◆ Royal Capital of Kashiram, Hans’s Workshop ◆
“…Try holding it. This is your sword.”
On the morning of the third day after receiving Disballade, I was finally called to the workshop by Hans. He seemed to want me to rejoice in the completion of the weapon, but the gauntness of his cheeks and the pallor of his skin were alarming. The mingled scent of sweat and blood suggested he had been through something far from ordinary. For a blacksmith of Hans’s caliber, injuries during work were rare, yet he bore cuts all over his body.
“H-Hans-san, that…”
“I was just doing some forging.”
“But…”
“When you’re dealing with a cursed weapon, injuries are bound to happen. It was a bit tougher than usual, though.”
Even if he forced a smile, showing his white teeth, the frailness of his body made it hard to feel any strength emanating from him. No, that would be disrespectful; after all, he had fought against Disballade. Hans had skillfully subdued a Demon Sword that could lead its wielder to death. His prowess as a blacksmith and his unwavering resolve were evident. He faced danger without flinching, fulfilling his promise to me despite the risks. He might be rough around the edges and a bit eccentric, but he was a true blacksmith. He truly was the best blacksmith in the world.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I grasped Hans’s hand. He looked startled, but I quietly expressed my gratitude. Tatarka, who had been watching his father work intently, was also extraordinary. He must have found it unbearable to see his father injured and worn down. Yet, Hans surely must have barked at him to stay out of it. And Tatarka had followed his father’s orders perfectly. It seemed that the ambition to become the world’s greatest blacksmith was indeed genuine.
“Hans-san, you really are the best in the world…”
“Ah, yeah? Of course, that’s obvious…”
“Tatarka-san, you’ve been watching your father like this… You’re strong, really strong. Much stronger than that Formas. I’m so moved.”
“That’s… I haven’t done anything yet…”
In that moment, I felt grateful for bringing Tatarka here. Despite the burden of Hans being weakened by Disballade, he had shown me a job worthy of the title of the best in the world. For some reason, Kurinka and Rama were getting teary-eyed alongside me. The world’s greatest craftsman, Hans, was here, revived.
But if I praised him too much, he might get carried away, so I decided to keep quiet.
“Take it in your hands… I realize now, that sword can only be wielded by you. Furthermore, it recognizes you as its master.”
“Is that so? Really, is it?”
“Don’t ask the sword; it won’t answer, you fool. But remember, it’s still a Demon Sword. If you show any weakness, it will consume you immediately.”
“Consume me? Like, it’ll open its mouth wide and gobble me up?”
“…I don’t even have the energy to get angry anymore.”
Tatarka, Kurinka, and Rama couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into laughter. I felt so embarrassed that it seemed my entire body temperature was rising, and I realized I was more prone to being teased than others.
“I’m sorry, I laughed too much. Lua-chan, why don’t you give it a try?”
“You really laughed too much… Uwaah!”
The moment I grasped Disballade, it felt as if my hand was glued to the entire hilt. No, it wasn’t just my imagination. My palm was drawn to the hilt, sticking perfectly to it. A gust of wind erupted around me, scattering the tools in the workshop and slamming everyone against the walls. In that instant, I saw it. Black, purple, red. A blend of colors that could hardly be called vibrant, resembling flames, emanated from Disballade.
They seemed to be both laughing and angry. Shouts, sobs, laughter. Was that the voice of Disballade, or something else?
“Ow… What just happened?”
To my surprise, only Hans managed to remain standing. Though he was panting with excitement, I could feel his determination not to be defeated by the weapon. Perhaps Disballade didn’t think highly of Hans either. If what Hans said was true, that it was a contest between the blacksmith and the weapon, then Disballade had lost. It felt like it was taking its frustration out on me.
“This is the first time a weapon has dared to oppose me to this extent. But don’t get too happy; it seems it has taken a liking to you.”
“A liking? Can a weapon really take a liking to someone?”
“It probably sees you as a worthy opponent. Well, just try to stay alive. For now, I’ve fulfilled my promise.”
I couldn’t afford to be killed by a weapon. Hearing that made me realize I couldn’t back down either. I had to use this weapon as my own, no matter what. I never imagined that the weapon I picked up in the Abyss Cave would turn out to be something so extraordinary.
“Ugh… I’m tired… I’m going to take a nap. If any customers come, send them away.”
With a big yawn, Hans scratched his body and opened the door at the back of the workshop. It seemed to lead into the house.
For now, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. I wanted to see what the reborn Disballade was capable of, but I wondered if it was right to kill monsters just for that. I would likely have a chance to use it soon enough, so there was no need to rush.
“Hey, you! Tatarka!”
The door to the workshop was kicked open, and in came Formas. Just when I thought I could relax today, this happened. I never expected I would have to use Disballade so soon. No, I should really reconsider.
“Whoa! Lua-chan, something weird just came in!”
“You bastard, Roel! You’re getting too cocky! I’m going to teach you a lesson along with that Tatarka over there!”
“W-What do you want with my daughter?!”
While I caught a glimpse of Brikna entering at his own pace, I couldn’t help but worry about Rama, who looked ready to confront the rampaging intruder. She effortlessly lifted that heavy hammer with one hand, fully prepared for battle.
“Shut up, old hag. Hey, Tatarka. Don’t go doing things without my permission.”
“I-I’m not going to be your puppet anymore… I appreciate what you’ve done for me, but I’ve found something I want to do.”
“I thought something was off; it’s those two lesbian brats that got involved, huh? That damn gatekeeper was blabbering too… I was right to fire him.”
“W-Wait a minute! Just because you fired him…”
“Huh? I smashed his arm and kicked him out. At least it wasn’t his dominant arm.”
“That’s terrible! He trusted you so much!”
“Shut up, you damn Roel. You’re really annoying.”
That’s rich coming from him. I was seriously considering punching him in the face. At this point, even Brikna, who was smugly smiling over there, was getting on my nerves. Who did he think he was?
I felt bad for that gatekeeper, but we were just asking for directions. He hadn’t done anything to deserve that. Besides, he had said he was done with Tatarka, so why was he acting like this now? I couldn’t calm my anger, especially with Formas’s nonsensical behavior adding fuel to the fire.
“Who do you think saved you when you were abandoned by the theater and wandering the streets? Speak up!”
“That would be… Formas-san.”
“You’re trying to repay that kindness with betrayal. That’s just unacceptable as a person, isn’t it?”
“Y-Yes…”
“The only one who can make your dreams come true is me, the only one in the world. Isn’t that right?”
“Tatarka, you’re really infuriating. Say something!”
“That’s enough, Matere’s spoiled brat.”
Someone was angrier than I was. Rama grabbed Formas by the collar while swinging her hammer, bringing her face close to his. Formas, for his part, looked at her as if she were an outsider, even though it was only natural for a mother to be angry.
“I won’t ask how this child has lived under your roof, and I’ll thank you for taking care of her. But now that she’s back and pursuing her dreams, it’s only natural for a parent to support her. I won’t let you interfere.”
“Oh, so you’re both returning kindness with betrayal. It seems the blood of the poor is different; everything about you is inferior. But let me teach you one thing.”
I was ready to stop Formas if he tried to do anything to Rama, but surprisingly, he didn’t raise a hand. He glanced at us, clearly wary. Especially since being knocked out by Kurinka during the A-Rank Promotion Exam was a humiliation for him, and he wouldn’t want to experience that again.
Despite that, he was still acting so cocky, which I could only attribute to the influence of the Matere Trading Company.
“Unlike you, I have status, wealth, and honor. While poor people sweat and toil in this filthy workshop, I can enjoy a glass of Lugou’s blue grape wine in the afternoon.”
This is undeniably pure power. It’s a definitive difference between me and those who weren’t born with it. In other words, I have the right to wield it. What do you think about that?”
His arrogance was so overwhelming that even if someone were to smash his head with a hammer, he wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. Yet, he seemed to be in high spirits.
“I have the right to conquer and dominate everything. If you’re feeling bitter about it, then try being reborn as the son of a CEO!”
At that moment, everyone present felt their anger boiling over at Formas, who stuck out his filthy tongue. Suddenly, loud footsteps echoed from behind the door leading to the house. Just as the door was blown off its hinges, Hans appeared, clad only in his underwear, rushing straight toward Formas.
“Shut the hell up, you little brat!”
With a resounding smack, Formas’s face exploded as he was sent flying out of the workshop, carried away by the wind. The sheer force of Hans’s punch made it hard to comprehend that Formas had been knocked away so easily. Hans, chasing after him, mounted Formas and unleashed a flurry of slaps.
He had insulted his beloved daughter; this was only natural. Still, to think that an A-Rank Adventurer could be sent flying with just one punch…
“You think you can make noise while I was trying to take a nap?! Get up! I’ll make you sit properly, so get up!”
No one dared to point out that Hans was on top of him, making it impossible for Formas to stand. They all understood that it wasn’t just the anger over his daughter being insulted; it was something deeper. Yet, the gathered spectators seemed unfazed, as if they were used to this kind of chaos, and none of them attempted to intervene.
“Oh, is Hans causing a ruckus again? What did someone do this time?”
“Hey… don’t just stand there, stop him… Bwah!”
“Quit looking away! I’ll kill you if you don’t get up!”
“Do you even know who I am?!”
“My daughter is going to become the greatest blacksmith in the world! Who would ever give her to the likes of you?!”
“B-Brikna… stop him…”
Brikna was trembling in fear, his legs shaking uncontrollably. He had never heard of a blacksmith who could instill such terror even in an A-Rank Wizard. The onlookers egging Hans on were just as crazy, and Hans himself, shouting and delivering slaps, seemed even more unhinged.
Formas’s face was swelling up, looking almost unrecognizable. Maybe it was time to intervene, but part of me wondered if it would be better to let it continue.
“R-remember this…”
Contrary to expectations, the commotion quickly settled down. I was anxious, fearing that if this were to be discovered, they would be caught. I later learned that in this country, those who cause disturbances like this, especially if it affects a business, could be beaten and have no right to complain. It was common for offenders to be tossed out with the trash behind the shop the next day. Truly, this country was something else. It felt ironic for me, who had wished to beat up Formas, to think that way. I felt a twinge of pity for Brikna, who had dragged Formas away.
“That was… something else… Oh, right. Lua-chan, I wonder how that girl is doing?”
I had completely forgotten.
◆ Royal Capital of Kashiram, Hans’s House ◆
“Hmph! You think you can turn Shin into a Kaijuu with something like this?! Munch munch, crunch crunch, gobble gobble…”
She had a colorful, split-tail hat, white skin, large, slanted eyes, and a frilly skirt. Yet this girl was small, barely two and a half of my head tall. Kurinka’s description of her as looking like a fairy was spot on.
This fairy was cursing while trying to devour the meal set before her. Who on earth was she? I found her collapsed in the furnace area of the factory. I didn’t think she was human, and I was puzzled as to why she had been there.
“What’s your name?”
“Weren’t you listening when I just said Shin? Honestly, this is why muscle-brains are so frustrating…”
“Wait, do you know Lua-chan?”
“Th-this meat is delicious, I said! I said it!”
What is ‘delicious meat’? And is it just me, or is Kurinka’s comment too odd?
“Hey, who are you really…”
“Munch munch munch! Crunch crunch crunch… gulp!”
If you eat that fast, you’ll choke! Just as I thought that, I felt like I had seen this girl somewhere before. It was strange; it felt like I had met her before, but I couldn’t quite place it.