I mean, c'mon! We all know what kind of manga we're reading!
Honestly I do prefer a mixed party, with mostly 20+ characters! It's a fantasy in a fantasy when you have some op group of basically children! Fighting, scheming, taking down Demon Lords, whole kingdoms, etc!
My disappointment is immersurable but also expected. Japan really has a major issue making slaves harem/love interests. You'd never know why women have to have their own carriage on trains.
No, for blacksmithing you'd want DEX, VIT, LUC, STR. Forging hammers aren't that heavy, it's more important to be able to use them skillfully (DEX) and repeatedly for a long period (VIT) while resisting the heat of the forge.
I had assumed it was the jp trope that he hoped for the jp trope of young female slaves, so was a bit surprised he instead was sad they werent young men.