Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy
Iris
Since then, for a while, the four of us walked while engaging in casual conversations. It’s already midday, and the sun was quite high in the sky. We crossed the bridge leading to the adjacent island and…
“What should I do with these vegetables?”
“Well… we’re making a salad, so just wash and thinly slice them… we still have the dressing I made the other day, so that’s no worry.”
…Kirsche-san and I, in the kitchen of the sisters’ residence, were preparing lunch.
It began when we were discussing what to have for lunch, as it was going to be a long time until Ouka-san’s master returns.
“…If we still have things to discuss, why don’t you guys have lunch at my place and wait for Master while you’re at it?”
At Ouka-san’s suggestion, we were now at the workshop on the outskirts where she and Kirsche-san live.
As soon as Nii-sama and Ouka-san arrived, they immediately went into the workshop together.
Left alone in the living room, I offered to help Kirsche-san out of restlessness…
“Kirsche-san, you’re really skilled at this kind of thing, aren’t you?”
I’d already finished arranging the vegetables for the salad on a plate, and now I’m briskly coating slices of fish resembling marlin with potato starch while watching Kirsche-san work efficiently.
She was supposed to be deveining shrimp earlier, but now she’s cutting garlic, tomatoes, and other ingredients. The sound of her knife is rhythmical and smooth, and before I knew it, the preparations were complete.
“…That’s because I’ve been trained by my mother since I was a child… you too, Princess, you said you were just starting out, but your knifework is pretty good yourself.”
“N-No, I still have much to learn…”
Kirsche-san, for some reason, seemed embarrassed at my words.
I, too, felt a bit flustered when she praised me back.
“…You know, Princess, the cuisine around here is similar to the Mediterranean in our original world…”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. For starters, it uses lots of olive oil, tomatoes and garlic.”
The aroma of garlic wafted through the air as I poured rice into a flat pan, added chopped tomatoes and soup and let the heat simmer.
She continued her explanation as she placed the prepared shrimp and shellfish on top.
“This island has abundant sunlight and a dry climate, so I guess it’s actually similar to the Mediterranean in our world…? I haven’t actually been there, though.”
“I think so. The good thing about this is that we can also apply the recipes from our original world here, so food shouldn’t be a problem.”
While talking, she added the chopped tomatoes she’d left earlier into the onions she was frying in another pan, mixed in some seasonings, and, as if her work had come to a halt, she turned toward me.
“…This may be sudden, but are you going to be alright? It seems like Onee-chan’s master is quite picky about who he chooses to help…”
Kirsche-san looked at me with concern.
As is often the case with skilled craftsmen, the person we were going to meet takes his job really seriously, and it would be difficult for us to earn his service.
However, we couldn’t afford any chance. That’s why we requested a recommendation letter from Walter-san, our acquaintance.
“Yes, I got a letter of introduction from an acquaintance, so it should be alright—”
“I’ve been helping him with some minor tasks lately, but… it seems like it’s piling up now… you know?”
“…”
Her words left me speechless.
Instinctively, my hand, which was about to add the fish slices coated with flour into the hot frying pan, stopped.
I’d been trying not to think about it, but I don’t like where this is going!
“I think he’ll like you just fine Princess… I, um… would also appreciate it very much…”
Kirsche-san suddenly became delighted and smiled cheerfully… I could see “Thank goodness, finally I’ve found someone to share my embarrassment with” written all over her face.
“…I just remembered I have other things to do. Since our work here’s done, I’ll get Nii-sama and we’ll return to our lodging…”
I felt bad for her, but I turned on my heel and tried to leave the scene—only to have my shoulder grabbed as if my actions were anticipated.
Turning around hesitantly, I saw a completely stone-faced Kirsche-san, her usually sweet demeanor nowhere to be found. The strength in her grip was so intense that my shoulder, seemed to be screaming in protest.
“…Sorry, but I can’t let you get away.”
“………….Yes.”
With her intimidating words, I slumped my shoulders in resignation.
I should have seen this coming.
Why would he, who isn’t the type to take on disciples, become Ouka-san’s master?
Don’t tell me he just accepted Ouka-san without thinking after seeing her little sister, whose figure is similar to mine?!
Well, so much for expecting his lolicon tendencies to remain a weird quirk in the game…
Saul
“So, Ouka-san, what do you want to show me?”
“I haven’t gotten permission from Master to make it yet… Um, where did I put it…”
As she said this, Ouka-san rummaged through the back of the shelf.
After searching for a while, she eventually returned with an old-fashioned but sturdy, long narrow box in her hand.
She inserted a small key into the keyhole of the box, and after a click, the lid opened.
Inside the box was…
“…Blueprints?”
A paper rolled up like a scroll, about a meter long.
It seemed to be quite lengthy. When she slightly unrolled it after breaking the seal, it revealed what appeared to be blueprints of something.
“…It’s his so-called secret technique. Master said I could look at it for study.”
“Can I see it?”
“It’s fine, it’s not something you can memorize at a glance anyway.”
Ouka-san said with a slightly smug expression mixed in as she spread out the blueprints on the workbench.
…It’s understandable why she said memorizing it was impossible. The blueprint was densely packed with numerous annotations, depicting a single full-body armor.
“…What’s this?”
“How about it, surprised?”
“I’m more than surprised. This armor… is made of layers of multiple materials, and enchantments for mass preservation are used throughout… Is this a transform mechanism? This horrifyingly complex yet refined design…”
“Master calls it ‘Aegis-series Power Armor’. This design dated back to the old magical civilization, combining the metallurgy of the Cyclops with magical technologies developed during that period.”
Even her words didn’t quite register in my head.
However, I was staring at the blueprint, mesmerized—no, captivated.
“To think something like this existed…”
“Hehe, looks like it caught your interest. This is the best choice I can offer you for what you’re looking for. And…”
Ouka-san closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
When she opened her eyes again, they were looking straight into me.
“If I put everything I have to its limit, including my maxed-out armor crafting skill, I think this should make the strongest armor possible.”
“Maxed-out? So you’re…”
“Haha… Master is always scolding me, saying I can’t master the path… but, yeah.”
Said Ouka-san, who was scratching her head in embarrassment.
Having maxed out her crafting skills meant… despite the difference between clothing and armor… she was on the same level as Miriam in terms of being a production player.
She must have had considerable skills if a Cyclops took her on as disciple… No, she’s the best armor craftsman I could think of now.
To think we could meet such a talent by chance… I’m dumbfounded by the unexpected fortune.
“…So, what do you think?”
“Uh… Honestly, anything beyond this would require miraculous luck…”
The level-capped armor we used just before the reincarnation required enormous amounts of legendary class enemy materials, so there’s probably no way we’re going to replicate that in this world.
However, with this… It seems like a lot of rare metals will be needed, but it should be manageable.
And above all, the presence of a player like her was rare.
The Cyclops Nephilim we were looking for was only a swordsmith, and shouldn’t be as proficient when it comes to armor. It’s extremely unlikely that we’ll find another person like Ouka-san.
“…I’ll do my best to get Master’s permission for this. Your armor… will you let me make it?”
“That’s all I could wish for… Ouka-san, why are you doing so much for us? There’s no reason for you to treat us so well, right?”
“Well… I don’t know why myself. Um, let’s hurry and take measurements now while we can.”
I then let Ouka-san take my limbs, chest and other measurements with a tape measure and jot them down on a paper.
For a while, time passed in silence…
“…All done. You can move freely now.”
Ouka-san softly muttered as she rolled up her tape measure.
“…If I have to say, maybe it’s because I’m envious of you.”
“Envious…?”
“You guys are amazing. I… kind of admire you for that. If I can help you like this… maybe I can regain the confidence to stand up again… Besides…”
“Besides…?”
“I think you might throw away your life for that princess without a second thought… That’s why I can’t leave you alone. Ah, as an armor craftsman of course.”
Embarrassed by her own words, Ouka-san averted her eyes from me and meekly scratched her cheek.
I… before I knew it, I took her hand and spoke.
“…Thank you, Ouka-san. I definitely want to entrust you with this job… I’m really glad I met you.”
“Huh…”
When I told her my honest thoughts, Ouka-san stiffened for some reason…
“The heck you’re talking about, are you an idiot?!”
And she got mad.
Just as I was wondering what was going on, the sound of plates being set up reached my ears from the dining room. At the same time, the pleasant scent of garlic and olive oil hit my nose…it seemed like lunch was ready.
“Um… it seems that they’re ready over there, so let’s go! My sister’s cooking is delicious, it’d be a waste if it got cold!”
“Y-Yeah…”
“We’ll continue with the armor after lunch! Come on, just get a move on already!”
With that, she hustled me back to the dining area. Although her profile seemed to have reddened for some reason—there was a slight lift in her expression, a hint of regained vigor, I felt.
APM - Translation 