20: If you build trust, you can rely on each other, right?

"Mix this, then, huh?"

"Yeah. Please."

What's needed to make the alchemical furnace is mithril, iron, copper, and special oil made through alchemy—specifically for crafting the furnace. Seems like you gotta mix it in when making the alloy.

The alchemist’s sigil gives us the knowledge—how much of each metal, how much alchemical reagent to use—but it doesn’t teach us how to forge the furnace.

I tell it the size we need, and suddenly Leifan’s stacking up a massive mound of clay.

"Wrong, Craft. What we’re doing now is casting."

"...Can’t really tell the difference."

"Forging is hammering and shaping. Casting is making a mold out of earth or clay, like we’re doing now, then pouring in the metal. Just remember that."

"Ah, I get it."

They say dwarves are best at forging metal, and gnomes at casting it, but really, it’s all just within the margin of error, isn’t it?

"Huh."

When I asked Leifan to make the alchemical furnace, he just pulled out some high-quality clay from who knows where and built a giant mold in the workshop—taller than me.

Apparently, you pour molten metal into this mold. Pretty educational, huh.

"Yeah. Something like this. I can decorate it however I want, right?"

"Yeah, basically. As long as it’s a pot, it’ll be fine."

"Can’t wait to show off my skills!"

For a craftsman, decoration’s where the real talent shows.

Unless the client specifically asks for something plain, adding beautiful designs is practically instinctive.

I was already looking forward to seeing how this alchemical furnace would turn out.

◆

A few days later.

"Finished! Craft-kun!"

"Oh?"

They kicked me out so I couldn’t even watch when they pulled the clay apart and took out the solidified cauldron.

Apparently, I have to wait till it’s done.

I headed to the workshop with my heart racing. There, sitting like a king, was a massive metal cauldron—big enough to fit two grown adults inside.

Made of mithril, but not green. More of a deep, purple hue.

The craftsmanship was stunning. Just looking at it, you’d know it was a masterpiece, even if it were just a sculpture.

A true work of Leifan’s passion.

“How’s it look?”

“This… this is beyond anything I imagined. I don’t know art at all, but even I can tell this is something special. Thanks, Leifan.”

“Heh heh. Just made it because I had to.”

Well, just seeing this… it makes the whole trip to fetch the mithril totally worth it.

Leifan’s effort? Proof that my skills are finally being recognized.

All this time, my efforts had never paid off.

So.

"I gotta keep pushing."

Inside the expanded Guild Hall's alchemy chamber.

In the center, the alchemy cauldron—something that felt like art.

Looks like we're going to be stuck together for a while.

Just as I gently touched the cauldron...

awroghwtguerioaewrj;ghaeoresearijiiee;l;;

"!!?"

Out of nowhere, knowledge poured through the sigil.

"Craft?"

"Uh—no, it's just... touching the cauldron, and suddenly I'm flooded with alchemy knowledge... all at once."

"Aah, that thing?"

"You've experienced it too?"

"Yeah. First time I made a custom anvil, same thing happened."

"Whoa."

Never happened when I had the mage sigil.

Must be something unique to craft-type sigils.

...Could’ve just been bad compatibility with the sigil. That’s probably why the phenomenon didn’t happen.

“Got something good in the alchemy furnace. New stuff. Looks promising.”

“What? What’s that?”

“Mithril-specialized hard forging oil.”

“Wait—what?! What is that?! Looks insane!!”

Apparently called hard mithril.

So.

We decided right then to have Leifan craft something using hard mithril.

Also, with the hard mithril anvil and hammer finally finished, Leifan seemed to be bouncing with excitement—said he could make a whole new range of products now.

Yeah. Becoming an alchemist was a solid move.

◆

“S-s-sweet merciful gods... what the hell is that gear?! Mithril… is it…?”

“You just arrived in this village, huh?”

“Yeah. Buy you a round, you tell me what’s going on. Heard the place was doing pretty well.”

"Business? Yeah, no question. Whether it’s monster hunting or construction work, you’re never short on jobs. And if you rack up some decent accomplishments here in the village, the noble in charge hands out special privileges—like the right to buy mithril gear."

"Wait, seriously? I mean, I’d love to… but I can’t even dream of affording mithril."

"Hey, there are cheaper weapons too—like knives, for instance."

"Those, maybe I could scrape together in about half a year?"

"Plus, this village’s mithril? It’s way better than regular mithril."

"What?!"

"Apparently, there’s this top-tier blacksmith named Leifan and a alchemist named Craft teaming up. The stuff they sell? Most of it’s “premium.” And their potions? Some of them are “legendary.”"

"Wait—what?! You’re kidding me?!"

"Serious. And for adventurers taking on village work, the Adventurer's Guild sells it at just a bit above standard quality pricing."

"Wait—really?! I can't believe that!"

"I was the same way at first. But you’ll figure it out after a few days here. Oh, and if you buy a house in this village, you get free breakfast and lunch—complete with legendary stamina potion."

"…You’re kidding, right?"

"No way. If this were real, it’d be insane."

"Man… Goldendown Village, man… this place is messed up…"

"That party you saw? That’s the strongest in the village. The swordsman leading it is Raidock. You should say hello later."

"Will do."

"Even the mithril gear’s a steal these days. Honestly, the value is unreal when you factor in quality."

"Bet some people are reselling it, huh?"

"Supposedly, they’ll ban you from that area when you get noble approval."

"Guess that makes sense."

"High contribution to the village means you get purchase permission. I’m about to get mine, I think."

"Wow. That’s some good news."

"Yep. Right now, I’m saving up hard with my crew. Plenty of work to go around."

"Alright, let’s get serious here and stay in this village for a bit!"

"Got it. Keep me posted if you run into anything weird."

"Likewise. Count on me."

Every day, conversations like this played out in adventurer guilds and taverns.

Raidock and the others swapped their gear for mithril fittings, and word spread—more adventurers started showing up.

More parties decided to make this village their base for now, and their strength grew steadily.

Then, one day, Raidock received a job offer.

“So? What’s this big job about?”

“Investigation request.”

“Investigation. They’re paying good. Not some ordinary one, huh?”

“Yeah. We need you to look into this area.”

Raidock unfurled a crude map borrowed from the Adventurer’s Guild, pointed at a spot. One eyebrow twitched.

“Huh. Pretty dangerous spot, this.”

“Yeah. That’s why we’re asking you guys.”

“So what am I supposed to investigate?”

“Find this herb.”

He showed a sketch from a production guild document.

“Ambrosia flower… legendary herb, right?”

“Exactly. And where it grows… there’s a dragon.”

“…”

“No fighting. Just confirm it’s real.”

“If it’s real, I figure I can grab a little while I’m at it.”

"Best case scenario, I’d love to get my hands on a sample. Just… it’s gonna take a decent amount. Not enough to nick from a monster’s eye and call it a day."

"Ah. Got it."

"Take it?"

"Of course."

We lock hands, firm and tight.

And like that, the big operation kicks off.

Sorry—been fighting a cold. Might miss a couple days of updates.

If so, sorry again.

Ambrosia? Totally not the same thing. Yeah, that’s right.