Reincarnated as an SSS-Ranked Blacksmith Who Refuses to Forge Weapons-Chapter 130. Hilda Hearthmine

Chapter 130: 130. Hilda Hearthmine
The woman’s face softened a little. "The small blue one with the hammer in it? I saw it bounce past my camp going back to the city."
"What a smart little thing for Slime."
Greg said, "That’s Hammy," and he felt better. "He’s on my team."
"Team for what?" The woman reached out her hand and helped Greg get up. He winced as the weight of his injured legs came down on him.
Greg said, "The Festival of Blacksmith Creation. I’m one of the blacksmiths who competes there until some asshole decides to sabotage my work."
"Oh, you’re one of the blacksmiths?" The woman’s eyebrows went up. "That really explains the trick with the fancy shield. That was some excellent work with magic."
"Did you make it yourself?"
"Yeah," Greg said, turning off the arm guard. "I only make things that are not weapons. Mostly useful things, of course."
"Well... I’m Hilda," the woman said, still holding him steady as he wobbled a little. "I’m Hilda Hearthmine, and you probably know that I am a miner who has been working the deposits around Meridian for a few years now."
"Greg Greyson," he introduced himself. "Thanks again for saving my ass. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t shown up."
Hilda said plainly, "Duh! You’d be wolf food."
"Come on now, my camp isn’t too far away. We need to fix those bites before they get infected, and then I’ll help you get back to the city."
Greg said, "I need to get back soon," as she helped him walk. "The competition... and my family are probably worried about me."
Hilda said firmly, "They’ll have to wait another hour."
"You’re bleeding and not in good enough shape to make the trip back by yourself. Believe me, I’ve seen enough hurt miners to know when someone needs help right away."
...
Her camp turned out to be surprisingly well-organized, with a small tent, a contained fire, and mining tools neatly arranged. Hilda sat Greg down on a log by the fire and pulled out a first aid kit that had a lot of stuff in it.
She told him, "This is going to hurt," before pouring something that smelled terrible over his wounds.
"AGGHHH!!! FUCKKKKK!!!" Greg screamed but stayed still while she worked, cleaning the bites and wrapping them up quickly and easily.
"Be a man and feel that pain, hahaha~"
Greg said slowly while enduring the pain, "You’ve... done this before...?"
Hilda said, "Mining is a dangerous job," without looking up from her work. "There are many ways to get hurt underground. You have to learn basic medicine, or you won’t last long."
"Why does a miner go to the festival?" Greg asked this question partly to distract himself from the pain and partly because he was genuinely interested.
Hilda said, "Ore prices. The festival brings in blacksmiths from all over, and those who need materials. I have some rare things that I’ve been holding onto. I thought I’d see if I could get some good deals."
"Plus," she said with a small smile, "it’s nice to see what craftsmen do with the things I find. It makes me feel like I’m connected to the finished products."
She finished tying off the last bandage and sat back to look at what she had done. "There. That should be enough to tide you over until you can get real healing magic.
"Don’t do anything dumb like running through a dark forest again."
Greg said, "No promises," but he was smiling. "Thanks again, Hilda. I owe you one."
"Don’t worry about it," she said as she put out the fire and started to pack her things. "Come on, let’s get you back before your family sends out a search party."
Greg would have liked the walk back to Meridian to take less time, but Hilda knew the forest paths well and moved through them with the confidence of someone who had worked in the area for years. Upon reaching the west gate, darkness enveloped the city, illuminated by festival lights and decorations.
The guards knew Greg and looked happy to see him. One of them said, "Your friends have been asking about you."
"You better go straight back to your workshop area right now."
Greg thanked them and walked toward the Grand Forge, with Hilda following him. He hadn’t asked her to come, but she was determined to make sure he got to where he was going safely.
Even though it was late, they saw that the Brotherhood was still at their workshop. When Marina saw Greg limping through the door with Hilda, her face changed quickly from relief to worry and then to something Greg couldn’t quite put his finger on when she saw the woman helping him.
"Hey, Greg!" Marina ran over, and for a second, Greg thought her hug might knock him over. "Where have you been? We’ve been very worried!"
"Hammy came back in a panic hours ago, and we couldn’t figure out what happened!"
"Is Hammy okay?" Greg asked first.
"He’s okay, just a little shaken up." Lylia has been keeping him calm.
"But you! You’re hurt!" Even though she wasn’t a healer, Marina’s hands were checking his wounds because her healer instincts kicked in.
Greg told her, "I’m fine. Some wolves in the woods attacked me, but Hilda here saved me."
Marina finally seemed to pay attention to Hilda, and Greg saw that look again. He would think it looked like math if he didn’t know better.
"Hilda," Marina said slowly, and Greg could see that the smile on her face was dangerous. "How nice. And how did you two get to know each other?"
Hilda said, "I pulled him out of a wolf pack and then fixed up his wounds to make sure he didn’t die on the way back."
"How heroic," Marina said, and she was definitely smiling that way now. "Hi, I’m Marina. I’m Greg’s girlfriend. It’s wonderful to meet someone new who has helped him so much."
She turned to see Lylia, Elwen, and Seraphine, who had all come over to see how Greg was doing. She smiled even more. "Isn’t it great? Greg is bringing another woman into his life. The harem is getting bigger!"
"Marina!" Greg yelled. "You’re still spilling out that harem nonsense again?!"
"Oh, I know," Marina said with a smile. "I’m just noticing a pattern like in Ferndale. Don’t mind me."
Hilda looked back and forth between them, clearly confused. "Harem? What’s that...?"
"Don’t listen to her," Greg said quickly. "Marina’s imagination is very active. Thanks again for everything, Hilda."
"Yeah, well," Hilda said, rubbing the back of her neck and looking a little uncomfortable with all the attention. "Did what anyone else would do."
"Do you need anything else, or should I go? "Actually," Lylia said, stepping forward, her cheeks flushed despite the playful teasing from the others. "Please stay for a while. We should at least offer you a meal as a thank you. It’s the least we can do."
"I don’t want to impose," Hilda said, but her eyes did wander over to the spread of food Lylia had set out earlier.
Bork said with a smile, "No imposition. As far as I’m concerned, anyone who saves our boss is family."
"Come on, let’s get you something to eat."
As the group welcomed Hilda and worried about Greg’s injuries, Greg saw Marina. She still had that smile on her face when she mouthed the words "told you so" to him. Then she turned to help Lylia with the food.
Greg made a quiet noise of pain. He was never going to stop hearing about this.