kscans

Chapter 201 - The Dwarven Blacksmith and a New Quest

Maryanne was waiting in front of the inn.

"Mash!"

Dressed as a town girl, she ran over, waving. In that moment, she looked more like a puppy than Famu.

"Where have you been?"

"I was at the eastern lake with Mo."

She placed a finger on her chin and let out a thoughtful "Hmm."

"So you went to the reservoir... Did it... appear, then?"

She didn't specify what, but her meaningful gaze told me everything. It seemed the story about the ghost was well-known.

If I told her we saw a ghost, would I be treated like a weirdo in this world too? I wasn't sure how to respond.

"So, where did Mo go?"

"She went back to the Star Union Family estate."

It was past noon when we got back to Miglutt.

After returning the horse, she was stopped by the head butler and went to see Marina. Marmi was the only one with business to attend to. And since I could guess what it was about, I said nothing and returned to the inn.

"I see, I see."

Maryanne's tail swayed gently as she nodded.

"...So, why were you waiting outside? Where are Famu and the others?"

"No one's here. The reservation for the inn was canceled."

"What?"

Had they already moved into the new house? I didn't know the location, so I'd have to ask Claire.

As I started walking toward the Mateo Trading Company, she grabbed my arm.

"We're all alone. Let's make the most of it and go on a date."

Miglutt was governed by the Four Regent Families, and the city was divided into four districts: east, west, north, and south. Each district was equipped with its own market, church, and lodging area, functioning like a small city in itself. It made sense to decentralize functions in such a large city. The Adventurers Guild was only in the human Air-Ally Family's district, where the Crystal Palace was located, but since we weren't taking on any quests at the moment, it wasn't a problem. By the way, the magic academy Cecily and the others attended was in the elven district.

Besides the Crystal Palace, there was also a dungeon on the western edge of the city, in the district ruled by the dwarven Sky-Lot Family. Marina had mentioned a dungeon that Mo's former fiancé, Zeno Leafkraut, was exploring, but I didn't know the details.

Each district had its own unique characteristics. This district, under the rule of the dog-eared race, used wooden beams in its buildings, giving it a somewhat rustic feel. The eastern elven district, with its rows of spires, was reminiscent of Gothic architecture, and had many more trees lining the streets.

Maryanne and I bought skewered meat from a street stall. The vendor dipped the skewer into a bubbling pot of cheese fondue before handing it to us. The rising steam told me it was hot enough to burn the roof of my mouth, but the rich aroma of the cheese made it impossible to wait for it to cool. I took a bite, huffing and puffing.

The distinct, rich saltiness of the cheese and the smooth way it melted on my tongue were incredibly delicious, but the skewered meat was a bit tough.

"What kind of meat is this?"

"Who knows? It's grilled meat, isn't it? It's chewy and delicious."

Was Maryanne, who was used to eating only the finest food, so unconcerned with meat that the only distinction she made was between raw and cooked? I thought Famu's obsession with food was a trait specific to the dog-eared race, but it seemed I was wrong.

"Hmph. You're comparing me to Famu, aren't you?"

"H-How did you know?"

"...There's no way I could know. It was just a guess."

Maryanne narrowed her eyes and glared at me.

"N-No, it's just that she was always so particular about food..."

I answered falteringly. I imagined Famu eating this skewer next to me. What expression would she make? What would she say?

"You're the one who's particular about food, aren't you, Mash? You're always asking about the ingredients when you eat. She's just copying you."

"It's true that I'm curious about what people in this world eat."

I couldn't help but compare it to the food from my original world. But since otherworlders had been sent here every hundred years, the food, while not exactly the same, was surprisingly delicious.

This cheese fondue was a good example. In my mind, it should have been a dish from the mountainous region south of Frucht, in the southern part of the Empire. But it had spread all the way to the eastern edge of the Empire.

I ate the last piece of meat on the skewer. It was still tough. I wondered what kind of meat it was.

"So, you still haven't met Lord Katarzyna, have you?"

Katarzyna of the dwarf race was the head of the Sky-Lot Family, one of the Four Regent Families. We were on our way to his mansion.

When I told her he had asked to see me, she had insisted we go right away.

As we entered the district ruled by the dwarves, the number of sturdy, stone-built buildings seemed to increase. Long chimneys could be seen here and there, with heat shimmering from their tips like a heat haze, distorting the surrounding scenery. The sound of hammering iron echoed in the distance. Were there many craftsmen like Aidan here?

"This way."

We stood before a fortress-like stone building.

"Are they planning to start a war or something?"

"I don't think so..."

The guard standing watch in front of the building's door saw Maryanne and disappeared inside. He probably went to call someone. We didn't have an appointment, so we might not be able to see Katarzyna, but if that was the case, we would just leave.

"Your promise was about him wanting you to meet his granddaughter at the Four Regent Families meeting, right?"

"That's right."

"Could it be Lady Petra?"

"You know her?"

She nodded.

"Yes. Her father is Lord Katarzyna's fifth son, but he's a bit... different. He voluntarily renounced his noble status and became a commoner."

"Doesn't that mean he's disliked?"

It didn't seem like he wanted to form a blood relation with me by marrying off a relative of his, like Maryanne or Marmi.

She shook her head at my question.

"No, he had a talent for smithing. He said he wanted to devote himself to honing his craft."

"He left on his own?"

She nodded.

"The sword I entrusted to you, Mash, was forged by him. And it's rumored that Lady Petra has an even greater talent. I heard she went to Richel to train for about ten years."

In that case, if I asked Petra's father, he might be able to fix Maryanne's sword, which was covered in soot from Marmi's lightning. If possible, I'd like to ask him secretly, without her knowing. When I thought of Richel, only Aidan came to mind. Did Petra train under him? Come to think of it, I remembered hearing that Wake, Marmi's servant, had also gone to Aidan to have a sword made for him.

"Have you ever met her?"

"Yes, a long time ago. I think it was at Lord Katarzyna's 150th birthday party. She's a very lovely person, you know?"

"Still, ten years of training... How old is she?"

"Lord Katarzyna is 162. I believe Lady Petra was over 50."

Hearing that, I felt a little relieved. He couldn't possibly be thinking of marrying off a granddaughter of that age to me. Maryanne must have known her age, which is why she was guiding me here.

Just then, the door opened and we were welcomed inside.

The interior of the building was made of stone, like a church, but it lacked any splendor.

It was simple, yet it exuded a sense of gravitas and quiet dignity.

As I suspected, the inside also felt like a fortress.

We were shown into a room. It was a small, office-like space. A bearded dwarf man who was gazing out the small window at the scenery was the head of the Sky-Lot Family, Katarzyna Sky-Lot.

He saw my face, and his eyes widened slightly as he froze.

"I heard you came with a servant, but it was you, Hero."

"Yes, Lord Katarzyna. I am merely a guide today."

Maryanne bowed deeply.

"I see. The sentry must have seen Lady Maryanne and not asked your business. It's still early for dinner, but let's have some sweets. Also, call my granddaughter."

He whispered to the man standing beside him, then walked toward the door.

"This room is ill-suited for a meal."

"The small dining room, then?"

Maryanne followed him, so I did too.

"Are you two close?"

The image of the puppy waving at me overlapped with her current demeanor.

"Yes. Lord Katarzyna has helped me the most. Not just with the sword, but he always listens to everything I have to say until the end. But we only became truly close recently, after the battle with the Crimson Brigade. Now I know where everything is in this mansion."

They looked like a real grandfather and granddaughter.

"You come to this mansion that often?"

"Yes. They serve tea and sweets. It's one of my favorite walking courses."

"..."

"To be honest, before I met you, Mash, Lord Katarzyna was the person I trusted the most."

She whispered the last part in my ear.

Was the head of the One-Land Family being won over with food? Seeing the smile on her profile, I felt an indescribable emotion.

The room we entered had a long table that could seat ten people. At Katarzyna's urging, I sat in the middle seat. Maryanne sat next to me, and he sat opposite us.

Tea and baked goods were served immediately, and I took a sip of the tea.

Katarzyna was drinking not tea, but a beverage with a strong alcoholic aroma from a glass.

"What, you wanted this? Just so you know, anyone but a dwarf who drinks this will pass out."

He held his glass up to me. Next to me, Maryanne was shaking her head, silently telling me to refuse.

"I've had it before, but I have no memory of what happened afterwards. When I came to, I was in my room in my own mansion. I had a terrible headache that day."

Just as I had imagined with Aidan, dwarves really could hold their liquor.

Maryanne took the lead in the light conversation, and after a while, there was a knock on the door.

A woman entered the room. She wore a large casquette pulled down low, and underneath it, a pair of equally large, round glasses peeked out. Her mouth was covered with a triangular cloth, and braided hair hung down beside her cheeks. She was wearing baggy overalls, so I couldn't tell her body shape.

She gave a small bow. Only Maryanne hastily stood up and bowed her head.

"Let me introduce you. This is my granddaughter, Petra."

"...Even if you say so..."

Dressed like this, I wouldn't recognize her even if we passed on the street.

As I was thinking this, she took off an oversized glove and held out her hand. Her fingers were white and slender, and there were no age-telling wrinkles.

"Petra. Nice to meet you."

She was blunt. Her voice seemed a little high and resonant.

"Ah, ahh... I'm Mash."

I shook her outstretched hand. She sat down next to Katarzyna.

Her portion of alcohol and baked goods were brought over immediately. I had hoped she would remove the triangular cloth, but she showed no intention of doing so.

"Let's get right to it. I want you to let me fix this sword."

She took Aidan's sword out of her storage. No, her profession was probably blacksmith. It was a skill similar to Aidan's 'Workshop' that resembled storage.

"Can it be fixed?"

She nodded at my words. Then she drew the sword and laid the broken pieces of the blade out on the table.

She traced the blade with her fingertips, as if adoring it.

Though I say it looked adoring, it was only her actions that suggested it; she could have been making a demonic face for all I knew.

"This was definitely forged by Master."

"So you do know Aidan?"

She nodded at my words, but her expression was still unreadable, which was a little unsettling.

"I could return it to a lump of iron and reforge it, but then it wouldn't be Master's work anymore, so I don't want to do that."

I nodded at her words. If the sword could be restored to its original state, that would be perfect.

"So, I'd like to repair it by re-fusing the pieces, but unfortunately, I'm out of the necessary material."

"What material is that?"

"It can be harvested from a monster in a dungeon."

Her glasses glinted.