Chapter 682 - The Flame is Always Higher
I had conquered the [Shadow-Infested Arena] alongside Ashe—the renowned [Sword Queen].
There’s no doubt that the day two months ago, when that feat was broadcast to the world, was the final blow that cemented the scale of my fame and everything that came with it as the [Acrobat].
I’ve accepted it… or rather, I made a clean break and took the plunge, so I have no regrets. I’m still hesitant and it doesn't quite feel real, but I'm slowly coming to terms with the 'present' I chose for myself.
So, yeah, my own situation is fine. Well, if I'm being honest, I can't say everything is perfectly okay, but I genuinely don't intend to harbor any regrets.
…However. Even so,
"It's packed day in and day out, huh…"
"Is 'packed'… really the right word for this?"
When I see the reality of how my actions are affecting 'others,' I can't help but feel a little something… a sense of guilt, even.
A certain district in a certain city. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it’s one of the places in Arcadia I’m most familiar with: the Safe Area branch of [Mirage Workshop], with whom I have deep ties.
It had always been a lively place with a constant flow of people, but… since a certain someone's rise to prominence, the attention has been steadily piling up. The "final blow" from two months ago had an effect here as well, resulting in the current scene of it overflowing with players.
The name that saw an explosive resurgence. The one shining at the heart of it all is, of course—
"…As for her, it's the result of her answering my requests, so that's fine, but I feel bad for the office staff. They look like they're about to foam at the mouth from being over capacity every day…"
"Haha… though she seems to be having a tough time herself."
None other than my personal artisan.
Alongside Nia… no, I guess they're not on the same level, are they? It's the prestige of the sub-master, Kagura-san, the Fire Artisan, who returned to the second seat in this season's ranking update.
This is the workshop that belongs to the developer of the 'Alphatimart,' a concept unprecedented in Arcadia's history. It was a joint creation with the unshakable first seat, the [Crimson Arm], who stands beside her in both name and reality.
It’s more than enough of a massive story and achievement to draw in the crowds.
Not everyone who visits gets to meet her, of course, but the visitors know that. Still, even if they can’t speak to her directly, it’s only natural for them to come hoping to catch even a glimpse of this new technology.
Because this is an artisan workshop for players. It’s a place that, by its very nature, doesn't turn away those who seek it out, so visiting isn't a nuisance or anything of the sort.
It’s just that the hype has gone a little too far, and now it's plunged both feet into chaos.
"It's not like I have that kind of hobby… but as a guy, as a human being, if I were to suddenly yank off my hood right now, just imagining what kind of hell would break loose… it's, uh… yeah. Sends a shiver down my spine. Is this the thrill of the forbidden?"
"I… don't think that's it…"
And so, I stood in the shadow of the crowd, accompanied by my junior, Kanata. Hidden under the deep hood of my stealth cloak, I muttered nonsense as if to escape reality, slipping through the clamor toward a single room.
At the 'checkpoint' separating the lobby and the hallway—which wasn't there before—I briefly lifted my hood. A female staff member I recognized gave me a smile, a sign that my face was my pass…
""………………""
She let us through, but…
Was it my imagination, or did I sense a 'Well, you've really gone and done it now, ufufu' sort of look deep within her eyes, unable to hide their profound exhaustion? I couldn't help but bow my head deeply in reflex.
◇◆◇◆◇
"Am I okay? I'm not hated by everyone at your workshop, am I?"
"Who knows. You probably have fans coming out of the woodwork, though."
And so, we arrived at a private workshop, a room cut off from the lobby's clamor. Facing me was Kagura-san, a beauty in a kimono, her flame-like red hair as brilliant as ever.
It wasn't quite as familiar as Nia's atelier, a place I practically live in at every opportunity, but this room too had become a familiar space. As always, it was neat and sparsely furnished.
"We can make small talk later. Just show me what you've got."
"Yes, yes, as you command."
And there it was, the same as always.
Despite her textbook bluntness, she never gives off an air of being 'unfriendly' or 'cold,' which is wonderful. It’s a rare talent.
Setting that aside, I complied with her request and handed over the data listing the various materials I’d acquired during my recent adventures. The main items were a large quantity of goods derived from the water spirit we'd defeated a total of four times, plus a massive haul of materials from dungeons we’d explored yesterday and today over the weekend.
Well, that was to be expected. We were supposed to be tackling 'high-difficulty' dungeons, but our party's fighting strength was so absurd that we insta-killed everything in sight…
"………………What is this, a receipt from a wholesale club?"
"Well, we were clearing everything at the speed of a bullet train, so we just couldn't stop…"
Her exasperated, not-quite-a-retort was likely due to the endlessly long scrollbar, proportional to the number of materials. I scratched my cheek and glanced to the side.
Hmm. He doesn't seem nervous, but he hasn't quite warmed up to her yet.
The puppy-dog face that frequently appears in front of me and Sora, his training partners, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, there was Kanata-kun, with a crisp, composed expression. I still can't say we've reached a mutual understanding with this junior of mine—
"Right, Kanata."
"Ah, yes!"
Just as I was thinking that, Kagura-san called out to Kanata while still scrolling through the list. He didn't seem nervous in front of the Fire Artisan, either. His response was natural and unforced.
"From what I saw in the video, it seemed fine, but how does the knife feel to use? You and Haru have different-sized hands, so without adjustments it must be—"
"No! Not at all! It's perfect, absolutely no problems!"
"…I mean, adjusting the grip would take a second—"
"It's fine!!!"
"……………………I-Is that so."
Don't look at me like that, Kagura-san. If he says it's fine, then it's fine, I guess. Yeah.
As a perfectionist, she probably has her own thoughts about the hand-me-down [Panga Fool] that I passed on to Kanata without any adjustments, but… you're just going to have to let it go.
Kanata-kun in full-on [Acrobat] fan mode is beyond even my control.
"Ahem… Right, okay, I've got the gist of it."
After that slightly awkward exchange, Kagura-san must have finished reviewing the list. She nodded once or twice, her hands moving as she spoke.
"For now, I've got no new weapon ideas for you."
"Aww."
"Don't 'aww' me. You have too many options, and you haven't been handling them all properly lately. I know you sometimes play a card carelessly and regret it later."
"Aww… you noticed…"
Completely refuted, I was silenced in seconds. As expected from the person who sends me into battle, she seems to see right through me.
"For a while, you'll have to make do with your current pool of skills until you've mastered them. …What's with that gloomy face? I may not have any new ideas, but I've got some for improvements. I'll tell you later, so just wait."
"Yes! As expected from the boss la—oof!"
She made good on her word from six months ago. As I spouted my flippant remark, she knocked me down by throwing a chair over the desk, then turned her attention away from the idiot on the floor—
"Kanata, let me see it."
"Y-Yes…"
—and made her request to the customer who wasn't being cheeky.
Kanata was trembling before the Fire Artisan who had just decked the [Acrobat] without hesitation. As the cheeky one looked up from the floor, I saw Kanata unbuckle the sword belt at his waist.
Then, Kagura-san took it and, again without hesitation, drew the dagger from its sheath.
"Hmm… I had a hunch from seeing it in the Four Pillar archives, but it really is one of Jazz's works. That guy never changes, does he?"
"Eh… Wow, you can tell?"
"For a piece in this grade, with its stubborn, unadorned, and purely practical design, yet a stylish name? Any of us artisans in the workshop could tell. Well, it's not a bad piece."
"Hah…"
Unfolding above my head was a rather stylish and sophisticated conversation between an 'artisan and a client.' How dare they. I want in on that.
"Anyway, the fact that you brought this to me means you're not an exclusive client of Jazz, right? In that case, I don't see a problem, do I?"
"Th… Then…"
I got up along with my chair and sat down beside them with a grunt. When I looked, I saw my junior's face, his eyes sparkling at Kagura-san's words.
Well, of course he would.
It's a ridiculously luxurious thing to say, but since she's the 'first artisan I ever met,' I can't help but feel a sense of familiarity with her first and foremost… But the proper public perception of her is something that should be held in one's heart with respect.
In reality,
"You're not quite as interesting as a certain someone yet, but you've got potential. So, alright—I'll forge one for you… no, make that two."
"…! Yes, please, I'd be honored!"
Just how much her words would thrill players everywhere.
"Now then… you. Call me 'boss lady' again, and the improvement plan is off the table."
"I'm so sorry I got carried away please forgive me."
And so it goes. Our hierarchy has been set in stone from the very beginning, you know.
Apparently, she doesn't like it because it's not cute.