The heart of the developed village of Lax.

　The forge.

　The facility was set up to process mined mithril in its fresh and pizzazzy state.
　It was opened at the request of the Center Guild as a result of the retaking of the Mithril Mine.

　Today, the facility is packed with blacksmiths from outside, who hammer and forge mithril into a variety of products.

　It can be said that this is the heart of Lax Village after the reconstruction began.
　That's why I, as the village chief, have to inspect it frequently to make sure there's nothing unusual.

　That's why I went to the blacksmithing shop today as well.

◆

How are you doing?

　The smithy is much hotter than the outside because of the fire in the kiln.
　Professional blacksmiths are hammering away in the fiery space.

The village chief!　Thanks for the visit!

　The one who takes the lead in greeting me is Sakai-kun.
　Although he is one of the blacksmiths working at the Lux village forge, he is an up-and-coming kid in his representative position.
　Although he is still in his early 20s, his skills are good and he has the leadership skills to lead his colleagues.

　The most important thing is that he was a direct apprentice of the late Grandpa Smith, which is a high point for me personally.
　The blacksmith's workshop is a relatively safe section for me.

　Today, I'm going to get a look at the blacksmith's shop by hearing from that Sakai-kun.

And how do you think?　What's the problem?　If there's something missing, I'll get it right away, but...?
'No way!　The village chief has always been so good to me, so blissful!　If you want any more luxury, you'll be punished!

　For a craftsman, Sakai-kun is very sociable, and he's willing to talk with me as well.
　I'm really grateful for that.

　It is not an exaggeration to say that the reason why we were able to set up a blacksmithing facility that was not originally in the village and get it off the ground so well is because of him.
　The mithril-made armor made here is steadily increasing its share in the human race's sphere of influence. It's thanks to the hard work of the craftsmen here.

We can't deliver mithril until the mithril mine is restored. We may be short-handed until the Mithril mine is restored, but I hope you'll do well.
'It's all right. I'm going to take a closer look at the whole process, because the slowdown in supply means we'll have more time. By the time the pace of supply returns, the quality may be better.

　It's very reliable.
　This is why the blacksmith's shop has nothing to worry about as long as Sakai-kun is around.

　I'm not sure if he noticed the look of expectation I was giving him, but Sakai-kun straightened up, as if he were mocking himself.

I'm still in my infancy. I don't have the passion and skills to create a masterpiece like Master's...!
Such humility...!
'No!　That's why we have to use this time, when the mithril supply is stagnant and often transparent, to hone our skills!　Neither Zebi-sama's mithril wings nor the heroic-sama's own self-repairing sword were ready for the decisive battle the other day!

　Oh, that's right, there was something like that.

　A new weapon that Sakai had invented, putting his own ideas into it.
　However, they were still in the process of being perfected and they were in the midst of research and experimentation, aiming for sensitivity.

I've heard about the fierce battle with this monster, and I've heard about it myself. It's precisely in such difficult battles that the best beauty attire is needed...!　I was so clumsy and clumsy that I couldn't make it in time...!　No matter how excellent a weapon is, if it's not on the battlefield, it's no better than a catfish!

　Sakai-kun, don't be so hard on yourself...!

　A metal wing made of mithril for Zebiantes.
　A special sword for the brave Radey.

　Although Sakai-kun is in charge of creating those very prosperous armaments, he is naturally under a great deal of pressure.

　But don't get too worked up about it.
　Especially since Zebiantes, the person to whom you are submitting the other side of the assignment, is essentially your enemy.

''I have to hone my skills even more. If I don't get a little closer to my living master...!''
What...!
But the limits of my talents will soon come to me. There's a wall that I can't break through alone...!
Don't be so serious...?
That's where I got her help.
?
''I'm Masari, the alchemist!

　A woman of strange age, who comes out after being invited to be introduced by Sakai-kun.

　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
It's a stoic look that says, "I don't want to get dressed up, I want to satisfy my own interests.
　But what's more shocking than the appearance of such a woman is....

"Who?!

　I didn't know anything about her.

　I'm the village chief.
　I'm the one who needs to know what's going on in this village better than anyone else.

　And what I don't know is who is in the village.
　What's going on?

'I would like to introduce you to the chief!　She's Masari, an alchemist by profession!
Nice to meet you...

　Mr. Masari, who was introduced to me, bowed awkwardly.
　He seemed somehow unused to socializing with people.

　No, more importantly.....

Who are you?
''Oh no, that's why I introduced you to Masari-san, the alchemist........!

　So that's not what I'm talking about.
　I'm just saying that the number of people I don't know is increasing without me knowing it, and that's what I'm saying. I'm just saying that the number of people I don't know is increasing without me knowing.
　It's a very important facility in the village.

''Furthermore, wait a minute...?　Did you say that woman there was an alchemist?

　So you're an alchemist...?

Isn't it the demon race!

　An alchemist is one of a class of wizards.
　They mainly specialize in elemental transformation techniques of earth element magic, turning useless clods of earth into useful metals.

　But that's not what we should focus on now. An alchemist is a type of wizard, in other words, they can use magic. Only the demon race can use magic.

"Demons are here!

　Here!
　Just within the power of the human race!
　It's funny that there are demons who are the enemy!　It's super crazy!

You were referred to us by Zevi-san.
"So it was him after all!

　One of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army, Zebiantes of "Huafu"!

　The enemy of all enemies, that is, the enemy of all enemies, is itself an extraordinary thing to be in this village, but now that it has become an ordinary day, an even more extraordinary situation is breaking out?

''No........I've always felt the limits of what I could do on my own. My work would not be complete without a special alloy that can be created through alchemy. But I can't create an alloy.

　That's the domain of magic, you know.

"Even Master Smith couldn't complete his masterpiece Hermes Sword without a wizard's help. I had to use magic to make Hermes silver, the key ingredient for the Hermes Sword.
I've seen it happen.
'So!　I need the help of an alchemist who can make an alloy that I can use to make what I want!　For that reason, I would love to have Masari-san, who was introduced to me by Zebi-sama, to stay!

　I get it.
　I understand what you want to do.

　But that doesn't mean you can't have demons here without notifying the village chief.
　It'll cause a lot of trouble.

　I want to turn a blind eye to the fact that Zebiantes is already here, and more problems than I can handle!

What should we do...?

　As the village chief, I think it's best for me to ask you to leave before things get out of hand.......

　While I was basking in this Sakai-kun's passionate, shiny eyes all around me....

''........I understand.

　I was defeated by the roots.

　Thus, the demon tribe was able to come and go freely in the forge of our Lax Village with a big smile on their face.

''........Let's just listen to what they have to say for now.

　I decided to hear a lot from this intrusive alchemist.