Chapter 24

While the deer meat was being processed, only the portion to be eaten immediately was removed, and the rest was divided into parts to be dried and salted. The drying was done in the workshop, with Rike helping out.

"The first time I came in here, I wondered why there was meat hanging, but this is what it was all about, huh?"

"Eventually, I want to build a storage room and hang it there."

If possible, I would also like a charcoal shed or a smoking shed. I hide in the charcoal shed when something big happens...

While we were doing this, it was already noon, so we decided to have a fancy lunch of barley porridge and deer steak. The seasoning was just salt, but it was delicious enough. We chatted about the taste of the deer meat and compared it to wild boar.

After lunch, it was time for blacksmithing. The molds were already prepared from the previous day, so all we had to do was pour the iron. When I used magic to light the furnace, Rike said,

"By the way, the master can use magic, right? I saw you using it during lunch too."

"Yeah, just simple stuff."

"Still, it's amazing that you can use it for blacksmithing. Eizou is a family name, you know."

Suddenly, Sermia butted in, boasting. Well, is this something to boast about?

"Really?"

"Yeah. I have my reasons, and in town, who knows who might hear and where it might spread. I just gave my name."

"I see. There's no need to apologize. It makes sense."

Next to Rike, Sermia had a smug look on her face. Got it, got it.

"What is your family name?"

"Tanya."

"Tanya. So, I would be Rike Tanya, then."

"What the hell?!"

The latter part was Sermia.

"Since the master's family name is Tanya, this is the Tanya Workshop. According to dwarf custom, we use the workshop name instead of the family name, so as an apprentice, I would be Rike Tanya."

When put that way, it does make sense. But,

"I have my reasons. If it becomes necessary, please use Eizou as the workshop name."

"Got it. Then, I'll be Rike Eizou."

Hmm, even though it's a custom, it feels a bit embarrassing to have a girl use my name. As I was thinking this,

"Unfair!"

Suddenly, Sermia said.

"I want to use the same name!"

"Um..."

What is this kid saying?

"I want to be Sermia Tanya or Sermia Eizou!"

"Hmm..."

Rike, as a dwarf, has the custom of using the workshop name like a family name, but I've never heard of such a custom among beastmen...

But there's no reason to refuse. Sermia is family. Besides, I was the one who invited her to live here.

"Alright, then."

"Yay!"

When I gave permission, Sermia was unusually excited.

As we were doing this, the furnace temperature rose, so we put the iron ore in to melt the iron. Since it takes time to melt, we started the forge fire in the meantime. With both fires going, the workshop became quite hot. We sweated and had to ensure a steady supply of drinking water. We go to fetch water almost every day, not just every two days, for this reason.

Once the iron melted, we poured it into the molds. Sermia poured for my part, and Rike poured for his. After pouring, we reduced the furnace fire and heated the metal sheets in the forge. Although we're not doing it now, when we get individual orders, I want to do things like folding and forging.

Today, I intended to make a "premium model" knife, but since we're at it, let's make a serious one. The process is the same, but I concentrated much more and hammered more carefully, carefully controlling the quenching temperature, and sharpened it with heightened sensitivity in my fingertips.

This is the serious "custom model."

"Amazing! Incredible! A human can make something like this!"

Rike was very excited.

"I'll give this knife to you, Rike."

"Really!?"

"Yeah. It's too sharp to sell, and you've become part of the family. Be careful when handling it, though."

"Understood. I'll aim for this level and work hard!"

"Good, keep it up."

However, even with the "custom model," the working time is only 1.5 to 2 times that of the "standard model." The "premium model" would take almost the same time as the "standard model." Considering the cost, it might be good to produce both Rike's "standard model" and my "premium model" in the future.

Next, Rike made a knife. His technique was on par with mine. However, there were slight inconsistencies. Over time, the weaker parts might break first, making the knife more fragile overall, or the parts that didn't harden properly might lose their edge. I can tell where to hammer to make it uniform and how to shape it as intended, thanks to my "cheat" and "installation." I can do this without fail, even when hammering casually. It's truly a "cheat."

After concentrating on the work, I noticed that the "custom model" seemed to have a lustrous iron structure. Normally, a knife wouldn't cut a log so cleanly... I can tell something is changing, but I don't know what, as my "installation" doesn't have that knowledge. It would have been nice to have this information.

I shared what I learned from my "cheat" with Rike. He listened intently. However, his practical experience is far superior, so it's a strange feeling.

Next, we moved on to the longsword. I left the initial shaping to Sermia.

"This is fun."

"Good. Ask for help when you have free time."

"Got it!"

After that, I took over. Unlike the knife, this was cast iron, but I hammered it to make it uniform and high-quality, just like the knife. This was also a "premium model," so I worked more carefully than the "standard model."

"Ah, this is the same as what I saw before."

When I showed it to Rike, he gave this comment.

"Yeah, it should be the same quality."

"However, it doesn't seem like you put in much effort."

"Yeah, you can tell from the axe and knife. You're right, I'm not going all out."

When I said this, Rike stared at my hands. Silence filled the workshop, and only the roar of the forge fire could be heard.

"The master... No, I understand what I'm aiming for."

Rike said this with a determined look on his face.