Let’s Make the Nameplate
When I noticed the carriage heading in a different direction from the mansion, I asked,
"Where are we going?"
"Earlier, they mentioned making Atre's nameplate. Since we're already out, I thought we should place the order before heading home."
The carriage stopped in front of an elegant shop. It seemed this was the place.
I thought we’d be going to a blacksmith, but it turned out to be a different kind of establishment.
The shop manager, or someone who seemed to be in charge, rushed out of the store.
"My Lord, welcome. It is an honor to have you here. Had you summoned us, I would have gladly come to the mansion. Was there some inconvenience?"
"No, we happened to have some business nearby. My apologies for coming unannounced."
"Not at all, My Lord. Please feel free to visit anytime."
"Do you happen to deal in nameplates for animals here?"
"Yes, we do. We specialize in pet nameplates and also accept custom orders. My apologies for keeping you standing—please, come inside."
We were led to the store’s reception room. While sipping tea that a staff member brought, the manager and a few employees arrived, carrying catalogs of nameplate designs and necklace samples.
"This is my son, Reinhardt. We're here for a nameplate for Atre, the one sitting on his lap.
Reinhardt, you can choose the design."
"Young master Reinhardt, here is a catalog of design samples. If you don’t find one to your liking, we also offer custom designs."
I accepted the catalog and started flipping through it.
"What a beautifully groomed puppy. As expected from the esteemed Westwood family."
"Actually, this is a Silver Wolf pup. My son found it injured in the Sea of Trees and saved it. It seems to have taken a liking to him and followed him all the way back to the mansion.
We’ve decided to keep it, and we’re just returning from registering it as a contracted beast at the Adventurers’ Guild."
"A Silver Wolf pup? I wouldn’t have guessed—it’s so calm that I couldn’t tell it was a magic beast. If I had known upfront, I might have caused quite a fuss. I always thought familiar contracts were stuff of fairy tales. This will undoubtedly be the talk of the capital for some time.
Though, with my shop making the nameplate, I suppose we’ll be caught up in the commotion too," the manager chuckled wryly.
"My apologies for the trouble."
"Not at all, My Lord. It’s an exciting opportunity for us. Pet nameplates will surely become a trend. For a Silver Wolf’s plate, I’d recommend a steel plate reinforced with mithril to make it durable. Shall we craft the necklace from the same material?"
"Please do. Also, add an expansion and contraction enchantment to both the plate and the necklace."
The manager, seemingly sharp, quickly shifted to asking me about the design.
"Have you found one you like yet?"
"This manager is quite skilled," I thought to myself as I replied,
"There are so many lovely designs, but Father, may we include our family crest?"
"Our family crest? I suppose that’s fine."
"Because then it’ll be clear at a glance that Atre belongs to our family."
"That’s a good idea," the manager chimed in, leaning forward with a smile.
"Here in the capital, there isn’t a soul who wouldn’t recognize the Westwood family crest."
"Then let’s engrave our crest on the front of the plate and Atre’s name along with Reinhardt’s as the owner on the back."
"And perhaps," I added, "we could embed gems matching Atre’s and my eye colors—just a small detail."
"That’s an excellent idea," the manager agreed enthusiastically, leaning even closer with a wide smile.
"Young master Reinhardt, may I have a closer look at Atre’s eyes? Could you assist me?"
"What should I do?"
"It’s simple—just hold Atre as you are. I hope Atre won’t get agitated as I approach."
"It’ll be fine. Atre is smart."
"Understood. Atre, may I take a look at your eyes?"
The manager studied Atre’s eyes closely, and Atre met his gaze without looking away.
"Fascinating… At first glance, they appear black, but when light hits them, they take on a purplish hue. There’s a gemstone called sugilite that exhibits a similar effect—a deep purple stone that can look nearly black at times. Its meanings include ‘purification,’ ‘warding off evil,’ and ‘healing.’"
Father nodded, signaling his approval.
"May I see this gemstone?" I asked.
"Of course, I’ll bring it right away. For Young master Reinhardt’s gemstone, how about amethyst?"
"You sound as though you have another recommendation," Father noted.
"… Perhaps tanzanite. Its meanings include ‘mystery,’ ‘nobility,’ ‘calmness,’ ‘intelligence,’ and ‘hope.’"
"Those are some heavy meanings," I thought to myself.
"I’m not that extraordinary. I just want to live a peaceful life," I mentally protested, but Father declared,
"That sounds excellent. Show us the tanzanite as well."
It was decided. There was no going back now.
I felt like I was tightening the noose around my own neck.
Atre, you seem pleased with yourself, don’t you?
What do you think about this chapter?
