The Sacred Blacksmith (聖剣の刀鍛冶（ブラックスミス）)

What is that thing? A demon?

You can do this. Don't chicken out.

It's my duty as the head of the prestigious Cambell house.

I'm a member of the Knight Guards

who protect the Independent Trade Cities of Housman.

I am... Cecily Cambell!

That's three times now you've saved my life, Luke.

Come get'cher vegetables! Everything's 30% off!

Look no further, ladies and gents! I've got...

You can't be serious.

I'm sorry, sir,

but our trade rate for tamahagane was set back

at the beginning of the year. Take it or leave it.

C'mon, can't you make an exception?

I'm afraid not.

Are you sure? I have friends who happen to be

high-ranking officials within the Empire.

I'd hate to have to tell them about you.

Hmph. Housman is an independent trade city, sir.

The Empire and the Garrison State

mean nothing here.

If you want to buy it then buy it. If not, just go home.

How dare you?!

You're nothing but a small-town trader!

If the Empire ever got wind of what you're doing here--

That's enough! Take your hands off of him right now.

What do you want, little girl?

No way. You're a member of the Knight Guards?

It's common knowledge

that Housman controls the tamahagane market

and can therefore set its own prices.

Even the Empire is aware of that fact, sir.

If you still want to haggle, then I will take matters

into my own hands.

Shall I introduce you to the Cambell family sword?

I'll be back!

Nice, kiddo!

You really stood up to him!

We can't thank you enough, Cecily.

Yeah. That was truly impressive.

I remember when you were just knee-high.

But now you've grown so much bigger!

Hey! You wanna sleep in the barn for the next week?

What now?

What's with that guy?

I don't know!

He just went crazy all of a sudden!

Hey, look at his armor!

It's pretty ragged, but it doesn't look cheap!

You're right!

It looks like he used to be the leader of an arms group!

Stop this!

I won't allow you to disgrace a knight's sword!

A true knight swings his sword to protect people,

not frighten them!

I'm a member of the Knight Guards who protect

the Independent Trade Cities of Housman.

My name is Cecily Cambell.

I order you to disarm and leave this place!

Didn't you hear what I said? Disarm and leave immediately!

If you do not follow my orders,

I'll have to resort to violence!

Where is it?

I've waited so long. Where is my salvation?

Salvation?

I don't know how much more of this I can take.

I gave them everything I had.

My mind, body, and soul for a chance to fight.

But it was all for nothing!

Don't let him get to you, Cecily.

Don't be afraid, just stay strong. This is your duty.

I will protect the people of Housman!

They promised... They promised me salvation.

The Cambell family sword.

What'll I do now? He'll kill me.

Where is it?!

I noticed your arm.

You must be a veteran of the Valbanill War.

Amazing... He sliced right through it!

I've never seen a sword like that.

Thanks for saving me. I'm one of the Knight Guards--

Ow. That hurt.

Hmph. You're a sorry excuse for a knight.

What did you say? Hey. You don't even know me--

Luke! Don't leave without me!

I'm glad we ran into you, that was a close call.

Jeez, why's he in such a hurry to get out of here?

Luke! Wait up!

Luke...

You certainly don't see female knights very often.

She's no knight. She's totally incompetent.

But did you see the way she stood up him?

All she did was make things worse.

Well, I thought she was courageous and real pretty!

I didn't get a good look at her face.

All I noticed was the way she was

swinging around that joke of a sword.

Trust me, she was pretty.

The only reason her sword looked funny

is 'cause it was broken.

She's better off without one.

She should quit while she still can.

Give the girl a break.

Where do you think you're going? We have a meeting today!

I don't feel like going anymore. I'm heading home.

You're skipping again?

Don't you think they're gonna be mad?

They're expecting you!

These days we use molds to make swords.

It's more efficient. So we don't really do repairs.

I'm afraid the only thing we could do

is melt down your old sword and completely re-forge it.

If you did that, it wouldn't be the same sword anymore.

This sword has been passed down

the Cambell family for generations.

Well, I'm sorry but we can't help.

Back in the old days there were blacksmiths

who could repair a sword like yours.

But it'd be nearly impossible to find someone

who could do that now.

You know, this blacksmith shop

forges all of the Knight Guard's swords.

Since you're a member, we could always order you a new one.

Best of all, it would be free!

I appreciate it, Patty.

But I could never wield a different sword.

I understand.

Look, I know it holds sentimental value,

but it's incredibly old.

Even if you found someone who could fix it,

it would still be totally useless in battle.

That may be, but I can't give up on it.

No other sword could protect me like this one.

Except his.

Sir, do you happen to know a young man named Luke?

Luke? Sure do.

"You'll find his cottage

on the outskirts of the 7th city.

It's near the river just before you get to the forest."

This has gotta be the place.

Lisa?

Lisa.

Yeah, what is it, Luke?

Could you make us some tea?

I'm just about done.

Sure, no problem. Oh...

What's the matter, everything okay?

You again.

Uh. Hey.

Ah-hem. I'm one of the Knight Guards who protect

the Independent Trade Cities of Housman.

My name is Cecily Cambell.

I want to thank you for saving my life.

I owe you one.

Yeah, great. My name's Luke Ainsworth.

It's nice to meet you.

What'd you do that for?

"A proper greeting is quintessential

to a fledgling relationship."

That's something my father always used to say.

What the hell's wrong with you, lady?

Are you kids ready for tea?

How'd the introductions go? You friends yet?

We're gettin' there.

Hmph.

Here you go, Miss Cambell.

Oh, please, it's just Cecily.

Oh. Miss Cecily.

Your name is Lisa, right?

I noticed your name on the sign outside.

Yeah, that's just a coincidence.

Oh. Sorry, did I hit a nerve?

So's there a reason you're still here?

I was hoping you might forge me a sword.

You what?

A sharp one. Exactly like the one you carry.

You know, one strong enough to slice through other swords.

I'm sorry, we don't take commissions for swords.

We stopped making them. The day my father died?

He's who forged that one you're lookin' at.

Wow. So, did he also make the one you've been using?

No, Luke forged that sword all by himself--

Lisa!

If you made it by yourself, you should be proud of your work.

It's the most amazing sword I've ever seen.

It's strong and beautiful.