It's been decades since I've been to a party.
Long time no see, long time no see.
I feel really good today.
'I want to talk to that man, I want to talk to him.
"Fun.
What shall I tell you? What shall I tell you?
"The art of wandering.
That's it?　That's it?
If you can, I'll tell you about the book.


　Mumbling to himself, the one who appeared in the hall of the Eight Crown Anniversary Party was a beautiful female elf dressed in a monochrome gothic dress, with long silver hair that reached her waist.


　Formerly known as Senju Shou, Gloria - there would be no one here who didn't know her name.

　However, there are only a few people who know her true identity (...).


''My seat is...''
Seat F. Table F, sir.

　Gloria speaks to her friend Sheba, who is inside her, looking at the information card.
　Sheba uses Gloria's mouth to voice her seat.

　By all accounts, she is talking to herself, but to her, it's a fine conversation that has been going on since she was a child.


''--Good day, Princess (...)
Your Highness, please take this seat.


　As Gloria approached the F-seat area, Kevin and Nir, also at the table, bowed their heads and politely greeted her and ushered Gloria to her seat.

　The former heir to the Viceroy's family took the initiative and, without a trace of disapproval, pulled a chair by hand and seated Gloria.


　The princess ...... is true to her word.

　Gloria is the daughter of the chieftain, or princess, who rules the elven race.

　She is a member of the most noble bloodline of all elves.


'Kevin, Nil. Huh?　Nil, Kevin?
Who's which?　Which is who?
Oh, well.
Nice view, nice view.

　Gloria took her seat and, still muttering to herself, took a quick glance at Kevin and Nir before looking back and forth, left and right, as if checking out the scenery.

　Then, I looked at Akaneko, Renko, and Silvia, who were also in seat F.


''The daughter of the sword, the daughter of the fist and ......?''
The bow. The bow.
Yes, the Archer's Daughter.
I was watching a sword fight. I was watching a fist fight.
I put up with the book.
Great, great.
Because she was on it.
I'm interested, I'm curious.
'But I read it at night,'
It's a routine. It's a habit.

　It was probably the words that spoke to the three girls.


'Ummm ......?'

　But in any case, the three of them were simply stunned by the conversation between Gloria and Silva.

　And Gloria also doesn't seem to be particularly bothered by it, and begins to observe her surroundings again, as if to say that she is used to it.


　An oddball - anyone would have that impression of her.

　...... Therefore, few people know that she is a princess of the elven race.

　She had been hiding it. The upper echelons of the elven tribe did not want the humans to know that such an eccentric daughter was a princess, let alone the elves.

　The shame of the clan ...... Some of them told her so.

　But authentically, she is a princess of the elven race.
　Her long white and silver hair and her talent, which can even be called a natural disposition, are the best proof.

　That's why the elves pay the greatest respect to her.
　They are a race of elves who live a long time and value bloodline and talent above all else.


'Do you think he likes books?
Probably subtle, probably subtle.
I don't know.
Let me recommend it, let's get them to read it.
Yes.

　Mumble, mumble.
　Her suspicious soliloquy never stopped.

　But there was only one person in the hall who understood that it wasn't just a soliloquy.

　He was that man who, due to the peculiar environment of the Netgee, had to deal with a number of self-proclaimed "wonder chans".

　That man was unusually experienced. His fame as the world's number one player made him so. After all, for better or worse, people would gather around him.

　But it was only because of such experience that he saw Gloria's true nature right away, and was able to accept it easily.

　It was natural for him to do so. He treated her in an extremely natural manner and spoke to her in a perfectly normal manner. He didn't see anything special about it, it was exactly the same behavior as usual.


　That's what attracted Gloria's attention.

　You're going to be able to find out what you're looking for.

　--He was the first person to treat her normally, without lying to her. For the first time, someone who didn't give her the creeps when they first met. For the first time, you can have a conversation without worrying about anything. For the first time, you were completely defeated in wand arts. For the first time, you were more interested in the rest of the book.

　This is perfectly natural. From the moment she had met him that day, that moment, it had been confirmed that this was going to happen.

　Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone this far, or she wouldn't have gotten this far (・・・・) to get dressed up.


　Never, not in a romantic way, though.

　Gloria, the elven princess, was fascinated by the Second First Test - and she was fascinated by the Second First Test.






''Well, as you all know, I'm Second, having achieved the Eight Crown.

　The man who came out when they were all together, microphone in hand, talking about such things.
　The Second Firth Test Eight Crown.

　Today was a party to celebrate his achievement of the eight titles.

''I've defended Ichibenza, Eishou, and Spiritual King, and I've captured the Four Jinnari Sage, Thousand Handed General, Heavenly Web, Fighting God rank, and Bishamon. Second.

　Everyone knows that, but the man was all over the place, layer upon layer of emphasis.

　He had no deep thoughts of any kind.
　Simply, he's probably happy.


So, cheers!

　I'm still not sure what "because of" that.

　But most of those in attendance knew he was of that nature. Hence, at this point in time, without question, "Cheers! He raises his glass aloud and says, "I'm going to congratulate you.

　In the first place, the situation is so strange that he himself invites his rivals to congratulate him on his eighth crown. That much strangeness is nothing new.

　And yet, the greatness of his record of eight crowns is what can be celebrated from the heart.


　-- the eight crowns.

　Eight crowns, an unrealistic record. If you had said "eight crowns" before a man named Second came into the title game, everyone would have laughed at you.

　That was even six months ago. Even the fans of the second team, who would have cried tears of joy and excitement at the sight of the unprecedented record of three championships, would have immediately replied, "That's impossible.

　The impossible has come true.


　Now they are in the midst of history.

　In a few years, they'll be invited to a party to celebrate a man who will surely be in the textbooks. That's what makes me frustrated and proud.


　They were the only ones who knew best how great the record of eight crowns was.

　That's why we can celebrate, even if they are our rivals.
　The greater the stakes are on the title, the more they realize the enormity of the eight championships.






　A while later, we enjoy a first-class meal led by Chef Sobra, who is now a professional-level chef, a high-quality brass band played by the maids, and the party is in full swing.

　As usual, the prizes for the bingo tournament were announced.

　The big board brought in by the servants, and the moment the black cloth that hung there was removed - the place was suddenly in an uproar.


'...... hmm!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
'Yeah, I don't know if this is okay: ......

　Steam involuntarily stood up, Jerez sounded impatient, and Cheri muttered in dismay.

　Most of the attendees reacted in either surprise or dismay.

''Whoa whoa whoa!

　It was Muratti who was pleased with the strange noise.

　Many of them would not have acted that far, but many of them would have been just as pleased inwardly.

　The prizes were inconceivable by common sense.


Fourth to twenty-sixth class: one "small skill" anything.
First to third class: one of the "great skills" anything
27th class: "Please" anything


What's going on, father?

　Rave suddenly couldn't seem to swallow the situation and asked Rothman for an explanation.

'For the fourth class and below, if it's a flying car in swordsmanship, it would mean that they can teach you how to learn the flying car. For the third class and above, if it's swordsmanship, it would mean that they can teach you everything from infantry to the Dragon King, right?
So that's a second eighteenth crown for us?
You betcha. ......
...... lie.

　It was no longer at the level of a giveaway.

　If this could be summed up in one word, it was a difference in values.

　Even if it was a skill that was 'natural' for Second to remember, in this world, it could be a 'one-child mastery'.

　At this time, even if they put aside the point of why Second covered such a valuable method of learning out of the gate, no one could understand the crazy behavior of teaching it to all of his nearly thirty rivals as a bingo prize.


''Oh, our team members and servants are excluded.

　During the distribution of the bingo cards, a second person uses the microphone to say something like that.

　Out of the thirty-five attendees, there are eight relatives. The rest are twenty-seven.
　In other words, the prizes for bingo, which are up to the twenty-seventh degree, are exactly prepared for all of them.


''Huh?　Hey maid, are you sure that's what you want?
Yes, it's all good.

　Prince said that to Champagne, who was at the same table. Champagne nodded proudly.

　Then Nova, who was beside him, breaks the silence with a laugh.

'Khahaha, can't you see that?'
'Oh!　What the hell?
Now, the eight people that Second has ruled out means you can listen to all you want (・・・・・・・・) at any time.
What about ......?
'And I'll be one of them eventually. Mwah.

　In front of Prince, who froze with an open mouth, Nova smiled happily with a disheveled face.

　It wasn't so much that she was happy to be taught a skill, but rather that she was happy to be on a team with Second.


'You can listen to all you want anytime ...... Akaneko-chan too?'
You're his apprentice.

　As they listened to Nova's words beside her, both Azami and Masamune were once again stunned by the surprise.

''If that talented Akaneko-chan learns so many skills, I'm sure she'll be a title holder ......
I don't think I'll be ...... able to be. Even if everyone here had learned enough skills to compete in eight title fights at the same time. Mr. Second, you don't seem to have the slightest intention of losing.
That's why you're so generous with your lessons.
We're just showing off, you know. Your confidence is on display.
Unaware, I guess.
That's even more frustrating. ......

　Puri,

　The sisters sighed quietly as they punched a hole in the middle of the bingo card.



　　* * * *.



'Yes, yes, yes, yes!　Ta-da!　I am me!

　My annual bingo tournament for my eighth crown anniversary party was once again fierce.

　Just now, the twenty-seventh prize has been determined, and it's finally over.

　It seems to be Muratti.

　The first, second and third prizes were, I believe, Sherry, Vogue and Prince.

　I can't wait to see what skills they all wish to have. I'm not looking forward to Muratti's "request" at all, but ...... well, I'm the one who said it, so I'll have to do it. Let's go to our respective seats later and ask them.


　More importantly, right now, there were more important things to do.
　I had asked Yukari to make time for me when the bingo tournament was over.

'Well?　What the hell is this ......?

　Oh, here they come.
　Yukari appears in the hall, accompanied by Champagne and Eve, who had secretly disappeared during bingo.

　Waiting for her is me, Sylvia and Eco. Stepping back, it's Raz, Akaneko and Renko.

"Ladies and gentlemen, although we are in the middle of a pleasant conversation, we would like to ask for your attention for a moment.

　In addition, there is also a cubello with a microphone in his hand to moderate the event.


　The nine of us here had one thing in common, clearly.

　That was that they were under the care of Yukari.
　All of the weapons, armor and accessories that everyone is using are being taken care of by Yukari.

　And yet, most of the people in this hall probably don't know that fact.

　I assumed that when I won the Triple Crown, everyone would recognize Yukari as well, but that didn't happen.

　If I'm going to be the best in the world, then that blacksmith has to be the best in the world too.
　If everyone is celebrating my eight crowns, then Yukari has to be celebrated as an eight-crowned blacksmith too, or I won't feel good about it.

　On top of that, I, we are very grateful to ...... her.


Yukari.
Yes, sir.

　When she faced us, Yukari showed a rare look of nervousness.
　She had no idea what she was going to say and was probably nervous.

'Ex-slave, assassin, servant, blacksmith, secretary, head maid, and family order. Those are your titles.''
Yeah, yeah, well.
Too many.
Well, yes, now that you mention it.
'Well, what, so just focus on one thing: ......
Yes?

　Oh, that's a small embarrassment.

I mean, ...... when you're out front like you are today, I want you to stand as our blacksmith.
As a blacksmith: "As a blacksmith: ......

　I take the gift I had been entrusted with from Cubero and hold it in front of Yukari.

'It's from us, Yukari. Take it.
I'll take it!
Don't eat it, it's eco-friendly.

　Sylvia and Eco, together, also lined up next to each other, with Raz tsking.


'Is this a ...... dress?　And the suit?

　Yukari, who received the gift with a big-eyed look on her face, checks its contents.


Hmm. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. The suit was chosen by me.
The dress was based on Champagne's opinion.
Yes, it would suit you, Yukari.
I heard Eve made the necklace.
...... and ......
I hope I look good, because I do.

　Yukari had always participated as a maid of honor in any occasion, wearing a maid's outfit all the time.

　It was clear that she took pride in her job as a maid. But I knew that she valued the job of a blacksmith just as much as I did.

　She was also a maid, but she was also a member of Team Furstest.

　As Yukari, the blacksmith of Team Furst Test, I hope that she will be appreciated by more and more people.

　With that wish, we have decided to give this gift to everyone.

　''Extra care?　No, no.

　She did indeed say

　She wants to be number one in the world with me. You will be the best blacksmith in the world.

　This is the first step.

　We will all celebrate the moment when Yukari the Blacksmith is recognized by the world.


'Yukari, you are my blacksmith. You are my blacksmith. You are my blacksmith, the eight-crowned blacksmith. So ...... from now on, on an occasion like this, will you put on those clothes and stand next to me?

............ yes ......!


　Facing me head on, Yukari nodded, her eyes watering, and jumped into my chest as she said that.

　Thank God.

　It's all free for her. Whether it's a maid or a blacksmith, Yukari can do whatever she wants to do.

　Still, if you choose to stand next to ...... me, I couldn't be happier.


I'm glad you're happy.

　Sylvia said with a laugh.

　'Yes, I'm relieved.
　I just didn't expect her to be happy enough to cry.

　Recently, I sincerely think that Yukari's cold-hearted expression and attitude doesn't seem to be innate. I guess it's simply that she has an unusually good poker face, due to her former profession.

　It seems there is still more of her that I don't know about.
　She cried out in my chest with emotion, and she was very attractive.

　It's a good side of Yukari that I want to show not only to me, but to everyone else as well.
　Yukari, the world's number one blacksmith, is such a cute, kind, amazing woman who can work and do housework and is a top-notch blacksmith. I want to go around bragging about it.

　And in six months. As Yukari the Blacksmith, together, we want to receive an award.
　She is also a member of the first test.


"Well, let's have a blast!

　I raised my voice and resumed everyone's merriment, which had been temporarily interrupted.

　This is a memorable eight-crown party. This is also Yukari's party.

　If that's the case, we need to make it more exciting.


Let's have a good time together.

　I summoned Angolmore, Anko and Miroku with 《Summoning Spirit》 and 《Demon Summoning》 and ordered them to act freely.

　Just to be sure, I'll tell the guests not to harm them. See, these guys have no common sense. ......


''Well, let's go on patrol--''