Read Novel Full Chapter 268
Chapter 268
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Chapter 268 – New Companions
“I’m Lodge, an advanced blacksmith. Loki wouldn’t stop talking about how great life is for a blacksmith here, so I decided to move here. I can craft any metalwork or equipment you need. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“I am Zeo Regmaier. I don’t have an official occupation, but if pressed, I’d say I’m a demon from a blood-drinking race. Due to certain circumstances, my powers haven’t returned yet, so I’m training while doing detailed work, like building houses.”
“I’m Carla! I’m also a blood-drinking race, but I only get blood from Loki occasionally. Usually, I drink monster blood. I handle dismantling the monsters that Loki and I hunt… Should I just give the materials to Lodge-san?”
He turns to me in the middle of his introduction for some reason, so I nod and answer.
“You can keep drying the hides like before, but feel free to move all the non-food materials to the big warehouse. What Lodge-san uses from there is up to him. Zeo, could you help out with the cart?”
“Yeah, leave it to me.”
“Got it!”
“I’ve heard about you. As expected of Loki’s companions, you’re a race I’ve never heard of. Well, nice to meet you!”
The carts prepared in the royal capital of Falmenta to conceal the Spatial Magic were proving useful at this base.
Zeo was using them to transport goods via teleportation. I’d also entrusted Carla with the special baskets that I no longer needed. Moving cargo should be easier now.
Still, even with terms like “demons” and “blood-drinking races” thrown around, Lodge-san doesn’t seem the least bit fazed.
He did say that he doesn’t judge people by their race, so maybe it’s just a minor thing to him.
Seeing that reaction, Zeo and Carla clearly showed relief.
(Are those two observing, too?)
I directed my gaze toward the cliff above.
Alicia won’t be coming to greet Lodge-san this time.
That was decided yesterday.
Her purpose is to serve as the representative of the upper plateau, overseeing the base and acting as a liaison with the lower plateau.
Since she has already met Zeo, the representative from the lower plateau, further contact would be risky.
Even though we’re learning from past wars to avoid repeating mistakes, those two are practically the only ones who were directly involved. Besides, unlike them, Lodge-san might get bored and head back to town.
I think Alicia is just watching over things, but I wonder if Ril is okay.
Perhaps because Alicia learned how to build a house, she thought she could learn, too.
This time, she was fussing about going to greet Lodge-san herself, but no one would ever allow it.
If Ril gets involved, it will absolutely be discovered sooner or later.
When that happens, no one knows what will happen.
We can’t have everyone suddenly vanish from this world. While she can roam freely on the upper plateau, contact with the lower plateau is strictly forbidden.
“As befits a god, you should just watch over them,” I said, trying to persuade her.
Ril was sulking, but there was nothing that could be done about it.
Honestly, I felt like complaining. Why should I, a mere commoner, have to be mindful of the divine realm’s rules?
“Well then, shall we head straight to the supply warehouse?”
“It’s my first time seeing a waterfall this big, and it’s also my first time seeing a warehouse this huge.”
“Bigger is better, isn’t it? You can even use it as your workspace.”
“Ah… Huh?”
Inside the warehouse, light filtered in through the gaps above, but it was still dim.
Even so, the materials piled high along the walls were obvious. Lodge-san seemed to lose his words.
“Light~”
After all, the materials had been moved into the warehouse yesterday.
On the left side of the warehouse, metal equipment, including yesterday’s treasure-hunt haul, was piled up like a mountain.
On the right, materials from nearby monsters hunted by Carla were still piled high, though significantly reduced after being sold for cash.
Toward the back, facing the forest, looted equipment from bandit raids and leather gear used by hunters who were annihilated during raid battles were haphazardly arranged. I was still debating how to dispose of these items, so they remained stored for the time being.
Lower-grade materials, such as daggers, are in demand for dismantling, so I intend to send those to Paisa-san. However, pushing too hard with other gear might actually hinder business.
Since I have a decent cash flow now, there’s no rush. I can discuss it and sell the clearly unnecessary stuff for cash in a town later.
“I’ll buy some light-emitting magic tools tonight, so it’s dim now. Bear with it, okay?”
“Th-that’s no problem.”
“Also, since I’m also a mercenary, the type of metal gear I use will depend on future monster-slaying requests. As for monster materials, I travel the world, so I plan to gather various types while hunting. If you need specific materials, I can hunt for them in bulk, so don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Seriously, that’s awesome…”
“Right? I’m not sure if it’s a stove or a furnace, but one might not be enough.”
I meant it as a joke, but Lodge-san seemed to take it seriously.
He muttered, straight-faced, “We’ll have to add more of these,” so it looks like he’ll be able to do whatever he wants.
After that, we sat at the outdoor stone table, which served as our base’s dining area, and coordinated with Lodge-san.
I asked him what he could do besides blacksmithing, what his skills were, and what his usual life was like.
As I’d suspected, he wasn’t overly concerned about money. He just wanted interesting materials and plenty of good booze. It seemed fine to give him all the alcohol I got as spoils from defeating bandits.
Regarding equipment crafting, he didn’t say not to do it, but suggested moderation.
He understood that leather armor was especially difficult to sell for cash after it was crafted. After melting down all the metal gear we had and crafting complete sets for me, Carla, and Zeo, he planned to research the field of “composite materials” using methods that minimized material waste.
While hurriedly sorting the materials by type, I found two Damascus swords, and Carla found a Damascus axe-spear that was about twice his height and looked like a halberd.
Zeo appraised them and found that one had the Brute Strength enchantment and the other had the Lightning Attribute enchantment. Melting them down is inevitable, but they’re the perfect weapons for practicing with a longsword.
“Well, I’m heading out to hunt. Let me know if you need anything from town later.”
“Got it. And Loki—”
“Yes?”
“Just speak normally. It’d be weird if you were that formal with me alone, right?”
“Oh, sorry. All right then, Lodge. I’m off.”
He crossed his arms and nodded deeply as I teleported to Rosberia.
Zeo told me, too, so I really need to start saying it myself eventually.
Even though I’m more used to it now, closing the distance with people is still hard and scary when I can’t act like it’s just a job.
Especially when it’s someone older with a lot more life experience.
But little by little, bit by bit…
(Next time a similar situation comes up, I’ll try saying it myself.)
I resumed my treasure hunt underground, setting such small, personal goals separate from the hunt.
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