After the "fanatic," Lunamaria, was safely hauled away by her "guardian," Lilia, Isis and I turned our attention back to the auction stage.
The event was incredibly lively, featuring items provided not only by the Six Kings but also by nobles from various nations.
"Now, for the next item... We have a contribution from the Phantasm King herself! This is something no noble, adventurer, or knight can afford to miss. That’s right—it’s a weapon forged by the legendary blacksmith, Crafty!"
"Wait, what...?"
As the announcer spoke, a variety of weapons were brought out onto the stage: swords, spears, axes, daggers, and even a rare morning star.
Even to a layman like me, it was obvious from a distance that these were top-tier masterpieces. However, something else was weighing on my mind.
"...Kaito? ...Do you... want those?"
"Ah, no, it’s not that... I just noticed something."
Answering Isis vaguely, I pulled out my Magic Box. I checked for the binoculars I’d bought before the Treasure Tree Festival... and there they were.
I couldn't see the stage clearly enough from this distance, so a long-range item was essential to confirm my suspicions.
"First, we have the Sacred Sword Arodant! Next, the Moon Axe! These are legendary blades that every warrior dreams of wielding! And we have ten of them here today! To gather so many works by Crafty—a person whose name survives only in myths—is a feat only the Phantasm King could achieve!"
I tuned out the announcer’s hype and peered through the binoculars.
The weapons looked even more impressive magnified. They lived up to the "legendary" moniker, radiating a tangible aura.
...Well, putting that aside... Yeah, I was sure of it. I’d seen those before.
"Alice, are you there?"
"Yes, yes. What do you need-ssu?"
"If I’m not mistaken, I’ve seen those weapons before. Specifically, in a certain general store... Which would mean that the legendary blacksmith, Crafty, is actually..."
"Yep, that’s right! It’s me, Alice!"
I knew it! Or rather, they're being introduced with such reverence, but aren't you just using the Six Kings Festival as an excuse to clear out your old stock...?
"Hey now, my weapons are super popular-ssu! There are tons of things out there people call 'holy swords' or 'demon swords' that I made!"
"I know you’re absurdly overqualified for most things, but... did you come up with those names yourself?"
"Not at all-ssu. To be honest, I just made them to kill time and sold them for a bit of extra cash. Somewhere along the line, people started calling them legendary weapons. For the record, that 'Sacred Sword Arodant' was originally titled 'Randomly Named No. 48-chan.'"
What a terrible name. Then again, she really must have just whipped them up out of boredom. It’s just that her skills are so terrifyingly high and her access to materials so vast that her "trash" becomes legendary artifacts.
While I was reflecting on Alice’s ridiculous specs and even more ridiculous naming sense, the auction continued.
"The Sacred Sword Arodant! Sold to bidder number 88 for nine platinum coins!"
"Hey, Alice?"
"Yeah-ssu?"
"How much would that sword cost if I bought it at your shop?"
"Six silver coins-ssu."
"..."
An item that normally goes for sixty thousand yen just sold for ninety million... Wow. Alice’s General Store really is a treasure trove of legendary loot. If only the owner were normal, it would probably be the most popular shop in the world.
Then again, it’s impressive in its own way that Alice can have a shop full of items like that and still manage to keep customers away.
"Shaltier... you really can... do anything."
"Hehe, well, I do pride myself on my versatility-ssu. Although, I haven't done much blacksmithing lately."
"...Why?"
"Because you won't buy any weapons from me, Kaito-san..."
Stop targeting me specifically! Are you even trying to hide it anymore? That shop’s inventory is basically tailored just for me...
But seriously, Alice is only a talented merchant when she's dealing with me.
"Kaito-san, I was thinking of adding 'High-quality Pet Food' to the catalog soon-ssu."
"...Prepare a hundred bags."
"Yes, sir!"
It’s infuriating, but I’m buying it. Her product choices are just too accurate. I was literally just thinking about getting better food for Bell and Rin. I want my two precious pets to have the best, and if Alice is making it, it’s guaranteed to be top-tier.
"Shaltier... are you good... at sewing too?"
"Eh? Oh, yeah. I’m pretty good at it-ssu."
"...Then... could you... teach me... sometime?"
"I don't mind, but what are you making-ssu?"
"...I want to knit... a muffler... for Kaito."
What an absolute angel. Isis is truly such a wonderful woman. A hand-knitted muffler? I couldn't be happier.
The Month of Light is ending soon, and autumn is right around the corner, so the timing is perfect.
Deeply moved by Isis’s affection, I whispered to Alice as she finished the conversation and prepared to vanish.
"Alice... teach me, too."
"Oh? And what about a muffler for your cute lover, Alice?"
"I’ll knit one for you, too. Obviously."
"Hehe, okay-ssu. We’ll keep it a surprise for Isis, then."
Alice immediately caught on to the fact that I wanted to prepare a surprise gift in return. She nodded with a smile and disappeared.
Dear Mother, Father—Being given a hand-knitted muffler by my girlfriend is the kind of romantic scenario I’ve always dreamed of. Honestly, I’m already excited. But I can't just be the one receiving gifts. I’m going to make one for her, too—and I’ll put every bit as much love into it as she does.
Serious-senpai: "Generic brands are higher quality anyway! Just buy a store-bought one! You’re just doing this 'it warms my heart' routine to kill me, aren't you?! Just like Valentine’s Day! Just like Valentine’s Day!!"