“h.e.l.lo . ”

“Ah, you’re here . ”

This time he greeted me behind the counter, instead of fainting .

“I’m sorry to have taken up so much of your time yesterday . Is your companion still in a bad mood?”

“Yeah . We’ll be acting separately today . ”

“Hahaha! Some people don’t understand this pa.s.sion for swords!”

“It’s practically a male instinct . ”

We had a good laugh over that . I’m sure someone was rolling their eyes somewhere . It couldn’t be helped . A weapon was like a man’s soul . The material, shape, price . Everything tickled your fancy . Just like the Glampanzer that now hung on my belt .

“But with all of that said, we’ll wrap this up today, so you do not anger her any further . Here are the short swords that you were considering yesterday . ”

“Hmm…it really is a difficult decision…”

Kasil had laid out four short swords in total .

They were light and durable . One was a Mithril Shortsword, made of that rare metal .

Then there was the Ruby cla.s.s Serpent Bite, made from the fang of a saber serpent .

Next, the Linia Blade, a magical shortsword made from thunder ore that had an AGI boost enchantment cast on it .

And then the As.h.i.+kirimaru, a short sword of unknown origins that he had found at a market .

I looked at these four swords and nodded . I honestly wanted them all . But I didn’t have enough money for that . Or, I suppose I did . But I couldn’t spare to use it all . Hunting another wyvern would solve this dilemma, but that wasn’t going to happen . I don’t think so .

“So, what will you choose?”

“I like them all . ”

“Glad to hear it . You can take them all if you have the coin!”

I gritted my teeth over my financial woes, but I really did need to make a decision here, or Daniela would not be amused . She may not even be at the inn when I return .

“The one that interests me the most, is this resold one . ”

“Don’t call it that . Indeed, It was something that I purchased a long time ago, but it is a good blade . But I will give you a discount, as it is not new . ”

“The As.h.i.+kirimaru, huh . ”

The name sounded j.a.panese, and it even resembled a j.a.panese shortsword . Who was this peddler who had sold it? They were all calling to me, but this one called the loudest . The others had appealing materials, but this one had a name and shape that drew me in a way that was hard to describe . The voice in my head was screaming at me to choose it .

“I’ve decided . Give me the As.h.i.+kirimaru!”

“Alright, that’s ten gold pieces!”

“Isn’t this an old resold thing? I want fifty percent off . ”

“Not today . This is a business . Still, you did help me yesterday… You can have it for six gold pieces!”

“Bought!”

Heh . The mysterious sword was mine for a good price . Not that six pieces of gold was cheap, but it somehow felt cheap for this sword . I couldn’t help but feel that this was that important .

I paid the money and then equipped the sword to my belt in the back . And with this, I have regained everything I had lost because of that a.s.sault kobold!

“Is that all you are buying?”

“Yes, thank you . It was nice doing business with you . ”

“Heh, I’m glad to have finally had a customer who understands things!”

We shake hands . It was a friends.h.i.+p between men who were pa.s.sionate about swords .

“I’ve gotten everything back . But now I think I want something entirely new…”

“You’re still buying? Well, fine . What did you have in mind?”

He folded his arms behind the counters and gave me a wicked grin .

“I want a greatsword . ”

d.a.m.n it, that Asagi . He had some nerve abandoning me completely in order to choose some weapon . I suppose that was how it feels to be invisible . I am hurt . This was cause to find something to eat . To heal my heart and satisfy my stomach .

d.a.m.n it, that Asagi . He had some nerve abandoning me completely in order to choose some weapon . I suppose that was how it feels to be invisible . I am hurt . This was cause to find something to eat . To heal my heart and satisfy my stomach .

And so I walked down Valdorf’s main street . The inns that lined the streets discharged throngs of tourists and Adventurers . They were probably going on walks after having eaten breakfast . But I was different . I was on my way to a second breakfast . You might call it a journey of healing .

I searched for such a beautiful place, but all I could find were inns . It irritated me greatly, but then I remembered that this was a post town . This frustration was not helping my healing process at all . Asagi had a lot to answer for . I was always in a good mood, as long as I had his attention… d.a.m.n it, perhaps I really should have gone to his room last night . I pa.s.sed by the information center as I walked, but I felt like relying on it would be an admission of defeat, so I continued on .

Everywhere I looked, it was inns . So I decided to gamble a little . I made random turns and entered alleys . If there was a dead end, I would use wind magic to jump over it and continue walking on the other side . And after walking like this for some time, an appetizing smell finally reached my nose . Finally! And then I search for the origin of this smell while relying on the detection abilities of my nose .

I made several more turns and came out into a market area . It was not the same one I had entered yesterday with Asagi . It was filled with much more tourists . People walked around carrying a variety of things that looked like gifts . There must be a lot of stores selling novelty items here . But the smell that I had discovered was coming from here . And so it must be here . I concentrated all of my heart and soul into the tip of my nose as I started to walk again .

There was a store with a sign . Tree Stump Arbor . So this was the promised land that my senses were leading me to . The rich smells made my nose feel numb . This was it . This was surely a place that could heal my aching heart . There was nothing to do but enter once you have decided . A woman should be quiet and move forward .

“Customer? Take a seat . ”

I was not the warmest person in the world, but I would like to think I was not as bad as this man .

It was not my style to act arrogant just because I was a customer, but I could not help but feel that he could be nicer . I take a seat and look at the menu . Hmm, these dishes had some fancy names . These places may excel in taste, but their portions were always too small . Who knows what kind of foolish way they would serve the food . They were bound to give a portion that was no larger than a goblin’s hand, and then ask for fifty gold pieces . In that case, I should keep that in mind when ordering . I have the money . There was still quite a lot from the reward for stopping the stampede and selling the materials gained in the mines .

“Here is my order . Venison Steak . Sauteed Boar with Wild Vegetables . And Today’s Soup Set . Also two Berulu Nectar Ice Creams for dessert . ”

“You sure about that? I’ll have you pay extra if you can’t eat all of it . Food isn’t for free . ”

“Do not underestimate me . I always eat what is set in front of me . I consider it a matter of courtesy . ”

“Hmph…you understand then . Very well . You won’t be disappointed with this meal . ”

Hmm, he was not as terrible as I thought . Well, his att.i.tude was, but he knew his craft . Those who make food and those who eat it . It is when these two can understand each other, that true happiness is born .

Hmm, he was not as terrible as I thought . Well, his att.i.tude was, but he knew his craft . Those who make food and those who eat it . It is when these two can understand each other, that true happiness is born .

I had come here to heal and to feel happy . Now, let us see if he can satisfy me!

On this day, I learned just what happiness was . And I also learned, that in order to know true happiness, Asagi had to be there . My heart felt completely whole now, as if it were reborn . It was calling for him . Asagi, I am coming for you . I just need some time to allow this food to digest . I was a little shocked at the amount of food that was served . But I will go as soon as I am able . Just wait . Uhghhu…

“A greatsword? Don’t you fight with a single-handed sword?”

“I want to switch it up . My goal is to be an expert with any weapon . ”

“It is those kinds of people that end up as a ‘jack of all trades and master of none . ’ I think you are better off trying to master the single-handed sword alone . ”

“And what is wrong with being a jack of all trades! With enough time, I could be a master of all! I do want to use a single-handed sword, but I want to master the greatsword too!”

“What the h.e.l.l is a ‘master of all’? Bah, fine! If you want a greatsword, I’ll bring you the best one we got!”

So saying, Kasil moved away from the counter and disappeared behind the rows of shelves . I was never amused by anyone insulting the idea of being a ‘jack of all trades and master of none,’ though the sudden inspiration of saying ‘master of all’ had me grinning .

“What’s up with you?…creep…”

“Ah! Cough . Cough . …So, the greatsword?”

“Don’t think you can fool me… But here it is, the best greatsword I have . Its name is Schwarz Tempest . ”

Was that like a black storm? I don’t know if it was because this was another world, but things seemed a little mixed up…

Was that like a black storm? I don’t know if it was because this was another world, but things seemed a little mixed up…

“This sword was carved from the fossilized bones of an ancient monster known as a tempest whale . These bones have been soaked with magic that is such a dark blue, that it is nearly black… It’s potential in attack power is something great . ”

“Dark blue…then it should suit me pretty well . ”

“Is that right? Then maybe it is fate… This sword, it was made by my master, before he died . ”

Kasil said a little somberly as he looked at the blade .

“My master did not have the red colored magic that was considered vital for a blacksmith . What magic he carried was dark blue . Everyone mocked him for it, but he did not give up on smithing . And he eventually became one of the greatest blacksmiths in the empire . Impressive, eh?”

“Yes . I can’t imagine how much effort that must have taken . ”

“Indeed . It was a lot of sweat and blood . I tried many times to pull him away, but he never stopped working . And this was the last sword that he made . They say that your soul will reside in the last sword that you made . And these tempest whale bones must have flowed through many sellers before they reached this place . And my master put his soul into it . This is the best sword that you could buy . ”

I looked away from him and turned to the dark blue greatsword . Schwarz Tempest .

This great sword had a faint aura that was dark blue, like the vast sea or great sky .

“Asagi, I am entrusting you with this sword . This may be what fate wants . Take it . ”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course, I am! Now, I’m beginning to want to make a sword to surpa.s.s this one . Farewell!”

He wiped at the area below his nose before vaulting over the counter and disappearing in the back . I bowed and strapped Schwarz Tempest to my back and left the store . The soul of a pa.s.sionate man was on my back . I would have to live in a way that would not bring shame to it .

Now, it was time to b.u.t.ter up Daniela and see how she was doing . Men should be quiet and kiss a.s.s .

“h.e.l.lo . ”.

“Ah, you’re here . ”.

This time he greeted me behind the counter, instead of fainting

“I’m sorry to have taken up so much of your time yesterday . Is your companion still in a bad mood?”.

“Yeah . We’ll be acting separately today . ”.

“Hahaha! Some people don’t understand this pa.s.sion for swords!”.

“It’s practically a male instinct . ”.

We had a good laugh over that . I’m sure someone was rolling their eyes somewhere . It couldn’t be helped . A weapon was like a man’s soul . The material, shape, price . Everything tickled your fancy . Just like the Glampanzer that now hung on my belt

“But with all of that said, we’ll wrap this up today, so you do not anger her any further . Here are the short swords that you were considering yesterday . ”.

“Hmm…it really is a difficult decision…”.

Kasil had laid out four short swords in total

They were light and durable . One was a Mithril Shortsword, made of that rare metal

Then there was the Ruby cla.s.s Serpent Bite, made from the fang of a saber serpent

Next, the Linia Blade, a magical shortsword made from thunder ore that had an AGI boost enchantment cast on it

And then the As.h.i.+kirimaru, a short sword of unknown origins that he had found at a market

I looked at these four swords and nodded . I honestly wanted them all . But I didn’t have enough money for that . Or, I suppose I did . But I couldn’t spare to use it all . Hunting another wyvern would solve this dilemma, but that wasn’t going to happen . I don’t think so

“So, what will you choose?”.

“I like them all . ”.

“Glad to hear it . You can take them all if you have the coin!”.

I gritted my teeth over my financial woes, but I really did need to make a decision here, or Daniela would not be amused . She may not even be at the inn when I return

“The one that interests me the most, is this resold one . ”.

“Don’t call it that . Indeed, It was something that I purchased a long time ago, but it is a good blade . But I will give you a discount, as it is not new . ”.

“The As.h.i.+kirimaru, huh . ”.

The name sounded j.a.panese, and it even resembled a j.a.panese shortsword . Who was this peddler who had sold it? They were all calling to me, but this one called the loudest . The others had appealing materials, but this one had a name and shape that drew me in a way that was hard to describe . The voice in my head was screaming at me to choose it

“I’ve decided . Give me the As.h.i.+kirimaru!”.

“Alright, that’s ten gold pieces!”.

“Isn’t this an old resold thing? I want fifty percent off . ”.

“Not today . This is a business . Still, you did help me yesterday… You can have it for six gold pieces!”. “Bought!”.

Heh . The mysterious sword was mine for a good price . Not that six pieces of gold was cheap, but it somehow felt cheap for this sword . I couldn’t help but feel that this was that important

I paid the money and then equipped the sword to my belt in the back . And with this, I have regained everything I had lost because of that a.s.sault kobold!.

“Is that all you are buying?”. “Yes, thank you . It was nice doing business with you . ”.

“Heh, I’m glad to have finally had a customer who understands things!”.

We shake hands . It was a friends.h.i.+p between men who were pa.s.sionate about swords

“I’ve gotten everything back . But now I think I want something entirely new…”.

“You’re still buying? Well, fine . What did you have in mind?”.

He folded his arms behind the counters and gave me a wicked grin

“I want a greatsword . ”.

d.a.m.n it, that Asagi . He had some nerve abandoning me completely in order to choose some weapon . I suppose that was how it feels to be invisible . I am hurt . This was cause to find something to eat . To heal my heart and satisfy my stomach

 .

And so I walked down Valdorf’s main street . The inns that lined the streets discharged throngs of tourists and Adventurers . They were probably going on walks after having eaten breakfast . But I was different . I was on my way to a second breakfast . You might call it a journey of healing

I searched for such a beautiful place, but all I could find were inns . It irritated me greatly, but then I remembered that this was a post town . This frustration was not helping my healing process at all . Asagi had a lot to answer for . I was always in a good mood, as long as I had his attention… d.a.m.n it, perhaps I really should have gone to his room last night . I pa.s.sed by the information center as I walked, but I felt like relying on it would be an admission of defeat, so I continued on

 .

Everywhere I looked, it was inns . So I decided to gamble a little . I made random turns and entered alleys . If there was a dead end, I would use wind magic to jump over it and continue walking on the other side . And after walking like this for some time, an appetizing smell finally reached my nose . Finally! And then I search for the origin of this smell while relying on the detection abilities of my nose

I made several more turns and came out into a market area . It was not the same one I had entered yesterday with Asagi . It was filled with much more tourists . People walked around carrying a variety of things that looked like gifts . There must be a lot of stores selling novelty items here . But the smell that I had discovered was coming from here . And so it must be here . I concentrated all of my heart and soul into the tip of my nose as I started to walk again

 .

There was a store with a sign . Tree Stump Arbor . So this was the promised land that my senses were leading me to . The rich smells made my nose feel numb . This was it . This was surely a place that could heal my aching heart . There was nothing to do but enter once you have decided . A woman should be quiet and move forward

 .

“Customer? Take a seat . ”.

 .

I was not the warmest person in the world, but I would like to think I was not as bad as this man

It was not my style to act arrogant just because I was a customer, but I could not help but feel that he could be nicer . I take a seat and look at the menu . Hmm, these dishes had some fancy names . These places may excel in taste, but their portions were always too small . Who knows what kind of foolish way they would serve the food . They were bound to give a portion that was no larger than a goblin’s hand, and then ask for fifty gold pieces . In that case, I should keep that in mind when ordering . I have the money . There was still quite a lot from the reward for stopping the stampede and selling the materials gained in the mines

 .

“Here is my order . Venison Steak . Sauteed Boar with Wild Vegetables . And Today’s Soup Set . Also two Berulu Nectar Ice Creams for dessert . ”.

“You sure about that? I’ll have you pay extra if you can’t eat all of it . Food isn’t for free . ”.

“Do not underestimate me . I always eat what is set in front of me . I consider it a matter of courtesy . ”.

“Hmph…you understand then . Very well . You won’t be disappointed with this meal . ”.

 .

Hmm, he was not as terrible as I thought . Well, his att.i.tude was, but he knew his craft . Those who make food and those who eat it . It is when these two can understand each other, that true happiness is born

I had come here to heal and to feel happy . Now, let us see if he can satisfy me!.

 .

On this day, I learned just what happiness was . And I also learned, that in order to know true happiness, Asagi had to be there . My heart felt completely whole now, as if it were reborn . It was calling for him . Asagi, I am coming for you . I just need some time to allow this food to digest . I was a little shocked at the amount of food that was served . But I will go as soon as I am able . Just wait . Uhghhu….

 .

□　　　□　　　□　　　□.

 .

“A greatsword? Don’t you fight with a single-handed sword?”.

“I want to switch it up . My goal is to be an expert with any weapon . ”.

“It is those kinds of people that end up as a ‘jack of all trades and master of none . ’ I think you are better off trying to master the single-handed sword alone . ”.

“And what is wrong with being a jack of all trades! With enough time, I could be a master of all! I do want to use a single-handed sword, but I want to master the greatsword too!”.

“What the h.e.l.l is a ‘master of all’? Bah, fine! If you want a greatsword, I’ll bring you the best one we got!”.

 .

So saying, Kasil moved away from the counter and disappeared behind the rows of shelves . I was never amused by anyone insulting the idea of being a ‘jack of all trades and master of none,’ though the sudden inspiration of saying ‘master of all’ had me grinning

 .

“What’s up with you?…creep…”.

“Ah! Cough . Cough . …So, the greatsword?”.

“Don’t think you can fool me… But here it is, the best greatsword I have . Its name is Schwarz Tempest . ”.

 .

Was that like a black storm? I don’t know if it was because this was another world, but things seemed a little mixed up….

 .

“This sword was carved from the fossilized bones of an ancient monster known as a tempest whale . These bones have been soaked with magic that is such a dark blue, that it is nearly black… It’s potential in attack power is something great . ”.

“Dark blue…then it should suit me pretty well . ”.

“Is that right? Then maybe it is fate… This sword, it was made by my master, before he died . ”.

 .

Kasil said a little somberly as he looked at the blade

 .

“My master did not have the red colored magic that was considered vital for a blacksmith . What magic he carried was dark blue . Everyone mocked him for it, but he did not give up on smithing . And he eventually became one of the greatest blacksmiths in the empire . Impressive, eh?”.

“Yes . I can’t imagine how much effort that must have taken . ”.

“Indeed . It was a lot of sweat and blood . I tried many times to pull him away, but he never stopped working . And this was the last sword that he made . They say that your soul will reside in the last sword that you made . And these tempest whale bones must have flowed through many sellers before they reached this place . And my master put his soul into it . This is the best sword that you could buy . ”.

 .

I looked away from him and turned to the dark blue greatsword . Schwarz Tempest

This great sword had a faint aura that was dark blue, like the vast sea or great sky

 .

“Asagi, I am entrusting you with this sword . This may be what fate wants . Take it . ”.

“Are you sure?”.

“Of course, I am! Now, I’m beginning to want to make a sword to surpa.s.s this one . Farewell!”.

 .

He wiped at the area below his nose before vaulting over the counter and disappearing in the back . I bowed and strapped Schwarz Tempest to my back and left the store . The soul of a pa.s.sionate man was on my back . I would have to live in a way that would not bring shame to it

Now, it was time to b.u.t.ter up Daniela and see how she was doing . Men should be quiet and kiss a.s.s