Going to the Blacksmith

Moving over the dirt road under the night sky, Faruk and Dux talk about trivial things.

"Using secretive communication from blinking in succession was some interesting method, Dux."

"Why, yes! No one would notice what we're talking about if we're using that. After all, it is one of my innovations, nyuhu!"

"Hm. Perhaps I will teach Oria about it."

"Nyehe. I'd love to see that one, man. Though, it was surprising that you learned how to do it so quickly, as if you're a natural at it."

"That may be caused by a certain skill of mine. Though, who knows? It might be caused by something else…"

"Maaaybe your Guardia powers weren't totally gone, Faruk?"

"I doubt that. During my imprisonment, I've checked that my authority as a Guardia was stripped. By that, my powers as a Guardia also disappear."

"Nyeah… You've a point."

"(If I still have my Guardia powers… I maybe would've known who was that powerful presence that entered Raskiel.)"

A short silence befalls upon them. Faruk switches the topic to something else to lighten the mood.

"Hm… Fred isn't a lively village, is it not? When did it first appear?"

"Nyoh… I think it was around 100 years ago. It was formed by a group of adventurers who wanted to live peacefully far from civilization. Though, the nearest city from here is roughly three to five days of trip, and that's on riding a horse or a wagon."

"Huh… interesting. For a village deep in this treacherous region, it's quite advanced. They have magistone lights that repel monsters, and even the road was paved as if it was a city."

"I know. Pretty cool, right?"

"Hm."

Another silence. They can continue talking through the night without ever worrying about getting attacked by monsters, thanks to Dux's presence. But right now, Faruk is still bothered by that powerful presence, although now it is gone. And while thinking of it, he remembers something about Oria.

"Hey, Dux."

"Nyuhum?"

"I just remembered something. Oria said something to me back when we're in the dungeon."

"Oh, what did she say?"

"Hm. She claimed to have a ruler skill. Diligence."

"W-What?"

"We've both appraised her. Yet, when I checked her skills, the [Diligence] skill is nowhere in her list. But she claimed she had it."

"Nyehm… this is the first time I heard of it, Faruk. I've never seen such skill, too."

"Hmph. I figured as much. I just hope Oria was mistaken about one of her skills to be that. After all, having a ruler skill will award an unwanted skill that will threaten her life."

"Yeah… I agree with you," but in Dux mind, he thinks otherwise. "(What I said was a lie. Of course, I know about the [Diligence] skill she had after I appraised her. I wanted to ask you about it, too, but I just know you won't be happy to hear it since you're formerly a Guardia. And I was right.

I see. So, it turns out you can't see them, eh, Faruk? I wonder why… maybe it was caused by Oria's odd skill, the [E-404]. Who knows…? I just hope no disaster will come from it.)"

…

..

.

Morning comes.

The ray of light from the sun awakens all from their sleep. But even so, people of Fred Village have already started working again before any morning light alights the village. Including the boutique shop.

After having a breakfast and a bath, Oria helps them do the chores. She kept silent about her sneaking out during the night. Granny Poly already knew about it, though, but she too kept quiet about it.

"Alright, it's done!"

"Good work, Oria," Katze smilingly said as she herself just finished preparing the store for opening.

"Heehee. Thanks."

As the shop is ready for business, Oria goes upstairs to her room and grabs the sack of magistones that Dux gave her last night.

"Alright… time to go to the blacksmith. Oh, yeah… what am I going to say to Miss Katze and Granny about these?"

"—What do you mean?"

"Eeek!"

Suddenly Katze appeared on her doorstep, shocking the little girl.

"M-Miss Katze? Y-You surprised me!"

"Haha. Sorry, sorry. What's that, by the way?"

Breathing relief, Oria then tells her about the item, "Well, this is… (Oh, no. What am I going to say to her?) …this is uhh, the magistones I told you before!"

"Huh? Didn't I tell you they're just rocks? Come here, let me see," Katze approached her and inspects the so-called rocks. Gazing at those shiny and colorful stones, she's surprised.

"These… kinda look like the real deal. But I'm not too sure… anyway, what are you gonna do with it?"

"Well… I was planning to go to the blacksmith."

"Yeah, that's the right call. Perhaps Old Man Marcus might know whether these are real. Though, I believe they're not. It's not easy to find magistones on the open field, after all."

Somehow managing to dodge her suspicion, Oria hurries to wear her dress and ask Mrs. Poly to take her to the blacksmith. Just as she got to the first floor, the old woman is wearing an apron and is tidying the shop counter.

"Umm… Granny, I'd like to go to the blacksmith," Oria asked to her.

"Oh? Why do you want to go there?"

"Erm…"

Katze, going down the stairs explains it to her, "She wants to check those rocks, Granny. They looked very much like magistones, but without further inspection, it's still in the air."

"Keh-heh-heh. I see. You'll go, Katze."

"Eh? Me?"

"Yeah. Today, I'll be taking care of the shop. After all those things happening yesterday, I reckon you might need some well-deserved rest, heh-heh."

"Don't make a fool out of me, Granny. I'm okay. Moreover, isn't it too much for you to oversee the entire store?"

"Oh, come on, now. Let me do this for once. I'm bored knitting and sewing all day long. Why not accompany Oria? Spend some quality time together, heh-heh."

"W-Well…" Katze looked at Oria's adorable pleading face. Seeing her like that makes the red-haired woman unable to resist. "Oh, my, you're so cute! Eerrrgh… Fine, then! I will go! Granny! Don't mess up the order I made for the clothes and dresses, alright?"

"Keh-heh. Fret not, Katze. I'm not as stupid as you are, heh-heh."

"Oh, shuddap. Oria, wait for me, okay? I'll get myself ready. I'll get you a scarf, too!" the red-haired woman said as she rushed upstairs.

After that, Katze wears a brown wool jacket over her working clothes. Meanwhile, Oria is given a blue-white striped scarf. With that, they're ready to go.

"Oh, I nearly forgot… Katze, don't forget to stop by the chapel."

"Eh? What for?"

"I brought Oria to Priestess Rosine, and well, you know the rest."

Katze knows Priestess Rosine quite well, especially her ability in the arts of healing. Hearing her grandmother brought Oria to the serene lady tells her enough of the full picture.

"Ah, I see. I'll go there, then."

Meanwhile, Oria just remembers that. "Oh, yeah… I remember Miss Rosine is willing to teach me healing magic, today…"

With that, they're on the road now. The wind is cooler than yesterday, causing everyone to wear warm clothes as they work. Although some prefers to wear simple clothes since heavy working causes heat in their bodies.

After some time, they reach the other edge of the village, where the blacksmith and the village chapel are.

"Well, that's the blacksmith, Oria," Katze stated as she pointed out the building with the obvious smoking chimney. "Mr. Marcus runs the blacksmith. He's uhh… not the nicest person you're going to see today."

"Hm? (I remember Dux said something like that last night…)"

They go to the blacksmith, where they find some men already smithing weapons. Most of them are working on a spear-type weapon while some are making arrows and bows. As the two enters the blacksmith, their bodies sense nothing but scorching temperature. The cold air outside is totally unfelt in there.

"Uwaah…"

"Huh, seems everyone's working hard."

Soon, someone by the furnace notices their arrival.

"Oh! Katze, is it? Welcome! What brings you here?"

"Yo. Nice to see ya. Is Old Man Marcus here?"

"Ah, he's here, he's here. He's at his personal furnace, working on some swords," the guy pointed out.

"Oh, cool, thanks. Come on, Oria."

"O-Okay… (Phew, i-it's really hot in here… how come these guys can survive in this heat?)"

Going to the furthest room in the back, they eventually reach someone smithing a sword near a weirdly shaped furnace.

"(That must be him…)" Oria thought.

"Yo, Mr. Marcus. Sorry to bother, but can I ask you something?" Katze asked to the visored middle-aged man.

"Huh? Katze? Is that you?" the man replied as he lifted his safety goggles. His voice is horribly husky. "Whaddaya want?"

"Someone wants to see you. Oria, come here."

"Y-Yes…"

As the little girl approached the guy, she realizes one thing about the man.

"(H-He's huge…)"

The man in front of her is muscular and tall. He sports a short tan hair with thick sideburns and beard that made him look like a fancy old man. His hair may be turning white, but his strength and spirit is still that of a passionate young man working to their fullest extent.

"What's a little girl doin' in my workshop, ah? This isn't a playground for you."

"U-Umm… a-allow me to introduce myself. My name is Oria Argentora. It's a pleasure to meet you, um…"

"Huh, for a girl of your age, you're very polite, I'll give you that. The name's Marcus. Marcus Aldhelm. So, whaddaya want with me? Hm?"

The guy is obviously steaming. He dislikes Oria's presence in his workshop. It is clear just by hearing his unkind and intimidating voice.

"I want to um… ask you to make a knife for me."

"Eh, a knife? What for?" Katze's surprised by her request.

"WHAT?" he nearly screamed, shocking the two girls in front of him. "Knives aren't toys, kiddo! You'll harm yourself and anyone around you if you play around with them!"

"B-But…"

"—Ah, dear Goddess… no buts, kid. Even your cuteness will not change my mind. Katze, take her home, will you?"

"Hey! Don't you think you're a bit harsh on her?"

"I'm telling her reality, Katze. If she hurts herself or anyone, who'll take the blame? Me? Haha, in your dreams. Even those kids I train are still using wooden weapons."

"But still, Mr. Marcus, can't you be at least not so blatant about it?"

"Ahh, no-no, I shall hear no more of this. I've known you quite long, Katze, but still, no privileges for you. That's just how I treat everyone in here. Whatever her connection is to you, your cousin, your niece, your whatever, she's not getting a knife from me. Go on, now. I've got some work to do."

Marcus wears his goggles back and continues hammering the steel on the anvil.

Katze's eyelids are twitching in buried rage, "(T-This annoying old man… he made Granny's outbursts sound like a kid's whining… his mouth knows no boundaries. Oria…)"

But looking at Oria, she's still determined to ask him.

"(E-Eep… he's rude, but... he's right. I got a bit ahead of myself, I think. I should've shown him the magistones first.)"

Oria bows a bit to the blacksmith and asks him again.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Marcus. But can I ask you something else?" Oria asked.

"Ah? Where are your ears, kid? I already told you, didn't I? If you ask me to make anything, I'm not gonna do it. Don't even try to make a face to me."

"No, I will not do that, Mr. Marcus. I'm sorry for troubling you. But what I want to ask you is…"

"Huh?"

In Oria's hand, she shows to the foul-mouthed blacksmith one of the magistones she had. It's a brimming orange magistone. Its radiant color will certainly captivate anyone who knows its quality.

"T-That's… gimme that!" the man forcibly took the stone from her.

His actions irritate Katze, who quickly yells at him, "H-Hey! That's not yours, you senile ol—"

"—SHUT UP, Katze! Let me focus!"

He stares at the shiny stone. In his eyes, a miniscule magic circle appears. His eyes then light up a bit. After a few seconds, his eyes return to normal. For a few seconds, he goes silent. Soon, he looks to Katze and Oria.

"…My apologies for my words before," he finally spoke. "This is a high-quality item."

Katze's eyes widen a bit, "H-Huh? You mean, that's…"

In a deep voice, Marcus affirms. "Yes. This is undoubtedly a magistone. In fact, this one can only be found in a dungeon. It appears I've underestimated your appearance, Oria."