Chapter 95 - 82 Accident
Mairtilas exclaimed in surprise, "Whose short sword is this? How did it get damaged like this?!"
"It’s this kid’s. That night he fought bravely, charging ahead, but ended up surrounded by enemies who slashed at him repeatedly. In the end, his short sword ended up like this..." Tini Bazus pointed to his subordinate and complained, "Yesterday, the Great Captain instructed us to turn in all damaged weapons and bring them here for repair. But this guy insisted his weapons were fine, and it wasn’t until this morning I discovered..."
Mairtilas glanced at Samoras. The burly man responded with a goofy smile, and Mairtilas somewhat understood that this soldier under Tini Bazus likely wasn’t all that sharp.
After thinking for a moment, Mairtilas said, "Here’s what we’ll do... You take this short sword in by yourself. Someone in the courtyard will assist you. Tell him, ’You’re a soldier under Leader Maximus, bringing this short sword for repair under orders.’ They probably won’t refuse. If anyone tries to make trouble for you, don’t argue with them—just come outside and tell me."
Tini Bazus asked in surprise, "Mairtilas, are you implying that the blacksmiths inside might refuse to repair my short sword?"
Mairtilas lowered his voice and said, "You should be aware that the blacksmiths inside are Pompeians, compelled to join us under the threat of force. Do you think they’re happy to work for us? But when we came here for duty, the Great Captain Torrelugo explicitly reminded us, ’Our army has finally secured two blacksmiths, and Leader Maximus hopes that, over time, they will come to genuinely accept us and willingly craft weapons for the army. So during your shifts, aim to interact amicably with them and avoid any conflict whenever possible.’"
"I understand now. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it carefully and won’t cause you any trouble." Tini Bazus nodded knowingly, then asked Samoras to wait at the entrance while he himself walked into the courtyard of the blacksmith’s shop.
The courtyard was fairly small. In the center stood a well. Against one corner of the wall lay a large pile of pitch-black charcoal, while the opposite corner held a heap of oddly-shaped discarded iron equipment. Long nails jutted out from the courtyard walls, on which hung several forged iron tools—scythes, shovels, hammers, saws... Additionally, wooden racks were lined up in the courtyard, each holding neatly arranged short swords, shields, helmets, breastplates... The entire courtyard was packed tight.
As Tini Bazus looked around curiously, a young man with bronzed skin and a well-built physique approached, his upper body bare. Smiling, he addressed Tini Bazus, who was clad in leather helmets and leather armor, and said, "Hello, which unit are you with, and what brings you to the blacksmith shop?"
Tini Bazus straightened his posture and replied, "I am Tini Bazus, First Centurion of the Fifth Hundred-man Team, Second Battalion of the Maximus Army, sent by the Great Captain to deliver this damaged short sword for repair."
The young man took the short sword, unsheathed it for inspection, and immediately exclaimed, "It’s damaged so severely!"