The New Gate Book 21: Chapter 3 (7)

Book 21: Chapter 3 (7)

Three days after the joint funeral. Restoration work began in the Moon Shrine’s forge that appeared in the courtyard.

“Let’s begin.”

After declaring this, Shin materialized the destroyed weapons.

All the onlookers sat on the chairs prepared against the wall so as not to get in the way of the work.

The forge was filled with an otherworldly sense of tension.

It was natural that Shin was nervous about the work ahead but was concentrating hard, while Jayf and Kluck were showing their curiosity about the unknown technology. Their eyes were wide open as if they would not miss even a single spark, giving off an aura that was quite difficult to approach.

King Kurikara joined them, furrowing his brow and glaring at the weapons. It seemed that his face was the result of a mixture of various emotions. The minister in charge of weapon management explained that he had never intended to make Shin feel uncomfortable.

Schnee was standing a little distance away from Shin. She was his guarantor, and at the same time his a.s.sistant. She was the only one who wasn’t nervous in this situation. It was solely because of her trust in Shin.

With the three different gazes on his back, Shin picked up the first spear. It was the spear used by the humanoid Weapon Monster that Shin had destroyed, the 『Blue Sile』.

Even though it was broken, in essence it was just the handle that had been split in two. If it were as simple as putting it back together and it would be back to normal, Shin wouldn’t have a part to play.

Shin compared the two split handles.

It must be the effect of his blacksmithing skill. The current state of the 『Blue Sile』 appeared in his mind. The handle of the 『Blue Sile』 was one with the tip, so it’s in the same condition as the blade of the 『Rankui』 that was repaired as a test.

What was needed for repair was information about the materials. This world was based on the game, but there were many differences from the game. Weapons were a prime example of this. Even if the weapons have the same names as in the game, it was not uncommon for the creator to add some modifications.

“The main materials are White Magic Steel and Blue Magic Steel. Then there’s the Aqua Slime’s core and mucus, and to join them… Spirit Vein Crystal.”

Unconsciously, Shin spoke out the materials he needed. His eyes were fixed straight on the 『Blue Sile』, and he was not even aware of what he was saying.

In response to Shin’s words, Schnee materialized the materials from her item box on the workbench.

Shin had moved the materials he thought would be needed for the repair from the Moon Shrine’s item box to Schnee’s item box beforehand. If she possessed precious materials, it wouldn’t cause unnecessary surprise to the inhabitants of this world.

While holding the tip of the 『Blue Sile』 in his left hand, Shin slowly stroked the material with the fingers of his right hand. From a metallic material to a material derived from monsters. It seemed a casual movement, but the material showed a clear change.

The surface of the material rippled, and part of it melted as it moved to Shin’s fingertip. And at that point, it mixed together like a liquid.

Shin moved his finger in front of himself.

A few seconds after moving, the mixture of materials that had been stuck to the pad of his index finger slowly came off, and became a sphere about five millimels in size. Shin gently touched it to the cut surface of the tip.

The mixture spread smoothly over the entire cut surface, disappearing as if melting.

When Shin brought the cut surface of the tip together, the joint disappeared in an instant.

His movements up to this point had been incredibly smooth, and more refined than the first time he had managed to repair it.

Shin used both his skill and experience to thoroughly check the condition of the 『Blue Sile』. Once he was sure that there was nothing wrong, he declared the repair complete.

“Just to be sure, please check it.”

“Ah, yeah…”

King Kurikara, who was somewhat dazed after watching Shin’s work, carefully accepted the 『Blue Sile』 that was presented to him. Jayf and Kluck joined in and check the 『Blue Sile』. But of course there were no defects.

“Jayf, what on earth have I been shown…?”

“I have no idea, at all. I know similar techniques, but this is clearly different…”

Next to King Kurikara, who muttered without thinking, Jayf also answered with a grim expression.

Kluck, who remained silent throughout, stared at the place where the cross section of the 『Blue Sile』 had been, with a look on his face as if he had seen something impossible.

“Is it okay to continue like this?”

“Yes, there’s nothing to complain about. Please, I beg you to repair as many weapons as possible.”

King Kurikara, who came to his senses after hearing Shin’s question, quietly bowed his head. His words were filled with a sincere request.

?

After that, Shin spent five days restoring all of the weapons that could be repaired. Rare materials were also needed, but the materials he had brought from the item box at the Moon Shrine were more than enough.

King Kurikara offered a reward, saying that he couldn’t let Shin do the job for free. However, since it was Shin’s selfishness that led him to do it, he asked Schnee to make the amount appropriate so as not to burden the reconstruction efforts.

The “Wrought Iron Battle Festival” would continue after a few days. Cancellation was considered, but it was an event that was held on the prestige of the nation. It was decided to continue it in order to appeal to the outside world that they would not give in to acts of terrorism.

The “Master Division” hadn’t started yet, and there was no damage to the works submitted in the “Ma.s.s Production Division,” so there were no major obstacles to continue the festival.

Incidentally, Shin’s work was said to be sure to win a prize in the “Ma.s.s Production Division,”  but he declined to partic.i.p.ate at his own request. He wasn’t aiming to win, and Jayf had advised him that he shouldn’t draw any more attention to himself after the incident with the weapon repair.

Only a few people, like the higher-ups at Kurikara and Jayf, knew about Shin’s skills, but information was bound to leak out somewhere. Shin also knew that being famous wasn’t always a good thing.

Even though he hadn’t put in his all, he thought that he had drawn too much attention in the blacksmithing this time, so he had no objections.

◆◆◆◆

After finishing the weapon repairs, Shin and the others took a few days off again.

They had been sightseeing in Kurikara and had also been relaxing in the hot springs, so they were able to refresh themselves, mainly mentally.

“There was a bit of a commotion, but we were able to relax.”

Shin muttered to himself on the way to the royal castle.

Jayf had called him and said that he wanted to talk to him. He was probably just being considerate, but he also apologized for not being able to visit Shin and the others himself, given his position. 

“Just a bit, I guess?”

As Milt tilted his head, Shin said while looking at the sky.

“It’s better to think of it as just a bit. For your mental health.”

Not only Kurikara, but also the Black Faction was cooperating to investigate Tekkosai and his group, the masterminds of this commotion, but they were having difficulty with the few clues.

It was a headache to have a never-ending supply of commotion, but it was no good letting it stress you out. It’s not uncommon in this world for someone to be physically fine, but mentally unwell.

“I heard that today you will be speaking directly with the Cave King. Has there been any progress?”

“I wonder. When I heard about the progress report, it didn’t seem like that.”

The three people heading to the royal castle were Shin, Schnee, and Milt. As Shin was a blacksmith and Schnee was the owner of the Moon Shrine, they were allowed to enter the castle during their stay. Milt was with them because she volunteered to be able to do something related to the player.

The player’s perspective could be different from that of the inhabitants of this world. Also, depending on the player’s job and play style, the way they see things would change. So, thinking that there might be something he hadn’t noticed, Shin decided to take her along.

He entered the royal castle and followed the soldier who was his guide.

He was guided to the room Shin had previously snuck into. There were five people inside. He knew Jayf and Kluck, but this was the first time he had met the other three when they were revealed. Considering when they had snuck in, he could have been a bodyguard and spy.

“Sorry for making you come all the way here.”

“No, it’s not that much trouble. So, what can I help you with today?”

Shin asked, thinking that it was too late for small talk at this point, and Jayf made all the other attendants except Kluck retreat. Although they were guards, they couldn’t argue as Schnee Raizar was there if there was any danger, so they quietly moved to guard outside the room.

After making sure the door was closed, Jayf asked Schnee to take measures to prevent eavesdropping.

It seemed he knew that she was able to do such things. The incident was over, but he said it was just to be sure.

After confirming that the skill had been activated, Jayf spoke with a serious look on his face.

“I was contacted by the Black Faction, who wanted to invite Sir Shin to their headquarters. I am the intermediary in this matter.”

“The Black Faction, huh? Is it because of that incident?”

“Yes. It was Kluck who reported it, but please don’t blame him. I was the one who encouraged him to report it.”

Since it was a matter related to blacksmithing, the Black Faction would eventually get hold of the information. If Kluck was found to be at the scene and had failed to report it at that time, it would put him in a bad position, Jayf continued.

Kluck himself still wanted to hold off on reporting it.

He seemed to know that Shin was not the type to work hard to spread his skills for the benefit of others like he did. 

He was also concerned that if he spread the information poorly, there would be a large number of people wanting to become his apprentice.

“I’m sorry.”

“As long as you belong to an organization, you have to report things, and I understand that your position is important.”

“I’m sorry too.”

Not only Kluck, but Jayf also bowed their heads.

Some people honed their skills for the benefit of the ma.s.ses, but there were also those who improved their skills to create something that satisfied them. Shin was the latter, and he prioritized people he knew or those he personally wanted to help.

However, regarding this incident, Shin had no intention of blaming Kluck.

From Kluck’s perspective, he knew that he couldn’t keep quiet after witnessing an incident that exceeded the limits of his technology.

“I also need to apologize to Lady Raizar. I tried to persuade the Black Faction to not make a fuss, but given the circ.u.mstances, it seems they had no choice. If I were in their place, I wouldn’t have kept quiet either.”

“It can’t be helped, seeing his skills with your own eyes. But if they keep bothering me, I have a plan of my own.”

Schnee pointed out in a sharp tone, and Jayf replied in a clear voice.

“I know. It’s not like this is the first time they’ve done something like this. The faction members have a strong respect for those who have improved their skills through their own efforts, so they won’t be hanging around.”

The Dwarven a.s.sociation and the Black Faction were close in terms of organizations, so Jayf knew what kind of people the members were.

“So, about the invitation…”

When Shin changed the topic, Kluck responded.

“If you accept the invitation, we’ll arrange someone to pick you up.”

“We don’t mind coming to you.”

“The Black Faction’s headquarters is always moving. We’re reusing what used to be called a guild house. It’s because valuable materials and information are gathered there.”

Shin was impressed to hear that they were using a mobile guild house as their headquarters. There was a similar reason why half of the guild houses in “Rokuten” were mobile.

“Oh, so that’s also technology that was revived?”

“Well, not all of it, though. That’s why I can’t tell you where it is. Or rather, I don’t know exactly where it is right now.”

Shin decided to accept the invitation, since it was such a good idea. He was interested in how cutting-edge the technology in this world was.

“Then I’ll contact headquarters. Once the detailed schedule is decided, I’ll send a messenger to the inn.”

“We’ll pay for your accommodation until then. I want you to relax for a while.”

It seemed that Jayf would make arrangements so that Shin and the others could stay at the inn as they were, since he was being kept waiting.

Shin thought that this was the end of the matter for which he called him, but Jayf said with a serious expression.

“By the way, you don’t have to answer this, but there’s something I’d like to ask you, Sir Shin.”

“What is it?”

Shin changed his mood and responded.

“Your deep knowledge of blacksmithing, your skills far exceed those of me or Kluck. And that technique… no, it’s a miracle. Taking all of this into consideration, a hypothesis has come to mind.”

Jayf paused for a moment. He seemed a little hesitant, then spoke again.

“The person from whom Sir Shin learned blacksmithing… could it be the ‘Dark Blacksmith’ himself? That man, who is said to have disappeared somewhere, is still somewhere in this world? I can’t help but think that.”

For a moment, Shin thought he might be asked if he was the ‘Dark Blacksmith’ himself, but even Jayf didn’t seem to think that far.

However, Jayf’s serious gaze made Shin wonder how he should respond.

(TNG Vol. 21 END)

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