Chapter 53: The Sun in Your Hands

“Listil-chan, she’s fine, isn’t it?”

“……what?”

This is Patrick’s decoration workshop.

Patrick had to receive the sword from Lutz before he could do anything, and Gerhard had to receive the sword from Patrick after it had been decorated before he could do anything. Gerhard could make some preparations, but once he was done with that, he was still too lazy to do anything.

However, this job was related to the future of the country, and he could not just take another job because he was not busy.

He had come to check on his friend, who was also probably spending some free time, but then Gerhard wanted to leave as soon as possible.

“I love to see a little girl standing tall as best she can. A single rose blooming in her heart is drenched with love. The important thing here is the word “tall”. It’s totally different from a cocky kid being arrogant. I think there are nutrients that can only be taken from a cute little girl who is trying her best to stand tall. And since she is a noble person, the taste is twice as delicious.”

Patrick said, writhing in ecstasy.

It seems like I understand what this middle-aged man is saying, but I still don’t understand at all.

“You know, it’s a little late for that, but we’re dealing with Her Royal Highness the Princess. You don’t know who might be listening, so watch your language.”

“Well, didn’t you think, Gerhard, that you’d like to have her as your grandchild and you want to pet her and give her some pocket money.”

“I don’t know, I won’t say, but…”

“Right!?”

What was he excited about, Patrick leaned over the table and came gingerly up to his face.

“Yeah, calm down. I also agree that I want Listil-sama to be happy. That’s the only thing.”

“That’s right, as long as we’re involved, we have to make sure they have a happy ending. Enjoying the crying faces is only part of the way through.”

Then Gerhard was seriously wondering if he should turn this guy in for treason.

“Patrick, let me cut to the chase. Have you decided on the design for the engraving on the scabbard?”

“Of course. I’m thinking of using a dragon flying towards the sun as a motif. After that, I’ll adjust it after seeing Lutz’s sword.”

“… work is fast”

“To put it bluntly, you can have no trouble finding weapon decorations as long as you rotate between dragons, tigers, lions, and phoenixes.”

“Don’t they ask you to draw the Messiah of the Crucifixion?”

“I wonder what it’s like to draw the image of the Messiah as a tool to kill people. If I offend the church, I could be crucified, though no one would be saved. The crucifixion is just barely safe, close to out of the question.”

“One of these days, the bishop will ask me for a ceremonial sword.”

“Wow, that’s a pain in the ass. ……”

I didn’t really want to do church-related work. They were nagging me and not paying me well, and in some cases, they might tell give me no money taking it as a donation or as a service.

With a tap, there was a modest knock on the door.

“Master, swordsmith Lutz-sama is here.”

It was the voice of a disciple.

Oh, and then Gerhard and Patrick look at each other. There could only be one business for Lutz to come at this time. Patrick answered in a bouncy voice.

“It’s okay, I was just inside!”

The door opened and Lutz bowed his head, saying it had been a while, and as expected, a magnificent sword was in his hand.

“Wow, Lutz-san. You brought my lover here!”

“… If anything, this guy is a boy.”

“I don’t care, I still want to be held!”

Patrick ran to Lutz with the speed of a mouse and received the sword. He was surprised by the unexpected weight, but managed to avoid dropping it.

“So Gerhard-san is here too.”

“I’m not busy.”

“I will also be free for a while from now on.”

The sword has been completed, but until the peace talks are over, we don’t know what will happen, so we need to wait. Whatever work is to be done, it must be something simple that can be interrupted at any time.

Crafting swords is something else.

“There is a difference between being free after work and being free from work.”

“Sure, I’m at ease now.”

The two gave a wry smile.

Patrick seems to have managed to pull the blade out of its scabbard even though he struggled.

“It’s so thick, it’s magnificent! If the soldiers see a big strong man wielding such a thing on the battlefield, they will all fall in love with it, and the tent will be in chaos that night!”

“All humans are brothers, right?”

Two idiots laughing, and then Gerhard in dismay. After a round of laughter, Lutz tightened his expression and said.

“It would be better not to swing this sword.

Lutz talked about when he tried swinging it.

I continued to swing the sword, which was clearly too heavy, beyond the limit. I was in high spirits and felt like I could do anything. I don’t know what would have happened to me if Claudia hadn’t spoken to me.

“Actually, I finished it three days ago, but I rested until the pain in my arm subsided.”

It was a frightening story, but no one here was afraid. Patrick’s eyes lit up, and then Gerhard stroked his chin with interest and groaned.

“It looks like the camellia before the enchantment was placed on it.”

“Whether it’s self-harm or fighting, it’s certainly true in terms of forcing something on the wielder.”

Neither is there any magic involved. In other words, the beauty and power of the sword is so great that the wielder is under an illusion.

I want to be cut down. I feel more and more power. All such things are false.

A work of art that even affects the human psyche. The workmanship is impeccable.

……In other words, if you fail, it’s not the sword’s fault, it’s my fault.

At the same time as praising the sword, Gerhard felt anxious and burdened.

“We have to change the design to match the sword. The sun will shine brighter, and the dragon will be much more muscular and macho! The theme is that power is power!”

Patrick became engrossed and looked at the sword from different angles. Eventually he calmed down and regained a serious expression.

“…… Sorry, you two, but you’re going to have to leave now. I’m going to start working on it now.”

Gerhard was a little miffed at being asked to leave, but quickly reconsidered. If a craftsman is so eager to create, it would be impolite to stay where he is.

Compared to Lutz who escaped during the meeting with the princess the other day, it’s nothing to be told to go home because he’s busy.

Making good things is the only courtesy of a craftsman.

“We’re counting on you.”

With that said, Gerhard stood up, and Lutz followed suit after bowing his head with a peculiar bow toward Patrick.

Just as he put his hand on the door, Gerhard turned around.

“Patrick, don’t swing the sword.”

He reminded him.

Among them, Patrick is the only one who does not know the horror of having his mind manipulated by a famous sword. In a way, it can be said that only he is insane from the beginning.

“Oh no, Mr. Gerhard. I fully understand the horror of this sword. I will not swing it carelessly.”

“Never. Don’t ever swing it.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll make sure your disciples know that.”

“Gerhard-san, you’re being a pain in the ass.”

“Mm, that’s right. I’m sorry.”

I was still not convinced, but once I was told that much, I had no choice but to leave. This is a stranger’s house.

In just one week, Patrick completed the scabbard, hilt, brim, and other fittings. The sword hilt is made by wrapping the handle with thread, which Lutz had taught him in advance. He mastered it in just one day, and Lutz was so impressed with his skills that he was depressed.

The engraving on the scabbard is particularly impressive, depicting a blazing sun in a long narrow scabbard and a vicious dragon plotting to take possession of it. It is as if there is a world inside the sheath.

It was a masterpiece that later made the name of the decorator Patrick known throughout the world.

And now Patrick was being held down by some of his disciples in the courtyard. He holds a sword firmly in his right hand.

It seems that it was only a dislocation of the shoulder.

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