kscans

Chapter 270 - The Offering

Three days had passed since the expedition began.

The exploration was proceeding smoothly, and all that remained to conquer Takamagahara was to defeat Suzaku at its summit. Hayato had prepared all the necessary equipment and items, and they planned to challenge it tomorrow.

They had finished exploring for the day in the morning and were now resting for tomorrow. They were currently at Takamagahara reconfirming their coordination, but they would probably be back at the mansion soon.

Hayato was already preparing for the next conquest of Ryugu, getting ready for the fight against Genbu.

Genbu used earth-element attacks, so he needed to make armor to defend against them. His main task was to craft it at the mansion, but he also needed to gather materials, so he had come to a place with a mine along with Diite and Maris.

The mine was a place called Amano-Iwato, where not only various ores but also gems for making elemental equipment could be excavated.

Hayato had obtained permission to mine here. His achievements in destroying the cursed blade and preventing its curse were recognized, and Benitsuru had given him her approval.

"Hayacchi is the best! You shall have a reward!"

Benitsuru had apparently said this in high spirits. Simon had not reported anything about the cursed blade fragments. It was an act of betraying his lord, but he also felt a debt of gratitude for the unreasonable favors he had asked of Hayato. It seemed he had weighed the two, and the scales had tipped in Hayato’s favor.

However, Simon couldn't stay silent forever. The method Ren had devised for destroying the cursed blade had increased the likelihood of obtaining fragments. Even if he kept quiet, a blacksmith would find out eventually.

He had asked that when Hayato and the others left the Eastern Country, they present the fragments to Benitsuru in the form of an offering. The idea was to hand them over in a situation where they could make a quick getaway.

It was unclear what would happen to Simon in that case, but he had said with a laugh, "Well, it’ll be fine."

This was a somewhat troubling situation for Hayato. It meant he would be leaving various things to Simon and running away.

When he told Simon this, he laughed even harder.

"I am a samurai. I cannot betray the kindness I have received. I do not know what others may think, but I do not believe it is the way of the samurai to serve one’s lord to the point of betraying a benefactor."

"Have I done enough to be called a benefactor?"

After all, Hayato hadn't done anything that significant. Destroying the cursed blade was in return for Simon helping with the Necropolis conquest. It was a give-and-take relationship.

"Perhaps calling you a benefactor is an overstatement, but there is undoubtedly a debt of gratitude. I have received five swords that rival famous blades, and I was able to fight against a strong opponent over there. To be able to fight against the Hero, Ivan, even in a mock battle, is almost unheard of. This is all thanks to Hayato. Well, do not concern yourself with it, Hayato. It is merely that I am grateful on my own accord."

It wasn't a reason Hayato found particularly convincing, but he forced himself to accept it, thinking that Simon must be a very honorable person.

Hayato recalled that conversation as he mined with his pickaxe.

(Maybe I should offer Benitsuru-san various other things so that we can leave the Eastern Country on good terms. We’ll be hosting a banquet this time, so maybe something lasting rather than food would be better… But what? I’ve already given her a kimono, and I don't know about giving a sword to Benitsuru-san.)

A kimono’s design was always the same, even if the pattern could be changed. Giving her the same thing with a different pattern lacked creativity.

As Hayato swung his pickaxe while lost in thought, Maris, who was swinging her own pickaxe next to him, peeked at his face. Then Diite, on the other side of Hayato, also peeked at his face.

"Hayato-san, have you been thinking about something for a while now?"

"Oh, yeah. I was thinking of giving Benitsuru-san something as a thank you gift when we leave the Eastern Country, but I can’t decide what."

"Would a kimono not work? She was really happy when you gave her one before, wasn’t she? I would be happy with Nekomanma Deluxe."

"Well, I’m not giving it to a pet. Besides, it’s boring to give the same thing, so I was thinking of something other than a kimono."

"Just so you know, you can’t offer up Max, whom I tamed. I’m going to raise that child properly. I’ll make him into an Honorable Fox you’d be proud to show anywhere!"

"Max is the Kyubi, right? Of course. I wasn’t thinking of offering Maris’s pet."

Maris had tamed a fox with nine tails in this mine. Since it wasn’t the type to attack just anyone, Maris had been able to tame it easily on her own.

The Kyubi was a yokai that primarily used magic rather than physical attacks, and though it was only about the size of a puppy, it was quite strong. However, it seemed a pecking order had been instantly established among Maris’s pets, and it now followed Sieg’s orders absolutely.

Since there was no Tamer Guild in the Eastern Country, it was staying behind at the mansion, but thanks to that hierarchy, it was behaving itself.

As Hayato wondered if Sieg was actually that strong, Diite spoke up.

"How about asking Rosalie-kun for a favor with another kimono?"

"Rosalie-san?"

"She can change the design of fabric equipment. As long as it’s not too avant-garde a design, I think it would be well-received."

He wondered what an avant-garde design would be, but Hayato thought a unique kimono wasn’t a bad idea. Regardless of its performance, uniquely designed equipment had considerable value as casual wear for players.

But he had a concern.

"By the way, what’s Rosalie-san’s sense of style like? From what I saw of her gothic lolita dress, I don’t think it’s bad, but I don’t have much sense myself, so I can't really tell."

"Her sense is good. Though I have my doubts about her swimsuit designs."

"That sounds like a contradiction."

"Well, how about requesting multiple kimonos instead of just one? I don’t think the offering has to be a single garment. You could give her several, and I think it would be fine as long as she likes even one of them."

As a craftsman, he had his reservations, but Hayato didn't know much about women's preferences. Esha usually only bought T-shirts for loungewear, so he was under the impression that T-shirts were the current trend.

"Alright, I’ll make a few and ask Rosalie-san to change the designs. By the way, is it fine to ask for the design change after I’m done making them?"

"Yes, that will be fine."

Then I’ll ask her tonight, Hayato thought, before resuming his mining.

That night, after finishing his work at the cafe, Hayato logged in again.

The great hall of the mansion was rather noisy, as everyone seemed to be discussing tomorrow's plans. Perhaps it was the yukatas and haori jackets they were wearing, but the atmosphere was as lively as a banquet.

After greeting everyone, Hayato approached Rosalie. She seemed to be talking to Ney, but for some reason, she looked a little tired.

"Ney, Rosalie-san, do you have a moment? And, Rosalie-san, are you okay? You look a bit tired."

"There is no problem. I simply received word of a small issue at the Demon Lord's Castle, so I am a little mentally fatigued. However, I am on vacation right now. Whatever may have happened at the Demon Lord’s Castle, I will not concern myself with it. Yes, I will not."

"I think there’s a problem with that attitude, but are you really alright?"

"I was being dramatic. It is not a major issue. Still, I would like to at least soak in a hot spring before returning from the Eastern Country…"

Ney nodded emphatically at those words.

"First we conquer Takamagahara, but once that and Ryugu are done, let’s go to the open-air bath! Ren said if we defeat the giant snake at the hot spring source on Takamagahara, it should work out, so we’ll defeat that snake in the end!"

"Now that you mention it, I think Ren-chan did say something like that. Well, I think it’s okay to stay for a day or so before we go back, so you can enjoy the open-air bath then."

"Yes, I will. By the way, do you have business with Ney? Shall I excuse myself?"

"Actually, I have a favor to ask of Rosalie-san."

"Of me? Ney, why are you trying to get in front of me?"

It was Ney who showed the most interest in Hayato’s words. She was pushing her way in front of Rosalie. It was a rare sight, so she must have been curious.

"I was thinking of giving Benitsuru-san another kimono, and I’d like to borrow your design-changing skills, Rosalie-san. It would be boring if it were the same as last time, so I was hoping to give it to her with a different pattern and design. Would you be willing to help? Of course, I’ll think of a reward if it’s something I can do."

"Deal! I’ll have one too!"

"Why are you answering for me, I wonder? That aside, what an interesting idea. For the princess of the Eastern Country to wear a kimono of my design. Well, that is not a bad thing. It would certainly add to my prestige. I do not mind."

"Oh, really? Then I’ll give you a few kimonos in a couple of days. Would it be alright if I let you change the designs with your sense of style?"

"…A few? Unacceptable. I shall design a single, perfect garment worthy of Benitsuru for you."

Rosalie’s tired expression vanished, replaced by one brimming with motivation.

Hayato felt a strong sense of kinship with Rosalie’s craftsman-like spirit. He often thought in a similar way.

"Alright. One garment it is. Just let me know when you decide on a pattern."

"A light red. Not too pink. Make the fabric in a color close to Benitsuru’s hair. Leave the rest to me."

"Sounds good. Then I’ll find some suitable fabric and make it."

"If I am to design it, I will accept nothing less than five stars."

"Of course."

For a rare moment, Hayato and Rosalie were in complete agreement, or rather, it felt like they understood each other as fellow craftsmen. The only one who seemed a little dissatisfied was Ney, who had been left out of the conversation.

"Hey, Rosalie, make one for me too. We’re best friends, right? All things considered, shouldn’t I be first? No, I am first."

"How unusually assertive of you. Well, for you, Ney, I will make one from scratch. I will not borrow Hayato’s hand for that creation, so you will have to wait a little longer. And stop clinging to me."

Finding the sight of Ney clinging to Rosalie and Rosalie trying to peel her off strangely heartwarming, Hayato said, "Well, I’ll be counting on you," and left them to it.