Forest City

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Trees of unbelievable size continued on into the distance. The trunks and branches of these trees were connected with bridges made of wood, and on top were buildings.

The elven city of Amernisus was vertical, and mostly above ground. There were hanging bridges and floating piers. The structures were complex, but took advantage of the natural features of trees. The deeper I went, the more the passages and structures intertwined as far as the eye could see. As I walked down the bridges, while supported on a cane, I was glad that I was not especially afraid of heights.

There were handrails, but I sometimes worried if the running children would not fall off.

Still, there was so much to see that I felt I could spend the whole day just watching. However, it could not be. There was something that I had to do in Amernisus.

“I was wondering if you could craft me a prosthetic leg.”

The master elf of the magic workshop looked at the strange human visitor who had appeared suddenly with this request.

Regardless of what I was doing, moving on one leg was very inconvenient. And so I wanted to visit a crafter for prosthetic legs, but there were none in Amernisus. However, Lettelotte had been a crafter of magic tools. And so it shouldn’t be a problem.

I could also have one made in Suelbur, but there were no crafters that worked with magic, and so there would not be any enchantments. If I was going through the trouble, I wanted something to surpass the 3rd generation.

“I have never made a prosthetic leg before.”

“I know. But it isn’t an ordinary one. More like a metal plank with magic.”

The prosthetic leg that doubles as a magic staff was nice. But I could always substitute the staff. And so I gave a general explanation of what I wanted in terms of shape.

“And I would want it to be made of mithril.”

“I cannot do that. There is only one blacksmith in Amernisus who can work with mithril. After all, few elves become blacksmiths.”

Indeed, it seemed like a profession that was more fit for dwarves.

“What about steel?”

“It will still take about two months. However, you seem to only need a working spring? Why not make it out of wood?”

I could not wait for two months.

“But I doubt wood will be durable enough for me in battle. Besides, it will be something I use for a long time. I want it to last.”

“In that case, we have wood that is incredibly durable. While it is a little heavy, it should be perfect for a prosthetic leg. And once it is enchanted, it will be good enough for combat.”

“Huh… You have wood like that?”

“The cores of the trees in Amernisus are the homes of spirits. Besides, their capacity for enchantments is larger than most materials. You will be impressed with the results.”

According to him, if I added the ability to use it as a magic staff, it would decrease the capacity that could be used for durability enchantments. As I had my gauntlet and Mine Breaker, I could manage just fine without the magic staff. And so I asked him to put everything into durability.

“Twenty-five gold!?”

“The core of a spirit tree is a very valuable material.”

It was practically the same price as mithril. The dragon breath had blown away my wallet. And I only had a single gold coin that was sewed into my trousers. Though, in my letter to Nanaze village, I had asked them to bring my savings from my house. So it should probably be enough.

“My money will be arriving soon. Could I order when I get it?”

“That is fine. I will prepare so that I can start as soon as you pay.”

While it would be expensive, I might regret it later if I was attacked by a monster while wearing a useless leg. Being stingy with equipment could result in death.

After leaving the workshop, I went down a staircase that spiraled around a tree trunk, and returned to the ground. As the matter of the prosthetic leg was settled, I now had to buy new armor, since my old one was destroyed. I had gotten directions at the workshop. The armor area was in a ground district.

Below the trees, there were many fields where the elves worked leisurely. I wondered how the plants grew so well, when there was not a lot of sunlight. It was pointless to worry about such things, but I couldn’t help but be curious, as someone who also worked in a field.

Some of the elves stopped what they were doing to look at me. They were not used to seeing humans. And since I was also looking at the scene with interest, sometimes our eyes would meet. Awkwardly, I would bow my head, but they just looked at me oddly.

Those old Japanese gestures would come out sometimes. Even ten years in another world was not enough to forget them.

After walking for some time, I saw the sight that had been described to me. A vast open area that was void of the giant trees. Here alone, the sun shone down.
The ground was paved with stone, and there was a water ditch that surrounded the place in a circle. Here, there were many buildings with chimneys blowing smoke.

The district was distinctively different from what I imagined elves to be like. But even elves had to use fire. If you wanted to work with metal, you needed a forge. And so the crafters had gathered here and made this crafting district.

There was an outside wall that was probably a way of protecting the forest from the fires.
Not only that, but all of the buildings here were made of stone. When I peered inside each, I found one workshop that had armor, along with weapons and other tools.
In general, armor was made by order, but they usually had a few samples on display.

“I want to buy some armor.”

The master looked at me with a suspicious expression.

“Huh. A human all of the way out here? But mister…are you going to fight with that leg?”

Today, I had no armor or prosthetic leg. And while I did have a sword, I definitely did not look like someone who was fit to battle.

“Believe it or not, I’m an Adventurer. And so I want armor that would allow me to fight decently strong monsters.”

“Oh, I’ve heard rumors of such an Adventurer. What kind of armor do you want?”

And so I told him what I was looking for. And that was when a problem arose.

“We only handle leather armor. And I don’t think that will suit your style.”

Elves preferred leather. It was light and they prioritized speed. Also, when you were in a forest environment, it was easier to be silent in leather armor.

But someone with a prosthetic leg could not fight like that. And ever since I learned Protection, I tended to fight while countering. I wanted hard armor.

“Do you know of a workshop that handles that kind of armor?”

“There is one place. But it’s difficult to find, so I’ll take you there.”

And so I followed. It turned out to be very close by. However, the front was lined with pots and pans, and it did not look like a place that made armor.

“Heey, Kufuii. I brought you a customer!”

“Aye… A human!?”

An elf appeared from the back of the workshop. Still, elves all looked very young, and so it was difficult to tell if someone was experienced or not. Also, I was now used to people being surprised by me.

“Shockingly, this human wants to order some armor from you.”

“Armor!? Not pots?”

“Armor.”

“What about a kettle?”

“Armor.”

“Indeed! Finally, some real work to do!”

Metal armor really was unpopular with elves. I was starting to feel bad for him. And while he was overjoyed, I had to confirm something first.

“Uh, wait a minute. I haven’t decided to order anything yet.”

“Oh, sorry about that. I didn’t even ask you what kind of armor you wanted. Full plate?”

“No, I’m a solo Adventurer. High defense ability won’t do me much good if I can’t move. Also, I don’t have too much time.”

“Hmm. In that case…half plate, and using parts I already have… I could do it in one week! But if you want enchantments too, then it will take ten days.”

If enchantments were an option, I would want that. But then the price would be worrying.

“How much would it cost with enchantments?”

“It depends on the type of enchantment.”

I had ideas when it came to armor for awhile now. Though it might be difficult with limited funds, it was worth a try.

“What about durability and light magic boost?”

“Not possible! Even if it was mithril, it would take a master enchanter to do it. If we’re working with iron, then it’s one or the other. Also, the light magic boost will not be that efficient.”

If I had a light magic boost, it would raise the power of my Protection spell. However, there would be times when I couldn’t chant. So it was not good to depend on it.

“And you can’t work with mithril?”

“I only have one item made of mithril. And no other parts. It would take me half a year, maybe even a whole year to do it.”

In the dwarf kingdom, it had been plentiful enough. But things were different here. And if it came to features, I suppose durability was the most important, but…

“I’ll go with the light attribute boost.”

“Light attribute… Hmm… It will be about twenty in gold.”

Gaaaahhh… Quite expensive! Combined with the prosthetic leg, this was going to blow half of my painstaking earned savings…meant for the treatment of my leg.

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Ossan Boukensha no Jimichi na Isekai Tabi