Volume 6 Chapter 60 The Day Of Independence
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The relocation to the temporary housing had gone smoothly—for now.
Time passed quickly, and the sky was already turning orange. Sunset would come soon.
But my work wasn’t finished yet.
I still had to set up furniture and other necessities in the room prepared for Tizzy and Ms. Shirakaba.
They’d both worked hard this time. Really hard.
It was easy to forget, but Tizzy was a princess of the Duke Mineley family. Even in this world’s strict class system, she stood near the top. With the proper steps, she could probably even gain an audience with the emperor. She wasn’t someone who should be treated lightly.
She had abandoned her territory and fled, making her position delicate now. Still, no one could say how things would unfold from here.
The Holy Kingdom hadn’t sent reinforcements to Duke Mineley’s land. That alone showed their weakness.
Would they try to shift the blame onto Tizzy and wrap the matter up quietly? Or would they turn her into a tragic heroine and put her in the spotlight?
Until their intentions became clear, Tizzy would have to remain “missing.” For now, we could only watch and wait.
As for me—I had no plans to use her for anything. And Tizzy seemed to have made up her mind to just live as herself from now on.
”We can have girls’ meetings every day from now on. How about a pajama party tonight?” Ms. Shirakaba said, her voice cheerful.
She really seemed to be enjoying herself.
Now that the endless days of struggling to support a failing land were behind them, I hoped they could start anew—clean and simple.
The sunset cast a romantic glow, and the room quickly darkened.
When Ms. Shirakaba closed the wooden shutters, the world outside disappeared. Darkness filled the space.
”Alright, here we go,” she said quietly.
Tiny orbs of light—like fireflies—began to float around. Little by little, the room grew brighter, until it looked like daytime again.
It was Ms. Shirakaba’s lighting magic. With some clever thinking, she’d managed to create this without even using Editor Skill.
”I tried to imagine something like an electric parade. What do you think?” she asked.
”Yeah… it’s like magic,” I said, smiling weakly.
Ms. Shirakaba grinned at my half-baked reply, and Tizzy let out a soft sigh.
”I wanted to at least give the immigrants lamps and blankets… Sorry I couldn’t do more,” I said quietly.
”They’ll probably fall asleep before the sun fully sets. It’s warmer here than their old homes, and there’s no wind blowing through~desuwa,” Tizzy replied.
Her tone was calm—maybe even strict—but she had a point. Raising the standard of living too suddenly wouldn’t help anyone. We could only give what we had.
Even the smallest improvements would make a difference. A little comfort went a long way.
”This world is a lot harsher than Japan, isn’t it?” Ms. Shirakaba murmured.
She’d once told me she had painful memories from Japan. Still, even with that, the difference must feel sharp.
I didn’t think she was being selfish. Mr. Raoh and I were also doing what we could to bring in the good parts of Japan.
Maybe that counted as cultural invasion. But honestly, we couldn’t keep up with the standards of this world. Even nobles here had it worse than a regular salaryman back home. Their houses were big, sure—but that was about it.
Our goal was simple: take the best of both worlds and build something better.
”Anyway, shall we have dinner? Let’s make it a bit of a feast,” I suggested.
”A feast!!” the two girls cried in perfect harmony.
Tizzy had already picked up the vibe of Japanese girls. Her adaptability was amazing.
I brought out a whole roasted quail and placed it in the center of the table.
”Oh wow! This is teriyaki!” Ms. Shirakaba gasped.
”It smells so fragrant and appetizing~desuwa!” Tizzy added, eyes sparkling.
Teriyaki was truly justice. Even when Japanese people faced discrimination abroad for smelling like soy sauce, teriyaki had still won hearts.
The soy sauce we used here wasn’t made from soybeans. It was brewed with local Aspergillus, giving it a unique taste. Different from Japanese soy sauce, yes—but perfect for cooked dishes like this.
The rich aroma, the deep umami… The people of this world had fallen in love with it instantly.
I’d used every bit of my maxed-out cooking skills to prepare the quail. Honestly, even the Emperor probably hadn’t eaten something this refined.
”Let’s eat before it gets cold. No need for formal manners—just dig in!”
Ms. Shirakaba, who was usually composed, seemed a little loose today.
Tizzy’s eyes gleamed. “Free-for-all,” was apparently a foreign concept here, but it excited her.
I carved the quail with practiced ease and served them both.
”Impressive knife work. The meat just melts,” Ms. Shirakaba said with admiration.
Actually, the phrase “cuts like butter” came up a lot with summoned Heroes. But if your blade got too greasy, it’d dull fast. A well-sharpened knife sliced lean meat better.
”The skin’s the tastiest part. And don’t forget the rice stuffing inside.”
It was the chef’s recommendation.
I’d cooked rice with mushrooms and herbs, then mixed in dried fruits and nuts to make a fried rice. I stuffed it into the quail before roasting.
The goal was to trap the juices inside.
Roast dishes looked luxurious, but if you messed up, they turned dry fast. The rice helped balance it out—absorbing the fats and keeping the flavor.
Of course, with my cooking skills, I didn’t fail. The meat was juicy and rich. Just right.
This was only the current best, though. I was using wine instead of mirin for now, but once Mr. Aspergillus succeeded in making real mirin, we’d have a more authentic flavor.
”Delicious! I’m so glad I married you!!” Ms. Shirakaba declared.
”The meat is amazing, but this thing called rice—it’s like music for the tongue~desuwa!!” Tizzy said with sparkling eyes.
Exactly. This was step one—getting people to recognize rice as luxury food.
Paddy field rice cultivation was going well. Even the wall barley hadn’t overrun the wet fields. If things stayed on track, we’d have a good harvest in the fall.
That said, rice needed more work than wall barley. It wouldn’t be cheap. I wanted to price it reasonably—just high enough to keep it special.
To spread it, we had to start with the top. Wealthy merchants and nobles first.
The summoned Heroes, who I’d hoped would be main customers, didn’t actually have that much money. Kind of a surprise.
But once the method was refined and the fields expanded, even ordinary people and budget-challenged Heroes would be able to eat rice too.
That meant we had to show them how good it was—again and again.
This was more than food.
This was rice evangelism.
”The rice is so delicious,” Ms. Shirakaba said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She was crying so hard I had to pretend I didn’t see it. Probably tears of joy, but still… watching a girl cry doesn’t exactly make for a beautiful scene. But since she’s, well, Ms. Shirakaba, even her tears somehow feel gentle and warm.
Tizzy quietly dabbed at her face with a handkerchief. She’s always been that kind of person—kind, soft-spoken, thoughtful. If I had even half her tact, maybe I’d be a little more popular. Though honestly, that sounds like more trouble than it’s worth.
Except, maybe, I do want to be a bit popular with Ms. Nina.
She’s different. A little strange, in a way that makes her feel distant yet familiar. Compared to her, Princess Auroora seemed more grounded. But they were once the same person, weren’t they? That makes things more complicated.
Princess Auroora feels like what Ms. Nina might become if she lost her dreams and gave in to despair. I don’t want that to happen. I want to help both of them—pull Ms. Nina away from that path, and maybe guide the princess back to the light.
Once Ms. Nina returns, I’ll start what I call the “Aurora Princess Rehabilitation Project.” It’s probably none of my business, but if even a clone version of her is trying, I can’t sit back and watch.
”Ah. You’re thinking about another girl, aren’t you?” Ms. Shirakaba said, narrowing her eyes.
Sharp. Or maybe just teasing?
”Did the crow that cried just now already start laughing?” I replied, dodging the topic as best I could.
Tizzy tilted her head in confusion. Well, crows aren’t common around here. They’re smaller than the ones in Japan and don’t show up near human homes. They’re unfamiliar in this region—part of a different culture.
”Come to think of it,” I said, shifting the topic completely, “I’ve been summoned by the King of the Holy Kingdom, from the royal capital.”
It’ll be hard to see either of them for a while. I need to explain properly before misunderstandings start.
In the shoujo manga my sister used to obsess over, the heroine would always jump to conclusions every ten pages. It was always the guy’s fault, of course. But in the end, it was really a lack of communication.
From Romeo and Juliet onward, love stories have always crumbled because people didn’t talk things through. I’m not going to make that mistake.
”Hmmm. So that’s what this is about after all?” Tizzy murmured, her gaze thoughtful.
She was piecing things together herself, which was exactly what I’d hoped for. If I ever need to ask advice about matters like this, Ms. Floria would probably be the most dependable—but Tizzy’s not far behind. She used to rule a Duke’s domain, after all.
When it comes to court politics, she likely knows more than even Shea-Shea.
”It’s probably just a pretense to prepare for the Larse Empire’s invasion,” Tizzy said, her voice calm. “But the King likely only intends to treat you as a Viscount.”
A Viscount… that’s on the lower end of nobility.
But I already have a bunch of titles—Viscount of Toyata, King of the Holy Sabroa Kingdom, and Duke of Sabroa. If it were just ceremonial, that’d be fine. But with how things turned out, I accidentally became somewhat wealthy—on a level rivaling mid-tier powers.
I guess that makes things complicated.
Even while major powers threaten from outside, there’s no pause in internal strife. That’s just how this world works.
”There are nobles with lands in multiple countries, after all,” Tizzy added with a little smile. “The current King of the Holy Kingdom also holds the title of Count in some small nation… desuwa.”
Yeah, I’ve heard about that. It would’ve been nice if he showed a bit more understanding. But I suppose the world doesn’t bend just because someone hopes it will.
Tizzy had told me about the king—around thirty, charming, eloquent, and quick-witted. He’d flatter you with sweet words and then leave every promise broken. Always swayed by pressure, yet strangely prideful. He never forgets a grudge.
”What do you think I should do?” I asked.
When you don’t know something, ask someone who does. That’s the basic rule. The trick is to ask the right person.
”The King holds little real power,” Tizzy said plainly. “Your enemies will be the opposing nobles around him—especially the cardinal’s faction and those in the Merchant Guild who didn’t benefit from your rise.”
In short, the ones left behind by our success will band together. Even though they’re technically the losing side, their desperation could make them dangerous.
As for the nobles who are supposed to be our allies… they’re not really loyal to me. They’re loyal to profit. Owe them once, and they’ll never stop collecting.
I’ll just treat it as necessary expense—spread some money around and endure it. But there is one thing I can’t give up: the image of the Sabroa Dukedom as a truly independent nation.
With the economic policies from Mr. Raoh, our Merchant Guild is booming. High-level merchants from other worlds are flocking in. As long as we control tariffs, this golden age can last.
If we lose that autonomy, it’s over.
”If noble blood becomes an issue,” Tizzy said, offering something wrapped in cloth, “please use this.”
Inside was the treasured sword of the Duke Mineley family. That house holds a status higher than the current king.
In this world, lineage doesn’t mean genetics. Adoption, political marriage, it’s all the same in the end. Still, using this sword now might spark a succession dispute with Little Castor. But if we handle it carefully, it might actually help.
Recognizing Castor would be the same as accepting the Larse Empire’s invasion. The current king isn’t brave enough to take that gamble.
I’ll borrow the sword with gratitude. Even if Earthlings are looked down on, just having this with me should silence most arguments.
It’s like those royal seals in fantasy stories. Just one look, and people kneel.
”Tizzy has grown up,” Ms. Shirakaba said softly. “Big sister is proud. So then… I—I mean, I’ll be your sword and shield.”
She’s such a graceful woman, but she rarely lets that side show unless we’re alone. Maybe it’s because she’s embarrassed in front of Tizzy. I’m sure she has her own thoughts.
I nodded, truly grateful. Ms. Shirakaba’s strength is no joke. She might’ve lost to the dragon, but anyone would’ve. Against normal troops, she’s nearly unbeatable.
”Thank you. But I’ve decided not to bring the summoned Heroes this time,” I said.
Mr. Raoh is powerful, and we’ve got other skilled ones too. If we really wanted to, we could put together a proper fighting force.
But what’s the point in throwing strength at the Holy Kingdom’s orders just to be used?
I don’t want glory. And I doubt our efforts would even be acknowledged.
Mr. Raoh said if Sabroa keeps growing for ten more years, we’ll outpace the Holy Kingdom by far. If that’s true, now’s the time to wait—do only what’s needed, delay, dodge, and survive.
It’ll be hard. This kind of quiet resistance takes careful moves and clever words.
We’re not aiming for rebellion. We just want enough strength to keep our choices our own.
”In a way, you’re really strange,” Ms. Shirakaba said with a gentle smile. “But it’s not a bad thing.”
It still stung a little, even though I knew she didn’t mean harm. Words can leave marks. I need to be more careful with mine too.
”The summoned Heroes—our true strength—should protect the homeland,” I said firmly. “I’m counting on you, Ms. Shirakaba. And you too, Tizzy.”
I don’t think anyone would be foolish enough to invade dwarven territory, but in this world, you never know.
With Tizzy’s support, Ms. Shirakaba is an unbreakable wall. Unless someone brings another dragon, no one’s getting past her.
”Understood, Your Majesty,” Tizzy said with a quiet nod. “I wish you success.”
”Leave it to me,” Ms. Shirakaba added, puffing her chest with pride. “No matter what happens, I’ll protect Tizzy!”
”…Thank you,” I said. “I’ll do my best—but I won’t overdo it.”
* * *
I returned to the castle through the teleportation gate. Evening had only just begun.
Maybe I should go talk to Mr. Raoh and the others?
When I glanced down by chance, I noticed Mr. Zenom’s workshop glowing brightly.
That was the acetylene lamp I gave him as a souvenir, wasn’t it?
For some reason, I felt like I should drop by and greet Master Zenom too, so I casually made my way there.
The warm breeze of early summer felt pleasantly gentle.
It seemed everyone else felt the same, as the streets were lively with tipsy townsfolk.
Since this city’s safer than the capital, even young women could walk around without worry.
…Would it have been better if I spent the night with Tizzy and the others?
I don’t think they would’ve refused. The mood wasn’t bad either.
Still, if I pushed too hard, they might end up hating me.
Miss Floria, being the mature woman she is, always sets the mood with just the right touch of romance—
—but only when both people are in the right headspace.
It’s not because she’s rich or noble.
It’s more like… she follows this silent ritual. Like checking that both sides feel the same.
Her sense for timing is flawless.
Even if two people like each other, there are days one of them just… isn’t in the mood.
So what do you do then?
Forcing it just to avoid hurting the other might do more harm than good.
If they feel even the slightest revulsion, the whole thing could fall apart.
I guess the guy’s supposed to adjust to the girl, most of the time.
It’s not like every teenage boy is in heat all the time, but still… we get in the mood easily enough.
For girls, it’s more complicated.
But Tizzy and Ms. Shirakaba… they’re both pretty serious types.
I don’t think either of them would ever bring up that kind of thing themselves.
What if they think I’m a coward for not making a move?
Still, if I’m the only one getting the wrong idea, that’d be even worse.
That kind of misunderstanding is the most embarrassing.
Romance is just… too hard sometimes.
The more I think about it, the worse it goes.
Am I overthinking this?
I mean, everyone alive today exists because their parents did what needed doing.
It can’t be that complicated, right?
I’d like to take things slow and enjoy it naturally…
But they say a flower doesn’t bloom for long, and it’s not good to keep a woman waiting.
Dragging things out might be rude to them too.
Why am I thinking about this all of a sudden?
Am I going into mating season or something?
…No, it’s just that the stars are beautiful tonight.
Makes me wish I had someone to gaze at them with.
I summoned Pii-Pii to soothe my heart.
She immediately fluttered over and perched on my head.
Her warm body heat gently seeped into me—
—and for some reason, it made me feel… alive.
Mr. Zenom’s workshop had changed a lot since the last time I saw it.
Well, Master never could leave anything alone.
If he had spare time, he’d always be tweaking something.
To him, even a house is just another piece of art.
Now that he has a steady supply of acetylene fuel, he must’ve upgraded the lighting.
The whole place was as bright as a festival stall.
Hopefully, the neighbors weren’t too bothered by it.
The closest neighbor was Old Man Al and his bespectacled granddaughter.
They were the pair I’d rescued from the Castor mansion’s underground.
I’d given them one of the vacant homes nearby so they could take their time recovering.
Around Mr. Zenom’s workshop, several houses had been left open on purpose.
It was a buffer zone—to prevent noise complaints, and maybe to prepare for a cozy retirement life full of crafting.
If it’s Al, the machine-loving old man, he probably wouldn’t mind the hammering sounds.
In this world, crafts are the norm.
Workshops are often connected to homes, and most artisans don’t mind noise.
It’s seen as a sign of hard work—something to be proud of.
Of course, some people can’t stand noise.
Some are so sensitive, even the sound of flowing water or light rain bothers them.
There’s plenty of land out here, so we can build extra-quiet neighborhoods—
—but they tend to end up far from everything, which isn’t ideal for daily life.
Noise is just part of living.
The sound of weaving carries far. Windmills, waterwheels—they’re all noisy too.
Carriages rattle as they pass, and kids love to scream.
I don’t mind my own noise, but other people’s noise? Yeah, that’s annoying.
There aren’t as many complaints here as in Japan, but sometimes things even turn violent.
Rulers really have it rough. There’s always something to worry about.
Even dictators fall if they lose the people’s trust.
They have to keep showing results or get tossed out.
Honestly, I envy Japanese politicians.
No matter how bad they mess up, they just lose the next election and go on living.
But I get it—why people in power cling to it.
Once you get used to being on top, it’s hard to let go.
I don’t care about ruling over others, but I hate being pushed around by unreasonable orders.
Even if you’ve got a high status, it’s not always stable.
But if you’re low, you’re just treated like dirt.
I like to think I’m choosing the best path available… but in the end, I’m still getting dragged around by the world.
If I lean on others too much, who knows where I’ll end up?
Though I’ve heard—
—in Buddhism, relying on others is sometimes seen as a virtue.
I stepped into the familiar courtyard of Zenom’s workshop.
Leaving it open like this… with all the valuable tools and materials inside?
Even in a peaceful town, that’s asking for trouble.
As someone responsible for public safety, I can’t help getting a stomachache from it.
Inside, Mr. Zenom was drinking with Old Man Al.
”Ah, Your Majesty…”
The one who greeted me was the glasses girl—Al’s granddaughter.
She was the smart young lady we saved from the Castor mansion basement.
She was supposed to be the guest, yet she was the one running around taking care of those two.
It was hard to tell who was hosting who.
When Mr. Zenom saw my face, his drunken grin faded into something more serious.
”What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone sharper than usual.
I guess my face gave it away.
This won’t do. If I can’t even fake a proper expression, I’ve got no business being a noble.
”Well, just here to say goodbye,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’ve been summoned, so I’ll be heading to the capital for a bit.”
…Saying it out loud like that feels like tempting fate.
The words came out too easily, like I’d just set a death flag.
”Hmm. So it’s that season again,” Mr. Zenom muttered. “Did you prepare your armor?”
”I’ll be borrowing one from the temple,” I replied.
”Fool! You expect to fight in that flimsy decoration!?”
Hey, hey—don’t go badmouthing other dwarves’ work.
That kind of thing spreads fast.
And when it does, it turns into a ‘Martial Language’ dispute.
Ten muscle-boosted dwarves arguing over pride? That’s a death sentence for me.
Besides, temple armor is made for display, not battle.
It’s thin on purpose. The craftsman isn’t to blame.
”Well, you see, we’re swapping it out for regenerated mythril,” I explained.
Mr. Zenom reached into his magic bag and pulled out a new gauntlet.
As he showed it off, his excitement visibly rose.
Please don’t start hitting it with a hammer.
I get it—you want to test it.
But I’m not planning to wear it into real combat, so there’s no need to go that far.
”Replacement magic, huh? Like beeswax molds?” I asked.
”If you mean precision casting, I know a bit about it myself,” Grandpa Al chimed in, his interest piqued.
It looks like they’ve misunderstood it as a casting-type skill. Well… they’re not entirely wrong, but it’s not quite right either.
Material Replacement has a lot of potential, depending on how it’s used.
Beeswax… Lost-wax casting could be fun too. If I use soft beeswax to craft a detailed original mold, then swap it with this skill, I could shape metal parts freely—no need for a full foundry.
Honestly, I’d rather keep chatting with Master Zenom and the others forever. Getting summoned to the royal capital to entertain dull nobles feels completely pointless in comparison.
I also wanted to hear more of Grandpa Al’s stories about golems… but there’s just no time.
”Finish your errands quickly and come back. Here, take this. A parting gift,” Master Zenom said, handing me a full set of plate armor.
Did he prepare this just in case?
”It’s only made from cheap iron. If you’re careless, it’ll rust. But taking care of it is part of the training,” he said, crossing his arms with a grin.
By dwarf standards, maybe it’s cheap, but it’s clearly crafted from good iron.
The whole thing’s been shaped from cast components and hammered into form. The plating over the vital points is especially thick—gives off a reliable feeling.
Cheap armor usually uses uniform thickness everywhere, which just makes it heavy without adding much protection. But since I only need it to prevent instant death, it’s better to keep it light where possible.
Balancing thick and thin areas isn’t easy, but Master Zenom’s done it perfectly just by eye.
There are faintly engraved magic formulas here and there, and even the leather lining inside is high quality.
Honestly, comfortable lining matters just as much as defense. Breathable, non-sticky… Ms. Shirakaba would absolutely want this if she saw it.
To others, it might look like just regular iron armor. But anyone who knows what they’re looking at would be amazed. In game terms, this thing is Iron Armor +20. It’s basically cheat-tier gear.
And more than that—it fits me perfectly. Like it was custom-made… well, it probably was.
”Even though it weighs as much as I do, it feels surprisingly light when I wear it,” I said, twisting my shoulders and standing tall.
I can even get back up on my own if I fall! The balance is incredible.
Though… I still get winded if I run too much.
”You’re letting your guard down,” Master Zenom said with a huff. “It only feels light because the weight’s distributed well. It’s still heavy.”
To reach this kind of balance without any enchantments… it might be even harder than just casting weight-reduction magic.
Originally, I planned to secretly replace it with regenerated mithril later. I’ve got a decent stash of it, and it’s basically worthless anyway.
But to create something this impressive with plain iron… feels like a waste to overwrite it. Still, mithril is lighter and doesn’t rust.
”This rusts, right?” I asked.
”Yeah, badly. If you touch it with bare hands and leave it overnight, it’ll go bright red,” he replied, frowning a bit.
It’s true that practicing maintenance is useful… but we don’t really have the luxury of time. Guess I’ll still switch it out after all.
Even those idiot nobles know mithril is top-class. If I wear it out in the open, someone’s bound to get jealous.
Nobles are fools like everyone else, only worse—because they’re fools with power.
The royal court is full of hidden fangs and poison smiles. Stand out the wrong way and you’ll get hammered down. I need to be extra careful.
”Master, do you know any plating skills or something similar?” I asked.
”There are plenty of plating techniques,” he said, stroking his beard, “but I don’t like using them for trickery.”
What is he saying? Plating’s not trickery—it’s a practical and essential method for preventing rust and improving tools.
”No, I meant using iron plating to cover over regenerated mithril.”
Given where we’re going and who we’re meeting, iron’s the safest look. It’s fine as it is… but I still feel like I’m losing somehow.
”You want to disguise mithril as iron?” he said, eyes gleaming. “Making precious metal look like cheap scrap—how amusing! Hmm… I’ve never tried that combo before. Plating gold on copper’s quick, though.”
He pulled out a copper coin and hovered a gold coin over it. A soft bluish-white glow spread out, and the copper coin started gleaming like gold.
It was flashier than I expected. So this is plating magic.
Activating my Editor skill, I carefully analyzed the technique. Oh… this, I can use too.
”Amazing! I’m really glad I became your apprentice, Master Zenom!” I said, bowing my head.
Even Grandpa Al looked impressed. Is this one of the secret dwarf arts?
More importantly… wait, I became an apprentice? This is the first I’m hearing of it.
Apparently, I now have a fellow apprentice without realizing it.
The plating technique seems to only work with gold and copper right now.
But with Material Replacement, I can get creative. First, I replace the armor with copper, gold-plate it, then swap copper for mithril and gold for iron. Voilà—iron on the outside, mithril within.
”How convenient,” I muttered, watching the result. “This is ridiculous… I don’t think anyone could copy this.”
Master Zenom blinked at the result. “I can’t even figure out how you did that,” he said, clearly shocked.
But we’re short on time, so I keep going. I still have twelve sets to handle—including horse armor.
Grandpa Al took out his skill orb and tried to copy the plating skill, but it didn’t take. Looks like something’s missing.
This replacement ability isn’t something I should hand out lightly. Even if someone’s a friend or a disciple, some things can’t be shared.
Master Zenom might be an exception, but he seems determined to figure it out on his own. Apparently, you can replicate something similar by combining existing abilities.
The glasses girl is already dozing off, so Grandpa Al and the rest decide to head back.
For the first time in a while, I’m working side-by-side with Master Zenom.
I handle the replacement, and he does the plating.
”I always believed a day like this would come,” he said quietly.
It feels weird, having my master assist me. But since only I can use Material Replacement, there’s no choice.
”You’ve grown,” he said with a chuckle. “You’re practically a full-fledged craftsman now.”
”That’s not true,” I said quickly. “There’s still so much I haven’t learned from you, Master.”
If he could master everything in just a year or two, other craftsmen wouldn’t be struggling so much.
”You’re greedy, in a good way. But you’ve grasped the important parts. The rest, you’ll figure out.”
Master Zenom didn’t take me in to raise a successor.
It was more like… he taught me how to survive in this world.
I wasn’t blessed with flashy cheat stats. But I did meet a cheat-tier master.
Compared to the other summoned heroes, I was lucky.
If I hadn’t met Master Zenom… I wonder where I’d be right now.
”Thank you for everything so far, Master. I’ll come back to bother you again,” I said, scratching my cheek awkwardly.
It’s embarrassing to say something like that out loud. But even if I didn’t, I’m sure it’d still get through. Even so, I wanted to say it.
”Of course. Drop by anytime. Actually, just help with my work instead,” he said with a grin.
Normally, dwarves throw a big feast when a disciple becomes independent, but Master Zenom isn’t the type for celebrations.
I’m not fond of that kind of thing either. Though… I do feel a little lonely.
”After I finish things in the royal capital, I’ll invite your master too, and we’ll all drink together. It’s a promise.”
Master Zenom’s master is Gino, right? Isn’t he the dwarf king? He’s a super VIP, but oddly light on his feet. I feel like he’d actually come.
Maybe I should plan a tasting event for the liquor we’re brewing. That might finally get me permission to drink too.
Tasting is part of cooking, after all. I’ll come up with a menu that makes the heavy drinkers cry from joy.
Or maybe I’ll get roped into making it whether I like it or not.
Compared to someone like Gino, the King of the Holy Kingdom feels like a minor bureaucrat.
Thinking like that puts me at ease… but still, I hope this promise with Master Zenom doesn’t turn into some kind of death flag. They rarely end well…
Notes:
• Shirakaba – A paladin who seems to be a skilled fighter. He’s introduced as someone with a strong defense and healing abilities.
• Tizzy – Claims to be Duke’s daughter, a noble with advanced magic skills. MC and Ms. Shirakaba lover.
• Holy Kingdom – Located on the east of the continent.
• Raoh – Pakkyamara. An infamous, scheming, but somewhat incompetent senior adventurer known for meddling with hero summoning rituals; often gets beaten up as a result. The one who want japanese food.
• Aspergillus – Male. A summoned Hero. Appearance: flashy young man in his twenties. He is knowledgeable about mold and fermentation, having graduated from a top-class university in Japan. His relationship with the narrator is informal, and he is described as having a sensible sense of money compared to Bacchus.
• Ms. Nina – Doll Princess (Auroora 217), renamed by the protagonist. Beautiful blonde, ~168 cm, slim waist. Wears adventurer attire. Made from artificial parts and wooden limbs, resembling a princess. Knowledgeable, can read, write, and use basic healing magic. Reliable partner, often saves the protagonist with her skills.
• Nina – Doll Princess (Auroora 217), renamed by the protagonist. Beautiful blonde, ~168 cm, slim waist. Wears adventurer attire. Made from artificial parts and wooden limbs, resembling a princess. Knowledgeable, can read, write, and use basic healing magic. Reliable partner, often saves the protagonist with her skills.
• Shea-Shea – Mauro’s daughter. Hurt by Alexander. Became an eager fiancée after advice from protagonist.
• Mr. Zenom – Tough dwarf blacksmith from Toyoata Village. Repairs weapons, improves accuracy. Charges 100 gold/arrow. Becomes protagonist’s strict master. Assigns hard tasks like pre-dawn cleaning, firewood, water pumping. Owns well-equipped forge. Challenges protagonist to prove ideas.
• Miss Floria – Elegant, silver-haired noblewoman in her 40s, referred to as an ‘older sister’. Judge of the Supreme Court and Baroness. Former tutor of Princess Auroora. Initially stern but warms up, showing a playful side. Close with Ms. Nina (Princess Auroora’s doll copy), treating her like a sister. Trustworthy and explains legal matters clearly.
• Gino – A dwarf blacksmith with advanced magical and crafting skills. Regularly uses the hot spring facility like Escalion the Hero. Calls the protagonist his ‘grandchild’ and offers to train him.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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