Volume 4 Chapter 54 The Scent of Grass and New Functions
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I solved the stamina issue in the Shadow Forest to the west of the kingdom, and even managed to have my wedding ceremonies with my wives.
Enjoying the nights with them, I had a fulfilling break, both physically and mentally.
The next morning, after breakfast, I left my wives behind at the Love Hotel and stepped outside. They still looked tired from last night’s activities, so I decided to let them rest.
As I opened the door of the Love Hotel and took a step out, I was back in the familiar Dungeon City.
The town was already bustling with energy.
In the stone-paved square, the voices of merchants busy preparing their stalls were echoing around.
The delicious aroma of freshly baked bread floated over from an alley. The bakery mistress was arranging freshly baked baguettes at her storefront, cheerfully chatting with early morning customers.
Adventurers with swords at their hips were searching for food supplies.
A young boy, perhaps on an errand, walked while carefully looking at a bag filled with bread.
I weave through the morning market’s noise and head towards the craftsmen’s street.
Blacksmiths, leatherworkers, and artisans lined the street, with the smell of iron, fire, and sweat filling the air.
The sound of a hammer striking metal echoed from somewhere.
I pass through the stone alley and go deeper in. The buildings become older, and the road more cracked. This backstreet, on the outskirts of the craftsmen’s town/street, looks like a slum.
My destination is a dilapidated house. Collapsing walls, peeling roof boards. It looks like an abandoned building.
But this is the workshop of the skilled blacksmith, Beckus.
”Hey, old man! Are you awake?”
I call out at the entrance. There’s no answer.
”Hey! Wake up, Beckus!”
I raise my voice and call out several times. The sound of heavy footsteps, thudding on the creaky floor, approaches from inside the house.
Soon, an elderly man with a small stature and a sturdy build appears.
”You’re so noisy! Who is it, bothering me so early in the morning…? Hm? Isn’t that Taro!”
His eyes are sleepy, and he’s holding a wine bottle in one hand. Still, he recognizes my face and smiles.
That’s Beckus, the famous dwarf craftsman.
”You’re alive!”
”Of course I am.”
We joked around as I explained what happened.
I said we went to handle the riot in the west. Things got chaotic, but we made it back safely.
But I didn’t say just what we did or what kind of hell we went through. Can’t tell that part.
”Well, I’m glad my important clients didn’t die.”
Beckus snorted, acting carefree. He doesn’t ask many questions, and I like that distance.
”As long as the little girls are safe, I’ve got no complaints. If those big, puffed-up breasts or those fat, bouncy butts got a scratch──hell, that’d be a loss to the world!”
The old man suddenly burst into a loud, vulgar laugh.
I couldn’t help but crack a grudging smile.
Weirdly, his blunt insult makes me feel more at ease.
”Look, here’s what I got. About 30 shots ready to go.”
”Thanks.”
I took the magic gun’s bullets he handed me, stuffed them into a bag.
”Make a lot of money, then ask me for more jobs. I’m always free, you know!”
Plenty of customers want to hire him, but he’s picky. He refuses them all. Such a talented craftsman, messing around.
I thank him and leave his workshop.
* * *
”That’s what happened.”
”I see. So, at that time, you were actively using listening magic?”
Back in the Love Hotel room, I overheard a conversation in the lobby.
The ones sitting on the couch and talking are Lifia and Rozmiaque.
”Your current way of using it is like calling out to someone and trying to get an answer.”
The two sit side by side, talking seriously about magic.
”Of course, they aren’t really talking. But magic waves are still emitted. Those sensitive to magic can feel those waves. So, if you actively listen, you get more accurate info──but you also risk being detected.”
”Then, what should I do…”
”Just focus on passively ‘listening.’ Your sensitivity and range drop, but it’s less noticeable.”
I see.
We’re talking about that time we got jumped by a bounty head in the dungeon, right?
Back then, Lifia’s detection magic got sensed by the enemy. We ended up getting the drop on us. Looks like the way we used magic was the problem.
Sorta like active and passive sonar, huh?
If you make noise, you can pinpoint the location, but the enemy can also spot you. On the flip side, if you stay quiet, you lose accuracy but gain stealth.
Lifia listened intently, nodding now and then, taking serious notes.
Sure enough, having a mentor to guide you makes a big difference. Seems like she’s understanding things way deeper than self-studying.
Rozmiaque, on the other hand, doesn’t mind teaching her daughter at all. He looks pretty cheerful, even a bit proud, as he talks.
The sight of those 2 is just heartwarming.
”Oops! My apologies, my lord. I wasn’t here to greet you…”
Rozmiaque stood up and bowed his head when he noticed me. Lifia quickly got to her feet too.
”It’s fine. Prioritize teaching Lifia.”
”No, I’ve just caught my breath. Lifia, keep practicing what I just taught. Repetition is power.”
”Yes, thank you so much. Dad.”
Lifia put her hands together and bowed sincerely. She looks pretty happy.
Rozmiaque nodded in satisfaction and then turned back to me.
”So, my lord, I’d like to consult with you…”
What is it?
Invited by Rozmiaque, I step into the room I lent him in the Love Hotel.
The moment I open the door, a faint grassy smell tickles my nose. The room is covered in light green tatami mats, and soft light filters in through the shoji screens, lighting up the space. The design of the partitions is careful and thoughtful, giving the room a cozy, familiar feel.
Yep, the room I lent him in the ‘Love Hotel’ is a Japanese-style room.
In the tatami mat room, a handsome elf with golden hair and blue eyes sits properly in seiza.
Mixing otherworldly with traditional Japanese… it’s a strange yet fitting combo.
”My lord… this room is truly the pinnacle of spaces!”
Rozmiaque knelt down, gently placing his hand on the tatami.
”The pure scent rising from this floor, the breath of fresh grass… It feels like being deep in a forest, in a sacred space where the spirits whisper. Ah, what healing, what peace…”
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, quietly smiling. The expression on his face showed pure happiness, from the depths of his heart.
”To be granted such a space… I must thank my fate. My lord, again and again, I cannot express enough gratitude for this gift!”
”Ah, I’m glad you like it…”
I didn’t expect him to be this moved.
The room I prepared just to get my wives out of the way for some… private time, and now it’s being praised like this.
After a while of praising the beauty of the tatami room, Rozmiaque pulled something that looked like tea leaves from his pocket. A faintly sweet scent spread through the air.
He quietly began his work with magic.
Floating green leaves were scorched by flame, while water in the air bubbled and boiled.
The tea was poured into a cup in mid-air, and fragrant steam rose.
Magic-made tea… what a strange sight. It had the serene beauty of a fantasy movie scene, drawing your attention with its calm, mesmerizing charm.
”It’s just simple tea, but…”
I took the offered teacup and took a sip.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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