Kays Translations

Chapter 190: Return of Steel

Somewhat thick.

Somewhat long.

Somewhat heavy.

It was truly a robust sword, fittingly called a man-slaying kitchen knife.

It was a beautiful sword, but not in an artistic sense. It was the kind of beauty one would attribute to the powerful form of a dinosaur. Lutz wouldn't know, but future generations might say it resembled a badger, according to a vulgar anecdote that claimed, "If you cut a corpse in a rice field, the blade will pierce through the ground." It was indeed a rough and perilous sword.

In the dimly lit workshop with a single light source, Lutz gazed intently at the blade and eventually nodded in satisfaction.

"...Is this the sword for me?"

Perhaps because it was made by crushing a magic weapon, even Lutz, who knew nothing about magic, could feel a mysterious power. The life of White Lily, an axe he had shared joys and sorrows with for a while, seemed to be connected, and he was quite pleased with that aspect as well.

"Lutz-kun, you seem quite satisfied."

Claudia, descending from the second floor, remarked. Only Lutz's back was visible, but even so, his mood could be somehow understood.

"...You always appear out of nowhere."

"Well, it is my home, you know."

"Fair enough."

Lutz stood up, opened the window, letting in light and air. Cold air also entered, but at the moment, it felt pleasant.

"Regarding the effect of sealing the opponent's characteristics that we discussed earlier, I feel like this one might be able to do it. I sense that much power. I'll go consult with Gerhardt-san tomorrow. And..."

"I know, you'll engrave a name, right?"

Claudia said with a smile, "It's the same as usual."

"I've been thinking since I asked Lutz-kun about the concept of the sword, but what do you think of 'Kyouka Suigetsu'?"

“What can I say? It’s graceful. That’s it.''

“Graceful, right?”

“It’s also elegant.”

“It’s an elegance.”

I'm not quite sure what you're talking about, but anyway, the stylish and charming aspect appeals to me.

“So, what does it mean?"

"Like flowers reflected in a mirror, like the moon reflected in water—certainly there, yet without substance. It's an example of a fleeting and illusory vision."

"So, in front of this sword, all life is nothing more than a fleeting illusion. Is that what it means?"

Claudia nodded slightly.

Lutz once again picked up the sword and examined it closely. Despite its stylish name, it seemed to carry a rather challenging meaning. Could this sword really accomplish that much?

It can, no, I'll make it.

Uttering a determined "Alright," Lutz took out a chisel from the toolbox.

"But seriously, Claudia, you come up with these words so easily."

"It's not like they come up on their own. Thanks to that, my room is filling up with dictionaries and encyclopedias."

"Oh, the books in the room are for that..."

Remembering, Lutz nodded. He had noticed there were books in the room but had thought they were ledgers or something related to business.

"If I said I'm making an effort to support my husband, would you praise me?"

"I love you. I'm always grateful. Thank you."

Meant as a joke, Claudia, who hadn't expected such a serious response, showed a somewhat embarrassed smile and left the blacksmith's workshop.

Watching her back—or more precisely, her buttocks—Lutz returned to his work.

He engraved "Kyoka Suigetsu" on the tang of the sword, and after a short pause, he engraved "White Lily" on the reverse side.

Ah, I really did like that axe.

Lost White Lily. White Lily returned.

Please, Lutz spoke to his new companion.

--------------------------------------------

"Did you break White Lily!?"

Gerhardt exclaimed in shock. In response, Lutz nonchalantly answered,

"Yeah, well..."

It was as if he had been told that a favorite work of art had been broken. To Gerhardt, it seemed as if he had been informed of something he cherished being destroyed.

He had seen Lutz swing an axe that set enemies on fire during the previous dungeon exploration. He had liked it since then and had been considering buying it if there was a chance.

And now it was broken. Moreover, the one who broke it was acting as if it were nothing. Gerhardt felt an urge to punch this jesting youngster.

However, upon closer thought, there was no reason to punch him. White Lily was an axe that Lutz had forged for himself, and Gerhardt had no ownership whatsoever.

Being punched for a reason like "I once wanted it" was quite exasperating.

"Well, Gerhardt-san, for now, please withdraw that killing intent. You've heard about the incident with White Lily's blade melting during the battle with the Flame demon, right?"

"Yes, I received a report from Ricardo."

"After investigating, the entire blade was warped due to the heat. Once it gets to this point, it's hopeless. It can't be repaired and used again."

"Mmm..."

Gerhardt was a former adventurer, and a fairly powerful one at that. He knew well that a weapon once warped to the core could no longer be used. He also knew the fate of those who insisted on using such weapons. However, he couldn't bring himself to say it was a waste to Lutz. The disposal of White Lily was inevitable. He didn't want to admit it, but that was the reality.

"Gerhardt-san, now comes the main part of the story..."

"Is there more? Spare this old man's heart from stopping."

"In fact, this sword is made from the steel melted by crushing White Lily."

"Hmm..."

Gerhardt made an uninterested face, as if asking, "So what?" However, his expression changed dramatically with Lutz's next words.

"I also realized it only when Claudia told me, but if you melt a magically enhanced weapon to create a sword, is it possible to engrave new ancient runes? In that case, what about the amount of magic contained?"

"Well..."

Gerhardt, about to answer, stopped. What would actually happen? He had no experience doing such a thing, and he had never heard of it.

After refusing Lutz, Gerhardt took Kyoka Suigetsu in his hand. It was beautiful, powerful, and indeed emitted a mysterious magic power.

"You can engrave ancient runes. I don't know what will happen as a result, but shall we do it?"

"Please."

Saying that, Lutz took out a gem from his pocket and scattered it on the table. It was a fragment of a jewel emitting a faint peach-colored mysterious glow.

"It's everything I have. Please use it."

"Understood. Should I enhance the engraving effect with a version of destruction magic?"

Lutz nodded deeply and powerfully, then left Gerhardt's workshop.

Left alone, Gerhardt glanced at the sword hanging on the wall.

"The life of a craftsman is truly interesting. Even at this age, there's always something new to learn."

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter