Chapter 17: The Holster and a Trial

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/18/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

After going back to the capital, I eat dinner at the inn, take a bath, and return to my room early.
All sorts of things happened; I seem to have been a bit tired.
I apparently sank into the bed the moment I got to my room; the next morning, my hair is in an amazing state.

I spend a fair bit of time trying to fix it, and in the end I give up and put on a hat.

I also got up late, so by the time I show my face at the guild it’s almost noon.
Liza is at reception today too.
I start to greet her and she beckons me over, a little wave.

“Good morning. What’s the matter?”
“Ouka, what did you do yesterday?”

She asks with a troubled smile.
…Yesterday? What did I do.

“Uh. I bought a holster and went home to visit.”
“Hmm… I don’t really understand, but you have a visitor. That boy over there.”

I turn as told, and there’s a nervous, noble-looking boy.
…Who was that. I feel like I’ve seen him.

“O-ou. Thanks for yesterday.”
“…. Ah, the young guy who picked a fight yesterday.”

He’s dressed so fine I didn’t recognize him.
Clothes like that—is this guy a noble.

“…I think you’re the one who picked the fight.”
“So, what? What’s up?”
“No, um… yesterday was my bad. Sorry.”

He puts a hand to the back of his head and apologizes.
He looks vaguely sheepish.

“…Haa? What, you came all this way to apologize?”
“No, it isn’t that, exactly…”
“Then what.”
“Uh… um, well.”

…What. Half-baked.
Where did yesterday’s attitude go.

“I don’t really get it, but I accept the apology. If you don’t have other business, I have somewhere to be, so another time?”
“Ah, ou… later.”

Weird guy. Did he come all this way to apologize.
Scrupulous, unlike his looks. Or is it exactly like his looks?
…Whatever. Anyway, to Ellie’s shop.
It should be about the time we promised.

“Ou, it’s done.”

The moment I enter the shop, the old man says it, blunt.
On the counter sits a triangular leather holster.
It looks stiff overall, but when I pick it up it’s soft and light.
The stitching is solid; it feels good.
The handguns nestle in completely, and it even has leather-thong catches.
What leather is this. It looks insanely expensive.

“Mister, this—”
“I made something good. These are extra.”

Kotori. What he sets on the counter is a pair of dark-colored leather gloves.
Look, these aren’t “extra” quality either.
I try them on; they’re just the right size for my hands.

“Ooh, a perfect fit! …That’s not the point.”
“What. If you’ve got a complaint, say it. I’ll fix it now.”
“It isn’t a complaint, but… what leather is this?”
“Don’t know. Dragonkind, I think.”

Oi. What are you using, this man.
Dragonkind, that’s dragon, right? The really expensive stuff.

“No, that’s definitely expensive, right? I’ll pay.”
“Don’t need it. Custom work I made for you. Take it.”

He folds his thick arms and looks away.
Hmm. Stubborn, this person.

“…Muu. Then, is there any material you want?”
“Material? Lizardman and wild boar hide, and any good-quality hide, I want.”
“Then from now on, when I hunt, I’ll bring the hides here.”
“I said I don’t need it… stubborn brat.”
“I think we’re even.”

We glare at each other. Because this doesn’t add up.
I can pay the price. There’s no reason not to pay.
Whatever he says, I can’t back down here.

“…Bwahaha! Well, that’s true! All right, we’ll leave it at that!”
“Okay. And separately, I’ll leave one silver.”
“Ou, much obliged. I’ll be looking forward to what the Ogre Killer of the rumors brings.”
“Geh, I’m a rumor? I’m the one who said it, but don’t expect too much. I’m just a town girl.”
“There’s no town girl like you.”
“I’m right here.”

Rude old man.
…No, I know myself that calling myself a town girl is getting a bit strained.
But all the amazing parts are Ring and the handguns. I myself am an utterly ordinary town girl.

“Well, whatever. Thanks for these.”
“Ou. Have me make something again.”
“I’ll think about it. …By the way, where’s Ellie?”
“Working in the back. She’s a craftsman’s apprentice, green as she is.”

Oh, a shame. I wanted to see her.
Unnyu. If it’s work, it can’t be helped.

“I see. Then I shouldn’t get in the way. I’ll stop by again.”
“Ou, later.”

I seat the handguns in the holster I just received and put on the gloves.
…Ooh. I look pretty adventurer-like.
As expected of a craftsman. Good work.

Now then. The time’s right; shall I go try various things on the highway.

∞∞∞∞

Along the highway, a grassland with a few rocks.
Mostly goblins and stray kobolds wander here, but today I don’t see any around.
Perfect, so I look for a fairly large tree.
I’ll try various things.

“Ring, can you make a sword?”
“—Possible: Ready?”
“Please.”

A blade about as long as a one-handed sword extends from a handgun’s muzzle.
I hold the handgun in both hands and swing the sword into the tree.

“Heave-ho!”

Gatsun!

Wait, it bounced?
I try swinging it several times; it doesn’t cut at all.

…Ah, right. The edge isn’t set.
I set the blade to the wood and draw-cut, and it goes easily halfway through.
Muu. The sharpness is good, but… I can’t use a sword, it seems.

Next a hammer. As expected, hitting the tree only makes a light katsun.
Mana-made things have no weight. Blunt weapons are completely useless.

Hmm… no good.
I try every weapon I can think of; they all come out disappointing. Uumu.
When I try putting a round into it, it punches through the tree with room to spare.

…Well. They’re excellent as all-purpose cookware, so that’s enough.
Just being able to use every cooking tool without getting them dirty is plenty.
The sword… maybe I should practice. No, I probably wouldn’t use it well anyway.
Then the handguns I’m used to are better.

I go back to the inn, dejected, and a huge bouquet has arrived for me.
Sender unknown. Why they sent it, also unknown.

“…Um, ma’am? What is this?”
“A gift that came for you.”

She shrugs, looking fed up.

“Haa? No, getting flowers just puts me in a bind.”
“Well, of course. You’re an adventurer, after all.”
“Hmm. Then would you take them, ma’am? You could decorate the shop.”
“Oh, is that all right? Then I’ll throw in tonight’s dinner too.”
“Ooh! Yes!”

I wonder what’s coming with it today. Honestly, I’m happier about that than flowers.
Still, going out of their way to send flowers. I have no idea who.
Only nobles do that kind of thing, I think.
Hnn. Well, whatever. The lady was happy.
I got an extra too, so all’s well, all’s well.