Cat, Fox, and Dog ④
And just like that, a week flew by. Time sure passes quickly.
Inside the shop, ‘Verent’s Blacksmith’.
Ms. Pachira, Juicy-san, and I were chatting idly.
Dagaa was staying back at the house with Mineha-san.
We were told to wait a moment and sat on the provided chairs, nibbling on the tea and sweets that were prepared for us.
I was a little surprised when I ate the snack.
It looked like a small, brown, square-shaped paste, but it tasted like egg bolo.
Hydrangea probably has a wide variety of sweets.
I’ve eaten a few before. But honestly, from the perspective of someone with memories of a past life… hmm.
Sweets using sugar are often too sweet, while those that don’t use much are bland.
And most sweets have that kind of simple taste.
They have butter, so cream exists. Cakes and jellies exist too.
But there’s no chocolate. No pudding. No vanilla. No ice cream.
There is candy and senbei. The candy is either syrup candy or hard candy. Then there are pastes like the one I’m eating now, and cookies.
There’s also something like sweet bean paste. And a few sweets made with fruit.
I’m sure there are many others if I looked, but I don’t really know.
Even though I’m a kid, I could make a few sweets, but I wonder.
Maybe I just didn’t like them much to begin with.
Ah, but if I had to pick one, maybe candy is the only thing I like. Right now, I like the hard candies the Witch sometimes makes.
They’re amber-colored, with a faint sweetness, a minty aroma, and a touch of sourness.
It’s a somewhat nostalgic taste.
“Ah, that’s right. I have something to report to you two.”
“What is it?”
“Um, a report? What could it be?”
“Mhm. Thanks to you both, I was able to purchase a base without any trouble. Now, once the base application is approved, it can be used as our headquarters. Let me thank you again.”
“It’s quite alright. By the way, what’s a base application?”
“Mhm. It’s a system where, by applying for a Party base, you can receive various benefits from the administration and the Guild. Things like discounts at shops, or borrowing a Party House to serve as a base. Sometimes you can even get a discount when purchasing one.”
“Um, um, if there’s a purchase discount, um, I think it would have been better to buy it after applying.”
I thought the same thing. Ms. Pachira nodded slightly.
“No need to worry about that. The discount will be applied retroactively after the application, and part of the money paid will be refunded.”
“That’s a good deal.”
So it can be approved retroactively? That’s a very good system.
“Um, um, woof. Then it’s alright. I’m glad.”
A base application, huh. So there’s a system like that too.
As we were chatting like that, Verent-san appeared.
“Alright. Kept ya waitin’.”
Huh, the Witch isn’t here.
Verent-san placed a white box on the table next to the teacups and sweets.
“Took some time to adjust, but yeah. Managed to get it done.”
“Verent-san. Where’s the Witch?”
“Ah, she’s sleeping in the break room. Didn’t sleep for about four days doing the final adjustments.”
“…The Witch. For my sake…”
I felt a pang in my chest.
Verent-san spoke, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Yeah. As her apprentice, go wake her up later.”
“Ah, I’ll pass on that. The last time I went to wake her up, I got captured and nearly died.”
I politely declined. Ms. Pachira murmured.
“Nearly dying doesn’t sound very peaceful.”
“Um, um, um, Lord Wof. How did you almost die?”
“I was suddenly hugged tight by a half-asleep Witch. I thought I was going to suffocate in her chest. That’s when I realized: the Witch’s boobs can kill.”
Well, I’ll keep quiet about the fact that the Witch was stark naked.
“O-Oh yeah. Sounds enviable… or maybe not enviable.”
Verent-san was at a loss for words.
I understand his dilemma. I understand it well. I almost died, but it felt like I could have gone to paradise.
Then Ms. Pachira gave me an exasperated, cat-eyed stare.
“Ridiculous.”
“Um, um, woof. I’ve had the same experience! When I went to wake up Ennea-chan, I ended up in a similar situation and almost died. I understand!”
“So it happens.”
“Um, woof. Yes! Ennea-chan was completely naked at the time!”
Does that mean the naked Ennea-chan has breasts on par with the Witch?
I didn’t realize the situation was that identical.
“Hmph. Ridiculous.”
“Um, so, Verent-san. It’s finished, right?”
Ms. Pachira seemed to be in a bad mood for some reason, so I forcefully changed the subject.
“Yeah. Brought it. It’s in that white box there.”
That’s it? My heart pounding, I slowly opened the box.
Inside were—two faded, leather-like Gauntlets.
The back of the hand and the upper arm sections looked thick… but they definitely looked like leather.
Gauntlets aren’t always metal; cloth ones exist, so it wasn’t that unusual.
But the fragment of the Great Magic Sword isn’t leather. It’s Horn, so calling it metal is wrong, but it’s not leather either.
And their color looked ancient, as if they’d been left neglected in a warehouse for years.
They looked so dirty, it seemed like someone had just carelessly dusted them off before bringing them.
If you asked a hundred people, all hundred would say they didn’t look new. That’s what I thought.
“Th-This is it?”
“Yeah. At first glance, they look like worn-out leather, right? But don’t worry. They’re state-of-the-art, properly made using all the materials like the Great Magic Sword, Magic Silver, and Magic Metal. First, try putting ’em on.”
“O-Okay.”
Confused, I first picked up the right-hand gauntlet.
It was light, and at the same time, I was astonished. This isn’t leather. It’s metal.
It feels soft like cloth, yet it’s definitely hard. It’s metal.
What is this strange sensation? It feels much more metallic than it looks.
“Yeah. Surprised ya, right? To put it on, ya need to release the clasp on the inside of the wrist. See the small plate? Try pressing it lightly.”
“Like this? Whoa, wh-wh-whoaaa!?”
With a series of clicks and clacks, like it was being unlaced, the back side opened up with metallic sounds.
It opened meticulously, right down to the fingertips. What is this? It feels high-tech.
There was a hero suit like this, wasn’t there?
“What kind of Gauntlet is this?”
“Um, um, woof. I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“Yeah. Kiddo. Put your hand in.”
“…O-Okay.”
As I inserted my right hand, my arm slid in as if drawn by suction, and it closed with a series of clicks and clacks.
Ah, it’s just like that hero suit.
To think I could get something like this in this world—In that instant, lightning flashed through my mind.
I instantly felt my internal Relic, [The Silent One], adapt to this Gauntlet.
Words floated into my head.
[The Silent One: Allows action for a set time while calm. Also allows hearing inner voices. Duration: 3 minutes. Cooldown: 3 minutes. Additionally, while in [The Silent One] state and equipped with the [Gauntlet of Still Saint], guarantees success once for a single Silent Move—a swift, precise, high-difficulty action.]
Silent Move? Is that a Relic ability?
Guarantees success once for a swift, precise, high-difficulty action… Even just once, it can do that?
That’s cheat-level. I’m pretty sure the Witch had a similar Relic.
This single use must be during [The Silent One] mode.
Does that mean once the cooldown is over, I can use it again if I enter [The Silent One] state?
That must be it. Either way, it’s incredibly useful, both in combat and otherwise.
And [Gauntlet of Still Saint]—it’s already been named.
Hm? Wait a minute. Does this mean this Gauntlet is an OOPArt!?
Moreover, an OOPArt adapted to my Relic!?
Eh, OOPArts could be crafted? I thought they could only be found in Dungeons or ruins.
“Wof? What’s wrong?”
“Don’t tell me it doesn’t fit?”
“Waf, Lord Wof?”
“Ah, no, the size is perfect. It fits like it was made for me.”
I barely feel the weight. There’s no sense of discomfort at all.
My finger joints and wrists move just as freely as before putting the Gauntlets on. I put on the other one as well.
Equipping both, ah. They fit. They really fit well.
The sensation is almost unchanged from before wearing them, which feels strangely wonderful.
This Gauntlet is truly mine. Even though it’s an OOPArt.
“Indeed. I’ve never seen a Gauntlet like this before… But why this color?”
“Um, um, it feels strangely odd, like it’s secondhand despite being new.”
“Yeah. Kiddo. You’re the Witch’s apprentice, but ya don’t wanna stand out, right?”
“Y-Yes.”
“Besides, wearin’ flashy stuff attracts weirdos. After all, kiddo, your Gauntlets are somethin’ that not even veteran Seekers, let alone rookies, could easily obtain. That’s why they’re made to look old and secondhand. It was the Witch’s idea.”
“Um, um, I see.”
“Hmm. That makes sense. It’s logical.”
“For my sake…”
“Yeah. Designing the Gauntlets, providing her own materials, carefully selecting them, and forging each part—that was all the Witch. She made prototypes again and again, dozens of times, and refined them into what they are now—that was the Witch too. We just did as she said. Ya know. Yeah. I’ve known the Witch for a fair while now. But this is the first time I’ve seen it. That Witch, workin’ up a sweat, gettin’ so absorbed and serious about makin’ somethin’ for someone else. Even she can work hard for her apprentice’s sake, huh? Well, I was impressed.”
“Witch… Master…”
I felt like I was about to cry.
“Um, um, Lord Wof…”
“She may be an irritating fox… but she’s a good master, Wof.”
“Yes.”
I want to repay this kindness somehow.
But could I ever truly repay her? Someday, as her disciple, I… to The Witch, my master.
As I was thinking about that, Juicy-san spoke up.
“Um, um, um, ah. I noticed. The knife is gone.”
“Eh? Ah, you’re right.”
I’d been completely absorbed by the Gauntlet. My knife was nowhere to be seen.
“Yeah! Damn it. I forgot. Kikka’s gonna kill me. I’ll go get it.”
Verent-san hurried back inside.
“Good grief. That man is always forgetting something,” The Witch sighed.
Come to think of it, that was certainly true. Juicy-san was staring intently at the Gauntlet.
“Juicy-san? Is something wrong with the [Gauntlet of Still Saint]?”
“What’s this? Ye gave it a name?” The Witch asked.
“Ah, well, yes.”
“Um, woof. As expected of Lord Wof. That’s a very good name. [Gauntlet of Still Saint]. It’s wonderful! I couldn’t help but stare at it.”
“Hmm. A Gauntlet crafted with all the skill that Witch poured into it. It wouldn’t be surprising if it turned out to be OOPArts,” The Witch mused.
“Eh?”
“Well, that’s impossible, of course.”
“Right…”
Except this is totally OOPArts.
Juicy-san tilted her head slightly.
“Woof? Um, um, can’t OOPArts be made?”
“They are things found in Dungeons and ruins, ye see. I have never heard of one being manufactured, at least. Only repaired,” The Witch explained.
“……”
I thought to myself.
Without a compatible Relic, you wouldn’t even know if something was OOPArts.
Perhaps among the countless weapons and armor crafted throughout history, there have been other OOPArts.
Like this [Gauntlet of Still Saint]—maybe they exist, unknown to anyone.
“Yeah! Sorry, sorry. Lad. This here’s your new knife.”
What he handed me was truly a new knife.
Judging by the shape of the sheath, the distinctive upward curve of my original knife was completely gone.
“…May I draw it?”
“Yeah! Go on, check it out.”
I drew it. I knew the moment it was handed to me.
The awkward, upward-curving blade had become a straight, short, single-edged blade.
It had a black, semicircular guard and a pure white hilt. A metal ring was attached to the pommel.
And its most distinct feature was that the short blade was double-edged.
A thin, double blade. He probably used the part that had curved upwards.
“It’s a fine knife. A double edge is unusual, isn’t it?”
“Yeah! Kikka made it. Ah, Kikka’s my daughter. She makes blades all the time. How is it? Good work, right?”
“Yes. It’s not too heavy and easy to handle.”
“A double edge is indeed rare,” The Witch commented.
“Um, um, um, it looks very sharp.”
“I guarantee the sharpness. We tested the edge plenty of times.”
“Thank you very much.”
I sheathed the new knife. Verent-san laughed.
“Yeah! Kikka’s taking a nap now, but I’ll pass on your thanks, lad.”
“Yes. Please do.”
“Lad. Take good care of the Gauntlet and the knife. If anything happens to ’em, you tell me. Come find me. Got it?”
“Y-Yes. Understood.”
The Gauntlet of Still Saint. A new knife. I’m so happy.
This is honestly the happiest I’ve ever been. Right. I need to tell Ax-san later too.
And so, with my Gauntlet and knife completed, I left the Blacksmith.
I parted ways with Ms. Pachira and Juicy-san and headed home.
Ah, right. Meat.
Mineha-san asked me, didn’t she? To buy some meat.
That carnivorous Fairial. Seriously, always meat. Eat some vegetables too.
That’s why she stays small… no, that’s probably not it.
Okay, meat. The usual Assorted Meat from the usual butcher, and, let’s see.
Yeah. Let’s buy a block of slightly expensive meat.
It’s not exactly an anniversary, but I feel like celebrating today.
Alright, decision made.
“Kyaah! Someone!”
“Hm?”
“The stroller!!”
I looked and saw a stroller rolling down a steep slope at considerable speed.
The woman who seemed to be the mother had fallen and injured herself. Was it someone else who screamed?
At the bottom of the slope was a main street with a carriage lane.
The stroller was heading straight for it at high speed.
Everyone watching could only cry out. But it couldn’t be helped.
The stroller was moving too fast for anyone to react.
There weren’t any Seekers nearby who looked capable of handling it.
I instinctively tried to move, but the distance was already… too far to catch up even if I ran.
“Ah, the stroller!?”
“Someone!”
A large, black-painted carriage passed in front of the stroller’s path.
At this rate, they would collide. Was there any way—there was.
I became [The Silent One] and immediately adapted it to the [Gauntlet of Still Saint]. This is what I’ll use.
“Silent Move.”
Guarantees success for one highly difficult action requiring speed and precision.
That action is singular. Stop the stroller before it hits the carriage.
The moment I decided, the world before me flickered with noise and warped.
And in the next instant, I suddenly appeared behind the stroller.
“Wh-!?”
Startled, I frantically grabbed the stroller and stopped it.
Somehow, I managed to stop it just barely, inches before impact.
“……”
I peeked inside the stroller. An Elf baby was sleeping soundly.
“Quite something.”
I couldn’t help but break into a grin.