kscans

Chapter 13 - The Grossa Army's Exclusive Blacksmith

"Dareth-san, thank you so much! Thanks to your repairs, it's become so much easier to use."

"Please repair my spear too. I've been looking forward to this."

"Hey, don't cut in line. It's my turn next."

A few days after I won the match against Nanahikari, the forge was packed with soldiers wanting their weapons repaired. They just kept coming, one after another without a break. This was even busier than it was in Rieten.

"Ah, yeah, just a minute. I'm taking you in order."

Even so, I was so busy I didn't even have time for a sip of water. But I couldn't afford to rest. The soldiers' weapons and armor were all badly nicked or damaged. Nanahikari probably hadn't been doing a proper job of fixing them. And as for Kamina, the sword I made, it ended up being displayed on the forge wall. Every day, young soldiers gathered around it.

"What a beautiful and powerful sword. I'm definitely going to be the one to wield Kamina."

"Kamina is so cool. Though, I'll be the one to get promoted before you."

"No, no, I'm the one worthy of Kamina. I'll achieve more than either of you."

Everyone was excitedly talking about their ambitions. Apparently, it was to be awarded to someone who achieved a special-class accomplishment, on par with Militar's. I never thought a sword of mine would be treated with such reverence. It's quite moving. On top of that, people naturally stopped calling me "old man" at some point. This was a good sign.

"Dareth-san is so serious about his work, he's a truly great blacksmith. A model for all of us."

"I heard he's forty. I want to be a cool old man like him too."

"He's truly the star of hope for us middle-aged guys. I hope he keeps giving us old guys hope."

Well, they stopped calling me that, but every time I overhear conversations like that, I feel a little sad, wondering if I really am an old man. It's a very nice compliment, but objective evaluations from others really hit home. As I was thinking that while swinging my hammer, it was time to close up. Alright, work's over for today! I've always been punctual. Start on time, end on time.

"Alright, everyone. I'm closing up for the day. I need to clean up, so please head out."

""Yes, sir. Thank you for your hard work.""

The soldiers filed out. As I was cleaning the now spacious barracks, someone came inside.

"Sorry, but I'm closed for the day. If you need any repairs, please come back tomorrow. I'm truly sorry."

"Sensei, thank you for your hard work. I apologize for intruding while you're busy."

"Oh, Militar. It's you."

The person who came in was Militar. Even after I became the exclusive blacksmith as a result of our match, she would often stop by to check on me.

"All the soldiers are grateful to you, Sensei. Even those who couldn't exactly be called motivated have completely changed. They're tackling their training like new men."

"That's good to hear. Hearing people say they want to use the swords I've made is the greatest joy a blacksmith can experience."

It makes me genuinely happy to hear that from the soldiers who protect our country, especially the young ones. It makes me want to work even harder at smithing.

"About that other matter, I'm sorry for the trouble it's caused you, Sensei. When I told Her Majesty about your skill, she had those words for you..."

"No, it's fine. It means it's for the good of the army."

That matter she was talking about was that. I'd been told to go easy on the repairs and creation of equipment for the soldiers. The army's equipment is apparently ranked according to hierarchy and unit, with regular soldiers mainly using C-rank and B-rank gear. The concern was that if everyone had equipment like Kamina, they might become conceited. The army is really well-organized, I thought, and then Militar mumbled, fidgeting.

"Um, Sensei... are you staying at that inn again today?"

"Yeah, that's the plan."

"If you'd like, the army can arrange for lodging."

"No, I'd feel bad, so it's okay."

I was staying at Teru-san's inn. The Royal Capital is safe, and it's close to the army's headquarters. And it's a really great inn. The rooms are clean and the food is delicious. And I feel like Militar is muttering something like, "That upstart woman..." but I'm probably just imagining things, right? There's no way a model of ladylike behavior like her would use such words.

"Shamelessly living with him... unforgivable... Oh, that's right! I came here today because I have something important to discuss with you, Sensei."

"Im, important? What is it?"

Militar's formal tone made me nervous. Please let it be something not so serious.

"Her Majesty wishes to see you."

"Oh, I see. Her Majesty the Queen, huh... What?!"

Perhaps due to my age, the surprise hit a moment late. This was a much bigger deal than I had imagined.

"H, Her Majesty wants to see me?! Why!"

"It is, of course, because of the events of these past few weeks. Thanks to you, Sensei, the danger of the army's weakening has been averted, and you have also managed to raise the soldiers' motivation. This is considered a great achievement."

Whoa, whoa, whoa, are you serious? I had no idea they were talking about such things behind my back. Is it really okay for an old man like me to go before Her Majesty?

"And so, let us go to Her Majesty."

"Eh! Right now?!"

"Yes."

Militar stated it as if it were a matter of course. What in the world is happening?

"B, but, I'm not mentally prepared... I'm all dirty, too..."

"You do not need mental preparation, Sensei. And Her Majesty will not mind your state. Now, I will guide you, so please follow me."

"But..."

As Militar led me by the hand, my mind gradually went blank. It's not something I'm proud of, but I'm just an ordinary citizen. I've never met royalty before. In fact, I never thought I would in my entire life. Good grief, what's going to happen to me?