Re;Blade

Chapter 66 - The last sword

There was a heavy silence in the forge, broken only by the occasional cries from the head blacksmith and his assistants.

Bartolomeu had an empty expression as he looked at the vase set on the table. He had been like that ever since they brought his grandfather's ashes.

Anna stood by his side, trying to comfort him. "I'm so sorry for your lost."

"Can't believe he's gone," Faela muttered. "He looked so alive and full of energy..."

"That was thanks to Tetsuko. He's been sick for a while... He looked way better after he learned the folding technique, but even his enthusiasm had its limit," Bartolomeu said. He touched the vase and tears came down. After a while, he shook his head and cleaned his face. "We shouldn't cry. Grandpa died doing what he loved, what he was born to do. And he left us work."

With his words, all the blacksmiths in the forge cleared their tears and moved to the crates. Though the hollow swords could be used right now, they still needed some final polishing. According to Bartolomeu, they had no time to do that in the Land of Iron.

As everyone focused on their work, Faela approached him. "Is that okay? Shouldn't you have brought him back before turning him into ash?"

"It's fine. This was his will. He had said goodbye to those who mattered back home. Everyone knew this was his last trip. I'm just glad he managed to finish his last sword and died with a smile. Before he met you, Tetsuko, he was just an old man waiting to die. Thank you."

I'm the one who's thankful to have met him. I never thought I'd find someone just as obsessed with smiting as me and my father.

"I'm sure he thought the same," he said. Then he flashed a wry smile. "But there was one last thing in his will..."

What is it?

"He asked me to add his ashes to his last work with your help."

Tetsuko couldn't help but chuckle. So he'll become a sword too, in a way.

"Yes. Can you help me?"

Of course. It'll be the last thing I'll do for my friend, she projected to him. One question. Who are you gonna give this sword to? Hope it's not some useless lord who'll display that magnificent work as a prize. Just the idea made her energy boil.

"It's not mine to give," he chuckled. "He said it was yours. A thank you present."

Mine?

"Yes. From the beginning, he wanted to give it to you."

Baltasar... Tetsuko closed the eyes she didn't have and held back the tears. Then let's give it the last touch.

Just like his grandfather, Bartolomeu placed the sword with a soul on his lap and made a cut on the back of his hand, though not as deep.

Tetsuko focused on her energy separated from her metal body. It's not as strong as with Baltasar since the cut wasn't as deep, but it'll be enough to help you.

Together, they added Baltasar's ashes and made the finishing touches on the hybrid blade. This might be a one of the kind sword. A katana made with barbarian special metal... In another world...

In her mind, Tetsuko couldn't help but smile. It's one of the most beautiful swords I've seen. After me, she thought, chuckling. Then she looked at the blacksmith. While he worked on the sword, he looked as focused as his grandfather. Baltasar was right. The boy has a lot of talent. If only he didn't care so much about politics and pleasing lords...