“Welcome—oh! Are you not the lord of Bricks?”
The blacksmith stopped hammering the metal upon his anvil and greeted me with impeccable courtesy. With a work apron around his waist and muscular forearms exposed, he looked like the very image of a blacksmith.
“You said that you were a son of the ducal House of Vermont, did you not? It is an honor to meet you again!”
“It is good to see you as well. Your name was….”
“Renitz, my lord!”
Ah, that was right.
The name of the smithy itself was Renitz’s Smithy. It was remarkable that I had managed to forget.
“Yes, Renitz. I received the items you made for me last time. They have proven exceedingly useful, so I am quite grateful.”
“Ha ha ha! There is no need to thank me! I merely did my duty!”
Renitz scratched his head and laughed heartily. I found his manner agreeable. Although he treated me with proper respect, he did not demean himself or behave obsequiously.
‘Come to think of it, I do not see the other apprentices. Where did they all go?’
Despite the spacious interior, Renitz and a single apprentice handling something on a workbench were the only people inside.
Perhaps the others had gone out to make deliveries, as they had before. Judging by the rumors, the smithy appeared to be thriving.
“What brings you here today, my lord? Do you have another commission for me?”
“You could say that. Before that, however, I have something to ask you.”
“Something to ask me?”
“Yes. Since you are an exceptionally skilled blacksmith, you must also possess considerable knowledge of ores and minerals. I would like you to examine this.”
I removed the red crystal I had found inside the mine from my pouch and showed it to him.
Zilvergard was not a small city, but it stood in a remote region. It was difficult to find a scholar or specialist capable of advising me about an object like this.
Therefore, I had little choice but to ask a blacksmith who regularly worked with ores and minerals.
“Can you identify it? It resembles a crystal rather than the sort of ore commonly handled in a smithy.”
“Oh… Th-This is!”
Renitz’s eyes widened when he saw the crystal.
As expected, it did not appear to be an ordinary object.
“Tell me. Do you know what it is?”
“Of course I do! This is an exceedingly precious material!”
Renitz continued with barely contained excitement.
“This is Ancient Dragon Stone. Good heavens, it has already been more than ten years since I last saw one with my own eyes!”
“Ancient Dragon Stone? What is that?”
“It is precisely what its name suggests—a remnant of an Ancient Dragon. You have heard of Ancient Dragons, have you not?”
Of course I had.
Ancient Dragons were individuals that had lived for an exceptionally long time, even among Dragons. Their tremendous power was said to have been comparable to the forces of nature itself.
‘They were the leaders of Dragonkind, the most powerful race on earth. The ancients even worshiped them as gods.’
I had once read a book about them in the library of the Main Estate.
However, all Ancient Dragons had now vanished, and Dragons themselves were nearly extinct. Only inferior subspecies such as Drakes could occasionally be found.
“I know of them, but I have never heard the term Ancient Dragon Stone.”
“That is because it is exceedingly rare. Ancient Dragon Stone is both an extraordinarily powerful hardening agent and a softening agent. If it is melted through heat and combined with metal to form an alloy, the resulting material can become either exceptionally hard or remarkably supple and elastic, depending on the temperature. It is almost like magic.”
“I see. So this crystal possesses such properties….”
“It was named Ancient Dragon Stone because it is found only in places believed to have once been the lairs of Ancient Dragons. Some claim that it is a substance created from altered Ancient Dragon scales, but no one knows for certain.”
His explanation finally allowed me to understand.
Ancient Dragon Stone could dramatically improve the performance of any item made with it. Naturally, a blacksmith would be excited to encounter such a material.
“There are only a handful of mines in this kingdom that produce Ancient Dragon Stone, so it is treated as an exceedingly precious material. Of course, the warehouses of your family must have heaps of something like this lying around! Ha ha!”
Renitz continued exclaiming in admiration, his eyes sparkling.
He could never have imagined that the precious Ancient Dragon Stone was buried within an abandoned mine in the northern forest.
‘Was that place once an Ancient Dragon’s lair…?’
My surprise lasted only briefly. I barely managed to suppress the grin that threatened to spread across my face.
This was an incredible windfall. I had never imagined the crystal would be so valuable.
For the time being, I should be the only one who knew about it.
If word spread that there was an Ancient Dragon Stone mine in the forest, every greedy opportunist who caught the scent of money would swarm into Bricks and cause trouble.
I would have to keep the matter strictly confidential until I was ready to begin mining in earnest.
“I understand now. Thank you for telling me. Then let us discuss my commission.”
“Of course, my lord. However….”
“Hmm? Is there something you wish to say?”
Despite his burly, muscular frame, Renitz hesitated awkwardly before speaking with great caution.
“Would you consider selling that Ancient Dragon Stone to me? I will pay you generously. Ha ha….”
Although he laughed awkwardly, he could not take his eyes from the crystal. He clearly wanted it very badly.
There was no reason for me to be reluctant. The mine contained a great deal more Ancient Dragon Stone.
“Very well. I will give it to you as payment for my commission. Would that be acceptable?”
“Ah, of course! Then what would you like me to make?”
“One thousand arrows, as well as twenty Boar Spears and Hunting Swords.”
They were hunting weapons to be distributed among Rolf and the other indigenous warriors who would participate in the coming battle.
Their current equipment was rather poor, so they needed to be properly armed.
Once equipped with suitable weapons, the combat abilities they had cultivated over a lifetime of hunting monsters would be displayed to their fullest extent.
“Can you complete them within six days? This is a fairly large smithy with six apprentices, after all.”
“That will not be difficult. We have more than enough time.”
We were scheduled to depart for the subjugation in one week, so the weapons had to arrive by then.
Renitz’s confident answer put me at ease.
‘The soldiers sent by Yakov will arrive in three days, but we are not prepared to begin the subjugation immediately.’
Since I had already committed myself to the task, I intended to destroy the Goblins’ stronghold and eliminate them at the root.
We needed to prepare the weapons and provisions required for the campaign while devising suitable strategies and tactics. Everything had to be ready.
That was why I had come to Renitz’s Smithy, which was regarded as the finest in the region.
“My lord, this is far too much payment. One thousand arrows and twenty spears and swords would not amount to even thirty percent of the Ancient Dragon Stone’s proper value….”
“Consider the remainder an advance. I expect that I will continue commissioning work from you for some time.”
I placed the Ancient Dragon Stone in Renitz’s rough hand.
His bearded face immediately brightened.
“Th-Thank you! Please return to your castle and wait. I will finish everything and have it delivered before you know it! Is there anything else you require?”
“I would like to look around for a moment. I may discover something else I need.”
“Of course. Examine anything you please!”
At his courteous invitation, I stepped beyond the counter and looked around the smithy’s interior.
A furnace radiating intense heat stood at the center. Various weapons and pieces of armor hung along the walls, while crates filled with arrows were stacked in layers on one side.
It was every bit as impressive as the smithy at the Main Estate.
My gaze moved across the rows of weapons before stopping where several One-Handed Swords were displayed.
‘Should I obtain one of these…?’
The mace made from Drake materials fit my hand well, but like most mercenaries and soldiers, it would be wise to carry a secondary weapon.
A short blade such as a Shortsword or dagger would be easy to handle. Perhaps I should purchase one….
“Mills, you fool! Put that away at once!”
I flinched at the sudden shout and turned my head.
Renitz sprang up from his seat and strode toward the apprentice standing beside a workbench. He shoved the young man roughly aside and threw the object on the workbench onto the floor.
“When did you make another one of these? Have you learned nothing after causing so many accidents?!”
“I apologize, Master! But this time, it will truly work! I corrected the structural flaws, so the finished weapon should—”
“Silence! You nearly destroyed this entire smithy only a few days ago! If the fragment had flown even slightly farther to the left, your fellow apprentice might have died!”
The wall Renitz pointed toward bore a deep indentation.
Just as he had said, it appeared to have been made by a piece of metal striking the wall.
Meanwhile, the object he had thrown rolled to my feet. I picked it up and examined it.
‘What in the world is this?’
It was a hollow metal rod shaped somewhat like a flute and roughly as long as my forearm. Several cracks spread across one end.
It certainly appeared to be a failed creation, but what was it supposed to do?
Its purpose was impossible to determine from its appearance.
“The idea itself is absurd! A weapon that ignites an explosive powder and fires a projectile? Stop wasting your time on such childish nonsense!”
“It is not absurd! If constructed properly, it could become an outstanding weapon! Did I not tell you that it could pierce plate armor at close range?”
Despite Renitz’s furious reprimand, Mills refused to back down.
It was a surprisingly forceful response from a young man with such a gentle appearance.
More importantly, he had called it a weapon.
Was this hollow metal rod truly supposed to be a weapon? What was the explosive powder he had mentioned?
“I have corrected the proportions of the alloy, so it will never rupture again! If you would only permit me to make another one and test-fire it—”
“How can I trust that? Every attempt you have made until now has failed!”
“……”
“Never make anything like this again! Melt that thing back down into metal and throw away the mold immediately!”
“But….”
“No objections! If you make one more of these, I will expel you from my tutelage!”
“…Understood, Master. I apologize.”
Mills appeared to have more to say, but in the end, he bowed his head and apologized.
The disappointment on his face was unmistakable.
[Mills]
[A young Apprentice who has worked at Renitz’s Smithy for many years. He possesses a gentle appearance uncharacteristic of a blacksmith. An acrid odor lingers around his body, and various engineering blueprints and notes have been tucked into the belt around his waist.]
I considered the Status Window.
Judging by the circumstances, Mills had undergone repeated failures while attempting to create a new weapon.
The explosive powder he mentioned was most likely the black powder contained in a vessel on the workbench. Apparently, it exploded when ignited.
I could not understand how it worked from his explanation alone.
‘In any case, the concept itself is novel. Perhaps his talents lie less in blacksmithing and more in engineering.’
My curiosity was piqued.
With sufficient support and time, he might truly be able to complete the new weapon he envisioned.
‘However, that will be impossible in this smithy. Renitz will never allow it.’
In that case, there was only one solution.
I would have to provide him with another place to work.
“Ah, I apologize, my lord. I am ashamed that you had to witness such a scene.”
“There is no need to apologize. These things happen. However, may I make one more proposal?”
“Of course, my lord. You have paid me so generously that I would be obliged to grant almost any request.”
“May I take that young man Mills with me?”
“What? Mills?”
Renitz looked taken aback by my direct proposal.
I continued before he could respond.
“My castle also requires a blacksmith. An Apprentice trained beneath you must possess reliable skills. With your permission, I would like to place him in my service.”
“I see. Mills….”
“I will compensate you for losing one of your workers. Name whatever amount you consider appropriate.”
An Apprentice working beneath a master would naturally become independent someday. However, doing so required the master’s permission.
Even a nobleman needed at least the formal consent of the master before taking away an Apprentice.
Renitz did not deliberate for long.
After considering the matter briefly, he nodded.
“Understood. I am indebted to you, my lord, so I cannot refuse your proposal. That fellow has learned everything he needs to know. He should not frustrate you when you put him to work.”
“Thank you.”
“There is no need. Mills! Serve His Lordship properly from now on! Do not cause trouble for the people of the castle.”
Renitz spoke to Mills in a doubtful tone, but concern flickered in his eyes.
It seemed he was worried about the Apprentice who was suddenly leaving his side.
“Good. Then we will depart immediately. Gather all your tools and make certain you leave nothing behind.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Mills hurriedly began gathering his belongings.
The first task I assigned Mills after bringing him to the castle was repairing the smithy in the rear courtyard.
As expected, he completed the work without difficulty.
He rebuilt the collapsed furnace and constructed a new workbench from fresh lumber, restoring the smithy to a condition in which it could be used immediately.
Now it was time for him to begin his true work as the castle’s blacksmith.
I gave Mills his second order.
“Continue developing that new weapon that uses the explosive powder. I will give you as much time as you require.”
“The new weapon… you say?”
“Yes. The weapon you were attempting to create. The one shaped like a metal flute.”
I continued as the startled Mills stared at me.
“If you can truly complete it, I believe it will prove useful in many ways. You have already finished devising its underlying principles and general structure, have you not? It should not take too long to produce a completed version.”
“I believe that is true, but….”
“And I heard that you created the explosive mixture yourself.”
“That is correct. It is called Gunpowder. However, I did not develop it entirely on my own. I referred to some Dwarven records that I happened to obtain.”
Ah, so that was how it was.
The blueprints and notes tucked into his belt likely contained information from those records.
In any case, what mattered was that Mills’s ideas and repeated experiments showed genuine potential.
“As I said, I will grant you as much time as necessary. It would be useful if I could handle a Prototype before we depart to subjugate the Goblins in six days, but producing a reliable finished weapon is more important. Do not rush your work excessively.”
“U-Understood, my lord! Thank you for granting me this opportunity. I will never disappoint you!”
“Good. I look forward to seeing it. I believe you can succeed.”
After encouraging Mills, I patted him once on the shoulder and turned away.
When I left the rear courtyard, Hakon, who had been waiting nearby, approached me.
“What do you intend to do after he completes this new weapon?”
“Anything may be possible. If the weapon is as powerful as he claims, we could use it ourselves or sell it to others.”
“I find the part about using it ourselves somewhat troubling.”
Hakon frowned as he watched Mills begin lighting the furnace.
“Surely you are not planning anything dangerous?”
“Do not worry. Do you believe I intend to start a war? It is merely another part of my efforts to develop this territory.”
“……”
“In any case, we should depart soon. We must return before sunset.”
“I see. Another journey to Zilvergard today. You certainly are diligent.”
Hakon furrowed his brow.
He looked thoroughly annoyed at the prospect of leaving the castle with me.
Nevertheless, as always, he followed despite his complaints.