kscans

Chapter 9 - A Stroke of Genius

This is bad, this is bad, this is bad! The sword broke. And it wasn't just any sword. It was a national treasure. Even I, with my mind as clear as a polished mirror, can't stop panicking.

"Shion-san? What’s wrong? You didn't break it, did you?"

"O, of course I didn’t! I’m still working on it! Be quiet!"

For now, I answered to buy some time. I’m in this terrible mess because of Dareth. It’s all his fault for making such a shoddy sword. Unforgivable. However, I’ll get my revenge on Dareth later. Right now, I have to do something about this situation or I’m in big trouble.

"Calm down, calm down. In times like these, you have to think of a solution calmly."

I took slow, deep breaths to calm my heart. As I composed myself, my mind gradually cleared. ...That’s it.

"I’ll stick it together with adhesive liquid."

Thanks to the Shion-style deep breathing, a genius idea struck me. If it's broken, I just have to glue it. It’s a simple matter. I'm pretty sure I had some ridiculously sticky liquid somewhere. After rummaging through my drawers, I found the item I was looking for.

[Temporary Adhesive Liquid] Rank: C Attribute: None Description: A liquid made by mixing sticky monster bodily fluids. It can adhere to most materials like wood or metal. However, its strength is low, and its primary use is for temporary fastening.

"This is it!"

With this, the repair will be complete. I applied the [Adhesive Liquid] to the broken surfaces and pressed them together firmly. I wiped off the excess before it dried. Might as well polish the surface while I'm at it. After wiping it with a towel, the dirt was gone, and it looked surprisingly clean. I should be able to get away with this. I carefully lifted the [Amatsurugi] so as not to break the newly glued part. Then, I carried it over to them.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. The repairs are finished."

"That was incredibly fast! As expected of the guild master."

Senji happily reached out to take it. I quickly refused, protecting the [Amatsurugi].

"It’s still in a delicate state. Don’t try to touch it so roughly."

"Ah, well, but... I do need to check its condition..."

"Are you saying you doubt me!? Me, the guild master!"

"That’s not what I meant..."

I really don't want him to look at it, but Senji stubbornly insists on checking. If we keep arguing like this, it might break from the slightest impact. ...I have no choice. I decided to let him see it just a little so he wouldn’t get suspicious.

"See, it’s clean, isn’t it?"

"Indeed..."

I showed it to him from a slight distance. It would be a pain if he noticed it wasn’t actually repaired.

"But, it still looks like it has some nicks."

"That’s just an illusion. Your eyes are trapped in an illusion. Don’t say things without evidence."

"Y, yes... I don’t quite understand what you mean, but..."

While talking Senji down, I returned the [Amatsurugi] to its box. Once it’s packed away, I'm home free. I can just tell them not to open it until they get to the Royal Capital. However, despite being careful, it bumped against the desk with a soft thud. Crap! ...I thought, but there was no change in the [Amatsurugi]. Th, that was close. Just as it was right above the box. Almost there, hang in there! The moment I willed it with all my might, the [Amatsurugi] broke with a pakin sound. It was an utterly anticlimactic snap.

""Eh...""

Dumbfounded expressions on the envoy and his guards, the guild members, and the national treasure of a sword, broken in two.

"Sh, Shion-san? Didn’t you say you fixed it?"

"Ah, well, you see..."

The atmosphere in the guild grew tense little by little. Th, this is bad. To change the mood, I suddenly said brightly.

"W, well that’s strange. I was sure I repaired it properly. W, well, since we’re here, how about we call it a separate-type sword?"

It was a good idea, if I did say so myself. If it's broken, why not just make it that kind of sword? That way, there’s no need to repair it. A true miracle idea. Senji was looking down, trembling. He must be moved by my idea.

"...What do you think you’re doing! You phony guild master!"

"H, hey! What are you doing!"

Suddenly, Senji grabbed me violently. My expensive clothes were getting wrinkled.

"Why did you break it! You said you would fix it!"

"I, I’m telling you, it was an unforeseen accident! Just a little mishap!"

"Aaaaaah! I knew it, I never should have asked you!"

Senji was crouched down, holding his head. Hey, that's rude. What is he thinking.

"Shion! You are under arrest!"

"What!?"

That was the most incomprehensible thing I'd heard all day.

"A, arrest me!? Why!?"

"Do you really not know! It’s because you destroyed a national treasure! ...You men, seize him! We’re taking him to the Royal Capital!"

""Yes, sir!""

The burly guards grabbed me. They were incredibly strong.

"S, stop! Let go!"

""Behave yourself! You incompetent master!""

Dragged by the guards, I was taken outside the guild. A carriage was parked in front, and I was forcibly shoved inside. Without understanding what was happening, the carriage started moving. As I was violently jostled around, I desperately tried to figure out how things had come to this. No, there was one thing that was clear.

---...It’s all Dareth’s fault.

Yes, that must be it. If it weren't for him, this never would have happened. The moment I became convinced of that, a rage boiled up from the depths of my heart. The crime of having me falsely arrested is a grave one. Dareth! I will have my revenge on you!