Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time (ピーター・グリルと賢者の時間)

You want ME to perform the ceremonial treaty rites?

Precisely. I’m too old to do it myself.

Your assignment is to travel to the Dwarven countryside

and perform the rites as a representative of the Guild.

The Heshikiri Dynamic?

A demonstration of our combat expertise?

Indeed.

It’s a sacred ritual where we reaffirm the alliance between us – the Warriors Guild –

and the Dwarven people.

A long time ago...

Our warriors slew the giant cicada-moles, one of the Dwarves’ natural predators.

Every year, an emissary chosen by the Guild reenacts the creature’s legendary defeat.

He slashes a crystal replica of a cicada-mole in half...

Using this...

The fabled Orichalcum sword known as “Shiratakimaru.”

In the ancient Gourmand language, “Shirataki” means “pure white.”

Wield the famous blade that bears this name,

and if the ceremony goes off without a hitch,

then I shall guarantee you a position befitting

of the man destined to become Luvellia’s husband.

Is he promising me a promotion...?

The ceremony will take place in the Dwarven countryside one week from now.

Until then, I suggest you aquaint yourself with the blade.

After all, you wouldn’t want to damage a priceless heirloom.

This sword has been passed down through the Guild for generations,

so if it were lost or broken...

not even I would be able to shield you from the consequences.

Wow... No room to screw this one up.

Nope.

But if the ceremony goes over well,

the Guildmaster won’t be able to complain

about my relationship with Luvellia-senpai anymore.

Chill out, dude.

Keep swingin’ it around like that and you’re bound to scratch it or some...thing?

But it’s made of Orichalcum! HOW?!

Wait...

The blade looks like it’s been tampered with so it’ll break easily!

I KNEW it was one of the Guildmaster’s tricks!

He wants to botch the ceremony! To oust me from the Guild!

Human society isn’t capable of synthesizing Orichalcum anymore.

But the smiths in the town where they’re holding the ceremony might be able to.

The Dwarves’ metalworking techniques are legendary.

I’m sure at least ONE of them knows how.

Then I’ll just track down a Dwarven blacksmith before the ceremony

and have them repair the sword!

I’ll be damned if I fall into the Guildmaster’s trap!

I’m gonna get my happily-ever-after with Luvellia-senpai even if it kills me!

I don’t wanna work!

C’mon, Misslim! Open up!

Put a sock in it, wouldja?

Get out here now!

I’m gonna make ya earn yer keep today!

This sucks!

I don’t have nearly enough of the final ingredient!

If yer low on supplies, then get off yer ass and earn some cash!

But I don’t wanna work...

And besides, I probably can’t get any around here anyway.

I don’t wanna go outside either.

It sure would be nice if the man with the world’s strongest splooge

just showed up on my doorstep...

Processin’ Orichalcum?

Yer outta luck, pal!

Youse a Human from the Warriors Guild?

Can’t say I’m a fan of all that treaty nonsense.

The mines ain’t got much ore left in ‘em nowadays!

Things are worse than I thought. The town’s hurting pretty bad...

Still, there’s gotta be SOMEONE who can help me...

I just have to keep looking!

Orifalphone?

If I ‘member right, Mr. Netherlant’s daughter can prob’ly do it...

Are you sure?!

Where can I find her?

No, you can’t make me!

I’ll tell ya, but be warned: The girl’s got a screw loose. No, you can’t make me!

I’ll tell ya, but be warned: The girl’s got a screw loose.

Even the boss thinks she’s a pain in the neck.

Ya freeloadin’ little pest!

Misslim!

The daughter of a blacksmith oughtta be out there hammerin’ metal!

But I wanna be a researcher!

I REFUSE to do physical labor!

Fine, ya brat! Suit yerself!

But startin’ this month, you can kiss yer precious allowance goodbye.

WHAT?!

W-wait, you can’t do that! Those are my research funds!

The hell I can’t!

The treaty ceremony’s got me bleedin’ money left and right!

Either get off yer ass and work, or start lookin’ for a sugar daddy!