Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

Chapter 396 Bear-san, Shows Her Knife

Information about the Bearmonite has taken a step forward.

I never thought that it was a spirit stone that had been changed. Moreover, I didn’t know that it could be changed by the owner’s magical power. I thought it was something that God had prepared, but was it not?

But if the Bearmonite is an item that strengthens the bear attribute, is it enough to just carry it as it is? Or does it need to be processed first? I looked at the round ore that Rojina-san and Rikka were holding and asked.

[How do you use a spirit stone?] Yuna

[You can ask the elf lady there for more information. Elves know more about spirit stones than we do.] Rojina

Rojina-san looks at Ruimin, who is standing beside me.

I had no idea that there was someone so close to me who knew about Bearmonite. I turned my gaze to Ruimin. But she shakes her head and hands.

[I’m sure Grandpa knows about it, but I don’t.] Ruimin

Apparently, I need to ask Mumroot-san. Well, I’m not in a hurry to ask about the Bearmonite. Besides, I also have to take Ruimin to the elf village on my way back, so I can ask Mumroot-san then.

But I wasn’t really expecting to get any information about the Bearmonite, so I’m glad I came to the dwarven city. I should have asked Mumroot-san from the beginning, but I didn’t think he would know, so I had no choice.

All that’s left was to tour the city and buy some pots and pans, then all of our objectives will be complete.

[Anyway, if that Ghazal doesn’t know about spirit stones, he’s not studying enough. We should get him back and retrain him.] Rojina

[The only reason he doesn’t know is that dad didn’t teach him about it. It would be a pity if you blame Ghazal for his lack of education.] Rikka

Rikka defended Ghazal-san. Anyway, judging from the conversation between the two of them, I’m certain that he was Ghazal-san and Gordo-san’s master.

[Rojina-san is Ghazal-san and Gordo-san’s master blacksmith, right?] Yuna

[Yeah, for a while. I’ve taught them a lot.] Rojina

[Then why isn’t there a single sword in this store? The store is lined with pots and pans, and neither Gordo-san nor Ghazal-san said anything about that. I’m sorry if this is something that I should not ask.] Yuna

[That’s…….] Rojina

Rojina-san turned his head to the side with a complicated look on his face. I knew it, it was probably something difficult to say.

[Dad. Why don’t you just tell her? You can’t hide it anymore. Even if Yuna-chan leaves, the three of them will know about it eventually.] Rikka

[Were you injured, perhaps?] Yuna

[No. Dad was…] Rikka

[Rikka!] Rojina

Rojina-san tries to stop her, but Rikka didn’t stop opening her mouth.

[Dad was depressed when Gordo and Ghazal left the city. He was so attached to his apprentices, whom he had taken such good care of and raised them well. And because of that, he couldn’t help it now they were gone.] Rikka

[No, I’m not depressed.] Rojina

[What’s the difference? When Gordo left with Nert, you were drinking for days. Then, when Ghazal left, you only made one sword a month and you ended up looking like an empty shell.] Rikka

[That’s because I couldn’t make the sword the way I wanted.] Rojina

[It’s probably because they’re already gone.] Rikka

[That’s not true.] Rojina

Could it be that this was what Jade-san was talking about when he said Rojina-san was only making it once a month?

I wonder what Jade-san would say if he knew about this.

[And in the end, mom got angry with you and told you to make a pot instead if you couldn’t make a sword.] Rikka

[That being said, Rikka, you must have been sad to see Ghazal go.] Rojina

[Wha… No, that’s not the case here. I’m talking about you, dad, right now.] Rikka

Rojina-san and Rikka looked at each other while puffing their cheeks.

Apparently, he lost his motivation after Gordo-san and Ghazal-san disappeared. Well, I can’t say I don’t understand that feeling. Motivation is important, you know.

But he was so depressed that he couldn’t make weapons anymore, that’s how much he liked the two of them.

[That’s why you should have to look for a new apprentice. That way you would have been motivated again.] Rikka

[It’s not easy to find a disciple.] Rojina

[Dad, it’s because your standards are too high. No one can be as good as Gordo or Ghazal from the start.] Rikka

[What’s the point for not having high standards?] Rojina

The two kept arguing. They have a good parent and child relationship since they can say what they want to say to each other. I looked at them smiling. But Fina and Ruimin were having trouble figuring out what to do. It’s okay, you know? It’s not a quarrel after all.

While Rojina-san and Rikka are arguing, someone walks into the room.

[I could hear your voices all the way to the store. No one was there, which was good. It was embarrassing, so both of you stop shouting!] Rikka’s Mother

[Mom!?] Rikka

A female dwarf with short hair is looking at Rojina-san and Rikka. She seems to be Rikka’s mother. Rikka’s mother comes over to us, looking around the room.

[So what are you two arguing to make such a commotion?] Rikka’s Mother

[It’s dad’s fault.] Rikka

[It’s Rikka.] Rojina

The two glared at each other.

Rikka’s mother gave up on those two, then she looked at us.

[So, who are these lovely-looking girls?] Rikka’s Mother

[Yuna-chan and Fina-chan are from the same place as Gordo and Nert. They also know about Ghazal.] Rikka

Rikka briefly introduced us.

[You know Gordo and Ghazal?] Rikka’s Mother

[I’m indebted to both of them.] Yuna

[Did Gordo and Ghazal, made you those clothes?] Rikka’s Mother

Rikka’s mother looked at my bear suit with a surprised expression on her face.

[I asked them to make knives for me. This outfit has nothing to do with Gordo-san and Ghazal-san.] Yuna

[It took me by surprise, I thought those two made such pretty clothes.] Rikka’s Mother

How did you arrive at that conclusion?

I don’t even want to imagine those two bearded dwarves making a fluffy bear costume. They seem to be good at detailed work, so I’m afraid they could make it well.

Then she gave us a brief introduction. Rikka’s mother’s name is, Wyola-san. (TN: ウィオラ Wiora)

[By the way, Yuna-chan, you said Gordo and Ghazal have made knives for you. Can you show us the knives? I want to know if they are working properly. If so, dad may be motivated once again.] Rikka

[I’d like to see it too.] Wyola

Rikka’s words made Rojina-san wanted to say something, but Wyola-san agreed with Rikka’s words, so he just shut his mouth.

[Gordo-san’s knife is for dismantling, is that good enough?] Yuna

[If you look closely at any kind of weapon, you’ll see what kind of work they are using it with.] Rojina

I asked Rikka, but it was Rojina-san who answered. Apparently, Rojina-san also wants to see the knife that those two made.

I took out the bear knife (mithril knife) that Ghazal-san made for me from the bear box, and Fina took out the mithril knife that Gordo-san made for her from the item bag and put it on the table.

Rojina-san picked up Gordo-san’s knife that Fina had offered.

[Is this a knife for dismantling? Then, this must be the knife made by Gordo.] Rojina

He pulled the knife from its sheath and looked at the blade.

[…Did he used Mithril on this?] Rojina

Just by looking at the sword’s blade, Rojina-san was able to tell in one glance.

[Missy. Mind if I give this a little cutting test?] Rojina

[Etto.] Fina

Rojina-san asked Fina, who put the knife on the table. She looked at me. I gave a small nod in response.

[Yes, please.] Fina

After receiving permission from Fina, Rojina-san stood up and took out what looked like some kind of animal skin from a nearby drawer. Then, when he returned, he quickly cut the animal skin with the knife. He looked at the animal skin and the knife again and again.

[That Gordo boy is growing up, isn’t he? I was going to call him back and give him a fresh start on his training if his skills were getting rusty.] Rojina

Even after saying that, Rojina-san’s cheeks were relaxed as if he was happy to see the growth of his apprentice. Rojina-san wiped the knife with a cloth and returned it back in its sheath.

[Can I take a look at it too?] Rikka

Rikka asked Fina and picked up the knife.

[It looks really beautiful. I think he already surpassed dad.] Rikka

[Sigh, not quite.] Rojina

Rojina-san denied Rikka’s words.

[But why does a little girl like you have a mithril knife? It’s not easy to buy one. Are you actually a rich girl by any chance?] Rikka

Fina denied Rikka’s words.

[Umm… We are very poor. Yuna-oneesan bought me this knife.] Fina

It’s not like they’re that poor. Gentz-san is here, and Tirumina-san is also working. Maybe she hasn’t gotten over the feeling of the old times?

She even got mad at me when I bought her a mithril knife.

[Missy, this mithril knife….] Rojina

[Her father works for the adventurer’s guild and they do the dismantling together. That’s why I asked Fina to dismantle the monsters and animals that I hunted.] Yuna

[That doesn’t mean you’ll need a mithril knife for it.] Rojina

[Well, she couldn’t dismantle it without a mithril knife.] Yuna

[Dismantle what?] Rojina

[A black tiger.] Yuna

[…………]

A brief silence fills the room.

[You’re not lying, are you?] Rojina

He believed in Gordo-san and Ghazal-san’s letter, so he seemed to believe the Black Tiger part. However, he’s also somewhat skeptical about it.

Next, Rojina-san picked up the Swaying Bear-like knife with a black handle. I didn’t bring out the Hugging Bear knife because I didn’t think it was necessary to bring out a similar one.

[Bear?] Rojina

Rojina-san looks at me and the bear engraved on the handle alternately.

What? It’s a bear. Ghazal-san carved it for me.

After staring at the carved pattern for a while, Rojina-san slowly pulled the knife out of its sheath.

[Another mithril knife. But this one’s for combat.] Rojina

Rojina-san asked me if he can do the same cutting test that he asked Fina earlier, so I gave him the same permission.

[Can you handle this knife, Missy?] Rojina

[In a manner of speaking. Ghazal-san has given me his approval.] Yuna

When I gave the Iron Golem a test run, he praised me. When he praised me, it meant that he approved of me.

[Can I test you a little, Missy?] Rojina

[Test?] Yuna

Rojina-san left his seat and brought out a thin iron rod.

Etto, maybe blacksmiths like to see it for themselves?

Moreover, such a thin iron rod?

It looked like an iron rod with a diameter of about one centimeter. I’ve sliced the arm of an iron golem with a mithril knife, so this test would be a bit lacking.

[I just want to make sure Ghazal and Gordo’s eyes are working properly. I won’t complain if you can’t do it. But if Gordo and Ghazal said you’re good, then you can do this. Besides, you just mentioned that thing about the Black Tiger.] Rojina

Rojina-san comes in front of me with a stick.

[Do you want me to slash it while you’re holding it, by any chance? That’s dangerous.] Yuna

[If you have the ability, then you can do it. Besides, it’s the best way to see what you’re capable of. I won’t put much pressure on my hands.] Rojina

Rosina-san held the iron rod with a really light grip. It’ll be easy to drop it.

[It’s out of the question that the iron rod will be blown away if you couldn’t cut it, but the less vibration that’s transmitted to my hand when you cut it, the better. Shall we?] Rojina

This is also a matter of honor for Ghazal-san and Gordo-san, who have called me an excellent adventurer. So, I can’t refuse. I’m going to take this test.

With a knife in hand, I stood up in front of Rojina-san.

[Can I pour some magic into it?] Yuna

[Yeah, that’s a part of what you’re good at after all.] Rojina

Aren’t you afraid, Rojina-san? If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to do something like this to someone whose abilities I don’t even know. Rojina-san is looking at me with serious eyes.

I let the magic flow into the Swaying Bear knife.

Then, I swung down diagonally toward the iron rod that Rojina-san was holding.

Author’s Note:

Fina has Gordo’s knife.

Yuna has Gazal’s knife.

This is to clarify the difference between the two craftsmen.

※In the activity report, I posted information on the store purchase privileges for volume 7.

※I’ve added a picture of Yuna and Princess Flora for volume 7.