Chapter 140: Sword of Chaos

Returning to the territory of Count Zander in the Walscheid Kingdom.

Even though he should have had no attachment to it, having merely lived there because he was born and raised, there was a certain sense of nostalgia upon returning from a foreign land.

Leaving the Saligari village from the Allied Nations, Lutz and the others first escorted Gwen to the village near the border, and then they asked Princess Listille to take care of former slave Nero in the settlement village on the kingdom’s side.

Afterward, they went to report their progress to Marquis Eldenberger, who was in charge of trade. Lutz thought that sending a letter would be enough for this, but according to Claudia:

“If you visit the princess and rely on her to report to the Marquis via letter, it might seem like the Marquis’s family is being disregarded. Even if the Marquis agrees, people around might make a fuss, so it’s safer to visit you directly.”

“I had a reason to visit the princess’s village and to leave Nero with her. However, there’s nothing other than the report for the Marquis…”

Lutz complained, and Claudia sarcastically smiled, aware of how ridiculous this situation was.

“It can be quite unreasonable at times, to be forced to care about the face of nobles.”

“Certainly,” Lutz had to agree based on his past experiences.

After finishing the troublesome greetings, upon returning to the Count’s territory, Lutz immediately went to see the spellcaster Gerhardt. He reported his return and discussed their future plans.

Gerhardt, who had invited Lutz into his workshop, had a stern expression on his face.

“I’ll let this old man nag you once in a while. You’ve been moving around too freely lately.”

Gerhardt, who usually had little interest in others and didn’t involve himself more than necessary, started saying such things. From his expression, he seemed to realize it wasn’t quite like himself. Perhaps the Count had told him to somehow deal with those people?

“Having finished the significant task of presenting to the Marquis, and with no new tasks on hand, you should have some free time. But listen, Lutz, you’re the blacksmith employed by the Zander family. I won’t tell you not to go, but being absent for several months, visiting the princess, the Marquis, and even establishing friendly relations with the folks from the Allied Nations, that’s a bit off.”

Lutz couldn’t argue with Gerhardt’s words; he knew they were entirely accurate.

It’s all been a series of unforeseen events.

Going to meet the princess due to financial trouble.

Meeting the Marquis for work, only to find out trading isn’t going well.

Visiting the Allied Nations, discovering their internal disputes disrupt trade.

Trying to recruit allies, but finding a man who neglects the people and favors only warriors.

As they tried to get to the root of the problem, they got dragged deeper and deeper. Clearly, it wasn’t something Claudia was supposed to deal with; it might even be considered overstepping her authority.

There must be a point where they need to make a final decision. They lost sight of that point, leading to their current situation.

In hindsight, once they realized that the reason for the trading problems lay with the Allied Nations, they should have turned back, reported to the Marquis and ended it there.

Then, would that have saved Princess Listille’s village? The answer was no. It would have only meant that it wasn’t just Claudia’s responsibility. Therefore, perhaps they truly needed to do it.

“It’s regrettable to keep acting irrationally, but please allow me to undertake one more expedition. If we back down now, we’ll lose the trust of both the princess and the Marquis, as well as the Allied Nations.”

Lutz bowed deeply, and Gerhardt snorted dismissively, appearing rather uninterested. It was hard to deny that, having stirred up this much commotion, withdrawing was a poor choice. It could even spread to the count’s family.

“Fine, but after this is settled, stay quiet for a while.”

“I apologize for the trouble. Also, there’s one more thing to report.”

“Is there still more trouble? Don’t make an old man suffer too much.”

“No, it’s more like a story to tell.”

Coughing lightly, Lutz continued in an artificial tone.

“Regarding the chief’s sword, there’s a possibility it might be a Damascus sword.”

“What did you say?”

Gerhardt’s eyes changed color, shifting from the attendant of a count to that of a craftsman seeking the finest weapon.

Damascus steel, also known as “pattern-welded steel,” is produced by melting iron ore, charcoal, and leaves of living wood together in a crucible and forming steel. The process is considered mythical, and it was believed impossible to reproduce in the kingdom. Neither Lutz nor Gerhardt had ever seen it in person. If it was real, they both wanted to see it without fail.

“Melty-san, the chief’s daughter, mentioned that the blade has a wood grain pattern. Even if it was just from a distance, I thought it might be something other than a mistaken identity.”

“Lutz, when you do the heat treatment for the blade, can you use special techniques to create a wood grain-like pattern?”

“That would be impossible. Even if we tried, the appearance would end up unnatural and messy. The distinctive pattern of Damascus sword can only be achieved with Damascus steel.”

“Hmm,” Gerhardt let out a weighty hum. The relationship between the scolding old man and the apologizing youngster had eventually transformed into that of co-conspirators.

“If Melty-san wins against the chief in the duel, I’ve arranged to receive the chief’s sword.”

“That’s splendid. So, what do you want from me?”

“Please keep the Count in check so that we can move freely. And there’s one more thing: we’ve decided to forge a sword to help Melty-san win, and I’d like to ask you to enchant it.”

“Very well, I’ll do it.”

Lutz explained the characteristics of the chief’s sword that he had heard from Melty. Their opinions aligned, concluding that it probably had an effect similar to inducing hallucinations.

“It’s quite troublesome,” muttered Gerhardt, stroking his white hair.

“Lutz, do you know that the effects of enchantment magic are influenced by the quality and traits of the blade?”

“Yes. It’s because the blade of ‘Tsubaki’ was so beautiful that the enchantment effect of charm worked well, and because ‘Demon Crying Sword’ was thin and light, it matched well with wind magic. That’s the idea.”

“Hmm, in that case, what about a Damascus sword? Do you think hallucination magic would work well with a sword that has strange, twisting patterns emerging?”

Imagining a sword that warps the field of vision like wood grain, distorting the senses of up and down, left and right, making it impossible to tell whether you’re standing or lying down. Thinking about such a thing, Lutz shuddered involuntarily. If he were to confront it without a strategy, he would undoubtedly be killed; it seemed like the ultimate deadly sword.

“Give me about three days, I need to think about how to deal with this. The order will be reversed from usual: we’ll specify the type of sword we want to create. Is that alright?”

“Thank you very much.”

Lutz bowed and left Gerhardt’s workshop.

Amid the bustling crowds of people passing by, he burned with fighting spirit. Despite everything, all the powerful magic swords had been made by Lutz, Gerhardt, and Patrick together. This was the first time he had been so amazed by someone else’s work.

“I won’t lose. We are the best craftsmen after all.”

He wanted to forge the sword as soon as possible; his heart was overflowing with such determination.

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