The grand plaza in front of Yoko's Mansion in Village Five was teeming with people. The air was thick with excitement and energy, and smiles were everywhere. I was seated in a chair tucked away in a corner of the grounds. A roof provided comfortable shade from the sun, but I couldn't help but wonder about the height of this seat. Was I supposed to be a lookout? I certainly had a great view of the distance.
Beside me, Yoko made a grand declaration.
"People of Village Five! Sorry to keep you waiting. The smithing contest begins now! Participating teams, step forward!"
At Yoko's command, the crowd shifted to clear the center of the plaza. The participants emerged from the throng. The contest was a team event, as it seemed that performing all the tasks required for smithing alone was simply unrealistic.
First to appear were Gatto and his two disciples, joined by two unfamiliar beastmen—the Beastman Race Team. These two new faces were helpers Gatto had summoned from Howlin Village. The five of them would take on the challenge together.
Next was the group of dwarves who had presented Yoko with the axe and served as the catalyst for this whole event. There were six of them. In my head, I dubbed them the Axe Dwarf Team.
They were followed by three more teams consisting entirely of dwarves. These were the dwarves who had been in the jail, now split into three groups: Jail Dwarf Team A, Jail Dwarf Team B, and Jail Dwarf Team C.
The final group was also predominantly composed of dwarves, but it included demons and humans as well. This was the Village Five Team, made up of smiths living locally.
In total, six teams were competing. Yoko took a long moment to survey the assembled participants before giving a solemn nod.
"Now, let each team declare their wish."
In this smithing contest, the winning team would have one wish granted. Of course, the wish had to be within the realm of possibility. It would be a major headache if they made impossible or unreasonable demands after winning, so we were having them declare their wishes upfront for vetting.
Gatto’s Beastman Race Team went first. "We have no wish. However, you dwarves over there... if we win, don't you dare say our skills are lacking ever again." Gatto fixed the Axe Dwarf Team with a sharp glare.
In response, the Axe Dwarf Team spoke up. "Our team's wish is to be granted magic iron powder at a low price. We'll prove we can forge weapons far superior to anything those beastman blacksmiths can produce."
As the Beastman Race Team and the Axe Dwarf Team traded glares, Jail Dwarf Teams A, B, and C shouted in unison, "Amnesty!"
Finally, the Village Five Team gave their wish. "Free, all-you-can-eat access to the Village Five Council Dining Hall!"
Yoko nodded, confirming there were no issues with the requests. Beside her, Roku recorded everything on paper.
"Very well. Now..." Yoko looked toward me, handing over the floor.
I had been coached on what to say beforehand, but I still felt the nerves. "For this contest, I want you to forge a sword-hatchet. The blade length is entirely up to you. Now, let the contest begin!"
A massive cheer erupted from the crowd. The teams immediately headed toward the smithies at the foot of Village Five. These facilities had been constructed specifically for this event—six identical smithies, one for each team. A vast array of raw materials had been prepared at a central storage site, which meant the smiths would have to rely on their own eyes to pick out the best stock. I hoped they would give it their all.
I remained in my chair, looking out over the plaza now that the teams had departed. The spectators were all watching me, their eyes full of expectation. I knew what I had to do.
"Now, let the Village Five Festival begin!"
My declaration triggered a cheer even louder than the first.
The Village Five Festival was an event that Yoko and Seles, the Saint, had been planning for some time. It was put into action alongside the smithing contest to give the residents something to enjoy while Gatto and the dwarves worked. Truth be told, the people of Village Five seemed far more interested in the festival than the technicalities of blacksmithing.
The delicious aromas of various foods drifted from the stalls set up around the plaza and along the main thoroughfare. While the smithing preparations had taken ten days, the festival arrangements had been handled simultaneously. Ten days was enough time for people to travel from neighboring towns and villages—not just visitors, but merchants as well.
Michael-san from the Goroun Company was particularly enthusiastic, having opened multiple stalls. A few of the High Ogre Maids from the Village of the Great Tree were also participating. Unlike back home, they were actually charging money here, so they were having a bit of trouble managing the accounting, but their popularity was through the roof. Perhaps the Camping Carriage they had brought with them was acting as a draw?
The atmosphere was festive and lively, filled with food, performances, music, and simple competitions. The festival was set to last for an entire week. It might seem like a long time, but it was a marathon event designed to span the entire duration of the smithing contest. Yoko claimed she had simply matched the dates, but I suspected she had intended for it to be this long from the beginning.
My official duties were limited to the opening and closing ceremonies, which was a relief. I left the management of Village Five to Yoko, stepped down from my high chair, and went to enjoy the festival—though not without an escort.
Three days later.
One of the members of the Axe Dwarf Team requested an audience with Yoko.
"Acting Village Head. I am grateful that you provided a place for this contest, but... well..."
"Is there a problem?" Yoko asked.
"Don't you think our contest is being neglected just a bit too much?"
"We are taking a great interest in it, are we not? We've been sending in food and sake as refreshments regularly."
"We appreciate that, but... well, there's a lack of attention."
"There isn't much I can do about that. Would you like me to let spectators into the smithy?"
"No, that's dangerous. Absolutely not."
"Could you forge a finished blade every hour?"
"We could if we tried, but rushed work never yields a quality result."
"Exactly. A smithing contest isn't exactly a spectator sport. Don't be so upset."
"I suppose, but still..."
"What is it you really want?" Yoko asked, cutting to the chase.
"Hmm?"
"You have something you want to ask of me, don't you?"
The dwarf hesitated before speaking. "...Regardless of how the contest ends, I want to know how that transforming carriage works. It is a masterpiece of engineering."
"Is that all?"
"Also, the food and sake being served out there. The lines are so long we can't possibly wait in them. We're in the middle of a competition, you know."
"I see, I see. I'll make the arrangements. By the way, the sake right here is the same as the stuff they're serving outside... would you like a drink before you go?"
"My apologies. I'll partake."