“To think that they could hunt this many in just two days since the request…”
After finishing the report on the Evil Drake hunt and Count Bismarck’s request at the Hunter’s Guild, we, who had protected Jade and Fluorite from those scoundrels at the ranch, arrived at the Crafter’s Guild, Feel branch.
We haven’t hunted Glass Boas yet, but we have twelve Feather Drakes, not counting the one given to Count Bismarck, and seven of the rare Winger Drake. They were really surprised.
We want to use the Winger Drake ourselves when ordering equipment, so we’ll only sell about three of them.
“We just repelled them when they attacked, and we haven’t even hunted the Glass Boa yet.”
“Oh, the Order’s Guild is already working on the Glass Boa, so we’re actually more grateful for what you’ve brought us.”
This person is the Crafter’s Master, Laberna Schneider, a Fairy. She’s an M-rank tailor and is still active even after becoming the Crafter’s Master. The hide and feathers of the Feather Drake are among the finest treasures for tailors and seamstresses, and its meat is also delicious, making chefs happy. The rare Winger Drake is one rank higher, and it hasn’t been brought to Feel in over ten years, so she apparently went wild when she saw it.
“Say, about the Winger Drake, are you really only selling half of them?”
“We want to use them too. Our armor is valuable, but it doesn’t compare to Winger Drake.”
“We want to use rare materials too, you know.”
So, we’d like you to be satisfied with three. It’s become easier to go to Mylight thanks to Jade and Fluorite, and we could probably hunt them if we went, but after what just happened, we don’t want to push them too hard for a while. Besides, won’t the Evil Drake become usable after the investigation is complete?
“Shall I tailor that armor for you? I’ll use Magic Silver and Crystal Silver, and tailor it to your Magic Power, so I can make something several ranks better than what you’re wearing now?”
Having the Crafter’s Master tailor it would be ideal, but if Ed’s alloy experiment is successful, we’ll use that instead, so we’d likely ask blacksmith Ed and tailor Marina to make it.
If the alloy is successful, reporting it to the Crafter’s Guild is fine, but there’s also a Crafter’s Guild in Retisencia, and we absolutely want to prevent information from reaching them. Well, since Retisencia looks down on crafters and artisans, the Crafter’s Guild seems to be considering withdrawing.
Incidentally, there are no guilds in Solemne. I heard the Emperor drove them out long ago. What were they thinking?
Be that as it may, there’s something I want to ask you while we’re here. However, I can’t make this decision arbitrarily, so I should ask Prim about it.
“Prim, about that matter, what do you think about asking here?”
“That sounds good. We were planning to ask the Crafter’s Guild to make it anyway, so let’s ask them about the Beast Carriage along with it.”
“What are you talking about?”
Alright, Prim agrees. Laberna-san doesn’t know what it’s about, but she should be able to do it if she’s a tailor, so she’ll probably do it.
I explained that I had befriended a Hippogriff by saving it during the Evil Drake hunt, and that the pack leader had left its remains for Jade and Fluorite. Then I asked if they could make Beast Gear from its body.
“I’ll definitely do it! I’ve never handled a Hippogriff before!”
Laberna-san agreed immediately. Beast Gear is essential for riding a familiar. It’s an equipment set that includes a bridle, reins, saddle, and stirrups, integrated with the minimum necessary armor. Furthermore, since the Hippogriff is large and has wings for flight, even if its body shape is similar to a horse or Battle Horse, it cannot be used. It could be used if it didn’t fly, but that would defeat the purpose, so we had decided to buy it.
However, the ranch didn’t sell Beast Gear for Hippogriffs, and Fiat-san told us that the Crafter’s Guild, and Feel in particular, didn’t have any, so we had to place a custom order with the Crafter’s Guild. We decided to ask for it along with the Beast Carriage.
“So, could we possibly get a bit of the Hippogriff’s hide and other materials?”
Laberna-san hesitantly requested compensation. Hippogriffs are already rare, and they don’t actively attack people. As G-rank monsters, their materials are hardly circulated. It’s no wonder Laberna-san wants them.
“I’m sorry, but as I mentioned earlier, there are circumstances.”
“I understand. It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Ah, I’ll take care of the Beast Gear. May I guide you to the ranch tomorrow?”
She gave in so easily. It’s helpful for us, but if Jade and Fluorite are okay with it, we might be able to add a few feathers as compensation. Tomorrow around noon, we’ll introduce Jade and Fluorite at the ranch, measure their current build, predict their future growth, select materials, calculate costs, and then begin production.
Since Jade and Fluorite are still children, even if we make the Beast Gear now, we’ll have to remake it several times before they become adults. This will naturally incur costs and require materials, but by effectively using the Craft Magic called Adjusting, which is a type of garment adjustment, we can significantly reduce the number of times we need to remake it. This is a manufacturing method invented by Laberna-san, where it’s made larger beforehand, folded using a Craft Magic called Connecting, and then adjusted to size with Adjusting. It seems important to use Connecting well, so it’s a skill that depends on the maker’s ability. However, it’s not particularly difficult, so this manufacturing method is now common not only for Beast Gear but also for clothing. Laberna-san was recognized for developing this technique and became an M-rank Crafter.
“Yes, please do.”
“For me, making Beast Gear for a Hippogriff using Hippogriff materials is probably something I’ll never do again, so I’m looking forward to it.”
I didn’t expect to be able to ask the Crafter’s Master, but this is fortunate for us. I don’t know how much it will cost, but Beast Gear for Battle Horses starts at 10,000 El, and since the main material will be provided, it probably won’t be excessively expensive. It’s a commission for an M-rank Crafter, so the reward will be higher, but we made quite a bit today. Ah, we could offer a whole Winger Drake as compensation.
Beast Gear is a tool that our lives depend on, just like weapons and armor, so being able to ask a skilled person means high reliability and peace of mind. For horses or Battle Horses, as long as it’s not extremely poorly made, it should be fine, but since Hippogriffs fly, any accident would be no laughing matter.
Since the Beast Gear is now in Laberna-san’s hands, the next thing is the Beast Carriage.
“No, Laberna-san, we’re not finished talking yet.”
“Oh, sorry. I got carried away, even though I’m not young anymore.”
I can understand her excitement, but we haven’t even sold the Feather Drakes and Winger Drakes yet, nor have we received our payment. Please be patient. Besides, we told you we’d request a Beast Carriage when we took the job.
“My apologies. About the Beast Carriage, it involves adding a stable for a Hippogriff, so it will take considerable time and cost.”
“Specifically, how much?”
“We don’t have a design yet, so I can’t say for sure, but you should probably expect at least a month. And the cost, even with a conservative estimate, will be no less than 700,000 El.”
It’s on par with Duke Hydransia’s Beast Carriage. Well, the most expensive part will undoubtedly be the bath, so I can’t help it.
“We expected that and anticipated that Divine Metal coins might be necessary, so it’s alright.”
“Understood. I’ll introduce you to a skilled crafter, so please work out the details with them. It’s not that I can’t do it, but it’s outside my specialty.”
That’s natural since you’re a tailor. Also, while the Beast Carriage is important, it’s difficult to travel far without Beast Gear. Even on that short flight from Mylight to Feel and back, my backside ached, so I want the Beast Gear as soon as possible. Speaking of which, how long will it take to make the Beast Gear?
“Laberna-san, how long do you think it will take to make the Beast Gear?”
“I can’t say for sure yet. It’s my first time making Beast Gear for a Hippogriff, and I’ve never even seen one before. I know how large an adult is, but until I see it, I can’t answer regarding its build and other issues, frankly.”
I see. Indeed, Hippogriffs have a similar build to horses and Battle Horses, but their forelegs have the paws of a lion ending in an eagle’s talons, their hind legs are lion-like with Battle Horse hooves, and most importantly, they have wings growing from the base of their forelegs, so the Beast Gear must not interfere with them, or they won’t be able to fly. It’s only natural that she can’t judge until she sees it.
“Understood. Fortunately, we haven’t accepted any other requests, so after you see Jade and Fluorite at the ranch tomorrow, we’ll place our order for the Beast Gear and Beast Carriage.”
“Yes, that’s probably for the best. The sun will be setting soon, so it’s better to do it tomorrow. I’ll also quickly decide on the person in charge. It will probably be her.”
“Her” probably refers to Fina, a woodworker.
“You mean Fina, don’t you?”
“Yes. Wait, you know her?”
“I’ve only heard of her from Ed and Marina, as they are friends.”
It was correct. Fina is a Harpy who is a redeemed slave working for the Crafter’s Guild. She apparently originally lived in a village in Valentia. Two years ago, due to a famine that threatened her village, she voluntarily offered herself as a redeemed slave to a merchant in Feel to protect her family, and was brought to Feel. She had talent as a woodworker, so Laberna-san bought her, and she has been training and working at the Crafter’s Guild ever since. Amister generally treats redeemed slaves with leniency, or rather, the same as ordinary people, so Fina is probably getting along fine. In fact, I had heard Fina’s name from Ed, and he said he would introduce me soon.
“Ah, through those two. That makes sense. I can introduce you tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
Since we’re having a Beast Carriage made, Fina should accompany us to the ranch. Also, Fina is Laberna-san’s slave, so it’s not strange for her to come along. Prim, who is from the same region as Fina and a noble, seems to have some thoughts about it, but since it was caused by monsters ruining the fields and then the stored goods being destroyed in a village fire, it’s probably not directly related to Prim. Fina had young siblings, so her becoming a redeemed slave to help her family is understandable.
However, I have reservations about the word “slave,” so I think it might be better to use a different term, even for redeemed slaves. This is a problem beyond my capabilities, but if possible, I want to change it.
