kscans

Chapter 14 - An Audience and a Mysterious Reunion

"Are you ready, Sensei?"

"Ah, yeah. Though I'd prefer another year or so to calm my nerves..."

"Please don't joke about it."

Right now, I was standing before an incredibly majestic door. Next to me were two soldiers staring into the void. I could tell at a glance that this was the Throne Room. It was clearly different from the other doors. Anyway, what kind of person is Her Majesty the Queen? ...Maybe I should ask Militar. Prior information is important.

"H, hey, Militar. What is Her Majesty the Queen like?"

"Let's see. In a word, she is... 'kind to the competent, strict with the incompetent'."

"...I see?"

What's with that? That's terrifying! I wish I hadn't asked.

"Well then, let us go, Sensei."

"Y, yes, ma'am."

The guards opened the door without so much as moving an eyebrow. I just noticed, but these guys are super scary too. Th, they're watching me with just their eyes. As I followed Militar and arrived before the throne, my nervousness reached its peak. Her Majesty the Queen, Serenade Grossa-sama, was sitting there. Well, that's to be expected.

"You have come, Militar. And you, Dareth. We are pleased to meet you both."

"Yes! It is good to see Your Majesty is well!"

"I, I am Dareth!"

It was my first time seeing Her Majesty the Queen, and she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her long, translucent silver hair and eyes shone like stars themselves. Her sharp, well-defined nose was like that of a great spirit. She was tall even when seated, and her entire being overflowed with dignity.

"Dareth, the Kamina you forged is truly magnificent. We were deeply moved. We acknowledge you as the finest blacksmith in the kingdom."

"I, I am most grateful!"

I, I can't believe I'm being praised by the Queen herself. This is incredible... My heart is full of both awe and happiness. This means Her Majesty saw Kamina without me knowing, right? How terrifying.

"You did well with the Nanahikari matter as well. We were away on an inspection tour, so our response was delayed."

"Ah, no... I only did what I could..."

But... is this a good impression? Militar's words, "strict with the incompetent," were stuck in my mind, and I couldn't relax for a moment.

"You were also the creator of Shinma, were you not? To think we could not find such an exceptional talent, our own eyes must have grown cloudy."

"I, I do not believe that is the case. Your Majesty's eyes are like perfectly clear jewels."

I was so conscious of not being rude that my reply came out sounding strange. H, has that remark made me seem incompetent?

"Hmph, you may be skilled in smithing, but it seems you are not as skilled in handling women."

"Ah, no! I am truly sorry about that!"

Her Majesty the Queen laughed, but she was so beautiful it was terrifying.

"Now, today we have something to discuss regarding the Amatsurugi you forged."

What is that?

"The, the Amatsurugi... you say? I'm sorry, but what are you referring to?"

"What do you mean? It is the sword you forged."

"My apologies. I truly do not understand..."

"Surely you have not forgotten. ...Well, no matter. You there, bring it here."

At the Queen's command, servants who looked like saintesses brought in an expensive-looking box. It was opened gracefully, and a sword I had never seen before was revealed.

Sword of Angel: Amatsurugi
Rank: S
Attribute: Holy
Ability: Can summon a heavenly being and host it within oneself. A supreme sacred sword capable of connecting the present world with the heavenly realm.

What is this? Its beauty was so dazzling. It was like a sword that was the embodiment of a saintess's prayer. I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me it was brought from the heavens... But it was broken clean in two.

"It is damaged for certain reasons, but it has been designated a national treasure. Is this not the sword you forged?"

"Eh..."

The Queen told me the history of this sword. The sword I made evolved? No way, again?

"I can't believe such a thing..."

"You created such a sacred sword without even realizing it! You are an interesting man! Hahahahahaha!"

The Queen threw her head back and laughed loudly. But in the next moment, her expression returned to a terrifyingly serious one.

"Our business is none other than the matter of Amatsurugi's damage."

"Y, yes..."

Is she going to scold me for making a sword that breaks so easily? How am I supposed to explain myself?

"You there, bring him in."

""As you wish.""

But contrary to my expectations, I wasn't blamed. This time, some brawny men came from the corner of the room, carrying someone.

"This fool destroyed it. Even though he was incapable, it seems he forced the repairs upon himself because he was the guild master."

"Eh...? Shion?"

The person they brought in was the wannabe-intellectual guild master who was supposed to be in Rieten. His usual high-mindedness was nowhere to be seen, and he just looked limp. Wh, what's wrong? And what does she mean, Shion destroyed it? What happened?

"This fool lied, claiming he could repair a national treasure, and deceived our envoy. Even though he has never so much as held a hammer."

"I, I am sorry... Your Majest... aaah!"

"If you're going to apologize, don't do it in the first place!"

Shion was struck with a whip, paan! Her Majesty the Queen is terrifying. He was beaten mercilessly for a while, and by the end, Shion was a wreck.

"So, Dareth. We have a favor to ask of you."

"Yes! What is it!"

Being asked a favor, I immediately knelt before the Queen. The slightest rude gesture and my life would be forfeit.

"Will you take this man as your apprentice?"

"...Eh? Take Shion as my apprentice...?"

Are you serious? It was a request so unexpected it was extreme.

"We have decided to have him learn through smithing just how foolish a life he has led. ...Will you cooperate?"

"I, I understand. I have no problem with that."

So Shion really was incompetent at his job.

"Please wait, Your Majesty!"

Suddenly, the limp Shion shouted.

"Please do not give this incompetent fool the initiative! My consensus has not been obtained... aaaah!"

"Silence! You are the incompetent one! First, fix the way you speak! I can't understand a word of it!"

He was beaten mercilessly with the whip again. You'd think he'd know better... The high-minded Shion was still high-minded, even at a time like this. What in the world is he doing?

"And to supervise Shion, we will assign this man. Our subordinate, Senji."

"My name is Senji. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Ah, the pleasure is all mine."

A man dressed like a textbook envoy emerged quietly from behind the throne. He looked at me and bowed politely. Or so I thought, but then he glared at Shion with an extremely harsh look.

"If he does anything rude, I will discipline him myself, so please rest assured. I will not cause you the slightest trouble, Dareth-dono."

"Y, yes."

And so, our dear Shion was to train under me.