Chapter 43

"Alright, let's end the introductions and questions here. It's getting late, after all. As for tomorrow's schedule, I plan to dive into the Great Labyrinth right away. The purpose is to confirm the coordination of the new party with Orun. We're planning to go to the lower levels, but I'll tell you the exact location tomorrow. First, gather here at 9 a.m. as usual. Orun, generally, when we explore the labyrinth, meet here at 9 a.m. If there are any changes, I'll let you know."

"Got it."

The meeting ended.

From Selma's tone, it seemed like this was the end.

Just as I was thinking that,

"Hey, how about we go out to eat to celebrate Orun's welcome?"

Will suggested.

"Ah... It's a very kind offer, but can it wait until tomorrow? I actually have something I need to do for tomorrow's labyrinth exploration..."

I felt bad turning down the invitation, but I wanted to get this done today.

"Preparations for tomorrow? Is it okay to ask what it is?"

"I'm planning to go buy a sword."

I lost two swords in the battle with the black dragon the day before yesterday.

I should have bought them yesterday, but I only realized it right before I went to bed...

"Wait! So you don't have any weapons right now!?"

Will exclaimed in surprise.

The other three had similar expressions.

"No, I still have one, so I can go on the exploration, but I want to increase my stock just in case."

"In that case, can't it wait until tomorrow? Weapons aren't something you can make in a day, you know."

"No, the ones I use are mass-produced, so I can get them today."

"Huh!? You don't use custom-made weapons!?"

Everyone was surprised again.

Well, when you become a high-level explorer, custom-made weapons are the norm.

I can't blame them for their reaction.

"No, I only used B-rank swords, so I don't have any custom-made ones. Besides, with the current support magic, I can make up for sharpness and durability, so there's no need to buy expensive ones."

"I'm not an expert on swords, but don't mass-produced swords have different centers of gravity? Wouldn't that cause discomfort?"

"That can be adjusted after a few swings. Besides, I can avoid buying ones with significant differences."

"～～～～! No way! You might be right, but you're the ace of the Night Sky's Silver Rabbit's first team from today! You can't let others see you using cheap, mass-produced swords!"

Rain said, grabbing my hand and trying to move me somewhere.

"Hey, Rain!? Where are you going!?"

Ignoring Will's voice, she pulled me along, walking briskly somewhere.

◇

We were brought to a forge-like place in another building on the same grounds.

Rain continued to lead me deeper inside, and the other three followed behind.

Finally, we were brought to a burly old man, and she let go of my hand.

"What's this? The whole first team showing up... What's going on?"

Well, it would be surprising if we suddenly appeared.

"Alan! Please make a sword for this boy!"

Rain suddenly made the request.

Alan, the blacksmith, looked at me closely.

"A sword, huh?"

Alan stared at me intently.

"...Are you the rumored dragon slayer?"

After looking me up and down, he asked.

"I don't know if I'm the rumored dragon slayer, but I did defeat a black dragon recently."

"Figures, you have the bearing of a seasoned warrior. I could tell right away."

"Thank you...?"

"So, you want me to make a sword? It would be an honor to make a sword for the current dragon slayer. But, since you were in the hero party, don't you already have a famous blacksmith?"

"Of course, that's what you'd think! But he uses mass-produced weapons."

Rain explained to Alan, who was getting excited.

"What!? Is that true!?"

"Well, yes, it's true..."

"You're entrusting your life to a weapon! Why are you settling for something you just bought!?"

Alan was furious.

A sword is a swordsman's soul, after all.

Besides, my thinking has changed.

Rain's words made me realize something.

I am now a front-line attacker in the Night Sky's Silver Rabbit's first team.

I need to be a role model for other front-line attackers.

Even if it's not about inspiring dreams, using a high-quality sword in a top party might boost morale.

"Until just now, I thought mass-produced swords were fine, but Rain's words made me change my mind—"

"Huh? You thought I was angry? Sorry, I wasn't angry!"

Rain frantically tried to explain that she wasn't angry.

She wasn't angry, but she was a bit scary.

"No, you were angry. You brought me here without saying anything, and your face was scary."

"Rain was scary."

Will pointed out, and Lucre agreed.

Selma was also smiling wryly.

Yeah, we all had the same impression.

"Quiet over there!"

"Wow, you really are angry!"

"...Are you guys here to do a comedy routine?"

"That's not true! We're here to make a serious request!"

"Alright... Let's get back to the topic. Dragon slayer, what's your name?"

"I'm Orun."

"Orun, got it. I'm Alan. As you can see, I'm a blacksmith. So, what do you mean by 'changed your mind'?"

"Until now, I didn't care what others thought, so I thought mass-produced swords were fine. But since I'm in the Night Sky's Silver Rabbit's first team, I should use equipment that matches. So, please make a sword for me! I beg you!"

I bowed to Alan and pleaded for him to make a sword for me.

"...As I said before, it's an honor for me to make a sword for Orun. I'll gladly do it."

"That's great, Orun. Alan is the best blacksmith in the Night Sky's Silver Rabbit. My partner's weapon was also made by Alan, and I can vouch for the quality."

Will put his hand on my shoulder and spoke.

This guy is the best blacksmith in the clan. That makes me even more excited.

"Hey, don't flatter me so much. Besides, there's one problem."

"Can it be solved quickly?"

"The problem is the material for the weapon. We're currently short on materials from the lower levels. I used them all up on the weapons I made for Will. So, to make a weapon, we need to go to the lower levels. It's a bit of a catch-22."

"So, it's Will's fault. Will, go get the materials from the lower levels by yourself."

"Are you kidding me! Going alone, I wouldn't have enough lives to do it!"

Lucre made an unreasonable request, and Will dutifully pointed out the flaw.

These two get along well.

The material we need is from the lower levels.

"That's not a problem."

"Huh? What do you mean, Orun?"

I looked around and moved to a space where there was room.

"I have quite a bit of material from the lower levels."

As I said this, I summoned the ores and monster materials I had obtained from the lower levels, which could be used to make a sword.

"Wow, that's a lot!"

Lucre was excited, but the other four were stunned.

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