The same old forest. The same old witch's house.
The same old cluttered living room. The same old table. The same old black sofa.
And the same old herb tea.
Today's herb tea had four black luminous dots drifting across a rippling blue sea.
"..."
Every single time, I can't help but wonder—what even is this herb tea?
I have zero desire to drink it, and what kind of brewing method could even produce this?
The witch's cooking is always weird but consistently delicious, so I can only assume she's doing this on purpose.
As I was thinking this, the witch arrived.
She settled herself comfortably into the red sofa across from me.
She was wearing an all-black outfit with a bit more skin showing than usual, looking more disheveled than normal.
Maybe because she was baring her shoulders so boldly, half her chest was on display.
Was she still not over her fatigue? Then the witch grinned.
"My, my, those gauntlets. Looks like you're already putting them to use."
"Yes. Thank you very much. They're incredibly easy to use."
"Mm-hmm. That makes me happy to hear too."
She really does look happy. My chest warms.
But I have to tell the witch.
"So, Witch, I actually have something to discuss with you."
"Mm-hmm. What might that be?"
"First, these gauntlets. They're called the Gauntlets of Still Sanctity."
"Oh my. You've named them, have you?"
"No, they came with that name from the start."
"Hm? Hm? Whatever do you mean?"
The witch looked bewildered. Her large fox ears swayed gently.
"The moment I put on the Gauntlets of Still Sanctity, my Relic, the Silent One, adapted to them."
"Hm? Hm? The Relic adapted... So you're saying they're an OOPArt?"
"Yes. While wearing the Gauntlets of Still Sanctity, I've gained access to an automatic Relic called Silent Move."
The witch tilted her head. She closed her eyes, let her fox ears sway slowly side to side, then opened her eyes.
"Let me see, let me see... So in other words, we've crafted an OOPArt called the Gauntlets of Still Sanctity?"
"That about sums it up."
The witch covered her mouth with a hand and slowly parted her lips.
"Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Those gauntlets of yours—magimetal silver and magimetal gold were used in generous quantities. There were fragments of a great demon blade, mithril, adamantine, those inexplicable self-moving ancient gears, cursed ceramic dolls, strangling metal, blood-killing branches, mist stones, ogre wolf fur, war-horse cattle leather, and quite a few other things."
"Hm?"
I could have sworn I just heard several things I shouldn't have ignored.
"Anyway, anyway, the Gauntlets of Still Sanctity are complete. That they turned out to be an OOPArt is quite moving. It's been a long time since I put real effort into crafting something."
The witch let out a wistful sigh.
I somehow got the sense that the witch was immensely satisfied.
"You can't create OOPArts, right?"
"Well, well, I suppose that's true in a sense. I've long suspected that OOPArts can't be identified as such unless they adapt to a Relic. So even if one was created before, nobody would have known."
That matches my own theory.
Which means OOPArts could be lurking in all sorts of places.
"But, but, I never would have guessed Silent Move."
"You've heard of it?"
"Mm-hmm. It's an automatic Relic that acts without conscious thought. There's a woman in the First Class called Oto Dole from Edda—she has it among her automatic Relics. So, young Wof, have you tried it several times already?"
"Yes. I tried it, and I don't think it's practical for combat. It's useful, but losing consciousness like that is... frightening."
And there's the cost of movement to consider.
If I succeeded and regained consciousness, there was no guarantee my body wouldn't be in tatters.
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. That's true indeed. It's different from Oto Dole's."
"Did that Oto Dole use hers often?"
"Quite a bit, actually. But she used it in combination with her other automatic Relics. Oto Dole only possesses automatic-type Relics."
"I see."
So that's Oto Dole. Possessing only automatic Relics is quite unusual.
Hmm. If I combined it with my other Relics... no, I've got nothing.
Well, for now, I'll keep testing within safe limits.
"So, so, how did the knife turn out?"
"That one was normal. But the sharpness is incredible. As expected of a double-edged blade."
I tested the knife too.
It sliced cleanly through tough chunks of meat. This one could be my everyday carry.
"Mm-hmm. Kikka is skilled, after all."
"She's Verento's daughter, right?"
"Mm-hmm. Very promising."
If the witch is praising her, she must be quite something.
I hadn't been able to meet her because I was napping. Right.
"Witch, there's one more important thing I need to tell you."
"Mm-hmm. What is it?"
"I want to become a delver."
When I told her that, the witch smiled meaningfully. It was the witch's smile.
The witch stared intently at me and asked.
"Oh my. So you're not waiting until you're fourteen?"
"Yes. I have my reasons for wanting to, but more than that, I've come to feel that I have to become a delver. It would feel unnatural if I didn't."
"Mm-hmm. That you've realized that on your own... as your master, I'm delighted."
Had she been keeping quiet all this time just waiting for me to say it?
"Witch, can I receive the same special exception that Mineha did?"
"My, my, yes indeed. As for that—whether it's possible or not, I'd say it is. Mm-hmm. I've firmly received your resolve, young Wof. So leave it to me."
"Yes. I'm counting on you."
I bowed my head. The witch smiled happily.
"Oh, that's right. Related to that—the investigation of that forest. I've decided we'll carry it out this week."
"Understood. That's rather sudden."
"Finally, finally. The investigation team has been decided."
"Is that so. By any chance, can I ask who's on it?"
"My, my, that's a secret for the day itself."
The witch grinned mischievously. A secret, which meant someone I already knew would be there.
If it were all strangers, there'd be no need to keep it secret.
That's better than not knowing anyone, but it feels like I've caught a glimpse behind the curtain.
The investigation of that forest, huh. It's creepy, but it doesn't look like there's anything worth finding.
So it should wrap up quickly.
Oh, right.
"Witch, about the magimetal silver and gold."
"Mm-hmm. Now that you mention it, I only asked about it in passing. You found the magimetal gold with your Relic, didn't you, young Wof?"
"Yes. I found it with the Wheel of Fortune. Anyway, Witch—something about the magimetal silver and gold has been bugging me. Are there parent-child pairs among dungeon monsters?"
"Hm? Hm? What do you mean, parent-child?"
The witch looked bewildered.
"The first magimetal gold and magimetal silver Monoceros we caught were parent and child. The magimetal gold one was the father, and the magimetal silver one was the daughter."
"I see. I see. Then those two Monoceros wouldn't be dungeon monsters."
"Um, do regular monsters include Monoceros?"
"Oh my, you didn't know? They exist among natural monsters too. Somehow or other, those two must have mingled with a group of dungeon-monster Monoceros."
"Is that not a problem?"
Wouldn't they be attacked by dungeon monsters?
"There's nothing to worry about. Dungeon monsters only attack people like us."
"Is that so? Those two used a Relic, you know."
"Oh. Oh. A copper-class Monoceros using a Relic. That was likely the dungeon's influence."
"So the dungeon is responsible for them being able to use Relics?"
"Mm-hmm, that's right. There is a theory to that effect. Ah, that reminds me—shall I tell my apprentice, who's about to become a delver, something interesting?"
"Wh-what is it?"
The witch spoke with an expression that suggested she was thinking of something troublesome.
"You see, dungeons can sometimes reach out a helping hand to those in need. Remember that well."
"So you're saying the dungeon gave them a Relic as help because those two were in trouble?"
"It may well be so."
"...Understood. I'll remember that."
Dungeons can help you. That was the first I'd heard of it.
"Oh, oh, young Wof. Come to think of it, how did things go with Pakira's base?"
"Apparently the purchase went through without a hitch."
"Well, that's a relief."
"Were you worried about it?"
"Just a teensy, teensy bit."
"It's rare for you to be curious about something, Witch."
"Well, well, cat-beastkin are quite rare."
"Come to think of it..."
Now that she mentions it, aside from Pakira, I don't think I've ever seen any other cat-beastkin.
Actually... have I? I only realized how rare they were after being told.
I mean, in my memories from my past life, cat ears and tails were the basics for beastkin.
The witch suddenly stood up from the sofa and stretched with a long yawn.
Whoa. Things shook. A lot. I'm not going to say what. Impressive.
"Well then, well then. Young Wof, shall we do some vigorous exercise today too?"
"Self-defense training, you mean."
The way she phrases it is terrible... I sighed and got to my feet.
Then I was thrown dozens of times in the courtyard, tackled to the ground, and beaten to a pulp.
During the joint locks, her chest and backside were practically soft weapons.
Also, the witch's clothes were so disheveled there was a ridiculous amount of accidental exposure. It was unreal.
Even for a thirteen-year-old like me, it was way too much. The witch really is something else.
And so the witch's training continued today, as always, until I collapsed in body and spirit.
"Oh."
On the way home, when I bought a large quantity of meat from my usual butcher, it suddenly hit me.
I'd forgotten to tell the witch about the enchantment on the dagger knife.