Hah, hah ... freeze shot!

　As Liliera releases her magic into the trap plant, a chunk of ice slams into her body, freezing parts of her body.

''That's the way it's going!

　I was in another place, supporting Liliella-san as she burned down the forest.

　What I'm doing is training Liliera's unchained magic.
　While I was burning down the perimeter of the forest to stop the expansion of the monster forest and building a street in the forest, Liliera-san was training me in magic against a trap plant on the perimeter of the forest.

　This way, Liliella-san could train while I was working, and since defeating trap plants is a cheap but permanent request, it's also a good way to make money.
　It's a great way to train two birds with one stone.
　And since trap plants are demons that can't move, they won't have to worry about being counterattacked as long as they maintain a certain distance.
　It's really a demon that's suitable for magical training.

　By the way, there was a reason why Liliera-san was using ice magic against the trap plant.
　Basically, people who use magic have an attribute suitable for them, but Liliera-san was good with the water attribute.

　So we're going to start off by focusing on the water-attribute magic for which you have an aptitude, so that you can get used to the sensation of using magic, and eventually you'll be able to use all four basic attributes of magic.
　It's not a bad idea to be able to have more ways to use it, you know.

　◆.

'I'm tired...'

　Liliera-san, who had finished her training, walked with a limp and tired look.

''I think my magic power has been restored with Transfermana.

Your magic may be restored, but it won't cure your emotional exhaustion.

　That's quite a deep implication.

Anyway, today's training is over. When you get your reward, let's go to the tavern and have something good to eat.

Yeah.

　Then we came to the Adventurer's Guild and immediately went to the counter to report and request to buy the materials for the trap plants.

"Two silver coins for 20 trap plants.

It's cheap...

　Looking at the rewards he received, Liliella-san is bewildered.

''The material for the trap plant is saturated, you know. The rewards will inevitably be cheap.''

　Right, if you work this hard and the rewards are so cheap, normal adventurers will lose interest in stopping the forest from expanding and venture inside.

''Today, I burned this area and expanded the road over here.

　I point to the map the receptionist has unfolded and explain which part of the forest's perimeter I've burned and which road I've passed through.

'Yes, sir. Also, I've decided on the reward for the other day and the purchase price for the Elder Plant that you delivered along with the Ancient Plant, so I'll give it to you.

Thank you.

　Come to think of it, I didn't receive an Elder Plant reward in the throes of the Ancient Plant.

''Twenty Elderplants will equal 1800 gold coins.

1,800?

Oh, that's a lot of cards.

　Surprisingly good money for surprisingly good money.
　That's a big difference from a trap plant.

That's because the Elder Plant makes good wood.

　The one who said this was Milisha-san, who came from the back of the guild.

''The Elder Plant is in the wood?''

''Yes. Plant-based demons can be used as wood, but weak demons are not much different from ordinary wood. But the Elder Plant is a high-level plant-based demon, so it's prized as a high-quality wood.

　Oh, that's a new one.

And I'm glad you bought a lot of them. Since it's wood, one piece of wood isn't very useful. Whether you're building a house or a boat, you want to have as much of the same wood as possible, right?

　Indeed, if different types of materials were mixed together, they would look different and look differently and have different strength, and it would be messy.

''Above all, the Elder Plant is a demon that can rarely be encountered. They can only be encountered very rarely in the depths of the forest, and their vitality and fighting power make them difficult to defeat. Most importantly, unlike ordinary monsters, they take their entire bodies with them. Combined with its size, it's difficult to bring back.

　Ah, it's because they're carrying back an entire tree.
　So it's different from cutting down trees in a place where lumberjacks can easily carry them.
That's why it's worth such a lot of money.

Yes, a bonus from the large volume of purchases, and the purchase price of rare demon wood right now has gone up.

The purchase price for the demon wood?

Yes, someone is looking for good quality demon wood, and I'm sure that the Ancient Plant at the upcoming auction will be worth quite a bit of money. And, first of all, there is no doubt that the Ancient Plant that will be up for sale at the upcoming auction will also fetch quite a bit of money due to that backstory.

Did you suggest the auction, knowingly?

　Thinking so, I asked Milisha-san a question, and she put her index finger to her mouth and told me

''Since this is still the assistant guild leader,''

　The Adventurer's Guild gets a portion of the auction price as a reward.
　So, if there was proof of a high sale, it would directly affect the guild's profits.
　He's good at it.

　

'So this is Liliella's share, then?

Saying that, I give Liliella a portion of the Elder Plant's reward.

What?　Why!?

　Liliera-san, who was offered the money, rolls her eyes in surprise.

'Because before we fought the Ancient Plant, Liliella-san also defeated the Elder Plant. Besides, it wasn't us who defeated most of the Elder Plant, it was the Ancient Plant, and we just retrieved it.

　Yes, if anyone deserves to be paid by the Elder Plant, it's not us, it's the Ancient Plant.
　I defeated the Ancient Plant, though.
And it was Liliela-san who suggested the recovery of the Elder Plant's materials. If it was just me, I would have definitely ignored it.

You know, the only reason I'm here is because of your magic bag.

So we'll call it a 50/50 split.

I'm sorry about that. I wouldn't have even made it to the center of the forest without you.

No, no,

No.

　After that we gave in to each other, and in the end, Liliella-san received the full amount for the one bottle she took down, and the portion taken down by the Ancient Plant was split 8:2, so they agreed to split it up.
　It would have been good to take a little more with me.

''This is more than enough of a reward.

　After we finish distributing the money, we go straight to dinner.

So, what are you going to do now?

　'What do you mean?' asked Liliella, who was eating, to me.

'What do you mean, what do we do?'

''It's a plan for the future. You've reached the center of the Forest of Demonic Beasts and even killed an S-ranked demon, right?　I've already accomplished the purpose of my trip, so I don't think there's any reason for either of us to use this town as a base anymore.

　It's true, Liliella-san is right, and it's safe to say that we've done most of what we need to do in this forest.
　Milisha-san has asked me to stop the expansion of the forest and build a roadway, but that's only as long as it suits me, so it doesn't matter when I quit.
　Well, at the very least, I'll be able to pass the street street as requested.

''Yes, once the auction of the Ancient Plant is over and the money comes in, it might be good to go to the next town.

　Since we are adventurers, it suits us better to resume our journey than to stay in the same place forever.
Yeah, it's settled. Well then, I'll have to freshen up my equipment for the next adventure!

'What?　The equipment?

　But I've already switched to a new weapon?

'My armor is still old. It's time for me to get some decent armor.

　Ah, come to think of it, Lilliera-san's armor is a worn-out leather armor.
　Or rather, rather than being used up, it's rather tattered.

''It was partly because I originally bought it second-hand, but the fight with the Blade Wolf left it in tatters, so I need to replace it for good measure to get by.

　I see, Liliela-san originally hadn't been able to spend money on equipment, but she decided to take the opportunity to buy a new one.

''Fortunately, I don't have to worry about money anymore with the Elder Plant's reward, and I'm going to spend the money on new equipment, leaving money to send and living expenses!

　Even though Marielle's illness has been cured, Lilielle is still a motherly person in that she doesn't forget to send money home.

In that case, I know a good store nearby. Since it's a good time, why don't you go to that shop tomorrow?

Your idea?　This place sounds fancy.

　It's not such a scary store!

''Then let's go shopping together tomorrow!

Yeah!

　You're not going to be able to do that.

I didn't think I'd end up flying for a shopping spree.

　Looking limp, Liliera-san slumped to the ground.

''I mean, where am I?　That's not close at all!

　The next day, we left the town of Hexi to get Liliella's equipment in order.
　And here we come.....

This is a togai town.

Torgai?　Wasn't that the name of a town about five towns away from Hexi, if I recall?

'Yes, I do!　It's only a short flight away, right?

'They don't call it close to flying for more than half a day!

Coo.

　I thought I heard a weak squeal, and then I heard the mofo mofo curling his tail in Liliella's arms and trembling.

'See!　You're even afraid of this always-busy little girl!

No, you just flew through the air.

'Plowing through a bunch of wyverns in the air doesn't mean you just flew through the air!

''Kyu Kyu!''

　For some reason, Liliella and Mohammed come in protest.

'Eh?　But it's just a bunch of wyverns. You couldn't even keep up with my speed, could you?

　Yeah, if it's about a wyvern, you can pull it off in a flash if you fly with a little seriousness.
　You don't even have to fight for it.

I'm beginning to think you need a teacher to teach you some common sense.

Cuuuut!

　Fluffy Mofo clapped Liliella's hand holding his own and nodded at her with a sipaan sipaan.
　You guys are so close.
　I mean, doesn't this make me look like I have no common sense?

Ready?　Normal people don't fly by magic!　Remember, it's not normal at that point!

Huh....

　Come to think of it, I don't see people flying outside of town either.
　Hmm?　So, does that mean that everyone in the town of Togai was surprised because I flew over the city before, and not because I flew over the city?

'So that's what happened...'

　This was a surprise.
　Does this mean that Liliella's surprise wasn't because she hadn't had much opportunity to get to know the wizard?

'People can't fly these days!

You haven't been able to fly since you were a kid!

　Wow, this is a surprise.
　People who live in cities in this country can't fly.
Yeah, I learned that.

'I feel like I'm still wrong about something...'

　You're not going to be able to do that.

So, where are you going?

　As I entered the town of Togai, Liliella asked me for my destination.

'There's a blacksmith I know just ahead. He's a blacksmith with a reputation among the adventurers in this town.

Oh, really? You're the famous blacksmith in Togai Town. Hmm, I think I've heard of this before.

　Oh, Golduff-san does it too.
I can't believe that the name had reached the ears of Liliella-san, who doesn't care about equipment.

''It's this shop.

　We came to Mr. Golduff's shop while we were having a conversation, and we walked into the shop.

　◆

Hello, Mr. Goldoff?

　Looking around the store, Mr. Golduff, who was tending to his weapons in one corner of the store, turned around.

''Nuh?　

　When Gordov saw me, he got up and came over to me in a hurry.

'It's been a long time, Master. I heard that you were heading to another town, but what can I do for you today?

Yeah, I've got some new materials and I was wondering if I could borrow your workshop.

'Oh!　So we get to see some new skills from our master!　Go ahead!　Use it as you see fit!

　As he said this, Mr. Golduff hurriedly flipped the sign hanging on the door of the store from open to closed.

'You didn't have to close the store,'

No, no, this is your chance to see your master's skills!　I don't want to be distracted by anything else, you know!

　That's what I'd expect of a dwarf, an insatiable thirst to improve his skills.

"Hey, do you have a minute?

　And Liliella comes in to join the conversation.

'I thought we were here to shop at this store?　Why is the dwarf calling you master?

　Oh, I shouldn't have said that, we hadn't introduced each other yet.

'Yes, we did. 'This is Goldov the Dwarf, the blacksmith who runs this shop. Mr. Goldov, this is Liliella, who is partying with us, and her pet mohumof.

Oh, by the way, I hadn't decided on a name for Fluffy.
　I'll have to decide soon.

'Oh, you're one of the master's friends. That means you must be quite good at it. That's quite a feat for someone so young looking.''

　Mr. Gordoff looks at Liliella with admiration.

''Yes, she's definitely going to make it big,''

　As expected of Mr. Goldoff, he seemed to have seen through Liliera's qualities right away.

''Wait a minute!　You just said Goldov!　Is that the Goldov of Togai Town?　The Gordov?

Maybe that's the Gordov guy.

　Come to think of it, Jairo and the others said something like that too.

"No, no, compared to Master, I'm just as good as him!

　Haha, Gordov-san laughed and gleamed and stared at my sword at my waist and Liliela-san's spear with a gleam in his eye.

''Is that weapon the one your master forged?

Yes, it is.

May I see it?

'Good. Can you do the same, Liliera?

'What?　Yeah. Good.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

　I look at the sword and spear that Gordov-san received with a serious look.

''Ho, ho!　This is.........this technique?　And the way you train them!　Ooh.....

　Mr. Golduff is screaming with excitement at every angle.
　To be honest, it's not that big of a deal.

''Oh no, I've been shown some good stuff. Please feel free to use the workshop as you wish.

　Mr. Golduff, who has enjoyed looking at the weapons, returns them to us.
　His face looks like he's just finished eating his feast.

You're not going to be able to get away with it. I can see why Master Goldov calls you his master. But you said you were going to a good restaurant. Why are you talking about renting a workshop?

'Oh, that's because Mr. Golduff's shop is a 'better' shop for the quality of the workshop than the town of Hexi.

Well, it's a shame to hear you say that, Master.

'It!　Because the point of a good argument is wrong!

　Huh?　Really?

　You're not going to be able to do that.

Well, I guess we'll just have to get on with it.

　I take out the bark of the Ancient Plant from the magic bag.

Is this the bark of a........tree?

　Mr. Golduff quickly bites into the material.

'Yes, it's the bark of the Ancient Plant. Try tapping it with a mallet for a moment.

With a mallet?　I understand.

　Mr. Golduff tilted his head and tapped the bark of the Ancient Plant with his mallet.
　Then there was a cone and a good sound.

''What the hell is this!　A tree bark, but instead of crushing it, it's as hard as iron!

　Mr. Golduff exclaims in surprise at the feel of the Ancient Plant's bark.

'The bark of the Ancient Plant is harder than iron. That's why it's a much harder and lighter material for armor than normal armor.

"I didn't know this kind of material existed...　It's so light!

　When Gordov-san lifted the bark of the Ancient Plant, he was surprised at how light it was this time.

''Well, so how are you going to train this material, Master?　Bark of a tree means you can't melt it down and forge it like iron.

　As expected of a blacksmith, he was more concerned about its use as a material than he was surprised.

'The way to forge the Ancient Plant is simple. It's just a matter of beating it and compressing it. That's the only way.''

What?　You want to hit it?　It's not as soft as burnt iron.

'Yes, that's why I use granting and body-enhancing magic to strengthen my power and then just beat it. The bark of the Ancient Plant is harder than steel, but just like normal bark, it has numerous small gaps in the growth process. The basic method of processing is to beat the bark to compress it and eliminate the gaps.

　I'm not going to be the only one who has been in a position to do this.

I'm sure you'll be able to do this without using body strengthening magic, but that requires a lot of tricks, so I'm going to use magic to make it easier for you.

How is it possible to process without using magic?

　Gordov's eyes gleam.

'Yes, I learned the technique from a craftsman I know originally.

'Master, if you don't mind, can you share some of that material with me?'

I've got plenty of those.

　I put most of the Ancient Plant up for auction, but I've kept the smaller pieces as material.
　If I could give away some of them, it would be enough as a reward for renting the workshop.

''And then I asked you to strengthen the processed bark with magic...''

　I'm going to cast a granting spell on the bark that is divided into parts.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to use the braid made of green dragon skin. I'm going to be able to use the same metal fittings made from green dragon scales.

"Oh, they're definitely going to make an absurdly expensive item...

　When I was getting Liliera-san to put on a temporary assembly of equipment to fit the measurements, she muttered that to me with her expressionless eyes for some reason.

''That's right. That probably won't cost a thousand gold coins.''

What is that art?

　No, no, no, no, it's just armor made out of tree bark.
　It's just that it's better than using ordinary iron.

　◆.

Okay, we're ready.

　I'm pleased with the finished equipment.

''The Ancient Plant's armor set is complete!　It's a piece of equipment that prioritizes ease of movement in accordance with Liliella's fighting style.

"This is my armor...

'It looks like a normal piece of equipment. The constant pounding and compression makes it look more like matted metal armor than bark.

''Then let's get on with testing its performance. Mr. Gordoff, could you try attacking this armor with the most confident weapon you have for sale?

"What?　You're going to attack me with Master Goldoff's weapon?　You'll break it if you do that!

　While Liliella is in a panic, Gordov looks at me seriously.

"Master, are you sure you want to use the weapon you are most confident in?

''Yes.''

Then.....

　What Mr. Gordoff brought with him was a single sword.

''This guy is a sword mixed with dragon scale powder, made using a technique I learned from my master. This contains all of my current skills.

　Well, it's a great way to test each other's work.

"Yeah?　Isn't that the masterpiece of a Gordov?

I guess so.

Well, are you sure you're okay?

　I'm gonna have to wait and see.

Then let's get going...

　A flash of spirit, Gordov-san swings his sword down.

　Pakiin!

　As a result, it was Goldov-san's sword that was destroyed.

'There is not a scratch on your armor? As expected of a master.''

　Even though his sword was broken, Gordov-san's face was radiant.

''Ku, don't you regret it?''

　Liliera asked Goldoff.

'Well, it's not that I don't regret it at all, but when I was shown the sword my master forged just now, I could clearly see that my skills are still not even close to my feet. Or rather, it was filled with far more precise techniques than the first sword I was shown. The master's skills I was seeing were only a fraction of what he was capable of. He deserved to lose.

Well, I know the feeling.

Friends!

　For some reason, Liliella and Golduff are tightly armed together, striking up a friendship.
　A little bit of gelatin.

''Come on, Liliera-san, get on with it and try it out.

Uh-huh.

　At my suggestion, Liliera-san takes off the armor she had been using and changes into her new equipment.

''Wow, that's amazing. It's so much lighter than the leather armor I've been using!　I hardly feel like I'm wearing armor. Just a little bit of thick clothing?

Try moving around a bit. Do you feel stuck or something?

No, I'm fine.

　Liliera-san moved her body to make sure the armor didn't interfere with her movements.

''I'm not sure you can really protect yourself if it's this light. Well, looking at what I saw earlier, I guess it's okay.''

''This armor has been enhanced in various ways with granting magic. It's magic resistant, slash resistant, corrosion resistant, shock resistant, and even fire resistant, so it's resistant to fire!

Yeah, I'm pretty good at this!



I agree with you.

　Oh, my God!　Why are you looking at me like that?　Or rather, has there been no increase in the amount of money?

　I mean, the price hasn't gone up?

　After that, we decided to return to Hexi's town after completing not only Liliella's equipment, but also our own equipment.

''Well, we'll be done with that. Thank you for lending us your workshop.

Thank you!

　As me and Liliera bowed our heads in thanks, Mr. Gordov controlled us with his hand.

''Please stop, Master. I'm simply reminded of my inexperience. I'm still a chick.

''No, that's not true, the sword from earlier was definitely better than the previous one.

　Yes, that's my real intention.
　Goldov-san's blacksmithing skills were definitely better than before.

''Heh, I'm glad to hear you say that. I'll be able to master this thing you gave me by the next time we meet.

　Saying that, Mr. Golduff shows me the bark of the Ancient Plant that I gave away.

''Yes, I'm counting on it,''

Well, take care of yourself.

　You're not going to be able to do that.

A few months later, I heard through the grapevine that the town of Togai was going to have for sale a rare piece of wooden armor called the Gordov Wood Armor, which is harder than the iron armor in the world.