第５２掘：お仕事割り振り問題 (Part1)
**Chapter 52: The Job Assignment Problem**
**Side: Firia**
I am currently learning blacksmithing from Narjia, the elder of the Fairy Tribe. I am so moved!
The Fairy Tribe, like the Dwarves, are a race skilled in craftsmanship. And through special methods, they can imbue weapons and armor with magic, creating enchanted gear. Sadly, I don't remember my parents at all. That's why I can't perform dwarven blacksmithing. Brother expects great things from me, so I feel terrible that I can't do anything. That's why I'm learning blacksmithing from Narjia-san—to be useful to Brother!
And to bear Brother's children! Aslin is human, so it's dangerous for her to have children with her small frame, but the Dwarf Tribe, though small, gives birth relatively easily. Therefore, I can receive Brother's desires before Aslin can!
Brother is so kind; I'm sure he'll do many things for me, embracing me gently. But in reality, Brother doesn't use us for his sexual release. I thought he might not be interested, but that's not true. One night, after Brother had fallen asleep, I secretly explored Brother's private parts, and they responded to my touch. Labyris, noticing, suggested they help him find release, as it would be a shame to leave him in such a state, so we eased Brother together. I found the experience unusual, but cherished it as a moment shared with Yuki. I hope the day comes when Brother will ask me directly.
That's why I found it so puzzling. Why doesn't Brother make a move on us? Then, Labyris said, "Yuki is doing his best just to protect us. If we grow even a little, he'll feel at ease loving us." I see, I think Labyris is right.
Currently, we, along with the other older sisters, are being carefully protected by Brother. Not just the three of us, but the other six, and the newly arrived fifty-seven, are all being diligently protected by Brother, who pours his heart and soul into them. In such a busy state, Brother doesn't have the leisure to do such things with us.
In that case, I will use the help of the Fairy Tribe to lighten Brother's burden! And then, he can love us without reservation! Oh, but Brother's needs are almost daily attended to by Labyris, Aslin, and Ratz. That's after Labyris ensures Yuki is in a deep sleep with her magic, of course. Because, Labyris says, if we don't, he'll take matters into his own hands! That simply won't do! Yuki's precious essence for creating children must not be wasted on mere tissues! Not even Yuki himself is permitted to treat it so carelessly! At the very least, it should be offered to our lips! I even considered letting Yuki's seed find its way inside me, but Labyris cautioned against it, saying "Yuki would be quite surprised."
Yes, that's true. He would be surprised if he suddenly found out he had a baby without knowing. I, too, would be a little displeased if I found out I was pregnant with Brother's child without my knowledge. I want Brother to do such things when I'm fully conscious... But tonight, I'll once again be tending to Yuki's needs! I'm eagerly anticipating it!
"Are you alright, Firia?"
I realized Narjia was peering into my face.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm fine!"
Oh no, oh no. I'm supposed to be learning blacksmithing right now. As per Brother's schedule, after the job explanation, we moved on to a light practical session, so I'm following everyone in the blacksmithing workshop.
"Is that so? Don't push yourself, okay? Yuki-san told me, 'It might be overprotective, but please take care of her.'"
"Oh, Brother!"
"Hehehe... you seem fine then. But, just as Yuki-san said, you seem to have talent. Even though you know nothing, you don't hesitate to strike hot iron. In a way, perhaps that's the dwarven blood? Normally, a beginner would be quite timid."
Narjia praised me as I hammered the iron. But to me, it felt normal, so I didn't quite understand. I want to quickly make the sword Brother requested!
"...Blacksmithing, you see, is about pouring your heart into what you create. You might not fully understand, but I can tell. Perhaps it's because emotions ride on magic? Firia, calm down. I understand your desire to quickly become capable for Yuki. But when creating something, you mustn't neglect any single step. The hammer you're swinging now doesn't carry your thoughts or your heart."
"...I'm sorry."
"It's alright. Let's learn it properly. That, I'm sure, will be for Yuki's sake."
"Yes!"
For a while after that, I continued to swing the hammer, so engrossed that I lost track of time, and only stopped when Narjia told me to.
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen Yuki-san today, have I? Do you know where he is, Firia?"
"Yes, Brother has been helping Rurua-sama since this morning."
On the way back, we talked about Brother, who wasn't there.
"Ah, so that's it. That's quite a lot of work for him. What should I do? Should I talk to him tomorrow?"
"Did something happen? If it's important, you can just talk to Brother, can't you?"
"Hmm, Firia. Let's go to the store for a bit."
I then went with Narjia to "Super Ratz," where Ratz was serving as manager today. Super Ratz is a convenient store that stocks various groceries and sundries. In fact, other stores are closed except for the training facility's commissary. That's because there aren't enough staff.
Super Ratz, for a store, is an unprecedented size as far as I know. Stores are usually just renovated houses, right? But this Super Ratz, just as Brother said, is a truly huge store, living up to its name. It occupies the space of four or five houses, packed with goods. I was worried about theft, but at the "register," if you pass "barcodes" through and leave without paying, you're forcibly paralyzed, so there's no need to worry about things being stolen!
As I was thinking that, the automatic doors opened, and we stepped inside the store...
"Wow, amazing! This looks delicious!"
"Hey, frozen food, what's that?"
"You were told yesterday, weren't you? You heat it up in the microwave in your room."
"This paper is so white, it's incredible!"
"Look over here too, the pen isn't black!"
Wow, fairies who had finished work were shopping, and the store was overflowing. It was so crowded it seemed almost all the fairies were there. Oh, right. As for the shopping money, to give everyone a sense of how to use money, they were each given five silver coins from the dungeon's savings. So, shopping wasn't a problem.
"Yes, please line up here for checkout!"
"Milly, the item is missing! Where was it again?!"
"Chocolate is on the left in the warehouse...!"
"Alright, your total is 13 Forl. That's one silver coin and three copper coins."
"Oh my!"
Everyone looked busy. Everyone knew I was interested in blacksmithing, so they had sent me off without any issues, but... Today, Ratz, Eris, Milly, Labyris, and Aslin were managing the store. Tori and the others were busy with cleaning the training facility, preparing dinner, and manning the commissary.
"Oh dear, so it turned out like this after all."
"Did you know it would?"
"Hmm, faintly. This place is completely different from the outside, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"And it's their first shopping experience. People from the outside get very excited, the more they learn about the dungeon's wonders. But in a way, it's a good thing."
"Huh? Why?"