We finished deciding on Lidia and Ludia’s weapons, as well as their coat designs.
Normally, we would go to the Hunter’s Guild next, but Prim and I had one more thing to ask about.
“Ed, how are my sword and Prim’s spear coming along?”
“They’re almost done. But I believe Talos was testing if it could be made with the traditional method, so there should be something completed.”
They weren’t finished yet.
But the traditional method… that means the common method using the Helios Orb, right? Why would they do something like that?
“My grandfather, Talos, and I are incorporating the forging technique for Japanese swords that you taught us, but aren’t other Crafters basically making them with existing methods?”
“I see. That’s why they were researching how much Mana Power would be used with the conventional method.”
“Correct. Although, we can’t afford to use Lapis Laz for everything, so we used Jade Silver for this.”
So that means there are Jade Silver swords and spears, designed exactly how we wanted them.
“Can we buy those?”
“I don’t know unless I ask, but the fact that you’re asking means they broke, right?”
“Yeah. After we captured them yesterday.”
“Normally, I’d complain about them breaking so quickly, but since you are the ones using them, it’s more surprising they lasted this long.”
“Indeed. Considering we’ve defeated so many An and Catastrophe Species, it’s amazing they lasted this long.”
My Mithril Blade and Prim’s Mithril Halberd have defeated quite a few An and Catastrophe Species too.
Weapons made of Iron, Magic Silver, or even Adamantine Steel often break on the spot when facing An or Catastrophe Species.
Yet, we’ve used them to defeat a substantial number, including a Goblin Queen, an Evil Drake, a Curse Treant, a Murder Bee, two Devil Megalodons, and a Mad Boar. So, as Ed and Marina said, it’s no exaggeration to say they lasted.
Then again, Prim dealt the final blow in most cases, so perhaps my Mithril Blade couldn’t withstand my Mana Power after I evolved into an Ancient Human.
“If that’s the case, ask Talos directly.”
With that, Ed retreated into the workshop, and after a while, he returned with Talos.
“Ed already told me. Your weapons broke, didn’t they?”
“Yes. Here.”
Prim and I took out our broken weapons from our Storage.
My Mithril Blade was heavily chipped and broken, and the tip of Prim’s Mithril Halberd had crumbled away. There was no salvaging them.
“Indeed, these are beyond repair. I’d say in just two weeks, but considering your battle achievements, it’s only natural they ended up like this.”
Talos’s eyes held a mixture of surprise and exasperation.
When I recounted the An and Catastrophe Species we defeated with these weapons, he looked even more bewildered.
“To have defeated that many An, it’s truly a testament to my master’s craftsmanship. In that case, I fear the swords and spears you have now might break after just one use.”
We’ve already worn out several weapons. That’s why I asked about the Lapis Laz weapons.
“Understood. I will give you the weapons I forged. However, since they are prototypes, don’t rely on them too much, even if they are made of Jade Silver.”
“Thank you.”
“We appreciate it.”
“The price… let’s see. Since Yamato came up with the idea and they are prototypes, how about 10,000 El?”
I was relieved that Talos agreed so readily, but wasn’t the price too low?
“No, that’s too cheap. While it’s difficult to set a price for something not yet publicly announced, it should definitely be at least double that.”
“That’s right. Besides, we’re the ones asking for a favor, so at that price, we’d feel too guilty.”
“I appreciate you saying that, but it will serve as a test. Normally, for new weapons and armor made with new technology, the Crafter’s Guild would request appraisals from Hunters and Orders, and that would be the compensation.”
This appraisal request is new to me. Since we came up with the idea, aren’t we the ones requesting it?
“Since Yamato proposed it, we’re the clients, aren’t we?”
“That… you can’t really deny that, but…”
“Therefore, it’s decided then, 20,000 El.”
“Understood. I’ll go get them now, so please wait a moment.”
Talos chuckled and returned to the workshop at Prim’s firm decision. I was also relieved.
“You guys are something else. Normally, the buyer doesn’t raise the price.”
Ed looked astonished, but considering the fierce battles we had when we first met, this was quite mild.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. These are Yamato’s sword and Prim’s spear. I believe they match your desired designs, but since they were made just to see the form, the color is the natural color of Jade Silver.”
“The ones made with Lapis Laz will be in the exact colors you requested, so don’t worry about that.”
Richard is here too. I should ask him about the progress later.
Right, this is my sword and Prim’s spear. Even though it’s the natural color of Jade Silver, it’s still beautiful.
“It’s… so beautiful…”
“It really is…”
Ludia and Meena gasped at its beauty.
“I had heard about it, but the design is incredible.”
“Right? Especially Prim’s spear, it looks much harder to use than a halberd.”
Raus and Rebecca seemed slightly taken aback by its unusual appearance.
“It’s fine, isn’t it? Excuse me… Oh, it fits perfectly in my hand. I can’t believe this is a prototype…”
I took my sword and drew it from its saya. The beautiful, jade-colored blade was revealed.
“This fits well too. And it’s light, so it seems easy to handle.”
The weight of Jade Silver is about the same as Magic Silver, so its usability is unchanged.
“Try using the Mana Ring.”
“Understood.”
Prim and I started reinforcing our weapons using the Mana Ring, just like before.
Wow, it’s smoother than with Magic Silver weapons.
“Hmm, this is amazing. When you first use a weapon, the flow of Mana Power tends to be uneven. But you two are flowing it evenly and consistently, and the Jade Silver weapons are accepting it perfectly. At this rate, it seems you can channel even more Mana Power than before without any issues.”
This is exactly why I suggested Alloy, so seeing it in practice is incredibly helpful.
“The only problem is that Yamato has evolved into an Ancient Human, and Prim, being of the Winged Tribe, also possesses considerable Mana Power. This makes them unsuitable for testing. However, that can be resolved by issuing appraisal requests to High Class Hunters or Orders.”
If it can be used by Ancient Class, it can definitely be used by High Class without issue.
However, besides me, only Grand Hunter’s Masters are in the Ancient Class, and Prim, being of the Winged Tribe, has more Mana Power and higher quality than a typical High Class Hunter. So it’s understandable that they are not suitable for appraising new weapons.
“As I said earlier, these were made solely to test the form. Of course, I put my heart into forging them, but please don’t place too much confidence in them.”
“We understand.”
“Of course.”
Since they are essentially prototypes of prototypes, they don’t have names. But you can’t use Ee-quipping without a name, so for now, let’s call them Prototype Jade Alloy Sword and Prototype Jade Alloy Axe-Spear.
“That’s fine. It would be problematic to give proper names to prototypes.”
Talos smiled and agreed when I told him that.
“Still, it’s amazing that this is a prototype.”
“Right? Lapis Laz is even more amazing than this, isn’t it?”
“I heard it’s comparable to Divine Metal.”
“I kind of feel like our weapons are fine with just this Jade Silver.”
“I agree.”
“Besides, we’re not even High Class, so Magic Silver is more than enough.”
Ludia, Lidia, Meena, Rebecca, Raus, and Flam said such things, but since we have them, please use them.
“By the way, Richard, how is the Lapis Laz coming along?”
“It’s quite challenging, of course. But I’ve come to understand the Japanese sword forging method that Yamato told me about, even if only slightly. So, I plan to begin full-scale production from today. While I can’t give you a definite delivery date yet, it shouldn’t take more than a month.”
That’s great news.
With the Prototype Jade Alloy Sword and Prototype Jade Alloy Axe-Spear, a year would be fine, let alone a month, but as the name suggests, they are prototypes, and more importantly, Prim and I are looking forward to them. So, the sooner they are ready, the better.
“Also, regarding the coats, please give me another three days. Then I can deliver Lidia’s and Ludia’s together.”
“Understood, three days from now. We’ll leave it at that.”
For the coats, the adjustments for mine, Prim’s, and Meena’s are almost complete. It would be better to receive them all at once. It was a good thing I had the remaining Winger Drake dismantled at the Crafter’s Guild before heading to Prada Village.
Unfortunately, that depleted our stock of Winger Drake.
I’ll have to go hunting again soon.
Afterward, we discussed what to do with the Jade Silver and Blue-Gray Iron. We also agreed that Ed would announce it to the Crafter’s Guild once the coats were delivered. Then, we headed to the Hunter’s Guild with Ed and Marina to complete our union registration.
Ed and Marina had to return to their workshop to tailor the coats, so we accepted a request as a test run for the new weapons, but we never expected to encounter a Goblin Prince there.
It was the perfect opponent to test the prototypes.
We confirmed that we could channel even more Mana Power than before without any strain or Mana Power fatigue. This made me even more eager for the Lapis Laz weapons to be completed.
Then, three days later, after receiving our coats at the Albert Workshop, we immediately headed to Marquis Frederica’s Mansion.
