Chapter 64 The Blacksmith Meets the Demon
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”The conversation’s gone wildly off track,” Yohira said, tilting her head. “Shall we return to the point?”
”Ah, sorry, Yohira. Please, go on.”
At her words, my mother-in-law nodded, while the Acting Head of the Family—looking a little deflated—was ignored. He looked pitiful for a moment.
”When I first learned Appraisal from Tatara,” Yohira began, “I practiced by examining the swords he forged. Even with his advice, I couldn’t see the distortions he spoke of. Eventually, Tatara told me to stop.”
She grew quiet, her expression shadowed by memory.
”But when I finally lifted my head,” she continued softly, “my Concept Appraisal had already awakened.”
”So you couldn’t see it with Tatara’s sword, is that right?” asked the Acting Head, suddenly recovering from his gloom.
”Yes,” Yohira nodded. “My Concept Appraisal applies only to living beings. I can perceive the distortions in their existence and bring them death… those are the eyes I gained.”
”That’s…” The Acting Head’s tone faltered.
”I hadn’t foreseen that outcome,” I admitted. “My oversight was inexcusable.”
”You said earlier that only three others, including yourself, can use those eyes?”
”That’s correct.”
”And none of them developed eyes like Yohira’s?”
”No. The other two I taught were crafters like me. Their Appraisals focused on minerals, as mine does.”
That was the irregularity I’d caused.
Because the others’ Appraisals resembled my own, I assumed Yohira’s would, too. That assumption was my mistake.
”A failure born of preconception… or perhaps of too little data to begin with,” murmured the Acting Head.
”To fault you for it seems harsh,” added the Head of Judiciary.
”I understand,” said the Acting Head. “Now then, Yohira.”
”Yes, Father.”
”Within your understanding, what effects does this Appraisal have?”
”…It lets me foresee a living being’s actions, ignore their defensive abilities, and strike a fatal blow with certainty. Those are the main ones, I believe.”
At minimum, she’d predicted the movements of both the foolish fox and Hinagiku at once.
What I could do against golems, Yohira could do against living creatures. Her scope surpassed mine.
”And…” she hesitated, “I can see the limits of a life—the moment its vitality ends.”
Ah, so that’s what she meant earlier by ‘a blasphemy against life.’
”You saw the span of our lives then,” I said quietly. “That must have been painful.”
”It was,” she whispered. “But Tatara held me. Thanks to that, I endured.”
It must have hurt beyond imagining, and yet she never showed it. Yohira truly was strong.
”…Does this Concept Appraisal have any side effects?” asked the Acting Head.
”Not exactly side effects, but it does affect the body.”
”In what way?”
”The eyes,” she said.
”…What?”
”The color of the iris changes. For example, mine.”
At that, my mother-in-law’s eyes widened more than anyone’s.
”Your eyes changed after birth? Not from birth itself?”
”Yes. My original eye color was amber. Maybe because I used Concept Appraisal too much as a child, they turned gold—the same color as when I activate it. I didn’t even notice until Ethelena pointed it out.”
I chuckled at myself. How oblivious could I be to miss something like my own appearance changing?
”Golden eyes, a blacksmith’s unmatched skill… You bring to mind Ame-no-Mahitotsu-no-Mikoto,” remarked the Head of Judiciary.
”That’s the name of a god?” I asked.
”In Hizuru, that deity is said to have been the first to forge and spread blacksmithing,” he explained. “A local god, but one with skill worthy of divine rank. I’d like to meet them, if possible.”
”However,” the Acting Head noted, “Yohira’s eyes were gold from the start. It doesn’t seem a large change.”
”With respect, Acting Head—”
His words stung.
I knew he didn’t mean harm, but still… he should understand that Yohira felt saddened when a part of her body—something she’d inherited from her parents—had changed.
”She treasures the body her parents gave her,” I said sharply. “Even a small change can hurt. Please, at least consider that.”
My tone came out harsher than I intended. The Acting Head closed his eyes, breathing out slowly.
”…That was thoughtless of me. Forgive me, Yohira.”
”I know you didn’t mean it that way, Father,” she replied gently. “I’m sorry my eyes changed to match yours instead.”
”Don’t apologize. A change in color doesn’t sever our bond as family.”
At least the two managed to reconnect. I was relieved to see they hadn’t drifted apart.
Then I felt someone’s gaze.
Looking up, I met the eyes of the Head of Judiciary. Was he about to comment on my tone?
”Tatara-dono,” he said instead. “Is that all regarding the Concept Appraisal?”
”Yes. I just wanted everyone to understand what I taught Yohira.”
”I see. There’s still much we don’t know.”
”Ah, right,” I added suddenly. “You should be careful not to use it for too long. It overloads the brain and causes bleeding from… well, every facial opening.”
”You should’ve led with that!”
I had completely forgotten. That agony had been followed by an even nastier curse, so I’d sworn off reckless use.
”Well, in my childhood I trained my brain that way, so it’s a habit,” I said weakly.
”You’re far too reckless! Ethelena-dono and Yohira are here—you must take better care of yourself!”
”Wha—? Y-yes, sir!”
”Louder!”
”Yes, sir!!”
He really chewed me out. Still, maybe that was his way of worrying.
”Honestly,” the Acting Head muttered, rubbing his temples, “why am I already exhausted before we’ve even discussed the main issue?”
”Oh, but it’s been lively and pleasant, hasn’t it?” my mother-in-law said with a small laugh.
”You would say that! While I’m trying to negotiate, you’re all acting like this is a family picnic—”
”Still,” she countered lightly, “Tatara-san did propose that joint investment plan with the central domain.”
”Knowing him, he’d have mentioned it casually somewhere else anyway.”
”Perhaps, but he might have brought it up at a far more serious moment.”
Now they were having a full-blown family meeting right in front of me—and apparently I was the topic.
The Foreign Affairs Chief looked ready to speak, but if he valued his peace, he’d stay silent. My mother-in-law was not someone you wanted to annoy.
”…By the way,” I interjected, “what was the original purpose of this meeting?”
Surely it wasn’t just to chat with Yohira over long distance. A lord wouldn’t have time for that.
”Ah, yes,” said the Acting Head. “Tell me—has the teleportation gate already been installed?”
”Yes. It was finished by noon the day after we received it.”
”…Sorry, what?”
”I said it was completed by noon the next day.”
”…I was told even in the best case it wouldn’t be done before evening.”
The Acting Head frowned, tapping his temple with two fingers before turning to Yohira.
”…Yohira?”
”When I returned home,” she said, “there was a grand torii gate in the garden that hadn’t been there that morning. It startled me.”
”Hm. Hinagiku?”
”As Lady Yohira said,” the maid replied, “a splendid gate had appeared overnight.”
”I went to check around noon with a few men, and it was already finished, you know~desuwa.”
With confirmations from Yohira, Hinagiku, and the city’s mayor, the Acting Head’s frown deepened even further.
Yeah, I should probably say something before this gets awkward.
”They’d sent guide markers from Hizuru to make assembly easier, and the instructions were very clear, so it wasn’t too hard.”
”Still, could one person really build that alone? That structure should’ve been extremely heavy for stability!”
”True. So I relied on the blessings of civilization.”
I pulled a levitation stone from my inventory. My mother-in-law had apparently analyzed it already and was clearly struggling not to laugh.
”What wild invention is it this time, Tatara-dono!?”
”You’re overreacting,” I said. “I just analyzed and reproduced a simple floating stone. It nullifies gravity, so even the heaviest materials become weightless.”
”…Mayor?”
”It’s Tatara’s proprietary technology,” the mayor explained. “Not something the Whirlwind domain produces.”
”Must be tough, standing so far above everyone else,” the Acting Head murmured.
”I appreciate the understanding,” I replied with a faint smile.
Hey, if you’ve got complaints, say them to my face. Bullying-by-gossip isn’t cool—ask Yohira how that goes.
”Tatara-san, this levitation stone… what exactly is it?”
”It’s simpler than the Alchemist’s Egg. You only need three large mana stones, so it’s fairly manageable.”
”Indeed, much lighter work than the ‘egg.’”
”Actually, I created this first, and the idea for the egg came from it. So you could call it good practice.”
”I see. Your idea of ‘practice’ is… quite advanced.”
Now that I thought about it, I wondered what the patent situation was. But since no one could reproduce it yet, maybe it wasn’t a concern.
”How exactly did you shorten the construction time of the teleportation gate?”
”I used the levitation stone to cancel weight, restored mana with the egg, and applied crafting techniques across the build.”
”Such as?”
”For example, I mixed mana stones into the coating and foundation to make it dry faster. The foundation also interacts easily with spiritual veins and reduces mana resistance—highly recommended.”
”My, my…”
”Even when you brace yourself, death comes uninvited, madam,” said the foolish fox solemnly.
Why that line now of all times?
”Chief Crafter, may I have a word?”
”Ah—yes, Head of Judiciary. What is it?”
The Head of Judiciary’s calm voice cut through the room. Had I just broken some law?
”I heard that a spiritual vein runs beneath your estate?”
”Yes, that’s correct. As far as I know, using the natural mana on my own land doesn’t violate any laws.”
”And for what purposes do you use it?”
”Mainly for workshop operations—especially the forge.”
”And your typical magic devices?”
”Mostly powered by mana stones gathered through exploration.”
”I see. Then if a domestic mana reactor were completed, how would you use it?”
”Primarily to run the teleportation gate, though it could supply the entire household as well.”
”And the mana stones from exploration?”
”I use them to create demonsteel. I sell about half the small ones to the merchants’ guild and keep the rest.”
”I understand. No legal issues, then.”
A surprise inspection, maybe?
That was terrifying. Oh—right.
”Head of Judiciary, may I ask a legal question?”
”Of course. What is it?”
”Recently, when the mayor was heading home at night, I suggested installing mana lamps along the roads to make them safer after dark.”
”…Hmm.”
”If we were to do that, what considerations would the law require? We’d set the lamps to turn on or off based on the time or sky brightness to avoid disturbing residents, but I expect complaints about light disrupting sleep. I’d like to plan for that too.”
”How would you power them?”
”For testing, I could supply mana directly from my home reactor to specific streets. That shouldn’t violate regulations.”
”And for full-scale operation?”
”We’d probably need multiple reactors installed across the city. I’d coordinate with the mayor about that.”
”I see…”
The Head of Judiciary fell silent, thinking deeply. Maybe this really was complicated.
”…As it stands, there’s no legal problem. Using mana reactors this way is sound, and since you’re considering the impact on sleep, you could simply dim the light output at night.”
”What’s the main issue, then?”
”Operating costs.”
A calm voice chimed in from the side. I turned to see the Finance Minister adjusting his glasses with a practiced touch.
”The project’s initial operating costs would be a major hurdle,” he said. “Maintenance would also likely require raising taxes.”
”I see…”
”Is it really that difficult?” I asked.
”…Excuse me?”
”We could distribute mana from the reactors to individual homes, replacing mana stones, and simply charge usage fees.”
”And how would you ensure fairness?”
”Install meters for each household. Charge monthly, like taxes, and include detailed statements. That should satisfy most people.”
Basically, just like utilities in my previous world—charging by mana consumption.
Set the base rate close to or slightly below the current price of mana stones, then scale the cost with usage. Mana stones sold for about six hundred each; if we priced daily mana around five hundred, we’d probably get plenty of contracts.
”…It sounds like a dream, but technically it’s possible?”
”If you’re ready for Homeland’s glare, I could build one reactor capable of powering the entire Whirlwind domain.”
”That’s terrifying—please don’t.”
If my math was right, ten eggs would generate roughly the same mana as the massive prototype reactor, without needing such an enormous structure. But if control failed or someone sabotaged it, Whirlwind would be vaporized.
”Even so, this reactor alone could probably supply over eight hundred homes.”
”Tatara-san, may we hear more about that?”
”Tatara,” my mother-in-law said sharply, “explain in detail.”
The two women leaning forward—the crafters—weren’t exactly young, so “ladies” might be too generous. If they could read minds, I’d already be dead.
”The egg holds enough mana to power about twelve hundred and fifty households. That’s our base assumption.”
”Yes, that’s what you mentioned.”
”But that’s its upper limit. It regenerates about half of that within a minute.”
”I see. So if we install smaller mana storage units in each home…”
”…a single reactor could support many more households. That would ease the national burden considerably.”
”Charging would occur mainly at night when people are asleep, and during the day the system could serve as an emergency mana source and supply workshops.”
”And the mana consumed by workshops?”
”If we apply a higher daytime rate for industrial use, we can recover the cost.”
”Finance Minister?”
”It’s feasible,” he said. “We’ll need to discuss equipment distribution with the merchants’ guild leader, though.”
”No legal obstacles either,” added the Head of Judiciary. “If we require new homes to include the system, adoption will spread quickly.”
”I suggest we also mandate the installation of similar facilities in medical, commercial, and lodging establishments, not just workshops, Chief Crafter,” the Mayor added. “Especially in large commercial facilities.”
”Medical facilities, I understand, but commercial ones too?”
”Yes. They’re useful as disaster shelters, so we need to accommodate many people. Furthermore, I believe the central district and the central hospital should have their own dedicated mana reactors.”
”Chief Crafter, I understand the hospital, but why isolate the central district?”
”To secure communication lines with Homeland. We want to ensure the highest-ranking officials can always maintain international rescue communication.”
”I agree with that.”
With the Finance Minister and Head of Judiciary also contributing, a plan for the metropolitan mana reactors began to take shape. My mother-in-law watched silently from the side.
She must want this technology too, right? I’ll leave it to the Mayor and the Foreign Affairs Chief to negotiate usage rights.
”…As expected, Tatara-san, we want you as a valuable asset~desuwa.”
”Kasumi, please don’t be unreasonable. Don’t do anything that would make Yohira cry, alright?”
I couldn’t help but wonder what the Torakuma couple, watching us, were thinking. I hadn’t done anything to warrant not returning from Yohira’s hometown visit, had I?
Though the emergency meeting had started somewhat off-topic, the Head of Judiciary pointed out the progress made, bringing everyone back to reality. The Foreign Affairs Chief, unable to participate in this kind of discussion, glared at me from the corner.
Why the jealousy? I was the crafter representative, after all.
”It’s admirable that you’re devising such a fascinating plan. I’m quite envious,” the Mayor said.
”No, it’s still just a draft. How well it works remains to be seen.”
My mother-in-law’s words were met with a casual reply from the Mayor.
Why were they engaging in such a subtle power struggle? It was unnerving.
”And to be appointed Chief Crafter at such a young age… Tatara-san, you hold a very important position.”
Why that assessment? I was merely a bit better at crafting than most.
”That’s not true, Madam Torakuma.”
This was the moment to demonstrate my true calling as a Chief Crafter. I’d put aside calling her Mother-in-law for now.
”…What is not true, Tatara Chief Crafter?”
”I don’t hold an important position. I’m just a crafter, and my title is merely honorary.”
”After creating something like that?”
”I’ve only been able to create it so far; I haven’t been able to give back to the city’s people. Furthermore, I can’t enact laws or secure funding for it. At this point, my position holds no importance.”
”No, that’s impossible.”
”There goes that mysterious low self-esteem again.”
Yohira, please stop interrupting.
”What’s important isn’t me, but my inventions. What we crafters create is only recognized when it brings happiness to someone. While my ‘egg’ did save a life, the mana reactor is still incomplete and hasn’t contributed anything yet.”
”You just casually mentioned saving a life!”
The Acting Head’s reaction was so parent-like.
”For me to be a crafter, for me to be a Chief Crafter… I must enrich people’s lives and bring them happiness more than anyone else. Only then can I proudly call myself a Chief Crafter.”
”…How long do you intend to live by that principle?”
”Until a crafter surpasses me.”
”That’s impossible.”
Foolish fox, giving up is the end.
”Tatara-san, I understand your resolve. Inventions that bring prosperity and happiness are a noble pursuit.”
”Thank you.”
”However, I don’t believe ‘Whirlwind’ is the only place that can provide them.”
Oh, the conversation’s shifting.
”Wouldn’t you consider marrying Yohira and settling down here?”
”Don’t try to poach me.”
”Kasumi, we need to make actual progress on the main topic. Let’s save that for later, shall we?”
”Don’t try to change the subject.”
Time dragged on in this chaotic fashion, and both the Acting Head and I were exhausted. Finally, we moved on to the main topic.
”…The reason I summoned you here today is to finalize the date for connecting our teleportation gate with yours.”
The Acting Head sighed, utterly drained, as he stated the purpose: to synchronize the connection of the gate in my garden with theirs.
Given the distance between Whirlwind and Hizuru, there was naturally a time difference—I estimated it at around six to eight hours. The guards might have pushed through some of the journey using youkai stamina, but the travel time alone suggested that much.
”How many hours difference should we set?”
”Hm? Why, Tatara-dono? Shouldn’t we just decide on a date and time?”
”Well, there’s the time difference…”
”Time difference?”
”Tatara, what on earth is a ‘time difference’?”
”Umm…”
While magic technology made us forget, this world often lacked basic understanding of such concepts.
Whirlwind was quite advanced and knew the planet was a giant sphere. Hizuru, however, lacked such knowledge.
When I relayed our current time, it turned out to be about eight hours off.
The Acting Head was astonished. Apparently, the teleportation gate used for crossing the sea had barely an hour’s difference, so Hizuru had assumed time zones were merely a matter of travel duration.
”For now, shall we try connecting it in about an hour and a half?”
”Hmm, very well… We’ll send the blacksmith over later. First, the materials.”
”Thank you.”
The Acting Head and I synchronized our watches, agreeing to connect the teleportation gate in an hour and a half.
Considering the travel time back home, we’d need to leave a little early. It took nearly an hour to get from here to my house, leaving us only thirty minutes of leeway.
”The blacksmith we’ll send is a man named Amatsu. He’s a cantankerous old man, but his skill is undeniable.”
Upon hearing the name, my mother-in-law stared at the Acting Head with an expression of utter shock.
He must be quite a character. I felt a flicker of unease.
But Amatsu, huh?
I wondered what kind of katana he’d forge. I was looking forward to it.
”I apologize, but we have a few more meetings scheduled with the Mayor and the others. Tatara-dono, please prepare the gate at home.”
”Thank you for your consideration. Excuse us.”
”Indeed. Yohira, try not to cause Tatara-dono too much trouble. And if he attempts anything untoward, use Ichige as a substitute.”
”Wha—!?”
Ichige let out a scream, unsure if it was a catchphrase or genuine shock. It seemed to have hit a surprisingly sensitive spot.
”I’m starting to regret this~degozaru…”
”Um… I’m making a recipe without vegetables today, so…”
”Really?”
Madness… no, she seemed genuinely distressed for once.
I’d make a 100% meat hamburger steak, even if it was tiring to knead it with just salt. I’d show some consideration for the foolish fox this time.
Arriving home after some shopping, we had fifteen minutes until the appointed time.
I put the groceries in the refrigerator and approached the teleportation gate in the garden. I registered the coordinates Hinagiku had given me before and waited for the appointed time.
Right on the dot, I activated the gate. Ripples spread across the air inside the torii’s frame, and soon the space between its pillars shimmered into another landscape.
”Oh! That’s our garden!” Yohira exclaimed with delight. Through the gate lay a breathtaking Japanese-style courtyard—but there was interference in the image, flashes of timber and construction materials visible beyond. So, all of that was coming through here next? That was… quite a lot.
”Now then, please excuse my intrusion?”
A cool, familiar voice reached my ears. I realized who it was a heartbeat too late—the visitor had already crossed through the gate.
She had long black hair, slender brows, and deep dark eyes. The same woman I’d been speaking with barely an hour ago.
”…Mother-in-law!?”
”What the—!?”
”Hehe, I couldn’t resist coming.”
Couldn’t resist!?
You’re not supposed to leave your territory, Lady Torakuma! You’re an essential figure there!
”In person, this is our first meeting,” she said, bowing gracefully. “I’m Kasumi Torakuma, Yohira’s mother. Please, feel free to call me Mother-in-law.”
My thoughts short-circuited. How was I supposed to handle this?
”Come now, Tatara-san. Say it properly—yes, go on!”
”M–Mother-in-law…”
”Well done! Such a good boy.”
Holding the sleeve of her kimono, she reached out and gently patted my head. The embarrassment was overwhelming—Ethelena’s affection was nothing compared to this.
”I couldn’t tell over the screen,” she said, looking up at me with an appraising smile. “You’re quite tall, Tatara-san.”
”Ah, well, um…”
Why was this so mortifying? And resisting would only make it worse.
”Mother! Why are you here!?” Yohira shouted.
”Oh, because I’m the only one who could be instantly recognized by both of you, of course,” Kasumi replied with a teasing smile. “If you, Ichige, or Hinagiku appeared alone it would make sense—but if the homeowner, Tatara-san, couldn’t be identified, wouldn’t that seem suspicious?”
She lowered her hand from my head and hid her grin behind her sleeve.
A fair point…
but I could tell she was enjoying this way too much. The amusement practically radiated from her.
I glanced toward the foolish fox and Hinagiku for help, but both had visibly shrunk back. So she really was that intimidating, huh.
”Um… is the Acting Head of the Family coming too?” I ventured.
”My, do you think a lord can simply leave his territory, Tatara-san?”
”…Didn’t think so.”
Poor Acting Head.
May he rest in peace. It would’ve been nice if he’d come to take his wife back.
”Ah, that’s right. We still need to move the materials. Everyone, begin.”
”Yes, ma’am!”
At her command, a group of attendants I hadn’t noticed before began unloading supplies through the gate. I had them stack the cypress bath materials at the planned construction site.
From the look of it, the layout was so intuitive we could finish in about three hours. And the joinery—no metal nails, just traditional woodworking. My hands itched to start.
”…Tatara-san, are you planning to start right now?”
”If it’s Tatara, he’ll finish in under four hours,” Yohira said confidently.
”That quickly?”
”If you apply common sense to a man who built a teleportation gate single-handedly, Mother, you’ll just give yourself a headache,” Yohira quipped.
”Hmm, perhaps so.”
Their words faded into the background as I gazed at the materials, unable to resist any longer. Time to get to work.
Judging by the cypress beams, the bath itself would be about six tatami mats wide—so the entire bathhouse should be around eleven.
I used Crafting to excavate the ground, mixed crushed mana stones into the cement just like with the teleportation gate, and poured it in to create a layer of enchanted concrete. Once filled, I spread river pebbles and hardened the surface, forming a floor reminiscent of hot springs from my previous life.
Next were the walls—but before I could begin, a team of carpenters appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
They inspected my foundation, tapped it thoughtfully, then flashed me brawny grins and flexed their arms in approval. I’d passed their test.
From there, the work accelerated.
I was awestruck by their skill, yet refused to fall behind—copying their techniques, refining my craft in real time. I admitted defeat in wall-plastering finesse, but earned praise when I mixed mana stones into the coating for faster drying.
The thrill of working alongside masters—the joy of following the path of my seniors—ended all too soon. In just an hour and a half, the bathhouse stood complete.
Tears welled up as I realized how fast it had gone. I still wanted to learn more from them.
”Fine work, lad,” said a sturdy old man who looked every bit the master carpenter. “If we get the chance again, let’s build together.”
Unable to speak, I only nodded, flexing my arm as he had earlier. The carpenters laughed heartily in response.
They were truly remarkable people. If these artisans were coming to Whirlwind for cultural exchange, then a bright future awaited us.
”…So a building really can be finished in a single hour,” Kasumi murmured.
”If Tatara’s involved, that’s normal, Mother,” Yohira replied.
”Honestly, I wish we had him back home.”
Their voices barely reached me. My mind was still absorbed in the lingering awe of craftsmanship.
Oh—right, before I forgot.
”Mother-in-law, may I have a word?”
”Oh? What is it, Tatara-san?”
”Yohira insisted she should hold onto it, but I’ve been keeping it safe. Please take it back and give it to the Acting Head.”
I placed the Demon God’s Bracelet—the Torakuma family’s heirloom symbol—into her hands.
”…Eh?”
The unexpected gesture made her let out a strange little sound. So even someone like her could be caught off guard.
—
Bonus:
Behind the Scenes: Archangel Explains
(System message: Archangel is here to teach you about this world!
Today’s topic is… Ta-da!)
Eye Color
Someone asked:
> “My eye color changed after Concept Appraisal — does that mean anything?”
Let’s explain!
Here’s the list of people and their current eye colors:
* Tatara → Gold (used to be Amber)
* Ethelena → Red
* Yohira → Gold (lighter than Tatara’s)
* Tatia → Blue
* Archangel → Green
* Mayor (female) → Blue
* Calmys → Green
* Idiot → Blue
* Shamir → Red
* Est → Blue
* Old Man → Black
* Dalma-san → Brown
* Olive → Green
* Narki → Green
* Ethelena’s Father → Red
* Ethelena’s Mother → Purple
* Yohira’s Father → Gold (same as Yohira’s)
* Yohira’s Mother → Black
* Sister Kareha → Brown
* Foolish Fox → Gold (darker than Tatara’s)
* Hinagiku → Black
* Dahlia → Gold (same as Tatara’s)
* Smith → Brown
* Sister Ranka → Blue
Now, about Tatara’s gold eyes — that color belongs to certain gods.
It means the person is either connected to those gods or has power close to theirs.
Tatara got this color because he forced open the “Appraisal” ability, which normally only gods can use. That gave him godlike eyes.
For Yohira, her gold eyes come from her strong oni-god bloodline, linked to Shuten-doji from Hizuru.
For Dahlia, she’s an automaton made by the Machine God, who designed her to resemble him — including giving her his eye color from birth.
According to my notes:
> “I didn’t plan to explain all this since no one seemed to care… but I guess people do ask when given the chance!”
(Closing the system window. See you next time~♪)
Notes:
• 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.
• Amatsu – A master blacksmith and a female. Demonstrate forging skill to Tatara. The duel arises from Tatara’s request for guidance. Senior craftsman guiding Tatara. No kin known. Golden right eye and calm mastery define her.
• Ichige – Fox youkai ninja who sneaks into the city illegally. Captured after Hinagiku and Julon subdue her during an immigration clash caused by her infiltration. Serves Torakuma clan but disobeys orders. Calls Julon “Master.” Clumsy and childish.
• Calmys – War God’s knight, Mayor’s guard chief, whip-master hiding as a swordswoman; sharp tongue, big-sister vibe to Tatara, grants him and Ethelena church protection.
• Dalma – A massive, rugged Explorer with a burly frame and a presence that overshadows others, long considered a battle comrade of Rogas, Calmys, and the mayor. Straightforward and loyal, his trademark is entrusting everything to his allies—“makaseru otoko,” the kind who leaves even the forging of his great axe entirely to Tatara’s hands.
• Kareha – A human paladin and nun appearing in ch.71. She requests new weapons from Tatara after past battles damaged hers. The order sends her under church duty. Works with Tatara and Dahlia as ally. Close to Ranka. Strong, polite, and fearless.
• Dahlia – The automaton.
• Ranka – A nun called Sister Ranka as a big eater under Kareha’s church. Her appetite strains church funds, prompting Tatara’s donations. Works with Kareha. No family noted. Jovial and carefree.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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