“I think I’ll make use of this one and this one.”
Yalmar let out an appreciative grunt as he looked at the ingots Jin pointed out.
“Hmm, as expected of Jin-dono. Both are high-purity, high-quality iron. One is steel and the other is soft iron... for a composite material, I assume?”
Having examined the sword held by Reinhard’s Schwarzritter earlier, Yalmar seemed to have reached that conclusion instantly.
“That’s right. I’ll take these, then.”
“By all means, please do.”
Jin immediately set to work, using the materials to forge a sword—or rather, a single-edged blade.
“Ho, an intriguing shape. It looks specialized for slashing rather than thrusting.”
Yalmar clearly possessed a deep knowledge of weaponry. Jin gave a silent smile as he focused on the finishing touches.
“Sublime.”
The resulting blade was categorized as a curved sword, though it was wider than a traditional Japanese sword.
While most curved swords, like scimitars or shamshirs, begin their curve from the middle of the blade, this one possessed a curvature—a graceful arch—that began gradually from the hilt.
Rather than a perfect geometric arc, the curvature was slightly more pronounced near the hilt and straightened out toward the tip. It was a blade that merged Western utility with the aesthetic of a Japanese sword, often described as being ‘like the drooping leaves of an orchid.’ It lacked a ridge line—the boundary between the edge and the flat of the blade.
Because its width was nearly double that of a standard Japanese sword, its thickness had been reduced proportionally. If handled poorly, it would likely snap or bend under pressure. However, Jin wasn't particularly worried about that; the sword was half-intended as a collector's piece, and if it were ever used in earnest, it would be by someone of Gloria’s master-level skill.
“The sharpness looks promising as well,” Yalmar praised, watching from the side.
Jin completed the piece by crafting a scabbard, guard, and hilt in the style of a Western saber.
When Jin offered five gold coins as payment for the materials, Yalmar returned four of them.
“Seeing your technique was payment enough.”
“...I wonder how Elsa is getting along?”
After packing the curved sword into a simple case, Jin looked toward the back of the workshop just as Elsa was walking over.
“I’m finished, too.”
Elsa showed Jin a pendant nestled in a small box. The stone set in the center sparkled with a blue-purple light, a near-perfect match for the color of Cynthia’s eyes.
“It’s a stone called ‘Zoisite.’ It looked so much like Cynthia-san’s eyes that I had to use it.”
The pendant was crafted primarily from silver, with gold used in several spots as elegant accents.
“Hmm, it’s a beautiful color.”
On Earth, Zoisite was heavily mined in Tanzania, Africa, leading to its more popular name: Tanzanite—a gem that became famous after Tiffany began marketing it. Jin didn't know the history, but he honestly felt that the purplish blue was exquisite, possessing a charm distinct from sapphire.
“Elsa-sama’s craftsmanship was simply wonderful!”
It seemed Mabel had become a full-fledged fan of Elsa’s work as well.
“...I’m a bit tired.”
By the time they returned to their room, Elsa was exhausted. Apparently, Mabel had been showering her with non-stop praise the entire time she was working on the pendant.
“Well, at least the requests are finished. That’s something to be happy about.”
“...Yeah.”
It was around 10:00 p.m. when Jin and Elsa finally decided to turn in.
＊ ＊ ＊
March 5th.
It was the time of year when the sun began to rise a little earlier than it did in the dead of winter. Early in the morning, footsteps echoed through the Guest Wing of the Royal Palace.
“Jin-dono! Elsa!”
Fritz was calling their names while knocking on the door. He had evidently arrived the moment he could no longer contain his anticipation.
“Fritz-sama, please be a little quieter.”
Reiko, who had let Fritz inside, spoke with a touch of rebuke. Fritz scratched his head and offered a sheepish apology.
“S-Sorry. So, are they ready?”
He moved straight to the point, his apology lasting barely a second.
“Yes, they were finished last night.”
The door to the bedroom opened, and Jin, who was a natural early riser, stepped out.
“Fritz-san, good morning.”
“Oh, Jin-dono, morning! So, about the things I asked for...”
“They’re done.”
Jin stepped back into the bedroom for a moment and returned with a long, slender package.
“It’s only lightly wrapped for now. I wanted to let you inspect it before we pack it properly.”
He handed the bundle to Fritz, who tore it open with frantic energy. Fritz took the curved sword in his hands.
“Hmm, a strange shape.”
“It’s not a Western sword; we call it a ‘katana.’ Since it’s bowed, it’s a curved sword.”
“May I draw it?”
Fritz waited for Jin’s nod before unsheathing the blade.
“Oh...!”
A tempered pattern shimmered like frost across the silver-gray steel.
“This looks like it could cut through anything! Gloria-dono will be delighted.”
Fritz slid the sword back into its scabbard.
“And the gift for Cynthia-dono? Is it finished?” he asked immediately.
“Yes, Elsa completed it, but...”
“I see! Elsa!”
Before Jin could finish his sentence, Fritz charged into the bedroom Jin had just exited. He reappeared a second later.
“Jin-dono! Elsa isn’t in there!”
Jin let out a weary sigh.
“Elsa is in the adjacent bedroom... Wait, Fritz-dono?!”
Fritz was already charging into the next room.
“Kyaa!”
Elsa’s scream rang out, followed by Fritz stumbling backward out of the room. A pillow came flying through the doorway after him.
“Fritz-dono...”
Jin sighed once more.
“...Honestly, Brother.”
Elsa emerged a moment later with a deep pout, her hair still slightly mussed from sleep.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! But back in the day, we used to sleep in the same room all the time, didn't we?”
“T-That was a long time ago. This is now.”
“Besides, I assumed you’d be in the same bed as Jin-dono. When I heard you were in a different room, I naturally thought you were already up!”
Elsa’s face flushed a deep crimson as she glared at her brother.
“That’s your own warped logic. Since we aren't married yet, of course our bedrooms are separate!”
“What?! Are you two children?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Fritz bit his tongue, realizing he had overstepped.
“...I absolutely do not want to hear that from you, Brother.”
Elsa continued to glare as she held out a small box. Fritz took it, opened the lid, and a wide smile broke across his face.
“It’s incredible! As expected of my sister!”
“...Honestly, you’re so quick to flatter when it suits you.”
Elsa sighed, then added one last question.
“So, Brother, who is the real target of your affection? Gloria-san or Cynthia-san?”
Fritz didn't even blink at his sister’s probing.
“Hmm? Target? What do you mean?”
He took the curved sword in one hand and carefully tucked the pendant into his breast pocket.
“Anyway, Jin-dono, Elsa! Sorry for the early morning chaos!”
He gave a quick bow and practically sprinted out of the room.
“...I honestly wonder how he ever made it to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.”
Jin was an easygoing man who cared little for formalities, and Elsa had known her brother's eccentricities since she was a child. Because they were family (and Jin would soon be joining that family), they could laugh it off. However, if this had been any other magi craftman or a foreign diplomat, Fritz’s lack of decorum would have been enough to spark an international incident.
“Hmm. Brother sometimes loses sight of everything else when he gets excited, but he’s fundamentally calm. Especially when it really matters.”
“He certainly didn't look calm just now...”
It was Jin’s honest assessment of the man.