Episode 48—Morgan's Perspective

All of us in the blacksmith division had been gathered.

It was the Knight Corps Commander who had summoned us.

The reason was simple.

“All of you have no talent.”

…At that sudden statement, we exchanged looks.

We still had our pride. No matter how much he was the Knight Corps Commander, we couldn’t just swallow those words whole.

“What are you saying?”

“We’re all royal court blacksmiths, you know?”

Saying that, we glared at the Knight Corps Commander. I felt the same.

He doesn’t have much discernment, yet he thinks himself a man of good judgement.

Besides, he knowingly sends back the swords we’ve delivered just to bully us.

The Knight Corps Commander let out a deep sigh, then scanned us with his gaze.

“I only intended to have a blacksmith called Faik look at my sword… I never meant to meddle with members of another department. That is, if results are being produced.”

Having said that, the Knight Corps Commander raised his voice.

“But! Once I started looking into things… there they were, your misdeeds in droves! Sending such ridiculous things to the knights—what nerve you lot have!”

His raised voice carried mana. Its sheer force was enough to make several people lose consciousness.

I nearly blacked out too, but somehow I managed to hold on.

…The Knight Corps Commander was truly furious.

“Apparently many blacksmiths besides Faik have quit! All within a year of joining. Even Faik quit after a year and a half! Having this many early resignations isn’t solely the fault of the individuals!”

…It’s true this division has a lot of early resignations.

As the Knight Corps Commander said, almost everyone quits quickly. The fastest was three days.

But isn’t that just a lack of grit in today’s youth?

“I’ve been told about the inner workings of the blacksmith division! With the head blacksmith leading, bullying runs rampant! Morgan! I’m talking about you!”

The Knight Corps Commander stepped toward me and grabbed my collar. His intensity brought tears to my eyes.

“I-it’s not bullying! It’s training!”

“I’ve heard about Faik’s workload! Supposedly he was doing Enchantments for the knights almost every week! Day after day, from morning till night, staying overnight even! And he worked through his days off too! What kind of training is that? You have more of a talent for being a torturer, don’t you?!”

“N-no, that’s not true!”

“Shut up!”

I was struck across the cheek.

I-it hurt! Never having been hit before, I glared up at the Knight Corps Commander as if to protest that unexpected pain.

“Do you think this sort of violence is acceptable!?”

“Because of you, we’ve lost many valuable blacksmiths! Such pain shouldn’t be a big deal!”

The Knight Corps Commander looked down at me. His presence was so overwhelming it felt like he might draw his sword at any moment, and I could only tremble.

“…In any case, we need Faik to come back. Not just Faik—we must call back the blacksmiths we’ve lost.”

The Knight Corps Commander grabbed my face in a wolfish grip. The force made my cheekbone creak. Even if I wanted to scream, I was held so tightly I couldn’t speak properly.

“You caused us to lose everyone. Perform a dogeza or whatever—apologize and bring them all back yourself. And say it with your own mouth: ‘I will fire the head blacksmith. I will also fire everyone who has been bullying you. So please come back.’”

“Wh-what, what what what! I’m to be fired!?”

He released his grip and pushed me away.

I hurriedly steadied my breathing and shouted at the Knight Corps Commander.

“Of course!”

“…N-no way! And doing a dogeza! I won’t do that!”

“Be warned: if you can’t bring them back, you’ll be fired here and now. I’ve already informed your family about this incident. They’ll erase your name from the family records.”

“No!”

If I was no longer a royal court blacksmith, and no longer a member of the count’s household—I’d have no way to live!

The Knight Corps Commander, however, just glared at me.

“If you can bring back all the blacksmiths, I’ll at least keep you on the rolls as knights. That is, if you can keep up with the harsh training. Anyway—hurry and gather the blacksmiths!”

I felt like crying, but I nodded frantically.

Wh-why is this happening to me…!