Chapter 61 The Blacksmith Is Summoned
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Master, there’s no challenge. It’s boring.”
”You say that after finishing them off with that huge grin?”
That was the very first thing Dahlia said when she returned. “You’d only be satisfied fighting something around the eightieth floor, wouldn’t you?”
”No matter how many of these weaklings I crush, it still fails to prove the excellence of the weapon you forged for me, Master—this Heimazaanraat.”
”…You actually named that chainsaw something like that?”
”Yes. Based on your usual naming pattern, it felt like the best fit.”
”…Well, I’m glad you like it.”
If I remembered right, Heima meant ‘blood’ and Zaanraat meant ‘gear.’ So… ‘Blood Gear.’ A bit terrifying, though fitting.
”Anyway, from here, we’ll handle things. You can just watch, Dahlia.”
”What? Why, Master?”
”Because we need the experience—leveling up both ourselves and our skills. You don’t need that, right?”
”Ah… yes, that’s true.”
Hearing me out, Dahlia obediently moved to the rear. She really was well-behaved, all things considered.
Our usual party moved through the dungeon smoothly. Along the way, my Hammer Mastery skill finally maxed out, and I picked up Mana Boost I next. The nice thing about Mana Boost is that it improves your control over mana, which also amplifies magic attacks. That’ll let me forge magic metals with finer precision from here on.
I let Dahlia take the boss drop—her first dungeon run deserved a souvenir, after all. She pulled not one but two giant mana stones. Maybe it was fate telling me to craft a new ‘egg.’ I agreed to hold onto them after we discussed it.
We advanced deeper and reached the fabled twenty-fifth floor.
”All right, from here on, we’re dealing with golems. I’ll take point.”
”Seems fair enough.”
”I’d ask Ethelena to handle the distraction. I still can’t move fast enough in midair.”
”Got it.”
As we discussed our roles, Dahlia tilted her head. “Wouldn’t it be faster if I crushed them all with Auto Eizul?”
Ah, right. She didn’t know.
”No. Against any kind of golem, I’m the one best suited to maximize the drop rate.”
”…This from the same master who completely lost his temper against those Muumins?”
”Why’d you have to bring that up?”
Honestly, anyone would have snapped in that situation. Call it ugly jealousy if you want—I’d still stand by it.
”To explain it simply,” I went on, “my Appraisal skill’s a bit special. I can see distortions—weak points—in inorganic materials. That lets me deliver fatal blows that ignore defense. Perfect for golems.”
”Impressive… wait, that means Automaton Maidens like me would also count, wouldn’t they?”
”Yeah. When I saved you, I agreed to do so under the condition that, if you went berserk, I’d take responsibility and destroy you myself.”
”…”
Dahlia froze in place.
”Master… why did you choose to save me?”
”There’s no reason behind wanting to help someone. If you hesitate, you’ll be too late. Even if I get hurt, I’ll still reach out my hand. Foolish or not, I can’t stop myself from doing that.”
It all started when I saved the Archangel. Since then, I’ve helped all sorts of people—big and small things alike. I reached out to Ethelena, pulled Yohira out of that dungeon, helped Tatia stand again as a person, fed that foolish fox, and gave Dahlia her ‘egg.’ And now here we are.
”Master, how long will you keep living that way?”
”Who knows? Until I either get tired of it—or die.”
”…Then I’ll stay and watch over you until the end.”
She bowed her head slightly. I still didn’t understand what it was about me that made her so loyal.
Not long after that conversation, we spotted our first Mithril Golem. Honestly, at this point, Iron Golems felt rarer.
”Tatia.”
”Hmm? What is it?”
”Your estoc might end up being made from mithril.”
”…Well, that’s my own fault, isn’t it?”
She gave a wry smile. Truly, what counted as “rare metal” anymore?
”Ethelena, handle the distraction.”
”Okay. Leave it to me.”
She answered lightly and took to the air. I only just realized how silent her movements had become—seemed her training with the foolish fox had paid off.
Same routine as always: Ethelena blocked the golem’s sightline while I circled around and used Crafting. I noticed I no longer needed mana stones to shape the ground—progress, I guess. The Mithril Golem lost its balance, and once it fell, I erased a single symbol from its forehead. Done.
”…Master, why did the golem collapse like that?”
Dahlia asked while I was collecting the drops.
”Golems are magical constructs. They’re powered by spell formulas, and the key to that formula sits in the symbol on their foreheads. Erase the first character, and the meaning of the spell reverses, destroying the golem.”
Dahlia’s eyes widened. Guess not many people knew that trick.
She quietly placed a hand over her own forehead. “…You’re not a golem, you know.”
”…Right.”
She really did have her odd moments.
We repeated the same thing until we reached the boss room. At this point, it was almost a running joke—all the enemies were Mithril Golems. With all that mithril, I could probably craft Dahlia’s Elingium and Tatia’s estoc. Seventy kilograms of mithril—was that really supposed to be rare? Honestly, people got more excited when we found iron on the twenty-third floor.
”All right, how should we handle this one?”
”Couldn’t we just use the old magic tool?”
”I gave that one to Dahlia. Haven’t made a new one yet.”
Relying on her now felt wrong somehow. Borrowing back Auto Eizul would’ve just left a bad taste.
Guess I’d stick with the old method.
”We’ll do it like before. Ethelena, prepare Elingium.”
”Eh—okay, got it.”
”And everyone, wear these around your neck.”
I handed out small necklaces to each of them—prototype equipment that combined personal soundproof barriers with short-range telepathy links.
”Testing, testing. Can you all hear me in your heads?”
”Whoa!? Tatara-dono’s voice… inside my mind!?”
”They speak directly into our thoughts…?”
”It’s a test model—lets us talk through our equipment while keeping the noise out. Once it’s polished, I’ll make party versions: earrings, cuffs, even hairpins if you want. Let me know your preferences later. I’ll engrave our party’s crest on each piece.”
”Understood. We’ll decide after the exploration.”
”Same here. A hair ornament might be nice…”
Through the telepathic link, Yohira, Tatia, and I spoke smoothly, while Ethelena and Dahlia still fumbled with their necklaces.
”…Um, is this thing actually working?”
”Loud and clear, Ethelena.”
”Sorry, Tatara—my hair’s too silky for these accessories. They just slide off.”
”Ethelena’s hair may be too lustrous for that sort of thing. Perhaps an earring would suit better?”
”Piercings or cufflinks sound good. But no rings. Never rings.”
”Giving someone a ring as a magic tool gift is… ah, but you two are already wearing that kind of ring, aren’t you?”
”Yeah, the ones we found right here.”
A faint nostalgia welled up in me. It hadn’t even been that long ago, yet those hectic days already felt like another lifetime.
”…Connection complete.”
”Good. Dahlia’s got hers on too.”
”Master, what exactly is this pitifully simple magic device? I feel insulted just wearing it.”
”Don’t get all picky like some guy in red armor. It’s a prototype. I decided to make it after nearly going deaf indoors when Ethelena fired Elingium. It combines a soundproof barrier that blocks gunfire with telepathic communication. I plan to distribute improved versions to all party members later—but I’m guessing you don’t want one, Dahlia?”
”I most certainly do. Preferably as a hair ornament, please.”
”Fine, I’ll take everyone’s requests later. Ethelena, same as before—you ready?”
”I’ll start with a precise headshot.”
”Tatia.”
”I move in right after Ethelena fires, yes? Leave it to me.”
We reviewed each person’s role one more time and began preparing. I glanced at Ethelena lying on the thickened mat, and a small shiver ran down my spine. If she ever found out about the “Revelation” incident, she’d wring me dry.
Beside her, Dahlia quietly touched the Elingium.
”Dahlia?”
”By touching it, I can temporarily enhance the weapon’s power. I’ll handle the enhancement; Madam will take care of the aim and the trigger.”
”Got it. I’ll finish this in one shot.”
Ethelena’s eyes glowed red. She was ready.
”All right, everyone set?”
”Ethelena—aim and trigger, ready.”
”Tatia—ready to move in.”
”Yohira—stay back and support if needed.”
”Understood.”
”Then, operation start.”
We opened the door. I moved behind Ethelena, stepping into her shield’s range. Sensing it, she poured mana into Elingium. The magic circle formed and charged far faster than usual. So this was Elingium under the influence of an Automaton Maiden. In less than two seconds, she pulled the trigger.
Light and shockwaves erupted—but no sound reached us. The device worked perfectly. Before I could even appreciate that, the Orichalcum Golem ahead collapsed.
”…I blew its head off.”
”Didn’t think you could one-shot a boss with a headshot…”
Not even the Goblin Lord on the tenth floor had gone down like that.
We removed our devices and stepped into the boss chamber. Ethelena opened the treasure chest—another enormous mana stone. I had to wonder… maybe we’d soon need one more Alchemist’s Egg.
”Something bothering you, Master?”
”Yeah. Looks like I’ve got enough to make another ‘egg.’ I’m wondering if I should.”
”That would be wise. You should advance your Arcane Armor to the next stage. A suit powered by an artificial Soul Core, crafted by human hands—such a creation deserves our blessing.”
”…You’re really fine with that?”
The rest of the party agreed that I should upgrade my gear. Sure, I was technically the weakest one here, but was it really that obvious?
Still, this was a good time to test Dahlia’s capabilities properly.
”Dahlia, mind doing something reckless for me?”
”Of course, Master. What shall I do?”
”We’re heading down a bit lower. If we run into a Lich, I want you to take it on. Physical attacks won’t work—try using your Mana Blade.”
”Yes, my Master.”
The others looked startled.
”Tatara-dono, will she be all right?”
”Against normal Wights or Ghosts, Ethelena’s Lonisera can take them out easily. It’s just the Lich that’s dangerous.”
Still, Liches use instant-death magic. Dahlia would have to end the fight before it could even act. To craft anti-death accessories, we’d need drops from undead anyway.
”Think you can handle it, Dahlia?”
”Leave it to me. Even the king of the undead will fall before my blade.”
”They can interfere with your soul and kill you outright—don’t let it touch you.”
”Yes, my Master.”
And so we descended to the thirty-first floor. The scenery shifted dramatically—from the industrial look above to something darker, like the early cave levels but deeper in shadow. The blackened rock walls gave off a chilling atmosphere.
”Ethelena, it’s dangerous, but can you scout ahead?”
”Got it. I’ll be careful.”
She glided forward, wings silent as ever. We followed close behind without breaking formation. Soon, she stopped at the corner of a wall, peering ahead. She’d spotted something. I caught up, looked past her—and there it was. A skeletal figure in robes, holding a staff: the undead king, Lich.
”First encounter on this floor and it’s a Lich. We’re lucky, huh?”
”I truly apologize.”
”It’s not your fault, Tatia. Dahlia—take it.”
”Yes, my Master.”
Dahlia stepped forward calmly. Could she really stand so boldly before that thing?
The Lich noticed her and began radiating visible streams of mana, weaving its spell. A glowing fireball—classic magic—hurtled toward her. Must’ve been going at least a hundred seventy kilometers per hour; no human in my past life could’ve thrown anything that fast.
Dahlia raised her left-hand magic sword, slashed before the mana could solidify, and split the fireball clean in two. Like something straight out of a manga.
As the Lich unleashed spell after spell, Dahlia burst forward with explosive acceleration. She covered roughly eighty meters in under a second. Her blade came down just as the Lich halted its chant to form a mana shield. The clash lasted only a heartbeat. A sound like shattering glass rang out—the shield broke, and the Lich was cleaved clean in half, staff and all.
…Holy crap. She was that strong?
”Mission complete, Master. If this was the strongest this floor has to offer, there’s no problem.”
”Looks like it.”
I picked up the huge mana stone it dropped. At this rate, we could mass-produce eggs just by hunting Liches. More mana stones would mean upgrades for everyone—an Arcane Gun to boost Ethelena’s firepower, advancements for Tatia’s aura, materials for Dahlia’s new equipment, and maybe even a prototype mana reactor to gift the Torakuma family.
”…You’ve got that scheming look again, Tatara.”
”Yeah, well—I’m thinking of something shady. Feels a bit like leeching off Dahlia’s work, honestly.”
I said that over my shoulder to Yohira, then turned back to face the team.
”Now that we know Dahlia can take down Liches on her own, we’ll adjust our strategy. Let’s push on to the thirty-fourth floor.”
”So, you mean we’ll let Dahlia handle every Lich we encounter while we continue exploring?”
”Exactly. If regular Wights or Ghosts appear, Ethelena will handle them for the experience boost. With the level gap being around ten, she should level up fast.”
”Got it. What if they show up together?”
”Then Dahlia focuses on the Lich, while Ethelena wipes out the surrounding Wights and Ghosts with Lonisera.”
With our plan set, we moved forward again. Up to the thirty-fourth floor, we encountered nothing but Liches—sometimes as many as ten at once. Somehow, Dahlia turned every fight into a one-woman strategy game massacre.
”Master, may I make a request?”
”Let me guess—about a new weapon?”
”Yes.”
I replied while collecting another large mana stone. Occasionally, a massive one dropped too. Luck was on our side. We’d also gathered rare materials—enough to craft the Undead King’s Robe. That thing could easily sell for a million if we found the right buyer. Maybe Olive-san, or one of the academy’s magic professors. With that kind of profit, I could treat everyone to a proper meal for once.
”I’d like a weapon that can project my Mana Blade—something I can sweep with.”
”So, like a halberd based on your magic sword’s mechanism? I don’t have many long-weapon designs, but we can check other workshops for inspiration.”
”As expected of Master—your idea of a ‘date’ has no romance at all.”
”…That counts as a date?”
I checked our mana stone count. Enough to make two new Eggs. If Dahlia could level up, she probably would’ve gained two or three levels by now.
”Tatara, are we going deeper?”
”No. I’m not aiming for the fortieth floor.”
”Oh? Retreating already? Are the enemies that troublesome?”
”…From here on, we’ll be facing zombie-types. They reek.”
”…That bad?”
”The first time I came here, the stench was so awful I threw up.”
”Ugh…”
From this point onward, the enemies up to the next boss room were all undead—zombies and ghouls. They were not only tough but unbelievably smelly. The easiest way to deal with them was to burn everything. I did have a prototype flamethrower ready, so we could literally “purify the filth.” But using too much Fluid Mana Stone fuel would put us in the red.
”…What about rare enemies?”
”From the thirty-fifth floor onward, you get vampires. Yohira’s magic is effective against them, but there’s a catch.”
”Oh? You mean even I might struggle?”
”Not exactly. With my Appraisal, I can probably kill them before they regenerate. But they all have charm magic.”
”If Torakuma gets charmed and turns on us, we’re done for…”
”Exactly. Unless everyone learns Sex Sorcery to build charm resistance, it’s too risky. So we’re pulling out.”
The group nodded. Between “smelly” and “annoying,” no one wanted to pick either. Besides, the treasure chests had yielded plenty—about thirty kilos of iron. Enough to craft Dahlia’s Elingium and a mana-cannon-type Arcane Gun. If I made one for Ethelena too, she could probably take down a Lich herself someday. That would let us keep exploring even without Dahlia.
”All right, let’s head back. Everyone, as usual—ah, right, Dahlia’s first time. Just touch me somewhere.”
”? Yes, my Master.”
She replied and immediately hugged me from the front—perks of being short, I guess. Ethelena slipped her hand into mine, Yohira wrapped her hands over the one holding the return crystal, and Tatia rested a gentle hand on my shoulder. Once everyone was in contact, I activated the return crystal.
Back at the dungeon entrance, Dahlia looked genuinely startled by the teleportation. It was a single-use item, and apart from the Sky Soaring Bracelet, there weren’t many teleportation devices like it, so her surprise made sense.
Come to think of it, these crystals were disposable. I’d never really minded spending a medium mana stone each time, but maybe that was wasteful. If my kid ever grew up and wanted to be an explorer, I’d probably try to invent a reusable version using the Eggs. …Though I’d probably get murdered by the city mayor for it—”You’re undermining the point of higher education!” or something like that.
When we returned home, the place was spotless. The floors gleamed, not a speck of dust or grime anywhere. I had a feeling this was the foolish fox’s doing. She must’ve set those up for our safety. For all her quirks, she really was a good girl.
Hinagiku-san was sitting on the sofa, knees hugged to her chest, staring blankly ahead. Near her stood the foolish fox with arms crossed, watching her like a guard. The roles were reversed for once.
”I’m back. Thanks for the cleaning, foolish fox.”
”Welcome home-degozaru, Master… wait, how did you know it was me?”
”The extra anti-intruder traps gave it away.”
”Judging that by traps alone… you’re half a pervert-degozaru.”
Her reaction hovered somewhere between disgust and reluctant amusement. Still, after last night, I felt she was finally starting to open up to me a little.
”So… I’m guessing Hinagiku-san’s domestic skills were a disaster?”
”She trained day and night to become an imperial guard-degozaru. No surprise she’s hopeless at chores—but she insists on trying-degozaru.”
So the one actually suffering was the fox. When I patted her head, her tail swayed contentedly.
”…I just wanted to repay Tatara-dono and everyone somehow.”
”Hey, seeing you and Ethelena enjoy my cooking is thanks enough. It keeps me motivated.”
”Ugh… you just say that because you’ll eat anything, you uncultured tongue…”
”Hey, don’t sell yourself short.”
”When Hinagiku gets depressed, it lasts a while-degozaru.”
Then the foolish fox suddenly sniffed near me—being a beastkin, she could probably smell it.
”Master.”
”Yeah, yeah, I’ll bathe first. Ladies can wait.”
”Do it fast-degozaru, before a lust-crazed succubus pounces on you.”
”Why so specific!?”
There was only one half-succubus in this house, and if she’d overheard that, the fox would’ve been in serious trouble.
I washed off the sweat, scrubbing with deodorizing shampoo and soap. My long hair was a nuisance, but Ethelena liked to play with it, so cutting it was out of the question. It took me half an hour, leaving the girls waiting, but none of them complained—still, I should really install another bath soon.
”Master, there’s only cold-brew tea—will that be fine-degozaru?”
”…You didn’t put anything strange in it, right?”
”Master, do you take sugar?”
”Nah, it’s nothing.”
I’d probably overreacted just because she handed me iced tea.
One sip, though, and the flavor stopped me cold—rich aroma, no bitterness, perfectly balanced.
”You’re pretty good at this.”
”When infiltrating enemy territory, serving tea can be part of the act. I was thoroughly trained-degozaru.”
”…Must’ve been rough.”
”I never thought of it as rough. I was just an ignorant child-degozaru.”
The foolish fox cupped her drink in both hands and took a slow sip, her expression peaceful.
”Master, the dreams I see here are pleasant-degozaru. I never want to wake up.”
”I told you—keep dreaming as long as you like. When you’ve had your fill, then you can wake.”
She relaxed at that, visibly relieved. Maybe her odd speech pattern was her way of testing me, like a child seeking reassurance. Deep down, her heart was still young.
As we talked, a faint tapping came from the window. I turned to see a small shadow—a bird-shaped golem. It was the one I used for correspondence with the City Mayor.
”…A letter, huh?”
I untied it from the golem’s leg and unfolded it. Tomorrow at noon, a meeting with the Torakuma family—attendance required for both Yohira and me.
”This can’t be good…”
Last time, I’d stepped on a metaphorical landmine. Hopefully this time wouldn’t blow up in my face.
After the girls finished their bath and dinner—cooked together by Ethelena and me—I went with Tatia into the forge at the back of the workshop.
”All right, time to start on your estoc.”
”Yeah. I’m counting on you.”
I’d planned for it to weigh eight kilos, but she said that was too heavy, so we settled on five. Still absurd, considering it needed fifty mithril ingots. Plenty left to spare, though. Seriously, how did we end up with so much?
I equipped one of the pre-made Eggs and got to work. I poured mana into all fifty ingots, softening the metal before folding and hammering them. It was stubborn stuff, but repetition did the trick—fifteen folds in total, forming over 1.6 million layered sheets of metal. I drew it out into a long, narrow cone, adjusting the length to about two meters, and sharpened the tip to a razor’s edge. I’d expected the folded lines to form a ripple pattern like tree rings, but the metals had fused perfectly—smooth, seamless, gleaming like something that could pierce the world itself.
For the hilt, I made it a hand and a half long—usable one- or two-handed. I carved orc material for the grip and inserted the tang, pinning it securely. The wrapping cord was blue, matching Tatia’s eyes. The guard took the shape of wings, with a small ruby from the ore embedded in its center. No gold, but it echoed her hair color nicely. I dyed the sheath the same blue as the cord and mixed crushed mana stone into the lacquer for shine, quick-drying finish, and a touch of magic resistance.
When it was done, I held out Tatia’s new estoc.
”…So this is my new sword.”
With quiet reverence, she accepted it, drew it from its sheath, and raised it before her eyes.
”For mithril, it feels surprisingly heavy.”
”Well, that’s what happens when you use five whole kilos of it for one blade.”
”That does make sense.”
She smiled faintly—different from the old man’s sword, but she seemed to like it.
”Since it’s made of mithril, mana transmission is much smoother. Your Burst Edge should hit a lot harder now.”
That technique transferred her mana directly through the blade into her target. The less the weapon resisted that flow, the more devastating the result. Mithril equipment naturally boosted mana-based attacks. That was why Ethelena’s Lonisera could unleash such power—its mithril didn’t hinder the mana flowing from Baral-san’s Soul Core.
”It truly is a sword made just for me.”
”Of course it is.”
”Heh… then, what’s its name?”
”You all really enjoy watching me name things, don’t you?”
”Just this once, allow me the pleasure. Knowing you, Tatara-dono, you already have a name in mind, do you not?”
I sighed, caught by her knowing tone.
”…Andreia. It’s an old word meaning ‘courage.’”
”Ah, so you forged it with the wish that I, like you, may face any hardship with courage, yes?”
”…You already knew that. Why ask?”
Tatia laughed brightly as I sighed again, teasing me.
”Well then, it’s about time I headed home. Tomorrow, you and Yohira won’t be joining the expedition, correct?”
”Right. Dahlia will accompany the others, but I’ve told her to stay back unless things get dangerous.”
”Understood. Then I’ll see you later.”
We walked together to the entrance, exchanged farewells, and she departed into the night.
Now… time to craft Dahlia’s equipment and tune up Ethelena’s Elingium.
The next morning, I woke in my room. Beside me, under the same blanket, lay a naked Ethelena. She’d been waiting in the bath after my late-night work. She’d recreated the scene from the first time she visited—when we bathed together—and made sure all the things I’d wanted to do back then finally happened. Things got… enthusiastic. We even continued afterward in the bedroom. I still remembered her tearful whisper.
”‘Please… don’t disappear.’”
How could I not grant that wish?
I smiled faintly at the memory and got up. Shower first, then preparation for the noon meeting. Most likely, the purpose was to synchronize our networks between this city and theirs. I needed to be professional about it.
”…Right. I forgot to submit that to the mayor.”
I remembered last night’s creation—the prototype Tatara Julon Mana Reactor, along with its blueprints and design notes. I’d have to bring them to the Acting Head of the Family and his wife for review. The real field tests would happen at home later. For now, the plan was just to present it.
And maybe, with luck, I’d get a referral to a skilled blacksmith.
”All right then—shower, then breakfast.”
Speaking the words out loud, I started my day. I wondered if Dahlia would manage to wake up on time today.
Notes:
• Dahlia – The automaton.
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name.
• Hinagiku – A tengu woman as Ranka’s potential companion. She stays with Tatara’s group after travels. Joins household scenes only. Linked to Ranka by shared gluttony jokes. No direct tie to Tatara beyond cohabitation. Cheerful eater.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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