Chapter 1: An Old Country Bumpkin Gifts a Sword

I stared at the longswords before me, picking each one up and giving it a swing. All of my senses were telling me they were good swords, but none had that “wow” factor.

“Hmm. This one isn’t bad either...” I said. “Not bad, but...”

“Master, you’re gonna go bald worrying ’bout it like that.”

“Qu-Quiet!”

I don’t deserve that! My hairline’s still fine. Probably. Well, it would be problematic if my hair got any whiter, but I’m not losing any. Probably. I really wanna believe that’s the case.

Currently, I was at Balder’s Smithy. This was where the muscular giant who’d half forced his way into my dojo back in Beaden—Balder Gasp—plied his trade. He’d spent just over a year studying the sword under me before saying, “Now it’s time to apply this experience to smithing” and leaving the village. After that, I’d been completely in the dark about his whereabouts, but I’d reunited with him after Allucia had brought me to Baltrain.

The swords he made were excellent. He didn’t have a particularly extensive stock—after all, he was the only smith working here—but each individual weapon was of outstanding quality. The Zeno Grable longsword he’d made for me was a masterwork he’d poured his heart and soul into. I had great trust in his abilities as a blacksmith.

So, since I was looking for a replacement for Allucia’s beloved sword—which had broken during the battle in Sphenedyardvania’s capital of Dilmahakha—Balder was the first person I’d thought of going to.

“Um, Master... They’re all good swords,” Allucia said. “As long as I’m able to choose one with you, any of—”

“No, that won’t do,” I said, cutting her off. “Call me stubborn, but let’s keep at it.”

“R-Right...!”

Unlike when I’d had my sword made from Zeno Grable’s materials, it wouldn’t beme using this weapon—it was only natural to choose one alongside the person who would actually be using it. That was why Allucia was here with me now.