Chapter 34: The Dwarven Blacksmith│Read translated stories and daily updates at: Awebstories.com

“You did an excellent job—now I can grow vegetables with peace of mind. But the cost was high…”

Kanatoko looks at the battle-torn fields with a melancholy look on his face and holds Leonhardt’s sword in both hands.

The heat has not only tattered but also melted the sword. The chimera’s flames melted it, and Lysette’s magic froze it, destroying its original shape and strength.

“Hey, will you fix the sword as promised?”

“Don’t be silly. I have no choice but to cast this again.”

When he is rudely rebuffed, Dee’s mouth twitches.

“Hey, Leon, you should speak up as well—you’ve been the most diligent worker—If you don’t act, we’ll be working for free.”

“No, I don’t believe it can be fixed any longer. I don’t want to be unreasonable…”

“What’s unreasonable about that?! These days’ youth…”

Kanatoko appeared to be offended by Leonhardt’s words, and sheathed the sword angrily.

“…and where do you think you’re going in the first place?”

“Of course, to kill the dragon!”

Lysette triumphantly responded. Her initial goal of defeating a dragon was the “Dragon Steak”, which remains unchanged.

“The dragon in the sixth layer?”

Kanatoko tilts his head slightly, thinking about something.

“Hmm. If you’ve come here, it must be the goddess’ will.”

He mutters something and raises his head. with a determined expression.

“OK, fine. I’ll craft you a new sword fit for slaying a dragon. But you will have to assist me.”

—○█○—

“It’s a privilege to witness a dwarf’s blacksmithing work up close and personal! What should I do?”

Lysette, who has been summoned to the forge, inquires eagerly.

“Well, I’d like you to adjust the fire magically. The temperature of the fire is critical.”

adjusting the fire in the forge.

While watching the color of the glowing coals in the furnace, Kanatoko gives Lysette heating instructions, and Lysette does as she is told, increasing or decreasing the heat.

“What a delicate adjustment of firepower…”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

The compliments make Lysette happy.

“How about it, human girl? Do you want to be a blacksmith?”

“Eh?”

—living a self-sufficient life in the dungeon and working as a blacksmith?

Lysette’s ideal way of life seemed to be growing vegetables, herding monsters, hunting, and living in the dungeon.

“That’s a tempting offer…”

“Lysette…”

“What are you trying to convince her of?!”

“Kya! How long have you been here?!”

Leonhardt and Dee, who had found their way to the blacksmith’s shop, were staring at Lysette.

“Of course, I’ll continue my adventure—sure, of course!”

Lysette’s cheeks flush, and she covers her mouth. She was embarrassed for some reason.

“You’ve arrived at the right time. With my brother gone, I’m going to need your assistance.”

To remove impurities, the metal is heated in the furnace and hammered.

When the three men lower their hammers, there is a high-pitched sound and a spark, and the metal gradually stretches into the shape of a sword.

When the metal’s temperature falls, it is returned to the furnace to be heated and hammered again. The procedure is then repeated.

“Hmm. It’s quite good.”

“Not good for me! It’s too much for me! I can’t do it anymore! You got this, Leon.”

Dee leaves, gasping for air. He was sweating all over.

“Thank you, Dee; leave the rest to me.”

Leonhardt and Kanatoko then worked on the metal for a while.

When they swung the hammer, a high-pitched sound echoed, and red flames erupted.

It was a lovely sight. Lysette kept an eye on it while adjusting the flame.

“All right, this is about right. I believe it is time to take a break. The roasted Chimera should be finished.”

“Can we eat the chimera meat now?!”

“You’re going to consume that…”

Lysette was excited, but Leonhardt’s expression was hazy.

“I’ve never eaten chimera meat. For the first time in my life, it makes my heart skip a beat!”

The defeated Chimera has been placed on the table.

Eating monsters this is the privilege of the victor.

The roasted chimera made from lion parts was first. It was beautifully presented, slowly cooked in hot water, then pan-fried and cut into thin strips.

It was rosy in color and lovely to look at.

“This isn’t good.”

Dee gives the impression of being overly truthful.

“The meat is too tough… and the gammy odor…”

Leonhardt raises his eyebrows in agreement.

Even if she doesn’t say it, Lysette agrees. She is unable to speak because she is unable to swallow, no matter how hard she chews.

“The Chimera lion’s meat is bad. This is yet another new find.”

Kanatoko arrives just as they are about to finish the roasted Chimera.

What appears on the plate is a blackened and roasted goat’s head.

Kanatoko cuts it up right away with a knife and fork.

“The Chimera goat head is roasted whole—the brain has been extracted—here’s the cheek meat and tongue.

“This is delicious!”

Leonhardt got rave reviews.

“It’s tender and delicious.”

“It’s fatty and tasty. It’s too bad there’s only enough for the four of us.”

The goat dish is quickly consumed, and the next dish arrives.

“Here we go, goat brain casserole.”

A large pot is filled with vegetables and goat brains that are stewing in a red broth.

“It’s also delicious!” It’s creamy and complements the sweet and spicy broth.”

“Tastes similar to albacore tuna…”

“Sake! Give me some sake!”

After five days of assisting Kanatoko in the creation of the sword…

“Finally, it’s completed! This is my best work!”

The longsword has been hammered and sharpened from ore for several days, and the forge is filled with applause.

Kanatoko hands Leonhardt the longsword, and his eyes light up when he sees the new weapon.

“Could this deep glow be… Adamant alloy?”

“You bet! “

Adamant alloy is a metal made by fusing Adamant, a legendary metal with a very high hardness, with a few other metals to improve its performance.

“Are you certain about this?”

“Of course, I’m certain. This is the most rewarding work I’ve done in a long time.”

“Thank you… Thank you so much.”

They are now ready to depart after receiving the sword.

They made a lot of preserves during their visit, so their luggage is overflowing with food. For the time being, they should have no trouble finding food.

Kanatoko approaches Lysette just as she is about to leave.

“This is a service—don’t die.”

With these words, she received a [Heart-Substitution] item that will allow her to escape the dungeon if she dies.

“Thank you!”

She grasps the heart-shaped amulet.

That makes two, along with Lysette’s.

“The lodgings will cost 9,000 gold—you’ve been a great help to me since the second day, so consider it a service.”

“Yes, thank you. And… I’d like to ask you why Kanatoko-san is running an inn here.”

She asks what has been bothering her for a long time while paying for the accommodation.

Kanatoko gives a gentle smile.

“It’s a nice and peaceful location… And I hope to meet other interesting adventurers like yourselves from time to time.”

“I see…”

“And this one’s life will soon… No, it’s nothing… Just don’t die, alright?!”

Potato-tan: I was kind of hoping they would be served harpy meat.

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