CH 103

After that, thanks to Tia’s great efforts, we succeeded in mining much more sunshine stones than we needed in about five days. We were so successful, far beyond our expectations, that it took us another 10 days to get back to the town, where we celebrated with smiles on our faces.

“Ha, It’s the best! There’s nothing like a drink after a hard day’s work!”

“No, we haven’t even started yet.”

“I don’t give a damn!”

My master, in the best mood I’ve ever seen, was at his favorite tavern, drinking alcohol and gulping down its contents. The contents of the alcohol were quite strong, so if anyone other than the Miner tribe drank it in the same way, they would normally die. They really are amazing.

“Well, there’s no denying that we have successfully completed the first step. Thank you, Tia, you saved the day.”

“Eheheh, really? Well, I did my best!”

Tia, whose ears were slightly tinted red, smiled shyly at my compliment. I think maybe because she was tired, but she was getting drunk a little faster than usual. … Okay, I’m the only one who’s sober, I’ll take care of it

“It’s a shame, though, knowing it’s still out there and we can’t dig it out.”

“It can’t be helped. No matter how good my magic is, I can’t dig tens of meters deep.”

“That’s right. We can’t dig any more than that without adding more tunnels, and that’s enough. So master…”

“Yeah, I know, I know. Take all you want.”

“Thank you!”

On the way, I begged Master to give me some of his surplus sunshine stones, and now I was officially allowed to do so. I have never seen this mineral in any other world, so it was worth studying along with the dark night stone that would be shared with me later. I couldn’t wait to see what kind of things I would be able to make with it.

“So, Master, when will you start working on that sword?”

“Hmm? As soon as I am done eating here…. But still, I’ll start tomorrow. I’ll keep the store closed, so come around from the back.”

“Understood.”

“Let’s eat and drink to our heart’s content tonight! One more time, cheers!

“”Cheers!””

We clanked our mugs against each other and we drank, ate, laughed, and made noise. And so, that night, we slept soundly while surrendering to the pleasant sense of intoxication. … And the next day…

“Good morning, Master.”

“You’re here.”

I entered the forge from the back of the store as I was told, and in front of me, My master with the face of a craftsman was already lighting the furnace. Even though he had been drinking strong liquor at such a rate that I would not have drunk water, now I could not detect even the faintest trace of its remnants.

“As soon as it’s ready, I’ll start making the sword. This will be the blacksmithing of a lifetime for me, so I can’t afford to teach you how to do it. However, I won’t hide or show off my skills, so you can watch and steal as much as you like. As long as you don’t get in my way, you can learn how to mix the alloys and the furnace temperature on your own. Is that all right with you?”

“I understand. That’s enough for me.”

The distribution of the alloys of a particular metal and the temperature of the furnace in which they would be melted was information that was normally forbidden to anyone outside of the workshop. To be allowed to see all of this information in its entirety was an unprecedented condition, and not something that a novice apprentice like myself would be allowed to do.

Once again, I could feel the strong trust placed in me by my Master. Wanting to respond to the silent trust, my concentration naturally tensed up.

“Then, let’s do it.”

“Yes.”

Despite the excitement that filled the place, his voice was quiet and calm. My master’s blacksmithing began, speaking not with words but with his arms, and I burned all of it into my eyes.

“Fu~……Fu~…………”

In front of the scorching furnace, Master was gazing into it with sweat pouring out of his body. Apparently, melting sunshine stones required a considerably high temperature.

On the other hand, the dark night stone seemed to need more time to melt at a lower temperature. The furnace I had been using until now was also running at the same time to process the two metals at the same time, first making small plates to check the properties of the alloy.

The first day was over when we had accumulated 10 or 20 pieces. On the second day, the actual sword forging began, and again two or three slightly different swords were made. …. Then, two weeks later.

“…It’s finished.”

Master’s hand held a single sword. It was an unusual single-edged sword, dark as the darkness of night at the back, which gradually changed color until it reached the blade, where it glowed a bright white-yellow like the morning sun that had risen.

I was captivated by its beauty.. It was a work of art, but this sword was a weapon designed for actual combat.

“Hey Ed, try cutting that with this.”

“Okay.”

I accepted the sword handed to me and aimed it at the steel ingot indicated by my Master. The back of the sword was adjusted to be heavy, and while it required some strength to lift it up, when I swung it down, I felt as if it was being sucked into the earth. ….

“……………………”

With a stomp, the blade passed through the ingot in front of me without any resistance. As I moved the sword out of the way and placed it on the table, Master picked up the severed ingot and grinned at its cross section.

“Well done. Look.”

“Wow, this is amazing”

When Master showed me the severed surface with a big smile on his face, it was as beautiful as a mirror. I knew this when I did not feel any resistance, but this was an incredible achievement.

“The closer you move to the outside, the heavier and stickier the dark night stone becomes, and the closer to the core, the harder and sharper the sunshine stone becomes. The sharpening process is designed to protect the blade, which becomes more brittle the more it is sharpened, as much as possible, while making it relatively easy to change the balance between sharpness and strength by changing the sharpening method. However, the slightest difference in sharpening can change the sharpness of the blade, and the blade becomes prone to chipping. It is difficult for an amateur to maintain the blade consistently, but you, with your excellent swordsmanship and blacksmithing skills, should be able to use it well.”

“Something like that… well, that’s right.”

I chuckled to myself, but Master tapped me on the shoulder happily.

“Gahaha! Isn’t that fine? If you neglect either training, you will not be able to use it. It’s perfect for someone who gets carried away easily!”

“Eh, I’ve never gotten carried away, have I?”

“That’s right!”

I was slapped on the buttocks, and sparks flew from my eyes.

“Ow!? What are you doing, Master!?”

“I’m just trying to cheer you up. Well then, let’s try it out right away.”

“Oh, can we do that tomorrow? If that’s possible, I would like Tia to accompany us.”

“Hmm? Ah, yes. That’s right. Then you can go home for today.”

“Really? I understand… Ah yeah, Master”

“Uh-huh? What is it?

“Does this sword have a name?”

“Huh? You can tell that just by looking at it!”

My question was met with a look of disbelief from my Master. Well, there was certainly a name that came to mind at first glance, but there was no way I was going to say it out loud before hearing his answer.

“….. you don’t mind if I say it?”

“Sure you can.”

“Then … The Sword of Dawn.”

There was no other name for a sword with a gradation in the blade that would change from dark night to morning. Rather, I looked at Master and wondered what the name would be if it were not this one. My Master’s mouth, hidden by his beard, turned up wide in a smile.

“You do get it! Yes, this is the sword of hope that will defeat the Demon Lord and bring morning to the world. This is the masterpiece that I have created with all my strength, the [Dawnbreaker, the Sword of Dawn]!”

The inscription [Dawnbreaker, The Sword of Dawn] shone brightly in Master’s hands. This was the exact moment when the Hero Blacksmith created the Hero’s Sword in this world.