Episode 87

“Yeah, that’s right. I intend to guarantee that it’s worth that price. If you keep up maintenance through enchantment, I think you can use it for years.”

“That’s some confidence.”

“If it’s not a product I can be that confident in, I can’t put it in the shop.”

After holding her chin for a moment, Erna nodded.

“Understood. I’ll take this one.”

“All right. Then, Alicia, please.”

“Okay.”

When I told her to leave the payment to Alicia, Erna seemed a little nervous.

Well, given Alicia’s position, that makes sense.

Erna handed over 30,000 gold, and when Alicia checked it, she smiled.

“Yes. I’ve confirmed the money. Here you go.”

Alicia handed over the knife, and Erna took it.

Erna stared at the knife for a moment, then drew it from its sheath.

As she gazed at the blade, she smiled for the first time.

“…It’s beautiful. I’ll take good care of it.”

“Yeah. But it’s a knife, so please use it for the proper purposes. Also, I think you should aim to have the knife Enchantment done about once a month. If you use it frequently or think the sharpness has dropped, bring it in.”

“I understand.”

Erna obediently nodded and hooked the knife onto her waist belt.

Her expression softened as well. As I smiled at that, Erna noticed and tilted her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, I was just thinking that Ivas’s companions are all good kids.”

“G-good kids?”

“Yeah. Come by again if you need anything.”

When I said that with a smile, Erna blushed slightly and nodded.

“O-okay. Thank you.”

After that, Erna practically ran off to look at the swords and such.

Ivas and Weather were also looking at weapons, but perhaps timing it with Erna finishing her shopping, Ivas came over to us.

As always, his smile was dazzling.

“Lord Faik! By the way, did you hear there’s been talk of some really dangerous monster appearing nearby recently?”

A dangerous monster?

I involuntarily exchanged glances with Alicia, but she was also tilting her head.

“What’s that supposed to be?”

“Seriously, it’s just really bad!”

No, that doesn’t convey anything.

Weather, exasperated, put a hand to his forehead.

“Ivas, if you don’t explain specifically, we won’t understand.”

“Ah, that’s right! Lord Faik, have you heard of a monster called a Horned Dragon?”

Horned Dragon. Wasn’t it a monster with sharp horns?

…There seemed to be other information. Was the quality of its material good?

“I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never seen one.”

“Yes. Its body is made of stone, and it eats stone and the like. Its body is made of a special kind of stone, so half-hearted attacks don’t do anything.”

Ah, now that you mention it, that’s right.

I remembered from Ivas’s explanation.

“…Come to think of it, that’s right. I’ve heard it’s harder to work with than Magic Ore. However, if you combine that material with Magic Ore, you can make some very good weapons.”

As a blacksmith, my impression leaned more toward it being a monster with good materials than just a dangerous monster.

Still, one of those monsters appeared nearby? That’s worrying.

“Anyway, it’s terrible! As long as that thing is around, the peace of this town can’t be kept! What should we do!?”

“There’s nothing to do but have the adventurers try their best. We’re counting on you, Ivas.”

“Not me! I heard they’re calling in an S-rank adventurer or something!”

“An S-rank adventurer, huh.”

Adventurers have ranks, and S-rank is the highest among them.

If I recall correctly, there were only a handful in the whole country—countable on one hand.

To call on an adventurer of that calibre, it must be quite an emergency.

…Horned Dragon. Is it really that difficult to slay?

“That’s right! One of the rare S-rank adventurers! I wonder what kind of person will come!?”

“Well, whoever comes, we can only wait for that S-rank adventurer to do something about it.”

“That’s true, but I’m worried! What if a dragon suddenly comes to the town!?”

Isn’t it the lord who handles responses in situations like this?

I turned my gaze to Alicia, who was beside me.

She was grimacing.

“If the town is attacked, what will you do?”

“Fight with the forces we have… that’s all. We’ll have to call on adventurers and, if necessary, forcibly order a raid to subdue it… that’s all we can do.”

At Alicia’s strained voice, Ivas cried out, “Wha!?”

“Waaa!? Lady Alicia! I’m still a D-rank lowly adventurer! I’ll die!”

“If that’s the case, fleeing the town now might be an option… maybe?”

“Waaah! Weather, Erna, what should we do!?”

“There’s nothing to do but fight it off and send it packing if it comes! Ugh, shut up already!”

Erna spoke up with a sullen expression.

…Horned Dragon, huh.

I hope nothing happens.