The Ultimate Sage Who Faked Incompetence and Was Disinherited Just Wants to Enjoy His New Life! - Episode 37: Tableware

Episode 37: Tableware 

I roll around on the tatami mat. It doesn’t have the softness of a bed. But the firmness and elasticity are actually quite nice. I could get used to this. 

“Fel, what are we doing next? We’ve secured a place to stay, and we’ve got money. So should we go somewhere?” 

“Let’s take a look around the area. With so many inns for adventurers nearby, I bet there are all sorts of shops catering to adventurers, too.” 

“Nice idea. We might find something interesting.” 

With that, we stepped outside the inn. Most of the people on the streets seemed to be commoners. But I could spot some adventurers here and there. Were they heading out on a quest, or had they just returned? 

“Where should we go first?” 

“Let’s check out a weapon shop.” 

“So, you’re finally getting a staff!” 

“Well… about that. We’re already strong enough without one, aren’t we?” 

“That’s… true?” 

Our recent fight against the Water Dragon made it clear—we don’t really need the magical boost from a staff. In fact, if we used one, we might overdo it. There’s even a chance that the staff wouldn’t be able to withstand our magic and would break instantly. 

“Then why are we going to a weapon shop?” 

“I was thinking of getting some custom-made tableware for Lilia.” 

“You *still* haven’t given up on that? I told you, I don’t really need it.” 

“But I want it.” 

As we walked along the street, a weapon shop came into view. I’d asked several places before. But every time, I got turned down. If that’s how it is, I’ll just keep trying every shop I can find. 

A bell jingled as I pushed open the door. Inside, a few adventurers were browsing. The shop seemed fairly busy. 

“Welcome,” 

Said a man sitting at the back. He was likely the shopkeeper. A human. He kept a close eye on the customers. He didn’t have much muscle. Which meant he probably wasn’t the one forging the weapons here. 

“Excuse me, do you take custom orders?” 

“What, the stuff I sell here isn’t good enough for you?” 

He gave me a curious look. His tone was blunt, but he didn’t seem angry. 

“No, it’s not that. I’d like to commission some tableware.” 

“Tableware?” 

“Yeah. Knives, forks, things like that. I need them in a size a Fairy can use.” 

The shopkeeper turned to look at Lilia. Seeing her nod in confirmation, he seemed to accept the idea. 

“In that case, I’ll give you directions. Go talk to the master craftsman directly.” 

Oh! Finally, someone willing to take my request seriously! Every other place just turned me away at the door. 

The shopkeeper sketched a simple map for me. I thanked him and bought a few practical knives before leaving the shop. 

“We did it, Lilia! We’re finally getting custom tableware just for you!” 

“You’re celebrating too soon. Way too soon. We still have to negotiate, remember?” 

“Don’t worry, I got this.” 

“Where does your confidence even come from…?” 

I hugged the exasperated Lilia and skipped toward our destination. The place turned out to be a street full of workshops—pottery studios, weaving studios, weapon forges, armor smiths, and magic tool workshops all lined the road. 

“This should be the place. Excuse me!” 

Even from outside, I could feel the heat pouring out. The sound of hammering rang through the air. No doubt, this was where the crafting happened. 

A young craftsman stepped out. 

“Can I help you?” 

“I’d like to place a special order… Oh, here’s a letter of introduction from the shopkeeper.” 

I handed over the note I received earlier. The craftsman glanced at it. He then told me to wait before disappearing inside. 

A short while later, a stocky dwarf appeared. He had dark brown hair and limbs as thick as tree trunks. 

“So you’re the one looking for Fairy-sized tableware? Well, I’ll be damned! A real Fairy! Can’t remember the last time I saw one. But I’ve never heard of a Fairy needing tableware before.” 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Fel, and this is Lilia.”

“Hello! Dwarves always have such bushy beards, huh?” 

Lilia! What if he takes offense to that?! Panicked, I quickly covered her mouth. 

“Ha ha ha ha! Right? It’s my pride and joy!” 

Looks like there’s no problem. I wish someone had told me earlier that dwarves are pretty laid-back about their beards. That gave me a scare. 

“Normally, Fairies don’t eat. But I kind of convinced Lilia to join me for meals.” 

“I’m not forcing myself to eat!” 

Lilia flew up right in front of my face. She was clearly annoyed. 

“Hey, Fel… don’t tell me… you’ve formed a contract with a Fairy?” 

“Yeah, so? You got a problem with that?” 

Lilia suddenly took on an aggressive tone. My stomach started to ache. 

“No, no problem. Just surprised—never seen someone in a Fairy contract before. …Fel, you’re lucky to be alive.” 

“Huh?” 

Wait, what? What’s that supposed to mean? I glanced at Lilia, but she just tilted her head. She was just as confused as I was. Yeah, that makes no sense, right? 

“Ah, forget it. Name’s Rugald. Nice to meet you. You needed Fairy-sized tableware, right? Leave it to me.” 

“You’ll make it?” 

“Of course. I don’t get requests like this every day. It’ll be a fun challenge.” 

Just like the books say, dwarves really do have a strong craftsman spirit. He seemed almost excited about making something unusual. Since he had no reason to refuse, I gladly placed my order. 

“Heh heh heh… Making something this tiny is gonna be interesting. Gets my bl00d pumping!” 

Rugald-san grinned happily. Maybe dwarves enjoy difficult tasks? After taking Lilia’s measurements, we wrapped up for the day. 

“You think that bushy beard guy will be okay?” 

“Lilia, it’s *Rugald*. And I think so? Dwarves are famous for their craftsmanship.” 

“I know that. But………. do you really think he’ll make something normal?” 

Lilia’s expression darkened like storm clouds. Watching her, I started feeling a bad premonition too. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Dwarves like adding special effects to their creations. You know that, right?” 

Never heard of that before. But now that I think about it, I have heard of swords that breathe fire and spears that shoot ice spikes. Could she be talking about that? 

“You mean magic weapons? I’ve heard of them, but are they really made by dwarves?” 

“That’s right. …..…Come to think of it, the weapon shop didn’t have any, huh? Maybe they stopped making them?” 

Lilia tilted her head in thought. Maybe that technology was lost while she was sealed away, just like the magic she taught me. 

When I suggested that, she laughed it off with a casual “No way~.” But I didn’t miss the slight twitch in her face. 

“Lilia, let’s go to the library.” 

“What a coincidence, Fel. I was just about to suggest the same thing.” 

We nodded in agreement and headed for the largest library in the royal capital. If we went there, we’d surely find information on magic and this world’s lost technologies. 

Without a doubt, both Lilia and I had a different sense of the world compared to the present era. We needed to correct that as soon as possible. 

The Grand Library of the royal capital was massive, just as its name suggested. If someone told me it held books from all over the world, I wouldn’t even doubt it. This place had potential. 

After paying the entrance fee, we stepped inside. We were greeted by towering walls of books stretching endlessly. 

“…There’s no way we can find anything in all this.” 

Lilia sighed, already giving up. 

But I had a plan. 

“When you’re lost, just ask the librarian! Oh, there’s one. Excuse me!”