Otherworld Metal Factory (Patreon)

Chapter 68

Tehez placed the plated parts on the workbench and looked at the blade Oran brought over.

The blade, meticulously ground and polished over a long period, had a geometric pattern engraved in black in the center of the blade, giving it a mysterious feel. This was because it had been acid-treated beforehand.

"Good. Now let's assemble it and finish."

Oran attached the guard and fixing parts to the blade and inserted the handle.

"Here you go."

Tehez handed her the pommel, and Oran attached it to the handle. Finally, she inserted a small part into the hole of the pommel.

There was a hole in the pointed part, and Oran inserted a long iron rod into the hole and turned it to tighten it. This was because it was designed to be fixed by threading the bottom of the tang.

"Good! It's finished!"

Oran cheered and examined the sword from various angles, gripping the handle and swinging it a few times.

"Good! It's clean! It doesn't wobble! The grip feels good! I made it, but it's really well made!"

"Wow! It's really cool. No, it's beautiful. It looks simple yet sophisticated."

When Tehez also expressed her joy, Oran smiled and patted Tehez's head.

"You're really skilled."

The Factory Manager also approached and praised the finished sword.

Oran smiled brightly and looked at the Factory Manager.

"You don't try to put this much effort and time into it, that's why."

"Ah, when would we deliver them if we made them like that?"

"That's the Factory Manager-nim's catchphrase. Make it moderately! They won't notice even if you bring it to them."

Channing teased from the side, and the Factory Manager hit him on the head with his fist.

"You idiot! That means to do it moderately, like 95%! Not 60% moderately like you!"

"Ouch... I do at least 80%, you know?"

"This loudmouth!"

As the Factory Manager tried to hit him again, Channing quickly backed away and ran off. Everyone watching burst into laughter.

-Come in!-

Meanwhile, the back door suddenly opened and someone entered, and Geom greeted them. The factory crew looked at the back door and were slightly surprised to see who it was.

"Hello! I came to pick up the sword!"

"Greetings!"

It was Grace and the former Lord Meldof.

"Uh... weren't you supposed to come tomorrow?"

The Factory Manager asked, and Meldof looked at Grace with surprised eyes.

"Grace, wasn't it today?"

"Uh... didn't you tell me to come today?"

"No, no. You said five days later, which is tomorrow."

Oran replied.

Grace nodded with a look of realization and looked at her grandfather, Meldof.

"It seems I mistook the date."

"Oh dear, oh dear! Were you that eager for the sword?"

Meldof patted Grace's head with a benevolent smile.

"It seems we made a mistake. I apologize. Then we'll come back tomorrow."

"Oh! You don't have to. We just finished it."

Oran lifted the sword that was placed on the workbench.

Grace saw the sword and cheered.

"Wow!"

As the Factory Manager thought she looked like a high school girl who finally found the clothes she wanted to buy, Grace quickly received the sword and lifted it.

"Wow! Grandpa! Look at the pattern on the blade! It's like a legendary sword! And look at this wonderful handle decoration. How can it be so shiny!"

"It's a very unique shape..."

Meldof looked at the sword his granddaughter was holding with curious eyes.

A blade narrower than a typical longsword, a short handle that was easy to grip with one hand, a geometric guard that almost seemed to wrap around the hand... It was a sword with a structure that even Meldof, who had experienced swords from all over the world, had never seen before.

"Truly... a fascinating sword..."

"Would you like to try putting your index finger over the guard?"

Oran asked Grace, who was taking a stance to hold the sword. Grace moved her index finger forward as instructed.

"Ah! This is quite a unique method."

"It was designed to be held that way. I'm just letting you know that it can be used that way."

As Oran explained, Meldof let out an exclamation.

"Ah! That's!"

"Oh my! Grandpa, what's wrong?"

Grace, who was standing next to him, was startled by Meldof's sudden shout and asked back.

Meldof drew his own sword from his waist and held it in the same way, placing his index finger in front of the guard.

"That's how the knights of North Agallo hold their swords! To think there would be someone here who knows that method!"

"Is that so?"

Grace asked in surprise, and Oran shook her head.

"I don't know much about swordsmanship. I just knew there was a way to use it like that."

"Oh! It seems the stories of the North have reached even here. Hmm? But I asked that man to make the sword..."

Meldof, who was impressed by Oran's story, finally realized that Oran was the one who made the sword and looked at the Factory Manager.

The Factory Manager shrugged.

"I entrusted the sword to her because she's more of an expert."

"That's right, Grandpa. Who cares who made it? What matters is that such a wonderful thing was created. The balance is so good that it's incredibly easy to handle. It fits my hand perfectly!"

"Huh... Well... I guess it's fine if my granddaughter likes it, but who are you?"

Meldof nodded, sheathed the sword, and asked Oran.

Oran smiled brightly and pointed at the Factory Manager.

"I'm that man's wife. And that sword guard was made by that man."

"A couple who are both excellent artisans! Wonderful!"

Meldof clapped his hands and looked at Grace.

Grace smiled brightly and examined the sword from various angles.

"Grandpa! I want to test it out right away!"

"Oh dear, oh dear! Alright. Let's go home quickly."

Meldof chuckled and nodded.

Grace drew the sword she was wearing at her waist and inserted the newly made sidesword. Since the length was different, the sword protruded from the leather sheath.

"I'll need to have a new sheath made as well. By the way, you said your name was Oran? Thank you for making such a wonderful sword. I'll cherish it."

Grace grabbed Oran's hand and said with sparkling eyes, and Oran smiled brightly.

"Then I'll give you this sword."

Grace handed Oran the sword she was originally wearing.

"Huh?! It's a child's sword, but it's quite good..."

When Meldof asked, Grace looked at him and shook her head.

"Grandpa, you always say you know swords well, but it seems you don't recognize the value of this sword. I know very well that this sword is a luxurious product made in the Holy City. However, compared to this sword, it's like a crude sword made by a novice blacksmith!"

Grace smiled at Oran and walked towards the factory door.

"Then I'll go home first!"

After Grace left, Meldof sighed.

"I apologize for the commotion."

"No, it's alright. It's nice to see the young lady so lively. But is there a reason why she gave you her sword?"

Oran asked, and Meldof began to explain.

"It seems you're not familiar with our customs since you're a foreigner. It's an old custom of ours that when a knight receives a new sword from an artisan, if they like the sword, they give the artisan their old sword. A sword is a knight's life and pride, and by giving that sword, it means they acknowledge the artisan's skill. Well, it's an old custom that almost no one follows these days."

"Ah, I see. She must have really liked my sword. Then I'll gratefully accept it."

When Oran smiled brightly and lifted the sword, Meldof burst into laughter.

"Then I should also be on my way. Thank you for the good sword. And I'll visit again next time."

Meldof took off his hat and bowed, then walked out of the factory.

"She seems to really like it."

After Meldof left, Tehez approached Oran and said.

Oran examined the sword she received and smiled brightly.

"Indeed. I'm glad she likes it."

***

Returning to the mansion, Grace immediately prepared a straw scarecrow.

After placing the scarecrow with outstretched arms in the center of the swordsmanship training ground, Grace drew her sword and took a stance.

"It's quite a unique-looking sword."

When the current Lord Kyleoch approached and said that, Meldof nodded.

"It's a wonderful piece."

While Kyleoch and Meldof were talking, Grace smiled brightly and raised the sword. The blade and handle shone brilliantly in the sunlight.

Then, taking her stance again, Grace moved her legs quickly and thrust the sword at the scarecrow. The blade instantly pierced the tightly packed straw scarecrow to the root.

Grace was surprised and looked at the scarecrow, groaning as she pulled the sword out.

"Wow... It went in so smoothly?"

After pulling out the sword, Grace took her stance again and this time swung the sword down from above. The scarecrow was easily cut in half.

When the wooden support pole inside the scarecrow was also cut in half, Grace was surprised and looked at the sword.

"Amazing!"

Meldof exclaimed and burst into laughter.

Kyleoch approached Grace and held out his hand to receive the sword. Kyleoch, who was examining the sword from various angles, also let out a sigh-like exclamation.

"It's a truly wonderful sword. I can tell that it was made with even more care than the sword I saw last time."

"I heard that the artisan's wife made this sword."

At Meldof's words, Kyleoch was even more surprised and looked at his father.

"His wife made this?!"

"That's what I heard. The guard was made by the artisan himself, though. They're a truly amazing couple. Incredibly so. They made a sword of this quality in just a few days."

"More importantly, we should go to the sheath maker and have a sheath made for this sword, Father!"

Kyleoch handed the sword back to Grace, and Grace quickly went back into the mansion.

Watching her, Kyleoch smiled brightly and looked at his father.

"We need to find a way to get those two on our side."

"I think that would be a good idea. However, they're very proud people. They won't easily be swayed by us. And we can't threaten them, nor should we."

"I'll leave that part to you, Father. You're an expert at that kind of thing."

Meldof chuckled and patted Kyleoch's shoulder.

"Alright, I understand. I'll have to play the role of a father in that regard. I'll try to meet them again during the upcoming festival. This kind of thing requires time and patience, so let's wait patiently."

Kyleoch nodded as he rubbed his shoulder.