Reincarnated as an SSS-Ranked Blacksmith Who Refuses to Forge Weapons-Chapter 95. Just Being Alive Without Crisis

Chapter 95: 95. Just Being Alive Without Crisis
Marina was shocked seeing Lyla just give a good assist as her bestie, and then they both noticed each other’s gaze, and both of them started to give a lot of winks and thumbs up non-stop. But Greg on the other side starts to hold his own chin while thinking about the commission he had to do.
"But I have a commission to do," Greg said. "And people are waiting for it..."
Lylia said firmly, "The commissions can wait."
"Greg, you’ve been putting yourself last for months. It’s time to relax and enjoy your relationship."
Greg thought Marina’s face might split in half because she was smiling so wide. "I think that’s a great idea, Lylia. Thank you for being so kind and understanding of how we feel."
Greg said, "You two are plotting against me."
"Yes," Lylia and Marina said at the same time.
"Fine," Greg said with a sigh. "But what if the village burns down while we’re not there?"
"Then we’ll fix it," Bork said happily. "Now get out of here, Boss. Go do something romantic or whatever couples do."
Marina took Greg’s hand and almost pulled him to the door. "Come on! I have a long list of things I want to do with you."
"You made a list?" Greg asked, confused.
"Of course I made a list," Marina said. "I’m well-organized when it comes to love."
"Since when?"
"Since Lylia told me about it five minutes ago."
...
They ended up walking through the village, holding hands, with no idea where they were going. The morning of autumn was beautiful. The air was fresh and crisp, and the leaves on the trees were turning bright red and gold.
Ferndale had grown considerably in the last few months, mostly because of Greg’s good name. What used to be a small farming town was now a busy trade center, with new stores and homes opening every week.
As they went by, people waved and shouted greetings and congratulations. It appears that word of their relationship spread through the village faster than a fire. Greg thought he shouldn’t be surprised since Marina had told the whole Brotherhood of Peace about it at the top of her lungs.
"Everyone is looking at us," Greg said quietly.
"Let them look," Marina said. "I want everyone to know that you’re taken."
"You are very possessive for someone who just started dating me a week ago."
"I had to watch three other women pine after you for months," Marina said. "I am entitled to be a little smug about winning."
They stopped at the bakery first, where the owner, a delighted woman named Agnes, insisted on giving them a free loaf of bread as a gift for their success. After that, they went to the general store. Marina spent a lot of time looking at nothing, and Greg stood there wondering how anyone could take so long to not buy anything.
"Are you really going to buy something?" Greg asked after 15 minutes.
"No," Marina said. "I just like to look. It makes me feel better."
"You’re crazy."
"You love me no matter what."
Greg said, "Debatable," but he was smiling.
They ended up in the village square, where a small fountain bubbled quietly in the middle. There were benches around it, and Marina pulled Greg down onto one and snuggled up to him.
"This is nice," she said with a smile. "Just being here with you and not having to worry about anything."
Greg said, "It is. I had forgotten what it was like to just be alive without a crisis all the time."
Marina was quiet for a while, and Greg could tell she was thinking about something important. When she spoke again, her voice was softer and more open. "Thanks for coming to help me. I never really thanked you for that."
Greg put his arm around her shoulders and said, "You don’t have to thank me, but I do remember you thanked me a lot back then."
"And, of course, I would have ripped that dungeon apart stone by stone to get to you."
"I know," Marina said. "I love you for that."
She turned to look at him, and Greg could see how much she cared. He leaned down and kissed her without thinking about it, right there in the middle of the village square where everyone could see.
He heard someone whistle and someone else clap, but he didn’t care. All that mattered was Marina, who was warm and alive in his arms and kissed him back like he was the most important thing in the world.
Greg felt a surge of triumph when Marina finally let go of him. She was blushing, which was rare for her. "You have many surprises today," she said.
Greg said in a serious voice, "I contain multitudes."
"You’re crazy."
"And yet you love me."
"Sadly," Marina said, but she was smiling.
They spent the rest of the morning walking around the village, stopping to talk to people they knew and look at the new buildings. Marina seemed set on touching Greg as much as she could.
She held his hand, linked their arms together, and leaned against him whenever they stopped moving. Greg didn’t mind at all. After everything that had happened, it was comforting to know that she was alive and safe.
They got to Lylia’s Kitchen, the restaurant that Lylia had opened months before, around noon. It was one of the most popular places in Ferndale because of its excellent food and healing powers. Lylia wasn’t there, but the staff knew them right away and led them to a quiet table in the corner.
"This is perfect," Marina said as she looked around. "Not too private, but not too romantic."
Greg said, "You have put a lot of thought into this."
Marina said, "I’ve had a lot of time to think. When you’re chained up in a dungeon for weeks, you have a lot of time to plan fake dates."
Greg’s chest tightened when he thought about what she had been through, but Marina just smiled and reached across the table to take his hand. "Hey, don’t worry about it... our date is still important to me."
Greg lied when he said, "I don’t feel guilty."
Marina said, "You’re a terrible liar, but I do appreciate the effort."
They ordered food, and while they waited, Marina told them about one of her early adventures with the Crimson Falcons. It was funny and silly, and it had Kael getting stuck in a tree while trying to scout ahead.
Greg laughed harder than he had in weeks. He realized that Marina had a knack for telling stories that made even the most boring things sound interesting and fun.
"You should have seen his face when we finally got him down," Marina said, her eyes shining with laughter. "He acted like he was going to climb the tree the whole time, but we all knew he just freaked out when he saw the bear."
"Was there a bear?" Greg asked.
Marina said, "There was no bear, but it was a big dog."
"Kael swore up and down that it was a bear, so we let him keep his pride."