By the next morning, the snowfall had stopped.

　When I put on my winter clothes and left the inn, I found a large horse-drawn carriage parked in the street in front of the front door.

(Wha?)　It's hairy.

　The horse was wrapped all over with mop-like hair.

　Moreover, it was about twice the size of a normal horse.

　In front of my astonished face, Kirto tapped the horse on the neck.

From now on, this is your new carriage.

　He laughs.

　Actually, the carriage we were riding in yesterday was supposed to turn back in this city.

　The reason is that Tetet is a snow country.

　The horses in Shumuria can't stand this cold, and they aren't used to the snowy roads.

　But the Teteto horses are resistant to the cold and their large size allows them to move forward even in deep snow.

　The horses have spikes on their horseshoes and wheels.

　It's exactly what it was made for in the snow country.

　That's why they chartered this new carriage.

　The two horses tied to the carriage are looking at us with crinkled eyes.

(............)

　It's so cute.

'Um ... can I touch it?'
Yeah, that's good.

　The Gosha gave me permission to approach the big horse.

　I touch it with my little hands.

(Wow, that's fuzzy!)

　The thick, mop-like hairs are so soft that they bury themselves up to my wrists.

　Behind those hairs are tight muscles.

　I can feel the powerful life force.

'Nice to see you from now on, horse, okay?'

　I called out to him.

　The horse moved its head lightly as it stared at me.

　Brrrr.

(Wha?)

　I was startled and left.

　All the adults who were watching this were laughing at me.

　Solstice said, "You're an idiot.

Okay," said Solstice, "you're an idiot. Well, let's get in this new carriage and head for Tupet.
Yes.
Yes, sir.
Okay.

　At Mr. Kilt's command, we climbed into the carriage.

　With a buff buff and a white snort, the huge horses began to walk.

　And so the new carriage with us in it goes north on the snowy road.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　We proceeded through the pure white earth.

　In the midst of the all-white world, only certain areas of the city streets were trampled down, and a little of the ground underneath the snow could be seen.

(What's this?)

　Along the road, there are poles that look like telephone poles every 100 meters or so.

They indicate where the road is when the snow is deep.
Oh, I see.

　Dr. Illtimina told me, and it made a great deal of sense.

(I know it happened in a previous life.)

　So I remembered.

　With our carriage in tow, Tetet's giant horse kicked up the snow on the street and walked reliably forward.

　Two days later, we are on our way to our destination.

　We arrive at our destination, the town of Tupet, as planned.

(So this is Tupet.)

　As we got off the carriage, our eyes were drawn to the town.

　The town was built on the slope of a rocky mountain.

　The houses lined up like terraced fields.

　Strangely enough, there was no snow on the ground in this town.

This rocky mountain is an active volcano. "This rocky mountain is an active volcano, and the geothermal energy keeps it from accumulating snow.

　Mr. Kilt told me as he unpacked.

(Really?)

　When I put my hand to the ground, it definitely felt slightly warm.

　We then secured the inn first.

　We had the carriage stay at the inn, and when we unloaded our travel luggage at the inn, we had only the bare minimum of equipment.

'So, shall we go and see who Benas is introducing us to?

　Nodding at the sound of Kilt's voice, we started walking through the streets of Tupet.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　In the town of Tupet, there is steam blowing from all over the ground.

(Is this another effect of an active volcano?)

　So you're looking at it that way.

　bang

Oh, I'm sorry.
Oh, I'm sorry, kid.

　I bumped into a man on the street.

　The other man was a dwarf.

　He was about my height, and he raised one hand and went on his way.

(.........Huh?)

　If you look closely, you can see that a large percentage of people walking down the street are dwarves.

　It's half human and half Dwarf.

　Unfortunately, there are no elves in sight........

　And.

Do not look away, or we will run into each other again.

　Soltis scolded me.

　Miss Illtimina laughed softly.

Now, let's hold hands with me.

　And then, somewhat happily, he shook my hand.

　Mr. Kilt chuckled.

　The buildings in the town of Tupet were made of stone.

　As I walked up the hill, I looked at them vaguely.

　...........

'The buildings in this town are pretty elaborate, aren't they?

　I muttered.

　Mr. Illtimina scowls.

'Yes?'
You see these pillars and window frames and all that.

　A small finger indicates.

　Other doors, doorknobs and gutters were also carefully made or carved with ornamentation.

　They look like works of art.

　But it doesn't seem to stand out.

　I was going to paint a picture of this town later, and I was paying attention, so I noticed it too.

(Really, it's kind of casually applied.)

Merle has good sensibilities.

　Mr. Kilt laughed.

'Tupet is a city of blacksmiths.
Blacksmith Town?
Yes. There is a place underneath this town where lava flows. The craftsmen have been using it for blacksmithing for centuries.

　That's how the artisans came together to create this town.

(Huh?)

So that's why there are so many dwarves.
That's not what I meant.

　They are a dexterous race, and they know a lot about soil and ore.

　That's why there were so many blacksmiths among the dwarves, and that's why they naturally flocked to the town of Tupet.

''If you ask me, it's true that the street railings are very well done.

　Iltimina's crimson eyes stare at the railing built along the slope.

'There are carvings, but they are properly shaped and easy to grip, and they are also non-slip. And the path itself is also carved with small grooves to prevent your feet from slipping.
It's true.

　Solstice, it's a 'you told me and I noticed' look.

　If you don't try to notice, you probably won't.

　That kind of care and quaintness could be seen in many places in this town.

(I see.)

This is a city of craftsmen.

　I nodded at him, and he laughed.

The house we're looking for seems to be right around the corner. Let's get going.
Uh-huh.
Yes, sir.
Yeah.

　We nodded and headed to the building.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


I'm not here.

　Mr. Kilt stopped as he looked at the address on the introductory letter.

'The Arvinka Equipment Store.

　The shop's sign said so in the common language of the Albac continent.

　When I looked closely, it was also accompanied by the words 'Blacksmith Guild Certified Shop'.

(Hmmm?)

　We walked in.

"Welcome to the store.

　A shopkeeper near the entrance greeted me.

　The store was quite large and had a lot of weapons and armor on display.

　There are also about five shopkeepers.

　There seemed to be several parties of adventurer-like customers as well, and each of them had a clerk to help them.

''Can I help you find some equipment?''

　The clerk who approached us asks us.

'No, the warriors are looking for fairy iron.
...Fairy iron?
Hmm. I was referred to this place by a friend from Shumuria.

　As he said this, he handed over the letter of introduction.

''Excuse me,'' the clerk takes it.

　I checked the sender's name and looked at him lightly.

Be with you in a minute.

　He went to the back of the store quickly.

(...?)

　He seemed a little flustered, but what's going on?

　While waiting for a while, Illtimina looked at the nearby equipment and muttered, "That's a pretty good assortment.

　Eventually, after about five minutes, a woman comes in.

　She's a dwarf woman with red hair in braids.

　She's about a little taller than me, but very stocky.

　Her eyes look at us.

Hey, you guys?　My dad introduced me to you.

(Dad!?!)

　We were all surprised.

I'm Arvinka, daughter of Benas. I'm actually the owner of this shop.
That's right.

　Kirto nodded in surprise.

'The straw is Kirto Amandes. A Shumurian adventurer.
I know who you are. You're the Demon Princess of Shumuria.

　Mr. Arvinka laughed as he put his hands on his hips.

　The hand had so many scars and calluses on it that it looked like the hand of a fine craftsman.

'You've got a fat customer too, Dad. ........How are you doing?
Mm, I'm fine.
Okay.

　She nodded, her eyes narrowing at the thought of her exotic father.

　Then she changed her expression and looked at us.

'So ... I read your introduction. Do you guys want some fairy iron?
Hmm. Yes.
"Hmm.

　His gaze took in all four of us in turn.

That's Merle, isn't it?

　Finally, he stopped at my face.

'Oh, yes.'
'I read in your introduction letter that you wanted some fairy iron for her equipment?
Yes.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

　Mr. Arvinka stared at me with a jittery look.

'Fairy iron is a precious ore.
..........
'It doesn't produce much, and some of them die in the mines. No matter how much gold they pile on me, I'm honestly not comfortable giving it to my kids for equipment.

(...what?)

　Does that mean no?

　All the way to the Tet Tet Tet confederacy and then travel all the way here?

　I was astonished.

　Mr. Arvinka looked lost, too.

　And.

Excuse me, sir, but may I ask you to sell these shields?

　Mr. Illtimina suddenly said something like that.

'An?　I don't mind.　
Hi.

　After handing over the 10,000 rido coin, Illtimina holds the large shield in her hand.

　It's a 10,000 rido, or a million yen shield.

　The decoration is splendid, and it looks thick and very sturdy.

(What on earth is going on here all of a sudden?)

　I thought to myself, Mr. Kilt and Solstice.

　Miss Illtimina held her shield in my direction.

Now, Merle. Please cut this shield.

　...Yes?

　I pouted.

　Mr. Kilt laughed, "I see," with a look of realization.

　Solstice cocks her thin neck and looks like she doesn't quite understand.

　I don't know what it means either, but...

Come on, Merle. Come on.
Uh-huh.

　Prompted by Illtimina-san, I pulled the 'fairy sword' that was inserted into my waist belt from its sheath.

　Arvinka-san gives me a panicked look, "Hey, hey.

　Hyukon.

　Right in front of them, I swung my sword from the top step, as I always did.

　After a beat, the shield was cut in half.

　Gala, Galan.

　The sound of heavy metal falling echoed through the store.

　Mr. Arvinka, who was trying to control it, stopped moving, with his hand outstretched.

　The shopkeepers and adventurers who were in the store were all looking at me stunned.

　I put the 'Fairy Sword' back into its sheath.

(Ko, is this okay?)

Good job.

　As I peeked at her with my gaze, Illtimina-san nodded with satisfaction.

　Mr. Kilt said to Mr. Arvinka.

'How's the kid?'
".......... I was worried that my father's eyes had glazed over, but apparently it was this one that was glazing over.

　Pressing her fingers to her forehead, she let out a sigh.

　Then she picked up the shield in two pieces.

I'm pretty proud of that one.

　I laugh.

　Soon, he laughs pleasantly.

Good work, Merle. Okay, I'll tell you more about it. I'll tell you more about it, you four, come on back.

　With that, she led us to a room in the back of the store.