563 - - Episode 561. A provocation named Persuasion?

After finishing the training for the spiritualist in the royal capital, we moved to the labyrinth city, and the next day, Mr. Gorden and the others came storming in with a big guy from the blacksmith's guild. To tell the truth, it's a hassle, but it's strange that I'm beginning to feel a little pity for the figure that's confidently strangling itself. ......Well, never mind Mr. Goldens, let's deal with Mel's insecurities first.

"Mel. Why are you so shocked?　We talked about Mel having a place to show what he's capable of, didn't we?"

He talks to Mel, leaving Mr. Gorden and the others looking triumphant.

The final meeting was scheduled for today, and since the competition was going to be difficult, we had given up on it, but we had discussed in our previous meetings that Mel would showcase her abilities in some way.

Mel was aware of the disadvantage of being young and a woman as a blacksmith, so I am sure she would have agreed to show off her skills.

Since Mr. Tablé appeared as a sacrifice, who could be entrusted with the management of the competition, he proposed the competition on short notice, which should not have been so surprising since they had talked about the competition in the meeting.

"So, but I bet on the workshop, and if I lose ......"

Mel answers my question in a small, unsure voice. I see, so that's what's been bothering you.

Well, I can understand why you don't want to use it for betting, since it's your precious workshop. It would be a fool's errand to gamble with your precious workshop if there is a chance that you might lose.

But in Mel's case, the situation is different. So why is he worried?

"You know what, Mel? This tournament is to show Mel how good he is by laying waste to the annoying blacksmiths of Labyrinth City. Why do you think he's going to lose when he's sure to win?　I'm sorry to say this, but it's a race, okay?　I'm pretty sure I'm going to win, okay?"

It may have been wrong of me to suddenly offer Mel's precious workshop for a bet. However, no matter how timid he may be, it is indeed a problem to be scared in such an advantageous situation.

It is not wrong to cross a stone bridge, but not to cross it after all the reinforcement work is beyond prudent and just plain stupid.

But if we lose, we will lose the workshop.

"Yeah, well, it's a gamble, so there's no chance of that, but does Mel really think there's a chance he could lose?"

Is there someone Mel can never beat that I just don't know about?

If so, I'm getting a little ahead of myself, but the workshop situation in the labyrinth city is too hellish for Mel, who has completed a degraded version of Damascus, to have a workshop that he can't beat.

That's a bit unlikely, isn't it?

"Um, ...... I don't think we're going to lose."

Mel ponders my question with a troubled expression on her face, and gives me a fearful, but in a sense arrogant, answer.

It seems that there is no clear opponent against whom there is a possibility of losing.

It's very interesting to see how Goldens are getting worked up at Mel's words.

I am provoking them by understanding the situation, but in Mel's case, it seems to be very effective because his honest feelings are provoking them.

I'm worried about the blood vessels in Mr. Gorden's and Mel's brains.

"You know Mel. It's understandable to be anxious, but let's consider the risks and rewards a little bit."

They say there are no absolutes in the game, but that doesn't mean that the advantage can be easily reversed.

It is indeed too timid not to take a chance when you have the ultimate advantage of Damascus.

"Is it a risk/reward thing?"

Yes, risk and reward. In this case, what is the risk?"

I feel like a teacher. No, I'm a teacher, so is it similar?

"If you lose, you lose your workshop."

"Then what's the return?"

"It means that everyone recognizes me as the owner of the workshop."

"Yeah, 30 points. That's rather incorrect."

"Heh?"

"The correct answer is that Mel will crush the blacksmiths who have gathered here using the workshop as bait, and he will be recognized for his abilities, thus establishing Mel's position in the labyrinthine city. That's right."

Any independent blacksmith who wants a workshop will jump at the offer. If we can crush all of them, we can make them realize that we are capable, regardless of their jealousy and discriminatory feelings.

Not only the blacksmiths that he has faced, but also their associates, and if he does well, he may be able to impress all the people involved in blacksmithing in the labyrinth city.

The king will take care of the troublesome intervention. With his age and gender disadvantage, there is no reason for Mel not to take a low-risk, high-return bet that would allow him to demonstrate his abilities.

Mel can show his ability to some extent without betting on the workshop, but considering the situation of the workshop in the labyrinth city, betting is definitely a better way to attract attention.

Also, I hate to say this, but a timid type like Mel needs a little more push than this, and it's a rough treatment.

It's a pity to put pressure on him, but at least he should be able to accept a winnable game without being scared.

"You're talking too much, Master.

Mel glanced at Mr. Tabre, Mr. Gorden, and the others and warned them.

Mr. Tabelle looks a little displeased, and Mr. Gorden and the others seem to be too angry to speak, with their faces bright red and their mouths agape.

They were too angry to speak, their faces were bright red and their mouths were agape.

But some of that anger was the result of Mel's provocation, you know?

"Right. As Mel says, he's getting a little carried away. I'm not saying Mel's not a good blacksmith, but there are better blacksmiths out there than him, even if they don't have their own workshop. What are you going to do?　What if my apprentice loses his precious workshop?"

Mr. Tablé, as someone involved in blacksmithing, was a bit annoyed by my provocation, so he provoked me back.

"Don't worry about it. Don't worry. Mr. Tabelle only knows Mel the blacksmith. Mel is a blacksmith who has trained himself to become a spirit smith. The Mel you know and the Mel you know now are literally on different levels.

...... I said it with a lot of vigor, but I feel that "spirit smith" is not a good word to describe him.

I think "spirit blacksmith" is not a good word.　

Is it because a "spirit blacksmith" sounds like a blacksmith?

"If you're a spirit blacksmith, you're a ......"

What's that, Mr. Tabre?　He looks puzzled.

Even I was puzzled, and Mel, who was involved in the discussion, looked as if he had never heard of it before, so it was not surprising.

"Simply put, he's a blacksmith who uses the spiritual arts."

"...... Then Mel's father was a spirit smith too?　I've never heard him say that before, have you?"

Come to think of it, since Mel's father also had a contract with Meral, could he be considered a spirit smith?

No, that would have less impact. I am sorry for your father, but let's say that the first spirit smith was Mel.

"Strictly speaking, that's not true. Mel's skill as a spirit smith exceeds that of the palace spirit smiths. You can't call him a spirit smith unless he's that good.

"So ...... is it?"

"Yes, sir."

Let's leave it at that. I've assured you, but I'm having a bit of trouble explaining it myself.

"Kk, blacksmithing doesn't require any spiritual skills. You're trying to put up a front somehow, but bluffing is just a waste of time and embarrassment, okay?"

Mr. Gorden, who has finally digested some of his anger and is now able to speak, bites down sarcastically.

He seems to recognize that his earlier comment about stepping on toes was a bluff.

However, I am thankful for the revival of Mr. Gorden, since I was in a situation where I could not retract a little bit.

This guy is supposed to be our adversary, but his actions seem to be strangely favorable to us. Is it because we are compatible?

That doesn't mean I want to be friends with them, but convenience is convenience, so I'll take advantage of it.

"Well, let's leave the spirit smith out of it for now. Well, let's leave the spirit smith out of it for now. With the guild's help, can we have it ready in ten days or so?"

Ignoring the revived Mr. Gorden and the others, he spoke to Mr. Tabre.

"Mhm, ten days is too long a time to wait. It depends on the purpose of the tournament, but we need at least 30 days to prepare.

"What?　It's not like you're inviting participants from other cities and towns. Do you really need that much time?

"It is not possible to hold a tournament as soon as you announce it, and it is not easy to open a tournament just by saying that you want to hold it in the first place. In this case, the conditions for betting on the workshop are unprecedented in the labyrinth city, so it may be possible to hold the tournament itself, but there are still various procedures that need to be completed."

Well, it is understandable. If you are going to hold a public event, you will need to go through the necessary procedures.

"Well, can't you make it a little faster?"

However, I am afraid that if it takes that long, Mr. Dorgem will appear, who should be in his castle jail right now, reflecting on what he has done.

I'm sure he'll be fine since I've consulted the super butler about Mr. Dolgem as well as the distribution and the stuffing house, but thinking back on his enthusiasm, I'm afraid he might show up anytime.

"Impossible. Depending on the size of the convention, it would normally take dozens of days to prepare. In the first place, we don't even know what kind of competition it will be. In some cases, even 30 days may not be enough.　

Really? I had imagined the need for preparation, but I had thought it would be a little easier since it was just a competition of blacksmithing skills.

"I have a proposal for the rules of the competition. I would like to see a restriction on the use of rare metals and a rule for competing in skill. The other side has a monster. If they use a lot of orichalcons and adamantites, we won't be able to compete with them in terms of materials."

Mr. Gorden, who had been ignoring me, interrupted our conversation, glaring at me hatefully.

Apparently, he wanted to call me a monster. He wants to claim that I am not the monster, but the Great Spirit.

"What do you think?　Even though the guild is the organizer, you are the one who provides the goods. You can make certain demands on the rules of the tournament, can't you?"

Can we only make some requests?

No, of course not, because if the providers of goods could have their way, there would be an abundance of contests that would be a race to see who can win the most.

"I think that the connections to obtain materials is also a part of one's ability. Also, why the limitation?　If we were going to do this, wouldn't it be safer for Mr. Gorden and the others if we had a rule against the use of rare metals anyway?"

I don't mind, since I don't plan to use a lot of orichalcons or adamantites in the first place, but I'm a little concerned about the reason why they are asking for half-baked restrictions.

"Are you an idiot?　This is a labyrinth city. You have to be able to handle rare metals. The only thing I want to limit is unreasonable beings like you."

......I am incredibly angry that Mr. Gorden called me an idiot, but I understand what you are saying.

I understand, but I am ...... very frustrated.