Chapter 64

I will translate the provided text into English, maintaining the original structure and formatting:

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Shizuno's house welcomed me.

Barley tea was served.

The cup was the same as the one at my house, a pudding container.

I wish someone would verify the theory that there are zero people in Osaka who don't use these pudding containers as cups; they are that standard.

I looked around the house.

It was neatly tidied, but the toys placed here and there caught my attention.

"There are so many model kits. Are they your father's or your younger brother's hobby?"

"They're not a hobby, they're work. Our factory makes these kinds of things."

"Huh? A model kit assembly factory?"

"No, no. It's before assembly. We pour plastic material into molds and then 'clank.' In the past, many toy companies made model kits, and we were their subcontractors, but recently, such toy companies have decreased. Now, we make parts for electrical products and furniture."

So, they make those things too.

"Is this a wooden gun?"

"Yeah, that's my failed attempt. I made a wooden gun, disassembled it, drew the blueprint, and then made a metal mold to pour the material into. I thought about making it for my elementary school project."

Saying that, Shizuno brought the mold and showed it to me.

Wow, it's so detailed!?

Can a elementary school student make something like this?

"Is it made by a machine?"

"The fine parts are always done by hand."

"Wow..."

"But compared to my father's, this is a good attempt... My father's molds are really amazing... I don't want him to quit his job."

Shizuno said that and put the mold back on the shelf.

It seems the factory's business is very tough.

The reason Shizuno's father puts money into her account is that if the company goes bankrupt and he declares personal bankruptcy, the money in her account, which she earned from part-time jobs, won't be seized.

"Hey, Ichi no, you're an explorer, right? Do you know how much a blacksmith can earn?"

"It depends on the level. A top blacksmith can earn hundreds of millions a year, but it depends on skills and talent. To get the skills, you need to level up—"

"Right, you have to defeat monsters..."

"But even if you earn a lot of money, Shizuno's father won't accept it, right?"

"…Yeah, I think it's impossible. But if the company goes bankrupt, we need to prepare a place for the family to live. I wish we could stay here forever—no matter how run-down the house is, we need to earn money to keep living here."

Shizuno didn't say whether she would become a blacksmith or not, but she asked me to accompany her again for advice.

I agreed.

Her younger brother and sister waved goodbye, saying, "Goodbye, come again!" and "Thank you for the senbei!" I decided to bring donuts next time I visit.

---

Saturday.

I arrived at the hotel room where the princess in Tenshōji was staying an hour earlier than scheduled.

I had told her I would come at this time because I had something to ask, so she greeted me normally.

The only difference from usual was that her hair was down.

"Isn't it in pigtails today?"

"I was just in the bath. So, what do you want to ask? Something you can't say on the phone?"

"Um, actually—"

I only said it was "a friend's house" and talked about Shizuno's situation.

I thought the princess might be able to do something about it, but—

"It's impossible. If a layman's suggestion could solve the problem, the bank that lent the money would have proposed something. The factory's bankruptcy would affect the clients and the bank that lent the money. If I lent the money I earned from my previous job, it might help. Each of us earned more than 3 million yen from the last job. But, it's not that kind of situation, right?"

"No, I don't think he would accept it—no, he definitely wouldn't."

"Is that all you wanted to ask?"

"No, that's not the main issue. I'm just worried about the other side."

"The other side... Well, as expected, most of them are caught by the fake information. Among them, four organizations, one journalist, and one individual have traced us."

The previous Kusano Amusement Park investigation.

We messed up a lot.

Well, we did what we had planned, but we still messed up with the abnormal lucky person, the unique magic of drug magic, and the super magic that opened a hole in the ogre's chest.

Naturally, people would try to investigate.

I thought they would trace us if they investigated seriously.

But, it turned out to be a good situation.

The one who created this situation was none other than Danpon.

Danpon pressured the government.

To ensure that our investigation wouldn't inconvenience us.

So, the government would pressure the media and companies that tried to contact us.

"So, the organizations and journalists we know have backed off. Only one individual remains."

"Does that mean they didn't yield to the government's pressure?"

"Rather, the government didn't pressure them."

...What?

Is that a big catch?

Like a leader of the underground world?

"This individual has requested a remote interview."

"Can't you refuse?"

"You can refuse if you want to."

The princess said it as if she hoped I would refuse.

---

"It's been a while, Shizuno!"

"It's Ichi no. Yes, it's been a while."

The person who investigated and traced us—this person is the princess's sister—

"Fuki."

It was Shizuno Fuki.

"I watched the investigation video. I'm relieved to see you doing your job properly. Although our Shizuno Hotels & Resorts and Hime's Shizuno Resort Group are separate companies, the public doesn't see it that way. If Hime's EPO Corporation failed a government job, it would have affected us too."

"Fuki, you were so worried about Hime."

"Kōshaku, be quiet! No one is worried!"

Kōshaku Kume's voice—Hime's attendant Kōshaku Shōjō's sister—was heard.

Ah, I see, Fuki was worried about Hime and investigated, so she traced us quickly.

Still, it's impressive that she could investigate to this extent.

"So, what do you need, Fuki?"

"That's right. Ichi no—"

"It's Ichi no, not Shizuno. I have three more."

"You were looking for a blacksmith, right? I might be able to introduce you to an excellent blacksmith through my connections. He's a student at the same university—"

"Wait a minute! I'll cut the audio for a moment."

Hold on, I was surprised by the blacksmith talk, but hold on.

I looked at Hime and asked.

"Is Fuki also a lighthouse keeper?"

"I understand what you mean, but Fuki is definitely a student at the University of Tokyo. No matter how strange her personality is, if her test scores are good, she can get in."

...I can't believe it.

No, the world is full of surprises.

Ten years ago, when I heard the news that Danpon appeared from another world, I felt the same way, but it was true.

Okay, I'll accept it.

Facts are stranger than fiction.

"Sorry, please continue."

"There's nothing to continue. This student has awakened as a blacksmith and is looking for a job after graduation. I haven't approached him yet, but if you're interested, I can introduce him to you."

"Why are you telling me this? You should tell Hime—"

"That's—"

"It's about the substitute bracelet. I wanted to thank Ichi no directly for persuading Hime, but I was too embarrassed, so I did it this way."

"Kōshaku, be quiet!"

Fuki glared at Kōshaku, who was outside the screen.

These two, Fuki is the master, but Kōshaku seems to have the upper hand?

"So, what do you think? He will graduate in March of the year after next, so the job will start after that, but it's not a bad idea to invite him now. You won't need a blacksmith seriously until later anyway."

That's a generous offer.

Very generous.

But, Shizuno's troubled face flashed in my mind.