Chapter 38 At the Blacksmith’s Shop
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Ayumu finished his mugikayu (barley porridge), returned the rough-hewn wooden bowl and oversized spoon to the shop, and headed toward the blacksmith’s shop. By now, he had grown accustomed to the tough-looking figures roaming the street. While some lived up to their intimidating appearances, many turned out to be surprisingly friendly once you struck up a conversation.
Pushing open the wooden door, it creaked loudly—Creaaakkk—as the rhythmic clang of hammer on anvil and the hiss of red-hot iron filled the air. The forge was always stifling, the heat trapped within its walls. Stepping inside, Ayumu immediately broke into a sweat.
”How can anyone work in this heat? It’s unbearable… I could never do it,” he muttered.
”What’s that? You got business here or what?!”
The place was also overrun with burly, hairy men, their faces glistening with sweat.
(Is this hell?)
”Oh! If it isn’t the young lad! Back for more of that rare, pricey aluminum and magnesium with no real use? You’re a strange one, I’ll give you that!”
”Hello, thanks for your help. Yes, that’s right. I had some extra income this time…” Ayumu replied, keeping it vague.
”Now that’s something to envy! Hahaha!”
(These thieves’ ill-gotten gains are better off in my hands. It’s not like the money’s clean or marked with their names. No one will know.)
”I’ll take a bit more than last time,” he said, handing over the coins.
”Got it! Always a pleasure! I’ll have it delivered to your place. Hey, did you hear about what happened in Slum Street?”
”Thanks… What’s that?”
”The whole gang of thugs there—found dead overnight! Every last one of ’em!”
Clearly, they were talking about the thieves Ayumu had killed. Keeping his expression neutral, he replied, “Really? That’s a chilling story…”
”Right? Rumor has it—some out-of-work assassin from Emperor Yugan’s old crew got into a dispute with them. The handiwork was too clean, no witnesses since no one’s stupid enough to wander Slum Street at night. Even the guard squad’s too scared to investigate properly. Pathetic, isn’t it? What do you think, lad?”
(Good, they haven’t connected it to me.)
”It’s terrible… If the guards can’t protect us, who can? How can anyone sleep safely in this town?”
”Exactly! That’s why you should secure your home. And I’ve got just the thing—our workshop’s new lock! Even an assassin would give up trying to break it! And right now—”
(He’s trying to sell me something… Still, if a hitman really does come after me, I’d rather be safe…) Ayumu thought, tears welling up. (It’s my own fault, after all.)
”Fine, I’ll take the lock too,” he said, purchasing it alongside the metals.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply