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Volume 1 Chapter 13 - Allen’s Premonition

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Early the next morning, Allen visited Dolban's workshop again. The reason is of course...

“So you came.” (Dolban)

“Well, if you say that much, of course I’ll come. It's an important sword to me too anyway.” (Allen)

“I see. I won't hide anything from you, but I won't teach you either. Skills being stolen is something that's supposed to happen after all.” (Dolban)

“I know.” (Allen)

Yesterday, when Dolban unexpectedly suggested to Allen to repair the sword himself, he hesitated. Of course, he felt attachment to the sword that was his partner which he has been using for many years. However, Allen knew all too well how difficult it would be to repair it, thanks in part to his experience working as Dolban's assistant.

Seeing Allen like that, Dolban threw provocative words at him one after another. “Was that the extent of your feelings for your sword, Boy?” like that, “Even though you have the time and money, you’re not even going to try it? Even a disgrace of an adventurer would... No, you’re already a guild employee, aren’t you, Boy? My bad, my bad. Well, I guess you'd rather have stability than adventure,” or that.

Allen couldn't help but react to those words. In particular, the words “rather have stability over adventure” was unacceptable to Allen, who thought he had finally become able to go on an adventure. The result is this current situation.

“For now, I'll get things ready. Is there anything different from before?” (Allen)

“None, I guess.” (Dolban)

“Understood. Hmm, today is steel short swords huh. The number is... 50? Seriously? Who the hell ordered this?” (Allen)

Even as he grumbled and complained, Allen proceeded with the blacksmithing preparations. Seeing his unhesitating movement, ‘Hou’ Dolban let out a small but impressed sound at him. This was because the preparations Allen was making were not even the slightest bit different from what he wanted.

Back when Allen worked as his assistant, Dolban himself gave instructions and told Allen about what to do for the preparation. What was to be made, what material it would be made from, their numbers, and various other conditions changed what had to be prepared, and even the furnace to be used.

Allen's current unhesitating movement can only be due to him remembering the knowledge that had been instilled in him.

(I thought about it before, but Allen Boy might surprisingly have a talent for blacksmithing.)

With a grin on his face at that thought, Dolban watched Allen for a while, and then began to focus his mind for the blacksmithing that was about to begin.

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.

.

A day and a half after the blacksmithing began, 50 beautiful short swords with a uniform shape, as if they had been pulled out of a mold, were lined up on the wall of the workshop. Precisely because they are simple work with no unnecessary ornamentation that Dolban’s skill as a blacksmith was clearly shown.

Also, the fact that he was able to complete this number in such a short time also shows the level of his skill. Because while processing metal becomes easier by channeling magic power while blacksmithing, maintaining it and achieving uniform quality is difficult even for skilled craftsmen

“I'm going to sleep. Do as you like, Boy. The leftover materials too.” (Dolban)

With sunken cheeks and wobbly head, Dolban finished his blacksmithing, told Allen that and left the workshop.

Allen was fully aware that this would happen to Dolban after he poured his whole energy into blacksmithing. That’s why, even though he didn't say it out loud, Allen was secretly surprised. That Dolban called out to him.

That had never happened before when Allen worked as his assistant. The only thing he could think of that could be conveyed from that fact was that Dolban was seriously trying to get Allen to repair his sword.

“I’m grateful.” (Allen)

Allen sniffled slightly. Allen was used to worrying about others and following up on them, but he didn’t have much experience of being cared for by someone. Dolban's kindness touched his heart.

“Now then, he told me I was free to do what I like, but...” (Allen)

Allen looked around the smithy again and started thinking. He had more than enough materials from the sword job.

That was because, for Dolban, this job wasn’t really difficult in terms of skill, only the number was big, so he didn't waste materials because of mistakes, and the portion that was prepared as a reserve was wholly left over.

If those were made into similar short swords, it would probably be possible to make about five. It should have been worth a reasonable amount of money if sold, but it was clear from Dolban's tone that he had no intention of doing so.

“There's no way Shishou would have prepared such a wasteful quantity, so he probably brought them on his own.” (Allen)

While making such speculation, Allen picked up a lump of steel in front of him. Its quality was not the highest, but it was quite high.

There are quite a few people who bring materials to Dolban's workshop. But the majority of them do so in order to reduce the production costs. However, Dolban is never satisfied with half-baked materials, so this plan rarely succeeds though.

‘However, in this particular case, they’re probably not trying to keep the price down’, Allen was convinced. Steel swords with the amount of 50, the emphasis on practical design, and above all, the high-quality materials, considering those, it is easy to predict what the purpose of bringing in the materials was.

Well, since Allen knew that the client written on the order form is the lord of this city, it might be obvious that the swords produced by Dolban are for the soldiers who protect the city, that is why they wanted the swords they ordered to be of high quality and uniform, so they brought in materials.

“Now then.” (Allen)

Allen placed the lump of steel down and, ‘fuu,’ let out a breath.

The environment for blacksmithing was ready. It would become somewhat noisy, but Allen knew that Dolban who was just finished wouldn't be woken up by that level, so he wouldn't need to be reserved. There were enough materials too.

“Let’s do it.” (Allen)

After saying only that, Allen started preparing for smithing. At the time Dolban gave him permission, Allen had already decided to try his hand at making a sword himself.

Of course it was also partly because practicing was necessary for his future goal of repairing his sword that was his partner, but the most important reason that made Allen decide that was something else.

Allen was doing as Dolban had told him to; he was seriously observing Dolban while helping with the work in order to steal his skill. Then, as he did, an idea was born within him, and it gradually grew bigger.

‘Huh? I feel like I can do that somehow.’ that idea.

Even though he had never made a genuine sword before, that idea gradually grew stronger. Now that Allen had looked at Dolban as he smith for 50 swords, he didn't feel like he was going to fail at all.

‘I want to ascertain that’. Allen, excited by that curiosity, with a lump of steel in one hand, headed towards the furnace. In his head, Allen had completely recreated Dolban's appearance just now.

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The next morning.

“Shishou, I used the materials as I liked. Thank you. The food is already prepared over there. Ah, also, can I have you do a final check on the swords I made before I deliver them? I more or less did it, but it's been a while, so I'm a little worried.” (Allen)

“Hmm, check, you say? You sure are saying something grown-up.” (Dolban)

Dolvan frowned when Allen said that to him first thing after he woke up. Giving Dolban a wry smile as a response, Allen shrugged his shoulders.

“Even like this, I'm still a guild employee after all. The Guild is strict about things like that. Besides, the delivery destination is the delivery destination, isn’t it? There's a possibility that my younger brother will use this sword too, so of course I’ll be careful.” (Allen)

“You’re the same as ever. Well, if that's the case, it can’t be helped.” (Dolban)

Dolban got out of bed and headed to the workshop while rotating his shoulders to loosen his body. Looking around the workshop, the fire was put out and the tools were properly organized, and when Dolban noticed that the steel that was used to make the sword was missing where it should have been, he grinned.

Then, Dolban continued his steps and examined the neatly arranged swords one by one. His expression was so serious that all of his nerves were focused on the swords, and Dolban didn't notice that Allen was making a similar face behind him.

Dolban finished examining the last sword and returned them to their original place. Then he slowly turned to Allen.

“Allen, you...” (Dolban)

“...” (Allen)

Dolban stopped speaking and narrowed his eyes, piercing Allen with his sharp gaze. Although Allen tried to feign calmness so as not to reveal his inner thoughts, he was sweating profusely in his mind.

Then, just before Allen's facial muscles reached their limits, Dolban grinned widely.

“You should leave your brother be. They’re swords I made. There’s no way there’d be any problems.” (Dolban)

“I know, right. It's Shishou’s work after all. But as an older brother, my younger brother will always be my younger brother. Well, I'm going to go home and sleep. I’ve got work in the evening anyway.” (Allen)

Allen scratched his head as Dolban slapped him on the back, then he put his luggage on his back, turned his body around, and waved as he left the workshop. On his face, which was no longer visible from Dolban, was an indescribable expression that was the result of a mixture of many emotions, including surprise and happiness.

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(T/N: this chapter is kinda confusing, but only when I translated it, when I edited it, it didn’t seem as confusing.)

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