Chapter 91

From today on, I will finally start the finishing touches. Before starting the work, I carefully examine the sword to identify the points that need correction. Compared to when I first started, it has really taken the shape of a sword. I have checked it several times, but there doesn't seem to be any loss of magical power. I need to maintain this state while doing the final finishing touches.

I place the sword in the forge and use a cheat to adjust the placement of the charcoal and the airflow so that only the part I want to work on gets heated. Once it reaches the temperature suitable for processing, I take it out and hammer it. If I can hammer it as intended, I compare it with the wooden model to ensure it matches. This process is repeated.

Today, Sermia and Diana are out hunting. So, during the work, the conversations are among me, Rike, and Ridi. While comparing the sword with the wooden model, Rike and Ridi talk. Rike's work is making a general model knife. At first, their conversations were awkward, but after living together for about a week, they seem to be getting along better.

"I'm not very good at grasping the flow of magical power like the master..."

"I've heard that dwarves are more skilled at understanding the state of the ore itself rather than magical power."

"How can I become more like the master, even a little?"

"That person seems to surpass the capabilities of ordinary people, so it might be difficult to aim for that..."

"I understand that, but even a few tips would be helpful."

"...Well, I won't be here for long, but let's practice during my stay."

"Is that okay? No, thank you!"

Rike bowed, and Ridi smiled a bit awkwardly. I remember having that expression before. It's good that a dwarf and an elf, who sometimes have conflicts in my previous world, are teaching and learning from each other. For a while, Ridi will teach Rike about magical power during his work. As for my work, it was decided that "I already know Eizou's skills, so it's fine" and I was exempted from supervision.

However, he occasionally glanced at me, so it seems he is still doing the minimum checks. That gives me confidence in my work. It's most troublesome to be told that this or that is wrong after working for a while. I've been through that many times in my previous world... It's sad, so I'll stop there. It's just a matter of occasionally checking with Ridi.

Today, I was able to complete the work as planned. Rike's progress isn't very good because he's also practicing how to see magical power. However, the next delivery is still far off, and we haven't promised a specific quantity.

More importantly, it's better for Rike to grow and be able to make high-end models. If he can do that, for example, I can mass-produce general models with speed, and Rike can make high-end models, which would allow for better division of labor. This way, I won't have to deliver based on my schedule. I want him to gradually build confidence in returning to his family's workshop.

While cleaning up the workshop, Sermia and Diana returned. They didn't have anything in hand, so they must have caught a big game. When I asked, they said they had caught a large boar. It seems Diana served as the flagman again today.

It would be better if we could switch roles or if everyone could perform the same role. They seem to practice archery in their free time, so I should make a bow for Diana soon.

Incidentally, Diana lamented that she didn't see the wolf pups.

The next morning, the five of us set out together. Of course, we weren't going to town, but to retrieve the boar. Ridi could have stayed home, but since she insisted on coming, we went together. There was nothing particularly different from usual. Sermia and Diana led the way, Ridi and the axe-wielding, very dwarven Rike were in the middle, and I brought up the rear, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings. We soon arrived at the spot where we had sunk the boar. It was a fairly large boar. Sermia, Diana, and I pulled it to the shore, while Rike cut down trees to make a transport platform. Rike alone was more than enough to cut down the trees, so I had Ridi help tie the ropes.

Thanks to that, the transport platform was ready by the time we pulled the boar up. We loaded the boar onto the platform, secured it, took a short break, and then carried it home. I considered asking Ridi to help pull, but since she doesn't seem very strong, I decided against it this time. I almost forgot, but she is a guest.

When we got home, we skinned and butchered the boar. Since everyone except Ridi had custom knives, we considered the work efficiency and had everyone except Ridi do the work. With everyone working together, the meat was ready in no time. Ridi doesn't seem to have any particular aversion to this, so it must be similar in the elf village. They live in areas rich in magic, including forests, out of necessity, but their basic lifestyle seems to be almost the same as humans.

I asked Rike during the work, and he said that since most dwarves are blacksmiths, they live near mines, but their lifestyle isn't much different from humans. Unlike elves, they don't need magic, so there are "odd ones" who occasionally go to town to start businesses or travel without becoming apprentices. I wonder how other races, like the lizardmen I saw in the city, live. I'd like to ask if they come as customers someday.

While thinking about these things, I returned to the house to clean up and prepare lunch.