Chapter 54 – A Crazy and Unusual Plan

A famous sword and a large jewel placed on the ceremonial table.

In front of them, Gerhardt crossed his arms and stared at them. Everything was ready for the ritual. But he could not move.

The image of a successful enchantment does not arise at all.

I can’t do it, but I have to do it. I haven’t felt this kind of frustration since I made camellia.

At the time, I knew I could get away with having an arsenal of inspiration. The situation is even worse now. I don’t even know what I need to do to make a light attribute sword with five ancient characters carved in it.

Are there any complaints about the sword or any imperfections in the engraving? No such thing. They did the best job they could.

He ordered the influential merchants in the Count’s territory to search for high-purity, large-sized gems, but no matter how much he collected, he was unable to find anything he was satisfied with.

I tried using a different metal or mallet, but this proved to be completely useless. Familiar tools are the best.

What to do, what to do. Or was it impossible from the beginning? Time is passing in vain, and my frustration is growing.

There was no chance of success, but let’s give it a shot. Such a desire for ruin began to flicker in my mind.

It is not enough just to engrave ancient characters. It must be filled with magical power. When it comes to imparting the light attribute, the amount of magic power required is also incomparable.

Do I still need a bigger gem? However, is there anything more than what I have prepared now?

Thoughts went round and round.

“Master, may I ask you something?”

Jocel said from behind me, with reserve.

“……What?”

He did not want to be spoken to when he was struggling to see a way out. Trying to control his grumpiness, Gerhard asked in an uncontrollable voice.

Jocel was hesitant and faltering even though he had initiated the conversation. When Gerhard stared at him, he finally opened his mouth.

“I can think of one big gem.”

“…… you?”

What is this guy talking about?” was my honest impression. Gerhard, in the name of the Count, ordered the merchants to collect the gems, but they could not get anything satisfactory.

How could a mere knight, though of high rank, a baronet, a man who is somewhere between a noble and a commoner, be able to prepare a large jewel?

I thought it was just a bad joke. As I wondered if I should keep this thing away until the enchantment was over, a question came to my mind.

Jocel did not say he could prepare, he said he had an idea.

“Let me ask you, what is the name of that gem?”

“… the eye of the supreme king.”

Jocel replied in a voice that sounded like he was aware that he was talking nonsense.

Isn’t that a gift given by a barbarian nation to a kingdom at a signing ceremony? It is far beyond the bounds of common sense to use the eyes of the High King for the sword that will be the gift in return.

On the other hand, Gerhard was simulating the enchantment spell in his brain if he used the Eye of the High King.

Place a huge pink diamond in the center of the ritual table as the core. Place the large gems you have collected so far around it and channel the magic power into the sword. Or, if we don’t make a mistake in adjusting the amount of mercury that serves as the medium.

……Isn’t it possible?

The eye of the High King and Lutz’s powerful sword will withstand the enormous torrent of magical power that is the imparting of the light attribute.

……Isn’t it possible after all?

A dangerous glint in Gerhard’s eyes made Jocel uneasy. He wondered if he was serious, even though he had said so himself.

“……let’s do it”

Gerhard muttered quietly, and Jocel shuddered.

If things go wrong, it will become an international problem. As a mere knight of a count’s family, I could easily be crushed. I would like to avoid that, even though my second child has just been born.

But was there any other way? I guess I couldn’t think of anything, which is why I just said it out loud.

If he had kept quiet, at least the damage to Jocel personally would have been minimal, but his loyalty to the Count and his mentor would not allow it.

If this happens, I have no choice but to support Gerhard with all my might.

“Jocel, go and ask the people involved with the famous sword to meet at the workshop tomorrow at noon.”

“What do you mean, “the people involved?”

“A stupid couple, a perverted decorator, and a senile hero. And you and me, by the way.”

So I did not ask who they were. I am sorry, but I can clearly picture each name and face.

Gerhard called out to Jocel, who stood up thinking that he would do anything, even running errands.

“Oh, and Jocel.”

“Yes”

“Thank you, thanks to you I can see hope”

I’ve been involved in trouble many times, but this is the reason why I can’t leave.

…… You are a cunning man.

Muttering this, Jocel left the workshop.

The next day, all the people Gerhard had designated gathered at the workshop. As expected, it was a bit cramped with six people. After confirming that everyone had gathered, Gerhard looked around the workshop and then began his explanation.

In order to make a five-character sword with a light attribute, the eye of the High King is required. For this purpose, it is necessary to accompany the signing ceremony and work on the spot.

He must persuade the Count, and from the Count he must persuade the Marquis, and from the Marquis he must persuade His Majesty the King.

After I finished explaining the process, the look that gathered on Gerhard’s face was still, ‘What is this guy talking about?.

“What would you do if someone objected?”

Patrick shook his head.

“Then I’ll say, ‘I can’t do the sword, please prepare another gift.'”

Gerhardt said half-heartedly.

“In the first place, it was the Marquess of Eldenberger’s idiotic decision to take a cheap shot at the project. We need him to take the initiative and cooperate.”

While talking, the spearhead of anger was directed at the Marquis. Yes, it’s all his fault.

“If he wanted to conduct diplomacy with swords, he should have brought along someone who was familiar with making weapons as an assistant. Because he was halfway knowledgeable, he went to the meeting with baseless confidence and was played by a young man called the second prince of the enemy. If he is defeated in a battle of wits while despising them as barbarians, he has nothing to look forward to!”

Jocel rushed to stop Gerhard from getting heated.

“Master, how about remarks that could be taken as criticism of the great nobles around here…”

“What do you mean, “Could be taken”? Yes, I am criticizing.”

“It’s his achievement that we didn’t have to hand over Her Royal Highness.”

“Hmm…”

Gerhard could not argue with that statement.

“Would you like one from me too?”

It was Claudia who said that and raised her hand. Unusually, there was a hint of irritation in her tone.

“I don’t know what your chances of success are, but if you fail, are you willing to give up the princess?”

“I will do no such thing. I don’t want to do it for two reasons: I want Her Highness to be happy, and I want to protect myself from any resentment that might arise if I treat her as if she were a prize in a bet. For these two reasons, I don’t want to do it. That is why I have gathered everyone here today.”

Everyone still couldn’t comprehend the situation.

“If you fail to create a sword, we will ask you to present us with your best swords. I’ll put the Wailing Sword, Camellia, Hitotetsu, Knight Killer, and Love Letter at the top of the list to convince the other party.”

The workshop was in turmoil. Ricardo, in particular, who knew nothing about the peace negotiations until now, was completely taken aback.

“Can’t we just take one gift at a time?”

Lutz asked.

“It’s supposed to be like that, but it’s not an absolute rule. In short, it’s fine if the other party agrees. There’s no one who can say they don’t want a sword when they are shown such a great sword.”

Patrick nodded and showed his agreement.

“The second prince was said to be emitting an aura of fondness when he was shown the wailing sword. If a harem of swords were lined up in front of him, his collector’s spirit would surely soar.”

“Oh, oh…”

It was still a strange expression, and it was hard to take.

“I see, I see. You say that if you want to save Listil-sama, you must also show your resolve. Very well, I will offer my beloved sword at that time, too.”

Claudia said, the corners of her mouth lifting. She seemed both anxious and somewhat amused.

“You’re sure, Clau?”

When Lutz asked, Claudia nodded slightly.

“It can’t be helped. Also, if the love letter reaches the barbarian country, the words of love will be known all over the continent.”

“…Let’s pray for Gerhard-san’s success.”

He was able to convince Claudia with this. Gerhard wasn’t too worried about her because she was someone you could understand just by talking to her.

Jocel will also be honest enough to offer it to us. The Count would not say no at this point in time. The problem is Ricardo.

He stroked the handle of the camellia with his fingertips, a nervous look on his face. “I don’t want to do this,” he said, expressing it with his whole body. If I push him too hard, he might pull out his sword right here and now.

It was Lutz who came to the rescue.

“Would you like to exclude Camellia?”

Ricardo’s face brightened. As expected of my friend Lutz, tell him.

“Why is it so?”

Gerhard makes a suspicious face.

“Only Camellia is too special. If the king of the other side cut off his head at the peace signing ceremony, we’ll have to wait for an all-out war.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just let it happen already, so there’s no aftermath?”

Gerhard says something outrageous. Then Jocel interrupted.

“No, absolutely not. Master, please suppress your vice of wanting to throw things away when they become troublesome, just for now.”

“Oi oi, that sounds harsh… Huh?”

I smiled and looked around, but no one came to help me.

The first stage of persuasion went off without a hitch, but it was a day that made me think about what it means to be popular.

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