鍛冶場には熱気が立ち込め、対面には集中した表情のセレーネさん。
ハンマーが鳴らす音が周囲に響く。
もちろん、それも大事だ。
だが一番は目の前の彼女が何を望んでいるのか、手が足りない部分は何処なのかを見逃さないこと。
鉄と対話しているのはあくまで彼女であって、自分はその手助けをしているに過ぎない。
眼鏡の奥の視線が動く。
そこに向けて槌を振り下ろす。火花が散る。
互いに言葉は無く、ただ槌を一心に振るうのみである。
「――っ、えほっ、げほっ!」
何故か呼吸まで止めてこちらに見入っていたトビがむせる。
が、ここで集中を乱すわけにはいかない。
意識して視界の外へ追い出し、徐々に形を成していく鉄に集中する。
そんな作業を繰り返し、そして――。
「出来た......!」
「ふーっ......」
セレーネさんの宣言に、俺は大きく息を吐いた。
緊張が解け、達成感と疲労感が同時に押し寄せてくる。
その表情を見れば、会心の出来であることが一目で分かった。
鉄塊から作り上げた、どっしりとした存在感を放つ大剣が俺達の前に鎮座している。
「いやいや、トビ。一緒になって力み過ぎだから」
「場の空気に当てられたのでござるよ......」
トビが力を抜いて椅子の上でダレる。
道具を置いたセレーネさんが俺に手を差し出してきたので、それをしっかりと握り返す。
互いに表情は晴れやかだった。笑顔を交わし合う。
「お疲れ様、ハインド君! トビ君も、お手伝いありがとう!」
「セレーネさんも、お疲れ様でした」
「お疲れ様でござる! うーん、良いものを見た感......実に楽しかった」
セレーネさんは既に大剣の仕上げに掛かっている。
後は細かい部分と磨き上げの作業で、彼女が最も好きだと公言している工程だ。
俺とトビは先に使い終えた道具の片付けへ向かう。
しかし、緊張で体が固まったような気がする......ゲームなのになあ。
適当に肩を回しながら動いていると、ふと先に完成していた大斧が目に入る。
フィリアちゃんと一緒に作った湿布を貼ろうかな、と一瞬考えてしまう。
勿体ないからやらないけれど。
片付けが終わった後は、トビと共にセレーネさんの仕上げの補助だ。
というのもこのグレートソード、やはり重さが尋常でなく裏面に引っ繰り返すだけでも一苦労である。
トビと俺で剣を支え、手の感覚が怪しくなってきた頃にようやく全作業が終了した。
「火の調整に手間取った分、今夜は少し遅くなっちゃったね。二人は時間、大丈夫?」
「拙者は大丈夫でござるよ。夜更かしは日常茶飯事なので!」
「そんなんで胸張ってんじゃねえ! ちゃんと寝ろよ! 全く......。俺の方は理――リィズがちょっと怒るくらいですかね。もう先に寝てるかな?」
そういった具合で、依頼されたアルベルト親子の武器が完成を迎えた。
これで残るは、本人達への引き渡しを残すのみということになる。
受け取った際の二人の反応が気になるところだ。
翌日、アルベルトとフィリアちゃんがギルドホームに武器を受領しに来た。
受領後に二人はサーラを去るということで、こちらも全員揃っての出迎となる。
場所は鍛冶場で、テーブルの上には重量感ある鈍い輝きを放つ大型武器が二つ。
「私とハインド君がメインで、助手にトビ君を迎えて作製しました。どうぞお受け取り下さい」
「感謝する! 今日という日を楽しみに待っていたぞ」
「ありがとう......」
まずはフィリアちゃんが、属性石を二つ付けた大斧をセレーネさんから受け取って構える。
角度を変え、握りを変えて感触を確かめた後......。
「試しても、良い?」
「そう言うと思った。地下に訓練場があるからそっちで頼むよ。アルベルトさんも、行きましょう」
予想通りの言葉に、二人を地下へと促す。
そこならどれだけ暴れても問題ない。
なのでトビと一緒に持ち上げた大剣をアルベルトにも渡そうとしたのだが――手を上げて止めてくる。
どうした?
「すまないが、地下までお前達が持って行ってくれるか? 手の震えが止まらん」
「え?」
「兄貴......?」
よく見ると、俺達を押しとどめるために上げた右手が震えている。
左手で覆った下から僅かに見える口元は緩んでいて、俺達が見たことのない表情をしているのが容易に察せられた。
まるで待ち望んだプレゼントを前にした子供のような反応だ......。
俺とトビは頷き合うと、手袋を嵌めた手で大剣を持ち上げ直すために力を込める。
「先に行くぞ、お前達!」
「ああ、先導頼む! ――せーのっ! ぬおおっ......昨日もそうだったけど神官と軽戦士だから重い、重いぞ......」
「し、仕方ないでござる。これも兄貴のため......何やら喜んでいるようでござるし、ここは我慢でござる......」
「女性陣に持たせる訳にもいかんしな......くっ......」
地下に向かう最後尾についたトビと共に、前に聞こえないようにひそひそと
渡り鳥の中で物理攻撃力が高いのは一位がユーミル・二位がセレーネさんだが、その二人に持たせて俺達が持たないのは罪悪感が......。
更に補正だけでなく現実での地の筋力も必要なので、どちらにしても苦労はどっこいどっこいということに。
なので必然的に「それなら俺達が」という感じにはなる。
ちなみにトビが柄の方、俺が刃の方を持っているので緊張感もひとしおだ。
「あ、もう始めてるでござる!」
「うわぁ、燃えてる燃えてる。属性武器は見た目が派手だな」
訓練場に入ると炎を巻き上げながら、案山子に向かって小さな少女が背丈ほどもある大斧を振り回していた。
一通りの型で斧を動かし終えると、体を捻って力を溜めた状態で一度静止する。
あの構えは、ピラミッドで見せた......!
直後、フィリアちゃんが勢い良く回転を始め『トルネードスウィング』を発動。
燃え盛る竜巻と化すと、案山子を切り裂きながら焼き尽くしていく。
表示されるダメージは属性攻撃分も伴ってかなりのものだ。
案山子の防御力は0に設定されてはいるのだが、それを考慮しても前の武器とは雲泥の差である。
斧を振り切った体勢でピタッと止まったフィリアちゃんは、大斧を背負ってこちらに向けて無言で親指を立てた。
無表情ではあるが、その動きは「大満足!」と俺達に示しているような感じがした。
「よし。次は俺が行こう」
アルベルトがそう言うと、ようやく俺達の手からグレートソードを受け取って
そのままフィリアちゃんと入れ替わるように案山子の前に進み出ると、空いていた手を柄に沿えて足を踏み出す。
ズドッ! という床にヒビが入るのではないかという踏み足の音の直後、目を見張るような速度でグレートソードが振るわれた。
万近い大ダメージの表示が出たので恐らく振った、のだと思うのだが......。
思わず俺は呆然とこう問い掛けた。
「い、今の見えたか?」
全員が一斉に首を横に振る。
当のアルベルトは自分の手の平を驚いたように見た後で、ギュッと握り締めた。
肉食獣のような笑みを浮かべ、再び剣を握り直すと突風が発生。
五桁のダメージ表示が踊り狂い、案山子が地面に付きそうなほど右に左に薙ぎ払われる。
聞こえてくるのはダンッ、ダンッ、という激しい足音と風切り音。
それからこの不気味な笑い声である。
「――ふ、はははははっ! これだっ、そうだ! これを待っていた! 求めていたっ! ははははははははっ! もっと、もっとだ! もっと速くっ! まだ先にぃっ!」
狂ったように笑いながら案山子を斬り付けまくるアルベルトを見て、ユーミルが思わず後ずさる。
「こわっ! ふぃ、フィリア、あれは大丈夫なのか?」
「お父さん......楽しそう......」
「え、アレをそういう感想で済ませてしまうのですか!?」
リィズが思わず突っ込みを入れてしまうレベルにはおかしい。
「フィリアちゃん、止められないの......?」
「無理。ああなったら、落ち着くまで放っておくしかない」
「喜んでもらえてはいるようだけど、何だこれ......」
「兄貴カッケー! うひょぉぉぉぉっ!」
あの狂騒を見てそう評するトビを、俺とユーミルとリィズは白い目で見た。
どんだけ盲目的なんだよお前は......。
Heat enveloped the workshop and Selene-san was in front me, fully concentrated in her work.
The sound of the hammer reverberated throughout our surroundings.
Obviously, this was very important.
However, the most important thing was what the girl in front of me wished for. I couldn't miss the places she needed help with.
The only one interacting with the iron was her, I was only giving her a hand.
The gaze within the glasses moved.
The hammer was swung down on that spot and sparks scattered.
No words were exchanged between us, she only wholeheartedly swung down the hammer.
[-ah, *cough*, *cough*!] (Tobi)
For some reason, Tobi started coughing at us because he was looking over here while holding his breath.
However, I can't get distracted by that.
I removed the things in my field of view from my mind and concentrated on the piece of iron that was starting to take shape.
We repeated those steps and then...
[We made it...!] (Selene)
[Fuh...] (Hind)
Hearing Selene-san's words, I took a big breath.
Tension left my body and a sense of accomplishment and exhaustion enveloped my body at the same time.
I could tell from one look at her expression that the results were good.
Built from that lump of iron, a greatsword with a massive presence stood in front of us.
[No, no, Tobi. That just happened because you strained yourself too much as if you were working with us.] (Hind)
[I just got too engrossed in the atmosphere...] (Tobi)
Strength left Tobi's body and he lifelessly fell on top of the chair.
Selene-san placed the tools down and held out her hand towards me and I grasped it.
Both of our expressions were bright and we exchanged smiles.
[Good work, Hind-kun! Tobi-kun too, thanks for helping us!] (Selene)
[You did great too, Selene-san.] (Hind)
[Good work! Yup, I get the feeling I just saw something great...it was actually fun!] (Tobi)
Selene-san had already started making the final touches on the greatsword.
All that was left was the small details, it's the part of the process she said she likes the most.
Me and Tobi started to tidy up the tools we had used.
However, I feel like my body stiffens when I tense up...even though it's a game.
I moved around while carrying what I could on my shoulders and suddenly, the axe we had finished entered my field of view.
I thought for a second to apply one of the wet compresses I've made with Philia-chan to it.
Though I won't do it because it would be a waste.
After finishing up, I assisted Selene-san with the small details alongside Tobi.
The reason was, this greatsword weighed far more than a normal one and even the simple act of turning it over was a pain.
Tobi and I supported the sword and just when our hands started to feel numb, the work was done.
[Since it took us a while to adjust the heat, we finished up later than usual. Are you both fine on time?] (Selene)
[I'm fine. I stay up late all the time!] (Tobi)
[Don't act all proud! Get some proper sleep! Geez...In my case Ris-...Riizu might get a bit mad with me. I wonder if she went to sleep already?] (Hind)
Like this, we had finished making the weapons that Albert had requested.
All that was left was to deliver the weapons to them.
I'm curious about what their reactions will be.
The next day, Albert and Philia-chan came to the guild home to receive the weapons.
Since they were going to leave Sala after receiving them, all of us had gathered here to welcome them.
The place was the workshop, on top of the table, two big thick weapons released a dull glow.
[They were made primarily by Hind and me. Tobi-kun assisted us with the job. Please accept them.] (Selene)
[I appreciate it! I was looking forward to this day.] (Albert)
[Thanks...] (Philia)
First off was Philia-chan, who received the great axe with two elemental stones inserted in it from Selene-san and brandished it.
She changed the angle and grasped it in different ways to get a feel of it and then...
[Can I try it out?] (Philia)
[I thought you would say that. We have a training room underground so do it there. Albert-san too, come with us.] (Hind)
Hearing the words I expected from her, I prompted them to come with me.
If it's there, no matter how wild they go, it won't be a problem.
With the help of Tobi, I picked up the greatsword and tried to hand it to Albert but...he raised his hand and stopped us.
What's wrong?
[I'm sorry, could you hold onto the sword until we go underground? I can't stop my hands from shaking.] (Albert)
[Eh?] (Hind)
[Aniki...?] (Tobi)
Now that I look at it, the hand that he raised to stop us was shaking.
He placed his left hand on top of it to bring it down and I could see his mouth loosening, it was an expression we haven't seen coming from him.
It was a reaction as if he was a child in front of a present he had always wanted...
Me and Tobi nodded to each other, put on gloves and put strength into our arms to carry the greatsword.
[We are going in first!] (Yumir)
[Yeah, please lead the way! ...There we go! Nuoh...I thought about this yesterday but with the strength of a Shinto Priest and a Light Warrior it's heavy, too heavy...] (Hind)
[C-Cant' be helped. This is for aniki...he looks quite pleased, so we can only just bear with it...] (Tobi)
[We can't have the girls carry it after all...kuh...] (Hind)
With Tobi trailing behind me, we whispered so the others couldn't hear us.
Within Migratory Bird, the ones with the highest strength are: Yumir in first place and Selene-san in second place but...if we made those two carry it without doing anything ourselves, we would feel guilty...
Furthermore, even with the strength correction, real life strength is needed too, so either of us would have trouble carrying it in the end.
That being the case, [In that case we'll do it] , it felt like it inevitably fell on that kind of thought.
For the record, Tobi held the grip and I the edge, so I was feeling really nervous.
[Ah, they are already starting!] (Tobi)
[Uwah, it's burning, it's burning. Elemental weapons sure are flashy.] (Hind)
Once we entered the training area, flames rose up. A little girl was swinging a great axe of approximately her own stature towards the scarecrow.
She then changed the stance she was holding the axe with and stood still gathering strength.
That stance is the one she showed us in the pyramid...!
Immediately following that, Philia-chan started spinning wildly and activated {Tornado Swing} .
She transformed into a blazing tornado and fried up the scarecrow as she cut it into pieces.
The displayed damage along with the elemental damage was something else.
The scarecrow is set to have zero defense, but even while taking that into account, there's a big difference compared to the previous weapon.
Philia-chan stopped in place after swinging the axe, headed towards us while carrying it on her back and gave us a thumbs up while not saying a word.
She was expressionless, however, those movements felt like she was saying [I'm really satisfied!]  to us.
[Alright, I'll go next.] (Albert)
Once he said that, Albert finally took the greatsword from our hands and carried it on his shoulder with one arm.
He advanced towards the scarecrow as if he was switching places with Philia-chan and then placed his leg forward while placing his free hand on the handle of the sword.
Clomp! After making a loud sound that would make you think he had made a hole on the floor with that step, he took a swing with the greatsword with speed that left our eyes wide open.
That probably did like ten thousand damage, is what I was thinking but...
I unconsciously asked this question.
[D-Did you guys see that?] (Hind)
All of them started shaking their heads left and right in unison.
Albert looked at his own palm while looking surprised and then closed his hand tightly.
Then he smiled like a predator and released a gust of wind by grasping the sword again.
The display of damage of five digits kept dancing in the air and the scarecrow was mowed down left and right as if it was going to get stuck in the ground.
The only thing we could hear was the violent *dan* *dan* sound of his footsteps and the wind.
Then, there was also this ominous laughter.
[...Fuh, hahahaha! It was this, this! I was waiting for this! Wished for it! Hahahahahaha! More, more! Faster! Even faster!] (Albert)
Watching Albert, who kept cutting the scarecrow in pieces while laughing as if he had gone insane, Yumir started to back down unconsciously.
[So scary! P-Philia, is he ok?] (Yumir)
[Dad...looks like he's having fun...] (Philia)
[Eh, is that really what he's feeling at the moment!?] (Riizu)
It was weird to the point that even Riizu interjected with that comment.
[Philia-chan, are you not going to stop him...?] (Hind)
[Impossible. Once he gets like that, you can only leave him alone until he calms down.] (Philia)
[It looks like he's satisfied with it, but what is this...] (Hind)
[Aniki, you are so cool! Uhyoooooooh!] (Tobi)
Me, Yumir and Riizu looked at Tobi, who could make such a comment when seeing someone go crazy like that, with cold eyes.
Just how much blind faith do you have in him...
VRMMO no Shien Shokunin ～Top Player no Shikakenin～
ＶＲＭＭＯの支援職人　～トッププレイヤーの仕掛人～
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/vrmmo-no-shien-shokunin-%ef%bd%9etop-player-no-shikakenin%ef%bd%9e/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Slice of Life
Adventurers Beautiful Female Lead Blacksmith Brother Complex Calm Protagonist Childhood Friends Clan Building Cooking Crafting Curious Protagonist Dense Protagonist Elemental Magic Fantasy Creatures Game Ranking System Gamers Hard-Working Protagonist Healers Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Love Rivals Male Protagonist Misunderstandings MMORPG Ninjas Possessive Characters Priests Siblings Siblings Not Related by Blood Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Younger Love Interests Younger Sisters
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4014ds/
二階堂風都