I, who was reincarnated as the villain character in a game, was secretly enjoying my role as the villain while pulling off heroic moves behind the scenes. However, my actions were exposed to my fiancée, who absolutely despises me - Episode 23

Episode 23

I let out a small breath before handing her the dagger hanging at my waist.

It’s something I pinched from the treasure vault the other day.

“What’s this…?”

“This is the dagger I’m currently using. However, I fight with dual daggers. Can you forge a dagger that matches this one or even surpasses it? In return, you’re free to use that ore as you please.”

If I can get a good weapon made for free in exchange for giving her the mithril ore, it’s a win-win for me.

“Is that… true?”

I nodded in response to Vilias’ question. While she lacks combat abilities, her level as a blacksmith is extremely high.

In the game, characters with production-type occupations have a hidden status called production level.

Vilias is a prodigy who can grow up to the highest S rank.

At first encounter, she’s only about D rank, but with repeated forging, she can strengthen herself up to S rank. So, it’s not a bad idea to get to know her now.

If I pay her a proper commission, she might continue making weapons for me in the future.

“Yeah. I don’t know what you’ll use the ore for, but it’s fine until you’re satisfied. I want you to make my dagger.”

If I recall correctly, her blacksmith rank should have risen to C rank after completing this event.

So, it’s better to have her make my dagger first.

As I placed the ore in Vilias’ palm and told her to make my dagger, she looked at me in surprise.

“…Aren’t you considering what if I just take this ore and leave?”

“Are you planning to steal it?”

“N-No, of course not.”

Although I said it as a joke, Vilias seemed quite frightened.

I quickly shook my head with a smile.

“It’s a joke. I trust you. Bring the dagger to the mansion once it’s finished.”

“Yes. Thank you very much. I’ll definitely make something that surpasses that dagger.”

Vilias bowed repeatedly. After instructing the servant to see her off outside the mansion, I stretched lightly.

Now, all that’s left is to wait for Vilias’ dagger to be completed.

With this, once the weapon is finished, I can challenge the third layer.

If I can overcome the third layer… then maybe I can execute that plan too.

…

(Vilias’ Perspective)

“You are already a fine blacksmith. From now on, you’re free to do as you please.”

That was my master’s final words.

…But I couldn’t accept my master’s words obediently.

Because, it was said that only those who could process mithril ore could be considered top-notch blacksmiths.

So, until I could make a weapon using mithril ore, I didn’t think about opening my own shop… but there was no way to obtain mithril ore at the moment.

The mithril ore in the Validor territory was already scarce and hardly circulated in the market.

And because of the request issued by the Validor family, no one was allowed to enter the mine, and there was no perfect way to obtain it.

So, I waited for someone to accept the request, but because the reward was low, no one accepted it, and I had given up.

As usual, when I was looking at the bulletin board, I noticed that there were no more requests, so I immediately forced out the requester who had achieved the impossible task.

However, of course, information about the achievement of the request is confidential.

Even so, thanks to the fact that the requester this time was a famous person, it was quickly revealed to the adventurers loitering around the guild.

The one who achieved the request was Reis Validor.

He’s the infamous third son of the Validor family.

As someone living in this town, I’ve heard various rumors about the Validor family.

If you ask ten people, all ten will speak ill of them, and at first, I despaired.

However, recently, the evaluation of the Validor family has changed a bit.

If you ask ten people, all ten will say this.

Lord Reis is different from the other members of the Validor family.

Once you can make a weapon with this mithril ore, you’re a full-fledged blacksmith.

That was my master’s catchphrase… There are various types of mithril ore, but the one obtained from that mine is of good quality and famous for being difficult to process.

It seemed that my master acknowledged me as a blacksmith before he died… but I don’t think I was truly acknowledged.

In fact, I was scolded constantly until recently, and that was only because my master knew he was going to die, so he said it.

Summoning up my courage, I went to the Validor family, and I was first surprised that I was easily allowed into the mansion. To be honest, I didn’t even think I could have a meeting.

And when I actually met Reis Validor, my impression of him was… just as the rumors said.

I felt a bit cold, but I’m in no position to judge others because I’m the same way.

The conversation went smoothly, and I was able to get mithril ore in exchange for making weapons from Lord Reis.

I finally finished the forging using the mithril ore I obtained…

I’m exhausted. Nowadays, blacksmiths use magic to create, but processing mithril ore requires a lot of magical power.

It took several days because it couldn’t be finished in one day… but finally.

I sighed as I looked at the finished dagger.

Let me be clear. At the time when my master acknowledged me, I definitely couldn’t have done it…

I exhaled deeply as I sank into the chair.

Even after my master died, I made many weapons alone.

However, since I still didn’t think I was recognized, I didn’t open a shop.

Without that much experience, I wouldn’t have been able to make this dagger. Honestly, I think it’s the best I’ve done so far.

“…I’ll take this with me.”

I sheathed the dagger and headed to the Validor mansion.

In the end, it took about two weeks from receiving the ore from Lord Reis because I struggled with processing the mithril ore.

Still, I’ll go express my gratitude again to Lord Reis, who silently waited without saying anything.