2. Double Life
2. Double Life
Clang! Clang!
As I approached the blacksmith shop, a wave of scorching heat and the smell of iron hit me. The rhythmic sound of hammering strangely reminded me of the noise from last night when my buttocks were being struck, putting me in a peculiar mood.
Ahem.
What kind of perverted thoughts am I having?
Maintaining a blank expression, I stepped inside the blacksmith shop and raised my voice.
"...Bargus, are you here?"
At my voice, the hammering stopped.
The man who had been hammering in front of the forge turned around. The red glow from the forge behind him made me unconsciously squint my eyes slightly.
What I could see through my narrowed eyes was,
his bare upper torso glistening with sweat, the muscular build, and those rough hands that had probably been gripping my pelvis relentlessly until the early hours of this morning.
A meeting separated by a wall.
I shouldn't show any sign, nor should I let it show.
"Oh my, what brings you here, Noah-nim?"
Since we were already acquainted, Bargus approached me with an unpleasant smile.
Sweat was dripping down his chin in streams.
'...Surely he's not going to extend that hand to me.'
Fortunately, it was a false alarm.
Although I'm only pretending to have mysophobia... anyway, Bargus started to extend his hand to me but then awkwardly smiled and hid it behind his back.
"...I came about the request. Seems you're busy."
"Ah, it's fine! This is just what a humble blacksmith like me does normally. If Noah-nim wishes, I can depart right away! It would be an honor for someone as great as you to take on this task!"
Even though he's the client, his attitude made it seem like our roles were reversed.
I could say this is all thanks to the image I've built in this city over the past three years.
High-ranking mercenary and adventurer, a seemingly impressive silent image, fastidious gaze...
For the people living in this city,
for those who know the elf named 'Noah', most show this kind of attitude toward me.
I lowered my voice and continued speaking.
"I heard it's a mine escort job. I'd like to hear the details."
Bargus made quite a fuss as he guided me to a table inside. Then he spread out a map on the table.
His look suggested I should take a seat.
But how could I possibly sit in a place like this? Even sitting for a moment would obviously cover my buttocks with iron dust.
Frowning, I leaned on my staff and stood straight.
"...I'll just stand while listening."
"Ah, then let me explain quickly."
Bargus gave an awkward smile and pointed to a forest marked on the map. My gaze followed his finger.
The same one that had been groping my buttocks last night...
'Am I crazy? What am I suddenly thinking about...'
[Current Status: Mild Heat]
Though coincidental, it might be because I met last night's partner right away. I quietly sighed and shook my head.
There's no benefit to showing a lack of concentration.
I tried hard to focus on what Bargus was saying.
His explanation was simple. Erasing useless strange thoughts, if I were to summarize what I heard...
News of discovering a high-quality ore vein deep in the forest near Bellua recently.
This guy's goal is to visit personally and collect samples. But there might be dangers like monsters or bandits in the forest along the way.
It was merely a possibility.
They might appear, that kind of level.
So he can't just go recklessly.
"But unfortunately, since it's just a simple escort mission, the reward I can offer isn't that substantial..."
Bargus asked while watching my reaction.
I nodded slightly and lowered my voice.
"Don't worry about it. For this distance, I can consider it as entertainment."
...Besides, I received quite a lot early this morning.
You could call it VIP management.
If a big spender suddenly dies on the streets, it ultimately becomes a loss for me too.
Although most humans, including this guy, probably think I make good money and have a lot saved up...
While I do earn well, I spend as much as I make on magic stones, so I don't actually have much on hand. Only that guy, the manager of the brothel, knows I'm living hand-to-mouth.
Besides, since it's a mine,
I might be able to snag something useful for magic stones if I get the chance. Killing two birds with one stone. It's not a crime if you don't get caught.
Especially in this fantasy medieval world, that's even more true.
"Hahaha! Then I'll prepare right away! Can't waste your precious time! Hans! Get ready!"
...Hans?
"There's another companion?"
"...Ah, he's a new guy I recently took in. He came from the countryside determined to learn this trade, but well, life isn't easy, right? He'll start with odd jobs and being a porter for now."
"Do as you please. I'll wait outside."
Whether the party becomes two or three, it wasn't particularly important to me.
Well, it's not like the brothel separated by a wall, so having one more person besides this old man would be better.
===
I take it back.
It's uncomfortable. That gaze.
He keeps glancing at me since earlier. He seems to be trying hard not to get caught, but how could it not be obvious?
Especially with an elf's sensitive senses.
I would've been more comfortable being alone with that old man driving the carriage.
The young man named Hans that Bargus introduced had quite a neat appearance. Almost too much so for someone learning blacksmithing.
What's certain is that this guy is a country bumpkin.
Having lived in Bellua, a fairly large city, for three years, I can tell the difference between city folk and country folk.
'...Is this your first time seeing an elf? Stop staring so much.'
He does have that first-time-seeing look. My ears seem to be that fascinating to him.
Clatter, clatter...
Every time the carriage shook, watching his eyes dart around helplessly almost made me laugh out loud. He's so awkward.
I finally got up from my seat.
I pushed aside the curtain to the cargo area and moved to sit beside Bargus, who was holding the reins in the driver's seat.
"We're still near the city, you didn't need to come out..."
At my sudden appearance, Bargus seemed startled and flinched. I plopped down on the seat next to him with an attitude that said I had my reasons.
"If an arrow comes flying from far away, can you dodge it?"
"...No, I can't."
"Right. So let's just keep going quietly like this."
"Yes."
Bargus obediently kept his eyes forward without another word.
It's just funny that I prefer sitting next to a sly old man rather than a green young man.
The carriage continued quietly...
Clattering along the unpaved road, moving forward. As an added bonus, nothing happened until we reached the edge of the forest.
===
"How about we rest here for today?"
"Let's do that."
Upon reaching the forest boundary, the carriage settled in a suitable spot. It was a good location near a river.
Bargus's judgment was reasonable.
If I were with other mercenaries in a party, or if I were alone, I might have crossed the forest in one go, but this is an escort mission from the start.
There's no need to take unnecessary risks with a porter and blacksmith in tow.
I sat in the driver's seat and quietly watched the two men unloading supplies and setting up camp.
The guy named Hans certainly had the diligence you'd expect from a country bumpkin. He moved without complaint at every instruction Bargus threw his way.
Carrying things diligently when told to carry,
chopping wood diligently when told to chop,
preparing food diligently when told to prepare meals.
'At least he doesn't slack off while working.'
If he had been stealing glances at me even while working, I might have said something. I guess that means he's not that much of an idiot.
I got down from the driver's seat and approached where Hans was.
"This should be enough."
"...N-Noah-nim?"
Hans, who had put down his axe, jumped back in surprise. A considerable pile of firewood. And even the cast iron pot prepared for cooking.
What was needed here was fire.
"Step back for a moment."
I extended my staff toward the woodpile. And muttered a small incantation.
The inconvenience of having to be extra careful when casting simple spells due to the constantly active 'Burst'...
I always have to be cautious with the output. I might accidentally burn down the entire forest otherwise.
"...Ignis."
With the softly spoken incantation, the magic stone at the tip of my staff flashed red.
Whoosh!
Even with extremely controlled magical power, the enhanced magic created flames so hot they appeared blue for a moment.
The surroundings fell so quiet I could even hear Hans swallowing hard.
The fire gradually subsided to a normal level, crackling, crackling...
"Are you just going to stand there watching?"
"Y-yes, I'll get to it!"
Hans immediately started boiling soup at my words.
Since watching him cook would only make the Hans guy uncomfortable, I returned to the driver's seat area.
That guy should realize that others' stares can be uncomfortable too.
'...Speaking of which, where did Bargus go?'
I scanned the surroundings looking for Bargus, who had disappeared at some point.
After looking around for a moment, the old man emerged from the bushes.
"...Huff, huff, huff."
"What happened?"
"I was answering nature's call when a bug suddenly jumped out...!"
"......"
Unbelievable, really.
I shot Bargus a look without hiding my disdainful expression.
People say the fastidious and noble elf's gaze is quite psychologically painful. I know this well since I once eavesdropped on conversations about me in a quiet corner of a tavern.
Bargus tried to sit in the driver's seat but instead turned around and walked over to where Hans was.
Good, go work together then.