Kays Translations

Chapter 68: Laying the Groundwork

Claudia left the letter with the postman.

The reward was several times the market price for a nobleman's services, and a beautiful woman was also making the request. The delivery man, who had been lying around with nothing better to do, jumped out of bed.

Claudia handed over a large amount of gratuity to the receptionist, who was burning with greed and mission, and left the store.

… I can't trust people who react like that.

They will work hard for the money they receive. On the other hand, if someone is underbidding you, he or she may only do a lousy job.

That's fine, Claudia thought. You are only a professional if you are honest with your money.

It's a delicious job. And if you do this job well, they may become our clients. They will think so.

Would the count have ordered his knights to deliver the letter in such a situation? Claudia was the wife of a blacksmith in his employ, and although she might have been able to move a low-ranking knight if she had told him what was going on, she had no desire to go to the knight station.

They can't be trusted. Even if it cost some money, Claudia tried to find a private contractor whom she could trust.

A female merchant who hated knights became a member of a noble family, and her husband, whom she fell in love with from the bottom of her heart, was knighted. It sounds like a bad joke.

Scratching her head, Claudia headed to the blacksmith Oliver's workshop next.

Oliver politely welcomed Claudia with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety on his face. He had asked to learn how to make a katana, and she must have come to tell him the result of that request.

"... There's a line that I've wanted to use for a long time."

Claudia said with a mischievous smile.

"Which do you want to hear first, the good news or the bad news?"

It's just irritating to hear her talk like this when I'm in such a hurry to get an answer as soon as possible, but if I hit Claudia at this point, everything would be ruined.

"... then the good news."

“Lutz, the count's sword smith, has decided to open his sword-making process to all the masters in the city.”

"Eh, to everyone?"

"Oh, aren't you glad?"

"I'm glad you're teaching me how to make swords. I'm very happy. I could lick your feet right here. But I also think you should have taught me in secret instead of making it such a big deal.”

“We have our own positions to consider.”

"Position, huh..."

Oliver leaned his weight against the backrest and pondered.

"I can't favor only one person.. In the first place, is there no need to patronize him?」

Lutz didn't want Oliver's skills. That makes him a little sad.

"It's not that you don’t want to sell me a favor, but you want to sell it to the Count."

"Thank you for your understanding."

We want to turn Count Zander's territory into a katana production center. Oliver seemed to read this intention immediately.

I am sorry to compare the two, but Lutz is not as good as his aged masters in terms of being able to see what is going on in the world.

“Teaching it for free will lead to trouble later on, so you want to make it look like you are reluctantly teaching for the Count's sake.”

"There is nothing more difficult to falsify than the heart of a person who says, "Last time you gave me a freebie, and I favored that person.”

Oliver only smiled, as if he had a good idea of what she was talking about. He could not say that the masters in his profession were men of character. Of course, that included himself.

"I understand what you're talking about. On behalf of the masters, I'd like to say thank you, thank you sister. So, I don't want to hear it, but what's the bad news?"

“I have arranged for a fast horse today. It will take at least two weeks to get there and back because we have to get permission from the Count in the capital. Also, I don't think it will happen, but if the Count says no, this project itself will be canceled.”

"Two weeks!?"

It would take too much time. This was very inconvenient for Oliver. It had already been almost half a month since he had boldly told his benefactor, a wealthy merchant, that he would show him how to make a katana in a month.

I would really like to know now if I could.

“To be precise, it will take about 20 days from the time we receive the Count's reply to the time we will notify the masters and make preparations for the public production.”

"I'm in trouble, that's too long! Can't we do it faster? For example, using a homing pigeon!"

"It would be rude to ask the Count. The pigeons are in danger of being attacked by crows, and there is a lack of certainty."

Claudia was taken aback but did not blame him.  Oliver must have just blurted out something strange after being in a hurry.

This man seems to have such a bad habit. I suspect that this is one of the reasons why he could not become a blacksmith in his own right.

“After arranging flattering words and seasonal greetings on the parchment, and sealing the main text on it, we finally have the appearance to present it to the Count.”

"Well, that's right, but..."

"I think it's a great accomplishment that you are on track to make the katana. To be honest, I'm sure Lawrence-san will be convinced."

Oliver frowned and stared at Claudia, who had a bright and charming smile on her face.

I really hate her.

Oliver has never mentioned Lawrence's name in this setting. He has not spoken of the relationship as a friend, benefactor, and older brother who has taken care of him in some way since he was young.

In other words, Claudia would have been looking into Oliver's social circle before coming here. He wasn't hiding anything in particular, so it wouldn't have taken much trouble to find out, but even so, it's too early for that.

I guess the reason she mentioned Lawrence's name was to nail him to the wall and tell him not to do anything unnecessary. Oliver does not want Lawrence to be in trouble or to tell on him.

It seems we have no choice but to follow Claudia's plan. At the very least, the benefits of doing so are substantial. There was no dissatisfaction except for the point that it could not be monopolized. On the other hand, Claudia has no obligation to do things according to Oliver's convenience.

“All right, all right. I give up, sister. I'll wait with my fingers crossed and behave myself with the old masters. I won't move around without your permission, I promise. Just ......."

"What is it?"

“I wondered if there were any deals available just for me, given that I was the first one to visit Lutz's workshop."

He was a brazen man to no end. Claudia looked at him as if she were looking at a wild goose on the side of the road, but on the other hand, the merchant part of her liked this kind of brazenness.

There is nothing respectable about him as a person, but he is interesting to deal with.

Claudia nodded with a smile.

“After receiving the Count's reply, I will leave it to Oliver-san to notify the masters. I think it would be best if you tell them that I have given the orders to the masters."

"I'll be able to sell my gratitude to the masters a little bit. I'll be able to speak out more."

"That's what I mean."

There is no doubt that Oliver's visit to Lutz's workshop was what led to the discussion of the technical disclosure. Also, since he was the first to visit, is it safe to assume that he somehow holds Lutz in the highest regard among the master group?

It is convenient for Claudia to have someone who can serve as a point of contact for the master group.

Claudia just said that she would come again and left the workshop.

Left alone in the reception room, Oliver let out a loud sigh.

It's not perfect, but everything is fine. I am grateful to Lutz and Claudia, but there is absolutely no reason to hold a grudge.

And yet, I still feel that way. It is my own irrepressible nature.

"I wanted to look cool in front of him..."

Big words are only meaningful if they are fulfilled. That was the only regret I had.

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