Note, there’s a small change to the translation: “Divine Power” -> “Divine Energy”
Translator: Havion/Cialaxis
[Excuse me—] (Varius)
I said out loud as I entered the blacksmith’s shop, prompting the blacksmith to appear from the back of the shop.
[I am the one who ordered the luna metal sword the other day. I have come to collect it.] (Varius)
Hearing that…the blacksmith’s face turned grim immediately.
[Ahh, that customer…I guess you could say it’s completed, although…] (Blacksmith)
The blacksmith returned to the back of the shop to retrieve the requested item while muttering something.
…… Looks like it didn’t turn out satisfactorily.
How well I am able to change that assessment…that could be said to be my challenge today.
Soon after, the blacksmith handed over the sword to me with one hand.
[You remembered the price we agreed on right?] (Blacksmith)
[Yes. “The original price is 150000 Zol. However, if the sharpness of the sword after I used it is not satisfactory, I would have to pay an additional 300000 Zol.”, that was the promise, yes?] (Varius)
[Yeah. Though all I can see is the future of you paying me 450000 Zol.] (Blacksmith)
The blacksmith said in a gruff tone.
[Was it that bad?] (Varius)
[That’s right. As the person who forged it, I did give it a try. However…bluntly speaking, it was terrible you know? I sharpened it using a specialised grindstone, carefully controlled the temperature while tempering it…I have exhausted every conceivable method I can think of, and the result is worse than a blunt sword.] (Blacksmith)
[I see.] (Varius)
…He really put in a lot of effort huh?
As someone who knows that [Luna Metal without divine energy passing through it would obviously be blunt], I felt somewhat guilty.
Still, it couldn’t be helped.
If I had tried to explain [Using the divine energy~] at the time, he would probably think that he got some weird customer and end up changing the amount of effort he put into his forging.
[Well, I’ll do my best in order to give you a result that you would be satisfied with.] (Varius)
Saying so, I received the luna metal sword from the blacksmith.
[Hah, you sure can talk. …The testing area is over here, follow me.] (Blacksmith)
The blacksmith unlocked the counter’s door and urged me inside.
I examined the luna metal sword while following the blacksmith.
The weight…is just right.
If it’s this sword, my stance won’t break even if I swing it at a high speed.
In the eyes of a customer, the ability to produce the perfect sword for ease of use is without a doubt the hallmark of a first-rate blacksmith.
With that in mind, I channeled a small amount of divine energy into the sword.
I became slightly touched upon doing so.
The divine energy was flowing into the sword at an unbelievably smooth rate.
By focusing divine energy into my right hand, I felt the energy naturally spread evenly across the sword.
This feeling is totally different from the time where I threw the Luna Metal ore at the Lesser Echidna.
For it to have this little resistance means the luna metal is really responsive towards the flow of divine energy.
I’m looking forward to this.
With those thoughts, I was led into a room.
[This is the place.] (Blacksmith)
The place that I entered…has a number of straw posts (Makiwara) lined up, indicating that this place was used as a testing ground for weapons.
[5 was my limit when I tested it. If you claim it is possible to exceed that, I would like you to prove it to me. ] (Blacksmith)
I stood in front of a straw doll as I was urged to do so.
……It’s fine if I just cut these, huh?
I took a stance with the sword…and swung horizontally.
[……Hmm? Did I miss?] (Varius)
I had that thought for a moment.
That’s because…I couldn’t feel the feedback from cutting something, at all.
But…as I turned my eyes towards the straw posts, it was properly split in half.
It can’t be.
As I was shocked myself…, a voice croaked behind me.
[…Wha..?] (Blacksmith)
As I turned towards the source of the bewildered reply, the blacksmith was there, and his mouth was opened as wide as humanly possible.
[…Excuse me, about the payment…] (Varius)
[…..Oh…oh…, what on earth did I see….] (Blacksmith)
I tried enquiring about the result, but it looks like it’s not possible to hold a conversation.
As I thought about what to do next, I looked around the room…and discovered something.
It was a Mithril Ingot.
I’m not sure why something like this is here but since it is…
While I’m at it, I might as well test the sword again by cuttin this.
[Um…is it alright if I cut this in 2? It seems to be only an ingot, so it shouldn’t be a problem…right?] (Varius)
In response to my words, the blacksmith nodded, whilst obviously flustered.
All right then. In that case….As I was about to swing the sword, I suddenly stopped.
It’s because I remembered Artemis’s words.
[Once you have decent control of Divine energy, even cutting Orihalcum would be as easy as splitting yogurt ] (Artemis)
Those were her words.
Of course, I doubt my current self has reached that stage.
But, it’s possible that…if it’s just Mithril, it is possible that the current me is capable of slicing this as easily as yogurt.
There is no one that would cut yogurt up by swinging a kitchen knife with all their strength.
As I thought so…I made a cat’s paw with my left hand and placed it on the Mithril Ingot for support, while slicing it with the Luna Metal-made sword.
I wonder how it’ll turn out.
It isn’t to the level of yogurt…but it feels similar to cutting up a daikon radish.
So this is growth.
I’m satisfied with this result.
…At that moment.
I heard a sudden thud from nearby.
As I turned towards it…. The blacksmith was on his knees.
[With Luna Metal….the Mithril…im…impossible]
A hollow expression was formed on the blacksmith’s face.
Note, there’s a small change to the translation: “Divine Power” -> “Divine Energy”
Translator: Havion/Cialaxis
[Excuse me—] (Varius)
I said out loud as I entered the blacksmith’s shop, prompting the blacksmith to appear from the back of the shop.
[I am the one who ordered the luna metal sword the other day. I have come to collect it.] (Varius)
Hearing that…the blacksmith’s face turned grim immediately.
[Ahh, that customer…I guess you could say it’s completed, although…] (Blacksmith)
The blacksmith returned to the back of the shop to retrieve the requested item while muttering something.
…… Looks like it didn’t turn out satisfactorily.
How well I am able to change that assessment…that could be said to be my challenge today.
Soon after, the blacksmith handed over the sword to me with one hand.
[You remembered the price we agreed on right?] (Blacksmith)
[Yes. “The original price is 150000 Zol. However, if the sharpness of the sword after I used it is not satisfactory, I would have to pay an additional 300000 Zol.”, that was the promise, yes?] (Varius)
[Yeah. Though all I can see is the future of you paying me 450000 Zol.] (Blacksmith)
The blacksmith said in a gruff tone.
[Was it that bad?] (Varius)
[That’s right. As the person who forged it, I did give it a try. However…bluntly speaking, it was terrible you know? I sharpened it using a specialised grindstone, carefully controlled the temperature while tempering it…I have exhausted every conceivable method I can think of, and the result is worse than a blunt sword.] (Blacksmith)
[I see.] (Varius)
…He really put in a lot of effort huh?
As someone who knows that [Luna Metal without divine energy passing through it would obviously be blunt], I felt somewhat guilty.
Still, it couldn’t be helped.
If I had tried to explain [Using the divine energy~] at the time, he would probably think that he got some weird customer and end up changing the amount of effort he put into his forging.
[Well, I’ll do my best in order to give you a result that you would be satisfied with.] (Varius)
Saying so, I received the luna metal sword from the blacksmith.
[Hah, you sure can talk. …The testing area is over here, follow me.] (Blacksmith)
The blacksmith unlocked the counter’s door and urged me inside.
I examined the luna metal sword while following the blacksmith.
The weight…is just right.
If it’s this sword, my stance won’t break even if I swing it at a high speed.
In the eyes of a customer, the ability to produce the perfect sword for ease of use is without a doubt the hallmark of a first-rate blacksmith.
With that in mind, I channeled a small amount of divine energy into the sword.
I became slightly touched upon doing so.
The divine energy was flowing into the sword at an unbelievably smooth rate.
By focusing divine energy into my right hand, I felt the energy naturally spread evenly across the sword.
This feeling is totally different from the time where I threw the Luna Metal ore at the Lesser Echidna.
For it to have this little resistance means the luna metal is really responsive towards the flow of divine energy.
I’m looking forward to this.
With those thoughts, I was led into a room.
[This is the place.] (Blacksmith)
The place that I entered…has a number of straw posts (Makiwara) lined up, indicating that this place was used as a testing ground for weapons.
[5 was my limit when I tested it. If you claim it is possible to exceed that, I would like you to prove it to me. ] (Blacksmith)
I stood in front of a straw doll as I was urged to do so.
……It’s fine if I just cut these, huh?
I took a stance with the sword…and swung horizontally.
[……Hmm? Did I miss?] (Varius)
I had that thought for a moment.
That’s because…I couldn’t feel the feedback from cutting something, at all.
But…as I turned my eyes towards the straw posts, it was properly split in half.
It can’t be.
As I was shocked myself…, a voice croaked behind me.
[…Wha..?] (Blacksmith)
As I turned towards the source of the bewildered reply, the blacksmith was there, and his mouth was opened as wide as humanly possible.
[…Excuse me, about the payment…] (Varius)
[…..Oh…oh…, what on earth did I see….] (Blacksmith)
I tried enquiring about the result, but it looks like it’s not possible to hold a conversation.
As I thought about what to do next, I looked around the room…and discovered something.
It was a Mithril Ingot.
I’m not sure why something like this is here but since it is…
While I’m at it, I might as well test the sword again by cuttin this.
[Um…is it alright if I cut this in 2? It seems to be only an ingot, so it shouldn’t be a problem…right?] (Varius)
In response to my words, the blacksmith nodded, whilst obviously flustered.
All right then. In that case….As I was about to swing the sword, I suddenly stopped.
It’s because I remembered Artemis’s words.
[Once you have decent control of Divine energy, even cutting Orihalcum would be as easy as splitting yogurt ] (Artemis)
Those were her words.
Of course, I doubt my current self has reached that stage.
But, it’s possible that…if it’s just Mithril, it is possible that the current me is capable of slicing this as easily as yogurt.
There is no one that would cut yogurt up by swinging a kitchen knife with all their strength.
As I thought so…I made a cat’s paw with my left hand and placed it on the Mithril Ingot for support, while slicing it with the Luna Metal-made sword.
I wonder how it’ll turn out.
It isn’t to the level of yogurt…but it feels similar to cutting up a daikon radish.
So this is growth.
I’m satisfied with this result.
…At that moment.
I heard a sudden thud from nearby.
As I turned towards it…. The blacksmith was on his knees.
[With Luna Metal….the Mithril…im…impossible]
A hollow expression was formed on the blacksmith’s face.
