"Hey! Anyone there?"

While calling out to someone inside, Lambla entered the supposed shop.

Due to witness evidence, we were able to continue our search for the architecture or blacksmith to found a new settlement. The problem is the only blacksmith working in this city are the Demura brothers. We were easily able to find the shop but...

No one seems to be inside. From the outside, it looked like the kind of small shop run by a stubborn person. It is located in a corner and has a suspicious look to it. Even people around us were giving us creepy look. After knocking at the door for hours, we decided to barge in.

"HELLO!!!"

"Anyone there~~"

Saying our greetings, Me and Malena followed Lambli inside the shop.

The moment we entered we saw many eyes focused at us.

"Ah!"

All three dwarflike creature had exclaimed at the same time

Those three I saved earlier in the morning had all raised their voices in surprise and were looking over here. They were looking much better now. Although for some reason they were making depressed faces...

And then surely, as expected, there was a grim looking person whose face didn't show one-bit sign of surprise. He was the owner of this shop. He was only human-looking among the bunch.

"What are you doing here? Didn't you read the sign, the shop is closed."

"Master!"

Lambli who was leading us until now slowly walked behind me and give me a slight push.

I don't know what causes the change in the behavior but since leaving the station she has been quite obedient. I really like the new Lambli.

"Uh-huh! Sorry...."

"What are you looking at? Do you know him or something?"

Before I can answer, the shop owner turned to other three people who were staring at me.

"Demure! It's the human!!! The one that saved us!!!"

"Yeah, that's right!"

"The women beat down the Duke goons. He is their leader."

"Ohh...! So that's the man you were talking about! I've heard you were the one who saved these guys. You have my gratitude!"

"Not at all! I don't feel as if I've done that much, or perhaps I might have? Hahahahaha~~!!!"

For one such as I, who easily gets carried away and goes too far, words of praise is taboo...because I wouldn't be able to calm down for the next long while.

"So, why have you come here today?"

After slightly regaining his composure, the owner asked a question. It seems he has totally forgotten about us barging in here earlier.

All of us had moved further inside of the shop to talk. And then, I began briefly explaining my situation.

But I must say, those three apprentices are really weird. They look completely like a dwarf, all with huge beards and short height but they are considered Humans.

"I understand what you want now. But I'm sorry. I don't think I can be of any help.... The thing is, we've already received a request from the kingdom...."

He told us that it was a secret, and explained what was happening worldwide while withholding the important information. It seems Kingdom is also preparing for a confrontation between two superpowers of this world i.e. Empire of the west and Republic of the east.

It appeared that kingdom was feeling pressured by the fear of war coming to their door because of 'A certain fool somewhere!', and that was why craft orders for weapons and armors were being issued to the blacksmiths. He didn't told me much about that certain fool but it seems like a shrewd fellow who is trying to monopolize the upcoming war.

"And so, about the request I received. Although I did manage to make 200 steel spears overnight...but on the other hand, regarding the main order of 20 swords, not even a single one has been made yet. I don't have the materials, you see..."

Despite hanging his head low, Demure still grumbled.

"If it can't be done, isn't it fine to cancel the order~~?"

It was a reasonable question, asked by Malena.

"You idiot! Even I told them from the beginning that it was unreasonable!

...but then that shitty Duke Gabe butted in and said... "Famed throughout our kingdom for your skills, can not a man of your caliber, Demure, complete a small task of this degree?...is the kind of drivel he prattled on to me!!! Not to mention, this was said in front of the king! Would you forgive him? That shitty bastard!!!"

He was furious the whole time he talked. It seems Malena didn't understand any of it as she carelessly ate the snack we were offered.

As we continued to converse, I learned that in the past, the Demure brother rejected a request from Duke to build a house that he wanted. Bearing a grudge against him, the Duke had

repeatedly harassed him to the point that he decided to leave the country. Demure also wanted to leave the kingdom but he got himself some apprentice to guide so it became a little difficult.

However you looked at it, it was definitely an unjustified resentment towards Demure brothers.

Then I thought to myself, 'Wasn't it likely that the Duke bought up all the materials to obstruct Demure's work?.

"If you couldn't make the swords due to the lack of materials, does that mean that spears require different materials?"

And to my question Demure replied,

"Yeah. The swords require a special material called "Guch's ore". The

spears only needed to be made out of steel."

He had replied in a very tired manner

Without the materials, even a master blacksmith was just an ordinary person. It must be so frustrating for him.

But when you think about it, wasn't it possible that the Duke was

waiting for Demure to come to him begging for help?

"To top it off...it takes a whole day to complete one sword. Even by using

the assembly -line system for efficient production, it would still take 2

weeks to make 20 of them...."

I was about to ask about the time limit but then decided not to. The despair on his face told me everything I needed to know.

But he told me anyway.

"The deadline is by this weekend.... On the first day of next week, I have to deliver it all to the King. This job is something that is assigned to each and every craftsman, commissioned by the country...if you can't complete it, it is possible to have your qualifications as a craftsman revoked..."

In other words, only 5 or so days left to complete the order. Or rather, since any progress couldn't be made today, then only 4 days until the deadline?

I got the feeling like the talk was getting serious. I had nothing to do with this, so why was I here?

Just wait a moment, I can't seem to understand what's going on~?

I didn't know if they were misunderstanding something or not, but

everyone was looking towards me. Being stared at by men doesn't make me happy! Since coming here, only Namra or Rimel stare at me like that. I become so accustomed to them that it feels weird to had men stare at me.

Their eyes seemed to be telling me, 'Hey you! Can't you do something about this?'.

These people...what did they think a man like me was capable of? I was even a disappointment to my parents.

I turned to look at Malena who is intensively feeding on my portion of snack.

-Creation Magic!!!!!

Jacob did tell me that Malena can use something like creation magic. Can she use it to create these swords?

I gestured Lambli standing next to me to lend me her ear.

"Yes! Lord!"

"Eh! can we use Malena's Creation magic to help them."

"Yes! we can but I advise against it. We shouldn't help these scums."

"Yeah, I will keep that in mind."

It is a difficult decision but I guess I've got no choice.

"How about we help you with the sword and in return you help us with our settlement."

"What are you saying? Aren't you an amateur in this? What can you do to help?"

"Sir, I know a way but before that, I need a promise that you will help me gather enough workers for my settlement."

" ... It's okay to trust in you, right? In the case that you can't make the order, I would be handing you over to guards for false play. Well, it wouldn't make much difference for me but my time is really precious and I can't afford to waste it.

But, if you manage to keep your promise...I swear to keep my side of the promise as well! I'll prepare for you the best workers there is!!!"

We've made our promises! And a promise made was something to be kept!

"So, do you have a prototype of the sword?"

".....Kingdom did present us with one to copy from."

"Can you show it to me?"

Demure ordered one of his apprentice named Midd to go get a sword from the storeroom.

As expected, a magnificent sword was bought from the storeroom and handed over to me.

Unlike plain Mineka, It is longsword with rubies attached to his golden handle. I can feel anything from it but according to Demure it has intense power in it.

Now it was my turn.

"Alright! From here on I'll be working in secret. I'm sorry, I want everyone to leave the room. "

Saying that I made sure that everyone would leave the room including Lambli.

"Not you!"

For some reason, Malena was also leaving with them.

After all, I couldn't afford to let anyone know my manufacturing method as I also don't know the method.

" So Malena, Do you know what to do?"

"NO!!!~~~"

Malena replied back while licking her finger. She is still as dumb as ever.

"Iblis, I think you want me to kill those humans.... Can I kill them?"

Again with killing! I don't understand how can she ask these question with such a cute face. I think she suffers from bipolar personality or something.

"No!! Malena Listen!! I want you to create 20 copies of the sword here."

I said while pointing at the sword in my hand.

......

....

She began intensively glaring at the sword in my hand. After her last question, I was too afraid to cause any more confusion between us.

She slowly touched the sword with her gentle hand and started closely inspecting it.

"Ok~~Just wait a second"

She took the sword from me and turned away. She started casting some kind of magic on the sword.

"Malena it seems, you really know what you are doing. I always thought of you as some idiots but you are really reliable. With this, we can create a ton of .......Wait, what the hell are you doing?.... Why are you eating it...... Ouch! Ouch! Malena stop biting me... Malena stop!! STOP!!!"

With a lot of force, I snatched away the half-eaten sword from Malena.

I looked towards Malena who was still chewing upon sword fragments as if she was some kind of monster. Now I think about it, Demons here are classified as a monster. So technically she is a monster.

"What the hell were you doing?"

"Iblis! I need to eat it to sample the sword and create a copy. You ordered me to do this and now you are stopping me. Pupu"

Pupu? Who is she trying to fool? I already know that demons are bloodthirsty monsters. Why is she acting all cute!

"Wait! Can I trust you with it? You know if you fail, we will be as good as dead."

I decided to threaten her with a bluff. It was nothing as serious as death but i didn't wanted to go back to jail.

"Iblis~ Trust me a bit, I can do it"

She said while puffing out her chest.

I looked at the half-eaten sword. It was already useless. I can't show that to blacksmith so my only option is to give Malena a chance.

"Ok!! but make 21 copies."

"Yes sir!"

She replied while taking back sword from me.

She swallowed it.

Chew, chew, gulp!

And then moving her body as if she was mixing something.

FINISHED!!!?

In a second she materializes an exact copy of sword in her hand.

"Amazing!!!"

After producing, 20 more copies we were done. It is a really convenient way, We don't even require any raw material for swords. We were done in some time over 3 minutes. I would ask her to make some more for Goblins, once we returned home.

Loudly opening the door, I stepped outside.

Demure and the three Dwarves were looking over in worry as they hurriedly rose to stand up.

Lambli also followed though she was staying some distance away from them.

At this moment, I realize that demons really hate human. It may explain hatred when I first met Jacob. Though they treat Namra and Rimel with respect under my orders.

Malena immediately fell asleep after completing the task so she was resting on the couch with the swords.

"Hey, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Was the materials perhaps not enough?"

"... Or was it that it was impossible after all?"

Everyone was questioning with the same concern in their faces.

"Uh, mm. No, actually...you see."

All those eyes full of worry was hard to stand. I couldn't help but put on airs.

I wanted to tease them but I might feel bad later on so,

"Just kidding~! Actually, I've already finished it all!"

"....... Haa???"

They raised their shocked voices in perfect harmony.

Well, of course, they'd be surprised...!