Evan D. Sherden, Carry Out A Quest (3)

For a few minutes, one after another, Evan took out whatever rare materials Ella was listing.

The rest of the party just continued to stare blankly at Evan in amazement.

[Next, the Ogre’s ribs!]

[That wasn’t on your original list, was it?]

[Huh? I need it now! So what!?]

[Really? I’ll give it to you then.]

[Huh, your calm attitude is even more annoying……!]

Evan had already purchased all the rare materials available through the Brotherhood Corporation before coming to see Ella. Whatever Ella wanted, Evan had it.

[This is every material a Dwarven blacksmith can desire…… Are you the king of Humans?]

Ella’s order slowly reached its end. Evan gave Ella a proud reply, whose face was filled with a strange mixture of anger and joy.

[I’m not a king, but a nobleman. I am a well-known aristocrat.]

[You are not a king, but only a king’s subordinate. How could you get these precious materials then? I can’t believe the Human race wielded so much power!]

“Master, all of it is for making weapons?”

Next to Ella’s admiration, Horta tilted his head as he glanced at the materials. Evan began to explain with a smile.

“These are the recipes for making ‘the most powerful blade’ handed down to Ella’s family. It’s not a common weapon.”

“Wow, I see. It’s an honor to be here with you to get a glimpse of the Land Fairy’s vision.”

These are neither the vision of the Land Fairy nor the materials of the weapon. It was only a testament to Evan’s skills! But Evan had no intention of revealing the truth!

[My family’s vision is finally……! I want to make it right now! Let me make it!]

[Take it all. I’d like to see your work.]

[Uhhhhhhh……!]

Ella, who managed to get all the materials she had wanted, held them in her arms, agonized for a moment. But soon, she nodded decisively.

[Okay. It’s not polite to hide the production process from you, the Prophet of the Human race, who prepared everything for me. Come on in. I’ll show you the birth of the most powerful blade!]

[I’d like to show it to Horta, my blacksmith. Is that okay?]

Both of them were soon going to be colleagues. Evan wanted them to be acquainted with each other’s capabilities and skills. Ella, who had forgotten about the rest of Evan’s party, recalled them and tilted her head at his words.

[Blacksmith?]

[Here he is.]

“Uh, um?”

Ella looked up and down at Horta as Horta had done earlier. Horta stiffened with nervousness for no reason at all.

Then Ella nodded. Whatever she found in Horta must have been satisfying.

[Okay, you come in too. But not the other two.]

“Horta, follow me. I’m sorry, Belois and Raihan, but can you stand watch?”

“..Okay, Master.”

“As long as the inside is secured for you, we’ll guard the outside.”

Belois seemed to be dissatisfied, but fortunately, she remained cautious as Ella was from an exotic race. However, Raihan seemed more curious than wary of the Land Fairy.

[Here, come in.]

[Oh, but it’s wider than I thought……. *cough*]

“*cough* *cough*!”

Beyond the secret door where Ella had popped out earlier, after crossing half of the narrow entry passage, there greeted them a blacksmith’s workshop. Unexpectedly, the air was very stuffy. No, it was almost suffocating.

[Oh my God, the vents are all blocked! The fire could go out!]

[It’s all right. I can collect them all.]

[Don’t flatter yourself, I’m not grateful for anything! You were the one who blocked them!]

[Oh no, I got busted.]

Evan was going to skip naturally, but it didn’t work. Evan accepted Ella’s complaint and recalled the magic cement he had installed before.

The air from the ground was fragrant. The flames of the brazier, which almost seemed to go out, clung to life again.

“Is this a dwarf’s brazier?”

[Do you want to try the bellows?]

Horta busied himself with admiring the antique brazier installed on the workshop wall, which was not very big because it was tailored to a dwarf’s height. Ella, who was so proud of it, made the surprising proposal first.

But still, Horta couldn’t understand her, so Evan handed him the translation artifact he had in stock. Evan was able to communicate without artifacts anyway.

[This brazier? It’s an honor.]

[You know how to be polite, unlike your Master. Is it because you’re a blacksmith?]

[Should I not make the most powerful blade with you?]

[You’re threatening me now!]

The work began, with Horta assisting Ella.

Evan smiled gladly at the sight of the two distinctly-sized blacksmiths working together and them making alloys together in the dungeon city of Sherden.

However, it didn’t last very long. Ella declared shortly after Evan threw some of the materials into the flame and turned it into a magical flame with a mysterious dark purple glow.

[The rest of it is my work. You’re just watching from now.]

[Please tell me if you need help, I can help you.]

[Hmm, it’s a vision I haven’t tested yet, and how can you help me as a human being? I’ll take your goodwill. Keep an eye on me.]

Finally, the metallurgical work to make ‘the most powerful blade’ began!

A few lines of text had been printed and finished when having played the game, but it was different now.

Ella carefully extracted the metal, hardened it, and that had been fused with mana to put them back into the fire, then drained them and tempered them. It took an hour.

“……This is metallurgy? Obviously, it was a legendary craftsman at work, but it seems to be a mixture of totally incomprehensible processes.”

“Ella said earlier that it’s a vision she hasn’t even tested because she lacked the materials.”

“Do you mean she’s taking on the challenge for the first time?”

“Correct.”

Horta was stunned by Evan’s words. But Horta was still focusing on Ella. It was going against the logic of metallurgical work, but it was strangely catching his eyes.

“Horta, did you pick up something?”

“I don’t understand. I’m trying to figure it out.”

[It’s no use staring at me like that. I don’t understand it, either.]

[Huh…….]

The Land Fairy Ella’s quest for ‘the most powerful blade’ started with Ella’s desire to make the ‘world’s sharpest blade’ written in the ancient documents that had been inherited in her family from generation to generation.

The materials written in the ancient documents were too rare for the Land Fairies to challenge it. Ella had thoroughly analyzed the ancient documents and read how to make the most powerful blade, waiting for the day when all the materials were gathered.

The Land Fairies’ tenacity was indeed great. They were crazy about metallurgy, and Ella was special among them.

[The logic of the document is completely out of this world. Neither you humans nor us fairies can understand it. I am sure that God must have made the document.]

Ella wore special gloves and spoke calmly, dipping the working hammer into a black flame. It was impressive to see a black flame burning over the hammer.

[But if you make it according to this production method, you’ll get the results. If you analyze it, you’ll find out the logic someday.]

[It is a reversed order… But certainly, is it similar to an artifact whose properties are discovered only after it’s made?]

[Artifact? Have you ever made an artifact?]

Ella, who had been working on it, looked back in surprise. For the Land Fairies, who were called blacksmiths, it was not so easy to make artifacts by themselves.

[I feel embarrassed, but I have made a few artifacts before.]

[How many times?!]

[It’s all thanks to Master’s help. He opened the way for me to make an artifact. That’s why I follow him.]

[This attempted murderer……?]

Evan thought the word ‘attempted murderer’ was too much, but he couldn’t deny it. He coughed loudly and decided to watch the flames burning in the fireplace.

[It’s true. Master recognizes everyone’s talent, and he guides them in the right direction.]

[Is that the power of the Prophet? So, this man brought me all these materials because he was sure I could make the most powerful blade!]

Evan felt guilty at her words. But looking into Ella’s bright eyes, Evan couldn’t tell her that no matter how many materials she obtained, her dream was never going to get realized.

[Focus on the work.]

[Alright. I’ve got the energy!]

She seemed so. The power of Ella’s hammer changed. Ella worked hard, tapping the metal and non-metallic materials with indescribable colors.

It was indeed a tedious and long wait. Evan had never missed the skip function in the game’s scenario as much as he did today.

“Master, it’s time for tea.”

“Yes, come in.”

Belois, who quietly entered the workshop with a teapot and a cup, took a glimpse at Ella, struggling with a mysterious chunk, and poured Evan the tea.

Ella was so absorbed in her work that she took no notice of their visitor.

“When you’re done, I’ll be back for you.”

“Thank you, Belois.”

“Tell me when you’re tired.”

“Okay.”

Evan took out a folding chair from his inventory pocket, sat down, drank tea, and watched the work.

Horta was looking at the scene with great surprise. However, if he knew what Evan was drinking, he wouldn’t be able to have that face.

[Argh……!]

Ella lifted her head from the work when Evan received a third cup of tea from Belois.

[I don’t know. I can’t even predict what it looks like when it’s done! It won’t be similar to any weapon you have encountered!]

[You knew it from the start.]

[But not enough! It’s not enough. I need something more. Was there not enough material? Is my analysis of the ancient documents wrong?]

Evan was sure this reaction was not in the game; he was caught off guard.

But since no such text had been printed in the game, there was nothing Evan could do for her.

[… I think I know what’s missing.]

Surprisingly, it was Horta who offered a suggestion. Dozens of question marks rose on Evan’s face. Ella looked back at him with a similar look and asked.

[What? How do you know that?]

[The blacksmith who crafts a weapon needs to keep three things in mind: craftsmanship and materials; the third is the warrior who will wield it, I think that’s what skipped your mind.]

[……!]

Evan couldn’t understand the blacksmithing jargon being thrown around the room. Evan was beginning to wonder if the quest would end alright.

[Is that so? It’s just…]

[It’s the wielder’s mind who will possess the weapon.]

[I can’t believe it……. I can’t believe a blacksmith like me failed to think about the holder’s mind and only the weapon itself!]

Evan gave up on trying to understand the two at that point.

“Belois, can I have another cup of tea?”

“Yes, Master.”

No one took notice of her beside Evan, so Belois decided to stay in the room.

[I wasn’t even thinking about it……! Thank you, Horta. I’m sorry for turning you down earlier, but can you help me again from now on?]

[I’ve been waiting for this moment so far. It’s an honor to join such great work.]

[As expected, you’re a good blacksmith!]

With Evan giving up understanding the situation, the two blacksmiths were in sync! Horta was again intensely bellowing, and he raised a big magic flame. Ella’s eyes glistened at it.

[Yes, I see what you mean.]

[Thank you.]

[I don’t have anyone to give this to, so I’ll adjust it for you. Then let’s get started!]

[All right, let’s go.]

“Um…”

Forget spoken word; they were now conversing using the bellows of the forge. So far, Evan had believed that he knew a lot about Horta, but now he was not so sure about that!

Evan watched the work blankly and soon buried his head in Belois’ arms, who was waiting right behind him.

“I’m taking a nap for a while.”

“Yes, please. I’ll wake you up when there is progress.”

Belois gently wrapped Evan’s head. Since Evan had been tired of watching them work, it didn’t take much time to fall asleep.

And when Evan woke up, fortunately, Ella was spouting the same words as the text printed when Evan had accomplished the quest in the game.

[This isn’t a blade!]