I Became a Raid Boss

-“No, huh, what….”

The blacksmith couldn’t hide his astonished expression when he saw the sword I presented.

-“…What the hell did you do to that sword to make it look like this?”

Unable to hold back, he said that.

Hmm, so this is what it means to “curse with your eyes.”

Since I’ve only heard curses verbally until now, it feels quite new.

“I’ve been hunting monsters and demons….”

-“Hm, you must be a mercenary.”

“I’ve caught thieves and rats… Lately, I’ve been dealing with pests…?”

In response to his baffled question, I merely shrugged my shoulders.

-“…Well, however you use it, I shouldn’t care.”

“Are you not angry?”

-“What’s there to be angry about? Tools are ultimately made for human convenience. If the user is comfortable, isn’t that what matters?”

“Heh.”

His reaction was calm, contrary to what I had expected.

“Don’t artisans take pride in that?”

-“Of course, they do. I have hopes that the strongest swordsman would use my sword. But I truly believe that what’s important is that the sword I made helps someone.”

“Ooh… that’s impressive.”

Clap, clap.

-“Impressive, you say.”

When I clapped my hands, the blacksmith quickly turned his head away.

His ears, faintly visible between his hair, were reddening.

-“However you use it is your business, but take care of it. If you come here, it will be a pity if it breaks at a critical moment and you die, right?”

“If I die, wouldn’t I feel nothing…?”

-“It’s your surroundings that would feel that way.”

“Hmm.”

Surroundings…

I don’t have any of those.

Still, I understood what he meant and quietly accepted it.

“I’ll make an effort.”

-“Good. You’re still young, yet you seem to be quite a skilled swordsman; you should live long, right?”

“A skilled swordsman?”

At his words, I tilted my head.

It’s easy to tell I’m young by my voice, but why does he think I have skill?

-“If you had no skill, the sword wouldn’t have come to this state. It would have broken before this.”

“Aha.”

-“You must know how to swing it without putting too much strain on the sword for such techniques to be possible.”

Though I pretended to be indifferent, perhaps he had affection for the sword he made.

It seems there were some emotions tied to the term “technique.”

“Can you fix it?”

I have enough money to buy a new sword, but I’d prefer to keep using the one I’m accustomed to.

The blacksmith let out a laugh.

-“Of course, I can fix it.”

“Oh, then—”

-“First, I’ll melt it down, filter out the impurities, and replenish the missing iron… Then, I’ll hammer it diligently. It’s a very simple task.”

“…Isn’t that just making a new one?”

-“You know well.”

That means he can’t fix it.

Hmph. I puffed my cheeks.

“Alright. I’ll go buy a new sword.”

-“Choose one you like. Ah, I can take care of the one you were using in exchange.”

“No, thanks.”

I shook my head and put the sword back.

-“I’ll use it until it breaks.”

“Do as you please.”

Since it’s come to this, I should see how long I can use it until it breaks.

And I’ll tell the new sword that too.

“Be as sturdy as your predecessor.”

I slowly looked around the blacksmith shop, searching for the one that would be my successor.

“It’s embarrassing for me to say this, but that’s a yawn.”

-“You’ll adapt easily since it’s similar to the one you were using.”

-“That one’s pretty heavy, so it might be a bit much for you… oh dear, I shouldn’t have said that.”

The blacksmith crossed his arms and watched me choose my weapon.

As I paused to observe, a rough voice came from behind, offering explanations.

I remembered how I would often cling to enthusiastic clerks in shops during my previous life.

I recalled the times I was too shy to say I wanted to look around alone.

“Hmm.”

This time, I didn’t feel particularly pressured, probably because my personality had changed.

“I’ll take this one.”

I selected one of the many swords laid out and held it in my hand.

It had a suitable grip, a stable center of gravity, and a sharp blade.

The fact that it was similar to my old sword was a bonus. Overall, it was a sword I liked.

Moreover, it seemed sturdier.

-“Can I ask you one thing?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

-“With your skills, wouldn’t it be better to buy a better sword? It doesn’t seem necessary to come to such a humble blacksmith to make a purchase.”

“I’ve used enough famous swords to get tired of them.”

-“Oh, is that so?”

“And…”

Though he wouldn’t see it, I gently tapped the sword and smiled slyly.

“If this sword hasn’t broken after being treated so roughly, I think it’s worth being called a famous sword.”

-“…Ha, haha! That’s quite a compliment!”

“You can take pride in it. I think you have enough skill.”

-“You seem like quite a skilled swordsman yourself. You, young lady, know how to make people feel good. But are you not willing to negotiate the price?” ꞦÃ𐌽Օ𐌱Ёs̩

“Oh dear, that’s a bit disappointing. Can I take back what I said earlier?”

-“Is that even possible?”

We exchanged jokes as I paid for it.

He really wouldn’t lower the price.

Well, it was on the expensive side for something sold in a small village blacksmith, but given the quality, I couldn’t really complain.

“Isn’t it difficult to sell things at this price in a place like this?”

-“I have to sell it a bit cheaper to the villagers. Selling at a higher price to outsiders like you helps make up for the losses.”

“Wow, is it okay to say something like that so boldly?”

-“I’m just joking.”

The blacksmith laughed heartily.

-“People here hardly ever buy things like this. Usually, they sell such items to traders.”

“I see.”

So there are traders.

That’s why it felt strange.

I cradled my new sword.

I’m sorry, but the belt is still occupied by my predecessor. For the time being, you’ll have to stay like this.

Having bought the sword, I was about to head back to Garid’s place when I remembered something I’d forgotten.

“By the way, is there anything going on lately?”

-“The blacksmith shop? Nothing much going on.”

“No, I mean on the Ardina continent.”

While he may be skilled, I didn’t expect a blacksmith from a small village to know about the pesky troubles bothering me.

That kind of information should be found at the information guild.

But perhaps I could pick up a small lead.

For example, something like the emperor being assassinated or the empire collapsing.

Oh no, I just inadvertently revealed my wishes.

-“Is there anything of note? The dimensional beasts are rampaging, humans are fighting among themselves, the elves are probably still holed up in the forests, and the dwarves are drinking beer.”

“Just the usual.”

-“Perhaps the only unusual thing is….”

The rough-bearded blacksmith smacked his palm down.

-“Ah, yes! I forgot about Liberi!”

“Liberi? You mean the Liberi I know?”

-“If what you know is ‘the Free Mercenary City of Liberi,’ then yes.”

“Why is Liberi relevant? They’re just money-hungry mercenaries who’ll jump into a battlefield for the right price.”

-“I can understand why you’d feel that way…”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Noticing my sharp reaction, the blacksmith scratched his cheek awkwardly.

I quickly apologized, and he waved it off, saying it was fine.

-“I feel the same way, so you don’t need to apologize. Can I continue?”

“Sure. Please go ahead.”

-“Recently, Lord Edel has brought people from across the sea.”

“Across the sea? Are you talking about Raxia?”

-“No, I mean the eastern sea.”

The east… there was land there too.

But for him to personally bring people from there, even the god Edel himself?

-“During the process, Lord Edel bestowed his blessing, so they’re called ‘the Messenger of God’ or ‘the Apostle.’”

“But what does that have to do with Liberi?”

-“That’s because the apostles belong to Liberi.”

“…Not the Sedus Kingdom? Whether they’re the Messenger of God or an Apostle, if they have a blessing, wouldn’t that mean they’re part of the Edel Church?”

-“I’m not sure about that. They said they received the blessing, but they don’t believe in the Edel Church, so it must be Edel’s will.”

“That’s a convenient statement.”

Given that the god exists and has descended multiple times, the faith in Edel among the people of this world was absolute.

Even tribes that worship other gods or natural elements placed their deities below Edel.

“So, because of these apostles or messengers, Liberi’s influence has grown? Just because of that?”

While it’s true that population equals power, is that really possible when the Lo Arka Empire is standing strong?

-“It’s because of the blessing.”

“Is the blessing that amazing?”

-“It has various effects… but if I had to choose the most amazing one, it would be this.”

The blacksmith nodded seriously.

-“The power of resurrection. It is the power over life and death that only Lord Edel can wield.”

“…!”

-“Even if you die, you don’t die, and you can even resurrect other apostles. It’s only natural that their influence grows.”

Resurrection…?

If that were possible, then why—

Suddenly, I felt a tightness in my throat, and my head became hot.

Many things flashed through my mind amidst the fading vision.

But what strangled my neck the most was—

“Garid….”

I know I don’t deserve to receive a blessing.

Even if I were Edel, I wouldn’t bestow a blessing upon someone who doesn’t even believe in me.

But Garid is different.

What’s the difference between those called apostles and Garid, that he would only bestow blessings upon them?

Is it that they cannot die, but the people of the Ardina continent who trust and follow you can die?

Why?

Thunk!

-“…Hey! Are you alright?”

“…Ah.”

My vision brightened again.

I felt a heavy weight on my shoulder.

The blacksmith, gripping my shoulder tightly, was looking down at me with a worried expression.

Only then did I realize that I had been holding my breath.

“…Yeah, I’m fine.”

-“That’s a relief. You suddenly went quiet, and when I looked, you weren’t breathing, so I was startled. Do you have some sort of illness?”

“An illness… No, nothing like that.”

I shook my head.

“I was just a bit upset.”

-“Upset?”

“It’s the same for everyone wanting to avoid death, so why do only they receive special treatment?”

-“Hm.”

“Don’t you feel it’s unfair?”

Opening up to him about my feelings was somewhat impulsive.

Maybe I wanted to add another person to the list of those who dislike Edel, or perhaps I just wanted to vent my frustrations to someone.

…Well, I really don’t know the reason.

The blacksmith remained silent after hearing my complaints.

The only sounds in the blacksmith shop, apart from the occasional scraping of his beard, were the rough noises he made.

How much time passed?

Finally, he pulled his hand away from his beard.

“I do feel a bit unfair about what you said, but I’m not envious.”

-“…Why not?”

“Because to me, the blessing doesn’t feel like a blessing.”

Sensing the question in my eyes, he continued speaking.

“Not all apostles are the same, but I’ve heard that many of them take up weapons and head into battle. Sometimes their targets are monsters, sometimes dimensional beasts, and perhaps even fellow humans. The commonality is that after a fight ends, they immediately head to the next battlefield. Regardless of victory or defeat, they continue on.”

-“….”

“I don’t want that kind of life. Even if you can be resurrected, you’d still feel pain, wouldn’t you? I’d much prefer this life of swinging a hammer than to live one constantly thrown into battle.”

-“But not all apostles are going into battle. Can’t they just live that way after receiving a blessing?”

“If that’s the case, then there’s no need to be envious of that, is there? It’s no different from the life we have now.”

-“…But what if they suffer an unforeseen accident?”

“Then it would be unfortunate, I suppose. But I think receiving such power comes with a grave responsibility.”

-“That’s a convenient thought.”

“It’s a good way to live in this world. You might want to adopt it too.”

He shrugged off the serious mood and let out a hearty laugh.

-“I don’t know what kind of life you’ve led, but I can guess to some extent. If I had lived a life like yours, I might think the same way.”

“…So?”

-“Just saying that’s how it is. I’m not trying to persuade you; I’m just sharing my thoughts, so don’t worry about it.”

“You’re an idiot.”

I shot back, and he laughed again heartily.

It wasn’t even that funny, so why was he laughing so much?

Since neither of us intended to persuade the other, I pouted and turned away.

“I’m leaving.”

-“Take care. Treat it with care this time.”

Although my mood soured, I had obtained a lead.

The apostles who don’t die and the endless swarm of pests.

Even if the swarm isn’t the apostles, their sudden appearance must be connected in some way.

Ding.

As I opened the door, a clear bell chimed in my ears.

I half-stepped outside and turned my head back to look at the blacksmith.

“Earlier…”

-“Hmm?”

“You said your wish is for the strongest swordsman to wield the sword you made.”

-“Well, isn’t that the wish of every craftsman? Why do you ask?”

“Then wouldn’t it be alright to look for another wish now?”

“Hmm…?”

The blacksmith looked confused as I closed the door behind me.

I should hurry back, as the pests might return soon.

Hugging the sword tightly, I hurriedly climbed the mountain path.

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