I called out to Sword who suddenly tried to head into a store.

Which reminds me, is it okay to not go to the guild?

It had become a custom for us to visit the guild first, and yet he didnt do so over here.

Sword scratched his head, Mmh This place is special. It has a guild, but only folks with confidence in their physical strength gather over there, so theres almost no requests. Then again, its not like theres no requests at all. Just, theyre at the level of rescuin an apprentice who got stranded after goin to mine by themselves, or helpin out with minin rare metals if they lack manpower. So, its kinda likewe dont really need to go. Of course, theyd put up a request if there was a dragon round or somethin like that, but in such case, wed be called in to help, no matter where we might be.

Haaah, I see. In short, its okay to not go as long as they dont call for us. In that case, we might as well go shopping.

First off, any shop with an imposing structure is off the list. Im pretty sure they wont be of any help for us. After all, theyre already making big profit, so they wont need to work for us.

We chose shops as small as possible, but only Sword could talk to them.

But that makes sense. Going by my appearance, they probably see me as no more than Swords attendant. Moreover, I dont look like a buyer whatsoever! I mean why would they regard a girl, whos not even wearing armor and has a wooden sword dangling at her hip, as a customer?

But although I could fully understand their viewpoint, Sword apparently wasnt very amused about the shops approach. He immediately grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the store.

Wait, wait, wait. I understand the shops attitude, you see? Its an unreasonable demand for them to consider me, who seems to have absolutely nothing to do with metallic goods, as a customer. In your case, theyd probably think that you might buy a sword, even if you dont need armor.

Sword looked back at me, scrutinized me from head to toes, and apparently comprehended what I meant.

But, that gives em no right to ignore or mock you, does it!?

Since Id do so in their shoes, Im fine with it.

Sword stopped walking all of a sudden.

Would you be willing to shower someone, who doesnt feel like buying stuff, with courtesy? Normally, you wouldnt even feel like being kind to them, would you? But, if they dont do it, they wont be able to get any income, and without income, they wouldnt be able to make stuff. Thats why they grit their teeth and do it unwillingly. And since I hate the idea of becoming such a crafter, Im working as an adventurer.

Upon hearing my explanation, Sword apparently remembered me giving the same reply to the pharmacist.

So, a super sadist like you would hate sellin stuff while butterin up to customers, huh?

Of course. I only sell my creations to those whom I want to sell them, no matter how much people beg me. No, to be more precise, I just lend stuff. Thats why Ive merely lent a Char and Bronkos to Ben and his friends, you see?

Sword burst into laughter.

But, Ben that bum believes that he owns the Bronko, you know?

No matter what he thinks, Ive only lent it to him. You cant put a price on my creations anyway.

As long as Ben and his friends treat my creations with care, I wont mind lending it to them, though.

Sword seems to have understood the shops attitude with this, but then mused, In such case, it doesnt look like well get nyone to come with us unless theyre quite poor, dont you think? I thought that we might find someone here, seein how many crafters with good skills have gathered in this town. Skilled crafters capable of not just makin swords, but also armors and wares. Butin the end I hate people mockin you. Even though your such a capable crafter yourself, why must you be ridiculed by folks with far inferior abilities!?

I averted my face in a huff.

I dont really give a damn about such things. Besides, if we dont find anyone, so be it. Itll be fine if I deal with it myself for as long as Im alive. And since Ill pass on the general concepts, someone capable of reproducing my stuff might show up someday. My basic interests lay with adventuring and sightseeing in this country.

Sword stroked my head.

Gotcha. Well just stroll round a bit, and if you find somethin you want, well enter the respective store.

When I nodded with my face still averted, Sword guffawed.

With that out of the way, I took a look at the handiwork for sale without paying any attention to swords or armors. The first thing striking me as odd was the question why no one was selling living-ware.

Hmm, I thought that Id find stores producing living-ware in a town as specialized on metallic products as this, but I guess I was wrong.

If stores sellin such stuff were around, theyd probably not listen to your request either, retorted Sword.

Once I looked at him, he added, The folk comin all the way to this place to buy swords and armor are rich. No one would bother to travel here to buy living-ware. Handiwork is no more than something to stave off boredom, or rather, to show off your own skill, and so its fine to sell it to the rich as souvenirs, right? Just as you said, theyre makin stuff to earn money with it.

I see

I stared at the handiwork. Certainly, you could call it beautiful, but the design was somewhat old-fashioned, or rather, boorish. Since I like delicate workits hard for me to judge.

Which reminds me, we got cut gems at Sir Dungeon Cores place, didnt we?

Probably because I started this topic too abruptly, Sword got confused.

Hmm? Whats it all of a sudden?

I remembered it while looking at the merchandise here. Sir Dungeon Core seems to have cut the gems to stave off his boredom, but since it was an old-fashioned method, I taught him another cutting method.

Wait a sec, dont feed me such corrupt inside stories, girl. Ive been secretly idolizin Sir Dungeon Core, kay?

So Im an idol crusher now, keke.

Anyway, the inhabitants of this world have no mind for taking challenges. Once they learn something, they keep repeating the same method over and over again like idiots, never trying to achieve any progress.

Even with a single cut of a gem, there exist various ways to do it, right?

Sir Dungeon Core is no person, and basically a shut-in, so he might not have learned it from anyone else if I didnt show him another method. But, various people.and even fairies have gathered in this place, havent they? Why dont they challenge the new? I wonder whether these guys even know what it means to cultivate ones character.

And you challenged the new a bit too much, turning the Ryokus and Chars into bugs, eh?

I earned myself a retort.

But, thats not it! It just happened by chance!

Sword scratched his head with a sigh, Oh well, whatever. Lets wrap up things for today. Once we show our faces at the guild, well look for a place to park Char. The inns over here would make you cry, so we got no option but to go with Char.

Whaaa. Its really a blacksmith town. Theyre totally overdoing it with the lack of motivation for anything other than smithing!