1047. What Makes Days Like This Continue
The ductility and strength are different from ordinary steel.
These were the words of Eitri as he examined the gauntlet from various angles. They came after he had watched it for the time it took to slowly sip two cups of tea.
The forge was still filled with heat. Had the man who heated and hammered the legendary sword known as “Today” lost the meaning of life?
Not at all. Since forging “Today,” Eitri had displayed even greater vitality.
An end is another beginning. Eitri had abandoned any thought of laying down his hammer until the time God had granted him was over. He resolved not to lose his passion until he grew old and sick and his strength drained away.
If asked if such a thing could be achieved simply by making a resolution, wasn’t it the person holding the sword he had crafted who did so?
That is why Eitri’s life had not changed.
However, if asked if he could forge a sword like “Today” ceaselessly time and time again, it would have been very difficult.
It was a sword born from a single day where many coincidences and inevitabilities, luck and skill, met.
Nor did he make a sloppy object just because it was not of “Today’s” caliber.
In short, Eitri only worked on objects that pleased him. Prior to today, before Encred arrived, I had finished the work of redesigning the structure of hoes and hand hoes.
I had spent my entire life working only with weapons. Farm tools require contemplation in a somewhat different sense, but that also broadened my conceptual framework. So, I was satisfied.
“Kreis said that even the people cultivating the land are expressing gratitude.”
The hay-carrying pitchforks were made with iron shafts and handles instead of wood, hollowed out, and thinned so they would not break easily without being heavy; conversely, the hoe was designed with lightweight wood and a structure that allowed the iron front section to be replaced. This ensured that
even if the blade broke, work could be easily accomplished by simply replacing the front part.
They also made various modifications to ox-drawn plows, and I heard that Edin visited a few times during this process.
Increasing the number of farmhouses and boosting agricultural productivity was Edin’s dream. While Kreis discussed culture, Edin focused on the importance of agriculture as a key element of the city’s self-sufficiency. Even so, conversely, Edin shared a profound interest in culture, and Kreis in agriculture.
It was a pleasant experience.
Eitri spoke. Even as he said this, he did not take his eyes off the gauntlet.
It is all in vain. It is all in vain.
Audin had just said that and left. Encred gazed blankly at Teresa and Eitri. Encred was simply witnessing a change in someone he knew well, while Teresa felt a divine presence and a different kind of willpower emanating from the man before her.
“It is truly rare to see something like this without any spell inscribed on it. It is even more mysterious than the heating stone Sir Kreis brings.”
Eitri held the lamp close to examine it, then tapped it lightly with his fist.
He seemed fascinated, as it was not a metal from this world.
Shouldn’t something like this be called magical metal?
It is a magical metal.
Sure enough, Eitri said, “All metals with unique properties, even if no one has inscribed a spell with magic power, are called magic metals.”
“It cannot be used as is. We must split it open to preserve only the metal. Also, hmm, it seems to be the kind that affects the mind of the person holding it. Just like your armor.”
I am talking about the armor made of Balrog’s hide, also known as the God of War’s Armor. The discernment of someone who dedicated themselves to forging an engraved weapon without the help of witches or fairies was truly remarkable.
“One gauntlet is enough for a pair. If that is what you intend, I will do so.”
“Do as you please.”
Encred replied. In truth, wouldn’t he have nodded even if they had made greaves or shoulder pads instead of gauntlets?
That is how much he trusted the craftsman before him, the man who had forged his sword.
Eitri felt as though the gauntlets themselves were speaking to him. Perhaps like metal possessing a self, wrapping around someone’s hand to fight for its master.
Though, they didn’t actually speak.
One could simply be used as is, but one remained.
What should I make?
It didn’t come to mind instantly. In cases like this, a trigger was needed. The hand moves only when the heart is stirred. That doesn’t mean I would let my hands rest, but I wanted a feeling to come, whatever it may be.
If it’s my gift, may I say it?
Theresa said, “Even if one believes in the god of war and purifies the mind by reading the Holy Scriptures dozens of times, one cannot help but be delighted by a moment like this. Besides, didn’t the Holy Scriptures also tell us to fully enjoy such joy?”
She was happy that the item Enkrid intended to give her was no ordinary object, and she was also happy that it was her gift.
I want a shield of this size.
Theresa spoke. It was a voice that was pleasant to hear, no matter when. This is why one sings hymns and uses divinity.
It was a space where the heat of the forge reached. Over there, the clanging of metal was deafening.
Although it hadn’t grown noticeably louder than before, the number of apprentices had increased by two.
This was only natural. Eitri possessed exceptional skills. Passing them on would
surely be a joy for him. In Crys’s eyes, it was a lineage of craftsmen that was meant to continue.
Towards culture.
How to fight with culture, not struggle.
This is the way of ending the war, the way to eliminate war, as envisioned by Kreis. Various thoughts briefly crossed my mind.
Master Eightree will be the pride of our city.
Crys had said that confidently. Master Eitri, who had been treated so favorably, asked back.
It’s small.
It was a remark made after gauging the size of the shield she had mentioned. Theresa originally used a shield that covered more than half of her body. However, after sparring with Encrid this time, she changed her fighting style after much thought and deliberation.
This, too, was remarkable. It was a vow to discard some of her original tactical abilities and build them anew.
It was akin to training only in slashing for a lifetime and then deciding the match with thrusting.
Of course, it wasn’t exactly the same, but whatever it was, it was a challenge, a step forward, and the result of deep contemplation.
What Theresa requested was a round shield that attaches to the back of the hand. It was suited for agile movements rather than heaviness.
Encrid said nothing. After all, determining right from wrong was the job of the person holding and using it.
“great.”
The catalyst was not far away. Eitri was also moved.
Instead, I will mix in a little bit of another metal. To explain in advance, a special metal combining the properties of dark gold and true silver has recently arrived. Among ourselves, we call it “Jingeum” because the two properties intersect, so the color might stand out a bit.
It is an iron that combines the nature of True Silver to absorb divinity with the weight of Mukgeum. In a way, because it feels like heavy True Silver, it seems as though its advantages have been lost. However,
it was a metal that suited the half-breed giant before her quite well. She is a giant, and a Holy Knight of the God of War who harbors divinity.
It is a great joy to go out splendidly dressed as an apostle of the God of War.
It is the teaching of the god of war to strike from the front rather than from behind. Splendor is like a high-raised flag announcing oneself to the enemy, so it was a joy for those who serve the god of war.
“Then please stay here for a moment. I will fix it as best I can according to your wishes. I will send someone for Sir Encred once the work is finished.”
“Make a few horn daggers as well.”
“Yes, I have some already made, so I will just put a few tweaks on them and give them to you along with the gauntlets.”
As he said this, Eitri looked into Encred’s eyes and scanned his hands and body once.
“It would be good to make the work a bit heavier, commensurate with the changes.”
“The louder, the better.”
“Does it mean I should make Lord Saxony extremely happy when he finds out?”
It is a joke thrown by an unexpected person at an unexpected moment.
“Hmph.”
Theresa let out a laugh first. Encred burst into laughter.
The craftsman also showed a gentle smile. Had Eitri remained quietly in that spot all this time? His apprentices had increased, and he had developed a habit of researching while tending to farm tools.
This was thanks to Frock, who made jewelry, and the attitude of the people who made up the city. Of course, this was not the whole story; his personal efforts and the surrounding environment also played a role.
In this way, he, too, had changed. He gained a sense of ease and became someone who even cracked jokes. Eitri showed a gentle smile.
It looks good.
Encreed spoke and left the heat-filled forge. Stepping outside, a cool breeze cooled his heated skin, clothes, and cloak. The remaining heat lingered between his cloaks before escaping in a flash. He could
hear Eitri listening as Theresa spoke in detail about what she wanted, then asking questions in return and stating her own thoughts.
Encreed walked with light steps. Returning to train would have been nice, but he simply strolled through the city.
If asked why, he would say it was due to a whim, or that watching the city dwellers was a form of rest and enjoyment.
There was no particular urgency. Just as Kreis had said, the Mirror World was quiet.
“I heard that they made something resembling a threat to Nauril through their henchmen, and that a few more monster colonies have been added near the Demon Realm. We should be prepared just in case.”
That big-eyed fellow said so, but today’s Border Guard was more peaceful than ever.
Under the warm sunlight, children were running. A woman swung the spatula in her hand while calling a child’s name.
Don’t be late!
She shouts. The child gives no answer. The children gathered their friends and ran again for today’s fun. Passing by, I saw that Vanessa’s Inn was crowded as always.
I heard that Lockfried’s library was quite crowded as well.
What kind of opportunity did she spot there? Leona went so far as to establish an educational institution next to the library under the merchant guild’s name.
She had nothing, but she gathered those who wanted to learn. Well, true to her nature as a merchant, she attached a condition that graduates of her school had to work for the guild for a few years, but that was something, wasn’t it?
It essentially takes care of both education and employment.
If the Border Guard is a collection of soldiers who revere military might, then Lockfried is a city of scholars and merchants.
It had become that way before he knew it. A breeze blew. A cool wind ruffled his hair. It was summer, yet it wasn’t hot. That was because he walked along the shade. Making days like this continue was the dream he desired.
Selling something good, buy it.
On one side of the stall, the giant merchant I had glimpsed before comes into view. He, too, was unchanged. A giant who had staked his life on business rather than fighting. He
was as peculiar as the jewelry-making Frock, but people like him were the very epitome of those I would embrace and live alongside.
Encreed walked through the city like that. Then he caught a smell resembling burnt food and heard the croaking of frogs, the kind one might hear on the front lines.
Rumble!
It sounded more like the beating of a drum than a flute. It was a shout unleashed with deliberate intent by a single Frog.
Encred’s feet naturally headed in that direction, and he ran immediately. The sound had erupted not that far away.
* * *
Prok Meelun thought as he watched the clouds floating leisurely in the sky.
How did I end up staying here?
Is your memory hazy? Well, it hasn’t been that long, so why would you be saying that?
I stayed because they said I would be allowed to fight to my heart’s content without a promise.
Then, I went through a great deal in the city. In the midst of it all, I also frequently satisfied my own desires.
Prok is a species faithful to its own needs. Among them, Meelun was convinced that she was a true Prok.
Moderate training, moderate combat and victory, and the moderate sense of accomplishment that comes from it.
I dislike giving my all in everything. I dislike risking my life, and I cannot even imagine being stabbed in ‘that place’.
There were plenty of people in this city to deal with in that way. So, I was satisfied and stayed.
Yeah, as long as I’m having fun now, that’s all that matters.
Since it was moderately enjoyable, Prok named Meelun was content with his current life.
As a member of the Gilpin Guild, he patrolled the city, occasionally cracked jokes, ate, rested, trained, and fought. Since
he stayed in one place and spent his time there, he naturally made friends.
For instance, guys like the Chief of Security, who wasn’t even a guild member but respected and liked him.
Besides that, he kept thinking about the child Parsher had recently fathered.
Parsher was a guild member who used to be a gambler but had now been reborn as an upstanding member.
Would it be a bit of a stretch to say it’s sound?
Anyway, since the Gilpin Guild guards the night, he is still a swordsman—terrible at fighting, yet making a living with the weapon he has possessed since childhood: a hideous face.
Trappers still come to this city and cause trouble, and Parsher’s role was to keep them in check. It is the way to finish things without a single fight.
Didn’t they say that killing and fighting isn’t always the best solution? Well, for Meelun, it was a good thing that reduced the hassle.
It’s a surprise you even met a woman with that face.
Anyway, contrary to his appearance, that friend is pure-hearted. He is a bit dim-witted in some ways, too. He
supposedly became a gambler because his uncle egged him on—but wait, isn’t a gambler supposed to have some dexterity?
In reality, his uncle was a scoundrel who sold him to a criminal guild. That is the truth. Though, he didn’t really need to know this truth.
“Why did you bring a child here?”
Meelun, who had been gazing at the sky, sensed a presence and turned her head. It was Pasher. Pasher had come carrying a child.
