254 - - the pride of a craftsman

After Thor and the others had finished their business, only Hila remained at the restaurant for a meeting.

Unusually, there are no customers in the store, and the second son of the apprentice has also retreated to the back.

Ramow, who was writing a letter of caution to his eldest son at his worktable, called out to Hila, who was eagerly examining his scale armor.

"...... don't give him too much of a head start."

The silversmith turned to him and replied with a wry smile.

"Don't be so presumptuous, master.

"Well, even you are shy about appearances."

The craftsmen's cooperative sets a minimum retail price for most of the goods that circulate in the border town.

This is an arrangement to prevent the craftsmen from crushing each other in price disputes, but there are no strict rules regarding the upper limit.

Therefore, some craftsmen who were proud of their skills were allowed to charge a drastic price for their masterpieces.

However, it was up to the customer to decide whether the price was really worth it or not.

As a silversmith, Hila's main customers were not adventurers but the wealthy upper class.

The silversmith Hila's clients were not adventurers, but wealthy upper classmen.

They are of great interest to those who live their lives without threats.

The precious metals combined with some of the materials of the more vicious monsters attract a large number of people who lead such an elegant life.

Favorers flocked to the area, and the beautifully decorated horns and tusks were sold for exorbitant prices.

The silversmiths themselves were not merciless to those who did not know the market price, and they pushed their prices as high as they could.

As a result, Hila's works gained fame and were traded at high prices.

The competitors were not happy about this.

Especially in the border towns, adventurers benefit greatly from the purchase of materials.

Naturally, there was a belief that the processed equipment should be given priority to those who risked their lives for it.

However, Haila's business partners were all priests and nobles from the home country who had nothing to do with the border town.

This antagonized the fellow craftsmen even more.

Of course, if other craftsmen had made similar products, they might not have been so conspicuous.

However, the combination of the exquisite workmanship produced by Hila's expert hands and the ornaments that fully utilize them is not something that can be imitated overnight.

Perhaps because of such envy, Hila was called a "karmic pusher" by those who did not have the guts to talk about it.

Since she herself did not openly deny it, it became her nickname.

The notorious silversmith looks silently into the eyes of Ramo, a master silversmith.

Then he asked him a curious question.

"You are very much in favor of the Thor family, aren't you?"

"No, well, they don't know much about prices. Well, I know it's wrong of me to say so, but..."

A high-ranked adventurer can easily earn more than an average merchant.

Surprisingly, however, there are few who are rough with their money.

The reason for this is that they have been fighting for their lives for many years and know that such a life will not last long.

They are also hesitant to spend lavishly when they look ahead to their post-retirement life, when their income will be drastically reduced.

In addition, the senior members of the faction and the familiar caretakers of the temples to which they belong offer various advices to them.

However, Thor and his group have risen to the highest rank of "A" in a short period of six months.

The faction is still small, and the two main members do not even belong to the temple.

They are a perfect duck for the job.

Hila could not help but smile at the worried look on Ramo's face.

"Don't worry. We will give you a fair price this time. I won't take a single extra coin, including travel expenses.

"Well, how's that for a windfall?"

"Yes, that's right. Actually, I've learned my lesson.

"Learned?"

"I've made a lot of money, but I lost everything last year."

Ramow, remembering the fall of Bossalia, shook his head in agreement.

"But then I heard that the city had recovered, so I went back and found that the stores I thought were finished had somehow been completely restored. Yes, I was really surprised. I asked around and found out that it was rumored to be the work of Mr. Toll and others. I was astonished at how impossible it was, but what surprised me more was that it was only a rumor. I really liked the fact that he was not proud to tell about it.

After a pause, the elderly silversmith continued in a deep voice.

"So, I really feel that I would like to make such a work for people," he said. Yes, that's all there is to it."

"I see."

It is true what they say about you, that you are particular about your customers. But this scaled armor is a magnificent piece of work. Even a craftsman's eye can't help but admire it.

"Yeah, well, I'm not trying to pick and choose my customers. It's just annoying that they're the only ones who order. That's why I only give them one order. I guess that's what they call it."

"What kind of things?"

"It's no big deal. I just came to show you that I'm using it properly. But they always forget about it so quickly."

After a few distant glances, Ramow spits out a mumble.

"...... or you'll never come back to show me again."

Then he looked up, and for a change, he said pleasantly, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

"But that son of a b*tc* Thor has kept my order for twenty-five years. It's only logical that I should do my utmost to fulfill such a customer's order.

The leatherworker and silversmith look at each other for a moment.

Then, as if in unison, they lift the edges of their lips to each other's.