Chapter 66

I stared at the large sword embedded in the door. Perhaps it was enchanted, for its blade was not rusted, and when I looked into it, my face was faintly reflected.

Is this a magic door that opens when touched by the large sword? I gently placed my hand on its hilt.

"How do we get inside?"

Since there was no response, I thought there might be an opening spell and asked Lord Aristede. He pointed to a small door next to the sword door.

"That door hasn't been used in about ten years. The entrance is this way."

"Oh, so this sword is like a sign to attract customers! Truly, the Galbreath family's blacksmith workshop is impressive. It's eye-catching and a fascinating sign."

Lord Aristede made a strange sound, "Ah—Lord Roger?"

"No, it's not a sign. It's a remnant from when Blanch proposed to Gareo."

"Oh, how romantic! Could it be that this large sword was sworn upon? I would love to hear the story of how you two met."

To think there was a beautiful story involving a sword between the rock-like Gareo and the handsome Captain Blanch, and that Captain Blanch proposed! My interest was piqued, and I looked up at Lord Aristede with anticipation. He averted his eyes awkwardly, saying, "Gareo might tell you if you ask him."

(Lord Aristede isn't interested in love stories, it seems.)

I, too, have only recently started to seriously look for a fiancé, as per my stepmother's instructions. I haven't been particularly interested in love until now. However, I think romantic stories are lovely, and I have sometimes wondered if a gentleman who would recognize me would appear someday.

While noble marriages are not always political, how many couples marry purely out of love? I've heard that my parents were brought together by a marquis who acted as a mediator.

Even if it is a form of contractual marriage, Lord Aristede is too noble for me. And he has even branded a contract spell on his body to become engaged to me.

(By the way, he said it was a secret from Chaos.)

The contract spell is important, so I should probably tell Chaos about it. If the marriage doesn't go through, Lord Aristede (and my father) will lose a hand. I need to ask about the method to break the spell just in case.

As Lord Aristede led me, I passed through the small door. Inside, the shop was set up like a regular armory, with a long counter and rows of items and staff behind it. However, the items were not ordinary.

"Welcome."

Three staff members, with muscles like Gareo, smiled at me. They must be blacksmiths.

"You're dressed unusually today."

"Yes, is Gareo here?"

"Yes, the leader has been waiting for you since morning."

It seems Lord Aristede is familiar with the staff. Despite his disguise, they recognized him. I noticed their curious gazes on me, but I was more captivated by the items behind them.

"Is that a Zarian battle axe? And this is a Madreshkar-style dagger! But this curved sword is a type I don't recognize."

Behind the three staff members, weapons that looked magnificent were displayed. The Zarian battle axe, unlike a woodcutter's axe, has a long blade and is thick, making it useful for hunting mineral-based monsters and those with hard skin or scales. However, it is too heavy for me to handle.

The Madreshkar-style dagger is a magical sword from about two hundred years ago when the Madreshkar magic empire flourished. It has magic infused into the blade and can release the inscribed magic in response to the owner's magic power. As a dagger, it seems I could handle it, but it wouldn't be suitable for cooking.

"I'm impressed. You know a lot about weapons."

Lord Aristede sounded amazed.

"The knights and hunters of Martial Raid use similar weapons. But they weren't as beautifully crafted, so I couldn't help but stare. Also, there are many types I haven't seen before."

The large curved sword, which caught my eye, had no handle and instead had a cylindrical metal and leather strap. One of the staff members took it from the display and showed it to me.

"This is worn on the arm or leg. It's designed for a specific martial art."

"Interesting. It's foldable, then?"

It seems to be stored along the arm or leg when not in use. I wondered what kind of monster it was used to hunt. The staff member then showed me a glove-like item that, when clenched, extended blades like a monster's claws. It didn't seem very heavy, but I wondered where a woman would use it. It might be useful for small monsters like Morsos in the fields.

I wanted to see more, but I had an appointment with Gareo. A guide came to lead me, and I reluctantly followed to the workshop through the back door.

The sound of metal being hammered reached my ears. When I turned, I saw Gareo and several blacksmiths waiting.

"Oh, my lord and lady."

Gareo raised a large hammer used for forging and grinned. I instinctively looked up at Lord Aristede when called "lady." He was looking at me, and our eyes met, making me feel embarrassed.

"Hello, Gareo. Today, I'm here incognito..."

"Are you wearing Palusia for incognito? You look like a happy Galbreath daughter, and it suits you... No, it's good to see you."

Gareo's teasing made me even more embarrassed. Although Lord Aristede hadn't explained, wearing Palusia means "engaged."

"Gareo, that's unnecessary."

"No, I think it's a bit better this way."

"Ugh... I understand. I do understand."

Lord Aristede and Gareo exchanged some incomprehensible words, and Lord Aristede grumbled in frustration.

"Lord, it's fine to leave him. Lady, you're the main guest today."

"Yes, thank you very much."

"It might be a bit noisy, but please make yourself comfortable. Hey, bring a chair inside. We don't want the Palusia to get dirty."

Thanks to Gareo's consideration, I found myself sitting in the middle of the workshop. The Palusia might have been a bit out of place in a blacksmith's workshop, but I appreciated the gesture. I thought about whether I should go inside, given the fire, and looked up at Lord Aristede, who was still grumbling.

"Lord Roger, I can wait outside."

"No, no. There's no need to worry. The Lusseble workshop has female blacksmiths."

"Female blacksmiths?!"

I was surprised, as there were none in Martial Raid. But then I remembered that Galbreath has female knights, so it made sense.

"This workshop has been around since my great-grandmother's time. The building is a bit old, but the blacksmiths are top-notch."

"Oh, Gareo's great-grandmother?"

"Yeah, Josephine Lusseble's work is legendary. I strive to surpass her by working with steel every day."

The women of Galbreath are truly strong, and Gareo, who never settles and always aims higher, seemed very admirable.

"Since the first time I saw Gareo's sword, I've wanted the blades from this workshop!"

"Your words are a blacksmith's greatest reward. By the way, you were captivated by the lord's 'Beheader,' weren't you? Show me your important tools."

Encouraged by Gareo, I took a wooden box from my bag. Inside were three knives wrapped in leather. I showed them to Gareo, who took the one I use most frequently with a serious expression.

"The blade and handle are separate, but they fit well."

Gareo's blue eyes seemed to be in conversation with my knives.

"This handle... Could it be made from a Coarl tree?"

When he guessed correctly, I was so excited that I stood up.

"Yes, it is! I asked a blacksmith in Martial Raid to cut a Coarl tree. It has high water resistance and matches my magic power. I then shaped it to fit my hand."

The Coarl tree is a troublesome monster that feeds on the blood of living things. When it grows, it causes all trees within a 200-furlong radius to wither. The last Coarl tree discovered in Martial Raid caused trees within a 300-furlong radius to wither. I received the wood from the knight captain, processed it, and had it made into a handle.

"You're extraordinary. Are all northern nobles as strong as you?"

"I'm not sure. I haven't done many noble-like things. But the people of my domain are strong."

"They can drink Kilstirnay wine endlessly, and they can butcher monsters. Even the fried Bergnion, you know."

"Did you come to eat it, Gareo?!"

"By chance. We go on standby when the alarm rings."

Behind Gareo, the blacksmiths were grinning mischievously. One of them said, "The leader was the first to eat it," causing Gareo to look away.

It seems in Galbreath, not only the knights but also the blacksmiths have no qualms about eating monsters.