Elf Tensei Kara no Cheat Kenkoku-ki

「How many times do I have to say it? Your forge isn't hot enough.」

「Yes, Master!」

「And you over there! No good. You don't understand the blueprints. With this kind of foundation work, it will crumble in no time!」

I raised my voice as I stood at the construction site. It was now dusk, and under my guidance, forty elite blacksmiths were bustling about.

Today marked the promised third day. While the sun was high, the blacksmiths performed practical work at the construction site following my instructions. As the day waned, we would gather in the barracks to focus on theoretical learning.

I gazed up at the sky. The setting sun was about to dip below the horizon.

「All right, everyone, that's it for today! Wrap it up at a good stopping point. We'll have a meal in thirty minutes, then we'll get into the theory. Make sure to wash up and change clothes promptly!」

「Understood, Master!」

The blacksmiths responded with enthusiasm. Despite several sleepless nights, their eyes were shining brightly. They seemed eager to learn new things.

As expected of Azul's carefully selected blacksmiths, they all had the necessary foundation and the ability to absorb knowledge. Their swift understanding and internalization of my techniques were truly impressive.

「Alright, everyone! Today is the final day. Make sure to make the most of it, so you have no regrets!」

The young man, who had assumed the role of leader among the blacksmiths, motivated them. I smiled wryly. Initially, I had intended to leave as soon as we finished our meal, but I chose to stay with them until dawn.

「Master, we won't let you sleep tonight.」

「Hehehe, we’ll make sure you spend plenty of time with us!」

As soon as we finished eating, the blacksmiths gathered around me with great enthusiasm. They held papers with their questions written on them. Over these three days, I had only slept for three hours a day, and they had written these questions after I went to sleep, so most of them had been working these three days without rest.

Having already taught them the basics of creating a blast furnace and interpreting my blueprints, I now allowed them to ask any questions freely.

Even I, overwhelmed by the questions from forty people, couldn't answer them all at once. So, I began by reading all the questions, categorizing them, and calling a few individuals at a time to provide explanations.

「First, Alec, Epona, Lolita, and Somane, come here.」

These four had questions about the flexibility of iron, so I called them all at once. They rushed over, and the remaining thirty-six formed a circle around them.

The reason others were listening was because, even if they didn't ask the questions themselves, they believed there might be something to gain by listening. Their eagerness was palpable. I aimed to provide concise answers, but discussions often followed, leading to lively debates. I didn't mind this atmosphere; in fact, I appreciated it. I admired those who put their full effort into what they loved.

As I resolved question after question, night fell, and the day began to break.

「Good work, everyone. This is as much as I can teach you for now.」

I opened my mouth with a wry smile.

「Master!」

「Are you leaving us, Master?」

For some reason, tears began to flow from the blacksmiths. They had grown up in a strict hierarchical society, and their respect for those in authority was evident.

「I'm not leaving you. Remember, my promise with Azul was to teach you for three days. From here on, you'll need to manage on your own. I'll come once a month to check your progress and perform maintenance on the blast furnace. You can ask any questions you have during those visits.」

I had taught them the basics, but the practical application was now in their hands. As per the contract with Erin, I had agreed to make regular visits to ensure that the workshop and the blast furnace were built to specifications. During those visits, I could also take the opportunity to teach them more.

「Master, won't you come to Erin? With your skills and knowledge, you'll be welcomed anywhere, and you can make a fortune.」

「Right, Master. It's a loss for the world that someone like you is hiding in the forest.」

「Let's liven up Erin together! With you, Erin can get independence from the Choline Kingdom and even become the strongest nation!」

The blacksmiths' words became more passionate. They had a point. If I went to Erin, I could have all the wealth and power I wanted, and with Erin's resources and abundant talent, they could indeed achieve independence from the Choline Kingdom and become the strongest military power. However…

「I can't do it. I want to build up Erucy with the people who are important to me.」

I chose Erucy, where Lucy, Kuu, and Yukino lived. Elves and fire foxes couldn't live in Erin. I was determined to create a prosperous country where we could live in peace. It was a promise I had made to myself.

「I see, your determination is strong, Master. It's a shame; we still wanted to learn from you.」

「Ugh, Master…」

「Don't cry. It's not the last time we'll see each other. Besides, if you want to continue learning from me, there are other options besides me coming to Erin.」

Upon hearing my words, the blacksmiths leaned forward. I've taught them a lot in these three days, but there's still much they want to learn.

Now, let's see if I can achieve my goal.

「It’s impossible for me to abandon Erucy. But if you want to come with me, I'll pass on my knowledge to you.」

「What?!」

「That's…」

The blacksmiths were shaken, which was only natural. Their talents had been recognized in Erin, and they held a considerably high status in the city. Moreover, being in Erin meant they had numerous opportunities to have their skills acknowledged.

Coming to Erucy and receiving my guidance would provide fewer chances to showcase their skills. If they wanted to become my disciples, they would have to abandon the status, honor, and money they would gain otherwise in Erin. It was the ultimate choice.

「It's a decision about whether to leave Erin. You don't have to answer immediately. You're all blacksmiths, and you can't give up the construction of the blast furnace you're currently working on. Finish that first, and then make your decision. If you still want to follow me and learn, Erucy will welcome you.」

Silence blanketed the surroundings. In the midst of it, one man spoke up.

「I will follow you, Master. Once the blast furnace construction is complete, I will definitely go to Master’s place. It's the fastest way I can think to become the greatest blacksmith. Master, please take care of me in the future.」

「I understand. I'm looking forward to it.」

In the end, three more individuals immediately expressed their desire to join me. The rest of the group appeared to be in a dilemma. With some regret, I bid farewell to the blacksmiths and left the barracks.