Third Outer World Story Series: Pumpkin Sorcerer - Chapter 59

Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter

Autumn has arrived.

In Pumpkin’s former life, autumn was a season of savory cuisine and pleasant temperatures, whereas in this life, it marked the time of preparation for winter as well as the period in which wild animals sought nourishment to withstand the winter chill and pounced on them.

“What about this sword?”

“The shield seems fine.”

“Bububububu.”

For this reason, it was imperative to augment the Spalpkins strength in an effort to safely and efficiently brace themselves for the winter cold, which led to the creation and enhancement of weapons and armor, both of which were given top priority.

So the dexterous Spalpkins and the Hunting Bees who had contracted with each other were gathering at Pumpkin’s house to create weapons and armor using plants from the forest and beeswax from the Hunting Bee.

“The shape looks good.”

“Bububububu.”

“The beeswax goes over here.”

The Hunting Bees stuck to the wooden swords sharpened by the Spalpkins named Saku and Kutsu and began to apply beeswax.

The sword was made from a tree called “Ash Hardwood,” one of the Lean Forest’s densest and most metal-like trees, and was reinforced with beeswax by the Hunting Bee.

Aside from Pumpkin, this “Ash Hardwood” with its solid, gray outer layer could only be processed by Spalpkins, who were adept with their hands and possessed exceptional body-strengthening techniques, or by applying magic power on stones and bones.

Even if it were fairly solid, it was made of wood after all, which meant that its rigidity would make it too heavy to be effective against weapons made of metal even if it were extremely durable.

As a result, the Hunting Bee’s beeswax was applied to it; nevertheless, an explanation of the Hunting Bee’s beeswax may be necessary in this instance.

“Bububububu.”

“Thanks for your hard work.”

“Here’s your dew.”

When the Hunting Bee moved away from the wooden sword after the beeswax application was completed, Kutsu retrieved it to inspect its condition and scraped off the excess beeswax, and Saku handed the Hunting Bee the reward—a dewdrop imbued with magic power.

The basic properties of beeswax from Hunting Bees were not much different from those of beeswax from ordinary bees. There was, however, one crucial quality.

When it came into contact with magic power, it would absorb it, greatly increasing its strength and firmness.

“Fununununu.”

“This feels good.”

“Bububububu.”

“Yeah. The sword looks quite fine.”

When Kutsu applied magic power to the wooden sword coated with beeswax, it absorbed the magic power and had a metallic luster, and at the same time, it became incredibly sharp. If handled by the right person, it might be able to sever even a thin steel plate.

Because of this characteristic, even a wooden sword made of wood like the one Kutsu was holding now could become a practical weapon, for instance, if it were coated with beeswax and magic power flowing through it.

“With this condition, we can mass-produce it.”

“Right!”

“Bububububu!”

After one sword was finished, Kutsu and Saku followed the same procedure to create the next one. At this point, it would be fine to leave things to them.

Now, there is something I should explain here.

Here’s what I have to say about the current relationship between the Spalpkin and Hunting Bee.

The present relationship between the two parties has been positive. This was evident from the two Spalpkins and the Hunting Bee in front of Pumpkin.

So what exactly was their relationship?

The fundamental relationship consisted of Spalpkin’s side offering magical dew, and the Hunting Bee’s side supplying honey and beeswax in exchange.

But in addition to this, nowadays they have been going hunting together, and while the hunting bee attracted the attention of the prey, the Spalpkin would attack the prey. Conversely, while Spalpkin was protecting the enemy’s attack with their shields, the Hunting Bee would launch the attack. There were even scenes of the parties hanging out together as playmates.

Well, you know. It’s like we share the same interests.

Personally, Pumpkin thought it was an ideal relationship, and if possible, he would like to see it continue for a long time.

“It’s done!’

“Hand it to me!”

“Bunbubun.”

“Here is yours!”

Incidentally, it may be due to the fact that a considerable amount of time has passed since their birth, but Spalpkin’s language proficiency has improved significantly, making their speech comprehension much easier to follow.

At this rate, they may be able to hold a normal conversation with the people of Maunpir Village by next spring.

“Now, the shavings…”

Pumpkin picked up the shavings from shaping the wooden sword.

Beeswax of Hunting Bee contained the same characteristics as mentioned above, and to tell the truth, in addition to these characteristics, it can be used as a catalyst for resonance spell to temporarily strengthen oneself. Furthermore, it held a large amount of magic power, allowing for the activation of a powerful [Overburst] for its size.

Therefore, the leftover beeswax along with wood shavings from the Ash Hardwood was surreptitiously collected, and when a certain amount of beeswax was accumulated, it was boiled down into a spherical shape for easier handling.

I believe that the spirit of “mottainai” is essential for living in this kind of environment!

The Ash Hardwood also had the effect of strengthening one’s own defense if used as a catalyst for resonance spell.

“Brand new!”

“Test it!”

“Try it!”

“Iza, ketto!”

[[[Bunbububu!!]]]

From outside came the sound of joyful voices. 

Yeah. It’s indeed peaceful.

By the way, although the details of these technologies will be basically kept confidential, Pumpkin didn’t expect many humans outside to be capable of handling them.

After all, in order to demonstrate its true value, the equipment must be infused with magic power, but ordinary adventurers and soldiers lacked such skills… or rather, they usually only possessed enough magic power to reinforce their bodies.

This was why, when the occasion arose to utilize it outside of the forest, Pumpkin was ready to use it without hesitation. In any case, ordinary humans can’t see the magic power.

Well, to be honest, I would prefer not to be blessed with the opportunity to use it outside of the forest.

—————–

T/N:

The Spalpkins words are somewhat incomprehensible in the raw, but I have no idea how to translate it into English, so I just make their words sound like adults

The translation release pace will be reduced to 2-3 daily as I am translating the fourth Outer World Story: Basilisk of Ice Sculpture at the same time.