The Priest of Complete Dispel ~ Every Time I Save a Cursed Beautiful Girl with My Status Abnormal Cure Skill, For Some Reason Her Dependence on Me Maxes Out ~ - Chapter 36: The Blacksmith

Chapter 36: The Blacksmith

“Damn, this is freaking delicious!!”

I couldn’t help but shout.

I know my mouth is foul, but even so, “damn delicious” was the only way to describe the shocking flavor. Words that might usually sound crude now felt absolutely necessary to convey this overwhelming sensation.

Spread out before the three of us, seated at the counter, was a luxurious tempura meal. On the plates, ingredients like shiso leaves, eggplant, shrimp, sweet potato, and lotus root, cloaked in golden batter, gleamed vibrantly. Pickles and small side dishes added colorful accents, while the steam from the miso soup and the fragrant aroma of freshly cooked rice further stoked our appetites.

It was, without a doubt, a work of culinary art embodying the wisdom of Japan.

“It’s… it’s too delicious…!”

Medina’s voice trembled with joy, her face on the verge of tears as she savored the happiness.

“See? This place is one of my top picks that I stumbled upon after coming to this city,” Iris said, puffing out her breasts with pride.

“Iris, you nailed it! This choice was spot on!”

“Hehe, I’m glad you’re satisfied. That makes me happy too.”

The batter was crispy and light on the outside, hot and bursting with flavor on the inside. Dipping it lightly in sauce and tossing it into my mouth with a bite of freshly cooked rice—the explosion of deliciousness that followed left me speechless with awe. If this wasn’t heaven, what was?

In the villages we’d passed through, I’d had the chance to eat something like Chinese food. But to think that in this city, I could enjoy an even wider variety of Japanese cuisine, made with pure, non-monster ingredients, was beyond my expectations. It was apparently more common here, and the gentle, profound flavors made me marvel at how incredible ordinary food could be.

Just thinking about how many more gourmet experiences awaited in this city made my heart race, and a smile naturally spread across my face.

“Boss! That was insanely good! I’ll definitely be back!”

“Hell yeah! Lookin’ forward to it!”

The hearty, warm voice of the chef answered me, and I nodded back with a wide grin. With our bellies full and our hearts even fuller, we left the Japanese restaurant behind.

“It’s still noon. Where would you like to go next?” Iris asked.

“I was thinking about heading to the church, but you’re pretty well-known there, right, Iris?”

“Yes. Even with a disguise, my face itself doesn’t change, so some people might still recognize me.”

“So there’s a chance Bulldog could find out if we go…”

“I’m not sure if he actually saw me back then. It’s not certain, but it’s a possibility. However, if I use <Mirage>, it would be difficult for anyone but a truly powerful person to see through it.”

“…All I want is to keep my promise to Keryneia. If that’s the case, there’s no need to take unnecessary risks.”

“I see… Then let’s explore another place instead.”

With that, we decided to postpone the church visit and continue exploring the city. The adventurer’s guild and city hall, the central hubs of this city, were located in the central district, where we were currently walking. Our final destination, the inn called “Nagi’s Mist Pavilion,” was in the northern district. We’d save that for last and check out other areas first.

Having entered through the east gate, we’d already explored the eastern district. That left the southern and western districts.

“Hey, are there any weapon shops or blacksmiths around?” I asked.

“Of course. Weapon shops and blacksmiths are usually combined, and there are several in this city. The most famous one is in the western district,” Iris replied.

“Nice! Let’s check it out then. Honestly, Medina’s knife is one she took from bandits. It wouldn’t hurt to have a spare.”

And so, our next destination was set: the western district.

After about thirty minutes of walking through streets lined with dazzling buildings, we spotted a sturdy, soot-stained stone structure that stood out among the rest. Above it hung a massive sign: “Naddem’s Blacksmith.”

Together, we pushed open the door and stepped inside.

“Hello!” I called out lightly, but the shop was empty. The walls, however, were lined with an overwhelming display of weapons and armor—swords, spears, axes, and armor packed tightly together, reaching nearly to the ceiling.

“Wow… so many types of weapons,” I muttered, unable to hold back my amazement. The sight of unfamiliar weapon designs and uniquely crafted armor felt straight out of a fantasy world from my previous life. Excitement welled up from deep within me.

“Excuse me!” I called out louder, but there was still no response.

“This place could get robbed like this…” I muttered, feeling uneasy about the absence of a shopkeeper. A bad person could easily walk off with a weapon. Just as the thought crossed my mind—

“NADDEM!!”

A thunderous roar echoed from the back of the shop. The next moment, a figure appeared—short like a child but with muscles bulging like rocks, sporting wild brown hair and a beard, clutching a sword tightly as they stomped forward.

“You! Are you the one trying to steal my weapons?!”

The figure, though short, exuded an intense presence and shouted at me, clearly misunderstanding the situation.

“No, no! I was just worried because there was no one at the counter!”

“Nghhh… Karta!! Didn’t I tell you to let me know when customers come, you idiot?!”

Apparently believing my words, the figure immediately bellowed toward the back. A petite girl in soot-covered work clothes rushed out, her pink hair tied back in a short cut. She looked about Medina’s age and frantically bowed to the man she called “Master.”

“Sorry, lad. I left the shop in this one’s hands, but she was probably off taking a crap or something.”

“N-No way! I was just peeing…!”

“Crap or piss, it’s all the same, you dimwit!!”

“Ow!!”

The master mercilessly bonked the girl named Karta on the head with the hilt of his sword. It looked insanely painful.

“So, guests, what’s your business? …Wait a second. That robe…”

“Oh, this? I got it as a gift. Supposedly made with special alchemy or something.”

“…Mind if I take a look?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

The master approached and began closely inspecting the dark gray robe I was wearing. Come to think of it, I didn’t really know what made this robe so special…

“No way… To think someone could use alchemy this refined… No, it can’t be… They went missing long ago…”

“Is something wrong?”

“…The person who made this… Could their name be Rondo Paikusu?”

“Yeah, that’s right! That’s our village chief’s name!”

I smirked inwardly, thinking how the bald old man had such a fancy name. But the master, upon hearing it, trembled and pressed a hand to his forehead, his eyes glistening slightly.

“No… To think he’s still alive…”

For some reason, the master was tearing up, as if he’d thought Rondo was dead.

“Rondo Paikusu was my master’s master. I only met him briefly when I was a useless novice, but still.”

“Huh, that’s quite a connection. Pretty cool.”

“Rondo Paikusu’s alchemy is extraordinary. He was renowned for crafting the most refined and powerful gear in his time. But nowadays, you hardly hear of anything made by him still around.”

I hadn’t realized the village chief was such a big deal. In the village, he just seemed like a balding elder, but maybe he was a near-legendary craftsman.

“Where’s Rondo Paikusu now?” the master asked.

“In Iasis Village. They call it Magou Forest around here, I think.”

“What?! Magou Forest?!”

“Yeah, everyone reacts like that.”

“No wonder he vanished…”

“He’s doing just fine. This robe was made just a few weeks ago.”

“I see… That’s reassuring to hear. I’ll have to tell my master. …Anyway, sorry. Your business?”

Finally, we got back to the point. We’d come to this shop with a request.

“I’ve got two requests. First, Medina here only has a knife she took from bandits. I’d like a better blade for her. Second, this longsword needs maintenance. The blade’s pretty worn, so I’d like it sharpened and fixed up.”

The longsword was like a partner to me. I’d maintained it as best I could, but my skills had their limits.

“Hmm… An assassin, judging by her look. There are various blades suited for assassins. You could pick from our stock, but do you have any materials? I’m a blacksmith—forging is my trade.”

“Yeah, I’ve got some materials. Here.”

I pulled a few items from the leather pouch at my waist and placed them on the counter. Before the master could react, Iris’s eyes widened.

“Shu-sama?! What are these?! You never told me you had such things!”

“Oh, I only noticed recently. Remember when we sorted through the luggage before handing the cart to Mogmo? I found these. No idea who put them there, but I’ve got a hunch.”

On the table were a sharp, black solid object and a green magic stone fragment, clearer than a goblin’s.

“Naddem!! What in the world are these?!”

“Master… You can tell just by looking—they’re extraordinary!”

The master and Karta leaned forward simultaneously.

“Probably—don’t hold me to it—but these are the claw and magic stone of a giant white wolf monster. The stone’s just a fragment, though.”

“A fragment?! Just how big was the original…?”

“Yeah, I’m shocked too.”

The only thing that came to mind was the giant white wolf I’d fought alongside Keryneia—a fearsome beast strong enough to poison a sacred creature like her.

“Can you make a good weapon with these? I’ll pay. If there’s extra material, you can keep it.”

“Th-Them?! Us?!”

“Master…!”

“Can’t do it?”

“Of course we can! It’ll be tough to shape, but we’ll meet your expectations. Let us do it!”

The master’s passion filled the shop, and Karta’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Alright, it’s yours. Let me know the cost when it’s settled.”

“Yeah, give me a few days. Come back when it’s done.”

“Got it. Take care of the longsword too.”

I handed over the materials and the longsword, and as the master and Karta turned to head to the back, he paused and said, “I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Goddea Naddem, a dwarf blacksmith.”

“I-I’m Karta Rossossu!”

“I’m Shu—Shu Mileister. I’m a priest.”

“A priest in that getup… You’re an odd one. Leave it to me. I’ll make you the finest weapon.”

With his promise at our backs, we left the blacksmith shop. Under the blue sky, a small spark of anticipation lingered in my chest. I couldn’t wait to see the results in a few days.