Really, the Eastern Empire might move? What a ridiculous story!
That's what he truly thinks.
After all, this 300-year era of peace has continued.
The Empire is a prosperous country; why would it need to invade others!
He can't understand it.
Well, for those who make weapons for a living, the start of a war means a big opportunity...
But still! Why has the workload suddenly increased so much!!! That's a feeling he can't hide.
Moreover, there's a problem that troubles him...
That damn intermediary!!! While inwardly cursing the intermediary, he ponders.
What should he do... He sighs deeply as he thinks.
The deadline is not far off.
If he refuses, it will affect his credibility.
It can't end with "It's impossible!"
Currently, he is waiting for a contact, but the outcome could leave him with no options.
He is a renowned weapon and armor craftsman, but there are things he can't do.
That's right, without materials, he can't make anything!
Just then, the contact he was waiting for arrived.
"Sorry...... I should have contacted you yesterday, but I didn't have the time..."
Saying this, three men entered.
They are brothers of the dwarf race, who are in charge of mining.
The eldest, Garum, is a skilled armor craftsman.
The second, Dold, is famous for his engraving skills, known as the best among dwarves.
The third, Mild, is a quiet man but can skillfully do anything. He is a first-class genius in architecture and art.
Individually, they are exceptional talents, but unfortunately, they are too clumsy in life.
They lack talent in areas other than their specialties.
Thus, they are not suited for negotiations or business. They are easily taken advantage of by others.
They had their store taken by someone they trusted, fell into a trap due to jealousy from their apprentices, and were hated by the country for rejecting a royal official.
Ultimately, they came to Kajin, their childhood friend and sworn brother, for help.
He had hoped they would come sooner, but now it's too late.
He decided to hide them in his store and hire them.
However, there's no work for them to do.
Kajin's store sells weapons and armor, but he buys the materials himself.
He makes the weapons himself, so he decided to get their help with that...
But if they can't supply the armor or engravings, it could cause unnecessary trouble.
Until their situation stabilizes, he needs to continue business as usual.
He had them manage the collection of minerals and materials.
When he heard their story, it seemed that monsters had appeared.
Kajin held his head.
Here, he needs to congratulate the three warriors. Fortunately, they returned unharmed!
"Anyway, I'm glad you're safe! You did well to run away, and it's good that you're not hurt!"
That's what he said.
Right, if they're safe, they can still go to collect the minerals.
Their safety is more important! That's what he thought...
However, the three looked uncomfortable.
Then,
"No... We couldn't completely escape."
"Hmm. Actually, what happened yesterday is hard to believe..."
"?????????"
From there, he heard the detailed story.
They saved their lives with a drug from a mysterious slime!
Normally, he would laugh and say, "I can't believe it!" but these guys don't lie.
They aren't clever enough to lie.
So, is it the truth...
But if there were victims where the monsters appeared yesterday, it would be difficult to hire new workers.
The workers he had hired until yesterday quit and ran away.
They were quite injured, so he couldn't complain.
Normally, he would ask the guild for help, but that's not an option.
He had already made a request for collection, but there was no response.
Other factories had also made requests, so the flow of goods was poor.
Hiring guards would be expensive, and they only do requested jobs.
They only do guard duty...
Moreover, if he needed adventurers to defeat "Rank B-" monsters...
No, it wouldn't be profitable and would lead to bankruptcy.
Tch! Why did such powerful monsters appear in the shallow areas of the mine!
Kajin sighed deeply.
What should he do...?
The deadline is not far off... Should he go to collect the minerals himself, even if it means overworking?
No good ideas come to mind.
Time just keeps passing...
The four of them faced each other and thought.
Just then, a strange group appeared.
"Hey! Big brother, are you here?"
Saying this, the leader, Kaido, entered the store.
They had become close enough to call each other by name.
Kaido introduced the store, which is run by his brother.
It's a small, stubborn-looking store.
"Excuse me~!"
"Hello!"
Saying this, we followed Kaido into the store.
When we entered, several eyes turned to us.
"!!!"
The three from yesterday were surprised and looked at us.
They seem to be in good health, but their faces don't look good...
And, as expected, there was a tough-looking uncle, like a construction site foreman.
He is the owner of the store. Honestly, he doesn't look like Kaido.
"What? Do you know each other?"
"Mr. Kajin! This is the slime! It saved us yesterday!"
"Right, right! Leader, it's your brother!"
"......"
"Oh...! Is this the slime you mentioned? You said it helped you yesterday, thank you!"
"No, no! That's true, but it's not like that? Hahahaha??!!!"
Compliments can make me fly to the sky.
I won't be able to come down for a while.
"So, why are you here today?"
The uncle asked, moving a bit away.
We moved to a seat inside the store.
Kaido briefly explained the situation.
I added a bit to the conversation, making it flow smoothly.
However, the third brother, Mild, the dwarf, say something! And why can you communicate with it? It's amazing.
"I understand the story. But I'm sorry, I don't think I can help... Actually, we also received a request from the country..."
He mentioned it was a secret, but his story was vague.
According to him, some fool might start a war, and impatient countries are ordering weapons.
It connects with the story of the shortage of drugs and materials from yesterday.
"So, here's the thing. We prepared 200 steel spears, but...
20 important swords haven't been made yet because we lack the materials..."
The uncle, while bowing his head, complained.
"Why not refuse by saying it's impossible?"
Kaido asked a reasonable question.
"Stupid brat! I said it was impossible at first... But that damn intermediary Vester...
'Can someone as famous as Kajin not do this much?' he said!!! And in front of the king! Can you forgive that? That damn brat!!!"
He spoke in anger.
It turns out that the third brother, Mild, had refused a request to build Vester's house in the past.
Due to that grudge, he has been persecuted and is now being chased by the country.
It seems Kajin picked him up, and the persecution is misdirected.
So, perhaps, Vester prevented them from buying all the materials? That's what I think.
"Can't you make the spears without the materials?"
To my question,
"Ah, we need a special mineral called 'Mystic Ore.' The spears were just simple steel spears."
He answered dismissively.
Even a master craftsman is just an ordinary person without materials.
He must be quite frustrated.
The intermediary might be waiting for him to beg.
"Moreover... It takes a day to complete one sword. Even if we streamline the process, it will take two weeks to make 20 swords..."
I was about to ask about the deadline but stopped.
His expression already tells the story of despair.
"The deadline is this week... We need to deliver them to the king by the first day of next week. It's a national request, assigned to each craftsman... If it's impossible, we might lose our qualifications..."
In short, there are only 5 days left. Actually, it's 4 days if we consider today.
This is becoming a serious matter? I'm not involved, so why am I here?
I don't quite understand...
But, I have "Mystic Ore," right? Though it's not related...
I don't know why, but everyone is looking at me.
I don't feel happy when men look at me like that!
It's not that (that's important too...), but you! Do you think it's possible? The look in your eyes hurts.
What do you think of the slime?
I don't know, really.
Here, should I sell a favor? And help the goblin village's revival!
"Hehehe. Hahaha! Ha??? Hahaha!!!
Hey, hey, don't tell me such a childish story? Uncle! Can you use this?"
Thud! I placed the extracted material on the workbench in front of him.
And I sat back on the sofa! (It felt the same!)
"...Hey! Heyyyyyy!!! Is this, 'Mystic Ore'??? And the purity is incredibly high!!!"
Phew. Actually, it's not "Mystic Ore."
It's already processed. It's "Mystic Steel"!!!
"Hey, hey, Uncle, are your eyes holes?"
If his appraisal skills are so poor, they're not very useful.
I'll just sell the materials, and that's it!
"What...? ...You can't be serious, no, that's impossible! All of this is 'Mystic Steel'!?"
The uncle, as expected, saw through it! But I'm also surprised by his reaction!
"Can I have this? Of course, I'll pay you the price you ask for!"
Hehehe. Hooked!
"So, what do you think? What do you want? If it's possible, I'll do anything!"
"I wanted to hear that! You heard our situation, right? I want you to find someone among your acquaintances who can come and provide technical guidance."
"What? Is that enough?"
"Hmph. For us, the most important things are food and shelter! I want to secure the supply of clothes and weapons in the future."
"If that's enough, it's a cheap deal!"
Thus, I handed "Mystic Steel" to the uncle, Kajin, and made a deal.
The details will be discussed after the work is done.
From his reaction, I think I could have asked for more, but being too greedy is not good.
After all, I always failed because of that!
I've learned my lesson.
That day, after dinner, Kaido left.
The uncle, despite being the leader of the guard, was already drunk at lunch.
Well, it's for my guidance. I have no complaints!
The three dwarf brothers were very grateful to me.
The uncle (Kajin) felt very sorry for being hated by the country because of them.
When I asked if they would come with us, they were stunned! Then, the three started discussing.
Whatever conclusion they reach.
I'll bring it up soon.
"Uncle, 4 days left. Including today, 4.5 days. Can you make them?"
"...Honestly, I think it's impossible. But we have to try!"
He's determined to do it no matter what...
But I know. If it's impossible, it's impossible!
It's only possible when the necessary conditions are met.
There's nothing I can do... If I help, I'll help until the end!
"Got it. I have a plan! First, make the best one tomorrow!"
"What? You're an amateur? What can you do?"
"It's a secret. Trust me! If you don't, do as you please. But the request will fail!"
"...Can I trust you? If it's impossible, I won't pay you for the 'Mystic Steel.' I can't pay you anyway, since it's impossible!
But if you keep your promise... I swear I'll keep mine! I'll prepare the best craftsman for you!!!"