第１３３１堀：鍛冶バカ妖精 (Part1)
Chapter 1331: The Blacksmith-Obsessed Fairy
Side: Narjia
The world has been quite bustling lately.
Well, it’s not a bustling in the negative sense, so that’s a good thing.
When war breaks out, there are always plenty of fools running around trying to secure our services, which is a real headache. But the current commotion is entirely due to the start of the student exchange program.
With the influx of various cultures, values, and technologies, many people are riding the wave, either plotting to gain something from it or simply being driven by pure curiosity.
"Well, I suppose I’m one of them, too."
I say this while examining the swords, ornaments, and magical tools I’d ordered from the Zurable Empire, all laid out on the table.
Lately, Yuki-san and the others have been moving so rapidly that I’ve been relegated to support duty, and I haven't been able to carve out time for this.
It hasn't been painful, as it’s been a great opportunity to absorb super-technologies and knowledge, but there is truly nothing as enjoyable as inspecting items that symbolize new techniques and cultures.
Still...
I pick up one of the swords to inspect it.
I perform a magical analysis, of course, but...
"The flaws are quite visible at the molecular level. Well, that’s to be expected; this is the limit of casting versus magic."
The mainstream method of mass production in the Great Zurable Empire is casting.
Simply pouring iron into a mold.
It’s a logical method, naturally, but it lacks a certain charm.
Of course, there are points worth noting in the sharpening and finishing, but as a technique, it falls several rungs below Weed’s standards.
No, not everything is cast.
I pick up another sword to check it.
This one is a longsword made by forging.
Furthermore, it’s a one-of-a-kind piece crafted by a famous blacksmith.
Given that it’s a bespoke item made by a renowned figure, it’s at a price point far beyond the reach of the average person’s income.
It even uses precious materials, but...
"It’s a fine piece, but it still doesn't reach the level of a Japanese sword."
Yes, the Japanese sword, which I consider the ideal form.
There are many types of Japanese swords, but my personal favorites are the *tachi* used on horseback and the *katana* for close-quarters combat.
The very concept of combining hard iron with soft iron.
And the technique of folding and hammering the steel over and over—I have yet to encounter anything that surpasses it.
"...In this day and age, when battles are decided at long range. You really do love them, don't you?"
Hearing a voice from behind, I turn to see Zargis-san standing there.
He is the director of our laboratory and also someone who held the position of one of the Four Heavenly Kings under Liliana-san.
"Anyway, here is the ice cream you asked for."
He had mentioned he was going out to buy lunch, so it seems he successfully picked up the ice cream I’d requested as an afterthought.
"Thank you very much."
I offer my thanks, take the items, and immediately store them in the freezer dedicated to ice cream. Then, I take out a tub that’s ready to eat, pop the lid, and begin to enjoy it.
Zargis-san watches me with a wry smile.
"You really do love ice cream."
"It’s delicious, after all."
The shock I felt when I first encountered this food...
Since then, I’ve eaten ice cream from many different manufacturers, but Häagen-Dazs remains the best.
But I mustn't let myself be distracted. I need to finish our previous conversation.
"So, what was that remark earlier? That close-quarters combat is unnecessary because long-range is the main focus?"
"I didn't say it was unnecessary, but its importance is certainly waning. After all, a close-quarters weapon whose performance fluctuates wildly depending on the user is ill-suited for primary use."
"I certainly understand your point, Zargis-san, but that applies to firearms as well."
Yes, even guns require practice to master.
In fact, unlike a sword, where you can just swing it to hit a target, you have to align the sights and pull the trigger.
Since you have to perform those specific actions, one could argue it’s in some ways more difficult than a sword.
Furthermore, when you consider reloading and maintenance, the complexity is far greater than that of a blade.
"I concede that point, but the lethality remains consistent regardless of who pulls the trigger. There is no need to become a master like one must with a sword or other melee weapons. You simply aim and fire, and you unleash an unavoidable, incapacitating attack. In a situation where there is no need to engage in close quarters, defeating the enemy at long range is the obvious tactical choice. You know this well, don't you, Narjia-san?"
"Mmph."
When put that way, I can’t argue back.
Indeed, for Weed, which follows Earth’s tactical doctrines, close-quarters combat is only ever envisioned for tight indoor spaces.
As long as there is distance, pumping bullets into the enemy is the optimal solution.
Against the power of a gun, thin armor means nothing.
"But still, close-quarters weapons have a certain romance to them. Even in Japan, people still practice Kendo, Judo, and Karate."
"I acknowledge the romance. The forging process for those Japanese swords—the *katana*—is truly at a level that defies common sense."
"Right?"
"The technology to create such things without magic, and the soul imbued within them, is truly remarkable."
"Isn't it?!"
Despite everything, Zargis-san knows how to distinguish between the good and the bad.
"So, those items on the table—those were from Zurable, correct?"
"Yes. I had a few dozen pieces brought in to check their technical capabilities. What do you think?"
When I say this, Zargis-san picks up one of the cast swords, narrows his eyes for a moment, and then quickly looks away.
"Well, it’s about what you’d expect. As for the craftsmanship, that’s a matter of cultural difference, so I can’t say if it’s good or bad, but regarding the weapon itself... that’s all I can say."
"It’s a shame, isn't it? I hope a weapon that surpasses the sword appears someday."
"That’s a tall order. Besides, aren't you already preparing a new type of sword using magic, Narjia-san? Was the lead on that Seraria-sama and Labyris?"
"Yes. I’ve been getting a lot of cooperation from them. But it’s still... something is missing. Yes, the slashes can fly, or the sharpness is extraordinary, but that’s just magical amplification. As a blacksmith, I want to create a weapon that surpasses the sword on its own merits."
"...I understand your sentiment, but that is quite the challenge. Do you have any concepts?"
"No, the more I think about it, the more I realize that the shape of the Japanese sword is the absolute optimum for a close-quarters weapon."
"I suppose so. There is no weapon better suited for the act of 'cutting' than that."
Yes, the more I research the sword to create a new weapon, the more I reach the conclusion that nothing could possibly be better.