It had been a few days since Nanaterra had taken the measurements for Kunalia at the Merchants Guild.

At dusk that day, Virum and the three of them were on their way to his shop when they received a call from Assem.

Apparently the armor was finished.

You can't help but be amazed at how quickly they work.

I went through the steps and entered the shop in the basement, where I was greeted by Assem, who had shades under his eyes.

''I've been waiting for you. The armor you asked for is ready, so go ahead and try it on. I'll just make some minor adjustments. The armor is in the back room.

Okay. I'll just try it on.

'I'll go with you. I might not be able to wear it well by myself.

After the greetings, Meldina and Cunaria head to the room where the finished armor is being prepared.

After they close the door to the room, Virum turns to Assem.

''It looks like you've pushed yourself quite a bit. Are you okay?

'Ha-ha-ha! I was concentrating too much on making it. Well, this is not a part of the fatigue.

In fact, there was no element of tiredness from the pleasantly smiling Assem, other than the shades that formed under his eyes.

After they waited for a while, killing time with their chit-chat, the door to the back room was slowly opened.

The two people who came out were, of course, Meldina and Cunaria.

''Ah, um, how's it going...?''

The armor is of the type that covers both of Cunaria's shoulders and the two giant stars from the southern hemisphere to the lower abdomen, almost like a torso brace, so to speak.

In addition to the skirt-like lower part, the gauntlets and grieves on the extremities.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's been in this situation.

'It's hard to move with full armor, you know. That way, it doesn't restrict the movement of the joints, and in an emergency, the gauntlets and grieves can be used to guard them.

The corners of Asseem's mouth lifted in a grin as he explained, and he puffed out his chest as if to say how he felt.

'I see. It's a perfect fit for Coonaria.

Huh?

Although Vilm's words could be taken as a compliment, in reality, the correct interpretation is that it's perfect for Coonaria's (her fighting style).

However, Coonaria, who didn't realize that was the case, thought it was a rare compliment and hurriedly fell down on her blushing face.





After that, they handed the payment for the armor to Assem, who finished fine-tuning the armor while having him actually move his body, and Vilm and the others began to go around the store once again, but Meldina suddenly opened her mouth as if she had thought of something.

''Speaking of which, I heard that Assem-san is stepping down as the production guild's general manager, is that true?''

Yeah. To be precise, I'm not out yet, but I'll be out as soon as they decide on the next summary. I don't want to hear those guys' summaries!

Assem was answering Meldina's questions, but gradually he began to remember his anger from the other day, and his endings began to become more and more raspy.

'Calm down. You two are startled.'

I'm sorry.

'Nah, I'm fine. But what happened to Mr. Assem getting so angry?

When Coonaria asks the reason for this while being amused by the angry swordsmanship, Assem lets out a deep sigh and then begins to speak, looking a little batty.

''Didn't you once receive a flaming magic stone from Lord Virum before?''

Yeah, what about it?

I'm embarrassed to tell you, as a Dwarf, that magic stone has too much magic in it for me to process. Then those idiots! He offered to auction off the magical stones and use the money for the guild!

He must have been too angry.

There's not a hint of hesitation in exposing his shame as a craftsman until just now, and he seems to be surrendering to his rekindled anger.

It's a stupid thing to take care of those soft people who are in production, but give up just because of the difficulty of processing the materials. I'm not sure how many times I've been asked to do this.

After finishing speaking, Assem's expression is dark.

Considering what he said and did earlier, he's probably depressed not about getting off the summation, but about the fact that he couldn't process the magic stone that Virum gave him.

''Virum~, can you hear me~?

("Hinori-sister? I can hear you. What's going on?")

Virum responds to the telekinetic talk from Hinori, who has no warning, without changing his expression.

('I was listening to what you just said, but there's actually a child who wants to go out into the outside world. It's not safe to be alone, and I thought you could leave her with Assem.")

("Is that... okay?")

("The dwarves believe in the spirit of fire, so I think it's okay, right? Especially since Assem sees me as well. Besides, I want to respect her wishes as much as possible.'')

Virum was reluctant to hear the proposal to entrust the village spirit to a stranger (Assem), but the spirit's will and Hinori's persuasion made him admit it.

'Assem, I hear Hinori has something to tell you. Do you mind if I summon him?

Wow, eagle? I wonder if I've done something to violate Hinori-sama's intuition?

Assem, who felt uneasy about the fact that he had something to say from Hinori, who he himself worships like a god, has a different look of fright than he did a while ago.

''No, he wants to ask you for a favor.

I'm sorry to be a pain in the ass, but if Hinori-sama is good, I don't blame her. I'm sorry to be a pain in the ass, but if you like Hinori-sama, you can't say no to me.

All right. All three of you, take some time off.

As the three of them stepped back, Virum focused his magic power and began chanting.

The spun magic power formed a magic circle and became a doorway connecting the different spaces.

The flames moving around everywhere converged to a single point, and Hinori's figure was revealed as if to swallow the flames from within.

''Virum, I'm sorry for asking you to do this? Thank you for calling me out.

I don't mind. You wanted to see Assem?

The first thing that opened the door was a smile on Hinori's face as she spoke of her concern for him, and Virum responded with a smile, urging him to take care of his business to Assem.

Seeing Hinori, who had moved in front of Assem, his original negotiating partner, after greeting Meldina and Cunaria, the person in question froze upright and unmoving due to his nervousness.

''There's no need to be so nervous. Unlike that time, I don't intend to harm you for accepting Virum, okay?''

I am humbled by your request. I am humbled to hear that you have a favor to ask of me, but if you will allow me to do it, I will do my best. Please do not hesitate to contact me.

Compared to before, Hinori's tone is much more shattered, but it doesn't seem to matter to Assem, who has a being comparable to a god in front of him.

(So the story about the dwarf race believing in the spirit of fire is true. If it looks like this... it looks okay.)

Assem speaks with Hinori in a position of worship, kneeling on his side.

It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

''Therefore, could you take care of one of my family members?''

Hinori-sama, if it is your request. I, Assem, would be willing to bet my life that you would be in charge of the spirit.

'You don't have to be so uptight about it. Once the contract is done, there's no easy way to mess with it. If anything goes wrong, I'll be on top of it.

In reality, they're not a family, not a tribe, but it's Hinori's consideration that Assem would be more receptive to such an expression.

Hinori creates a small flame in her hand that is held out to the sky, quieting Asseum, who is overly enthusiastic.

The flame, which had been moving around in a whirlwind, moves up to her shoulder area and pops off with a light sound of a pop.

The girl there was a girl who could fit in the palm of her hand.

That spirit, with the same red hair and eyes as Hinori's, is scurrying around with a curious gaze.

'Look, Krim, this is Assem, who will be taking care of you from today. I have to say hello.

"All right! Crim's name is Crim! Nice to meet you!

The spirit called Krim nodded and introduced himself cheerfully as soon as Hinori prompted him to greet her.

'Wa, my name is Asseem. Please, Krim-sama, I know this is a grueling place, but please make yourself at home.

"Assem... so it's old Sem then! Nice to meet you!

"(Huh?)

The moment Krim returned it with an innocent smile, a shock that couldn't be expressed to Assem was felt.

(What, what? This feeling of being scratched in the chest. It's a sensation I've never felt before. But it's not unpleasant... Rather, I even feel a sense of happiness...)

'And you know what? Crim is good at manipulating fire, so he can help old Shem with his work!''

"(Ugh!)

Assem, who couldn't hide his confusion at his first sensation, was hit with a chase shot of happiness.

'Afterwards, afterwards? Crim is going to be in the care of old Shem, so he doesn't need to be respectful, right? You can call me Krim, right?

''(Guhaha!)

Furthermore, Crim's onslaught, which did not weaken the chase, drove Assem's spirit to the verge of falling.

'If it looks like that, we'll get along just fine. Crim, you can't just walk out without permission, okay? 'Assem, take care of Krim for me, okay?'

"All right! Crim, I'll be good!'

Oh, of course...

Later, despite the support of Vilm and Hinori, the deal between Assem and Krim was successfully completed.

A few days later, when Virum and his friends visited the shop again, what they saw was Assem, who had turned into a brilliant old fool.