Chapter 157
On this day, I finished the sheaths for the magic weapons and decided to go show the completed pieces to the Blacksmith Guild…though not to formally submit them just yet.
It has been twenty days since the competition began. We were entering the final stretch; about the time when more and more craftsmen would be moving on to their finishing work.
“Heading out, Shilent.” (Shizuma)
“……”
I called out to Shilent, the silent gatekeeper, and left the workshop behind.
No one has come anywhere near my workshop ever since I stationed him there.
Well, it’s not like I ever had visitors other than intruders to begin with.
“…I’m being followed.” (Shizuma)
My workshop is located in a fairly convoluted area even within the workshop district.
Good facilities require a lot of land, after all. Because of that, my workshop was built deeper in, on a wide plot where there are fewer neighboring workshops.
Which means that even if an intruder shows up, there are few witnesses…and it’s easy to interfere in ways other than outright intrusion.
“Hmph!”
Sensing an attack approaching from behind, I spun around and threw a backfist.
I felt a hard impact against my hand, followed by a sharp pain shooting through the back of it…but even so, the “repel” was complete.
“What’s with you? I’ll kill you.” (Shizuma)
When I turned around, there was a person in full plate armor, their face completely hidden, writhing on the ground with their armor caved in.
“What, you can’t breathe because your armor’s crushed?” (Shizuma)
The attacker desperately rattled their helmet, nodding over and over.
…Did they plan to attack me and steal the weapon I was about to submit? Too bad for them… If you’re just looking at raw numbers without skills, Shijima’s stats are…even higher than Shilent’s!
“Die like that.” (Shizuma)
I kicked the armored body on the ground with all my strength. It flew off violently, as if it were empty inside, slammed into a nearby rock face, and then lay still as a large amount of blood spilled out from the armor.
Too much? What are you talking about? I let the first time slide… There is no second time.
Honestly, when my workshop was ransacked, I wanted to storm that so-called Golha Workshop and slaughter every last one of them.
If I left the weapons I was making in the workshop back then.
If the weapons had been stolen, Melt would have been heartbroken, and I would lose the materials she wanted.
There’s no doubt I would’ve wiped out the workshop and their noble patron…every single one of them.
“…I’m getting hotheaded pretty easily lately… Must be Shijima’s influence.” (Shizuma)
Looks like I’ve got one more thing to report to the Blacksmith Guild.
I only repelled an attacker. There’s no reason I’d be punished for that.
…Even if I finished them off, this was a remote area with no witnesses.
Convenient for both of us, huh?
—————–
“…So that’s what happened. I repelled the attacker, but I might’ve gone too far and they died.” (Shizuma)
“Wa…… I’m glad you’re safe, but…repelled…?”
“They underestimated a blacksmith’s physical strength. I didn’t know where else to report it.” (Shizuma)
“…The Adventurer Guild should contact the royal knights. I’ll notify the Adventurer Guild for now. And…judging from what you’ve said, your work is finished, right?”
I reported the whole incident at the Blacksmith Guild, and apparently I wasn’t going to be arrested.
The main reason was that the attacker was fully armed. No one could say for sure whether it was merely sabotage, or an attempted murder and robbery.
“No, I’m just here to show the finished piece. If I submit it and leave it here, there’s a high chance it’ll be taken from the guild. But if I keep it on me…at the very least, I can deal with any attackers myself, and my workshop has a Sapphire adventurer standing guard around the clock. You can’t get safer than that, can you?” (Shizuma)
“S-Sapphire… I heard there was a dangerous-looking guard there, but someone at that level… Yeah, that’s definitely far safer than keeping it here.”
As expected, no one would try breaking in when Shilent alone radiates danger at a glance.
After that, I was led by the receptionist to a private room in the guild, where I was to show them the magic weapon scheduled for submission.
—————–
“This is my greatest masterpiece. Its name is Nocturne Light; two daggers.”
“Two of them…? You’re saying you made two magic weapons, even if they’re daggers, in this short time!?”
“That’s right. I want you to record the weapons. I don’t want anyone later saying they’re ‘items I brought in from somewhere else.’” (Shizuma)
In the past there were apparently craftsmen who falsely submitted externally obtained weapons as their own work.
But weapons made in this town’s workshops all share a certain “characteristic.”
That characteristic is called a residual mana trace, which appears when using ores from this town.
It seems all ores mined from the mountain behind the town share this trait.
It’s easy to verify: equipment made with these ores reacts faintly as if it is “seeking out the same ore.”
The male receptionist prepared the appraisal equipment.
“So this is the magic weapon… Mind if I draw it from the sheath?”
“Go ahead.” (Shizuma)
The leather sheath I made, reinforced with metal parts, and using white leather that Melt would like.
Thanks to my knowledge of [Crafting], I also used a technique called carving to engrave beautiful patterns into the leather.
Black and gold magic weapons housed in white and silver sheaths.
That contrast only heightened the weapons’ allure.
“W-What is this blade…these layers…these lines… This isn’t dye…it’s not a painted pattern… I’ve never seen a technique like this… This is… What is this…!”
“That weapon boasts top-tier sharpness, and at the same time serves as a medium for casting magic. And it might be because I used this town’s ore, but it also has a bit of mana absorption.” (Shizuma)
“You’ve already…tested it…? And yet there isn’t a single chip or scratch… Black radiance with golden streaks… I’ve never seen a weapon this magnificent…”
The receptionist evaluated the blade in a trembling voice. Even the hand holding it was shaking.
“Run the test.” (Shizuma)
“Y-Yeah.”
When the weapon was placed on the glass pedestal, I saw fine, sand-like particles move as if being drawn toward it.
The particles are packed between layers of glass, and they react to the weapon placed on top…kind of like iron filings gathering around a magnet.
“The way these particles move is definitive proof it was made from this town’s materials. I acknowledge it…this is a magic weapon born here. So you won’t be leaving it with the guild?”
“Yeah. The judging day is nine days from now, right?” (Shizuma)
“That’s right. A special venue will be set up in the plaza outside the guild. Shijima, bring it directly then.”
“Understood.” (Shizuma)
“…I haven’t examined it in full detail yet, but it’s obvious at a glance that this is an exceptional piece. I’m no longer on the front lines as a blacksmith, but even so…this is something other craftsmen will envy. Shijima, I sincerely hope you win. Show them what true craftsmanship looks like.”
“Leave it to me.” (Shizuma)
Later, word came from the Adventurer Guild that the attacker barely survived.
They were taken into custody, and after treatment, a thorough interrogation would be conducted.
And then, when I finally returned to my workshop… I realized I made a massive mistake…far too late.
—————–
“What’s wrong… why won’t you say anything, Shilent-san!? Don’t tell me…is this a complication from that severe injury…? Hey… please, won’t you look at me…?”
…I’m so sorry! I completely failed to consider the possibility that someone who knows Shilent might find the workshop!!!!! Shuris-san is standing right in front of him right now!!!!!
This is bad, this is bad… How do I get out of this… What do I do, me!?
“……Alright!” (Shizuma)
Carrying a barely passable made-up story, I headed toward Shuris-san, who was desperately talking to Shilent in front of the workshop…
—————–
“What is it, a customer?” (Shizuma)
“! You’re…the craftsman who uses this workshop!? Sorry, but that guard there…do you know anything about him!?” (Shuris)
“…Shuris Vale, right. I’ve heard about you from Seimu, Shilent, and the captain. I’m the brigade’s blacksmith. I know him well.” (Shizuma)
“T-Then do you know what happened to him!? No matter how much I talk to him, he won’t respond. What in the world happened to him…?” (Shuris)
Now then…will this lie hold up…?
“He’s not back to full condition yet. In exchange for devoting all his strength to bodily recovery, he’s temporarily taking a medicine that suppresses his mind. The effect lasts half a day…during that time, he only carries out the first order he received, like a living doll. Well…it’s a secret medicine of the Brigade, a last resort. Don’t speak of this to anyone, Thirteen Knight.” (Shizuma)
“Suppresses…the mind…? Making him take such a terrifying medicine…” (Shuris)
“Normally, we wouldn’t. But he returned on the brink of death, in a state where survival was almost impossible. We didn’t have the luxury of choosing methods. His external injuries are healed, but his internal organs are still in shambles.” (Shizuma)
“T-That’s awful… So that’s why you’re still relying on such a medicine…?” (Shuris)
Finishing move: “It’s the effect of a secret medicine” strategy! Please let this work!
“The effect should be wearing off soon. You should wait at the Adventurer Guild. Odds are, you recognized him when you came to investigate that attacker.” (Shizuma)
“Ah, yes. I’ve been coming to watch this competition every year, you see… And when I heard about the attack, I came here. I see… Once the effect wears off, he’ll return to normal?” (Shuris)
“That’s right. Soon, he won’t need to rely on this medicine anymore.” (Shizuma)
“I’m relieved… I was worried something terrible had happened to someone I know. Then I’ll be at the Adventurer Guild… Could you tell Shilent-san to come see me later?” (Shuris)
“Understood.” (Shizuma)
At last, Shuris-san’s anxious expression settled, and she left.
…That was close! Right, the competition’s reaching its climax… There are more outsiders around now! That was careless of me…
“Alright…then I’ll just swap Shilent and Shijima’s roles…” (Shizuma)
I went into the workshop, locked it properly, made sure the window curtains were closed, recalled Shilent, and switched my active character from Shijima to Shilent.
“…Okay.” (Shizuma)
Confirming the slightly taller height and my body that I returned to Shilent, I then summoned Shijima via Order Summoning.
“With this, all that’s left is…to have him keep working by giving him an item crafting order. That should do it.” (Shizuma)
If he’s fully focused on blacksmithing, it’s easy to explain why he wouldn’t respond even if spoken to.
I had Shijima work on accessories, opened the curtains so the inside was visible, and then left the workshop as Shilent.
—————–
When I headed to the Adventurer Guild as Shilent, I could feel the stir spreading immediately.
I’m well aware of it from seeing myself so often, but Shilent’s build is terrifying.
No wonder even fellow adventurers make a fuss…! A massive, muscle-bound giant, countless scars marking a veteran warrior… Even back in Lindblum, you didn’t see someone like this often.
“…There you are. Shuris, I heard from Shijima that you had business with me.” (Shizuma)
Inside the guild, I noticed Melt was there too as I approached Shuris at the center of a crowd.
People apparently couldn’t contain their curiosity at seeing Melt, who was quickly becoming famous in this town, acquainted with Shuris, an adventurer at the very top both in name and reality.
“Ah, Shilent! Huh, why…?” (Melt)
“‘Switched.’” (Shizuma)
That single word was enough for Melt to understand the situation.
Shuris probably didn’t get it, but that wasn’t really a problem.
“Shilent-san, thank goodness. Do you remember what happened earlier?” (Shuris)
“Yeah, sorry about that. I showed you an unsightly state while I was being treated.” (Shizuma)
“No, it’s my fault for not realizing there was some reason behind it. I just wanted to ask how you’ve been lately.” (Shuris)
I see… She didn’t have any particular business after all.
Well…if someone you know is in that state, it’s natural to worry and want to ask about them.
“…We’re drawing too much attention. Shall we move somewhere quieter?” (Shizuma)
“Good idea. Then…shall we go back to that workshop?” (Shuris)
“No, Shijima’s working. Once he starts, he’s even less aware of his surroundings than I was earlier. How about a shop instead?” (Shizuma)
Come to think of it, she said she was moving her base to an island… What happened with that?
Did she really come all this way just to watch the competition before relocating?
We headed to a somewhat pricey restaurant with private rooms, where we decided to hear Shuris-san’s story in detail.
—————–
“…To be honest, watching the blacksmith competition is part of it, but I also came here hoping I might be able to see Seimu-san one last time. But Melt-kun says he’s already gone back to Lindblum, so I was wondering what was going on.” (Shuris)
“Um, um… What do you think is going on…?” (Melt)
So that’s what Melt was talking to Shuris-san about at the guild.
Melt looked troubled and tossed the question to me, so I presented another made-up story in her place.
“He probably went to check in with the main Brigade, which is moving around this area. I came here from there myself. You can’t find the Brigade’s main force from the outside… Give it up.” (Shizuma)
“I see…” (Shuris)
“But why do you want to see Seimu so badly?” (Shizuma)
Just like when she talked about relocating her base, Shuris-san seems very fond of Seimu.
She did say he was her first equal friend, but still…
“Well… um… How should I put this… Actually…” (Shuris)
Shuris-san started stumbling over her words at my question.
“Um… I feel bad about this, Melt-kun, but… with Seimu-san… that is…” (Shuris)
“What? What about me?” (Melt)
“Hm.”
And then…Shuris-san dropped a bombshell of a statement.
“Seimu-san and I… I’d like people to think that we’re dating with marriage in mind…” (Shuris)
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