Published: September 10, 2025
※Correction of typos made on 2016/1/2.
This is Satou. There was a time when the term "missing link" became popular. Back then, I mistakenly thought "link" referred to a ring, and I embarrassed myself when talking with friends.
It supposedly refers to a lack of continuity in events, but as long as you live an ordinary life, I don’t think you’ll ever encounter it.
â—‡
"Right~ a little more to the right~?"
At the square beside the Boruehart City Hall, Tama was signaling directions with semaphore flags.
Even though she was just beside me moments ago, she was so quick.
Following her directions, the brownie in a flying suit landed the airship in the square.
At the City Hall, dwarves in office clothes peeked curiously out of every window.
Because many of them were chubby, it reminded me of a flock of sparrows perched on electric wires.
"Long time no see, sir Pendragon."
"And you as well, it’s been a while."
I shook hands with Dorial, the mayor who had come out to greet us.
Jojori, his secretary and daughter, was with him.
"Oh? Garohal! Why are you here?"
"Hey, Jojori, your surprised expression suits you. I'd love to have a date in the sky with you sometime."
"Oh, Garohal!"
Jojori blushed and responded with a somewhat pleased look at Garohal’s naturally charming words.
The last time we met at the magic shop, Jojori treated Garohal like an older brother, but something seemed to have changed in her feelings over the past six months.
According to Arisa, Jojori falls into the category of "a career woman who’s responsible but attracted to hopeless men."
"Master, where should I put the souvenirs?"
"Master, requesting instructions."
Liza and Nana, who had brought barrels of sake on a cart, asked, so I checked with Dorial where to store them.
Arisa was oddly saying "ta~ru" in an unusually cute voice in front of the barrels, trying to suppress laughter. It was a mystery, but since Arisa’s eccentricities are normal, I ignored it.
"Ah, Pochi! That box isn’t for here."
"Is it not?"
I stopped Pochi from carrying a wooden box containing a set of sake bottles.
"Garohal-san, this wooden box is a souvenir for you. Should I take it to your shop?"
"That's very kind of you! I haven’t even thanked you yet for the sake you gave me before."
"Oh, Garohal! You haven’t even thanked the scroll workshop, have you?"
Hmm, I wonder what that’s about?
"That’s right! I meant to write a letter, but time slipped by. You talked to Viscount Seemen on my behalf, right? Thanks to you, I can now regularly stock the popular 'fireworks' scrolls. My Garohal magic shop, which used to be deserted, is now so prosperous I can even hire staff."
I don’t recall directly interceding, but I think I mentioned Garohal at the scroll workshop in the Duke’s Capital.
Probably Factory Manager Jang was considerate enough to help out.
"It’s really thanks to you, Satou. Now I don’t have to worry when Garohal’s shop might close."
"That’s mean, Jojori. With you, the goddess of fortune, watching over us, my shop won’t go under."
Watching the couple-like banter warmly, Mayor Dorial called us over.
It seemed the request to meet Old Dohal had been approved.
â—‡
"Orichalcum!"
In Old Dohal’s room, the moment I took out the Orichalcum ingot, the dwarven blacksmiths peeking from the entrance all exclaimed in surprise.
"What are you peeking at, you fools!"
"Sorry, boss!"
The dwarves, arranged in a row, were struck on the head one by one by Old Dohal’s fist.
"Sorry for the noise."
"Not at all."
Old Dohal returned to the table while the dwarves remained kneeling, taking the ingot in hand.
"This is Orichalcum... and not just any Orichalcum."
Old Dohal examined the ingot from various angles.
It was the first I’d heard of grading, but maybe there is such a system?
"It must be refined with power from a very high-level source. You can feel the blessing of spirits just by touching it."
Red Coins—you can make this relatively easily with Philosopher’s Stone and refining materials, but I stayed quiet so as not to spoil Old Dohal and the dwarves’ excitement.