There’s a good amount of interesting moments in the Dahlia series that reading it in manga form feels kind of funny. You can see how streamlined it is compared to the light novel, yet it still feels long at points, sometimes to its detriment, and sometimes to its benefit. This is my way of saying the page count feels like it gets longer and longer each volume and progress feels slow, but if we can consistently get reactions like how the Order of the Beast Hunters rallies around Dahlia knowing/creating/resolving/etc. athlete’s foot and how amazingly their over-the-top expressions are drawn, then there’s much to like about this manga.
Volume 5 of Magic Artisan Dahlia doesn’t stop at the athlete’s foot resolution — we get to see how Dahlia & Ivano attempt production of their socks and dry soles, then see Dahlia & Fermo geek out over the creation of the soap dispensers. We then have moments such as the creation of another magic sword (that creeps around) and see many more foods and drinks consumed by Dahlia & Volf without a thought to how it affects their bodies. So yes, another volume of Dahlia’s creations becoming booming (and unexpected) successes!
That said, reflection is another theme of volume 5. As we know at this point both Dahlia and Volf have dealt with difficult losses growing up. For Dahlia’s case it’s a bit tougher since on top of her current losses, she’s from another world, so she can’t share everything with Volf. But from their first meeting to now the two have grown closer as friends. It is somewhat exasperating but also hilarious though as you see how Volf’s comrades wonder how he doesn’t realize that he’s in love with Dahlia, but at this current time he’s not ready to be in a relationship, and neither is Dahlia. Though you sort of suspect that whenever they’re ready in the future they’ll just casually get married to each other. Nothing special, no elaborate explanation, it’ll just happen. But right now they’re enjoying each other’s company and that’s soothing enough.
But as they reflect on their pasts, they have to reflect in their present time. Especially for Dahlia, who learns that helping someone out with an ailment, like she did with Fermo’s wife, can somehow be twisted to someone’s convenience in noble/business society. It’s always a time seeing the types of standards that don’t really hold up nowadays, but for Dahlia, from another world and raised as a commoner in her new world, she has much to learn. Being thrust into her new role with her creations leaves her with her quickly reading to know new things, but as she has friends in high places and starts meeting more like-minded co-workers, we get to see her continue to grow as an artisan. And for this volume, it all works out for now.