Chapter 663: Locked Away

“Then we’ll test the final improved Holy Droplets.”

“Understood. Please be careful.”

I understood why Lionel said that. What would happen if the blade became even sharper than Mythical class? It could probably sever a hand effortlessly and without a sound.

I applied the potion even more carefully than before. As a precaution, I had asked Lady Fabienne and Nero to stand back.

As I thoroughly washed the steel sword with the improved Holy Droplets, the blade gradually began to glow. Its radiance intensified until it finally shone gold.

This was no longer a steel sword. It was a golden sword. I had finally reached the pinnacle of alchemy.

Naturally, it was not made from real gold. Probably.

“Divine Artifact… Divine Artifact class.”

“Divine Artifact…”

Lady Fabienne’s murmur was followed by another silence. This must never leave the estate. The brilliantly shining blade practically said so. Presumably, sheathing it would at least conceal its radiance.

“Lord Julius, you’ve created yet another outrageous object.”

“I agree. We should forbid the use of improved Holy Droplets.”

“I believe that would be wise.”

Lady Fabienne and everyone else seemed to agree. Not a single person objected.

Fortunately, we had used an entire bottle of improved Holy Droplets on each sword, so none remained. Unless we made more, this was the end.

“I’m glad we didn’t teach the other magic pharmacists how to make them.”

“Yes. Perhaps out of consideration, none of them even came to watch.”

“Then the swords here are the only ones that exist.”

We had created five blades that would cause serious trouble if revealed to the world. A Near-Legendary sword might just barely be safe for daily use.

Yes, and since we might make more someday, we should have someone use it.

“Could the deputy commander use the Near-Legendary sword?”

“That would be an immense honour, but are you certain?”

“Lionel already has a remarkable sword. I thought the deputy commander ought to carry an exceptional blade as well.”

Every piece of equipment used by the House Heine territorial knights was first-rate. None of the knights should be dissatisfied, but the people leading them ought to wield equipment of an even higher grade.

That would give everyone a goal and encourage them to work even harder.

“An excellent idea. Letting such a sword languish unused would be wasteful, and finding a superior blade would be difficult.”

Lionel immediately understood and supported my reasoning. His expression showed slight admiration. He could have looked much more impressed, you know.

“Thank you. I shall treasure it.”

I handed the Near-Legendary steel sword to the solemn deputy commander. The fact that it had begun as an ordinary steel sword bothered me, but its sharpness was genuine, so that was fine.

…Should I eventually replace it with a similarly enhanced sword bearing appropriate decorations? Having it look exactly like the swords used by every other knight might be a problem. Hmm.

“Lord Julius, you should keep the sword that became a Divine Artifact.”

“Yes, I suppose I should. Shall we at least test its sharpness?”

“Shall… we?”

Lionel hesitated. Perhaps he wanted to see its sharpness but feared he would be unable to sleep afterwards. Surely not.

“Would you like to see it, Lady Fabienne?”

“I would, but I fear I may be unable to sleep tonight after watching.”

Lady Fabienne smiled wryly. So I had been right. The shock might keep us awake.

Still, we could not use it for the first time during a real emergency. We decided to test it once. A straw dummy was prepared, and I stood before it.

Naturally, I would perform this test because I would be keeping the sword.

“Here I go.”

I exhaled, then swung the sword in one fluid motion without applying force.

I felt no impact, yet the straw dummy had been cut diagonally.

“Oh…”

A murmur spread through the crowd, but this was not the end. With that thought, I approached the dummy.

Hmm. The straw had not been crushed. If I set the upper half back in place, would it reattach itself? Guided by that strange certainty, I gently joined the two halves.

“Did… did it reattach?”

“Yes. It did. Perhaps the straw dummy itself didn’t even notice it had been cut.”

Quiet exclamations of wonder escaped around us. Perhaps everyone understood that making a commotion would be dangerous. I agreed. This was something that must never leave the estate.

I quickly exchanged glances with Lionel and the deputy commander. Both nodded in understanding.

“Everyone, listen carefully. I’m sure you understand, but I shall say it regardless: never reveal anything you witnessed here.”

“And don’t tell the servants or gardeners either. This is far too serious.”

“Understood. We promise.”

The knights nodded as though it were obvious. I was deeply grateful. The secret was unlikely to leak.

“What shall we do if anyone breaks that promise?”

Lionel glanced at me. Hmm. If that happened, we would probably have to give up.

“We’ll make the offender drink an unimproved magic potion.”

I had intended it as a small joke, but every expression vanished from the knights’ faces. Did they hate the potions that much? This threat appeared remarkably effective.