Chapter 6

---

It had been a few days since I arrived at the village of Beowulf.

"Hey, how are you feeling today?"

Next to Mau's and Meala's house, I spoke to the giant white wolf sprawled out there.

"Oh, Miss, as you can see, I'm feeling much better."

This wolf, who claims to be the descendant of a divine wolf and the master of the mountain, has been under my care for the past few days. Since I can understand and converse with him, I can keep track of his condition. Over these few days, I've managed to get him to eat things that are safe for wolves (or dogs) and have successfully helped him recover.

"Miss"

As I approached, he rolled over to show his belly.

"Scratch my belly. Rub it, rub it."

When he pouted and showed his belly, he looked more like a large dog than a wolf. By the way, Entia is his name. Apparently, it's a prestigious name passed down through generations as the descendant of a divine wolf. He claims to be a descendant of the ancient "Divine Wolves" who once protected this continent. They are considered divine beasts, possessing unparalleled strength compared to ordinary animals. The Beowulf people are also descendants of the beastmen who once revered the Divine Wolves in ancient times. Although beastmen used to be scattered throughout the continent, they have been reduced in number due to human encroachment. However, Entia, still young, believes it is his duty to protect the land and serve as a guardian.

I stroked Entia's thin white belly with both hands.

"Hehehe, it feels so good, Miss."

"Hey, aren't you forgetting your responsibilities as a descendant of the Divine Wolf?"

"Mako, Entia's condition has improved a lot, hasn't it?"

Mau appeared from the house, carrying a bucket of water for Entia.

"But I never thought the master of the mountain would become our watchdog. He's really taken to Mako."

"Yeah, Mako! I brought Entia's breakfast!"

A few other beastmen arrived, carrying buckets of fruit.

"Thank you so much. I'm sorry for always taking your food."

I bowed, and the beastmen laughed heartily.

"That's fine. We want you to get better quickly and protect the mountain again."

"If there's anything else we can help with, let us know."

Even the beastman who was hostile towards me on the first day now greets me with a smile. It seems that saving the mountain's guardian has won me their trust.

"Today's weather is nice. I feel like running around the mountain again."

"Yeah, you should. You're feeling better, so some exercise would be good."

---

In this way, I had become a part of the Beowulf village. I was reinforcing the houses with metal fittings, and in return, the Beowulf people were providing me with food. Today, I was walking around the village with Mau, who was helping me with the reinforcement work. Meala, however, still seemed to be wary of me.

"Hey, Mau! Helping Mako again today?"

"From the outside, you two look like siblings!"

Passing beastmen called out to Mau, who blushed and smiled.

"Mako, they say we look like siblings."

Mau seemed to have really taken to me. Hmm, that's a bit of a problem. I mean, it's not that I mind being trusted by such a cute boy with animal ears. But I've ended up staying in this village. In fact, I've been here for a few days since I arrived in this world.

(...I really wanted to watch this week's Kamen Rider...)

As I thought about this, I overheard a conversation in the village square.

"Hey, is this all the revenue from this time?"

"Yeah, the taxes went up again, so we lost a lot."

"Again? If they take any more, we won't be able to do business."

A few adult Beowulf were dividing what appeared to be currency from this world, discussing the situation.

"...Hey, Mau. Are those people merchants?"

"They sell things in the city."

Mau answered my question.

"They sell meat from the mountain, wild vegetables, fruits, and crafts. They try to get as much money as they can."

"Hmm, what sells for a high price?"

"The things from this village don't really... but swords and gems are probably the most valuable."

"Swords..."

Hearing this, an idea came to mind.

"Mau, I might try making a sword."

"Eh?"

I smiled at Mau's wide-eyed reaction. I had been helped a lot by Mau, Meala, and the people of this village. I wanted to use my abilities to give something back to the village.

"I think I might be able to make one using the Alchemy magic."

---

However.

"...Huh?"

I used the Alchemy skill to generate a sword. But when the light faded, what appeared before me was a misshapen lump of metal.

"Is this a sword?"

"This won't sell."

Mau and Meala commented on the metal lump. Hmm, maybe I couldn't properly visualize it? I can vividly imagine things like "angle brackets" and "nails" because I handle them almost every day. But it's not like I can't imagine a sword at all. ...No, maybe I can't make things I haven't touched before.

"...Wow! And I used a lot of MP!"

I checked the MP display in my status window. It had been 460/460 in the morning, but it had dropped to 360/460 after this alchemy.

"I can't afford to waste it."

"Miss, can I have this?"

Entia was gnawing on the failed metal rod. ...Maybe it's like a toothbrush for him.

"Hmm... If I can only make things I've touched..."

Of course, I've never touched a real sword. Was this plan a failure? But then I remembered.

"No... wait a minute."

I recalled that while I hadn't touched a sword, I had touched a katana. A friend who was into a social game where swords were personified as handsome men had invited me to watch the forging of a real katana. I had touched the real katana, feeling its weight, luster, and the beauty of its hamon. The memory of that experience was still vivid in my heart. I started to visualize and used the Alchemy skill again. A blade, similar to the sparks I saw in the forge, materialized before my eyes.

"Wow! But..."

"Is this another failure?"

The two, who had never seen a katana, didn't quite get it. But I was sure. I had created a perfect replica of the katana I had seen. Of course, it was just the blade, without a scabbard, handle, or tsuba.

"Wow, my MP is down to zero. Maybe I can't make things outside my expertise?"

But at least I had something that might sell for a high price in the market. ...But how much is this katana worth? Since I based it on the katana I saw, it should be worth something. But I don't know much about katanas. What did I see again? Ah, right... the Bizen Osafune...

"Hey, Mako. This sword doesn't have a handle?"

"...Yeah, it won't sell like this."

After that, I used a cutter from my waist bag to process some wood and create a simple handle, which I attached to the katana. I wrapped the blade in cloth to make it portable.

"Okay... When is the next trip to the market from this village? I want to go with you."

"We just went yesterday, so probably in five or six days."

"Got it. So I still have some time."

One sword isn't enough. I'll try to make a few more before the next trip to the market.