Chapter 32

When we returned to the branch, we each went about our tasks.

Erika was making ingots, and Leonora was making bricks.

As for me, I was examining and adjusting the blade I had forged from iron.

"Have you been staring at it since yesterday? What are you doing?"

Erika asked.

"I'm checking for any warping or slight irregularities and making adjustments."

"Is that so? At first glance, it looks like a fine sword..."

"I see it that way too. But military men who receive swords as gifts are particular about such things. They're basically enthusiasts."

It’s probably a sword that will be displayed rather than used.

"Wow... I didn't know that. There were no orders for magic swords last year, so I wasn't aware. That's how it is, huh?"

"Actually, there were almost no weapon-making requests."

It's because this southern border is far from war.

"But there are a lot of ingot requests, right?"

"I think there were quite a few. The seniors made them."

"They send them to the north to make swords and such. I also made spears and arrowheads, not just swords."

That was easy and good.

"Is that so? So, will these ingots become weapons too?"

Erika, who dislikes weapons, might be curious.

"Who knows? Iron is used everywhere."

"That's true. It will probably be used in airships."

No, that D-rank ingot won't be used.

The materials for airships need to be B-rank or higher.

I won't say such a killjoy thing, though.

"Yeah... I guess it's good enough."

I placed the blade I had finished adjusting on the desk.

"Is it complete?"

"Yeah. Once I enchant it, it will be done. I'll extract the element from the red ore today and enchant it tomorrow for delivery."

"Wow... You can do it so quickly?"

"I'm good at this. It usually takes longer."

It would take a week.

"Sure, Sieg!"

"Of course."

I'm not like those idiots around here.

"A man who only boasts and a woman who only flatters..."

Leonora muttered.

"I'm just stating the facts."

"Flatterer... Huh? Do I come off that way?"

Yeah.

"Not really. Erika is just good at noticing people's good points, unlike me."

I'm the opposite.

I'm good at finding people's flaws.

Or rather, that's all I see.

"Hey, Sieg, there's a call for you."

While we were talking and working, the branch manager, who had come upstairs, called out.

"Call? Who is it?"

"It's Adelle from headquarters. It's probably about that guy."

Adelle is the only one I know by that name.

I glanced at Leonora.

I wonder if she'll take the call?

"It's for you."

"I see..."

Thinking there was no choice, I stood up, went to the branch manager, and went downstairs with him.

"Branch manager, can you install a phone upstairs? There's no one at the reception, and it's a hassle for you too."

This branch only has a phone at the empty reception on the first floor.

"That's true. I'll call a company to do it on the day after tomorrow."

"Thanks."

I went downstairs, and after the branch manager returned to his room, I picked up the phone at the reception.

"Hello, Adelle?"

"Yes. Good afternoon, Sieg. Are you working?"

"Actually, I was taking a break after finishing a task. Is Adelle not working?"

"I'm on my break. About the transfer... did you not get approval?"

That could happen.

"No, I got it easily. I didn't think it would be approved so quickly."

It was approved...

Well, it's appreciated, but...

"When can you come?"

"I'm sorry, but I have a lot of luggage, so it will take some time to pack and move. I'm planning to take some leave, but I think it will be next week."

I finished quickly, but women take time.

Especially Adelle, who is a noble, probably has a lot of stuff.

Still, it's a week earlier than the two weeks we planned, so it's not a problem and even appreciated.

"Got it. Where will you live? There's a 2LDK apartment called a dormitory here. It's discounted to 25,000 El."

"Yes, I plan to live there."

Even for a noble, a 30-second commute is attractive, right?

"Then I'll apply in advance so you can move in on your first day."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"No, thank you. I'm looking forward to Adelle's arrival."

According to the pickup book, I should say, "I'm glad to work with you," but it would sound too fake, so I won't.

"Yes, and the branch manager wants to talk to you."

Huh?

"Branch manager? What for?"

"Who knows? Weren't you his apprentice? Maybe he wants to know how you're doing?"

He's not the type to care about such things.

Besides, he's the one who pushed me out.

"Can you put him through?"

"Yes, please hold on. Oh, I'll contact you before I leave."

"Got it."

After I replied, the phone went on hold.

Then, after a while, the hold music stopped.

"Sieg?"

It's the branch manager's voice.

"Hello. What's up?"

"You're still as impatient as ever."

"I'm working."

Not really, but...

"Never mind. How are things there?"

"Not bad. It's the same wherever Helen is."

"Helen? Oh, the crybaby cat?"

Helen hides immediately because she's afraid of the branch manager's eagle familiar.

"She's not a crybaby. More importantly, what's with the lack of people in this branch? There were only two alchemists before I came, and both were 10th level. That's abnormal, right?"

"That's true. It was a concern here too. That's why we sent you."

There just happened to be a convenient guy to transfer.

"I heard you were poached to make airships in a northern town. You approved it pretty easily, didn't you?"

Even for a transfer, the branch manager's approval is needed.

"It's Jean's town. The airship is an order from the royal family. We couldn't refuse."

Jean is a fairly large town in the west of the north.

"Why would an order from the royal family go to Jean instead of the capital's headquarters? Oh, the queen, right?"

The queen is from Jean.

"That's right. It's a topic I'd rather not delve into."

The queen's word is law.

Well, such things happen.

"If that's the case, there's no choice. There will be plenty of work even after the airship is completed."

Such connections exist everywhere.

"True. That's why the Riet branch is like this. That's why Adelle's transfer request was approved so quickly. It was a stroke of luck."

I see...

"Thanks. Are there any others?"

"Who would want to go to Riet? It's impressive that Adelle even requested the transfer. What's up with her? Is it because of you?"

Everyone says that...

"There's no way. She's just a classmate. I just invited her because she had friends here. I didn't expect to get approval."

"I see... How about your colleagues here? They're 10th level, but they're not useless, right?"

"They lack experience, but they're not useless. They're more than capable for the work here. Most importantly, they're good people."

That's been a big help.

"Interesting... That's good to hear. Well, try your best. We'll recruit volunteers based on the branch manager's request, but don't get your hopes up."

They won't come.

"Got it. Oh, make sure to cover Adelle's travel expenses."

"Sure, sure. See you."

The branch manager hung up, so I put the phone down.

"Helen, Adelle said she would contact us before she leaves, right?"

I was more curious about that than the conversation with the branch manager.

"Yes, she did."

"What's her real intention?"

"She'll be happy if you come to welcome her."

I see...

"Even I can figure that out."

After all, it happened to me with Erika.

"Adelle has been to this town before, but we should welcome her since we invited her."

"True..."

I told the branch manager about Adelle's room and went back upstairs to continue my work.

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