Kays Translations

Chapter 159: Frozen in Time

"Lutz-dono, I have something to discuss..."

"No, you can't."

"I haven't said anything yet."

As expected, Lutz smiled wryly during this exchange but was quietly relieved in the back of his mind. It seemed that this sword was truly exceptional, recognized by anyone who saw it, and Gerhardt-san was someone who understood the value of things.

They were in Gerhardt's enchanting workshop inside the castle, and Lutz had come here for the magic enhancement of the new sword, "Sakura."

"If you want it, you can negotiate directly with Ricardo after the magic enhancement."

"Do you think he'd hand it over willingly?"

"I don't think so."

"I thought as much..."

With a sigh of resignation, Gerhardt gently placed the sword into its exquisitely decorated scabbard. Whether drawn or sheathed, it was a beautiful blade. Any craftsman who didn't desire this sword was likely a recluse or something of the sort.

Lutz even worried needlessly about whether his client, Ricardo, might hit his head and lose his memory, leading to unnecessary complications.

"Now then, may you leave it to me for the magic enhancement?"

"Yes, please do as you see fit, Gerhardt-san."

"Hmm..."

Gerhart pondered and drew the sword once more, giving it a light swing. Sometimes, a good weapon seemed to communicate its desired form to the wielder. Gerhardt tried to listen to the sword's voice within the sound of the slicing wind.

"...Enhancement for improved concentration, I'd say."

"Is there such a magic? I haven't heard much about it."

"The effect is more like a psychological reassurance, so those paying for it would probably prefer something with a more reliable and understandable effect."

"That's true," Lutz nodded. No matter how wealthy an adventurer might be, they wouldn't spend dozens of gold coins on mere psychological reassurance. Most would choose enhancements that improved durability and sharpness.

Then why? In response to Lutz's puzzled expression, Gerhardt let out a mischievous smile.

"If it's just for peace of mind, we're talking about a measly three characters of feeble magic. But what if we carve five ancient characters into this easily fitting sword, a sword that feels like it's an extension of your arm, and infuse it with magic? I find it quite fascinating," 

Mysterious light gleamed in Gerhardt's eyes as he chuckled. It was likely an unprecedented attempt, and he seemed to be enjoying the uncertainty of not knowing what might happen. As it was the world’s first attempt.

"Lutz-dono, let me ask again, may I take care of this? It's possible that enchanting it with magic might not be entirely meaningless," 

"If that's what Sakura is suggesting, there should be no mistake. In fact, I'm more worried about something else – that we might create an incredible cursed sword. You know, you have a bit of a track record," 

"At least call it a precedent."

Referring to the cursed sword "Tsubaki," which forced self-destruction upon its wielder. There had never been another sword as troublesome as Tsubaki.

"Even if the enhancement for improved concentration becomes significantly stronger, it shouldn't become something that harms those around it. Probably."

"Probably? That’s all you can say..."

While magic enhancements could significantly change a sword's nature, Lutz honestly felt that it was mostly safe. He couldn't take full responsibility for the remaining one percent, though.

"Just to be safe, I'll wear a mental resistance bracelet..."

Lutz couldn't distinguish between what was meant seriously and what was a joke. While praying for the safety and sanity of the respected craftsman, he left the workshop.

On another day, the client and the parties involved in the sword creation gathered in the castle's courtyard. It was Ricardo, Lutz, and Gerhardt.

"This is my new sword. A new power..."

Ricardo drew the sword with shining eyes. Both the blade and the decorated scabbard were exquisite. He was trembling with excitement at the thought of possessing such an incredible sword.

As Lutz watched Ricardo, a hint of unease crept into his eyes. He wondered what the result of the magic enhancement would be.

Unbeknownst to Ricardo, Gerhardt took something peculiar out of his pocket, grinned, and playfully shook it in front of him.

"What the...?"

Lutz let out a startled frog-like noise. What Gerhardt was holding was a broken bracelet, a magic item with a mental resistance effect that Lutz had borrowed before. The story was that using the magically enhanced Sakura had put a significant mental burden on Gerhardt.

Ricardo turned around with a puzzled expression, wondering what’s going on. Gerhardt nonchalantly put the bracelet back in his pocket.

"Well then, let's try it out. Lutz-dono, please throw some firewood towards Ricardo from there. No need to throw it gently, pretend like you're trying to kill Ricardo."

Lutz gave Gerhardt a skeptical look, silently asking if this was really safe.

"Are you sure about that?" Lutz asked with his eyes.

Gerhart casually nodded.

This old man had clearly entered a mode where he considered it none of his business anymore.

"Well, whatever," Lutz thought as he picked up a piece of firewood.

Ricardo held Sakura ready, focusing his mind. At that moment, all colors disappeared from Ricardo's field of vision, and even the sounds vanished.

"What the!?"

Everything around him was pure white. Lutz, now like a line drawing, slowly threw the firewood. The piece of wood seemed to approach in slow motion as it left Lutz's fingertips.

Ricardo raised the sword wondering if he could move. His movements were sluggish, as if he had sunk into a sea of lead. It seemed he couldn't move at super speed. However, being able to assess how to move in the slow world was a significant advantage.

Ricardo easily sliced through the spinning firewood at the center. As expected from Lutz's masterpiece, Sakura, its sharpness was outstanding.

"Throooow them slooowly."

A drawn-out shout echoed. It was Gerhardt's voice.

Lutz picked up pieces of firewood and threw them one after another. In the normal flow of time, they would be nearly impossible to dodge, and if they hit in a bad spot, they could cause serious injury. However, Ricardo cleanly split each piece in half at their centers.

Two, three, four. As the final piece approached his feet, Ricardo lightly kicked it back towards Lutz. Just as it landed on Lutz's outstretched hand, Ricardo's vision and hearing suddenly returned to normal.

"Hey, this is unbelievable..."

Ricardo's words were cut off. He quickly sheathed his sword, covering his mouth with his hand, and collapsed on the spot. Lutz rushed over.

"Hey, are you okay!?"

"Ugh..."

Breakfast reversed.

Vomit leaked from between Ricardo's fingers, and he coughed violently. As if he had known this would happen from the beginning, Gerhardt approached with a smile and handed him a water flask. Ricardo snatched it and rinsed his mouth before spitting out the contents.

"What... is this?"

Ricardo glared at Gerhardt with a rough breath.

"Don't worry. Just overexertion, you won't die."

"Overexertion?"

"It seems that the result of enhancing your concentration was too much. It puts quite a burden on the owner. Well, if you exert your concentration to the point where everything around you appears slow, it's only natural."

Ricardo, as he rinsed his right hand's vomit off with the remaining water and caught his breath, thought. Sakura was a sword that drew out the user's concentration. Beyond its limits, at that.

Suddenly, this beautiful sword seemed terrifying, and Ricardo shivered.

"So, what are you going to do?"

Gerhardt asked with the same cheerful tone.

"What do you mean?"

"If you're planning to part with Sakura, I can buy it from you."

Told to let go of it, Ricardo felt a renewed determination to keep the sword. It was no joke; this was his sword. Dangerous, perhaps, but with proper mastery, it should become a powerful asset.

Ricardo grinned and lightly tapped the hilt of Sakura with his fingertips.

"Taming a wild filly is a man's pleasure, after all."

"Hmph, well, let me know if you change your mind anytime."

Gerhardt turned around and headed back to the workshop.

He probably pushed Ricardo to make his own decision. Realizing this, Ricardo lightly bowed to Gerhardt's departing back.

Of course, if he had said he wanted to part with it, Gerhardt would have bought it without hesitation.

That's the kind of person he was.

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