Chapter 446 – The Days So Far

With the reconciliation between the Grand Duke and the Duke successfully concluded—the next day dawned. Perhaps because I’d relaxed in the hot springs, I felt like my physical condition was quite good.

After having breakfast and taking it easy for a while, I headed to the workshop as planned with Princess Elham yesterday to see the Ouroboros prototype.

“Good morning, Theo-kun.”

“Good morning.”

“Yeah, morning.”

I exchanged greetings with Alfred, Viola, Princess Elham, Talcott, and Cindy. Today, Miss Ophelia, Albert’s fiancée, was also here.

When I greeted Ophelia too, she nodded quietly.

“Your journey to Baharzard, and the nightmare incident… I’m glad you’re safe.”

“I’ll bring that item now.”

Viola… seemed to understand why I’d come today, as she immediately ran to the back room of the workshop and brought out a replica of the Dragon Staff with the additional equipment attached.

“We made several prototypes, but we think this one turned out the best.”

“Well then, let me test it out a bit in the courtyard.”

Taking the replica from Viola, I checked its weight, balance, and ease of use.

Leaning the real Ouroboros, which was watching with interest, against the workshop wall, I first examined the design aspects.

The shape was close to additional armor… It seemed to finely reproduce dragon scales, and even for a prototype, the detailed craftsmanship was evident. This was probably due to their artisan nature.

The dragon statue at the tip seemed slightly larger. And another pair of wings had been added. The original wings also appeared somewhat larger.

The overall impression hadn’t changed much, but it had become a slightly more complex and aggressive silhouette. It might be a design that maintained the original impression while being a proper enhancement of the same lineage.

A coating had been applied from the base to the tip of the staff—and the staff’s diameter felt slightly thicker. The ferrule side had also extended slightly, apparently adjusting for the center of gravity due to the heavier tip.

In terms of how it felt to hold… the overall balance hadn’t changed much from before. In other words, Viola and Princess Elham’s work was perfect.

I couldn’t say for certain since the materials were different in the replica, but the actual item should be heavier than before. However, the fact that the handling feel hadn’t changed much with the replica was worthy of being called professional work.

As for the increased weight, since I’d be swinging it while reinforcing my physical abilities with Magical Power Circulation, it shouldn’t be much of a problem. With Ouroboros, which originally enhanced my abilities, I hadn’t really felt the weight anyway.

“Hmm.”

Taking the replica in stance, being careful not to channel magical power, I lightly swung it around. Form Shift. Movements for casting magic. Sweeping Strike, Stab, diagonal slash, Downward Swing, lifting up as if scooping with both tip and opposite end, holding the middle of the staff and swinging it like a windmill.

When receiving enemy attacks. Handling during Dodges and aerial movement. Imagining various situations, I moved around the workshop courtyard alone as if performing martial arts, kicking off Shields to leap around.

Changing grip positions, swinging with both hands, with one hand—after trying all the movements I could think of, I turned to face Viola and Princess Elham, who had been watching with bated breath, and gave my impressions.

“No, it’s splendid. Basically, this form should work.”

When I said this, the two of them breathed sighs of relief.

“Ah, that’s good. I was nervous.”

“I’m relieved. We discussed various things between the two of us before settling on the current form.”

I see. So this was their confident work.

“Theodore-sama’s martial demonstration is splendid, by the way. It’s like there are no openings to be found,” said Forset, to which Sheila nodded thoughtfully.

“Well… my fighting style is rather special too.”

Some aspects differed from martial arts assuming ground combat. Since I needed to apply techniques to fighting methods that included aerial combat, if I thought about how to deal with it when facing myself, there might be various points of confusion. All the more so for someone like Forset who had properly mastered martial arts.

Well, I should return the Ouroboros replica to Viola.

“Theo-kun, what are your plans for today? Those two seemed fired up, thinking they might be able to work the Orichalcum,” Alfred asked. That was exactly what I hoped for too.

“Hmm. I have a bit of a suggestion regarding the Orichalcum processing. If we need to convey our intentions to the Orichalcum side, what about trying to use Circulating Ki from the processing stage?”

When I said this, Viola and Princess Elham showed slightly surprised expressions but soon nodded with serious faces.

“I see. For Theodore-sama, who actually uses the weapon, to be involved in that way from the processing stage might be effective.”

“I also think it’s best to do everything we can from the beginning.”

So the plan to utilize Circulating Ki during processing was adopted. Well, whether Circulating Ki had an effect or not, it would at least help since it could reinforce my Vitality during the long work ahead.

“If we proceed with Orichalcum processing like this, you’ll be staying in the workshop. We’ve prepared to be able to make lunch, dinner, and even late-night meals here.”

“I see… That’s why you loaded the carriage with ingredients.”

“Yes. Leave lunch to me.”

At Grace’s words, Viola smiled happily.

“Then… let’s do our best. Your Highness Elham.”

“Yes, Viola-san.”

And so the two blacksmiths renewed their determination.

With Ouroboros in my left hand. Placing my right hand around Princess Elham’s back area, I began Circulating Ki.

First, we needed to heat the metal mass and hammer it out.

For that, Princess Elham would manage the furnace fire, with Princess Elham’s Golem supporting the metal mass, and Viola would hammer and process the heated Orichalcum—that was the division of roles.

Sending air into the lit furnace with Wind Magic, while watching the state of the heated Orichalcum, I strengthened the fire intensity with Fire Magic to gradually raise the temperature.

“As expected… it doesn’t seem like it’ll be easy.”

“This is already a temperature where we could process Mithril Silver…”

Viola and Princess Elham murmured. While watching the Orichalcum’s state, I raised the furnace temperature further.

Pale flames roared and blazed violently inside the furnace. Although I was using magic to mitigate the direct heat waves, the temperature throughout the room seemed to be gradually increasing.

Even so, the appearance of the Orichalcum metal mass showed no changes like turning red-hot, which would happen with ordinary metal. Unaffected by the inferno, it simply remained seated there unchanged.

But that too could be said to be within expectations. If it could be handled through proper methods, Baharzard wouldn’t have kept it stored away for so many years.

“But even using this much magical power, feeling like we still have reserves is quite reassuring. Let’s… try a little harder.”

I nodded at Princess Elham’s words. Princess Elham poured even more magical power into raising the furnace temperature.

The key… was indeed dialogue with the Orichalcum. That’s why I incorporated Circulating Ki to convey it through magical power. Since it’s something I myself will use, I can’t leave that persuasion to others.

Taking a deep breath and closing my eyes, I reflected as if questioning myself about why I sought power, kneading those feelings and memories into the Magical Power Circulation.

—That’s right. I was simply, utterly frustrated. At my own powerlessness.

Recalling it was easy. Because just the other day, the nightmare had stirred up my memories.

That—demon’s figure with its cruel smile. Mother fighting the King of Deathly Slumber. My own helplessness at being protected all the time, unable to do anything.

Radiant light and miasma. Clashing and bursting into flashes.

Rushing to Mother as she fell. Mother’s smile, saying she was glad that Grace and I were safe, was blurred by tears.

Power. I wanted power. That’s why I sought it. Ever since that day.

But it’s still not enough. More. I want more, much more power.

For what purpose? It’s decided. So that this time, I won’t let anyone take anything from me—.

“Th-Theodore-san!”

Called by Viola, I opened my eyes slightly. Golden radiance was swirling around, clinging to my body and Ouroboros.

“This is…”

The radiance came from within the furnace. Something like smoke rising from the Orichalcum metal mass was swirling as if caressing me and Ouroboros. It didn’t feel unpleasant.

It was almost as if it was trying to understand me and Ouroboros—.

“Look! The Orichalcum is—”

Before my eyes, it turned red, then white. Becoming heated.

“Like this—as if it accepted the heat itself. Th-this kind of metal, I’ve never seen before.”

“With this… we might be able to do it.”

Viola nodded strongly at Princess Elham’s voice, which sounded somewhat feverish.

The Mithril Silver hammer gripped by Viola came down upon the Orichalcum removed from the furnace. A high-pitched, clear sound echoed around.

Yes… This is where the Orichalcum processing truly begins. And my dialogue with Orichalcum too.

Touching Viola’s back, I incorporated even the hammer in her hand into the Circulating Ki, kneading the feelings that had brought me to this day into each and every swing of the descending hammer.