Rosetta-sama, You're Overdoing It! - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Rosetta’s First Week is Over

So, yeah, it’s been a week.

I wonder if it’s ready? Can it be done? I can’t contain my excitement!

The anticipation is off the charts.

This time, the first stop is the blacksmith in the commoner’s district. I’ve had enough of the clothing store. The shopkeeper always looks annoyed when I go there. Just seeing me makes them lose weight.

I don’t want to be the cause of their frustration, so I won’t go anymore.

I probably won’t ever go again.

I arrived at the blacksmith’s shop.

I open the entrance door and peek inside.

I grab onto the entrance wall with both hands and peek in. Yep, just a little peek.

“Hm? Oh, it’s the noble’s daughter.”

“How’s the progress, old man?”

“Heh. It’s amazing. I’ve tried a few times, but I can’t make a normal straight blade.”

Oh, the old man seems really happy.

Could it be, just maybe?

“I also tried making a sheath. Take a look for yourself.”

The old man takes out something from under the counter with great excitement and places it there. It’s exactly what I expected.

It’s what I’ve dreamed of.

It’s what I can wield in this otherworldly place.

Yes, if you’re Japanese, it’s a Japanese sword!

If you’re Japanese, it’s a Japanese sword!!

I’ll say it twice because it’s so important. This is not an obsolete term.

Promises are immortal. No matter how many times you die, you’ll come back to life. Like a zombie?

Oh, oh, the sheath is top-notch. It’s made of a slightly unusual material, but it’s beautifully crafted from a glossy red metal. There are no decorations, but the ruggedness adds character to the finish!

And there’s also a wakizashi* made.
*Traditional Japanese sword

Fantastic. Old man, fantastic. I won’t ask for a hug, but it’s fantastic!

I draw the Japanese sword from its sheath.

Oh, oh!

It… it won’t come out…

My body is too small for it to come out.

The sword only comes out halfway?

The blade has ripples in it, it’s really beautiful.

But it won’t come out?

Huh? Could it be… it’s unusable?

“Oh, well, I guess it’s just not meant for you, miss.”

Stupid!

It’s such a beautifully crafted handle, a masterpiece, but it’s unusable because of my childish body?!

Stupid, is it because of this childish body that it’s unusable?!

I despair on all fours.

Ah, I envy my younger self now.

I want to grow up quickly. But I don’t want to be 40.

Puberty, yes, I’m still only 8, so when puberty comes, my limbs will grow. That’s when I’ll truly become the wielder of this sword.

“Here, miss. How about this wakizashi? This one should be fine.”

The length seems just right for me.

For now, this spare wakizashi fits me best. It’s been made to child size.

I draw it from the sheath.

A wakizashi even shorter than a regular sword.

Originally meant as a backup in case the sword broke and rarely drawn, but was that really the reason? I heard that swords often broke during wars in Japan.

Oh well. The sword that suits me now is this one.

“Miss, this one was the first failed attempt. Would you mind giving it a test run? Knowing how it cuts will help me make better ones.”

I try slashing as instructed.

Yeah, it cuts well. Tonight’s Kotetsu cuts well.

No, not Kotetsu*. I need to come up with a name. Oh, was this the failed one?
*A very common Japanese name for blacksmiths and swords

Well, it seems like I’ll have a deep relationship with this old man in the future if he keeps making weapons I want.

He’ll probably keep making various weapons for me.

Oh, I’m looking forward to it. There are some unique weapons, you know. Hehe, ufufu.

“Miss, that expression won’t do.”

“Huh!? Uh, um…”

“Hahaha. Miss, you’re making quite the face. I couldn’t help but recoil.”

Huh? Did I make a face even the old man recoiled from? Is that an appropriate face for a girl to make? Was I making the most embarrassing face in the world just now?

“My apologies. Um, I’ll gladly accept your craftsmanship.”

“Are you sure about that? I’m happy, but… are you sure?”

“I don’t mind. If it turns out to be a good piece, I’ll buy it. Although I don’t have money at the moment.”

“Hah, if you say so, I’ll gladly forge it. But it probably won’t sell much other than for its novelty, and it’ll be expensive because it’s labor-intensive. Worst case scenario, it might become exclusively yours, Miss.”

Exclusive equipment, that sounds good to me.

I replace the corset with a belt wrapped around the waist of the skirt, where I insert the wakizashi.

I thought I would haggle for the price with the old man, but surprisingly, it’s cheap. He said it was a discount because it was a fun task.

I was so happy that I added a little color to it and forcibly handed over the money as an investment for the future.

“What about this, Miss?”

“It’s also mine, so I’ll keep it at home as a decoration. Until I can use it someday, it’ll just be an ornament.”

I also buy maintenance supplies like oil, then have Lionetta carry the sword as we leave.

The sword will be for when I’m grown up. Until then, I’ll just enjoy grinning at it in my room.

Now, onto the next item, perhaps clothing?