Chapter 1-34 : Blacksmith Walter (part 2)
I used the portal to teleport from Erst Town to Ijard Town in the blink of an eye.
There were a lot of players around the portal in the center of Ijard Town. It hadn’t been long since this town was discovered, so it was only natural that many players wanted to come to visit.
I remember Shougo went around this town to look for a new weapon the last time we met. I wonder if he knows this Walter guy.
Thinking of asking him via whisper chat, I opened my [Friends] UI, but his name was in grey, meaning that he’s not currently online. Perhaps he’s still having a class on campus.
Can’t be helped. I guess I should ask a stranger.
I approached the male player with a greatsword on his back who was standing next to the portal.
「Um, excuse me.」(Alice)
「Hm? Can I help you?」(male player)
「Do you know a blacksmith named Walter?」(Alice)
「Walter? Ah, that strange player, huh? Yeah, everybody knows him. Me included.」(male player)
So this person is indeed strange as Lynette said…
「Do you know where he is? I heard he opened a shop in this town recently.」(Alice)
「If you follow that road, you will eventually see a workshop called “Tatara Ironworks”. You’ll find him there.」(male player)
「I see. Thank you very much.」(Alice)
I thanked the guy politely with a bow and walked along the street he pointed to.
「Tatara… Tatara… Ah, seems like this is the place.」(Alice)
After walking for about five minutes, I found a huge establishment with a big wooden signboard saying, “Tatara Ironworks”, at the front.
I could see a couple of large furnaces with several men drenched in sweat working around them.
While I was looking around, a worker, who seemed to be taking a break, noticed me and talked to me.
「Young lady, are you looking for someone?」(worker)
「Ah, yes. I’m looking for a plaー an Outworlder called Walter.」(Alice)
「I see. If you’re looking for Boss, he’s in his shop right now. It’s over there.」(old man)
The man pointed at the building next to the establishment. It seemed to be Walter’s shop.
「Thank you very much.」(Alice)
I thanked the worker with a bow and went into the shop.
As expected from a weapon shop. There were so many kinds of weapons being displayed on the wall of the shop.
Behind the counter, there was a middle-aged man in a fine suit.
「Oya? Welcome, dear customer.」(shopkeeper)
He welcomed me as soon as he noticed me entering the shop. He looked more like a butler than a shopkeeper in that suit.
「Hello, I’m looking for an Outworlder named Walter. Is he here?」(Alice)
「Yes, and you’re looking at the person himself. I’m Walter. It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady.」(Walter)
「Eh?」(Alice)
He put his hand on his chest and elegantly bowed to me as he introduced himself.
I wasn’t expecting that. I mean, he looks old, so I thought he was an NPC. Turns out he’s the man I’m looking for.
In this game, you can customize your character, but you can’t change your appearance that much, so your character will look similar to you in the real world.
That means, this Walter guy is also a middle-aged man in the real world, and from his look, he’s probably around fiftyー no, even sixty, I think.
It’s rare to see a person of that age play a game like this.
「Is something the matter, my lady? 」(Walter)
「I-it’s nothing.」(Alice)
「Is that so? How can I help you today?」(Walter)
「I heard about you from Lynette, a blacksmith in Erst Town. She said I should come to you if I wanted a new weapon.」(Alice)
「Ah, that armorsmith cat lady, I see. I know Miss Lynette. So she has recommended my shop to you. Ahh~ How kind of her. I’m touched…」(Walter)
He put his hands on his chest and closed his eyes as he said that.
He is indeed kinda weird, but from the way he talks, he seems more like a very nice old man rather than a weirdo.
But I wonder why he dresses like a butler. He’s a blacksmith, right? Isn’t it difficult to forge a weapon in that suit?
I remember Lynette said he pretended to be an anime character. If so, he’s so dedicated to his cosplay.
「Now that you’ve come here, does it mean that you want to order a weapon, my lady?」(Walter)
「Yes. And, umm, my name is Alice, not ‘my lady’.」(Alice)
「I see. Thank you so much for introducing yourself. I feel honored. Now, Miss Alice, what kind of weapon do you want?」(Walter)
「I want a new wakizashi.」(Alice)
「Wakizashi… A short katana blade… An excellent choice for a quick melee DPS! Do you have in mind what size and weight you would like your new wakizashi to be?」(Walter)
「Umm…」(Alice)
Size and weight…? I didn’t think about it at all.
It seems that I can design my own weapon in this shop, but I’m not good at designing a weapon. I think I’m going to use the same design as my current weapon.
Even though it’s a beginner’s weapon, I’ve already gotten used to using this wakizashi. I’m afraid that if I used a new weapon with a different size and weight, it would affect my movements.
「I think I want it to be the same size and weight as my current one. I’m already used to it.」(Alice)
「A wise decision. Could I examine it for a bit?」(Walter)
「Of course.」(Alice)
I drew my wakizashi and handed it to the man. He then appraised it and observed it closely.
「Hmm… It’s a beginner’s weapon, I see. Not very durable and not very strong.」(Walter)
「Yeah, that’s why I want to replace it.」(Alice)
「Understandable. Please wait for a minute.」(Walter)
He took out a calliper from a drawer and started measuring the size of my wakizashi carefully from the length of the blade, the length of the handle, and the thickness. After that, he put the weapon on a scale to measure its weight.
「Thank you for your patience.」(Walter)
After he properly recorded the data in his note, he returned my wakizashi to me.
「Now, would you please follow me to the training ground?」(Walter)
「Training ground?」(Alice)
「Yes. It’s in the backyard. I need to see how you handle your weapon.」(Walter)
「Alright then.」(Alice)
I’m not sure why he needed to do that, but I nodded and followed him to the backyard through the back door.
There were several wooden dummies placed on the training ground.
「Now, Miss Alice, I want you to destroy those things using your weapon.」(Walter)
「Eh? Are you sure I can destroy them?」(Alice)
「No need to worry. Wooden dummies are cheap. More importantly, I want to see you in action.」(Walter)
「If you say so.」(Alice)
I held my wakizashi in a reverse-grip style and dashed toward the wooden dummies.
「Hya! Ha! Haa!」(Alice)
I’ve fought thousands of agile Erst Wolves and even faster monsters such as giant spiders, so destroying stationary targets was a child’s play to me.
I swiftly cut all the wooden dummies cleanly in half in just a few seconds.
「Wonderful! Excellent! Marvelous!」(Walter)
I didn’t do anything extraordinary, but Walter gave me applause.
「Was that good enough?」(Alice)
「Yes. Thank you very much for your effort. Now, Miss Alice, may I see your hand for a moment?」(Waiter)
「S, sure.」(Alice)
「Well then, please pardon me.」(Walter)
I put my wakizashi back in its sheath and showed the palm of my dominant hand to Walter.
He observed it closely. It’s kinda embarrassing…
「Hmm… I see, I see. Thank you, Miss Alice.」(Walter)
「So…」(Alice)
「You may be wondering, but it’s necessary to make a perfect weapon for you.」(Walter)
「I see. Did you learn something?」(Alice)
「Yes. I have some customers who use a short katana too, but your combat style is slightly different from theirs.」(Walter)
「Different?」(Alice)
「You might not notice it, but unlike other people, the way you hold your weapon is kind of unique. You hold the handle of your wakizashi a little closer toward the “tsuba”.」(Walter)
*/TL : Tsuba is the sword guard for a katana to prevent the swordsman’s hands from accidentally slipping forward onto the blade during a fight.
「Also, your footwork is swifter than other players, probably because you are shoー Ahem! Probably because you have a smaller stature than others.」(Walter)
He corrected himself, but I’m pretty sure he was about to say “short”.
It bothered me a little, but at the same time, I was amazed by his observation skills. I would never notice it if he didn’t tell me.
He pays attention to even the smallest details. He measured my weapon properly and observed my movements when I handled it. I don’t think an ordinary blacksmith would do that much.
This person has a unique personality, but I can understand why Lynette praised him. He’s truly a professional weaponsmith!
「Lastly, let’s talk about the material. Honestly, I don’t recommend using the same material as your current weapon. It’s too weak for you now. I suggest much stronger steel as the material for your new wakizashi.」(Walter)
「I don’t really understand about materials, but, yeah, let’s go with that.」(Alice)
「Understood.」(Walter)
「So… Umm… What about the… price…?」(Alice)
Judging from his professionalism in collecting the necessary data in detail before working on my new weapon, I bet it will be very, very expensive…
「Let’s see… I think it should be around 30,000G.」(Walter)
I knew it!
It’s three times the price of my new swimsuit!
It’s super expensive, but… I need a new weapon.
I guess I’ll start grinding and completing quests from the guild to make as much money as possible after this…
「A, alright. No problem.」(Alice)
「I’m glad to hear it. I will need to contact you when it’s finished, so, Miss Alice, would you accept my friend request?」(Walter)
「Of course.」(Alice)
We opened our game UI and added each other as friends.
「I believe that will be all.」(Walter)
「I think so.」(Alice)
「Then allow me to escort you to the exit. This way, please.」(Walter)
He pointed his hand to the exit and courteously took me there like a gentleman.
「How long will it take to finish?」(Alice)
「Since I still have to finish the orders from other customers, it will take about a week, if you don’t mind waiting.」(Walter)
「I see. Alright.」(Alice)
「Thank you for your understanding. I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Alice.」(Walter)
「Un. Thank you, Walter-san.」(Alice)
He sent me off with a deep bow. I returned his courtesy with a bow as well and left the shop.
What a strange experience…
While I was in the shop, I felt like a rich noble lady with a loyal personal butler…
I still have a week, but I think I will start making money right away.
That means my next stop is obvious.
To the guild!
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