“Um, excuse me?”
I entered the workshop as black smoke rose, offering my greetings.
The exterior had made it seem spacious, but it was narrower than I expected inside.
Work tools were scattered everywhere, and several well-used workbenches and furnaces were installed. The room temperature was strangely high, and the air was bad, thick with soot and dust. It wasn’t a place I wanted to linger in for long.
“…Huh? Are you a customer? Um, what can I do for you?”
A man with long hair, who had been admiring a sword in the back of the workshop, noticed me and replied.
“I’ve brought various magic stones, so could you make something for me?”
“Sure, sure, I get it. I’m free anyway.”
The man with long hair put down the sword he was admiring and approached me, pushing his hair back. His bare face was revealed, and I was surprised by the many old scars.
One eye was missing, and both ears were mangled. There were numerous burn marks on his face, and it looked painful just to look at.
“P-Please take care of me…”
“Oh, did I surprise you? It’s understandable if it’s your first time… Wait, aren’t you our Master? You don’t have to come all the way to this dirty place, I would have come if you called.”
“No, I’m the one with the business, so it’s natural for me to come. Besides, I’m not here to ask you as Master. I’m here to ask you as an individual named Kanami. Um… Alivers-san?”
“Alivers Reivers. You remembered well. That time during the round-robin tournament, you challenged me even though you didn’t have to.”
“I memorized everyone’s names desperately…”
Alivers and I introduced ourselves while shaking hands.
Then, I casually checked Alivers’s Status.
【Alivers Reivers】
Innate Skill: Divine Magic 1.34
Acquired Skill: Elemental Magic 0.23, Blacksmithing 0.89, Swordsmanship 0.07
His Blacksmithing skill wasn’t that high. Rather, he was blessed with combat ability. Although his Level wasn’t high, he still had first-rate Magic Power. His status made me think he’d be better described as a mage Explorer.
He was an Explorer in the past, but it was highly likely he transitioned to blacksmithing due to an injury.
“So, Master, what did you bring?”
“I brought what Snow said was unusual.”
Saying that, I took out the magic stones from my Inventory.
Since I was here, I showed him all the rare-looking ones I had been collecting.
Various colored magic stones spread out on the workbench, and Alivers’s eyes sparkled.
“Incredible… These are all things you rarely see even at the country’s Exchange Office.”
“I’ve been collecting them for a long time. Can you make sturdy weapons with these?”
“Well, with this much, you can make anything.”
“Please. I’ve been in trouble with my weapons breaking repeatedly.”
“Oh my, I don’t even want to imagine monsters that break weapons… But I also do repair broken weapons, you know? If you bring them, I might be able to reuse them. Depending on the condition, of course.”
“Eh, really?”
“Most of the time, it’s cheaper to buy a new one than to repair it.”
“Hmm, I’ll go get them.”
Joyful that weapon repairs were possible so close by, I headed for the exit. It would be unnatural to take out large items like weapons from a small bag, so I needed to take them out of my Inventory outside.
I went outside with Snow. Then, moving to a place out of sight, I took out the damaged weapons from my Inventory.
Of course, I also took out the swords I used today and the hammer and axe Snow broke.
As I was taking things out, I found a broken sword in my Inventory that I didn’t recognize.
Its blade was warped—an old sword.
Its blade was melted as if it had been plunged into magma.
【Aris Family’s Treasure Sword (Damaged)】
Attack Power 1
Its attack power was no different from swinging a iron bar.
However, its name included “Treasure Sword.” It was a magnificent name alone.
Just, I couldn’t recall how I obtained it.
However, it was common to put valuable items left in labyrinths into my Inventory just in case. I probably picked it up during a dungeon exploration.
I decided to have Alivers look at the Aris Family’s Treasure Sword as well.
With Snow grudgingly carrying the load due to her great strength, we returned to the workshop.
“I’ve brought them, Alivers-san.”
“Oh, you’re quick— Whoa, that’s a lot!”
“Haha, sorry…”
“…Let’s see, shall we?”
I decided to look at the weapons with Alivers. If I could understand the difference between what could be repaired and what couldn’t, it would be useful for future explorations.
By the way, Snow had started sleeping in a corner of the room, sitting in a sumo wrestler’s stance.
“From what I can see, the swords are in better shape. They can all be fixed with resharpening. However, these big ones are no good. They’re warped from the base, and the blades are worn out. It’s safest to melt them down and turn them into materials.”
“I see…”
The condition of the weapons Snow handled seemed particularly bad.
“And then… hmm, hmm? This…”
Alivers picked up one sword from among the broken weapons.
It was the Aris Family’s Treasure Sword.
“Is something wrong with that?”
“No, this is a well-crafted item. It’s made of rare ore, so there should be an inscription… but the condition is so bad, I can’t read it.”
“Um, I think it used to say ‘Aleis’.”
Thinking it might help with the repair, I disclosed the information from ‘Display’.
“Aleis, you mean? But that doesn’t sound like an inscription…”
“What does Aleis mean?”
“Huh? Well, I assume it refers to that prestigious noble family. The family name that produced many excellent swordsmen, and is home to the Sword Saint.”
“Oh, wow, that’s amazing.”
Alivers answered my question, but his eyes never left the sword.
He seemed very curious about the rare, well-crafted item.
“Hmm. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can fix this. The ore is too special.”
“Then, please melt it down and turn it into materials.”
“It’s just something I picked up, so it’s fine,” I said casually. At that moment, I felt a shiver run down my spine, though it quickly passed as Alivers shook his head and refused.
“No, you should keep it. I can’t do anything with it, but a blacksmith at Fuziaze might have a chance.”
“Huh…”
I didn’t particularly care for this sword.
I could have had it turned into materials, but from Alivers’s perspective, it seemed like a great waste.
“Also interesting is this magic stone. It’s Crescent Pectoral Azure, if I’m not mistaken. If you sell this, you could live for three years without working, are you sure?”
“Eh, that much!?”
The price, far beyond my imagination, stunned me.
One of my goals was to pay Maria’s medical expenses. This goal could be achieved just by selling this magic stone.
“But, I can guarantee that using this, you can make something decent. You can coat a sword and make it sturdy. Personally, I think a ring or necklace, a magic item that utilizes this magic stone, would be better.”
“I need sturdy weapons more than magic items…”
“Seeing this disaster, I understand your feelings. I also feel more suited to making weapons, so it’s a relief. …Well then, shall I take the broken weapons and some affordable magic stones?”
“Please.”
After that, Alivers and I recorded the weapons and magic stones for the transaction and decided on the delivery date.
When I expressed my wish to have sturdy weapons as soon as possible, Alivers thought for a moment and proposed a corresponding plan.
“To speed up the work, it’s ideal to increase manpower. That way, the quality won’t drop. If I invite some blacksmith acquaintances from town, the work will naturally speed up. But that would make it quite expensive, you know?”
“No, it’s cheaper than breaking several weapons. Please make them as quickly as possible.”
“Understood. Then, the cost would be… ? I’ll exchange the surplus magic stones for money at the Exchange Office. Master seems busy.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Alright, I’ll prepare Master’s and Snow’s weapons right away. This is the contract. For the market price and details, ask Snow over there. Despite her appearance, she’s knowledgeable about these things. If the price is unfair, don’t hesitate to complain.”
“Snow…? Understood.”
I turned my eyes to Snow, who was lying in the corner of the room.
I had intended to ask the Sub-master, Palinkron, or Rail about such things, but it seemed Snow was capable of it.
“And now, for the most important part…”
“The important part?”
“Yes. The most crucial part for making weapons hasn’t been decided yet.”
I thought we had settled most of the discussion, but apparently, something that the blacksmith considered the most important hadn’t been decided.
“W-What is it?”
“That would be… the design!”
“H-Haa… Design?”
“Yes! Appearance, decoration, that’s what matters most! More than the craftsmanship, beauty! If the sword is beautiful, it will enhance Master’s splendid swordsmanship, won’t it!?”
This person… I thought he was serious, but as expected from a blacksmith dedicated to Epic Seeker, he had a questionable thought process.
“These are weapons we entrust our lives to! Please prioritize craftsmanship over appearance.”
“Precisely because you entrust your lives! When your life is about to end, amidst the scattering blood, wouldn’t it be unbearable to die with an uncool sword!? A hero’s final moments should be beautiful!”
“No, we need weapons so we don’t die. I’m not thinking about when I die.”
“That’s not good, Master! What you accomplish while alive is important, but how you die is even more important!?”
“What happens while alive is more important. Appearance doesn’t matter, so please make them sturdy.”
“That’s cruel! My life’s purpose is to have cool swordsmen use cool swords!”
“This is a Master’s order. Please prioritize sturdiness.”
“Hahaha. Unfortunately, that won’t work at Epic Seeker. Order violations are commonplace here!”
Despite my out-of-character command, Alivers continued to resist.
Epic Seeker really is full of strange people, it’s troublesome…
“Haa… Then let’s scrap this discussion…”
“Th-That would be terrible! To have the chance to work on Master’s sword and then…”
“Then, work seriously. It’s troublesome for us to go to a workshop far away if it’s not at a nearby one.”
“Mmm… I guess I have no choice. How about making it sturdy first, and then adding decorations later…?”
“As long as it doesn’t become too heavy, we can compromise on that. But I won’t pay for those decorations.”
“I understand. I’ll cover that myself then.”
“Cover it yourself…? Isn’t there an option to give up…?”
“None.”
“There isn’t…?”
Alivers, who had said so, spread a thick piece of paper on the workbench and began drawing the finished product with a quill pen.
“For now, if you have any requests, please tell me now. Personally, I’m thinking of a simple straight sword with a white base. That way, it can be made sturdy. Then, silverwork will be added, and letters will be inscribed with melted blue jewels. —What do you think?”
Looking at the drawn sword, I was captivated by its magnificent form.
“It’s worth your dedication… However, for my preference, the color of the letters would be azure rather than blue. It feels more refreshing.”
“Master likes a clean design. Understood, I’ll consider it.”
“Also, for uniformity and fluidity. Unbalanced swords are difficult to use, so please make them symmetrical.”
“Hmm, I prefer asymmetrical ones… but, I guess I’ll have to compensate with decorations.”
Dreaming of the sword that would be completed, Alivers and I clashed our preferences.
Apparently, influenced by Alivers, I was also getting excited. I could tell my inner gamer personality was coming out.
Thus, Alivers and I engaged in a long, passionate discussion about weapons, and before we knew it, the sun had set.
Having said all we needed to say, we exchanged parting greetings with bright smiles.
“Well then, Master. It’s been a while since a big job, so I’ll put my all into it.”
“Yes, I’m counting on you. —Snow, we’re done. Let’s go.”
I grabbed Snow by the scruff of her neck as she was lying in the corner.
Due to the long, uninteresting conversation, she had completely fallen asleep.
Exchanging a wry smile with Alivers, who chuckled softly, I dragged Snow out of the workshop.
With this, conquering the labyrinths from floor 20 onwards, which would begin tomorrow, should become easier.
Honestly, today’s exploration was like playing around. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the real battle starts from floor 20 onwards.
After leaving the workshop, Snow and I went into town.
We went shopping to prepare for the main dungeon exploration, and also visited the church.
My Level had reached 15, and as usual, I allocated the bonus points to Magic Power. With the increased usage of Dimension, I couldn’t consider any other option to improve its accuracy.
Confirming my enhanced Magic Power with Dimension, I returned to the room where Maria was waiting.
