episode_0160

Order Made.

This refers to an item crafted to a customer’s specifications, unlike standardized existing products.

Since it requires creating something entirely new instead of following a specific recipe or method, the price tends to be much higher.

Adventurers often treat weapons as expendable items.

After a grueling battle, their durability is significantly reduced, and in severe cases, they can be destroyed.

Especially, adventurers who prioritize survival tend to value weapons less than their own lives, trusting in their skills more than their equipment.

Even in Acastos, investing in skills and attributes rather than equipment was the norm in the beginning, and I was no exception.

My preference for magic-made swords over actual metal swords in this life is also a result of that ingrained culture.

For adventurers with little money but overflowing pride, this could be seen as a merit, as they can grow sufficiently by simply investing time.

Because of this prevalent attitude toward weapon investment, blacksmiths typically did not exceed mass-producing supplies, stifling their individuality.

However, there are always exceptions.

Like those suffering from the Hongdae disease who want freedom from the mainstream and attempt new challenges different from others.

A dwarf who forged training longswords pondered.

‘No, surely a truly well-made sword would allow even a novice to cleave a mountain-sized rock like paper?’

Their common sense is different.

Cleaving a rock with a sword is, to begin with, a miraculous feat.

Miracles are things that don’t happen, and everyone knows this so it’s called a miracle.

But these guys actually ‘created’ that miracle with their own hands.

‘Aura Weapons,’ magic-conductive weapons whose power varies greatly depending on the user’s mana utilization ability.

‘Ego Weapons,’ possessing unique laws different from the world’s principles, and grow together with the user as their partner.

‘Soul Weapons,’ forbidden weapons that consume the souls of the dead to unleash devastating power.

As these possess such strange capabilities, the number of such weapons in the world is small.

A weapon so powerful and rare that a master craftsman is considered to be able to make only one in their entire lifetime.

The best item—one said to appear only once in ten thousand Order Made attempts.

Sometimes, artifacts unearthed from ancient ruins, the makers of which remain unknown.

These wonders that directly overturn the common sense that weapons are consumables—are collectively called Artifacts.

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Three days later.

We met an artifact.

“…it seems obvious scams don’t happen.”

“Do you know whose dog’s name an Artifact is?!”

The dwarf blacksmith dug his nose and trembled, just as he had three days ago.

Of course, regardless of his demeanor, the weapon he had created was a masterpiece worthy of being called a legendary sword.

Master—

A blade so sharp it seemed to sever even the dust falling upon it.

The hilt and pommel displayed a subtle pale green hue.

And decisively, a sword with a core embedded with the magic crystal I had specially ordered.

A sword that surpassed perfection and far exceeded my expectations, born from the fingertips of this dwarf blacksmith.

“…Not bad.”

“Your reaction’s weak. How am I supposed to improve upon this?!”

“No… sorry, mister. Without a doubt, this sword is the greatest masterpiece I’ve ever seen.”

It’s not a lie.

The only swords I’ve ever held are the training greatswords borrowed from the Swordsmanship Academy.

And hearing such flattery, the dwarf snorted derisively.

“Heh… there you go.”

“My words alone don’t change the sword’s worth.”

“There… you go…”

“Even if you said it was an artifact obtained by a Legendary Adventurer in the Tarun Labyrinth, no one would doubt it.”

“There…”

Realizing he was being strung along, he sighed deeply and lowered his gaze.

“It’s not that amazing… I’m just a has-been who created an ‘Artifact’ back in my prime…”

With his reason restored, the dwarf could make a calm and objective assessment.

Compared to the cheap swords on display outside the workshop, this sword boasts a superior grade of quality, but it can’t be called the best.

This sword was just that.

That is, for now.

I picked up the sword, raising it straight in front of me.

“Old man, remember what I showed you a few days ago?”

“Yes… an unforgettable sight. High-purity white, unbelievable for the color of a magic crystal… Wait a minute—!!”

Crash-

As if something occurred to him, the dwarf stopped mid-sentence and began to fuss.

“So… the hollowed-out magic crystal in the middle was…”

“You only just noticed?”

The core that holds the center of the sword.

Connecting the blade and hilt, maximizing mana conductivity and responsiveness, it’s the heart of the sword.

I had it left hollow for a reason.

“This sword… is not yet complete.”

I wouldn’t entrust the creation of a gift for my knight to just one blacksmith, even one experienced in making artifacts.

When a princess bestows something upon a knight, it’s common to give something meaningful, like her virginity.

So, I decided to embed a part of myself.

As always, drawing ether from my toes, I pushed it into the sword’s interior through my palm.

The pure white energy, visible to the eye, gradually permeated the blade.

It found the empty space and flowed into the central core.

Whoosh—

The murky grayish-white magic crystal slowly absorbed my ether.

Its color gradually faded, transforming into a clear, transparent pure white.

“Th… this is…”

“There, done? This is what’s called an Artifact.”

Bang-

The dwarf slammed his fist on the workbench.

“I’d know that much with my eyes—!! How… is this possible…!!”

This wasn’t because my statement was wrong, but because he couldn’t accept its accuracy.

Though his eyes and intuition recognized and understood that the object before him was an artifact, his heart couldn’t comprehend it.

So what?

I placed the sword in the scabbard the dwarf had provided and offered it to Aspi, who stood there dumbfounded.

“What name would be good… Aspi, wind, some of my power is in it, so…”

I don’t have the best naming sense.

But I always forget that fact, and I duly imbued my subjective feelings in naming the new sword.

“Spirit Tempest. What do you think?”

“Spirit, Tempest…”

“Do you like it?”

She was in another world.

The events unfolding in the physical world were so surreal that she seemed to be experiencing a dream-like state.

She accepted my sword, drawing it from its scabbard and slowly examining it.

And, she didn’t just look; Aspi closed her eyes and felt the sword’s energy with her palm, before stepping back a few paces to assume a stance.

“Hup—!!”

Whoosh—!!

With a short breath and diagonal swing… I felt some mysterious, undefined afterimage in the trajectory, as if the divine breath had cleaved space.

“Can… can I really accept this?”

“That’s why I made it. And… honestly, I’m sorry about what happened last time.”

“But, that was—”

Pfft-

I simply smiled faintly.

And that was enough; my feelings were adequately conveyed to Aspi.

“If you think it’s too much… use this sword well to repay me, I’ve put you deeply in my debt.”

“…I couldn’t repay it even if I wielded it for a lifetime.”

“Then, you’ll have to pay me back in your next life.”

Chuckle-

This time Aspi smiled faintly.

“I would willingly… do so.”

We had already exchanged enough oaths.

Now, simply exchanging glances was sufficient.

With the custom-made weapon, the artifact, in her hand, Aspi became my one and only knight, for life—no, for eternity.

Our business in the workshop was done.

I tossed the pouch of gold coins for the Order Made onto the workbench, and poked the dazed dwarf’s forehead.

“Congratulations on becoming the world’s first and all-time first craftsman to forge two artifacts. I’ve included a hearty bonus, along with the honor.”

“Wa… wait a minute…”

“Bye~”

Creak— BOOM—

Come to think of it… what was that guy’s name again…

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In a good mood, I stepped out into the street.

Aspi, eager to try out her new sword immediately, rushed to the nearby adventurer guild’s training ground.

She looked just like a child who received a Christmas present, so I readily let her go.

It wasn’t difficult for me, but for Aspi, the significance was different.

Her childhood sword was broken, and receiving a new sword signified a complete rebirth as a swordsman.

Whether it’s a new car, a new house, or a new life, it takes time to adjust to new things you acquired.

I headed toward the market to fill my empty stomach.

“Enjoyable summer vacation…”

Yuri was quite satisfied, Lulu and Nix were completely engrossed in their books… and Aspi went without saying.

The last remaining problem was that voluptuous saintess.

Since our slightly awkward parting after our last night out, Tier had been avoiding me.

If our eyes met, she would turn her head away; if spoken to, she would move away.

Honestly, this is extremely uncomfortable.

And it was the same for her.

Right now, the most troubled one is not me, but herself.

Will she cling to her faith and only seek momentary carnal pleasure with me?

Or will she turn her back on her faith and offer her love to me?

What a tough struggle she’s having between duty and love.

It was understandable that she avoided me.

She’s probably holed up somewhere on the beach, now… sinking into deep contemplation, amidst tears.

“One smoked sausage, please.”

“Right away!”

I decided to savor moderate hunger and avoid overeating.

As I gently leaned against a food stall, someone inside raised their hand.

“Mister-! Two more for me too-! Mmph-”

“Right away!”

Her violet hair cascaded from beneath a slightly concealing hood; she was busy chewing on a piece of meat.

Judging by the plates piled on the table, she had already devoured nearly four servings.

Besides the food and plates, two large lumps sat atop the table.

These were breasts, developed for the purpose of a mammal feeding its young.

While breasts are common to women, I only know one pair as large as these.

…

“…Delicious?”

Our eyes met, and Tier froze in place, dropping the sausage skewer she was holding.