After that, we reported the series of events that occurred in the ruins to the Golden Fang Knights and decided to pull them back to the ground as soon as possible.

　It was their job to deal with the troubles in the Demon King's Castle realm.
　If I had something to do, I would have to receive a request from the knights before I could act.

　It's not a good idea to wait for instructions, but this time it's the right thing to do.
　It's not a good idea to go out and buy something.

　I'm just an external collaborator, so I shouldn't be thinking and acting on my own.

　The only thing I could think of was how badly someone who isn't in charge or in charge would act without reporting or consulting with me.

'Huh ...... I'm insanely tired ......'

　I arrive back at the White Wolf Store, my home and work, put my bags down and exhale deeply.

　The time is already past dusk.
　Looking outside, it will be dark in a few minutes.

　As much as I wanted to rest quickly, I had several things I needed to do.

　First of all, I have to finish my report on the mithril collection.

　In this country, mithril is designated as a contraband, and licensed traders are required to record and report on the amount of mithril collected and its use.
　Naturally, I was no exception.

　When I was working on the paperwork in the workshop, Garnett peeked out from his desk.

You know, the white wolf. What do you want to do for dinner tonight?
I don't have the energy to go out there. ...... Can you ask for an easy one?
Then I'll just make it up as I go along. Don't argue.

　Since we are in the position to have it made for us, we have no reason to complain.

　After filling out the paperwork, the mithril is stored in a special, robust container.

　It is a substitute with various mechanisms to prevent theft, and was loaned to me by the government when I received the approval.
　In fact, it might as well be called a safe rather than a container.

'Suteto: ......'

　I was about to move on to the next task when I heard a knock on the kitchen door.

　The visitor was a young girl who had become a familiar face.

'Sakura. What's up with you at this hour?
'My client today gave me some venison, and I thought I'd share it with Lord Luke.
Oh, thanks. I was just getting dinner ready for us. Hey, Garnett!

　Garnett came in unhappy when he was interrupted from cooking, but when I handed him the venison he had just received, he looked satisfied at once.

I'm always sorry. It's always a bad idea," he said, "but since you're here, why don't you eat it too?
I'm sorry, but Sylvia and I have an appointment.
Well, all right, then. Say hi to the guy for me.
If I get another chance, I'd love to come along for the ride.

　We had a short conversation and Garnett returned to the kitchen with the venison.

　When talking to Sylvia and Garnett, Sakura's attitude is an unadorned behavior that she never shows to me.

　It's not that I'm being distanced from them, but it seems to be a so-called 'respectful way to treat them'.

　According to the person himself, the reason for this is that he happened to save Sakura's life when they first met, and because he is an elder who is more than ten years older than her age.

'Luke-dono. Actually, I have one more thing to ask you: ......
'You mean the sword of the baboons?
...... Did you see that?

　Sakura smiled to cover her embarrassment.

'I don't mean to rush you, but I thought it was time for you to finish it.

　I was asked by Sakura to make a sword out of a special metal from the east called babylonian kane.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to process this rare metal, and one of the reasons Sakura visited Westland was to find a way to process it.

　So far, the progress of the request is about halfway there.

　By making a normal sword with a 50-50 ratio of baboon kane [synthesized], we have succeeded in making a baboon kane alloy sword.

　Once the "memory of the sword's shape" was established in the used hibiscus, all that was left was to eliminate the iron from the sword and supplement it with new hibiscus.

　This is the reason why it's so important to be able to use the same kind of equipment in the same way.

''Indeed, it's time to move on to the final step.
Then go to ......!
But first, I need to ask you something.

　This is just a confirmation, just in case.
　I'm not going to go back on my word now.

'Nagi warned me that I shouldn't build a sword for the baboon kane,'
......!
Of course I'm not going to renege on my contract with you. But if you know why he said that, you'd better tell me why.

　For a moment, I saw Sakura's expression distort.

　It wasn't against me, but it seemed to be an emotion directed at someone who wasn't here.

'...... Does Lord Luke think the gods are real?'
Is ......?
'Oh, no, I don't mean that in a weird way. It's just what it means.
As is ......?

　I didn't understand the question for the life of me, but I'm going to think about it honestly anyway.

'...... skills are given to you by the temple that protects your profession, right? If you call the 'something' that gives humans skills a god, then it exists, doesn't it?
So what about the idea that gods with selves, like humans, are real ......?
'A lot of people think that, and not a few claim it's a bunch of supernatural forces with no personality. As for me, I've never seen ......, so I'm just saying I can't say for sure.

　It is not uncommon for people in temples to claim that they have heard the voice of God or have encountered him in person.

　The general public's perception is that it's a 'thankless thing that will probably exist in some form or another.

' "I see, the perception is not too different from that of the East.
What does that have to do with what Nagi was saying?

　I felt that this was indeed too far-fetched, so I asked for a more specific explanation.

'The forces to which I belong consider the gods to be 'a mass of supernatural power', and the forces to which Nagi belongs to be 'a higher race with an ego'.
That's why they were so careful with each other.
No, ...... forces have other causes of conflict, though, for more practical, or rather mundane and raw, reasons: ......

　Sakura gave a vague, half-hearted grimace, as if she had recalled a pathetic story.

''My clan has not only received divine power (skill) through training and faith, but has also sought a means to directly 'surrender' the power of the gods. To the forces to which Nagi belonged, it would have seemed like an outrage that would have made divine punishment inevitable.
...... Perhaps a sword that is pure baboon kane alone is the tool needed for that?

　Even if you make a sword made of pure baboon kane, it does not necessarily mean that it is superior to a sword made of steel.

　It is possible that swords made with a moderate amount of other metals may be better than swords made with steel.

　Since the processing method has been lost, there is a need to reexamine this matter.

　Nevertheless, Sakura was the first to request a sword made of pure hibikikane, as it didn't even need verification.

　There was only one rational interpretation.
　It's not that he wanted a high performance sword, but that he wanted a sword for another reason.

''I still can't hide anything from Luke-dono, can I?

　Sakura smiled and gave a small shake of her head as she smiled.

''Yes, that's right. The Scarlet Scarlet Gold Sword is a necessary ritual tool for the ritual of descending gods. It was successfully manufactured once a few generations ago, but due to an accidental accident, the materials and various means of processing the Scarlet Scarlet Gold were lost.
'I see. So Nagi thinks the accident was divine punishment and warned you that if you help him try again, you're not going to be good for him: .......

　All the information connected in my head as one.

　It made sense to me why Sakura wanted Hihiirokane's sword, and why Nagi was wary of it.

''Even if we get the sword of the Total Scarlet Hiiro-Kanezou ( Tsukuri), it doesn't mean that we will resume the ritual of descending the god immediately. It would require many more years of preparation, taking it back to your hometown after you complete your warrior training. I swear I will not bother this country. Therefore, please visit .......
Don't worry, kid. I'll finish the job I was hired to do.

　Sakura must have thought that I would be reluctant to carry out my request.

　There's no need to worry about that.
　I just wanted to clear up my doubts, and I had no intention of reneging on the contract from the very beginning.

If something happens, I'll take responsibility too. So feel free to take it when it's done.
I'm even more sorry about the responsibility ......

　Sakura is a troubled face.
　Just then, I hear Garnett's voice telling me that dinner is finished.

''...... and. Well then, I'll leave you around here.
Have a good day.

　As I see Sakura off and head to the dining room, I think lightly about the future.

　A request from Travis, a request from the Golden Fang Knights, and a request from Sakura.

　It's going to be a busy and fulfilling day ahead.