We were able to safely invite Fina’s family to Alka by using the stone tablet on our way after leaving Rorie Village.
Rika-san is coming to stay tonight, but I need to report to the provincial governor before then, so I have to go to Feel after this.
Fina’s family—her father, Dusk-san, who is a Loxy, her birth mother, Lina-san, who is a Harpy, her other mother, Kanna-san, who is an Elf, her younger sister by two years, Fiana, who is a Loxy, and her younger sister by five years, Reina, who is a Harpy—were already informed about our backgrounds and Alka before we transferred. They were, of course, greatly surprised and hastily knelt when they learned that I was an Ancient Human and Mana was a princess of Amister.
There are still members remaining in Alka, so we’ll introduce them separately later. For now, we are in the Main Hall making introductions.
“I… I don’t know what to say, but thank you for inviting us here today.”
As Dusk-san bowed his head, Fina’s family followed suit.
“As I said in the Beast Carriage, please don’t worry about it. Fina is our precious comrade, so it’s only natural that we help her.”
“Especially after what happened to me, it’s even more so.”
“No, it had reached Rorie Village that Lady Primrose was alive and married into O-Rank Order of Amister. While Guild Master Gilfa does not acknowledge it, it has also been conveyed that His Majesty the Beast King does. However, I had never heard that she had evolved into an Ancient Foxy.”
It seems that Prim’s situation had also reached Rorie Village, so we had already explained her evolution into an Ancient Foxy.
“I cannot say for sure, as Gilfa’s ears are faster than Rorie Village’s, but even so, we didn’t know what Gilfa would do, so it’s safe to say this helped immensely.”
“Yeah.”
It was uncertain whether Gilfa knew Prim was an Ancient Foxy, and we couldn’t determine if they realized Fina, who had become a bought slave, formed a Union with Prim. However, we couldn’t just leave them be. It’s difficult to say in front of Fina and Dusk-san, but it’s a big relief that we no longer have to worry about Rorie Village from now on.
“For today, you will rest at the Komin-dono, but starting tomorrow, you will be living in Feel. Since this is also for our convenience, accommodations will be arranged immediately, so please rest assured.”
“Thank you again, repeatedly.”
After explaining all that, Yuri, Carol, and Apricot-san returned from Komin-dono.
“We’re back. Kanna-san is fine. And of course, the baby as well.”
“R-really!?”
“Yes. However, she needs to rest for a while, so it would be best for her to stay at the Healer’s Guild until childbirth.”
According to Apricot-san, who is also a mother, Kanna’s stamina had dropped considerably. She needs to eat nutritious food and rest.
“I’m so glad…”
“It’s precisely because you were feeding her yourselves that we were able to make it in time. Otherwise, she would have miscarried much earlier.”
That’s how much strain she was under, both mentally and physically. What kind of rotten village is it that accepts the payment for Fina’s freedom but offers no help, and instead pushes her to such an extent?
“Thank you…”
Dusk-san expressed his gratitude with tears in his eyes.
“Let’s get back to the topic. As I mentioned earlier, it’s largely for our convenience that you will be moving to Feel. Therefore, we will provide the house, but you will have to manage your own lives. Dusk, you are a Crafter, correct?”
“Yes. Not only myself, but my wives are also Crafters.”
Dusk-san is a carpenter, Lina-san is a tailor, and Kanna-san is a cook. All three of them are S-rank Crafters, so they should be able to manage well in Feel.
“That’s right. While the major work will be after that, they are all professions with high demand in Feel, and if you are S-rank Crafters, you should be able to manage well enough.”
“Yes. My wives and I are confident in our skills.”
The reason Dusk-san and the others are S-rank Crafters is simple: they lacked the opportunity to take the promotion exams. While materials were difficult to obtain in Rorie Village, after Fina’s purchase, they were barely scraping by, so they had no time for such things.
“However, Kanna-san, you are prohibited from working until you give birth. This is not as Royalty, but as a Healer’s advice.”
Yuri spoke sternly, but it was out of concern for Kanna-san’s condition. Being a cook is a demanding job, and it would be a burden for a pregnant woman. It also involves standing for long periods, which could lead to breech presentation and even risk the lives of both mother and child. This is the same in my world, and not everyone survives childbirth. Furthermore, Kanna-san was weakened by malnutrition and under immense stress, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she miscarried at any moment, and there was a non-negligible chance she could even die from it. A Healer would never agree to let someone in such a condition continue working.
“I understand.”
“We will also cover your living expenses for the time being and Kanna-san’s medical expenses. Since they are Fina’s family, they are my family too.”
“I agree.”
Ed and Marina intend to help with living expenses. Since they are his wife’s family, I can understand that. I have also been helped by Fina, so I wouldn’t mind lending a hand.
“It’s okay! I’ll register with the Crafter’s Guild too!”
“Me too!”
Just as I was thinking that, Fiana and Reina announced they would register as Crafters. Well, that’s a possibility, but being a Crafter costs quite a bit of money.
“To be worried about by my daughters, I am truly pathetic.”
Dusk-san laughed self-deprecatingly, but he didn’t seem genuinely displeased. Fiana and Reina should have registered as Crafters long ago. However, because they were ostracized as cursed children, the adults refused to accompany them when the other children of the village went to register with the guild. If the two of them had been able to register as Crafters, I believe their lives would have been a little easier, but to not even allow that—seriously, what is wrong with that village?
“Perhaps we should take care of Fiana and Reina ourselves?”
I blurted this out on impulse, but I don’t think it’s a bad suggestion. Of course, if we are to take care of them, they will have to join Wing Crest. Also, the Crafters who can teach them are only Ed, Marina, and Fina, so they could be told there are not enough instructors. As Flam and I are still T-rank Crafters, we are in a position to be taught.
“I think it’s fine, but what about everyone else?”
“I don’t mind. However, we don’t have much free time right now, so it will be difficult to allocate time for teaching.”
“Me too. Of course, I will make time and teach with all my might, but we are all still inexperienced, you know?”
Prim and the others are in favor. Ed and his group are also in favor, but they cited the difficulty of allocating teaching time and their own ongoing training as reasons. That’s indeed the case, but haven’t they improved quite a bit? To prove it, Ed is P-G rank, Marina is G-S rank, and Fina is expected to be eligible for the G-rank promotion exam soon.
“I want to be taken care of!”
“Um, if possible, me too.”
Reina’s enthusiastic response contrasts with Fiana’s hesitant one.
“Well, your daughters are saying so?”
“As a father, I want to teach them like Fina did. However, having caused them so much hardship until now, I also want to let them do as they wish. What should I do…?”
“It’s fine. It’s not like it’s a final parting. And since they are based in Feel, you can meet them anytime.”
“That is true… Understood. I have caused you so much hardship. Fiana, Reina, do as you please.”
“Thank you, Father!”
“Thank you!”
It was my impulsive idea, but both Fiana and Reina look happy. Well, since I said it on impulse, I have to take responsibility.
Side: Prim
The next day, we arrived in Feel with Fina’s family. Fina is also here for explanations, but Ed and Marina are still working in Alka today. Marina, in particular, was extremely excited after seeing the Dragoon leather that Yamato brought back yesterday. It’s understandable, as they can finally start making prototypes now that the dismantling of the Dragoon is complete.
Ah, the explanation to the provincial governor went smoothly, and houses are ready, so we left the guiding to the provincial governor and came to the Crafter’s Guild for Fiana and Reina’s Crafter registrations.
“These children cannot write yet, so I will write on their behalf.”
“Thank you, big sister.”
“I’ll practice writing hard!”
It seems Fiana and Reina cannot write yet. They should have been taught in Rorie Village, but they weren’t even taught to write. I was shocked when I heard such a village existed in Valentia. They even brought fire arrows as if to kill Yamato and the others, so once my issue is resolved, I will need to go to Rorie Village and administer proper punishment.
“Yes. Now, please provide your blood here.”
“Okay!”
Oops, it’s almost finished. There’s also the Union application procedure, but it doesn’t take that long. In fact, the promotion exams that Yamato and Flam are taking will take longer. Yamato and Flam are currently taking their promotion exams in a room at the Crafter’s Guild. Flam studied quite a bit, but Yamato is completely underestimating the promotion exam since he didn’t even cram the night before. However, according to Yamato, the promotion exam for I-rank covers material that is common knowledge in his world. That’s why he was so confident.
“Yes. With this, Fiana-chan, Reina-chan’s Crafter registration and Wing Crest joining procedures are complete. Wing Crest members lack common sense, but do your best.”
Even though the dwarf female staff who handled it said something rude, I’ve been told I lack common sense so many times that it doesn’t really hurt anymore.
“So this is our license.”
“I’m finally a Crafter.”
Fiana and Reina both look happy. They were supposed to register as Crafters right after Fina became a slave, but they had their entire payment for Fina’s freedom snatched away to save their family, and were treated as cursed children because of it. It must have been truly difficult.
“Then it’s my turn. Is the Crafter’s Master here?”
“Yes, but do you need something?”
“Yes. We’ve already spoken, but I have something to discuss and report regarding the new Beast Carriage for Wing Crest.”
Fina used to be Laberna-san’s secretary, but she handed over her duties to someone else when she joined Wing Crest. That’s why we can’t meet her as casually anymore.
“Understood. If you say it’s about Wing Crest, we can’t refuse, can we? Please wait a moment.”
The receptionist said that and left her seat. Fina’s report and consultation are about the metal ships that Yamato mentioned the other day. Since metal will be used, blacksmithing skills will also be necessary. Fina, in addition to her main profession of carpentry, also helps out in various other areas, and she can make metal products that are good enough to sell in stores. Therefore, she has succeeded in building an iron ship that doesn’t sink even with three people on board. There is still room for improvement, but it seems that by using Craft Magic such as Melting and Deforming, it can be made more efficiently, so it’s worth trying.
“I’m back. Please go to the Master’s Room.”
“Understood.”
We were allowed in more easily than expected, but it’s not surprising, as we can meet Guild Masters relatively easily not only at the Crafter’s Guild but also at other guilds. Fiana and Reina seem surprised that we can meet the Crafter’s Master so easily. Although the technology Fina is reporting to Laberna-san is also through an outsider, Yamato, Fina was the one who actually tested it. If this technology is put to practical use, Amister’s combat power seems likely to increase again. It can serve as a countermeasure not only to Retisencia but also to Abaricia, which is a good thing, and I welcome it.
