Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Performance of the Pickaxe Part 3

Outside Lisa's shop, Chloe had continued to resist until the end.

However, just then, Lisa emerged from the shop and upon seeing Chloe, she twitched and froze.

"Jin, it's been a while. Is this child the one you mentioned last time, Jin?"

"Yeah, it's been a while. This is Chloe, a member of my group. I brought her here in a nervous and frightened state after hearing rumors about Lisa, so she's frozen stiff with tension and fear."

"...You're quite cruel. Well, come inside for now. If you stay outside, you might attract troublesome people."

After Lisa said that, I, feeling stiff with tension, led Chloe into the shop.

"So, what brought you here today? It doesn't seem like you're just here for introductions."

"I did plan on that originally... but I hurried here to see Lisa because I got my hands on something dangerous."

"Dangerous?"

In response to my words, Lisa's eyes widened as I presented the Spatial Box and Mithril.

"What is that! Why does Jin have that?"

"I found it and mined it today. It was a struggle to mine it. I obtained it after an intense battle that lasted an hour."

"...From what I heard, you didn't mine anything until you got my pickaxe, right? How did you manage to mine Mithril with it?"

"The pickaxe's performance is excellent. It's undoubtedly because it's your custom-made pickaxe, Lisa-sama."

"Don't make fun of me in a weird way. ...But anyway, this Mithril has been mined beautifully. It's in perfect condition without a single scratch. If I use this, I can create something amazing."

Lisa gazed at the Mithril with seriousness and evaluated it.

Taking this opportunity, I told Lisa about what I wanted her to craft using the Mithril.

"So, are you asking me to work on this Mithril? There are people in the capital who are better at handling Mithril than I am, you know?"

"That's true, I think that person is skilled... but that person doesn't have 'that.'"

While looking at the smelting furnace in the back of the workshop, I said this.

"I know the greatness of 'that' from the last pickaxe. That's why I think it's best to entrust this to you, Lisa, who has good skills and possesses that furnace... and I thought you might want to try working with Mithril too."

"...Are you asking me whether I want to touch it or not? Of course, I'd want to touch it. Rare ores aren't readily available, so they're quite sought after among blacksmiths."

"Well, if Lisa didn't like me and didn't want to do it, I'd look elsewhere."

Saying that, I tried to put the Mithril back into the Spatial Box.

At that moment, Lisa sharply halted me with a shout. "Wait!"

"Did I ever say I didn't like Jin? Since the time you brought the gold ingots, I decided I'd craft anything you asked for. So give me that Mithril."

While giving me a piercing look, Lisa said this, so I handed over the Mithril, saying, "Don't give me that intense look, it was a joke."

"From what I heard, Lisa only makes things for people she likes. But from this conversation, it seems like if someone brings a rare ore, you would accept the request."

"If it's someone I don't know or don't like, it doesn't really matter what they bring. But if it's someone I like, I'd want to prevent other blacksmiths from snatching it away. It's a sort of possessiveness."

While saying this, Lisa held the Mithril and looked at it with a fascinated expression.

Afterward, Lisa inquired about what I wanted her to craft and I requested the item I had in mind since before coming here.

"This time, it's a normal request, huh? I was half expecting you to ask for something weird again."

"I don't always ask for weird things. And the pickaxe wasn't weird; it was something necessary. Thanks to it, I have what I'm holding now."

"That's true. I shouldn't make fun of it too much."

Saying so, Lisa momentarily went to the back of the shop to store the Mithril and returned.

Then, with Chloe still stiff with fear, she approached and began to pat her head gently.

"Eek!?"

"I understand you're scared because of the rumors about me, but you don't need to be that frightened. As long as I like someone, I won't get angry at them unless something extreme happens."

Saying this kindly to Chloe, Lisa continued to pat her head, and Chloe's tension gradually eased.

"Oh, um, I'm okay now. I'm sorry..."

"It's alright, it's alright. I'm aware that I'm the one scaring you. I've even frightened nobles before, so it's not surprising that Chloe is scared. I don't mind as long as I like the person."

Speaking gently, Lisa continued to stroke Chloe's head, and Chloe's fear began to dissipate.

After a while, Chloe, who had finally relaxed, exchanged greetings with Lisa once again.

"By the way, Lisa, about the item I ordered earlier, how long will it take to be ready?"

"Let's see. I'll start working on it soon... well, it should be ready by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, huh... I'll come to pick it up then. It's my day off from work anyway."

Saying this, on the day that was supposed to be our final day of dungeon exploration, I left Lisa's shop after telling her I'd come to pick up the item I requested.

After that, since we didn't have anything else to do, we headed back to the castle, and upon returning early, we reported our activities to the princess.

"Your expression, is something up again?"

"I've brought back a good story this time. Right, Chloe?"

"Yes, I think the princess will be absolutely delighted."

"Hmm, now Chloe is saying that too."

"However, since the preparations will take until tomorrow, would it be alright to discuss the dungeon exploration from today tomorrow?"

As I said this, the princess responded, "Yes, you surprised me last time, so I don't mind," as she had promised last time.

By the way, as a reward for the surprise, Chloe and I each received increased rewards and a magic tool from the princess.

After that, since we decided to discuss everything tomorrow, we left the princess's room.

At that point, we disbanded for the day, as there was nothing else to do.