∗ ∗ ∗
“Oh? Aren’t you...”
“Hey, it’s Liber. Wazzup?”
There sat a young man and a dwarf girl. The young man was Sir Kuzan. He was Master Noah’s best friend and had once served as an esquire to his family. Sir Kuzan still considered Master Noah as his lord, but as Master Noah had asked him to speak to him casually, he no longer used formal language with him. The dwarf was Lady Merikur, the sole blacksmith in town—and an industrious one at that.
“Woof woof! (I wanted to know if there’s anything I can do to help you!)”
But the pair replied...
“Hmmm, I can’t think of anything personally. I guess there’s this mountain of paperwork, but are you up to it?”
I could see a huge stack of documents atop Sir Kuzan’s desk, which he was reviewing and signing.
“Woof... (I can’t read human writing that well yet...)”
“Oh right, you’re still studying. How about you, Merikur?”
“Me? I’ve got enough hands already. In fact, a couple of kobolds came to me pretty recently. They want me to teach them blacksmithing, so I’m taking them on as provisional apprentices.”
“W-Woof?! (Wh-What?!)”
“You didn’t hear about it? Well, they told me that they couldn’t fight as well as you kobold soldiers, so they want to at least make themselves useful by crafting weapons. I think they wanted to keep it a secret till they got good enough. But that’ll take a while, so it’d only be a matter of time until you found out anyway. Just pretend like you don’t know for now. It’d suck for them to lose their motivation so early.”
“Woof, woof? (I understand. Is there nothing I can do for you, then?)”
“Well, it’d be putting them in trouble if you came around now. I’ll ask you some other time.”
“Woof. Woof. (I see. I’ll take my leave, then.)”
I then trudged back the way I’d come.
✦ ✦ ✦
∗ ∗ ∗
The next day, I headed to where I’d agreed to meet with Lady Aht.
“Woof woof... (It’s so hard to be helpful...)” I thought out loud.
When I arrived, she beckoned to me and put me on her lap, as I’d expected. As she stroked my head, she asked, “You still appear dispirited. Did you not find any success yesterday?”
“Woof... (Well...)”
I summarized what had happened.
Lady Aht tilted her head. “I fail to see the issue.”
“Woof? (Huh?)”
“You were of use to Lord Forneus, correct? They’re creating infrastructure for the town per Master Noah’s orders. Therefore, you’ve been of use to Master Noah as well.”
“W-Woof woof... (B-But all I did was sip some water...)”
“Lord Forneus is a spirit, much akin to a demigod. While they are probably able to eat, their sense of taste may be different than a human’s. They also may be immune to things that would be poisonous to a human. Either way, as they seem to be an innately indolent being, they would be loath to seek help. The very fact that they requested your aid is evidence that it was necessary.”
“Woof? (Is that so?)” I had been under the impression that they had just come up with something to keep me placated. But apparently, I had indeed been essential.
Lady Aht continued. “In the cases of Sir Kuzan and Lady Merikur...I suppose there was nothing to be done there. But if Sir Kuzan is aware that you’ve been practicing reading and writing, he must be considering employing your services with his work once you’ve learned more. As for Lady Merikur, ever since she saw you fighting at the very forefront, she’s taken the initiative to study new techniques. Given all this, anyone would say that you’ve been a great help.”
“Woof, woof... (That’s good to hear, but I’m not very strong...)”
“Gracious, you’re not confident in your own ability?”
“Woof woof, woof. (Well, I didn’t come along to exterminate the ishkitini.)”
“True, but the kobolds’ mission of defending the town was just as vital. Therefore, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Woof... (B-But...)”
“But you still wish to become stronger?”
“Woof (Yes!)” I heartily nodded.
Lady Aht thought for a little while, then spoke. “I understand. If that is the case, then we should definitely go to a labyrinth together. It will be just the two of us this time. There are no suitable labyrinths nearby, so we will need to travel a ways out. I’ll inform Master Noah that I’ll be borrowing your assistance for a month’s time. I will provide the necessary equipment and tools. Take this time to gather your things, say your goodbyes, and make yourself ready. We’ll meet here again in one hour,” she said without pausing, then left.
She had probably gone to report to Master Noah, as she’d said. She was serious. She meant to do exactly as she’d said. So I scrambled to my feet and quickly started on my preparations.
✦ ✦ ✦
∗ ∗ ∗
“AWOOOOOOO!!!” I howled in the depths of a labyrinth. I held two daggers in my paws, the blades of which were wet with blood. A giant minotaur lay unmoving on the ground. I had been engaged in combat with it until just now.
Someone approached me from behind, clapping. “Well done, Miss Liber. You’ve officially graduated. How do you feel?” Lady Aht congratulated me with a smile.
I responded, “Woof woof. Woof woof. (I feel as if I’ve grown stronger, but at the same time, it feels like I haven’t changed at all. It’s peculiar.)”
She giggled. “Is that so? Well, that’s only natural. Miss Liber, you’ve likely become the strongest of all the kobolds in Asyl. You’re capable of fighting even an ishkitini, to a degree. You’re certainly not proficient enough to fell one on your own yet, but eventually, I would like for you to grow that strong.”
“Woof woof... (I still have a long way to go...)”
“The art of war cannot be mastered in a day. I want you to gradually step up with periodic combat training, as you’ve just done. With that said, Miss Liber...”
“Woof? (What is it?)”
“This alone cannot help anyone.”
Her phrasing sounded callous, but I understood what she meant by it. So I replied, “Woof, woof... (Yes, I think I was mistaken to pursue only strength...)”
“As long as you understand. Still, you’ve been of great aid to Master Noah to date, and I’m certain you will continue to be so. You can return to town with your head held high. You understand that as well, yes?”
“Woof arf... (I still don’t have the confidence...)”
“I see. But it’s all right to take things a little bit at a time.”
“Woof? (Huh?)”
“Nothing good comes from being too impatient. I’ve sped through my life and accomplished many things, but I’ve never been more happy than when I am spending time peacefully by Master Noah’s side in Asyl. I believe you should focus not on whether you are useful or not, but on what makes you content. You are happy to be with Master Noah, correct? Is that not sufficient?”
“Woof? Woof... (Happy? I suppose I am happy...)”
“Then you should strive to preserve that feeling. That’s all you have to do, in my opinion. Asyl has many people with diverse skill sets now. Each person should do what they are capable of. So don’t fret excessively, and simply savor the happiness you have now. That is what I am endeavoring to do as well. Miss Liber, please do the same and be at ease.”
“Woof... Woof. (You’re right... I was probably overthinking things.)”
Lady Aht’s words had thoroughly convinced me. Yes, I had been too impatient. So many onerous events had occurred in sequence that left me feeling as if this happiness would quickly escape my grasp if I didn’t constantly toil away. But the majority of my worries had been dispelled by Master Noah and Lady Aht. That being the case...all I had to do now was enjoy life.