Chapter 168
FLxgMalcolm swept his gaze over the blacksmiths advancing alongside him and murmured to himself.cebQWP
zppF4‘They all look so confident and full of assurance. There isn’t even a trace of fear or doubt on their faces.’5h8PoK
DZsCiSurely it was because, in addition to pride in their skills, each of them had their own theory about the metal.YAA
EGoAnd in fact, those theories had probably worked to some extent, and the people around them had praised them as competent blacksmiths.q1NU
ph8kocSOtherwise, they would not be able to appear so convinced of their success.s7DPT
YCDXOmAfter all, simply by observing a person’s usual demeanor, one can infer, even if only roughly, what kind of life they have led.qcMy6
6LzIn the blacksmiths, that air typical of those who had advanced along a path of success without knowing much frustration was clearly visible.8QdW7H
XZYoh‘How ironic… Among everyone here, I’m the only one with slumped shoulders.’npkAy
ubl5HA bitter smile formed on Malcolm’s lips.aJ9zp
yFpJf8It was absurd that he, who knew the secret of fae metal, acted more cautiously than those blacksmiths who relied only on theories assembled to suit themselves.A2kTueF
PjJoIt was undoubtedly the result of having endured countless hardships over many years, which had turned caution into a habit ingrained in his body.1sxa
LmxAz‘Before, I wouldn’t have cared at all about others’ gazes, but now it’s different. From the moment His Highness appointed me Master of the Furnace, a position that is more than I deserve, I must display dignity befitting it.’Rju0O
xaup8aIf he did not demonstrate the ability and authority appropriate to the position of Master of the Furnace, people would eventually begin to doubt Lucian’s judgment.HewQfWv
PcJE1oxFor the sake of Lucian, who had placed his trust in him, Malcolm had to abandon that timid attitude.3uyfGQo
y0tqvHe straightened his shoulders with determination and took his place before the forge alongside the other five contenders.nDJG
W7kncThen he recalled the orders he had received beforehand.Csw
YjdHg— You will participate in this competition as one of the contenders. Of course, your position as Master of the Furnace will remain, so don’t worry too much.qfyj
SqgCkl— Does that mean I must prove to the others that I have what it takes to be Master of the Furnace?DyA23Z
1H69S— Rather, I want you to serve as an example before everyone. You will show the process of creating fae metal step by step, in full detail.e05
Qffg— What? If I show the entire refining process, won’t everyone try to imitate me?6wkNQ
XqNLucian’s original goal with this competition had been to select a blacksmith capable of refining fae metal. But if the process were shown openly, how could one distinguish between a true genius and someone who merely knew how to copy?b75VFW
azR9I3At Malcolm’s doubt, Lucian shook his head.S6ugGO
MLMND— From the moment you arrived, my objective was already fulfilled. What I need now are people capable of absorbing your teachings quickly.4yFRuYx
7Gnwfq— My teachings…?PQ5j
BXO— In addition to your duties as Master of the Furnace, I plan for you to be in charge of instructing blacksmiths in the techniques for refining ancient metals.Qy335f
SxS— Ah!nElyfZ
jvUHAt that moment, Malcolm understood Lucian’s plan.f3t1
rCVyuvgBefore, the goal had been to find a brilliant blacksmith as an alternative solution, since no one knew the techniques for refining ancient metals.lIw
9h1ABut the situation had changed when Malcolm brought with him the book containing the refining method.DxHh
B7l6If one had the method, it was far better to secure several outstanding talents than to rely on a single genius.zMF
60agj— This is an era in which we must manufacture large quantities of weapons and armor to equip soldiers immediately. We have to make the most of what we have. There is no time to calmly support the research of a single genius.jVCB
JhgMo4u— You are absolutely right. This old man asked a foolish question.2gYR2
bB7— If you understood what I said, then you also know what you must do from now on.gRqWL
hsdHcFp— Set an example, observe the work of the others, and select the blacksmiths who quickly grasp my teachings and can apply them immediately.xqMqr
mbt9s— Exactly.fIx
gOc“The competition will begin shortly, so blacksmiths, prepare for refining!”emOOD
NsuAt the knight’s shout, Malcolm and the other contenders took their positions before the forges.ZT0
GAC4Soon after, the sound of the whistle announcing the start of the competition rang through the air, and the blacksmiths began to move.49BF
MsXjG***c71
VdWr2vThose who volunteered to attempt the first challenge alongside Malcolm were brimming with confidence.Sj9B0
0hCFvHow many years had they worked metal? How many pieces had they bent and shaped with these hands?tVDf
y3O4HNo matter how ancient or legendary it might be, as long as it was still metal, the method should not differ all that much.JbwWv
1UnIBut that confidence collapsed in a matter of moments.UXH
0HYZnA“W-why?! Why the hell isn’t it working?!”Fdi
84Sj“According to my theory, a change should have occurred by now…!”8KTWIT9
aLxM5“It won’t even crack! It doesn’t move at all!”HcFIuRs
1sQ93UIf the refining had failed and resulted in a disastrous piece, they would have felt shame, but not despair.KxHcD
4Jvd9yAt least they would have tried to create something with their own method and failed in the process.M2Iabji
gxWj6ReThe problem was not the failure itself, but that they could not even change the shape of the metal.TpzS
FCEPJHNo matter how much they put it into the furnace and worked the bellows, it did not soften in the slightest, leaving them with no options.xon
uB3YNotJust as the contenders who had advanced with such confidence began to give up one after another, stopping their hands—ioW
6P107gFuaaaash.FGhv
cErATPA“Huh…?”m2pt
JsuDgx“What is that?”57W
WOKV2MThe eyes of the spectators, who had been watching Malcolm’s workshop attentively as if they had been expecting it all along, opened wide.zR9Nd
R5HThe other contenders also turned their heads belatedly and stared at the changing flames.REhhk
X8f8JDespite the gazes converging on him from all directions, Malcolm did not blink even once as he drew out the fae metal.B4lx
HHIob5Clang! Clang! Clang!rKEdDT
x9UNG“I-it’s changing! It’s changing shape!”XfW7A
tdGNCR“By the gods… a legend right before my eyes…!”2Z79ynV
xkkPOeWAmid the commotion, the fae metal slowly began to change shape.mFKdDsK
z0SH1People watched with eyes bulging, determined not to miss a single movement of Malcolm’s work.3Pr1
IqAk6YAnd soon, upon seeing a process that completely defied common sense, they were left gaping.G2Qi
G4b6qAThe hammering and assembly did not differ much from working ordinary metal, but the heating and tempering phases were extraordinarily strange.Fb0BG
y7KWith normal metal, that method would have caused it to shatter at any moment.3CNEe
xguYet Malcolm continued working without the slightest hesitation, as if that chaotic method were the most natural thing in the world.luHbXs
NCQaTBXWhoosh.LOD
OgCWhen he finished the final tempering, Malcolm drew out the sword blade. The final polishing and the hilt were still missing to complete a sword, but that was secondary.Uvh
kWpIn this competition, it was enough to refine the fae metal into a blade.Qh6WE
G51n“It’s finished.”gXEtAL
zM08“Hmm.”hxcr
W6OjWThe knight nodded silently and accepted the blade made of fae metal.xWuUNU
XqpBSince it was a task he had already performed before, it was clearly far more refined than the first sword he had forged.6mwWte5
X8EzFFWhen Malcolm handed over the blade and withdrew inward, the knight shouted to the other contenders.lc9n
cxk68f“Do you yield?”xH5QfR
RcpL“W-wait a moment! This is too—!”ni2se
sL0wAzThe word “unfair” nearly slipped from their throats. Unlike them, who had participated directly and had been unable to observe the process properly, those who had stayed behind as mere spectators had been able to see everything.6vtykFk
SbgdThus, the only ones who benefited were those who had kept to the sidelines like cowards.ZoP
pSnnVAwBut it had been they themselves who, having the option to wait, volunteered as the first contenders.ZWu
42MENow they could not even open their mouths to make excuses, trapped in a feeling of despair.m4lc
lAUT3wAmid the heavy silence, the knight spoke again.TBnfx
5IkH“I don’t know what problem you encountered, but if you wish, I will give you another chance. Try again at the end, after all the contenders have gone.”3QC
ws5AHeU“What? I-is that possible?”F4PHH
vu91d“According to the rules, it shouldn’t be. But the duke has granted special permission. Only the first contenders will be allowed to retry.”VB554y
rdIBfIh“……”RmN58
AH1cbGaUpon hearing that order, which seemed to have been anticipated from the start, the blacksmiths understood the truth.sBUO
ipemdO1They had been nothing more than extras from the beginning.0wzep
C2IjbThat blacksmith who had managed to handle the fae metal had already been employed by the duke for some time.rSsgTr
ppe***tPh
XPwBEven after understanding the truth, the blacksmiths did not leave.BwJ
XbNmTBvThe fae metal had demonstrated from the very first attempt that its refining method was completely beyond common sense.f9kWh6
vhgIf they had tried to refine it using the methods they had originally conceived, they would only have proven a miserable failure.C1UQU
s3Vv1YNow, however, they had been able to observe from beginning to end the work of a blacksmith who knew the method.KudNZ
Kf2Although the probability of success was still low, unlike before, they now at least had a basic framework.oYfLgM
aDwMg‘So what if I’m not the first? Just striking the legendary metal is the greatest honor possible.’Ic6l
OufE‘Even if it’s from the lowest position, if I work here, I’ll be treated like a master in any other region afterward. I can’t let this opportunity pass.’IDp
WQZ‘Honor or not, I don’t care whose orders I’m under. I want to forge a legendary weapon with my own hands at least once!’WLaOlV
zBviESome sought honor, others power, and others simply wanted to satisfy their desire as blacksmiths while striking the fae metal.eglqY
9WOFe5Although they had observed the entire process, they had only seen it once, and without knowing the theory in detail.74I
R3jxAs expected, most wasted the fae metal with clumsy work or failed to forge a decent sword.2EH
2p5M1Even so, among them there were those who succeeded, and naturally they became candidates to be Malcolm’s disciples.Ewcdl
KlKgrDuring the days the competition lasted, Malcolm completed the fae-metal sword and presented it to Lucian.YH3fdK
MsODAk“Your Highness, the sword is finished.”nfZSHu
zjgbe0“Good.”FPG
mb38Lucian swung the finished sword a couple of times and then handed it to Felicia.Zlt8
XIqsShe received the fae-metal sword, examined it briefly, and formed a faint smile.J8t
EFc“Not bad. It’s short, but it doesn’t vibrate, and the center of gravity is well balanced. You can fight with this without any problem.”nfoL
SmUJbk3“Huh? Fight?”0QUl1
LKMrAt those unexpected words, Malcolm flinched and looked back and forth between Felicia and Lucian.I1H
bq6He believed this sword was only for the ritual in honor of the Swordmaster, not for actual combat.slmx
mBtV“Your Highness, what I made is a ceremonial sword, not something to be used in combat.”uWEdN8l
iuia“But it seems perfectly usable. You underestimate your own skills too much.”Oqim
N7zt3“Well, for an ordinary forge it would be more than sufficient, but…”w3b
N0lxSf3Malcolm hesitated, unsure where to begin explaining. Felicia was not just any mercenary, but the heir to the Swordmaster.imLp
RaWA knight of her level should wield a sword befitting her prestige.4HZUa
qsfP2b3Perhaps reading his thoughts, Felicia spoke.mqyAQRd
zw1“I understand what you’re thinking, but don’t worry. I’m not the type to be overly demanding about swords.”zc4wW
I2DI“But this sword doesn’t suit you at all, Felicia. At the very least, it would have been better to forge it with a length suited to your height…”9uwOOQp
BDiJfOh“Do you think I’m a knight incapable of demonstrating my skill just because the sword has a different length?”1EJblu
ok1qd“N-no! Forgive this old man’s rudeness!”eZ9l
dO2“It’s a joke.”qv4Km
P8qG0Felicia, who had pretended to be angry, relaxed her expression upon seeing Malcolm so flustered.JutkJ
9nJI4lBLucian, who had been watching the scene while holding back laughter, then turned his head.yxHI64
PNCMS“Brother, have you ever seen Felicia joke?”ncCMRhd
ZFVgVB“……”P7b6ka
HDLMW“Of course not. It’s one of those rare sights that only I get to see.”UkycYV
kjLDespite Tristan’s silence, Lucian did not seem to mind in the slightest, as if he thought his brother’s feelings about it were irrelevant.D9qFv
eyvJust as Lucian was about to look away, Tristan, no longer able to hold back, opened his mouth.O4NUoMN
Bqa0“Your Highness, that’s enough. Start telling me what you want.”3sn
X94hBYE“What do you mean by that’s enough?”GSVJrtJ
gHU8GRr“Stop showing off the power of Asagrim to me.”oKA3gh
ONal8yXBy that point, Tristan could already infer Lucian’s objective.Edk
na6z0hLWith the blacksmith competition, he had hinted at the future mass production of weapons, and with the upcoming fencing tournament he would display Felicia’s growth, making it clear that he had a Swordmaster under his command.8YSp8
2CHRHe did not know what other means Lucian would use, but it was obvious that afterward he would try to engrave in his mind the enormous gap that existed between them.QoTi
6T0“You wouldn’t do all this without reason. Could it be that you’re planning to make such a great demand of me that you need to repeat these demonstrations?”qhzdcu
tGwe7“Hahaha!”R1j
GDxBLucian burst into laughter at Tristan’s words.wIH
YvKQ8SIt was not an evasive laugh, but a frank, affirming burst of laughter, which only made Tristan’s expression harden further.lDE3i8
v11With his patience exhausted, Tristan asked directly.Tq7c
ebWa“Exactly how great is the demand you intend to impose on me?”aXwV8
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