Chapter 486: The Nostalgic Blacksmith

Tauro walked through the streets of Saisi at night.

Three years earlier, most shops would already have closed, leaving the streets dark and quiet. Now many businesses remained open well into the evening.

The continuing demand for mithril ore had brought such prosperity that people still crowded the streets after nightfall.

Because the territory was administered directly by the crown, revenue from the mine now flowed to the royal family.

Tauro didn’t know how much income it generated each year, but he found himself wondering whether the people of the former Saissi territory might actually be better off under the present arrangement.

Even puppet shows were being performed in the streets despite the late hour.

Overcome by nostalgia, Tauro stopped to watch one.

Come to think of it, there was a time when stories based on my adventures spread throughout the town.

He smiled wryly at the memory.

To divert attention from his unwanted fame, Tauro had popularized Reversi. Ironically, that success had brought him to the Royal Capital, where he met Mardai Garfish, Prime Minister Duke Barriera, and Prince Fleue, who later became a close friend despite the difference in their positions.

Life had taken many unexpected turns.

When he was still powerless and afraid of attracting influential enemies, Tauro had even created the fictitious craftsman Giro Sugar to keep attention away from himself.

Remembering those vulnerable days also reminded him how much support he had received from Leo, Mauve, Nei, and the other adventurers of Saisi.

As he passed the transformed buildings, a familiar corner drew his attention.

Tauro turned down the side street almost instinctively and found himself before a blacksmith’s shop.

It was Angus’s Blacksmith Shop.

Tauro owed a great deal to its dwarf owner.

Angus had taught him the fundamentals of blacksmithing and had forged the shortsword Tauro still carried.

The shop, however, had grown far larger and no longer resembled the modest smithy Tauro remembered.

“Angus-san rebuilt the entire place… That’s surprising.”

The change was understandable. Angus had become a renowned master craftsman whose weapons were sought even by the royal family.

Even so, Tauro had always imagined him hammering iron in the same rustic workshop. The grand new building left him feeling strangely wistful.

The storefront was closed, but light shone from the windows of the smithy behind it, and occasional laughter came from inside.

“That sounded like Angus-san…”

Curious, Tauro walked around to the yard and peered into the workshop.

Several young blacksmiths he didn’t recognize were talking and laughing while tidying the room.

Angus was nowhere in sight.

“The sign still says Angus’s Blacksmith Shop. Who are all these people?”

Tauro tilted his head.

“Who’s there? The shop is closed. Come back tomorrow.”

One of the young blacksmiths noticed him looking inside.

“Sorry. Is Angus-san here?” Tauro asked politely.

“Master Angus? Are you another person hoping to become his apprentice? He’s already gone to bed so he can rest for tomorrow. Besides, he isn’t accepting any more apprentices, so go home.”

The young men were apparently Angus’s current apprentices.

The others stopped cleaning and looked toward Tauro.

“You’re still young. Go somewhere else, polish your craft for ten years, and then try again.”

They had clearly mistaken him for an aspiring apprentice.

“I’m not here to ask for an apprenticeship. If Angus-san is unavailable, that’s fine. May I leave him a message?”

Tauro was disappointed that he couldn’t meet Angus, but he at least wanted to convey his gratitude.

“A message? Master Angus is a busy man. It depends what you want to say. If it’s nothing strange, we’ll pass it along.”

The apprentices sounded accustomed to dealing with hopeful visitors.

Tauro closed his eyes briefly and pictured Angus’s face.

“Please tell him: ‘Angus-san, it’s been a long time. The shortsword you entrusted to His Highness reached me safely. It has saved my life many times. Thank you. I hope you remain healthy for many years to come.’”

The apprentices looked puzzled, unable to understand what the young visitor meant.

Something in the message nevertheless caught their attention.

“What’s your name?” one asked.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Tauro. If you tell Angus-san, he’ll understand.”

Tauro smiled, bowed politely, and left.

“Tauro…?”

The apprentices exchanged confused looks.

“Wasn’t the person Master Angus calls his own master named Tauro?”

“Tauro is a common name, and that visitor was only a boy. If he were truly Master Angus’s teacher, he’d be much older.”

“Still, didn’t he mention the shortsword delivered through the royal family? Could he have meant the Modified Shortsword Tauro?”

“The story about a dagger being presented to the royal family is famous around here. Anyone could’ve heard it. Besides, Master rarely discusses the details.”

“Should we wake him?”

“Let’s mention it tomorrow morning if we have the chance. It’s probably not important enough to disturb him tonight.”

The following day, shortly before noon, one apprentice finally delivered Tauro’s message.

“Why didn’t you tell me last night!?”

Angus shouted, then burst into tears.

Whether he cried from the pain of missing Tauro or from the joy of learning that the boy was safe, the bewildered apprentices couldn’t tell.