Chapter 16

I was working on creating a wood golem with Sakura since the morning.

The purpose of this golem is one thing.

"To make the golem pick apples, hmm,"

"Recently, the number of apples growing on the trees has increased, you know."

We can no longer collect them all by hand.

Even if we could collect them all, we couldn't eat them all, but that's another matter.

There are several uses for them. It won't hurt to harvest them.

So I thought I would have the golem pick the apples,

"But the golem can't perform precise movements. With these thick arms, it can't pick them."

"Yes, it would knock the apples down."

We can adjust the power,

But cutting them off and putting them in a basket is impossible.

If only there was something sharp and hard that could cut them cleanly.

Then, looking at the ground, I saw a thin, rainbow-colored plate-like object sticking out.

"Is this a scale from the small dragon from the other day?"

"Yes. I thought it would decompose when buried."

But it's still there.

When I touched it, it was quite hard.

At least harder than wood.

"Hmm."

It might be usable. Thinking that, I picked up the scale.

As it is, it's just a rainbow-colored plate,

"Maybe it can become somewhat like a blade with magic."

Let's try it. I changed the shape of the material as I did when making the golem.

Thin, wide, and hard. I extended it,

"Alright, done, Dragon Cutter."

A beautiful, rainbow-colored knife was completed. I had three scales, so I made about three.

I immediately attached two to the golem's hands and tried cutting a branch.

The branch was cut off without any resistance.

"Great job! As expected of something you made, Master."

"Pretty good. The sharpness is excellent."

I thought I would try the apples next,

"Master, a monster is coming."

Sakura pointed, and there was a boar with long tusks.

"Rrrrrr..."

It seemed excited, and its bloodshot eyes were full of hostility.

In fact, it charged at us.

"Wow, full of energy."

But I had just finished making the golem.

It's perfect to leave it to the golem.

"Golem, intercept with a punch."

Then, I remembered.

The golem was equipped with the dragon blades.

"Oh...!"

It was too late by the time I realized.

The golem intercepted the charging boar with a knife punch.

"..."

To put it bluntly, it was a splatter.

The blade, which entered almost like a counter, split the boar in two.

"The sharpness... was too good, this."

"Yes, that's true."

The apple orchard was covered in blood.

We need to make the blade a bit duller; otherwise, it's dangerous.

***

While I was trying to remove the blades from the blood-covered golem,

"Hello! I came to return the money—what, oh my god!?"

The princess witch came from the other side of the forest.

She was shocked at the sight of me, Sakura, and the golem, all covered in blood.

"What, what is this mess!?"

"Well, it was supposed to be an apple harvesting site."

"It looks like a gathering in hell!?"

Rude.

I just made something a bit too strong.

Also, this princess witch is leaking a bit again.

Every time she comes, she faints and marks the spot. Is she a dog or something?

"What did you come for, Dianeya?"

"Y-Yes, the money. I brought it."

The trembling girl handed me the usual leather bag.

"Ah, thank you."

"I sold it for a high price, so it's 800 silver coins."

I see. I don't have a use for it, but I'll take it as usual.

...Lately, I've been giving it to the werewolves who bring me food.

They seem to be buying various things from the town, so the money is circulating, which is good.

It's not a bad thing.

"But, Dianeya, you have bad timing. You came right after I defeated a monster."

"Monster? Did it come here?"

Yes, it came, which is why everything is blood-covered.

There's even a corpse.

"This is... Fafnir. It's one of the higher-level quadruped monsters, but why is it here...?"

Why are you looking so surprised?

Monsters are common in this forest, and I've heard from the werewolves.

"Oh, no, this species does indeed live in the forest... but monsters have a strong instinct. They seek out lands rich in magic while avoiding strong beings. So, even if the land is powerful, I didn't think they would come near where you are."

But it just attacked me.

"Which is why it's strange. Perhaps it was fleeing from another threat."

I see, I see. I don't know much about the creatures in this world, so it's educational.

As expected of a princess, she's well-versed.

"No, it's basic knowledge, so I don't feel particularly praised. ...By the way, what are those blades you have?"

"Huh? Just knives. Look, there's one at your feet, too."

Dianeya picked up the knife at her feet and,

"E...?!"

She was shocked, her eyes wide open.

"W-Why are there scales from an ultra-dragon casually discarded here! And they're even processed!!"

"Ah, I made them, but I had one left over."

"Y-You made them! You!?"

"Yeah."

As I said, Dianeya looked at the knife.

She stared at it greedily.

"Do you want it? If you want it, I'll give it to you?"

"Huh? ...I-Is it okay to give me such a valuable magical catalyst...?"

"What? Is it that rare? It's just a dragon scale knife, right?"

"Just a...!? ...No, no, I see. From your perspective, that's how you see it."

Dianeya is extremely excited.

Ah, right, dragon scales can be used as materials.

So, they might be quite valuable.

Since I always get deliveries, it might be a good delivery fee.

I don't have any other use for them.

"But be careful, the blade is too sharp, okay?"

"Y-Yes! I'll take it. I'll definitely pay you back for this! I'll bring the money!"

It seems giving something results in getting money back.

Is that princess witch imitating a merchant or something?

"Well, I'm done here, so I'll take my leave!"

"Alright, see you."

I'll reduce the sharpness of this knife and go home to sleep.

With that, I can automate apple harvesting.

One task a day. Yeah, I've worked enough.

The princess's equipment will be enhanced with the items I give her.

Thank you for your daily support and encouragement! I'm currently writing intensively.

The story will move quite a bit in the next chapter—planned. Scheduled for morning update. Thank you!