Chapter 148: Aftermath of the Magic Sword

“Incredible, oh so incredible. Dizzying. Truly incredible, oh, oh…”

The decorator, Patrick, blushed as he gazed at the patterns that had appeared on the sword. He sighed, shook his head while looking away from the blade, and then stared at the sword again, repeating this strange behavior. From an outsider’s perspective, one might wonder if he was under the influence of a forbidden drug, but apart from this, he was perfectly sane.

In his hand was the Damascus sword that Lutz had brought back from the allied nation. Patrick was admiring the intricate wood-like patterns on it, his mind tingling and his consciousness muddled, clearly enjoying the experience.

Observing Patrick’s behavior with a sense of bewilderment, Gerhardt contemplated whether he should do the same later.

This was Gerhardt’s workshop, located within Count Zander’s estate castle. The usual three artisans had gathered there.

Lutz and his companions had returned to the count’s territory after their expedition to the allied nation. As promised, he had brought the Damascus sword to show to Gerhardt and the others.

Gerhardt and Patrick were looking at the peculiar weapon, which seemed like molten iron molded into the shape of a sword in a furnace, with gleaming eyes, much like boys in front of a new toy.

Since Patrick wasn’t letting go of the sword, Gerhardt, in an attempt to pass the time, turned to Lutz and started a conversation.

“It’s good that you returned safely, but considering all the commotion, is the only achievement that a single village has joined in the trading?”

“So, is it like the mountain trembles and a mouse goes ‘squeak’?”

Patrick chimed in without taking his eyes off the sword.

“So, the Marquis, Princess, and even knights from neighboring countries got involved. You even went so far as to sell a new sword and support a duel. And after all that, you’ve only gained a single trading partner. No wonder Patrick said ‘The mountain trembled, but only a single mouse came out of it.'”

Lutz smiled wryly and shook his head.

“Well, the village is quite sizable, you see. You could think of it as being on par with a baron from the kingdom.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Gerhardt muttered with a slightly confused expression.

“According to Claudia, if the Saligari village starts trading and the village becomes prosperous, the surrounding villages might join in one after another. Essentially, we’ve sown the seeds of development this time.”

Just now, it’s probably Gwen who’s sowing the seeds, Lutz thought but stopped himself from saying it out loud. Gerhardt and Patrick probably didn’t know much about Gwen. It wouldn’t be enjoyable for them to hear vulgar jokes about someone they didn’t know.

Thus, Lutz skillfully avoided a comedic slip-up.

“So, if trade becomes active, road construction and the need for escorts will arise. This will also lead to employment opportunities in the princess’s village. It’s quite a roundabout way to go about things. Moreover, it’s not very certain,” 

Gerhardt said.

“Regional development involves getting the surroundings involved; it seems that doing it on your own has its limits. I don’t quite understand, but that’s what Claudia says.”

Even after leaving the Saligari village, Claudia remained incredibly busy.

She went to the allied nation’s veteran soldiers’ village, informed them that their leader would be busy with wedding preparations and wouldn’t be back for a while, and then left the bewildered soldiers behind as she headed to the trading post.

At the trading post, she announced the Saligari village’s participation, then went to Princess Listille’s village across the border, and subsequently to Marquis Eldenberger’s territory, explaining the entire course of events.

Having finally returned to her home base, the Count’s estate, Claudia collapsed onto her bed and fell into a deep sleep.

“Well, let’s leave the trade matters to Claudia and the important people. For us craftsmen, the only thing that matters is that we have the Damascus sword.”

Patrick chuckled dubiously and said, 

“By the way, it seems the silver-haired, ponytailed, cool female swordsman, Bonkyu-bon(busty), Melty-chan, is safe too.”

“Now she’s also carrying the ‘married woman’ attribute,” 

“Irresistible…”

Patrick groaned and looked up. Taking advantage of his distraction, Gerhardt snatched the Damascus sword from Patrick’s hand.

“Hey!”

“What do you mean ‘hey’ You’ve been hogging it for so long. Show it to me too.”

With a snort, Gerhardt blew out a breath and then stared intently at the sword with its strange pattern. He felt a peculiar sensation, as if his consciousness had been thrown into a labyrinth of steel. It made sense that Patrick had tripped out looking at this.

“I see, this sword seems to have a good affinity for illusion magic. The ancient characters engraved on it may be four characters, but in reality, could there have been effects of five characters or more?”

“Melty-san, who was supposed to have the Dispel Illusion Sword, also seemed to have been hit with illusion magic right after the duel began. She managed to recover somehow afterward…”

“That’s probably true,” Gerhardt nodded

While it would have been ideal for them to avoid illusion magic from the start, looking at this sword shattered that notion. This thing was a potent material; it would be best to consider it a success that Melty managed to win.

For Gerhardt, Melty’s personal circumstances didn’t matter much. However, it was unpleasant for him that someone wielding a sword he had crafted would lose.

“To start with an illusion spell and still lose, the wielder of this sword must have been quite incompetent,” 

Gerhardt stated without holding back, and Lutz ambiguously nodded in agreement. There was no material to defend Chief Vritra, and no obligation to defend him either.

“It seems like he relied heavily on the sword’s performance.”

“Licking your lips in front of your prey is third-rate indeed. If he wanted to boast, he could have done it even after he defeated his opponent. Losing so miserably because he introduced such a tasteless sentiment as wanting to see a look of despair in a battle to the death.”

Gerhardt readied the sword and chuckled. He believed he could use it much more skillfully.

“Honestly, even at this age, there’s still so much to learn. Maybe I should seriously study the compatibility between weaponry and magic effects.”

Lutz and Patrick nodded in agreement, sharing the sentiment that their creations could still ascend to greater heights.

Afterward, the conversation shifted to who would wield this sword. It was decided that Gerhardt would buy it and display it in his workshop, and the other two could come see it anytime they wished. After all, this was their usual gathering spot, and Lutz’s group had no objections.

Lutz, who had thoroughly enjoyed the Damascus sword during their journey from the allied nation, returned home promptly. However, Patrick couldn’t tear himself away from the sword and was kicked out of the workshop after sunset for lingering on, unable to let go of the sword.

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