Chapter 119
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: 31. Ego Axe Bunny (3)
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Zirnier's Armory.
The place that was always packed with people lining up to commission gear from Zirnier had seen far fewer footsteps over the past month.
The reason was kindly spelled out on the signboard above the main entrance.
[Closed for a Month.]
Since Zirnier's mechanical arm trio had each handled one character, the handwriting was crooked and uneven, nothing like a single person's script.
Yet even with the closure announcement plastered right there, visitors didn't stop entirely.
Kaang, kang!
If you pressed your ear to the ground, you could faintly hear the hammering from Zirnier's underground workshop.
And what that sound meant was one thing only.
Zirnier, the labyrinth city's greatest blacksmith, hadn't closed up shop for rest or leisure.
She was still forging gear.
One piece of gear.
For a full month.
Day after day.
"Business has been booming lately, huh."
"That armory's closed. Spillover effect hitting us nearby spots."
The shop owners around Zirnier's Armory chatted brightly, all smiles.
"But what the hell's that master blacksmith down in the depths making to hole up in her workshop for a whole month?"
"Heard she knocked out that Sword Saint's black blade in just a week, but a month..."
"Whose gear could it be..."
"Her personality doesn't scream that level of dedication for just anyone. Who the hell's got her working that hard..."
I listened to their banter as I made my way to Zirnier's Armory.
'She got her hands on one of the top materials I've ever laid eyes on in my life. No wonder she's so absorbed.'
The Soulstone of Gluttony was premium stuff that had even Zirnier drooling.
She must've poured extra care into it.
My blood was pumping at the thought of gaining a new partner.
"You're pushing too hard."
Arriving with that eager anticipation, I found a figure in white armor standing out front.
An armor that was similar yet different from the Armored Knight's look.
A familiar, hoarse, subdued voice I'd heard somewhere before.
It was the Royal Knights Commander grandma I'd seen at Diana's inn before.
"Hmph. You?"
I was just about to brush past and head in when the Knights Commander grandma fixed me with a stare.
"Hello."
"Right. Balkan, wasn't it? Ellie's boyfriend?"
Come to think of it, she'd asked me that last time too. Even tested my patience a bit.
I'd dodged it back then, but now straight-up denying it felt off.
"Whatever. Not the point right now. You here for the armory?"
"Ah, yes."
"Heh heh. Better head back. She's swamped. Turned away even me after all this time."
Looked like she'd gotten the boot from Zirnier too.
I was briefly stunned that Zirnier had sent packing the Royal Knights Commander—not some random noble or explorer—but then a question bubbled up inside.
'Polite speech?'
The same Commander who'd treated even Diana like a walking disaster using honorifics on Zirnier?
'Is Zirnier that big a deal?'
The doubt didn't linger.
"Ah, Mr. Balkan?!"
An employee inside spotted me and came rushing out.
Before, the greeters had always hassled me on arrival, but this time the manager came straight out to meet me.
"Head right down to the workshop."
"Got it."
I nodded to the manager, then gave a slight bow to the wide-eyed, flustered Knights Commander grandma watching me.
"...W-what the..."
"Ah, a customer? Sorry, but we're closed for the month..."
"No, I know. I get it, but..."
I left their confused voices behind and descended the basement stairs.
Kiriik. Kirik!
Mechanical Arm No. 1 greeted me.
I followed No. 1 into the sweltering underground workshop, heat pouring out.
Kaang!
Every hammer strike echoing from the massive furnace in the distance blasted intense heat straight into my helmet.
The sound didn't end as mere noise.
Kaang!
Each clang sent tremors through the ground like an earthquake.
Cautious not to stumble, I pressed on to the source.
Kaang!
I squeezed my eyes shut against the storm-like blast of heat, then opened them to face the one making the racket.
Golden blonde hair in a shade like the mystery girl Celsia from the dinner party.
Her healthy, perfectly tanned skin glistened slick with sweat amid the scorching blaze.
The bandages barely containing her full breasts swayed precariously with every hammer swing.
Her loose bib overalls had been soaked through ages ago.
I stood quietly with No. 1, watching Zirnier hurl sparks as she swung her hammer.
Her face was masked too, so no expression visible, but her utter immersion was plain as day.
'Interrupt now, and it's done for.'
What good would disturbing a master's focus do?
It'd just tank the quality of my piece.
I waited patiently for an hour.
Braved the quaking ground and searing gusts while witnessing the birth of my new labyrinth companion.
Maybe because Zirnier called her creations her children.
Odd thoughts kept creeping in.
'Kinda feels like watching a delivery.'
Kaaaang!
A colossal ring dwarfing all before it rang out, and Zirnier flung her hammer aside.
The gear glowed cherry-red.
It took the form of a massive axe, and relic light began to infuse it.
Not the faint blue hue unique to relic alloy gear.
True relics were rare even for me, but I could tell.
This axe shimmered with the same crystalline blue as a genuine labyrinth relic.
"Ah, aaah..."
Zirnier lifted the axe gingerly with trembling hands.
"I... reached it..."
Her body quivered; mere mortal hands had pierced into the labyrinth's mysteries.
"Finally...!"
Her voice trembled with ecstasy, soon dissolving into sobs.
Zirnier clutched the axe to her chest and collapsed, tears of joy streaming.
The mechanical arm trio all rushed over, patting her back soothingly.
I watched her tears splash one by one onto her bib overalls, then stepped forward carefully.
"Ah, Balkan...!"
Zirnier finally sensed my presence.
She whipped her head around and charged straight at me.
Kwaaaak!
No chance to react—she threw herself into my arms.
Not a casual hug.
She crossed her toned legs around my waist in a vise grip and locked her arms around my back.
In that heartfelt embrace, her pecs and breasts mashed against me, her crotch grinding my groin.
The rush of her hot body scent and tangy sweat dizzied my head.
She clung tight for a good while before pulling back to look me dead in the eye.
Masks and helmet between us, but it felt like our gazes locked.
"Thank you, thank you so much! It's all because of you!"
"Uuup..."
"Thanks to what you gave me, I broke into the labyrinth's domain...!"
True, artifacts were one thing, but a relic forged by human hands? Never heard of it.
"...You're the incredible one, Ms. Zirnier. All I did was hand over materials."
"Those materials weren't ordinary at all, that's why... uh...?"
Mid-excitement, her lower body spasmed.
Flinch.
Her head dipped downward, packed with fluster.
"Uh, ah, um..."
Did she catch on?
Impossible not to, pressed that tight.
"......"
Realizing she'd been rubbing her crotch on my raging hard-on, Zirnier slid slowly down from my embrace.
As she descended carefully, my cock sprang free, smacking her belly.
"Eut...!"
This time, it sank softly into her ample cleavage.
I squeezed my eyes shut and endured; her ears flushed faintly.
"Th-that, um. Sorry."
"...It's fine."
"R-really sorry. Wasn't on purpose."
Flustered—maybe from the heat and humidity too—she fanned her face and asked hesitantly.
"Y'know, Edelbert begged me to make a dildo to break his curse once, and I made a test onahole for it. If you're really desperate, want that...?"
"......"
"Made to average male size though, so like 6cm... Ah, won't take the whole thing? Yeah."
"...I'm good."
"O-or, y'know, No. 1 could help. Doesn't squeeze too hard..."
"Really, I'm fine."
"Ah, okay..."
Flustered Zirnier unleashed a torrent of wild suggestions.
And true to a master smith,
Just from the pressure on her mound and the graze of her tits, she'd perfectly sized up my length and girth.
Ignoring my master's deflowering frenzy traces and No. 1's subtle advance, I shifted my gaze to the axe in her hands.
"Ahem. Anyway, this the one...?"
"Ah, yeah. The freshly completed battle axe."
Zirnier held it out with both hands.
First impression: insanely huge.
Roughly 1.8 meters.
The size of an average adult man.
The blade claiming a third of that—thick, broad expanse with an edge so keen it could slice paper on sight.
Even the handle was solid relic alloy, looking brutally heavy.
On top, her personal touch: rugged, brutal design.
But not merely crude.
From the flawless finishing details to the black blade accented with gold filigree in spots—it was art worthy of a museum.
'If I'd had to buy this myself, what would've it cost?'
Hundreds of gold coins easy.
Might've spent life paying off loans.
"...This is incredible..."
"Heh. Material hog, but my life's masterpiece."
My awe at its perfection drew a now-composed Zirnier to plant hands on hips and snort proudly.
Then she held the axe out to me.
"Here, take it. Made it for you."
Her words sent my heart racing.
From here on, the labyrinth awaited—with this axe.
Half thrilled, half tense, I gripped the handle.
Wuuung—
The axe thrummed in resonance, quaking.
And the world flipped.
A stark white world, blank as untouched canvas.
Zirnier right in front of me, axe in my hand, even my clothes—gone.
Stark naked.
Clank. Clank.
Before I could question the situation, an unfamiliar noise rang out.
"You there..."
And a voice, muffled like it was holding back.
Not from afar. Right behind me.
I whipped around to see a woman in bunny girl garb, shackled in iron chains, glaring daggers.
"......Hurry up and free me."
No clue how, but a fierce instinct screamed: don't touch those chains.