The day after the announcement that the Dragon Princess ceremony and the Dragon Emperor ceremony would be held together, we came to the town's blacksmith shop.
　Incidentally, this is the workshop that we rented for the purpose of mass-producing equipment to resist the attacks of the swarm of demons.

　Its purpose, of course.

''Well then, let's make equipment for everyone.

　That's right, we've come to freshen up everyone's equipment.
　For various reasons, we're going to participate in the Dragon Princess Ceremony and the Dragon Emperor Ceremony.
　I've decided to take this opportunity to refresh our equipment.

　After all, Gyro hasn't changed a single piece of equipment since we became adventurers until today.
　Our equipment has been torn apart by the battles against demons and swarms of dragons and demons.

　It's time to replace them with proper equipment, because their magical protection is limited.

''Whoa!　I'm freaking out that my brother is going to make our equipment for us!

'Hey gyro, don't make too much noise, it's embarrassing.

And yet, Mina's excited about it.

Ha-ha, whatever it is, it's kind of exciting to have new equipment.

　Jairo-kun and his friends can't wait to get started.

I had my equipment made for me before, so I won't have to change it this time.

　Liliera-san mutters with a slightly disappointed air.

It's a good thing that I'm not going to be able to get rid of it. It's just the right amount of material.

What?　I mean, it's not going to get any better!　I mean, it's not going to be any better equipped than this!

　Liliera-san, who didn't expect to have her equipment played with, comes looking at me with a mixture of surprise and excitement.

''Yes, until now we didn't have enough materials, so we had to equip it by hand, but now that we have more decent materials, I think we can make a good one.

...I've had a lot of these so far, huh...

　Huh?　Liliella's eyes suddenly started wandering in the air, what's wrong with her?
　I thought you'd be happy to finally get some decent equipment from the assorted equipment you've been using.

''You guys are so good....''

　''I'll be able to make the equipment properly,'' muttered Leune-san, who was following me, enviously.

''No, I'll properly make equipment for you, Ryune, so there's no need to worry about it.

Yeah?　You can have my equipment made as well?

　Leune-san shouts in surprise, as if to say why.

''But I'm not one of Master Lex's friends, you know?　Can you give me, an outsider who barged in and became an apprentice, the secrets of the equipment that the Dragon Emperor-sama handles!

　No, I'm not a dragon knight or a dragon emperor.
　Ah, but I might be using a bit of dwarven technology.
　........Oh well, it's okay.

''Don't worry about it. Since Ryune-san is also participating in the Dragon Princess's Ritual, you have to be well equipped, we're going to fight against the fierce fighters gathered from all over the world.

　And even though it's only for a limited time, Leune-san is my disciple.
　I guess it's a kind of parental love for a teacher to do something for his pupil.
　Well, I'm not going to say it because I'm embarrassed.

''I'm glad, Lex Master~!

　The way Leune-san, who looks so excited with emotion, expresses her joy while jumping up and down, is so cute, like a little animal.

　Besides, I have to prepare for that thing, too.

　That's why I got permission from the master of the blacksmith, and I decided to rent a corner of the workshop, but....

"'Gee.........

　All the people in the workshop are staring at my hand, aren't they?
　That is the condition for being allowed to work in the workshop, so I had no choice.

　When I asked to be allowed to use the workshop, the master asked to see my work on one condition.
　I was puzzled as to how this was possible, but my master refused to listen, saying it was more valuable than getting paid.

'Your finesse in making armour out of dragon materials the other day was brilliant. I couldn't take a good look at it that time because of the circumstances, so let me concentrate on it this time.

　I just make them normally.
　If it was a top-notch artisan's secret technique or something, it would be a problem to show it, but what I learned is a blacksmith's sub-par skill.

Or does master want to see how blacksmiths from other countries, which can be called other schools, do it?
Different lands will often use different materials, and maybe they want to know the small differences that they do.

　If it's enough technology to see and understand, it won't change much even if you're in a different country, and there's nothing wrong with showing them that much.

'Well, let's get started then,'

　The main materials I'll be using this time are the dragon scales I got from Dragon Peak.
　In addition, I'll be using the material from the Ancient Plant that I got from the Celestial Island, Bahamut's scales that I recovered from the Sky Island, and various chimera materials that I got from the underground ruins.

　I also laid out a set of equipment that I borrowed from everyone else for size checks and refurbishment.

''Then let's make the weapons first.

　I put the crushed dragon scales into the furnace and cast a protective spell on the furnace.
　Then I use high heat magic to raise the heat inside the furnace to melt the scales while incinerating the impurities in the dragon's scales.
　Then, when the melted scales flowed to the bottom of the furnace, the temperature was slowly lowered while the processing magic was used to form a rough shape.

You know, that's the furnace we're using, right?　Why do dragon scales melt so easily?

I mean, why do the materials that poured in from the furnace already take the form of weapons?

And you're working on your other equipment at the same time?

Am I... am I really going to be able to watch the blacksmith work?

　There's something about the blacksmiths in the back that surprises me, but why is that?
　Well, for now, we can focus on the task at hand.
　As usual, I'll just repeat the steps I've been taking in my previous life to make the equipment.

　◆

　A few days later, when I told them that everyone's equipment was complete, everyone rushed to the workshop.
　Everyone's equipment was lined up on the table in the workshop.

It's amazing that everyone's equipment has actually been completed. It usually takes quite a bit of time to make a single custom-made piece of equipment.

Well, if you special order from a famous workshop, you'll have to wait a year for your turn, but I don't have that much skill.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

What?

　Why are people looking at me like that?

Well, that's okay. It happens all the time.

"'Oh, that thing,'

　Why do you think people are so convinced it's a thing?

'Well, everyone try on the new equipment. If it's too loose or too tight, we'll adjust it right away.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

Heh, my brother made a new tool for me.　Ooh!　I'm wearing red!　That's nice, that's soooo cool!

Did you even bother to color it?　The surface is going to be torn up in a fight anyway, so isn't that a waste of money?

　Seeing Gyro-kun's excitement at the new equipment, Mina asks him if it's a waste of money.

'That paint is part of the equipment. That red paint is made from powdered blood of ruby dragons that specialize in fire, and it gives you resistance to fire magic and heat, as well as strengthening your fire attack. Jairo-kun is good at fire-attribute enhancement magic, so our equipment matches that.

Oh, so that's why our equipment has color on it.

　And Norbu-san gave a voice of understanding while looking at their equipment.
　Yes, the equipment we prepared for everyone this time was coated with paint that matched the attributes of each body strengthening magic.
　It's just a small trick, but if it's your own personal equipment, you'll want to pay attention to the color as well.

''I see........I mean, at this point, it's not so much a new piece of equipment as it is a magic item.......''

'Whoa!　That sword is so cool!　It's good to be big and red and strong, isn't it!

You can also use the sword as a magic wand to enhance the power of fire-attributed magic. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

""Seriously?

　All of the blacksmiths who seemed to be listening in the workshop shouted in surprise.

"When did you plant that thing!

I didn't even notice it because of the speed and precision of the work!

　Huh?　I was just working at a normal speed, right?
　Someone I knew in a previous life, or someone I knew in a previous life, was literally working at an unstoppable speed.
　I always said that a guy who could only work at a visible speed was only half a man.

　While we were talking like this, everyone finished putting on their new equipment.

'How's that?　Is it tight or loose?

I'm totally fine!

Yeah, it fits. I mean, renovations can change shape quite a bit.

　Liliera-san shouted in surprise when she saw the refurbished equipment.

''Yes, that's why I refurbished it significantly while exchanging it with new materials. I tuned it to match everyone's fighting styles and attributes, so it may be a little bit different in usability.

I see but if it's so different, it's brand new.

　And yet, Liliera-san looks happy.
　New equipment is exciting after all, isn't it?

''Oh, um, Master Lex, it's my equipment...''

　Ryune, who had changed into his new equipment, spoke to me.

''I feel like it's similar to my previous equipment.

　Oh, you're very perceptive.

''Yes, Leune-san's equipment was appropriated from the original equipment she was using. The original materials were of good quality, you know.

　Yes, Ryune's equipment was tattered, but the materials he used were not bad.
　So I modified it to match Ryune's fighting style, while remembering the equipment of the dragon knights I saw in my previous life.
　In other words, it's like modifying an ancient dragon knight's equipment.

Since Ryune's equipment has been passed down from generation to generation, I thought it would be better to continue using it as is.

''Huh?　You've been thinking that far ahead, Master........

　Leune-san speaks to me with a trembling voice sound.

''Even when you didn't know how to take care of the spear you inherited and couldn't use it well, you didn't change weapons easily and continued to use it for a long time, so I'm sure you have a lot of feelings for your armor as well.

Oh, thank you, Master Lex!

　Leune gives her thanks with tears in her eyes.

''I will definitely win the Dragon Princess Ceremony!

　Yeah, it's good to be motivated.

"Whoa!　I can't wait to use my new equipment!

'Well, I'd like to familiarize myself with the equipment before we play a match.

　Haha, it looks like everyone is eager to try out the new equipment.

Well, let's go hunting for demons while we test out the new equipment.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

Coo!

　Fluffy, we're going to try out, not hunt for food, right?

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

Let's go.

　We had flown out of our territory and were headed for a human settlement.

　We are the Dark Dragons.
　I'm a proud, jet-black dragon.

　I'm sure you're not the only one who's interested.
　The scales have a different luster than theirs.
　Behold the beautiful luster as if it were wet with water!

　I got sidetracked.

　We have no interest in getting together with other dragons.
　That's why I didn't know what all the fuss was about.

　But when we heard the emerald dragons chirping noisily, we realized why it has been so noisy outside the nest lately.

　And so we decided to head for the human settlement.
　The reason for this is to overrun the humans.

　The reason for this is to overrun the human race, for we have learned that the gold, which calls itself our chief, has been defeated by the human race.
　Moreover, it is unbelievable that he has shamelessly placed a human on his back, following the old, fungible constraints of the past.

　We dragons are the most powerful creatures in the world.
　We are the most powerful creatures in the world and we should not be beholden to the most vulnerable beings in the world, such as humans.

　So, on behalf of the worthless Golden Dragon, we go to correct the hubris of the humans.

　Well, it's a good time. Shall we show the humans that the greatest dragon is not a golden one, but us, the dark dragons?
　He will show humans what a dark lord looks like!

Chieftain, the humans are approaching.

　And then a young dragon from the pack noticed a human wandering out of the settlement.

''Geez, this means that when those humans return to the settlement, they'll be lonely without a single companion.

Oh, that's a pity.

　The young dragons look at you expectantly, while screaming their pity for the humans.
　You can't blame them.

All right, all right. I'm not going to be able to tell you what to do.

'Hahaha!　That's the chieftain!　I know what you're talking about!

　The young dragons are swooping down on the humans first.
　And it's not just the young ones that are descending, the older ones are descending as well.

　Oh dear, I'm beginning to feel a little sorry for the humans.
　As I was gazing at the ground thinking such a thoughtless thought, a dragon at the front of the pack attacked the humans.

　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who can do this.
　As the humans watched to see how they would die, the young dragon in the lead split in half.

　Split in half.

"...What?

　Huh?　What happened now?

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

''Whoa, I was surprised, what the hell is the ministry?

　Jairo let out a cry of surprise as he intercepted the black dragon that suddenly attacked him from the sky in the nick of time.

It looks like a stray dragon attacked us.

　And when I followed Lex's gaze and looked at the sky, I saw several black shadows flying through the sky.

'A stray dragon?　Like the one that attacked the town the other day?

　Liliella remembers the green dragons that attacked the town before, and she questions Lex, keeping her gaze fixed on the sky.
　The dragons are circling around in the sky with no sign of attacking, as if they are wary of their companions being cut to pieces by the gyros.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it is not a wyvern but a kindred spirit that is being followed. If this is the case, is it moving as a flock rather than as stragglers?

　Either way, I feel like it's just a dragon, and that's bad enough.
　I glance at the dragon that Gyro cut in half.
　Those black scales are the color of the black dragon that Lex defeated before.

''I mean, Jairo just cut the dragon in half. I didn't have Lex cast an enhancement spell on it.

Oh, and by the way...

　When I heard Megri's voice, I realized that it was Gyro, not Lex, who had defeated the Black Dragon.
　And not only that, but also that I didn't have Lex's support.

''It's a weapon made from refined dragon materials. It's only natural that it can be cut as easily as dragon scales.

　Although Lex assures me plainly, I think that logic is very strange.

''Uh ... is that so?　If you put a weapon made of dragon material against the dragon's scales, it's going to break both of them.

　Liliera also doesn't understand the reason and asks back to Lex with a puzzled face.
　It's the same material as iron.

It's the same as iron. You will find that weapons forged from iron that have had the impurities removed from them are stronger than weapons made from iron ore that have been made into weapons, right?　Same goes for the dragon material.

Nah, I see. Now that you mention it, I'm beginning to think so.

　Liliella screams in agreement with the fact that it was explained to her with materials she is familiar with as a warrior.

''Well, I don't really know, but that means the weapons my brother made are awesome!

　d*mn, I envy the fool for being so simple.
　I mean, that means Lex has the technology to process dragon materials at will.

　When the horde of demons attacked the other day, they surprised everyone by easily punching holes in hard dragon material and processing it into simple equipment, but this time, they didn't mean to be such an amateur, they meant to be able to handle the material as an engineer.
　The same processing has a completely different meaning.

　You're not only a haphazardly strong warrior, you're also a non-standard wizard.
　You can make magic items as a matter of course, and you're also a top-notch blacksmith, so what is this guy really?

Anyway, this proves that the equipment that Lex-san has made is amazing. Well, I knew that, but it was rather more than I expected, or rather, how can I say it.......

　And Norbu is staring at the red sword in Gyro's hand with a distant gaze.
　I know exactly how you feel.
　So many things are so awesome that I don't even know what to say anymore.

''Alright, I've made up my mind!　This sword is the Black Dragon Slayer because it slays a black dragon!

They'll say, "No, your sword is red. What kind of black is that?

　I shouldn't have, I couldn't help but go into it at the idiot's statement.

'So you're a Red Dragon Slayer then?'

Stay away from the Dragonslayer, you idiot!

　Oh, we're not in a situation where you're talking about this nonsense anymore, you idiot!

....

　When I was making too many unimportant tweaks to the idiot like that, Lex was staring at the black dragon's corpse that had been cut in half and thinking about something.

''Kyu Kyu!''

　Also, is it a good thing that Fluffy is gnawing on my feathers?

What's up, Lex?

No, I'm just curious about the sheen on the scales.

　The sheen of the scales?　What's that?　Does a good shine make it more valuable?

Kyu?　Gazi Gazi.

　Oh, Lex took a bite out of the scales.
　Oh well. It's not my prey.

Oh that's not a black dragon!

What?

　Lex, who had been observing the corpse of the black dragon patiently, suddenly said something like that.

''But isn't it a black dragon because it's black?''

''No, this sheen of scales this is a high level attribute dragon, a dark dragon.

""Dark Dragon!"

　Seriously?　He's a real dark dragon?

A dark dragon is that legendary evil dragon that wiped out a bunch of countries with an evil curse?

　Whoa, what's that?　You're telling me there's a bad guy running around in the sky?
　And yet, Lex looks at me with a scowl on his face and says, "What?　He looks at me with a gaze that says what that is.

''No, no, dark dragons are simply dragons with the power of the dark attribute, they can control the darkness and attack to damage the spirit, but they can't use curses, right?

Oh, really?

　If they can't use a curse that will become a legend, then maybe they aren't that scary.
　No, well, it's a dragon, so it's a scary enough opponent.

''Well, if a weak-minded person's mind is damaged by the spirit, they might faint or worse, become crippled.

""That's scary!"

　Hey, that's scary enough!　

''It's okay. In the meantime, everyone's equipment is equipped with a certain amount of magic attack resistance to counteract the undead, so if it's only a dark dragon's mental attack, it will hardly take any damage.

'What?　Really?

Yes, when I was thinking about the equipment for Norbu-san, a monk, I thought that the main opponent a monk fights against is undead, so I added a countermeasure against mental attacks and paralysis attacks so that everyone could fight undead.

'Wow, that was a quick and ridiculous feature.

　What's an anti-undead measure that works against dragons...

''This equipment is a confident piece of work for the materials I have on hand. After all, the gemstone Megalo Whale's parents gave me before was an excellent catalyst for magic item magic.

　Lex confidently starts talking about the materials we used for our equipment.

'Megalo Whale's parents are that thing you met at sea?'

''Yes, it's that Megalo Whale I met during the Kraken fiasco. I was wondering if I could also use that huge gemstone that Megalo Whale's parents gave me before when I was making new equipment. Gemstones are often excellent magic items and ritual catalysts.

''Do you have any leftover gemstones or something!

　Megri's eyes change color at the mention of the word "jewelry" and she joins the conversation.
　It's really because this girl is weak to gold-eyed things.
　Well, in the case of this girl, it can't be helped because of her family's situation.

''So, when I tried it out, it unexpectedly worked well with the magic item's jutsu, and thanks to that, I was able to put a lot of functions into the equipment.

　It wasn't the best material, but Lex said with satisfaction that he had done the best job with the materials that were currently available.

''Ha, by the looks of it, I don't know what kind of outrageous features this equipment has on it.

　Really, it's a bit... no, it's pretty scary because you don't know what's planted in it.

''I mean, a sword that can cut your opponent in half as it is if you catch the dragon's attack, or something like that, is too dangerous to use in a match, isn't it?

"..........huh?

　We huffed and looked at each other as Norbu casually muttered a few words.

''...?''

　Though Ryune, who is an idiot and still hasn't properly understood the horror of Lex, is tilting his head.

''Oh no it's definitely true!　You almost made a whole bunch of dead people at the town festival!

'This isn't just a sideshow, this is a screaming match!

I don't think that's a good idea.

　Liliella made a panicked sound and Megri muttered with a blue face.

''What?　Huh?　What should I do then?　Should I fight with my bare hands?

　Leune, who doesn't quite understand the situation yet, looks puzzled and asks me if I shouldn't use the weapon, but things aren't that easy.

You don't know what horrible functions are attached to the armor as well as the weapons. You may even have a function that can turn an attacker into charcoal!

Well, you're not gonna...

　By the side of Leune's bitter smile, saying that no matter how much, that wouldn't be the case, Lex's face breaks out in a flash.

''Ah, you understand very well. I'm sure you're aware of the fact that it's a very good idea to have a shock-reversal mechanism in place to counteract the damage that you've accumulated so far when you receive a large amount of damage, just in case you hit a high-ranked opponent.

""See, there it is, the ministry!"

　Don't be so innocent and happy like you're the one who noticed the hidden ingredients in those dishes!

Hey, Lex!　What other features have you added?　Tell me all about it!

　I ask Lex what features he put into everyone's equipment.

'If this is the case, the dark dragon's attack may have come at just the right time. It's just the right time to try out the features you've put in your equipment.

　I get it, you have no idea how dangerous the equipment is, even when you hear the words.
　It's good to have a solid test subject.

"I don't know about you, but I think we're gonna have to fight them!　I get it!

'Yes, sir!　I don't know, I don't really know, but I guess we can fight it!

　I'm still excited that two people who don't understand what's going on are going to innocently fight a dark dragon.
　Well, that's fine. When the fight actually starts, you'll understand firsthand what it meant.

''Good!　Everyone, let's try out every feature of the new equipment from one end to the other, both dark dragons!

"...Ooh, the ministry!

'What?　　Why are people so alarmed?　All the usual features you've built into your equipment?

"'Can I trust you?!'

　There's no way that's normal for what Lex made!