559 - - 557 Negotiations on Damascus in Degraded Version

The atmosphere of the place was so messed up by the dwarves with their strong characters that we were one step away from triggering the pit, but somehow the atmosphere returned to normal and we were finally able to begin full-fledged negotiations. I'm already tired and want to go home, but for Mel's sake, I'd like to find a compromise that both parties can agree on.

"I guess it's not going to happen.

While I was thinking about how to reply about the secret of the necromancer, the king gave up on the idea.

A secret that could have brought enormous benefits to the country.

Well, to put it simply, it just means that we should get along with the spirits. ...... If I were in the king's position, I would have wanted to obtain this information by force.

The fact that he is willing to give it up may mean that the Marquis Galli incident and the existence of the Great Spirit are working in the right direction.

It may sound like a threat half of the time, but if you have something inappropriate for your position without power or connections, it is a natural thing that it will be taken away from you.

And unlike Japan, it is a fantasy world where power is more important than prestige. If I had been weak, the king would have tried to extract information from me by torture or any other means.

It would be better to summon all the great spirits and threaten them, but since we have a good relationship with them, there is no need to destroy it.

In fact, it would be easier to just dump Mr. Gorden and the three of them far away from here like a father and son.

The important thing is that Mel should be accepted by people around him as a spiritist and a blacksmith so that he will not be subjected to unreasonable treatment.

We must not forget this.

Thank you for your concern.

"Yes. But I am interested in the lecture he gave at the Adventurers' Guild. Of course, I am gathering information, but it does not seem to work as well as he did. Can you give that lecture?"

It's only natural that the information would go to the government since they did such a big job.

And no wonder it didn't work.

My teachings are just a surface, and the important things are being taught directly to the spirits by my contracted spirits. If I leave that out, it won't work.

If you don't mind the same lecture, I'd be happy to help.

I'm interested in the spiritists who serve the country, and if they are willing to do the same thing, it will be less hassle for me.

It may seem like a hassle, but if I can sell my debt to the king easily, then I should sell it.

"Yes, thank you. Please discuss this later with Barotta.

"Yes, sir."

I can't help but feel sorry to put Ms. Barotta, who is under the maximum stress from my warnings, my authority to trigger the trap, and the unintentional pressure of Dine and the others, through even more hardship, but it's the king's request, so I guess it can't be helped, right?

Ms. Barotta's tense face seemed to have become tight, but it was probably just my imagination.

"Now, I'm getting off track here, but you're sure that he's here to back the girl, aren't you?　You can hire me at the castle, if you like.　I promise you preferential treatment."

No, Mel is devoted to protecting the workshop that has been in his family for generations. Thank you for your kind words, but ......"

It must be an honor for a craftsman to be recognized at the castle.

It would protect him, and if he could accept this choice, everything would be resolved and easy, but Mel has worked himself to death to take over the workshop and has despaired.

But Mel finally made a contract with Meral and was able to take over the workshop. Honor or safety, he would never have chosen to give up the workshop.

The castle is Mel's only hope.

And I doubt if Mel's soul is here now. Since we're talking about Mel, maybe it's time for him to come back?

...... seems to show Mel's timid side in all its glory, so it will be difficult for some time to come. He looks so depressed that I am not sure if I should summon Vita.

Well, Mel may be timid, but he has more determination than most, and I'm sure he'll come back when he gets his feelings straightened out.

"I see. So what kind of backing do you want?　A knighthood?　...... No, I don't think so."

The king, who looked at Mel after saying the word "knighthood," retracted his previous statement. Yeah, it doesn't look like Mel wants a knighthood.

If that's what he looked like, then he's a bit naive and I'm worried about the future of this country.

"No, all I ask is that you certify that Mel has recreated this metal and set up a knighthood or guard post near his workshop. And we would like Mel's workshop to be taken care of. Specifically, I would like to get rid of any solicitation."

With Meral and Merrill Serio, there is not much physical danger.

It is enough to have the knights or the guards take care of the psychological dangers. The labyrinth city will not be destroyed.

In Japan, it would be a rather absurd request to set up a police box nearby for preferential protection, but this is not Japan but a fantasy world where there is a king.

If the king nods his head, the absurdity will be accepted.

I thought about asking him to open up the restricted space for the workshop, which is the root of the problem, but I don't think I have the right to do that.

If the space is expanded and the three of them get the workshop, I would feel bad. I am a little saddened by my own smallness, but I hope those who would bother Mel will have a hard time.

Well, Mel is going to shut them up soon with a demonstration of his unimpeachable ability, so I'm sure the pride of those three will be shattered. I'm kind of looking forward to it.

"Well, it's not impossible, but it's going to cost more. What about the benefits to the country?　The fact that the girl or the person is favorable to this country is an advantage, but I would like to see it in a concrete form, if possible. And what do you mean by reproduction?　Didn't the girl there establish the process?"

Our favor merits?　I hadn't thought about that, but maybe you're right.

I don't have a big idea to protect this country, but there are people who have helped me in the Labyrinth City, and I would protect them if I could.

The king may not know it, but the labyrinth city, a city of high value, will be protected by Sylphy and his people.

That's a big deal.

I don't know what will happen if we don't stay here, but while we are here, it's safe enough to handle a flood of demons or a natural disaster.

Well, it's a bit fuzzy and hard to prove, so it's not an advantage to the presenting country. But it has been thought out.

And the word "reproduction". I guess it stuck.

The word "reappearance" is a compromise that we have made in consideration of both reality and Mel's feelings.

Mel does not like to announce his credit for the knowledge he received from Nomos, but he cannot honestly say that he received it from the Great Spirit of the Earth.

"The process of making this degraded version of Damascus was researched and reproduced based on certain knowledge. Mel did not create it from scratch, so it is a reproduction."　

So that's what the world thinks.

Well, the word "reproduction" was also difficult for Mel, who had been instructed in almost everything, but I persuaded him that it would be troublesome to explain otherwise and he agreed.

"I guess that certain knowledge ...... is also a secret."

I smiled and the king understood before I could reply. Thank goodness for quick conversations.

The knight on the wall seems a little unhappy, but as long as he doesn't get directly involved, it's all good.

"Thank you for your understanding. As for the benefits we can offer, if you agree to our request, we will deliver these degraded Damascus ingots to the country on a regular basis, at the rate of ten every thirty days or so.

One ingot is not enough to make a sword, but ten ingots are enough to make a reasonable weapon or armor.

As for the value, since we discussed it with Mel, Gina, Sylphy, and Nomos, we should not unnecessarily lower the value of the degraded version of Damascus, and with ten swords a month, a person in a certain position could have enough equipment if he took the time to do so.

The value of the Damascus is set in such a way that the country will have a considerable advantage. Perhaps even half would have been enough.

The metal is of a very high quality, though not as rare as the rare metals.

Even if the country has to spend money for setting up the guard stations and labor costs, it cannot compare to the advantage of having access to the rare metals on a regular basis.

Then, why the big play is ...... simply put, it's a bribe.

If it were just me, I wouldn't need a bribe, but considering Mel and his descendants who are rooted in the labyrinth city, I thought it would be better to provide some benefit to the country.

"...... Hmm. That's good enough. How much of this metal do you produce?　If I can purchase more than ten bottles, I would like to purchase them."

I guess we're talking about adding on. But I'm glad you chose to buy. It's not a bad thing, because I was thinking of the worst case scenario, that they would say they don't have enough.

"Yes, it is a delicate metal and difficult to produce in large quantities, but I think I can sell some of it. However, Mel also has relationships and weapons he wants to make, so please refrain from forcing us to buy them all up.

Delicate is not a lie, but in fact there is some leeway when Mel builds a degraded version of Damascus.

It would be a very difficult task for a first-rate magician to make a degraded version of Damascus, and he would probably make mistakes. Even Mel cannot say that he can make it easily.

However, there is a way to make it somewhat easier only if Mel does the blacksmithing.

That is, Meral and Merrill Serio, who are experts in fire and earth, have mastered the process of making a degraded version of Damascus.

Even intermediate spirits and floating spirits are highly skilled in their own attributes. Once Meral and Meritxerio learn the process of making Damascus, they will never fail in the delicate handling of fire and metal.

All that is left is for Mel to master the necessary processes, and a degraded version of Damascus will be completed.

Well, it is said that it is still a lot of work, but it is much easier than controlling everything by oneself.

It may be said that we are able to do this because we can communicate with spirits in paradise.

If Mel, Meral, and Merrill Serio work hard together, they can make about a hundred pieces a month without much difficulty.

However, if we do so, Mel will be occupied with manufacturing the degraded version of Damascus, so we limit the upper limit to 20 ingots per month and allow Mel to distribute the surplus freely.

He can use them himself or have the government buy them from him. Mel's weak position as a young woman would be strengthened considerably, since she could share them with her blacksmith acquaintances and sell them as a favor to them.

The knights or guards of the new station nearby will take care of all the trouble that goes along with that. Not a bad plan for me.

"Well, as long as it is difficult to produce in large quantities and the quantities do not flow to other countries, then there should be no problem. The government will buy any surplus, so please explain this to the girl.

"Yes, sir."

Negotiations managed to conclude without any disturbances.

In the end, Mel did not come to his senses during the negotiations, but he was able to fulfill his role as a mentor.　

I have a discussion with Mr. Barotta, but I think it's time for me to leave for the day and relax.

Take me as your apprentice!

"Kyah!"

......The chief blacksmith is at Mel's feet, begging for an apprenticeship, and Mel comes to his senses, startled by the sudden act.

What is this situation? After all the trouble that had ended without a hitch, it came from a strange source.

Well, it's no use, since I can't help it if I don't have the gift of necromancy, and even if I do, I don't intend to teach it to anyone who is deeply involved in the country, nor to invite him to paradise.

I just have a feeling that I'm going to have a very hard time refusing ...... .............