Chapter 20: Like Wind, Like Steel

The sword that was entrusted to the town decorator has returned.

The silver scabbard with an engraved lion, the well-polished brim and handle are first-rate and satisfactory. The problem is that it is not recognizable as a sword when it is in its scabbard, but a sword that is a blend of Japanese and Western styles is also very appealing.

The in-and-out decorator who came to deliver the goods,

“Sell me this, and I’ll pay you whatever you want!”

He was snickering at such things. It is a common story that one’s work is so well done that one is reluctant to let it go.

The beauty of the sword was so beautiful that it motivated the decorator to create such a beautiful scabbard. For a craftsman, encountering a great work of art is a precious opportunity to improve himself.

“This is a gift to the Count, and you’re just going to barge in on that?”

“Nuu…”

Gerhard said dismissively.

He said he would pay as much as he could, but no matter how hard he tried, the amount of money a decorator in the city could move freely would be about 20 gold coins. He is not even close to the Count in terms of financial resources.

He would also be forced out of his position as a vendor if he intercepted any of the gifts. It is doubtful whether he will be able to continue to live in the city. Gerhard would also be held accountable, so there was no obligation to go along with him at all.

It was obvious to him, even without Gerhard’s rebuke, that he had to think about it for a while. It is not possible that a man who has become a supplier to the count’s family is so stupid that he does not understand.

The decorator understood this in his head. Even so, he was still haunted by regrets. If he let it go, he would never see it again.

It’s stupid, but I understand how you feel. Gerhard let out a big sigh and then said.

“I will tell the Count who made this scabbard. Let that be enough for this time.”

This was a great honor, and if he liked it, it would lead to the next big job. In some cases, it might even be possible to move the workshop to the castle.

“Thank you……”

Even after being offered such favorable terms, the decorator’s unfulfilled desire did not seem to disappear, and he glanced back and forth three times before leaving Gerhard’s room.

A work of art that fascinates people is indeed a formidable thing.

Gerhard pulls out his Demon Wailing Sword and lays it down on the ceremonial table. Behind him was a nervous-looking Jocel. This time he was allowed to observe because it had no effect to corrode the spirit.

“Master, have you decided on the technique to apply to the sword?”

“Yes, I shall clothe it in wind magic.”

“Do you want it to be an attribute sword?”

“With this, we can reduce the weight and improve the sharpness at the same time. If it were a normal sword, both would be half-baked, but if it’s this demon wailing sword… fu, fu…”

With a mysterious light in his eyes, Gerhard began his work.

Large gemstones were generously arranged, and mercury was poured into the ritual table. Soon, the table began to pulse eerily, as if it had been brought to life.

This preparation alone would have cost about 50 gold coins.

“Master, aren’t you scared…?”

Jocel asked in a strained voice.

“What?”

“If you fail, this jewelry will be uselessly shattered, and the sword may crack. I can’t help but feel scared when I think about it.”

No exaggeration or anything, one jewelry piece can buy a life. How much pressure is there to put a large amount of such things on the line and take on the ritual?

“I’d rather not think about it.”

“That’s right…”

” I’m serious. I myself do not know the value of jewelry, but know that the moment a spellcaster holds it in his hand, it becomes a mere stone. Do not think about how much it is worth or what you can buy with it.”

Gerhard looked into the distance as if he was nostalgic for the old days.

“I don’t know how many times I made mistakes until I reached this age. I don’t even want to think about how much the total damage will be. …… Oops, looks like the ritual table is full of magic. Let’s not talk about this.”

Forcibly ending the conversation, Gerhard faced the ritual table. Jocel, too, held his breath and did not say a word.

Ancient characters are engraved on the blade according to the rhythm of the pulsation. The letters, which had been successfully infused with magic power, emitted a faint, faint light.

By the time he had spent three hours carving the letters, Gerhard’s gray hair had absorbed plenty of sweat.

“Really, I was nervous even though I was saying something bossy.”

Gerhard said, breathing heavily. His expression showed fatigue and a certain satisfaction.

“It’s wonderful, master.”

“Oh, thank you.”

The sword glowed a light green with wind magic in its blade.

The limit for an ordinary sword is two characters, and even a karmic sword can only engrave three or four characters, and if more magic power is forced into the sword, the blade will not be able to withstand it and will crack. That is how this sword endured up to five ancient characters.

The greater the number of characters, the greater the magical power.

The sword was telling me that I could still do it, that I wasn’t at my limit yet, and I just had to push myself. It was such a great success that I couldn’t have asked for more.

“Now let’s try it out in the courtyard.”

Gerhard grabbed the demon wailing sword and stood up with a wobbly, dangerous gait.

“Master, wouldn’t it be better if you could rest for a while?”

“Well, if you think about it in common sense, it’s totally true, but I’m completely excited. I can’t sleep until I check the finish of this sword.”

After saying that, he went out into the corridor.

“Master! The scabbard, you forgot the scabbard! Do not carry a sword without it in the corridors of the castle!”

Jocel grabbed the scabbard and rushed after him, and Gerhard said,

“Oh……”

He received the sheath with a vague and ambiguous reply, as if he understood.

I wonder if he’s really half-asleep. With such uneasiness, Jocel also followed.

Jocel’s concerns were unfounded.

When Gerhard pulled out his sword in the courtyard, his spine straightened and his eyes sharpened. He gives off chills just by being around him.

Slowly swing up and slash down.

A sound like the wind being torn apart resounded. The sound alone gave me an idea of just how fierce the sharpness of the blade would be. I definitely don’t want to face that sword.

If that blow were to be blocked with a sword, if it wasn’t a great deal, the whole sword would surely be slashed and the head would be smashed open.

Every time it is shaken twice or thrice, the wind wails. To the owner, it will sound like a blessing, and to the adversary, it will sound like the trumpet of the Grim Reaper.

Nodding his head in agreement, Gerhard put his sword away.

“Jocel, would you like to try your hand at swinging the sword?”

“Are you sure, this is a tribute to the Count…”

“I haven’t presented it yet. Now I can claim it’s a test. Perks, perks.”

Jocel gratefully accepted the sword that was offered to him with a smile.

How could he not want to swing it? He is a knight as well as an apprentice spellcaster. Because he was a knight, he had some reservations about his lord, but he was curious about the new weapon.

“A sword is basically something that you hold with both hands. You can swing it as you like.”

He swung up and down, mimicking Gerhard’s stance. The wind danced in response to his spirited blow. However, compared to the sound Gerhardt made, it seemed to be slightly dull.

He tilted his head and took about ten bare steps, and then Gerhard called for him to wait.

“Leave it at that. It would be a disservice to the Count to have the sweat of our hands soaking through the hilt.”

“… I can’t make the same sound as you, master.”

Jocel’s face was contorted in frustration.

“It seems to make a different sound depending on how it is swung, or rather how it cuts the wind. It is a very interesting sword. You don’t even know how to swing a sword properly. It is only natural that it should be this way.”

“Master, could you let me swing it just a little more?”

“No. If you do this any more, you won’t be able to stay away from the sword. Or you will run away with the sword, leaving your wife and children behind.”

“…No, I seek power to protect my master and my family.”

“Then give it up… Don’t make that tearful face. Someday, I will ask Lutz to make a sword for me and you someday. We will not take someone else’s sword, but we will tell him what kind of sword we want, and he will make it exclusively for us.”

“Good, that’s very nice.”

It can’t be helped if a teacher says this. Instinctively, Jocel returned the demon wailing sword to Gerhard.

“But I will not enchant your sword.”

“Huh?”

“You will do it yourself. You will train as an adjunct spellcaster, and when you are confident, you can carve the incantation on your own sword.”

“Yes, I will do my best!”

Gerhard looked warmly at Jocel, who bowed deeply, and nodded his head repeatedly.

I have nothing but gratitude for that bastard with the worst naming sense who not only gave me a present, but also lit a fire in my disciple’s motivation.

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