Ryuu Kusari no Ori -Kokoro no Uchi no 'Kokoro'-

Volume 4Side Story 4

A Twisted Bond

Translator : PolterGlast

A section in the craftsman's district.

In a workshop filled with the smell of burning coals and heated iron, Mars looks down at the broken greatsword with a sigh. Across the workbench from him is a burly dwarf.

Wandor Kaul, the owner of the blacksmith shop, [Flame Hammer], turns away from Mars's gaze and snorts while folding his arms which are as thick as logs.

"This is impossible. I can't fix it. This is what happens when you try things beyond your capabilities."

"I thought so..."

Dwarves are a demi-human race that originally lived on the eastern side of the Central Mountain Range. They are unrivaled in mineral processing and crafting, but have a stubborn personality. Wandor was no exception, and like most dwarves, he didn't bother with fancy shops, conducting all his business in the forge.

Among them, a single, delicately carved vase stood on the edge of the workbench, oddly catching Mars's eye. A beautiful lily was blooming inside.

"So, what kind of sword are you going to use next?"

"Well, let's see... Sorry, I need to think about it for a bit."

"Tch... I have something to do today. I'll be putting out the fire in the furnace early. If you're going to place an order, do it quickly."

Mars left the workshop to collect his thoughts. As he walked through the craftsman's district, a glittering shop caught his eye. It was a decoration shop. As the name suggests, it was a shop that specialized in custom-made decorations for various tools. It was a business that was highly valued by the aristocrats who had a strong taste for luxury, but what caught Mars' attention was the appearance of Tima in front of the store.  She was dressed in casual clothes and carrying her treasured staff.

"Hey, what are you doing in the craftsman's district, especially in a decoration shop like this?"

"Oh, hi Mars-kun. I was thinking of getting my staff adjusted. Mars-kun, why are you here?"

"My sword broke in that incident, so I had Wandor take a look at it to see if it could be fixed."

"Ah, the Dwarven blacksmith. So, did he fix it?"

"No. In the end, I had to scrap it and make a new one. Well, that's enough about me. Why are you coming to a decoration shop to have your wand adjusted?"

"Hmm, I could explain it to you, but it would be faster if you-... shall we go in together?"

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"Ah. Sure."

Surprised by Tima's unexpected invitation, but going along with it nonetheless, Mars entered the decoration shop with her.

Inside the tidy shop was a middle-aged dwarf woman dressed in a beautiful outfit. She was probably the owner of the shop. Wearing a monocle, she was staring at a ring on a workbench adorned with intricate and meticulous carvings, but when she noticed Mars and Tima entering, she stopped and turned around.

"Good afternoon, Aunt Domine."

"Oya~, Miss Lime. I never thought you'd bring your boyfriend."

"N-no, t-that's wr-...!"

"Don't lie. You're always so indifferent to men, and now you're inviting him yourself."

"You saw!?"

"It's impossible for me not to see when you're right in front of my shop."

"What are you guys talking about?"

"Gosh, nevermind! The usual please!"

"Alright, alright, there's no need to be embarrassed. Just give me a minute."

With those words, Domine took Tima's staff and disappeared into the back of the shop. Mars looked around the store.

As expected of a decoration shop, the store was filled with small items like combs and necklaces, as well as finely crafted furnishings like chairs and wardrobes.

The price of the furnishings is one thing, but what caught Mars' eye was the fact that all of them emit a subtle magic power.

"Amazing..."

"Domine is one of the most skilled magic craftsmen among dwarves. She's one of the people who made my staff, and before she came to this town, she and her husband were very popular in the Union."

"Hee..."

Mars's gaze shifted from small items to larger ones like chairs.

Among them, he was drawn to a particularly striking object leaning against the wall.

It was a greatsword. A real sword that could be used in battle. Its size was almost the same as the greatsword Mars used. But what really caught Mars's eye was the powerful wind aura coming from it.

"This is a magic sword, isn't it? And it's a pretty good one too..."

"Oh, that one? It's junk, but it won't fit in the warehouse. Honestly, it has been sitting there, getting in the way."

Domine, who had returned from the back of the store with Tima's staff in her hand after adjusting it, spoke so.

"My husband sent it to me when we got married. Seriously, he doesn't understand women's hearts at all. So I tried to modify it, and now he's mad at me."

"Husband?"

"It's Wandor-san. They're married."

"We're living separately, though. A mole who doesn't understand elegance... Here, take this home with you."

Domine, with a displeased look on his face, handed the adjusted staff to Tima.

"Hmph. So, what about your boyfriend over there? Do you want that sword?"

"Honestly, I do. But I'll pass. It's too much for me right now. If I'm not careful, I might be the one used by this sword."

"I see... Well, do your best."

Without denying or affirming Mars' words, Domine returned to her workbench.

There seemed to be a hint of relief in the corner of her mouth.

At that moment, the shop door burst open with a bang. It was Wandor.

"Oi, Mars! How long are you going to dawdle!? The furnace is getting cold!  After making me search all over the place, you bring me to such a sissy store!"

"I don't want to hear that from the owner of a rusty shop. If you're not a customer, don't come!"

And suddenly, they started quarreling.

While Mars was surprised by the sudden turn of events, Tima smiled while sighing.

"They argue a lot, but they actually get along pretty well."

"You think so?... Ah, I see."

A greatsword without a price tag and a pretty little vase with lilies that don't fit in the store.

The fact that they both clearly placed such items within each other's sight meant...

"See? They get along pretty well, right?"

"Indeed..."

Mars and Tima couldn't help but smile as they watched the dwarven couple continue their lively argument.

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