Chapter 42: Requesting the Dwarf girl to make
After having a rough idea of making a mirror the next day we immediately lined up at the shops on the main road.
“A trip with Master, yay~!”
“Aa, Masatsugu-sama look at that. It’s a cat~ It’s so cute~”
“Hey~Masatsugu-san, can I hold your hand~?”
“We are being awfully watched. Masatsugu-dono is way too attractive after all.”
The girls ran giggling.
Them being happy is best. That being said the reason for me walking to those places, is not for the girls to have fun walking but so I can ignore them a bit.
I don’t want them to feel bad.
There’s a different reason for coming here.
“Ehm, it’s here. This is the dwarf shop.”
It’s a bit worn-out and slightly dirty “Dwarf tools shop” so I’m certain about it.
“We’ll ask the Dwarf-san that’s here to produce a mirror?”
Lucia looking at my state immediately asked but I returned a bit vague nod.
“Well, that’s the plan but we need to make sure if they’ll accept our request. We do not know how much the cost would be of entrusting the recipe of production for concealment or closing the contents of the contract.”
“I see, it’s serious.”
“Masatsugu-sama is really able to do anything. You’re amazing to be skilled in handling negotiations too.”
“I respect you because I am not able to do difficult contract discussions~.”
“Same for me. I want that talent a bit more than others…”
I indifferently said that but the girls look at me with admiration.
“Well, you can practice it. Everyone is able to get experienced like me.”
“Is that true!?”
“Masatsugu-sama’s worst fault is his low self-assessment.”
“Impossible~ It’s definitely impossible~”
“Isn’t this indirect teasing?”
The girls let out a sigh and said that.
Sigh, you’re overestimating it, it’s not that big of a deal.
Well in the first place, I am not fool enough to receive the compliments of the young girls.
Let’s talk in moderation and get inside faster.
It’s worn out but it’s open.
I pulled out the knob and the rusty hinge made a jarring sound and we passed through the door.
“Who’s it? The debt payment is set for tomorrow.”
A quiet but lovely voice greeted us.
I turned to the side of the voice, and I saw a little girl sitting at the back of the counter.
Probably around the same age as Lucia?
The pink hair has grown enough to cover her eyes. It seems she has not cared for it.
Also, slightly peeking were her big eyes which were drowsy and her mouth drooping.
But, looking carefully, the ruffled hair that hides her appearance is an uncommon beautiful girl and together with her look brings about a charming presence.
But for some reason when the girls saw her they were troubled and grumbled.
“One more girl… Why are the rivals increasing… *grumble* *grumble*”
I lent an ear to them and heard that.
Why is that girl being an obstacle?
I tilt my head in confusion.
Well, probably it isn’t a big deal. Now, we should continue the conversation from earlier.
“It’s not the debt collector. I’ve came to request for you to produce something. I’m sorry but are your parents here?”
“They are both gone. It’s only me in the shop.”
The girl shook her head at my question
It seems this girl is an orphan.
“Eeh!?”
The girls raised surprised voices when they heard she was alone in the shop. I, on the other hand, remembered that there were many dwarfs who were expelled from their country.
“Is that so?”
“I am the dwarf Clarissa. You’re not surprised. Unusual human… Normally when people hear a little running a store they try to steal and make fun of them, it’s really troubling. You are different from such people.”
The dwarf girl was surprised and opened her eyes when she saw me and slightly moved the edges of her lips.
Perhaps, she was trying to smile just now.
Unreasonably difficult to understand!
If it wasn’t for my observing eye, then it’s no different from being expressionless!
Probably the reason others don’t understand the story well is because of this girl’s difficult to understand gestures.
While I was thinking Clarissa, opened her mouth
“But, I won’t accept the request.”
And answered while calmly shaking her head.
“Eh!?”
Lucia and the others expressed surprised noises, I just nodded calmly with Fumu.
“You won’t accept the request no matter what?”
And asked her back nonchalantly.
Clarissa was a bit taken a back at my overwhelming composure.
“I’m saying this for you guys. It’s better to go to the other stores. I’m at the receiving end of some harassment. Especially the neighbouring store, they hate my a lot. If I accept your request it will only cause you trouble.”
In a little flustered state she answered back.
So it was like that?
But, it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
“Why are you telling me this specifically? Isn’t Clarissa worried about the income?”
“You are different from the others. That’s why I don’t want to cause you trouble.”
She heard that and replied clogging on her words.
For some reason she was hiding her face by looking down and was saying that. I saw her for a bit and her cheeks were red.
Fumu? I don’t understand it well… Well, I do understand she is worried about me.
“No need to worry. I’m also an adventurer so I have more or less experience as a skill. You won’t suffer damage from harassment.”
I was thinking and told her to give her peace of mind.
“More or less…”
Lucia and the girls raised their voices in confusion.
What’s up?
Clarissa looked at me with a surprised expression and opened her mouth.
“Why do you fuss about me so much? I’m able to guess somehow that you are really strong. But you don’t have a reason to expressively ask for trouble.’
“No, Clarissa I think you are a very credible craftswoman. Concerning my request, the ingredients and manufacturing methods are important items in the contract that needs to be hidden. You are needed as a business partner for my future plans as a client even if you throw yourself out. Of course, the skill as an artisan must be certain, but I confirmed it just now. I’ll accept the harassment since a little girl like you hold excellent skills.”
But I shook my head in denial and continued.
“The harassment I’ll receive from asking you is not an issue. Compared to the results that you will bring, this is just a small risk from the start that will pass.”
When I said that she hurriedly began to say and her face was becoming deeply red.
“Na-naturally. My skills are best in this country. I won’t lose to anybody. I’ve inherited all the knowledge from my father and mother who once served the Dwarfen imperial court as craftsmen. I won’t bring you a loss!”
“Uwaa… Masatsugu-dono used a very good pick-up line for a craftswoman… Oh my, she’ll fall…”
“Cheater~”
Laara and Shii muttered such things, what do they mean?
I just simple told the truth.
“Well then. What do you want me to make for you?”
Coughing to return to her usual self she asked me.
From some time ago she was looking at me with fervent eyes but it’s probably excitement as a craftswoman.
“Aah, it’s actually about”
Just as I was about to inform the details.
“Hey! Dwarf girl! We’ve come to collect the money!”
“The payment is after tomorrow! Oi, Clarissa do you understand?”
Two hoodlums entered violently through the door and yelled out.