As Mint wandered through the bustling market, her eyelids grew heavy.
Switching from carrying her to my shoulder to being carried on my back, she soon became quieter and quieter—eventually drifting off into a gentle slumber.
「Well now, perhaps the crowds have worn her out.」
「Indeed. After all, it’s her first time venturing into the city.」
「Do you have some business here? I’ll look after her at the branch.」
「Is that alright, grandma?」
「Absolutely. It’s been ages since I last cared for such a young child.」
Seeing Grandma Seralinde’s warm smile, I decided to take up on her offer. She took Mint from me into her loving arms.
「Mmm… zzz…」
「Come, take a nap to grandma.」
Leaving us with a contented Mint, grandma bid farewell. She assured us that Mint would be waiting in her study, so we needed to attend to our tasks promptly.
「Sui, let’s invite grandma over again sometime soon.」
「Agreed. Before winter arrives.」
「Bark!」
Hand in hand with Karen and Chocola, we made our way to Novium-san’s shop.
Turning off the main street and into a narrow alley, we found the dimly lit establishment. Its small sign hung inconspicuously, and the lack of visible enthusiasm for business was consistent with our expectations.
Karen tilted her head and remarked,
「I’ve always wondered—no matter when we come here, there are never any customers.」
「For me, it somehow fits the image—like something out of Japanese fantasy tales.」
Indeed, it was the kind of place described as ‘the reclusive dwarf’s hidden shop in the back alley, known only to a select few’.
Honestly, when I first heard about it, my excitement soared.
「But Sui, your image aside, do you think Novium-san is really making a living here?」
「Well, the last time I brought a knife, I spent a lot of money on it…」
Even now, this sword at my hip, when converted to Japanese yen, would be worth approximately twenty million yen.
…But considering the cost of materials and such, I wonder what the net profit really is. After all, even before I paid twenty million yen, Novium-san had been running this blacksmith shop. How did he make a living? Now that you mention it, I’m genuinely curious.
「I believe his skill is unquestionable.」
「Indeed. He could easily hold the title of ‘Iron’. 」
Among blacksmiths, titles were bestowed by the guild based on skill and achievements. The highest honor was the title of ‘Iron’—a name directly associated with the materials they worked with. It was a rugged, no-nonsense title, and therefore the highest praise.
「Well, perhaps it’s not good to pry into other people’s affairs.」
「Hmm.」
「Chocola, could you wait here for a moment?」
「Bark!」
As we cut short our somewhat crude conversation, I pushed open the door.
「Hello… are?」
The bell above the door tinkled apologetically as I entered the shop.
And there, behind the counter, stood someone unfamiliar.
A woman.
She appeared petite, almost like a young girl at first glance, but that wasn’t quite right.
Overall, her proportions were those of an adult woman—the cinched waist emphasized by her dress left no doubt. Yet, in terms of scale, she was about the same height as Novium-san.
「Welcome. Are you a first-time visitor or a regular?」
The gruff voice came from behind the counter. She was an adult after all.
「Sui, dwarf….don’t be rude.」
Karen whispered to me.
‘Thank you.’ I replied softly. I had suspected as much, but it was good not to treat her like a child.
「Hello. I’m Sui Hatano, here to collect the order. It’s my first time meeting anyone other than Novium-san.」
I bowed my head and conveyed my greetings and purpose.
In response, the woman chuckled dryly.
「Oh, my apologies. I’m not a shopkeeper. I’m that good-for-nothing blacksmith’s kakaa.」
「Huh?」
Kakaa…wife?
Mother(okaasan)? Hahaoya(formal for mother)?
Isn’t she too young? Well, in this world, individual aging rates vary significantly due to magic, so perhaps it’s not unnatural.
—Or so I thought.
Unbeknownst to me, my heart was in turmoil, and the woman continued.
「I apologize. My husband was summoned to the Guild. I reluctantly took charge of the shop in his absence. Regular customers are coming, so I can’t close the store. I assume you’re one of them.」
「Teishu…? Husband?」
Could it be…
「My name is Spurdia. I’m taking care of things here.」
「Wait, so you’re his wife? Novium-san’s?」
「Yes, but is there something wrong?」
The bewildered woman—Spurdia-san-san—looked at me.
I couldn’t help but exclaim.
「Novium-san was married?!」
※※※
「Oh, my apologies. I forgot to mention.」
Novium-san said nonchalantly, returning home after a dozen minutes.
「It’s not really that strange. I’m of an age where having a family is expected.」
「Well, I suppose that makes sense, but…」
「Don’t worry about it, Novu. I understand how you feel. To outsiders, someone as eccentric as you might not appear to be living a conventional life.」
「Well, I guess Spu has a point.」
Novium-san mumbled absentmindedly, stroking his mustache.
「My apologies. This one here tends to boast about our master and hardly ever talks about himself. But you both don’t strike me as the nosy type.」
「No, it’s true that we assumed he was single. I apologize for my rude reaction.」
We felt quite embarrassed.
By the way, Spurdia-san graciously served us tea across the counter, and we found ourselves in the midst of a peculiar conversation. She’s quite straightforward, almost robust in her mannerisms…
「When he’s not wielding his hammer, he’s rather clumsy. Stubborn and as crooked as a bent nail. Despite having the skill to run a grand establishment, he chooses to stay tucked away in this modest shop. Even though he was offered the title of ‘Iron’ a while back, he stubbornly refused and continues to serve occasional customers. It’s as if he’s entrusted the abacus to me.」
Spurdia-san complained, crossing her arms.
Yet her expression and tone were entirely different.
She spoke with delight, pride, and happiness—proud of her husband.
And then, her eyes narrowed as she continued.
「But recently, something changed. Just the other day, he started talking about accepting that ‘Iron’ title. It seems your influence, Sui-san, played a role.」
「Huh…?」
I was taken aback by the sheer amount of information.
Being offered the ‘Iron’ title was news to me, and now he’s accepting it? And somehow, it’s because of me?
Beside Spurdia-san, Novium-san muttered softly.
「…it’s ‘Kannagi’.」
「Oh…」
And suddenly, it all made sense.
「So, you felt confident that it can go side by side with your master’s work.」
I said, understanding everything.
The blacksmith Novium-san’s forging skills were undoubtedly top-notch even before our paths crossed. That’s why the guild intended to bestow upon him the highest title, ‘Iron’.
However, he declined.
The reason? His master.
Novium-san’s father, the one who forged the magical sword ‘Ridill’ also held the title of ‘Iron’. So, Novium-san pondered: Was he truly standing in the same place as his master? Did his skills warrant a title equal to that of his revered teacher?
He arrived at a resolute answer: No. Objectively, perhaps, but at least he wasn’t convinced. Therefore, he decided not to accept it.
And it was the knife known as ‘Kannagi’ that changed his stubborn resolve.
Kannagi, a knife that contained nine forms and transformed according to my magical power—a knife I trusted implicitly in my culinary endeavors. Novium-san himself asserted that it was a blade worthy of standing alongside his master’s magnum opus, Ridill.
「Thank you, Sui.」
Novium-san reached across the counter, pulling me close and embracing me tightly.
「It’s all thanks to you. Finally, I can stand beside my master. I’m prepared to compete with the great predecessors, including my master. It’s an immense path ahead, but I believe the blade you forged will be my anchor.」
And so, with overwhelming emotion, I returned his embrace, holding his sturdy, muscular form.
「I, too, will create dishes that do justice to your name. Perhaps they won’t resound throughout the world, but they’ll be something I can proudly offer my family.」
Beside these two men, Spurdia-san and Karen engaged in hushed conversation.
「Good grief. Both your and my man seem to have forgotten about the merchandise exchange. It’s quite a challenge when you have a scatterbrained companion.」
「Not at all. I actually enjoy seeing Sui so exuberant like this. Don’t you?」
「Well, after being married for so long, one learns how to choose their words carefully. You’ll find yourself doing the same with your husband eventually.」
I pretended not to hear.
If I were to argue now, I’d have to point out that Spurdia-san’s voice was a bit teary, and that would be awkward.
——————————————————
By the way, Spurdia-san (the wife) is the granddaughter of Novium-san’s master.
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