Episode 32—Morgan's Perspective

Last time, after successfully applying the Enchantment, I was left waiting for the Knight Corps Commander’s verdict.

Nearly a week had passed since I finished delivering the swords to the Knight Corps Commander.

That Faik bastard still hasn’t come back, but that’s no longer my concern.

Today, the Knight Corps Commander was scheduled to come to the blacksmith division.

Of course, it would be about the swords I delivered.

Now then, I wonder what kind of reward there’ll be. At the very least, I’d probably be appointed the Knight Corps Commander’s personal blacksmith.

“…So, Morgan will become the Knight Corps Commander’s blacksmith, huh.”

“Nice.”

“But if so, won’t the head smith position open up too?”

“All right, let’s go for that spot too.”

Basking in my coworkers’ envious looks, I stuck my chest out.

I tidied myself up more than usual and waited, watching the blacksmith division’s door for it to open.

When the door opened and the Knight Corps Commander entered, I smoothly moved up to him.

“Long time no see, Commander.”

“Ah, it’s been a while.”

His gaze was sharp. It made me a little uneasy, but it didn’t matter.

I smiled and edged closer to him.

“Morgan, is Faik not here?”

“Faik isn’t here, but…”

“He’s off again? It’s about the sword you had Enchanted before.”

Ah, right, right.

The Knight Corps Commander had requested Faik. Even if someone else did the Enchantment, he might stubbornly refuse to accept it.

That’s precisely why I planned to reveal the truth when he showed up.

“About that previous sword—I was the one who performed the Enchantment.”

“…What did you say?”

The Knight Corps Commander’s voice dropped.

“What do you mean?”

“Faik is currently off, so he won’t be coming to work for a while. Therefore, since I’m more talented than him, I performed the Enchantment in his place. How did you find it?”

“How was it, huh.”

The Knight Corps Commander drew the sword at his side. It was the very sword I had Enchanted.

The moment he swung the sword lightly, it shattered into pieces.

“It was pathetic.”

The Knight Corps Commander trembled quietly with anger.

“Wh-what does that mean?”

“…I had my smith look at your Enchantment. He said he’d never seen such a clumsy Enchantment! He also said that if I swung with full force, it’d break easily!!”

“…Th-that is—”

“I have no use for an incompetent like you! I told you I wanted Faik to do it! Where is Faik? If he’s resting, tell me where he’s resting!”

I trembled at the Knight Corps Commander’s shout.

I was completely cowed by the dignity he carried as the Knight Corps Commander.

“F-Faik is… not in this court, n-no… he’s already not in the blacksmith division.”

“…What!? Why isn’t he here!? My smith is saying he’s a once-in-a-generation talent they’d like to meet!?”

A-a ‘once-in-a-generation’? That’s impossible, and there’s no way my Enchantment is inferior to Faik’s, but this isn’t the time to argue about that.

I was starting to realize the Knight Corps Commander and his handpicked smith were surprisingly incompetent, but calling them out would only make them lash out.

“Th-that is… F-Faik suddenly quit his job on his own!”

“…What? He quit?”

“Y-yes! I’m sorry I acted on my own! But Faik quit his job irresponsibly and on his own!”

“…I see. Do you know where Faik went?”

“Th-that… I don’t know.”

Who came to mind was Alicia. The smile of the woman who might one day become my wife flashed through my head.

…But he has probably already been banished from that household.

“I see… understood. On another note, I’ve heard new knight swords still haven’t been delivered. Hurry up and properly apply Enchantments and deliver them to the knights. At this rate, we’ll run out of swords.”

“…Th-that is—!”

Indeed, the spare swords were probably starting to run out.

I had planned to leave everything to Faik… so why hasn’t that guy come back!?

As my anger toward Faik grew, the Knight Corps Commander glared at me sharply.

“What?”

“I understand. I’ll get to work immediately.”

“Do it quickly. Also, if you find any trace of Faik, inform me at once. I want to meet him and speak to him personally.”

The Knight Corps Commander said that and left the room.

…Wh-why is Faik held in such high regard!?

I was irritated about that, but my coworkers seemed to be thinking about something else.

“M-Morgan… how are we supposed to finish that amount from now…?”

Swords were packed tightly throughout the workshop.

Not only that, there should also be swords stored in the warehouse.

“A-anyway… let’s get to work. It’s all because that incompetent one went off on his own.”

When I said that, everyone in the blacksmith division nodded.

It was the first time in a while we’d be doing Enchantment work… and frankly, even with everyone tackling it, progress was almost nonexistent.

However, as we worked on the Enchantments and vented about Faik and the Knight Corps Commander, my anger subsided somewhat.