Kays Translations

Chapter 118: A Blade Without Hesitation

　The unveiling of the new work was held at the Count Zander’s estate and the lord’s mansion.

　Maximilian and the three craftsmen gather in the courtyard to invite Marquis Beowulf Eldenberger, an important guest for the Count’s family. The escorting knights surround them in the distance and watch over them.r.

“Please, your Excellency.”

　Lutz reverently raised the katana and held it out to Beowulf. Normally, this would be Gerhard’s role, but this time, Lutz was entrusted with the task because of his connection to the story. Gerhard did not want to do it in the first place. He was not the type of person who would consider it an honor to give a blade to a nobleman.

“Surprisingly plain”

　Beowulf grabbed the scabbard and said, From afar, it’s just a black-painted scabbard. If you look closely, you’ll see that it’s carved with a vicious dragon. It’s not something to show off to others, but it’s a good hobby.

“You don’t like it?”

“No, it’s great”

　Hearing the answer, Lutz nodded and slipped back.

　Beowulf pulls out his sword and checks the blade. Surprisingly, the inside is normal. Lutz’s father, Rufus, had made the blade as thin as possible in order to get the best cutting performance, but is this katana better than that one in terms of cutting performance?

　I couldn’t quite grasp the image just by looking at it.

　There are five ancient characters carved into it, and judging from the way it shines, the amount of magical power it contains is perfect.

　While I was thinking about it, preparations for trial cutting were steadily progressing in front of him. A stone as big as a person’s head placed on top of a wooden box. Beowulf’s lips twisted slightly with anxiety and displeasure.

　It all started when my older brother swung his famous katana down while he was drunk and hit a stone and broke it. I don’t think I am the same as that man, but I still feel a touch of anxiety in my heart.

　When I suddenly looked around, Maximilian had a pale face from being too nervous. It’s not unreasonable, if the blade were to break here, it would ruin the count’s family reputation. They would be too embarrassed to ever again call themselves a famous producer of weapons.

　On the other hand, the two craftsmen, Gerhard and Patrick, have relaxed expressions.

“What, is a stone okay?”

　And he even made a face that seemed unsatisfactory. He doesn’t seem to doubt that he can be cut.

　Finally, I turn my attention to Lutz. He was a natural person with no pretensions. Seeing his face, Beowulf’s body was rid of anxiety and tension.

　He grips the handle firmly and raises it. The area is silent, and the only sound is the breathing of dozens of men.

　The stone in front of me looked like his father’s face. then his brother’s face, and his own. This is hesitation, and hesitation will disappear if you cut it.

　……The blade does not hesitate. It is always people who are lost.

　The sword swung down. There was almost no response, and for a moment I wondered if I had struck out.

　The remnants of the phantom lie beneath my feet. I did indeed cut it, there is no doubt about that.

　After a little delay, there was a shout of “Ooh!” It must have taken a while for the escort knights to understand what had happened because it was too frivolous.

　Beowulf alternately checked the cut surface of the stone and the blade of the katana. The cut was bright, and there was absolutely no chip on the blade.

　Slowly, a sense of joy and nostalgia welled up from within my chest. What I had lost more than twenty years ago had finally returned to my hands.

“Would you like another round?”

　Lutz approaches and says something strange. When I looked at where he was pointing, I saw that he had prepared a dozen or so similarly sized stones. It was too much to say that they were well-prepared.

“I’ll refrain from doing so. I’m in a position where I can’t get too carried away.”

　Beowulf replied with a laugh.

　Even the movement of putting the blade into the scabbard was a kind of pleasure.

　It doesn’t have special powers like the famous katanas I’ve seen so far, the “Amaterasu ” and “Rose Garden ”.

　Even so, a katana that just has a great cutting ability is the best offer for me. It must be a happy thing to have encountered something that makes you feel that way.

“Hey Lutz, do you want to come to my house?”

　It’s not an invitation for a drink. It was an invitation to join the Marquise of Eldenberger. It was a bold invitation, even though his current employer, Maximilian, was just around the corner.

　This is not a bad thing for Lutz. Now that the rancor of the past has been resolved, he will be welcomed with open arms. He would have more opportunities to play an active role in the service of a Marquis family, which is closer to the central power, than in the service of a count’s family in the countryside.

　After lightly pondering, Lutz quietly shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but I’m used to living here.”

“I see, you’re not Rufus.”

“Yes, I’m Lutz, the swordsmith.”

　After more than twenty years, I have the best blade in my hands. But there are some things you can never get back. People change, both in mind and position.

　If he used his power as a marquis, he could easily pull out a vassal, Beowulf did not approve of this. It was not a question of right or wrong, but rather one of tactlessness.

“Then it can’t be helped. If Sir Maximilian bullies you, come running in anytime, I’ll protect you.…No, perhaps he’s the one being pushed around by the craftsmen.”

“No, no, there is no such thing.”

“I’m convinced now. Having good craftsmen is also a very difficult thing to do.”

　Beowulf, who laughed as he said that, looked more like a pleasant uncle relative than a great nobleman above the clouds. It was indeed an overly familiar impression, so I did not speak of it.

“You can always count on me if you need anything. I owe you a debt, don’t forget that.”

　Beowulf turned and walked majestically. The man’s back told me that he had nothing left to do here. The escorting knights hurried after him.

　The big job is finally done. Lutz’s shoulder is tapped as he feels a sense of relief and a little loneliness in his chest. When he turned around, Gerhard was there, and Patrick was right behind him.

“Thank you for your hard work. Well, the only thing I don’t like about it is that it seems to cut better than my sword.”

“Such complaints should be directed to the person who granted the enchantment.”

　The three of them laughed at each other.

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