Chapter 192: New Technique and New Era

Two weeks after entrusting the sword to Gerhardt, Lutz visited the workshop as the enchantment process was completed.

“Sorry, it took some time.”

Gerhardt offered a chair to Lutz as he spoke.

“No need to apologize; I’ve been busy with preparations and such. I don’t feel like I’ve waited too long.”

“It seems that fool Ricardo forced you into something unreasonable again.”

Gerhardt chose not to mention the crossbow explicitly but left it with a wry smile. Considering he knew about the carefully stored item taken out by Ricardo and was present when the count’s carriage was attacked by bandits, he seemed to tacitly approve up to a certain extent.

At this point, Lutz noticed something odd. Despite venturing into an entirely new method of crafting magic weapons using magic equipment as material, Gerhardt seemed strangely composed. Moreover, instead of delving into the topic of the sword right away, Lutz found himself engaged in small talk, which was unusual for this elderly craftsman.

He had expected some overly excited explanation, perhaps even something incomprehensible. However, it was anticlimactic. Maybe Gerhardt had already done everything that needed to be done, reaching the sage’s moment.

He suddenly felt uneasy, wondering if there had been a failure or if an inferior product had been created.

“Um, Gerhardt-san. How about my ‘Kyoka suigetsu’? What happened to it?”

“Hmm.”

Gerhardt, with a very serious expression, handed over the sword that had been placed beside him.

“Excuse me.” 

Lutz said, then slowly drew the heavy sword.

“Oh…”

Even though it was a sword he had made himself, Lutz couldn’t help but utter a small admiration. In his hands was the embodiment of violence, a manifestation of brute force that didn’t think of anything other than cutting down enemies. The ancient characters engraved on the thick blade faintly emitted a pulsating light, resembling an empty heart seeking blood.

Why did something so focused on violence and brutality feel so beautiful?

“I like it. It’s an excellent piece of work. However, Gerhardt-san, your composure still doesn’t sit right with me. The Gerhardt I know should be the type to say, ‘Let’s try it out a bit,’ in a situation like this.”

Even if he said it, it would be troublesome. Yet, the fact that Gerhardt didn’t say anything was eerie.

“At this point, this is the best masterpiece.”

“I see.”

“How about you, Gerhardt-san? Don’t you like it?”

Gerhardt groaned and seemed lost in thought as if struggling to express his current feelings.

“The magic power possessed by kyoka suigetsu is significantly higher than existing ones. It’s even surpassing Amaterasu we presented to the Allied Nations.”

“To that extent…?”

Lutz couldn’t help but be surprised at the information that the sword offered to King Cassander, which wasn’t just a collection of the pinnacle of technology and craftsmanship but also imbued with magic enchantments. It was said that the magic power of kyoka suigetsu surpassed it.

“Honestly, I always considered Amaterasu to be my lifelong masterpiece. I thought I wouldn’t be able to create something surpassing it in my lifetime. I know satisfaction and stagnation are shameful for an artisan, but there’s a limit. Then, suddenly, a new technique emerges, allowing us to further increase magic power. It’s irresistible, truly.”

Gerhardt chuckled wryly and shook his head. He seemed to be in a complex mood, feeling denied of his past self yet also seeing new possibilities ahead.

“I ended up pondering what enchanting a weapon even means.”

Gerhardt spoke as if gazing into the distance.

“Kyoka suigetsu isn’t particularly powerful.”

“Yes.”

Although praised as having the highest magic power to date, Gerhardt seemed somewhat contradictory, and Lutz honestly agreed.

“Hmm, you easily admit it.”

“Without an objective perspective, one cannot be called an artisan.”

“That’s true. Yes, indeed. This sword isn’t particularly strong.”

When Gerhardt extended his hand, Lutz handed the sword over without a word. The expression on Gerhardt’s face, looking at the beautiful yet ferocious blade, was contrary to the evaluation of the sword and more of a proud one.

“Simply unsheathing it won’t cause the opponent to commit suicide, nor does it bestow immense power upon the owner, and it lacks the charismatic aura to command soldiers. Despite having an almost overflowing magic power, this is just an ordinary sword.”

While speaking, Gerhardt returned the blade to its sheath. As the scabbard was still a plain white wood without decorations, the sound of sheathing wasn’t a crisp ‘click’ but rather a somewhat dull ‘thud.’

“It’s meaningless unless you slash your opponent and inflict wounds. On the other hand, it doesn’t allow for fake effects like super healing or defense against super-high temperatures. It’s more like an effect that drags the opponent onto the same stage, so to speak. However…”

Gerhardt paused, breaking up his words and then gave a faint smile. It was a face that showed confidence and mischievousness, typical of this elderly craftsman, which he revealed for the first time today.

“If the conditions are right, you might even be able to kill a god.”

“Gerhardt-san, watch how you phrase things. If someone hears this kind of talk, a priest might come swinging a club with a smile.”

“True. Let’s rephrase it then; You might even be able to kill a demon.”

“Actually, we’re going to fight a flame demon from now on.”

After joking and sharing laughter, Gerhardt returned to a serious expression.

“Considering the magic power it possesses, I think it’s probably well made. After all, I haven’t tested it yet.”

Around the town, there were no individuals with a special constitution that allowed them to be killed. In fact, during the two weeks, Gerhardt had spent about five days running around the Count’s territory looking for orcs, but they seemed to be elusive when you actively sought them.

Still, there was lingering unease when it came to actual combat. Saying, “I fought a monster but couldn’t defeat it” wouldn’t be a plausible excuse.

Lutz, after lightly twisting his neck in thought, answered.

“Let’s go to the labyrinth and cut down some zombies. If we can deprive it of its special trait, essentially its immortality, we should be able to defeat it in one strike.”

“Hmm, but a labyrinth, huh?”

“I won’t go deep, only to the shallow areas like the first or second underground floors. The sightings of the monster seem to be in deeper levels. Otherwise, adventurers wouldn’t be able to go there.”

“I’ve heard it’s around the fourth or fifth underground floor.”

“That’s right. If, by some chance, it decided to come to the upper levels, I’d just wrap my tail and run, so don’t worry.”

“Do you think you won’t feel like fighting if you happen to meet?”

“I’m not the type to seek pleasure or honor in battle. Running away is not shameful at all.”

“That’s true,” Gerhardt agreed. He, too, prioritized survival, given his background as a former adventurer. He looked at combat with a cooled gaze, seemingly viewing battles based on honor with detachment. However, if someone ever brought shame to him, he made sure to settle the score later.

Lutz received the sword and stood up. Observing him, Gerhardt squinted his eyes and, while looking up dazzlingly, muttered to himself.

“Don’t change the history of magical weapons.”

With a small nod, Lutz left the workshop.

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