kscans

Chapter 7 - The Smithing Contest

"Huh? What the hell, old man! Let go of me!"

"No, if I let go, you’ll punch him."

Nanahikari’s arm was so thin it fit completely in my hand. He was awfully slender for a blacksmith, and weak, too. His hands didn't seem to have any calluses at all. While I was a little envious of how clean they were, it also made me question if he was really a blacksmith.

"Dammit, what’s with this old guy...! He’s not budging...!"

"I’ll let go if you promise not to hit him."

"Fine! I get it, just let go!"

When I loosened my grip, Nanahikari yanked his arm away with a jerk. The spot I had been holding was a little red. When he saw it, his face contorted as if he’d seen something terrifying.

"Hey! My beautiful arm is turning red! What am I supposed to do if it’s there for life! Take responsibility!"

"You know..."

It's normal for your arm to turn red if someone grips it tightly, right? Besides, it’ll probably disappear soon enough. Is this what young people in... or rather, in the Royal Capital are like these days? The moment I had that thought, I hurriedly shook my head to dismiss it. No, no, that’s something an old man would say. I may be forty, but I shouldn't be that old yet. While I was desperately chanting "I’m still young" in my head, Nanahikari kept shouting something.

"...If this red mark doesn't go away, I’ll sue you! Hey, someone throw this old man out!"

"Nanahikari-dono. First, please calm down. This is Dareth-dono, a blacksmith from Rieten."

"Huh? So what? I’m not interested in some old guy from a backwater town like Rieten."

Just when I thought Nanahikari had lost his temper, the next moment he was back to his usual lazy, sloppy grin. What a busy guy.

"He is the blacksmith who forged this Shinma."

"What... did you say?"

The instant Nanahikari heard Militar’s words, his expression became serious. As I thought, the sword she carried was famous.

"I thought that you, Nanahikari-dono, as a first-rate blacksmith, would have an engaging conversation with Dareth-dono."

"Tch..."

"Depending on the situation, I believe it might be a good idea to have a two-person system for the exclusive blacksmith position."

For a moment, I thought Nanahikari’s ferocity had subsided, but it was quickly replaced by a vicious smile.

"In that case, let’s see what this old man is made of. You and I will have a smithing contest. If you lose, you go back to the countryside, trash."

"All right. In return, if I win, you’ll take your job more seriously."

"Yeah, fine. But there’s a condition!"

Nanahikari raised his index finger. What now? He had a smug look on his face.

"You can only use materials of D-rank or lower. Of course, I’ll be using all the S-rank materials I want."

"What...!?"

A ripple of unease spread through the barracks. The surrounding soldiers exchanged glances. Nanahikari, on the other hand, had a wicked smile so wide his brow furrowed and his eyelids contorted.

"Hey, hey, what’s wrong? The great creator of Shinma should be able to make an amazing sword even with D-rank materials, right?"

"Hmm..."

I see, so that’s how it is. He wants to give himself a huge handicap. I heard Nanahikari is the heir to a ducal family. He can probably get his hands on as many S-rank materials as he wants.

"Besides, you’re an old man, so you must have more experience than me, right? Please teach me, senpai."

Nanahikari clicked his tongue as he looked up at me. I was already taller than him, but for some reason, he lowered his posture even further to look up at me. What in the world was he doing? As I pondered this, Militar pulled on my arm. She led me a short distance away from Nanahikari.

"Sensei, I’m sorry... This is my mistake. It’s become more trouble than I expected. For now, please go home and..."

"No, it’s not a problem at all."

"Ah! Please wait!"

I gently pushed Militar aside and returned to Nanahikari’s side.

"Finished with your little chat? Let’s hear your answer."

"How will we determine the winner?"

"Oh! You’re into it, old man!"

Nanahikari clapped his hands with exaggerated enthusiasm. I could hear the soldiers murmuring around us.

"Is he really going to compete with that handicap?"

"He won’t be able to make a decent sword with D-rank materials or lower."

"I’d have to pass if I were him."

It seemed everyone was convinced I had no chance of winning.

"We have plenty of Training Dolls here for the soldiers to spar with. Those guys. The design is dead ugly, but their durability is first-rate. They’ve never broken, not even once."

Nanahikari pointed to a humanoid figure that looked like a suit of armor propped against the wall. Since it was training equipment, it was probably built to be especially tough.

"They all have the same specs. We’ll have them fight with the swords we make. The one whose sword breaks first loses. Simple enough, right?"

"Yes, that’s fine."

"S, Sensei!"

Militar whispered to me worriedly, as if to dissuade me, but I had no intention of backing down.

"The match is in ten days. You can run away if you think you can’t handle it, old man."

"Haha, don’t be ridiculous."

"As a special favor, I’ll let you use this forge. I’ll be working at my mansion. See ya."

With that, Nanahikari quickly left. The barracks was soon filled with the voices of the soldiers discussing the situation. A frantic Militar spoke to me in a low voice. She looked extremely worried. She really was a kind person.

"A, are you sure about this, Sensei? Only being able to use D-rank materials or lower is just too much..."

"Like I said before, it’s not a problem. In fact..."

"In fact...?"

It had only been a few weeks since I last held a hammer, but my blacksmith’s blood was already stirring. I guess I really do love smithing. I told the stunned Militar plainly.

"A sword made from inferior materials beating one made from high-grade materials... isn’t that interesting?"