ITK C394: Expo Attendees: Part 2

My name is Bebegitt, and I cry every day.

Even after blasting plates for more than 50 years, I can’t make the one plate of my desires. I thought I was the best ceramic artist in the Demon Kingdom, but I was wrong.

I was shown the most bizarre dishes by the Great Demon King one day.
Since then, I lost all confidence in calling myself the best potter in our nation.

The colors and shapes used in those plates were beyond the realms of common sense.
I tried making a plate that would surpass that, but I just couldn’t. I couldn’t even imitate them, let alone come close to their wonder.

Even if I use vivid colors, I can’t decide what paint to use.
The eccentric shapes lose their durability, and worst of all, they would crack while in the kiln.

Despite making mistakes over and over, I wasn’t getting anywhere.

When I first started, I was optimistic that I could make it regardless of the hardships along the way.
I was proud I was the best potter in the world. With the skills and know-how I had cultivated in my job, there was nothing I couldn’t do.
Alas, my 50 years-worth of confidence was shattered at once.

I feel like my heart is about to break…!
I never thought I’d encounter a situation like this in my later years!

What was my life as a craftsman before this moment?

“Stop acting shocked, and get back to work, sir.”

What the heck, lad?
I am working! I’ve been blasting plates for 470 hours non-stop!

“I’m asking you to blast ordinary plates. You’re just making strange shapes and colors that aren’t even selling. It’s nothing more than a pastime. Working 470 hours non-stop? More like ditching work for 470 hours non-stop!”

Shut up! You’ll always be half a man because you don’t understand the transcendent value of these plates!
Go blast some white, round, and boring plates!

“…(snap)”

Okay! Sorry!
But I will not stop blasting plates! I’m old enough to be retired, and you’re more than able to run this place on your own!

“I’m confident your plates have brand power, sir. It’s just that the Great Demon King makes the weirdest requests…”

I think so, too!

“Oh well. Shall we go out then?”

Huh? Where to?

“So you really don’t know there’s an expo going on, do you, sir? I hear they’re exhibiting those weird Noujou plates you’re so crazy about.”

What?! Noujou’s latest products?!
Some of their products are worth tens or even hundreds of gold coins, depending on the item. And to think they’re put on exhibit at the moment…

“I also heard their creators will be there too. Doesn’t that strike you as odd? I mean, we knew nothing more than their name till now.”

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!

The creator I’ve been dying to meet is presentttt?!
After all my attempts of personally reaching them through all kinds of means to no avail?!

“We shouldn’t be staying here! Let’s head for the expo, pronto!”
“I knew you’d say that, sir. Ah, if only this would be some kind of trigger to make you give up hopeless…”

---

We’re here at the expo’s venue.
I didn’t expect it’d be outside the capital.
I was stupefied even before we got here. We got on an outrageous carriage pulled by a mysterious flying horse.

My apprentice accompanied me without hiding his intention to act as my chaperone.

“What we’re looking for is most likely in this place called the Pottery Pavilion. Apparently, there are ceramic plates and other containers on display… Oh, would you like to drop by the Natto Pavilion first, sir?”

No!
I ain’t stopping anywhere; I’m going straight to the Pottery Pavilion!

It’s a chance meeting with the creator of those odd plates! It’s only natural I’m making a beeline for it!

And so, I arrived at the crucial site. Today must be my lucky day, for I witness a face-off with dwarves.

“Woaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!”

Noujou’s craftsmen sure have pierced the heavens to be able to compete with the dwarves, who are claimed to be the best in the field!

“I’m going to become an apprentice to the craftsman behind these masterpieces!”
“You know we can’t do that, sir!”

Despite being rebuked by my apprentice, I did not leave the venue until the end of the event.

I circulated the venue many times and cast my vote after receiving a slip (all the votes you made after that are invalid, unfortunately).

My fed-up apprentice left me and enjoyed the other pavilions by himself during this time.

“Were you here the whole time, Master? The tempura udon and yakisoba pizza were really good, you know?”

He really is enjoying himself to the brim!
After the event was over, I finally got to do my meet-and-greet!

---

“…To think the master artisans I truly respected were elves!”

But it makes sense.
Only elves can stand on equal footing with dwarves, the world’s best craftsmen.

“Please make me your apprentice!”
“Why is he prostrating himself out of nowhere?!”

The elf master was taken aback.
She is but a young lady. Not that age has anything to do with skills!

“I, Bebegitt, may be old, wrinkled, and not even half as skilled as you, but I’d like to take my skills further under your guidance till I die!”
“Mm! I like your way of thinking! Ask me anything you want!”

How good-natured!
A master craftsman who produces such masterpieces! Her open-mindedness is also of a different caliber!

“Didn’t I tell you we can’t, sir?”

Lad?!

“If it were known that you, the owner of the kiln, had become an apprentice to another school, our reputation would drop like a rock. Please don’t do anything rash for the sake of the dozens of people who work for you.”
“You idiot! A craftsman should hone his skills rather than defend his position! Such self-protection is what corrupts the art!”
“Drats. It’s hard for me to refute that…!”

A craftsman should never stop learning till their last breath!

“No, wait.”

Then, a different elf from Lady Aileron interrupts our conversation. Perhaps she’s another member of their workshop?

“Oh. What is it, Eltrigger?”
“I’m going to take this opportunity to say that we, too, are having a hard time with your weird plates.”
“Weird plates?!”

Sudden mutiny?!

“I admit that there is artistry in your plates, but they are too difficult to handle and not good for daily use. We just got an order recently from Lord Saint to make plain ones.”
“Seriously?!”

Master Aileron is shocked!
Was she not informed?

“No… I thought I was giving Lord Saint a delightful meal experience with our creative tableware…!”
“I’m sure that was the case initially, but recently, our priority has been placed on artistry. Anyone would have trouble handling such plates,” nonchalantly replies the other elf.

Ah, could she be the vice-leader?

“I believe it’s time we go back to our roots and stick to more economical, plain-looking tableware.”
“No! Lord Saint aside, I have fans all over the nation waiting for my academic and cubist containers! We can’t change course now!”

I feel you, master!
I’m also one of those fans!

“Besides, our products are among the fastest-selling goods at Pandemonium! The highest priced, too! Don’t we also need to raise funds for the Elven Forest restoration project?”
“Maybe so, but our first priority should be Lord Saint’s order…”
“No, no, no! I want to blast distorted containers!”

I feel you, master!

“A craftsman’s true craftsmanship lies in following their heart’s desire!”
“Er, I think it’s about meeting the client’s requirements…!”
“I agree with you, ma’am! Please keep on making distorted plates forever and ever!!!”

My master and I understand each other.

On the other hand, my apprentice and the vice-leader exchanged sighs and shook hands firmly.

Why does it seem like they share a common woe of having a troublesome superior?
And then, a dwarf apprentice approaches them and lays his hands on top of the others!

It’s as if they formed an alliance to “keep their burden of a boss in check”!

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