They take me out of the blacksmith's shop to give me a quick test cut.
　Then I take the sword that Grandpa Smith has just made and swing it out.

"Humph!

　With that alone, a couple of trees growing near the forge were cut down collectively.

''...............''

　Even the Campbell Street Blacksmith, who was crawling over to them, was surprised and exclaimed.

''This is amazing........!

　I muttered frankly.

　What's amazing is that you can tell just by the feel of it in your hand.
　The feel of the aura as it passes through the aura is a completely different kind of sword than the one made of iron.

　Mithril swords are like true cotton absorbing water as they carry the aura.
　Compared to that, the iron sword was as if it was trying to make the iron absorb water.

　That's how different the feel was.

'Mithril, you know, permeates the aura to the inside. 'Mithril penetrates the aura inside,' he said, 'and all other metals just cling to their surroundings. That's said to be the crucial difference.

　Grandpa Smith is proud of himself.
　He seems satisfied with the wind that he's done a good job for a long time.

It's a good thing that the weapon made by Mithril is the best at using aura to fight. I don't know what I'm talking about because I'm the one who makes them, but I've heard that there were some unique tactics for using mithril weapons.

　I have fun wielding my mithril weapon and fondle it.
　Each time I do, a tree falls.
　Is that a bit much?

Since it's time for you to make firewood, chop it up into small pieces. Fire is an essential part of blacksmithing.

　It really was Grandpa Smith, who had grown younger from his tone.

'You!　It's dirty!

　And the fitbitans who come to protest.
　What are you so angry about?

'That old man is not the village blacksmith!　He must be a famous swordsmith!　How could you keep this from me?
How could you think that this was a mistake?　I have no right to complain.

　Grandpa Smith's tone of voice is one of mockery at a moment's notice.

You're the ones who are sitting there against the wishes of the Central Guild, and that's just outrageous. If you have a problem with that, should we sue?　Hmm?
''Ku.........?''

　There is no legal basis for this, much less his skill as a blacksmith.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're talking about.

''Ro, old man I'm sorry for my rudeness,''

　Nevertheless, the fitbitan boldly says, "If you had disclosed your identity from the start, we would have paid you the courtesy you deserve.

''If you had revealed your identity from the beginning, we would have paid you the proper amount of respect.... I can only admire your virtuosity. Will you please teach the blacksmiths in my town a lesson?
Oh, my God.

　Grandpa Smith, you're unbelievable.

"Why should I teach a complete stranger the skills I've spent my entire life honing as a blacksmith?　And for free?　That's not very brazen.
..........
Why don't we discuss your situation when the guild leaders come back? Until then, I'll just relax in the village.
Oh, wait, Master.........
Come on, lad. Let's get going.

　Grandpa Smith had urged me on and left once and for all.
　I turned around.
　Behind me, Fitbitan was glaring at me with a bloody look in his eyes.
　Was it my imagination?

　That uncanny gaze was rather focused on me.

◆

'Yeah, that felt good!　That's refreshing!

　On the way back to the center of the village, Grandpa Smith is in a good mood.

"There's nothing like giving those people who think they can do anything they want a reverse-twist!
Don't do anything that might cause too much trouble, okay?

　I'm a resident of Lax Village, body and soul, so I didn't want to see my relationship with the neighboring town deteriorate.

　However, it helped that Grandpa Smith refused the other side's offer.
　Because if the Campbell Street guys had learned how to process mithril here and sat in the forge, it would have been quite troublesome for Lax Village.

''Well, young man, it's time to return your sword.
What?

　Can't you just give me this sword?
　And after everything that's happened so far, why wouldn't you?

Don't be silly. It's been a while since I've touched Mithril, and I'm just warming up my shoulder.
What...?
You'd have to be a real master at this, my dear. You need more than that to fit into the hands of someone I consider to be my best.

　Huh?
　Does that mean...?

You saw what I just did for you.　I've devoted most of my life to blacksmithing, and I'm not crazy about the feel of an eagle. Few people I've ever seen have such a special aura aptitude as you. If there are any...!

　Grandpa Smith huffs as he talks that much.

"...no, we have to keep the customer information secret. Anyway, you're a young man. The only thing that suits you is a special weapon. You've got to make it with all your heart and soul.
You're going to make me one?
Of course not.
Really?　You're really going to make this for me?

　I've learned the hard way that Grandpa Smith is the only other master craftsman in the world.

　That master craftsman is going to use his skills?　All on purpose!
　For me?

You can't stop making them. I'm fortunate enough to be able to touch the mithril that I thought I'd never touch again. And you are the best user I've ever seen, showing up at a time that can only be described as divine. I'm going to make you a great weapon. This is surely the best and final task I have been given.

　A professional light dwells in Grandpa Smith's eyes.

My life is short. Even if it runs out, I will create a masterpiece with no regrets!

　I'm glad to hear your enthusiasm, but please don't be so eager to burn out your life.
　At your age, it's no joke.

"I am a blacksmith, and I have been doing a lot of research.
Huh...?
I gathered knowledge from all over the world, ancient and modern, and experimented with it, trying to create weapons that no one had ever seen or imagined. Even so, the mithril was essential to achieving the highest level of excellence, and I was despairing that my dream would never be realized...!

　Long.
　Long explanation, Gen.

'You've given me hope. The most important ingredient, mithril, is the user who inspires me to create. All that's left is to give form to the idea I've been nursing for years!
...in moderation?

　So what do we do now?
　Are we going to go back to the forge and work on it again?

I've got to get my mithril, too.
That's okay. I got in the middle of the action and let it slide.

　Mr. Smith takes out a mithril ingot from his pocket.

Old man!
The workshop doesn't have to be in there. I'm going to use a completely new method of production, so there's no need for the old workshop! That's why there's no need for my old workshop!

　Is that the concept you were talking about?
　What the hell is this old man trying to create...?
　It's not too dangerous for the user, is it?

My apprentice who is late will bring the necessary tools. As soon as it arrives, we'll get to work!
'Why is my apprentice late?'
I'm carrying a lot of weight. I came ahead because I was so excited to see Mithril.

　You old man...?

　?

　I waited for the arrival of Grandpa Smith's apprentices and saw the secret tools they had brought in.

This is the essential new weapon for the creation of my masterpiece!　I'm glad I forced myself to carry it in when I heard that Mithril was available!
''What is this...?''

　I was astonished to see one of Grandpa Smith's prized possessions.
　That's because it looked familiar.

　There's no doubt about it.

Isn't that an Athanor furnace?
Oh, you know this one?

　I'm just saying...
　I'm a former member of the Demon King's Army. It's a secret.

　It's because this Atanor furnace is originally used by the demon race.
　It's not just a matter of time before you're able to get your hands on a new one.

　In other words, it is a magic tool for creating magic tools.