The Pride of a Craftsman
After Garbel left, I walked over to Lucina.
Noticing my presence, she turned her gaze toward me, seemingly recognizing me as the opponent she had faced in the Royal Academy's entrance exam.
“What are you doing here? If you’ve come all the way to mock my defeat, then you’ve got a pretty questionable hobby.”
Her voice echoed through the workshop. It sounded hollow, as if she had given up on everything.
I decided to be forthright with her about my purpose for being here.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
“For me?”
Lucina frowned, understandably puzzled.
We had no real connection.
The only time I had seen her before was in the capital, but I hadn’t even spoken to her then.
This was our first time conversing face-to-face, so her suspicion was natural.
But I had thoroughly investigated her circumstances.
Since there were no photos to go on, it took time to confirm her identity.
Once I was certain, though, I knew how to proceed—with the persuasive skills the Gallard family excels at.
“When I heard you had been exiled from the capital due to that incident, I could hardly believe it.”
“!?”
Lucina glared at me sharply, clearly unwilling to revisit the subject.
She had once been an exceptionally skilled blacksmith, so much so that she had earned the endorsement of the Kingdom’s Knight Commander at a young age.
The Timmons family had been blacksmiths in the capital for generations.
Among them, Lucina was regarded as one of the finest, drawing significant attention.
However, a rival trading company to the Gallard family set its sights on her.
This company had been supplying materials to the Timmons workshop since the era of its predecessor.
One day, the representative suggested secretly substituting inferior materials for the swords supplied to the Knights Order and inflating the cost.
They claimed they could secure similar materials themselves, but naturally, Lucina refused.
The Timmons family, known for their upright and old-fashioned craftsmanship, valued their honor too much for such deceit.
Lucina was no exception.
She reported the company’s scheme to the Knights Order.
Yet, the situation was twisted.
The company accused Lucina of proposing the fraudulent idea herself.
This outcome was due to the rival company's thorough preparation and influence.
Additionally, they had allies within the Knights, so her testimony was dismissed.
Lucina’s workshop lost its license, she became the target of public scorn, and she fled the capital in disgrace.
She ended up here, at this underground arena, having lost faith in people.
“A tragic tale. If you had partnered with us instead of that third-rate company, you could still be thriving in the capital.”
“Hah. What’s the point in saying that now? I’ve tarnished the Timmons name that has stood for five generations... It’s all my fault for being naïve and too trusting.”
“No, the ones at fault are those scumbags who deceived you. You’ve done nothing wrong; you’re simply a victim.”
“... Huh?”
Lucina stared at me, dumbfounded, as if she hadn’t expected such words.
Alright, just one more push.
“Besides, the name of the Timmons family isn’t dead yet. As long as you’re alive, you still have a chance to redeem it.”
“No, I—”
“You sought that chance when you took the Academy’s entrance exam, didn’t you? Even going so far as to secretly craft a replica sword and bring it to the event.”
“Wha—!? Y-you noticed?”
“I’m a merchant who deals in weapons. It’d be shameful if I couldn’t notice something like that.”
I’m not like those third-rate merchants who tricked her.
If I deceive, it’s only to the end.
I’ve spent 14 years in this world acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary for that.
“But… there’s no opportunity left for me. I failed the exam. I’ve lost my chance to enroll.”
“If you don’t have one, I’ll give you one.”
I clasped her hands in mine.
“... These are beautiful hands.”
“D-don’t be ridiculous! My hands aren’t beautiful! They’re... They’re so rough and worn...”
Indeed, her hands were rugged compared to those of other women her age.
But to me, they were beautiful.
These were hands imbued with a craftsman’s spirit, a perfect blend of strength and femininity.
Even her well-worn work clothes spoke to her dedication to her craft.
“These are the hands of a true artisan.”
“... I...”
“You’re too talented to waste away here. Come work for me and reclaim the brilliance of your past.”
“Ah...”
Tears began to fall from her eyes in large droplets.
Her heart wavered.
Sensing this, I pressed on.
“Become my personal secretary and blacksmith. Let’s attend the Academy together and carve out a path to dominance in this world. I need your strength.”
Hearing my plea, the light returned to her once-dull blue eyes.
She knelt before me and bowed her head.
“... I pledge these arms to you, Lord Lake.”
“Thank you, Lucina.”
Everything had gone according to plan.
Lucina Timmons was now my personal secretary, bound to work for me indefinitely.
She could strive to reclaim her title as the righteous blacksmith if she wanted.
That didn’t concern me.
I would profit handsomely from the high-quality weapons and items she forged.
Not only that, but her absence would inconvenience the underground arena, allowing me to insert a craftsman loyal to the Gallard family in her place.
With materials supplied by us, the profits would flow in.
Whether Garbel accepted this or not was uncertain, but the Gallard family’s legendary persuasive skills would ensure his compliance.
This marked the first step toward my path of conquest—or so I thought.
“Let’s stop there, shall we, young master?”
A voice came from behind me.
Turning, I saw Garbel, accompanied by a large group of fighters.
“I suspected something was amiss, but to think it was poaching... That’s unacceptable. She’s a vital asset for us, you see.”
“What?”
So he knew.
Garbel had recognized Lucina as the once-renowned blacksmith of the capital.
Feigning ignorance was merely his way of biding time.
What do you think about this chapter?
