Episode 101

“…Don’t overdo it.”

“That’s my line. Faik, don’t push yourself too hard either.”

“…Yeah.”

I can’t let Alicia worry like last time.

I gave a small nod and stood up from my seat.

Even after dinner, it was still too early for the usual bedtime.

“Then I’ll stay in the workshop a bit longer and keep researching.”

“Got it. I’ll head to the library right away too.”

“Yeah. But make sure you rest, okay?”

“When Faik rests, I’ll rest too. So you make sure to rest properly, Faik.”

“…Y-yeah.”

…Hearing that, I can’t do anything reckless.

I don’t intend to do anything reckless anymore.

If anything happens to me, Alicia would surely be sad.

I’ll do my best, within reasonable limits.

Fueled with motivation, I headed to the smithy.

A few days passed.

I worked repeatedly on processing Esrea Magic Ore.

…However, I couldn’t forge a satisfactory sword no matter what.

I figured my fundamental approach was wrong, so I tried various methods.

I recalled my past processing experiences and tentatively tried different approaches… but nothing seemed to work.

A single processing session leaves me so exhausted it feels like my head might burn out, so I can’t remake things over and over.

It’s nice that on my days off I can work without worrying about the shop… but I still haven’t made progress.

At this rate, I won’t be able to face Alicia, or Refy, Capri and the others who help at the shop.

Come dinner time, even while eating all I could think about was Esrea Magic Ore.

“Faik… are you okay?”

“Huh? Ah, ah, I’m fine.”

I answered that, but Alicia looked at me with concern.

Shoot. Apparently a pained expression had shown on my face.

I forced a smile to cover it up and ate my dinner.

Lord Goral and Bertie were also with us today. I couldn’t be making this face.

Especially showing a pathetic look to Lord Goral… he might think me disgraceful and reconsider the engagement talk.

Lord Goral, who had been staring at me, then slowly spoke.

“Having trouble?”

I hesitated for a moment at that question.

Should I tell the truth, or put on a brave face?

…No, if I lied, Lord Goral would surely see through it.

“…That’s right. The processing is harder than I expected.”

“…I see.”

Lord Goral fell silent and folded his arms as if deep in thought.

“Faik, you don’t have to push so hard. Relax, re-laaax.”

Bertie said it in a teasing tone, probably because I was giving off such a serious vibe.

This isn’t good. I’m making everyone worry.

It’s not like I’m obsessing over it.

“I know. The Horned Dragon is still okay… right?”

That was my only worry, but Bertie gave a firm thumbs-up.

“Yes, no problem. So Faik, you can focus on smithing.”

“…Ah, thanks.”

That said, monsters are capricious. I can’t afford to work leisurely.

For now, I’ll lock myself in the workshop after dinner and keep working.

It’s all trial and error, but nothing starts unless I move my hands.

After finishing dinner and standing up, Alicia came over to me.

With a worried look, she took my hand.

“Don’t overdo it, okay? If you collapse again… I don’t want that.”

“…Don’t worry about that. I’m not pushing myself. That time was bad. But now it’s a pleasant tiredness.”

That’s no lie.

Besides, I’m resting properly now.

“Faik…”

“If I can finish this, I think my skill will rise to the next level. The time I’m spending here, tinkering and experimenting with smithing… it’s genuinely fun. So please don’t worry.”

When I honestly told her how I felt, Alicia nodded quietly.

“Okay, I understand. I believe you. If there’s anything I can do, tell me.”

“Yeah. I’ll rely on you then.”

That’s enough.

I’ve gotten a lot of energy from Alicia.

Because she exists, and for her, I want to make the best sword.

Anyway, for now it’s processing Esrea Magic Ore.