The next day.

　I gathered some information on Merwin last night.
　So far, we've got a lead on where he lives.
　Now all we have to do is figure out when to get there.

　That's on hold, but for now, I have other things to do today.
　Today is the day the results of the adventurer's review will be announced.
　At the same time, it is also the day that the old man told me to show my face.

　First of all, I decided to go to the blacksmith and the guild today.

　The first stop was the blacksmith shop.
　I'm a little excited to see how much stuff they have made.
　The sword I'm using now is good enough, but there's nothing better than having something of the highest quality.

　Outside, the crowds are as crowded as ever.
　However, there is more activity in the city than yesterday.

Hey, Iori. Isn't it even more noisy today?
Yeah. Yeah, something must have happened.

　The cause of the commotion was immediately apparent.
　"Extra, extra! The newspaper was being handed out all over the city, shouting, "Extra, extra!
　The content of the article was deafening to anyone walking the streets with a murmur.

'Hey, is this article for real?　The kingdom has successfully defeated the Abyssal Maze: ......
Yeah. Not long ago, the kingdom made an official announcement. The wreckage of the earth demon general is now openly displayed in the royal capital.
It's a rock dragon, right?　I heard it's several times bigger than the normal one.

　I see.
　Finally, the kingdom had made the defeat of the labyrinth public in a big way.
　I knew it was about time to come.

The one who defeated the earth magician is the most powerful sorcerer in the kingdom, the "Great Magician" Leuzas Gilburn!
"Isn't he a living legend who hunted down the demon king's army together with the hero Amatsu?　I haven't heard his name in a long time, but his skill hasn't diminished?
It's going to be a long process of attacking the maze in each country. Isn't it about time the Allies started attacking the maze?
We'd all like to follow in their footsteps.

　"So it's a grand mage.
　That's how important he is to the kingdom.
　After such a failure, I can't believe they're giving him credit, let alone punishment.
　I'm sure the loss of his right arm is supposed to be an honorable wound.

This is all his fault. It's a bit uncomfortable. It's just a habit of coming in last and getting lightly overrun.

　It's certainly not fun.
　But all that awaits the man is regret, despair and death.
　For now, at best, you can cling to your false honor.

◆

　Ten minutes later.
　We arrived at the blacksmith's shop.

''Welcome Meow!''

　As we entered, Nyammer called out to us, just like before.

"Ah!　The customer who saved me!

　When he saw my face, he ran over with a quick smile on his face.
　The way he flapped his cat ears, he looked more like a dog than a cat.

'Thank you so much for yesterday, Nya. When you surrounded me, I thought you were dead, Nya.
"The Warcats are famous for being quick on the run. Why didn't you just ignore those people and run away?
Oh, you're a crazy customer.
'I'm not crazy!'

　As Elfi was complaining to Nyammer, another one came out from the back.

''Ooh, isn't that your sister's benefactor?''

　Not that old man, but Misha the adventurer.

Do you work here too, Misha?
Nyammer works here and I only help out occasionally. You will be able to find out the best way to make your life easier. I'm here because I didn't happen to have any work to do today.
'I see. ....... Have you been an adventurer for a long time now?

　Misha's body language is refined.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when the time comes to fight.

"I've only been an adventurer for a few years now. Well, I've done a fair amount of combat before I became an adventurer.

　''You rude bastard!'' Misha said with narrowed eyes as he looked at Nyammer, who was in trouble because of Elfi's entanglement with him.

'Before I came to this city, I lived in a settlement of the cat race (Warcat). It was near the empire, but we got caught up in a battle between the humans and the demon king's army. Demons were attacking the village. So in order to protect everyone, I had to learn how to fight.
...... As usual, the Demon King's Army is as indifferent as ever, isn't it?

　Those guys are a ruthless bunch, except for their fellow races.

　Even though Ortegia hasn't revived, the Demon King's army is still moving in many places.
　There is no full-scale war, but skirmish-like battles are said to be occurring frequently.　
　Misha's settlement is probably caught up in it as well.

...... In the end, I couldn't live there anymore, so I had no choice but to run away. I was wandering around looking for a place where Nyammer and I could live, and we ended up in the United Kingdom.
So, I take it you're an adventurer?
At that time I didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to do left or right. The old man in this store picked us up and taught us things. He even gave us a place to live.
That's ...... kind of you.
Yeah, I appreciate that.

　Isn't the old man trying to do something by taking advantage of these cat race (warcats)?
　For a moment, such thoughts passed through my mind, and I let out a sigh and forgot about it.

　As I was exchanging with Misha, the door in the back opened and the old man in question came out.
　In his hand, he held a sword in a single swing.

　A sword made by the body of an earth magic general and a magic stone that contained a high concentration of magical power.
　A dense magical power drifted from the sword's blade, which emitted a wet glow.

''I've hit the limit of what I can make. Take it.

　When you take the sword in your hand, you can feel its massive weight.
　But it's not too heavy, not too light, it's the perfect salty weight for me to handle.
　The moment I grabbed the sword and let the magic power flow, my body became light.

'As you can see, it's a magic item - a magic sword. It works just by holding it.''

　In addition to its sharpness, it is a high conductor of magical power.
　In addition, when you hold the sword with your feet on the ground, the power of the sword will come into play.

It protects you from magic and strengthens your body. It also sucks up power from the earth and restores magic power, albeit a little at a time.
"Ho, that's a nice sword.

　Before I knew it, Elfi, who had come next to me, said with interest.
　Indeed, it's an even more wonderful sword than I had imagined.
　It's not surprising that if you buy it at a normal store, it could be worth enough money to build even a mansion.

'Awesome Nya: ......'
That's exactly what I want.

　Nyammer and Misha also have a surprised look on their faces when they see my sword.

''How much do you charge for the smithing?

　This is how much it cost to make this thing.
　It's not surprising that a significant amount of money could be taken from you.
　As for the money, I stole a considerable amount of money from the kingdom, so there's nothing I can't pay.

　But the old man won me over as he reached for his pouch.

'I don't want it. I don't want to put a dollar amount on that sword. You can have it for free.
...... It's a quandary.
I also heard that you had an idiot on your side. Here's your reward. Take it.

　The old man pointed at Nyammer with his chin and said so.
　Nyammer bows his head to us with a peculiar smile.

'A thank you,' he says. You should have it.
...... Yeah.
Nothing's cheaper than a free lunch. Okay, I'll take the money I was gonna pay and go buy some candy.
It's not going to happen.

　He bows his head to the old man and puts his sword in his waistband.
　The sheer weight of it is comfortable.

"A sword that contains the power of the earth." You can call it the 'Jade Tathagata' if you like."

　The Jade Tathagata.
　This is more karma than the treasured sword that was broken in the battle against the Earth Demon Lord.
　I don't want to use this as a bullet for the "Break Magic".

''Speaking of which, aren't the two of you going through the examination?　If we're going to the guild, is it okay if I come with you?　I've got some errands to run.
You'll be fine.

　Got some nice weapons.
　Now it's time to register as an adventurer.
　The next step is to register and then we can finally enter the maze.

　I'd like to do something else first, though.

"...... Hey.

　It's time to say thank you and leave the store.
　I was about to follow Elfi and Misha, who had left first, when the old man stopped me.

The magic crystal you brought with you contains a considerable amount of magic power. That's not an ordinary rock dragon (earth dragon).
Yeah, well,
''The Kingdom's labyrinth defeat announced today. The earth demon general who was defeated was ...... a rock cave dragon.

"So--so?

　I'm ecstatic, but the old man's piercing gaze is directed at me.
　I don't want to do anything to harm him, though, since he made the weapon for me.
　If you're going to get in my way--

'No, it's nothing.'

　But the old man shook his head and did not pursue the matter further.

'More importantly, I thank you again. That was something of a grandson.
...... You took in two newcomers to the Allies, didn't you? Why, sir?

　It's none of my business.
　But I was curious why the old man did it.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on. I was rescued by someone at that time.
A person ......?

　The old man speaks with a nostalgic look on his face.

Yeah. I'm a "hero" now, they call me a "hero" or something. I was a stranger, and you took a stand for me as a stranger. ...... That's when I asked him. "Why did you save me, you ask?
...... What did he say to you?
I helped him because I wanted to. I saved you because I wanted to.

　'So,' said the old man, 'I helped them because I saw them in trouble and wanted to help them.

'I saw two people in trouble and I wanted to help them, so I helped them. That's all.
----
...... Well, actually, the clerk kept going and quit, so I just wanted a replacement worker.

　The old man said mischievously and turned his back to me.

'Can you tell me your name, please?
It's Zoltz.

　After saying that, the old man went into the back room.
　I, who was left behind, opened the door and left the store.

　The name was unfamiliar to me.
　But I remember saying something like that sometime ago.

"You saved me because you wanted to save .......

　...... It's silly.
　But for some reason, I was afraid to say it.