GalaxyTL
After chatting for a while, Leo-jii went back to work. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me when you’re so busy before lunch! It was a fruitful encounter. I’m glad I got to meet him.
“Next, we’re going to the workshop. Have you been there before?”
“Nope.”
And finally, to the workshop! When Reki showed me around, it was just a brief explanation, because it was dangerous. I’m pretty sure the actual nuance was closer to “A little shrimp like you would just get in the way,” but I’d chosen to reinterpret it.
It was a place where artisans were working seriously, so I’d be quiet and avoid being a nuisance. Yeah.
“Don’t stray from me, okay? It’s dangerous, with all the tools and equipment.”
“Undeshtood!”
As I replied, I grabbed the hem of Gil-san’s jacket. He then untied my hand and held it instead. Ugh, handsome men.
I descended the stairs for the first time, with Gil-san by my side. It was getting darker as we went underground. But orange lights were placed at regular intervals, giving it a warm feeling. I could also see what looked like the yellow lights of light spirits. I made a mental note to form a contract with other spirits if I had the chance.
『Want me to introduce you to some friends?』
Shou-chan must have sensed my thoughts and made this offer. That would be great! I thought about asking, when it replied, “Leave it to me!” Oh, it was convenient to be able to communicate without speaking. But how much could Shou-chan read? Could it accurately read other people’s thoughts?
『Hmm, I can understand your voice, Master, without even trying. But I can only vaguely hear other people’s voices! If you want to know more… give me magic power! 』
I see, very straightforward. And it was so convenient, this telepathic conversation! Gil-san, holding my hand, had no idea I was talking to Shou-chan. In a sense, this was cheating!
I’ll give you magic power when I need it, so I’m counting on you, Shou-chan, I said and ended the conversation. We reached the bottom of the stairs. …Did it take that long? It’s because I was walking at a snail’s pace, like an old lady with muscle pain! Agh!
The basement was a lively place, with the clang of metal and the whirring of machinery. It really was a blacksmith’s workshop, and it was exciting. As I stood there, mesmerized, Gil-san explained,
“The left side is the blacksmithing workshop, and the right side is for artisans. And further in is the lab. They research various things, mainly magic that can be applied to magic tools.”
They even had a lab. This underground space was also magically expanded, I’m sure, because it was far more spacious than the guild building. I wondered if the magic used for the rooms in the guild was researched and developed here? I asked Gil-san, and he nodded.
“You’re talking about permanent spatial distortion magic, right? It was developed by Mikolasch, based on my shadow magic, when the guild was established. Ah, Mikolasch is the head of the lab.”
Ah, so it was based on Gil-san’s magic. Gil-san was amazing, but the researcher who was able to turn it into a practical application was equally incredible. This guild existed because of them!
“Well then, let’s go to the blacksmith workshop first. It’s loud, so be careful.”
“Okii!”
Just as he said, the moment we entered the workshop, I was met with a deafening roar that drowned out my own voice. I could tell that the reason it hadn’t been audible outside was thanks to soundproofing. Most of the noise came from the clanging of metal and the furnaces, but as I looked around, I saw a few people working with wood. Everyone was intently focused on their work. Maybe they were used to the noise, because no one seemed bothered. I, on the other hand, couldn’t help but cover my ears!
“Meg, that’s Carter, the head of the blacksmith workshop, the dwarf over there.”
The noise was so loud that Gil-san knelt down to my level and shouted this into my ear, pointing.
I followed his finger and saw a short man intently working on some wood. Short, but probably around 150cm tall, with a stocky build. Was that a dwarf characteristic? I’d imagined dwarves to have beards and messy hair, but Carter-san, who was working, looked like a stern old man with a crew cut. And he didn’t have a beard.
“Carter! I’ve brought Meg! She wants to thank you!”
Gil-san shouted as we approached, and Carter-san stopped working and slowly looked up. How could he even hear in this noise? I was impressed, but it wasn’t the time for that.
He had thick, dark eyebrows and round eyes. When our eyes met, Carter-san’s eyes widened. Eh, what?
A very stereotypical sound echoed, “Garagara gashan!” It was the sound of Carter-san falling on his butt and then trying to crawl backwards. …Th-There’s no need to be so surprised!
“Wel… ! Y-Yo… tha…!”
“Fueh?”
Carter-san seemed to be saying something, but I couldn’t understand, so I tilted my head in confusion.
“…Sorry, Meg. Carter’s… incredibly shy. He’s a kind person, so don’t worry… but even for those who are used to him, it’s hard to communicate.”
Shy, huh… That’s an understatement, isn’t it!? I mean, it’s not like it’s a bad thing, but I felt bad! It’s okay, I’m just a tiny thing, no need to be so nervous!
『It seems like he’s welcoming you!』
Shou-chan said this, landing on my shoulder. Eh, really?
『Yeah! He’s saying, “I’m sorry, welcome, you don’t have to thank me!”』
Whoa, as expected of Shou-chan, the Voice Spirit! So reliable! I praised it in my mind, and Shou-chan blushed. Cute.
“Wel…! Tha…! ”
Suddenly, Carter-san pointed at me with a trembling hand and said something. Eh? What? Confused, I looked at Gil-san for help.
“Ah, I see. He’s a dwarf, so he can see spirits.”
Ah, Schlie-san had mentioned that! I looked at Carter-san, and sure enough, a red light was swirling behind him. Ah, maybe…
“Carter-shan’s… spiwwit-shan?”
When I said this, the red light swirled around, as if confirming it. Oh, how beautiful. Like dancing sparks! Ah, so this one…
“Carter-shan… is your spirit a Fiwe Spirit-shan?”
I was simply asking for confirmation. But…
““Ah…””
Carter-san and I spoke at the same time. Because the red light before us suddenly began to transform.
『You’re absolutely right! Young ladyyy!!! 』
The red light transformed into a red monkey, slightly smaller than me, and struck a pose, saying this excitedly.
…D-Dammit! I’d accidentally stated the spirit’s true nature!!
And this monkey is so energetic!