Kays Translations

Chapter 479: Repairing the Holy Sword

No one remained in the weapons workshop. The furnace was still burning, which suggested that the craftsmen had been driven out only moments earlier.

I felt rather guilty. We could have waited until they had finished their work.

Feeling a little apologetic, I inspected the materials laid out on the table. Both the Gravid Crystal and the Azure Silver appeared to be of satisfactory quality.

I picked up the Holy Sword that had been moved into the workshop. It was heavy—far heavier than anything I had ever felt in the game.

“I think the repair will take some time. I’ll send for you when it’s finished, so please feel free to do something else in the meantime. Besides… being watched the entire time is rather unsettling.”

“Understood. Then we’ll have tea in the room nearby.”

“Princess Sophia, could you show us the way?”

“Y-Yes, of course.”

Princess Sophia continued glancing at me. She seemed intensely curious. Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela understood me to some extent, but Princess Sophia did not.

At present, Princess Sophia probably saw me only as a child who could compound magic potions. She likely had no idea that I also made magic tools and everyday necessities. It was understandable that she would be concerned.

“It’s all right, Princess Sophia. I make magic tools for the Heine Trading Company, after all. I’m quite skilled with a hammer.”

“I-I see…”

She still looked unconvinced, but she left with Sister-in-law Daniela. Only the researchers remained in the workshop with me. Nero and Lionel, of course, were waiting just outside.

I wished I could have brought them inside too, but the Holy Sword was a state secret. No matter how much I wanted to call them in, I could not. Brother Alex would surely explain the situation tactfully, but I still felt rather bad about it.

No, no. I needed to concentrate and begin. The researchers looked idle, so I decided to put them to work. Being able to say that they had helped repair the Holy Sword would be good for their careers, and it would improve their opinion of me. The more allies I had, the better.

“I’d like this Gravid Crystal ground into powder. Could you help me?”

“Gladly!”

“Just say the word!”

Hmm. They already seemed remarkably eager to help. I could entrust the task to them with confidence.

From what I had heard, they all knew at least elementary magic. That was fortunate. I would have them use fire magic to help me reforge the Holy Sword.

First, I made a rough mould for the Holy Sword and placed the broken blade inside, ensuring that all the fragments fitted perfectly. I then had the researchers direct fire magic at the damaged section from both sides. At the same time, I gripped the hilt and infused the sword with mana.

After a while, the metal finally began to change. The broken sections started fusing together, and the researchers let out quiet cheers. They probably wanted to make far more noise, but I could tell that they were restraining themselves. I heard them exchanging high-fives behind me. It was a little distracting.

From there, we moved on to the anvil. I had them stop directing fire magic at the blade and use it to melt the Azure Silver instead.

While the researchers melted the Azure Silver, I hammered the sword.

I repeatedly heated the sword with fire magic while infusing it with mana, hammering it back into its original form. With my Craft skill, the work was easy. I was truly glad to have it.

After shaping came polishing. I used the finest whetstone in the workshop. It appeared to be a diamond whetstone, and I managed to complete the job with it. Orichalcum was every bit as tough as expected. Ordinarily, it would have required a specialised whetstone, so I was fortunate that this one worked.

I had thought I might need to use my Laboratory skill for the finishing work, but now that would not be necessary.

Once the sword’s shape had been restored, the next step was rewriting the magic formula. I mixed powdered Gravid Crystal into the molten Azure Silver. While I worked, the researchers examined the restored Holy Sword and lavished praise upon it.

I stirred the mixture while channelling mana into it. Before long, it became a thick black ink. Once the researchers had calmed down, we began restoring the magic formula. Naturally, I had them help me.

They traced the faded sections while I rewrote the missing ones. Everyone worked in silence.

The special ink used for magic formulas was extremely difficult to handle and did not spread easily. As a result, restoring the formula took a considerable amount of time.

Nevertheless, we somehow managed to finish that same day.

“That completes the repair.”

“Julius-sama, I don’t mean to doubt you, but… has it truly been restored to its original state?”

“It certainly looks exactly as it did before… No, it may be even more beautiful now…”

The researchers still seemed only half convinced. I understood. The last time the Holy Sword had been drawn, it had apparently failed to deal a decisive blow to the Bone Dragon. If it failed again, their heads might roll. That would be terrible.

“In that case, why don’t we test it?”

“Eh?”

I turned the narrow ring at the base of the hilt. It served as a safety lock for the Holy Sword. Without one, the weapon would be far too dangerous to carry. Walking through a town while radiating holy light capable of erasing evil would cause an enormous nuisance.

Light burst from the Holy Sword. The black lines turned gold, and the glow intensified. As I poured mana into it, the light became brighter and more powerful.

“Th-This is its true power!”

“Incredible! What a comforting light!”

“Ooooh… Divine one…”

“That isn’t what this is.”

With a soft whoosh, the light vanished. I had simply turned the ring back and re-engaged the safety lock.

The researchers stood stunned. One of them had actually been about to kneel and offer me a prayer. That was close.

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