Because of yesterday's brawl at Belobog Heavy Industries, a squad from the New Eridu Public Security had been stationed at the factory gate today.
With nothing else to do again, Ignis could only behave himself and forge blades in the workshop. The Hollow Investigative Association had sent over several rather lavish commissions—each with complicated requirements: triple-layered folded steel, laminated Damascus, even crucible-forged Damascus steel—and all had to be water-quenched.
They also demanded a refined appearance, asking for inlays of gold or silver wire to outline the patterns provided by the clients on both the scabbard and handle.
After all, building an autocannon certainly wasn't cheap, not to mention the future costs of manufacturing its ammunition. He needed to earn as much money as possible now.
Today, only Billy and Ignis were left in the Cunning Hares' base. Nicole had gone shopping with Nekomata and Anby. Although Nekomata had a job request from Ollie, that side hadn't yet finished material or personnel arrangements—it would still take some time.
With the rhythmic clang, clang, clang of his hammer echoing through the workshop, several blade blanks had already taken shape. Ignis decided to finish the heat treatment on them first before moving on to the decorative process that required careful polishing and detailing.
Billy, meanwhile, was in his room maintaining his revolvers and assembling his custom explosive rounds.
Ignis had always thought that Billy's weapons weren't enough for fighting inside the Hollows. Even though those were large-caliber revolvers, it sometimes took several shots just to bring down a lower-ranked Ethereal. Against the larger, superior ones—he might as well pull the trigger until it broke.
He'd tried persuading the robot to upgrade to stronger, more advanced firearms. Billy had admitted that his targeting system supported multiple weapon configurations, but the revolvers held special meaning to him. He would never abandon them.
Most of the time, this Starlight Knight enthusiast came off as goofy and ridiculous, but when he spoke about those guns, Ignis could feel he meant it. This robot surely had his own story behind him.
In truth, everyone in the Cunning Hares had their own secrets. Ironically, the most recently joined member, Nekomata, had the simplest background and life path of all.
The scorching steel plunged into cold water with a sharp hiss and a rush of bubbles. The blade's temperature dropped rapidly, hardening in an instant. After confirming no flaws, Ignis used tongs to dip the blade blank into acid. When he pulled it out again, a beautiful trapezoidal Damascus pattern gleamed across the surface.
He placed it alongside the others—the unfinished blades gleaming brilliantly under the light.
"I've seen a lot of blades in my time, but few this finely crafted," Billy said as he walked in, picking up a triple-forged blank. "No wonder people are willing to pay six figures for one."
"You're done already?" Ignis looked up at the robot and set aside his work.
"Yeah, routine maintenance doesn't take long, and I've stockpiled enough ammo since we haven't had many missions lately." Billy stretched his arms.
That meant there were now two bored men in the entire house.
Billy kept pestering Ignis to come to his room to admire his Starlight Knight collection, but Ignis had no interest in that. Still, the robot was relentless, repeating the request over and over again.
Maybe, for Billy, the fun part wasn't showing off the collection itself, but inviting others to share his passion.
Fortunately, the doorbell rang before the tokusatsu fanatic could drag Ignis into another viewing session. Even Amillion, who was busy cleaning in the corner, let out a sigh of relief—Billy had once held it captive for an entire day, forcing it to watch Starlight Knight tapes, complete with commentary.
At least now, the Cunning Hares' residence finally had a front gate. Yesterday evening, their mysterious landlord had sent workers to install it. Once finished, they left without mentioning payment—Nicole figured the landlord had already settled that matter in advance.
When Ignis opened the gate, standing outside was the young artist Emile Volt.
Today he'd come carrying his art supplies—brushes, palette, paints, the works. It was hard to imagine how such a thin, small boy managed to haul all that.
"Come in. What brings you here?" Ignis greeted him warmly, though Emile hesitated slightly when he noticed Billy.
The robot immediately understood his concern and extended his hand. "Hey there, I'm Billy, one of the Cunning Hares—and a good friend of Ignis. You must be Emile Volt, right?"
The robot's friendliness quickly eased the boy's worry. Emile shook his hand. "Yes, Mr. Billy."
He left his art materials outside, worried about spilling paint and dirtying their home. Despite Ignis's reassurances, the boy insisted.
Emile had the day off and came to finish the emblem they had discussed earlier. After much practice, he could now reproduce the design perfectly.
The three men headed into the garage-turned-workshop. Ignis had the mechanical arms of the smart workbench lift his left thigh armor for display.
"See, right here," Ignis said, adjusting the arm so that the plate rested at a comfortable height for the boy to work on.
Emile ran out to fetch his brushes and paints, while Billy eyed the armor piece. "You treasure that armor so much, yet you're letting a kid use it as a canvas?"
"I don't mind," Ignis shrugged.
The boy used acrylic paint, beginning his work following the routine he had practiced countless times.
At first, his hand trembled with nervousness. Every stroke was made with painstaking care.
Ignis and Billy exchanged a glance and began praising him—not always convincingly, but enough to make Emile laugh. Their lighthearted chatter helped him relax, his brushstrokes growing steady and confident. His passion and imagination filled every line and color.
Even Billy, no artist himself, could feel the boy's love for his craft through his focused expression.
When the boy finally set down his brush, a Chinese dragon—riding clouds and spewing fire—came vividly to life on the armor plate.
Ignis realized how much the boy had improved since showing him the earlier sketch. In just this short time, his skills had taken a leap forward.
"It's beautiful. I'll oil the surface and coat it with a UV-protective varnish," Ignis said, smiling. "This piece deserves to last a thousand years."
Hearing such praise, the boy blushed but couldn't hide his pride, fidgeting with his hands as he smiled shyly.
"Not bad at all," Billy added. "When you said you wanted him to paint the Cunning Hares emblem on the door, I had my doubts—but now I'm impressed."
The robot pulled the boy closer. "Say, kid, want to meet big sister Monica? You could paint a few portraits for me—real good pay."
"Billy!" Ignis smacked the shameless robot on the back of the head. "There's still time today—how about we let him try the Cunning Hares' emblem on the gate? I'll settle the payment together."
At first Emile had been a bit timid, but after receiving so much encouragement, his courage overflowed. He nodded eagerly and followed the two men outside.
He had practiced the emblem privately before, so it wouldn't take too long.
That afternoon, the boy stood atop a stepladder, using the entire gate as his canvas.
Ignis and Billy watched quietly as Emile worked with concentration. Each stroke of his brush was steady and sure. Once confidence took root, it gave rise to endless strength.
The painting session lasted from afternoon till dusk. Billy went to the 141 convenience store for snacks and drinks, and the three of them sat on the ground, eating together as the work continued.
Passersby stopped to watch. Some recognized Emile and greeted him, praising his skill. They said the boy had real talent—a bright future ahead.
All the compliments made Emile blush. He wasn't used to being praised; it almost felt unreal, like a dream.
By the time Nicole returned with Anby and Nekomata, the sky had already darkened, and the mural was nearly complete.
Nicole started to greet them, but Ignis stopped her. The boy was entirely focused—interrupting him now would only break his rhythm.
Nicole now fully believed Ignis's words—this child truly possessed extraordinary artistic talent. He was born for it.
But Ignis told her that the boy had practiced endlessly, his calloused hands proof of his effort. There were geniuses in this world, he said—but far more ordinary people who became exceptional through perseverance.
So the five of them stood quietly, watching as Emile completed his work—until his brush finally came to rest.
"Whew, done," the boy said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Ignis…"
He turned and saw everyone's eyes on him, looking a little embarrassed.
"It's a masterpiece," Nicole said, shaking his hand. "We've got another idea. The walls on both sides of the gate look a bit empty—think you could design graffiti portraits of us there?"
Ignis was worried the landlord might object, but Nicole said he didn't mind—so long as the property stayed intact.
"Sure!" Emile replied, brimming with confidence.
"Is this your work?" a tired-looking woman approached. "My son—did you paint this?"
"Ma'am, yes," Ignis stepped forward, his towering figure startling her slightly. "Your son's work is remarkable. He has real talent—and he's worked hard."
"Don't worry, we're a legitimate company," Ignis added, stepping back slightly. "These paintings are paid commissions."
He transferred the agreed payment to Emile's account.
"So much?" Emile exclaimed, showing his mother the five-figure balance that had just appeared. "Look, Mom! My payment!"
His mother looked at him with a complex expression, sighed softly, then took his hand. Bowing to everyone at the Cunning Hares, she led her son home.