Removing the blade from the sword, I handed it to an engraver and asked them to carve designs into both sides of the blade based on sketches I had prepared. Meanwhile, I summoned a magic circle and infused the gemstones embedded in the sword’s hilt with magical energy, granting them enchantments.
To maximize attack power, I added activation conditions. I did the same for the gem imbued with ice magic. Another, previously unenchanted gemstone, I augmented with ice magic’s support and control capabilities. This setup mimicked the external manipulation Belial had performed earlier in just a brief moment.
For the sword itself, I added a durability enhancement.
I wished I could test these enchantments before finalizing them, but handling weapons is already a challenge for me. Performing three operations simultaneously would be far too difficult.
When Nordin tested the finished weapon, he found that after slashing, the target froze solid about two seconds later. When he signaled the sword with magical energy, the frozen object shattered into tiny fragments.
“It’s done…! This is it!”
“This weapon is incredible…” Radislav exclaimed, clearly impressed. Exactly! The theory worked brilliantly.
“This can not only disrupt the freezing signal, but also…”
Taking the sword from Nordin, I placed its tip against the floor. Channeling energy into the gem imbued with ice magic, I activated it. Ice spikes of varying sizes raced across the ground and struck a test rod. In an instant, the rod was entirely encased in ice.
“Alright, no issues!”
“The blade’s sharpness is on a whole other level compared to before… This is amazing!”
Nordin seemed delighted, clearly satisfied with the weapon.
The enchanter, Valen, and the workshop owner, Radislav, also showered the sword with praise.
After finishing up, I started tidying the materials scattered across my desk. I’d left everything out in my excitement—one of my worst habits.
“Iriya ,” Radislav called hesitantly. “If it’s alright, could I make a copy of this…?”
“I can’t share everything, but I don’t mind. Which part are you interested in?”
“First, I’d like the durability enhancement from the sword.”
“Ah, this one. It includes added ice resistance, making it more versatile.”
I sorted through the papers on the cluttered table and handed the relevant notes to Radislav. He accepted them with a delighted expression and had Valen prepare to take notes. It was the least I could do for borrowing their workshop. Besides, these enhancements were only marginally more potent than what he likely already knew.
“And about the spell for turning magic cores into powder…?”
“I’ll write it down for you. I actually developed that spell with a colleague, Sevillion. It’s incredibly useful, so please make good use of it. I’ll also include notes on water purification.”
These spells were valuable and worth sharing widely. Perhaps I could find a better way to distribute them.
“You developed magic!? Is that even possible!?” Radislav gasped in shock, while others nearby looked equally amazed.
“Well, I used to work at a research institute. Now I’m based in Lenant, a town in the neighboring kingdom of Cenkasla. Feel free to visit me if you’re ever nearby. I’d love to visit here again, too.”
After a bit more discussion about enchantments, I bid farewell to everyone at the workshop.
While I was content with how everything turned out, Rendal regretted not commissioning his own weapon. I assured him that while I couldn’t handle engraving, I could enchant weapons if he visited me in Lenant.
With the reward money coming in tomorrow, it was time to leave this town behind.
That evening, I dined again with Nordin and Rendal. Since we stayed at the same inn, it was convenient.
Nordin, still ecstatic about the sword, was in an excellent mood.
“You even developed magic… The court magicians of Egdualum must be exceptional.”
“Thank you, Rendal, but I simply enjoy research.”
“That’s clear. You were so full of life while working on my sword.”
“Haha, and you narrated every step out loud,” Nordin teased.
What!? Did I really? I shook my head in shock, but all three laughed, confirming it was true.
Incidentally, Rendal seemed to have gotten over his nervousness around Belial. The two had disappeared during our time at the workshop—perhaps something happened that brought them closer.
The next morning, the four of us had breakfast together at the inn. Nordin and Rendal were planning to regroup with the rest of their team to decide on their future plans. It seemed they would be staying near the Cenkasla Kingdom for a while, so there was a good chance we’d meet again.
After receiving our reward and finishing our errands, we said our goodbyes to them outside the town. It had been a truly enjoyable time.
“Why don’t we accompany you partway?” Nordin offered.
“No need—look,” I replied, declining his offer and blowing a special bamboo whistle.
From the mountains, a wyvern appeared, its large wings spreading wide as it descended. It had been waiting for me in the elven forest.
“A wyvern!? Wait, could it be…”
“Bingo, Rendal! I’m heading back with this one. Isn’t it adorable?”
“Ador…able…?”
I mounted the wyvern, which took off into the sky. Below, I could see the two of them waving as I soared upward.
Their figures soon became small dots as the wyvern carried me across the river toward my usual town.
As we flew, Belial, who was flying nearby, looked at me with a doubtful expression and spoke.
“…You genuinely think wyverns are cute?”
“Of course! Don’t you think so? They’re such good companions.”
“…I cannot comprehend your sense of aesthetics…”
I’m sure anyone would find them adorable once they bonded with them.
“Oh, Mr. Radislav! I saw you yesterday—how impressive! Having an A-rank adventurer visit!”
A young soldier who had guided Iriya spoke to Radislav, who was out shopping in town.
“A-rank? Someone like that came by?”
It wasn’t uncommon for high-ranking adventurers, like A-rank or B-rank, or even knights of the kingdom, to visit the workshop occasionally. But when he thought back to yesterday, no one particularly noteworthy came to mind.
Radislav bought a hot dog and took a bite while mulling over the soldier’s comment.
“You didn’t know? Nordin and Rendal, the two who were with Iriya ! That tall, burly one and the handsome blonde guy!”
“…!! What!? Those two were A-rank? No wonder their gear was so high-quality…”
Recalling yesterday, Radislav nearly choked on his food. Iriya had treated them like ordinary friends, and neither Nordin nor Rendal had mentioned their rank. Assuming they were just regular adventurers, he had treated them casually. If he’d known they were A-rank, he would have extended much more hospitality. He muttered complaints to himself under his breath.
“And to be hanging around people like that… Who is Iriya , anyway? She’s even contracted with that terrifying demon…”
“…Demon? A demon, as in, a real demon?”
“Of course! That red-haired person—didn’t you know? Were you okay yesterday…?”
Radislav nearly dropped his hot dog but managed to compose himself. However, what the soldier said next was even more shocking.
“That demon, Belial, single-handedly wiped out an entire bandit stronghold!”
Radislav’s hot dog slipped from his hand, the bitten sausage and lettuce falling tragically to the ground.
