Chapter 37

"By the way, you're not wearing your sword, sir."

"Yeah, a bit. It broke."

Valder, who keenly noticed the discomfort at my waist, asked.

Since there's no point in lying about it, I decided to honestly reveal the current situation. Well, it's true that it broke, though the way it broke was unexpected.

"You don't seem like the type to mishandle it, so did you have an accident?"

"Something like that."

Valder laughed and said, "Hehe, that's an accident, alright. Sticking your sword into the mouth of a specially designated target and getting cut in half by a Black Rank adventurer who came from above—yeah, that's definitely an accident."

"But, a longsword. We do handle them, of course, but wouldn't you prefer a custom-made one, sir?"

This guy is saying the same thing as Kurni.

I don't need anything special, just a regular one will do.

"No, I don't have that kind of luxury. I think a ready-made one is fine for me."

This is also the truth.

I can't say I don't have a longing for a custom-made sword. As a swordsman, I would want to hold one at least once.

However, I doubt it would suit me. Besides, I don't have the money or time for it. Well, I might have some time, but...

"If you say so, I won't force you... But, Alyushia seems to need a custom-made one more than you."

I tried to shift the topic to Alyushia.

Of course, I don't mind that she's using the farewell sword, but it's just a plain sword made in a small town. If asked whether it's worthy of being wielded by the commander of the Reberio Knights, it's a difficult question. I didn't mean to give her a mediocre sword, but...

"No, I already have my sword."

"...Is that so?"

This is it.

Even Alyushia, who usually listens to me, is stubborn about this. What drives her to be so determined? I don't quite understand.

"Well, if you say so, I won't push it. Here, sir, we have plenty of longswords, so please choose one."

"Sure, I'll do that."

The reason I don't make a custom-made sword and the reason Alyushia doesn't use anything other than the farewell sword—while they differ, one thing they have in common is that they are not something to be forced by others.

Since I think this way, there's nothing I can do about it.

I straightened my mind and looked at the longswords displayed in Valder's shop.

There are many, but they all look similar.

The blade length is roughly eighty to one hundred centimeters. The thickness is almost the same, and the blade is thinner than the broadsword Srena has. The weight is also similar, and it feels just right in my hand.

"Hmm..."

I picked up and examined one after another.

None of them are bad. They are all well-polished, and the balance is good. They are excellent as general longswords.

From my experience, they are not inferior to the swords I saw at the knight's blacksmith shop, which Alyushia recommended.

"Good swords, all well-polished."

Valder picked up on my words.

"Well, that's my job, after all."

I started to feel that any of them would be fine, not in a bad way, but because they all seem to be good swords, there's not much difference between them.

I'm not uninterested in other weapons, but it feels like it's too late to start training with a different type of weapon.

"Any recommendations, Valder?"

"Well... longswords are mostly the same."

I asked the shop owner for a recommendation, but the answer was as expected.

The high versatility is one of the strengths of longswords. In the case of unusual weapons, they often have their own names.

In other words, they are ordinary. And they have high versatility in various situations. That's what longswords and short swords are.

"If you're so indecisive, maybe a custom-made one would be better?"

While handling various swords, Kurni barged in.

The Zweihänder is a bit too large and heavy to wear on the waist, so it's attached to a belt and carried on the back.

The contrast between her small frame and the large sword is quite something.

Whether she can handle it is still unknown, but for the knights, appearance is also important. Whether this contrast is accepted is another matter.

"I haven't really considered that... Hmm, maybe I'm still attached to my previous sword."

My beloved sword, which broke cleanly, wasn't a masterpiece but wasn't bad. Perhaps because I used it for so long, I unconsciously developed an attachment to it.

"Long-term use of a weapon does foster attachment."

Alyushia agreed with my mutter.

You're absolutely right, but it feels heavy coming from you. I hope it's just my imagination.

You can never meet the same weapon again.

Even if the materials and manufacturing methods are the same, there are always some differences. Sometimes you can see the difference, and sometimes you only feel it when you hold it.

My previous sword was a plain one made in my hometown, but I used it for a long time. Perhaps the feeling has seeped into me unconsciously.

"Well, these things also depend on fate. If it's not inconvenient, there's no need to buy one today."

Valder is a blacksmith. His essence is that of a craftsman, a swordsman, and a merchant. So, he doesn't do pushy sales. I appreciate that a lot.

"Yeah, that's true."

The discomfort from the lack of weight at my waist remains, but whether to buy a temporary replacement is a dilemma. I'm not at the level where I need a custom-made one, but I do have some preferences.

It's not that Valder's swords are inferior. It's just that... I can't quite put my finger on it. It's a feeling that's hard to explain logically.

"Ah, right, sir, if you're going to do a dungeon attack, bring the materials. I'll buy them, and if you want, I can make your sword with them."

"Hehe, well, if there's an opportunity."

I laughed and dodged Valder's words.

Why do they all assume I'm going to do a dungeon attack?

Valder doesn't know about my trip to Azaramia Forest last time. Alyushia probably knows, but it's not something she would spread.

Still, the fact that such topics come up means they think I will do it. Why? I'm just an ordinary middle-aged man who wants to live a peaceful life.

"Excuse me, is Valder here... Oh, sir... and Citrus is here too?"

I was thinking about various things.

Another intruder opened the door of Valder's blacksmith.

"Huh? Srena, what's up? I just sharpened your broadsword the other day."

The one who appeared was the Black Rank adventurer, Srena.

It seems like a coincidence that we ran into each other. She apparently has some business with Valder.

But we really do meet often. When I was holed up in Bident Village, I hardly ever met adventurers, but since coming to the capital, Baltray, I've had a lot of encounters.

"No, I'm not here for sharpening today."

Srena, who was asked, nodded at Valder's words and then dropped a large bag on the counter.

"These are the materials from the specially designated target, Zenograyle. I want you to make a longsword using these."

Srena: "I heard the story (I didn't hear it)."