Volume 2 - CH 131

Two days had passed since I had confirmed Zero Tobori’s defenses.

In the meantime, we had to walk around the village, telling each person that I was a white snake.

As I walked around, I realized that this village is very large.

There are a variety of goods being made, and each person has their own job to do.

I heard the sound of a hammer swinging from somewhere, and oni were advertising the products they were selling.

And sometimes children running around.

There are occasional fights, but they seem to know how to use their power, judging from the fact that most of the fights end in verbal fights.

If they were to use their power in a place like this, a house or two would be blown away.

On my way on the road, I also visited a blacksmith who was going to make a sword for me.

He asked me what I wanted the sword to look like, but I told him I wanted it to be all white.

The rest is up to him.

If I gave him any strange orders, the blacksmith would be troubled.

But it seems that it takes time to complete a sword, and I was told to wait a month.

Although I’m not in a hurry for the trip, I feel it’s a bit of a waste to have to stay here until then.

That said, there was no way I could ask them to make it faster for me.

So I decided to wait here in the village.

Well, I can eat Japanese food for a while.

The blacksmith who will be making the sword for me this time is said to be the most skilled craftsman in this village.

He is an old man who seems to be the same age as Raiki.

Although he does not seem to be a very strong old man, somehow there is a mysterious feeling of confidence that he will be able to make a good sword.

This is something I can expect from him.

The old man said, “This is my last work,” but I hope he doesn’t say that and lives a little longer.

I might come back to repair my sword, so please don’t say that.

And apparently, Uchikage also had business with this blacksmith.

He wanted to repair his favorite claw.

He handed the claw to the blacksmith, who looked at it as if examining the blade.

“Uchikage, seriously …”

“I know what you are going to say.”

“Sigh …… now you should get a whetstone in your wagon or something. And I’ll replace the claw because it’s useless now, okay?”

“All right”

After saying that, the blacksmith removed all the claws and then went on to the back.

Indeed, Uchikage’s claws were very battered.

It would be faster to replace them rather than repair them.

“Ouren”

“Yea?”

“I want this weapon too”

Alena pointed to a naginata.

It is not a large naginata, but more like a short spear.

Although it is suitable for Alena in terms of height, I think it is still too early to give it to her, as she has no experience in actual combat.

I looked at Uchikage and asked him what he thought, but he just shook his head.

That’s to be expected.

I don’t think she has the physical strength to wield such a long object with ease.

“I’m not sure if Alena is ready for this yet.”

“Mu……. So how much longer do you think it will be before I’m ready to use it?”

“Well, I don’t know. At least until you can earn your own money. Then you can buy it yourself.”

“Of course!”

She seemed understood, but still a little excited about a weapon she had never seen before.

She asked me at every opportunity if she could use it herself.

Since I had originally planned to give Alena a small dagger, I decided to ask her to give me one of the small daggers in the store.

The small dagger and the knife for dismantling would be enough for Alena right now.

All that was left was to see what kind of weapon would suit her best in a real battle.

We ordered and asked them to fix Uchikage’s weapons.

I also bought a new weapon for Alena, so we were going around the village again.

◆

When we returned to the castle, the equipment that was made for me was apparently ready.

Surprisingly fast.

The Oni took me to the dressing room and had me put it on right away.

There were apparently two kinds of equipment.

The first one was completely for combat use.

I’m going to say it clearly. It’s really cool.

The black samurai armor contrasted with my hair color.

The hanging down torso, shoulder pads, and a bracer.

And there were waistcoats and shin guards.

It was a suit of armor.

However, there was no helmet.

Although it was inevitable because Oni do not wear helmets, it was a little unfortunate.

In addition, there was a haori over it. (outerwear like robe or something)

This was also quite heavy.

The overall color is a mixture of black and white, and there is a mark on the back that looks like a snake embroidered with a family crest.

According to Shimu, this armor is a replica of the “Black Scaled Armor” that the previous incarnation of the White Serpent is said to had made by the Oni.

It was still not known why they made the armor for a snake, but it was hypothesized that it was because I had returned in human form and the previous white snake had been able to transform itself into human form too.

Although it doesn’t concern me, …….

The next one is a normal kimono.

However, they were equipped with some accessories.

The first thing was the clothes, which were white, gray, and black in color.

There was a haori that reached up to the knees, and the clothes worn inside it were embroidered in various places with a hana-bishi (diamond) pattern.

This dress did not appear to be a kimono, but a hakama underneath.

The folded hakama were pushed into shin pads attached to the legs to make it easier to walk.

It is hard to see from the outside, but there is a hidden brace on the arm and legs.

Only my legs and arms are covered, but I thought it was better than wearing nothing at all.

Although this outfit has no protection for my torso, it is still very sturdy.

If you ask me, it’s a little heavy.

“It’s quite heavy”

“That is true. There is iron thread embroidery in this fabric that even oni can’t tear to pieces.”

Shimu told me that as she was dressing me.

I wonder how much iron is in this dress …… that even demons can’t tear it to pieces.

Well, it’s a good thing that this is all the equipment I need.

I put only the gear I mentioned earlier in a storage bag. (Magic bag, dunno why author changed it, anyway)

There is no way I can wear both of them and carry them around with me.

“Wow! Ouren-sama, you look so good!”

“You made this together with her, didn’t you, Princess? Thank you.”

“Yes!”

The clothes I was wearing before were cool, but I still prefer kimonos.

Besides, this kimono is easy to put on.

All I have to do is put on the top, fasten the front, and wrap the obi around the hakama.

Even I can do it by myself.

However, this haori is heavy.

I feel like there’s a lot of iron in this one.

But with this, a few slashes would not reach me.

Anyway, all of us were finally equipped.

All that was left was to wait for my Sansyakugatana and Uchikage’s claws to be repaired.

Until then, I’ll just relax in Zenki-village.

By the way.

When I showed my equipment to Reizen and Alena, not only Reizen but also Alena complimented me on my equipment as if they were trying to beat me down.

I was impressed that Shimu and Princess looked happier than me.