The Meeker Trading Company was still a huge building for a tool shop. It's probably one of the largest trade associations in Elishe.

　I've been visiting the shop several times since I had some free money to spend on knives and tools.
　The owner's father isn't around most of the time, and it's usually a young man who looks like an apprentice, so I've never spoken to him since.

　The shopkeeper bought the knife I made for ten gold coins, but I wonder if he has done enough research to earn the original.
　I don't think there are any lovelies in this world, so of course a knife made using the stock and removable method is out of the realm of imagination. There are also a number of modern knife making techniques.
　Even the materials are unique to this world.
　I didn't think too much about it at the time and sold it, but I may have been a bit careless.

　I asked a young man who seemed to be my apprentice who was working at the store to intercept him.
　Luckily - or rather, the shopkeeper seemed to be working on something in the back and came out immediately.
　I greeted him and told him my business. The other side also remembered us properly. Well, he is the one who gave us 10 gold coins. It's not such a simple thing to forget.

...... So, I'd like you to introduce me to a skilled craftsman in Luklaera.

　I'll just tell them the whole point.

"To my enemies?　You're a merchant, aren't you?

'Oof. I hadn't thought of that idea. I don't handle weapons myself. A merchant is a merchant, but he's just a blind cloth merchant.

I've heard a few rumors. Did you get your memory back?

　Oh, by the way, it's an amnesia setting.

'Well ...... just a little bit. Well, we're using that knife money to make a fresh start in Elishe after all.

'Well, if you're at ......, then go to ......'

　The proprietor stroked his beard and cut him off after a beat.

'That knife, though. As a matter of fact, I don't recognize it as if it were here, and I'm sending it out to a craftsman in Lucraella to have it examined.

　Oh, I see. He made a lot of noise.
　The steel used in that knife is stainless steel.
　Stainless steel is a relatively new material, an alloy steel containing chrome and nickel that is highly resistant to corrosion. It's a relatively new material, especially for use in blades.
　The steel used in the knife I sold was ATS-34, a high-grade blade material made in Japan.
　Iron, carbon, chrome, molybdenum, silicon, manganese, and copper. It is a high-tech steel made by adding these materials to the blade.

　No matter how capable the dwarves are, they are on a different cultural level. It won't be easy to replicate.
　Well, maybe they will be able to recreate a mikarta of handle material, though.

I see. Actually, I also remembered a few things, so if you can introduce me to a craftsman, I'll be happy to tell you about it. It may not be such a core piece of information, though.

　Well, the details would depend on the extent to which Mr. Dwarf was grabbing from that knife.

　The owner of the shop, the old man, pondered for a while, but he accepted this proposal with a sense of, well, okay. He said, "This is not a commercial referral, it's just an introduction as a private customer - that's all.
　Then he wrote me a letter of introduction.

'If you show this letter to your master, he won't do you any wrong. But the swords in that workshop are expensive.
I want something expensive, but I want it to be good.
You're a curious guy. You're not a warrior.
Well, it's a hobby. It's normal.
That's not normal. You're a dilettante.
Maybe.

　Maybe the owner was right, and there certainly aren't many people in this world who would say they want a craftsman to strike a sword for their personal enjoyment.

　Well, I'm actually thinking of having a knight squad's one-handed straight sword struck together, and it's not all a hobby. ...... No, the Knights' swords are more than 80% a hobby.
　It was a hobby!


　◇◆◆◆◇


'Master, the Priestess contacted me. He said he found out about the Clan.

　I was on my way out of the Meeker Trading Company to my shop.
　I heard that there was a spirit communication from the priestess at Deanna's place.
　It's really convenient after all, the communication.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea. Then I'll stop by the temple first.
Yes, sir.

　The Temple is in a prime location in Elishe, near the center of the city. The Meeker Chamber of Commerce also has a shop in a prime location, so it's close. It was just as well.

　In the temple, the priestess was just cleaning up.
　The priestess of Le Baraka is supposed to be quite a big man, but her tiny appearance and cheerful personality don't make me feel that at all.
　But maybe that's what makes the priest so virtuous.
　I think it would be better to leave the cleaning to others.

Sardiniera, Mr. Jirou. I'm sorry to have you come all the way over here.

　The priestess bowed her head pettishly.
　Funny. I've been thinking for a while now, why are you being such a stranger to me?
　I call out to Shero-san and Rebecca-san and talk to them comfortably ....... Is it because I'm the master of a high elf slave?
　Well, that's okay.

'No, I was just in the neighborhood, so I went to ....... So what did you find out about the Klan?

　Quickly, I cut to the chase.
　I had asked the priestess to look into the guidance "Let's register for a clan" that had been out for some time.

''Yes. I had the priestess check out the oral tradition and literature at the high shrine, and we were able to find out about the past - even back to the age of spirit civilization.

　The age of spirit civilization. I think they said something like 1000 years ago.
　In the Japanese sense of the word, it's not at the level of long ago: ....... It's the Heian period. That's when the Tale of Genji was completed.
　It's not as long ago as the great-grandmother's time in terms of elf conversion, so maybe it's not so long ago.

The clan is an oath that warriors made in those days under the auspices of an elven mediator: ....... It seems to have been a law that made them fellowship beyond blood as a clan. ...... just .......

　Priestess hesitates about something.

'Just?'
''The scriptures have been passed down, and it seems to be something I can use without any problems, but it seems that no one has succeeded with this magic since the age of spirit civilization. The High Priestess said that the reason why it hasn't succeeded is that the spirit's blessing is less than it was back then.

　Yeah.
　But I even have some guidance. If you can't do it, there's another way, right?
　Anyway, you can try anything you want.

'But mate, mate? So it's better when we're all together?　With Etowah and Elepippi. I'd like to throw Orica in there too, but maybe some other time.

　So we decided to go to the store once to work and then we all decided to visit the temple again in the evening.

　There were six members: me, Deanna, Marina, Rebecca-san, Etois, and Elepippi. Mr. Shero is at home. Orica is also doing housekeeping at the mansion.
　I don't know how many people can be registered as members of a clan, but we'll have to try it anyway. Well, you can add or delete members later, so just take it easy.
　Well, it's a no-go.

Here they are.

　The priest welcomes us as we visit.

'Yes, sir. We've been expecting you.

　I'm the one who's being guided.
　So they're basically going to use the magic of clan registration on me.
　I'm going to go up to the altar and get ready. When I say prepare, all I have to do is hold hands with the priest. This is the same procedure for the spirit contract and for giving the blessing.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with us. Your hands, Priestess, they're so tiny and warm!

So, ...... Mr. Jiro. Let's get on with it. It's throbbing ....... Even in the Great Temple, there is no guidance in the record of 'register for the clan'. I'm sure Jirou is loved by the Great Spirit (Le Baraka) after all. ...... I'm sure you will succeed.

　Priestess whispered with her face in my ear.
　I'm the one who gets a thrill out of it!

　The same procedure as in the blessing.
　A priestess mumbling about something. It's the same when Deanna uses spirit magic, but I have no idea if the elves' magic spells are inaudible to humans or what they say.
　Maybe it's some kind of spirit magic language.

　He finishes casting the spell, and kah!　And for a moment, there is a flash of light.
　I close my eyes reflexively. My eyes~!
　As my flickering eyes recovered, I saw a slightly excited priestess in my eyes. Her cheeks are upturned and her hands are moving impatiently. 'Calm down.

'Wow, a white ring!　It's just like the lore says!　Wow!　It's a success, Mr. Jirou!

Oh, oh, .......

　This elf is incredibly high-strung.
　But I don't feel any changes. Is it the same pattern as in the blessing?
　For now, let's open the vocation board and check it out--

Jirou, the ring!　Rings!
What?

　A ring?
　When I looked at it, I saw that there was an unfamiliar raggedy white ring on the middle finger of my right hand. It's designed to look like a college ring.

It is said that the ring is the proof of a clan master. Now, look at the ring and remind yourself that you are a Clan Master.

　Clan Master.
　I listen to the fluffy explanation of hissing and try to remind the ring that it's a crank run.

'Clank clank clank clank!'

　Pow!

　As I reminded myself, the usual little fairy appeared, as expected.
　It seems that many of the systematic mysterious elements in this world are related to this little fairy.

'Hello. Congratulations. You're a new clan member, aren't you?

　The little elf with the sales smile that tells you simply what you need to do.

"Um, yes.

　I'm not sure, but it seems to be a registration requirement.

Then tell us who is registered. We need five people in addition to the master to register for the clan.

Five?　Um, well, all those guys over there then. Deanna, Marina, Rebecca-san, Elepippi and Etowah. Oh, we're just five people.

'What?　Are you the only player? You're a loner.

"Player?

　I've heard that word before.
　I mean, did you just casually dismiss it?

'What about the submaster, sir?　That said, the only member of this group who can register as a submaster is Deanna from SGF.

"Esseifu?

What are you going to do?

What are you going to do?　Not, answer the question. There are too many words I've never heard of, like player and SGF.

　What the hell kind of player am I?

'...... player is a player. I don't have the vocabulary built into me to explain anything else; SGF is a special guide faerie. You went to a fair amount of trouble to get it, didn't you?　It's not supposed to be impossible not to know: ......

Supeshaaru gai do fue aru?

　A special guide elf?　How cheap: .......
　Well, he's an elf, so he's like an elf. And he's not a normal elf, he's a high elf, so he could certainly be special?　But I don't remember him giving me a tour of the city.

That's okay. Submaster's name is Deanna.

　And that was the plan all along.
　Rebecca-san could have been the submaster, though. Well, I don't even know what kind of submasters have what kind of authority, and I don't really understand the benefits of clan registration in the first place.

''Then I'll register Deanna-san as a submaster. In addition, I will register the others as clan members as well.

　The fairy (small) shook her stick and with a pop, a ring similar to mine appeared on Deanna's finger (maybe a little simpler than mine). Furthermore, a simple ring (this is just a straight ring) appeared on the other members. They are all white in color.

'What would you like your clan name to be?'

　A clan name.
　Maybe it's like a team name. Or maybe it's like a party name in a game.
　The mercenary team that Shero-san and Rebecca-san were from was called "Scarlet Edge" or something like that. It's cool, but it's also a bit too kitchen-y.
　I'll just use the name of the knights.

'Knights of Artemis: ......, no, by Artemis.'

　It's a bit ostentatious to have a knight in shining armor.

Yes. Then I will register a new clan name "Artemis". The clan master is 'Jiro Ayase'. The submaster is 'Deanna Luna Arbella'. The general members will be 'Marina', 'Rebecca', 'Etowah' and 'Elepippi'. Is that alright?

Okay.
'Yes, sir. I've registered. Can I get a description of the clan as well?　...... and, before that, it seems that the achievement of your guidance comes first.

　As soon as the fairy (small) said that, the vocation board stood up and poof, it changed into the usual fairy (small).
　Wow, this is the first time I've seen two fairies come out at the same time. It's pretty surreal. They look pretty different too!

'Hey, hey, hey!　I didn't think it was possible, but to sign up for a clan with those members, you're a very efficient guy!　It's good to contribute to Spirit-sama, but you'll have to work hard at making friends, too!

　Pow!

　I got dissed again.
　What's up with these guys, they make fun of me.

　Spirit stones are beautiful red and white striped stones. Red striped agate. It's a stone also known as sardonyx.
　Well, even though the spirit stone itself is a good thing no matter how many there are, I'm indeed getting used to seeing it. With the conversion of the Pusel Spiritual Coin, I've gained 10 spirit stones at once.

''Is that alright?　Now, if you'd like to reform, would you like to receive a briefing on the Clan?

　The fairy (small) looked indifferent.

'Please. What's the benefit?

　They all look cool with matching rings!　What if it's just because of that?
　No, I think Marina, Elepippi and Etowah are quite happy about it.

Of course there are advantages. First of all, you will be able to use your clan's inventory. There are 10 slots in the initial state of white, and the same item can fit in one slot, up to the stack limit. The number of stack limits depends on the item: ......

Wait a minute.

"?　What is it?

What is ...... inventory?

　It's a fundamental question. Apparently, these guys are annoying because they speak uncommon katakana words like it's common knowledge.

'It's an item storage slot. Would it have been easier to say item box?
Like a warehouse?
'Yes. You'll find out when you actually use it: ....... The clan inventory can only be opened by the master and submaster. The keyword is individually configurable, but by default it opens with 'clan inventory open'. This keyword is long, so I would recommend changing it to something shorter.
"Clan inventory openings?

　Perhaps in response to the key words, the vocation board rose up.
　Instead of the usual board with the usual vocation listed, I see, it was listed as a clan inventory.

　 ---------------------- ...

　Artemis] Clan Inventory.

　There is nothing in there yet.

　 ---------------------- ...

...... so what do I do with this?
''It's just fine, you'll find out when you take those spirit stones in and out.
No, that's why I put it in: ......
Just push the items you want to store in your inventory onto the tabs and they will be stored.

　I'm going to try to do as I'm told.

　The vocation board is basically a translucent board. It's perfectly fine for reading what's written on it, but when it comes to pushing items on it, it's .......

　With a swoosh, the spirit stone was sucked in with a small, creepy sound.
　Ugh.

　 ---------------------- ...

　Artemis] Clan Inventory.

　Spirit Stone [Menace] x 1

　 ---------------------- ...

'Whoa, I'm in!　It even gives you a type of stone.
Next, take a look. Just tap on the appropriate item to specify it.
Okay, .......

　When you tap the place where it says "Spirit Stone" with your index finger, the spirit stone slowly comes out of the board with a nu~~~.
　And it stays on the board as it is.
　I take it in my hand. I take it in my hand. It's definitely the spirit stone from earlier.

This is how to use the clan inventory. Do you understand?
Oh, yeah. Thank you.


　Picture-wise it's amazing, but isn't this super useful?　You can store items in another dimension. That's like a four-dimensional pot. I'm not talking about the merits of this, man. It's a revolution!

　I've been thinking about all the things I need to pack for a trip, but I'm going to have to rethink that. With this, I can carry heavy stuff with ease.
　Is the peddling part about to begin?

Oh, um. May I?

...... Oh, yeah. What do we have yet?

'I'm talking about the benefits of clan registration. One more thing: You can use magic that can be teleported to your home base (home) with all clan members, but only once a day. This one can only be used by masters and submasters, though.

!

　Teleportation?　Did you say teleport?　Teleportation?　Instantaneous movement?

Oh, but it can't be used in clans that don't have a home base, so you have to get a home base for your clan and register it first. After registering the home base, you will advance to blue rank, so please do your best.

What's home base?　Blue?　Rank?

　I don't know what I'm talking about again.

'The clan only needs 5 friends to register at first, but it's hard to rank up from there. Getting the home base (home), building up members, defeating named monsters, and contributing to the war ....... You have to increase your fame value through such activities. Of course, each time you move up in rank, you will receive a great benefit.

...... Huh.

　There's too much to remember: .......
　In the meantime, I heard that teleportation can only be used if you have a home base or something like that. Teleportation is also triggered by a keyword, just like the clan inventory.

　After a brief explanation, the fairy (small) went back (or rather, disappeared).

　After that, the priestess was curious and wanted to listen to the story (the fairy is invisible to the others. Naturally, I couldn't hear what they were saying), and I told her what happened.
　If possible, I wouldn't want her to tell the headquarters or the Great Temple, but it's said that it's been 1,000 years since anyone was able to register with the clan, and I guess that's not really an option for Priestess Chan's position.

　Well, it's not like he's going to be caught and experimented on or anything, so it's okay. If it comes down to a crisis, we'll use Diana's power to get through it somehow.
　Everyone involved in the temple is an elf, right?
　We'll have Princess Diana's authority to help us out.

　But finally, it's a world like a game: .......