That evening, Elsa’s birthday party was held in the grand hall of the Guest House.
Gathered there were the guest of honor, Elsa, her cousin Reinhard, Count Kuzuma, Beena, and Jin. The wet nurse Mine, the butler Adberg, and the guard Hermann were also in attendance.
"Everyone, thank you for coming today," Elsa said. Dressed in a grass-green gown, she offered a simple greeting to her guests.
Count Kuzuma stepped forward to speak for the group. "Lady Elsa, a very happy birthday to you. Cheers!"
He led the toast, and everyone raised their glasses, the sound of clinking crystal filling the room. Then came the presentation of the gifts.
"Happy seventeenth, Elsa." Reinhard handed her a pendant featuring a large aquamarine. He had purchased it in Borgia, the capital of the Kingdom of Elias. At the time, it had been a simple, round-polished cabochon, but Reinhard had since faceted it himself, and it now radiated a brilliant, shimmering light.
"Thank you, Rai-nii." Elsa’s eyes narrowed with joy. She immediately threaded it onto a chain and fastened it around her neck. The jewel’s blue hue complemented the color of her dress perfectly.
"Lady Elsa, my congratulations." Count Kuzuma presented her with perfume. It was a citran-based scent, one Elsa was particularly fond of. Rather than being overpowering, it carried a subtle, refreshing fragrance.
"Thank you, Count." Elsa applied a small dab behind her ear, clearly pleased by the gentle aroma.
"Happy birthday, Elsa." Jin offered her a brooch. It was crafted from mithril and studded with an array of colorful stones.
Elsa accepted it with a slight, shy bow. When she saw the beauty of its design and colors, her lips parted in surprise. "It's beautiful. Are these... magi-crystals?"
"Yeah. They're a bit too small to be practical for magic, but I've set stones of every attribute into it."
The craftsmanship was indeed masterful. While the base was mithril, the flowers and buds were coated in gold, and the surrounding leaves were coated in light silver, treated to exhibit a vibrant green. The drops of dew on the flowers were represented by the careful arrangement of the tiny, multicolored magi-crystals.
"It’s wonderful. I'll treasure it." Elsa clutched the brooch to her chest.
Jin, feeling the need to be honest, added, "To tell the truth, I’m the one who made it, but... well, Stearena gave me some guidance on the design."
Hearing that, the pieces finally clicked into place for Elsa. Ah, so that’s what was happening last night. She gave him a warm smile. "No, this is filled with your feelings, Jin-kun. Thank you."
From Beena came a bouquet of flowers, which she had apparently asked a maid to procure for her.
"Thank you, Beena. I wish you and the Count every happiness." When Elsa said this, Beena blushed and looked down, while Count Kuzuma looked equally bashful.
Mine, Adberg, and Hermann each presented her with a handkerchief. All three were momentarily flustered to find they had chosen the same type of gift, but Elsa reassured them with a polite bow. "Thank you, everyone. You can never have too many handkerchiefs. I’m truly happy."
Watching this, Reinhard nodded to himself, looking satisfied.
Next came the banquet. Knowing Elsa’s tastes, Mine had worked with the Guest House chefs to coordinate the menu. Since every dish was a favorite of hers, Elsa ate with genuine delight. No one watching her could help but feel a sense of warmth.
Once the meal concluded and they were enjoying a pleasant conversation over tea, Reinhard spoke up again. "Now, Elsa, there is one more special present for today."
He handed her a long, narrow package. It was about forty centimeters in length and had a significant weight to it.
"Thank you. What is it?"
"Go ahead and open it."
Elsa unwrapped the package, her hands freezing as her eyes went wide. Emerging from the paper was a dagger with a golden sheath and hilt. The sheath was covered in intricate engravings and studded with various magi-stones. Set into the pommel was a small magi-crystal, its light blue color identical to that of Elsa’s eyes.
"This is...?"
"You were interested in something like this before, weren't you?"
"Mm. I wanted a dagger like the one Mother treasures."
Reinhard nodded. "Yes. And this is something Jin crafted for you."
"Eh?" Elsa’s eyes widened even further in surprise.
"Jin actually came to me to ask if it was appropriate to give a blade to a young woman for her birthday. That is what you call a gentleman’s consideration."
"Jin-kun... did that?"
Jin, the subject of the conversation, looked down in embarrassment. Elsa walked over to him. "Jin-kun, thank you," she said with a deep, respectful bow before returning to her place. She didn't sit, however; she held the weapon in her hands. "I'm going to draw it."
She unsheathed the dagger.
"Oh!"
"Simply magnificent!"
The exclamations came from Count Kuzuma and Hermann. Both men clearly recognized the value of the blade. Adberg, too, understood its worth, though he managed to remain silent.
The blade was roughly three centimeters wide at the base and about thirty centimeters long, tapering to a razor-sharp point. While the guard, hilt, and sheath gleamed with a golden hue—the result of the light silver’s coloration—the pommel’s small magi-crystal shone with a clear, tranquil beauty.
"Mithril?" Elsa seemed to recognize the material. Anyone with magical aptitude could sense that mana flowed through the blade with ease, allowing it to function much like a staff.
For a magi, a staff is a vital tool for directing and focusing magical power. However, imbuing a sword with the properties of a staff is notoriously difficult. Hard mithril resists the flow of magic, while mithril that conducts magic well is usually too soft for combat. Yet the sword Jin had created was both highly conductive and exceptionally hard, possessing more than enough durability to serve as a weapon.
However, Reinhard spoke to her in an unusually grave, yet gentle tone. "Elsa, remember this: for a noblewoman, a sword is not a weapon for striking down enemies."
"...Rai-nii?"
"For a noblewoman, that sword is defensive gear meant to protect your ultimate dignity. You must only draw it when you absolutely, positively refuse to bend your will."
"...?"
"You probably don't quite understand yet, and that's fine. Someday, the time will surely come when you do. When it does, I want you to remember my words."
"Yes, Rai-nii. I understand. Thank you." Elsa gave her thanks sincerely. To be honest, she followed the logic of his words, but the true meaning was still out of her reach. Even so, she recognized that her cousin had told her something vital, and she vowed never to forget it.
"............"
Reinhard’s words resonated deeply not only with Elsa, but also with Mine.
A time when one refuses to bend their will. Mine had faced such moments twice in her life. The first time, she had yielded to violence; the second, to authority. She was not a noble, so she had told herself it couldn't be helped, yet Reinhard's words remained lodged in her heart.
"It seems the detailed information has arrived."
"Yes. A pigeon arrived this morning, and we have completed the Analyze process immediately."
"And? What did you find?"
"There appears to be a single golem possessing outrageous power."
"Is it not the Schwarzritter?"
"No. We have already investigated the Schwarzritter's capabilities. The entity that slaughtered the majority of the rampaging golems possesses more than five times the power of the Schwarzritter."
"What? You are certain of this?"
"I am. However, I do not believe a golem capable of such output can operate for long periods. My speculation is that it is a unit designed for short-term decisive battles, likely powered by Elradrite."
"Heh... Hehehe. As expected, you have already parsed it. And do you have the prospect of creating a golem that surpasses it?"
"By your will."
"As expected of the genius I have acknowledged."