An alchemist suddenly appeared in the village of Lax.

　Did you say Masari?

　I decided to hear more about it from that demon tribe.

　They are demons, to say the least.
　They are the old enemy of our human race, and as such, we can't just let them go free.

　It's not a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

　........And that alchemist Masari-san.
　A plain, unpretentious woman who calls herself a sober woman begins to speak in fits and starts to speak.

''........I was originally an alchemist in charge of Zeviantes-sama.
I know.

　I heard that you were introduced here by the Four Heavenly Kings Zebiantes.
　That stupid woman.
　She could be guilty of breach of trust just by being on good terms with the human race, which is essentially the enemy, but she's trying to hide it?

''She's a full-body vain woman as you can see, so all she cares about is adorning herself with top-notch magic tools.
You think you're paid to do that?
Yes, it's stressful to have to deal with a**h*les, but the pay was good.

　That's a harsh thing to say.
　Even if it's to your employer.

　It's not that he's that much of a Zebiantes guy, it's just that he's only interested in what interests him.
　His manners are very formal.

''My job was to take that person's conception, or rather idea, and gather the best of my magic technology to create a beautiful and practical magic tool. ........but that has recently stalled.
"Law.
'You've run out of supply of mithril, haven't you? No matter how much of a genius I am, I can't make anything without the raw materials.

　Bashbursa did it, and ownership of the Mithril mine was transferred to the human race.
　I didn't know the effects of that had come to this place.

　And her. She casually has high self-esteem. You said yourself that you're a genius...?

'I was originally under Zeviantes-sama because of my ability to handle high-grade metals like mithril, but once I tried to tell her that there was no point in being there if it was gone, I tried to tell her I was bored, right? And then he introduced me to this place...

'There's a site where you can handle as much mithril as you want! Or so he said.
　Doesn't he have a concept of confidentiality?
　No?

''I didn't expect to be brought into the human tribe's sphere of influence, but I'm ready to betray my own tribe if I can process mithril as I please here!
Don't do it.

　Don't betray us so easily.
　It's too much for us to handle.

We can't afford not to have her help.

　And Sakai-kun, the original representative of the forge, joins in with a snort.

'Alchemy-based alloy making has already become an essential part of our blacksmithing work!　To make a high-performance armor that approaches the Hermes Sword, you have to start with the alloy that is used to make it!　Absolutely!
So you think I have to have a girlfriend?

　The blacksmithing skills of the human race and the alchemy of the demon race.
　You think we need to collaborate on these dreams?

'Using my alchemy to make human weapons.... I was surprised when I first heard about it, but it's pretty maddening and interesting.

　Masari the alchemist says.

'I deserve my job as a forbidden genius who defies such common sense!　Okay!　Let's let Masari, this genius alchemist, help you with your work!
'Yes!'

　Did he call himself a genius again?

But you need to remember that!　For helping you with your work, I'll be here to make whatever you want!　Using mithril, which is no longer a rare commodity among the demon race, as much as I want to use it as my inspiration takes me, magical tools!
'Of course!　At that time, I will generously offer my blacksmithing skills as well!
'Huh, I don't think I'll need assistance with my genius work, but I'll just have to hope for the best.
We're going to be...
".........like-minded, fellow!

　Shucks....
　And then they ended up giving each other a passionate hug.

　Do they have sympathy for each other as creators?

"What should we do...?

　I pondered it with a dizzying thought, but for Sakai-kun, the creation of an alloy using alchemy was the default route.
　I'm sure it's an inheritance from the late Master Smith.

　Until now, he had asked mages who happened to be there, such as Lizet and Zeviantes, to create his products for him, but since this was not their main job, they couldn't take on the task at hand, and the quality of the products couldn't be as good as they could be.

　It must be very gratifying for Sakai to have an alchemist working full-time at the blacksmith's shop.
　If he can create high quality armor with this, it will raise the name of Lux Village.......

　Well..........
　I wonder if I should acknowledge this as the village head?

All right, all right. So, Mr. Masari?　You'll be allowed to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to stay in the "I'll allow you to make lots of good weapons.
"Thank you.

　Sakai-kun and Masari-san told me at the same time.

　They are still hugging each other.
　........How long are these guys going to be hugging each other?

　The tension of skin-to-skin contact feels more titillating than peer-to-peer.
　Even if it's hypothetical, it's a guy and a girl.

　As a married man myself, my gut feeling is that these two are going to be a decent couple in the future, and I have a definite hunch.

◆

　We went around like that and ended our tour of the village at sunset.

'It's another peaceful day in the village of Lax.

　I got that confirmation and went home, satisfied.
　At home, he was greeted by his beloved wife Marika and his son Gran.

'Welcome home, Anata.'

　The kisses are just as passionate as when we go out.
　Lips on lips until there's a reflex stop from baby Gran again.

'Shall we have dinner?　Do you want to take a bath?　Or a-tah-shi?

　I'll do the usual exchange and bathe him first.
　I'm talking about soaking Gran in a tub of lukewarm water and washing her. For my own bath, I have to go to the public sauna in the village.

　After that, it's time for dinner.
　Not only me, Marika and Gran, but also Marika's parents, who live with us, have joined us for a lively reunion.

　Today's menu was stew, as we had been warned earlier in the morning.
　Maleeka's characteristic stew is her favorite.

'And then there's the steamed garlic.

　Marika added a dish.

'We have a lot of vegetables that Dariel-san got from the farmers. There's also eel baked in a kababachi, grated yam, spuds live blood and blackened newt...'

　For some reason, these energetic dishes were crowded in front of me, and even my father-in-law and mother-in-law (Marika's parents), who were sharing the table with me, were surprised. Even my stepfather and mother-in-law (Marika's parents), who were sharing the table with me, were appalled.

Dariel-san works a lot, he should eat this much!

　Everyone thought it had some other purpose, but no one said anything.

　And I throw all those energetic items into my mouth.
　I'm trying to live up to Malika's expectations.

"Dariel-kun, you're putting up a good fight...

　Your father-in-law said to me with a mixture of admiration and awe.

'Come on, you can't lose...'
"Why do I have to drink Spong's blood too?

　My father-in-law was perplexed at his mother-in-law's suggestion.
　.... Don't tell me you're planning to produce a younger uncle or aunt for our grandmother?

　After the dinner, which was peaceful but somehow filled with sadness, we went to bed.

　I went to bed, but of course the effects of the many powerful foods made me wonder if I could sleep! I tried to do my best, but Gran started crying at night, and in the end, our time as a couple was uprooted by the child.

　This is what it means to be a parent........?

◆

　This is how the time in Lax Village flows peacefully.
　But, d*mned to say, there are always problems that can upset the peace.

　The new trouble that befell us is...

The new trouble that will befall us is the 'riot of the heroes increased to four.