An alliance between the Kingdom of Palletia and the Aylene Empire was signed.

Later the contemporary emperor of the Ayren Empire, Lukeheim van Ayren, has been presented with the Devil's Sword as a symbol of the Alliance by the Princess of the Kingdom of Palletia, Anisphere Wynn Palletia.

The Devil's Sword was erected as a symbol to connect the kingdom to the Empire. The story to be told goes back in time to before the Devil's Sword was given to the Empire -.

A few days had passed since he had concluded his talks with Emperor Lukeheim of the Aylene Empire and returned to the King's capital Sara Terrier.

I still stayed out of the palace, attending meetings to discuss the future policy of the Kingdom of Palletia, etc. When such a meeting was over, I was inviting guests who were in the outhouse.

"- Well done for coming, I've been waiting...!

"... what are you doing? Dear Anis, I mean, why is the room so dark..."

"Trying to create an atmosphere!

The room is closed with curtains. I was purposefully rocking the candle there demonically, but it seemed like a bad take for my guest - Tomas.

Yufi, who is present, also shut up and missed me, but he looked so frightened. I saw how Tomas reacted. Raini and Ilia opened the curtains that were darkening the room and started clearing the candles.

"... you were called to show me this farce?

"It's a little joke! And it's been a long time, hasn't it, Tomas? How have you been?

It's been a really long time since I've seen Tomas. The chances of face to face have also diminished since I became fully involved in politics. Exquisite, to the point of going to see the celestial when we make sure it's going well.

Tomas is also busy with Tomas, so we never had a chance to talk to each other slowly. It's been a long time since we've seen each other again, but Tomas didn't seem particularly different. If I insist, does it make a big difference that I wear superior clothes and look familiar?

"You're making me do fine... no, I'm getting it. Her Majesty Queen Uphilia is also out of business."

"Take it easy, Tomas. This is the royal castle grounds, but the outhouse is the garden of anise. I'm not going to ask you to be polite to Annis' guests on this occasion."

"It would be helpful if you could say that..."

"Well, well, sit down."

Encourage Tomas to take a seat scratching his cheek like some trouble. I'm not out of tension yet. Make sure Tomas takes his seat, and I'll correct my posture, too.

"I called Tomas because I wanted to ask Tomas for something."

"What do you want?

"Yeah. Tomas, could you serve me as my exclusive blacksmith again?

"... that's another sudden story."

Tomas replies with a reluctant look on his face. Originally, Tomas had been invited to the Royal Castle as an advisor before Uffi took office. Eventually, after a while, I went back to the castle workshop to say that I had done everything I needed to do.

Thomas didn't tell me he wanted me to serve him again as one of these dedicated blacksmiths, even if I made a personal request. Things have changed because there was an incident with the Empire. So I called him in, wanting Tomas to help me again.

"I want Tomas to take this story, but honestly I won't be forced to because it will greatly affect Tomas' future. I want to talk to you about it."

"... is that such a big story?

"Yeah. Actually, I, I was assassinated by an empire."

"Huh!?"

Tomas looks at me with a surprised look. The fact that I was about to be assassinated by an assassin of the Empire has not been publicly spread. For better or worse, because I have a lot of influence right now. Even though it was done, the assassination attempt on me will have a huge impact.

The Knights of Kingsguard and the Royal Castle are very limited to those who know the fact that I have been turned over to the assassins. After that, I needed to contact Uncle Drags. It is unlikely that the information will be disseminated, as Uffi's orders lay the mantra on those who know the facts. Though I can't say absolutely.

"Of course, the assassin is gone. But I have to revisit my relationship with the Empire, and I've been meeting with Emperor Lukeheim of the Aylene Empire."

"... hey, I guess that's a good story to hear, huh?

"Which way, I'll publish it later. As it turned out, it ended peacefully. Emperor Lukeheim showed an attitude of walking over with the Kingdom of Palletia. Looks like the Emperor himself didn't intend to set things up with the Kingdom of Palettia..."

Then I explained to Tomas about the newly concluded treaty between the Kingdom of Palletia and the Aylene Empire.

That the Aylene Empire will recognize the Kingdom of Palletia as an ally, will not invade, and on the contrary, will lend us the strength to defend ourselves when things happen.

In return, the Kingdom of Palletia explains the acceptance of international students and the teaching of technology to educate them in magic.

"And as a sign of that alliance, I've decided to strike the Devil's Sword for the Emperor, and I want Tomas to strike this."

"………………… to the extent that it becomes"

He was a tomas with a lot of complaining faces, but he immediately sighed to swallow the complaint before returning the gavel.

"... can't you ask a major workshop or something? If I were you now, I wouldn't have to be the one making the Devil's Sword. You'd have a good craftsman, wouldn't you?

"Strike the Emperor's Devil's Sword" is all you need. But you want me to serve you is a more stepped story. "

"... I mean?

"Within close proximity to the Empire, the art of making magic props will be brought in. This is just in case, and I think it's worrying because I don't think we'll be able to get all the numbers right away..."

"... come on, are you saying that demonic props could be used as a weapon of war?

"Just in case. I think it is unlikely that Emperor Lukeheim will be at war while he is alive. But emperor Lukeheim suddenly had to fall apart."

I saw Tomas' one-eyebrow rise when I heard that demonic props might be used for the war. While I realize such a Tomas trick, I keep on saying the words as I pretend not to notice.

"I want to believe there isn't. But I can't turn away from the possibility that I might wake up. I want Tomas to help me prepare for it."

"... Again and again, I'm kind of a town workshop blacksmith, aren't I? Sure, for a long time, I've been in touch with magic, but..."

"Right. Tomas, if you tell us more about this case, we can't go back. Can I talk to you before I do?

Uffi speaks out to reluctant Tomas to change the course of the story. Tomas's spine stretches and he looks nervous when Yuffi calls him out.

"We will not be able to discuss the details of your request until we accept it, but let us explain the reward if you accept it."

"Reward......?

"Yes. You know Tomas is currently gathering orphans and aristocratic bastards for magical fitness tests, right?

"Oh...... no, yes. I've heard it's a policy to gather manpower for anything."

"Yep. Since the unveiling of magic, the Kingdom of Palletia is ushering in a time of transformation. But there is no shortage of people anywhere to support this transformation. The goal is to get orphans and aristocratic bastards tested for their magical fitness and to secure and develop talent for the future."

Uffi takes a breath to see if Tomas is following the story. You guessed Yuffi's intentions, nodding as Tomas also understands.

"We are talking about the future, but the children who have been found fit are to be taken by the nobility as adoptive sons or to be guardians to mediate in an appropriate position. In some cases, we are even looking at granting a special aristocratic status. In a close precedent, there is a system whereby an adventurer is awarded aristocratic status as a reward for accomplishing his feats. It's going to be a system close to this."

"Ha... how does that relate to my story?

"Tomas has been a dedicated craftsman for Annis for a long time. As a result, it contributes to the invention of many magic props, including Mana Blade. If Tomas is going to become a dedicated advisor again at the suggestion of Annis, we also have aristocratic status if Tomas wants."

"... ha!? Me, come on, to the nobles!?"

Tomas lifted his hips and opened his eyes to see if Yuffi's suggestion was too unexpected.

Let Yuffi gently raise her hand to calm such a tomas.

"If you want, it is. But I think Tomas would have been talking about it regardless of whether he took it or not..."

"... is that right?"

Tomas shrugs small as he was troubled to find out how he had responded, knowing that a meeting might come where he would become a nobleman.

"What if, if Tomas is going to be the exclusive of Anis again, it's less trouble for you to acknowledge that you're going to be a nobleman. Besides, nobility doesn't necessarily give you territory. It may be easier for you to understand that rewards for their skill and contributions are just as honorable as nobility."

"Honor equal to nobility......"

"Yes. So I think I will have the opportunity to be invited to a social meeting or something. We're basically going to be a one-generation title, and we're moving on to talking about giving out grants and other rewards from the state instead of territory. Of course, the content of the reward will vary depending on your preference, so we need to discuss it."

Yes, the aristocrats who will be born in the new policy now contemplated, if I say so, may be easy to understand when I say "honorary aristocrats" rather than actual aristocrats.

Although it has the same honor as a nobleman, it is basically a one-generation title, and even if a child is made, it does not inherit that title.

And there's no way I can get a territory to rule as a nobleman. Of course, that's what we're talking about at this stage, that it would be reasonable to transfer an amount corresponding to the title from the state.

I heard from Yuffi that Tomas looked troubled and seemed to hold his fist hard on his lap.

"... I just happened to have an affair with Master Anis. You can't snort as a blacksmith when you're told you're not confident in your arms. But I'm in trouble, honestly. No, I'm in trouble."

"Speak easy, Tomas. I don't mind."

"... excuse me. Well, I'm a common man who doesn't know how to be heard like this. I don't care if they say that all of a sudden..."

"I remember talking about this story in a similar way when you took on the advisor..."

"... I thought I was done doing what I could."

"I won't deny that, but things have changed.... can't you? Tomas. I want to fulfill Tomas' hopes whenever I can. I need you to help Tomas again."

I look straight at Tomas and inquire. I frowned that Tomas would still be this after receiving my gaze. He meditates his eyes as they are, arms together to shrink and grind.

Tomas's silence keeps the room quiet. It was Tomas who sighed like he'd given up that ended the silence.

"... ok. What am I supposed to do?

"Tomas!"

"Damn, I haven't tried to turn down Master Anise's favor..."

That's what Tomas said as he turned that way scratching his head galloping. I was filled with thoughts to stroke my chest down for what Tomas had responded to.

"Good, what would I have done if Tomas hadn't taken it on?"

"... that's good enough. I'm not saying that other blacksmiths would have been better because you decided to take it on. So? This is where the real deal starts, isn't it?

"Yeah, that's the point, then. As I was saying, the Empire will be spilled with magic props technology. Though I don't think it's likely that the Empire will use demonic props as a weapon of war, I can't say enough that they don't. So just in case, I thought we wanted to develop new technologies."

"... new technology?

"That's true when it comes to existing technology, because it's still unexplored. I was behind in my quest for a way to make use of it."

Phew, and exhaled before I uttered my thoughts.

"There is one major resource in the Kingdom of Palettia that has not been utilized. Using it to develop weapons and tools… that's what I want to do with Tomas."

"Unutilized resources......?

Tomas listens back with a suspicious look on his face. I nodded and then replied to Tomas like this.

"-" Demon Stone. "Other than me, I haven't found many ways to make use of it."

"Huh...!?... Seriously. No, we should finally say..."

Sighing like a shudder, I return with a full grin to Tomas, who is smiling bitterly.

"Yeah. Thanks to the Ministry of Magic, we're also working on the Spirit Stone, and I'm going to take this as an opportunity to research it. Tomas will be his assistant."

"... ha. I'll let you do as much as I can."

"Thank you. So what, it's better to have Tomas become a nobleman based on what he's accomplished so far than be my exclusive. So, what, you don't need tomas for territory, do you?

"Well... don't bother getting it"

"Yeah. So, I'm going to have a new workshop in Tomas for the Magic City, what do you think?

"... does that mean closing my workshop?

"I really think my current base will be a magic city, and I will continue to do more research and development in magic cities. So either way, the workshop has to be built because I'm going to need it. Now the workshop hires someone to manage Tomas while he's away if he wants to."

"... can you ask for a while? I still don't feel like letting go of that workshop... I can't be"

Tomas says softly closing his eyes with a slightly contemplative look on his face.

The Gana Workshop was inherited by Tomas from his late parents now. Even for me, I can't tell you to let go because I'm going to have a new workshop. This point was intended to fulfill Tomas' hopes.

"Of course not, because it's like I'm asking for something I can't.... That's why it's good to see you again, Tomas"

"Ah. Again, thank you. Dear Annis."

I took my seat and offered my hand to go to the front of Tomas and ask him to shake his hand. Tomas also took a seat and shook hands with me.