Chapter 246

Kays Translations

Just another Isekai Lover~

Chapter 246: The Honor of a Craftsman

“I can’t say I don’t understand what Patrick is saying,”

In the fully masculine atmosphere of the second floor, Gerhardt said while carefully examining the blade.

“Gerhardt-san, do you also find this sword erotic…?”

With a face that said he found it unexpected, Lutz asked.

“Lutz-dono, your choice of words… your choice of words… Let’s say it has charm, shall we?”

“In that case, I understand.”

Beautiful arms and armor sometimes exude a strange allure. Although not as extreme as Patrick, Lutz also acknowledged this.

Swords, armor, and kitchen knives. It was hard to put into words why tools for killing could captivate people so beautifully.

“When I look at this sword, I remember when I first met ‘Tsubaki’. At that time, I was at my wit’s end because I couldn’t find good weapons…”

In the past, even carving three ancient characters was a struggle. But now, it was possible to carve four or five characters, and he even presented a sword to the king. Gerhardt had a nostalgic look on his face as he thought about how far he had come.

“…I remembered. It all started when Ricardo criticized my magic sword. It’s starting to irritate me. I think I’ll go punch him for a bit.”

Gerhardt narrowed his eyes and started saying dangerous things. Ricardo, who wasn’t present, was completely to blame.

“Did Ricardo really say such a thing?”

Lutz asked curiously. Ricardo and Gerhardt were both employed by the count’s family, but Gerhardt, who was equivalent to a baron, was in a much higher position. Lutz couldn’t imagine Ricardo, who had at least some common sense despite being an adventurer, directly complaining face to face.

“I wonder… Oh, now I remember. He didn’t really say anything. That guy just made a bored face the moment he drew his sword.”

“Isn’t that fine, though?”

“No, it’s not fine at all! Listen, Lutz-dono, and you too, Patrick! It’s the worst insult to the craftsmen who prepared it to show dissatisfaction with the reward or gift!”

“I guess that’s what it is.”

Why act as if it’s someone else’s problem? I suppose Lutz, not wanting to be seen as producing mediocre work and disappointing, went all the way to the capital just to have direct conversations with each knight commander. He even asked Marquis Eldenburger to mediate. Normally, one wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“That’s true, but…”

Ordinary blacksmiths do not have connections with great aristocrats such as marquises. No matter how you look at it, Lutz’s actions were unusual.

“You know, you know. Don’t try to argue with me. Denying a reward or gift is a matter of life and death for a craftsman; it’s a battle for honor!”

Gerhardt spoke passionately, waving his fist. Lutz, Patrick, and Claudia could only remain silent and wait for him to continue. It would only complicate things further to interfere at a time like this.

“Fortunately, he only frowned for a moment, and the count didn’t seem to notice, but I seriously considered cutting him down on the spot out of anger and humiliation!”

Lutz agreed that Gerhardt seemed to have a subtle grudge against Ricardo. In short, it was partly venting.

“Well, after that, through Josel, I received Lutz-dono’s sword and Tsubaki was completed. But when Ricardo drew Tsubaki in the audience hall… His panic was priceless! It was a masterpiece! It was so hard to hold back laughter at that moment… Bwahahaha!”

Gerhardt laughed heartily, shaking his white beard. He was a busy old man, alternating between anger and laughter.

Lutz remembered when Ricardo came to engrave the name on Tsubaki. He had a disgruntled expression, not only because he had tasted the dreadfulness of Tsubaki, but also because he had been manipulated by these eccentric people.

…Ricardo, I’m sorry for thinking you were just a rude guy when we first met. You’d make that face too right after being involved with these people, it can’t be helped.

Lutz apologized to his friend in his heart, then asked the suspicious person who continued laughing.

“So, who’s taking it home today?”

“Who’s taking it? What do you mean?”

“The sword, of course. Are we doing the decorations first, or finishing the enchantments?”

“Yes!” Patrick raised his hand energetically, as if piercing the sky.

“Yes, yes, yes! I’ll take it home!”

“Well, it would be better to do the enchantment first.”

Gerhardt advised Patrick, whose tension was exploding.

“Why!?”

“Because there’s a possibility of failure in enchantment. And there’s also a risk of damaging the handle during disassembly. It’s better to do the decoration last.”

“But Gerhardt-san, you wouldn’t fail, right?”

“It’s precisely that kind of complacency that’s most frightening.”

“Don’t be complacent.” To Lutz, it seemed like the theme of this job. Seeing Gerhardt’s point, he decided to entrust the new sword to him.

“Ugh… then at least let me meet Kyoka-chan today. That will calm my heart…”

Unable to refuse the pitiful plea of the middle-aged man, Lutz handed over his beloved sword, “Kyoka suigetsu”.

Patrick took a deep breath before pulling the blade from its sheath.

“Phew, ahh… That’s good, that’s really good. Looking at a famous sword really calms you down. …Oh, I’m starting to feel excited. No, no, I’m falling in love.”

Patrick’s pupils dilated. Lutz, accustomed to this, took the sword from Patrick’s hands.

“Aww.”

“Okay, Patrick-san, that’s enough with the sword.”

“At least for another eight hours…”

“That’s too long!”

Lutz sheathed Kyoka suggetsu and placed it out of Patrick’s reach.

“I’ll give it to you as soon as the enchantment is done, so don’t be so down.”

Gerhardt comforted him, and Patrick nodded faintly.

“I’m counting on you, please. Let me keep my calm!”

“It’s already long past its expiration date.”

With such foolish banter exchanged between the two craftsmen, they were finally driven out, and peace returned to Lutz’s workshop.

Taking a deep breath, Lutz turned to Claudia.