**Side: Fiana**
The daggers that Raus, Reina, and the mages requested were decided to be crafted from Jade Silver.
They couldn’t withstand the magic power of Element Class, but Mako’s magic fan, Hihizakura, was made of Hihishirokane, which could be sufficiently used in close combat, so there wasn’t a particular rush.
Also, since the only ones who requested them were mages like Yuri, Aria, and Reina, and archers like Flam and Rebecca, and considering that this was on short notice, it was decided that they would be made of Jade Silver.
Eventually, the daggers will be replaced with Hihishirokane ones and sewn onto the Crest Protector Coat that is currently being made, so these are just temporary items.
Moreover, we Crafters haven’t made any weapons yet, so these will also serve as our self-defense tools.
The reason we haven’t prepared weapons for Crafters is simply that we couldn’t decide what kind of weapons to make.
“Regarding where to sew the Mirror Sheath, the candidates are generally the upper arm opposite the dominant arm, the lower back, and the thigh area.”
“Not the thigh.”
“Yeah. It’s fine for me, but everyone else would have to lift their skirts to get it, which would take time and, above all, be embarrassing, right?”
Mako and Ludia immediately rejected one of Yamato’s suggestions, and I agreed.
Skirts are often lifted during combat, and while everyone wears spats under their skirt armor, that’s no reason to lift them ourselves; it would be far too immodest.
Ludia, who wears a miniskirt, would have no problem, but since the length of the skirt will also be extended when making the Protector Coat, it would still have an impact.
“Well, then, it’s either the arm or the waist, what do you all prefer?”
Yamato faltered for a moment, but there were still two options left.
I can’t start crafting until we decide where to attach it, so I want them to decide as soon as possible.
Oh, by the way, I’m on the arm side.
“The arm, I think.”
“I think that’s better too. If it’s on the waist, it might get in the way when I move.”
“In my case, I have a spare Mirror Quiver that can be attached to my waist, so the waist would be a bit…”
Ah, speaking of which, Flam had three Mirror Quivers.
The Mirror Quiver I made can store 100 arrows, which is a sufficient amount for everyday use. Furthermore, with elemental magic of the arrow type, they wouldn’t run out unless there was a serious problem.
However, Flam often goes into labyrinths with Yamato, and arrows cannot be replenished in labyrinths. Thus, she wanted to carry extra arrows as a reserve.
So, I made two more this year, but apparently, they would have run out of arrows if they didn’t have arrow-type elemental magic during the Krater Labyrinth expedition.
While low-rank monsters can be defeated with just arrows, high-rank monsters require magic-enhanced arrows to even serve as a distraction. Therefore, not just Flam, but all high-rank archers always carry spare Mirror Quivers.
Upon hearing this, Rebecca also prepared one as a spare.
“Yeah, I thought you’d say that. I also thought having it on my lower back might be a bit inconvenient.”
“Then why did you suggest it?”
“Because there might have been opinions that it’s better there. In fact, it’s undeniably easier to draw from the waist than from the arm.”
“Ah, I see.”
I understand.
Indeed, it would be easier to draw a dagger from the lower back.
However, it might be a little bothersome when moving the waist, so it would be a hindrance for Ludia, whose waist movements are important as a Martial Artist, and the same would apply to Yamato, a Swordsman.
Therefore, it’s an option that’s out of consideration, but it’s not without its merits.
It’s easy to draw, and being on your back, it’s hard to see from the front. If it’s properly disguised, it might even function as a hidden weapon.
It’s not very effective against monsters, but it would be useful against people.
On the arm, it’s completely visible, so it might not be usable in a pinch.
“I see. Then, how about the upper arm opposite the dominant arm?”
“That would be the safest option. If the dominant arm side is also disguised with the same design as the Mirror Sheath, they won’t be able to tell.”
“That’s a good idea. It would be completely hidden, but since it’s for self-defense, that’s better.”
And so, the Mirror Sheath was decided to be attached to the arm opposite the dominant arm.
Attaching a disguise with the same design as the Mirror Sheath to the dominant arm was unexpected, but it seems necessary if we’re considering combat against people.
Furthermore, the downward-facing position is easier to draw from than the upward-facing position, so that was decided as well.
Well, some throwers use them that way, and Mirror Sheaths with fall-prevention effects are commonly sold.
“I seem to recall that the Mirror Sheaths for throwers have Barrier Magic and Locking applied to them, right?”
“Yes. Barrier Magic seals it to prevent falling, and Locking secures the dagger inside. It also has Telekinetic Magic applied, so when magic is channeled into the Tenma Stone, the hilt pops out.”
However, when attaching it to the arm, gems would be less of a hindrance than Tenma Stones and would also look more aesthetically pleasing, so I think that’s what will happen this time.
For telekinetic magic, amber and pearls, which have good compatibility with Tenma Magic, can be used, but the most compatible is a pale pink gem called Rose Quartz.
Barrier Magic is compatible with amber, but since Telekinetic Magic is more important for the Mirror Sheath we’ll be making this time, we’ll be applying magic to processed Rose Quartz.
The problem is that Rose Quartz is a gemstone refined from a mineral called quartz.
Quartz is only produced in Amister, and there are only two or three mines, so crystals, amethysts, and rose quartz made from it tend to be expensive.
There are also monsters called Quartz Puppet species, and I believe they were in the Float Labyrinth, so being able to procure them locally is a saving grace.
However, even that can be a problem.
“Quartz Puppets, and in the Float Labyrinth, huh?”
“I can go, but if we go, we’ll end up hunting them all.”
“Yes, the hunters who are after them will complain.”
I’m sure they will.
The 12th Level of the Float Labyrinth, where Quartz Puppets appear, is visited by many hunters based in Float. Because of this, I’ve heard that disputes sometimes occur.
If ancient or element classes were to come here for materials, it would undoubtedly lead to complaints being filed with the Hunter’s Guild.
While it may be a side job for Yamato and the others, for them, it’s a job to make a living.
“I guess we’ll have to go and see if it’s too crowded, and if so, change locations.”
“Or how about trying the Varie Labyrinth? We haven’t explored all of it, so maybe they’re there?”
“Ah, that’s true.”
Speaking of which, I recall hearing that Jewel-type, Corundum-type, and even Orichalcum-type Puppet species inhabit the deepest layer of the Varie Labyrinth, and that there were even higher-ranked dolls and rare golems.
Furthermore, less than half of it was explored, so it’s possible that not only Quartz-types but also other species exist.
“Since we want to avoid unnecessary disputes, and it also serves as research, it might be better to go to the Varie Labyrinth first.”
“Right. If they’re not in the Varie Labyrinth, then we can go to the Float Labyrinth and hunt them without getting in the way.”
“That would be the safest approach.”
Well, that’s how it is.
It’s said that only Orichalcum-type is absent from the 12th Level of the Float Labyrinth, and all other ore types inhabit it.
However, despite this, the area is not that large, and it’s not uncommon to not encounter the Puppet species of the type you’re looking for. It’s also said that waiting for days without the desired species appearing is not uncommon.
They haven’t been completely hunted out, and it’s said to be physically impossible, but it’s still a popular hunting ground for Hunters. Therefore, it’s very common for Hunters to encounter each other, and it’s said that there are always people in the Safe Area.
So, I agree with going to the Varie Labyrinth to investigate first.
P-rank Monsters also inhabit it, making it difficult for Normal Classes to even reach, but these P-rank Monsters make it a go-to labyrinth for Ancient Classes.
The problem is for Element Class and above. Fortunately, P-rank materials are useful even for Element Class, and M-rank materials were usable without issue even for Arc Class, so we don’t need to rush on this.
Actually, I’m not aware of any labyrinths with M-rank Puppet species, so it might be a good idea to start looking for one soon.
“Then, shall we go to the Varie Labyrinth on our next day off?”
“There are a few indoor levels along the way, so that’s the only troublesome part.”
“Indeed. However, I don’t know of any other labyrinths with high-rank puppets, so we have no choice but to start with what’s certain.”
“I think I heard a rumor that they were in the deep levels of the Gallia Labyrinth, but isn’t that level where a large number of Dragoons or Sauruses inhabit?”
“That’s what I heard. I had intended to go someday, but I completely forgot.”
It’s been three years since I heard about the Gallia Labyrinth.
Gallia, the capital of the Ballman Count’s Territory, located in southern Amister, is one of Amister’s leading metropolises, centered around a Treasure Tree and boasting a labyrinth that emerged a few decades ago.
The Gallia Labyrinth is inhabited by numerous monsters that serve as materials for daily life. Furthermore, it’s less than an hour away from Gallia by Beast Carriage, so it’s constantly frequented by Hunters, leaving no room for Labyrinth Flooding or even Labyrinth Expulsion.
Therefore, Yamato and the others, along with other Ancient Hunters, have postponed its攻略 due to its lack of urgency, which is why they’ve never been to Gallia until now.
“I’ve been there, and it was truly a large city. It was about the same size as the capital, or even larger.”
Only Mako has been there, and the reason is that she’s always ready to be called upon as a healer.
With Traveling, she can move immediately even if an emergency request comes in.
Therefore, Mako has visited all the towns and villages on the Philia Continent in the past year, preparing herself to be ready at any moment.
She has already received emergency requests five or six times, and thanks to that, no major incidents have occurred so far.
“Ah, I’ve heard it’s a big city. I also heard that Gallia’s harvest festival is also a festival to praise the Treasure Tree, and I’ve been meaning to see it someday.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
I recall that when Count Bismarck made a request three years ago, that topic also came up.
At that time, I was worried about Fiel’s condition, so I didn’t have the余裕 to think about other towns.
However, Yamato and Prim resolved that situation, and I never imagined that I would be able to join the Union centered around them.
“Harvest festival, huh? However, we can’t go until we pass on our titles to our children, can we?”
“We can’t.”
Yamato’s shoulders slumped, but harvest festivals are also held in Fiel, and in other towns at the same time.
Moreover, for Yamato, the harvest festivals of large cities like Memoria and Deseo, in addition to Fiel, are also relevant, and he has to be involved in the preparations and follow-up for those as well.
He truly won’t be able to attend the harvest festivals of other towns until his children inherit their titles.
“Well, thanks to our evolution, our lifespans have extended, so we should be able to see it before we die, right?”
“I suppose so.”
Yamato looks disappointed, but work comes first, so there’s nothing that can be done about it.
I don’t know how long Element Classes live, but Ancient Classes live for about 250 years, so it’s definitely over 300 years.
It will be tough until then, but all I can say is to do your best as a Celestial Noble.
It feels completely like someone else’s problem, though.
