CH 56

By Antoinette Vanessa December 5, 2021

After being advised over how to run a store by Doga, we returned to the workshop.

At the smithy, I proceeded to prepare for work and lit a flame in the furnace.

“So, will you be making decorations from now on?”

“Yes, it’s going to take time as it’s my first time.”

“I see. Besides, it isn’t your top priority. Then, what are you going to make?”

“A kitchen knife.”

I put the wooden box I was holding with both hands on the floor.

It made a rattling noise, and informed its surroundings that its contents were made of metal.

“I’ve already made some swords and weapons. Therefore, I’m going to make a knife for display at the rally.”

“I see, then I’ll join Liliana at the next rally~!”

“…Why did you come along with us?”

I had the same question as Grave.

When I said that I was going to return, Doga insisted upon coming with us for some reason.

With arms crossed, Doga inspected my work.

“…I could feel it, a new breeze! A blacksmith’s new breeze! Hence, I thought I’d be allowed to visit!”

“What are you talking about…? What about your store?”

“It isn’t like I’m taking a day off! I’m at this smithy for training purposes! The tour is part of it!”

Technology was something to see… and steal.

A long time ago, my master said such a thing.

It was many times more memorable to watch and learn than to be taught in words.

I also often observed the work of my master during my blacksmith training.

“…Hmm, as long as Liliana is fine with it, I guess.”

“I’m fine with it.”

“As expected of Liliana! I will be sure to study properly!”

I never thought that I’d be in a position where someone would learn from me.

I felt refreshed when I realized that life was full of unexpected developments.

Well, the necessary materials were ready.

The feel of the fire also felt good.

Its temperature and color were also ready.

I could start working immediately.

“Then, I will start working, too.”

“Oh? Won’t you watch her, Grave?”

“I’m not here for a tour? In term of blacksmithing, there’s nothing I can do to help. I’ll support her with other things.”

Grave had a book in his right hand.

Listed in there were the names and values of the materials.

He’d decide the price of the products on display using the requests as references.

Grave would also be managing the existing materials.

Personally, I didn’t know anything other than blacksmithing. As for Grave, he usually helped Teresia in the guild.

He also had more experience in accounting and management than an amateur.

Far from entrusting it to me, it seemed that the work would be completed many times faster this way.

“Hohe~ what a shame, you’ll miss the opportunity to see Liliana in action.”

“It’s indeed amazing. Honestly, I don’t think anything will amaze me beyond this point. I’ll be going back and forth around the front, so please call me if anything happens.”

“Yes, I will do that.”

“Leave it to me. Oh, one thing before that…”

Grave directed his gaze towards the back of the smithy.

The opposite side of the place where the flame was handled.

A large amount of materials had been piled up in the corner where the materials were stored.

Each one was valuable.

If one were to attempt to obtain any of them through normal means, that person would have to go on grand expeditions on a daily basis.

“What are you going to do with Ibris’ souvenirs?”

“Hmm… I wonder what should I do…”

Those materials were left behind by Ibris.

Before I started making his sword, he offered me those materials.

The unused materials were given to me by him.

“I forgot to mention this, but what did he say about them?”

“I can use them as I like, he no longer needs them.”

“If so, then isn’t using them just fine? They’ll just end up taking space if you don’t?”

“That’s right…”

They were all precious materials.

I felt guilty about getting valuables that I couldn’t get for free.

At that time, I intended to give them back once I finished his sword. However, I was told that I could do whatever I liked with them.

Considering his dynamic personality, I didn’t think he’d mind if I were to use them without permission.

“You seem distracted.”

“I must be overthinking this. I don’t want to be indebted to him.”

“Then, let me use them!”

Doga laughed vigorously.

That part of him was similar to Ibris. The two seemed to have the same wavelength.

“Won’t they end up becoming a hindrance if you don’t use them?”

“Even if you say that, there’s no place else to put them. I can move it to the guild warehouse, but I don’t want to take up the space, especially for items I wouldn’t be using. Even if they do get used, it’ll take time to transfer them one by one.”

“I see, hence you left them as they were.”

“That’s basically it.”

As Doga said, unattended, they’d just become a hindrance.

In fact, they already occupied a quarter of the smithy.

If the number of requests increased, they’d become more of a hindrance.

I felt sorry for treating the things Ibris left behind as obstacles.

“If so, how about buying them?”

“What? These materials?”

“Yes, if you buy them first and eventually sell products that use them, you’ll be returning the money for the materials Ibris gave you. Then, it wouldn’t be considered borrowing. You wouldn’t owe him anything, and he’d have money he could freely spend in the city. It’s a win-win.”

“That’s right… alright, maybe that’s the right choice.”

It was a great offer for both Ibris and us.

Of course, the products had to sell, first.

“There’s no way Liliana’s products won’t sell!”

“Leave the selling to me.”

The two people said so, and I was confident that I could make good items.

As I thought, it’d be a shame to not use them. After all, there were precious materials in front of me.

They were my only souvenirs from the Demon King, therefore, I had to make good use of them.

***T/N: It’s just… the author is trying hard to make a conflict that isn’t a conflict a conflict in this chapter…