Chapter 142: Smithing Request
[space_man][space_man]Even after Eld finished his meal, Marie and Moira were still eating.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……Are you two still going to eat?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m still eating.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Me too~.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”W-Well then, I’ll go see Old Man Balane.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”See you later.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Take care~.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld left the large dining hall and headed for the blacksmith workshop. He had been there two or three times since coming to the North Front Line, but since the blacksmith workshop required going outside, it felt very far away.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Old Man Balane, are you there~?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Finally arriving at the blacksmith workshop, Eld knocked on the door.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m here, so hurry up and come in.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Balane’s gruff voice could be heard. When Eld opened the door, a wave of heat rushed out, but Eld, who had lowered the surrounding temperature with heat magic beforehand, entered without concern.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What is it, Eld? Another unreasonable request from the Commander?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Balane asked while counting the number of completed weapons. It was no wonder Eld was asked that. When he came to the blacksmith workshop, it was always with additional orders from Al.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That Commander, he easily says ‘repair the weapons’ or ‘make more weapons’. Even with all ten craftsmen working at full capacity, we can’t keep up……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ahaha, it’s not a request from the Commander today, it’s a personal request from me, but it seems you’re busy, so I’ll come back later.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As Eld was about to leave, Balane grabbed him.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Even so, if it’s your request, I’m a little interested. I don’t know if I can start right away, but let’s at least hear you out.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Despite his grumbling, Balane was known as a blacksmith fanatic. He was a craftsman who would listen to the request first and then consider how long it would take to work on it.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”So, what do you want to do? Make a new one? Or reforge one?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld took out a spare sword from his subspace.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I want you to sharpen the blade of this.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Let me see it.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Balane received Eld’s sword, observed it as a whole, and then looked at the blade.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”A single-edged sword, huh? It’s not as thin as a rapier, nor as thick as a broadsword. It’s different from the swords of distant countries. And the shape is extremely simple. The only design is the mysterious pattern drawn with lines on the blade and the magic stone attached to the pommel…… No, this is a Guidance Stone. You said you were from the Faniaal territory, right?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld nodded.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, the blade is…… Oh, it’s quite dull. You haven’t sharpened it at all, have you?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s right. It’s the one I got when I started as an adventurer, but I got the magic sword Tempera in a year, so I haven’t used it since.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hmm…… Sharpening it itself is easy, but…… something feels off. Eld, can I use Appraisal magic to examine it in detail?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld nodded again. Balane chanted a spell and activated Appraisal magic. While Appraisal magic is active, the user cannot move and becomes completely defenseless. Eld decided to make some tea and wait, as it seemed like it would take a while.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]After waiting for some time, Balane started to move.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Eld, who did you get this from? This is incredible.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Really?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yeah. I’m sure you understand its properties well, so I’ll skip that, but the maker is amazing. It’s the work of Luiz, who was said to be the best in the world at making magic swords. Moreover, Luiz was supposed to have only made magic swords in his later years, but this isn’t a magic sword. Who in the world requested this and for what reason?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Balane’s eyes were shining as he explained.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, that’s a secret. Especially if it’s the work of such an amazing person.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Balane made a sour face, but then relaxed his expression and sighed.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, alright. I’ll start sharpening it right away. But although it’s not a magic sword, it has some troublesome magic processing. I have to be careful not to damage it, so please expect it to take two or three days to complete.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That fast? Are you sure?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”How can I put off something this interesting?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld thanked him and left the blacksmith workshop.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]After Eld left, Balane looked at the blade again. As he looked at it from various angles, he noticed something about the design on the blade.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, this is writing! Interesting. Let’s see…… E-l…… d…… Ma…… ry…… I guess. Eld aside, who’s Mary?…… Oh, come to think of it, the redhead who came with him was called Marie. So it’s a present from her, huh?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Balane stood up and entered the workshop with the sword.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……But does a girl like that have any connection with that famous craftsman?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Luiz, who was praised as the master craftsman of magic swords, is now deceased. He was said to be a bit mischievous and accurate, and it was said that he had set up some kind of trick in his later works.