“Man, fresh air really is the best!”

As soon as he stepped out of the mine tunnel, Ivan let out a line that sounded like he’d just gotten out of prison. I can’t deny the sense of liberation after coming out of a dark, cramped place, though.

“I’m hungry—”

“Wafu—”

Looks like Phonia and Nir are both starving.

It was already dusk and growing quite dim. Being a valley town, the sun sets early here.

“Alright, let’s report to the guild and then head back to eat.”

“Yaaay!”

Phonia cheered with her arms in the air, and I felt a bit of warmth at the sight. We started heading down toward the guild through the blacksmith district. Might as well ask them about a good blacksmith while we’re at it. Even the most stubborn craftsman might listen if we show up with a load of Adamantite.

We crossed the river at the bottom of the valley and arrived at the guild. A delicious aroma wafted from the building beyond the guild, making me even hungrier.

This time of day, with the sun already down, was peak time for adventurers to report completed requests. It was a lot more crowded than when we came yesterday. At least, since there’s no tavern attached, there weren’t any drunkards around.

“Let’s take care of the request report over here.”

“Actually, I’ve got something I want to ask the staff too.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. I want to find out where we can find a skilled blacksmith in this town.”

When I answered, Rio’s eyes seemed to light up just a little. It’s only natural to want to forge a new weapon when you get your hands on a new metal. Especially in a town that’s fairly well known for blacksmithing. That leaves only one real option.

“…I’m hungry.”

“Wafuu…”

But Phonia and Nir drooped, clearly downcast about our conversation.

“Ahaha, in that case, Phonia-chan, why don’t you and Nir go back to the inn first? It’s just around the corner, and if you talk to Miss Lyra, she might give you something to eat.”

The inn is just a stone’s throw from the guild. It’s in a good area and Nir is with her, so there shouldn’t be a problem.

“Okay!”

“Wafu!”

Phonia and Nir, both defeated by hunger, wagged their tails and trotted off toward the inn.

The three of us got in line at the emptiest of the buy-back counters. After waiting about thirty minutes, it was our turn. At the same time, I got a thought transmission from Phonia: ‘So tasty!’—seems she managed to get some food. Good.

“Here you go.”

I placed the bag of iron ore on the counter. The staff member gave a silent nod and checked the contents. One request is for 2 kg, and we apparently had a little over 65 kg in total. The staff member curiously inspected the bottom of the bag, but there’s nothing there—it’s just a regular bag.

“By the way, I’d like to ask if you could recommend a skilled blacksmith. Would that be alright?”

Now that I’d confirmed Ivan’s number of completed requests had increased, I asked the taciturn staffer about the blacksmith.

“A skilled blacksmith?”

“Yes. I don’t mind if they’re eccentric—just as long as they’re good.”

“Haa…”

A rather noncommittal reply, but that’s about par for the course when it comes to how people usually react to us. Oh—maybe they think we’re both E-rank like Ivan.

I pulled out my adventurer’s license from my collar so that only the staff could see it and showed it to them.

“—!?”

Their expression changed instantly, and they snapped to attention. Ivan just shrugged beside me.

“Y-yes! If it’s a skilled blacksmith you’re looking for, then I think Mr. Ruigenz of Zankou—Steel-Slicing—is your best bet.”

“Zankou?”

“Yes. He earned the title for creating a Katana capable of slicing through steel.”

“Huh.”

“Katana!”

Rio latched onto the word “Katana,” but I’m surprised they exist in this world too. I’ve made a sort of makeshift one before, but if there’s a blacksmith who can properly forge them, I’d definitely like to see it.

“You’re familiar with Katanas, I see. They’re difficult to wield and there are very few who can use them, but they’re known among some circles for their exceptional sharpness. People even come from other countries to see Mr. Ruigenz.”

“That sounds promising.”

“Indeed, however…”

The staff trailed off. I guess he really is a quirky blacksmith.

“If you want to commission a Katana from him, even if you made a reservation now, it’d probably take years before it’s completed.”

Makes sense. If he’s that good, he’s going to be in demand.

“Ah—I’m not actually looking to commission anything. I just want to see some of the pieces he’s made.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. I just like Katanas… It’s sort of a hobby.”

Rio smiled as she said this to the staff. I guess that’s fine. Her main job is magic, after all, so it’s not a lie. I like Katanas too, but I’m using a powerful gauntlet that was a keepsake from my Master, so I haven’t been using one. Well, I can still grip a weapon even while wearing the gauntlet though.

“In that case, if you go to Mr. Ruigenz’s workshop, you might be able to see some of the weapons he’s made in the past.”

After that, the staff gave us directions to Mr. Ruigenz’s workshop, and the three of us left the guild to return to the inn.

“Hey, I’ve been waiting forever.”

One male adventurer stepped in front of us, blocking our path.

Who the hell is this guy?

Rio and Ivan exchanged glances with me, but both just shook their heads. Seems they didn’t know him either.

“You guys are staying at that Fairy Inn, right?”

Yeah, I guess the name of the inn was something like that. It’s the most high-end inn in the city. I suppose it’s not strange for people to notice if we come and go from there… Still, kind of unsettling how little privacy that means we have.

“What about it?”

“Heh. No need to get so jumpy… though I guess that’d be hard.”

He cut his words there with a meaningful pause, then gave a sly grin as he opened his mouth again.

“By the way, that kid who was with you—did she make it back to the inn okay?”