I soared through the skies with Sir Dahl and the others, aiming for Birdy Perch, and successfully ensured their safe arrival. Along the way, we joined forces with Nenashi and his friend, and unlike the villagers, the Birdians did not harbor any particular aversion towards them. This was to be expected though.
After receiving a monetary reward for our successful mission from Sir Dahl, I reunited with Ruby and the others who had completed their quest in Birdy Perch. I briefly introduced them to Nenashi and his friend before parting ways, as we were currently on our return journey to the “Dragon’s Sanctuary”.
It’s worth noting that they managed to secure lodging without any trouble and have finally secured a safe place to log out. Given that Birdy Perch likely sold tents and the like, it seemed there would no longer be a need for them to risk camping in the dangerous outdoors.
“So, we’re welcoming those two into our group, right? They’re a bit weird, but not bad people.”
“Hmm… I have no objections; they’re not harmful. They are a bit odd though …”
I responded to Eiji who was flying with the help of Karl. My words were tinged with hesitation though. Neither of them were bad people, nor were they both idiots who couldn’t be considerate of others. In fact, both seemed to be gentlemen and quite reliable.
However, unlike Nenashi, who only has a unique way of speaking, the guy he keeps calling “Lord”‘ is a bit… well, quite an oddball. This was clear from his choice of reincarnation into a monster with an appearance that would make even us freeze for a moment.
“But you know, wouldn’t you feel flattered if someone said they became a monster because they admired Isam?”
“No, no, Ruby~~. Isam is actually a bit perplexed by the overly enthusiastic fans.”
It was exactly as Shio said. I had completely forgotten, but I had met him when he was still human, just before we moved using the “Ancient Travel Tower”. It was on my way back after bidding farewell to the gravekeeper.
While flying with Ruby and the others, we spotted a PK (Player Killer) trio chasing down a fleeing player below. Since I dislike their bullying tactics, I instantly killed them using [Witchcraft]… The player they had been chasing turned out to be him.
After being saved by me, he began gathering information about his savior, which was me. However, having only seen me from a distance, he couldn’t determine my exact appearance, and his investigation made slow progress. Realizing he wouldn’t get far in the vicinity of Firth, he set out on a journey alone.
His journey was filled with twists and turns and it eventually led him to the hidden temple of reincarnation managed by the Goddess of Death and Chaos, Yifa. After gathering the necessary items for reincarnation, he offered them up and was reborn. Subsequently, he received an oracle instructing him to seek out the blessings and head towards the Vetus floating island.
Lady Yifa, did you have to tell him we were here? I really wanted to shout that. Yet, it was undeniable that both of them were invaluable assets. It was frustrating to feel like I was being played like a puppet, but I should be grateful.
Who could have imagined that my actions would come back to me in such a manner? If there were someone capable of foreseeing this, I would very much like to befriend them.
“True, fans like that can be quite complicated,” Usaji said.
“Oh? You seem to speak from experience.”
“Ah, it has something to do with my real life, so don’t ask me anymore.”
“Oh, my apologies.”
“It’s great to have more friends, isn’t it?”
“That’s~ right~.”
Could Usaji be a celebrity, perhaps? Not that I planned to pry. Shishu and Wool were simply happy about the addition to our group.
Maybe it would be better to just welcome them honestly like the two of them did. With these thoughts in mind, I made my way back.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
After fighting the group led by the ferocious Barbarian Baboon, Genjuro and the others reported the details of the skirmish and the information blurted out by Saburo to the Great Tengu. As time was getting late, they decided to log off for the day.
The next time they logged in, they found the “Heavenly Spirit City” abuzz. Curious, they stepped out from the inn where they were staying, only to see many residents gathered at the city’s entrance, armed and ready for battle.
“What’s this, a festival?”
“Jigoro-san, even if it is a festival as you say, you shouldn’t join in!”
“I know, I know~”
Seventh Armor sternly warned Jigoro, who chuckled at the prospect of chaos, suggesting that this might be an opportunity for a brawl. Jigoro replied with a nonchalant wave of his hand, making one wonder if he truly understood. Although the “mad” name had been removed from his race’s name, his nature to chase after the scent of battle hadn’t changed in the slightest.
However, nothing would start if they didn’t get closer. Therefore, Jigoro and the others mixed in with the onlookers and headed towards the commotion. Near the city gates, they spotted a group that had arrived. Initially, it seemed like an attack by the baboons, but the situation appeared to be different.
“Is that… a Mujina (badger)?”
“Are those Kappas over there?”
The visitors were not the baboons but other yokai. They and the Great Tengu were enemies that threatened each other’s territories. Encounters in the forest typically resulted in deadly confrontations between them as if it were the natural course of action.
Yet, there they stood, holding up a white flag. What could their intention be?
“Hey, you there. What are these guys here for?”
“Oh, yes. It seems they’re here to propose a ceasefire agreement.”
Jigoro asked a nearby oni and learned that the Mujina group had come to negotiate a truce. There could only be one reason for proposing a ceasefire at this time.
“They must be planning to take down the baboons for good.” Genjuro deduced.
“Well, there seems to be no other reason.”
It appeared that the damage caused by the baboons was very big and not just in the “Heavenly Spirit City” but elsewhere as well. While it wasn’t a matter of forming an alliance to fight a common enemy, it was indeed foolish to deplete each other’s forces while the baboon threat loomed. It was likely an attempt to avoid such folly.
While Genjuro was making sense of the situation, a group led by the bespectacled Tengu who was an aide to the Great Tengu appeared. They began negotiations with the Mujina group right there. The specifics of the negotiation were unclear since no one was raising their voice; it was something that they could ask about later.
“There’s no point in staying here any longer. I might step out for a bit.” Genjuro said.
“Are you heading to that blacksmith, Genjuro-san?”
“Umu.”
The “blacksmith” Sei referred to was the only one in the city. In the battle with Saburo, Genjuro had sustained big damage. The horn that had broken off and the exoskeleton that had been peeled away could be recovered as items.
Genjuro decided to collect these and ask the blacksmith to forge them into weapons. He didn’t expect that his materials alone would be enough to make the weapons, so he was prepared to pay extra for any additional materials used.
“Then, may I join you? I’ve been thinking it’s about time to replace my staff.” Sei. said.
“Of course. Let’s go together.”
“In that case, we’ll keep an eye on how things unfold here. I might need to keep an eye on Jigoro-san to make sure he doesn’t start a ruckus.” Seventh armor added
“Hey! Even I know better than to cause trouble at a time like this!”
“…Really now?”
With Seventh Armor and Jigoro’s banter in the background, Genjuro made his way to the blacksmith shop with Sei and his familiars in tow.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
The sound of metal being hammered and the shouts of craftsmen could be heard from the blacksmith shop in the “Heavenly Spirit City”. Due to the constant battles with the baboons, the consumption of weapons and armor has recently surged. Consequently, the blacksmiths were overrun with work, rushing to keep up with the demand.
Genjuro and Sei made their way to the shop attached to the busy forge. The shopkeeper was a young oni man whose cool and gallant appearance was said to be popular among oni women. Upon noticing the customers, the handsome demon greeted them with a friendly smile.
“Ah, are you the wanderers from the other day? Welcome!”
“Yes. Is the item we ordered ready?”
“Ah, well, that would be the master’s job…”
When Genjuro asked him, the shop assistant’s face fell into a look of trouble. It seemed understandable that the master, burdened with numerous complex tasks, had not yet completed the item.
“Master! Master!”
“Quiet! I can hear you!”
As Genjuro contemplated whether to return later, the shop assistant called out loudly to the master in the forge. The young man’s voice was loud, but the response from the forge was like a clap of thunder.
Emerging from the forge with heavy footsteps was a towering middle-aged oni. He was standing over two meters tall and his arms were as thick as logs. A headband was wrapped around his head, and beads of sweat were glistening all over his body. The hammer he held in his right hand suggested he had been working just moments before.
“It’s you… Hold on a moment. I’ll bring it to you.”
The master gave Genjuro a quick glance before turning on his heel and heading back to the forge. A few minutes later, he returned with a long pole over his shoulder. Because the sackcloth was wrapped to cover the whole thing, the only thing you could tell from the silhouette was that it was a pole-shaped weapon.
The master handed the pole to Genjuro without saying a word. Taking it, Genjuro carefully and slowly unwrapped the cloth. What was revealed was a spear with a black-brown blade that was nearly fifty centimeters in length. The handle, proportional to the blade, was decorated with an oriental dragon motif in gold inlay. Even Genjuro, who had seen countless swords and blades in real life, couldn’t help but admire its power and beauty.
“Ah, a Naginata (polearm), is it?”
“Yes. I tried to make the most of your unique talents, and this is what I came up with.”
A Naginata was a spear with a long curved blade attached to a wooden pole. The blade part was large, and the piercing power was much higher than that of a normal spear. However, its heavy tip makes it more difficult to handle.
When Genjuro received the Naginata, he tried holding it with two of his four arms and tested its feel by moving it slowly and then trying similar movements using all four arms. After thoroughly testing it in various ways, he nodded in satisfaction as if he had found it to his liking.
“You’ve done a fine job, master. The balance is exceptional.”
“Heh! Your praise won’t get you anything, instructor.”
Even as Genjuro lavished praise, the master replied with indifferent words. However, it was clear that he was not displeased by the compliment; his barely concealed grin and the struggle to maintain a serious expression were clear to anyone who saw him. The oni young man chose not to comment on this to avoid being hit.
“Needless to say, the blade was made from your horns. I’ve carved patterns on the blade to enhance its dexterity and piercing power. When heated a bit, it becomes much harder than any ordinary metal, though there was no need to increase its hardness.”
“This is the first time I’ve heard that my horn had such a property.”
“Didn’t know, huh?… Let me continue. The handle’s inlay work has the effect of restoring the health of the one wielding it and the durability of the spear itself. It’s designed to withstand long battles.”
“That’s remarkable.”
Genjuro was content with the performance of the weapon, which was comparable, if not superior, to his current weapons. He felt an eager anticipation to try out the spear at the earliest opportunity.
“Um, I’m actually looking for a staff… Do you have anything suitable?”
“A staff, you say? Well… over here might have what you’re looking for.”
While Genjuro was quietly excited, Sei was checking out the weapons sold at the store in order to fulfill his purpose. Through quests in Birdy Perch and the “Heavenly Spirit City” he earned a decent amount of money. So he had enough funds to outright buy a weapon that matched his level.
“Hmm… Master, may I practice some swings?”
“Then use the backyard. There’s a training dummy there, and you’re welcome to have a mock battle with the young man over there.”
“Much obliged. Let’s go then.”
“Eh?! Wha-, wait! I’m still choosing…?!”
After Genjuro expressed his thanks, he grabbed Sei by the scruff of his neck and started walking towards the backyard. Caught off guard, Sei couldn’t help but shout, but Genjuro paid him no heed. Despite Sei’s futile resistance, he was dragged along.
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