“Come on, let’s go up. You two as well, I guess.”
“Pardon the intrusion~”
“Pardon”
“…sorry for the intrusion”
“If you’re so sorry, then just go home already. Especially you, gorilla!”
“You want this gorilla to pound your face in, huh??”
“Now, now, you two.”
I said so in an effort to pacify the two arguing perverts and then handed over to Aihara-kun the paper bag I brought.
“It’s not much, but please take it.”
“Huh? You didn’t have to, you know.”
“Yeah, but I thought it’s better to bring some than not.”
“Well, turning it down will be rude of me, so alright, I’ll accept it. Sorry for the trouble.”
“Not at all.”
I was feeling so nervous.
This kind of conversation could never have happened in the classroom. Let alone us visiting the house of a handsome guy in the A group. I never even imagined it happening in my whole life. The worlds we lived in were just that different.
Unlike the two perverts who tagged along with me, I couldn’t shake off the nervousness and caution toward Aihara-kun, who by the way was overflowing with cool-guy and winner-in-life energy despite being in plain clothes.
“My, Kensuke. Are they your friends?”
After entering the house and promptly moving toward the set of stairs leading to the second floor, I heard a woman’s voice coming from down the hall.
Is that his older sister?
I asked myself so upon seeing someone who looked to be in the latter half of her twenties coming out the door of what seemed to be the living room. Her appearance…I knew it was rude, but the quickest way I could describe her was that she looked like one of those beautiful married women that appeared in ero-mangas. She was a standout beauty with downturned eyes and a stunning figure.
Other than the eyes, she looked pretty much like Aihara-kun. Their genes were amazing.
“Yeah, Mom. These are friends from school.”
Excuse me!? Mom!? Is that a code for something? Oh, maybe her name or nickname sounds like Mom. There’s just no way he meant mother when he called her Mom!
“Oh my. You should have told me beforehand you’re going to have friends over. Anyway, hello. I am Kensuke’s mother. Thank you for all you’ve done for my son.”
“Come on, Mom, stop it with all that.”
The person named Mom flashed a cute smile and bowed.
…alright, alright. I’ll stop it with this bit and accept reality.
“No, it’s Aiha, err, Kensuke-kun who’s always looking out for us.”
Ohh, I get it now! She must be an elf! Or maybe a half-elf!!
Coming up with that conclusion, I bowed back.
Huh? Aihara-kun’s ears don’t look like someone in an elven lineage…ahh but surely that’s just because his father’s genes won in that area. The elf ears just skipped a generation, right?
“Oh but I don’t think we have anything to serve to guests. I’ll go buy some, so just wait a minute, ok?”
“It’s fine. I’ve already bought something for that. Instead of worrying about us, worry about that date with Dad. Today is supposed to be the first date you guys will have in a while, right? You guys are even meeting outside instead of going together from here, so just go do that.”
Heeh, they sound so lovey-dovey. But to be able to get married with someone as beautiful as her, the husband must be quite handsome too, doesn’t he? So, in the end, is Aihara-kun more like his dad than his mom?
As I thought of thought of that, I noticed what seemed to be a framed family photo inside the living room through the still-open door. It was rude of me but I couldn’t help but stare at it.
“B-buut”
“It’s fine, I tell you. Besides, it’ll be harder for us to relax with a parent around, don’t you agree?”
“…alright. I’ll leave the house in your care, then.”
She said so and then turned toward us.
“Make yourselves feel at home, ok?”
“O-ok.”
I hurriedly bowed again. While I was at it, I also sneaked another peek at the family photo.
Aihara-kun’s mother merrily exited the house, all excited like a little girl. She even looked like she was skipping as she walked away. She was the very picture of a perfectly fashionable girl deeply in love.
…as for what was on the photo I saw, it was of Aihara-kun during junior high school, his beautiful mother who didn’t seem to have aged a bit since then, and…a middle-aged man who had: thinning hair, a body that a doctor would surely rebuke for at least its high body fat percentage, and also a face that to even say he had a certain charm was questionable.
“…you really look like your mom.”
“Hmm? Well, I guess yeah. Although, people also say I have my father’s eyes.”
“Is that so…”
Genetics was truly incredible…
* * *
After learning that even one’s fetishes could be influenced by their genes, we climbed to the second floor and entered Aihara-kun’s room. The room was kept tidy and felt relaxing, but there were two things that stood out: two doors that resembled the dungeon gates lined up by the wall.
“If you don’t mind skipping the formalities and small talk in favor of getting right into business, then let’s go here right away.”
He said so as he opened the door to the right.
“This leads to my workshop. The entrance is narrow, but I assure you that the inside is spacious.”
With a mischievous grin for whatever reason, he urged us to enter. We obliged and stepped through the door. The moment I did, I felt that discomfort I felt whenever entering a different dimension. Almost immediately though, my surroundings changed.
“Ooh…”
I unintentionally let out that voice. But then again, it couldn’t have been helped.
The walls and floor were of a modern design. The place was bright thanks to the lights from the ceiling. And through a glass window, I could see a work area the size of a gymnasium below. I couldn’t hear anything from the work area, but I noticed some humanoid figures doing various tasks in there.
Kobolds, I judged based on their appearance. They were bipedal dog monsters covered all over their body with gray fur. That description might make someone think they had this grand form, but in reality, their appearance was closer to a hyena’s more than anything else.
At any rate, some of these monsters—although I had guessed them to actually be summoned creatures—were busy striking iron with their hammers, while some gathered scrap iron while tending to the hearth. Without thinking it, my eyes followed one of these Kobolds as they plunged what seemed like a sword into a water container, causing steam to gently rise up.
Uoyama-kun and Kumai-kun, who were next to me, also watched the Kobolds work. Their eyes sparkled as they gave words of amazement in a low voice.
Which, again, couldn’t be helped. After all, this place was a dream spot for pretty much every high school boy.
“Those are monsters I obtained through Summon Magic. They’re quite good at handling iron, so that’s how I employ them.”
Aihara-kun stood next to me and pointed to the further end of the workshop.
“Completed weapons and armor are stored in that room. I plan to sell most of them, but I’m also thinking of using some of the items there to equip my knight harem order when I form them someday. The items I’ve been commissioned to make personally is stored in another place though.”
“Haeee……”
I kind of wanted to make a wise ass comment here, but I decided to let things pass. I was too overwhelmed by the amount of swords and armors being made.
“Honestly, thank goodness for the modern world. I mean, it’s still hard to learn and use the latest factory manufacturing methods, but as far as making swords and armor go, one quick search with your phone is enough. Add in magic to the mix and you can replicate this level of production.”
“Sure, but this is still plenty amazing. Magical knowledge aside, you need to have a certain sense, maybe even talent for the intricate construction of an Otherworld of this level.”
While adjusting his fake glasses, Uoyama-kun followed with his eyes what I assumed to be the flow of magic power. I didn’t really get that sort of thing, not being a mage and all.
“…but don’t blacksmiths need all sorts of licenses? And, I think I heard there’s a rule or limit on the number of weapons you can make in a year.”
“That’s only for regular blacksmiths. It’s different when you have an adventurer license, you know.”
Aihara-kun grinned as he answered, prompting Kumai-kun to pout.
“The country wants lots of weapons and armor filled with magic power. In fact, over half of my workshop’s wholesale clients are government agencies, you know.”
“Ngghhh…”
“Well, only a quarter of my workshop’s products goes for sale, and the rest, like I mentioned earlier, is for my knight harem order.”
“…just so we’re all on the same page, what do you mean by knight harem order?”
“Obviously, it’s members of my Plump Plump Land.”
“Oh. I see.”
I had a feeling it would be that.
“Hmmp! You planning on let your women fight while you sit back and relax in a safe place!? Not cool, man, not cool.”
“Shush it, Kumai-kun. You do realize your words applies to me too, right?”
“Oh, yeah, sorry…wait, no, it’s different for you.”
“Actually, from a mage’s perspective, it’s more a matter of ‘why aren’t people simply falling back to the rear when possible’, you know.”
Just when I was taking damage from that stray bullet by Kumai-kun, Uoyama-kun hit me in the shoulder for whatever reason.
Why hit me? Is this bullying?
“Let’s ignore that unpopular gorilla’s prejudice for now. I’ve also made a reception room, so let’s head over there.”
“Alright”
Like that, we walked in the corridor and eventually reached a place that looked like an office. Inside, there were 2 leather sofas facing each other and a wooden table between the sofas. It really gave the workshop a company vibe.
Crap, now I’m feeling a different kind of nervousness. I don’t have much experience on places like this.
“My, my, my, my! Welcome, all of you! Thank you for all your kindness toward my husband!”
Right after I was invited to sit down a sofa, a very plump Yuki-onna came in carrying a tray of tea and snacks.
If I remember right, she’s Michiru-san, isn’t she?
Michiru-san placed the snacks and tea on the table and then, much like a secretary, she stood diagonally behind Aihara-kun who sat on the opposite sofa. Maybe saying she was like a secretary was wrong. For all I knew, she could be an actual secretary here.
“So? You’ve told me over the phone that you want me to make an armor for the Golem you’ve made.”
“I did, yeah. I’ve gathered Item Drops from Empty Knights in a C rank dungeon, enough to make a full set. I’d like you to use those as the base.”
As I said so, I took out and handed over a blueprint and a written request from Layla.
“The Empty Knight materials as the base, Orc Hide underneath…and for the smaller details…hmm, I see. It seems you have quite the skilled Magic Tool maker.”
“What can I say, you know”
Hearing his praise made me feel bashful.
Oh you mean one of my wives? Yeah, my wife. Yeah, one of them. Wah! Thinking about is really making me embarrassed! Like, sorry, alright? I didn’t mean to hoard all these ultra beautiful women all to myself!
But then again, given the preferences of the men in my present company, none of my girls would be their type. On one hand, I was relieved, on the other, I was disappointed that I couldn’t boast about the girls.
But, right, there’s that. The fact that I have 3 beautiful wives—if Reinforce is included—made me not only a normie but an ultra normie. I sometimes hear about the so-called ‘troubles of a harem king’, but I haven’t experienced any of that. If anything, things are harmonious. I’m truly a winner in life. Haa, I’ve surpassed even the harem kings and transcended into a harem emperor…! Hahaha! There’s no need for me to hesitate here! As a client, I should puff my chest out more too!
“This is just a rough estimate, but I think it would cost you about this much”
“Right…”
I did try to act more confident, but the blow of the potential sum made my shoulders slouched down again.
There was just too many zeroes. If I hadn’t asked over the phone what this kind of commission could cost, I would definitely have been showing nothing but the whites of my eyes right now. Moreover, despite the 7 zeroes in a line, this was actually a reasonable price based on the my research on prices online. Some people would make use of the excuse of high demand and ask for an exorbitantly higher price too, apparently.
“I-I’d like to take a loan, please…”
“Are you serious about this, Kyotaro? Isn’t this too expensive a purchase…?”
“Any high school student would balk on seeing that price.”
My friends, sitting left and right of me, recoiled upon learning the estimate, but I had enough reason to go through with it.
“I mean, who knows when we’ll get attacked by a dragon again, so…”
““Ahh…””
Did they really think it would never happen again? That because luck balances out eventually and the fact that I had already been attacked by a Minotaur and then by Fire Drakes, surely, that meant my bad luck had ran its course? That is to say, I definitely wouldn’t encounter monsters as dangerous as those? Did they really think that?
And while I did have faith that the JSDF would someday be able to exterminate those monsters with ease, what about now, before they could do so?
The last time, I was lucky enough to be saved by Hanazono-san, but who knows for the next time? Worse yet, next time, someone…someone important could die, you know?
After being caught up in 3 dungeon overflows, my opinion on life and death had changed. Survival mattered the most, no matter the cost. I couldn’t bring money with me to the afterlife, so might as well use it here. Well, I had no idea if toll fees to the afterlife truly existed, but still.
“…it’s still too early to draft a contract, Kyotaro”
“What do you mean, Aihara-kun?”
With a serious expression on his face, Aihara-kun said so as he uncrossed his uselessly long legs and leaned forward.
“I’d like to see your Golem first. There’s the matter of taking measurements, but on reading this specifications you gave me, it occurred to me that there’s something I need to confirm.”
“Huh? Ohh, okay, sure.”
What could be the matter? What’s got him like this? Is he dissatisfied with something?
I felt a touch uneasy about this, but I took out Reinforce from my Item Bag nonetheless. This time, she was equipped with only her military uniform, a helmet, and a bulletproof vest. She didn’t have her Spartoi sword.
With her standing straight, Aihara-kun’s eyes narrowed. His gaze was so sharp, it was like a razor.
“…Kyotaro”
“Y-yes?”
“Did you…did your Guardian Spirit really make this Golem?”
“Yes…”
“I see…”
After saying so, he leaned back on the sofa, looked up at the ceiling, and then took a deep, deep breath.
I was bewildered. And scared. While a strange silence flowed into the room, cold sweat began to flow down my back.
He can’t…he can’t possibly have figured out my Silver Apple, has he? Surely not, right? At least, not this easily…like sure, Otherworlds like this one can be changed to work in favor of its master—like perceiving the flow of magic power—but that shouldn’t be anywhere enough for him to figure my Silver Apple out. Right?
But then, what was this strange pressure in the room? My instincts were blaring full-blast. It was like there was a giant boulder rolling toward me.
Aside from Aihara-kun, there was one other issue. Actually, two. More specifically, the two beside me, Kumai-kun and Uoyama-kun. The two of them also grew quiet and exuded a weird vibe. Especially Uoyama-kun, who was exuding a pressure that could match the one from Aihara-kun. If the uneasiness I felt from Aihara-kun was like an incoming boulder, the one from Uoyama-kun was like peering down on bottomless sea. Regardless, as a living being, some primordial fear stirred within me.
…assuming they’ve found out about my Silver Apple, what now? What should I do? Snuff them out? As if I can do that! But then, what? Ask them not to tell? I have a feeling that might be the only choice I have…
“…let’s make a deal”
“A deal?”
Huh? What is this menacing aura? Ahh! I get now! You disappoint me, Aihara-kun! I thought you were a good guy despite your eccentricity, but I see now that you’re nothing but a pervert!!
“For the armor you’ve requested. You’re providing the materials, so I don’t mind doing it for free. That is, in exchange for making me the sexiest of the sexiest sexy Golem…!”
“Yeah, sure”
Figured it would be that…
Taroppe-sensei(author)’s Q&A corner
Thank you for reading!
Also, please consider leaving some of your thoughts, a review, and bookmark the title over at the narou site (https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7336ie/)
Your support is appreciated and I hope you continue doing so.
Q: Can you become a blacksmith by only studying online resources?
A: Naturally, no. For Superpowers which require specific technique and knowledge, the minimal relevant information flows through the Awakened One’s head as soon as they Awaken. As such, Aihara too has command of basic smithing techniques. Combining that with techniques from the middle ages up to present that he looked up online as well as what he heard from a present-day smith during a seminar, he has learned enough to build his workshop and mass-produced weapons and armors.
Q: Does Aihara’s mother really have elf blood?
A: She’s purely human, but she’s also an Awakened One. More specifically, her stat build is of a close-ranged, brawny B rank Awakened One. Her appearance is her natural look. Also, although this doesn’t have any bearing on the main story, she has a doctor’s license. She usually provides her medical services, mainly surgery, in the neighborhood clinic.
Q: Why would such a beautiful woman be with a presumptively bald, fat old man…?
A: Personal preference, really. Oh, and she was the one to make a move on her husband. The moment she was seated next to him during their high school days, her maidenly heart throbbed. The husband’s physique is pretty much the same now as it was back then, with about the only change in his appearance being his hair and maybe his skin.
Q: Are preferences or fetishes hereditary?
A: Even the author doesn’t know.
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