The Great Sage Who Did not Remain in Legend - 45.3
—On the rooftop of a house—
“How did you know I was here?”
Vanessa approached Rokka, who was absentmindedly sitting on the rooftop.
“Auntie probably thought this would be the place.”
“I see. So it means that it’s been known for a long time that I’m here. Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable.”
“Rokka, I don’t think this is a matter for us to interfere with, but don’t you think you should talk to Uncle and Auntie properly?”
…
……
………
“I really wanted to be a blacksmith like Dad, not a hunter.”
After a brief silence, Rokka began to speak to Vanessa, who had a worried expression.
“But you weren’t allowed into the workshop, were you?”
“Did Mom tell you?”
“Yeah, a bit. And I thought since Rokka is now an adult, it would be better to have a proper conversation…”
“Anyway, no matter what I say to Dad, he won’t understand how I feel.”
“Really? Don’t you think that when Uncle says something, you should try to understand it?”
“Dad cares for Vanessa as if she were his real daughter, so he probably wouldn’t understand. Ever since I was little, he’s always said what I can or cannot do, pushing his thoughts onto me. In the end, he even prepared a man’s clothing for the coming-of-age ceremony. He probably didn’t need a daughter at all. His wish was fulfilled when Rock was born.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to say those things directly?”
“He should know without saying it. Rock has been working in the workshop since he was small and has helped with the smithing.”
“Then just talk about what you’ve been thinking directly.”
Vanessa angrily told Rokka to talk to their parents.
“I’m saying he won’t understand.”
Rokka was irritated by Vanessa’s persistence.
“How would you know if he would understand or not unless you try talking to him? He’s the one who prepared men’s clothes for you, so you should talk to him. We… we…”
Hearing Vanessa’s circumstances, Rokka suddenly felt a shock.
“S-Sorry…”
“You don’t need to apologize to me. Rokka, you should apologize to Uncle and Auntie.”
With those words, Vanessa went down first.
—In the workshop—
“Dad, if you want to make something out of magic iron, wouldn’t Rokka’s sword be better than mine?”
“I’ve already given Rokka one.”
“That’s meant for the current Rokka, right? This will be Rokka’s sword for the future.”
“That sword was forged with foresight. Unless she messes up and breaks it, she can use it forever.”
“Dad, you should pay more attention to Rokka.”
“What is there to see? She hardly ever comes back. No matter how much she behaves like a man, she’s still a woman. There are limits to her strength when wielding a sword.”
“You should see for yourself. The reason Rokka came here is that she wants you to sharpen her sword.”
“I’ve already taught her the sharpening technique.”
“Even so, she can’t match you. Plus, she’s put quite a burden on the sword this time. This is probably for maintenance as well.”
“If that’s the case, you should have said so sooner. Honestly, she never says a word about such things. However, if she’s putting that much burden on her sword, it means she still has a long way to go.”
“That’s right, Rokka has a long way to go.”
Mergin’s comment about Rokka having a long way to go annoyed Dad.
“She’s been in real battles since she was 14, so saying she still has a long way to go is ridiculous.”
“No, Rokka will become even stronger from now on. That sword won’t be enough to handle her strength.”
“What do you mean?”
“So just see for yourself. You’re going to conquer the difficult magic iron, right? It’s better to give what you conquered to your daughter than to me, someone else.”
With those words, Mergin glared at Dad.