v-rustl

#383 Peering into The Den of Vice

Added 2022-02-26 04:00:03 +0000 UTC

I, Pazussi, the Leatherworker's guildmaster, continue to comment on Noujou’s expo.

That being said, I’m only interested in my own field.

Hence, I’m going to thoroughly observe the Leather Pavilion and feed my brain with all the information I can get!

But as soon as I stepped inside, I was surprised.

Let’s leave the matter with my companion’s uniform for some other time.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

I see a lineup of vicious monsters.

Hydrolex, kirisaki deer, o-python, dinogator, bisontres, bisonquatro... There’s even a bisoncinqo! Square boar and scarverns too!

“Don’t worry, sir. They’re all taxidermized.”

“Taksidermysed?!”

My companion’s explanation almost made me weak in the knees, but I managed to hold my ground.

“You’re right. They don’t move nor seem alive...”

“This is a part of the exhibit, designed to give guests, who usually only see processed products, a chance to see what monsters are used as materials.”

This is the first time I’ve ever seen the monsters with my own eyes. Many of them I’ve only ever seen in reference books, too.

And they’re all monsters that produce high-quality leather.

Do all of Noujou’s leather workers process such good materials regularly?

“Incidentally, these monsters will be useless after the event, so we’re planning to sell it to those who want it.”

“Seriously?”

Please do!

I’d like to have that stuffed o-python!

...No.

“Further in, you can see the farm’s leatherworks team at work.”

“Huh? We can see how they work?!”

“Yes.”

No kidding!

“We moved our workplace here just for the expo. The same goes for Lady Batemy, the pottery team, the glass team, and the woodworking team. The significance of this event is for people to see how we work, after all.”

Aren’t these people being too generous?

The most I expected to see was that there would be finished products on display for us to observe.

And if we can find out what technology is being applied, we’ll be well on our way to applying it ourselves.

But to show us even the process, they’re asking to have their tech stolen.

Are they really that stupid?

Or are they so confident that even if we imitate them, we still won’t be that much of a threat?

Either way, I won’t hesitate to steal all of their skills since they’re so kind to offer this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

“...By the way, sir.”

“Hm?”

My companion asks me, “I see you are alone. Don’t you have any company?”

“Yes, I’m indeed alone. Is that a problem?”

“The guest who went to the clothing pavilion had a lot of company, so...”

Ah.

The people from the Tailoring Guild brought a lot of representatives, mostly from newly-established brands.

They said it was for future reference or something.

I was wondering if I should bring some of my guild’s artisans with me, but I ended up coming alone.

It’s just a precaution since you never know what might happen.

“Here we are, sir. This is the temporary workshop.”

“Wow!”

In the space before me, separated by transparent glass, craftsmen are at work.

Are those elves?!

“The elves were making the products this whole time?”

“This is the leather goods team, headed by Lady Maelga. She is famous for being the calm and collected member of the elf team.”

As I blankly listen to the companion’s superfluous explanation...

I thought to myself, “We’d never stand a chance if we’re up against elves.”

The elves, also known as forest-dwellers, are a mysterious and unsociable race.

Their dexterity is said to be one of the best, and the tools they make are said to be worth thousands of gold. If we’re lucky enough to come across one, that is.

“If such elves were to make a product out of the best materials, no doubt it’d be the product of the highest quality!”

We don’t stand a chance...!

“Please take a look to your right,” says my companion, pointing at something.

There’s more?

“That’s a sewing machine over there.”

“A sewing machine?!”

And what’s that?

“It’s a treasured article created by the owner of the farm. It can sew even stitches and much faster than by hand. Only the leatherworkers and Lady Batemy’s tailoring room are equipped with these machines.”

So, this is the reason behind Noujou’s neat seams...

“That’s it... We can’t imitate any of these...!!!”

I collapse on the spot.

Both the elves and the sewing machines are far beyond our grasp!

To top it off, there are also super high-quality monsters they use as materials!

How much money and time would it take just to gather all of those?!

The only thing that comes to mind is the realization that we can’t imitate them in any way.

Despair has crushed me.

“I’m sure you know yourself, being a leatherworker and all...”

“Oh, Lady Maelga.”

One of the elves opens the partition door and comes toward us.

“The snake is a symbol of immortality. Do you know why?”

“Because they shed their skin, don’t they? People in the past saw snakes shedding their skin and thought that each time they were rejuvenated and would never die. But if you think about it logically, it’s not possible...”

“But it is a lesson in itself. Like a snake that sheds its old skin, we too can shed the old skin that clings to our hearts and become a better person.”

“Huh?”

Is that so? The reason I despaired was I couldn’t let go of my old-fashioned ideas?

Of course! If you give up on something before you’ve even tried, you’ll never achieve it!

“Our dexterity varies greatly, but I’m sure there are still some things you can try to copy. During the expo, you will be observing closely and adopt whatever concepts you can.”

“O-Okay!”

What solid encouragement!

“As expected of Lady Maelga!”

Hail the cool-headed Maelga!!!

“Now. If you’ll excuse me. I have to prepare some winter coats.”

With that, the elf returns to her workplace.

So cool!

As for the other elves...

“Hey, leader. It’s hard to make any progress in this place...”

“We’re not used to working here. Plus, I don’t feel comfortable with people watching us!” they protest.

“Stop acting like spoiled children.”

Their leader immediately shoots them down.