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The goblin subjugation force has returned.

As a result, there were no major losses and it was a great victory. Since the goblin settlement that had formed near the town was completely annihilated, an announcement was issued by the lord telling the residents to live in peace. An incident that happened without anyone knowing ended without anyone knowing.

Most events in the world are like that.

“I’m glad the subjugation ended safely.”
“Yeah…”

I had been called in to perform maintenance on the barrier magic device that supposedly did a decent job, and when I entered the office on the second floor, Philip had a serious expression. His gaze was fixed on the report from the alchemist who had accompanied the subjugation force.

“Did something happen?”
“Hm? Ah, sorry about that, it’s nothing. More importantly, sorry for calling you so suddenly.”
“It’s fine.”

Compared to Filia, I think my way of speaking is pretty rough. But I don’t know how to speak properly to someone above me. Ever since the whole issue with my first-person pronoun¹, Grandpa has never said anything about my speech itself.

Philip doesn’t get angry either, so I don’t really get chances to fix it.

“It means it was operating without problems. Thanks to that, the damage was reduced considerably.”
“That’s good.”

I didn’t make it myself, but hearing that Grandpa’s magic device helped people makes me a little happy.

“By the way, are you alone today?”
“My condition’s good today.”

It’s not like I can’t move unless someone carries me around all the time. Thanks to everyone’s help, since coming to town I’ve been able to rest properly while getting nutrition.

Now my fever has gone down, and I can manage the trip to and from the Alchemists’ Guild, which is just a short walk from the dorm, by myself.

Incidentally, Sufi went out to her apprentice adventurer job extremely worried about me. It’s another chore around the orphanage for today—apparently there’s weeding to do.

“I see. Even so, we shouldn’t keep you too long and make you feel worse. Could you take a look right away?”
“Yeah.”

I’ve already told him that I’ll return the paper and go home once the maintenance is done, and gotten his approval.

I give a small bow and leave the room. Just before the door closed, I heard Philip let out a deep sigh. Trying not to think about it, I head for the warehouse on the third floor.

…It’d be nice if nothing’s wrong.

■■■

In the end, the magic device had been used cleanly and there were no particular problems.

I made a confirmation report, submitted it to the reception desk, and left the guild as is. Today’s work is done. At some point I might end up writing something like circuit diagrams for other alchemists’ repairs.

Judging from the paper, even now it’s difficult to make barrier magic devices small enough to carry around.

The smallest mainstream product is about the size of a large wagon. Packing it into a size that two people can carry is honestly impressive, but maintenance is still an issue.

Thinking about things like that, I open the door and step outside.

I stretch my arms toward the blue sky and let out a yawn. I’ve gradually gotten used to the horse-smelling air of the town—one could also say I’ve gone numb to it.

The curious stares directed at a rare beastfolk child—today, mixed in among them were sticky, unpleasant ones. …Maybe because they’ve seen me coming and going here so often lately.

Partly because I don’t want to dirty it, I usually don’t wear a coat, but maybe they think I’m connected to the alchemists, or someone’s apprentice.

I walk toward the dorm as if escaping.

“Alice, want me to walk you to the dorm?”
“…Thank you.”

Just as I was about to quicken my pace, I heard Casey’s voice behind me. That alone made the sticky gazes disappear.

…Sufi and the others are ridiculously fast on their feet. Maybe they just targeted me because the clumsy-looking one who’s usually carried around was alone.

“I’m glad I came to check on you.”
“You helped.”

Pretending to talk to me, Casey was also watching behind us.

After we became friendly and talked about various things, I was surprised to learn that Casey was actually an eastern adventurer who used to work as a scout. Since there had been beastfolk in her party back then, she has no prejudice at all.

She says she herself had no aptitude for being an adventurer, but since she liked studying anyway, she made up her mind, studied hard using her savings, took the alchemist staff exam, and passed—quite a talented woman.

“I don’t think anyone would do anything reckless on a public street, but you shouldn’t walk around alone, okay?”
“I was careless.”

Things have been peaceful lately and my condition’s been good, so I let my guard down. From now on, I’ll make sure Sufi accompanies me properly.

“For now, I’ll walk you to the dorm, okay?”
“Thank you.”

We chat lightly as she walks me to the dorm, and I enter my assigned room and close the door.

I move my ears to check for any presence, but there’s nothing around the dorm. Letting out a breath of relief, all the fatigue rushes out at once.

What a pointless kind of exhaustion.

Sufi and the others should be fine. I’ve told them what to do in case of an emergency. If they scatter, especially onto rooftops, they won’t be caught.

Still, I really should make their weapons soon.

I step through the door to Apartment 404, which is standing open in the corner of the room, held by a doorstop. We usually keep it connected, with the key removed and managed by me.

After washing my hands in the washroom and taking a short break, I take the materials stored in the warehouse and head to the western-style room.

I spread a sheet on the floor and lined up iron ingots and pieces of wood, then took out the board and clay I was given at the Alchemists’ Guild from my pocket.

The design plan is already more or less done. Kneading the clay, I shape the tip of a survival knife blade.

A single-edged blade with a slight curve, wider toward the base. I don’t have confidence in engraving, so I’ll keep it simple.

I set the blade length to about 14 centimeters, and once the rough shape is decided, I dry it using “Weathering.”

I set that aside, then stretch out an ingot using “Forging.” After it’s stretched to a certain point, I fold it and stretch it again.

Originally I should be heating it in a furnace, but there’s no way I can swing a hammer in a forge, technically or physically.

I force layers into it, shape it, make the components uniform…

After repeated trial and error, using the clay mold set beside me as a reference to adjust the length and such, the first blade finally starts to take shape.

“Phew…”

I’m tired. I used quite a bit of magic too, and it feels like there’s a lot of waste in the process. But I can manage to make it.

Ideally, I’d like to mix in the mysterious metal as the blade, but that seems difficult both magically and physically.

And did I even need the stretching and folding process? I did it with the image of recreating forging, but it feels like it might have been pointless.

For now, I’m tired, so I’ll stop here. I cover the tools and materials with another sheet and lie down on the built-in bed. It smells a little damp—maybe I should wash and hang out the sheets too.

Ugh, not enough hands…

Even so, the physical fatigue is heavy, and once I close my eyes on the bed, I fall asleep right away.

■■■

I sleep a little, wake up, and repeat the work, and just before the sun tilts down, I finally finish two blades. All that’s left is to put on the edges and make the grips.

But that’s impossible today—I don’t even have the energy to move.

Looking outside from the window of Apartment 404, I can see Japanese streets dyed in the evening glow. It feels like it’s been a long time since I last saw a helicopter flying.

It really would be nice if I could use online shopping… You can even buy good knives online. Ah, but even if I could receive the goods, I don’t have any yen, so it wouldn’t work. And there’s no guarantee the outside viruses or air would be safe either… how frustrating.

“Hnngh.”

I get up, take a shower, and change into a T-shirt that has basically become my pajamas lately.

After wiping the moisture from my hair with a towel, I return to the living room and quench my thirst with the chilled water.

“I’m back!”
“We’re back, nya—”
“We’re hoooome!”

I hear Sufi and the others, returning a bit later than usual today.

“Alice! Were you okay!?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank goodness!”

Sufi jumps into the living room in an instant, finds me, and hugs me. By the way, Sufi, that mud—I just took a shower, you know…

“…Can I use the shower first, nya?”
“…Yeah.”
“I-I’ll finish quickly.”

The ones who want it most right now are probably Noche and Filia, who worked hard today. I nod while receiving their slightly pitiful looks, and Noche and Filia put down their luggage and jog toward the bathroom.

“…Ah!? Alice, I’m sorry, I got you dirty.”

After rubbing her cheek on me and seeming satisfied, she pulls away and notices the mud on my cheek and shirt.

If it’s Sufi, I don’t really mind.

“Let’s take a shower together later.”
“Yeah.”

I see Sufi off as she goes to wash her hands, then finish the water in my cup.

I guess I’ll start preparing dinner.