Chapter 134: Craftsman

Aurora read the report that Akira had given her.

After they left and returned to the hotel, the army set up an investigation team and proved Alice’s theory.

After nightfall, they sent the report.

A portal had attempted to form, and when it failed, it caused a shock wave when it disappeared.

Chaos was the remnant of that unstable portal and corrupted the surrounding land.

That was the only thing that came from the other world.

Leaving that report with a sigh, Aurora glanced at the television where the Japanese Prime Minister was giving a statement about the situation.

About the mobilization the military made yesterday and how the portals were closing in.

He was sincere, and they revealed the entire situation with full transparency.

They did not disclose this event to scare people and generate panic, but it was to show the effectiveness of Japanese protocol in responding to possible eventualities.

He also welcomed questions about what he thought was coming.

“There are too many theories and too many possibilities. I lean towards the theory of Director Aaron Vincent’s apprentice from the hero academy,” replied the Prime Minister showing calmness.

He then gave his reasons for the logical support and analysis that Edward carried out in his report.

Edward had not only copied the entire report she had given him but had changed and developed it further, to reach the conclusion her master had told her.

It was noticeable that even Edward himself believed in that theory.

As Edward had already published it in the Archimages magazines under the name of Director Vincent, it became well known and gained support because of its logical and methodical analysis.

In China, the renowned sage Su Chin supported that theory, giving it even more strength.

“What do you think?” Aurora asked in a curious tone.

Her question was not only directed at her companion, who was eating chips next to her in a bored manner, but also at her system.

“About the creatures? It’s possible. Demons have arrived from another world, even though they can’t go deeper now. They performed the feat of getting here,” Alice answered without giving it too much importance.

That the European-demon war ended in a peace between the two races was so as not to corner the demons who had come through demonic portals to this world.

They had no place to retreat, as those massive portals that brought thousands of demons suddenly stopped working by divine intervention.

—It is unnecessary to think about it. The portals are coming and it may well not take too long for one to appear in a stable form.

Her system gave its commentary, and Aurora, reflecting on yesterday’s situation, agreed.

“Are you ready?” Akira asked, suddenly entering the room.

“Yes,” Aurora replied, and looking at Alice, she asked. “Are you coming?”

Alice nodded.

Not only had she come to help Akira and relax with her, but she had also asked Akira to find her someone capable of creating a Katana or a store where they would sell it.

The information from her old master helped her a lot, so she wanted to give him something worthwhile.

A Katana produced by hand by a blacksmith was certainly the best.

Using the elevator, they descended into the hall and headed outside, meeting Cithrel on the way.

“The students are training hard with the guild members. It’s fun to see them trying so hard,” Cithrel said, and looking at the trio who were ready to leave, she asked. “Where are you guys going?”

“We’re going to visit a blacksmith store to buy a weapon,” Aurora replied calmly.

“Can I go?” Cithrel asked, giving a curious smile.

She was alone since to that Venali stayed at the guild training with the stronger guild members.

If the students were training with the guild members trying to learn from them, Venali was teaching Akira’s guild members.

While the guild had Akira as the S-Rank, she was a psionic and her teaching was sometimes less for swordsmen or fighters who were the most common.

However, at Cithrel’s question, Akira gave a difficult and doubtful look.

Finally, seeing the look on Cithrel’s face, she sighed and answered. “Come on...”

******

A car moved down the road, which was near Mount Fuji.

“We’re almost there,” Akira reported as she drove the vehicle.

The trees and nature, along with the view of the city in the distance and the mountain, were breathtaking and unique.

It was more so, as from the car they could see Mount Fuji in the distance.

Akira when they reached a remote area slowed down.

“The blacksmith is a bit... how should I put it? Troublesome,” Akira said and giving an awkward expression looked at Cithrel and explained. “He has a great prejudice bordering on hatred against individuals from the Falion Empire and some races in particular.”

Cithrel gave a sympathetic look as she understood why Akira seemed hesitant to have invited her.

“It’s alright. Understandably, many hate the empire,” Cithrel replied without looking perturbed, and with a soft smile, she added. “I’ll see that my identity isn’t revealed and don’t worry, I won’t bother about these things.”

Akira sighed upon hearing that calm reply.

As a princess who would be the future ruler of a powerful empire with a long history, it was common to be hated and loved in equal measure.

“Thank you. It’s not like he hates those from Terra nova, but he focuses his hatred on some particular targets,” Akira muttered, giving an awkward expression, not wanting to elaborate too much.

Cithrel gave a friendly smile without giving it that much thought.

They moved forward along the road and then slowed down and went down a small dirt road that led them to a cabin.

The cabin was big, and a man was waiting for them at the entrance.

The man was in his fifties and had a muscular build, making him look energetic despite his age.

After parking and alighting, with Akira leading the small group, they approached the man.

“Akiyama Naritoshi, a blacksmith highly regarded for his Japanese weapons. Many of them are masterpieces,” Akira introduced, giving a hearty smile of greeting.

“It’s no big deal. I just do my best,” replied the man and, smiling humbly, he added. “You can call me Naritoshi, without reservation.”

Because of the way they ordered names in Japanese and some East Asia cultures, ‘Akiyama’ was his surname, and ‘Naritoshi’ was his proper name.

That they used his name to refer to him was a consideration to foreigners who were not knowledgeable about Japanese culture.

Cithrel had a translation ring that helped her communicate, but she made it so that it was easy to understand, leaving quite a few language peculiarities aside.

Aurora and Alice were the same, even though they went through a ‘baptism’ from the church of knowledge.

The entire group greeted the blacksmith warmly, and Naritoshi observing Cithrel narrowed his eyes.

“Let me guess, you’re from the Lunar Empire, right?” Naritoshi asked, showing some confidence.

Cithrel gave an amused smile and nodded.

Her amusement was coming from another reason...

“As I expected, hair and eye color give away those who come from the lunar empire,” Naritoshi stated, nodding with a smile.

His words were certainly true.

Light blue or blue hair and eyes gave away the ‘moon elves’ as those who came from the Lunar Empire were known.

In that sense, Cithrel inherited the genes from the maternal side.

“Come on. I have prepared some weapons for your choice,” Naritoshi said, and signaled for them to follow him.

Akira thanks to her contacts could get Naritoshi to sell some of his weapons.

Aurora had not asked for a custom-made weapon; she was looking to buy an excellent weapon designed to perfection and not just an imitation bought on the internet or mass-produced.

Where they were guided to was to a back store where different Japanese weapons were located.

Katanas were the most common, each with original designs were revealed on the neatly arranged shelves.

Some had a different colored blade, others had glyphs or magic runes engraved on the blade of the sword.

Then there were also some nodachis, which were quite large two-handed swords, and there was also some wakizashi, which were the short swords carried by the samurai next to the katana.

Aurora also saw other weapons, but she was not very knowledgeable in that regard and her gaze was on all the katanas.

They were weapons of considerable beauty and she could understand the reason her master liked them so much.

“Some have unique charms and runes on it. In my time as a player in Terra nova, I learned from the dwarven smiths and have applied some of their techniques here,” Naritoshi pointed out and, with a smile, looked at Aurora and commented. “You can try it.”

He had identified who the swordsman of the group was, something very few people could do.

It was up to the level that Professor Miller had only discovered that she had a talent for swordsmanship, not knowing that she was already a swordsman.

“Thank you,” Aurora replied, and ungraciously picked up a Katana at random.

Her eyes sparkled and her thoughts seemed to be lost only in the weapon’s beauty.

Unsheathing the sword like a child finding a new toy, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Alice, who was watching from afar, gave a pleasant smile as she looked at her friend.

For her part, Aurora swung her sword, enjoying the elegance and the sensation of cutting through the air.

Fast and light, each swing left a trail of fire thanks to the fire runes engraved on the blade of the sword.

Enjoying each swing, she couldn’t help but try other katanas.

Wind charms that increased the speed of the cut, earth charm that increased the hardness of the metal and allowed it to cut deep.

Runes that increased the hardness decreased the weight or simply made the blade sharper.

Each sword was a work of high value and the blacksmithing arts applied were undoubtedly at first rate.

“They are splendid works!” Cithrel exclaimed, also fascinated by these weapons and their design.

“True...” Aurora muttered as she realized she had been playing too much with the katanas.

She scratched her cheek and gave a shy smile as she realized her actions.

She couldn’t deny that she had enjoyed for the first time in a long time swinging a sword without remembering her past or feeling the responsibility of picking up her weapon.

“If you like these weapons, I’m sure you’ll love my recent work,” Naritoshi revealed, rather pleased by Aurora.

Aurora had shown the devotion to the sword that only an expert who loved her art gave, even if it was for a moment.

For such a reason, it was that Naritoshi led them to the next room, where different swords were on shelves.

The katana in the center was the one that stood out.

A light blue blade it had deep engravings on its blade and runes on its handle.

At a glance, they could see how it released a faint that spread the feeling of holiness.

“It doesn’t have a name yet, but I designed it especially to kill vampires,” Naritoshi announced, and realizing his fervor when he spoke, he gave a smile and explained. “In a sense, the sword is also specialized for killing the undead. I have used materials blessed by priests who serve the Heavenly God, Zabathza, and the sword has a purification specialty.”

Zabathza, as a Celestial God, his church was known to be experts in purification of both undead and demons, just like the Goddess of Order who was in a superior position to all others in that regard.

A priest’s blessing on the materials made it possible for the sword to use some effects of the blessings.

However, Cithrel focused on another subject and hesitantly, she asked. “Vampires?”

Her question was curious, and her thoughtful expression made Naritoshi nod sincerely.

“As you may already know, vampires are monsters that kill, eat and rape women for pleasure. This sword was designed in mind to take care of those beasts,” Naritoshi explained, with a tone that let out more hatred.

Akira’s expression trembled, and Aurora understood the reason why her companion had said he was troublesome.

As far as Aurora knew, even though vampires had a hand in what happened in ‘Terra nova’ years ago, they were currently considered a race.

They had their own empire and their own government, living as a race like any other and even meeting in other places.

Even for her Naritoshi’s words were extreme.

“You may think I’m exaggerating. But the vampires of Terra nova belong to the Cain Lineage, even though that Original Vampire God died a few years ago. They must still be what they were before,” Naritoshi explained, and giving a sharp look, announced. “They are monsters... Who love to eat, fight and ‘play’ with women.”

How should she respond to that?

Aurora didn’t know how to react.

“Your words are not entirely wrong. Vampires have a deep blood connection with each other and because of the original vampire, in their blood is transmitted the desire to eat, fight... And well also a desire for women,” Alice stated, and after eating some chips, she pointed out. “That’s why vampires, they are perverts who choose women as food. Although sometimes they don’t just eat, they ‘play’ with them.”

Her last words were very ambiguous, making the atmosphere even stranger.

Naritoshi’s gaze shone with a nod at Alice’s words, as if he would finally find someone knowledgeable enough to agree with him.

“They are monsters. They treat people as their ‘toys’ to which they can do any aberration to with no regard for human life,” Naritoshi said without hesitation.

Akira was already covering her face with her hand, embarrassed by the situation.

In her way of thinking, they were generalizing an entire race, and it was like saying all demons were evil or all magical beasts were savages.

“I guess there must be some ‘good’ vampires, right?” Akira asked, trying to come to some minimal agreement.

Unfortunately...

“Yes, it’s true. There are some of those vampires living in the Falion Empire, but they are all monsters who, behind their facades of saints, perform atrocities with no one knowing,” Naritoshi said without backing down, and with a disgusted look, he spat. “Those of the Falion Empire have colluded with them and cover-up all their atrocities.”

Akira’s and Aurora’s expressions trembled to turn strange at once.

Alice revealed an amused smile at the situation while Cithrel scratched her cheek with a half-smile, slightly weird.

Here present was not only someone who came from the Falion Empire but would be the future Empress... Without a doubt, those present did not know how to react.

“May I?” Aurora asked, trying to change the subject.

Naritoshi’s expression relaxed slightly, and he nodded.

Aurora did not know the reason for Naritoshi’s hatred, and it did not seem that he was someone who hated another race that was not human, but showed a deep hatred which hid a certain story.

Not that uncommon when individuals of his age were on Terra nova and had a history with that world and its races.

For such a reason, Aurora didn’t judge it and instead of being annoyed, she thought nothing of it.

“It’s a masterpiece,” Aurora murmured, focusing on the weapon.

It was truly a beauty, for once she took it from the handle, she felt an aura of purification spread through her body.

Without a doubt, the sword was among the best swords she had ever picked up of this type.

Earth did not have an exact weapon ranking unlike Terra nova, but S-Rank swordsmen would undoubtedly admire this weapon.

Once a swordsman’s sword aura spread through the sword, it would also receive a natural purification effect.

“Unfortunately, I’m looking for a sword for my master and this weapon would be a waste that wouldn’t be used as it should be,” Aurora said, smiling as she shook her head.

Her master seemed to remain in that white dimension and just meditated, not coming out.

Giving her this sword would be a waste because it would not be used as it deserved and while it would be in the hands of someone extremely skilled like her master, it would only stay by her side.

A sword of this quality had to be used by someone who consistently showed his ability.

Perhaps it was a strange way of thinking, but Aurora rarely had that thought.

Naritoshi nodded in compression, and instead of rejecting it, she smiled, seeing that natural enthusiasm.

It wasn’t every day you saw a swordsman who showed some respect for weapons.

“If you don’t want it, can I buy it?” Cithrel asked curiously, and giving a hearty smile, revealed. “I’d like to gift it to Venali. Maybe she’ll like it. Sure, as an S-Rank she has other swords, but wearing one of this style will draw attention when we return to the Lunar Empire.”

Aurora gave a curious glance at that princess, who gave a cordial and kind smile.

She felt that behind that mask was someone who was being entertained by the situation.

Cithrel said her words in such a way that it seemed like someone who wished to give her friend a gift, but the descriptions of the force revealed that it was said in such a way as to make Naritoshi agree to sell it.

Convincing him that the sword would not end up in the hands of someone useless, and Naritoshi didn’t even notice that performance.

“Of course, I would be honored to have you take a souvenir to your lands,” Naritoshi replied, giving a hearty smile.

It was going to be given to an S-Rank, and someone who came from the Lunar Empire... So it wasn’t against his beliefs.

That was what Cithrel made Naritoshi believe.

Aurora stayed silent, saying nothing to that cunning princess, and just bought a katana she liked.

In the end, they left as quickly as possible, after paying using their holographic watches.

No one wanted to know what Naritoshi would do when he realized that Cithrel came from the Falion Empire and not the Lunar Empire and, worse, that she was the Empress.

“This was quite amusing,” Cithrel murmured with an amused smile.

Her upward tilted lips were charming, and the three ignored her as best they could.

As charismatic and friendly as Cithrel seemed, she was a princess of an empire and thus was prepared to be sly and hide her emotions.

What was on Aurora’s mind, however, was that the gallant knight hiding inside Cithrel had a cunning side.

“Let’s hurry back. I want lunch...” Alice muttered, opening her bag of chips.

All Alice was thinking about was food.

“Yeah, we better go fast. We need to get ready for today’s mission.” Aurora replied, laughing.

This trip to Japan was not for sightseeing or to buy a katana for her master, but their main aim was to perform a mission.

That mission would take place in the afternoon and then the next day they would return to the academy.