Chapter 193: Three Professions, Three Colors

After receiving the sword from Gerhardt, Lutz immediately visited the workshop of the decorative artist, Patrick.

“Hey, Lutz-san, welcome!”

A cheerful man in his forties welcomed Lutz. Besides his personality, he was an outstanding craftsman highly trusted by both Lutz and Gerhardt, one of the three artisans that Count Zander took pride in. However, this story could still hold even if you switched the names around.

The master himself welcomed Lutz and guided him. The corridor was dimly lit, with only the daylight streaming in from the windows. If you weren’t used to it, you might get lost or stumble, but Patrick smoothly advanced with an indifferent gait. He could probably walk even with his eyes closed.

“How was Gerhardt-san’s condition?”

“In a way, he seemed unusually calm, or rather, had a complicated expression.”

“Ah, I see.”

With an expression indicating that he understood, Patrick continued talking after inviting Lutz into his room.

“Gerhardt-san is quite advanced in age. He probably wanted to rest in peace, holding the honor of presenting masterpieces like the ‘Rose Garden’ and ‘Amaterasu’ to the kings of both the kingdom and the allied nations.” 

“If you think about it, we’re doing something pretty amazing.”

“That was likely all the honor he could hope for as a craftsman. Then suddenly, a new technology was developed: ‘With enchantment, we can further evolve. We can make swords better than what we can now.’ That must have been a bit unexpected.”

“…It must be complicated.”

What might be the emotions of a craftsman who was told, ‘You can make something better than your lifetime masterpiece’? Lutz, who had also created the main body of Amaterasu, had a sentimental attachment to that sword. It wasn’t something distant, and he couldn’t help but feel a somewhat uneasy atmosphere.

Lutz and Patrick are still taking it easy because what they are doing is the same as before.

When a new technology is discovered, whether to adopt it promptly or ignore it is up to the craftsman. It was hard to believe that Gerhardt chose the latter. He was probably still grumbling while conducting various experiments.

“Well then, Lutz-san, introduce me to my lover!”

“…Ah, yes.”

Although Lutz thought he had somewhat gotten used to Patrick’s unique way of speaking, when unexpectedly faced with it, it took him a while to understand.

Lutz took the white wooden scabbard from his waist and placed it on the table. Patrick then carefully drew it out and held it upright.

“Fantastic…”

Patrick’s eyes were filled with heat and melted. It was an expression of being in love with the sword. Lutz, with an inward sense of anxiety about the sword possibly cutting himself without any curse involved, watched over him. It wasn’t something ordinary; you couldn’t trust the word ‘ordinary’ completely.

“I must say, it’s amazing. Truly a man’s sword.”

“That’s right.”

“I wouldn’t mind being embraced by this one.”

“Is that so?”

He wanted to ask if Patrick was serious or sane, but if he did, it might turn into something irreversible, so Lutz chose to ignore it. He didn’t want any adventures outside of the labyrinth or on his bed.

Patrick seemed to want to keep looking at the blade forever, but his hands began to shake from its weight. It would be a big problem if he dropped it. With a lingering expression of attachment, Patrick sheathed the sword.

“Phew,” he sighed and then remembered.

“By the way, this time you brought it to me after enchanting it, right? Usually, it was a flow like Blacksmith Lutz, Decorator Patrick, Enchanter Gerhardt, right?”

“If you consider the risk of enchantment failure and the danger of the sword breaking, this flow is actually correct. If Gerhardt-san had completed it at his place, we could have tested it directly in the castle and presented it to the Count smoothly.”

“Really, it was just a matter of habit, and it didn’t have much meaning.”

“Also, Gerhardt-san seems to find it easier to work on decorated ones. It seems that having a clear image of the sword makes enchantment work better for him.”

“Enchanting turns out to be surprisingly delicate work. Even though the person himself doesn’t have a fragment of delicacy.”

“Maybe because he dedicates all his delicacy to his craft.”

Gerhardt finishes his works strongly and beautifully, yet he’s the type of person who, when tired, would sleep right on the floor. Not that there’s anything wrong with that; for Lutz and the others, it could be considered the ideal appearance of a craftsman.

Having both your work and personal life well-organized is ideal, but asking these three artisans about that would probably just result in a puzzled look and a response like, “Why?”

That’s the kind of people they are.

“Lutz-san, have you decided on a name for this sword?”

“I named it ‘Kyoka suigetsu’.”

“That’s quite a stylish name. If it were up to me, the first name that came to mind at a glance would be something like ‘Dotamakachi Warimaru’ (Crude Splinter Breaker). Naming things is indeed a kind of sense or skill, isn’t it?”

“If we were going by the appearance, Patrick-san’s suggestion would be more fitting. However, this time, we emphasized the desired magic effects in naming. Well, I didn’t come up with it; as usual, Claudia did.”

When Claudia’s name was mentioned, Patrick nodded happily. As long as his two favorites got along well, Patrick was pleased.

“Well then, I’ll take care of the sword for a while. The guard, hilt, scabbard, and their decorations, as well as various other metal parts, will take about a week. Is that alright?”

“Yes, please take care of it.”

Lutz deeply bowed and then stood up.

“Oh, are you leaving already?”

“I have other places to stop by.”

“Busy as always.”

“None of them are official jobs, and I haven’t been asked by anyone, which is somewhat heartbreaking.”

With a smile, Lutz said, and then he left Patrick’s room. He already knew the way and left the workshop without needing any guidance.

At this point, Patrick didn’t bother telling an outsider not to wander around. More important to him was how to dress up his lover for just one week.

“Is it okay if I call you Kyōka-chan? Hehe…”

A middle-aged man sticking his tongue out and moving it around. He looked completely like a pervert, but unfortunately, there was no law here to blame him for such trivial matters.

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