“Fuah …… I’d like to get some more sleep ……”

“We’ll be back tomorrow, so we’d better get a move on. Teacher will be there too.”

“I guess so ……”

–The next morning, my brother woke me up late but early in the morning, I got out of bed yawning and followed Tigre-sensei, who had already washed his face and headed for the dining area.

“Good morning, Tigre-sensei.”

“Oh, you’re up. Dedite and Lars. Nora and Luciela haven’t woken up yet, so go ahead and eat.”

When Tigre-sensei raised his hand, the woman from yesterday’s receptionist smiled and retreated to the back of the room, where a plate of toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, and lettuce was soon brought in.

“For drinks …… is orange juice okay?”

“I’ll have coffee, same with teacher.”

“Oh, I’ll have tea if you have it. And I’d like to give this an apple too, do you have any?”

“Yes, I understand.”

The woman said, “Oh my”, and narrowed her eyes at Sarge and went back to get the drinks. My brother and I watched her back as he quickly reached for his meal and took a bite of his toast.

“No, you don’t have to squeal. I know I told you to do that, but you’re a dragon, so I think you should be a little more angry? I like that kind Sarge, though.”

“Hah~, you’re really a good friend.”

“Seriously, you’re more human than human.”

I pulled Sarge out of my bag and gave him a hug. As Tigre smiled and praised him, Nora and Luciela came into the dining room, rubbing their eyes.

“Fuah …… Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, you two. It looks like you didn’t get much sleep.”

When my brother asked, Nora came over to him, her mouth agape.

“Luciela-chan keeps on talking to me. What kind of magic can I use. or how was my father. If you meet a Dedite, you will be able to use his magic. How would I know if I hadn’t met you, Dedite-kun?”

“Well, yes. Luciela, don’t trouble Nora too much, okay?”

“Y-You’re right, honesty, I’m sorry about asking about her father …… I’m sorry, Nora.”

“No, you apologized, so it’s okay. Let’s have dinner then♪”

Nora took Luciela’s hand and sat down to eat her breakfast. Nora ate her breakfast, a little excited by the unusual scenery.

“Let’s go then. I’m sorry, can you tell me where the forge is?”

“Oh, yes. When you leave the inn, turn right. You’ll soon come to a crossroads, but if you go straight there, you’ll find it easily.”

“Thank you.”

Tigre-sensei raised his hand to thank her, gave us a look, and left the inn. As we followed the directions, the landscape gradually changed into a deserted place with few houses and no people.

“It’s a lonely place ……”

“Craftsmen are often eccentric.”

After a while, we arrived at a dead end in what seemed to be a corner of town. There was a large building that appeared to be a forge and a house to live in.

But–

“……? It’s too quiet.”

“Yeah. If it was a forge, it wouldn’t be surprising if there was smoke coming out of the chimney. Even if they’re not working on it yet, it would be nice to see a little more human presence ……”

“I-It’s amazing how you know all of that ……”

Luciela put her hand on my shoulder and said fearfully. This area is like a graveyard, so she’s a little deflated. Nora, on the other hand, doesn’t seem too bothered by the fact that she was dealing with the undead in Luitzar Country.

There was no point in standing around, so Tigre-sensei went to the house with a chimney that appeared to be a forge and knocked.

“Sorry! I’ve come here on a request. Is the master here!”

The lock was off, so I assumed he was inside, but there was no answer or even a sound, despite the loud banging and shouting.

“The information from Leor-san seems to be recent, so I don’t think there’s any reason for him not to be here …… Excuse me! Are you there!”

I also knocked on the door and shouted, but there was still no answer. My brother crossed his arms and muttered to himself.

“I’m sure there’s someone out there, judging by the way the lady at the inn talks? They might be out of town.”

“Oh, that’s a possibility. We’ll go back tomorrow and if not, we’ll come back for the big holiday. Let’s look around the town today and go home at night.”

“That’s the only choice. What’s the point if there are no people-“

“Hey, what are you doing there!”

“Hyaaaaaaa!?”

“……!”

Luciela jumped in surprise when she heard an angry voice behind her, and Tigre-sensei quickly intervened between Nora and the others and the voice.

“Are you the master of this place? I’m sorry for the noise, but is Arjan you?”

“What, you know me? Are you …… a customer!?”

A sleepy-looking man with an unkempt head of brown hair and a scruffy beard was talking to Tigre-sensei as if he is devouring him. 

“Y-Yes, that’s right.”

“Really! No, from your physique, are you an adventurer? Alright, I’ll create any sword or armor you want! Hehe, it’s been a while since I’ve had a request.”

“No, it’s not me who has some business with you, it’s these guys.”

Tigre-sensei took a step to the side, and my brother and I stepped forward.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Lars. I came here because I heard from a merchant named Leor-san that you can process dragon materials.”

“What, dragon material ……? It is true that I can do it, but a child like you has the material?”

“Here, take a look at this.”

My brother pulled out Sarge’s fang from his bag and held it out in front of Arjan-san’s eyes. Then, his eyes widen and scratches his head and start to wander around the area.

“No way …… It’s been a while since I’ve had a request for dragon materials, it looks like God hasn’t given up on me yet! …… Alright, fine, come into the workshop.”

Then Arjan-san opened the door he called the workshop and went inside.

What I’m wondering is that it’s been a while since he had a request, I guess?　

From the desolate state of the place, I wonder if there hasn’t been any work for a while.

At any rate, we looked at each other and followed Arjan-san to talk to him.

Now, what’s troubling you, Mr. Forge ……?

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“He doesn’t have any money, or something?”

Is it more likely that he don’t have a job?

“I wonder if he has any disciples.”