Noticing Jin’s gaze fixed on the wall behind her, Gloria spoke up.
"Hm? Oh, this collection? It’s a hobby of mine. They aren't practical tools, mind you—I just display the pieces I find beautiful."
Despite her words, Jin continued to stare at the wall—or more specifically, at the swords mounted upon it.
"Jin-dono, is something the matter?"
When Gloria called out to him with a puzzled expression, Jin finally pulled his eyes away.
"No, it's quite a collection. It was very... informative."
"Informative?"
Repeating the word, Gloria seemed to realize something and clapped her hands together.
"I see! So Jin-dono is interested in swords! Most of the ones displayed here are merely for ceremonial use, though they do possess a certain degree of practicality. The one at the top right is a replica of what a kingdom ritter used about a hundred and fifty years ago, but the shape is quite different from modern ones as it has a curve; a curve is effective for slashing but since it requires a great deal of skill to manufacture, it seems the replica was made using a process called casting rather than forging. The one below that is made of silver—people tend to think it’s a mere decoration since it isn't even mithril, but it’s a successful example of imbuing magic and I like it because the design is quite nice. The one below that was purchased from the Leonard Kingdom; the blade width broadens toward the tip, which I believe makes it well-suited for hacking things down with its weight. The one at the very bottom is a recent model used as a standard by the Magi-Ritter Corps, while the one in the top middle is—"
She began rattling this off in a single, breathless stream, causing Jin to recoil slightly.
(Whoa...)
"She’s a little like Rai-nii," Elsa whispered softly.
Hanna hadn't been listening from the start; she was already busy snacking on the sweets served with the tea. Reiko, naturally, showed no interest at all.
(She’s certainly a beauty, but a 'disappointing beauty'...)
As that thought crossed his mind, Jin began to half-listen to her ramble.
"...And so, if you are interested in swords, that makes things simple. Let me tell you the reason I asked you to come here."
After her long monologue, Gloria downed her tea in one gulp to moisten her parched throat.
"I was wondering if you could make a sword for me as well?"
"A sword... for you, Gloria-san?"
"Yes. Of course, it is not for display. To tell you the truth, the sword I’ve been using finally snapped the other day. I have several spares, but none of them feel quite right."
She looked Jin straight in the eyes.
"I had a look at Lishia’s sword, and it was excellent work. What do you say? I would truly appreciate it if you would forge one for me."
She finished her request with a shallow bow.
"Onii-chan, why don't you make one for her?" Hanna suggested, seeing Gloria’s earnest behavior.
"Oh, Hanna-chan, was it? Thank you. Jin-dono, what do you say?"
"Jin-nii, if she’s asking this much..."
Since even Elsa was encouraging him, Jin relented.
"I don't mind making it, but what about the materials?"
He didn't have any suitable materials on hand, which was a concern.
"Oh, as for that, I know a blacksmith nearby. We should be able to manage something there."
"I see..."
As long as the materials were provided, Jin had no reason to refuse. He was even more inclined to do it since Elsa and Hanna were on board. He had simply been hoping to do some sightseeing while in Alban.
"Well then, let's go make it right away."
Since their time was limited, it was best to start sooner rather than later.
"Really? You’ll do it! Excellent, let’s go then!"
Gloria stood up abruptly. Then, her eyes fell upon Hanna and Elsa.
"Ah, if your sisters would prefer, they are welcome to stay here. What would you like to do?" she offered, showing a bit of consideration in her own way.
"I want to stay with Onii-chan."
"I'm going with Jin-nii."
Since both girls insisted, Gloria nodded, and the entire group set off.
Leaving Gloria's house, they walked straight toward the city walls for about ten minutes. The blacksmith's workshop was located right up against the wall. Blacksmithing was noisy and involved open flames, so such shops were usually situated a short distance away from the main residential districts.
"This is the place. The owner has the skill to be a regular for the Kingdom Ritter Order, but he’s a bit eccentric. He settled here, claiming his job is to forge tools for the common folk."
As Gloria explained this, a man with a sturdy build emerged from the workshop.
"The one blathering about me being eccentric is... Oh, it's just the missy."
He looked to be approaching his twilight years, standing about the same height as Jin. However, his arms were thick to an extent that seemed almost disproportionate to the rest of his body.
"Duston, I'm twenty-three. Don't call me 'missy'."
The elderly blacksmith, Duston, let out a chuckle.
"Nonsense. From where I’m standing, you're still a missy. So, what's your business today?"
"Well, actually, the sword I’ve been using has broken—"
Duston cut her off before she could finish.
"No, no, no. I've decided I ain't making weapons no more. That’s the one thing I won't do, missy, even for you."
He shook his head firmly. However, Gloria spoke over him.
"No, I’m not asking you to forge it, Duston. I just want you to let us use some of your materials."
Duston made a sour face.
"Hmph? Well, if it’s just that, I suppose I can help out since it’s a request from you. But who are you planning to have forge it?"
"Oh, to Jin-dono here."
"What? A scrawny fellow like that can't swing a hammer!"
Hearing those words, Reiko looked ready to step forward, but Jin quickly placed a hand on her head. That was enough to make her stand down.
"Onii-chan is amazing!" Hanna shouted, unable to stay silent.
"L-Little lady?"
Even a stubborn man like Duston couldn't bring himself to yell back at a girl who looked like she could be his granddaughter.
"Onii-chan can make anything! The pump, the trailer, and even Mint!"
She glared at him. However, Duston caught a specific word in Hanna's outburst.
"L-Little lady, what did you just say? Did you say 'pump'?"
"I did! Onii-chan made a pump because I said things were hard!"
"What did you say...?"
Duston stared at Jin in wide-eyed surprise. Gloria was equally shocked, her face mirroring the blacksmith's expression.
"Was it Jin-dono who made the pump?! This is the first I’ve heard of it! That’s incredible!"
"E-Err, well, yes."
Only Jin, the center of the commotion, couldn't keep up with the rising energy around him and felt a bit overwhelmed.
"...Well, I've come to understand that a Magi Craftman is capable of some incredible things."
After the excitement died down, Duston invited the group into his workshop and sat them down in chairs in a corner.
"I originally wanted to focus on tools and magic tools, you see. It's rewarding to make things that are useful to everyone's daily life," Jin said in a quiet tone.
Since he had been involved in so much conflict lately, those words were his honest feelings.
"Oh, you're young but you get it! That’s right, the lives of the commoners come first!"
Duston’s mood brightened even further at Jin’s sentiment.
"That's why I spend my days making things like knives, spoons, and kitchen blades!"
"Ah, Duston, I'm sorry, but they don't have much time. It would be a huge help if you could show us the materials soon..."
Gloria spoke up, realizing that if she didn't intervene, the conversation would go on forever. Inwardly, she was also curious to hear more from the man who had apparently developed the pump.
"Mmph, ah, you're right. What do you need? Though I don't keep any adamantite or mithril here."
Jin answered.
"Iron is fine. Also, if you don't mind, I'd like to observe your work for a bit."
"Hm? I have plenty of iron, so help yourself. And observe? Sure, I don't mind, but is my work even interesting to watch?"
Duston questioned it, but Jin looked at Elsa and Hanna.
"Elsa, it’s good to see how blades are made without using magic at least once. And Hanna, this man does the same kind of work as your grandfather."
"n. If Jin-nii says so."
"Eh? Like Grandpa?"
Elsa nodded, while Hanna looked on with wide, curious eyes.
"What, the little lady's grandfather was a blacksmith too? Fine then, watch all you like."
Duston stood up and lit the forge. The forge seemed to operate on mana, as there was no sign of charcoal or coal nearby.
"I don't smelt the iron myself. I make my tools using iron ingots I’ve purchased."
As he spoke, he gripped a piece of iron with his tongs and heated it in the forge. Once it glowed a bright red, he pulled it out, placed it on the anvil, and began hammering it out. Since the metal would become harder to work with as it cooled, he returned it to the forge several times to reheat it.
"Wow, it's really turning into the shape of a kitchen knife."
Hanna let out a voice of wonder. Duston was shaping the iron into a blade using nothing but his hammer skills. Once it was roughly formed, he began refining the shape with a chisel and a file.
Soon, the profile of a chef's knife emerged.
"Now I’ll quench it. I’d usually say it’s a trade secret I can't show... but if you’re watching from over there, I suppose I don’t mind."
Following his lead, Jin and the others retreated to the corner of the workshop.
Duston gripped the knife with his tongs and put it back into the forge. This time he watched it with intense focus, pulling it out the exact moment the metal reached a specific orange hue and plunging it into a vat of water.
With a violent hiss, steam billowed upward. Even from across the room, the display was impressive. Elsa and Hanna, seeing this for the first time, looked on with a mix of surprise and awe.
"Now, the quenching is done. Lastly, I have to temper it."
Muttering to himself, Duston gripped the knife once more. This time, instead of placing it inside the forge, he held it over the heat to roast it. After a short while, he moved it away.
"Done."
Once the knife had cooled, he cleaned the surface with a file and began sharpening it on a whetstone. Finally, he attached the handle. In about an hour, a single kitchen knife had been completed from start to finish.