CH 4.37

Journey and Whim

Translated by Mlzkzr

Edited by Mlzkzr

The next day, I came to the Blacksmiths Guild and was asked to do a single sword, ignoring the cost, with all my might.

They are going to use it as a model to improve the skills of the town’s blacksmiths.

Apparently, that’s how much my skills were recognized by the blacksmith union of the Principality of Travoia.

It is indeed an honor, but at the same time, it’s a story that also puts a lot of pressure on me.

I asked them about the rumor I heard yesterday, about the war, and they said that it is true that the northern part of the small nation group is being attacked by Dalotte.

However, the state of affairs is still in a skirmish, and the northern countries of the small group of states provide reinforcements to the Northern Zairu Kingdom, but it is not yet clear whether the Azuedda alliance will be called up.

In any case, there seemed to be nothing I could do about it.

Perhaps there are already blacksmiths who specialize in military equipment, or perhaps a retinue of blacksmiths is needed to accompany the troops and repair worn-out weapons and armor, but it is not a job I, a drifter, would be asked to do.

Well, it’s not like I wanted to be actively involved in the war, but…… I don’t feel comfortable saying that I was far away and uninvolved while a big incident was happening nearby.

Curiosity will kill a high elf as well as the cat at some point, but what can I say, I have a tendency to do that.

But, as a matter of course, I have no obligation, reason, or sense to be involved in this situation, no matter how restless I may be.

Since I have been entrusted with a big task, I must first devote my mind and devotion to it.

Come to think of it, it seems that any kind of sword will do, so I will use the type of sword used in Yosogi-ryu, which I understand and am familiar with the most.

In short, it would be a single-edged straight sword that cuts through.

I rent the rooftop of the blacksmith’s union building to prepare myself for this big job.

Preparation for striking the type of sword used in the Yosogi-ryu means wielding a sword of the Yosogi-ryu style.

The techniques to wield are left and right diagonal slash, left and right reverse diagonal slash, left and right torso cut, swinging down, rounding up, and if I add a thrust at the end, there are nine.

All of these movements will have a form, balance, and center of gravity that is suited to them.

To put it simply, it is not the Yosogi-ryu, but a huge sword that is powerful when swung down because of its weight, but not suitable for cutting up because of its weight as well.

However, there would only be one sword actually held in the hand, and if one is to wield the Yosogi-ryu, it must be the right sword for every movement.

This is not an easy task.

I swing a sword with all my might, searching for the ideal shape, weight, and balance of the sword.

But of course, I can’t find anything those kinds of things.

The vague figure in my mind is like a lady behind a curtain, floating in the air, but if I reach out my hand, she will move away from me.

But as I continue to search for it, my mind fills with heat like a furnace, and I feel compelled to give form to even a portion of the image that is currently in my mind.

That is my mental focus when I strike the sword used in the Yosogi-ryu.

The Blacksmith’s guild employees looked at me as if they couldn’t understand me, but I don’t care about them one bit.

Only Asvald or Kaeha, my two mentors, would be able to understand me now.

And I am happy enough or too happy as long as they understand me.

I hope the other people would look only at the results, not at me.

It’s easy to understand for everyone, since I’m giving shape to the finished product.

I then spent three weeks, eighteen days to be exact, with three days off in between, working on the sword.

All the energy I have for the day was poured into the steel through my hammering, so much so that in the beginning, Nonna would worry about me every time I returned to the inn.

Well, as a matter of fact, she understood that I was putting a lot of energy into my work and took care of me in various ways at the inn.

She worked hard to bring the hot water for me to cleanse my sweat, and she gave me a little extra food without her mother scolding her.

Each one was a trivial thing, but the sight of a girl who cared for me in such a way gave me motivation.

I swung and finished a steel straight sword nine times today, and deliver it with satisfaction.

The blacksmiths’ guild officials were effusive in their praise of my workmanship, but such praise was falling on deaf ears at the moment.

Yes, I’m completely burned out now.

Mentally, I don’t want to do anything for about three days, and I think I will probably stay in my room at the inn in those three days and do nothing.

I feel a pleasant mixture of fatigue and satisfaction, and now I want to immerse myself in it.

It seems that the reward will be paid after a careful evaluation, but even that doesn’t matter anymore.

Maybe when I get better, I’ll be happy with the evaluation again, and I’ll be grateful for the money.

Once I’ve received my reward, I’ll go eat cake again with Nonna.

I also feel like my brain is craving the sweetness of whipped cream.

More than anything else, she took care of me a lot this time.

If I at least treat her to something sweet, I’m sure I won’t get punished.

……Ah, ah, but I thought it was a bit lonely that Asvald, my fucking dwarf master, couldn’t see that straight steel sword, and Kaeha couldn’t swing it.

Even though that is much more attractive compared to the reward of a large number of gold coins.