The Workshop and the Dwarf's Confession
Aidan's workshop was located in the district where blacksmiths gathered.
That said, it was a small town, so there were only about three such shops lined up.
His was the largest stone building, complete with a yard.
Mizuki strode right into the workshop, ignoring me as I hesitated at the entrance, feeling awkwardly out of place.
Inside, several dwarf craftsmen who looked like artisans were taking a break. They glared at us suspiciously, and I suddenly wanted to turn tail and leave.
"Excuse me, we're here to see Aidan."
One of them shouted "Master!" when Mizuki spoke up. A moment later, Aidan appeared.
"I see."
Aidan nodded as we relayed what we'd learned about the third floor of the dungeon.
"I've got bows and kunai in stock. Wait in the backyard while I fetch them."
We headed to the backyard as instructed. It was too small to call a proper training ground, but it served as an open lot. Were they making bows here at the workshop too? It felt kinda weird. Come to think of it, Aidan used a bow himself. Maybe that's why he was willing to part with some from his stock. Kunai too, huh. Was there even demand for those? Maybe the town was crawling with ninjas and I just hadn't noticed.
"Fam, you know what a ninja is?"
"Yes, I've heard it's an advanced class. I don't know the details, though."
"They exist?!"
There might be a niche market for this stuff after all.
A short while later, Aidan returned with a shortbow and some kunai. Mizuki was staring intently at the bow.
"This shortbow... it's made of carbon, right?"
"Hmph, you know your stuff?"
"Uh, well... Mash probably knows too."
Why drag me into this? I'd been warned not to say anything that might out us as transferrees. This felt like getting caught in the crossfire. For the record, I had no clue about the materials.
"Just as I thought. There was someone using one during the Demon King subjugation a hundred years ago. Same with these kunai."
What makes you say 'just as I thought'? I wanted to ask, but kept my mouth shut.
"Did you make them, Aidan?" Mizuki asked.
"Aye. Can't make carbon here, so I used my Workshop skill."
"How old are you, Aidan?"
"I'll be 124 soon."
"So you were around for the Demon King subjugation a hundred years ago?"
"Aye, I was with the Holy Knight Order."
Aidan nodded. To think someone who knew about the Demon King was right here under our noses.
"Did you defeat the Demon King?"
"Some fella from another world did."
"Could there have been stragglers? Or maybe he's still alive somewhere?"
"Who knows. Never heard anything like that."
Aidan shook his head at Mizuki's persistence.
He handed over the bow and arrows.
"See that target hanging from the tree branch? Give it a shot."
The target dangled about five meters away. Not knowing what I was doing, I nocked an arrow, took aim haphazardly, and loosed. The instant it left the string, the arrow spun wildly and flew right toward Fam, who was standing next to me watching.
"Eek!"
Fam yelped and dodged. Mizuki stifled a laugh. Total dud product.
"Hmm. Let me teach thee proper form."
"Could you teach me too?" Mizuki chimed in. How does she slide into conversations so effortlessly? I'd just stand there zoning out.
"M-Me too, please!" Fam followed suit.
"Right. I'll fetch more bows. Wait here."
We three learned archery basics. Mizuki was the best by far—her athleticism let her pick up the knack right away. Fam came next, though her lack of strength meant she could hit the target but struggled to pierce it. I had the power but kept missing. Definitely the bow's fault.
"Mash, use wind magic to support thy shots. With practice, thou won't need it."
My most useless spell finally saw the light of day.
With wind magic compensating for my technique, I could handle the bow as well as Mizuki.
Next, we learned kunai throwing. Aidan wasn't exactly an expert, so we'd have to hone it in real combat.
Fam surprised me here—despite her power issues, she threw with springy, precise form using her whole body.
I was predictably the worst. Kinda depressing.
"One bow and ten kunai. Payment: a single mana seed."
The bow even had mana enhancement. Aidan said.
"No way that's enough. Even if I don't have cash now, I'll bring proper payment. Tell me the fair price."
"It's fine. Ye need it to lift the curse on yer girl. Keep it."
"...Aidan, hold on. Like I said before, I don't deserve this kindness. Tell me why, or I can't accept."
Aidan looked skyward at my words, pondering.
"Aye. It's nearly mealtime. Join me."
The sun was setting. We'd been here a while.
I whipped up omurice since we were here anyway.
Rice and tomatoes came from the market. Rice being sold was a surprise, but with other transferrees around—confirmed by Aidan's tales of a hundred years ago—it made sense they'd introduced it. Eggs were from the chickens at his workshop.
I'd dreaded making ketchup from scratch, but Aidan's Workshop skill handled it effortlessly. Storage preserves items as-is when stored, but Workshop lets you control time, heat, or cool. Handy, but not if everything worked that way.
"Nah, ye can make partitions to separate sections," he explained. Turns out adventurers level 15+ could do the same with Storage—up to six compartments, shareable as communal storage. I set one up for Fam right away.
Now she could access her allocated space freely whenever she was with me.
Mizuki made stew with Fam's help. Did she have cooking skills too? Total superhuman.
Aidan had some simply grilled meat on the side. Beer sat by Mizuki's hand.
"..."
"Hmph, it's a good day. Haven't had any since that day!"
"One won't hurt. I brewed it meself. Sells for more than weapons sometimes."
Aidan passed me a beer. Not my favorite, but no helping it. I took a sip.
"Whoa, that's good."
Aidan grinned silently. Fam stared, so I handed her the cup.
"No alcohol till yer body's fully grown. Till twenty. I'm no expert on that stuff, but get hooked and I'll ditch ya."
"Yes, Shu-sama. Just one sip then."
She took a big gulp.
"Phew~!" Blissful expression.
"Hey, Aidan, I'd like one of your swords too. Could I buy one sometime?"
Aidan glanced at Mizuki.
"Yer with Wind's Blade, aye?"
"Um, actually, I'm thinking of leaving."
"What? I didn't hear about this," I cut in.
"Mmph... Been waiting for the right moment. I wanna join Mash's party too."
"You serious? I was planning to quit dungeon crawling after a bit. We're heading east to Migurut soon. This is just training for that."
"Didn't know, but that's fine."
I glanced at Fam for her take—her judgment's always clear in these cases: leave it to me.
"Party talk later. Sorry for interrupting," I steered back to Aidan and Mizuki.
"Nay, I mind not. If yer leavin' Wind's Blade, no issue."
Smells like trouble.
"I thought it was super fluffy. It is super fluffy."
Fam's verdict on her first omurice—my pride and joy. Wanted to draw a heart with ketchup, but spoon application wouldn't cut it.
"So good... delicious, Shu-sama. I wanna eat it again."
Her cheeks were flushed, speech slurred. Drunk already?
Mizuki savored hers too.
"Hits the spot. Takes me back... gonna make me cry."
Our old world, no doubt. I'd been craving rice too. Should've just cooked plain and added sides.
"Hmph, tasty."
Aidan approved.
"Now, about earlier. Ye'll tell us, right?"
"Aye. Day before ye bought Fam, I heard there was a dog-eared girl locked away and forgotten in the jail. Went to check. It was unnatural."
"You wanted her?"
Shocked, but Aidan shook his head.
"Same as thee. Don't care for that sorta thing. Was lookin' for a chance to free her, but ye negotiated and bought her outright."
"I see..."
"Just thinkin' it, mind. Ye acted first. Couldn't do a thing meself, so wanted to help ye lot instead."
Hyahaha was guarding Fam back then. Even Aidan might've struggled. Combat draws eyes, and he'd be the one judged guilty.
"Got it. Grateful to you, Aidan. But this is too much."
"If ye think so, grow strong enough to beat the Demon King. Yer a transferree, aye?"
He must've met one a century ago. Explains how he knew.
"Hold up," Mizuki interjected.
"All that did was change Fam's owner. Sure, out of jail, but still a slave—means nothing. Not free from anything."
Her anger turned on me. Should've cleared the misunderstanding sooner.
"Fam, if you would."
"Mizuki, I'm a free citizen." Fam lowered her arm cover.
"No slave crest... Then why act like a slave?"
"My fault, that."
Right—discrimination against non-humans here. Aidan advised pretending I owned her to avoid trouble. In hindsight, I just followed his lead.
Explained to Mizuki, and she deflated.
"If that's how it is, say so upfront!"
"Guild was public back then!"
Fam knew my feelings then but stayed mum.
"Even this morning, things got super tense."
"Wait—that was 'cause Fam laid into 'em and the vibe turned awkward..."
"...Yeah, I jumped the gun. My bad."
Mizuki owned up. Felt like I was the villain, but I'd roll with it.
"Know the Red Brigade?" Aidan asked, waiting out our spat.
"No."
"Bandits. Wear red hoods when they raid."
"Eh?" Fam reacted.
"Heard it from that caravan. Not direct buyers, but infamous slave traffickers. The ones who hit Fam's village. Might run into 'em headin' east."
Fam's shoulders trembled. They must've worn red hoods. Why leave evidence? Bragging rights? I pulled her gently close.
"Got it. I'll remember."
"Is the Demon King really gone for good?"
Mizuki asked Aidan. With our transferree status out, better gather intel. Especially her—she aimed to beat him and go home.
"Not hidin' aught. I believe he's slain. But transferrees ain't just from a hundred years back. Been before. Elves might know—long-lived folk."
"I see."
"One more thing: Ye ain't the only transferrees. Gods called ye, likely. Others too, from rival gods. Meet, and it'll be battle."
"...Why fight?" I asked.
"Dunno. Hundred years ago, seemed orchestrated. Survivor took down the Demon King."
Thank you for reading.
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