adventurers?��Here, in the guild.


    Uh....


    Is this about Mr. Mair?


    Ristina-san also came to mind, but if we were talking about the guild, it would be Mea-san.


    ''''That''s right. Well, I think you have good body language in your own right.''''


    Yeah. Oh, I don''t have to be a respectful person, okay?


    ...Uh...I''ve been serving customers since I was a kid helping out at home, so it''s pretty ingrained in me.


    ''Oh, really?��Where do you work?


    The Migratory Bird Inn.


    ''What?��Yes!��You''re a famous innkeeper these days!


    Yes. That''s why I''ve been having so many customers.


    We jokingly talk about it.


    Mr. Racine, who was listening to us, interrupts the conversation.


    ''What!��The Migratory Bird Innkeeper is a place where you can live and work, I believe!��Next time you''re recruiting, give us a shout out!��Hey, Chiyu!


    ''What?��Huh?��I don''t know how to be a customer service person.


    Really?��You can do a lot better than you think when you first start looking at it, right?��Some of our part-timers want to get over the fact that they''re not very good at interacting with people.


    We haven''t met yet.


    It would be important to get to know each other before confronting a demon.


    Especially Chiyu-san, she''s probably not very good at opening up to people.


    Especially, we should be aware of it and talk to him.

 66 Episode 65 Promotion Exam 2

    We leave the city and continue north.


    If we continue on, we''ll end up in a forest with a rabbit kangaroo.


    ''So you two have come out of the village.


    Yeah. It''s like we''re in training. There''s no one else in the village to fight, so we''ll have to be the guards.��You know.


    Uh-huh.


    If I could, I''d find a strong, young adventurer who could help me find a strong, young adventurer...


    Ugh.


    Mr. Racine said jokingly, and Mr. Chiyu''s face turned red.


    Rashin and Chiyu are from a village that is not often visited by people.


    The village hires adventurers to help them deal with their demons, but the adventurers are now very old.


    It''s hard to find new adventurers, so they''ll have to do it themselves!��So Mr. Racine and Mr. Chiyu began to be adventurers.


    ''''Indeed. If they find a good husband, they might not have to fight on their own.


    ''That''s what I''m talking about. You''ve got such a good one, Chiu.


    ''Yikes!��Don''t do it, Racine!


    Rashin-san teasingly shakes Chiyu-san''s chest.


    I removed my gaze and Shiif-san and Warrior-san also laughed as if they were troubled.


    ''''So, how are the three of you?''''


    It''s our turn.


    I answer with a light shrug of my shoulders.


    ''Ah, I guess I''m just trying to make some money in my free time in the future. I don''t have the same noble ideas as you two.


    I have a dream.


    It''s to be the strongest and best blacksmith you can be.


    But I don''t think I need to bother talking about it.


    I''m not going to be able to say it. We''re as close as we''re going to get.


    Yes, sir.


    ''I''m glad to hear that. What about you, Mr. Warrior?


    I shook him off and he smiled as I shook him off and slapped his chest.


    I have a dream to become an S-ranked adventurer!��We''re trying to be strong for that!


    "S-rated, huh? You''re a boy''s dream after all?


    Mr. Warrior nodded strongly at Mr. Racine''s question.


    ''''That''s right!��Hey, Lelius, Sif!


    ''No, I''m not so sure about that.


    I''m not sure I''m going to be able to...


    Of course, if I could go up to S-rank, I would, but there is no such thing as a priority.


    The reason why I longed to be an adventurer in the first place - or is it different from an aspiration?


    I used to have the desire to kill the monster that killed my parents.


    However, that''s not so much now.


    Thanks in part to my stepfather and stepmother, I had a stronger desire to repay those two for their kindness now.


    ''Looks like I''m out of the loop,''


    ''Grin,'' said Mr. Racine, and Mr. Warrior came to stare at us.


    ''What the hell!��So you have some other goal or dream?


    .... hmmm. I suppose. I don''t have the same great dreams as everyone else, I guess. I just want to have some freedom of movement.


    Am I free?


    At Sif''s words, Chiu nodded her head.


    ''''Yeah. I was born sickly from birth, but since I received my profession and the sacred artifacts, I''m incredibly light. So I''m in the middle of searching for my dream now, I guess.


    Haha, said Sifu with a smile.


    At his words, everyone sounded impressed.


    .........I see.


    So that''s the kind of change you''re going to see after receiving a divine weapon or profession.


    I was also impressed, but then I caught the demons with visual enhancement.


    They''re goblins.


    ''''Ah, sorry. I''m sorry to interrupt you, but we found the goblins.


    ''What?��Really?!


    Mr. Warrior looks at me in surprise.


    ''Yes, sir. If we continue on, we''ll engage them, what do you want to do?


    You got that right.


    I have my own divine artifacts that can be used for detection.


    ''Oh, really?��That would be great!


    Well that''s good. This seems to be enough to get through.


    I intend to hide the power and abnormality of the blacksmith''s power and abnormality, but that doesn''t mean I want to take the trouble to do it.


    As for the part that can be fooled by, attached to a sacred weapon, I intend to fool them.


    ''''Then it''s going to be easy to find the demons!��I''m so jealous!


    Mr. Racine smiled happily too.


    Sifu exhaled as if relieved.


    ''''It''s the most frightening thing a demon can do to you. I''m thankful that I don''t have to be on guard against that. So what do we do now, leader?


    Warrior is enthralled when she is called out.


    ''Leader that sounds good.


    No, I don''t mean that, we need to plan for it.


    Mr. Warrior shakes his head in a huff and then looks at us.


    ''Well, we don''t know what we can do to each other, do we?��Let''s check it out while we''re at it.


    Come to think of it, it was.


    ''''Warrior-san, do you have a problem with using your strength in close quarters to fight?


    Oh, oh!��That''s right!��We''re going to crush the enemy with this axe!


    Mr. Warrior said happily.


    That seemed to be a common understanding among all of them.


    ''''Is it correct that Sifu-san is good at using his legs to fight?


    Yeah, I guess. You got it all figured out.


    I can tell by the equipment. Is Mr. Racine somewhere in between?


    ''Yeah, yeah ... yes. Did you know that too, just by looking at it?


    ''''Yes. So, Chiyu-san, it''s a long range attack and recovery, right?


    Yes. That''s awesome!


    I check in with each of them and soon the sharing of information is over.


    Everyone looks at me in amazement, and to explain it, I introduce myself.


    ''I''m a blacksmith by profession. A blacksmith can make weapons, right?��I don''t know if that''s why, but I can kind of imagine what kind of attack they''re going to launch with what they''re equipped with.


    We''ll talk about the profession sooner or later anyway.


    There''s no need to hide it.


    Everyone looks at me as if I''m surprised.


    ''''....I see. But speaking of blacksmiths........well.......er, that''s the thing, right?


    Mr. Racine says, as if it''s hard to say.


    The others seem troubled, too.


    Unfortunate job, they are all still aware of it.


    Would it have been better to tell them after the battle was over?


    As I thought that, Warrior-san laughed.


    ''So even a blacksmith can fight well enough to get a promotion request, right?


    Everyone looked at Ms. Warrior with a gasp at her words.


    ''''That''s right. I can use this sword for melee, but I can also throw a knife to cover you. I''d like to adapt to the party''s movements.


    Could you make that knife because you''re a blacksmith?


    Yes, sir.


    Well I see. I see. So, for now, let''s use our respective strengths to fight the goblins!


    Mr. Warrior summarized that, and the others nodded.


    For now, the part about being a blacksmith has been conveyed.


    The rest would be fine as long as they could move so that they wouldn''t be slowed down in the actual battle.

 67 Episode 66 Promotion Exam 3

    Goblins, there are four of them.


    "Oh, I can see it. You''re a genius at detecting things. I''m jealous!


    Mr. Warrior speaks up and holds his axe.


    The others also have their own weapons.


    ''''For now, let''s just call it a free battle, so let''s each of us fight one at a time.


    That''s true. It would be difficult to get this many people to cooperate with each other all of a sudden.


    Racine nodded at Warrior''s words.


    The four goblins are a dagger, a sword, an axe, and a spear.


    It''s just a similar formation to the equipment we have here.


    ''''What should we do?��Do you fight to a weapon?��Or do you want to take some advantage?


    "We''re dealing with goblins, right?��I''m not going to lose against a goblin with a spear.


    Mr. Racine smiled triumphantly.


    Then Mr. Warrior clenched his fist in defeat.


    ''I don''t have a problem with that either!��What about Sif!


    ''I''ll be fine too. I''ve killed similar goblins many times.


    Okay. And how about Relius?


    That''s all right. I''ll take care of it.


    I point my hand to the hilt of my sword.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to make it work.


    "So, we''ll just have to fight each other.


    Mr. Warrior shouts happily and then starts to run.


    Mr. Racine and Mr. Cifu follow, and I alert my surroundings before running late.


    ''''Chiyu-san. I''ll be the one to alert the surroundings, but Chiyu-san, please do the same.''''


    Oh, I see what I''m doing!��I''ll do my best!


    Chiyu-san, who tightly regrasped her staff, desperately turned her gaze to her surroundings.


    She doesn''t seem to have lost her nervousness yet, but she''s also an adventurer enough to accept this request.


    It should be fine.


    The goblins were about to swarm Racine-san, who rushed in first.


    That''s when Warrior-san intervened and swung her axe through the air.


    The goblin holding the axe catches it, but Mr. Warrior blows it away with his axe.


    A tremendous amount of power.


    Mr. Warrior follows it with a belligerent smile.


    The goblin with the dagger and the goblin with the sword both attacked Warrior, but Sheikh intervened.


    I, too, can''t afford to lose.


    I throw the knife at the sword goblin.


    After taking one look at the pierced knife, the goblin lunges at me with the tip of his sword pointed at me.


    Now we can each fight each other.


    I dodge the sword goblin''s attacks while keeping an eye on my surroundings.


    The swords being swung out all seemed to be slow.


    .........this much is no problem to dodge.


    After dodging everything, I swung my sword out of the way.


    I sliced the goblin''s head clean off with my sword.


    With this sword I''m using now, I can cut through this level of goblin skin without a problem.


    The others - they still seemed to be struggling.


    ........I was a bit surprised, but maybe this was a normal F-rank, I don''t know.


    I hadn''t fought with any other adventurers at all until now.......


    Besides, whether it was Mea-san or Linial-san, they were high ranked adventurers.


    I wasn''t sure if I would cover them or not, but now it''s time for each of them to fight.


    I would have cooperated with them if they were in great danger, but that wasn''t the case.


    Mr. Warrior slammed his axe down in succession, blowing his opponent''s axe away and cutting that goblin in two.


    Mr. Sheikh repeatedly took advantage of the goblin''s gap and swung his dagger through the goblin''s gap, taking the goblin''s back completely and thrusting his dagger into its neck.


    Mr. Racine swings his spear through the air. The goblin attacked as well, but Racine-san was better at his craft. He caught the goblin''s arm and pierced his throat in that frightened moment.


    Chiyu-san gasped and looked around.


    This is the end of the battle.


    There are no demons approaching around, and it doesn''t look like they''ll be lured in by the smell of blood, either.


    While I was keeping an eye on my surroundings, Warrior-san was the first to come running over.


    ''''Oh, weren''t you abnormally fast at taking you down!


    I was certainly faster than you all, but...


    ''Blacksmith, what is it?��Blacksmiths were so powerful!��I heard that I''m not a fighter by profession!


    ''No, it''s not. I can fight reasonably well.


    He''s so strong, in fact, he''s so strong!��I''m a fighter, okay?��He says he''s much stronger than me, a warrior!


    People wouldn''t even know what a blacksmith could actually do until they knew what a blacksmith could do.


    So it should be possible to fool them with ''It''s a blacksmith''s ability'' to some extent.


    As if to match Waria-san''s words, Sifu-san also nodded.


    He too was looking at me as if he was surprised.


    ''''His sword swing was so fast........ That, even my eyes could barely follow it.''''


    ''''...Really?��Blacksmiths can fight a lot better than you might think.


    It''s more than I thought. It''s...


    Racine, who had reassembled her spear, also turned her eyes wide open to us.


    ''''It''s true. I was wondering if I should just quickly beat him and help him out...but that''s not the case at all. I''m sorry, I made the mistake of thinking you were a blacksmith.


    ''No, don''t worry about it. I''m just glad to prove that I''m not pulling my weight either.


    Yes. In fact, aren''t you the strongest of all of us?


    At Racine''s words, Warrior puffs out her cheeks in disgust.


    "I''m not going to let you down, either!


    ''The Warriors wasted a lot of time, didn''t they?��You need to move a little more compactly, don''t you?


    Ugh!


    ''Yes. Warrior has a lot of big swings, and there was a point where her body was being pulled by the axe.


    Oh, no!��You people are just as good as--��No, I don''t know, I don''t look around!


    Mr. Warrior, holding his head, then stirred in frustration.


    The three of us laughed, and then Mr. Racine sighed with a sigh.


    ''''I''d rather have my partner dragging me down than you, but I''m sorry about that.


    Racine pointed at Chiyu with a biting thumb.


    ''''Report to everyone when the demon gets close........!��Report to everyone when the demon is close........!


    There was Chiyu-san, still holding her staff and desperately wary of her surroundings.

 68 Episode 67 Promotion Exam 4

    I''m sorry...


    It was Chiyu who had been discreetly lowering her head.


    She was greatly confused by the battle just now.


    When she glanced at Racine, she was scratching her cheek apologetically.


    ''''I''m sorry, guys. Chiyu is very shy and I guess I was just nervous. But she''s a good healer.


    When Racine said that clearly, Chiyu bowed her head in an even more apologetic manner.


    ''''Well, at first...''''


    Yeah, right. You didn''t have to participate in the battle earlier, as long as you were alerted to your surroundings, that''s all that mattered.


    Nevertheless.


    It wouldn''t be good for her to keep this up.


    Do you think she''ll be okay next time?


    At my question, Chiyu-san squeezed her lips together.


    ''''But I''ll do my best!''''


    Yes, please. Shall we fight the goblins again? This time, try to move as close to each other as possible, right? What do you think, Mr. Warrior?


    Mr. Warrior nodded at my question.


    ''''Yeah, that''s fine. Let''s move to match Chiyu''s first strike next.''''


    But I''ll do my best!


    If Chiyu-san can''t move at all, then we have a big problem.


    ........even if the request could not be accomplished because of Mr. Chiyu, he would still be jointly and severally responsible.


    That''s what a party is all about.


    I activate my visual enhancement and search for the goblins.


    The goblins are quickly found.


    We move that way and find the goblin.


    "Okay then, Chiyu. Don''t forget.


    When Warrior-san said that, Chiyu-san grabbed her wand.


    At the same time, I could see that the magic power had gathered.


    When Chiyu-san''s magic power had sufficiently filled the surroundings, the goblins seemed to notice us.


    ''''Gaaaa!''''


    The goblins howled at the same time. There are six of them.


    Spooked by their voices, Chiyu-san''s shoulders jumped.


    The fear drained from Chiyu-san''s face as Racine placed his hand on her shoulder.


    ''''Huh, Fireball!''''


    At the same time you shout, a fireball heads straight for the goblin.


    It catches the face of the goblin in front of it that was heading this way.


    The goblins roll on the ground in a lazy manner.


    They rolled the goblins around, and some of them stopped in their tracks, but even so, the goblins soon began to move.


    This one, too, is ready to go.


    ''''Let''s go!''''


    Yeah!


    A belligerent Mr. Warrior and Mr. Racine rushed in.


    After a few steps behind them, Sheikh-san followed.


    I''ll join the attack while I keep an eye on them.


    Six goblins jumped at us at the same time.


    Waria-san stands in front of them and catches their attacks.


    I stopped two of them, but the goblins jumped at me from further back.


    This puts Mr. Warrior in danger.


    With that, Racine-san swung his spear out.


    One of the goblins dodged it and slashed at Racine-san.


    It dodges Racine-san''s spear with a small movement and immediately slashes at him.


    ........The goblins this time are pretty good at coordinating.


    I threw a knife to the goblins that were about to join the attack from a little distance away.


    The staggered goblins stare at me.


    It''s only an attack to interrupt the enemy''s coordination.


    ''Hey, hey Racine!��Get out of my way!


    That''s my line!��Hey!


    They were fighting in the vanguard when they collided with each other.


    The goblins must have guided them well. The goblins, seeing the gap, let out a joyful cry.


    I throw a knife at one of them that jumped on them.


    As expected of a knife thrown all the time, it''s almost out of 100 shots.


    ''''Let Warrior-san take care of that spot, Racine-san, step back once!


    I''m not the kind of person who can give orders.


    But I can see my surroundings better than the vanguard, Mr. Warrior, can.


    I''m still using my visual enhancements and assessing the situation.


    Okay, I''m on it!


    ''''Mr. Warrior, just ramp up on the spot and get the goblins'' attention. Where there''s an opening, let''s all attack together!


    As you might expect, skilled coordination is impossible.


    But after giving the opponent an opening, a certain amount of coordination should be easy to achieve.


    It seems to have understood my intentions, and Warlia-san spun around with her axe on the spot.


    The goblins fled in a panic, but were unable to evacuate in time, and one of their bodies was cut off.


    When Warrior-san stopped spinning, the goblins tried to set up - but then Racine and Sifu slashed at them.


    From behind the two bodies, which were full of gaps, I gave them a stab in the neck.


    There were three bodies left.


    The goblins shifted their gaze from Warrior to Racine and Sheikh as well.


    Perhaps realizing their disadvantage in numbers, they turned their backs to try to escape.


    ''''Chiyu-san, please give me some skills so I can take them off to the point of escape.


    Okay, okay, okay, okay!


    They would already have their new skills ready to go.


    Chiyu-san''s skill flew and fell on the spot where the goblins had fled, just as he had aimed.


    It engulfed one of them and burned it to death.


    The remaining two bodies howled to show their anger, then slashed at me.


    But there are only two bodies left.


    Warrior and Racine, who are the most skilled at melee combat among these, will be the ones to deal with.


    Sheikh and I will only move within sight of the goblins.


    By doing so, the goblins will need to pay attention to us as well. If it pops into their brains for even a moment, it will be an opening.


    Mr. Warrior and Mr. Racine are not naive enough to miss it.


    The battle would end when Mr. Warrior cut both sides and Mr. Racine pierced his heart.


    The corpse is burned by Chiyu-san to dispose of it.


    That''s right, there are times when you don''t have the skills to burn them, though.


    Racin-san and Warrior-san glance at me.


    ''''Well Lelius was pretty accurate with his instructions, do you have experience?


    ''It''s true your first move was obviously not good, but you were able to fight smoothly after Relius gave you the go-ahead.


    I chuckle at their praise.


    ''This is the first time I''ve given you instructions. It''s just that thanks to the detection on the divine weapon, it seems to have a somewhat wider field of vision than people.


    ''I see. That''s why you were able to give such perfect instructions.


    Shiif-san nodded in agreement.


    Chiyu-san, who was approaching us, also seemed somewhat happy.


    ''''Wow, me too........!��They told me I could take it off, so I took it easy!


    It''s really just a coincidence about that.


    ''''Besides, that knife was perfect.


    Mr. Warrior, you did a perfect job of attracting the demons in the vanguard.


    Oh, yeah?


    Mr. Warrior scratches his head, looking happy.


    He glances at Mr. Racine and Mr. Sheif.


    ''''You two were also able to get into the gap that Warrior-san created. That made things a lot easier afterwards.


    ''Really?��But the instructions were spot on, too. I''m grateful that you were able to give me directions so smoothly right there.


    When Sheikh said that, Racine nodded.


    ''''Right. Would it be okay if I asked Lelius to fight at mid-range during the battle and give me instructions?''''


    ''Oh!��I don''t give a shit!


    Me too.


    Okay, yes.��Le, I''d like to ask Mr. Relius for help!


    ''''Okay I''ll do my best.


    Well, I didn''t feel bad about being asked to do it.


    After that, we fought the goblins a few times, me practicing my instructions and the others practicing their coordination before we went into the forest.

 69 Episode 68 Promotion Exam 5

    It is believed that there are three to five rabbit kangaroos that we plan to take down this time.


    We don''t know how many rabbit kangaroos there are in the forest, and that''s why we''re using this number.


    We don''t know how many rabbit kangaroos there are in the forest, because from what we know so far, at most, rabbit kangaroos only live in groups of about five.


    The first step is to find the rabbit kangaroo in the forest.


    That''s the first step in the test to become an E rank adventurer.


    Even with my visual enhancement, it''s still difficult to find them from above because they''re blocked by trees.


    Of course, I can see them if they are reflected in the trees, but so far I haven''t found them.


    Therefore, the only way to find the demon was to follow the footprints.


    ''''But what kind of footprints does a rabbit kangaroo have?''''


    Well, it looks like a footprint, like this.


    I handed a sheet of paper to Mr. Warrior.


    .........Mr. Linial wasn''t artistic until he drew the footprints, either.


    Everyone looks at the paper I gave to Mr. Warrior.


    ''....Did you do your research?��''Great!''


    ''Well, I''d never seen the other demon before. Did the others do any research beforehand?


    I check, and everyone looks at each other and then shakes their heads.


    Warrior-san smiles and crosses her arms.


    "Because a senior adventurer told me to!��Being an adventurer, it''s all about haphazard!��Don''t be a pussycat who finds out in advance!��I say!


    ...a softy?


    I pointed to myself as if I were sad, and Mr. Sheikh stared at Mr. Warrior.


    ''So you''re saying that Warrior thinks Lelius is a softy?


    Wow, Warrior, that''s disgusting.


    Mr. Racine takes advantage of Mr. Sheikh''s joking way of saying it.


    Mr. Warrior shook his head as if he was astonished.


    ''No, no, no!


    After enjoying watching Ms. Warrior''s panicked denial, I decided to share the information I had gathered.


    The reason the others hadn''t looked up the information was because they were confident.


    ........I honestly envy them for being able to have that.


    As expected of me, I didn''t have that much confidence.


    It''s like the rabbit kangaroo is a demon that''s good at footwork. So please be careful when you fight.


    Footwork, well that''s going to be a little difficult.


    Ms. Warrior said in a muttered voice.


    Mr. Sheikh nodded his head.


    ''''Does that mean he''s a pretty quick demon?


    It seems. It seems to escape when its strength is reduced, so you have to take it down in order not to let it escape. I''ve heard that some people have failed their requests by letting them escape with it.


    Mr. Linial was jokingly talking about it, but it wasn''t a laughing matter.


    Mr. Racine also frowned as he imagined the situation.


    ''''It would be bad if that happened. Don''t let him get away, Chiyu, make sure you use your skills to keep him in check, right?


    I know, I know, I know!


    Mr. Racine laughs at Mr. Chiyu, who is in trouble.


    It''s probably because he trusts her that Mr. Racine said that to Mr. Chiyu.


    ''''Well, there''s Mr. Ciyu over here. I''m sure we can chase after him somewhat.''''


    ''Yeah. Well, it would be best if the Warriors could finish him off with a blow to keep him from escaping, wouldn''t it?


    ''Oh!��I got it!


    Bam-shin, Mr. Warrior tapped his chest.


    I wonder if this is how the information is shared.


    Oh, I forgot one thing.


    ''''In case there''s a rabbit kangaroo with magic ore on its body, we should run away.


    ''What?��What''s that?


    "I heard that the rabbit kangaroo that ate the magical ore is as strong as another monster. Well, it depends on the type of magic ore they ate.


    ...Wow, are you going to eat that stuff that''s lying around?


    ''''It seems not. To begin with, there are demons like that, so as long as you''re careful from the beginning, it won''t be a problem.


    I see. I see.


    However, that''s not likely to happen, Linial also told us.


    As we made our way through the forest, we finally spotted an unfamiliar set of tracks.


    ''This is a rabbit kangaroo, isn''t it?''


    That''s probably true.


    That means they''re close, right?


    Everyone nodded at Warrior-san''s words.


    I use my visual enhancements as well, but I''m also alerted to my surroundings.


    I see the tracks of a rabbit kangaroo, and they grow in number as they become more and more numerous.


    As we were walking to follow its tracks, we stopped.


    We found a rabbit kangaroo.


    There were four of them.


    All of them are large, and all of them seem to be about the same size as us.


    All of them were large, about the same size as us, it seemed, and their legs were big enough to be visible from a distance.


    However, their front legs are not used much, or maybe they''ve regressed a lot.


    As I thought, Linial-san is right, you have to be careful with your footwork.


    ''''Mr. Warrior, what do you want to do?''''


    "...let''s start with Chiyu''s skills first. After that, I''ll go in!


    That was the basis of the battle so far.


    I''m sure there''s no mistaking Mr. Warrior''s idea.


    "So you want us to rush in and take advantage of the gap that this creates?


    Sheikh and Racine hold their respective weapons.


    So, it won''t be a problem.


    I''ll just wait and see what happens, cover you and keep an eye out for the perimeter.


    Wow, wow, I''ll cover you with my skills...!


    We waited for Chiyu-san to get ready when each of us had decided on a move.


    And as Chiyu-san unleashed her skills, we started to move.


    As the first attack, Chiyu-san''s skill pounced.


    I threw two knives in response.


    The knives stabbed into different demons than Chiyu-san''s skill aimed at.


    The rabbit kangaroos that received these attacks seemed to have noticed the presence of the attacker and shouted loudly.


    Before the rabbit kangaroos can move, Warrior-san swings her axe around.


    The rabbit kangaroos dodged the big one.


    As expected, they are fast.


    You can easily imagine the extraordinary strength of the rabbit kangaroos'' legs by looking at their thick and toned legs.


    However, Warlia-san''s attack was only a diversion.


    The rabbit kangaroos dodged Mr. Warrior''s blow. The rabbit kangaroos dodged Mr. Warrior''s blow, and Mr. Sheikh approached their gaping backs and drew his knife.


    The rabbit kangaroos turn their attention to the further attackers. But the rabbit kangaroo is the one who swung his spear at the rabbit kangaroo, and then Mr. Racine''s spear was swung out.


    The number of enemies is four.


    I also stepped forward to attract one of them and swung my sword out. I slashed its legs without resistance.


    This is a blow to keep them from escaping. The blood slowly poured out of the rabbit kangaroo''s leg, though it did not fall now.


    I tried to force my leg, but my foot didn''t seem to be able to hold on.


    I thrust my sword into the chest of the rabbit kangaroo I was dealing with and finished it off.


    I quickly turned my gaze to it.


    Shall I head to cover Warrior-san, who was being toyed with by the leg power?


    I''m going to charge in, Mr. Warrior. Please give me a blow while I''m born.


    Oh!


    I''ll be the bait to take advantage of Mr. Warrior''s power.


    With a small swing of my sword, I gather the Rabbit Kangaroo''s attention to me.


    As I aimed, the Rabbit Kangaroo looked at me.


    My attack only grazed the rabbit kangaroo''s body.


    I''m not sure I''m going to be able to get away with it.


    I was only a decoy.


    I retreated and the rabbit kangaroo chased after me.


    Then, Warrior-san rushed in from the side.


    ''''Whoa!''''


    At the same time as he howled, Mr. Warrior swung his axe down.


    The rabbit kangaroo belatedly looked in that direction, but in the next moment, it was prey to Mr. Warrior''s blow.


    Realizing their disadvantage, the rabbit kangaroos turned their backs to escape.


    However, both Sifu and Racine must have been aiming for their legs.


    They didn''t make a good start, and their weapons caught the two of them before they could get away.


    If we joined them, it didn''t take long to subdue the rabbit kangaroos.


    Is it a scream?


    One of the rabbit kangaroos howled high-pitchedly, but it was only a scream of desperation.

 70 Episode 69 Promotion Exam 6

    I don''t know how to dismantle a fallen rabbit kangaroo.


    I didn''t know how to dismantle them, but Sifu says he''s good at that kind of thing.


    Everyone is taking out small knives for dismantling.


    But they all seemed to be difficult to use.


    I follow everyone else''s lead and start cutting into the fur. By doing so, I was able to easily rip it apart.


    Doing the dismantling like this with my own hands wasn''t a bad idea.


    ''And yet, you had plenty of time to spare.


    Mr. Warrior laughed happily as he dismantled it.


    ''''Well, you mean that we were about as powerful as E rank adventurers, right?


    ''You''re right!��Yes!��Now we''re one step closer to our dream!


    I hope it doesn''t end with that step.


    Of course!


    Mr. Warrior and Mr. Racine are talking happily.


    Sheikh glanced at them as he processed the meat.


    ''''This meat looks delicious.


    Yes.


    It sure looks delicious. If I cooked this, it might make a delicious meal.


    I''ll share the ingredients, and I''ll give Val something to eat when I get home.


    I was just thinking about this when I heard something rustling in the kitchen.


    Something moved in the air.


    Is it a demon?��The smell of blood must have attracted them.


    Immediately, Rassin-san and Warrior-san held up their divine weapons.


    That''s when we were also looking in that direction without a care in the world.


    A small rabbit emerged from the trees.


    Judging from the small horns sprouting from its forehead, it was a horn-rabbit.


    These demons are omnivores, but they are more than herbivores. They are not supposed to attack humans unless they are very hungry.


    And they don''t seem to be hungry right now. It just passed us.


    It just ... seemed to be in a hurry.


    A panicked movement that seemed a little unnatural. It was as if it was running away from something.


    ''What is it, a horn-rabbit?


    ''Well, the only demons in this forest are hornrabbits, wolves and goblins, so there''s no need to be so uptight.


    They resumed their demolition.


    As I stared at the departing Hornrabbit, Sifu tilted his head.


    What''s wrong?


    No. Didn''t the Hornrabbit act strangely just now?


    ''....was it?


    I ask everyone, but they just nod their heads.


    ........Am I wrong?


    Once again, I activate the visual enhancement.


    ........it''s still no good. The trees are in the way and I can''t see them.


    I was about to resume dismantling it, too.


    The tree fell with great force.


    The tree was kicked down from its roots, and beside it was a rabbit kangaroo.


    "...There''s still a rabbit kangaroo left!


    At the same time as Warrior-san held her axe, she ran out.


    As if to cover her, Racine-san also held her spear and ran out.


    But it was the next moment.


    The rabbit kangaroo''s body was shaken.


    In an instant, it closed the distance between it and Warrior-san and kicked its body away.


    ''''Guaaaah!''''


    Ms. Warrior was hit by a powerful bullet and fell from her back to the ground.


    She staggered to her feet and lifted her head up, but it seemed to have knocked her unconscious, and she fell to the ground.


    ''Warrior!��What ... fast!


    Mr. Racine swung his spear through the air, but the rabbit kangaroo was already not there.


    The rabbit kangaroo''s eyes glazed over and caught Mr. Racine and kicked his body away.


    ''''Racine........!''''


    Chiyu-san opened her eyes and rushed towards him.


    While spitting out blood, Racine-san was looking at Chiyu-san.


    ''''Chiyu........!��Go away!��This guy is just a rabbit kangaroo!


    Chiyu stopped in his tracks when Racine shouted that.


    But right in front of him was a rabbit kangaroo.


    The rabbit kangaroo swung out of its legs - before it could, I jumped in, holding Mr. Chiyu in my arms.


    I dodged the blow as I fell down with Mr. Chiyu.


    The rabbit kangaroo chased after me, but I quickly got up, dodged the blow, and swung my sword away.


    But it saw me. When it saw my sword, the rabbit kangaroo quickly dropped back.


    ''''Sifu-san, please take Warrior-san and evacuate with Chiyu-san right away!


    Uh, yeah...!


    ''''Mr. Chiyu has Mr. Racine!��Let them both recover with potions and skills!


    I took out four of the potions I took out and gave them to Chiyu-san before immediately running out to the Rabbit Kangaroo.


    The rabbit kangaroo takes one look at the two people who have started to run away.


    But as I swung my sword out, the rabbit kangaroo quickly changed its aim to me.


    ''''Gaah!''''


    At the same time as he barked, the rabbit kangaroo released a kick.


    On its thighs, I could see the demonic ore.


    ........I knew it.


    While dodging a blow from the rabbit kangaroo, I analyze that magic ore.


    --Missile.


    I can''t help but be surprised at the words displayed.


    I never thought I''d see that magic ore here.


    I''m not going to be able to get my hands on any of these things.


    ........I still managed to keep up with the movement.


    ''''Ole, Lelius-san!��Everyone is ready to run away!


    Chiyu-san shouted. I glanced over and saw that Mr. Racine was already moving on his own feet as his wounds seemed to be healing.


    ''''Someone needs to be here to stop him from getting to his feet.


    But!


    Just get out of here, please!


    I really want you to get out of here.


    Otherwise, my fighting will be limited.


    Chiyu-san and the others frowned and then immediately started to move.


    ........Okay.


    I managed to dodge the kick swung by the rabbit kangaroo and let out a light breath.


    ''''Well........let''s do it.


    I take out my sword and throw it at the rabbit kangaroo.


    It dodges, but not by a long shot.


    The sword has a skill attached to it.


    It increases my physical abilities.


    While dodging the rabbit kangaroo''s attack, he took out a new sword.


    The sword I threw was dodged, but my abilities still improved in stages.


    However, the rabbit kangaroo also accelerates in line with my speed.


    ........This guy can still get faster?


    I''m not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.


    And the most annoying thing is that this rabbit kangaroo is smart.


    I''m not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.


    Brilliant, right?


    There were already about thirty swords stabbing into the ground here.


    Ignoring them, the rabbit kangaroo rushed into me.


    ......... fast.


    I unleash a big swing as if I were betting.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to make it work.


    I''m not sure I''ve ever seen such a thing before.


    It hit me directly in the stomach. My bones creaked as the air in my lungs was spat out in an instant.


    Pain rushed up through my stomach and into my chest.


    As I''m sent flying, I look at the rabbit kangaroo that was inside the stabbing sword.


    ........the trap is set.


    As I muttered, I uttered that skill.


    ''''--Weapon Break.''''


    Instantly, the surroundings exploded.

 71 Episode 70 Promotion Exam 7

    As they carried Warrior, Sief and the others were on the run.


    On the way, they were attacked by demons, but Racine, who had already fully recovered, had succeeded in fighting off the Wolves and Goblins.


    ........In the first place, the demons were not that eager to work on Racine and the others.


    This was because the demons in the forest were all moving to escape from the Rabbit Kangaroo.


    That''s how large the demons were taking refuge. Racine and the others were frowning at the situation.


    ''''.........How many demons, what are they?''''


    Really, you know.


    ...Are you okay, Mr. Relius?


    But it''s okay, right? I think he''s the strongest of us all.


    The expressions on everyone''s faces darkened as Rasin''s teeth were clipped.


    The strongest, even though they were the strongest, they were still F-rank adventurers.


    Racine and Warrior had been defeated in a single blow, so they couldn''t be counted on at all.


    Still, they had no choice but to run away.


    They had tasted the difference in power in the battle just now to the point where they didn''t like it.


    Even if they did return, there was nothing more they could do but interfere with Relius.


    Because they knew that, they all couldn''t say anything and could only worry about it.


    It was in that situation.


    ''''Ugh........''''


    It was Warrior who moaned.


    Sheikh responded to that voice.


    Warrior''s eyes slowly opened. He forced Warlia to put the potions on her as well.


    All of the potions that Lelius gave her were of S-rank. He hadn''t originally intended to use them, but he had given them to her because he didn''t want them to die.


    When Warrior regained full consciousness, he glanced around.


    ''Oh, what the hell was that thing, what was going on?


    "I was attacked by a rabbit kangaroo and I was unconscious.


    "Rabbit kangaroo... oh!��Oh, yeah, that''s right!��What was that freakishly strong rabbit kangaroo!��I mean, hey, what about Lelius?


    Warrior looked around him as he scanned his surroundings.


    As everyone kept their mouths shut, he immediately understood.


    ''''You don''t think.......you''re staying behind and fighting by yourself!


    ...Yeah. I had to do it.


    Sifu said in frustration.


    Warrior clenched his fist once and then put it away.


    ''Quick, go back to the guild no, anyway, find someone to be an adventurer or a knight or whatever!��So I''ll tell them what happened and they''ll help me!��It''s pathetic, but it has to be!


    The others nodded as Warrior spoke up.


    They quickly left the forest and found the four adventurers there.


    Warlia and the others immediately shone their eyes and ran towards them.


    The expressions of the four adventurers were slightly alarmed by the uncanny expressions on their faces.


    ''''Please!��A little help, please!


    Warlia shouted and bowed her head.


    The adventurers nodded their heads, wondering what the hell he was talking about.


    ''What''s wrong with you?


    Inside, our people are being attacked by a rabbit kangaroo!��Stay here alone to get us out of here!


    "Rabbit kangaroo?��You''re taking so much time with those miscellaneous monsters.... oh, you guys are F-ranked, aren''t you?


    The adventurers loosen their mouths in a grin.


    At that, Racine puffs out his cheeks in disgust.


    There was a rabbit kangaroo that ate the magic ore. We could have defeated an ordinary rabbit kangaroo!


    Well, it''s a magical mineral?


    At that moment, their eyes changed color.


    The margin disappeared from their expressions and they grabbed Warrior''s shoulders.


    ''''What kind of magic ore was it?��The demon ore they eat turns them into different demons, like monsters!��Do you know what it was?!


    Oh, I don''t know...


    Mithril, I guess.


    Sheikh said as he muttered.


    At those words, the adventurers'' faces turned pale.


    ''''Ho, are you serious?''''


    ''''I can''t be sure either, but I saw a mithril magic ore once, but it left a strong impression on me. I had a strong impression from that time, and I felt something similar when I saw the Rabbit Kangaroo Demon Ore.


    Sheikh said, and the adventurers shook their heads.


    ''Mm, of course it''s impossible!��Suppose, as the kid says, if it was a mithril magic ore!��There might be a B-grade level of difficulty in defeating them!


    His fellow adventurers nodded and shouted.


    ''Yes, yes, yes!��That''s the story we''ve heard before.��Even the one that ate the Silver Demon Ore had a C-grade!��If you''re not careful, that guy might even have an A-grade level!


    Oh, please!��My people are fighting alone!��Please help!


    Warrior grabs at the adventurer, but the adventurer hits him hard on the head.


    ''I don''t know!��You''re already dead!��An F-ranked adventurer wouldn''t last a second!


    ''Yes, yes, yes!��We''re D-rated, but I''m confident we''ll be beaten in an instant!


    It was the next moment when the adventurer shouted pitifully.


    An explosion sounded in the forest.


    They too shut their mouths once and turned their gaze in that direction.


    ''''What was that sound!��Don''t tell me it was a rabbit kangaroo blow!


    Oh, no.��If we don''t hurry up and get out of here, we''re going to get killed!��You''d better get the hell out of here, too!


    The adventurers run as if to escape.


    The Warriors tie their mouths tightly together.


    "....Warrior. Guild, we have to get back to the guild!��...Even if Lelius manages to escape, that doesn''t mean he''s going to get out of the forest!��If only I had the support of the guild at that time--!


    Yeah, that''s right!��Let''s go, boys!


    Warrior shoves a sad face into the air and shouts out.


    Then they started running quickly.


    z


    I pick myself up and approach the fallen rabbit kangaroo.


    I dismantle its body.


    Not only did I acquire the material, but I also got mithril at the same time.


    ''Yes!''


    Now I would be able to make a new weapon.


    I couldn''t stop being excited at the thought of it.

 72 Episode 71 Promotion Exam 8

    I restored the skills I had replaced in case I couldn''t make it.


    Just in case I wasn''t able to defeat them with my attack, I was going to escape, so I added agility enhancement to all of my equipment.


    I''m really glad that was a groundless fear.


    But still, Mithril?


    Maybe it''s because I got the Mithril Magic Ore, but I can now make new items such as the Mithril Sword.


    However, since my level is still not high enough, I can only make these swords if I use mithril.


    You can make equipment using Mithril Demon Ore........for now, it''s a weapon, right?


    Armor will be enough for later.


    --I''ve gone too far.


    I''ve used thirty Weapon Break swords.


    Perhaps the damage could have been contained a little more.


    ........But it''s also true that I didn''t have enough time to add or subtract.


    I tried to improve my abilities by adding a large amount of skills to my equipment, but the skills that were given to me only increased slightly after I exceeded 20, and it wasn''t enough to give me an advantage in battle.


    In the first place, even before that, there were no blatant enhancements like making my body lighter, so maybe it wasn''t as strong as I thought it would be if I gave it more than I thought it would be.


    Anyway, it''s a good thing we beat it.


    I''ll have to meet up with Warrior and the others first.


    But there''s nothing in the area where I used my visual enhancement.


    Is it still in the forest?


    Or have they already completed the evacuation?


    ...I hope they have evacuated the area.


    Once we left the forest, my doubts were confirmed.


    There were multiple footprints there. Maybe they were human ... eight in number?


    There were other footprints besides those of Mr. Warrior and the others, but analysis showed that they were his, so I headed into town to follow them.


    00


    There was a commotion in the guild.


    ''''Mithril, the rabbit kangaroo that ate Mithril, huh.......''''


    The receptionist was muttering to himself.


    Warrior and the others had already arrived at the guild as they had returned to the city at full speed.


    The receptionist who received their report, and through the receptionist, the guild staff had all heard about the situation.


    ''''How can that be? I''m sure they''re just saying that to cover up the fact that those guys failed their request.


    An adventurer who was making deliveries at a nearby reception desk said so teasingly.


    Racine and Warrior frowned at his expression, but the receptionist said it once and for all.


    ''''........He''s already hunted the required number of rabbit kangaroos. There''s no need to go to the trouble of telling such a lie.''''


    The adventurer who returned that was also frowning.


    ''''........I''m sorry, but I can''t let you send an adventurer right now!


    ''No!��I have friends!��Maybe I''ll still be able to run away and--


    There''s no such thing as a ''just in case''. It''s impossible to escape the power of a rabbit kangaroo''s legs.


    But...


    Calm down, Mr. Warrior!��...Okay. When your opponent is a Mithril Rabbit Kangaroo, you need to prepare an A-ranked adventurer!��This isn''t just a problem for this city!


    The receptionist shouted as he yelled, and everyone understood the gravity of the matter.


    If it was just some low grade demon ore, this wouldn''t be a story.


    But with Mithril, it was a different story.


    A demon that gained the power of mithril would be extremely powerful.


    Some of them would gain so much power that they would be destroyed if it was a small village.


    That was why it was so hectic in the guild.


    Some of the adventurers had already gotten into their carriages to evacuate the city.


    If time passed, this information would flow through the adventurers to the entire city.


    After receiving a single voice from the receptionist, Warrior could only bite her lip.


    ''''d*mn........!��You can''t even say thank you for helping me out...!


    ....


    All four of them had dark expressions on their faces.


    There was no joy in their hearts that they had accomplished their promotion request.


    They were simply confronted with the reality of their profession as adventurers.


    The receptionist would have normally followed up with them like that.


    But since the Mithril Rabbit Kangaroo was out, there was a lot of work to be done.


    The four of them stood there for a while.


    Someone tapped them on the shoulder.


    ''Oh, thank goodness you''re here.


    Lelius let out a breath of relief and looked at them.


    Warrior''s eyes were wide open.


    She was still trembling in fear of the mithril rabbit kangaroo, as the people around her didn''t know Lelius in the first place.


    ''I''m glad to see you all are okay. I was worried about you.


    Are you sure it''s Lelius?��You''re alive!


    Shouldn''t I be alive?


    No, no, no, you''ll live.


    Lelius!


    Chiyu hugged Lelius while blowing off the warrior who was about to speak.


    Lelius'' eyes were black and white at the sudden touch.


    ''Good!��Stay alive!��Honestly!


    Chiyu pushes Lelius down, tears spilling out of his eyes.


    ''If Lelius-san hadn''t saved me!��We were dead!��Thank you so, so much!


    Oh I''m sorry about that. I''m sorry for embarrassing you at the time. It''s... well, it wasn''t anything personal, you know?


    I don''t care about that!


    Oh, well that''s good.


    As Relius exhaled, the returning receptionist opened her eyes.


    ''Lele Lelius-san!��Wh-why are you here?


    Well no, I mean.


    ''You were fighting a mithril rabbit kangaroo!��Good, well, be safe!


    Well, you know,


    ''So what happened to the Mithril Rabbit Kangaroo!��You''re still in the woods, right?


    We got him down.


    ''Huh!��Oh, really?


    Yes. Here''s some material.


    Handing the mithril to the receptionist, she looked at it for a while and then screamed.


    ''Ho, it''s like a real mithril, isn''t it.......''


    When the receptionist said that, they all looked at Lelius in unison and shouted in unison.

 73 Chapter 72

    At the words of the guild staff, the adventurers who were surrounding us shouted out.


    ''''Mi, how did you defeat the demon that contained Mithril!��You''re a rank F adventurer, aren''t you!


    The astonished voices of the adventurers flooded the place.


    ........As for that excuse, I had thought of many things.


    At first, I thought about how I managed to escape from the demons by not bringing Mithril.


    But I thought that would cause the guild and the rest of the people of this city unnecessary worry.


    So I let out a mithril here.


    That excuse is simple.


    ''''I don''t know why, but there just happened to be a big explosion. ...It really just happened to hit a rabbit kangaroo.


    What''s that?


    The adventurers'' confusion was evident.


    ''An explosion, sir?''


    The guild staff turned a thoughtful gaze towards us.


    ........I''m a little worried.


    ''''I don''t know the details but.......yes. When the rabbit kangaroo kicked the ground, it exploded.


    ''''........Perhaps some kind of magic tool was buried in the ground. It''s quite possible that the magic tool was something that could trigger an explosion.


    ...You mean you''ve been d*mned lucky?


    Yes, it does.


    I''m glad I''m alive.


    I let out a breath of relief.


    The adventurers nodded in agreement when I heard from the receptionist that if I had such a magic tool, the adventurers would be able to find it.


    ''''Well you really are a lucky guy.


    You''re right. You''re too lucky.


    ''And yet, if you have such a powerful magic tool, I would have loved to see it.


    The adventurers who had gathered were scattered.


    ........Eventually, our surroundings became quiet.


    For the moment, it seems we were able to fool them well.


    While patting my chest to the point of not being noticed, I turned my attention to the receptionist.


    ''''Is it okay for me to have this mithril?''''


    ''''Yes, you''re free to use that one as you see fit. You can sell it to the guild if you want.


    Quickly, the receptionist handed me a mithril.


    I put the mithril in my pocket.


    ...Mithril is quite a valuable ore.


    You can use it to make high-performance armor and accessories.


    As for me, I''d like to make mithril-related weapons.


    I''ll have to destroy the mithril magic ore later.


    After looking at Warrior and the others who still had a somewhat surprised expression on their faces, I smiled at them.


    ''''Well there was a lot going on, but for now, shall we report on the accomplishment of the request?


    Yeah, I know...


    Mr. Warrior spoke up to represent everyone.


    z


    I finished reporting my request accomplished.


    I took out my guild card and handed it to the receptionist.


    After confirming my name, the receptionist places it in front of the fairy.


    The fairy stares at my guild card and then runs her finger over the part of the rank engraved next to my name.


    It must be fairy magic or something.


    The letters inscribed there changed to E rank.


    The fairy, having finished her work, proudly puffs out her chest and the receptionist strokes her head with her forefinger.


    The fairy happily darted around the receptionist''s fingers, and the receptionist handed the guild card she had collected from the fairy to me, loosening her cheeks.


    ''Go ahead, check it out.''


    After receiving it, I checked it again.


    It was clearly marked with an E rank.


    For now, I can now call myself an adventurer.


    It''s embarrassing to call yourself an adventurer when you''ve just registered an F-ranked adventurer.


    However, even though E rank is only a hair''s breadth of an amateur when it comes to adventurers, it still means that he''s a competent person who has just completed a promotion request.


    I was worried about what would happen when I was attacked by the Mithril Rabbit Kangaroo, but I''m glad I was able to defeat it successfully.


    This was probably because I had a large amount of skills.


    I''ll have to keep fishing for more skills in the future.


    If I continue to work hard at this rate, I might even be able to move up to D-rank in time.


    I want to continue adventuring at my own pace in the future.


    I''ll be updating the guild cards of the other members as well.


    Warrior happily holds up his guild card and Sifu laughs at it, but his mouth relaxes in happiness.


    Rashin-san and Chiyu-san were also smiling at each other.


    ''''Thank you all for your hard work. I hope you have a good night''s rest today.''''


    It''s not every day that an adventurer who finishes a promotion request receives a request that day.


    I was pretty tired too.


    Anyway, I''d have to report to my parents.


    Listina-san was worried about me, and I should at least tell them that I''m safe.


    Don''t tell them about Mithril, of course.


    Of course, don''t tell them about Mithril, because they will be asking you a lot of questions.


    Hey, guys!��Would you like to have dinner with me in the future?��It''s a promotion celebration!


    I''m good.


    Yes, of course!��Besides, there''s a lot to be thankful for to save your life.


    Rasin-san smiled at me.


    Chiyu-san also looked at me and her cheeks dyed.


    ''''Yes, I would like to join in, too. How about you, Lelius-san?


    ''I''ll join you, of course. Mr. Warrior, do you know of any good places to eat?


    ''Oh!��I got it!��I know a guy who owns the place!��Let''s go!


    We started walking with Mr. Warrior in the lead.


    As we were walking out of the guild and through the city, Sheikh looked at us.


    ''But Lelius is really great. You were able to keep up with the movements of the rabbit kangaroo,


    ''What?��Seriously?


    Ms. Warlia sounded surprised.


    Besides, Chiyu-san smiled happily.


    ''''Yes......... You stranded the rabbit kangaroo back then, so everyone was alive.''''


    I was so surprised to hear about it later. I couldn''t keep up with any of your moves.


    Mr. Racine is going to look at me.


    The only reason I was able to react was because of my enhanced abilities.


    ''''........Seriously. Are blacksmiths pretty good?


    ''I don''t know. Maybe it''s just now, it''s hard to say.


    Still, it''s amazing to be able to keep up with a rabbit kangaroo. I wasn''t really paying attention, but I didn''t think I could handle it as well as I could.


    I was distracted, right?


    Well, it''s certainly true that if I had won the battle before that with such ease, it''s inevitable that I would be like that.


    I think I was also somewhat distracted.


    As it turned out, I was able to fight, partly because Warrior-san was defeated by a single blow.


    ''Oh, by the way, I heard you gave me a potion back then, didn''t I?��I used two of them and you said two of them were for the Warrior. That''s why you''re back on the mend.


    ''Oh, yes!��Lelius, thanks for the potion!


    So how much did that one cost you?��At least I''ll pay you, okay?


    Teasingly, Racine said, and Warrior pulled out what looked like a wallet from the chest of his jacket.


    ''It''s me!��How much, Lelius?


    I don''t have a particular price.


    My item box doesn''t have a limit on current items.


    So I just use the extra magic power to create things before I go to bed.


    ''It''s fine. I originally planned to use it if there was a situation where I needed it.''''


    But it was expensive, wasn''t it?


    Yeah!��We''re always getting help, so let me at least thank you for this!


    I''m not even sure of the price in the first place.


    I thought about it once and then tapped my hand.


    ''''Then why don''t you buy me the money for this meal?


    ...Yeah, is that what you want?


    ''Yes, sir. I, too, had time to observe the rabbit kangaroo''s movements thanks to the initial fight with Warrior and Racine. Thanks to them, I managed to buy myself some time. I owe a lot to both of them.


    They looked at each other and then nodded.


    They looked at each other and nodded.��I''ll pay you whatever you want!


    Yes, eat as much as you want!


    For me, just getting Mithril was the best request I''ve ever received.


    I wasn''t going to ask for more than that.

 74 Chapter 73

    While I was stroking Val''s body in the room, I was creating the Mithril Sword.


    Having obtained the materials, I could create the weapon by using Mithril for the time being - but.


    This did not go as well as I wanted.


    It seems that with my current level, creating a Mithril sword is difficult.


    It''s not that I can''t do it, but I''ve been using only rank D to E mithril swords.


    His current level is 20.


    I still can''t even make platinum magic ore equipment, so it might be inevitable.


    However, even so, there were times when he would witness a rank B or other mithril sword, albeit with a low probability.


    In other words, it''s not that I can''t do it at all.


    I would spend all my magic power every day before I went to bed to create it.


    Today''s highest rank was a C-rank.


    ........I should have stopped when I had a B rank.


    ''''Zero.


    Those days lasted for about a week.


    My level went up to 22. Is it because it''s difficult to create a mithril sword?


    It felt like it was growing fast.


    However, I don''t feel like I can create a Mithril Sword S rank at all.


    I didn''t think it would be this hard to create.


    Maybe it''s because my level has gone up, I''ve seen a few B ranks here and there.


    However, there hasn''t even been an A-rank yet.


    Is there a limit to the number of ranks by level?��Shall we compromise on a B grade?


    We can rebuild it again later.


    But when you get to this point, there''s a part of you that''s wilful.


    Two days have passed since then, and that''s when the process was repeated.


    I stopped to put the hammer back into the material.


    ''S-rank!


    He ponies out of the A and suddenly comes out of nowhere, and I yelp.


    Val, who was wagging her tail in my lap, swings her tail in surprise.


    He struck me in the cheek with a scoop.


    .........I hold the Mithril Sword S rank in my hand, reflecting on the fact that I suddenly raised my voice.


    It''s a single-edged sword with a blue blade.


    I check it several times as I pull it out of its scabbard.


    I have 300 skill granting points left over. After granting an ability-enhancing skill for now, I wielded the sword a few times.


    It''s light.


    Can it really slay enemies with this? It''s a sword so light that it makes me feel uneasy.


    ........I want to try it out.


    With that thought in mind, I immediately ran out of the room.


    Originally, today was my day off.


    Val also followed me pudgyly.


    00


    I joined the guild, and with Val in my arms, I search for the request.


    ''Whoa, Lelius. You''re not at the inn today, are you?


    The one who comes here is Mr. Warrior.


    He comes to us with other adventurers.


    This is the party that Mr. Warrior is working with.


    There are four of them, Warrior and one other person is E rank.


    The other two are D-ranked.


    When I came to the guild, I would occasionally meet the people I had fought with before in this way.


    After giving a light bow, his companions headed towards the board.


    Mr. Warrior was the only one left in front of me.


    ''Yes, sir. Do you have a request today, Mr. Warrior and the others?��Is it a labyrinth?


    We''re going in the maze. Well, unless you got something better to offer me.


    It''s either a request or a labyrinth, depending on what''s going on that day.


    ''But if it''s not the first thing in the morning, that means it''s already mostly confirmed in the labyrinth, right?


    Well.


    Requests are basically put up first thing in the morning.


    Good requests - those with good pay, or good clients (like cute and cool) - are usually taken immediately.


    That''s why most of the remaining requests are ones that not many people want to take.


    As far as I can tell, most of them are just like that.


    "Is Lelius still acting alone?


    Valu!


    ''Hahaha, bad bad. Val was there too, right?


    Val muffled in my arms.


    Val had come to the guild with me several times, and the four of us who worked together before already knew about it.


    I also knew that it was a dragon, but it is rare in this city, but still, it''s not too strange to be a pet.


    There was a small buzz in the guild again as a lucky guy in that he was able to find a dragon egg, he said.


    ''''But the two of you with Val you''re a party of one and one, right?''''


    ''Basically, yes. And in my case, part of me wants to work at the inn.


    ''Oh, yeah. I think we could go higher if we had just one adventurer, don''t you think?


    ''I don''t know.��But I think I just need to work slowly at the pace I''m at now.


    It''s not that we need to be in such a hurry.


    However, what I was a little curious about was that I wanted to fight a little more different kinds of demons as well.


    Becoming a rank E didn''t mean that my adventurer life would change much from before.


    However, if things continue as they are now, I won''t be able to get new demon materials.


    That''s because the city is peaceful these days. It''s a good thing, but since there are no demons moving in or anything like that, we can''t get new materials.


    It''s also possible that the combination of demon materials can enhance weapons.


    Maybe, depending on the combination, it''s possible to make something stronger than what we have now.


    However, in this area, the only thing I can do is the E rank labyrinth I challenged with Mea-san.


    He would get a request for a long trip that would take several days.


    Mr. Warrior''s friends arrived with the request form.


    Mr. Warrior laughed and said, "Well then," and joined the party.


    A party, huh?


    I''m with Val, but that doesn''t mean I don''t have a longing to be with more people like them.


    I checked my request and then headed out of the city, only to see what I could easily accomplish outside.


    After walking for a while, I spotted a group of goblins.


    There were six of them.


    As expected, it would be a bit tough.


    The skills given to the current equipment were not such as poisonous attacks on the arrows, but were fortified with those that strengthened their physical abilities.


    This is what I was using when I worked with Warrior and the others.


    For safety''s sake, shall I switch skills?


    You''re gonna be okay with Val being there.


    Besides. I also wanted to test the power of the Mithril Sword after dealing with this number.

 75 Chapter 74

    Fighting six goblins was a test for me.


    I was able to move that much in the fight against the rabbit kangaroo before.


    Now, I''m sure I can reach a higher level.


    With that thought, I clench my sword.


    ''Val, you''ll have to wait and see. I want to fight on my own.


    ...va...


    Val also looked at me as if she wanted to fight.


    However, I guess he understood my feelings, so he waited at a little distance.


    ''Next time I find you, we''ll fight together.


    Bah!


    Val nodded strongly at me.


    I took one look at Val, then returned my gaze to the goblin... and moved closer.


    The goblins seem to have noticed my appearance as well. The goblins stare at me.


    It seems that none of them are attacking from magic or long range.


    All of them are rushing towards me.


    It''s a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.


    Each of them are moving to surround me.


    While I took one look at them, two of the lead goblins rushed forward.


    I guess the plan is to use these two bodies as decoys to attack my blind spots and places that are difficult to deal with.


    I''ve been swinging my mithril sword at the goblins in front of me.


    The goblin had a cudgel - I''m sorry, but the extent of it cut through easily.


    The sword stabbed into the goblin''s body as if it had no resistance.


    It took a moment for the goblin to look surprised. The mithril sword cuts off the goblin''s arm without any resistance.


    I''m surprised that it''s that simple.


    ........It''s a mischievously powerful sword.


    If I make a slight mistake in handling it, it''s almost likely to cause damage to me as well.


    I quickly put the sword back and swung it further into one piece.


    The sword raised at an angle to the right flashed across the goblin''s neck.


    As I was keeping my distance from the goblin that spurted out blood and fell, the goblins that were surrounding me in a panic rushed in.


    ........You''re slow.


    Now that I was able to keep up with the rabbit kangaroo''s movements, now that I possessed a large amount of skills, I had no problem fighting it.


    He dodged all of the goblin''s attacks and swung his sword down one after another from the goblins that showed an opening.


    ........It''s so light and sharp that it''s addictive.


    Once I got used to this, the difference in performance was so great that the swords I had made so far were embarrassing.


    So this is the power of the Mithril.


    I''ve heard that mithril is said to increase the power of skills and is often processed as an accessory.


    If so, what is the power of Bone Shot?


    He pointed his sword at the escaped goblin and fired a bone shot.


    In an instant, the bone made from the magic power that was released, spun like a boomerang and caught the goblin''s back.


    Maybe it''s because of the mithril, but I don''t think this one is something to take up and praise.


    It would be better if it was there, or even better if it wasn''t.


    The remaining goblins sat back and looked at us.


    ........Yes, it''s difficult for us to do it if we''re frightened, but - the other party is a demon.


    When we finished the last one, we finished dismantling everything.


    ''''Va!''''


    And Val, who had been watching in the distance, jumped toward me.


    I catch it and nod my head.


    ''Thanks Val. Watching over you made it easier for me to move.


    "Valu.


    I know. Next time we fight, we fight together.


    For now, I was able to confirm the performance of the Mithril Sword.


    Definitely, it''s different from previous weapons.


    Of course it''s a weapon that''s too powerful, but I''ll have to become stronger myself to be able to use it.


    From the next battle, I''ll be using equipment with my skills removed.


    The reason for this is because I wanted to confirm my current bare strength.


    Also, I''ll be checking the details, such as the state with only one skill on.


    For now, I found out that I can fight against goblins without any problems even without any skills at all.


    It''s amazing how well I was able to stand up to a group of people.


    And that the performance of the body-strengthening skills would still decrease as the number of skills increased.


    Well, I knew this.


    With only one on and the second one on, it doesn''t change that much.


    By the time I finished defeating the goblins and reviewing my skills while checking the changes in my body, it was evening.


    I headed to the guild to sell the demons I had defeated.


    When I arrived at the guild, there was some noise.


    It was just that a request had been posted on the bulletin board.


    It was unusual at this time.


    I went to look at it, which had been an urgent request.


    It looks like a horn dragon and a bunch of demons are out there?


    Wow, really? So, because of the increase in casualties, you need an adventurer''s army?


    It was something like that in content.


    Currently, it seems that a large number of demons have occurred a few days east of here, and the neighboring villages and towns are being affected.


    However, in terms of the scale of the damage, perhaps the knights are also out?��It doesn''t necessarily mean that the adventurers will have to deal with it alone.


    If you look closely, there were requests other than fighting demons.


    It is said to be to support the evacuees.


    Currently, there is no place to receive the evacuees, and they are trying to deal with them by setting up tents outside the town.


    They are mainly responsible for watching them at night.


    Anyway, it seems that they are in need of help.


    A nearby adventurer loosened his mouth.


    ''''The compensation is quite good. I''ll take it.


    ...No, it''s not easy, you know?��I''ve done something like this once, but the locals don''t have the luxury of time, so they get tangled up in the most unpleasant ways.


    Is that so?


    Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it''s limited on food and stuff. People see us eating and they complain when they see us eating.


    I see...


    Food, huh?


    They probably don''t even have enough food to receive the refugees.


    That''s why they wanted me to use the adventurers to hunt the monsters of the labyrinth and secure food and other things.


    It was while I was listening to the adventurers around me, that I was tapped on the shoulder.


    ''''Ah, I knew it was Lelius.''''


    I turned around and saw Mr. Sheikh.


    I turn to see Mr. Sheikh standing next to him, and I see Mr. Warrior.


    What''s wrong with you two?


    It''s just that it''s so noisy in the guild. It''s just that I met with Warrior at the entrance just now.


    Oh, I''m just here to settle the bill for the day. Yeah, this kind of stuff is hard to deal with when you''re a low-level guy.


    I guess there''s some sort of role at the party.


    ''Apparently, we''ve got a pretty daunting request.


    I glance at the request form.


    I glance at the request form.


    Next to them, I briefly explain the details of the request, and Sheikh and Warrior shake their heads.


    I''m sure this is a tough request. I think I''ll pass.


    Me too, I guess. If someone''s in trouble, I want to help, but it''s not easy. What about you, Lelius?


    I''m in, but I''m not sure I''m in. It''s a lot to take in, isn''t it?


    We moved away from the board.


    It was no use looking at it forever.


    It was when we left the guild. Sheikh popped his hand.


    ''''Ah, yes. Lelius, I have a little favor to ask you... can you do me a favor?


    What is it?


    You see. Would it be possible for you to make me some throwing knives?��For which I''d be willing to pay, of course, but....


    ...what?��A weapon?


    I asked. Mr. Sheikh nodded.


    I thought I could use it to close out the middle distance. When I saw Lelius fighting, I thought it would be useful.


    ''''.......I see. That''s fine. How many would you like me to get for you?


    Really?��Okay, can you just give me five of them?


    Sure. I''ll take care of that.


    Sif-san smiled happily.


    ........I didn''t expect that the weapons would be ordered.


    Of course, I was hoping this would happen.


    "Oh, Lelius!��I''m ready, okay?��I''ve always wanted a weapon that can be used for maneuvering as well as an axe!


    Really?��Oh, I see. Do you need a sword or something?


    Oh!��If you could, please!


    Mr. Warrior also clasped his hands together and bowed his head.


    Of course I''m going to make it since I was asked to do so, of course.


    ........a weapon for both of us, huh?


    We''ll have to work hard to make it.

 76 Quiet story heroes

    The flash that Lynn swung at tore through the warwolf''s body.


    The warwolf that existed within the labyrinth stopped its life activities with that blow, and its body disappeared like a mist.


    All that was left was a single magic stone and material.


    ''''Lean, if you''re done with that one, help me with this one too!


    Okay, I''m coming!


    Lynn ran to Benny, who was also partying with her.


    Next to Benny, there was a girl who looked like she was about to die.


    ''''I can''t do it anymore........I''m going to throw up.......''''


    Her name was Nina.


    The girl, who was hiding one eye with her bangs, looked like she was about to cry.


    Nina also had the profession of a brave warrior, but she was much more vulnerable than Lynn and Benny.


    The warwolf was closing in on Nina, but Lynn tore into her body.


    ''''Are you alright Nina!


    ''''Oh, thank you........''''


    Nina exhaled in relief and pointed her divine weapon, the Fire Control Staff, at the War Wolf.


    ''''Wah, wah, wah!''''


    A panicked Nina was unable to successfully activate the skill.


    Linn pushed on her shoulder.


    ''Don''t worry. Slowly and surely.


    Uh-uh-uh!


    Nina was finally ready for her skills as Lynn calmed her down.


    After a few moments of skill charging time, fire flooded out of Nina''s wand.


    The karma fire engulfed the warwolf.


    Lin and Benny rushed through the fire created by Nina.


    ........Nina''s fire only burns what it designates.


    Because of the combination of Nina''s bravery and the power of her staff, it could be said to be a special move in a group battle.


    There were four warwolves that Benny was dealing with, but they were burned away at once by Nina''s fire.


    When the warwolves were wiped out, Benny huffily loosened his mouth and carried his axe.


    The divine weapon Benny held was a large axe.


    Benny''s body was so small that it looked like it was going to be crushed, but Benny was able to lift it lightly with the strength of a brave man.


    Then she put the divine weapon inside her body.


    ''''Totally. I didn''t expect to see so many warwolves out there.


    ''It''s true. That''s what they say about the hierarchy around here being strong, right?


    I''m going to die. I don''t like it. Please let me go back to my parents'' house....


    Nina utters those words as she cries.


    However, ignoring Nina''s whining, Benny and Lynn continue to talk.


    Nina rather quickly utters the words ''I can''t'' and ''I''m going home''.


    Therefore, the two of them were also completely used to dealing with Nina.


    ''''Was it the thirty-two levels now?''''


    While saying that, Lynn was stroking the magic stone in the necklace hanging from her neck.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this in the future.


    ''Yes. Well, I can still manage that.''''


    Uh, Benny. He asked for your help.


    You looked bored.


    Lynn smiled and hugged Benny from behind, pecking him on the cheek.


    Benny''s cheeks puffed out in disgust at being treated like a child.


    I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one.


    She pokes it once.


    Benny glares at her. Nina quickly breaks away from her gaze, and when Benny''s gaze is off, she pokes him again.


    ''Don''t treat people like children!


    Unable to bear it anymore, Benny raised his hands on the spot.


    He took out his axe, which he had once put away, and swung it around menacingly.


    Benny''s arm swings around like a spoiled child.


    Nina and Lynne saw that and were slightly soothed again.


    They were both very happy to see that. The two of you should have a little more confidence. We don''t want to lose to the brave men and women of the other side!


    "Yeah, but that''s just Benny fighting with himself, and that''s all that matters, right?��Hey, Nina.


    That''s right. They give me sweets and stuff sometimes.


    What the hell is wrong with you?��No!��He messed with me!


    Benny shakes his fist in the air and declares, "Come on, let''s go!


    "Come on, let''s go!


    Benny walks off, pointing his finger towards the labyrinth. Lynn and Nina let out a small breath before following him.


    ''00''


    There were three labyrinths in the Knight Training Academy.


    They were all artificially created labyrinths.


    In the innermost part of a typical labyrinth, there is a crystal.


    By capturing the lowest level and removing the crystal from its base, you can capture the labyrinth completely, and the labyrinth will disappear 30 days after the crystal is removed.


    Therefore, the guild will have to take the initiative in planning the complete attack in advance.


    The crystal contains an enormous amount of energy.


    In the past, when wars were waged, many weapons were created using these crystals, but now there is only one way to use them: to create labyrinths.


    However, there is only one way to use the crystals today, and that is to create a labyrinth.


    Research was done to see if it was possible to create an artificial labyrinth by using the crystal, and now it is possible to create an artificial labyrinth.


    However, the probability of success was extremely low; there were only three artificial labyrinths in the Knight Training Academy, while the number of crystals recovered so far exceeded double digits.


    The crystals had a large amount of information about the labyrinth engraved on them.


    Although not all of it had been analyzed yet, there was information on the structure of the labyrinth, information on demons, and materials.


    In other words, the crystals contained numerous detailed information about the labyrinth.


    Whenever possible, the researchers translated the information into modern language and inscribed it on the crystal.


    Only about ten of the crystals were able to maintain their integrity as the letters changed.


    After that, there were three that functioned properly as labyrinths.


    These were the three labyrinths currently located in the Knight Training Academy.


    These were separated by difficulty level.


    First, a labyrinth of F to D ranks for basic training.


    The C and B rank labyrinths with a slightly increased level of difficulty.


    Then there was the A and S rank labyrinths for top-tier cultivation.


    All the labyrinths were up to fifty levels, and the higher the number, the higher the difficulty.


    The labyrinth that Benny and the others were currently challenging was a C or B rank labyrinth.


    And the reason they were challenging it was simple--they were challenging it.


    ''''The War Wolf we defeated was stronger than the one we defeated!��We''re killing a unique monster over here!


    What?��You were the one who said you were going to outnumber us!


    Benny shouted out, there were two beautiful girls ahead of him.


    One was a woman with blonde hair in a roll - Louvi. She was also a brave woman.


    Louvi and Benny stared at each other, face to face.


    Watching them with a wry smile was the brave woman who had cooperated with Lynn and Louvi - Tirufa.


    His hair, cut around his shoulders, is boyish. He is a brave man who has garnered a lot of support from the women in the school.


    "I''m sorry about Benny. I didn''t mean to get in a fight.


    No, no, no. I''m sorry, too. I''m sorry Louvy had to pick a fight.


    Benny and Louvy were very unhappy with each other.

 77 Quiet story brave men 2

    Because they were exactly opposite sides of the same coin.


    Benny was petite and born in a slum.


    In contrast, Louvi has a feminine body and is an aristocrat by birth. It was also the third daughter of a duke''s family.


    The two of them stared at each other, and then Louvi turned away with a huff.


    ''''I mean, to begin with, there are three of you and two of us. This match has no meaning!


    I checked with you in the beginning!��Didn''t I tell you I could loan Nina to you?


    What?��Me?


    I told you I don''t want it!��Nina, you''re too scared to do anything with me!


    "...uhhhhhh, sorry!


    Nina had tears in the corners of her eyes.


    Nina''s family is a noble family of viscount. She knew Louvy well and understood that he was someone who could never behave rudely.


    A brave man, there was no difference in position, but for Nina, who was taught that from a young age, Louvi was never someone she could interfere with.


    After patting Nina''s head like that, Tilfa came between Benny and Louvi.


    I''m not a fan of this. We''re brave, we don''t fight like that.


    Yes, of course. I get along with everyone except Benny.


    ''''Nah, nah, nah...!''''


    Benny swings his arms around, and Tilfa holds his body while laughing.


    Benny''s face turns redder and redder as Louvi crosses her arms in triumph and shows off her breasts.


    ''You''re going to say something like that again soon. ''I''m sorry, Benny.''


    When Tilfa said that, Benny nodded his head in a way that seemed to calm him down a bit.


    After that, their quarrel calmed down for the time being, and the five of them lined up to head to the guild in the school.


    Here, they could make deliveries of the demons they had defeated in the school labyrinth.


    The receptionist''s cheeks were twitching at the materials that Luvi and Benny had taken out of the item box.


    The materials lined up at the reception desk were warwolf materials and C-rank equivalent magic stones.


    There are very few people in this school who can defeat them in large numbers in a short time.


    This was because the brave men had outstanding strength compared to children of the same age.


    Even in their guild card ranks, the brave ones had already all been ranked C.


    Their abilities were still growing, and it was said that they might even reach B-rank or A-rank.


    It was then.


    Nina was one of the first to notice the guild staff who had been watching the two of them fight in a droll manner.


    Nina glanced at the guild staff.


    The guild staff was looking at Nina as if she was asking for help.


    Nina also seemed to understand the staff member''s feelings painfully.


    Unusually, she interrupted between them.


    ''Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait... can I?


    ''Yes, Nina,''


    What is it, Nina?


    Hi, I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m sorry...��Eh.........


    Nina grabbed Lynne''s arm as the two of them glared at her and almost threw up.


    That''s when Lynn and Tilfa also noticed the staff.


    ''It seems like the staff would like to talk to you?


    Lynn did so, and as expected, they looked at each other and then sighed.


    What is it?


    That''s right. I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this, but I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this.


    Lynn frowned at the part about being asked, from the state, to do something.


    Because Lynn didn''t really like being forced to fight by someone like that.


    On the contrary, Benny''s eyes lit up.


    �� If the government asks you to do something, it''s a pretty big deal!��Is this your chance to make a name for yourself?


    Well, yeah, I guess so. There is no limit to the number of people who can participate, but they want a brave man to participate in order to give courage to the local people. As for the details of the request, please check here.


    ''I''ll take it!''


    Benny had a twinkle in his eye, and Louvi huffed a laugh.


    It''s very shallow of you to make a decision without knowing what you''re asking.


    It''s annoying.


    Can I borrow a few things... well, it''s hard to read, I can''t read...


    After receiving the request form, Louvi raised an eyebrow.


    Lynn glanced at the request form, but there were no difficult words used.


    Louvi was the dumbest of them all.


    ''''Tilfa, what kind of request is this?


    I''m not sure if it''s a simple matter of going to the place where the demons were attacked and having a brave soul to cheer them up.��I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that because I have other things to do. I''ll leave it to Benny.


    Yeah, I''m on it. What about the other two?


    Benny puffed out his chest and then looked at Lynn and Nina.


    "I think I''ll pass.


    You don''t know what you''re talking about.


    That''s where it looked like there was going to be another agony, but Lynn interrupted.


    ''''I guess I''m a little........difficult too.


    "Wow, wow, I can''t do it either!


    Nina and Lynn also shook their heads.


    a�?Okay. Okay, I''ll go and see what I can do.


    I''m worried. Are you sure this is the right representative for a brave man?


    Better than you will be, I hope.


    What do you mean?


    Are you nuts?


    The two of them stared at each other, and Tilfa took Louvie by the throat. Lynne took Benny from behind.


    Oh, yeah. You don''t want to get in trouble, so let''s stop now. ''Okay, then, staff. Would you mind if I asked you to do that?


    Lynn nodded her head and said, and the staff member nodded his head.


    Yes, I''ll take care of it.


    So we''ll go home.


    Woo, let me go!


    As long as you promise not to riot. Okay then, Luvi, Tylfa, I''ll see you tomorrow.


    Yeah, again.


    Luvi is carried away by Tirfa.


    Lynne did the same and took Benny with her.

 78 Chapter 75

    I had plans to meet with Mr. Krua today.


    There were a few things I wanted to discuss with him.


    After waiting about five minutes after arriving at the appointed place, Krua-san came over to us.


    ''''It''s been a while, Lelius-san.


    It''s good to see you too, Mr. Krua.


    I called out to her and she smiled at me.


    I wondered if she was after work. She was dressed in tight clothes.


    Her clothes suited the tightly fitted Mr. Krua well, and she was attracting the attention of those around her today as well.


    Then the gaze turns to Krua-san, then to me and glares at me.


    They must be jealous of me. It''s not that we have a relationship between a man and a woman........


    We move to the restaurant and then we just order our food and wait for it to be brought to us.


    Let''s talk about it while we''re at it.


    Krua-san, may I get to the contents of this discussion right away?


    Yes, that''s fine. Yes, that''s fine.


    Smiling, Krua''s expression tightened a bit.


    ''''First of all, let''s start with the first one. Last time, together, I was asked to make equipment for the adventurers who formed a party. There''s also a money transfer that occurs there, but should I go through Krua-san for this?


    The first consultation was in regards to the request for weapons we received from Sheikh and Warrior.


    We have made weapons for Linial-san before, but no money was exchanged last time.


    Well, maybe it was better to consult with them before that one too, but I thought it was okay then.


    But this time, there''s a clear exchange of money.


    ''There was a request to make a weapon?


    ''Yes.''


    ''Good for you!��So, Lelius, your dream has begun to take off!


    Mr. Krua was happy as if it were his own. I was honestly happy, but that wasn''t the main point at the moment.


    Mr. Krua seemed to understand and quickly nodded.


    ''''As long as it''s a personal exchange, there''s no problem, right?


    Oh, I see. Then you won''t mind if we make one?


    Yes. If you want to send a lot of products, I''ll step in between. In that case, I''d appreciate it if you could split the fee as you normally would.


    I see.


    Having a merchant''s backing would be more useful in large transactions.


    Krua-san then makes a thoughtful expression and opens his mouth.


    ''''By the way, I''ve also asked about that and other weapons and such, but there''s no request here yet. Lelius-san, how did you make a sales pitch?


    "I didn''t do much of a sales thing. I had a party with them, and they saw me use it.


    ''''I see. That''s a fine business. It''s great.


    A little embarrassed by Krua''s words, she quickly bowed her head.


    ''''Thank you for discussing this with me. Lelius-san is a serious person, isn''t she?''''


    ''I didn''t know what the right thing to do was. Come to think of it, Krua-san had something you wanted to discuss with me too, right?


    Yeah, well.


    She looked slightly uncomfortable saying it.


    ''''Well, are you aware that right now, the Horned Dragon demon and the large number of demons that are ravaging the surroundings in the Mycos region to match them?


    Oh, that''s the one I saw in the guild.


    I was a little curious about it too, but I didn''t expect to hear about it from Krua-san.


    ''''I heard about it. But I only heard about it in an emergency request, so I don''t know the details.


    I haven''t heard any information about the demons either, but as a merchant, I was hoping to be able to carry something like food or something else, and I wanted to ask Relius-san to deliver it to you.


    Oh, I see.


    It''s true that using my abilities will take care of those problems.


    If I over-distribute them too much, it would be noticeable, but I''ll leave that part to Krua-san.


    Besides, if it''s good for someone else, I don''t feel bad about it.


    ''''I understand. It''s just that I''ve been thinking about accepting that urgent request as well.


    ''Oh, really?''


    ''''Yes. We''ll get quite a few points, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to aim for a D-rank.


    I was going to come down there myself. Then why don''t you come with me?��With Mr. Lelius there, we can carry the goods better than we expected.


    Well, I can just create it on the spot.


    Mr. Krua is thinking about this and that.


    "That''s great, Mr. Krua.


    ''What?��What do you mean?


    That you''re willing to work that hard for someone in need.


    ''''I........was saved by my mentor when I was in a similar kind of trouble a long time ago. I started as a merchant because I wanted to help someone in a time of need.


    That was the reason.


    ''Let''s do our best, shall we?''


    ''''Thank you very much. With Lelius-san here, I think I can do anything.


    I''m counting on you.


    And it''s not a mistake that you can do everything to some extent.


    When I looked closely, I saw Krua-san''s ears were red.


    ''''Seriously, what you just said doesn''t mean anything weird!


    While watching her like that with a panicked look, I think about my shift.


    The inn will be fine for a while. There shouldn''t be any problems since a new person has also joined.


    Now we just need to see how long it will take for them to come back.


    If I can return quickly, I would like to, but it will depend on the situation over there.


    Especially as long as the Horned Dragon and the other demons are not defeated, the refugees won''t be able to return to their normal lives.


    I hope they are defeated as soon as possible.

 79 Chapter 76

    ........I see. I''m sure my father-in-law has heard such stories from the adventurers.


    Later.


    I spoke to my parents about my urgent request.


    ''I wish I could, but I wanted to do something as an adventurer too. It seems like the work at the inn is settling down lately, so I thought it would be a good idea.


    Yeah. I''m sure you''d like to see the outside of it too but yeah, it''s all right.


    Originally, the approval was easy, partly because I was only working once a week or so.


    ''Just take care of your injuries, okay?


    Yeah, I know.


    Now that you mention it, Ristina has been asking for a break in a similar time frame, and I was wondering if you''re going with her?


    What?��What? No, I don''t know about that.


    I hadn''t heard of that.


    I wonder if Ristina is also getting an urgent request?


    As I tilted my head, my mother-in-law smiled at me.


    ''Ristina-chan has a different reason.


    What?��Really?��Dad, I don''t know anything about this, but you do?


    Yes, but I can''t tell anyone. It''s a girl''s promise.


    Ohoho, my mother-in-law laughs.


    .........What is it, Ristina-san is also doing something else, and you want a break in relation to that side?


    I''m a little curious, and I''ll ask her later when we have a meal together.


    I''ll go into work as usual that day.


    Listina-san has also started her shift in the morning.


    She''s totally accustomed to the job by now, and now there are even some customers who are looking for Ristina-san.


    My father-in-law''s policy of choosing people based on their faces is a bit prickly in some respects, but it makes me think that he''s not wrong.


    We worked all morning, and after the busiest time of the day, Ristina and I had to take a break.


    We would bring each other the set meal of the day that had been prepared as a bribe.


    I will eat either in the waiting room or in my room.


    Shall I invite Ristina to eat in the waiting room today?


    "Senpai, can I have lunch with you?


    "Yes, of course.


    In fact, I was just thinking about asking him out.


    Thank goodness.


    Ristina, you''ll be teasing me as soon as we ask you out.


    We both put our lunches on the table and start eating.


    Speaking of which, Listina-san. It seems that you are going to be taking some time off for a while, isn''t it?


    Huh?��Where did you get this information, sir?��Oh, was it possible that you heard about my shift and wanted to work with me?


    He smirks and pokes me in the elbow as if to tease me with a grin.


    You''re not. I just happened to be thinking of taking the same period of time off, and my mother-in-law told me about it.


    What?��Is that right?


    ''Yes. I was planning to make an emergency request - to be an adventurer in the city of Lukkos, and I thought that Ristina was going to be one too.


    ... uh, not quite.


    So that''s what happened.


    I thought for sure it was the same as mine.


    Listina crossed her arms for a moment as if she were thinking, and then she started fiddling with her forearm.


    ''''Well ... can you not laugh?


    Did you know that I also work outside of this office?


    Well, sort of. Well, I didn''t ask you what you did for a living.


    I have some business to attend to in the city of Lukkos.


    Is that so? That job.........can I ask you something?


    When I asked, Ristina-san nodded her head firmly.


    She looked very embarrassed. It''s an expression you don''t usually see on your face.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find the best way to get the most out of your time in the world.


    ''''.........Gee, I''m a member of a theater group.


    ...what?


    When I say theater company members, I mean the people who put on the plays.......right?


    I''ve only seen a play once, so I don''t know much about it, but I''m pretty sure it was something that involved acting out a story or something.


    The first time I saw it, I had thought it was "cool" with the flashy staging of skills, but I was too young to be impressed with the rest of it.


    Shyly, Ristina was playing with her forearm.


    ''''Theater people ... they''re all kinds of things, aren''t they?��What exactly do they do?''


    There are the performers who go on stage, so to speak, and those who support them from behind the scenes.


    Listyna looked embarrassed and moved her mouth.


    I''m a theater person. Well, well, but.........!��I was still all on the fringes, so this is how I did it while working part-time!��He''s a totally bad performer!


    Ristina-san laughed as she raised her voice.


    .........Perhaps that was embarrassing for Ristina-san.


    ''''Good luck with that.


    I guess that''s about all I''m going to tell you.


    Ristina-san fanned her face with one hand and turned her gaze to her food.


    The way she began to eat vigorously, as if to deceive me, was so cute.


    ''''But........what on earth are you going to do?''''


    ...First, we''ll use a carriage that our company has to carry the load. After that, we''re going to put on a play to cheer up the people of the town who are currently depressed.


    ...I see. We adventurers are also helping with the reconstruction work, so I guess we''re going to do something similar to that.


    Maybe, yes.


    So, maybe we''ll have to work together somewhere.


    A play, huh?


    ''But there''s only a handful of people who can play a role in a play, right?


    There will be a certain number of people who can be in a play at one time.


    I think it''s great just to be able to be there.


    ''Well, well, yes,''


    That''s great.


    No, that''s not true.


    No, it''s great.


    When I praised her like that, Ristina-san''s face turned red and depressed.


    She''s not used to being praised.


    ''''That means you''ll be in the next play, right?


    Well, yes.


    What role will you be playing?


    Next up, well I got the main role in the, you know, the...


    ''Oh, really?��...I would have liked to see it myself if it wasn''t for the reconstruction work.


    ...or don''t make fun of me!


    No, I''m not kidding, okay?��Genuinely, I just wanted to see it.


    Of course, I had meant it earlier, but I was beginning to enjoy Ristina''s reaction more and more.


    ''Just be careful, please be careful. We''re far enough away from the front, but that doesn''t mean there''s no danger.''''


    ''I know. There are a lot of people in the troupe who can fight, you know. We''ll be fine.


    That should be a relief.


    We''ll have to work hard for each other.

 80 Chapter 77

    The day of our departure from the city of Lukkos.


    I was carrying the luggage into Krua-san''s carriage.


    The actual plan was to use the carriage to carry food and other items, and also to cook here before serving them.


    But, of course, we needed to carry a certain amount of cargo in the carriage for the part of showing it to those around us.


    I''ll be helping Krua-san with that task as we head out in his carriage.


    Just like that, other merchants here are also carrying their belongings into the carriage, perhaps to head to Lukkos.


    I don''t know any of them, but they are all going to be working for the city of Lukkos from now on.


    Thinking about that, I could sense a strange sense of unity.


    It was at that time.


    ''''Just........!��Don''t get in!


    A raspy voice rang out.


    The voice caused everyone to look at each other at once.


    There were two women over there. One was someone I had never seen before, but I knew the other one.


    It was Ristina-san.


    Ms. Listina seemed to have been slapped on the cheek by the woman, and she was holding her cheek.


    The woman glared at Ms. Ristina, breathing heavily, and got into the carriage alone.


    ''Well, wait a minute, Miss Kurutta!


    ''I''m sorry, but I don''t have a seat for you. Well, I''ll take your place.


    After a huff and a smile, the woman departed with the carriage.


    The remaining Ristina-san''s expression grew grim. Her fists were shaking with a plump fist and she was glaring at them.


    I couldn''t see the situation at all.


    The people who had been paying attention to Ristina-san also went back to their own work.


    ''''Excuse me, Krua-san. Is it okay if I step away for a moment?''''


    ''Yes, sir. We''ve finished loading, if you can come back before we leave.


    I understand.


    With Krua''s permission, I headed towards Ristina.


    Ristina-san''s lips were pursed together, but when she noticed me, she looked at me as if she was surprised.


    ''''........Ristina-san?''''


    ''What?��Oh, isn''t that senior Lelius?


    I looked up and saw tears in the corners of Ristina''s eyes.


    When she noticed me, she scrubbed at her eyes.


    ''W-what''s wrong?''


    ''That''s the line over here. ........What''s going on?��That woman who was just here, she was so swashbuckling.


    That person is my senior.


    ...Senpai, are you from the play?


    ''Yes. I''ve always been the one who usually played the leading role... but after I became the leading role this time, my attitude suddenly changed...


    So you''re saying that they didn''t even give you a ride in the carriage?


    ''''........Yes.


    What about the other carriages?


    Well, I think they''ve already left.


    ''''........I see. Then would you like to take a ride in our carriage?


    ''What?��........Come to think of it, Relius-senpai said he was heading there too, right? Da, are you okay?


    He''s a kind man, and I''m sure he''ll be fine if you talk to him.


    Oh, may I ask you for a favor?


    Yes. May I ask you to follow me?


    Ristina exhaled in relief and lined up next to me.


    Then when I returned to Krua-san, she glanced at me.


    Lelius-san, did you know each other?


    ''Yes. I understand that the circumstances have made it impossible for you to ride in the carriage, so is it possible for me to give you a ride here?


    ''''Well yes. I''m sure you''ll be fine.


    The moment Lystina-san heard those words, her eyes lit up.


    ''''Ho, is it true!


    ''Yes, yes ... by the way ... what is your relationship with Mr. Relius?''


    Krua-san glances at Ristina-san.


    Me and Ms. Ristina?��It would be nothing more than a mere business associate.


    But Ristina''s eyes narrowed in amusement. Then she hugged my arm.


    ''We''re boyfriend and girlfriend!


    ''What?��Really?!


    Mr. Krua''s eyes widen in surprise.


    What the hell is this guy talking about!


    I shook off Ristina''s arm and smacked her once on the head. Of course, I added or subtracted.


    As I did so, Ristina-san''s expression also softened a bit.


    .........Well, Ristina-san''s expression is more suitable for this one, right?


    ''''Krua-san, Ristina-san is a junior colleague at work. His character is the kind of guy who makes fun of people for a living.


    What a terrible introduction. The only person I would make fun of is senior Lelius.


    That''s why they''re even worse.


    As I sighed in disgust, Krua looked at us intently.


    ''''I''m Krua. I have a contract with Lelius-san as a merchant and craftsman. I look forward to working with you.''''


    "...merchants, contracts. You mean business associates?


    I returned the nod of my head to Ristina, who looked at me.


    ''Something like that.''


    Lystina nodded in agreement.


    Then she exhaled lightly and laughed.


    ''I thought Lelius-senpai had a girlfriend. I thought he''d beat you to it.


    ...ahead?��Oh, didn''t you say you had a boyfriend before?


    ''''Oh ... no, well, that''s anyway. You mean you''re not Lelius-senpai''s girlfriend?


    Yeah, well,


    After Ristina-san said it, she looked at Krua-san.


    ''''Once again it''s nice to meet you, Krua-san. My name is Ristina, I''m taking care of my seniors at Lelius-senpai''s inn. It''s nice to meet you.


    Who''s looking after you........


    ''''........Yes. A junior colleague at work, you mean.


    Well, to a point, yes.


    Listina-san nodded, and Krua-san smiled as well.


    ''''I understand. So, you want to take that lady in your carriage, right?


    "...Yeah, well. If that''s possible.


    I know I''m being reckless with Mr. Krua, too.


    ''''Yes, it''s fine. Originally, I was just putting my luggage on it, so it might be a little uncomfortable to sit on it, but.......


    ''I''m fine!��I look forward to working with you!


    Sure. Nice to meet you, too.


    The two of them smile at each other.


    For now, they''re going to get along just fine.

 81 Chapter 78

    The merchants'' carriage departed for the city of Lukkos.


    Surrounding those carriages, the escort carriages also departed.


    The people riding in the carriage outside are the adventurers who received the request.


    I was going to ride on that side too, but I was given a ride by Krua-san.


    .........because the adventurers'' carriage is packed with people, it is said to be quite uncomfortable.


    I didn''t want to go out of my way to ride in such a place either.


    I didn''t want to go out of my way to ride in such a place, but when I talked to Krua-san about it, he readily agreed.


    Krua-san and I were sitting on the gohja stand.


    Krua-san held the reins of the horse and the carriage proceeded.


    So far, we hadn''t been attacked by any demons, but we wouldn''t be able to let our guard down.


    "Krua-san, have you already decided what you''re going to do after you get there?


    I''m going to make a supply run for the city for now.


    You use my ability to carry more stuff out, right?


    Yes. Excuse me, please.


    Yes, I know. And then what do you plan to do?


    I think I''ll volunteer to be part of the relief effort and, well, I''m considering other options if that''s not necessary.


    Is there another way?


    Yes. Multiple deliveries.


    Then maybe I can help you in that direction too.


    The emergency request issued to the adventurers does not state in detail that they must do anything.


    It is a requirement that you enter the city of Lukkos with the adventurers and conduct support activities there.


    Then it wouldn''t be wrong to help the merchants.


    And while we were sitting on the gyoza-dai, Ristina peeked out of the hood.


    What''s wrong, what''s going on?


    I''m just wondering what''s going on out there.


    ''I don''t see any changes yet. I''m sure it will be a peaceful journey for a while.


    Really, I''m glad to hear that.


    Lystina smiled.


    Speaking of which, what are we going to do with that senior troupe member?


    ''''Ristina-san, you''re going to meet up with the theater company after you get to the city of Lukkos, right?


    Yes.


    Is that jerk of a senior citizen who bothered you okay?


    I''ll figure it out. All I have to do is show them what I''m made of.


    He clenches his fists tightly and laughs.


    She seems to be getting all better.


    I''m sure she''ll be fine now.


    ''If there''s anything you need, you can talk to me about it.


    Eh, can I ask you anything?


    Don''t do ... anything. It would be too much trouble.


    Oh, you''re terrible!


    Ristina-san loosened her mouth.


    Krua-san, who had been listening to our conversation, glanced at us.


    ''''The two of you are good friends, aren''t you?


    That''s right, senpai!��That''s right, senpai!


    How are we getting along?


    Krua-san, don''t be silly.


    ''What do you mean by weird? Oh, could it be, Lelius-senpai, are you embarrassed?


    Ristina-san loosens her mouth with a smirk.


    ........totally.


    I''m not going to be able to get to the top. The arrival schedule was set for the day after tomorrow.


    How far will it progress by the end of today? I was chatting with the two of them while thinking about that.


    00


    The first day of the move.


    Lelius and the other carriages had stopped along the way to make their bases.


    Here and there, people were chatting and laughing around fires.


    Everyone was relatively calm, as there were few demons in this area.


    Among them were Ristina and Krua.


    However, there was no Lelius here.


    Lelius, who had been asked to be an adventurer, was now alone with Ristina and Krua as he was on guard at night.


    They finished the stew that Lelius had made for dinner.


    There were some small conversations, but they were friends through Lelius and there was no intrusive conversation.


    ''Let''s go to bed for today. We have an early start tomorrow.


    ''Yes. Oh, thank you for lending me your sleeping bag!


    That''s okay, I had some extra.


    Originally, they only prepared two, but Lelius had made them before he joined the adventurers.


    Ristina prepares that sleeping bag.


    Krua looked around for a while. She looks at Listyna''s close and then at the distance.


    She put a hand to her chin as she thought about it, then laid the sleeping bag next to Ristina.


    They quickly lay down and closed their eyes.


    ''........um, can I have a minute?


    At that time. It was Ristina who cut it off first.


    Krua opens his eyes and looks at Ristina.


    Ristina was also looking at Krua.


    ''''What''s going on?


    ''''Well I''ve always wondered, Krua-san, what do you think of Lelius-senpai?


    ...Huh?��Uh, um,


    Krua''s expression changed blatantly when Ristina''s question was asked.


    Ristina looks at it and smiles.


    ''''After all, do you feel like you''re conscious as a man to some extent?


    ........well, yeah. You can''t leave them alone, you know........they are a bit lacking in some areas.


    ''Oh, you might know for sure. But there are times when you can count on it.


    Yes. ........Are you aware of this, Ristina-san?


    Well, in a way, I guess. But it''s just that I enjoy being with her.


    Listyna blurted out.


    Krua let out a small breath.


    ''''....I see. But you''re aware of it, aren''t you?''''


    Yeah, well, maybe a little.


    Ristina chuckles and Krua purses her lips into a tight knot.


    ''''Ristina-san, it''s great that you can be so honest with yourself.


    It''s not that simple, really.


    Lystina said, then loosened her mouth.


    ''''Right. Carriage, thank you for giving me a ride!


    ''''........Yes.''''


    Then they closed their eyes.

 82 Chapter 79

    We arrived at the city of Lukkos.


    We followed near the city.


    However, I needed to work outside the city as an adventurer, so I was planning to head that way once I got there.


    ''''Thank you so much for making it this far!''''


    Listina-san bows her head in a bow.


    ''Don''t worry about it. Good luck with the play.


    ''Yes!��I''ll do my best!��Mr. Krua, you''re going to work now, aren''t you?��Good luck with your work.


    At any rate, I''m glad we were able to bring Ristina-san to town safely.


    Now let''s just hope Krua-san doesn''t mess with us.


    Relius-senpai, please don''t do anything rash, okay?


    I''m sure you will.


    Listina-san and Krua-san looked at me with concern.


    However, I''m a good fighter. It won''t be that big of a problem.


    I left the two of them and headed out of the city.


    We had come as far as the carriage into the city but it was indeed a terrible situation.


    There were a number of tents outside.


    The evacuees have gathered here.


    No damage has been done in this city so far.


    But the air was heavy because they had all fled from their homes.


    I walked on, looking at those people.


    ''''Adventurers who have received an urgent request!��I''ll take roll call over here, so gather around!


    It was probably a guild employee.


    That person had a fairy on his shoulder and was holding a piece of paper.


    I got in line and handed the guild card to the adventurer who was with the fairy.


    The adventurer who was handed the guild card checked it and then handed it to me.


    The request has now been officially received.


    ''''Alright, there''s everyone here. Those of you here will be divided into ranks and act accordingly!��I''ve already organized my party to team up with the adventurer who came in before me, so you''ll have to ask someone in the same party about detailed work.


    Then, according to each rank, the party is organized.


    First, the higher-ranked ones seem to decide to conduct vigils as far away from the city as possible later on.


    It seems to be a more dangerous role than ours, but so far no one seems to have died.


    On the contrary, low-ranking people like me are supposed to be on alert for the surroundings in this vicinity.


    First, the high-ranking people will fight the surrounding monsters, and then we will defeat the ones that have broken through.


    That seems to be the basic flow.


    ''''........Ah, isn''t that Relius!


    I heard a familiar voice.


    I looked over and saw a beastman with distinctive dog ears - Mea-san.


    "Isn''t that Mea-san?��What''s going on?


    I got a job, and I didn''t expect to find you with me.


    Yeah. Are you alone?


    Yeah. My friends from the party I just got together had to take care of some business. We''re splitting up.


    Okay.


    Looks like we''re having a party together.


    Yes, please.


    All right. Let''s get going.


    I headed to the party I was assigned to with Mea.


    There''s a lot of things I wanted to talk to you about, but I''m at work right now.


    I''ll have to ask them later.


    The group I joined has two ranks D and E.


    It''s like a party of four including us.


    After introducing myself, I lightly asked them about the current situation.


    "We''ve never seen a demon here before. It''s like there''s only one of us.


    Yeah, yeah. There are more knights than just adventurers out there, and there''s not a lot of things we can do.


    ''That''s why it''s an easy request. It''ll give me the right to challenge for rank C too.


    Me too!��What about Lelius?


    Everyone seemed to be in a state of optimism regarding this request.


    They''ve been here for three days and there has not been a single battle yet.


    ''''That''s right. I''ll be able to accept the request for promotion to rank D when this is over.''''


    Good for you!��Well, as expected, be careful when dealing with the people who have been affected, okay?


    That seems to be about the extent of my opinion as a senior.


    It''s true that you can''t talk so cheerfully to the victims.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about that.��What other things do you do?


    Sometimes I help the merchants with their stuff. Then I''ll help you distribute the food to the tents and so on.


    I see.


    Then the merchants were going to have a harder time than we did.


    I have plans to meet up with Krua-san later. Shall I ask about the situation there then?


    As it is, until the night is over. As the seniors had said, we didn''t have to fight the demons.


    But - that was when the sun went down.


    While I was talking leisurely with the party, a violent sound rang out.


    It was the sound of a bell announcing an enemy attack.


    ''A demon!��A demon has appeared!''''


    Here and there, the voices of adventurers echoed.


    I looked at the sky and saw several magic launches.


    It meant a demon attack.


    With a grin, Gon, our party leader, laughed.


    It''s rare. I guess we''re in for a treat.


    ''They''ve been beaten to death by the time they get here, haven''t they?''


    Gon''s friend Garberossa said.


    ''Indeed. The other adventurers don''t have much time on their hands.


    I''ll have to make a move. I''m getting paid.


    Gon and Garberossa stood up, laughing.


    I mumbled as I checked my sword, too.


    ''I''m a little worried about you,''


    Hey, hey. What''s the matter, Relius?


    The demons have never been this far away before, have they?��That means there must be a lot of them, or a lot of them.


    Well that''s certainly true.


    As I said this, Gon and Garberossa''s expressions tightened up as well.


    ''Let''s just get on with it, not too nervous, shall we?


    With Gong in the lead, we set out to defeat the demons.

 83 80 cm

    The magic ball that was launched illuminated the surroundings like a small sun.


    It must have been a skill that someone had unleashed so that they could fight in the dark.


    A demon and a human''s bullhorn clashed with each other. Along with that, a metallic sound resounded.


    Here and there, demons and humans were fighting.


    It''s a tremendous battle. It''s as if all the adventurers are fighting the demons one-on-one.


    I didn''t expect the battle to be as bad as this.


    What would this mean for the high-ranking adventurers who were on the front lines and on guard?


    ........No, I guess it''s no use thinking about it now.


    It was a worry, but right now they should think about themselves.


    And the goblins that played the adventurers off, stared at us.


    They jumped at us.


    The demons in this place are diverse.


    There are goblins and slimes, demons I''ve never seen before, and demons whose names I can imagine to some extent but have never fought before.


    At any rate, it was lucky that the goblins were coming towards us.


    ''Anyway, let''s take them down from the demons of the ones near us!


    Gon shouted.


    We, too, took our swords and rushed into the demon.


    In this battlefield, it would be difficult to work as a party.


    Rather than working together, individuals can only push through the demon with force.


    He swung his sword out. I was able to easily cut through the goblins that rushed at me.


    As expected of a mithril sword. But there''s no time to rest.


    In the next moment, there was another demon. I defeated it as well, and rolled and dodged the attack of Wolf, who leapt at me from the back.


    As he raised his body, Mea''s divine weapon erupted in fire. In an instant, it swallowed Wolf''s body and burned it away.


    I raise my body and fight the demon as I let Mea-san take charge of my back.


    ........The demons also decided that we were a troublesome enemy, and more demons came.


    ''There''s no end to this!


    At the same time as Mea-san swings her sword down, she says something like that.


    ........That''s certainly true.


    However, where on earth were all these demons? Obviously, it was an unthinkable amount that they had been hiding their appearance in this vicinity.


    ''''Mea-san, is there a situation where this many demons could appear?


    Normally, that''s impossible........I don''t get it, nah!


    I don''t have time to talk about it.


    I''m going to have to use visual enhancement while I''m cutting down the demons.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out why the demons are occurring.


    It''s a demonic stone that radiates evil magical power.


    I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s not.


    Near that magic stone - a demon is rising up from the ground.


    ........If I can do something about it.


    I thought so, but the demons are surrounding it. We''ll have to do something about that first.


    ''''........Mea-san!��May I ask you to follow me!


    "...Okay!��I believe in you, Lelius!


    As I started to run, Mea came up behind me.


    ''Lelius, Mea!��What have you found out?!


    Next to us, Gong and Garberossa lined up next to us.


    I nodded my head and pointed to a point.


    ''''In the place where those demons are camped, there''s something like a magical stone that can create demons embedded!


    "What?��There is no such thing!��Then I guess we can crush those guys!


    Yes!


    Mr. Gon and Ms. Garberossa looked at each other and then held up their divine weapons.


    ''We''ll pave the way by ourselves!��Please!


    At the same time Gon-san shouted, he threw the axe he was holding.


    The axe, spinning with the wind, tore through the group of demons.


    ''''GANG!''''


    The goblins involved screamed, and the wolves and others beside them screamed and rushed towards us.


    To that group, Garberossa-san threw a spear.


    As the spear pierces the ground, lightning cuts through the surroundings.


    We pass by it.


    We''re almost there. Then the magical stone emitted a suspicious light.


    The one that appeared was an orc. It was holding an axe in its hand, and it swung it down with great force.


    I dodge it by jumping to the side. Mea-san glances at me and raises her chin in front of her.


    ''I''ll take this one down, I''ll take care of it.


    As she said that, fire gathered on her sword. Once Mea raised it up, the fire went to the orc with great vigor as she swung it down.


    The fire pierced through its body as it ate through it.


    The orc fell to its knees and fell to its knees.


    I instantly cut down the goblins that jumped at me and moved closer to the magic stone.


    ''If I destroy this--!


    I swung my sword vigorously, but it didn''t break.


    What a robustness.


    It would be impossible to destroy it in normal circumstances.


    I had no choice but to take out my hammer.


    I''ve never been able to destroy anything with this thing before.


    I swung the hammer down as hard as I could.


    For a moment, the wall of magical power blocked me, but I was able to break it easily.


    .........Good.


    Now you''ve stopped the demons from appearing endlessly.


    I turn my gaze to my surroundings as I raise my body.


    We were able to destroy the demon stone, but the battle wasn''t over yet.


    As proof, the demons were surrounding us.


    I quickly turn my gaze towards them.


    The ''Crystal of the Labyrinth'' that I had just destroyed. I was curious about this, but I''ll think about that later.


    ''''Mea-san!��We''ve destroyed what we''re after!


    "...Right!��Now all you have to do is kill the demon!��That''s great, Lelius!


    Mea-san regains her sword and slashes at the demons around her.


    I''m not going to let Mair-san get the better of me, either.


    I jumped at him with my sword.


    My sword easily cut down the demons.


    I take a look at the other adventurers.


    ........everyone is using divine weapons, but many of them have a harder time fighting than me.


    They couldn''t break the demon''s skin and could be seen wielding their swords several times.


    Mithril Sword, is that why?


    My sword seemed to be superior to those divine weapons in terms of sharpness alone.


    ''''Ta, help me!''''


    As I was fighting the demon while thinking about this, a scream reached my ears.


    The adventurer was attacked by a demon.


    I could see the marks of the fight, but I guess it was still not strong enough to win.


    I kicked the earth and in an instant, I went around behind the demon - the goblin.


    The goblin immediately reacted to me. .........As I was fighting, I thought that the demons here are stronger than normal.


    The goblin turned around and swung the club it was holding, but I ducked as I crouched down to dodge.


    I slashed at its leg and thrust my sword at its throat.


    ''''Are you alright!''''


    Oh, thank God!


    If you''re fatigued, then you can work with others to fight.


    Yeah, that''s right!


    If you look at it, some people are starting to show signs of fatigue after a long battle.


    ........Anyway, we''ll just have to stick to covering them for now.

 84 Chapter 81

    Then, for about thirty minutes, we continued to fight.


    There was no increase in the number of demons as a result of destroying the demonic stones that the demons generated.


    That''s why, as we defeated the demons, the number of demons would definitely decrease - when we cut down the last demon, I tucked my sword into its sheath.


    ''''Oooh!��We won!


    A roar echoed through the air.


    ........Everyone still had enough energy to make such a sound.


    I, too, had become quite tired from the repetition of continuous combat.


    An adventurer jumped to my side as I tucked my sword into its scabbard.


    ''''Hey!��You!��What''s your name?


    "Well, um...Lelius, but...


    What?


    I''m surprised at the adventurer who suddenly jumps up on me.


    I mean, I''m a little sweaty from moving my body all the time....


    ''''That was awesome, dude!��Come on, guys, help me out!��You''re so d*mned strong!


    ''Really!��He saved us, too!��Thanks!


    The adventurers raising their voices.


    ........Indeed, I was moving to help the struggling adventurers around.


    It would be a shame if someone got injured.


    ''''You, how many ranks are you?


    ...and I''m rated E.


    When I said this, the adventurers all opened their eyes.


    Then they laughed out loud and clapped me on the back.


    ''Sounds like a promising future!��I can go all the way up to a C-rank with ease, if you''re that good!


    Yeah, yeah. After all, even this guy has a C rating!


    Shut up!


    The adventurers are fine.


    Still, some of them were injured in the battle.


    I turn to them and take out a potion.


    Did you treat the wound?


    No, no... well, I ran out of potions I brought with me.


    In that case, use this one.


    Are you sure you want to do this?


    Yes.


    ........I don''t want you to fall down in front of me.


    When I handed him the potion, the adventurer happily lowered his head and then drank it in one go.


    The next moment, his eyes widened.


    ''''S, great........!��This potion healed the wound right away!


    Oh my God, really?��I''m sorry. I''m sorry!��Can I have some of that?��One of my guys got hurt!


    Okay, I''ll be right there.


    But, well, it''s also said that if you do good things to people, it will eventually come back to you.


    And after a battle of this magnitude, it''s not like I''m going around asking for money.


    The adventurers cried as I handed them the potions, and they were happy.


    ''''I''ll definitely thank you later!


    ''Oh, yes!��Take it if you want this!


    I want to thank you for something!��Eh, if you have any leftover demon materials, that''s fine!��Oh, okay!


    ........Sometimes some adventurers would leave money behind, but some adventurers couldn''t prepare money.


    At that time, when I asked if there was anything left over from the demon materials, they started leaving all sorts of things behind.


    I got some materials that I had never gotten before.


    Lucky, in a way, it was.


    ''''........Could it be that the item box that contains that many potions is an item box?''''


    Yes, it''s an item box. I''m sure you''ll be able to find it. I just happened to find it when I entered the maze.


    Well, you''re in luck.


    I fooled the adventurers with it.


    I pretended that all the potions that were so effective were made by people I knew.


    They asked me to introduce them to them later, but well, let''s fool them well.


    Anyway, the wounds of all the adventurers were healed.


    When that was done, Gon and the others called me over.


    ''Hey, Lelius. From now on, I''m going to go check on the high-ranking adventurers with as many competent people as possible. Can you come too?


    ''''Yes, I''m sure you can.


    In other words, I guess I was regarded as someone on the competent side of the spectrum.


    The others were D-ranked adventurers, so I thought I was out of place, but no one complained about my participation.


    ''''Let''s head out then.''''


    We still don''t know what''s going on with these high-ranking adventurers.


    I activated my visual enhancement and saw that people were moving.


    ''''........It seems that everyone is still okay.


    What?��You can track Lelian?


    It will be one and the same.


    The high-ranking adventurers are in a forest area.


    Because of this, the situation of the people was only sparsely understood, but they seemed to be fighting with demons.


    ''''........Does that mean powerful demons won''t like it?


    ".........maybe,


    That''s a problem, man. Well, if the six of us work together, can we manage that?


    Gon glances at me.


    I nodded my head as he looked at me expectantly.


    After a short walk, we arrive at the forest.


    I''m sure you can hear the sounds of battle all over the place.


    ''''Relius, I was wondering if you could help me out.


    Mr. Gong asked us.


    ''Excuse me?''


    "...don''t you think there are magical stones over here too?��Unless we can do something about it, how are we going to stop these demons from appearing?


    Yes, that''s right. It''s just that currently I can''t find it through my own detection. The only thing we can do is to meet up with them and check out the situation.


    Well that''s okay. Either way, we''re going to find someone!


    That''s right, that''s when Gon-san said it.


    A demon was approaching towards us.


    A quadrupedal scorpion-like creature with a straight spine.


    It has bright red armor that is recognizable even in the darkness.


    Its sickle-like arms, which seemed to be both hands, were covered in blood.


    With visual enhancement, I looked towards the one that the scorpion seemed to have passed and saw that people had fallen.


    Adventurers. They were still alive, albeit with the breath of insects.


    ''It''s the Magma Scorpion, isn''t it!��That''s a C-rated demon!


    Don''t be afraid!��If we all get there--!


    Mr. Gon holds up his axe. The other adventurers pounce on him.


    The one who set it up first is Garberossa-san. I know enough about his abilities from the fight we just had.


    Garberossa-san swings her spear through the air while her cool expression turns grim.


    The Magma Scorpion easily received the blow.


    At the same time, he swung his scythe at Garberossa-san and bounced off her left arm.


    ''''Ah!


    ........It was a terrible blow.


    Along with the fallen arm, Garberossa-san retreats backwards.


    ''''Are you alright!��Keep the potion, stop the bleeding and glue it up!''''


    A highly effective potion can be glued on, as long as it''s a temporary amputation or something else.


    I immediately throw the potion over to Galvelossa-san, and he heals it while sloshing sweat--.


    In the next moment, Gon-san''s screams - the screams of the other adventurers who set it up - go up.


    ''''Ni, run........!��It''s not a match for you........!


    It was just a flash in the pan.


    I looked at the Magma Scorpion in surprise.


    I swung my sword out of the air in time to see the Magma Scorpion pounce on me.

 85 Chapter 82

    If one rank was different, one''s ability would be very different.


    It was the same for demons as well as humans.


    I match my sword to Magma Scorpion''s blow.


    It''s fast, but not so fast that I can''t see it.


    The next moment after I was hit, I threw a number of potions in Galvelossa''s direction.


    ''So, please heal them all!


    Okay, okay!


    Mr. Garberossa takes it. The Magma Scorpion takes a big leap towards me.


    I take out another sword and throw it at the Magamascorpion, but it plays.


    Even with the Silver Sword, it''s hard to break its shell, huh?


    After a few blows, I turn my attention to the adventurers who have finished healing.


    ''''I''ll hold them back here, so all of you should take shelter outside the forest!


    ...oh no, I''m sorry!


    Gon-san and the others frowned and headed out.


    ........The demons here are not opponents we can handle.


    It''s because they understand that that''s why they''re escaping.


    I''m going to make a number of swords and increase my physical abilities.


    I''ve reached the limit of what I can reach now, but it was enough to somehow cut it off with the Magma Scorpion.


    ........This is bad.


    I''m not at a sufficient level right now.


    I''ll need to become stronger.


    I grant the Mithril Sword a Weapon Break.


    I leap at the Magma Scorpion as it leaps at me and throw my sword at it.


    Simultaneously, I destroy it.


    I could see that the Magmuscorpion was badly damaged.


    I retrieve the spilled Mithril and create the Mithril Sword again.


    After all, the experience efficiency of creating it is very good.


    After repeating that several times, the level reached 25.


    I dodged the claw that Magma Scorpion swung through and dropped the sword on its joint.


    The mithril sword goes deep into the magma scorpion''s armor.


    The sword is stuck.


    The Magma Scorpion''s mouth twisted into a grimace.


    The claw swung out, but it quickly evaded and I activated the Weapon Break.


    ''''GANG!''''


    As expected, the Magma Scorpion couldn''t seem to withstand the Weapon Break that he received up close and personal.


    The claws shattered and flew off and fell.


    I retrieved the mithril and produced the sword again.


    The Magma Scorpion, which has lost one arm, stares at me menacingly, but I dismantle the broken single claw while it''s there.


    You use the claw of the Magma Scorpion that you acquired from it to strengthen the Mithril Sword.


    The resulting sword is the Magma Scorpion Mithril Sword.


    I pull that sword out of its sheath and look at it with my eyes several times.


    ........it looks like its performance has improved quite a bit.


    Gah!


    The Magma Scorpion looked annoyed at my sword.


    I''m not sure if it''s because a part of my body was made into a weapon on the spot.


    The Magma Scorpion pounces on me and swings its tail at me. Fire erupts and burns off the surroundings, but I dodge it.


    Maybe it''s because of the effect of the level up, but I''m no longer afraid of the Magma Scorpion''s speed.


    ''''f*ck it!''''


    I evade and turn to my back side and swing my sword down.


    It''s sharper than ever before. The proof of this is that I quickly sliced through the back of the magma scorpion.


    "Ga-ah!


    As expected, there was no way Magma Scorpion could move after receiving that much damage, and he collapsed on the spot.


    After confirming that it was dead, I dismantled it and collected the materials.


    I got some pretty good materials.


    I''ll rejoice later. For now, we''ll have to meet up with the adventurers.


    I walked towards the sound of the forest while checking my equipment.


    That''s when I heard something bounce in this direction. I was blown away by something in this direction.


    It was a girl. I reflexively catch her and get played.


    It''s gone. What was that?


    When I glanced at her, she let out a muffled voice.


    In her hand, she held a sacred object. It looks small, but I guess this is still a child old enough to be given a profession and a divine weapon.


    I was about to wake the girl up, but I heard footsteps approaching.


    I turned my gaze to it. There was a bipedal, slender, warwolf-like demon.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about it.


    ........it can''t be helped.


    I take out a number of equipment and leap while rolling it around.


    It was a leap with the girl in my arms, but it was enough to dodge the warwolf.


    The warwolf tried to get after me, but


    "Weapon Break.


    The area around me was engulfed in a massive explosion.


    After blowing up the warwolf, I poured a potion on the girl''s body before I could confirm its life or death.


    ''''........Oh, that?��I--


    Good, you''re awake.


    .........As expected, I didn''t think he was dead, but I was still worried.


    When I was relieved, the girl looked at me in surprise and said, "Oh, you saved me?


    Oh, you saved me?


    "Yes, I did," she said. .........but it seems that the demons are still there, but--


    The warwolf seemed to be still alive in the blast of that weapon break.


    Still, he was wounded in full force.


    The wolf was staring at me.


    "...Lie, did you do all that damage to that thing?


    Well, yes, I did.


    A werewolf howls and leaps at me.


    I hold the girl in my arms and dodge its attacks.


    ''Can you move on your own now?


    Uh-huh.


    When I heard his reply, I jumped up and landed on a thick branch of a tree and placed the girl there.


    Then I took out two swords and jumped at the warwolf.


    The wolf swung its claws out to greet me.


    It is fast.


    It is faster than the magma scorpion we fought earlier. I managed to apply my sword, but it was played.


    I threw away my sword on purpose. I blast it with a weapon break.


    As expected, this is not an opponent that can be added or subtracted just because someone is watching me.


    The warwolf that received my blow seems to have reached the end of its strength with it. I fell to my knees on the spot.


    ''''........Great.''''


    I noticed that the girl was approaching us with a divine weapon in her hand.


    When I glanced at her, the girl looked flustered and removed her gaze.


    ''''I was just looking for an adventurer. ........Do you know anyone?


    ........the adventurer, huh?


    Well, yes.


    ...Oh, I see. Thank you for helping me... oh, thank you.


    Peco, the girl bowed her head.

 86 Chapter 83

    So, were you trying to escape your demons?


    No. I was planning on destroying this gem.


    Saying that, the girl pointed to a black magic stone.


    A magic stone that produces a devastating magical power it was similar to the one I destroyed earlier.


    Or perhaps it''s the same one.


    ''''I also saw the same thing when I was confronting the demon outside the forest. If it''s destruction, leave it to me.


    Can you help me?��If you''re damaging the demonic stones here, the demons will spring up and interfere with you.


    I''ll help you, I mean...


    I take out my hammer, a divine weapon, and slam it down.


    At that moment, the magic stone shattered and was collected in my item box.


    It happened in an instant. The girl''s eyes widened.


    ''''Eh, eh!��Okay, what did you just do?


    My hammer is capable of destroying this thing. Somehow, they seem to work well together.


    Compatibility.........huh?


    At any rate, they seemed to be convinced.


    It''s not that I didn''t want to help destroy it like the girl said, but if that''s the case and you get attacked again by a demon like the one you just saw, you''re no match for it.


    By "everyone," you mean the adventurers?


    Well, yes, they are, but they''re more like knights.


    ...I see.


    Does that mean she is a fellow knight?


    Indeed, the clothing she wears makes her look more like a student at some school than an adventurer.


    Is that it?��The students of the knight breeding academy have come with the knights as reinforcements?


    The girl walks in front of me and I follow behind her.


    Well my name is Benny but what''s your name?


    My name is Lelius.


    Lelius, you know. I know.


    Benny mumbles my name like a rant and a stain on his cheeks.


    I wonder what the hell is wrong with her.


    I walk with her, tilting my head.


    I check the magic stone from earlier.


    The magic stone I retrieved is marked as a labyrinth crystal.


    ........She said it was a knight, and I should give it to her, right?


    ''''Benny-san, the magic stone from earlier.......do you know what it is?''''


    I take out a labyrinth crystal from my pouch. The best thing about this is that you can''t get rid of it.


    ''''Hmmm ... I''m not sure. For now, I know it''s a dangerous magic stone that summons demons, but--


    ...I see.


    In the meantime, I''ll just give it to the knight and have him check it out.


    Please.


    Benny put it in his pocket.


    I had another one, but I don''t think I need to give that one to you yet for now.


    It seems like I''m still too difficult to create a labyrinth crystal, or maybe I''m not up to the level yet.


    As I walked with Benny, we came to an open area.


    An adventurer and a knight were sitting there looking tired and looking at us.


    ''''Master Benny!��Thank goodness you were able to destroy it safely!


    ...Well, yeah, I guess. It was kind of a co-operative effort by the adventurers over here.


    ''I see........!��Thank you.


    One of the knights got up and came over to me and bobbed his head.


    Benny-san handed him the magic stone he had just given me.


    This magic stone was successfully destroyed, or rather, its power was eliminated. Is it possible to have it checked?


    "....This is--this is similar to the magic stone I saw in the labyrinth laboratory before. I can sense a unique and powerful magic in it........


    You mean the gemstones used to build the maze?


    Yes. It''s called a crystal, and it''s certainly possible to create a large number of demons with it.


    But aren''t there only three labyrinthine magical stones in the school?��I heard that all the others failed?


    I did fail. However, as for the whereabouts of those magical stones, we''ll have to look into that as well.


    So.....


    Should I call you "Master Benny" next time?


    Should I call you Benny-sama from now on, too?


    Anyway.........thank you very much.


    As I was thinking about this, the knight once again bowed his head to me as a thank you.


    Along with the adventurers and knights I made my way back from the forest to where we were camping.


    ''Relius!��You''re safe!


    If it wasn''t for you, we''d all be dead!��Thanks!


    With a smile, Gon and Garberossa hugged me.


    I chuckled and accepted their embrace for now.


    The adventurers and knights seemed to be thinking about their new formation at the camp site.


    For now, I heard them say that they wanted to focus on finding the magic stone in the example.


    As for the important talk, the people above us are talking about it.


    I returned to our own tent along with Gon-san and the others.


    "You are really strong, Lelius. You''re really strong.


    Is that right?


    Don''t be modest.


    ........There weren''t many opportunities to fight with other adventurers themselves.


    He knew he was reasonably strong from his previous fight with the Rabbit Kangaroo, but he didn''t think he was strong enough to fight a rank C or B class demon.


    Maybe he could manage to do well as an adventurer.


    ''''That''s right. We''ll take care of the night watch, so Lelius and Mea should get some rest.''''


    You sure you want to do this?


    Oh. If something goes wrong, you don''t want Lelius to get stuck in the middle of it. We''ll catch up with you later.


    "...Okay, I understand. Thank you.


    It''s okay.


    Mr. Gon smiled and patted me on the back.


    ''Ah, yes. As an evening meal, you can have it here as well.


    At the very least, I made the hamburgers served at my inn and then handed them to Gon-san and the others.


    The item box is really useful. I''m grateful for it!


    It''s so good!


    They happily ate them up.


    They were freshly made and would be quite tasty.


    Mea stared at me.


    I can see the drool on her mouth.


    Wow, can I have some?


    I''m going to bed now, okay?


    I''m fine!


    ........I was thinking of eating it when I woke up in the morning, but if you say so, I''ll give it to you.


    I give Mea-san a hamburger as well.


    Then she took a bite with her eyes shining.

 87 Chapter 84

    Morning.


    I woke up before it was light, and then I looked for Gon and the others to take over the guards... but they were both resting.


    When I looked, I saw that the number of guards had decreased considerably.


    Likewise, I called out to the adventurer who was on guard.


    ''''The number of guards is decreasing, has the situation changed?''''


    Yeah. As a result of the investigation, they didn''t find any suspicious magical stones. I''m sure the knights who went to the site also killed the horn dragons. And that''s why the alert was lifted.


    ...I see.


    That would give me some relief.


    Now if we could only find out how in the world that labyrinthine crystal was located in such a place, everything would be solved.


    Did it occur for some natural reason?


    Or did someone set it up intentionally?


    We''ll just have to find out what happened next.


    "Looks like the knights in here are chomping at the bit.


    ''Oh, really?''


    Yeah. It seems that the brave man was ordered to return first. I heard he''d already gone home a short time ago.


    ''My hero?��Oh, you had someone like that here?


    Yeah, that''s what I heard. I didn''t see her. I heard she was cute.


    Yeah.


    Suddenly, I pictured Benny in my brain.


    That boy was a pretty boy, and his clothes were different from the other knights.


    Could it be that she was a brave girl?


    They hadn''t talked in any depth, so I didn''t know the details of her situation.


    ........If he was a brave man, he could have asked her about Lynn.


    It was a shame.


    He seemed to be doing well in the letter, but I don''t know if he''s actually doing well.


    We''re the same brave men, and you might have known a lot of things.


    I took the place of the other guards and went on the alert for the demons.


    00


    That evening.


    My work was also taken off for the time being and there was nothing to do until the evening.


    The next step was to do a little nighttime vigilance, but that would only be for about three hours at most.


    I was still on guard, but I hadn''t seen any engagement with demons all day.


    I was walking around the city.


    It was to meet up with Krua-san.


    She said she was in the town square, and she was on her way there now.


    ''''Ah, Krua-san.''''


    Mr. Relius. Are the adventurers okay?


    I found Krua who was just loading and unloading the goods.


    ''Yes. There are no more demons in sight, so things have calmed down now. Did you bring this item with you on the first day?


    Yes, sir. It''s a good idea to make sure that you have a good time. That''s what I was selling.


    Sure, before we parted ways, I had a lot of stuff ready to go.


    Is there anything you''d like to add?


    ''''........Yes. It seems that the stock of potions is running low, may I ask you for help?


    Sure. I''ll have it fabricated in the back of a carriage.


    Please.


    If there were this many adventurers, everyone would be buying potions.


    And if potions were running low, it would be harder for the public to reach them.


    It''s useful to have a few potions at home, because it''s useful in case of an emergency.


    Aside from cuts, potions can also be used against burns and other wounds.


    If those wounds are not treated promptly, they will be left behind.


    I made the potions that Krua told me to make, 300 in total, and put them all in a box.


    Then I got off the truck and went back to Krua-san.


    "I''ve made the designated number of potions for you.


    It''s a really, really amazing ability.


    I''ve been feeling the effects of that a lot lately.


    I''m aware that I have the universal ability to create anything.


    ''''Come to think of it, Krua-san, where is the theater company active now?


    ''''Well........I heard that the lord of this city has prepared a lodge for them, so I think they are there.��During the day they perform in the square and with the evacuees, but at night they perform at the lord''s residence.


    ...I see. Well then, I''m indeed not allowed to do that.


    I was going to go check on Ristina-san, but that doesn''t seem to be the case.


    ''Are you going to see Ristina-san?


    ''Well, she''s my junior, for one thing. I just wanted to see if things were going well.


    ''''In that case.......how about we go and have a little look when we deliver this one''s cargo to the lord''s residence?''''


    Krua-san brought a single box from the back of the cart.


    Inside the box were various accessories.


    In it were various accessories, some of which I had fabricated. When I asked him what they were for, I thought he told me that they were to be given to the lord or something.


    Are you sure it''s okay if I carry it?


    ''That''s fine. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. If you take this one, it should be fine.


    Mr. Krua took out a sheet of paper.


    It was marked with the lord''s signature.


    Glancing at it, the paper looked like a large piece of paper cut in half.


    ''''When you show this to the gatekeeper, just give him my name and he will let you pass it inside.


    "...Okay, I understand. Thank you.


    No, this is not necessary. I''m the one who''s delivering the goods.


    Krua-san quickly bowed his head.


    If it''s the Arsus family, the lord of this place, they might let me through if I tell them.


    Even so, it would still be better to do it the regular way.


    I lifted the box and then started walking towards the lord''s residence.

 88 Chapter 85

    This was his first time entering the city, but he had been to this city a few times before.


    Compared to that time, the people in the city still seemed somewhat restless.


    Would that settle down in a few more days?


    Once word of the Horned Dragon''s defeat had spread through the city, time would tell.


    The only problem is how to deal with the evacuees who are out there now.


    What exactly will they do?


    The Arsus family will have to think about that area as well.


    ........It must be tough.


    That''s the only impression that came to mind as I passed through the nobleman''s district and arrived in front of the Arsus family''s residence.


    As expected of the house of the lord who is in charge of this land, it is incomparable to the other houses.


    In the garden, which I could glimpse through the gate, there were a number of carriages lined up.


    Perhaps those are the people from the theater.


    There are two gatekeepers. I approach them, who have been looking at me.


    First, I put down the box I was holding. They were slightly alarmed, but I quickly handed them the permission slip I had received from Krua-san.


    One of them comes in front of me and the other moves to check the contents of the box.


    Okay, come in.


    Thank you.


    After re-carrying my bags, I went straight inside.


    I''m heading to the building away from the mansion, not the mansion, as the knights told me to.


    It seems that she is managing the knights'' tools there.


    The knights also come and go frequently.


    Not only that, people who seem to be merchants are also coming and going.


    ........Indeed, it''s difficult to collect a large amount of potions from a single merchant under normal circumstances.


    It''s only natural that they''re talking to a number of merchants.


    So one of them is Krua-san.


    I call out to a nearby knight.


    I''m sorry, I''m here to deliver a potion on behalf of merchant Krua, but where do you want me to take the shipment?


    All right, you''ll take it inside, then. The guy inside will know what to do.


    Okay.


    It''s quite a load, so I hope you''ll receive it as soon as possible, but the knights know that too, so maybe they''re making me carry it all the way like this.


    When I entered, the knights showed me the place.


    I put my luggage in the designated place and then exhaled lightly.


    ........That was heavy.


    I lightly turned my shoulders and then exited the detachment.


    Now, it was just a matter of seeing if I could afford to talk to the people in the playhouse.


    I walked slowly on my way home but I didn''t see any of them, either because of bad luck or because they weren''t there now.


    What a shame. It can''t be helped. Next time I see you at work again, I''ll ask you about this time.


    I was just leaving the mansion with this thought in mind.


    ''''........Is that, Lelius-senpai?''''


    His voice was somewhat lackluster.


    It didn''t look like it was just tired, just tired.


    ''It''s been a while, Ristina-san,''


    ''''Ha, yes. ........Senior, what are you doing here?��Oh, are you here to see me or something like that, by any chance?


    Ristina smiled teasingly at me.


    I chuckled and nodded at her.


    ''''Yeah, well, I guess that''s about half of it.''''


    ''What?��Oh, really?��.... but half?


    ''Yes. I was originally coming to deliver a potion for Mr. Krua''s business.


    Oh, that''s right.


    Ristina looks at me blankly.


    Looking at her like that, I asked her a question I wasn''t sure whether to point out or not.


    ''''What''s going on?''''


    What''s that?


    You seemed to be in a bit of a funk.


    ....


    Apparently it was a figurehead.


    She closed her mouth tightly.


    ''''Well........well, there''s a lot going on here.


    I''ll at least listen to what you have to say. I''m here originally because I''m a little worried about Mr. Ristina.


    ...Is that so?


    ''Yes. I was bullied by some of the older members of the troupe when we left, and I was wondering if they were doing anything to me again.


    ....


    ........It seems to be a figurehead, too.


    In other words, the reason for the lack of energy is because of that senior - I believe his name was called Kurutta?


    ''''Well, could you come over to the tent I''m using for a moment?''''


    I was a little bit of a doozy.


    But only a little bit. Because looking at Ristina-san''s expression, I knew she wasn''t joking.


    Normally Ristina-san would definitely say it in a teasing way.


    ''''I understand.''''


    I walked into the grounds once more. In case you''re a friend, I break through the gate without any problems.


    I go into the tent placed in the garden of the mansion with Listina-san.


    Perhaps because Ristina-san has returned, the people from the other tents have appeared.


    ''''Yo, Ristina......... What.........what''s that man?''''


    The man, a refreshingly nice young man, looked at me steadily.


    ''It''s your boyfriend.''


    At the same time as I said that, Ristina-san crossed her arms.


    What are you doing now?��He almost screamed at the soft touch against his right arm.


    The man had a piece on the man and his eyes widened.


    ''What?��Oh, it''s true!


    No, no...


    I said this with a sigh, but the man didn''t believe me, and he turned into a statue with his mouth just snapping open and closed.


    As I passed by him, Ristina-san finally released my arms.


    ''Are you thrilled, Lelius senior?''


    Well, more or less.


    I knew it. It''s good to see you looking good!


    Listina smiles at me and then goes into the tent I''m going to.


    I went in there too.......and at that moment, I froze in place.


    Inside the tent I found what appeared to be a costume used in a play.


    As I looked at it, which was covered in mud and torn apart, Ristina-san turned to me.


    ''''What is this?''''


    It was the outfit I was going to wear for the show.


    When she said, "I was," her face wavered sadly.

 89 Chapter 86

    The costume you''re going to wear in the show - even I know what that means.


    You said she was going to play the lead role. The costume lying here and now was well done, and I could tell that it was beautiful, as you can see.


    ...as long as it hadn''t been damaged by someone else''s hands.


    Even if you look at the cut marks, you can see that it wasn''t an act of a demon.


    It must have been cut by something sharp.


    ''''........Did someone do this to you?


    ''''I don''t know........''''


    Ristina was not in good spirits.


    Instead of her, I walked up to the costume and picked up a piece of it.


    ''Miss Ristina, you still have a play to do, right?


    ''....Yes, I do. I''m going to be in town for the rest of the week.


    You can''t even put on a play like this. And what happens then?


    We talked about it this morning and we''re going to change the role.


    A role?


    ''....I was the main heroine of the story...and the costumes were gorgeous. So, Kurutta-san, who is still wearing the relatively gorgeous costumes that are currently left, will be playing the role of the main heroine.


    Can''t Ristina wear a different costume or something?


    I have a costume but Miss Kurutta insisted. She said that the costumes in other stores are not as glamorous as the ones she has in storage. In fact, Kurutta-san was right, too........


    The more I hear, the more suspicious Mr. Kurutta is.


    But Ms. Ristina doesn''t say those words.


    Is that why Ms. Kurutta did this?


    I don''t know who did it.


    Ristina-san clenched her fists in frustration.


    .........Kurutta-san had a strong attitude towards Ristina-san.


    Looking at that, I couldn''t help but suspect her.


    ''''Didn''t anyone see the culprit?��As expected, there is no way that no one has seen him, is there?''


    ''Especially if you''re a member of a theatre company, you''ll have to come and go.


    But Ristina shook her head.


    Kurutta-san has been working with the company for a long time and has more allies than me. No one, even if you ask, will know........''''


    How do you know who did it?


    If that''s the case, what I need to do now is not to find the killer.


    If the killer''s goal is to destroy the costume, I wanted to at least overturn that intention.


    It''s a good thing that Lissina-san is grieving.


    We work together, and she''s senior to me. If there''s anything I can do, I want to help her.


    And even if they find out about your abilities, Ristina-san is someone you can trust.


    Well, fine. With that feeling, I squeezed up my costume.


    ''''........Ristina-san. If I had a costume like this one, would the play go on as normal?


    What... what do you mean?��What does that mean?


    Just what it means. As long as we have one and the same thing, it''s not a problem, right?


    Yes, sir. And if that''s the case, I''m sure the Commander will agree with me.


    I''m not going to show off my powers to anyone.


    It''s just that Mr. Ristina doesn''t have a lot of time on his hands. Even the people who prepare for the play would have to.


    ...For example, if I took it home tonight, ''I sewed it,'' and brought it in tomorrow morning, maybe we''d do it with a new cast of characters in that day''s play.


    That was unacceptable to me.


    Someone was going to benefit from an act of obvious malice.


    I exhaled one breath and then took out a divine instrument from my body.


    Ristina-san tilted her head dubiously at the Create Hammer, which was just enough to handle with one hand.


    ''''........Lelius-senpai?''''


    ''''I''ll need to borrow your costume for a bit.


    Yes.....


    The costume I have on hand can be fabricated.


    And I''m going to swing a hammer down on it.


    If you don''t have enough levels, you''ll need materials to create them, but the costumes you destroy seem to be able to be created using only magic power.


    ''Ah, that?��Senpai, where did the costume go!


    ''''Thanks to my profession as a blacksmith, I have a certain amount of freedom in creating things.


    Making things...?��Oh, but I think I''ve heard that blacksmiths only make weapons...


    Well, I have something special in mind. Anything I destroy with this hammer is automatically collected in the item box--


    To Ristina-san''s relief, I quickly produced and took out the costume I had just created.


    Ristina-san''s eyes widened at the new costume that appeared.


    ''''This, this is........!


    She handed it to Ristina-san and spread it wide open.


    Both of her eyes widened.


    ''''It probably fits Ristina-san''s size, but if there''s a problem, please let me know.


    ''It''s probably the exact same size as the previous one so I don''t think it''s a problem.


    I''m glad you''re right.


    Relieved, I patted my chest and then approached Ms. Ristina.


    Ms. Ristina, and I need to ask you a favor.


    "...what?��What, what is it!


    I just want you to keep quiet about that power you just gave me. Isn''t this power pretty amazing?


    Not just pretty, but I think it''s pretty amazing. I mean, if my boss knows about it, he''d love to hear about it!��It''s so great that I''m going to ask my seniors to join me.


    ''Yes. I can make things from scratch, so I can''t let too many people know about it. Some people might think bad things about it.


    ...I see.


    So, please. Could you please keep quiet?


    I said, and Ristina nodded.


    Yes, of course. I don''t want to do anything to hurt Lelius-senpai.


    ''''.......I see. I''m glad.


    Relieved, I patted my chest.


    When I was relieved, Ristina-san scratched my cheek.


    ''''Well, that Lelius-senpai, can I ask you something?


    What is it?


    Why did you use the power that you want to hide from me, why did you use it for me?


    Why does he ask such a question?


    The reason is simple.


    "I didn''t want to see Ms. Ristina sad.


    .....


    When I told her that, Ristina-san''s face became vaguely red.


    .........is that something to be ashamed of?


    I''m more worried about her play.


    Anyway, since we have the stuff, shouldn''t we go and persuade her immediately?


    Well, yeah, I guess so!��Well then, I''m off!


    ''Yes. Good luck with that.


    She leaves the tent with Ristina.


    She runs with her costume in her arms in the direction of where she thinks the troupe leader is.


    After seeing her back off, I walked off to go back.


    ''Oh, I knew it was Lelius!


    I turned around as my name was called, and there was Fira, the daughter of the owner of the mansion.

 90 Chapter 87

    I had thought that since Miss Fira was living in the mansion, I might meet her.


    When I made the delivery of the package, it wasn''t like that at all, and then I forgot about it because all I could think about was Ristina-san.


    Fira-san was smiling. She looked somewhat happy.


    Her golden hair looked good in the sunset. Did she trim her bangs a bit, unlike before?��It also looked good on her.


    I was genuinely happy to meet her, thinking that she was a noblewoman as expected.


    It''s been a long time, Miss Feela. How have you been feeling since then?


    The reason I met Miss Feela was to get rid of my insomnia.


    I asked her about that time, and she smiled happily.


    ''Perfectly, thanks to Relius.


    That was good, then.


    Her smile wasn''t as sullen as it used to be.


    ''So Lelius, what are you doing here?��Why are you in this city?


    ''''It''s because I was asked to be an adventurer. I''m resting in a tent outside of town.


    Oh, you''re a Lelius adventurer?


    Yeah, yeah.


    Yes, but what is it that brings you to the house?��Did you come to see me by any chance?


    Feela-san said happily.


    I''m here to deliver a potion to that knight. Also, I know someone from the theater, and I wanted to see how he was doing.


    Hmm, yeah.


    Shun and Fira''s shoulders slumped once.


    Then she shook her head and smiled.


    ''You should have come to see me too. ''I told you before.''


    But I mean, you know, it''s hard to get past the gate, isn''t it?


    ''''Ummm ... yeah. We''ll think about that later.......do we still have time?


    I thought maybe I should go back and report to Krua-san once, but I also told her that I would be meeting with Ristina-san.


    I''m sure Krua-san will understand that it will be a little late.


    ''It''s okay, I guess. What''s going on?


    Yes, I just need to have a word with Relius. I need to talk to him. So why don''t you come to the villa and we''ll talk about it?


    Consultation, huh?


    What in the world would Feara-san be asking me to do?


    I''m sure Fira-san is in a position to make most things happen.


    Also, is it something only I can do?


    I walked with Fira-san towards the house.


    Miss Fira, could I ask you a quick question?


    I thought it might be a good opportunity for Relius to help me with the work I''m doing.


    I would?


    Yes, you would. Lelius is the right man for the job and I''ve been thinking about the offer.


    I''m the right man for the job?


    Then I remembered that I had shown Miss Feela my blacksmithing abilities.


    Is that the right job for me?


    I told Feela-san to keep it a secret, but has she kept it quiet since then?


    I entered with Miss Fira in her room where I had previously made a bed for her.


    "Here, Lelius. Come sit here.


    She pulled a chair and sat down across from it.


    I curtsied once and then sat down in my seat.


    ''Speaking of which, did you happen to find me, Miss Feela?


    ''A servant told me. A servant told me that there was a man like Lelius.


    Oh, so.


    I guess it wasn''t as if Miss Fira had gone out into the garden and happened to find me.


    She also took a seat, and shortly afterwards the maid arrived.


    ........It seems that she was moving the moment we entered the mansion.


    She had prepared drinks and tea cakes.


    Do the servants of the Count family have to be able to do this much?


    I took my tea in surprise. Fira-san nodded her head as she rested her elbows on the table.


    "Lelius, can you hang out with me for a while?


    Girlfriend?��What does that mean?


    Huh?��Huh?��No, no!��A man and a woman, that''s not what I meant!��I''m going to help rebuild the places where the evacuees were living. It''s my father''s work, but I''m going to take over.


    Fira-san began to speak indifferently.


    ........I see, so that was the situation.


    And yet, I had been thinking strange things.


    Reflection.


    Does that mean you''re going to build a building or something?


    Yeah, pretty much. And I''m the one who has to do all the work, you know. It''s part of your training as a future bride.


    You''re a bride-to-be.


    ''Yes. A nobleman''s wife has to manage the territory on behalf of her husband or assist him. They also have to deal with disasters like this one.


    I see...


    Well, I don''t plan on getting married just yet, but I don''t want to get into trouble in the future. But I doubt my father would offer me as a bride.


    Fira huffed and shrugged.


    .........It''s true, fathers are especially prone to being parental idiots, aren''t they?


    My father-in-law was the same way.


    ''''Lelius is watching over you to make sure that Linn doesn''t get any strange men,'''' he said many times.


    But, well, I don''t know how he felt.


    ''I see. ''But you''re married? It''s too soon. I hope you meet the right person.


    I don''t think about that one bit.


    I want to meet someone good, that''s what I really want to do.


    There are a lot of women around, but that doesn''t mean they are all business associates or trusted friends.


    I''m sure that''s what they''re thinking, but it would be rude to be weirdly aware of just this one.


    ''''..........hmmm.........yes....


    Fira-san puffed out her cheeks a bit and muttered to herself.


    ''''So, about that business we were talking about earlier...''''


    Oh, that''s right. How''s Lelius?��Would you be up for it?


    Well, I''m working at the inn originally and I''d like to make sure it won''t interfere with your work, so I''ll take it.


    Oh, really?


    Yeah. It''s just, you know. It''s just, you know, do you remember what happened when you used your ability to make Miss Fira''s bed?


    Yes, I do.


    ''''I think that ability is quite powerful, so I don''t want to use it in a situation where an unspecified number of people will find out if possible.


    You know, you said you weren''t going to tell anyone about me, just me and you.


    ''Yes. So it would be nice if we could put it in a situation where we could hide it.


    It''s okay. I''ll take care of it. So can I go back to Relius to talk about it in detail later?


    Yes, that''s fine. In the meantime, I''ll see if I can get the job too.


    Yes, please.


    Smiling, Feara-san smiles at me.


    Then, after chatting and laughing for a while, I left the mansion.

 91 Chapter 88

    Three days had passed since the Horned Dragon was defeated.


    Our work is now completely done.


    The report of the request''s accomplishment is completed on the spot, and our adventurer''s request is complete.


    Those of you who are planning to play in the city from now on.


    Those who are looking for the next request to join the Adventurer''s Guild immediately.


    Those who go only to the people they have become close to?


    .........Well, that was after each party had taken down the tents they were using.


    ''Good work, Lelius.''


    It was Mea who approached me.


    It had been a long time since I''d worked with her. I felt nostalgic, but at the same time, I could tell she was getting stronger and I had to do my best.


    It''s good work, Mea-san. What are you going to do now, Mea-san?


    Oh, I''m going to meet up with the party we''re working on. I''m going to meet up with the party we''re working on.


    ''''That''s right. As I recall, we were temporarily separated because you said you had an item you wanted at the auction?


    That''s right. I''m going to meet up with the others here. What about you, Lelius?��He heading back into town now?


    No, I have some business to attend to. I think I''ll stick around for a while.


    I think of Miss Feela.


    Yesterday, we had been talking for a while since then, and we were going to see a play together.


    For what it''s worth, as a nobleman, he has a few extra tickets left over.


    I was also curious about Ristina''s play, so I decided to go and see it.


    I was half looking forward to it and half anxious.


    The other person I was going to see was the daughter of a countess, if you will.


    If something goes wrong, you don''t know what will happen afterwards.


    Especially since it seems that Miss Feara''s father is a "noisy person".


    It''s a good thing that you''ve got a good idea of what you''re talking about, because you might give me the wrong impression too.


    The only thing I can do is try my best to be as lax as possible.


    ''''I see. Will Lelius continue to be an adventurer?


    ''''Yes, that''s my intention.''''


    Yeah. Well, I hope to see you again at some other time.


    Well..........


    I''m able to fight without a divine weapon, too.


    I don''t know when that limit will be reached, but until that limit is reached, I want to do my best to be an adventurer.


    The removal of the tent is finished.


    ''''Well then, I''ll see you another time.


    Yes, sir.


    We made it back to the city, and me and Mea parted ways to head to our respective destinations there.


    00


    We walked around the city for a while and headed to Mr. Krua''s place.


    Mr. Krua was selling his wares on the back of his carriage again today.


    Ever since she came here, she''s been doing that almost every day without a break. What she was selling right now was potions, and combined with her appearance, there was a line of adventurers lined up.


    Lately, the potions had been soaring as a countermeasure against the demons outside.


    Since Krua-san''s shop is cheaper than other shops, adventurers often come to buy them.


    ''''Krua-san, let me help you.


    ''Oh, oh, it''s okay, Mr. Relius!


    I''m almost done with the potions on the table.


    Since arriving here, I''ve been helping Krua-san with his work in my spare time for the most part.


    At first, Krua-san was unsure of what to do, but soon they worked together.


    Counting the number of potions left and the adventurers in line, and organizing the line to the adventurers available for purchase.


    That''s about all I have to do.


    The adventurers who couldn''t buy were complaining, but I have to apologize for that.


    I could have increased my inventory, but selling too many potions would have been suspicious.


    That''s why I had set a rule of only selling a certain number of potions every day.


    Krua-san has been selling the rest while doing a good job of deceiving me.


    When the sun had just set, the potions were sold out.


    ........Although Krua-san''s potions are also about twice as expensive as those in other cities, everyone is still buying them.


    However, that will probably end around today or tomorrow.


    After that, the prices should settle down and things should return to their normal routine.


    ''''Thank you, Mr. Relius,''''


    ''No, I''m used to doing this much. The adventurer''s job is done for today. Mr. Krua, you''re going to stay on until tomorrow, right?


    That''s right. You can still sell your potions at a high price until tomorrow. We need to make money while we can.


    Okay. And I''ll restock the back of the truck.


    Yes, please.


    Krua-san is also packing up his stuff to close up the store.


    Speaking of which, does Krua-san keep your money in the item box?


    ''Yes, I do. When you become a merchant, you can often get a loan from your master.


    I''ve heard that 80% of the item boxes in the world are owned by merchants, not adventurers.


    Krua-san also says that he manages all of his money there.


    ''''Relius-san, you''re going to see the play tomorrow with the Arsus family, right?


    ''Yes,''


    He spoke briefly to Mr. Krua about his relationship with the Arsus family.


    ''''Well I''m a bit jealous.


    What, the play?


    Yes..... for whatever it''s worth, it''s a love story about two people of different status... and it''s supposed to be a sad love story. ........I''d like to see how it ends.


    Surprising. I didn''t think Mr. Krua was very interested in such things.


    I thought he was more of a pragmatic and serious child.


    Krua-san''s eyes had been frowning, and then he looked at me with a start.


    He shook his head, and his cheeks were slightly tinted.


    I''m sorry. I just talked too much.


    ''No I didn''t have much information about the play either, so that''s helpful. Come to think of it, there still seems to be a few extra seats left, so shall I ask the Arsus family if they can watch it with us?


    As I recall, Fira-san had said something like that.


    ''''Well, I can''t ask you to do something so rude!��........Besides, you''ll be able to make money until tomorrow.


    ...I see.


    So, have fun. And let me know what you think later.


    ...Yes. Okay.


    Plays.


    I haven''t really been a fan of that sort of thing.


    I hear they tend to be more for the ladies, but do you think I''d enjoy it?


    But it''s not something I get to watch on a regular basis.


    Tomorrow, I''ll enjoy watching them for Krua-san.

 92 Chapter 89

    He was planning to go with Fira to see the play, but he wanted to look around the city before he went.


    For that reason, I was to follow along with her.


    When I arrived at the garden of the Arsus family''s house, I was waiting there for Miss Feela.


    It seemed that the play was already on its way to today''s venue, and no one was here.


    I heard that there were several plays a day, but I didn''t know how many I was supposed to see today until I saw them.


    And while I was looking around, Miss Feela came in with her maid in tow.


    I was a little surprised, because Miss Feela''s costume was calm and unaristocratic.


    The one she is wearing is probably tailored for a commoner.


    However, Ms. Fira''s natural elegance does not hide it.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this in the future.


    What do you think?��Isn''t it strange?


    Yes, it looks great on you.


    It wasn''t flattering or anything, he meant it.


    Miss Fira''s mouth relaxed. I''m relieved that I wasn''t wrong in my reply.


    ''Good. For the sake of disguise, I decided to dress modestly. ........I thought it might not look too good on you--


    No, you don''t.


    Miss Fira loosened her mouth and then crossed her arms.


    What is it?��Miss Fira turned her gaze slightly outward and then put one hand in front of her.


    ''Hey, Lelius is like my knight today.


    ....


    What, what are you talking about?


    They''re supposed to accompany us, but I''m sure the knights are watching us from afar.


    Does this mean that I''ll have to move if the knights can''t handle it?


    It''s not that I''m not satisfied with my actions, but isn''t there something I can''t handle if something happens?


    I was a little worried about that, but Feara-san waved her hand lightly.


    "So.........you''re going to have to escort me properly.


    Okay.


    Since I was anxious, I looked at the knights around me, but they only nodded their heads in a small way.


    Okay.........that''s it, right?


    When I grabbed Fira-san''s hand, she let out a small ''hiya'' and jumped up on her shoulder.


    ''''Da, are you okay!


    ''I''m fine!��I''m coming!


    Miss Fira pulled my hand away and walked away.


    ........wasn''t I the one escorting her?


    With doubts in my mind, I left the mansion with Miss Fira.


    After walking through the nobleman''s district for a while, the streets gradually became more and more relaxed.


    We walked side by side as we reached the commoner''s district, a town used by ordinary citizens.


    Every once in a while, Fira-san squeezes my hand.


    ........When she does that, I can''t help but be aware of Miss Feara.


    When I think about it, when I think about it, it''s the first time we''ve held hands and gone out together like this.


    Probably since the time I went out with Rin when I was little.


    I don''t want to be too conscious of Miss Feela. As I took a deep breath, she pecked me on the shoulder.


    ''Hey, Lelius.''


    What''s this?


    How much does Relius know about this city?


    Not very well, no.


    As I have done before, I haven''t been able to take my time looking around the city this time either.


    But I do know roughly where to find out what''s there.


    In that case, I''ll show you the city.


    Are you sure you''re sure?��Don''t you want to get to work, Miss Fira?


    I''ll be fine. I just want to look around the city.


    That makes me feel like I''m not going to be able to talk about escorting her around, but - oh well.


    There''s no way I''m going to be able to escort Feela-san around this city.


    ''''Well then, please.


    Yeah, I''ll take care of it.


    Feela-san smiles and then re-shakes my hand and starts to walk away.


    After looking at the main facilities such as the guild, we are introduced to some of Feela-san''s favorite shops that she visits from time to time.


    Feela-san tried to hide her face, but even so, it seems that people can tell when they see her. Sometimes we saw people looking at us and gossiping about us a few times.


    That''s right. Since she was the daughter of the lord who ruled this city, everyone must at least know her face.


    Fira-san hid her face in embarrassment every time she saw it.


    00


    After getting a drink at a nearby shop, we headed to the theater.


    The seats ... the special seats reserved for the nobility.


    I sat in that seat with Fira-san.


    We are currently in the process of changing the audience.


    While everyone else was standing in a long line, I walked in through the aristocrat-only entrance.


    I felt a little bad about it, but I guess that''s the privilege of being a nobleman and providing a place to live. ........I didn''t really do anything, though.


    An atmosphere of enjoyment could be felt from Feela-san, who sat deeply in her chair.


    ''Do you usually watch plays and stuff, Relius?


    ''''Well I don''t watch much. What about you, Miss Fira?


    I''ve seen most of the companies I''ve traveled with. I''ve been to all the plays I''ve traveled to, including this one.


    That''s probably all you''ll ever see while you''re in town.


    I''ve seen it once and I know the story and all, so I don''t mind seeing it a second time.


    What?��What?��I mean, it''s not the same every time, and if you like, you can enjoy the fact that the casting changes.


    ...Oh, I see.


    The tone and volume of the voice and gestures will vary from person to person.


    That''s what I enjoy about it.


    This is something that can only happen to Ms. Feira, who is used to performing in plays.


    For me, I enjoy the story, but Ms. Feara has gone beyond that.


    However, it''s different for each person, which is similar in some ways to blacksmithing.


    I understood her feelings a little better.


    ''Sounds like it''s about to start.


    Before you know it, the guests are finished changing over and the venue is ready to go.


    A skill falls on the stage. It''s a skill that covers the surroundings with darkness. After that, a light illuminates one spot.


    Her beautiful and powerful voice echoed.


    It''s Ristina-san as a performer that''s there.


    She has the power to change the atmosphere around her in an instant, and I could tell that even by looking at the face of Fira-san who was next to her.


    Everyone in the hall was paying attention to Ms. Ristina - and I found myself concentrating on the play.

 93 Chapter 90

    In the anteroom, Ristina was adjusting her costume and appearance.


    With a makeup kit that was usually only used by nobles.


    In the anteroom, Kurutta was also in the anteroom as well.


    Occasionally, Ristina received a resentful glance from her, but she didn''t mind it.


    For a while after that, they were getting ready in the anteroom, and as those who were helping them get ready left the room, Kurutta approached Ristina.


    ''You, where did you get those clothes from?''


    I asked a friend to sew it back together.


    Nah, that''s okay. Your acting sucks. Don''t expect it to work like that.


    ....


    Listyna clenched her fists and still looked back at Kurutta.


    There was a strong will in both of Listina''s eyes, and Kurutta averted her gaze as she stared at it.


    Eventually, footsteps echoed down the corridor and the two of them separated from each other without either of them.


    Once more, Ristina squeezed the hem of her clothes once more as she rechecked her costume.


    After checking the feel of the clothes, Ristina then loosened her mouth slightly.


    ''''Ready to go, sir.''''


    Thank you.


    Ristina bowed to the child who was helping her, with a smile.


    Kurutta said the same and left the room first.


    There were still a few minutes before it started.


    Ristina walked out to the venue with moderate nervousness, remembering the previous venues that were filled with many people.


    00


    When it''s her turn, Ristina walks out from backstage to the stage.


    Ristina''s role is that of a noblewoman. This is the story of how she falls in love with a man of a different status and how she becomes united with him.


    Of course, love is not so easy to achieve. Kurutta is the very person who interferes with Listyna''s relationship.


    When Ristina walked onto the stage, her eyes widened in surprise for a moment.


    That was because Lelius was in the front row of seats, where the nobles were lined up, as a matter of course.


    Normally, Lelius would not be there.


    A moment in time. Ristina, whose eyes met Lelius'', hid her surprise with a smile as she walked across the stage.


    Lelius - he was only the senior member of her part-time staff.


    But he was very serious and accommodating in regards to his work.


    While many people tried to seek a relationship with Ristina that was more than just a work colleague, I didn''t feel the slightest bit of that from Lelius.


    That''s why he was someone who could treat her without hesitation, and that''s why he was even able to tease her in a way that smelled like a man and a woman.


    That was because Lelius maintained a certain distance from her, and also because Ristina had never fallen in love with anyone in the present.


    The same was true for Lelius. He is only like one friend.


    The play goes on. Preparations, rehearsals - months of preparation, months of practice - go by in a matter of seconds.


    But every breath has a part in the density of the play.


    As she utters each note, Ristina puts her hand to her chest.


    Then she says the last word and smiles.


    Then the play comes to an end.


    She silently accepts the loud applause. When the audience has finished enjoying the afterglow, all the performers come on stage.


    Then comes the closing speech.


    When all is said and done, the audience leaves the stage.


    The play will be performed every hour. There will be a break from here for a while.


    Lystina headed towards the anteroom, glancing at Lelius'' back as he took his place in the front row of nobles.


    00


    After the day''s play, Ristina was returning to the house with a pleasant sense of fatigue.


    All the members of the troupe had been invited to a dinner party at the Arsus household.


    It was a simple dinner party, just a walk around and enjoy a meal.


    It was held only by the Arsus family''s relatives, and the only people attending were knights and people from the Arsus family.


    Nevertheless, Ristina, who was only a commoner, was nervous.


    A knight is the lowest rank of nobility, but the other party was still a nobleman.


    There were many people who had seen Ristina''s play, and all the knights approached Ristina in droves.


    If anything, there were many people who made a move. It was unlikely that a knight would be tied to a nobleman.


    For example, he could take credit for being awarded a medal.


    Or, unless you have a position as the third or fourth son of some family, it is not uncommon to be united with a commoner if you have no such backing.


    Ristina, who was approached by the knights, sighed imperceptibly.


    (I''ve never thought about that sort of thing.)


    From Ristina''s point of view, who had rarely, if ever, even fallen in love with someone, marriage was something that was outside of her thoughts.


    While answering to the extent that it was still good, she turned her gaze to Lelius, who was reflected in the corner of her vision.


    Lelius had also been called because of his connection to the Arsus family.


    Although it would be more accurate to say that Feela called him out forcibly.


    (Not to mention, even Lelius-senpai, it''s not because he likes her.


    It was an undeniable truth.


    It wasn''t that I wasn''t aware of it at all, but I still didn''t like it as much as I liked it.


    (I''m grateful, and I think he''s a good guy... but I''m never going to like him or anything like that. I''m sure I''m not.)


    Ristina enjoyed the dinner party while thinking about it in her mind.


    p.


    The dinner party was over and the party was dismissed.


    Back in the garden tent, Ristina shook her head to avoid thinking about the haze that was in her head.


    It was just as she was about to enter the tent that she was about to go quickly to sleep.


    Lelius came running over to us, breathing hard.


    ''What''s wrong, Lelius-senpai?


    ''Ristina, I''m glad to see you''re well. I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to make it work.


    You''ve been with Miss Fira all along, haven''t you?


    You could have called out to me if you''d been looking at me the whole time...


    ''Well, because you looked like you were having fun. I can''t interrupt you!


    Ristina''s cheeks twitched slightly as she did so.


    ''It''s not like that,''


    Really? I saw the play. It was great.


    ''Oh, you''re here to see?''


    Listyna pretended not to notice. It was like a small pride.


    Yeah, well.


    Fira invited me to come. I''m sure there weren''t any seats available for me either, but I''m glad I got to see them.


    With a huff, Relius smiled.


    ''Did you come to tell me that?


    ''''........well, something like that. I''m sure you''re not the only one who can do that.


    Yes, that''s true. If you''re a tease like I am now, you won''t be the star of the show.


    Is that the way it''s supposed to be?��Now, Ms. Ristina, you''re not so bad yourself, are you?


    What?


    A thud and a heart splattered.


    Ristina''s cheeks turned red and Ristina turned away to hide it.


    ''''What are you talking about?��.........Eh, is it possible that Lelius-senpai likes to be teased by people?


    ''''........Not really, though. It''s a cheeky junior colleague, but I don''t hate him.


    Lelius said as his cheeks stained slightly.


    Ristina''s cheeks became even hotter as she thought that it must have been her true intentions.


    ''''Don''t.......say something stupid anymore.


    "...what''s an a**h*le? I''d like to see Ristina perform again next time, so please let me know when you''re doing it somewhere else, okay?��I''ll be looking forward to it.


    Well then, Lelius raised one hand.


    Lystina had to make a small reply. After he left, her heart beat fast with a bang.


    ''''No, no... that''s never going to happen...''''


    Ristina walked into the tent, desperately trying to deny the feelings that were boiling up.

 94 Chapter 91

    I returned to the city of Carras, where the inn I''m working at is located.


    .........Just like with Linn, when someone is gone and it''s a job that can be replaced by someone else, there''s no place for them to stay sooner than expected.


    I move to my room.


    I was thinking about a lot of things while patting Val''s head that was waiting for me in my room.


    I should also........look for something that only I can do.


    What only I can do........that would be blacksmithing.


    If I have the ability to make many things, then living on that path would not be a bad idea.


    It was while I was thinking about this that I was checking my abilities.


    I noticed that my level had reached 30.


    ........I hadn''t been too aware of the level lately, but there was such a thing.


    Level 30, huh? It''s quite high, but has this really increased what I can do?


    As I was thinking about this, a letter appeared in front of me.


    ''Confirm that you have reached level 30. You are now able to acquire new abilities.''


    ...a new ability?


    I was curious and looked at the letters further.


    ''Reincarnation is possible. Do you want to reincarnate?''''


    ...Reincarnation?��What the hell is going on?


    I know the word reincarnation itself.


    It''s a concept in religion.


    It says that there is an afterlife for those who have done good deeds.


    ...If a person does not disobey God, he or she will be saved.


    But what do we mean by reincarnation here?


    I was very, very curious.


    I gulped and swallowed my spit and proceeded to investigate the reincarnation.


    ........It seemed that I could investigate various things by displaying text and other information in front of me.


    I investigated mainly reincarnation, and there - I found a sentence.


    ''By reincarnating, you can acquire new abilities. Also, the level limit will be released.''''


    ...a new ability.


    I read further into the text.


    ''The ability that can be acquired in reincarnation will be the making of divine weapons.''


    Making the artifacts?


    I can''t help but squeal. Val, who was holding me, turns her head towards me as if surprised.


    My bad, my bad I''m sorry I startled you, didn''t I?


    While patting my head, I continue to read more of the words.


    ''''However, reincarnation will also have the following disadvantages. Your level reverts to 1. You will lose everything you''ve been able to create so far. You will also lose all skills and other items you have created so far. Also, what you can create will change depending on your level.


    ........I see.


    When you reincarnate, you revert to level 1.


    I''ll lose everything I''ve been able to make until now.


    But - even after weighing them all up, the part about being able to create this divine weapon was very appealing.


    This is a sacred artifact that can obtain a power that I just can''t reach.


    If I can get my hands on this, I might even be able to help Lin.


    ........The only problem is this reincarnation.


    Because.........I''m improving my blacksmithing abilities now in order to help Lin.


    Even if I obtained strong power through reincarnation, it would be meaningless if Lin wasn''t there.


    It was when he investigated further about reincarnation.


    A new sentence appeared.


    ''''Reincarnation. It refers to a return to level 1. It is not synonymous with dying once and taking a new life.''''


    ........It was as if the ''blacksmith'' had answered our question.


    If this is the case, the number of things we can make will increase as we level up again.


    If that''s the case - wouldn''t it be okay to reincarnate and change the level back to 1?


    I reach out my finger to the word "Reincarnation" that appears in front of me.


    If I press this something will definitely change.


    My instincts tell me that.


    I hug the Val I was holding tightly.


    ''Vuh?''


    ''Val do you think it''s safe to push the reincarnation?''


    ...Va!


    Val tilted his head to think, then shook his head in a stubborn way.


    ........Val is a being I created.


    So I also thought that he had the answer I wanted.


    ........But even so, hearing Val''s vigorous reply, it was true that my worries were a little lessened.


    I''ll do it, huh?


    A certain amount of sacrifice will be necessary to obtain even higher abilities.


    That''s what I thought, and I reached for the word ''rebirth'' displayed in front of me.


    I felt a plop, a push. The word "reincarnation" sinks in. .........The rebirth is not yet complete.


    If I let go of this finger, I will probably ''reincarnate''.


    I quickly let go of my finger from the letter.


    That''s when I let go of my finger.


    I felt my chest pulsate loudly once.


    I couldn''t breathe.


    I quickly put my hand on my chest and breathed heavily over and over again.


    Val looks at me with concern.


    With a wry smile, I turn one hand to Val and manage to stave off the pain.


    The pain soon fades away.


    But at the same time, I feel my consciousness being forcibly dropped. It was as if the lights in the room were being turned off, and I collapsed on the spot.


    I''m glad I have a bed.


    Thinking about this, I sank into the bed and closed my eyes.


    Only Val''s cries echoed in the distance.

 95 Chapter 92

    I awoke with a snap of consciousness.


    I slowly opened my eyes and sat up.


    ''Va!''


    Val, who had slapped me in the face with a flop, happily jumped over to me.


    ........Good.


    I hugged Val reassuringly and squeezed her.


    ........This is not another world.


    I''m not going to be able to say that this is a reincarnation, but it was never the original meaning of reincarnation.


    That''s right. I was reincarnated, wasn''t I?


    I immediately check my abilities.


    "Blacksmith Level 1 0/10


    ........This is my new level of blacksmithing, huh?


    First of all, the things I could create were extremely low.


    It seems to be able to make things in proportion to the level, but at the level 1 stage, there was no sign of being able to make anything but the things in this room.


    ........And then there''s the sword, right?


    Well, these can''t be helped.


    Under that kind of contract, I chose to reincarnate.


    That''s why - I should be able to make a divine weapon.


    I operate the window that appears in front of me.


    Then I arrived at an item.


    ''Creating a divine artifact''.


    ...There it is.


    This, this is the power I was looking for.


    I go over the items while loosening my mouth.


    ........The production of the divine artifacts seemed to be the same as before.


    The idea was that by destroying some kind of divine object, it would be possible to create it.


    ........Making a divine artifact, huh?


    I didn''t expect that such a thing would be possible.


    I can''t help but feel my mouth relax.


    But.........it also seemed that someone''s divine artifacts needed to be destroyed.


    .........Ha, what would happen to the person with the destroyed divine artifact?


    If it''s destroyed, it''s no longer useful?


    If that''s the case, it''s not so easy to use!


    Va?


    Maybe it was because I was pulling my cheeks together, but Val tilted her head back.


    ''''Well no, I mean. I just figured it wasn''t going to be as easy as I thought it would be.


    Va!


    Well, you''re doing fine, and Val pats me on the head.


    I nod, patting Val''s head back.


    ''Yeah, I guess.


    With Val''s comfort, I''m going to look at more things.


    For now I''ll just have to check things out.


    First of all, about the blacksmithing.


    In order to find out how much it has changed from the past.......I tried to make it first.


    For now, I''m going to build a chair that was in the room.


    To make it, I first manipulate the letters that appeared in front of me.


    Then I put my finger on the thing I want to make and apply magic to it, and it seems that I can make the item.


    When you create an item, it will be put away in an item box-like existence, as usual.


    However, this item also seemed to have a capacity.


    The moment I created one, it was displayed as 1/10.


    ........I see. It seems that each item increases by 1.


    So, I can only have 10 items now.


    And it seems that when I take out an item, I can choose a point.


    The range of my sight, I guess.


    ........Put another way, using this, you may be able to attack from a distance.


    In a way, its usability has increased considerably.


    As a test, I unfolded the chair at a little distance, and a magic circle appeared there, and the chair appeared.


    .........For now, it''s not so different from before as far as the creation of things are concerned.


    With the decrease in my level, my own abilities have also decreased, haven''t they?��I thought, but my magic power and other abilities didn''t seem to have changed in any way.


    As I was checking my abilities, I noticed that the numbers next to my level had changed.


    Level 1 1/10.


    I''m going to try to create a few other things.


    And every time I created one item, the level went up.


    ........I created a potion and drank it repeatedly for now, and then raised it to level 2.


    ''Your level has been raised to level 2. We have confirmed that new skills have been granted and items that can be created have been increased!


    .........Whoa, the level has increased.


    I didn''t think I would be able to grant skills anymore.


    The number of items that can be created has increased, but the number of things that can be created has only increased.


    It seems that five skills can be given, for now.


    I''m going to be able to give it to you in the following five ways: strength enhancement, durability enhancement, dexterity enhancement, agility enhancement, and magical power enhancement.


    I''m going to be able to give it to you.


    I''m going to try to create a sword to test it out. When I put magic power into it, a sword is created, and I gave it a power-strengthening skill.


    Sword: Strengthening F-rank


    ...Strengthening F-rank, right?


    Skill granting was then done several times.


    After repeating it five times, the level went up to 3.


    In the meantime, I''ll try it again and again until I can grant the sword a strength-enhancing S-rank.


    ........It consumed a mess of magic power, and in the end I was only able to do it when I got to level 5.


    At any rate, granting S rank seems to be harder than before.


    The range of things I can create has increased, but the new skill grants aren''t out now.


    At any rate, it''s not a total inconvenience.


    But........for now, I''d like to create a divine artifact once. That''s what I was thinking about.


    And while I was thinking about that, there was a knock on my room.


    Who''s there?��I stepped out into the hallway and saw Ristina.


    ''What''s going on?''


    Oh, no, I mean. I received a letter for a senior, so I came to deliver it.


    Lystina handed me a letter.


    I looked at it and saw Lynn''s name. I quickly opened it.


    ''Long time no see, Lelius. I have some business to attend to near the city of Carlaus. So I''ll come see you when I have time.


    It was something like that in content.


    I looked at the letter in various ways, and it seems that Linn is staying in a city just east of Carlaz.


    But if there was time, huh?


    If I didn''t have time, I wouldn''t be doing this, would I?


    Senior, what''s going on?


    ''Mr. Ristina. I''m not busy right now, so I think I''m going to head east for a bit to the town of Berkle.


    ........I don''t have a job anyway.


    When I replied to that, Ristina-san looked at me as if she was a little surprised.


    ''''Could it be that the letter''s........Lin-san, was it?��Are you here to see Miss Lynn?


    Yes.


    .........well, I mean........ Lelius-senpai, you and Lin-san were childhood friends, weren''t you?


    Yeah.


    ...do you like it?


    ''Huh!��No, no, no, not at all!


    What the hell are you talking about?


    There was no indication that she was teasing, and Ristina-san seemed genuinely concerned.


    ''''We''re just, like, childhood friends. ........well, we''re like family, I guess.


    ''Family!��Are you already thinking about getting married?!


    ''No, sir!��She''s just like a sister to me!


    I look back at the letter while returning a sigh to Ristina-san who says something outlandish.


    ........It''s been a long time since I''ve seen you, isn''t it?

 96 Chapter 93

    I was picking up my bags again as we headed to the city of Berkeley.


    ''''...Are you sure you''re coming?''''


    ''''Yes, I wanted to see a brave man once too!


    Ristina smiles as she says, "Smile.


    ''You don''t have to work at the inn, but you''re good with the theatre company?


    I don''t have any plans for a while. What is it?��You don''t want me to come?


    Boo, and Ristina-san puffs out her cheeks.


    .........not that kind of thing, though.


    It was easier to say that traveling alone was easier.


    Ristina-san would be absolutely swollen if she realized that, so I didn''t say anything else.


    My luggage was ready.


    I left the inn with Val and Ristina.


    We left the inn and got into the carriage.


    After paying the money for the ride to the town of Berkl, we sat down deep in our chairs.


    We sat back in our chairs and glanced at Ristina.


    Speaking of which, can you fight, Ristina?


    ''In a manner of speaking. But I''m not that good at it, though. Well, I''m good enough at it to defend myself!


    ...I see.


    What about senior Lelius?


    Well, so much for that.


    ''I see. I''ll have my seniors to protect me if anything happens.


    You''ll have to defend yourself to some extent.


    I know, sir.


    With a small sigh to the smiling Ristina-san, I stroke Val''s head.


    We''ll get to the city of Berkle in the evening.


    00


    I was attacked three times by demons before I reached the city of Berkle.


    ........However, the adventurers who were riding in the carriage were reasonably skilled, so I did almost nothing.


    ........But it''s rare to be frightened by demons like this. There''s no doubt that the number of demons is increasing, I''m sure of it.


    That''s why there must be some brave men and women, right?


    When we reached the city of Berkle, me and Mr. Ristina got out of the carriage and straightened up.


    ''''Hmmm, that was exhausting!


    ...Yes.


    "Va.


    Val also moved her wings near us and purred one.


    ''So what do we do after this, then?''


    We''ll have dinner and then we''ll go find a place to stay.


    Oh, that sounds good. Let''s go!


    Lystina smiled and started walking.


    It was a smaller city than Karras, but it was still very lively.


    More than anything else, right now.......it seemed to be more than that.


    ''''Brave-sama is really popular...''''


    ...Yes.


    I''m pretty popular there in the theater, but that''s a small price to pay.


    I think Lystina-san was quite popular, but she still seemed to get hazy in front of the brave people.


    All over the place, the topic of the brave man was being talked about.


    ''''Haha, it looks like we''ll be leaving tomorrow to hunt demons, so maybe we can see them then?''''


    I wish I could.


    ........If you listen a bit, you can hear that conversation.


    It''s really popular.


    I''m sure Lynn must be getting pretty strong.


    There should be a clear difference between him and Lin. Even though there were differences in their professions and divine weapons, it was still a bit of a shock.


    ''''Senior, do you want to go to this shop?''''


    "...hmm?��Uh, yes. Is this the right place?


    I look at the place Ms. Ristina pointed to and see that it was a very disreputable store.


    When I looked at Ristina-san in surprise, she puffed out her cheeks and put her hands on her hips.


    ''''Wow, you''ve been on top of your seniors for a while now, and you haven''t been listening to me at all!


    I''m sorry, I''m sorry...


    ........so you don''t have to pull this prank on me.


    As I looked at Ristina-san, she took my hand.


    ''Now enjoy your date with me!


    ''So, so, date!��We just went out together.........


    ''What do you call a date if you don''t call it a date?��Come on, let''s go!


    Listina puts her hand around my elbow.


    A soft touch touch touches my arm and my face involuntarily strengthens.


    Seeing this, Ristina-san loosened her cheeks.


    ''''Already, senpai. Are you nervous?''''


    If you look closely, you can see that her cheeks were red, too.


    When I pointed it out, Ristina-san bit her lip.


    ''''Ha, I''m embarrassed, but I have to do this!


    What do you mean by that?


    ''It means I''m embarrassed, but if I don''t do my best, I''ll lose!��Here we go!


    ...What do you mean by that?


    I had no idea what she meant by her words.


    I went into a nearby restaurant with Listyna.


    After having dinner, we looked for an inn.


    ''''........I don''t see any rooms available anywhere.


    I nodded at Lystina''s words.


    ''''It looks like it''s occupied by people who have heard the news that the brave are coming here.


    ''I thought we were already..........we''re similar.


    That''s exactly what it is. I can''t speak for others.


    .......... Shall we find an available inn?


    I go into the next inn and talk to the clerk.


    ''We have a room for two people available but is it okay?''


    Huh, two rooms?


    Ristina shouts out. Then, she glances at me and buries her face with her cheeks red.


    When I was about to say no, Ristina-san giggled and raised her head.


    ''''That''s okay!��Good for you, senior!��You can stay in a room with me!


    No, no, that''s not...


    ''What is it, sir?��Are you going to plant something on me?


    Well no, I didn''t mean to do that at all.


    ''What?��Don''t you have any nasty thoughts?��I''m not happy about that, but...


    Should I think about it?


    When I retorted, Ristina-san went red to her ears and squeezed out her voice.


    ''I knew it, please don''t think about it...''


    ........right.


    My cheeks get hot because I''m embarrassed too.


    I pay the clerk, who was smiling bitterly, for our lodging and we move to our room.


    There are two beds lined up in the room. It was a little cramped, but still, we got a beautiful room to rent.


    I unleashed Val into the room and I sat down on the bed too.


    ''''Well for now, let''s rest here for today, shall we?


    That''s right.........


    Ristina-san also sat down on the bed, but she was somewhat fidgety.


    ''''Well if you don''t want to, I''ll go outside to sleep?''''


    That''s all right!��I mean, I don''t hate it!��I''m rather happy about that!


    Oh, I''m glad...?


    I don''t mean that in a weird way!��I''ve never slept in a room like this with a man before, so it''s a great experience!


    Good experience, she said.


    Ristina-san, who was clearly feeling out of control from earlier, seemed to be embarrassed by her statement, and her face was red.


    ........and anyway. It would be better if I didn''t touch it any further.


    I''m starting to feel a bit, too, weird. Let''s just give Val a hug and calm down.


    Oh, it''s nice and smooth to the touch........

 97 Chapter 94

    The next morning.


    ........I was able to get some sleep, but that doesn''t mean I was still not nervous at all.


    ........rather, I was quite nervous.


    Still, if I didn''t get some sleep, I''d have to endure the next day.


    I felt like I had managed to force myself to sleep.


    At the same time as I woke up, Ristina-san had her face pressed against the pillow.


    ''''........Senpai, since I don''t want you to see my face when I wake up from sleep, can I ask you to go outside once?''''


    ''........is that what you''re worried about?


    ''It''s a big deal for the damsel!��Please, please stay out!


    "Va.


    Kokuoku, and Val is nodding too.


    ''''Val should stay outside too!


    ...va...


    Val purred forlornly and we all went out into the hallway.


    I go outside and wash my face there since there was a water demon stone tap.


    After washing my face, I go back to my room and Ristina-san opens the door for me.


    It looks like I''m ready to go. The usual Ristina-san was there.


    ''Thank you.''


    Well then, let''s have some breakfast.


    Yes.


    We all left the room and went downstairs to the dining room.


    We entered the dining room and were eating our breakfast there.


    We were eating........but the adventurers'' disappointed voices reached our ears.


    ''''........I heard that you left early in the morning, hero-sama?''''


    ''Well I was hoping to see it at first sight.


    ...Departure?


    Don''t tell me you''ve already left town?


    No, but we were talking about hunting demons.........


    ''''Well, maybe we''ll get to see it again on the way home. Let''s aim for that time.


    Yes!


    ...Good. Looks like we''re just going to go hunting for demons.


    But still, you''re early in the morning........ I was probably still in bed when Lin left.


    ''''Are you going to see it on your way home too, senpai?


    Well that''s the plan, isn''t it?


    ''Then why don''t we take a tour of the town in the morning?��I''ve been here a few times, so I can introduce you to them, okay?


    There''s nothing to do anyway.


    In that case, please.


    Yes, I''ll take care of it!


    Rishtina-san salutes with a big smile.


    .........You''re as energetic as ever.


    With that in mind, we left the inn after finishing breakfast.


    ''''Do you have any kind of restaurant you want to go to, senpai?


    ''........nothing in particular. Oh, I''d like to see a guild or something.


    ''Err, is that the only place you want to go with a pretty junior?''


    ''On the other hand, what kind of places do you typically request?''


    I asked, because I''ve never had a cute junior, or anything like that.


    Listina put a hand to her chin and then raised her eyebrows.


    ''''Well what kind of place do you usually go to?''''


    Yes......... Ristina-san, don''t you have someone you''re going out with or something?


    ''I''m here!��Yes, yes, of course!��I''ve already got a guy''s date and all that!


    Well then, I''ll leave it to you.


    Listina-san continued, looking flustered for some reason.


    ''''What kind of place do you want to go to?''''


    Well, back to the point...


    No, because!��Wow, I don''t have that much experience either!��I don''t know, does it look like you''re playing with that!


    Well, rather.


    Gahhhh...


    Ristina-san, you are in some kind of shock.


    ''''........For now, do you want to go to the guild and then think about things?''''


    ''''Well........ Yes, then let''s go to the guild first.


    After Listina says that, we start walking.


    I walk with her, but there are too many people in any way.


    I try not to bump into people, but there are still too many people, so I reach for Ristina-san''s hand.


    ''''Ristina-san, this is going to get lost, can we hold hands?''''


    But it''s already connected!


    ''........I''m sorry. I mean, I really thought I was going to lose it!


    It''s like a festival.


    Ristina-san squeezed my hand.


    ''''M-My senior already.......did you really want to hold my hand that badly?


    Yeah, well...


    If that would convince me, then I''d better do it.


    When I nodded with such a throwaway feeling, Ristina-san''s eyes widened and even her ears turned red.


    ........You seem embarrassed. If you''re vulnerable to such a counterattack, you shouldn''t have attacked me from the beginning.


    For now, Val is following along.


    We made our way through the people and headed for the guild.


    As we passed through the streets, the number of people had dwindled, as expected.


    It was a few minutes later that we arrived at the guild.


    First of all, I entered the guild that was my objective.


    Guilds, even though they are all guilds, their construction is not so different.


    When I was looking at the guild''s requests and such, Ristina-san lined up next to me.


    ''''What, do you want to take a request?''''


    ...No, it''s as good as it gets right now.


    It''s not like I''m in need of money.


    And there''s Ristina-san, too.


    ''''Senpai, why don''t you take a look around the Adventurer''s Alley when you''re done with your business here?


    ''Yes, fine. Let''s go then.


    Are you done?


    ''Yes. I just wanted to take a look at the guilds in other cities. Well then, let''s go.


    With that, I walked out of the guild.


    When I got out, my right hand was grabbed.


    When I looked at it, Ristina-san looked at me as if teasing me while her cheeks were slightly stained.


    ''''Also, can I hold your hand.........?''''


    Yeah, yeah ... okay.


    Ristina-san smiled happily and somewhat shyly.


    ........She didn''t seem to be teasing me, so that made me cringe again.

 98 Chapter 95

    When it was late in the evening, I heard that the brave men had returned, and I immediately headed out to check on them.


    ''''Wow, there''s kind of a lot of people here!


    Well yes.


    They all seem to want to see the brave man at a glance.


    That''s why the knights are even handling the crowded people.


    So many onlookers........


    We are also one of the onlookers, so we can''t say anything back.


    There are so many people that it''s hard to see the front.


    Especially, there are a lot of men. ........Is it because the rumor is circulating that the brave man is a beautiful girl?


    You''re in my way...


    Because of the tall men lined up in front of her, she couldn''t see the street at all.


    ........Separately, Ristina-san also has the average height of a woman, but her opponent is a man.


    As expected, she wasn''t tall enough to win against a male opponent, and Ristina-san was somewhat dissatisfied.


    ''''I wanted to catch a glimpse of you since you''re a childhood friend of Lelius-senpai.......!


    Well, you''ll get another chance later.


    We could go visit Lynn afterwards.


    I stand tall and look at the street.


    Eventually, advancing straight toward us were a group of knights.


    There was a female knight and a male knight but there was no sign of Lynn among them.


    ''''Well, what do you think, senior?��Did you see that?


    No, no you''re not.


    ''What?��What do you mean?


    I don''t know.


    I''m sure you''re right.


    You don''t have to go all the way through a place with so many people.


    ''''Wow, what the hell. Where did the brave master go?!


    ''Oh, isn''t one of them brave enough?


    Yeah, I saw you this morning. I saw him this morning. What the hell kind of road did they take to get in there?


    Some adventurers nearby were talking about that.


    I wonder what it was.


    I had a very bad feeling at that moment.


    I wanted to get rid of it, so I quickly walked out.


    ''''Senpai, what''s going on?''''


    I''m going to see Lynn right now.


    Wow, I''m coming with you!


    Ristina lined up next to us as we made our way through the waves of people.


    We continued down the back road, then moved on to the quarters we were headed to this morning to visit Lynn.


    00


    Excuse me, do you have a minute?


    When I called out to him, the knight looked at me quizzically.


    It was a different person from the knight I called out to in the morning.


    ''''I don''t know if you''re listening to me, but my name is Relius, a childhood friend of the brave Lynn. This is the letter that was given to me by Lynn.


    Sure. Just a second. I''ll check.


    Please.


    The knight looked flustered and headed to the back.


    Then, after a short wait, we were ushered inside.


    When we entered the inn, the air was inexplicably heavy.


    ........There were about four knights, and they were the knights who had just walked down the front path.


    ........In other words, they were the knights who should have been working with Lynn.


    However, Lynn was not here.


    ........This is clearly abnormal.


    ''''Um, my name is Lelius, Lynn''s childhood friend. Didn''t Lynn ever come back here?


    When I ask, the knights'' expressions become even more grim.


    One of them glared at me.


    ''''Shut up!��Who the hell let a mere commoner in?!


    It''s me.


    Killier-sama... oh, I''m sorry...


    The knight raised his voice, but the woman''s glare made him squirm at once.


    ''''........What''s going on, what the hell is going on?''''


    I asked, and she, Kirie, as she was called, stood up and then quickly bowed her head.


    ''I''m sorry I''ve lost sight of the brave Lin.


    ''What?��What do you mean by that?


    What happens from this point forward, I''m going to ask you not to tell anyone. And your daughter.


    Kirie-san glanced at Ristina-san.


    We looked at each other and then nodded in the same way.


    ''''........First, we headed to the scene of the outbreak to defeat the high-ranked demon that was occurring. ........It was right after we successfully defeated the demon. ........A black vortex appeared and swallowed Master Lin.


    ...The Black Vortex, is it?


    ''Yeah. ...We investigated, but the vortex soon disappeared. It swallowed only Master Lin, you see. We don''t know where Master Lin is now, or what he''s doing.


    No.....


    ...a brave man is gone. So, don''t tell anyone else.


    That''s probably why you don''t want to alarm the public.


    We''re going to report back to the top soon. And then we''ll let them decide whether to look again or not. I''m sorry, Lelius. I''ve heard so much about you from Master Lin and I''m sorry I didn''t get to see you.


    ....


    .........I bit my lip tightly and then shook my head.


    ''....No, don''t worry about it. You will find Lynn, I promise.


    Yeah, I''m going to find out, even if it costs me my life.


    Saying that, Kirie-san quickly bobbed her head.


    ''''I''ll go back to the inn ... if you find out anything else, please let me know.


    Yeah, okay.


    After I said that, I bowed my head and left the knight''s quarters.


    ''''Senpai.......what are you going to do?''''


    Ristina-san, who lined up next to me, tilted her head at me.


    ''''Well for now, I''m going to go to the place where they say Lin is gone.


    Oh, really?��It''s going to be a night now!


    I''ll be fine. But more importantly, I might be able to get some........information.


    We''ll have to hurry up and get ready.


    As for the equipment, it should be fine.


    I have all the equipment I had before my reincarnation.


    I''ve already got all the potions and potion in hand.


    I think we''ll be able to handle that.


    Va!


    Val, who was in Ristina''s arms, also flew towards me.


    ''''........You''re going to help me?''''


    Va!


    Thanks for that.


    As I was stroking Val''s head, Ristina-san came towards me.


    ''I''m coming too!��Even with this, I''ve been traveling, so I can fight in my own way!


    ...but are you okay?


    That''s okay. Besides, senpai........there are still some things I''m not quite sure about, so I''m worried.


    ...was it?


    Either way, I''d be happy to help you out.


    ''Okay ... please.


    Yes!

 99 Chapter 96

    After we left the knight''s quarters, we then immediately headed to the guild.


    ''''........What are you going to do in the guild?''''


    I''m gathering information.


    ''''You can''t tell anyone that Master Lin is gone, can you?��How?


    ''I''m not asking about Linn, I''m just trying to find out where the heroes were headed.


    Well, what do you mean?


    If we hear about what Lin and the others defeated today, we can go there to investigate, right?


    ''Oh, yes, I know!��Come to think of it, I didn''t even ask where he got the request!


    Ristina-san looks at me as if she is impressed.


    ''''Then you should have just asked the knight about it, right?


    No, she won''t tell us anything. They''d think something had happened to us.


    So, I got to the guild.


    When I asked the guild''s receptionist, the information was immediately available.


    ........It seems that there was a demon outbreak just west of this city.


    It seems to be all right now, but the danger may still be there, so we were told to stay away from it.


    ''''Well then, shall we go?''''


    Okay.


    "Va.


    We passed through the west gate and went straight ahead.


    ''''.......around here, apparently.


    I compare the map I bought with my current location.


    .........though.


    There was no way to be wrong at first, since there were sinks in the earth here and there that seemed to be after the battle.


    Ristina-san, who was holding a light made of magic stones in her hand, quickly lifted it up to illuminate the surroundings.


    ''''Around here, Lady Lin was swallowed by the black vortex........right?


    ''''Well yes. Let''s explore the surroundings for a bit.


    ''Well, I hope you find something!


    Yes.


    Listina-san said that with a smile, perhaps to cheer me up.


    ........if I can find something.


    With that in mind, I walked around.


    I put a val on Listina-san''s direction. Because I thought it would be better to have Val with me when I was fighting demons.


    I also used the light I had in my hand to search my surroundings.


    Lynn please be safe.


    If I hadn''t become a brave man, I''m sure that Linn would still be the inn''s signpost girl.


    I''m not going to let you take away her life.


    If something happened to Lynn, I might have to resent God again.


    Thinking about that, I was looking for some evidence that would lead to Lynn.......and then I stopped.


    ''Black........vortex.


    It was right in front of me.


    ...Was it in front of us?��Or did he just show up?


    I don''t know ... but I suspect this is the black vortex that engulfed Lynn?


    I gulp and swallow my spit.


    It was then. Ristina-san came over.


    ''''Senpai........!��That''s the Black Vortex--!


    Well, yes. It''s probably a swallowed phosphorus...


    A black vortex that even the knights could not find........


    I didn''t think the knights would have missed this.


    .........That means it must have appeared here now.


    ........What caused it to occur?


    The only thing changing in the situation with the knights would be the people.


    Did you react to me?��Or is it Miss Ristina?��...or is it Val?


    I don''t know why, but at the end of this black vortex, there''s Lynn........!


    Mr. Ristina, please report this vortex to the Order.


    ''''What are you going to do about senior Lelius?


    ...it''s so obvious.


    I''m going to enter the vortex. Maybe you''ll be able to see Linn!


    ''No, no, wait!��It''s dangerous!


    If there might be a Lynn in that dangerous place, we have to help!


    ''No, you''re in danger too!��I mean, how can something so dangerous to a brave man be managed by a senior?!


    Yeah, maybe so, but.....


    ........Then are we supposed to keep watching this vortex?


    I bite my lip and then look at Ristina-san.


    ''''........please. I''m going to go check on you for a bit!


    Shit!��Sir Lelius!��No!


    Listina grabbed my arm.


    But I was stronger than her.


    As if ignoring Ristina-san''s restraint, I pulled my arm and stepped into the black vortex.


    My body goes into the black vortex my body, just like that, falls away.


    I look around.


    ...Where am I?��There was nothing around me in the black space.


    Eventually, my consciousness faded away.


    00


    When I woke up I saw ... a land I had never seen before.


    ........Where am I?


    I looked around, but there was no sign of Lynn.


    ''''Linn!''''


    I raised my voice, but I didn''t get a response back from anywhere.


    I lifted the light and shone it around me.


    But still, I couldn''t see anything.


    ''''Lin-!''''


    I started to walk the land, raising my voice.

 100 Chapter 97

    What kind of continent is this?


    ........As long as I walked on the land, the land had become dirty, as if it had been struck by some kind of disaster.


    .........Is this where Lynn is coming too?


    I knew that that black vortex was caused by a transference system skill.


    ........But it''s also possible that that vortex isn''t necessarily something that calls people to this space.


    It''s also quite possible that Lin was summoned to a different place than me.


    I walk around the continent for a while, reaching for Mithril''s sword.


    It was hard to breathe. ........It''s harder to breathe than it usually is.


    I''ve heard that breathing becomes more difficult when you go up a mountain or something like that, but is this place in the same kind of location?


    Since it''s night now, we don''t know when and where we will be attacked.


    It was when I lifted the lights as I performed a warning of the surroundings.


    My ears picked up a roar.


    .........Demon, huh?


    I turned my gaze towards it and gripped my sword.


    Holding the light with my other hand, I stared at those demons.


    ''''........What is this thing?''''


    I turned my gaze to the demons and was surprised.


    ........like a zombie species of demon, their appearance was grotesque.


    I couldn''t tell if they were alive or dead. Such wolves were coming towards us.


    My eyes appraise them.


    Wolves?


    ........no, why "? It''s got it!


    I didn''t think that I couldn''t appraise them with this ability that God should have given me.


    Three Wolves are inching closer. I pull out my mithril sword and stare at them.


    ''''Gah!''''


    The Wolves pounced on him at once.


    It was as if they didn''t seem to have an ounce of reason. Their eyeballs fell off in a blur, and as expected, their cheeks pulled back.


    ........These guys apparently don''t seem to be able to grasp the target with their eyes.


    Their movements were quite fast, but I could see through them well enough.


    After dodging the attacks, I cut down one of them with my mithril sword as it was.


    After slamming the mithril sword down, I quickly turned my attention to the remaining two bodies.


    Rather than being frightened, the Wolves pounced on me even more.


    ........Is there no such thing as ......fear?


    After killing two more of them while dodging the attacks, I tucked the mithril sword into its sheath.


    ........I don''t really like these demons.


    At any rate, it''s enough of a demon that I can manage to defeat it.


    ...But I''ve never seen this demon before.


    It''s not that I know much about demons, but still, you know.


    The results of the previous evaluation are also very interesting.


    ...Maybe this is a continent that I''ve never heard of.


    If my guess is correct, that black vortex is a transfer magic that moves between continents.


    ........Did they use it to target the brave men?��Why on earth not?


    It was while I was walking around thinking about this.


    I found a girl who had fallen on the side of the road.


    ........The girl was dressed in simple clothes. When I approached her, she squeezed me.


    "...who are you?


    ...Well, um, that''s more of a question for me, I guess.


    My name is Camilla. What are you?


    My name is Lelius.


    ''Lelius yes yes. Yeah. That''s a good name.


    ''Ha, ha ... well, let me ask you something, are you a person who lives on this continent?''


    "How.


    Just like that," she said.


    I was surprised, and Camilla glanced at me.


    "Do you have any food on hand?


    "...one moment, please.


    ........I used to be able to make food and other items with blacksmithing.


    Maybe it''s because I was making potions and other things in my spare time, or maybe it''s because of the battle I just had and the potions I made in my spare time, but my blacksmithing level is 5 now.


    For now, let''s just make some hamburgers.


    I make the hamburger and hand it to Camilla-san.


    "Would you like some?


    ''Oh!��Yummy!


    The hamburger I just made is a rank C. Camilla reached for it and took a bite of it.


    Then she smiles with a big smile on her face.


    ''It''s so good!��This is the best!��Another one!


    ...Okay, okay.


    For now, I made another one and handed it to Camilla-san.


    She takes a bite with vigor. The sauce has become sticky on her mouth.


    ''''........Here, why don''t you wipe it off with this?''''


    Thank you.


    Camilla took the handkerchief I produced and wiped her mouth.


    ''What do you want to do with this?��Wash it back?


    No, no, it''s okay.


    I crushed it with a hammer and processed it. .........Since it was made with only magic power, nothing was left behind.


    ........Is this also because of the reincarnation?


    ''So, Camilla. Can you answer my question?


    Yeah, you can ask me anything you want.


    Camilla lives here, doesn''t she?


    "How.


    Do you know the name of this continent and country?


    Of course. This continent is the Havarud. The country is the Kingdom of Revelus.


    "...Revelsas Kingdom!��Isn''t that, as I recall, the continent that was rendered uninhabitable by demons decades ago!


    "No man''s land. It''s uninhabitable. But we''re still fighting.


    ...now?


    Yes.


    I don''t know the details.


    But I remembered what my dead parents had told me.


    It seems that there was a mass outbreak of demons in the Revelus Kingdom.


    I had heard that when that event happened a few decades ago, someone with a certain power had released a ward on the continent itself to prevent the demons from leaking out.


    ........Therefore, it was not possible to interfere with this continent from the outside, nor was it possible to hear what was going on inside from the outside.


    The Habbald continent was made unvisitable by the wards.


    That was the extent of the knowledge I had.


    ''''Relius. I want you to come with me.


    "...uh, well, I mean. Can I ask you one question?


    What?


    Have you seen a cute little girl who''s a little smaller than me?


    Camilla shook her head in response to my question.


    ''I saw it, or rather, it''s here.


    ...Yes?


    ''I''m a pretty girl. If you''re that hungry, it''s no wonder. I''ll take care of it.


    I hastily stopped her as she tried to take off her clothes.

 101 Chapter 98

    We arrived at the house where Camilla said she lived.


    On the way there, Camilla checked with the villagers to see if they had seen Lynn, but we hadn''t been able to get any such sightings.


    At the same time, I was also talking to her about why I was here.


    ''''Was ... consumed by the black vortex?''''


    I nodded my head.


    ........Well, in my case, it''s correct to say that I was drunk, not that I was drunk, but that I ran into it myself.


    ''Yes. Have you ever heard of such a phenomenon?


    It''s a very common occurrence on this continent.


    If that''s the case, I can still feel comfortable with it.


    The scariest part is that it''s an unknown phenomenon that no one knows about.


    ''Well I don''t. But is this Linn girl a brave one?


    Yes, sir.


    I told you earlier that Lynn is a brave man.


    Camilla puts a hand to her chin as she thinks.


    ''''I don''t know ... but ... There''s a saying on our continent that goes something like this.


    Camilla closed her words once there, and then handed us one of the stone tablets in the room.


    There were words carved on it.


    I''m sure you''ll be able to find out more about this. A hero will emerge to save this country.


    ........There was something like a bloodstain on the stone slab.


    Thinking of the situation of the person who left this behind at that time, he returned the stone slab to Camilla.


    ''''........50 years. Now, is that about it?


    ''Yeah, just ... this year.


    Camilla-san.........


    Her expression was oozing with spirit.


    ''''And this year........a brave man named Lin appeared, right?


    There''s not just one brave man there are many others.


    ''Maybe that''s what the person who left the tablet was trying to say. Besides, more than anything else, we have Lelius.


    ...Me?


    Kokoro, Camilla nodded.


    ''''There are some people who don''t have the means to resist those blue stone demons. ........But with the weapons Relius made, everyone will be able to fight. This alone is incomparably different from what we had before.


    You don''t have all the proof yet, do you?


    No!��My gut tells me so!


    .........Camilla-san said that with a twinkle in her eye.


    ''''.........Well, let''s verify that soon, shall we? More importantly, that Souishi demon........what kind of demon is that after all?��I heard that he died once and came back to life, but...


    So you''re a zombie-type demon?��I asked, and Camilla replied that it was not.


    ''It''s a spawned demon,''


    ...invented?


    ''''Yes, that''s right. That demon was created by a demon called the ''Blue Stone Chieftain'' with a blue magic stone on his forehead.


    The leader of the Blue Stone....


    A demon with a magic stone in its forehead, huh?


    ''''The Aoshi Chieftain appeared, and since none of the people present at the time could defeat him, this continent was sealed off.


    ''So it was...''


    ........If they had remained unable to find a means of resistance, this entire world could have been in trouble if they were not able to find a way to resist.


    The people above would have taken that choice at the expense of the few people left in this country.


    ........When I thought about it, I thought it was a terrible choice at first, but then I started to think that it must have been the result of a lot of trouble.


    ''''........Lelius. I need to ask you to do a few things for me.


    ...What is it?


    "...Today I was going to hunt the demon and get some food. Only, I couldn''t find the demon and I was going to starve to death and it''s not just me.


    I see. Food, right?��Then I''ll make sure there''s enough food for everyone.


    Oh, really?


    Yeah. Even if I''m the only one showing off, it doesn''t taste so good.


    Oh, thank you, Lelius!


    Camilla''s eyes sparkled and she stood up.


    Then we gather the children in Camilla''s yard and I show them all the different dishes.


    ''Ooooh, yum!��I haven''t had a vegetable in ages!


    These burgers are crazy good, too!


    Thank you, Mr. Relius!


    It makes me smile when I see that everyone is eating happily.


    ''''Does anyone have a fire attribute magic skill?��If you''re here, we can make the ingredients and so on, and cook and so on, but...


    Oh, I can use that!


    A girl raised her hand cheerfully.


    I made a frying pan for her, full of enthusiasm.


    You really can make a frying pan like a magic trick right away!


    ''It''s so convenient ... such an awesome profession!


    ''I love it!��I wish I had a job like that!


    I''m going to put some pork on a frying pan, C-rated pork.


    You can cook it over an open fire or something. That''s what the seasoning is for.


    I prepare salt and pepper and sprinkle them on top of the meat.


    It''s probably because my level is still low.


    When I was making various things, I was up to the 7th level now.


    ''''See, it''s starting to look good, right?


    ''Wow!��It smells so good...��Yo, I''m drooling!


    The girl''s eyes sparkled. .........Next to her, Camilla was drooling as she joined the boy.


    .........Sure, it smells good.


    ''Here, how about something like this?''


    What was cooked was a simple steak.


    ........But to the kids here, it seems that a dish seasoned with seasoning is rare.


    ''.........Ugh, looks great!


    Oh, I want one, too!


    That''s not fair!


    I call out to them as they all start to eat, fighting for it.


    ''Look, guys. There''s more to come, so don''t be so impatient.


    You guys really seem to be enjoying your food.


    I''m having fun watching that, too.

 102 Chapter 99

    It''s been a long time since people have laughed this much.


    He said as he returned to her house with Camilla.


    ''''Well you''re right. I''m glad I could make you smile.


    It''s all thanks to Lelius, thank you.


    No, don''t worry about it.


    When I shook my head at that, Camilla smiled.


    ''Anyway, are we going to rest here for today?


    ''''Well yes. But I think I''m going to make some furniture.


    ''Oh, you can do that?''


    Yes, sir.


    I start making the beds right away.


    I made one at first, and then I prepared one for Camilla.


    When I prepared them, Camilla-san''s eyes widened.


    ''....It''s amazing. To make this many beds in an instant is amazing and soft.


    ''This much will be ready in no time. ........For now, I''ll take today off and try to make some things for the kids tomorrow.


    Are you sure?


    Yes. .... since this is the Kingdom of Revelsas we can''t go back to our country anytime soon.


    In that case... will you help me... to defeat the leader of Soseki?


    Of course.


    When I said that, Camilla-san smiled happily.


    .........not because of any good intentions or anything, but because that''s what I need to do.


    ........First, we need to lift the warding of this country.


    In order to lift the warding, we need to defeat the Aoshi Chieftain.


    Before we can defeat the Aoshi Chieftain, we must find Lin as well.


    ''''Thank you.......Relius. It''s very, very nice!


    ''''........I see. Anyway, let''s take a break for today. ........I''m tired of a lot of things too.


    Yeah, I got it. I''ll warm it up next to you.


    No, no, I can sleep alone!


    I lie down on the bed while pushing back Camilla-san who was sticking around.


    00


    The next day.


    I woke up in the morning and went around to my children''s house.


    I went to my children''s house and remade all the existing furniture.


    "Holy shit!


    I''ve never slept in such a soft bed!


    Well then, I guess I''ll make a weapon for everyone next time.


    Yeah ... thanks!


    After telling Camilla-san that, I hand the weapons to the children.


    ''''........Many of the children here haven''t received their divine weapons or professions yet, right?''''


    But they''re all combat trained. We''re strong enough to defend ourselves.


    I see.


    ........I just handed the dagger to a child who had just turned ten years old.


    I didn''t know that children of this age could fight.


    It was a sight that doesn''t happen often in my country.


    After I finished handing out the weapons to everyone, I handed out the potions.


    ''''Here, please use this to treat your injuries and such.


    "...wow, a potion!��It''s a valuable item that we rarely use!


    ''Yes. But I can make as much as I want, so if you get hurt in any way, use it right away.


    ''Yes!��Thank you!


    Potions are valuable? Indeed, it seemed that medicinal herbs couldn''t even grow satisfactorily in the land of this continent.


    ........Maybe it can''t be helped.


    ''''Lelius. I want to store the potions in the warehouse as well.''''


    Okay. You want me to go to the warehouse?


    Okay, this way.


    Camilla started walking and I followed her.


    Together we come to a small building. From there we go down to the basement.


    "...is this the warehouse?


    Yeah. When it was a village, it was used like a punishment cell. Now we use it as a shelter for our valuables and belongings in case of an emergency.


    ...I see.


    It''s pretty solidly built.


    This village is fifty years old. They are using the house as it was before the construction of the wards.


    This is because Camilla and the other children in the village have no knowledge of how to build a house. I can only build furniture for them, too.


    Because it''s a punishment cell, it''s lined with iron bars like a prison.


    .........At worst, if a demon comes, if you lock yourself inside these bars, you can protect yourself.


    However, since fifty years have passed, it has become very old.


    Camilla opens one of the prisons.


    You can find all sorts of luggage, emergency food and other items there.


    ''''Relius, can you prepare some potions here?''''


    I''ll just be a minute.


    Before I could get things ready for the jail, I noticed a fact.


    ...There were some papers. I grabbed up those two sheets of paper.


    ........in an ancient language I couldn''t read.


    "Do you know what this is, Camilla?


    ''Well, I don''t know. It''s from the village. Apparently, they used to use it to contribute to the development of the village, and it was very important. But I can''t read ancient language. Can you read Lelius?


    I can''t read it either. But ... maybe it''s a blueprint, I don''t know.


    Blueprints?


    Yes, sir.


    I told them about the things I could make that I''d acquired using the blueprints.


    ...a handgun or a dragon''s egg. Those things I could make even now.


    ''....Oh, great. Maybe you could make something new with these blueprints?


    ''Yes it''s just that if this was just a diary or a note or something like that we might, you know, destroy it for nothing.


    That''s okay. We just don''t have any use for it ourselves. Besides, we''re indebted to Lelius for a lot of things. If this helps Lelius in any way, feel free to use it.


    Camilla-san who gave a thumbs up.


    ........If you say so, then let''s try it right away.


    I took out my Create Hammer and immediately tried to destroy the ancient language paper.


    Then, a letter appeared in front of me.


    "It is now possible to create a golem.


    It is now possible to build a house.

 103 Chapter 100

    I was once again confirming the words that had appeared in front of me.


    ''It is now possible to create a golem.


    It is now possible to build a house.


    ........If these two things are possible, then maybe--.


    I immediately checked the new list of forges.


    Indeed, there was a golem and a house there.


    ........A house, huh?


    It seems that they decided on a point to create this too, and built a house there.


    ........Is it okay to have a foundation or something like that?


    That was the genuine question.


    ''What''s going on?''


    I returned a wry smile to Camilla, who looked at me curiously.


    "...Heh?��Home?��Golem?��Oh, did you say Lelius is a blacksmith?


    ''Yes, I know, but I''m afraid my blacksmith is a bit special.


    Isn''t that a little too special for you?


    Well, I haven''t made it yet. Can I give it a try for a moment?


    Yeah. But not here.


    I know. Let''s go upstairs.


    Camilla nodded and went to the ground.


    Then I decided to rent an empty lot next to the house where she lived and build a house.


    I was going to build a house there.


    I designated a location and unfolded what I was going to build there.


    At that moment, a picture of the room layout and other scenes appeared in my brain.


    ........The only house I could accurately build was The Migratory Bird Inn.


    So I''m going to create an inn with exactly the same structure.


    I''ll be putting my magic power into every single room from the entrance to the rooms. The furniture and such.......if it can be made, it can be made.


    So, from the kitchen to the bath, I''m going to make everything from the kitchen to the bath in my brain.


    It hurts behind my eyes.


    ........It seems that the amount of magic power consumed is quite high.


    Even with this, I''ve been training my magic power to a great extent, but even so, building a house seems to be a lot of work.


    On the way, I created a magic recovery potion and carried it to my mouth. After that, I continued to work on it.


    It would take about five minutes. When I''ve finished the entire process, I then fill it with magic power.


    It''s a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.


    Suddenly, the house appeared with a bang.


    ........The familiar ''Migratory Bird Inn'' was there.


    The one who jumped up and down was Camilla, who was standing next to me.


    I can even build something like this.


    Yeah, well,


    The Migratory Bird Inn I created was newer in construction than the one I was familiar with.


    As I wiped off my sweat, I created a magical recovery potion and drank it. My stomach was starting to churn.


    ''Can I come in?''


    Yes, I''m fine.


    I enter the inn with Camilla.


    I push open the door I don''t see anything odd about it.


    As soon as you enter, there''s a reception desk, and if you head to the left from there, you''ll find the dining room.


    ''''........wow. I can make it in such detail....


    Yes, well. After all, this is the inn where I used to live.


    Nah, I see. That''s why I was able to make it so finely.


    Maybe, yes.


    Tables and chairs are lined up in the cafeteria. It is a large dining room that can accommodate about 20 people at a time.


    There is a kitchen in the back of the dining room. There is a well-proportioned table for carrying meals.


    We go back to the first corridor. There is a bathroom and an employee''s waiting room in the back.


    Then we go upstairs.


    The second floor is lined with rooms. It''s basically a single person''s room. It''s not that big, but there are still quite a few of them.


    As I recall, it can accommodate up to about 40 people at a time, right?


    However, some of the rooms are a little bigger than one person''s room, two people''s rooms, and so on.


    There were a few more rooms that could actually be used, as they had set aside ten rooms for the employees and their parents.


    Still, Camilla was impressed with the house.


    ''It''s been a long time since I''ve had a brand new house like this...''


    Camilla goes into one room and lies down on the bed. She presses her face against the pillows and looks happy.


    ''For now, the creation of the house ... if I can understand the detailed floor plan, I think I can build it.


    Well then, if I make a floor plan or something like this, can I have Lelius build it for me?


    Yes, so if you have an idea, please let me know.


    Okay!��...and we have plenty of rooms in this inn if you would like to invite the kids from the village?


    Of course.


    When I said that, Camilla-san''s eyes lit up in a flash.


    ''Well then I''ll call everyone right away.


    Yes, I understand.


    As I say this, Camilla smiles at me and leaves the inn.


    I''m going to check out the inn again.


    .........There''s no problem with the strength or anything else. Everything is new, so it looks sturdier than before.


    Even the bathrooms ... they work fine. It''s a shower only, but it''s designed to produce hot water by building up magic power.


    ........I was wondering where the water flows to, but it seems to disappear automatically.


    The same goes for the toilet.


    Isn''t that rather more convenient than building a normal toilet?


    However, it will consume a lot of magic power.


    For now, I was puffing and puffing, so I used the bathroom.


    When I got out of the bathroom, I noticed that it was getting noisy outside.


    Maybe it was the kids from the village gathering.


    When I went outside, it was still true.


    There were a lot of kids my age and even little ones.


    They were all looking at the inn, their eyes shining.


    I quickly raised one hand to the inn.


    Welcome to the Migratory Bird Inn. I hope you have a good time.


    When I said that, the children went inside happily.

 104 Chapter 101

    Introduce the children to the inn.


    There were any number of rooms left over, so I let the children freely choose their own rooms.


    As I looked at them in the corridor, I noticed that they were fighting for a room here and there, and Camilla''s cheeks relaxed.


    ''''........Like a god.''''


    ''Not really. I can only do it in the capacity I''ve been given.


    I look at Camilla-san as I answer.


    Camilla looked at the children, her mouth relaxed.


    ''I''m glad you all seem to be having fun,''


    Yes, I''m glad you liked it.


    That''s right. Lelius. You said you could make a golem too, didn''t you?��Are you okay with that?


    ''''Oh, I was wondering about that too. Can I go make it?


    ''Yeah. I''ll go watch it with the others when I''m done, too.


    I understand.


    I left Camilla, who smiled modestly, and went out of the house.


    ........Now, how will they make the golem?


    I put my magic power into creating the golem.


    And then a letter appeared in front of me.


    Golem!


    muscle strength


    physical strength


    nimble


    magical power


    ...What''s this?��Even with accessories and such, come to think of it, there were things that enhance these things.


    Now I own those skills as well.......but what is it with the golem?


    I nodded my head and touched the letters.


    Then, it came out to ask me to put my magic power into it.


    ........I see. Let''s try it for now.


    As I put the magic power in, the muscle power stopped at 397.


    .........Is this the end of it?��Next, I noticed that I was trying to put my magic power in order: strength, agility, magic power.......


    All the other abilities stopped at 1.


    Creating with this...is indeed. Maybe this number is an indication of the golem''s ability value.


    The higher the number, the stronger that value is, and the lower the number, the weaker it is....


    I''m going to rebuild it once. ........This time I stop my strength at about 100 and put all my magic power into my physical strength.


    The number stops at 298.


    ........I see.


    I don''t know if it''s a limit due to my current level of blacksmithing, but it seems that the total number I can assign to the golem is 400.


    And it looks like it needs to be at least 1.


    Let''s just try to make them all at 100.


    I was instructed to choose a location for the golem, so I decide on a nearby garden.


    A magic circle appears and the golem appears.


    It''s a golem made of rocks about the size of an adult.


    You can see a black shadow on its face, and its two yellow eyes are shining.


    ''''Gogogo.''''


    Golem growls. He looked at me.


    He looked like he wanted some sort of order.


    "Well I''d like to see what it can do. How about you hit the ground?


    "Gogo!


    The golem raises its fist and swings it down.


    The movement would be, well, normal.


    The fist that the golem swung out, gouged out the earth.


    ........it was quite an impact.


    I, who was standing nearby, had my body shaken by the impact.


    ''''Great. Thanks, stand by for now.


    "Gogog.


    The golem waited there as he was told.


    ........You can make this just by consuming magic power?


    However, the amount of magic power consumed is moderately high. This one, just like the house, is dangerous in terms of magic power to mass-produce it.


    I''m going to infuse the magic power to start building another one.


    Let''s make it 50 or so for a test run, shall we?


    I wanted to find out how much of a difference in ability based on numbers would be.


    This time I''m going to make up a golem 2, which is all 50.


    It''s smaller than the one I just made. I think the difference is about the same as an adult and a child.


    At worst, I don''t care if it gets destroyed.


    "Gogog.


    "Gogog.


    The golems shake their fists out.


    .........Naturally, Golem 2 collapsed.


    .........As expected, it was impossible.


    As I approached the collapsed Golem 2, it seemed that I could revive it if I put my magic power into it.


    Furthermore, it seems that I can tweak the numbers here as well.


    For now, I set everything to 100 and rebuilt it, and Golem 2''s body became one size larger and stood up.


    ''''....I see. Can you use magic?


    "Gogo!


    "Gogo!


    Both nodded.


    ''Give it a try, will you? Towards a place where it won''t do any damage, you know?


    "Gogo!


    The golems pointed their fists at the sky. From there, a mass of white magic power was released.


    ...probably unattributed magic.


    If we strike, we''ll sustain some sort of injury.


    I''m gradually learning about the making of a golem.


    Strength, stamina, agility, and magic.


    I think muscle power is for offensive strength, physical strength is for defensive strength, agility is for speed, and magical power is for magical attacks.


    And I can freely assign 400 points to this, right?


    There are human guards in the village now.


    It would be much easier for everyone if the night watch and such were left to these golems.


    ''''........Can you give them skills or something?''''


    Gogo!


    The golem nodded persistently.


    ........Seriously?


    He tried to grant a skill. With the level up, the skills I''ve acquired so far have already been released.


    .........If I''m going to make him watch, visual enhancement would be good.


    It''s a skill that allows you to see your surroundings from a bird''s eye view.


    I''m going to give it to the golem to try it out.


    ".........What do you think?


    Gogo!


    The golem pointed to something as if it were reacting to something.


    ........There were children who were hiding in the house and looking at us.


    ''Wow ... it''s a golem!


    ''Wow......��Lelius, I can even build a golem!


    The children came out of the inn, along with Camilla.


    The golem looked in that direction and moved its head lightly. Maybe he''s making a conversation.


    That''s a very grateful existence.


    That was what I was wondering about.


    ''''Relius, how is it?''''


    ''Camilla. The golems are quite strong and powerful. ........So, I''d like to test them to see if they''ll work against the Souishi demons for a bit, is there a place outside the village where I can easily see them?


    ''I don''t know if it''s easy to see, but if I walk out there I can probably fight somewhere.


    ''All right. Well then, I''d like to go try out the golem for a bit, so can I go outside for once?


    ''''Then ... Lelius. I''d like to find out if the other children can use Lelius''s sword to defeat the Souishi demons. ........Can you help me with that too for a moment?


    Okay. Let''s go then.


    Yeah. Bard, I''m going outside.


    Camilla called out to me and a young man came over.


    He looked nervous and bowed to me.


    ''My name is Bard!��My divine weapon, I''m seriously incompetent, and I''d be happy if you could lend me your sword, Relius-san!


    Yes, of course.


    I make the sword and give it to Mr. Bard.


    "...It''s a nice sword. It''s light and comfortable in the hand. It''s as if it were my own divine weapon.


    It''s like the swords I make seem to be able to adapt to their opponents when I make them with them in mind.


    That''s ... convenient.


    Bard sheathes his sword and puts it on his hip.


    Then we left the village.

 105 Chapter 102

    I was walking around, thinking about the golem.


    ........I left the two golems I made earlier in the village.


    Even if I couldn''t defeat the Soseki monsters, they could at least serve as a wall.


    As I walked, I was thinking about........the ability value of the golem.


    ........The first thing is that there is no need for magic power.


    If that were to happen, 99 would be assigned to another status.


    Furthermore, it would also change depending on what role you want the golem to play.


    For example, if you only wanted to use the Golem to stop the Aoshih Demons, you wouldn''t need its power.


    All you need is enough agility to catch the Aoishi demons and enough physical strength to prevent them from being defeated after you catch them.


    ........On the other hand, if you want your child to mainly do battle, it wouldn''t be a bad idea to reduce their physical strength to a certain extent, prioritize their agility and strength, and turn them into golems that can repel the attacks of the enemy.


    It was difficult in many ways........but it was also an interesting problem.


    ''''Relius........that''s him, that blue stone monster.


    Camilla-san pointed a finger at me. When I looked in that direction, there was indeed a demon.


    ........A blue stone demon. When I stared at it, I could see a blue demon stone.


    Two in number, huh? It would be just right for an experiment.


    For now, I''ll let the golem rush in first. After defeating one of them, let''s have Bard-san fight them.


    Wouldn''t this be safer?


    They both nodded at my suggestion with that in mind.


    I roughly built up the golem.


    Golem three.


    Muscle strength 159.


    Strength 70.


    Agility 170


    Magic power 1


    Slightly, the reason I swung with agility is because the golem isn''t that fast on its feet.


    The golem that was produced is slimmer than ever before.


    .........Perhaps it is produced under the influence of the highest numerical value.


    ''''Golem. Go finish off one of the blue stone demons over there.''''


    "Gogog.


    After the golem replied that, he stomped on the earth as hard as he could.


    ........fast. Much faster than I imagined.


    The blue stone demons who noticed the golem''s approach jumped at the golem.


    ''''That blue stone demon is also a Wolf species, right?


    There''s a lot of wolves around here. I think it''s mostly based on wolves.


    Golem''s fist is dodged by Wolf.


    Wolf covers up, but Golem takes it well.


    He swings his fist down at the covered Wolf.


    Wolf, who originally had a grotesque appearance as if a corpse had moved, was crushed by Golem''s fist to the point where it was impossible to recognize its original form.


    ........There was no sign of the blue stone demon starting to move.


    Just as I ordered, the golem stops moving. Wolf attacks such a golem.


    "Mr. Bard, please go ahead.


    ''Oh, oh!��I understand!


    Mr. Bard draws his sword from its sheath and runs out.


    ''''Well that''s a pretty good move.


    I am the leader of the village children.


    Somewhere, Camilla-san proudly holds her chest.


    Camilla-san has her hand on the hilt of the sword held at her waist in a mid-stride posture, as if she were to be able to enter into an aide to the sword at any time.


    If it was impossible, I would immediately concentrate on being able to help Bard-san.


    Bard-san is closing in on Wolf''s back, closing in on him.


    The golem''s body collapses as Wolf''s attack is about to hit it. Just as he was being replaced, Bard leapt at it.


    Until then, Wolf had stopped fighting the golem, perhaps because he had been fighting it.


    To such a back, Baldo-san slashed at it.


    Bard, who had cut Wolf in two, then watched Wolf intently.


    He didn''t move or let it out. Splendidly, the Wolf was lying on the ground with its body cut off both ways.


    ........It seems to be fine.


    Lelius, that''s great. .........until now, we have found two ways to resist the demons of the blue stone, who hadn''t been able to find any means of resistance at all, all at once.


    ''''Well it''s not so much my greatness as it is the profession of a blacksmith.


    Lelius is lucky to have it, and his luck is great.


    ...Yes.


    At the moment I got it, the hazing was a hazing too... but now I knew there was nothing else as useful as this.


    We approach Mr. Bard.


    ''''........Mr. Bard?''''


    Mr. Bard froze when he saw Wolf''s body.


    ........Is he surprised that he killed it for the first time or something?


    Are you okay?


    Ms. Camilla tilted her head and asked, and Mr. Bard looked up, as if he was relieved to see her.


    Then she smiled happily.


    I was able to beat him.


    Yeah. Good job.


    Thank you very much, Camilla... and Mr. Relius!


    Mr. Bard bowed quickly and then sheathed his sword.


    ''Oh, I beat you too!��Thanks to Mr. Lelius'' sword!��Now we can feel better about our beaten friends!


    ''''........Yes. From now on, let''s do our best to fight.


    Yes!


    Mr. Bard clenches his fists. Her cheeks turn a little red and tears come to her eyes.


    Camilla came to look at me while thumping Bard-san''s back as she started to cry.


    ''Lelius I know this might be a lot of work, but can I have you make weapons for everyone in the village?''


    ''Of course. I''ll make more golems when we get back to the village.


    Thank you.


    Camilla-san loosens her cheeks.


    ........For now, it looks like we can stabilize our lives here.

 106 103 cm

    The news that Balto-san had used my sword to defeat the blue stone demon quickly spread throughout the village.


    I made a batch of swords and put them in a nearby box.


    I made them and put them in a nearby box so that each of the villagers could use them freely.


    After I finished preparing the sword, the next thing I wanted to do was to rebuild the village.


    "Thank you, Lerius, for all your swords.


    Camilla, who had been distributing them, came back to us.


    ''''It''s fine. You can level me up, too.''''


    I have the capacity to be a blacksmith now.


    If I don''t have to put away what I''ve made, that''s how much I''ll level up.


    I just raised my level to 11. My current capacity is 110. ........Well, it''s not likely that it will ever be full.


    I see. So what are you up to now?


    I just think we should rebuild the village.


    "...Oh, really?��I was going to talk to you about that.


    ''Oh, really?''


    This was just meant to be an incidental part of my leveling up.


    Building a house or something like that can be a rather good experience.


    But you can''t just build whatever you want there, you know....


    There are other villages. We wanted to bring those people here and, if possible, get them all to work together.


    Well it''s certainly safer that way, isn''t it?


    ''Yeah. That''s why I was hoping to get Lelius to set up some houses for me.


    ''I understand. If that''s the case, is it okay for me to make whatever I want, too?


    Yes, please.


    The only problem is that I can only build the same house?


    It''s possible to recreate the Migratory Bird Innkeeper in my brain, but other than that it''s not so easy.


    I think it''s possible to create at least one room. For example, Fira-san''s room.......or a nearby shop.


    I remember the shop on Adventurer''s Alley in my brain and create it right in front of me.


    The resulting house is a weapon shop with only one room.


    ...Maybe there''s a room behind the cash register where the owner always sits, but I don''t know because I''ve never been in there, so there''s no way to get beyond that.


    ''Wow!��They''re building another house!


    ........but the kids seem to enjoy going inside.


    I go inside and prepare enough furniture to live in at least, and then leave the house.


    ''Anyone with my abilities can do it. Speaking of which, Camilla. There aren''t too many adults in this village, but what about the other places?


    Camilla chuckles at my question.


    ''You have to reach adulthood to be given a divine weapon. That''s about the right age to be able to hunt demons... because of the dangers... and I think it''s a similar situation everywhere.


    ''''........I see. Why doesn''t God give us divine artifacts and professions from the time we are born?


    That''s all I can say.


    ...or so I thought at one time.


    When I heard that my parents had been killed by a monster I didn''t have the strength to fight.


    I was disappointed. When I thought about it, I understood a little more why Mr. Bard seemed to hold my sword so carefully.


    ''I really do. But now I was still on the lucky side. Lelius came to me.


    I don''t know who did it, though.


    Maybe it''s not God. God''s a mean man.


    Camilla cowered her shoulders.


    ''Camilla-san. Do you know who''s nearby or something?��I''d like to protect them as soon as possible, if possible, because I think it could help us find Lynn.


    ''There was a town about six months ago, just east of here. I just don''t know much more than that.


    Well, I guess we''ll have to look for that first, then.


    I exhaled lightly after building a few more houses.


    I drank the magic recovery potion at once to restore my magic power.


    For the defense of the city, I prepared about 30 golems.


    As expected, if there were this many of them, even if the town was attacked, they would somehow be able to fight off the attackers.


    That''s what I was thinking.


    A woman came in.


    ''''Ah, um ... Lelius-san.''''


    Excuse me?


    When I asked her that, the woman lifted her shoulders in surprise.


    ''''Well....


    I look at Camilla in annoyance.


    ''She''s a Bian. She''s a shy girl.


    ...Okay, I see. So, um?


    When I asked again, Bian-san opened her mouth to hide behind Camilla-san.


    ''Bubo, is it possible to build a........barrier........?


    I''m sorry, a barricade?


    I''m sorry!��You can''t make one, right?��I''m sorry for asking such a strange question!


    A wall, eh?


    I''m going to try to imagine it in my mind.


    You said house, but it''s not just about building something that looks like a house.


    For example, how about just building a wall?


    With the house-made screen unfolding in my brain, I produce only the part of the wall.


    Then it unfolds in front of me.


    A wall about the same size as mine has been created there.


    ''You can make something like this. ........If you consume a certain amount of magic, I think you can make something even bigger.


    ''''Well that''s right!��Then we could cover the perimeter of the village, like a barrier or something...


    ''I see... just can''t imagine much...''


    Well, it would be better to have them this time, although I don''t think it''s necessary to have them.


    As I was thinking, Bian took out a book.


    It was an old book. When I approached, Bian Bian''s face turned bright red and she grabbed Camilla in a tight grip.


    This is the book on the wall.


    ...I see.


    Maybe someone in the village was involved in the construction of the fortification wall.


    There were pictures and text on the wall and castle regarding the bulwark and castle.


    ........just a lot of technical knowledge. I flipped through it, but I wasn''t too sure exactly what it was.


    ''''Well that''s... so... well...


    Mr. Bian handed me more paper.


    ''Heeh!''


    Mr. Biane shudders.


    Then he distances himself from me and gets teary-eyed.


    ''''........Is this like a blueprint?''''


    Yes, sir.


    ...I see. It''s true that I might be able to build this.


    However, there''s still a lot of this that I can''t even imagine.


    ''Mr. Bian. I''d like to build these as small models first. ........If you can, will you help me?


    Yes...... I, I wanted to do something for the village too...!


    Thank you. Well, then, I''ll get right to work.


    ...Just a barrier to cover the entire village, huh?


    That''s going to take a lot of magic.

 107 104 cm

    The defensive wall was built in an approximate square around the village.


    First I made a model of a house at my feet to show the center of the village.


    It is quite small in size. The plan was to build something that could be carried with both hands, including the bulwark.


    Then I built a square of the wall around it.


    ''First of all, the basics look like this, right?''


    Well yes, well I think this defensive wall should be much thicker. And also, please build towers in these four corners so that we can climb on top of the bulwark.


    ...I see. The inside of the tower is a ladder?��Or is it the stairs or something?


    I think a spiral staircase would be good...


    ...I see.


    I''m going to build it as you said.


    I''ll make the tower separately so that you can see the inside of the tower.


    ...like this?


    Or, can you put a window in the wall and get some light?


    Biane tells me as I peer inside.


    We should be working on the basics.


    We complete the tower and connect it to the barrier.


    I placed them in the four corners so that we can get out of them on either side.


    We''ve prepared a space where you can live lightly on top of the tower, or use it as a resting place.


    ''''........Will this be complete?


    Oh, and I''d like a bumpy part on top of the barrier.


    Oh, there is such a thing...


    Oh, no!��When it comes to barrier protection, this is it!��I''m sorry, I''m sorry...


    Bian says excitedly.


    As I recall, that bumpy surface is there to keep the enemy there with a bow or something from there?


    What''s that all about?


    I ask as one of the interactions, and Biane snorts when I ask.


    ''Oh, that''s one to attack while hiding from enemy attacks!��A barrier without that is not a barrier!


    Ha, ha....I see.


    Mr. Bian seems to be a lot more passionate about these things than I assumed.......


    It''s best not to talk too much and just listen. My gut tells me that.


    After that, we took Bian''s ideas into account as we built the defensive wall.


    When Bian looked at the model that showed the whole picture of the village, her eyes were already shining with joy.


    ''''Wow........this is really something that can be built so freely and in so many ways.......!


    Even her nose is bleeding, and Biane''s face is close to the protective wall I''ve created.


    While my cheeks are slightly tugged at Bian-san''s condition, I check with her.


    ''''Is it correct that the barrier is now complete?


    But I think he''s gonna be okay!


    I understand. I''ll use this as a reference for making it.......and I don''t know much about houses. In the future, if you have a house that you think you might need, it would be great if you could think of another one for me.


    Oh, really...?


    Yes, that''s very helpful to me.


    Okay, okay!


    Bian smiled happily.


    It was then. The children came over to us.


    ''Big sister Bian!��Let''s play together!


    Oh, yes.......... So, then..........��Another time, please!


    "...yes. Thank you very much.


    Mr. Biane left with the children.


    Camilla, who was watching the whole thing, came over to us with a wry smile.


    ''Lelius seems to have quite a talent for womanizing, to treat Bian that well.


    Well no, not really.


    ''Bian, I''m not very good with people, especially men. Lelius may be the first one to get me to talk that well.


    It just so happens that her interests and my abilities coincide, don''t they?


    ''Still. Bian, I''m not much of a fighter, so I had to take care of the kids a lot. We''ve been a big help, but Bian was pretty concerned about them, so I guess he was happy to be able to do a lot of work for the village this time.


    ''''....I see. Then I''ll have your help in the future when we build houses.


    ''Yes, I wish Lelius would speak to him.


    Okay.


    I look at the model I made with Bian-san and then I unfold the magic in my brain.


    ''Camilla-san. I''m going to concentrate for a moment I''m going to close my eyes for a while.


    "...All right. I''ll go check on the village for a bit.


    Yes, sir.


    I picture the whole picture of the village as I build the defensive wall.


    It was easy to imagine, probably because I had built a small village earlier.


    First of all, I built the fortification wall. The walkway of the wall is carefully constructed.


    Then we build the towers at the four corners.


    Building the interior of the tower. All of this is done in consultation with Mr. Bian.


    And then we will build the gates to the four walls.


    The activation of the gate is done by using the magic stones inside the tower. The circuitry that works when magic power is flowed through it will be connected.


    In case it malfunctions, I will prepare a manual opening and closing operation so that it can be opened manually.


    It was suggested that the height of the barrier should be about 5 meters.


    If it was too high, it would provide too much shade. It''s not that we are waging a war. The only demons around here that we should be wary of are the blue stone demons that run on the ground.


    In fact, if it''s a flying demon, it doesn''t matter how high the barrier is, it doesn''t matter how much it''s raised.


    The walls will be as thick as possible.


    I manage to produce the whole thing while taking a break in the middle.


    And - it''s all finished.


    All that''s left is to unfold it.


    Just then, Camilla-san came over.


    ''Did you finish it?''


    ''Yes, sir. We''re going to install it now.


    Yeah. Bian, it''s done.


    Camilla called out, and Bian and the children were nearby.


    ........I''m worried that Bian-san will be angry with me.


    I thought I''d made it just as I was told, but...


    I packed up my magic and deployed a magic circle and a defensive wall to cover the village.

 108 Chapter 105

    A protective wall was deployed to cover the perimeter of the village.


    ........Maybe it would have been better to go ahead and explain it to everyone first.


    As I walked towards the barrier, Bian, who was with the children, looked on in amazement.


    ''What do you think, Miss Biane?''


    Oh, my God...��This is the same construction as the model we saw earlier!


    Yes that''s what I had in mind to build it that way.


    The children looked at me.


    The children, their eyes shining, pointed to the tower.


    ''Lelius!��Can I come in there!


    Yes, please feel free to look around.


    When I replied, the children''s eyes lit up more and more, and then they ran towards the tower.


    Mr. Bian approached as the children pulled me closer.


    And then the village youths, who had been standing outside and near the village as if to protect it, came over to us.


    The swords that many of them are carrying at their waists are the ones I have prepared for them.


    Mr. Bard asked me to represent him.


    ''Le, did you make it, Lelius-san?


    ''Yes, sir. So I think it will be okay if there is one person in the room prepared in the tower who will be contacted by the golems........... Would you like to actually go inside?


    Yes.....


    Along with Mr. Bard and the others, we head to a nearby tower and gate.


    Next to the gate, there is an operation room for opening the gate.


    The interior has furniture that I made up, so if you ignore the fact that it''s somewhat small, you can live there.


    ''''........Wow!��It''s nothing like the house we''ve been living in!


    Everyone seems to be happy about it.


    We move to the tower. Go up the spiral staircase to reach the top floor.


    First, there is a room where the guards can live. Then, there are doors that lead to the left and right corridors.


    When I opened the door on the right, a slender golem was just walking down the walkway.


    ''''Gosh, golems.......these are also the golems that can defeat the blue stone demons that Relius-san created, right?''''


    Yes, sir. They will be on guard day and night. If anything goes wrong, they will use these installed bells to let you know.


    The walkway has a bell set up in the middle of the walkway.


    Striking it would tell the entire village in an instant that something had happened.


    This, too, was Biane''s suggestion.


    ''''........Wow, this is amazing.''''


    This makes it a lot easier to keep watch.


    ''Right. Even at night, you can just rest basically and let the golems wake you up.


    The young men are right. That''s why we have space to live in the watchtower.


    If anything happens, the golems in this walkway will simply go to the tower and wake up the guards there.


    For that reason, all the golems here are built with agility in mind.


    Bian and the others, who were moving in the opposite direction from us, seem to have noticed us and are walking over.


    .........Well, will it be okay?


    In the meantime, I made it according to Bian-san''s instructions.


    But Bian-san was quite spirited in her guidance........


    If I differed even slightly from her request, I might get some attention.


    I greet Bian-san with a nervous feeling. Ms. Biane stops in front of me.


    Well, Mr. Relius you are perfect.


    I smiled at him. He was somewhat excited.


    I patted my chest in relief at Bian''s words.


    ''Thank you, Lelius. Now.........the village is all the stronger.


    ''''No, don''t worry about it. It''s just like I made it while I was leveling up.


    I check my blacksmith''s level.


    The level has risen to 15.


    ........As expected, it took me nearly half a day to build this defensive wall.


    The sun was about to set and the setting sun could be seen.


    I watched the scene from the walkway.


    ''''It''s... beautiful.''''


    Camilla-san narrowed her eyes and watched the sunset.


    ........I suddenly wondered.


    ''''Vampire species aren''t very good at the sun, right?��Is Camilla-san okay?


    My hobby is sunbathing.


    Oh, I see.


    Well, I''m half and half. I have no problem with that.


    Camilla smiled and then turned her gaze downward.


    Her expression turned grim.


    At the same time.


    The bell was struck strongly with a bang.


    ........What is it?


    As if mumbling, Mr. Bard turned his gaze to the golem.


    The golem pointed a finger outward.


    At that time, Camilla-san was spreading her wings.


    ........Those wings, which were usually small, grew larger.


    ''''Relius, outside the gate........''''


    Where Camilla-san pointed........there was a person covered in wounds.


    Following him were the Blue Stone Demons.


    There are three Ao-Shi demons. They had probably escaped after being attacked.


    ''''Mr. Bard, please go open the gate at once.


    I call out to him, and Mr. Bard salutes.


    ''Ha, yes!��But how do you open it?


    "...Mr. Bian!��Do you understand?!


    I quickly looked at Biane and she bounced her shoulders up and down before nodding her head in agreement.


    ''Ha, yes good!��We''ll take care of it!


    Then, please! Camilla, please let me down on the other side of the gate with you!


    Camilla-san''s wings must have grown in size to go directly to help.


    At my words, Camilla-san extended one hand with a smile.


    ''Have you ever flown?''


    That''s a first for you, isn''t it?


    All right, well, I''ll make it an awesome memory for you.


    Camilla and I jumped up from the unevenness of the walkway.


    ........five meters below. It was much higher than I had imagined.