Kays Translations

Chapter 36: The Cat, the Fox, and the Dog ④

And in the blink of an eye, a week had passed. That was fast.

Inside the shop of Velent the Blacksmith.

Pakira, Juicy, and I were chatting casually.

Dagaa was staying behind with Mineha.

We were told to wait for a bit, so we sat in the chairs provided and helped ourselves to the tea and sweets that had been set out.

I was a little surprised when I tried the sweets.

They looked like small brown square-shaped pastes, but they tasted like egg biscuits.

Hydrangea probably has a wide variety of sweets.

I’ve had a few before. But to be honest, from the perspective of someone with memories of a past life… hmm.

Sweets that use sugar are overly sweet, and those that don’t are kind of bland.

Most of them have that simple, old-fashioned taste.

Since there’s butter, there’s also cream. They have cakes and jelly.

But there’s no chocolate. No pudding. No vanilla. No ice cream.

They have candy and rice crackers. The candy includes syrupy sweets and hard candies. Then there are things like the paste I’m eating now and cookies.

There’s also something similar to sweet red bean paste. A few fruit-based sweets, too.

I’m sure there’s more if I looked for it, but I don’t really know much.

I’m a kid, and I can make some sweets, but… I guess I’ve never really been that into them.

Oh, but if I had to pick one, I do like candy. I especially like the candy the witch sometimes makes.

It’s amber-colored, lightly sweet, with a minty aroma and a hint of tartness.

It has a nostalgic flavor.

“Ah, right. I have something to report to you two.”

“What is it?”

“Um, a report? What could it be?”

“Yeah. Thanks to you, I was able to purchase a base successfully. Once the base registration is approved, we’ll be able to officially use it. I wanted to thank you again.”

“Oh, it’s no problem. By the way, what is a base registration?”

“Well, by registering a party base, you can receive various benefits from the government and guild. Discounts at shops, the ability to rent or buy a party house as a base, sometimes even with a discount.”

“Um, um… if there’s a discount for purchases, wouldn’t it have been better to buy it after applying?”

I thought that too. Pakira nodded slightly.

“No need to worry. The discount is applied retroactively after the registration, and you’ll get some of your money refunded.”

“That’s really convenient.”

So they even allow retroactive approval. That’s a great system.

“Um, um, woof. Then that’s a relief. I’m glad.”

A base registration, huh? I didn’t know there was a system like that.

As we chatted like that, Velent showed up.

“Hey there. Sorry for the wait.”

Huh? The witch isn’t with him.

Velent set a white box on the table with the tea and snacks.

“It took a while to adjust, but yeah. I somehow managed to finish it.”

“Velent-san, where’s the witch?”

“Oh, she’s sleeping in the nap room. She hadn’t slept in four days because she was working on the final adjustments.”

“…The witch… did all that for me…?”

I felt a pang of emotion.

Velent scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.

“Yeah. Go wake her up later, apprentice.”

“Ah, I’ll pass. The last time I went to wake her, I got caught and almost died.”

I politely declined. Pakira muttered.

“Almost died? That’s not exactly peaceful.”

“Um, um, um, Wof-sama. Why did you almost die?”

“She suddenly hugged me in her sleep. I thought I was going to suffocate in her chest. That’s when I realized something: a witch’s boobs can kill.”

…Though I’ll leave out the part where she was completely naked.

“O-oh. That’s… kind of enviable… maybe not.”

Verent got a little tongue-tied.

I get it. I really do. I almost died, but it felt like I’d reached paradise.

Pakira looked at me with exasperated cat eyes.

“Ridiculous.”

“Um, um, woof. I’ve experienced the same thing! When I went to wake up Ennea-chan, I ended up in a similar situation and almost died. I understand!”

“So it really happens.”

“Um, woof. Yes! Ennea-chan was naked too at the time!”

So Ennea-chan has witch-level boobs, huh.

Didn’t think the situation would be that similar.

“Hmph. Foolishness.”

“Uh, anyway, Velent-san, so it’s finished?”

Pakira seemed a bit grumpy for some reason, so I changed the subject forcefully.

“Yeah. Here it is. In that white box.”

That must be it. Nervously, I slowly opened the box.

What was inside were… two faded leather gauntlets.

They were thick around the back of the hands and upper arms… but they were clearly made of leather.

Gauntlets don’t always have to be made of metal—there are fabric ones too, so it’s not unheard of.

But the shards of the Great Tusk Blade aren’t leather. They’re horns—so not metal either—but still, not leather.

And the color made them look like they’d been neglected in a warehouse for years.

So dirty it seemed like someone just dusted them off and brought them in.

Ask a hundred people and a hundred would say they don’t look new. I’m sure of it.

“T-this is it?”

“Yeah. At first glance, it looks like worn leather. But don’t worry. I used materials like the Great Tusk Blade, magic silver, magic gold—all top of the line. Try putting it on.”

“O-okay.”

Still confused, I picked up the right-hand one first.

It was light—and at the same time, I was shocked. This wasn’t leather. It was metal.

Soft like cloth, but definitely firm. Metal.

What is this strange sensation? It’s way more metallic than it looks.

“Yeah. Surprising, right? To put it on, you need to open the clasp at the wrist. See the small plate there? Press it lightly.”

“Like this? Wah—whaaaa!?”

Clack clack clack! The inside unfolded with metallic sounds like it was unraveling.

It even opened up all the way to the fingertips. So intricate. It felt high-tech.

Reminded me of a superhero suit.

“What is this gauntlet?”

“Um, um, woof. I’ve never seen anything like it!”

“Yeah. Kid, stick your hand in.”

“…O-okay.”

When I inserted my right hand, it slid in like it was being sucked in, and it closed up with a clack clack clack.

Yeah. Just like one of those superhero suits.

To think I could get something like this in this world—at that moment, lightning struck in my mind.

I instantly felt my relic, [Silent One], sync with the gauntlet.

Words floated into my mind:

[Silent One]: Allows calm and steady actions for a limited time. Also enables the ability to hear inner voices. Duration: 3 minutes. Cooldown: 3 minutes. While equipped with the [Gauntlets of Serene Sanctity], you can guarantee success in one quick, precise, high-difficulty action while in [Silent One] mode.

Silent Move? Is that a relic?

Guaranteeing success in one quick and precise action… even once is amazing.

That’s basically a cheat. I think the witch had a similar relic.

So that one guaranteed success is limited to [Silent One] mode.

That means after the cooldown, I can use [Silent One] again and get another guaranteed success.

That’s how it works, right? Either way, it’s super useful both in and out of combat.

And the [Gauntlets of Serene Sanctity]—they’re already named.

Hmm? Wait. So these gauntlets are… OOPArts!?

And they’re compatible with my relic!? I thought OOPArts could only be found in dungeons or ruins.

“Wof? What’s wrong?”

“Did it not fit?”

“Woof—Wof-sama?”

“Oh, no, the size is perfect. It fits like a glove.”

I barely feel the weight. There’s no discomfort at all.

My finger joints and wrists move just like they did before wearing it. I put on the left one, too.

Wearing both—it feels right. So right.

It’s strange how I don’t feel any different than before I put them on.

These gauntlets are definitely mine. Even if they’re OOPArts.

“Truly. I’ve never seen gauntlets like these… but why this coloration?”

“Um, um, it’s new, but the used look is kind of strange.”

“Yeah, kid. You’re the witch’s apprentice, but you don’t want to stand out, right?”

“Y-yes.”

“And if you wear flashy stuff, you’ll attract weirdos. These gauntlets—rookies and veterans couldn’t get their hands on something like this. That’s why they’re made to look old and worn. That was the witch’s idea.”

“Um, um, I see.”

“Hmm. That makes sense. It’s reasonable.”

“For me…”

“Yeah. The witch designed the gauntlets, provided some of the materials, chose every part, and refined them all herself. She made prototype after prototype—dozens of times—until they became what they are now. We just followed her instructions. I’ve known the witch a long time, but that was the first time I saw her pour so much passion and effort into making something for someone else. I was impressed, honestly.”

“Witch… Sensei…”

I felt like I was about to cry.

“Um, um, Wof-sama…”

“I don’t like that fox… but she’s a good mentor. Wof.”

“Yes.”

I want to repay this favor somehow.

But can I really repay it? Someday, as a disciple, I will… to my witch of a mentor…

As I was thinking that, Juicy-san spoke.

“Um, um, um, I just noticed. The knife is gone.”

“Huh? Oh, you’re right.”

We had been so focused on the gauntlets. The knife was nowhere to be seen.

“Ah, crap. I forgot. Kikka’s going to scold me. I’ll go get it.”

Velent-san hurried to the back.

“Good grief. That one always forgets something.”

Come to think of it, that’s true. Juicy-san was staring intently at the gauntlets.

“Juicy-san? Is there something about the Gauntlets of Serene Sanctity?”

“Oh, you named them?”

“Yes, well…”

“Um, woof. As expected of Wof-sama. It’s a wonderful name. Gauntlets of Serene Sanctity. So lovely! I couldn’t help but stare at them.”

“Hm. The witch poured all her power into making those gauntlets. I wouldn’t be surprised if they turned out to be an OOPArt.”

“Eh?”

“Well, not that such a thing is possible, of course.”

“Right…”

But honestly, these really are OOPArts.

Juicy-san tilted her head.

“Woof? Um, um, you can’t make OOPArts?”

“They’re things found in dungeons and ruins. I’ve never heard of one being made. At most, restored.”

“……”

I think…

OOPArts aren’t recognized unless a compatible relic reacts with them.

Maybe among all the weapons and armor ever created, there have been OOPArts too.

Just like these Gauntlets of Serene Sanctity—maybe some exist in secret, unnoticed.

“Alright, sorry, sorry. Kid, here’s your new knife.”

What he handed me was truly a new knife.

The sheath no longer had the distinctive upward curve of the original.

“…Can I draw it?”

“Go ahead. See for yourself.”

I drew the blade. I could tell the moment I received it.

The awkwardly curved blade had been replaced with a straight, short, single-edged one.

A black semicircle guard and a pure white handle. A metal ring attached at the butt of the handle.

And the most unique feature— the short blade had a double edge.

A thin double blade. They must have used the original upward-curved part for this.

“It’s a good knife. A double edge is rare.”

“Yep. Kikka made it. Ah, Kikka is my daughter. She makes blades all the time. How is it? Good work, right?”

“Yes. It’s not too heavy and easy to handle.”

“Double edges are uncommon.”

“Um, um, it looks really sharp.”

“The sharpness is guaranteed. We tested it a bunch.”

“Thank you very much.”

I sheathed the new knife. Verent-san smiled.

“Alright. Kikka’s napping right now, but I’ll tell her you said thanks.”

“Yes. Please do.”

“Kid, take care of both the gauntlets and the knife. If anything happens to either, tell me. Come straight to me, got it?”

“Y-Yes. Understood.”

Gauntlets of Serene Sanctity. A new knife. I’m really happy.

Happier than I’ve ever been. Oh yeah. I should tell Axe-san about it later.

And just like that, my gauntlets and knife were ready, and I left the blacksmith.

After saying goodbye to Pakira-san and Juicy-san, I headed home.

Oh right—meat.

Mineha-san told me to buy meat.

That meat-loving fairial. Always meat, meat, meat. Eat some veggies too!

Well, maybe being small has nothing to do with that.

Now then—meat. I’ll get the usual mixed meat from the usual butcher, and hmm…

Yeah. I’ll also get a nice chunk of the good stuff.

It’s not a special day or anything, but I feel like celebrating today.

Alright, now that’s decided—

“Kyahh! Somebody!!”

“Hm?”

“The baby stroller!!”

I turned and saw a baby stroller rolling down a steep slope at high speed.

A woman who appeared to be the mother had fallen and gotten hurt. It was someone else who screamed.

At the bottom of the slope was a busy main street—with carriage traffic.

The stroller was racing straight toward it.

Everyone just watched and cried out. But that’s understandable.

The stroller was moving too fast for anyone to react.

There weren’t any capable adventurers nearby either.

I tried to move instinctively, but… the distance—it’s too far. I won’t make it even if I run.

“Oh no, the stroller!?”

“Someone!!”

Just then, a large black carriage passed in front of the stroller.

It would crash into it at this rate. Is there a way—yes, there is.

I enter Stillness mode and immediately sync with the Gauntlets of Serene Sanctity. I’ll use this:

“Silent Move.”

It guarantees a single successful execution of a fast and precise high-difficulty action.

My action is one: stop the stroller before it hits the carriage.

The moment I commit to it, a visual distortion flashes in front of me.

And the next instant—I’m suddenly behind the stroller.

“What!?”

Even as I gasp, I grab the stroller and stop it.

Barely—just barely—I manage to halt it right before impact.

“……”

I peek inside the stroller. A baby elf is sleeping soundly.

“That was something.”

I can’t help but smile.

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