Pawahara Seijo no Osananajimi to Zetsuen Shitara, Nanimokamo ga Umaku Iku Yō ni Natte Saikyō no Bōke

[I will win the Martial God Festival!]

“Ohh, wow…” I, who got a little surprised at Leia-san, was looking at the weapons displayed in the shop with shining eyes.

Besides several types of double-edged and single-edged longswords, there were also spears, axes, and even a great sword, which seemed capable of cutting even Adamantia open.

However, I didn’t find any kind of armor, so it seemed that this was a weapon-specialized shop.

Or rather, how did you swing this…

As I was thinking about that while looking at the great sword, Fio-chan called out to me. “Are you interested in this great sword? It was forged by Fio’s dad a long time ago.”

“Hee, I see. But is there anyone who can swing such a heavy weapon?”

“Ehehe, I wonder? Dad said that it’s fine even if there’s no one who can swing it because it’s the symbol of the shop, though.” Fio-chan said happily, which made my face broke into a smile.

Then, Leia-san, who seemed to be free at the counter, asked, “So, are you a traveler?”

“Ah, yes. I’m called Exa. I was looking for a weapon that suits me, but the shops were all closed…”

“Well, that’s natural. Now is the middle of the ‘Martial God Festival’. They most likely don’t have time to care about customers.”

“The Martial God Festival?” I tilted my head slightly.

Leia-san asked in astonished manner. “What, you came to this city without knowing it?”

“Y-yeah, well…”

“The Martial God Festival is a tournament held to decide the best weapon craftsman among the arms shops in Leolinea once every two years.”

“Hee, so that’s why it’s so crowded.” Everyone had closed their shops to put their all in making the best weapon.

“Right you are. But the Martial God Festival isn’t just about making weapons. The festival can only be completed when the gathered adventurers use the weapons made by us blacksmiths.”

“I see. So that’s why there are so many hot-blooded people in city.”

“Yeah. Adventurers who want to make a name for themselves are eager to be selected by each arms shop. There are many people who loves to pick a fight at this time, so I’d be careful when I go out if I were you.”

“G-got it…” It appeared that this wasn’t a good time to study about fighting style.

What should I do, then?

Hmm, I pondered while crossing my arms, but something suddenly got me curious, so I asked Leia-san. “By the way, does your shop participate too, Leia-san?”

“No, I…”

Then.

――Karan.

“——Apologize for intrudin’. Leia here?”

Suddenly, bad-looking men came barging into the shop.

At that moment, Leia-san hid Fio-chan behind her as though covering her.

“But seriously, this shop is as gloomy as usual. It’s so much different from the time when Rafla runnin’ it.”

“Hah, if you came just to spit sarcasm, go back. Your job is just to keep customers away anyway, right?”

“Well, whatever do you mean, I wonder? More importantly, ain’t it about time you change your mind?”

“It’s no use no matter how many times you ask. I won’t participate in the Martial God Festival. There’s absolutely no way I’d participate in such a bloody tournament.”

“Haah… it’s okay to be strong-willed, but your rent has piled up quite a bit, ain’t it?”

“T-that is…”

“Your shop is about to go out of business anyway. In that case, as a former number one weapon shop around, it’d be amusing to disappear in a brilliant manner at the end at least, ‘aight?”

“Kh…”

“Besides, you guys——”

Grab, one of the men grabbed Leia-san’s arm.

“Ugh!?”

“Mom!?”

“There‘re many ways to make money, anyways. How about you guys stay at my place just for toni—buwah!?”

“““““——!?”””””

At that moment, the man’s body was wrapped in flames.

Of course, the one who did it was me.

When I was touched by Kaya-san and the others, my flame didn’t do them any harm, but apparently, if I had a clear intention to attack, the heat that the flame released would greatly increase.

Moreover, it seemed I was able to release fire attribute attacks without transforming into phoenix.

“W-what the hell did you do suddenly!?”

Naturally, the firepower wasn’t life-threatening; the guy should only be feeling a pricking sensation on his skin.

Well, to be honest, I wanted to grill him, though. “My bad. I just found your act to be unpleasant in my eyes, so my hand ended up moving without me knowing.”

“C-cut your bullshit!? Don’t think you can go scot-free after doing this to me!?”

For some reason, I felt like I’d heard that line somewhere before…

As I was lost in my thought feeling the déjà vu, the man finally spat out some threatening remarks while having the other men propped him by the shoulders, before leaving. “We’ll definitely crush this shop! Prepare yourself, Leia!”

“Hah, don’t you ever come here again!” Leia-san replied back undauntedly.

So headstrong…

◇ ◇

“I’m sorry for getting you involved.” After the men left, Leia bowed to me and said so.

“No, I also apologize for intervening without permission.” I reflected on my actions, too.

Even though I was able to chase them off just now, given that those guys have some connections in this city, it was Leia-san and Fio-chan who would suffer harm later on.

As I thought, that was careless of me…

Looking at me, whose complexion darkened, Leia-san laughed. “No, no, thanks to you, I was able to let off some steam. Please raise your head.”

“If that’s the case, then I’m glad. So, umm, I wonder if you could let me hear the situation, if that’s okay with you…”

“Indeed. It might be fine to tell you. That said, it’s not like it’s that big of a deal, though. If you’re okay with that, would you listen to me?”

“Of course.” I nodded.

Then, Leia-san said, “Thank you,” and started talking about the situation. “My late husband, who died a year ago, was the best blacksmith in this city. He had won the Martial God Festival many times. Well, that’s exactly why he incurred various kinds of guys’ enmities, I guess. Though I said he has died, has been killed is probably the more correct way to put it.”

“Killed…?”

“……nh.” As Fio-chan grabbed her apron tightly as though she was enduring something, Leia-san nodded, “Yeah. Although it was said that he suddenly died, I believe that he was killed. After all, it was right after the victor of the Martial God Festival had been decided. Moreover, after my husband died, those guys came barging in here almost every day. In all likelihood, they’re very frustrated at losing.”

“I see. In other words, those guys earlier are men from another arms shop, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. The reason why they persistently threaten me to participate is most likely just because they want to thoroughly crush our shop. Well, in any case, I have not an ounce of intention to participate, though.”

“Is it, because of what happened to your husband…?” I asked hesitantly.

Then Leia-san shrugged her shoulders and said, “Well, that’s a part of it, but my husband said this when he was alive: a blacksmith wields their hammers in order to protect someone. That’s why I don’t participate in the Martial God festival. Hate to admit it, but my skill isn’t as good as that of my husband’s. If I lose with a half-baked weapon, my husband’s name will fall to the ground this time. Even if the shop goes out of business, I can just start again, but that’s not the case with fame. I want my husband to stay as the best blacksmith in this city.”

“Leia-san…”

In other words, it was certain that the shop would end up being closed regardless of her participation in the Martial God Festival.

However, even if she participated, there was no chance of winning, and it would only damage the reputation of her husband.

If that were to happen, she’d rather endure without doing anything. That was Leia’s decision. But then, a thought came to my mind: If that’s the case, then I just need to win the festival with Leia-san’s weapon, right?

There were other problems, sure, but the quickest way to resolve the current problem was for the shop to get the overall victory.

I had 《Phoenix》 skill, too, so I thought I had a good chance of winning.

So, I proposed without hesitation. “——I understand. Then, I will win the Martial God Festival, so please, give me the best weapon to protect you.”

““Eh?””

Of course, the two’s eyes went wide in surprise.