TENKEN 403 (1532 words)

 Master Scabbard

Note: I tried to translate this series, this is also my very first translation too. I'm not an expert in Japanese and english either, no one proof read my TL too. So, if you think my translation was bad, just tell me, i'll stop right away. Ok let's go!

We tried to win the bid for the scabbard. but it was easy to win the bid. It's even surprising because it was too easy.

After all by not having size adjustment makes it not popular. It seems the reason for our opponent reason was they could re-use the monster material. But they immediately withdrews when they saw we had the bid.

The winning bid is 30.000 Goldes. I didn't know the market price, but it wasn't a super luxury item. The material used is not so expensive, and isn't it was only the scabbard alone?

However, it is quite conspicuous. In the first place, it is out of place for a child like Fran to be in a weapon auction, and i can feel a lot of gaze.

Isn't this looking bad? for Gallus to took such a roundabout way  mean that he could not make direct contact. Perhaps he was still under Marquis Ashtner surveillance or is still in captivity.

No, since he was able to put up the bid, he must not be in captivity? However, i dont think he is in a state where he can casually go in and out.

In the worst case, for Fran won the bid for the scabbard made by Gallus in this auction has immediately revealed to Marquis Ashtner. And when they found out it was the Black Lightning Princess involved in Serdio's death? They will keep an eye on us i think.

『For the time being, lets win the bid after this』

「Why?」

『It's for distraction』

I don't think they can be deceived by only this....Honestly there is something interesting, and we can pretends that we was impulsive to win the scabbard.

So, we decided to win the bid for windbreak bracelet that appeared second in the afternoon. It was an item that softens the wind when riding a horse. It would be usefull when we ride Urushi.

However, it seems to be a surprisingly popular item, and it has compete with a considerable number of competitor. But we have to show that we are serious, so we can't fall back. In the end, it cost us 470.000 Goldes. We are quite rich now, after all wasteful spending is moody.

『So, lets receive our winning bid, and return to our inn』

(Nn)

If you can immediately pay for the winning bid, you can receive it from that point. But, it's a hassle to carry around a lot of money, so it's usually a form of paying at a latter date.

Some fairly strong adventurer can be seen near the winning bid delivery counter, which is watching as a security guard. It seems the security guard are pretty good at it. Well, this is a big auction after all. Seeing Fran coming, he immediately increased his vigilance, which shows his high ability.

Among adventurers, if they are at rank G to E, they won't sense Fran's ability at all. Those who often try to pick a fight with us are usually around this rank.

When it comes to rank D and C, they maybe can sense something, even if they cannot see through Fran abilities. In addition, there were many cautious adventurers that is capable to some extent, and a few were actively trying to not get involved with Fran.

If they are ranked B or higher, by just only looking at Fran, they can already sense her strength, and almost no one trying to pick a fight. Well, we may be spotted by battle junkie instead.

Considering that, these security gurads ability was about rank C it seems. And it also depends on their sensing ability, so it's not certain.

「Hey」

When Fran called out to the staff at the delivery counter, the guards tension reached it's peak. On the contrary, the staff who did not have any fighting prowess seemed to think she was a lost child. She replies to Fran with a carefree look.

You can see that the guards are irritated bye the staff carelessness.

「Yes, what can i do for you? This is the delivery counter for winning bid, so please ask the person in charge at the entrance for guidance」

「Came to pick up the winning bid」

「That's! I beg your pardon. Then, can you show me your participation card」

「Nn」

When Fran gives the particioation card, she holds it over a crystal. That crystal probably is a magic tool, and it seems, to hold various information.

The rest was easy. Pay the money normally and receive the goods. Most expensive items are carried to their residences for crime prevention, and it seems that not many people pay and receive at the counter. They usually assume that they will hand over cheaper items at this counter.

The person in charge was pulling his face when he saw 500.000 Goldes piled up on the counter casually

『Well, first let's go back to our inn』

(Nn)

We can't expect any contact from Gallus, and is there any message hidden in this scabbard? When we returned to the inn room we examined the scabbard that we won on the bid.

『There's no different part...』

「Nn」

『Do you want to compare it a little?』

We compared our winning bid scabbard with my original scabbard side by side

「.....the same?」

Yes, as Fran says, they looked exactly the same. It seems that the size, the making, and the color are exactly the same.

「woof?」

Urushi tried to sniff, but it seems he can't get anything from it.

We carefully compare the details. Lifting hitting, sensing magical power, and so on.

『.....I can't get anything』

「Nnn」

But when i casually look inside the scabbard. That's where i noticed. The scabbard looked exactly the same, but it actually has only one difference.

It's inside the scabbard. And it was just a single part. The thread used to sew the inside of the tip of the scabbard was a red thread. The part of my scabbard that i originally had was made of white thread. To be honest, no matter how much i looked at it, i couldn't find any other difference other than there.

『For the time being, lets untie the thread』

「Nn」

『I-if you do it too hard like that it wi-..! I-i will do it my self!』

「Nn? Got it」

Instead of letting Fran forcefully pulling the thread, I'll take care of tbe thread my self. It was sewn tightly without any gap, but i managed to do it after a few minutes.

『Ooh, can the leather inside the scabbard turned over a little?』

「Is there something?」

「woof」

『Oh, hey!, dont push me!』

I searched inside the scabbard while calming Fran and Urushi who are curious and tried to take a look too. But i couldn't find any message which i expected.

『Hmm....there's nothing in it....Wait, something is written in the flipped place』

「What is written?」

『E-to, this scabbard, to be used by the strongest sword, wish for it to the God of Wisdom』

Is this some kind of cipher?

「Master want to use it?」

『What do you mean?』

「The strongest sword is definitely Master! that's the only thing about it」

『That's why you want me to use it? No. Wait. God of Wisdom? not the God of Blacksmith but Wisdom? Maybe it's about an intelligence weapon?』

As Fran says, this is without a doubt must be a message for me to use it. However, it doesn't mean for me to actually using it. It should contain more ciphers that only us know about it.

As i were thinking about the meaning of the cipher. Fran immediately put me in the scabbard right away. The front part of the scabbard is partially destroyed so it is more comfortable to get in.

The unraveled tip was a little stiff, and a little metal hits the base of the blade. I didn't know how it looked, but it seems that the metal fittings that fasten the back strap are slightly larger than my previous scabbard. So, even Gallus make a mistake like this huh.

No, wait. Will a blacksmith like Gallus make such a mistake? In other words, is this on purpose?

『Fran, take a look at the metal fittings』

「Nn!」

When i examined it, i found that the metal on the back side of the metal fittings was slightly different from my previous scabbard. A yellowish soft metal is used. It's just glued together and might peel off if you put some effort to peel it.

I carefully peel off the joints of the metal fittings. And then, some characters were written on the inside of the metal. It can't be, is it really meant for me.

『E-to, a mansion with a war maiden glared at by a scorpion lion?』

「More ciphers?」

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