Volume 4 Chapter 7 Weapon Gathering
After finishing dinner with Cosmos, it was dark outside when Cosmos asked in front of the dining hall.
"So, what do we do now?"
Rose tilted her head in agreement and asked back.
"Are we heading to the royal capital, Chernozem? We have to let the people there know about the current situation."
"Speaking of which, it seems that was the plan before coming to my place. Then let's quickly look for a carriage to the royal capital!"
As Rose and Cosmos were discussing this, I shook my head with a heavy heart.
"Actually, before that, let's go to the 'workshop' in the Industrial District. They should still be open at this hour."
"A workshop, huh...?"
"Is there something you need there?"
The two of them gasped as if suddenly remembering something important.
"Well, you know, 'that' might be done soon. It could be really helpful for this journey, so let's go check it out!"
They agreed to my suggestion, and we decided to head to the workshop in the Industrial District.
* * *
Walking along the streets lit by town lights, we soon arrived at the Industrial District.
Despite many closed establishments at this hour, there was still the sound of hammers and light from sparks creating a lively atmosphere.
We focused on our destination and walked straight to the workshop we were aiming for.
Finally reaching the workshop, just then...
"Oh..."
Maybe someone had come out to catch their breath, as a figure stepped outside.
Dressed in baggy work clothes and a soot-covered apron, wiping sweat from their brow with a towel around their neck, was a girl with light brown hair── no, it was a boy.
He noticed us too, his light brown eyes widening in surprise.
"Roezé!"
"Long time no see, Fran."
The boy gave off a calm impression, like someone who'd be helping out in a wheat field in a rural village...
The boy who looks like this is Blacksmith Flax Ran, whom I helped grow before.
Unlike his typical craftsman attire, he has a delicate physique and an adorable face, almost like a girl.
Fran notices that Rose and Cosmos are with me and lets out a voice as if recalling, "Ah."
"Could it be, Rose and Cosmos...?"
"Yep! I was thinking that the 'weapons' I asked Fran for are almost done."
In return for helping Fran grow, he had promised to make the Nurturer sign and weapons for the two of them.
It's been a few weeks since then, and I was hoping they might be finished by now, so I came to the workshop.
Even if they weren't done, if they would be ready in a day or 2, I thought it would be better to wait for them before setting off on my journey.
And when I came by, a pleasant surprise occurred.
"Actually, they're already finished."
"Eh!?"
"I'm, I'm sorry. They were finished just 3 days ago, but I've been so busy lately that I didn't have time to deliver them..."
Fran wipes the sweat from his forehead again, showing signs of fatigue.
He does look a bit thinner.
It seems he's been so busy lately that it's made his even skinnier.
For Fran, who was just an apprentice Blacksmith not long ago, this is probably a happy kind of exhaustion.
Still, he managed to properly finish Rose and Cosmos's weapons, and I can't help but admire him.
"I-I'll go get them now, so please wait here for a moment!"
Just then, as Fran is about to dash back into the workshop... another person emerged from inside.
"I'll go get them for you."
"Ms. Kikina?"
"It's been a while since you met with your friends, right? Then you might as well talk here."
A beautiful woman with long blue hair flows gracefully, her face poised and dignified.
She is Kikina Anvil, the current head of the workshop.
A genius Blacksmith who recognized Fran's talent before anyone else and brought her into the workshop.
Ms. Kikina kindly decided to pick up the finished weapons in place of Fran.
During that time, I thought it would be nice to talk to Fran.
"I'm glad to hear the workshop is doing well."
"Yeah, my Divine Artifact is getting a great reputation, and right now there are a lot of requests. This is all thanks to Roezé."
Honestly, I don't really feel like it's because of me.
I think it's because of Fran's incredible talent and what happened at that auction that made his name well-known.
Who could have predicted that an unknown Blacksmith's debut work would sell for an all-time high of 15 million Flora? Regardless, I believe that shocking debut helped spread the name of Blacksmith Fran.
"By the way, since all 3 of you are here to pick up weapons, did you take on some big adventurer quest?"
At Fran's sharp question, I hesitate for a moment.
Rose and Cosmos, who are next to me, are looking at me with somewhat complicated expressions.
Just as Fran guessed, we are planning to embark on an important journey.
However, I worry that sharing too much could cause unnecessary commotion.
Since there are still many unknowns, I think it's best to keep it a secret for now.
"Well, something like that. I have to travel a bit far, and it seems there are lots of strong monsters, so I needed powerful weapons."
"Then I'm glad I made it in time. I swung the hammer thinking to create strong weapons that wouldn't lose to their talents, so I hope you like them."
Just then, Ms. Kikina returned to the workshop entrance, holding a straight sword and a staff.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I brought the weapons that Fran forged."
Both the sword and the staff were so beautiful that they left me speechless.
The straight sword had a green handle with a vibrant crimson blade shining at the end.
The red blade showed no imperfections at all, telling a tale of incredible craftsmanship as a weapon.
The staff had a black handle adorned with decorations that resembled pale pink flowers at the end.
The part of the stick supporting the flower looked like a flower pattern, making it appear like a single beautiful flower overall.
As I was captivated by those 2 weapons, Fran, who received them from Ms. Kikina, suddenly muttered.
"[Show Divine Revelation]."
In an instant, 2 sheets of paper resembling parchment appeared near the weapons.
Fran grabbed them and opened them to show us.
[Name] Holy Sword of Divine Sword
[Level] 15
[Attack Power] 200
[Skill] Indestructible
[Durability] 350/350
[Name] Black Staff of the Star Tree
[Level] 10
[Magic Power] 150
[Skill] Moonlight Bath
[Durability] 300/300
Could this be the Divine Revelation of this Divine Artifact...?
Seeing Fran effortlessly perform the Divine Revelation of a Divine Artifact, I was left speechless.
"Uh, could it be that you've become able to perform the Divine Revelation of Divine Artifacts?"
"Yeah. While I was fighting monsters to strengthen the Divine Artifact, a skill called 'Identification' awakened. Now I can pull out the Divine Revelation of Divine Artifacts."
Even though I had the power to strike with a Divine Artifact, I had no way to examine it.
So Fran couldn't recognize the weapon he used as a special Divine Artifact, which made him suffer for years.
I thought he would continue to struggle with that issue, but who would have thought he would overcome it by growing into a 'Divine Artifact Craftsman'?
Anyway, looking at the Divine Revelation I was shown, it seems these two Divine Artifacts have quite impressive capabilities.
"The sword was forged by me, so I was able to level it up to '15.' But the staff couldn't be strengthened unless it was by someone who could use magic, so I left that to someone else."
"That's why the staff's level is .'10.'"
"Yeah. Even with that, I think it's a sufficiently practical weapon. Ideally, I wanted to hand it over once it was fully completed..."
Seeing Fran look apologetic, Rose and Cosmos shook their heads.
"No, I think it's a really amazing weapon."
"Exactly. Just the fact that you've strengthened it this much is already enough. We'll grow it further on our own."
".. Oh, I see."
Fran let out a sigh of relief, as if the weight had been lifted from his chest.
It really is a powerful weapon even as it is.
As those 2 engage in monster subjugation, the level of the Divine Artifact will naturally increase, too.
After a brief explanation of the skills imbued in the Divine Artifact, Rose and Cosmos received the sword and the staff once more.
"Is this skill explanation enough? I think it would be faster for you to try them out."
"Yes, I plan to use them a lot on this trip."
"With these, there's no worry about them breaking at all."
For the two of them who found retail weapons lacking in durability, this performance fits perfectly.
This won't let Rose and Cosmos' talents go to waste, but rather will help them unleash even greater power.
Maybe excited about their new weapons, the two couldn't hide their grinning smiles.
Watching them, I once again thanked Fran.
"Thanks for making the weapons for them, Fran. They turned out perfectly, no complaints."
"No, I'm really happy to be of help to everyone."
Fran, beaming with a big smile, was being fondly watched over by Ms. Kikina.
As I looked at the Divine Artifacts they received again, I suddenly felt a strange hesitation.
"Is it really okay for us to receive such an amazing weapon? If you combine the two, it would cost as much as building a castle..."
I feel like the reward for helping Fran grow is way too big.
Just as I'm feeling this guilt, it turns out to be unnecessary.
"This is a thank you for helping me grow, so please accept it. After all, without Roezé, this Divine Artifact wouldn't have been completed, so you could say this is something made by Roezé, right?"
"R-Right...?"
Fran, who I helped grow.
A weapon made by Fran.
So, does that mean it's kind of like a weapon I made too? I'm starting to get a bit confused.
But well, if Fran says so, I guess I'll gratefully accept it.
In the end, Fran looked at each of us, clenched his fists in front of his chest.
"I think I don't have to worry if it's the 3 of you... Just be careful on your quest, okay?"
"Yeah, thanks, Fran."
"Mr. Fran, good luck with the forging requests."
"I'll come by the workshop again soon."
And so we waved goodbye to each other, making our short reunion come to an end.
I wonder if I'll ever ask Fran to make me a weapon someday.
Watching Rose and Cosmos receive weapons made me want one too.
Just thinking about how much the request fee will be gives me chills already.
Anyway, with that, we successfully wrapped up our weapon gathering, continuing from our team gathering.
And finally, we set off from the town where it all began, and our journey begins.
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