Chapter 76

The blade of the mithril rapier was complete, but I had some hesitation about releasing it into the world. I didn’t think that this single blade would drastically change the world. Even a short sword forged by a blacksmith, if used to fend off a hundred attackers, would hardly leave one unscathed.

However, if this blade could, for example, shatter a boulder blocking a path (and I believe it could), it would make previously impassable paths navigable, which could significantly influence the outcome of a battle.

Is it right to release this into the world? Helen’s short sword was just steel, and the sword that became the heirloom of the Aimur family, though made of special material, was not something that often left the house. Even if I judge that this rapier, being a thrusting weapon, would not be actively used on the front lines of battle, I still wonder if I will have to agonize over this every time I create something like this. I need to come to a decision about this soon.

“Hey, everyone.”

“What is it, Eizou?”

“What is it, Master?”

“What is it, Eizou?”

When I spoke, the three of them responded in their own ways.

“Is it right for me to release this into the world? It might bring disaster to many places. It won’t break, won’t bend, and will cut through anything. Its sharpness knows no bounds, and it can even shatter rock. I’m honestly afraid to release such a thing into the world. Can I really bear the consequences that might follow? I’m so anxious about it.”

I openly shared my current state of mind. I know it’s unusual for a man over forty to feel this way, but I can’t bear it any longer.

The three of them looked at me intently. One of them might decide to leave. If that happens, it just means I’m not capable of handling this.

Silence fell over the yard. The only sound was the wind.

“Haha.”

The next thing I heard was a laugh.

“Eizou, you’re human too. I thought you’d be indifferent to such things because you create such amazing things.”

Diana said with a smile.

“I also thought Master was so extraordinary that you wouldn’t care. But you’re right; it’s the user’s responsibility, not the creator’s. That’s what I’ve been taught, and most blacksmiths feel the same way. I understand why you’d be cautious, though, given the incredible things you create.”

Rike was also smiling.

“Exactly. Whether the weapon becomes a sword to protect the nation or a tool of invasion depends on how the final owner uses it. You don’t need to take responsibility for the outcome. Eizou, you’re so conscientious.”

“Eizou, if it’s too heavy for you, let us share the burden. We’re a ‘family,’ right?”

Sermia patted my shoulder, and the pain felt strangely comforting.

“Thank you, everyone. I’m sorry.”

I bowed deeply to everyone and gently wiped away the tears that fell from my eyes. Someone gently embraced my head, and then I was hugged from below and behind.

“Alright!”

I raised my head and slapped my own cheek. No more hesitation. My job in this world is to create what I want and release it into the world to help someone.

“Hey, Eizou, you look better.”

“I’m always handsome, you know.”

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

We all laughed. With this family, everything will be fine. We can do it.

“Let’s call it a day and have dinner.”

“Yay! Dinner, dinner!”

“Sermia! That’s not proper behavior!”

Rike scolded the excited Sermia, and Diana watched with a smile, just like always. I felt relieved as I watched this familiar scene.

The next day, I made the guard and the pommel. I decided to use steel instead of mithril for these parts. The rapier’s guard is cage-like, made of complex curves, and it would be difficult to process with mithril. Each curve is thin, and even with mithril, heavy use might cause it to warp, so it’s better to make it replaceable. A skilled craftsman can make it with steel, and it will be fine even after it leaves my hands. Today, Rike and the others are working on the standard model and won’t be watching.

Before starting the overall work, I engraved the mark of my workshop, a “fat cat sitting,” on the part of the blade that will be hidden by the guard. I had prepared the chisel to be strong enough to engrave mithril, so it required some effort, but I managed to complete the engraving.

I heated the sheet metal and shaped it into thin rods. After working with mithril all day yesterday, the steel felt surprisingly easy to work with. I used some cheats, but even so, the thin rods were made quite quickly.

I cut them to a certain length and shaped them into ∫ or §-like forms. Then, I combined them to form a spherical shape. The image was similar to the “globe” playground equipment from my previous world. ...Those were already quite rare by the time I left that world.

In any case, I completed the guard, which would protect the hand when gripping the hilt, by combining these parts in a cage-like structure at the base of the blade.

With the guard complete, I made the pommel. I created a rod of the same thickness as the guard’s rods and shaped both ends into spheres. Once the pommel was done, I combined it with the guard, completing the handle.

Before combining the handle parts, I wrapped the grip with leather and secured it with the pommel to finish the grip. I did this first to avoid complications with the guard. With the grip complete, I combined the pommel and guard with the blade.

When it was all assembled, the rapier was a thing of elegance, a masterpiece that I could proudly show to anyone.

And I no longer had any doubts about whether to release this into the world.