Chapter 43 – A Worthy Weapon

“Then let’s end the self-introductions and questions here for now. It’s already late. For tomorrow’s schedule, I’m thinking of having us dive into the Great Labyrinth right away. The objective will be to test our party cooperation with the inclusion of Orn. Place is planned to be in the lower layers, but I’ll give the specific location tomorrow. First of all, tomorrow, as usual, please gather here at nine in the morning. Orn, you can assume that on the days we are going to explore the labyrinth, we’ll typically be gathering here at nine. If there are any changes, I will contact you separately.” 

“Got it.”

　The introduction meeting is over.

　From Selma’s tone, we’re being dismissed. 

　As I’m thinking that,

“Then, next, for Orn’s welcome party, we going out to eat somewhere?”

　Will suggests.

“Ah… I’m very grateful for the suggestion, but can we do it after tomorrow? Actually, there’s something I want to do for tomorrow’s labyrinth exploration…”

　Since he went out of the way to invite me, it pains me to have to decline, but I want to get this done today.

“Preparations for tomorrow? Is that something we can ask about?” 

“After this, I was thinking of going to buy a sword.” 

　The day before yesterday, against the Black Drago, I lost two of my swords.

　It would’ve been good if I could have taken the chance to buy it yesterday, but I only realised as I was going to bed last night…. 

“Huh?! Don’t tell me you haven’t got any weapons right now!?” 

　Will lets out a surprised voice.

　The other three have similar expressions.

“No, I still have one more, so I can go exploring, but I want to increase my stock just in case.”

“If that’s the case, why don’t you do it after tomorrow? Weapons aren’t something made in a day.”

“No, I’m using ones you can get directly from the market, so I can obtain one today?” 

“Huh!? Not made-to-order!?”

　Everyone is surprised again.

　Well, if you’re an advanced explorer, it’s normal for your weapons to be bespoke.

　So this kind of reaction is unavoidable. 

“No, when I was a Swordsman, I was only B Rank so I don’t have a custom sword. Besides, right now, sharpness and durability can be supplemented by my support magic so I thought that I wouldn’t have to go out of my way to buy an expensive sword.” 

“I don’t know much about swords, but if you buy one straight from stores, although they may look the same, the, centre of gravity? It’s different, right? Won’t that feel off?” 

“If that’s the only issue, I can adjust just by taking a few swings. Besides, if there’s such a big difference when I’m choosing one to buy, then I just won’t buy it, so there’s no problem.” 

“~~~~su! Urghhh! That may be true, but from today you’re the Ace of the 1st Unit of ‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’, you know!? You can’t let other people see you using a cheap sword bought from some store!””

　As Lain is saying that, she grabs my hand and is trying to bring me somewhere. 

“Wait, Lain!? Where you going!?”

　Ignoring Will’s voice, she briskly walks away while pulling my hand. 

　　◇

　I’m brought to a blacksmith-like place in another building on the same site.

　Even now, Lain is pulling me by the hand as she takes me to the back. 

　By the way, the other three are also following behind.

　And when I’m brought in front of a big, sturdy middle-aged man, she finally lets go of my hand.

“Oi oi, what’s all of the 1st Unit come here for…”

　Well, you’d be surprised if we suddenly appeared.

“Alan! Please make a sword for this kid!”

　Lain suddenly makes a request.

　The person called Alan must be a blacksmith.

“Sword?”

　Alan stares at me intently.

“…Are you the rumoured Dragon Slayer?”

　After looking over me from to bottom, he asks. 

“I don’t know about being the rumoured Dragon Slayer, but the one who defeated the Black Dragon the other day was indeed me.” 

“As I’d thought, the way you stand and space yourself is like a hardened warrior, I knew right away.” 

“…Thank you very much?”

“So, you want me to make you a sword, you’re saying? Well, it’s an honour to be able to make a sword for the Dragon Slayer that’s the talk of the town. Though, since you belonged to the Hero Party, ain’t you already acquainted with a renowned Blacksmith?”  

“Wouldn’t you think so!? But he said he’s using a store-bought weapon.”

　Lain excitedly explains to Alan.

“What you’d say!? Oi! Is that true!?”

“W, well, yes, it’s true…”

“That’s something you entrust your own life to, right!? Why’re you just using some sloppy thing you bought from a shop!?” 

　Alan explodes.

　They do say that a sword is like a Swordsman’s soul. 

　And I’ve also just now changed my mind. 

　I was taken aback by Lain’s words from earlier.

　Certainly, the current me is a Vanguard Attacker who belongs to the 1st Unit of “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit”.

　In other words, I have to become an exemplar for other Vanguard Attackers.

　And it’s true that when considering that, I can’t just use a store-bought sword, 

　I’m not holding on to any delusions, but if the Vanguard Attacker of the top party is using an expensive and high-quality sword, that alone might lead to an increase in motivation for the other members.

“Until just a little while ago, I did think a store-bought sword would be fine, but I changed my mind after Lain got angry with me――”

“Huh? Did you think I was angry? I’m sorry! I wasn’t angry, you know?”

　Lain appeals to me that she hadn’t been angry while flustered.

　She wasn’t angry huh, but it was a little scary.

“No, wasn’t that you angry, you didn’t say a thing and just dragged him here, your face was scary.” 

“Yeah, Lain was scary.”

　Will retorts and Lucre agrees. 

　Selma is also smiling wryly.

　Yeah, we were all on the same page.

“Hey you there, be quiet!”

“Wow~, she’s angry after all~”

“…You guys came to put on a show?”

“That’s not the case! I came here to make a serious request!”

“I, I see… Then, let’s get back on topic. Um… Dragon Slayer, what’s your name?”

“It’s Orn.”

“Orn, huh, I got it. I’m Alan. As you see, I’m a Blacksmith. So, you’ve changed your thinking?” 

“Until now, I didn’t care about what others thought, so I thought a store-bought sword would be fine. But now that I’m a member of the 1st Unit of ‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’, so I think I should use a fitting weapon. So please make me a sword! If you would, kindly!”

　I bow my head to Alan and request him to make a sword for me.

“…As I said earlier, it’s a big honour for me to be allowed to make a sword for you. I’ll do it gladly.” 

“Isn’t that good, Orn. The old man is the best Blacksmith in ‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’. I had my own partner made by the old man, so I can guarantee the craft.” 

　Will talks to me while putting a hand on my shoulder.

　Is this person the best Blacksmith in this clan? My expectations will inevitably rise. 

“Oi oi, don’t flatter me like that. Also, I’m alright with making it, but there’s one problem.” 

“Is that something that can be resolved soon?”

“Problem’s the materials for weapons. Right now, we’re running out of materials from the deep layers. I used them freely for Wilkes’ weapon a while back. That’s why to make a weapon, you gotta dive in the deep layers first. You’ve got your priorities backwards.” 

“Then, it’s Will’s fault isn’t it? Will, right now, go get some ores from the deep layers by yourself.” 

“Don’t say nonsense! ‘By myself’, I haven’t got enough lives for that!”

　Will dutifully retorts to Lucre’s unreasonable words.

　These two get along well.

　What’s needed is deep layer materials, yeah. 

“Then it won’t be a problem.”

“Huh? Orn, what do you mean?”

　I look around and move to where there is space.

“I have quite a few deep layer materials.”

　While saying that, I make appear the ores and demonic beast materials suitable for making swords that I’ve obtained from the deep layers.

“Wow, that’s a lot~!”

　Lucre gets excited, but the other four are stunned.