Chapter 67

With the preparations for Mother's wedding, everyone was bustling about here and there.

However, as a child, I couldn't help much and was just idle when Herbert Krefzig, the adoptive father of Fairvalter and Nebel, took Nebel and me to the Fulfthball forge.

"Welcome, young master! We've been waiting for you!"

A middle-aged man, Harald, who was about the same age as Fairvalter, greeted us.

"I've been looking forward to the young master's return to Fulfthball. It's a bit cramped, but please come in."

No, it's not cramped at all. It's a fine forge.

The room you enter first is used for storing completed weapons and for tasks other than forging, while the room with the furnace is further back. There's an entrance to this room as well, with a large opening, probably as a precaution.

There are three furnaces, and all of them have fires burning.

"I heard that the weapon you chose is a bardiche. May I see it?"

When Harald said this, Sylt took out the bardiche I was using from the item box.

"Here you go."

Harald, who took the bardiche from Sylt, examined the blade closely.

"This... is the work of Egil's third generation, or perhaps the second?"

"Egil?"

"Yes, I apologize. In Fulfthball, there are three blacksmiths who carry on the names of Vlund, Sguvis, and Egil. Each has their own characteristics, but Egil is particularly skilled in making axe-type weapons, and the works of the second and third generations are said to be the best."

Hmm... So, this was indeed the family treasure of the Marquess family. Grandfather, even though you said weapons are tools to be used, you really gave me a weapon forged by such a skilled blacksmith.

"Move aside! Young master! I've been wanting to meet you!"

"What! Is that a bardiche made by the second generation of Egil?!"

"What? The second generation of Egil, who is said to be the best?!"

Three elderly men came out from the back of the forge, took the bardiche from Harald, and started discussing it. They are quite energetic.

"Young master, these are the current Vlund, Sguvis, and Egil. They each have their own forges, but they came to the capital when they heard you were coming to Fulfthball."

After introducing the elderly men, Harald began to take my measurements for a new weapon, asking about the feel, weight, handle length, blade size, and design of the bardiche I was currently using. One of the elderly men interrupted, saying, "Can a young whelp like you forge it?!"

"This is the weapon the young master will use!"

"Sguvis, calm down. Harald is already a fine blacksmith. It's a good time for him to forge the young master's weapon."

"What are you saying! He's still a novice!"

"That's right! This should be left to us veterans."

"You say that, but you just want to forge the young master's weapon yourselves."

"N-no, that's not true!"

Just as things were getting out of hand, Herbert's stern voice boomed.

"Enough! If you want to forge the young master's weapon, go ahead! But the young master will choose which weapon to use. No one should bear a grudge, regardless of who made it. Understand?"

Oh, as expected of Grandfather's right-hand man.

The two elderly men who were so enthusiastic a moment ago became deflated.

"Then, who will forge the young master's weapon besides Harald? Egil? Or all three of you?"

In response to Herbert's question, the three elderly men exchanged glances, and the largest of them raised his hand and said,

"I will do it."

"Sguvis. Is it alright for Egil not to participate?"

"Training the next generation is also important for blacksmiths. I recognize Harald's skills. I will assist Harald, so it's best for Sguvis to forge the weapon."

"I see. If possible, I would like one of my new sons to strike a blow as well."

Saying this, Herbert looked at Nebel, who was standing next to me.

"Lord Herbert?!"

Nebel, suddenly being the topic of conversation, called out Herbert's name in a panic.

"Call me Father."

Nebel's face turned red to the tips of his ears at Herbert's words.

Nebel, whose original father didn't take much care of him, probably isn't used to being pampered by Herbert.

"U-uh, F-Father."

"What is it?"

"I am still inexperienced, so even if a master craftsman forges a sword for me, it would be a waste."

"Because you are inexperienced, you should polish yourself to become worthy of the weapon."

I think his true intention is to give Nebel a good sword, but he's saying it this way to avoid making Nebel more hesitant.

Nebel couldn't argue further and ended up agreeing to have a new sword forged.

Additionally, I was asked to have my current bardiche, which had no chipped blade, resharpened, so I decided to leave it with them.

That means I can't go to the Forest of No Return until it's sharpened. What a pity.

On this day, we toured the market in the capital and then returned to Fulfthball Castle.

Given the thriving fruit cultivation and beekeeping, I noticed a lot of fruit products.

There was also a variety of monster meat. Various types of monster meat were being sold as skewers, and I was tempted to try them. The fat distribution probably varies by cut, so I'll visit next time.

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