Having witnessed the abnormal behavior of monsters, we head straight for the mine city of Kise.
Our journey from the town of Raza involved camping and staying overnight in small villages before finally arriving.
We left the packhorse at the stable.
The mine city of Kise was built on Mount Kise, where vast mineral deposits were discovered.
Its scale is truly impressive. Although there is no open-pit mining due to the dispersed nature of the deposits (places where minerals are concentrated), there are numerous mine shafts.
The urban area clustered at the foot of the mountain feels somewhat hot, and the sound of hammering iron emanates from what seems to be a smithy.
The idea of handling both mining and smithing in a mineral producing area seems typical of this country.
However, this leads to one major drawback for the city.
We are walking along what is probably the main street of the city when…
“It’s quite noisy, isn’t it?”
“Huh? Did Katia-chan say something?”
“Oh, no, I was just thinking I have to speak loudly to be heard.”
I adjust my voice volume while talking with Fina-san.
“Ah, you’re right!”
The sound, which could easily be described as noise, is overwhelming.
The bustling city lacks proper zoning.
The sounds of labor echo relentlessly.
There’s shouting from all directions, which is a bit much for someone from the countryside like me.
Many street vendors add to the clamor.
They sell a wide variety of metal goods, from cooking utensils to daily necessities, farming equipment, and even weapons.
To put it positively, the city is vibrant.
“There are many food stalls too,”
I agree with Fina-san’s words, but the delicious smells are making me hungry.
It seems there are many food stalls but not many proper restaurants.
Perhaps this is because few people have the time to sit down and eat, judging by the busy traffic.
“Maybe we can look around after we report in,”
“Yes, unless there’s an urgent matter.”
“Don’t say such ominous things, Katia-chan! Stop it before it becomes true!”
Well, we won’t know until we go.
As it turns out, there was no urgent matter, but we ended up taking on a request at the Soldiers’ Guild.
Recently, a large number of giant worms, classified as monsters, have been appearing in the mine shafts.
The movement of the iron pillbugs is likely caused by these worms.
So, the problem had already started.
Therefore, the task at hand is to exterminate the worms and investigate the cause of their appearance.
But, more bugs again.
Frankly, it’s viscerally unpleasant.
I also made sure to properly request the disposal of the iron pillbug carcasses along the way.
Since it’s not far from this city, I think it will be taken care of without problems.
We head back towards the area lined with food stalls.
“Ugh, more bugs? Are you okay with that, Katia-chan?”
Fina-san muttered with her tongue sticking out.
She seemed to have similar feelings.
“I’m not good with them either. What about you, Neil-san?”
“Neil used to love bugs when he was a kid, right? He was always catching them.”
“No, I’m not fond of them now. Besides, it’s not the same thing when you compare monster bugs and small insects.”
That’s true, too.
But, Neil-san the bug-catching boy…
That image suits him perfectly.
It doesn’t seem like something a lord’s son would do though.
“The bugs he caught would escape, and one time one landed on Ren-nee-san’s face, so she got really angry.”
“Why are you exposing my embarrassing childhood to Katia-san! Please stop!”
These two’s conversations are heart-warming.
It’s fun just listening to them.
While I was focused on listening to their conversation, we returned to the food stall area.
“Ah, that galette looks delicious,”
Those are Fina-san’s words.
She’s also reacting to other sweets like waffles and fruit candies.
Looking at what the stalls have to offer, there are escargots, arancini, sausages, doner kebabs, and steamed buns… yeah.
It’s a jumbled mess of food cultures from my past life.
It’s extremely chaotic.
Oh, is that…?
I spot a familiar food item and head closer.
“Welcome!”
An elf man is wearing a nejiri hachimaki that doesn’t suit him at all.
Translator’s Note
Nejiri hachimaki is a twisted headband typically worn by craftsmen or during festivals in Japan.
It’s an extremely mismatched combination…
“Excuse me, what is this?”
He’s rotating a spherical baked good on a plate with an iron skewer.
“It’s takoyaki! Want to try one?”
Translator’s Note
Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with diced octopus.
So, it’s takoyaki after all!
I’m happy to see something from Japan here.
I definitely want to try it.
“One fune… no, one, please.”
Translator’s Note
Fune means boat, which is the shape of the container used to serve takoyaki. Katia is tripping on the word for container.
I messed up the unit, well, it would have been right in my past life.
Anyway, the mistake is fine since it is actually served in a boat-shaped container.
What material is this made of?
“Here you go! …Be careful, it’s hot. Thank you!”
I pay and receive it.
Six pieces for 100 Lucis (around 1000 yen), it’s a little expensive.
It can’t be helped, as this country is inland.
I’ve heard that seafood is mainly imported from the elven kingdom located on the southern sea.
They use water magic to mass-produce ice, transporting it while maintaining freshness.
“Katia-san, what did you buy?”
“Takoyaki. Do you want some?”
“Ah, I want some too.”
The stall owner thoughtfully gives us three skewers, so I hand them to the other two.
It’s a simple version with only sauce, without bonito flakes or green seaweed.
“Hmm, it’s delicious.”
“Really! It’s my first time eating it, but it’s tasty.”
The outside is crispy, and the inside is melty and the taste of my previous life is completely recreated.
It’s the first time I’ve had it in this world, so it’s been more than ten years since I tasted this flavor.
Ah, delicious.
The freshness of the octopus is pretty good, too.
After that, we went around to other food stalls and filled our stomachs.
Fina-san pleaded with me to make takoyaki ourselves next time, and before I knew it, I had been coerced into buying a small takoyaki iron plate set.
Why don’t you buy it yourself…?
Neil-san was grinning wryly at the sight.
We booked a decent-priced, safe inn on the main street.
We went to the assigned room and finally dropped off our luggage there.
Since we have time, we plan to go look for Neil-san’s new weapon together until evening.
The investigation of the mine shafts will start tomorrow.
I take off my leather armor and stretch my stiff body.
“Oh, a sight that would give Neil a nosebleed… Ah, a glimpse of her navel.”
“What are you talking about? Fina-san”
“Nothing~”
Since there were no individual rooms available, Fina-san and I are sharing a room.
I’m a little nervous because I’m with a beautiful woman.
Don’t mind it, don’t mind it.
I tell myself.
If I worry too much, she’s perceptive and might notice something.
The knot in my hair is tight and painful, so I let it down.
Fina-san also takes off her equipment and only takes her staff and valuables.
I decide to take my sword as well, just in case.
We lock the room and leave the inn, where Neil-san, already in light clothing, is waiting.
“So, Neil. Do you have any idea where to go?”
“Well, do you know the two great master smiths?”
“Let’s see, were they Van-san and Mark-san?”
Blacksmith Van and Mark Weapon Shop.
The shops of the two great master craftsmen are the two major weapon brands in this country.
I’ve heard that apprentices make mass-produced items, while the shop owners themselves make custom and luxury goods.
Both seem to have large workshops.
“Yes. Both of their stores are here, so I’d like to see them since we’re here.”
“Then, which store should we go to?”
“Unfortunately, Mark-san has retired from Mark Weapon Shop, so I think we’ll go to Blacksmith Van.”
“Then, let’s go. Do you know where it is?”
“Ah, I was going to ask the innkeeper but I forgot…”
I see.
Then, should we ask someone who looks like a local around here?
Hm?
There’s a strange presence behind Fina-san—
“Are you having trouble?”
“Kyaa!”
Fina-san shrieked and jumped back.
“Nanashi-san, again…”
It was Nanashi-san.
It seems he arrived in Kise before us.
Can’t he just appear normally?
Today, he’s dressed as a traveling merchant.
“If you’re looking for Blacksmith Van, turn right at the crossroads past the food stall street.”
“Uh, did you just come to tell us that?”
It saved us the trouble, but.
As Neil-san wonders if there’s something more, Nanashi-san narrows his eyes.
“No, no, not at all. The increase in worms this time doesn’t seem natural.”
“So, you’re saying the Empire is involved?”
“Yes. Since we’re here, I was thinking of having Katia-dono and the others investigate the mine shaft that seems to be the source of the worms.”
So, they’ve found the source.
It feels like a step forward towards resolving the problem.
“Wait a minute, isn’t that the most dangerous place?!”
Fina-san snaps at Nanashi-san.
“Since it’s the source, there will inevitably be many of them. Ah, this is a map of the mine shaft.”
Nanashi-san maintains a cool expression.
I accept the map.
Hmm, it’s detailed but difficult to read.
“Don’t mess around! You should at least consider Katia-chan’s safety a little!”
“Fina Raza-dono, that’s something for Katia-dono to decide. We’re not forcing her. We’re just making the request assuming that Katia-dono’s abilities will be sufficient.”
“…”
Fina-san, who was furious, fell silent at Nanashi-san’s dismissive words.
I appreciate her concern, but it’s true that I’m not being forced to do anything.
A slightly awkward atmosphere fills the air.
“The mine shaft isn’t that large, so it’s not as simple as throwing in a large number of people. Will you accept the request?”
I don’t have any particular reason to refuse, but I’ll set up a safety net just in case.
“We’ll retreat if it becomes too much to handle, so can you please seal the entrances and exits?”
“So, you’ll accept. Please leave the sealing to us.”
Fina-san grabs the hem of my clothes with an anxious expression.
I’m slightly fluttered by her cute gesture.
“Katia-chan, is this okay?”
“Yes. I’m happy for your consideration, Fina-san.”
“Geez!”
Ouch!
It must be out of embarrassment, but I wish she wouldn’t slap me on the back.
“If you two don’t want to, you don’t have to come with me, you know?”
“Don’t underestimate me! If Katia-chan goes, I’ll go too!”
“Me too. Either way, it’s a problem we can’t ignore, that the mine shafts are unusable.”
If the two of them are going too, I need to be even more careful about deciding when to retreat.
If it looks bad, we’ll run immediately.
“So, with that being said. Nanashi-san”
“I’ll do it! You should be grateful!”
Oh?
Fina-san sounds kind of arrogant.
“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”
Nanashi-san ignores Fina-san and turns to me to answer.
Fina-san makes a grumpy face.
These two might not be compatible.
“Ah, and by the way.”
Nanashi-san, who was about to leave, turned back.
“Something else?”
“Blacksmith Van’s owner, or should I call him master? Well, anyway, Van’s work seems to be struggling. If possible, I would appreciate it if you could resolve that as well. It concerns the armament of the country’s soldiers.”
“Is that so!? No, but isn’t that a unreasonable request?”
Neil-san, who was interested in the store, reacts.
Well, I don’t know much about smithing.
I don’t think I can do anything about a craftsman’s poor condition.
“We’re just making the request assuming that Katia-dono’s abilities will be sufficient.”
Nanashi-san says with a serious face.
“No, you said that line earlier. It loses its impact when you use it now?”
“No, no, I really believe that Katia-dono is the right person, based on my intuition. Well then, I’ll be going now.”
With that, Nanashi-san leaves without giving us a chance to argue.
Eh…
The worm issue is fine, but I’ve been forced to take on a request where I don’t even know if I’m really the right person for the job.