Chapter 35

In a room of the Redgard family's guest quarters, which has become like my personal space, I was drawing shields non-stop.

"How's this one?"

"Not bad, but could you make it a bit taller?"

"Got it."

While listening to Laocles' opinions, I kept drawing shields.

I thought to myself how luxurious it was to have brought in plenty of reference materials and be able to keep drawing in the room.

Moreover, I felt incredibly privileged that Laocles would give me his honest feedback. I had never had anyone critique my drawings like this before.

...No, this isn't about critiquing drawings, but rather critiquing shields. Yeah.

"Hey, Togo, Laocles. It's time for a break."

Fei came in at that moment.

"You've been cooped up here for half a day."

"It's only been half a day."

I wish people would start worrying about me being cooped up after three days. ...No, it would be too mean to say that to Fei, so I won't.

"Alright, fine. Whether it's half a day or three hours, it's time for a break!"

Fei seemed to have brought some light snacks and tea. Yeah, I felt my stomach growling just looking at them.

The sandwich, with its tender chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese, tasted like something a noble would eat. It was completely different from the bread with cheese and ham I usually had in the forest. I liked both, though.

"So, is the shield done?"

"Yeah, just a bit more."

I was improving the handle and the curvature. So far, I've made five prototypes, but none of them are satisfactory yet.

"I've decided on the design, so now I'm just adjusting it to Laocles' preferences."

"Is that so?"

Yeah. The design is set. I want to make it match Laocles' sword, or at least look similar.

Laocles' sword is impressive. It has a cross-like shape, typical of fantasy swords. The color is a deep silver. ...Is it called a dull silver? It has a sophisticated and cool look.

The blade is about 80 cm long. It's much better maintained than when I saw it at the pawnshop, polished to a gleam. The handle is a bit longer, probably to allow for two-handed use. The color is a duller, iron gray, which looks very cool.

...Between the blade and the handle, where the guard meets, there's a beautiful golden stone embedded. It shines brightly and looks great.

The color seems to match Laocles' personality. It fits him perfectly.

When I asked him about it, he said, "The color of the stone was chosen by a colleague at the time." I'd like to shake hands with that colleague.

...So, I decided to make the shield a similar color and embed a stone of the same color.

The edge of the shield will be decorated with iron-gray metal, similar to the guard of the sword. I asked Laocles where it wouldn't be in the way, and I'll embed a stone there, similar to the color of his eyes, the color of the morning sun in winter.

I'll polish the surface of the shield like the blade of the sword...

...Yeah.

"A bit lonely."

By itself, it might feel a bit too simple.

The design I referenced the most was the Redgard family's shield.

The Redgard family's shield is quite flashy and cool. The edge is gold, and the center is deep red, with the Redgard family's crest in gold. It looks very cool.

...So, while the shape is different, the shield I'm finishing, which lacks the crest, feels a bit lonely.

Well, I don't have a crest like the Redgard family, so I'll leave it as it is.

Following Laocles' advice, I changed the shape of the shield... and then, with each stroke, I drew it seriously and with all my might. I hope it will be as sturdy as possible. I hope this shield will protect Laocles properly.

Especially for the gemstone part, I used the tip of the brush carefully. I hope it will turn out to be a nice gemstone.

After a one-hour break...

Finally, the shield materialized.

"...How's it look?"

I watched as Laocles equipped the shield on his left hand and asked.

Laocles held the shield up, moved it around, and seemed to be thinking... then, he slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

"This is good."

...Yes!

"Great!"

Finally, I made a shield that Laocles likes! I'm so happy!

What is it? It feels like the first time I've made something that someone is happy with. (I made a pond that birds liked, and a horse seemed to like a shelter from the rain, but that's a different story.)

"Wow. It's beautiful. Can I see it?"

Fei came to look at Laocles' shield. The polished shield reflected Fei's face. Fei refrained from touching it... but with eyes full of curiosity and interest, he stared at the shield...

...and then said,

"Is this iron?"

"Huh? I don't know."

I only matched it to the sword, so I only considered the color. I hoped it would be sturdy, but I have no idea what material it is.

Fei, with a deflated voice, asked Laocles for permission and then tapped the edge of the shield lightly.

"...Hmm."

Fei hummed. He hummed and tilted his head.

"Is it a magic ore?"

...What is magic ore?

"Listen, magic ore is a mineral with a lot of magic power. Sometimes it's used as a mineral with inherent magic power, and sometimes magic power is added during processing."

Yeah, I don't understand.

"...Ah, you don't get it, do you?"

"Yeah."

Fei, as always, understands me well. ...Or maybe I show my confusion on my face?

"...Well, to put it simply for Togo... it's really hard."

Really hard, huh? That's good. It means it will protect Laocles better.

"Because it's really hard, it's very difficult to process."

I guess that makes sense. But drawing it is easy because there's no need for the processing steps.

"That's why a 'magic ore shield' is very high-performance... but magic ore itself is rare, and there are few craftsmen who can process it, so... it's very rare."

"Huh? If you can add magic power during processing, can't you make magic ore?"

I assumed it was possible.

From the fact that there are few glass windows in this world, I can tell that glass manufacturing is a bit difficult. So, I assume that the technology to melt and crystallize such materials hasn't developed much... which means artificial gems can't be made.

Yeah. That's why I understood about 'magic stones'.

Gems with a lot of magic power can't be artificially made. So, magic stones, which can only be obtained naturally, are very expensive. That's what I thought.

On the other hand, I thought there might be alloy technology, and since blacksmithing is common, there might be some steel technology...

"Idiot. How many people can add magic power to just any metal?"

"...Hey, Fei. Is there anyone who can add magic power to gems to make magic stones?"

"Huh? I've never heard of such a thing..."

...I see.

I was right about gems, but about magic ore... it seems to be a more severe world than I imagined.

"So, this shield... both the user and the collectors would probably want it so badly they'd give their right arm for it... I don't really understand, but..."

...I see. Well, it's fine.

"If it breaks, I can make another one. If it gets lost, I can make another one."

At least, no matter how valuable this shield is, I can make another one, so I hope Laocles can use it as he wishes.

"It doesn't seem like something that would break. First of all, who would be foolish enough to lose this shield? It costs more than my selling price."

"I can't accept that."

Laocles, who has the skills of a statue, being worth less than a single shield is unacceptable. Unacceptable!

...Well, it's fine.

It seems I've made a pretty good shield, and if it can protect Laocles, that's enough.

And...

"Hmm."

Laocles has been equipping his sword and shield, moving the shield around, and practicing with the sword. During this time, the corners of his mouth have been slightly, but clearly, raised.

It seems Laocles likes the shield.

...I'm the happiest about that.

That day, I stayed at the Redgard family's house as planned.

And the room... after discussions with Fei, Fei's brother and father, and Laocles, it was decided that Laocles would sleep in the same room as me.

It's very reassuring.

"...Do you have any resistance to sleeping in the same room with a stranger?"

"Laocles isn't a stranger."

Laocles is currently moving the beds, placing his bed by the window and mine on the inside. His words, "If there's an attack, it will probably come from the window rather than the hallway," are very reassuring.

"I've killed people."

"Yeah, I know."

While listening to Laocles, I noticed he seemed a bit hesitant.

"If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to."

"No."

Before I could finish, Laocles finished moving the bed and sat down by the window.

"I'll talk. About my background. ...It's unsettling to share a room with someone whose background is unknown."

"I don't really mind, but..."

But I'm happy to hear his story.

...I sat on my bed, facing Laocles, and waited for him to speak.

Laocles seemed to be searching for words, his gaze wandering to his knees... then he started talking.

"I used to be a knight serving a noble."