IX
1641 Words
"Are we there yet?” Ed asked, for probably the hundredth time ever since we exited Ylvich.
“No, but we’re getting close.”
“You said that like five minutes ago.”
“And we’re only thirty minutes from the city’s east gate. Seriously Ed. I thought I already told you the place we’re going to takes like forty minutes of walking, and that’s the fastest.”
“We should’ve brought a horse or a carriage. Ugh! why don't cars exist in this world?"
“They're no that technologically advanced yet, okay? as for a carriage or a horse, it will get too much attention. We’re travelling incognito, remember?”
Edmund just sighed and we continued walking.
“Is this guy even a reliable one?” Ed asked… again.
-Seriously this guy-!
“Yes.” I answered with gritted teeth.
“Why do you need to see him again?”
“Because he’s the best and he’s the only one that could make what I want without getting questioned and-s***h-or judged.”
“You never told me what you wanted for whoever that is to make.”
“A trusty dagger Eddie.”
***
About twenty minutes later we finally reached the cabin where the person I was looking for lived. Our disguises were already gone.
“Who is this man again?” Ed asked.
“In the future, he will be a renowned blacksmith whom every warrior and anyone who desires a good weapon will be looking for. I want to snag him first. That and he really do make the best weapons. His ancestors created Eldis, the sword wielded by Primavera Empire’s rulers.”
“Eldis was created by his ancestors? Then why does he live in a cabin in the woods?” he suddenly shivered. “I shouldn’t have said that. It suddenly reminded me of that horror movie.”
I only shook my head and patted his shoulder. “The Vimi family happened.”
We made our way to the doorstep. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” the door opened accompanied by a voice.
A young man opened the door. He had dark green hair and bright green eyes that was in a lighter shade. His face was covered in soot, and his hands and clothes were a bit greasy. I couldn’t help but smile.
-Richard Delasas, a member of the ever elusive Delasas Family, a family of blacksmiths.
“Hello, my name is Eleanor and this is my brother Edmund. I would like to commission something.”
He looked at us with a raised eyebrow. “I’m a blacksmith, not an artisan. I forge weapons, not design jewelry, go somewhere else. And yes, I can forge weapons despite how young I look.”
“I know, you’re a blacksmith and I do not doubt your skills.” I replied, my tone a little annoyed. “I’m here to commission two customized daggers and some throwing knives.”
“As a gift for someone?”
“No, for myself.”
He did not give me a reply but instead he started studying me from head to toe.
“I can report you for s****l harassment you know.” Edmund said as he stepped in my front, blocking the blacksmith’s sight of me. “And she’s twelve, almost thirteen.”
“Wha- Ha? Why would you even-! I’m not-! Ahem! I’m only trying to see if you really are fit to wield the daggers you’re commissioning me for.”
“You can tell?”
“I learned over time. It’s been quite some time too.”
-He talks as if he’s a lot older than he looks. Wait, how old is this guy again?
“Anyway, it seems like you really are fit to wield daggers, from how your hands grip the hem of your cloak. Not to mention you look like someone who’d pounce at the sight of danger. Hmm… I can sense mana in the two of you too. I assume this young man will want a sword? He seemss like a swordsman to me.” he motioned to Edmund who nodded in return.
“Better come in then. It’ll take some time since you’re asking for customized weapons, that is what you want, right?”
“”Yes.””
“Well, I will have to ask you a few questions.”
***
“I will have your weapons ready by the end of the week.” Richard said as we exited his door. “Just be here by then with the rest of the payment.”
We said our goodbyes and made our way back to the city.
Our conversation regarding the weapons lasted for almost an hour and he asked a lot of specifications about the weapons we liked. I chose something a pair of daggers where I could channel my magic and could be easily concealed. I gave him a design as well as notes regarding them. I also included holsters where I could hide both throwing knives and daggers.
I could create weapons via magic but I’ve only been studying it for half a year so it would be quite a long way before I could pull it off. Or at least that was what I wanted to anyway. I was still working on strengthening my body so it could handle my massive amount of mana which I just recently found out.
-I never knew I had such an amount back then. Maybe it has something to do with being reborn this time?
Edmund on the other hand chose a one-handed sword where he could channel his aura. Ordinary swords wouldn’t be able to handle even the small amount of aura so his had to be customized as well. Not to mention the sword had to be a perfect fit with Edmund’s aura attribute which happened to be lightning, a very destructive element. Our weapon’s mentor told us he had the makings of a Sword Master, someone who could effectively and efficiently use aura in whatever way and means one wanted.
I was surprised he was that powerful too since the Edmund I knew did not exhibit such a talent in my first life.
-Everything has become very different ever since I returned and Edmund took over my twin’s body.
“By the way E.” I heard Edmund call as we neared the walls of the imperial city.
“Hmm?”
“What was up with that guy? I know you told me he will be someone famous and whatnot in the future, and his skills don’t disappoint either, but why did you insist on commissioning weapons from him?”
-Hmm… How do I tell him?
“Aside from the fact that his ancestors created Eldis, weapons created by him are much better that the other blacksmiths, even the imperial blacksmiths. In my first life, his weapons turned the tide during the war of the Primavera Empire and the Gelosis Kingdom. I want to exploit that and make connections with him.”
“So hitting two birds with one stone?”
“Something like that.”
The sun was already touching the horizon when Ed and I reached Ed’s room. I told the maids and guards we would be playing in the gardens without supervision all day and that not to worry about us, not that I was hoping that excuse would work.
“Ehem!”
Ed and I both froze. I couldn’t help but have my eyes widened in surprise, my brother the same. Well, the presence just suddenly appeared in the room. And it was a very, very familiar presence.
“How was the city? Did you enjoy your stroll in the streets?”
We turned around and came face to face with the empress, who was sitting on the sofa, sipping her tea with a calm expression, but her mana was a whole other thing; it was lashing out.
“”Mother.”” Ed and I called in recognition.
Behind her were Anastasia and Hugo who looked in between afraid and worried, but the two of them were avoiding my eyes.
“You couldn’t have said something? I almost turned the entire Rose Palace upside down looking for you two.”
““Uhm…””
-What’s the point of telling you if we’re sneaking out?
“I know you’re probably thinking what was the point of telling me if you were sneaking out-“
-How did she-?
“-but you could’ve at least told me where you went and why.” our mother figure sighed and took a sip of her tea once again. “I have enough worrying with how destructive your siblings can be.”
“”We’re sorry.””
“But I can’t promise not doing it again.” I said, no longer nervous and looking at the empress.
“I totally agree with her.” Ed seconded, pointing at me.
The empress only sighed while Hugo and Anastasia both smiled.
“Come on mother, the two of them are at that age.” Hugo said in a soothing voice. “It’d be weird if they don’t pull something crazy and dangerous at that age.”
-Is he seriously promoting such a thing? My ears are not deceiving me right?
“Don’t compare them to you and Anastasia, Hugo.” the emp- no I should probably start calling her mother, and gave him a pointed look. “You two, why were you out there?”
Ed and I caught each other's gazes.
-Fudge! The trip was supposed to be a secret, especially the reason of it.
Ed and I caught each other’s gazes.
-Fudge! The trip was supposed to be a secret, especially the reason of it.
- Writer
