It was a beautiful, sunny spring day.
Marc and Letia finally returned to the city after completing the request to defeat the enemy.
They stopped by my atelier to see me, so I handed Marc the necklace and Letia the sword.
I then explained the performance of each.
"Oh! Not only did you add damage, but you also thought of environmental countermeasures!
Marc looked at the necklace and was pleased. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm going to try.
You can find a lot more information on this topic at ......, but the weapon is a product of the material's selfishness, or rather, it's just a coincidence (sweat).
I'm not sure what to say.
I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.
Yes, that's right. They often come to my studio, so I should introduce them to you.
There's a ...... doll floating and talking.
Marc pointed at Peter and the others, his mouth agape.
"Well, it's Daisy's studio, so I wouldn't be surprised if something came out of it.
I'm not sure what to make of this.
...... They are as contrasting as ever.
It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.
I'm also Alice. I've been entrusted with helping everyone in the atelier and guarding them.
Alice plucks at the skirt of her maid's uniform and bows.
"......? A doll to guard you?
Marc twisted his head in his usual reaction.
It's a mysterious doll that moves and talks, but it looks cute. It would be hard to imagine them as 'guards'.
"Master. May I demonstrate?
Peter asks me.
"Yes, but I don't want to disturb the neighbors.
I said and gave Peter permission.
I gave him permission. "...... Yes, .......
Peter and Alice look around. They saw two crows (probably looking for the field) flying towards the studio.
I'm not sure what to do. "Ice Edge!
"Air Cutter!
The weapon they had each created with their magic had successfully stopped the crow with a single blow, and with a single sad caw, the crow fell to the ground with a clatter, clatter.
"It's like this (is).
Peter and the others bowed again in a theatrical gesture.
"Wow. You've created something out of the ordinary again.
"Of course!
I puffed out my chest at Marc's surprise. It's .......
"Well, it's Daisy.
Oh, I see.
The story was easily passed over by Letia's words.
...... Huh? Isn't that part of the story becoming much more simplified?
I'm not sure what to do with it.
Then, a few days later.
We were to go to the lava caves of the Great Volcano of Estrad in the south of the country to collect.
This volcano can be entered through a side hole made by a past volcanic explosion, without climbing to the top, so we plan to enter through there.
The volcano used to be prosperous in the past for collecting "lava ore" and volcanic minerals, but it has been abandoned since monsters started to sprout.
The goal is to collect Flame Lizard Scales, Flame Wolf Fur, Flame Wyvern Skin, and Lava Ore. I guess we're at the halfway point of our plan to defeat the Drakes!
Rook, you have to go to cram school and study hard.
Yes!
I encourage Luc to study hard even when I'm not around, since he goes to the orphanage's private school from home. He aims to learn how to read, write and calculate at the private school first, and then choose only the alchemy course at the national school that will open next year.
"Myna, Marcus. Take care of the atelier as usual!
"Yes!
The two of them answered cheerfully and were as reliable as ever.
"Peter and Alice. This will be the first time for you to be away from home, but if anything happens to those of you who are still in the atelier, please protect them.
"Of course! Have a good day!
The two of them bowed together.
Yes, that's a very encouraging reply. I'm glad I made them. I'm glad I built them, because they'll increase the level of safety for the group that stays at home, so I can go collect them without worry.
After greeting everyone, I went out of the city while being censored at the south gate instead of the usual northwest gate.
The northwest and south gates, or rather, the various gates of the royal capital, are connected by a road that goes around the city, but Marc suggested that it would be better to go straight down the central street of the capital, so we decided to meet in the middle of the city.
As we exited the south gate, the cobblestone streets of the city were quickly replaced by simple streets that had been cleared of dirt. We followed the road southward.
The Great Volcano of Estrad is in the southernmost part of the country, so we'll have to stay in the field or, if we're lucky, in one of the towns along the road. There are some fishing ports in the south, and I'm sure we can find some towns where we can eat grilled sea fish and shellfish on skewers.
Shellfish: ...... Sea Fish: ......
Members of the group who have never been inland before, such as myself, Lin, and Ariel, dream about eating food for the first time.
"Let's stop by! I want to go back to a town near the sea and eat good food!
Lin and Ariel nodded their heads in agreement to my words.
Then it's decided! It's not just about sightseeing, it's about collecting as well!
「「「「 Oh! 」」」」
I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm going to have to.