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The Spearmaster and the Black Cat-Chapter 251: Enchanto!
Chapter 251: Enchanto!
Passing through the arena area, we arrived at the workshop of Zaga and Bon. Rollodeen immediately raised her two fore legs as if performing a wheelie upon arrival.
ββI ainβt Napoleon, damn it! π³π³πeπ¬πππ»πππ²l.ππο½
I wanted to make such a retort at Rollodeen while thinking of the painting depicting Napoleon Bonaparte crossing the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard, but I was holding Viine in both arms.
Rollodeen-san, Iβll massage your back with my thighs as youβre enjoying yourself at full throttle! Itβll be a ballz attack from my nether region!
Immediately after my partner meowed βNyaoo? Nyaaο½β with a voice similar to laughter or delight, I jumped as if shoving my partnerβs back with the underside of my leg while holding Viine. I flew through the air while revolving towards the main streetβs side.
At that moment, Rubia yelled, βOh, Shuuya-sama!β
I turned around after helping Viine stand up in front of me in a manner of propping her up. Viine snuggled up to me.
Rubia was waving her hand at us from the end of the street. It looks like she just returned from her adventurer activities.
She wore a scarlet light armor with a neck warmer which allowed for a vague peek at her chest. She was also wearing the silver-threaded dress I had given her.
ββNice, it fits well with her short-sleeved, hemp cloth attire. It totally suits the slender Rubia. Sheβs a fashionable beauty.
Her skirt with the attached frill was charming as well. A waist belt emphasized her slender waist atop the cute skirt. The ancient dragon longsword I had given her as present was hanging down from a sword belt affixed to her waist belt with a leather strap.
I had heard that she was a combat priest type. It appears that she has been properly using the longsword as her main weapon.
A small knapsack was protruding out from the tip of Rubiaβs shoulder. Is it filled with monster materials from the labyrinth? Well, it seems like she was able to procure lots of materials for Zaga and Bon. Itβs great to see that the activities of γBlue Windγ seem to be going well.
As I looked at the smiling Rubiaβ¦I had a hunch that I had been rescued by her more than having saved her.
With a feeling of gratitude towards Rubia, I answered, βYo, Rubia.β
βββIβm happy that you came visiting us. Hello to you as well, Viine-san.β
Rubia greeted us briskly and cheerfully.
Viine had just dismounted the black horse-like Rollodeen, so her long ears were drooping, but suddenly those ears stood up erectly. The moment her ears recovered their original state only lasted an instant, but their movements were funny. It kinda felt like a slime expanding after air entered it, as if going from γFunyoο½nγ to γPunyo?γ.
I wanted to check how it felt by touching them, but right now it was a bit difficult. I think Iβll try asking her next time while weβre sleeping with each other. Oops, no good. I made a retort as if hitting my own chest.
I laughed while harboring an image similar to the old man of Yoshimoto Shinkigeki1, butβ¦
ββ¦Today β yes, today I allowed Master to stop by for a short visit on our date.β
Viine unleashed a restraining punch as a woman. She arranged her slightly disheveled hair by brushing it behind her ear with her fingers.
βI-I see.β Rubia answered with her goldern eyebrows subtly twitching due to the way how Viineβs words seemed to ooze with a womanly sex appeal. She immediately felt shaken.
βNyao.β Rollo meowed after having turned into a kitten.
She moved up to Rubiaβs feet and looked up at her as if giving a greeting.
βRollo-chan β Iβm happy! This time you greeted me first! Even though Bon was always the first one! Is it okay to go with me today?β
After rubbing her head several times against Rubiaβs shins, Rollo also nuzzled her back, or rather, her torso and thighs against Rubiaβs leg with her tail standing up erect, just as it did when she made a scent mark as divine beast. Her tail was trembling slightly, as if she was about to pee, but once Rubiaβs eyes met with Rolloβsβ¦she put down her heavy-looking knapsack, and squatted down in a cute manner.
βShall I take that bag?β
βNah, Iβm almost home, itβs alright.β
βOkay.β
βN, nya.β
I donβt know whether Rollo understood Rubia or not. Hmm? Sheβs showing her butt to Rubia? Donβt tell me, sheβs really going toβ¦
βFufufu, what a wonderfully soft-looking fur you have! Besides, your butt is cute! Jeez, totally irresistible!β
βNyaa~β
Rollo-san, youβre funny. Sheβs making the fur at her buttocks sway, and then gets further spoiled by Rubia. 2
βOops, I got sidetracked by Rolloβs weird greeting. I came to meet you, Rubia.β
βEh? Meet meβ¦β
βAye. Well, I want to see Zaga and Bon as well, though. Oh, let me give this to you, itβs a present.β
I operated my item box, and took out the Sword of Casheen.
βThis sword is Legendary. It has apparently been used by the Hero Casheen in a place called Azel Boundary or something. According to that classy shopkeeper, Mr. Suloza, itβs possible to clad the sword in wind when pouring mana into it, unrelated to your attribute. It seems to also give a small increase to your bodyβs speed.β
βL-Legendary!? Whoaaaa.β
Rubia jumped up to her feet, and straightened her back.
βIβm super happy!β
She fixed her posture as if to salute.
The leather wrapped around Casheenβs hilt had a reddish-brown color, turned yellow with age. It was a longsword with small, circular designs added to the round, thick part of the bladeβs edge. The detailed patterns within those small circles looked like the crest of some military force, seeing how they depicted wings entwining each other over and over again.
If you were to use an example from Earth, itβd resemble a kora, a sword considered to have been used by the Indian Gurkha tribe.
Rubia seemed to be very excited. She walked over to me with both her arms and legs stiffly moving in unison, like a tin soldier. And then she received the Sword of Casheen from me while politely lowering her head as if accepting an honorable certificate with both hands.
βThe sword of hero Casheenβ¦β Rubia kept looking at the swordβs blade in a trance.
Iβm pretty sure that the blade fully reflected her clear blue eyes.
She swung down the sword, raised it overhead, and thrust it out at empty air to get a feel for it.
Hee, her stance has started to look quite good there. It appears sheβs growing up as a battle priest.
ββ¦Rubia, your movements are quite good. Is the γRaise and Defendγ style just now something you have learned in the labyrinth?β Viine asked.
She appears to be full of admiration after seeing Rubiaβs sword skills.
βAh, yes. Leader Kashim of γBlue Windγ is a magnificent swordsman. He has apparently learned one and dual sword styles, the Flying Sword Style, and the Peerless Sword Style. Imitating his way how he killed a medium-sized goblinβ¦I naturally picked it upβ¦β
βI see, thatβs splendid. To learn the movements to such an extent through self-taught swordsmanshipβ¦your mana from the other day was great as well. I think you have a good grasp for combat, Rubia.β Viine frankly praised.
βY-You think so? Thanksβββ
Hearing Viineβs open-hearted praise, Rubiaβs eyes widened in surprise as she apparently considered it unexpected. And then she bowed deeply, showing us the crown of her head.
After raising her head again, Rubia pulled out the ancient dragon longsword hanging at her waist with such swift movements that you might as well call it instantaneous, adopting a dual-wield stance. She compared her new Sword of Casheen and the ancient dragon longsword I gave her.
Then she looked at Viine. Viine averted her eyes from Rubia and nodded.
βLetβs head over to Zaga.β
βOkay.β
Taking Viine along, I stepped into the workshop where Zaga and Bon probably were. Rollo followed at my feet.
Zaga and Bon were at an anvil deeper inside the workshop. Zaga was hitting a hot, black piece of steel with a hammer. It was similar to what was called γTemperingγ.
Donning an ecstatic expression, Bon was next to Zaga, who currently gave me the overflowing feeling of a dwarven smith being present. Bon was releasing his Enchanting magic at the black steel through his two hands.
Theyβre in the middle of work, so I think I will watch for a bit. Both are smiths who can create Legendary-class items.
Zagaβs way of striking down his hammer was way too cool. Even when his beard caught fire at his chin, he didnβt mind it. I had seen that happen before as well, hadnβt I?
For a change, Rollo didnβt head over to Bon either. She put her two front paws together, and gazed at the mysterious, magic light released from Bonβs hands, sitting there like a porcelain doll, and thus resembling Alray and Hueremy.
When the enchanting and smithing work settled down after a little while, βββOh, I didnβt see you coming in, Shuuya!β
βββEncha? Enchaaanto!!β
βNyaaa.β
As if saying that she had waited for this, Rollo ran over to Bon.
βEnchanto!β
βN, nyaon, nya.β
βEnchaaan.β
βNya.β
The usual M?rchen story began. Letβs leave Bon and Rollo alone in their fantasy world.
I faced Zaga whose beard had taken on a weird shape after getting burned. Its shape wasβ¦queer. However, I didnβt point it out.
After lightly lowering my head, I approached Zaga. I touched the item boxβs tiny glass panel, as if looking at a watch, and then retrieved the special ink, the baseball cap, and the fishing rod, which I had intended to give them as presents, from within.
ββ¦We obtained a heap of treasures in the labyrinth again. I will give this special ink to you, Zaga. According to Sulozaβs shopkeeper, itβs called Magic Secret Ink. Itβs a special ink that will change its color in response to a certain amount of mana. Itβs apparently often used for secret messages among nobles and royalty.β I handed Zaga the ink.
βOooh, even though the Magic Black Soft Steel from the other day gave me already plenty of profitβ¦youβre giving me something rare once again! Thanks, Shuuya!β Zaga accepted the ink.
After sniffing at the lid, he checked the ink by peeking inside the bottle.
βNext, for Bonβ¦β
βEncha?β
Bon, who had been playing with Rollo, stopped moving and energetically turned my way. It looked as if βAre you going to give me something?β was written in his perfectly round eyes. Bon ran up to us with small steps with his look being full of anticipation.
ββ¦Iβm giving this cap and fishing rod to you, Bon.β
βEnchantoo!β
Bon-kun immediately forced the cap on his head. The string extending downwards from the cap bit into the flesh beneath his chin. And the sidelocks next to his ears, which looked like a natural Afro, spilled out at the capβs sides.
Somehow it might be a bit cute. As if singing, βOisa, bonbaye? Ha ha, bonbaye?β, Bon-kun started to dance with the fish rod in a hand and the cap on his head. 3 Rollo was lured into dancing as well. She repeatedly jumped around at Bonβs feet, skillfully standing on her hind paws. Is she going to unleash some cat punches? Iβm pretty sure sheβll target Bonβs plump ears which are similar to those of large Buddha statues. Thatβs the hair sticking out from beneath the cap, isnβt it?
βIt looks like you really like that cap, Bon.β
βββEncha, encha, enchanto!β
Bon-kun is sure happy. Each time he says βenchaβ, he dances with a hooray, hooray.
Just like that, he ran up to me, and hugged me tightly around the area of my waist. β¦Itβs heart-warming. Support the translator by reading this novel at Infinite Novel Translations!
In return, I also stroked his back lightly.
ββ¦Thereβs also an explanation for that bluish-white fishing rod. You can catch fish without using bait. The soft and flabby part at the hookβs end turns into a fake-bait.β
βEncha? Enchaβ¦β
Bon-kun turned his face upwards for a moment. It appears that he didnβt really get it. Then he buried his face into my waist again, continuing to hug me powerfully.
βββThank you very much.β
Even Rubia, who had come back to the workshop, came to hug me, obviously lured in by Bonβs actions. She wore clothes that exposed her breasts a bit, so it felt really nice to have her boobs pressed against me directly.
βMaster!β
Viine nonchalantly joined the fray, too.
Probably as an effect of that, Rubia, who had been hugging me, separated her body in a somewhat reserved manner. She turned her face upwards.
ββ¦Shuuya-sama! I have been using this Evil Dragon King-made weapon I received from you before as my main weapon, but Iβm going to master this Sword of Casheen and learn a dual-wield style as well.β Rubia smiled.
An attempt at dual-wielding, huh?
Exactly because she was a battle healer using a sword, I was slightly curious about her combat occupation, but I didnβt ask her about it. Iβm looking forward to her futureβ¦
After separating from Bonβs and Viineβs hands, I looked at the state of the smithy. Its interior design had changed a bit. The number of decorations had increased, making it look luxurious. It looks like their business is going well, resulting in them making good profits.
Banners, which were moderately adorned with metallic inlays I had never seen before, were exhibited on the walls.
βZaga, those wall decorations areβ¦β
βYou noticed, eh? Itβs one of the new items we made. Rubia pointed it out to us that we could tamper a bit with the metal fixtures designs.β
βHeeβ¦Rubia did? However, the design on the armor pieces is nice as well. Your molding taste is outstanding, you know?β
βStop it, youβre making me all shy.β
βZaga-san is really embarrassed! How unusualο½β Rubia pointed out with a grin on her face.
βGuuh, Rubia, this is based on your design, isnβt it?β
βAh, yeah.β
Based? This was designed by Rubia?
Not bad, Rubia. So you do have talent in crafting-type work as well.
Now that he mentions it, the adjustment of the bushy fur located at the metallic edges of the banners is neat. It seems to have the modest feel typical of a woman. It made me think that it might be interesting to add painted woodblock prints.
ββ¦Rubia, you have talent in this as well?β
As I asked this with a quiet voiceβ¦Zaga nodded his head several times, making his agreement clear. βShe really does.β
βYou sure? I think that most of it is influenced by Zaga-san and Bon-kun.β Rubia answered humbly.
βThis by you, Rubiaβ¦.itβs a magnificent talent. Itβs beautifulβ¦β Viine frankly stated her impressions as well.
Hearing her words, Rubia was surprised over being praised by Viine, just like earlier. ββ¦Viine-san, thank you. Iβm veryβ¦happy.β
Viine smiled at her. Rubia and Viine, they might fight each other as women, but I think their relationship will be alright.
βInfluence, huh? That might certainlyβ¦be true.β Zaga said proudly.
True, heβs a craftsman among craftsmen. I can fully understand Rubia getting interested in it.
βEnchanto!β
Bon also answered with a thumbs-up.
βBon says so as well.β
βYes! Bon-kun, thanks!β
βNyaa.β
Rollo acted like a spoiled child by pressing her head against Rubiaβs shin as if to praise her.
βA continuation from before? But thatβs okay, Rollo-chan. Youβre cute after all!β
Rubia held up Rollo in her arms, and brought her face close to my partnerβs white whiskers. Then she kept rubbing her cheek against Rolloβs, and kissed Rolloβs cheek.
My partner meowed, but it didnβt look like she hated it. However, Rollo-san is messing around with her blonde hair.
Rubia started to rub her cheek against Rolloβs again while smiling. It makes me wonder which of them is the cat, but I wonβt voice out that retort.
At that point I recalled how I got my favorite weapon appraised at Sulozaβs Old Sorcery Shop.
ββ¦Zaga, Itβs about the Magic Halberd Baldok which is your creation and my favoriteβ¦I got it appraised over at Sulozaβs Old Sorcery Shop, and when I did, I heard that the creator of the halberd was called Zaga Aulonso.β
When I told him, Zaga was surprised.
βββWhat, appraisal, you sayβ¦so you heard about the name Aulonsoβ¦?β
βEnchanto! Enchaaanto!β
Zagaβs and Bonβs behavior completely changed.
ββ¦Whatβs up, Zaga? Is anything wrong with Aulonso?β
βThat nameβ¦β
βEnchanto.β π³π³πeπ¬πππ»πππ²l.ππο½
βHowever, I heard of him in rumors, but to appraise through the mana of Bonβs < Sage Engineer >β¦the appraiser Suloza is quite remarkable, Iβd say.β
The two were fidgety and unable to settle down. Both continuously looked around them, despite being in their own workshop. It looks like the name Aulonso was a secret.
ββ¦Iβd like to know the reason.β
ββ¦What are we going to do, Bon? It seems Shuuya wants to know about it.β
βEnchan, Enchantan.β
Bon folded his arms together, and placed his index finger beneath his chin, thinking. It was a cute thinker pose.
And I felt like I heard a questioning Enchanto language for the first time.
βI see, if youβre fine with it, Bon, then I guess I will explain. Itβs our friend Shuuya after all.β
βEnchanto!β
It looks like he gave his approval.
I looked in Rubiaβs direction, but she shook her head.
βI havenβt heard anything about this either.β
It appears that the dwarven brothers hadnβt even told Rubia, whom they regarded like a daughter.
On this occasion, I also shifted my look in Viineβs direction. Of course she shook her head as well.
ββ¦Shuuya, we will tell you exactly because youβre our friend. Rubia is our daughter. And we will also tell the dark elf since sheβs your beloved attendant, Shuuya. Itβs a story based on mine and Bonβs family nameβ¦β
βEnchantoβ¦β
βDaughterβ¦Zaga-san, thanks.β Rubia was moved to tears after hearing how Zaga called her his daughter.
βYeah, Rubia, thatβs our belief.β
βEnchanto!β
The short Zaga and Bon hugged Rubia after running up to her with small steps. Theyβve really become parents and child by now, havenβt theyβ¦?
Even at my eyes, tearsβ¦
ββ¦Alright, listen.β
Zaga separated from Rubia after gently tapping her back, and looked at all of us.
ββ¦Youβve probably heard the name Aulonso, Aulonso with the standing hair?β
I havenβt really heard anything like that, thoughβ¦
If itβs Viineβ¦I looked into her eyes.
βAn old god, Old God Aulonso with the standing hairβ¦I have seen a book with that name, a book related to dwarves. But I havenβt read it.β
Nothing less of Viine.
βWow, Viine-san, youβre well-informed.β
It looks like Rubia didnβt know either.
βItβs just as you say. Do dark elves have a good memory? Well, the elf species have many smart people among them.β
βEnchanto!β
Bon repeatedly did a thumbs-up as if to praise Viine, drew close to her while humming. Viine looked at me as if asking for my help, but I only smiled back at her.
Or rather, I feel like something similar had happened beforeβ¦
Since I havenβt heard the crucial part of the story yet, I turn my eyes back to Zaga.
βSo, youβre saying youβre related to that old god?β
βCorrect. Aulonso is the name of an ancient god, an old god, a cursed god, and a family with a lineage going back far into ancient times. Itβs a mere shadow of the former dwarven clan, the Aulonso family. Long ago it was apparently a great name connected to an inheritance of smithing skills, but itβs said that a certain ancestor woke up to the powers of Aulonso, receiving a curse in the process. Ever since then, the Aulonso family was driven out of the underground. It seems that the truth is them having been dragged into a power struggle, but since itβs a very, very old story, I donβt know the details. Because of that, Bon, who was considered eerie by even our father and mother, was harshly chastised by our familyβ¦β
Bonβs mana and crest power seems to have to do with Aulonso.
ββ¦I guess such things happen everywhere.β
βEnchanto!β
Understanding from my expression that I was depressed, Bon hit my waist as if telling me, γBuddy, donβt pull such a face!γ.
βN, nyanya!β
Rollo joined in as well. A combination of using one leg and one tail, huh? It might be somewhat ticklish.
ββ¦I got it. Thanks for telling us about your past.β
βDonβt mind it. Iβm repeating myself, but the Magic Black Soft Steel I received from you before, it allowed us to make quite a lot of profit as rare metal, you know? Besides, weβre happy about your souvenirs this time as well.β
Zagaβs wrinkled cheeks moved into a broad grin. Zaga often had a stiff expression, but this kind of gap is sure nice.
βIβm glad to hear that. Itβs the fruit of my activities as an adventurer, Iβd say.β
βGahaha, As expected of the sole solo participant who came along on the Evil Dragon King subjugation and contributed heavily to itβ¦ Say, thinking about it now, that Evil Dragon Kingβ¦wasnβt it by chance you who defeated him, Shuuya?β
Zaga guessed the truth correctly while laughing.
ββ¦Youβre overestimating me. That was the achievement of Cecily, the hero of the griffon unit.β
ββ¦Hoh, I wonder about that. You canβt deceive my eyes! Well, letβs leave it at that. It looks like that griffon unit had a skirmish after the cease-fire agreement between Zamalia and Oseberia was broken. There was some kind of battle in an earldom close to the border along the Heim River, south-east of Hekatrail, and I heard that this Cecily played an active role there.β
A hero stays a hero, huh? However, war in the east and the west. I feel like Oseberia is spreading its front too widely. I wonder whether Chardonnay will take command of the east.
I know the motive. Itβs simple. With Hyatos dead, it has probably become easier to rally everyone under one banner.
Ah, speaking of Hekatrailβ¦Quicheβs hometown is close to that place. Is it going to be alright? The green-haired Quiche with her pure smile. The days we happily spent together flashed through my mind. Are her rocket boobs still going strong? Itβd be great if she was in good health, though.
At that point, I suddenly recalled the twin adventurers as well.
ββ¦Say, Zaga, was there anyone among your adventurer clients who caught your attention?β