Several days had passed since then, and we had gathered a sufficient amount of metal materials. We were even able to extract mithril silver and magisteel from the riverbank, and although it was only a very small amount, we also found orichalcum and hihiirokane, which was a delightful surprise.

“So today we're going to that blacksmith person, right?”

“That's right.”

Just as Phonia said, we're hoping to at least get a look at a weapon made of adamantite by a blacksmith. While we're at it, I'd also like to ask about the possible uses for some of the metals we found but aren’t familiar with.

“But isn't he a busy person?”

“Seems like it, but we won’t know for sure unless we go.”

“Katana! I've never met someone who makes Katanas before, so I absolutely want to hear what they have to say!”

Rio was practically snorting with excitement, but we had just finished gathering the materials we needed to justify barging in on a busy person. With a decent haul of adamantite, rare metals, and various other items as our bargaining chips, we headed to the blacksmith district early in the morning.

“Is this the place?”

We crossed the river, entered the craftsman's district, and went upstream to find Mr. Ruigenz’s workshop. It was located in a rather out-of-the-way spot, but smoke was rising from the chimney, leaving no doubt that it was indeed a forge.

We stepped inside through the wide-open entrance. Inside was a simple space with just a small counter—nothing else stood out. Behind the counter, a girl was dozing off while sitting down.

“...Ah, welcome!”

With a bright voice that seemed to say “I wasn’t sleeping!”, a small girl greeted us. She was taller than Phonia, but quite a bit shorter than me. Though she had a solid build, aside from her height she didn’t really look like a child.

“If it’s not a weapon creation request, I can help you!”

It felt like she hit us with a preemptive strike, saying they wouldn’t take weapon creation requests, but since that wasn’t our purpose, we didn’t mind. Though, I couldn’t help but wonder if she really wasn’t half-asleep.

“We came hoping to catch a glimpse of Mr. Ruigenz’s work,” Rio explained.

“The master’s work...?”

The girl tilted her head in puzzlement. So this girl was an apprentice? Though given how she was dozing off at the counter, she didn’t come off as one.

She turned around to look behind the counter, but we couldn’t see what was on the other side. There were a few chunks of metal on the shelves, but they were smaller than a fist and didn’t look usable for smithing.

“Umm, so… you're okay with just looking?”

“Yes. Just looking is fine.”

“Haa...”

She seemed a bit hesitant. Maybe there weren’t any finished products on display despite it being a workshop. If the craftsman was particularly picky, he might consider anything he didn’t like a failure and say, “Not fit to be shown to others.”

While watching the girl ponder with her hand to her chin, a man suddenly appeared from behind the counter. He was a burly man with a thick beard—looked just like a dwarf from appearances alone.

“...!? Master!”

The girl turned around in surprise. Since he appeared silently, it was no wonder she was startled.

“...”

“Uh, um, these people said they want to see the master's work.”

“...”

“Yes. It doesn't seem to be a weapon request.”

Only the girl’s voice could be heard. Was she really talking to the master? With that thick beard, we couldn’t even tell if his mouth was moving. He was shorter than me, with a stocky build. I appraised him just to be sure, and he was definitely a dwarf.

While we silently watched their "conversation" for a while, the girl eventually turned back to us.

“Ah, sorry to keep you waiting.”

After straightening her posture, she faced us once more. The master, meanwhile, quietly disappeared into the back like he was done with us. So in the end, we didn’t exchange a single word with him—what was that all about?

“Uh, so, the finished works made by the master do exist, but they’re all items ordered by other customers, so he said they can’t be shown.”

“Ah, I see...”

That was a bit disappointing. I wondered if there were any unsold pieces lying around. But if he only took custom orders, then probably not. The guild staff did say his order queue was full, after all...

“But, if you're okay with failed works, he said there are some in the back, and you're free to take a look at as many as you like.”

“Eh? Really?”

Rio looked surprised, but seriously? I imagined him as a grumpy artisan, but he seemed like a pretty decent guy.

“Yes. However, he made it clear he has absolutely no intention of selling them. Also, please don’t take anything out of the workshop.”

“Of course! Thank you very much!”

Now I was getting excited, too.

“I’ll guide you, so please follow me.”

We followed after the girl as she walked further into the workshop. Nir and Phonia, who had been playing quietly in a corner, also followed along obediently.

“This is kind of different from what I imagined.”

“It is, but in a good way, I think.”

“I didn’t expect him to be that silent though.”

As the three of us exchanged impressions of Master Ruigenz, we were guided to what looked like a storage area. The temperature was slightly higher—it might have been close to the forge.

“You’re free to pick up and look at anything in here.”

It was a room about six tatami mats in size, with shelves and jars set up, and various weapons and armor scattered about without much care.