Chapter 124 - Artificial Magic Sword Creation (4th Attempt) - The Lamenting Magic Sword
After dinner, Volf and Marcella took charge of cleaning up, finishing everything in no time.
Not only did they wash the dishes, but they even polished the walls and floors, leaving Dahlia flustered.
Once the cleaning was done, Irma mentioned she had an early morning appointment at her beauty salon, so the couple left at a reasonable hour.
Left alone with Volf, Dahlia headed down to the workshop on the first floor of the tower.
It had been a while since their last attempt, but today they were going to try crafting another artificial magic sword. Dahlia had prepared most of the materials during the day, so all that was left was to test the composite enchantment.
“I’ve learned a few methods for composite enchantments from Ozwald-san, so I’d like to try the simplest one today. This is the same assembly as the dagger we failed with last time. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. If we can assemble it and the enchantment works, that’ll be great.”
On the worktable lay the disassembled pieces of a screw-mounted dagger.
The lead-colored blade had self-sharpening, the guard had a water magic stone for cleaning, the hilt had a wind magic stone for speed enhancement, the sheath had weight reduction enchantment, and the screws were reinforced for hardness.
When they first tried this, the magical interference caused the parts to repel each other, making assembly impossible.
After using yellow slime to stop the repulsion, the magic stopped activating altogether.
This time, they decided to try using magic-sealing silver for composite magic.
For preparation, Dahlia took out a slender golden bracelet from her pocket.
“This is something I borrowed from Ozwald-san for protection and enchantment purposes. It’s supposed to prevent poisoning, confusion, and even sleeping drugs from working.”
“Do magical toolmakers usually borrow bracelets from their masters?”
“No, not usually. But rare materials can cause status abnormalities, so it’s for safety. I promised to return it once I can make one myself. Ivano also told me to wear it when I go out for safety.”
“Mind if I take a look?”
“Sure. There are various materials inside. The white part is unicorn horn, the black is bicorn horn, the red is fire dragon scale, and the green is forest serpent heart. The magic circuits connecting them are incredibly intricate.”
As Dahlia explained in detail, Volf silently examined the bracelet.
“I thought it might’ve been a gift from Ozwald.”
“Not at all. It’s too expensive, and I couldn’t accept it. I’m even thinking of paying a rental fee.”
As she spoke, Dahlia pulled out a box from the shelf, just the right size to fit in both hands.
Surprisingly heavy for its size, the box contained a silvery, viscous liquid—magic-sealing silver.
Magic-sealing silver, a peculiar metal known as a special ore, solidifies when enchanted. Due to its resistance to magic, it is commonly used for storage boxes and shields for weapons.
“For the composite enchantment, I’ll apply this magic-sealing silver to the joints.”
“Isn’t magic-sealing silver used in magic-sealing boxes?”
“Yes, it’s famous for that, but it’s also used in magical tools to prevent magic leakage. I was told it can prevent magical interference in magic swords. You can’t layer enchantments on already enchanted items, but it can be used as a bonding agent.”
Using a glass spoon, Dahlia scooped a small amount of magic-sealing silver from the black box.
The magic-sealing silver placed on the blade of the sword had a hue similar to mercury, but slightly brighter.
As the liquid formed into cherry-sized droplets, they rolled and shifted in response to the magic flowing from Dahlia’s fingertip.
As the droplets rolled to the designated spot, the liquid smoothly spread out into a thin layer.
The magic-sealing silver coated the section where the blade was set into the hilt, hardening like a delicate film.
“This doesn’t require much magic, so I’ll finish it all at once.”
Dahlia continued applying the enchantment to the guard’s joints, the sheath’s interior, and the screw threads.
The small silver spheres rolling under her fingertip looked almost like cute, humorous creatures.
“Dahlia, you’re not going to tell me those are baby silver slimes, are you?”
“It’s just liquid metal. I’m not a ‘Monster Tamer’ from a fairy tale.”
“Right. Come to think of it, you’re the natural enemy of slimes.”
“What are you saying, Mr. Natural Enemy of Monsters?”
As they bantered, Dahlia finished the enchantment, and it was Volf’s turn to assemble the sword.
With practiced ease, he fitted the blade and guard into the hilt. There was a slight resistance when screwing it together, but it assembled without issue.
“The sheath feels light, so that’s no problem. Let’s test the speed enhancement.”
Volf swung the sword with one hand, and a strange whooshing sound echoed through the room.
Instinctively flinching, Dahlia watched as he hastily turned back toward her.
“Sorry, I didn’t expect it to be this fast. The speed enhancement on the hilt is definitely working.”
“How about the water?”
Volf pressed the guard, and water flowed down the blade, forming thin streams. The droplets falling onto the table were just ordinary water.
It might not be strong enough for a full cleaning, but it would suffice for wiping the blade with a cloth. Dahlia sighed in relief.
“It’s a success! I didn’t think we’d succeed this quickly.”
“That’s great! Compared to the last three, this one feels like a proper, peaceful magic sword.”
The term “peaceful magic sword” was a bit odd, but compared to the previous three attempts, this one could definitely be called a success.
Most importantly, it wasn’t dangerous to the wielder.
Though it was just a small success with light enchantments, they couldn’t help but smile.
“Should we give it a name?”
“It kind of looks like it’s crying with the water flowing. How about the ‘Lamenting Sword’?”
“Why do you go straight for such a Demon King-esque comparison? Why not something like ‘Water-Dripping Sword’?”
“That just sounds like tea or coffee.” (TL/N: The term “water-dripping” in Japanese can also refer to cold brew.)
My naming sense was nonexistent, and Volf’s naming sense leaned too heavily toward a Demon King vibe.
No matter how they spun it, a proper name seemed unlikely.
“Can I keep this? I could bring it to the barracks.”
“Sure, but I’ll make something better next time.”
“This is good enough. The edge stays sharp, and I can get water during expeditions.”
“It’ll just be extra baggage. Just bring a water magic stone.”
“When the wyvern grabbed me, I had one in my emergency belt pouch, but it got cut off. So I figured keeping this as a backup dagger inside my gear during expeditions would be safer. Better safe than sorry.”
“Volf, it sounds like you’re planning to get grabbed by a wyvern again…?”
Dahlia's voice trailed off as she remembered the day they first met.
She never wanted to see him covered in blood and wounds like that again.
As she thought this, Volf suddenly spoke in a low voice.
“Dahlia, you’re very polite with me.”
“Huh?”
“Your tone is different when you talk to Marcella and Irma compared to when you talk to me. Is it a burden to speak casually with me?”
“Well, that’s…”
Even though they’d grown closer, Volf was still a member of a count’s family.
If he were the same gender, it might be different, but there was still a bit of a barrier.
Dahlia had grown accustomed to this formal tone, and unlike names, switching to something more casual didn’t feel easy.
“If I slip into that kind of speech outside, it could cause trouble. I’ve accidentally called you by your name in the royal castle before…”
“...Sorry. I asked too much. Forget it.”
Though his lips maintained a smile, his golden eyes cooled as if he’d realized something.
Feeling an unexpected distance, Dahlia quickly continued.
“No, it’s not that it’s too much! It’s just… could you wait until I earn a baron title? I think I’ll feel a bit closer to you then.”
She surprised herself with her own words. Volf’s eyes widened slightly.
“Um, even if I do, there’ll still be a big difference in rank…”
“Then I’ll just have to earn a baron title too. That’ll make us equals.”
He responded effortlessly to my flustered reaction and smiled like a blooming flower.
“I’ll go hunt a wyvern or something to earn that title.”
“Please don’t! I don’t want you getting carried off again!”
Amused by Dahlia’s serious response, Volf laughed as he gently stroked the dagger, almost like petting a cat.
Dahlia couldn’t help but be drawn to the gesture.
“But really, Dahlia, you’re amazing. I never thought you’d be able to make a magic sword in such a short time.”
“It’s all thanks to Ozwald-san, and it’s not very powerful. I’m not sure if I can do the same with a longsword. Also, I don’t think I can handle anything that requires high magical output, so let’s call it your idea and ask someone reliable with a lot of magic power. Just leave my name out of it.”
“Don’t you want to become a magical toolmaker for the royal castle? You’d have access to a lot of budget and rare materials. My brother could probably write you a recommendation.”
“I’ll pass. I don’t have enough magic, and what I want to make are everyday magical tools.”
While the budget and rare materials were tempting, Dahlia’s interests lay elsewhere.
Except for Volf’s magic sword, what she wanted to create were magical tools for everyday life.
If she was going to make something, she wanted it to bring convenience and smiles to people’s faces.
“Besides, Ivano told me that if it got out that a woman like me made weapons like this, there’s a chance I’d end up being locked away by a noble under the guise of being a personal toolmaker.”
“Dahlia, you seem to have forgotten, but I’m a noble.”
“No, I haven’t forgotten...”
“Don’t worry! I don’t have those kinds of interests for now.”
“What do you mean, ‘for now’?!”
Dahlia’s voice unintentionally grew louder, but Volf had already moved on from teasing her to laughing out loud.
Lately, his teasing seemed to have gotten a bit more malicious.
To prevent further damage, Dahlia quickly changed the subject.
“Volf, I wanted to ask you something. Are the guard dogs at the royal castle night hounds?”
“Yeah, they’re used for night patrols and security watch. The ones at the royal castle have been improved, a bit larger than the civilian ones.”
“Are regular night hounds difficult to take care of?”
“I’m not sure... They’re smart, but they eat a lot and need space to run.”
Not just walks, but actual running space.
Dahlia wondered if the tower’s garden would suffice. Running in circles might work, but the unchanging scenery might bore the dog.
“Are you thinking of getting a night hound?”
“No, I was talking to Ozwald-san about fairy crystals, and the topic of guard dogs came up... He suggested a large black dog might be good. So I thought of night hounds.”
“...A large black dog.”
Volf furrowed his brows deeply.
Maybe he wasn’t thinking about the night hounds but recalling a particularly tough monster instead.
“Even if I can’t keep one, maybe I could borrow one just for the day of the fairy crystal enchantment. Can you rent night hounds?”
“...They’re hunting dogs, so maybe at a place that rents horses.”
“That’s good to know. Maybe I’ll go take a look sometime.”
Dahlia remembered a place where she’d rented a sleipnir carriage. She might be able to see a night hound there.
“Is the fairy crystal enchantment really that dangerous?”
“Not the enchantment itself, but you might see visions of the fairy’s death or have nightmare-like hallucinations.”
“Did you see anything when you made my glasses?”
“No, not much. I saw a translucent fairy-like figure and felt my father’s presence. After that, I drank with you and didn’t have any nightmares.”
Ozwald had told her that the most common hallucinations with fairy crystals were visions of a loved one’s death or them leaving.
But Dahlia avoided explaining that.
Would she see her father’s death now, or the departing figure of a friend walking away?
As she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind, Volf asked:
“Does it have to be a dog...? The fairy crystal enchantment is for my glasses, so would it be okay if I stayed?”
“Oh, right. Since it’s your glasses, it’d be better to adjust them as we go.”
“That’d make me feel more at ease...”
“Then we could do the enchantment earlier and work on the magic sword design together. If I use up my magic during the day, I’ll be able to sleep early. I’ll prepare extra white wine so we can drink into the evening.”
“Just let me know the plan, and I’ll bring some on my end too.”
Volf smiled as usual, but his gaze lingered on Dahlia’s slender wrist.
There, beneath the golden bracelet, lay the ironclad protection of rare materials.
The creator was Ozwald, the owner of the magical tool shop the “Goddess’ Right Eye.”
Volf narrowed his eyes slightly and covered his lips with his finger.
“...What’s so fun about teasing me, that old fox...”
His muttered words, laced with annoyance, vanished before they could reach Dahlia’s ears.
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