I finished the sword in what should be record time—It’s only been three hours after I started, grabbing the biggest chunk of metal I could find, slowly drawing it out into a bar, setting the edges, heat treating it, refining the shape a little more, sharpening it, and putting the hilt and guard on it. The end result was even bigger than the earlier greatsword, and far more brutal looking. I think there was once a culture that called swords like this Zweihanders.
I heard someone outside the forge calling out right after finishing the sword, and checked to see who it was. Recognizing the aura outside, I changed my wards a little, and called out after quickly grabbing my mask off a nearby workstation, and throwing on my coat.
(Kai) “Come in. The wards won’t stop you.”
Throught the doorway appeared that giant red-haired man, Hogvir.
(Hogvir) “Feeling better now that you’ve smashed some metal?”
(Kai) “A little. I’m still pissed at your little group, though.”
(Hogvir) “Ah. Well, that’s to be expected, I guess. Though, that bloodline oath was a little excessive, don’t you think? A sword
every month? That just ties you to our group, right?”
I grin a little under the mask.
(Kai) “Think though it a little more, Hogvir.”
(Hogvir) “What do you mean?”
(Kai) “Well, first, It’s only one sword a month. Look around. How many swords do I have just laying about right now? Far more than enough to last a few years, were I to give one away every month. Second, I said I would give the —rebellion— the swords. If you guys accomplish your mission, then you aren't a rebellion anymore. And, if you fail, the group will be destroyed. Both of these nullify my oath.”
(Hogvir) “Smart. It had sounded like a very limiting oath, but in reality, it doesn’t change too much, does it?”
(Kai) “Right.—Can I ask why you’re here, other than to ask about the oath?”
(Hogvir) “Well, I want to offer you some space at my smithy. I can’t help but look around here, and feel bad about how little space and equipment you have available.”
(Kai) “Sorry, but I’ll have to decline. I need privacy, and this place has that.”
(Hogvir) “It fine. I wasn't expecting you to answer, but the offer will alway be their.”
(Kai) “Thanks Hogvir.”
He left, after casting an appreciative glance at my swords lined up against the wall. I had left out one part about the oath, though.
Part of it was that I would keep the nobles from getting my swords, both from me and indirectly. That meant that I needed to issue a recall. Well, by recall, I mean that I’m going to track down my swords and take them back. It’s relatively easy for me to find them again, due to the mana I had circulated through the blades while making them. This gave them unique signatures I can find by just thinking about the particular blade, and using my mana.
And, even if a blade trades hands, and ends up in a noble’s house, the World System knows that I’m doing my best to take it, and others back. I shouldn’t have any problems with it, unless I stop actively trying to take back the blades. Only then would I be labeled an oathbreaker, and given an appropriate curse.
For my part in the pain given to the normal citizens of the city, I am willing to sacrifice a little time and effort.
I began polishing the zweihander when something unexpected happened.
I heard a thud, and a string of curses. Walking outside—my mask was still on from Hogvir’s visit—I saw the man who had come to purchase swords from me earlier on his knees holding his nose, which was spurting blood between his hands.
He had tried to enter my forge without permission, and run face first into a physical ward. I laughed a little, amused at the man’s predicament.
He saw me, and angrily started speaking. I couldn’t understand half of what he said, with his nose blocked up, making his already nasally voice even worse.
I think he was asking for something to clean up with, so I tossed my polishing rag at him. He immediately brought it up over his nose, before realizing that the piece of cloth was covered in grease and oil, and also stank to high heaven. He threw it to the side with a disgusted face. It looks like his nose had stopped bleeding for a moment, though it looked a little broken from the impact.
Finally, after calming down a bit, the man stood up, and faced me with a haughty expression on his face.
(Servant) “Hello again Bladesmith Kai, my master, Lord Hovington, would like to meet you at his manor.”
I tiled my head incredulously.
(Kai) “No. I’ve already said that I won’t make any blades for him, or anyone else.”
(Servant) “Regardless, Lord Hovington would like to meet you, and try to convince you otherwise.”
I sighed, knowing that if I didn’t, there was no end to the ways these people would bother me. Also, it seemed like this lord wasn’t willing to let go. I might as well see him, and ‘persuade’ them to leave me alone.
(Kai) “Fine then. Lead the way.”
The servant nodded his head, smiling in a way that clearly looked down at me. It was a tad gruesome looking with the blood and all.
I walked slightly behind the man, and he made his way through the streets, moving towards the upper class sections of the city, near the center. Eventually we made it to one of the largest mansions in the city, and the servant opened a smaller door off to the side of the main ones, one meant for the house staff and other commoners. This was their way of looking down on me, by making me walk through the smaller door. It’s these sorts of petty slights that I grew to hate among nobility. Besides, there are more satisfying ways to let the other side know that your disdain is upon them.
The servant led me up a few stairwells, until we stood in front of a large set of wooden doors, probably leading into a study of some sort.
(Servant) “Sir, I have brought the Bladesmith Kai.”
(Lord Hovington) “He may enter—You stay outside, Charles.”
The servant—Charles, waited outside as I walked through the doors.
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The noble behind a massive desk gave me the feeling that he looked down on anything not in the noble’s court, and emphasised a strength approach to situations, where any opposition is beaten down ruthlessly, and anything that displeases him is quashed out of existence.
(Lord Hovington) “I hear from Charles that you are unwilling to make me any swords, is that right?”
The noble glared at me, attempting to use his bearing to cow me into submission. However, he soon started frowning, after having seen that I wear a mask.
(Lord Hovington) “Why are you wearing that mask in my presence? Do you think that you have something to hide before me? I demand that you take it off.”
(Kai) “I am sorry, but due to an injury, it would be best if the mask was left on. It would be in poor taste to show you something as gruesome as what is left of my face.”
I lied to the noble, slightly upset at his attitude, and his assumption of power.
(Kai) “Furthermore, I have no reason to comply with what you want. You have none of my respect, you see.”
(Lord Hovington) “Fine then. I will pay you a great deal of money to make me ten swor…”
(Kai) “You misunderstand. I will not make you a single sword, no matter how much you pay me—though I do appreciate
donations. Besides, you should have heard from others that I only deal in steel and other metal ores. Not that that knowledge will help you. I still will not make a single thing for you.”
The noble’s face started turning a fascinating shade of red as he listened to what I was saying. He looked at me with faint rage in his eyes.
(Lord Hovington) “It would be in your best interest to comply with my demands, little smith. Otherwise, your life will have become significantly more difficult!”
(Kai) “Oh please. You can’t do anything to me. Not money nor violence will move me, and any silly little threats will only make me angrier.”
(Lord Hovington) “Silly little threats? You insolent commoner—I am an A-rank adventurer myself, and have others in my employ! I can do much more than simply ‘threaten’ you!”
(Kai) “And here I thought that nobles were above resorting to intimidation, and used words to resolve things, the civilized way. Or maybe I’ve met a disappointment of a noble, who only pretends at civility, when in private he is a barbarian of the greatest magnitude?”
I mimicked speaking to myself, shaking my head in disappointment while the noble grew ever more angry. At the end of that, he called for his guards to detain me. He likely wanted to teach me a few lessons in his private dungeon, but I wasn’t having any of that. I dodged the sub-par guards employed by the lord, and vanished from the estate. I know that this would make some things rather—annoying, but it felt too good to pass up on the opportunity.
As for how things got more annoying, I can give you an example.
The day after, I was walking in a market place, buying some ingredients for food, since I have times where I eat at the forge, instead of going to the restaurant.
In the city, due to the fact that it’s situated where two large trade route meet, and that there’s a labyrinth nearby, many types of different people come. In the market, there’s a variety of people wearing exotic styles of clothing, and with all sorts of different skin colors. There are no other species though, due to the prejudice towards the elves, beastkin, and especially the demonkin. While looking through a stall with fresh produce, I felt a few presences watching me. This was nothing new—There were always going to be curious people everywhere. It only became strange when the people watching me started following me, as I ventured deeper into the market. Eventually, I grew tired of these people following me, and ruining a perfectly good stroll through one of the city’s famous markets.
I ducked into a small and deserted side street or alleyway, and they kept following. Two of them broke off from the others, and took to the roof to cut me off. A scant minute later, I was surrounded by four people, all wearing dark clothing and holding short swords. They had malicious grins on their faces, and it would take a complete idiot to now realize that they mean me harm.
(???) “Don’t resist, and you won’t get —too—hurt. We’re just here to bring you to a certain someone.”
I snorted.
(Kai) “Like hell I’m not going to resist.”
They lunged at me, starting the fight.
A few moments later, I walked out of the deserted alley. There wasn’t a single speck of blood on my clothing, though the walls behind me couldn’t say the same. Four crumpled bodies lay in the alleyway, each one with a short sword shoved through their hearts.
I whistled as I walked back to my house.
Funny enough, when I got there, I found four more people just inside my wards. They had broken through my physical ward, to be stopped by the one that paralyzes those crossing it.
(Kai) “Oh my, there are more of you people? I’m flattered that noble guy thinks so highly of me, as to send more idiots to greet me.”
The men couldn’t do anything but stare at me, wide eyed, as I set up a sound barrier, and brought out a few things from the forge.
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Later that night, Lord Hovington was walking around his private garden when one of his aides ran up to him, out of breath.
(Aide) “Sir, something has happened.”
(Lord Hovington) “What is it, can’t you see I’m enjoying my stroll through the gardens?”
(Aide) “I think you will want to see this yourself, sir.”
The aide lead Lord Hovington to the front of the mansion, where four men were tied up, and left in the lawn.
The had a gaping hole in their shirts, exposing a burn mark on their bodies, an invitation for more chaos, and something to drive a message home in the hearts of the nobles, all of whom had gotten word that the popular bladesmith Kai wouldn’t be making any more blades.
The burn mark read —Your move, from Kai.
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