Chapter 56 – Power Up (4)
Nellis looked at her own sword in disbelief.
“Boo, is it broken? Really?”
“Okay. What on earth were you fighting? No, rather than fighting… What kind of monster were you blocking?”
“Uh, that’s…”
The most powerful attack she had recently received flashed through Nellis’ mind.
“Ko, I once blocked an attack from the Kobold King.”
“That’s why. It’s a sword that’s been used for a long time, but it blocks attacks from monsters like the Kobold King, so it’s worth the risk.”
The old man exhaled and said, “Hmph!”
“It’s a good thing I came to exchange it. Looking at its condition, this sword is now no better than scrap metal.”
“My, my…! Alexcalibur is scrap metal…!”
“Alexcalibur?”
Kalt looked at Nellis at the name that came out of nowhere.
It was Scarlett who answered Kalt’s questions.
“That’s the name Nellis gave her sword. Alex is her father’s name?”
“Why did you put my father’s name on the sword?”
“Well, that’s… I heard a rumor that putting your family’s name on a sword makes it easier to survive… But I don’t think it’s a good idea to put your mother’s name on a sword that can cut down monsters…”
“I see.”
The old man crossed his arms and asked Nellis, since the origin of Alexcalibur was good.
“So which sword are you going to choose? Choose quickly, I’m busy.”
“Ah, yes! Ka, Mr. Kalt! What sword would I like!”
“Are you not choosing it yourself and leaving it to someone else?”
“Huh?! Well, that’s…”
Kalt said to the old man who was looking at Nellis unfavorably.
“Senior, Nellis still has little experience with swords, so I’m choosing her this time. Everyone has their first time, right?”
“Hmph! Even so, aren’t you going to choose everything in the future? If you do that, you won’t be able to improve your eyes.”
“I don’t plan on being overprotective like that. Besides, I like all the things the elders have made, so it’s not appropriate to pick your eye, right?”
“You really speak well.”
Kalt didn’t miss the slight rise in the corners of the old man’s mouth.
And among the swords in the display case, Kalt chose swords that he thought would be good for Nellis to use.
“This and this… And this. Grab Nellis once and swing it.”
“Yes, Mr. Kalt!”
Nellis picked up the swords that Kalt had chosen, one by one, and swung them in her place so as not to touch anything in the store.
Boom! Boom! The sound of several swings was heard inside the blacksmith shop.
Kalt asked as he swung the swords chosen by Nellis in turn.
“Which one do you like?”
“Hmm… The second one! That one felt the most similar to swinging it with Alex Calibur!”
“Okay, then let’s do this. Sir, may I ask you a favor?”
“Do you really mean it?”
“Please do me a favor.”
“Hmph. Hey, there’s a young hero over there.”
“Yes…”
When she first heard the evaluation of the sword, the shock did not subside, so Nellis answered the old man’s words with some hesitation.
“Give me your arms. Both hands.”
“Like this?”
When Nellis held out her arm, the old man left Kalt’s sword to her disciple and took Nellis’ hand.
“Hmm.”
Then, I massaged the palms and fingers of my left and right hands a few times with my thumbs, and then reached out with my forearms and massaged them in the same way.
“Huh!? Ka, Mr. Kalt!”
I asked Kalt for help, but Kalt smiled brightly and said.
“Stay safe, Nellis.”
“Yes…”
After a while, the old man touched Nellis’ entire forearm, grabbed the sword Nellis had chosen, and took Kalt’s sword again from the disciple’s arm.
“Come back tomorrow.”
“I understand, old man.”
“Hey… My Alexcalibur is…”
“This scrap metal will be melted down and recycled. Instead, we will provide adjustments for free.”
“Ah, Alexcalibur is melting…!”
“Let’s go now, Nellis. Next time, we have to go buy equipment for Scarlett.”
“B-But Mr. Kalt! Alexcalibur is…!”
Kalt said, gently placing his hand on Nellis’ shoulder.
“Someday, the day will come when I will have to say goodbye to my life. Today is that day. Accepting the separation and growing up is also a hero.”
“Ugh…! Yes!”
“Was he that attached to his sword?”
“You said it was the first sword you bought. I think you had a deep attachment to it.”
After leaving the blacksmith shop, Kalt arrived at a magic tool shop in Tridia.
“Is this a store you know too?”
“That’s right. I came to see if there were any useful magic tools. Well… Last time I came, I didn’t find anything useful.”
I opened the door with a squeak and went inside.
The tinkling sound of a bell.
As soon as it was opened, the unfolding display case and countless magic tools placed on the shelves came into Nellis’ party’s sight.
And the end of the store.
A middle-aged, thin man wearing a monocle greeted the group.
“Welcome. To the Magic Tool Shop’s Wings of Gold. Oh, isn’t this you, Kalt?”
“Hello, Mr. Josef.”
“Hmm, is this a new party?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Josef asked simply and did not pursue further.
“The reason you came to our store… Ah, is that you are looking for something that can be helpful to the wizard there.”
“That’s right. Are there any magical tools that assist with magic or protect against shock? And a grimoire with unique magic written on it.”
“Of course.”
Josef pointed to the item Kalt wanted.
“This Brooch of Wisdom collects and stores the mana that flows out when using magic, and is used when using the next magic. The amount of mana stored is not a large amount, but it will be useful if a situation arises where you will have to fight for a long time.”
After the brooch, I took out a book from the shelf.
“And this magic book was written by the wizard Taktik. Although it does not use powerful attack magic, it describes magic that can be used in many ways. For example, Greece, which makes the floor slippery and causes the opponent to fall, and magic that brings warm air. There’s Warm Wind, and Lost Nose, which causes you to temporarily lose your sense of smell.”
Just by hearing the magic listed, Kalt thought it would be very useful.
“Wow, there are such magics? It’s a great grimoire.”
“As expected, Kalt, I thought you would recognize the value of this grimoire. Oh, there are other attractive products… But these are items I hesitate to show off. But it’s different if you are Kalt. Could you follow me for a moment? Ah. I hope others will come and check out the items in the store.”
Kalt followed Josef into the space behind the counter.
“Mr. Josef, what on earth do you have to say? Isn’t there something you’re hesitant to show to others?”
“Haha, as expected, Kalt’s eyes cannot be deceived. That’s right. There is no product in our store that cannot be shown to customers. We only bring in excellent products. The reason I called Kalt is to give advice.”
“Advice?”
“Yes.”
Josef said, rubbing the rim of his glasses.
“The staff that the wizard accompanying us was holding. A red jewel resembling a flame. It was also made by smelting a magic stone of fairly high purity. In addition, the wings of a phoenix spread out around the jewel. Judging from the appearance of the staff, he is also a famous magic noble. It’s something that Bunnings frequently uses.”
A commercial city where only those who know information about goods can prosper.
Josef, who was opening a magic tool store in the commercial city, immediately guessed Scarlett’s origins thanks to his insight.
“Mr. Kalt. There was a rumor going around about the Bunnings. That rumor also reached my ears. The youngest daughter, who was called the prodigy of the Bunnings, has now run away from home… The reason for her running away is a serious problem for the youngest daughter that has never been revealed. The rumor has come to light, Mr. Kalt… If you still have a choice.”
“Mr. Josef.”
“Yes.”
“The wizard in my party is not the youngest daughter of the Bunnings.”
“But that wand…”
“Mr. Josef, she is Scarlett. She is the magician of Nellis’ party… And even though she has some problems currently, she is a magician who will overcome them and achieve great success. I think she will definitely achieve that.”
“… I see.”
Josef did not refute Kalt’s words but nodded.
“If Kalt says that, then it would be pointless for me to say anything more. No, I was presumptuous in trying to give advice in the first place. Haha, I’m just embarrassed.”
“No. I’m glad that Mr. Josef thinks of me in his own way.”
After finishing their conversation, Kalt and Josef left the room and spoke to each other.
“It’s a shame. There’s nothing that caught Kalt’s eye.”
“No, they were all good magic tools. But our party just doesn’t need them right now. I’m sure a guest who can use them well will appear.”
“That would be nice.”
Kalt came out and approached Scarlett first.
“Scarlett.”
“… Why?”
Scarlett answered, looking at the items on the shelf below her.
“Did you find any more magic tools or grimoires that you want or need?”
“No, just… I’ll just live with what you choose.”
“Is there really nothing more you need?”
“Nothing! Let’s get out quickly.”
“Okay. Josef, I’ll buy both of the things you just showed me.”
“Thank you for using us.”
“Then let’s go to church next time.”
Kalt took the lead again and headed to the church in Tridia.
“…”
Scarlett, following behind Kalt, continued to walk with her head down for a while.
Her bowed eyes had a few tears and her cheeks were stained red.