blemsh

It was all until one day, because of—certain reasons, my sister was forced to leave home, and go far, far away.

It was only after that, I realized, how much she was shielding me.

I'm like you, too, trying to take on the responsibility she once took on for me.

Then... did you succeed?

I failed, eheh.

When I tried to take that responsibility, I got so much criticism, but out of it all, I think what most cut to the core was—

Someone said my dreams were borrowed.

I've never seen the sights my sister saw, and I've never walked the path she went.

When things seemed like they were about to come crumbling down, it was only then I suddenly realized, oh—it seems like I should do something, and then I went to do it, and practically, I failed.

Hmm... this furnace is just too old! Once I'm done using it, I think I'll give it a revamp.

My sister might say I did well, but I know in actuality, it was far from enough.

The one way I'm luckier is... my sister came back in the end, and once again, she took up the responsibility she held before.

And she does even more now, and even better.

While my brother couldn't stand the burden, and chose to abandon his duty.

I already failed.

Why even tell me all this?

I've never regretted my obsession with smithing, and I don't feel my decision to pick up my sister's burden midway was wrong.

I'm hoping I can pass those ideas onto you.

I know I wasn't properly prepared, and I know I wasn't enough to walk the path she walked, in her shoes.

But even if I've experienced, and confirmed that for myself, I still feel proud of taking that step.

Maybe I couldn't get far down the way of the knight, but at least I know I didn't stray from my own beliefs.

You're so strong.

Not at all. I'd crumple in training and beg Auntie Zofia to go easy on me, and I almost started crying when Margaret came back.

And I had no time to work on my beloved smithing.

But—I don't consider blood ties, or family, or whatever other bonds like that to be an obstacle.

So, when I've got no option except to take up the responsibility, I don't feel anything wrong with that.

That's my answer.

I want to know yours.

I always enjoyed all that my brother gave me, took it for granted too.

When I saw him like that, I felt guilty.

But I'm part of this village, and I still want to protect it.

It doesn't matter if I was called a slouch. It doesn't matter if I'm not trusted... I don't want these things to bring me regret.

So... I guess what I mean is it's the least I can do to fight off my brother.

But I don't know what to do...

Hand that broken sword over, here.

I'll forge you a weapon that fits you.

Huh?

That sword's too heavy for you. It'll make your center of gravity wildly unstable, and you won't have a good hold over the power.

You can't deploy your full strength using a weapon that doesn't suit you.

If my sister was here, she'd head the charge on their camp. She'd topple every last one of them.

But I'm a craftsman, and the way craftsmen help others, is by putting the best tools in their hands, making them stronger still.

Okay!

Margaret, in some sense, aren't these brothers just us from another timeline?

One where you renounced the path of knighthood, wandered the four corners of the land.

And I took on your ideals for real, and I became a true knight.

Wow, just what kind of world would that've been? I can't imagine you having fallen at all, and I can't picture me becoming a real knight either.

But the knight novels have those sorts of knights too, who've fallen from grace while still holding fast to their creeds. That also seems really cool, in a way.

Ugh. Purge my thoughts, purge my thoughts.

I heard the story. Lanton's...

Gerain, I'm sorry...

What are you sorry for? He betrayed us, so now, he's the enemy. Simple as that.

Gerain, from today, I'll be joining you for training.

What's this? You can't still be treating yourself like Lanton now?

I'm not treating myself like him. I'm just treating myself as this village's militia chief.

Whatever.

Several days later...

Hah!

Whew, that's some tricksy blade.

Can you block him?

Sure. But those last few moves just now, at the very least they're closing on an investigative operator's standard.

Blooming like this in just a few short days, we could refer him to join us if we get the chance.

Ohh, I'm having a little flashback to the time Auntie Zofia was training me...

How did she throw moves at me, again... ah, right, like this, probably!

Take this!

Ngh...

Plus my own follow-up!

Blemishine, to be honest, I'm already more or less used to the effects of your Arts.

Look at him, he puts on a pretty good show when he fights serious.

Seriously, what's Landi been doing coming to train with us the last few days?

Hmph. It's what he should've been doing all along.

Right here!

Shame I already figured you'd gotten used to it. That's why I readied my posture way in advance!

But you've shaped up massively, haven't you!

Let's go again!

Hold on, come with me.

Here. It's the longsword I forged for you.

It's just like Lanton's...

Yep, I made it according to that form~ Try wielding it a little.

So light...

How is it? Feels a lot easier to use, right?

I really don't know how I should thank you...

It's alright, don't worry! I'm just glad seeing you cheer up!

Now then, let's set out, and get all those bandits dealt with!

Okay!

Hmph, you came after all.

You don't seem surprised.

We need time to prep resources to attack the village, you need time to prep resources to wipe us out. It's a game of speed.

You've won, that's all. Nothing to be surprised at there.

Lanton...

Leave the others to us. He's yours, Landi.

Right.

Looks like you chose to take on my burden... Here I thought, after breaking that sword, you could find some freedom too.

I won't judge you, Lanton. But—I don't think you can truly gain freedom by running away from your responsibilities.

That's just because you haven't fled far enough. Haven't gone all the way.

Hm? Your weapon...

A noble tailored it for me after reforging your sword. From here on, I'll use it to protect our village.

Oh... good swordsmanship. You've improved some.

Do you know what it means to take on those responsibilities?

You'll become a symbol to all the people, a mouthpiece of so-called protection, a personification of justice, so on. The one thing not included is you yourself.

Your life'll be a hundred times more painful than it used to be.