Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 81

After Klaus’ invitation I began preparing for the trip.

It was a sudden invitation from someone who is usually my client.

It was probably to fulfill the demanding requests from his sister, but still, it was nice to be invited to their home.

How many years has it been since I last went to another person’s house?

It’s been a long time since I could casually visit a friend’s house as an adult.

If I had a girlfriend and was considering marriage, I might go to greet her family, but I didn’t have such connections.

So, for the first time in a while, visiting another’s house and the excitement of experiencing the sea for the first time in this world made me thrilled.

After confirming the contents of the magic bag in my room at the inn, I nodded in satisfaction.

“Yeah, there’s plenty of food in the magic bag, so there shouldn’t be any problem.”

I always keep plenty of food in the bag.

Also, Klaus knows I have a magic bag, so I can use it freely on the way.

There are also clothes and collecting tools in it, so even if it’s a week-long journey, I can go with just one bag. The magic bag is truly amazing.

“Is there anything else I need to prepare?”

This time we’re going to a port town. Well, you could think of it as going to the sea.

I’ve already prepared sunscreen, a large towel, and a straw hat to prevent sunburn.

It’s unclear if there’s a culture of playing in the sea in this world, so I’m not sure if I need a swimsuit.

There wasn’t anything suitable for sale in Grantel, so I couldn’t buy one, but if anything, I could probably buy it at the local port town.

“…I also want sunglasses.”

When it comes to the sea, it’s sunglasses, aloha shirts, and beach sandals.

Since I’ve got the aloha shirt and sandals sorted, I’d like to have sunglasses too.

There don’t seem to be sunglasses in this world, but I feel like I could make them using the light-shielding eyes of Black Antler I obtained at the Demio Mines.

Luckily, there’s still time before departure. I feel like Drogan or Rosca could make them if I ask.

“Oh, I also need to make some accessories.”

I suddenly remember as I think about the two of them.

It seems Klaus’s sister really liked my accessories.

That’s a big reason why I was invited this time. Naturally, his sister might also expect me to bring new accessories.

…I might not have as much time before departure as I thought.

It’s convenient to go to Drogan’s workshop to buy gems for making accessories.

“All right, off to Drogan’s workshop!”

Deciding to act promptly, I sling the magic bag over my shoulder and dash out of the inn.

There’s a lot to do for the journey’s preparations, and it’s keeping me busy.

But it’s not a burden at all; rather, it’s filled with the joy that can be called the essence of traveling.

♦ ♦ ♦

“Hello!”

“Oh, Shuu-san. Welcome!”

When I entered Drogan’s workshop, Rosca came out from the back room.

“Oh, you’re wearing clothes with the workshop’s emblem.”

Rosca’s attire wasn’t the easy-to-work-in casual wear from before; she was wearing an employee uniform with the workshop’s emblem.

“Yeah! Since I officially became a decorator, boss had this made for me!”

Seeming pleased to receive the employee uniform and to be praised, Rosca displayed it with a bright smile.

Then, she gracefully turned around, showing off the clothes.

“It looks good. You give off a stylish decorator vibe.”

“This is all thanks to you, Shuu-san. I really appreciate it!”

“I just gave you a little push.”

While I helped with material collection, it was Rosca’s skill that won at the competition. Even without my intervention, Rosca would have eventually been recognized by the boss.

As I chatted with Rosca, there was a steady sound coming up from the stairs leading down to the basement.

Instinctively, I looked over, and it was Drogan, the owner of the workshop.

“Sorry to interrupt.”

“…I’ve finished making the hard magic stone bracelet and shield. Want to see?”

“Really!? Please!”

While fulfilling my nomination requests, I had requested Drogan to make a bracelet and shield using hard magic stone.

It’s because I realized the usefulness of hard magic stone during the battle with Dvorak.

I thought that using it not as a pickaxe but as a regular shield, or perhaps as a bracelet, might make it easier to defend myself.

I’m surprised it’s already finished.

When Drogan went into the back room, he came back holding the shield and bracelet.

A dark blue shield and a matching dark blue bracelet were laid out on the table.

“Wow, they’re perfectly matching.”

“I just processed the hard magic stone like I did with the pickaxe.”

Since I only used hard magic stones imbued with magic power, it’s inevitable that it would turn out to be a single color.

I picked up each item laid out and examined them.

The shield is the perfect size to be held with one hand, and the appraisal result shows it’s of high quality.

All that’s left is for me to imbue them with magic power, and the hard magic stone shield and bracelet will be complete.

【Adamantite Shield of Ultimate Quality】

A shield made from processed hard magic stone, imbued with magic power to the limit, making it extremely hard.

When subjected to a certain level of impact, the magic power residing in the ore forms a membrane that repels the force.

【Adamantite Bracelet of Ultimate Quality】

A bracelet made from processed hard magic stone, imbued with magic power to the limit, making it extremely hard.

When subjected to a certain level of impact, the magic power residing in the ore forms a membrane that repels the force.

The strength of the barrier weakens with each use. It can be replenished by infusing magic power, but if exceeded, it will shatter.

“Hmm? So there’s a possibility that the bracelet could break if subjected to too much stress.”

Upon appraisal, there was a subtle difference in the descriptions between the shield and the accessory.

“Is that information from using appraisal? Well, it’s possible that the bracelet has less hard magic stone in use compared to the shield. It wouldn’t be strange if there was a difference in durability.”

“If you’re trying to intercept attacks from monsters like Dvorak with a small bracelet, it’s only natural, right?”

Drogan remarked with interest, crossing his arms, while Rosca reminisced about the battle with a distant look.

Still, it seems that the power of the barrier can be restored by infusing magic power.

Well, I wouldn’t want to repeatedly endure Dvorak’s charges, nor do I intend to.

If I were to do so, I’d use a shield or a pickaxe with superior durability at that time.

Since accessories are perceived as emergency self-defense measures, there shouldn’t be any issues.

“All right, shall we test the performance of the shield and bracelet?”

As I pondered such matters, Drogan picked up a hammer hanging on the wall.

“Oh, are we going to test them!?”

“It’s only natural to verify whether the things you’ve made function properly, right?”

Even though they are guaranteed by appraisal, it’s still better to ensure that the effects of the shield and bracelet are actually demonstrated.

However, being told to intercept attacks makes me feel a bit hesitant.

While not as massive as the hammers in the smithy, the hammer Drogan is holding now is still quite large.

“If you don’t want to do it, I’ll just have Rosca do it.”

“No, it’s an item for me, so I’ll check it myself.”

I’m not so cruel as to make a woman do such a task.

My determination solidified quickly, and Rosca visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

I held the shield in my right hand, crouching low and thrusting it forward.

“Shall we go then?”

“…Please, be gentle.”

“If I’m gentle, we won’t be able to verify anything.”

That’s true too.

“Here we go!”

Drogan steps forward with the hammer in hand.

The hammer swung overhead was absorbed by my shield.

Then, just like in the battle with Dvorak, the shield deployed a barrier along with a faint light.

Drogan, who struck the shield with the hammer, was sent flying and landed perfectly upside down.

“Drogan-san, are you okay!?”

“I’m fine. I just got bounced back. I’m not getting injured from something like this.”

Despite rushing over, Drogan nonchalantly gets up.

Even though you know, seeing someone being bounced back can be surprising and worrying.

“All right, next is the bracelet.”

Confirming that the shield’s effect was working properly, Drogan readies the hammer for the next test.

I place the shield on the table and equip the bracelet on my right hand.

“Wow… it takes quite some nerve to defend with a bracelet.”

Looking at the bracelet, Rosca let out a groan.

When danger approaches, people instinctively thrust their hands forward, so using a bracelet for defense is the most efficient way.

However, unlike the shield, it has a narrow range, so it’s necessary to calmly assess the attack and defend accordingly.

“Drogan-san, please aim for the wrist properly, okay?”

“…Yeah, I’ll try to aim as accurately as possible.”

“What do you mean ‘as accurately as possible’!? This is terrifying!”

If I were hit with a hammer like that, my bones would easily break.

As I extend my right wrist forward, Drogan swings the hammer toward it.

The hammer hits the bracelet squarely, and Drogan is once again sent flying, just like before.

“…Phew, looks like everything’s fine on this end too.”

Defending with the bracelet is quite scary, so this time, I’m more relieved about my own safety than worrying about Drogan.