Chapter 20

[Artemis, are you awake?] (Varius)

I began a conversation using the divine power the moment I left the building .

[Varius? Rather than being awake, I don’t sleep as I am not human . ] (Artemis)

…It seems that it’s all right to contact her whenever .

[I have something I want to ask regarding the Luna Metal, is that OK?] (Varius)

[Sure thing, I can answer anything . ] (Artemis)

Artemis’ voice sounded full of confidence .

Well then…Although ornamental, I did hear about it being made into a sword, guess I’ll ask about its practicality as a weapon .

[Is the Luna Metal…a suitable metal to be used as a sword material?] (Varius)

[A sword, huh… If that’s the case, I’ll have you know that it won’t be of much help to anyone other than you yourself, Varius . You need to pass divine power through it, otherwise it’s as good as a dull sword . ] (Artemis)

[Once I pass divine power through it…how would it perform?] (Varius)

[Honest, even if the current Varius use it, it’s sharpness will only be on par with that of a sword made of mythril . However, once you’ve mastered how to use the divine power, you’ll be able to slice through orihalcum like yoghurt . ] (Artemis)

That was Artemis’ answer .

In other words, “It’s useless to mass produce and sell it, but it’s useful if I am the one using it . ”, huh?

[Thank you, Artemis . For the time being, I’ve decided on what I should do next . I’ll be in touch again if I have anything else to ask . ] (Varius)

[Sure . I’ll be waiting . ] (Artemis)

With that, I cut off my connection with Artemis .

Since I have the Ruyi Staff, I thought that I had no need for another weapon, but…situations where the Ruyi Staff or its substitute have no effect may appear in the future .

I’ve got around 3 . 9 tonnes’ left anyway, so in order to make good use of the divine power, it’s probably fine for me to make one .

About using the rest of it…oi, oi, I better think about it .

Having made my decision, I went towards the smithy .

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[Excuse me . ] (Varius)

[Oh, what do you want?] (Blacksmith)

I called out to the blacksmith when I entered a shop and received a brusque reply in return .

……It seems that this planet isn’t any different when it comes to unsociable blacksmiths .

After letting that fact sink in, I moved on to the main topic .

[I was thinking of having a pure Luna Metal sword, made-to-order . ] (Varius)

Hearing that…the blacksmith glared at me wide-eyed, and spoke in a low tone .

[Haaah? Made of Luna Metal?] (Blacksmith)

[That’s right . ] (Varius)

…I wonder if I said something that hit a nerve?

As I wondered, the blacksmith came over with a displeased look on his face .

[……You are asking me, to make a sword using that material which only makes things blunt? Is that what you’re saying, you bastard?] (Blacksmith)

I was somewhat overwhelmed by the pressure emitted from the blacksmith .

…Although it’s reaching a level where I feel like running out of the store, since I’ve got an idea on what angered the blacksmith from his words, I decided to try persuading him .

[Indeed, I am aware that the general perception is such that “Swords made of Luna Metal are only good for decorative purposes” . I however, have a special power that allows me to maximise the blade’s sharpness precisely because it is made from Luna Metal . Please, believe me . ] (Varius)

I said while looking directly into the blacksmith’s eyes .

……Most likely, this blacksmith has quite a bit of pride in his skills .

Ordering a sword that has no practical purpose must have hurt his pride .

That’s why he displayed such an attitude .

Hence, there’s only one I should do .

I must insist that “I want a Luna Metal made sword precisely because it is the most practical for me in battle” .

I tried to persuade him based on that line of thought .

The blacksmith replied in response .

[…Your eyes don’t’ look like they’re lying . Fine, I’ll make it . However, only if you can procure the Luna Metal yourself . ] (Blacksmith)

Relieved, I took about 10kg worth of Luna Metal out using storage magic .

[I’ll leave this with you then . ] (Varius)

The blacksmith’s eyes went round when I said that .

[Wh…you already have it? What’s more, that’s a lot of it…] (Blacksmith)

The blacksmith heaved a deep sigh, and continued .

[Caaan’t beee heeelped . I did say I’d make it after all… . . The fee will be around 150000 Zol . However…that is only if you can prove to me that you can properly use a Luna Metal sword . If long as you cannot produce a sharpness that I am satisfied with…the fee will be tripled . ] (Blacksmith)

The blacksmith raises the three fingers on his left hand as he said so .

I see .

In other words, “If I don’t hurry and train my divine power, I won’t be able to convince the blacksmith and will end up paying 3 times the fee . The deadline is when the sword is completed” .

Very well .

If possible, I want the blacksmith to think that “He did a good job” but…well, in the worst case, I would just be paying an extra 300000 Zol to get the job done .

For me who currently have 24 million Zol, it isn’t an expense that would hurt me anyway, so I’ll take him up on that challenge .

[Understood . May I ask when can I come to collect it?] (Varius)

[Let’s see…it’s the first time I’m handling Luna Metal so…come back here in 10 days . ] (Blacksmith)

With that decided, I left the smithy .

…… 10 days huh?

It’s too short a time for me to make this new power mine .

It seems that the current me will be able to produce a sharpness equivalent to a mythril sword but…whether that blacksmith will be satisfied with just that is up in the air .

That’s why, even if I don’t reach the level of orihalcum, I should at least achieve a level rivalling that of adamantite…but if I just train normally, achieving that will just remain a dream within a dream .

But I am a Tamer .

I remembered a hypothesis that would rapidly train my divine power .

Tomorrow, I will put that hypothesis to the test .