Chapter 48 Kajima's Day Off

Decem 8th of 4831 AS

During Kajima's day off, he awoke at the first crack of dawn. He noticed that the sounds from the workshop seemed to have gone silent. This confused him, which made him reflexively jump out of bed. He rushed to see if Azi was ok as today would mark the 5th day Azi was still in the workshop.

While Kajima did check up on him from time to time during the past few days, he could not help himself to worry about the boy like a doting father.

Since the loss of his wife and children, Kajima's house had a silence that was only recently broken by the new company he had in Azi and Shizu. So when the silence returned, he feared that the worst had come to pass.

But his worries were wiped away as a soft humming noise could be heard as he approached the entrance of the workshop. His steps slowed as he grew nearer to the workshop door, until he was fully stopped in front of it.

Carefully and softly opening the door to ensure that no noise could disturb whoever was inside, Kajima peeked his head in and saw Azi standing over the stone worktable with his back to him.

He noticed the blue glow coming from the stone worktable which helped to illuminate the workshop as the fire in the forge was extinguished. This was a signal that Azi was no longer forging any metals.

Not wanting to disturb the boy, Kajima gave him one last look and noticed the cuts and burns on his backs. He grimaced at the sight as he thought to himself.

'We have been pushing him too hard. We have to give him a break. Perhaps sometime in the village will get his mind off all this work.'

With a worried expression, Kajima left the boy to his work but swore to give him some time to relax and recover.

He decided that today, he would need to buy some provisions and groceries as he planned to invite Rulu over to his house for a feast to celebrate her arrival to Shisayama.

With his money pouch filled with coins and his usual work attire on, Kajima left the house and began to run some errands. The food and water he left Azi would be enough to sustain the boy until tonight, so he did not worry or humor the idea that he would die of starvation or thirst.

Making his way to the general stores in the southern part of Shisayama, with bags in hand, Kajima went to the village chief's house to check in with him about any urgent commissions.

Kajima's skills as a blacksmith were vital for the village as he created the bulk of the weapons the village watch used and the farming tools the villagers used to tame the wild lands and forests.

Other blacksmiths were in contention with Kajima, but they could not deny the quality of his work and knew his story. From a peasant to a soldier and now a smith, all his rivals begrudgingly looked up to him.

Opening the door to Manu's office who was the village chief. Kajima called out to him, his voice gruff and inviting.

"Hey kid, how's work? Don't tell me you got wrinkles coming in at your age."

"*Sigh* I see you are in a good mood Kajima. It's been busy with Shizu's recent plans but overall everything is going smoothly."

"Oh, that's good to hear. When do you think Shizu will be back from the expedition?"

"At most 5 days. But if something goes....wrong?!"

Touma's voice trailed off as his attention was stolen away by what he could see from the large window in the office. Turning his head in the same direction as Manu, Kajima was surprised by the sight of a bright streak of red light rising into the sky above the horizon.

Kajima noticed the familiar sight of the western mountain and remembered that Shizu was taking charge in that area. Worry crept onto his face and in a snap decision Kajima called out to the befuddled Manu with a commanding tone.

"MOBILIZE THE VILLAGE WATCH. THE WESTERN EXPEDITION IS IN DANGER!"

Startled out of his daze, Manu contemplated Kajima's plan of action. Kajima was only a common blacksmith in the village hierarchy so for a moment Manu thought twice about listening to his order. His hesitation was cleared as upon review, Manu knew that the light was likely a flare but not any ordinary flare as they would not fly that high.

The only ones possible of creating a flare that could fly high into the sky would have to have come from a thaumaturge. Manu's mind raced to process the information, and in a few seconds, he nodded in agreement and called for his assistant in the adjoined waiting room.

Kajima then moved to the office's exit.

"I will head out first, be sure to follow swiftly behind."

After making his next actions clear, Kajima left the office without waiting for a response. Manu was now left with the bags of groceries that Kajima had forgotten to take with him. Sighing, Manu instructed the assistant to move the bags to another room.

Running with all the swiftness he could muster. He dashed down the dirt paths to reach his home. His running stopped when a sudden burst of blue light erupted from the workshop. Feeling that his day could not be getting any worse, he was relieved to see that Azi was alright.

With a calm and firm tone, Kajima instructed Azi to help prepare him for his departure to aid Shizu.

"Shizu's expedition is endanger. Help me get changed into my armor and prep the Kibusanshou."

Nodding in confirmation, Azi moved over to the storehouse in the main part of the house and got the usual armor Kajima would wear. After helping to equip the more difficult chest piece and leg greaves, Azi went to the stable located behind the house.

Seeing the sleeping lizard mount, he called out to the giant 2-meter figure.

"Hey girl, get up, we got work to do."

The kibusanshou awoke as its pair of reptile eyes opened and set their sights upon Azi. In the beginning Azi was fearful of the creature, but over time he grew to understand that these animals were like household pets.

Grabbing the stored extra-large saddle from the nearby storage crate, Azi began securing the saddle to the kibusanshou.

After an hour the saddle was secured with a few bags of supplies Azi had relieved from the house, as he was making the final checks Aiz noticed Kajima at the entrance of the wooden stable. His halberd in hand and a bag in the other, he questioned Azi with an unamused tone.

"Going by the extra-large saddle you prepared, I am guessing you want to come along?"

Stiffening up at Kajima's words, Azi scratched the back of his head and said in a joking tone.

"Well umm I have to give Shizu her weapon and I have to explain to her how to use it. So umm uhh... ahhh"

His words trailing off as Azi attempted to come up with a more reasonable response, Kajima heaved a deep sigh and threw the bag to Azi. Befuddled by the sight of the bag, Azi peered inside.

He saw that the bag was filled with a change of clothes in his size and his creation of Shizu's new custom weapon.

"Get changed, we leave in 5."

"Yes TEACHER!"

Quickly slipping out of his damaged attire, Azi dawned a fresh set of clothes. Kajima failed to provide him armor and a weapon as he intended for Azi to stay in the back to aid the wounded with his thaumaturgy.

Kajima did not want Azi to take part in any active battles as he knew the boy was fatigued from the past 5 days of work. He guessed that Azi would sleep on the ride to the western mountain, so he aired on the side of caution as he would not again take any chance when it came to Azi's safety.

This time, Azi would not get hurt. This is what Kajima swore in his heart and to his deceased family.

Hefting his body onto the saddle, Kajima reached out at hand to Azi who grasped it tightly and in response Kajima lifted him up behind him onto the Kibusanshou's saddle.

Giving the reins a swing, the Kibusanshou began to march forward at an ever-increasing pace.

Azi grasped onto Kajima's back, he could see around Kajima's back the familiar sight of the western mountains and what concerned Azi were the forming clouds at the peak of the mountain.

Unbeknownst to Azi, a small orange-red glow came from his heart, but its slight brightness went unnoticed by anyone.