Chapter 422 – Destination of Orichalcum

“T-this is……”

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the Orichalcum placed on the table, leaning in to get a closer look. Viola gazed intently at it as she spoke.

“Th-that reminds me, I heard something at my masters’ workshop. They said that ever since its founding, the southern kingdom possessed a mysterious lump of metal, but no one could ever forge it…… So the king widely sought out blacksmiths capable of forging it, which led to the cultivation of excellent blacksmithing techniques in that country…… They did say it was probably Baharzard, but I never imagined it would be Orichalcum……”

……I see. So it had become a legend among blacksmiths too.

“I guarantee it’s genuine,” Claudia said, and Viola swallowed hard.

“They say it’s called the living metal. It understands the role required of it and changes its properties. That’s why a blacksmith must have a clear vision of what they want to create and cannot process it without engaging in dialogue with the Orichalcum…… or so the story goes.”

“Living…… Indeed, it’s emitting an Aura similar to Fighting Spirit.”

Alfred peered seriously at the Orichalcum and gave a small nod.

“In my training method, it’s actually Golems that wield the hammers…… so I probably cannot forge Orichalcum myself. However, I believe I can assist Viola-san by refining the forge’s flames with Magic.”

Princess Elham placed a hand over her chest as she spoke.

“Hmm…… Blades forged in a magical furnace. That might be more significant than having Golems perform the blacksmithing.”

Old Sigmund spoke with an impressed tone.

A magical furnace, huh…… I recall that even in BFO, some Production-class players focused on blacksmithing later developed their magical skills.

There seemed to be various tricks, knowledge, and experience required regarding the furnace’s material, temperature control, and so on…… I heard blacksmithing isn’t just about raising the furnace temperature either.

Combined with knowledge of metal material ratios and such, Princess Elham’s Damascus steel is probably created.

“Perhaps…… more important than how to process it is having a clear purpose—what to process it into, and why you’re creating it?”

“That’s right. Marie is correct. Even if two people are blacksmithing together, I think it’s best to unify that part beforehand.”

As Rosemary spoke, Princess Stephania nodded.

The object to be made and its purpose. That’s certainly true.

“With this size, it doesn’t seem like we can make many things.”

Princess Adriana furrowed her brow.

Should it be a Weapon or Armor? Since there isn’t that much…… we’ll need to carefully consider how to use it.

“First, we should discuss and decide what to make, I suppose.”

“In that case…… wouldn’t it be best to use it to enhance Theodore-san’s Equipment?”

“……Indeed. Concentrating combat power on Theodore-sama is the standard approach. It would also serve as sufficient reason to convince the Orichalcum.”

As Forset nodded at Viola’s words, everyone’s gaze turned to me. Hmm. Since my Equipment includes many special items, I hadn’t really considered Enhancement……

“Couldn’t we…… use the Orichalcum to enhance Ouroboros?”

It was Grace who said that.

“I agree with that too. Ouroboros is shrouded in mystery…… but to enhance it, we’d have to rely on Orichalcum’s property of understanding intent and changing its nature to match. What does everyone else think?”

As Claudia looked around, Ashley nodded.

“I agree. We can expect even fiercer battles from now on……”

Ashley looked somewhat worried.

“If we’re to oppose the highest-ranking Demons, Theodore is the only one who can do it.”

At Rosemary’s words, Marlene also nodded repeatedly.

“Mm. I agree too.”

“Same here.”

“Me too—”

Sheila and Irmhild nodded in agreement, and Seraphina raised her hand cheerfully. Sion and Sigritta nodded with understanding expressions. Marceska nodded with a smile.

Old Sigmund and the others, Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana…… Talcott and Cindy seemed to share the same opinion.

“Unanimous, then. Of course, I agree too.”

Alfred grinned happily.

“Hmm. Enhancing Ouroboros, huh……”

I picked up Ouroboros and looked at the Dragon statue. It slightly twisted the corner of its mouth and purred contentedly. It seems…… Ouroboros itself is also enthusiastic.

“—Understood. Then, I leave it in your hands.”

As I said that, Viola and Princess Elham, along with everyone else, nodded. Now then…… it’s about what Form to actually process it into. We should probably clarify that part too. Hmm.

“……How about reinforcing the Staff part and adding an exterior casing to the Dragon part as Enhancement?”

“Like putting Armor on it?”

“That would be the case.”

There are aspects of Ouroboros itself that are difficult to alter. Given Orichalcum’s nature, it should still enhance magical amplification, and we can expect an improvement in Ouroboros’s own durability.

“Before actually using the Orichalcum for blacksmithing, I’d like to think about the exterior Form and such.”

Viola said this. She probably wants to clarify the image.

In that case, I’ll use Earth Magic to create a life-size model of Ouroboros and have them make a prototype based on that.

“How about this?”

I created a stone statue model of Ouroboros, accurately reproduced down to the details, and handed it to Viola.

“Thank you. With this, I think it’s possible.”

Viola happily stroked the model’s head.

Now comes the processing. Dialogue with Orichalcum…… huh. When performing the blacksmithing, what about having Viola, Princess Elham, and including the Orichalcum, conduct the forging while enhancing with Circulating Ki?

I think Circulating Ki would also work well to convey the image, purpose, and reason to the Orichalcum…… but well, we can discuss that after the design is finalized.

As for the processing method, if it doesn’t work even after trying that, we can consider other measures.

“Then, I’d like to get started right away.”

“It seems best to try prototyping with an amount of iron equivalent to the Orichalcum.”

Viola and Princess Elham apparently intend to finalize the design for Ouroboros’s additional Armor promptly.

“Oh, right. I wanted to ask about Grand Duke Debonnis.”

“Mm. If it’s something I can answer.”

Since the discussion about Orichalcum had settled down a bit, I decided to ask Alfred about Grand Duke Debonnis.

“I got him to write a letter so I could move more freely in the Kingdom of Baharzad. Since I’ve returned like this, I thought I’d go greet him as a thank you. Do you know Grand Duke Debonnis’s whereabouts or schedule in Termwills?”

“Ah. That’s what it is. Yeah. I know, and I’ve met him. When I told him about Theo-kun’s return, Grand Duke Debonnis said he would contact us. Probably, an envoy will come today or tomorrow?”

Alfred said this while showing a thoughtful expression.

“Ahh…… Then maybe I should wait for that before making a move.”

“I think so. His Highness Josiah is meeting with Duke Driscoll…… and I hear they’re arranging a schedule so the two of you can meet. So, that’s Grand Duke Debonnis’s business in Termwills, I suppose.”

I see. So the heads of the Grand Duke’s house and the Duke’s house are going to meet and talk.

Grand Duke Debonnis said he wanted reconciliation with the Duke’s house, and Prince Josiah was also acting to mediate between the two houses. In that case, it seems better to confirm Grand Duke Debonnis’s intentions and schedule firmly before acting.

In case an envoy visits during my absence…… I’ll contact Cecilia and the others via Communication Device to let them know an envoy from the Grand Duke’s house might come. Princess Elham also said she wanted to go greet him, so I must convey this to the envoy too.

As for today’s schedule, it’s preparing winter clothes for Forset, Sion, and the others. If I convey the necessary matters to Cecilia, it should be fine regarding the Grand Duke’s envoy…… so I’ll go shopping as planned now.