After the turmoil with the marquis’s household, I managed some minor tasks while requesting the blacksmith to forge a weapon from unobtanium.
Given the rarity of this metal, only a few blacksmiths can work with it. However, this is the Imperial Capital, one of the continent’s premier cities. Naturally, the Imperial Household employs blacksmiths capable of such work.
Since the Imperial Household’s blacksmiths possess the necessary skills, and I have a recommendation letter from the princess, I can make my request. Though the princess will know what I’ve requested, there’s no helping it.
Originally, it was a gift with strings attached. It doesn’t matter if she finds out.
I rolled three rings I had obtained into my palm. Each ring is more valuable than diamonds of the same size.
My finances are tight. I spent the money I had saved and the rings to cover the commission fee.
While daily life won’t be affected, large purchases will be impossible for a while. Although, I’ll still buy valuable items if they appear.
However, this request to the blacksmith is something I cannot avoid for my peace of mind.
What I’m commissioning is a single dagger.
But this one dagger will become my trump card.
In my past battle against an angel, I was helpless.
I used a weapon of the Creation King, an irreplaceable tool, to defeat the angel.
I take that fact seriously. If I leave things I can’t do as they are, I’ll inevitably be caught off guard.
…Even if it’s completed, there’s no opponent to test it against.
An expensive trump card without a use.
But just having it will contribute to my peace of mind.
I slid one of the rings onto the index finger of my right hand.
“Noel, Arnella. Come here.”
At my call, they immediately stopped their work and responded.
“Take this. Always wear it on your finger.”
I handed each of them a ring. They looked slightly puzzled but accepted them obediently.
“Thank you very much.”
“These are safety rings. They’ll absorb one fatal blow on your behalf.”
And they’re single-use. The cost-performance is terrible, but the ability to prevent death once is highly sought after and always trades at high prices.
Though not frequently produced, they’re circulated enough to gather a few.
“A magical tool… Is it alright for us to have them?”
“Things have been a bit chaotic lately. Keep it with you.”
“Understood. I will always wear it.”
Noel slipped the ring onto the ring finger of her left hand. After a brief moment of consideration, Arnella did the same.
No one would likely target my slaves directly, but I didn’t expect an attack in the capital. It’s better to be prepared.
Kasugal once described me as the type who would smash a stone bridge to test it, only to declare it unusable. I’m just making necessary preparations…
Kasugal, a mage, had a much more careless personality. A genius, his incantations varied with his mood.
Well, his wife handles the finances anyway.
With the renovations on his shop starting, it won’t be long before it’s completed. I should bring flowers for the celebration. It’s the least I can do as a former comrade.
I might even have these two dance for entertainment.
“Get dresses ready.”
“Understood. I will prepare attire that won’t disgrace you, Master.”
Noel and Arnella are a bit young, but they look good. They’ll make suitable partners for a party. Also, they’ll help ward off unmarried noble ladies.
Even someone like me gets approached by cash-strapped nobles.
I do have the money, though. Assets that haven’t been liquidated are stored in my warehouse.
Selling them all at once would devalue them, so who knows when they’ll be sold.
That large battle axe was bought by Kiria the Dragonkin, so that worked out well.
With no urgent matters, trivial thoughts come and go.
Answering such inconsequential questions now is meaningless since answers will change over time.
Solo work has fewer lucrative jobs now, but finding a new party as a warrior is surprisingly difficult.
I declined Nia’s invitation because parties can become unbalanced.
Adding more rear guards reduces earnings, but adding another front guard increases the burden on the rear.
Joining a lower-tier party to lift them up is possible, but they are lower-tier for a reason, leading to high chances of trouble.
Joining Belgion’s group wouldn’t change my earnings.
In the end, it seems I’ll have to continue operating solo.
Training my two slaves to become party members isn’t a bad idea…
There are parties made entirely of slaves. Some people even form slave-only parties to collect all the earnings.
As I finished my tea with sugar and set the cup down, the doorbell rang.
Noel opened the door to reveal a familiar maid from the princess.
After bowing, she informed me that I was urgently needed at the castle.
For the princess to summon me so forcefully is rare.
She’s a considerate noble, but this gives me a bad feeling.
Requests from the princess are always high-risk, high-reward.
I quickly prepared and headed to the castle with Arnella.
I brought Arnella because going alone was a bit much for my stomach. I’ve been under a lot of stress lately.
Arnella’s quite the poker face. Having her by my side makes things a bit easier for me.
