Ep. 194 Illium Part 2 (Patreon)

Roddick says "That would be Walter, you can find him in the crafter's quarter. He is a summoned hero, but he doesn't have a very pleasant attitude so be careful."

"Not to worry, I have materials that any crafter would die to work with."

Roddick says "Well, it is true that Walter loves his craft more than anything. If you have a good enough material he would not care even if you cut off one of his legs."

"Well, I don't plan to be that rude. I have drake leather as a material."

Roddick says "Drake leather? Truly?"

"Yes, I killed a drake not long ago."

Roddick says "Then Walter may just want you to marry him. Haha!"

"As long as he can make me armor, that is all I want."

Roddick says "Well, I will leave that for you to work out with him."

"I think I will go see him first, if there is nothing else?"

Roddick says "No, nothing else. Although, do you have a place to stay?"

"Not yet, I was planning to stay in an inn."

Roddick says "Illium has many nice inns, but you can have a room here in the guild if you like."

"Thank you, but no. I will stay in an inn and experience the city’s life."

Roddick says "Fair enough, if you need anything at all don't hesitate to ask."

"I will keep that in mind."

Roddick says "Alright, the meeting is in the morning two days from now."

"I will be here."

A servant leads me out of the tower, once outside I stop and take a good look around. It is amazing, a real medieval city, it looks even better than in the movies. In size it doesn't compare to the cities of my old world, but it is much richer in color and culture, I can't wait to explore it.

First I look at the map and place a drop of blood onto it, instantly the dot appears and I can see where I am. I turn left and follow the map, heading towards the crafter's quarter. The dot moves as I move, it's basically magical GPS, it makes it easy to find my way.

Once I enter the crafter's quarter I put the map into my pouch and slowly wander around. I simply enjoy looking at all the various people and shops. There are shops for all types of crafts, but blacksmiths and tailors seem to be the most common. By simply asking I get directions to Walter's shop, the people here are polite and don't seem to mind beastmen.

So far I like this city, it is clean and the people seem happy with their lives. The city guards I have seen are all well equipped and look to be decently trained. I would have to see them in a fight to know just how good they are, but they are at least well disciplined.

As I turn onto the street I was told about I notice the shops on this street are different. The shop windows have few items, but the items all look familiar to me. I quickly realize they resemble things from my old world, all these shops must belong to heroes.

It surprises me that the city would give an entire street to the heroes, each shop has a living space above it. They are being treated way better than they were by the king. Halfway down the street I spot Walter's shop so I walk in.

Walter says "Get out! I'm busy!"

"I see Roddick wasn't kidding about your attitude. Even in our world that would have been very rude."

Walter says "Eh? Who are you?"

"My name is Ash. Like you I was summoned to this world."

Walter says "Oh, you were the one thrown into that well."

"Yeah, that's me."

Walter says "Well, I don't care who you are or where you are from. I am busy, get out!"

"Alright, I will find another leatherworker to work on this drake leather for me."

Walter says "What?! Drake leather?! Let me see it!!"

"No, no, you are busy. I don't want to bother you when you are busy."

Walter says "Forget that! Show me the drake leather!"

Deciding I've teased him enough I take a piece of drake leather out of my pouch. Walter snatches it from my hand instantly and starts examining it intently. He then proceeds to poke at it with various needles from his work bench.

Walter says "This really is drake leather! Finally something good enough that I can level up my crafting. Too bad none of my tools can work with it."

"If you had better tools could you work with it?"

Walter says "Of course. The problem is the tools have to be made from an equivalent material."

Hearing this I pull out my drake bone scrimshaw tools and hand them to him. He examines them for a minute before handing them back.

Walter says "The material is good enough but the craftsmanship is subpar."

"Sorry, I haven't had much chance to practice my crafting."

Walter says "You made these? Who was your teacher?"

"No teacher, I learned by myself."

Walter says "You didn't know scrimshaw in your past life?"

"Nope, only what I saw in movies and anime."

Walter says "That's impressive. What crafts have you taught yourself?"

"My highest crafts are scrimshaw, blacksmithing, and mining. But I know a little of most crafts."

Walter says "And you taught yourself everything?"

"Yeah, mostly through trial and error."

Walter says "If you plan to stay in Illium for a while I can arrange for the other crafter heroes to teach you."

"That sounds good, but I'm not sure yet if I will be staying long."

Walter says "Fair enough. Back to the leather, I can work it but it will turn out better if I have better tools."

"I have more drake bone if there is a scrimshaw worker around."

Walter opens the door and yells "Mitch!" into the street. A minute later a kid comes through the door, he looks around seventeen or eighteen. He has short sandy hair and roughly made glasses.

Mitch says "What do you want you grumpy old man?"

Walter says "I need a new set of tools made from bone. What's your scrimshaw level at now?"

Mitch says "Expert ninteen. What kind of bone?"

Walter says "Drake bone."

Mitch says "I think my skill is high enough but I don't have any tools that will scratch something like drake bone."

Walter says "That's fine you can borrow his tools. Also while you are at it, teach him what you can."

Mitch says "Who is he and why am I teaching him?"

Walter says "His name is Ash, and because I told you to."

Mitch says "Okay, okay. Don't blow a gasket, old man."

Walter says "Right, Ash. What kind of armor are you looking for me to make?"

"Full body except helm, leather with scale hard points. Basically, maximum protection without hindering my movements."

Walter says "That's easy enough. What kind of scale do you want me to use?"

"Drake scale."

Walter says "Drakes have leather and scales?"

In answer I pull a scale out of the pouch and hand it to Walter. Both Mitch and Walter exclaim in excitement and examine the scale. It seems neither of them have seen such high quality materials since they came to this world.

Walter says "This scale is amazing, but I can't work with it. Mitch, can you craft the hard points out of this?"

Mitch says "Absolutely! Assuming you have more than this one scale Ash?"

"I have the bones, scales, and leather from the drake I killed."

Mitch says "You killed a drake? Awesome!"