Seiken no Blacksmith 43

133:

The legendary unhuman, "Valbanill".

It is said that, a long time ago, it was sealed thanks to the "sacred sword".

However, it is still alive to this day.

The spirits that have spread throughout the continent and are nowadays the base of the prayer contract, as well as the "death spell" carved on each person's heart...

These are...

Valbanill's curse.

The demon contract is a system that was designed to guide humanity towards self-destruction.

The previous Great War and its sterile outcome unfolded just like they were bound to.

134:

/And this unhuman is now coming back to life./

The latest earthquake is a sign of his seal breaking down.

Even greater disasters will for sure smite the continent.

Moreover, the goal of the former Three-State One-City Alliance was to deal with this problem,

but this cooperative relation was abrogated last year.

/The Independent Trade City and Militant Nation have conspired to monopolize the knowledge of how to forge a sacred sword./

/They have also schemed to keep all the benefits of the prayer contract and the commerce of tamahagane to themselves./

135:

"In response, both our countries have fused into the Imperial Allied Power..."

"And have cut all ties with the other two to find our own solution to the problem. This is the truth behind the recent animosity between our countries."

"We hereby declare that..."

"In order to reseal Valbanill and restore order to the continent, in the name of peace,"

"We will invade the Independent Trade City."

That's a summary of the public declaration they made.

Now we have no choice but to tell the citizens everything.

136:

Ohhhhh!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!

Chapter 43
Sword and Scabbard

137:

Ohhhhh!

...

What's wrong?

Ohhhh!

This statement...

It was not signed by the king...

The name here is that of a soldier.

"Commander of the Empire's Knights..."

"Siegfried"...

"Siegfried /Housman/."

Ohhh!

!?

Mayor... What is...!?

That man...

Ohhhhh!

Could he really be descendent of the founding Housman...?

138:

I see...
It seems he took the initiative. He's not bad.

Should you really be complimenting him?

Right now, the citizens are panicking like bees whose hive was attacked.

139:

People swarming around the mayor's office, people leaving the city...

I heard they have nearly not calmed down today.
The Knight Guard is the same.

Anyway, the mayor should state his point of view tomorrow...

Using this.

!
This is the tamahagane that saved our lives in that cave, right?

If I remember well, you said it can deliver your voice far away as well, right?

Exactly. Actually, during my few days of sleep,
the knight guards have installed tamahagane with the same property here and there in the city.

Here and there?

On rooftops, at big intersections,

at the clock tower plaza, on footpaths between fields...

140:

The idea is that his voice will reach the whole area.

It was designed for him to be able to dispense information at once and for it to spread fast, even in a crisis.

...!

This needed precision on a large-scale project, but, if it works properly,
it may even be able to calm the current chaos.

Wow... This is ground-breaking!
Well done, Ewen.

T-Thanks.

It seems the mayor will gradually explain everything in tomorrow's speech.

About the Militant Nation as well, I presume.

141:

Yes, I think he will speak about it.

Will the sound of the speech reach my atelier?

It will.
We haven't made a single mistake.

And, would it be possible for me to say something to them?

Yes.

It is possible.

I see...

Erm... By the way, Luke-san...

Are you okay with how things are going with Cecily-san?

142:

What do you mean?

"What"?

I heard that you even refuse to meet her.

You won't be able to hide what's happening to you forever.

I know about that well enough.
I'll tell everyone one day.

However, I have bigger fish to...

In my case...

Even though I want to, I can't meet her anymore.

I suggest you meet her while you still can.

143:

Mind your own business...

The next day.

144:

Citizens.

I'm your mayor, Hugo Housman.

I am speaking now...

to tell you our point of view, so that you may understand us without prejudice or misunderstandings.

Please listen to me.

*murmur* *murmur* *murmur*

First of all,
let me tell you that the Allied Imperial Power's declaration contained false information.

145:

However, concerning Valbanill...

The declaration was mostly true.

In order to avoid public chaos,

the countries on the continent have hidden its existence.

Hey! What!?

Don't screw with us!!

Why did you hide it!?

We have to prevent Valbanill's resurrection at all costs.

It's crucial information!

We're all doomed!!

We have allied with the Militant Power to forge a sacred sword to reseal...

We have no choice but to surrender!

Shut your traps!

The speech is not finished yet!

There is something I want to make clear.

146:

These people took a clear stance. They intend to destroy this city.

Do you understand?
Nowhere in the declaration did they write about making peace with us or letting us surrender.

We cannot accept this.

This...
This isn't...!

This is why...

We have since long made plans for mass immigration towards the Militant Nation.

Wha...!?

Huh!?

Only those who can fight will stay, in order to focus on protecting Blair volcano.

*murmur* *murmur*

No way!

And abandon the other areas...?

147:

What good will it do to protect that volcano!?

*murmur* *murmur*

The Militant Nation!?

How will we live!?

The highest priorities are protecting the citizens and resealing Valbanill.

We don't have another choice in order to achieve both!

It is unclear why, but the Imperial Allied Power shows a strange attachment to Valbanill.

Ohhhhhh!

It is too dangerous to approach it without a plan!

This is why we will stay here...

And protect Blair volcano, our enemy's target...

Wohhhhh!

Please!

Please try to understand!

Ohhhh!

Please!

Ohhhh!

148:

Will you listen to me for a little while?

!?

Hmm?

I am...

the person in charge of forging the katana that will seal Valbanill.