Chapter 164
i8LHG‘An ancient metal forging technique passed down from generation to generation?? Incredible! Then a legendary weapon will be born soon! Of course, as long as you actually have ancient metal in your hands, hahahaha.’Dw0
z0V‘Hey, don’t mock him so much. It’s the only thing he can brag about. What if he gets depressed and ends up hanging himself?’jc2
BNm8P‘Wow, that was a slip-up. Just in case I ask, you’re not really thinking of hanging yourself, right? You have a son—take care of that body.’VvGn
rcSScMemories of the past, when he had become the laughingstock of his former associates, passed before Malcolm’s eyes like a carousel.iVM7Oa
Xgrd0IThe faces of those who had looked down on him with mocking smiles remained vivid in his memory even now.A7MNvh
Bx7DMemories that, whenever he recalled them, hurt as if someone were twisting a knife in his chest.o75mLK
PuKQbGAnd yet, despite recalling all of that, he felt no pain at all.S30m
XIi4DUIt was as if those deep blue flames had reduced to ashes all the knots he carried in his heart.d07
UfS3B‘…It’s not over yet.’xVnnXr
hBrHc8Malcolm tensed his legs, which threatened to give out.WvN
hnhbbrKHe had released resentment accumulated over decades, yes, but he still had an obligation left.EbBfuCq
KCVSThe obligation to prove to the world the value of the knowledge his ancestors had passed down from generation to generation.orHJv
qO240uWhen the deep blue flames began to grow lighter, Malcolm once again pulled out the fairy metal with the tongs.BeVRz
lOchThe ingot, covered in cracks, shone with a hypnotic beauty, like an egg that held blue fire within.UrZ94
WOrAfter checking its condition, Malcolm finally began to strike it with the hammer.056F
LdFmClang!68ULoag
j3DnXJClang!MXx9QW
L5UClang!aKMJeDB
BBI9With each blow, a clear sound rang out, and the fairy metal began to slowly change shape.HPB
29AkhdSeeing the ancient metal deform amid flying sparks, the knights’ eyes widened.nRu51yu
Qump7gIn the midst of a silence heavy with awe, Malcolm repeated the processes of forging, welding, and quenching over and over again.hJFqPR
dCICnXThe method was still chaotic, but unlike before, no one dared to say anything.tf2hgO
TPDDMzThey had already witnessed with their own eyes how the fairy metal was transformed through a process that defied all common sense.Ts9S
nUqHiss!Qh5p
dhyAfter a long time hammering the metal, Malcolm carried out the final quenching.AVqLZ
fjVQWhen the dense steam dissipated, what emerged from the water had taken the shape of a sword.cv0j1R
AnxoOUPA blade without a hilt, without a guard, and without a pommel.XEly
Yi1R1cEven so, just by virtue of its color, reminiscent of the night sky, the blade was extraordinarily beautiful.n2UG2w
EwTfuDMalcolm held the sword he had created with both hands and presented it to the duke.Ta8PVe
ffb“It’s finished.”qQU
6viThe young duke, Lucian, took the blade in silence.1H0f9Hm
9k8L7He swung it through the air a couple of times, then exclaimed with complete sincerity.GjMUrXn
CyzbJvW“Excellent!”4pP
1zJ8DrAt that single word, Malcolm burst into tears.PiH
HTpIn that instant, decades of frustration were repaid all at once.klU9W
9wNDp***MGeX
MuLta‘This is a monumental stroke of luck.’wlZSgI
IY7mH2kLucian did his utmost to suppress the smile that threatened to spread across his face.gCFt
fjBgZ7He had organized a blacksmith competition to uncover the forging technique of ancient metals, but, to be honest, it was not a particularly effective method.c0LvNy
z5EIt depended entirely on instinct and talent.qcE1xTy
I8hzrHw‘Although, to be fair, there was no other alternative, and even if I discovered it this way, the road would be arduous.’2ev
vH88Techniques obtained purely through intuition took an extremely long time to systematize.as2
9pGV2qIn the worst case, the slow pace of research and the high costs could render them useless in practice.7gnPqdm
4fwIlFAnd yet, there existed a book that had organized the forging technique of ancient metals in a systematic manner.pQXFqF
OVA‘This blacksmith may be skilled, but achieving immediate success with a technique described only in text proves that the method is extremely well structured.’0qyYx
4eGQIn other words, if that technique were taught to other blacksmiths, they could mass-produce weapons in a very short time.fdo
xEJRb7Moreover, he had gained a blacksmith who, although lacking prior practical experience, understood the theory better than anyone.7etBvE
54ub6ZHe had obtained both invaluable knowledge and someone capable of passing it on.Z8Nl
zMFIt was impossible not to feel satisfied.pQw4
UgW2J9“Malcolm.”5aQUt
yafco4“Yes, Your Excellency.”h3qLBS
ICLVblk“I will employ you officially. From now on, you will have the authority to inspect all workshops in Asagrim, and when dealing with blacksmiths, you may act in my stead. This position has not existed before, so we will call it Master of the Furnace.”aJ0pqA
MHLEn“…!”mmZ0YQ
PC9173Malcolm’s body trembled with emotion, but the words that followed left him stunned.mc35AC
9CgH3Although limited to artisans, he was being granted the authority to represent the duke.e2K
OuDAaIn practice, it meant absolute power within the world of blacksmiths.IFjmr0D
7X9xud“The position of Master of the Furnace will be lifelong, and you will be exempt from the death penalty unless you commit a crime equivalent to treason. If you choose to retire while alive, you will also have the right to recommend your successor.”5ELj
wNZ“I… Your Excellency…”liKt00
rDeSomething caught in Malcolm’s throat.9yx
FqGVSJHe had succeeded with the fairy metal, but even so, it was his first time working with an ancient metal.xmQT
0jwOnce the technique was mastered, there would be no need to rely exclusively on him, and yet the treatment was extraordinarily generous.dFUFM
HyJBpFor the first time in his life, Malcolm felt true loyalty.T8hqLcU
bIaVgQbHe struck his forehead against the floor and shouted.YVm
FDrN8“Thank you, Your Excellency! This old man will devote the rest of his life to serving you with all his strength!”VyM
DLgChq“Good. I look forward to what you will accomplish from now on.”Mn3Nh
QpXeS4pLucian patted him on the shoulder and smiled deeply.s4kH9
40qyo‘The one who should be grateful is me.’8IeytlU
YKbThe treatment Lucian offered Malcolm was, without a doubt, excessive for a mere blacksmith.VwE
LM0But no matter how extraordinary it was, it was still a position tied to Asagrim.kJmuk
l4fMUWith a single word, Lucian could revoke everything.9X5Ig
F5zEven the clause regarding the death penalty merely meant that he would not be executed, not that he would go unpunished.ka32G
JackHIf he committed a crime deserving of death, he could save his life, but not the rest.Lkqeo
utjI9‘Though if he becomes intoxicated with power without understanding the context of my words, he will have to bear the consequences.’YgQlM
OO8SXOf course, it would not be bad either if Malcolm maintained that loyalty and worked diligently until the end of his days.JAFaid
BdqyHe more than deserved the position of Master of the Furnace for the achievements he had attained.wjH
G9OQxeSFurthermore, when Malcolm’s story spread, others would be willing to trust Lucian and offer up their own treasures.36Tumx
8pHrnThat would only make Asagrim prosper even more.sn85WC
iHTlKIn any case, Lucian had nothing to lose.x0bkg
Si8“Come on, get up already. You’ll have plenty of work ahead of you. Are you planning to stay kneeling on a cold floor? What if you fall ill?”icvF
PAexID“Your Excellency…!”aJe
dDPZ17ZUnaware of Lucian’s true thoughts, Malcolm silently swore as he felt the duke himself help him to his feet.7bYqE
PxXHe swore to devote the rest of his life to repaying the kindness of that young duke.h3uLJX
yUmwAnd he swore to reveal without reservation all the visions and knowledge inherited from his ancestors.BPjL
F2Le***mzXT4
YdMwAfter obtaining the forging technique of ancient metals, Lucian decided to conceal Malcolm’s existence for the time being.gtDE
otRYaaOnce the competition had been officially announced, it could not simply be canceled just because he had already found the talent he needed.ckM4
5I9NYfiIn any case, if the competition was going to be held, it was better to postpone any news that might discourage the participants.j1yz
GHRZaH‘And with a bit of luck, perhaps someone else like Malcolm will appear, someone hiding a secret technique.’JY2Pkvj
9ubAfter assigning a residence within the palace to Malcolm and his son, Lucian appointed as his escorts the knights who had directly witnessed the forging of the fairy metal.NCGJ
SYgjgIt was better to entrust his protection to those who knew his true value, rather than ordering knights who knew nothing to protect a mere commoner.dMeOaf9
qRSAs expected, the knights who had seen the forging with their own eyes accepted the mission without the slightest complaint.TICq
xu2C3“Even if he’s a commoner, he’s a blacksmith capable of refining ancient metals. If we speak of the value of a life, he’s probably more valuable than any of us.”dzkm96
vUvBCo5“If it comes to that, we’ll give our lives to protect him. For the future of His Excellency the duke and of Asagrim.”21Jp
QqofIo“…It won’t be necessary to go that far. We’re inside the palace, so just make sure to protect him well.”PnvM
2DvLucian replied with a somewhat awkward expression at the knights’ fervor.AAZZ
swzqIt was good that they were motivated, but it was also not advisable for them to treat a simple security measure as if it were a top-priority mission.KVzegU
MCZyHAfter calming them down and sending them off with Malcolm, Lucian summoned Hans.VGk9
5smlb“How are the Black Lions who joined recently? Are they adapting well?”nqjlMiu
4efCOAx“Yes. After all the effort they went through before being formally admitted, they seem to be enjoying their rest. Lately, they frequently meet with Sir Raymond.”nEMSTb
ApOi0q“They worked together for a long time. It’s natural that they have much to talk about.”AFLwD
BY0StsERaymond and the four Black Lions who had arrived recently had once been part of Lucian’s escort team.MHljw
MiiqpIRThey would not have been assigned together without reason; it meant they had demonstrated excellent coordination in numerous missions.Hrnv
Qgi“They’ve known each other far longer than they’ve known me. Their bond must be deep, so as long as they don’t interfere with Raymond’s work, leave them be.”rOCZJ
J2stAy“Understood. And also… we recently received a rather… discourteous request from outside.”fwOVj
lHK80“Discourteous?”B1ahF
pMRaa“The messenger of the first young master, Tristan, came to inform us that he plans to visit Asagrim soon to pay his respects to Sir Eisen.”1rx
Pz0L“Just as I expected.”8K3f
DugR7Lucian had already heard that Tristan’s situation was not good and that he was seeking sponsors.BeAYA
sAVAccording to the rumors, even the support of his maternal grandfather had been cut off, so he must have been quite desperate.2AxPRra
SR93TAt that moment, the only one who could afford to help him was Lucian, so it was natural that he would try to rely on blood ties.KeJkX3
OEFdGhHowever, Hans was not finished.WN7XhVD
AjlVi“The problem is that he will not come alone. He has requested to come accompanied by five hundred soldiers. In truth, more than a request, it was practically a notification.”WQO1e
OycQqKIt was an absurd demand.yAqfnv
DvUaaEven if it were a small force, bringing armed troops into another lord’s territory was a grave discourtesy.GVH
knKmiNAnd doing so under the pretext of attending a funeral, as a mere mourner, was even worse.GIQ1
0rsEF3r“Five hundred soldiers…”mIHNct
HureRRather than erupting in anger at such an ill-considered request, Lucian let out a brief laugh.ua7
smAcLcNot because the number was insignificant, but because he understood Tristan’s desperate situation, having nowhere to station those troops.LLH
1AN‘Without territory of his own, he has nowhere to quarter them. And even if he found a place, it’s doubtful the army would remain intact while he’s away.’dI0Y
5nPxLLTristan was already struggling to maintain even that small contingent, which was why he was traveling from place to place seeking support.pqEEE
mZMcLeaving his army, the only pillar sustaining him, to travel to another region was a dangerous gamble.DEAUmF
hAmMNo matter how disciplined the troops were, they would most likely disperse in a short time.3Iy5
V8a02‘Either he accepts harsh criticism for bringing troops to a Swordmaster’s funeral, or he protects his honor and gives up ruling as the leader of a faction. A true choice between two deaths.’V0RZx70
uXqeOMTristan truly had no alternative.PIjC7h
3hPDADisbanding the army would mean losing even the slightest chance of independence he still possessed.E75
suE2Sensing his situation, Lucian formed a bitter smile.UnXG
BwXGLY“Tell him to come with all of them.”ZfjKH
mMNQ8e“Are you sure? Even if it’s only five hundred, it’s still an external military force.”WOibbDw
gX2“It doesn’t matter. They won’t be able to do anything in Asagrim anyway. And it would be worse if Tristan collapsed completely because we forbade it.”banVBq
SK2IyrIf Tristan lost even that army, he would have no way to recover.0Vbt
yh0LUwHe would end up being absorbed by another faction or losing his life.9UyoS
WeszrO6Lucian preferred to avoid that outcome as much as possible.tdIBkZ8
6n7‘There are still things Tristan must do for me.’M4op
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