Tilea's Worries

Zanza picks up the pieces of his broken sword, sighing heavily.

His back looks so lonely.

“Zanza, I’m sorry. Maybe I put too much strength into it…”

Zanza briefly looks up at my apology, then goes back to picking up the remains.

Don’t ignore me. I’m sincerely apologizing here.

Yes, it’s my fault that it broke. One hundred percent my fault. I accept that.

But let me just say one thing!

Your sword was a defective piece of junk. It would have broken sooner or later. It’s better it broke now. Swinging around such a faulty weapon would have surely caused you an injury someday.

“Zanza, I know it’s ironic for me to say this after breaking it, but that was a defective sword. It was dangerous to use. Think of this as a chance to get a better one.”

“There’s no sword better than that one. I can no longer wield my full strength…”

What a sad voice.

It was really that important to him. I’m starting to feel guilty.

“Zanza, cheer up. I’ll make it up to you by buying a really good sword. Oh! I remember there’s a sale at the weapon shop on North Street. Let’s go get one right now!”

“Pointless. Do you really think a common weapon shop has anything better? Use your head.”

“Zanza, you should use your head. The North Street weapon shop is the most famous in the capital. It’s a high-end shop used by the royal palace.”

“Royal palace? So what? Do you even know what you’re talking about? You sound like you know nothing about weapons.”

“It’s true I’m not an expert, but I’ve never heard of this Ron guy who made your sword. It sounds suspicious to me.”

“Tsk, it’s the end of the world. In ancient times, everyone knew Ron Bern. He was the greatest blacksmith of his era. Even if a thousand modern blacksmiths gathered, they wouldn’t compare to him.”

“You’re really sold on this Ron guy.”

“Yes, Ron Bern was a friend. He was so impressed with my sword skills that he crafted an original sword just for me. That was his greatest work, the True Demon Hardened Sword. It was rated at seven stars, a level of divine equipment. Even higher than Killer’s divine weapon, Gae Bolg.”

Seven stars divine equipment... Really? How obsessed are you with this Ron guy?

I think I understand now.

Ron Bern probably flattered Zanza with sweet talk like, “I made this original sword just for you. It’s divine equipment, seven stars,” and ripped him off. Zanza, being a sword-loving chūnibyō with a big ego, fell for it.

That’s why he doesn’t realize he was swindled into buying a defective sword.

Considering Zanza’s state, he won’t be satisfied with a regular weapon shop sword. He wants something custom, no matter how dubious. To satisfy him, I’ll have to use the same tactic as Ron Bern.

Clearing my throat, I turn to Zanza.

“Zanza, you’re right. A sword worthy of your skills won’t be found in an ordinary weapon shop.”

“…Finally understand, do you?”

“Yes, and guess what? I can make swords too. I’m a master blacksmith. I’ll make you a sword that suits you.”

“What!? You can make swords?”

“Of course. I even won the grand prize at the Sword Contest in the Demon Realm. I’m far better than that Ron guy.”

“W-wow! I’d love to see a sword made by you!”

That was easy.

Zanza is shouting excitedly. What a simple guy. Even a sword made by an amateur like me will please him if it’s custom-made.

Or maybe he really believes I’m a prize-winning blacksmith.

How gullible can you be? I’m starting to worry about your future.

Anyway, I can’t stand to see Zanza so down.

I’ll make a sword as best as I can, even if it’s by an amateur.

Honestly, I’m confident I can make a better sword than that Ron guy. Judging by that junk sword, he probably made it while drunk.

“Alright, let’s get started.”

“Yes, I’m counting on you.”

Zanza smiles and shows his palm to me.

What now? Does he want me to read his palm?

“Zanza, what are you doing?”

“Well, if you’re making my sword, you need to see my hand, right? Ron Bern studied my palm for seven days before making my sword.”

Wow, what a con artist. He really put on a show, staring at your palm for seven days... No wonder you fell for it.

I have no choice but to follow suit.

I glance at Zanza’s palm.

“Okay, that’s enough.”

“What!? Already? You barely looked at it!”

I can’t stand looking at a man’s rough palm for too long. I’m not into guys.

And seven days? Give me a break. I’m not wasting that much time.

“Zanza, for someone like me, a second is enough. Watching a palm for a week? That’s amateur work.”

“Hmm, calling the great Ron Bern an amateur... But you’re a demon god. You must be telling the truth.”

“Yes, it’s true. I’ll show you what a real sword looks like.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Maybe I set the bar too high. Zanza’s expectations seem to have risen.

But I can manage to make a decent sword. At least one that won’t break when swung.

I prepare to start forging the sword.

From the shelf, I take out the Demon God’s Gold. I summon magical flames and ignite the furnace. Black flames roar within the furnace.

Next, I heat the Demon God’s Gold with the magical flames and begin hammering it with a large mallet.

... ...

... ...

... ...

“Hitting iron while it’s hot” is a well-known phrase. If the iron heated by the magical flames isn’t hammered quickly, it won’t shape properly. It takes skill and strength to hammer it quickly and accurately.

And so, singing and hammering the iron for nearly an hour...

“Phew, almost there.”

I pause mid-way through the sword-making process, taking a deep breath.

Zanza has been watching the whole time, not showing any signs of boredom.

“Zanza, it’ll take a bit longer. Why don’t you find something to pass the time?”

“No, I want to keep watching you work.”

How much do you love swords?

Alright, if you want to watch, be my guest.

Now for the finishing touches.

I determine the width and grip of the sword. I also correct any unevenness and warping. The large mallet is too big for this delicate work, so I switch to a smaller hammer.

A smaller hammer... where did I put it...

Ah, found it.

“Zanza, can you hand me that smaller hammer? No, never mind.”

“What is it? Don’t hesitate. I’m willing to help with anything.”

“It’s not about hesitation... That’s heavy. Can you lift it?”

“Don’t underestimate me. My strength might be less than Po’s, but I’m one of the top six demon generals.”

Zanza proudly picks up the smaller hammer.

“This fifteen-ton hammer?”

“Yes.”

He didn’t question it. 

Yes, everything in this workshop is labeled in tons, not kilograms. This workshop and tools were provided by fellow chūnibyō sufferers.

I expected as much.

Zanza wobbles as he hands me the fifteen-ton hammer.

“Whew, fifteen tons is heavy.”

“Careful. Orti... Ortissio tried to lift it once and dislocated his shoulder.”

“Typical. He probably wanted to show off in front of you.”

“You know him?”

“Yes, I was close with Camilla’s squad. I know most of the members.”

There’s a touch of nostalgia in Zanza’s voice. He speaks like he’s reminiscing about his comrades. It seems he was good friends with Timu, the pervert, Ortissio, and the others.

Zanza, you’re not ready to be Timu’s partner yet, but... I suppose I can let you hang out with us as friends.

“Want to give it a try?”

I offer Zanza a chance to hammer the iron. Let’s make this sword together as friends.

“Me?”

“Yes, it’s your sword. It’s good to make it yourself.”

“You’ve been doing a perfect job so far. I don’t want to mess it up.”

No, I’m an amateur too. And we’re just hammering iron. It doesn’t matter who does it.

Or does it?

Anyway, it’s a handmade sword by amateurs. No need to overthink it. Besides, you can fine-tune the sword’s size by hammering it yourself.

“Zanza, don’t worry. I guarantee it.”

“Alright.”

Zanza nods and takes the hammer. He raises it high and strikes the iron. I grab another hammer and match his rhythm.

Zanza might be an amateur, but he knows a lot about sword-making. He teaches me important points about hammering and tempering.

Dryas gave me some basic lessons, but it was quite haphazard. I’m glad I included Zanza.

After a while of hammering together...

“Phew, phew...”

Zanza is out of breath.

“Are you okay? Want to take a break?”

“Huff, huff... I’m fine. I can keep going.”

“You don’t look fine...”

Zanza is drenched in sweat. Well, hammering a fifteen-ton hammer non-stop will do

 that to a novice.

“Demon God, you’re not even sweating.”

“Of course, I’m well-trained.”

“I see. As expected of a Demon God.”

“Hey, can you stop calling me Demon God?”

“What should I call you then?”

“Just call me Tilea.”

“What!? You’re letting an enemy general call you by name?”

“Yeah, I don’t mind.”

“No honorifics?”

“No need. I call you by name too, so it’s fair.”

Zanza looks puzzled for a moment, then seems to understand.

“...Tilea.”

“Yes?”

“It makes sense that Camilla would follow you. She must be happy to have you as her sister.”

...Should I hit him with the hammer?

He insists on making Timu and me sisters. He’s probably fantasizing about some brotherhood ceremony. But you’re not included.

Despite our silly conversations, the sword-making progresses smoothly.

Zanza exhausts himself and passes out, so I finish the rest alone.

And then...

It’s done.

My masterpiece.

Wow, this blade is beautiful.

I might have a talent for crafting. Forget the sharpness or durability; this looks like a treasure sword.

It’s flawless, with a beautiful streamlined shape. My aesthetic sense as a chef must have influenced the blade. The scabbard is custom-made and coded with Demon God’s Gold. I used designs from RPGs in my past life for the decorations, making it stunningly beautiful.

I sheathe the completed sword and hand it to Zanza.

“Zanza, here’s your sword. How is it?”

“…”

“Zanza, are you okay?”

“I-I’m speechless. This is... this is incredible.”

Zanza is crying tears of joy.

Is he that happy?

Well, I made it look super cool, just how a chūnibyō would love it. It’s obvious what you like. Plus, receiving a handmade sword from a girl must make you overjoyed. Maybe you’ll fall for me like you did for Timu.

“Anyway, this should make up for breaking your sword.”

“Hah, this sword makes the True Demon Hardened Sword look like junk.”

Calling it junk is harsh. You called Ron Bern the greatest blacksmith.

Zanza inspects the blade, swinging it around while exclaiming, “Ho!” and “Hmm!”

I didn’t expect him to be this happy. It was worth making it.

After a while, Zanza stands before me.

His face is bright.

“How’s the sword? I think it’s sturdier than the True Demon Hardened Sword.”

“I’m more than satisfied. This sword is one of a kind.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Does this sword have a name?”

A name, huh... I haven’t thought of one.

Demon God Excalibur, Demon God Halberd, Demon God Kusanagi... Some candidates come to mind.

But none of them seem right. It’s a sword made by an amateur. It should remain unnamed.

“It doesn’t have a name yet. Let’s just call it the Nameless Sword.”

“I see. This is my sword, made for me alone. It doesn’t need a name. If anything, I’d call it Zanza’s Sword.”

...If that’s what you want.

Naming your sword after yourself is kind of embarrassing. But if it makes you happy, I won’t say anything.

“Whatever makes you happy.”

“‘Zanza’s Sword’ it is. I like it.”

Pure chūnibyō naming style.

But if he’s happy, I won’t judge.

“By the way, Tilea.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve made up my mind after receiving such an amazing sword.”

“What decision?”

“Don’t play dumb. Breaking my sword was part of your plan, wasn’t it?”

What is he talking about? It wasn’t on purpose. It was defective...

“Zanza, as I said, it was an accident. That sword was def—”

“Hmph, it’s fine. I’ll go along with it. This sword is worth it.”

Zanza grins and continues.

Then he stands tall and declares,

“I, Zanza the Conqueror, will join the Demon God Army.”

“No, you don’t have to.”

“What? I’m one of the six demon generals. If I join the Demon God Army, the balance of power will shift. Victory will be ours.”

“And so?”

“Are you sure? If you refuse, I’ll become your enemy. With this sword, I’ll bring great harm to your army.”

“I said no! The Six Demon Generals have already lost many members, right? Losing you would be bad.”

“Are you worrying about the enemy?”

“Yes, I am. A game needs both sides to be fair. An easy win is boring.”

“Calling world domination a game!”

“Yes, it’s a game.”

“Hahaha! I like it. I’ve decided to join the Demon God Army.”

“No, really, you don’t have to!”

“Listen, Tilea. Even if you’re strong, you’re not that much stronger than the Demon King. If the leaders are evenly matched, the size of the army will decide the outcome. Your army is mainly Camilla’s squad, right? That’s about a quarter of the Demon King’s army. Even if you absorbed captured soldiers, you’re still at a third. Meanwhile, the Demon King’s army is nearly twice your size. Without my troops, you can’t win this game of yours.”

Zanza is passionately arguing.

Does he really want to join the Demon God Army that much?

Our policy is to welcome anyone.

But I can’t just let you join so easily. It would trouble Hidler. The Demon King’s army is already struggling with fewer members.

“I appreciate the enthusiasm, but really, no thanks.”

“Why are you rejecting me? Do you want a bribe?”

“Well, it’s common to bring a gift when greeting someone. But I’m not asking for anything.”

“Fine. I’ll bring you Hidler’s head as a gift. Wait for it.”

With that, Zanza left the workshop, carrying his sword.

Alright, if he insists, I’ll wait. Hopefully, he brings something sweet.