Fina and I followed Ruimin up the stairs. Fina was out of breath, but she climbed the stairs on her own, step by step. With sweat beading on her forehead, she made it to the Gates of Trials venue.
[Good job.] Yuna
I offered chilled water to Fina and Ruimin.
It was still early and there was no one in sight. Are we too early?
[There’s no one here.] Ruimin
[Yuna-oneesan, Ruimin-san. There’s someone over there.] Fina
When I looked in the direction Fina was pointing, I saw a person. Someone was staring at the building housing the Gates of Trials. That person seems familiar.
[It’s Rojina-san.] Ruimin
Rojina-san is standing in front of the building, just as Ruimin said.
[Rojina-san, is he participating?] Ruimin
[Hmmm. But, Rojina-san didn’t make any weapons.] Fina
He hasn’t made any weapons since we came to town. He has been making the pots and pans that we ordered. Even before that, Rikka-san told us that he wasn’t making weapons anymore. Rojina-san looked as if he was having a hard time. When I missed my chance to call out to him, he looked at us.
[Hey, girls. What’s the matter? Why are you here so early? It’s going to be a while before the people start gathering here.] Rojina
[No, I just came early because I’m dressed like this. How about you, Rojina-san? Are you going to participate, by any chance?] Yuna
[No way. I haven’t made any weapon in years.] Rojina
[Then why are you here?] Yuna
[......Perhaps, because of a loose end.] Rojina
[A loose end?] Yuna
[I want to make a weapon.] Rojina
[Then, go on and make one.] Yuna
[It’s not that simple, you know. I have a desire to make weapons, but my heart became empty after Ghazal and Gordo left. I was looking forward to watching them grow up together. And grow up they did. But now that they were gone, I couldn’t make weapons anymore. It’s no longer fun to make weapons without them.] Rojina
It’s not like your daughter got married or your girlfriend died, you know? But I guess it’s because I have a dirty mind. Besides, his apprentices will have to set up their own stores and will disappear someday. There’s no end to the loneliness he would feel if he were to miss them every time. Why won’t he take a new apprentice after his apprentice becomes full-fledged and leave his master?
[So, I thought that seeing an apprentice blacksmith would bring out the old passion for making weapons.] Rojina
So that’s why he’s here so early.
[So you girls came to watch too?] Rojina
[Well, sort of.] Yuna
[People usually don’t come here so early if they’re not a blacksmith or a merchant.] Rojina
[Isn’t this the big event in town?] Yuna
[It’s a big event for the blacksmiths. But for the average people, they don’t get to see the trials and tribulations. Plus, they have to climb this long flight of stairs.] Rojina
That’s what I thought as well. Not being able to see the trials and tribulations is the least exciting part. At least, if there was a camera or something to show what’s going on inside, people could enjoy it.
And then there’s the matter of the long staircase.
[Why is the Gate of Trials way up here? Why not make it a little lower? In the first place, did someone build the Gates of Trials? Or has it always been there since forever?] Yuna
[It is said that a wizard created it a long time ago. It is also said that this place was easy for the magic to gather and create magic.] Rojina
I wonder if it’s easy for magic power to gather here, like a spiritual or dragon’s vein. In games and comics, there are times when people talk about places where power can easily gather.
But the Gate of Trials was built by a wizard. It’s not like the pyramids just sprouted out of nowhere.
[Could it be that the reason you didn’t know when the Gates of Trials would open is that it’s made of that magic?] Yuna
[Correct. The Gates of Trials was being closed by magic power. And when the magic builds up, the gate opens.] Rojina
That’s why no one knows the exact date of the opening of the Gates of Trials.
[Looks like it’s about to open.] Rojina
When I look in the same direction as Rojina-san’s gaze, the door of the building opens. A dwarf emerges from inside. I don’t know how old he is, but he looks to be about the same age as Rojina-san.
[Who’s that?] Yuna
[That is Guildmaster of the Blacksmith Guild. Every year around this time, the officials stay in the building. And when it opens, they report to Guildmaster. I’m guessing the Guildmaster who received the report stayed overnight to prepare.] Rojina
When the Guildmaster of the Blacksmith Guild came out of the door, he made a small sneeze and noticed us.
[A Bear !? And Rojina?] Guildmaster
The Guildmaster of the Blacksmith Guild looks at me and Rojina-san in turn.
[She’s a friend of mine. I hope you don’t mind.] Rojina
Rojina-san followed up for me.
[......Well, I don’t mind it if you say so, but I see you know a girl who dresses pretty.] Guildmaster
[She knows my disciples who had gone far away. She just came to this city, so I’m just been taking care of her.] Rojina
[Right. So, did you come to watch again this year? Or did you come to participate?] Guildmaster
[No, I’m just here to watch.] Rojina
[You’re still not making weapons?] Guildmaster
[I don’t know. Maybe I’ll make it, maybe I won’t.] Rojina
[So, which one is it?] Guildmaster
[I mean, I don’t even know it myself.] Rojina
[So you’ve come to watch it again this year. I’ll serve you some tea inside, so have a drink.] Guildmaster
[Is that okay?] Yuna
[Until the people arrive, that is. I’m sure Miss Bear and the girls are tired from climbing the stairs. I’ll serve some tea if you like.] Guildmaster
We’ll take you up on your offer then. We also wanted to see the inside of the building, after all.
Author’s Note:
It’s been a week. I’ve been working on the book at a leisurely pace.
There are so many things I want to fix, I can’t finish it on time.
Yuna has come to the Gates of Trials. We’re getting closer to the end of the arc now. Here is another request from the author. Please try to refrain from making predictions in the comments section. If you do, the author will take damage.
※The next post may be a little late. I’ve ordered a new computer. It will be delivered shortly. I’m not sure how long it will take me to set it up, so please bear with me.
※Please keep an eye out for SS for the book bonus of volume 8 in the activity report. Yoroshikuonegaishimasu.