Chapter 401 Bear-san, Taking A Social Studies Tour

The next day, I was woken up by Fina and Ruimin, who were woken up by Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear. As usual, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear were taken by the two of them. I felt lonely. So I took out my Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear plus.h.i.+es then went to bed.

While we’re eating breakfast in the inn’s dining room, Mel-san and Senia-san come over.

[Good morning, you three.] Mel

Mel-san called out to us and Senia-san raised her hand in greeting. We returned the greeting.

[Yuna-chan, I’m sorry about yesterday. Did you met Rojina-san?] Mel

[We met him.] Yuna

Although, I was surprised that it wasn’t a weapons store anymore.

[So, Mel-san, are you guys done with your shopping?] Yuna

[Yeah, we bought almost everything we need. We still have to go around. Since we also have a few things that need to be made.] Mel

Then I asked about Toya.

[U~n, even the well-behaved Toya is seriously depressed. I think it’s okay to go to another blacksmith. Toya is troubled because he says he doesn’t want to have it made anywhere else but by Xelo-san] Mel

[But he made that promise himself.] Senia

Senia-san said that she would let Toya do whatever he wanted until he finished the test. If he failed the test, he promised to go to another blacksmith to make it.

I don’t think his skills will improve in just a few days, but he’ll be fine.

[Toya is good at what he does. He’s just not very good at the real thing, though. He usually says things like he’s good with it, but that’s partly to hide his true feelings. He seems to think that people don’t know that.] Mel

Oh, yeah. I thought he was just a normal uptight guy.

[So we’re going to let Toya do whatever he wants this time. It’s okay to do the shopping without Toya anyway. So, Yuna-chan, what are you guys going to do today?] Mel

[We’re going to Rojina-san’s place again today.] Yuna

[You went there yesterday, didn’t you? Are you going to have them make you a weapon?] Mel

As I thought, Mel-san didn’t seem to know that Rojina-san is no longer making weapons. So I told them that Rojina-san had stopped making weapons and was now making pots and pans.

[You’re not lying or joking, are you?] Senia

[He’s making pots and pans now?] Mel

[Somehow, I’m thinking that those pots and frying pans are overpowered.] Senia

I can’t help but agree with Senia-san’s words.

[So today, we’re going to visit Rojina-san’s place to watch how he makes those pots and pans.] Yuna

Well, it’s like a social studies tour.

At dinner yesterday, Fina and Ruimin asked if they could watch him at work and Rojina-san agreed. But as for me, I wanted to see the process of sword making.

After finis.h.i.+ng our breakfast, we went to Rojina-san’s store. When we entered the store, Rikka-san greeted us.

[I’ve been waiting for you. Dad is also expecting you. He’s already working at the back, so come on in.] Rikka

After getting Rikka-san’s permission to go to the workshop at the back of the store, we heard the sound of iron getting hammered coming from behind the counter.

[U~u, it’s so hot.] Fina

[He’s working in such heat.] Ruimin

As soon as Fina and Ruimin entered the workshop, they immediately felt the heat. I don’t feel the heat because I’m wearing my bear costume. So I don’t understand how they feel.

[Oh, you really came? I thought you were just joking yesterday. Do you really enjoy watching me pound the iron like this?] Rojina

Rojina-san, who was making the pot, said that as soon as we arrive.

[Yes, it’s exciting to watch how strangely the iron changes its shape.] Fina

[There are no blacksmiths in the Elven village, so this is new to me as well.] Ruimin

[Well, if you just want to see, then go ahead and watch. But don’t touch anything in here without permission, because there are some dangerous kinds of stuff lying around here. Also, don’t get too close. We don’t want your soft skin to get burned now, do we?] Rojina

After Rojina-san said his words of warning, he continued pounding on the iron.

[Are you not going to making weapons anymore, Rojina-san?] Yuna

[...............] Rojina

I don’t know if he heard my words or not, but he continued to hammer the iron in silence. He doesn’t want to answer, so I stopped asking and silently watch him shape the iron. As Rojina-san kept striking the iron, the shape changes rapidly.

Fina and Ruimin were watching the metalwork with sweat dripping down their foreheads.

I told them to tell me when they were thirsty so they wouldn’t get dehydrated.

And so, after some time, the thing that used to be an iron plate changed shape and became a pot. Now that’s craftsmans.h.i.+p.

After finis.h.i.+ng one pot, Rojina-san takes a break in the next room. It’s dangerous to work long hours in this heat after all.

[Did you enjoy watching?] Rojina

Rojina-san asked Fina and Ruimin, who had been watching diligently the whole time while drinking water.

[Yes. It felt strange to watch the hard iron change its shape with each strike.] Fina

[When iron is hot, it changes shape easily. And when it gets cold, it gets hard again.] Ruimin

[Rojina-san’s hands were like magic.] Fina

[It’s as simple as that.] Ruimin

Rojina-san looks happy to be praised by Fina and Ruimin.

[Which is easier, making a sword or making a pot?] Fina

[......It’s more difficult to make a sword. Swords not only need to be made strong, but also be able to stab, slash, and block. When making a sword, you have to think about the temperature of the iron, the amount of force used to strike it, and many other things. And even if you make it the same way, you won’t get the same result every time. Because of that, even if you make the best sword, you will never be able to make the exact same sword.] Rojina

Rosina-san answered Fina’s question in a small voice.

Just because pots, pans, and cooking utensils are easy doesn’t mean that the craftsmen who make them are stupid. There’s hard work involved in making a pot. However, there’s no limit to how far a weapon can go and what is required of it. A pot can be replaced after a certain time period. If you have a few weapons, you can replace them as well, but the best weapons are needed to fight the strongest enemies. If it had been a little sharper, he could’ve defeated his enemy. If it had been a little st.u.r.dier, it might not have broken. If it were a little lighter, it might have been easier to use. There is no limit to the number of times a weapon can have that

[What?] Yuna

[Miss, that’s called sarcasm. You’ve defeated so many powerful monsters. Your powerful magic is only a part of your talent, and you know how to use weapons, don’t you?] Toya

[Yuna is a genius. And also fluffy.] Senia

[Yuna-oneesan is a great person.] Fina

[I agree with you.] Ruimin

Apparently, I was considered a genius.

Other people think I’m a genius, but in my case, I’m not a genius, I’m a cheater.

Author’s Note:

Toya, hang in there!

My computer is getting worse in the summer.

It froze up many times and it was very difficult. I remember saying the same thing last year, though.

My computer is old, so it might be about time to reach the end of its life.

(Press F for the author’s PC.)