Proofread: CBRRacer

‘Er! Sensei? Is this really the right place?’ I asked in my mind to the all-knowing google sensei while feeling extremely confused.

The AI replied immediately. The mechanical voice carried not even the smallest traces of doubt which actually made me gulp involuntarily, instead of feeling confident.

‘But we are standing in front of a swamp. Forget about the mine, I don't even see something that resembles iron here’

Yes, that’s right. At the location, where sensei had told me about, was a huge swamp. The swamp was pretty wide, too wide actually, but gave me the feeling like it lacked depth. Even if I say not too deep, I could not clearly see the bottom earth, because of the oily like reddish water.

‘Oya? Oya? Oya? Oily like reddish water? Isn’t that strange?’

Why do I get the feeling that I am being called stupid? This AI is starting to get on my nerves. Shit! Ever since I have come to this world, I have been cursing too much. It’s either the gods or this damn AI, messing with me as they wish.

With another short session of cursing, I bent down and picked up the rock that was next to my feet. The rock was big enough to fit in my hands comfortably and on careful observation, I felt reddish rock felt to be no different from a normal rock which kind of worried me. I was lost on how I was going to prove it to them that this thing here in my hand is actually an iron ore.

The people who had accompanied me numbered more than I could count on my fingers. I got the feeling that the whole village was here. All the adults and children had decided to come along. My movement was restricted with ropes by the young man with the knife who made sure that I didn't wander off or tried to escape. As I and the young man walked in the front like a hound, the others followed me always keeping a safe distance from me.

We had walked more than two hours’, traveling at least 5 to 6kms. While we were half way, some of the ladies and children from behind began to complain, some even became rude as they bad mouthed me without restraint. Are all women of this world so aggressive? To tell you the truth, I shuddered slightly at the thought.

I stretched my arm towards the pack of people who were staring at me with confused eyes. Every one of them was without a doubt wondering what I was up to as their eyes fixated on the reddish rock in my hand. I could hear mild whispering among those all who had gathered.

The old woman too had a bewildered expression. She was knitting her brows as she stared at me and then at my hand alternatively and then she spoke with a slightly annoyed “Is that it?”

I understood that she already had an idea about the object in my hand. And it really looked like she was ready to pounce on me the moment my answer came out. I felt like the prey that was standing helplessly before a lion.

“I know it doesn’t look like the ones you might now. But trust me when I say that this here is iron ore too. These might not be as good as the iron ones you know of, but they are still iron ore. These things used to be popular back in my hometown.”

I mixed in some lies to make things easy for me. It was impossible for them to confirm the things about my hometown and all, so I found such an approach as the correct way.

So you are telling us that piece of red rock is actually iron ore and this swamp here is the iron mine you were talking about?”

She still refused to believe. Not that I expected her to believe me at first. I was going to explain the things sensei had taught me, but then I stopped altogether when I thought about it. I mean, how was I going to explain something like chemical reactions? Iron dissolved in water? Even I don’t understand any of the reactions that take place, let alone these other-wolders.

“Well, you could always ask your blacksmith to check it”

I don’t know if blacksmiths can even do that, but I still suggested the idea to prevent any sort of breakout. I really don't want to be beaten by a mob.

Hearing my words, the lady frowned. Suddenly the atmosphere suddenly grew heavy and the ladies that were whispering among them quieted down in an instant. Both the adults and the children had slouched shoulders and their heads dropped, making the mood even eerier.

‘Eh? Eh? What is with this atmosphere, sensei?’

Oh, something which sensei didn’t even know? Well, I can’t consider that as a fair question, so I’ll let the matter slide.

“Grandma, let me do it”

Oh. Looks like the young boy and the old lady is family. But still, a blacksmith at that age, really impressive were my honest feelings.

“No. We don’t want you to get hurt for something like this” And to my surprise, the grandma actually refused the young boy.

Eh? Why are they talking as if he is going to war? Is blacksmithing something with great repercussions in this world? The settings getting weirder by the moment and I really can't understand it.

“It’s fine grandma. If what he is saying is true and this piece of rock really is iron ore, then I have to do this. With this, we might be able to bring them all back. And my control over the flame has improved greatly, so please don’t worry too much and let me do it”, the youth replied with great resolve which I could see in his eyes.

Bring back them? Things are getting out of control. This somehow feels like a quest of some sort all of a sudden.

“Euthe, this is no joking matter. Think about your sister and mother. If something were to happen to you, then who will look after them. This old bag of bones won’t last much longer, but what about your sister and mother? And I don't want my grandson to leave for the heavens before me”, the woman refused with a stern tone as she lectured her grandson.

Now I am getting really nervous. Just what is it that makes blacksmithing something that is so dangerous and so feared? Even so, Euthe eh. That’s some name.

To my surprise, no, to everybody’s surprise, Euthe suddenly walked towards me, as he ignored his lecturing grandma. The old woman was shocked but all she could do was stare at him with her mouth agape. It looked like she was choking on just air.

The boy called Euthe stood before me and then just stared at me for a while. Since he was a little taller than me, it felt like he was looking down on me. Why is someone younger than so tall, damn it.

Once he had his share of staring, he snatched the rock away from my hand and then walked away from our group. Once he made sure he was a good distance away from us, he stretched his hand to the front and stood still.

What is that brat doing now? I couldn’t help but wonder. And in the next instant, something that broke the laws of my common sense occurred.