We headed out to meet the boss of the woodworking guild.
The very first thing everyone zeroed in on was, inevitably, my ears and tail.
I had known this would happen, so I had prepared countermeasures in advance.
「Haaa…… I get the situation now. Since Tachibana-sama is here too, it doesn’t look like you’re lying……」
「Yeah. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s the real deal.」
「When I saw you before you were a human, so I was shocked. But even now, I’d sooner believe you got fox-tricked than this…… This tail and these ears really belong to Yae-sama……?」
「They really do.」
「Haaaa…… The ruler of our country that I’ve heard about since I was a kid…… Normal folks never get an audience, so dying after seeing something this good ain’t bad at all.」
「You don’t look like you’re about to die anytime soon……」
「Don’t jinx it! But yeah, you’re right!」
The boss bursts into hearty laughter, ‘Gahaha!’, still full of energy, so he’s clearly got plenty of years left.
Come to think of it, even a master craftsman like the boss has never met fox shrine maiden-sama in person……?
For some reason I had this image of him regularly presenting national-treasure-level lacquered boxes as offerings.
「Tachibana-san, thank you very much for going out of your way to come and explain everything with us.」
「No, no. As you said, since you’re already acquainted with him, it’s better to be open and ask for cooperation than to try hiding it and risk rumors spreading……. Though I never imagined you would be friends with the renowned master woodworker Kagetsu-dono……」
Eh, the boss’s name is Kagetsu? That’s incredibly cool.
Oh, right, now that I think about it, there was an inscription on that comb!
So that was his name! I had just assumed it was the name of the workshop or guild he belonged to……
「Then I shall return to fox shrine maiden-sama. Kagetsu-dono, please take good care……」
「Yeah, don’t worry. There ain’t a single soul in this country who’d dream of causing trouble for fox shrine maiden-sama. And you lot, don’t let anything slip, got it?」
「Yes sir!」
A dozen or so young apprentices reply in unison with vigorous energy.
That perfectly synchronized response, if Mizera heard it, she’d probably jump in surprise.
Most of the faces are ones I recognize from Yutopola, but there are a few unfamiliar ones mixed in.
They’re whispering among themselves, and thanks to Yae’s ears, I can hear every word clearly.
『That’s the guy who argued with the boss……?』
『Yeah. The crazy client who didn’t back down an inch from the boss just to get a mixed bath, then crafted something amazing and even flaunts that lovey-dovey atmosphere right in front of everyone. Don’t piss him off.』
『Ah…… Wendy-san…… still as beautiful as ever……』
『No no, hold on. Right now it’s Tachibana-sama. She’s usually attending fox shrine maiden-sama, so we almost never get to see her, and I’m pretty sure she’s unmarried……』
With a single sharp glare from the boss, the whispering apprentices instantly fall silent.
Seeing that, Tachibana-san gives a small bow and vanishes in the blink of an eye.
She must be quite strong too, having come from a shinobi background…… but thanks to Yae’s ears, even now I can sense exactly how she left.
Yae’s ears really are incredible.
「Right then. So what brings you here today?」
「Well, we just came to Amatsukuni for sightseeing, so I figured I’d at least drop by to say hello.」
「That’s it? You made me clear my whole day for that……」
Oh. So he actually took the day off because I was coming.
That’s really thoughtful. Thank you.
Then how about we start drinking from morning? I’ve got some really good sake! We even have various imperial lagers stocked up…… Wait, no, that’s not it.
「Well, that was the original plan, just greetings, but as you can see, circumstances have changed. So I was hoping you might make a comb for me, if possible.」
「A comb? Didn’t I already give you one? Don’t tell me you broke it.」
「No, no. I’ve got that one set aside specially for Sorte and the others, and separate ones for other adventurer beastkin.」
The comb the boss gave me is something I treasure and use with great care, of course.
I’ve lent it out quite a bit to other adventurer beastkin too, but the boss’s work is truly top-class, it shows no sign of wear at all.
「As you know, this tail belongs to Yae-sama. The one for Sorte and the others is special, so I can’t use it for this, and since the tail is this beautiful, I figured I might as well spoil it properly.」
When I say that, the tail starts wagging side to side on its own, Yae clearly showing her delight.
From the outside, it probably just looks like I’m the one wagging happily.
Well, whatever.
「……It already looks plenty beautiful to me.」
「No no. I know Yae-sama’s potential goes way beyond this.」
Exactly. To others it may look sufficiently gorgeous, sleek, elegant, and long, but I’m convinced this is nowhere near her limit.
For such an extraordinary tail, I have a duty to show proper respect and give it the special treatment it deserves.
Besides, since I’ll also be grooming fox shrine maiden-sama’s seven fluffy tails, I want to approach this with full commitment, as if I’m dedicating a personal offering.
In that case, it has to be something made by the boss, a master craftsman even Tachibana-san acknowledges!
「Mmm…… For Yae-sama, huh……」
「What’s wrong?」
「Ah…… Well…… Honestly, I’m completely burned out on making combs right now, I’ve put comb-making on hiatus. But if it’s for Yae-sama, part of me really wants to make one…… Still, in my current state, I don’t think I could produce anything that wouldn’t be an insult……」
「Even something made with your skill would be more than enough…… Ah…… You mean you yourself wouldn’t be satisfied with it.」
「Yeah. If I can’t make something I’m satisfied with, I don’t make it. That’s the one thing I won’t compromise on.」
The boss really is the quintessential craftsman, isn’t he……
He can’t send anything half-hearted out into the world. That uncompromising spirit, refusing to compromise and choosing not to make anything at all if he can’t meet his own standards, is so very like him, and I respect it…… but now I’m in a real bind.
「……Mmm…… Yeah, that’s it…… Why don’t you give it a try, kid?」
「Huh?」
「You got the woodworking skill?」
「No, I don’t……」
「Then get it. Oi, someone bring the skill book!」
「Yes sir!」
「Hey, wait a second, what’s going on here?」
You don’t have to sprint like that, apprentice!
Why is it that in moments like this, no one ever listens to me!?
Hold on, hold on, if this keeps going, doesn’t that mean I’m the one who’s going to end up making it!?
「If you don’t have any talent for woodworking, then that’s that. But I figured the best thing would be for you to make it yourself. You’re an alchemist, right? Your fingertips must be plenty dexterous.」
「Well, yeah, my DEX is pretty high, I think……」
「Then you’re fine. All it comes down to after that is your passion for shaping things and your concentration.」
Passion for shaping…… Of course, I have endless passion when it comes to making the tail beautiful, and I wouldn’t say I lack concentration either, but it can’t be that simple.
This is ridiculous. Classic stubborn old artisan move!
I already know how difficult shaping can be from making accessories, and it’s obvious the feel of the work will change completely with different materials.
「Here, first things first, grab the skill from the book. If you can’t even get the skill, there’s no point in talking.」
「You’re serious……」
W-Well, if I can’t get the skill then……
～You have acquired the skill Woodworking～
……I got it.
「How’d it go?」
「I got it……」
「Oh, good, good. Then we’re all set.」
「Set for what…… Am I really the one doing this?」
I just learned it at level 1, I’m a total chick!
If this is like alchemy where leveling it up unlocks useful sub-skills, I’m going to be in trouble!
「Hah? You saying you can’t do it? You managed to build a hot spring, but you can’t make a comb?」
「Fine, I’ll do it……」
The tail is wagging so furiously it’s practically spinning in circles, Yae clearly approves and is cheering me on……
「I’ll do it…… but since you’re the one who suggested it, you’d better teach me properly, okay?」
「Obviously. And you, once you start, don’t you dare quit halfway.」
「Like I’d quit. Don’t underestimate my love for that tail.」
「Oh? Words are cheap, once you spit ’em out, you gotta swallow ’em back. If you turn out something half-assed, I’ll smash it to pieces myself.」
Chii, this damn old geezer……
Staring me down with that smug grin, looking way too pleased with himself……
How about I yank out every single one of those scruffy whiskers for you?
With tweezers, one by one, nice and rough!
「All right. Then let’s head to the workshop, I’m gonna work you hard. You lot, this is a good chance, so come along too.」
「Yes sir!」
The apprentices reply energetically, apparently joining us as well.
Fine, fine, fine by me.
If that’s how it’s gonna be, then I’ll make it happen!
It’s for the sake of those magnificent eight tails, after all, and besides, how often do you get the chance to learn from a first-class master woodworker like the boss? I’ll take full advantage and study while I’m at it!
「Ah…… Everyone else is free to go explore Amatsukuni if you want? It’ll probably take a while, and I’m sure you each have things you’d like to see on your own.」
I turn around as I say it, and there are four of them.
……Sorte and Renge said they couldn’t move today, so they’re still lying in bed at the inn. They waved goodbye from there.
They didn’t have to get up at all, but they made the effort to sit up on the bed just to see me off properly.
「Yes! Then, I’ll take full responsibility for guarding m’lord. Everyone else, feel free to go shopping or whatever you like. I believe Tachibana’s subordinates are around somewhere, if you tell them which shops you want to visit, they’ll guide you. Let’s meet back here around past evening!」
「……hmm. Got it. Shiro’s gonna go play a bit.」
「Hmm. Then, Wendy. Shall we go look for souvenirs for Mizera?」
「Yes, that sounds good. But I also want to see Master using the woodworking skill, so shall we come back early?」
「Indeed. I want to see it too, so let’s do that.」
And so, only Shion stayed by my side as I set about making the comb…… I wonder if this will be okay.
Well, I’m going to do it anyway…… but why did I end up having to make something even after coming all the way to Amatsukuni……?
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