Chapter 20

"Please, look up."

I hurriedly called out to the woman, but she didn’t move.

"Please! Make me your disciple!"

Could this be one of those situations where she won’t budge until I take her on as a disciple...?

People were starting to gather around, curious about what was happening. I didn’t want to leave this woman, and especially Sermia, in the midst of such prying eyes.

"Let’s close up the shop first, and then we can talk."

The woman finally stood up. I quickly began closing the shop, wanting to leave before the guards arrived. I didn’t want to cause them any more trouble.

I finished packing up as fast as I could, picked up the sales stand, and was about to head to the return area with the three of us when I ran into Mr. Marius. But he seemed unusually relaxed...

"Oh, did you manage to meet the dwarf lady? That’s great, that’s great."

"Yes! Thanks to you!"

The dwarf woman replied cheerfully. Ah, so this was the person Mr. Marius mentioned this morning...

"Mr. Marius, you could have told me this morning."

I lightly protested to Mr. Marius.

"Well, even if I had told you, the result wouldn’t have changed, and there was nothing you could have done about it, right?"

That’s true, but there’s such a thing as mental preparation.

"Besides, I got to see your surprised face, which was a real treat for me."

He must have been watching from a distance, using some pretext like a patrol.

"That’s mean..."

"Come on, forgive me. Around here, this is about the only entertainment we have."

"I’ll remember this as a favor."

"Understood!"

Mr. Marius even gave a playful salute. I don’t think he’s a bad person, but I’m not really used to this kind of attitude. Anyway, I’ll remember this as a favor.

After saying goodbye to Mr. Marius, we returned the sales stand and went to an inn in the new town. As usual, the first floor was a tavern, and the second floor was for lodging. The dwarf woman had been staying here for about three days.

"My name is Rike Moritz."

The woman introduced herself. She was holding a large mug—not made of glass, but more like a small barrel with a handle. I think she had ordered grape firewine, not ale.

"Family name?"

Sermia asked quietly. But,

"No, no, Moritz is not a family name, but a workshop name."

"Workshop name?"

This time, I asked the question. Sermia was sipping her ale next to me.

"Yes. Dwarves generally form workshops with a few families. People born or living there use the workshop name in addition to their own name. In my case, it means Rike of the Moritz workshop."

It’s similar to using a clan or village name.

"My name is Eizou. This is Sermia."

Sermia glanced at me. Probably because I didn’t use “Tanya.” It’s fine to tell Rike, but you never know who might be listening in a tavern. If it’s a family name from this world, it could cause trouble, and there’s no need to take such risks.

"Nice to meet you."

Sermia said bluntly.

"Likewise. Mr. Eizou... are you from the north?"

"Yes. I’m originally from there. Due to various circumstances, I now live in the 'Black Forest' and work as a blacksmith there."

"I see, that explains it..."

Rike thought about what I said.

"Is something wrong?"

"Well, I was wondering why I hadn’t seen a blacksmith capable of making such things on my way here."

"Ah..."

I took a sip from my cup. It was watered-down wine, not very good. I’m actually quite weak against alcohol, contrary to my appearance.

Well, normally, workshops aren’t built in the middle of a forest. They’re usually closer to a water source, where water wheels can power the hammers. In my previous world, hydraulic hammers used in forging are somewhat similar. In my case, the workshop was already set up in the forest, so there was no choice.

"I’d appreciate it if you didn’t delve too deeply into that."

"Sure. I’m not particularly interested anyway."

Rike said casually.

"So, about becoming a disciple?"

I steered the conversation back on track.

"Oh, right. That’s what we were talking about. It’s a bit of a long story."

Rike took a big sip from her mug and sighed.

"My brothers and I left our workshop to hone our skills by visiting various workshops. If we find a promising one, we become disciples there, eventually return to our original workshop, apply the new techniques, and contribute back to the workshop where we learned. That’s how dwarves live."

Hmm, that wasn’t in the “installation.” It probably doesn’t include such detailed information about dwarves. Well, that makes it more interesting...

"Wouldn’t everyone refuse, fearing the loss of their techniques?"

"Yes, but being asked to take on a dwarf as a disciple is usually an honor for a workshop. Plus, if it goes well, it can benefit the workshop too."

But since ordinary people who aren’t blacksmiths don’t know this, the curious looks I got when she asked to be my disciple were more about the novelty. If the blacksmiths inside the walls had seen it, they might have felt jealous. Leaving quickly was the right move... or was Mr. Marius really watching someone else? Anyway, I’ll repay this favor in another way.

Rike continued.

"So, when I arrived in this town three days ago, I saw a guard using a knife and couldn’t help but ask. I wanted to become a disciple of the person who made it and asked where they lived. At the time, I thought it was a blacksmith in this town."

"Hmm, so it was me."

"Yes. But I didn’t know the name or where they lived. I was told they come to the free market once a week, and since they had been here about a week ago, they might be coming soon."

"Indeed, that’s how it is now."

"So this morning, I sent my brothers on their way and showed you the longsword. I really want to become your disciple and learn this technique."

"I see. ...Hmm?"

She just said something that caught my attention.

"Your brothers aren’t here anymore?"

"No, they have their own workshops to visit."

Rike smiled.

"So, if I refuse here..."

"I would have to travel alone to find the next workshop."

That’s incredibly dangerous. She must have anticipated this... I guess I have no choice but to accept. I know it’s a bit too sweet, but...

"Alright, I’ll take you on as a disciple."

Sermia sighed heavily next to me. Sorry, but you probably expected this, right?

"Really!?"

"Yes, but there are four conditions."

"O-Okay, what are they?"

"First, I don’t like it when someone sacrifices themselves like you did just now. Don’t do that again."

"Understood."

Rike straightened up and nodded.

"Second, we don’t have enough rooms. You’ll start by building one."

"Understood. At the Moritz workshop, we used to build additional rooms when a child was born, so I can handle it."

"Third, you’ll help with various tasks, not just blacksmithing."

"Understood. That’s part of being a disciple."

"Fourth."

"Understood."

"Let’s drop the formalities. I’ll call you Rike, so you can call me Eizou."

"No, that’s not appropriate, Master!"

Sermia looked confused.

"Master..."

"Yes, as a disciple, it’s proper to call you Master to show respect!"

Sermia couldn’t hold back her laughter. You’ll remember this.

And that’s how I ended up with a disciple, something I thought would happen much later.