And so, the carriage arrives in the city of Ludnik.
Ludnik is a mining town with two mountains, so the atmosphere here feels like a city at the foot of the two mountains.
At the entrance of the city, we held our guild cards over the crystal plate and entered the city. At that time, the gatekeeper dwarf who saw me, looked suspicious of me while touching his long beard, but we were able to enter the city safely.
Is this also thanks to Jade-san and his friends?
The carriage goes on as it enters the city center.
When I look through the small window of the carriage, though I’m not borrowing Ruimin’s words, there are indeed a lot of dwarves out there. Because they are short, they are mistaken for lively children when viewed from a distance.
It feels like I’m in a different world for the first time. I thought there were many stone houses because it is a city where dwarves live, but that is not the case, and there are many common wooden buildings.
[Many blacksmith shops are made of stone because accidents may happen.] Jade
I guess a fire or something? A blacksmith is a job that uses fire. If the fire goes to the surrounding houses, it will cause a huge mess.
We left the city center to park the carriage.
There are places where you can park carriages and horses in the city. It costs money, but if you leave it to them, they will take care of the horse. Some inns have stables, but due to limited space, not all inns have this kind of service.
Therefore, businesses regarding carriage parking areas and public stables were established.
Carriages were moving in and out of a large hut. There was a person in the entrance having a conversation with Jade-san. Then, Jade-san told everyone to get off the carriage, and when we got off, Jade-san took the carriage into the hut. After a while, Jade-san came out of the hut.
[Now then, shall we head to the inn?] Jade
We left the carriage parking area and walked towards the inn.
We were supposed to stay in the same inn as Mel-san and her friends. With this, I don’t have to look for an inn, so I won’t refuse.
[Is the inn far away?] Yuna
I don’t want to walk too far. After all, the dwarves who passed by us whispered [A bear?] [There’s a bear?] [It’s a bear?]
Even from the dwemer point of view, bear costumes seem to be rare.
[There’s an inn nearby, but if it’s not available, we’ll have to walk a bit further.] Jade
It can’t be helped then.
The closer the inn is to the place where you leave the carriage, the quicker it fills up. And the nearest inn has only one room available. So we decided to go to the next inn.
We are supposed to take three rooms. The first one is for Jade-san and Toya. The second is for Mel-san and Senia-san. And the third room is for Me, Fina, and Ruimin.
Mel-san tried to join in the same room as us, but I politely declined.
And so, we safely found the rooms at the next inn.
[U~u, I wish I had the same room as Yuna-chan.] Mel
[I want Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear to come with me.] Senia
Mel-san and Senia-san look pitiful. But it was good that there were three rooms vacant by chance. I don’t want them to be in the same room as us and I don’t want to look for another inn.
After we rented the three rooms, we then proceed to check the rooms.
[Yuna-oneesan, did you really have to pay for my accommodation?] Fina
[If it’s money you need, then I’ll keep it a secret from my mother.] Ruimin
These two were troubled that I paid for their accommodation.
[Don’t worry about it. I brought Fina with me in the first place, and Ruimin gave the directions.] Yuna
[Thank you, Yuna-oneesan.] Fina
[Thank you very much, Yuna-san.] Ruimin
In the first place, I’m not going to let them pay for accommodation or meals. It is my role as an adult to pay after all.
After checking the room, we decided to have an early dinner.
Of course, the dwarves are the ones who’re running the inn. Obviously, not all residents of this city are craftsmen. Some are farmers, while others are innkeepers.
[Oh, I’m hungry. Let’s order quick.] Toya
Everyone agrees with Toya’s words, so we order some meals.
[Yuna-chan, are you going to buy the pots and pans tomorrow?] Mel
[I will. But I’m looking for a certain blacksmith.] Yuna
[A certain blacksmith?] Mel
[I have a letter for Ghazal-san’s master. I’m planning to go and deliver it.] Yuna
When Ghazal-san’s name came out of my mouth, Toya had a face that looked like he remembered something nasty.
[Who is Ghazal-san’s master?] Mel
[Etto, I’m sure he said something like Rojina?] Yuna (TN: ロージナ)
I answer while trying to remember it.
[Rojina? You mean that Rojina?] Jade
[Do you know that person, Jade-san?] Yuna
I don’t know the person who is called Rojina.
[Quite a famous person actually. One of the best three blacksmiths in the city. If Ghazal-san was the disciple of Rojina-san, then I can finally understand how he got that technique.] Jade
Apparently, Ghazal-san’s teacher is very famous in this city.
[Well then, Toya, do you want Rojina-san to make your sword?] Senia
[No, I’m going to the blacksmith who made your mithril weapons. If we go suddenly, Rojina-san might not be able to make it. Probably not without a reservation. Or maybe something like crafting a single weapon per month.] Toya
[Is that so?] Senia
[Well, there are rumors like if the crafter is not satisfied with the final product, they will discard it.] Toya
Where did you hear that? From the potters? In my head, a potter is the one who smashes the final product whenever they are unsatisfied with it. So on and so forth.
Since we’re talking about a blacksmith, will they melt it?
[That one was such a famous blacksmith after all.] Jade
[Maybe they will make an exception to Yuna-chan since she’s acquainted with Ghazal-san?] Mel
Well, if it’s a weapon, then I don’t need it because Ghazal-san already made me knives. But lately, I’m starting to wonder about having an ordinary sword. However, if I really want one, then I’ll just ask Ghazal-san to make it for me.
And I don’t think that such a famous craftsman would easily make a weapon for a girl like me dressed as a bear.
Author’s Note:
We arrived safely.
Next time, I will post in 3 days, if not then after 4 days.