628 When Craftsmen Left to Their Own Device
Dongoro folded the blueprint on the table and put it under his armpit. I placed the katana on the center of the table.
"Fumu? Oy oy, ain't that a katana? Well damn, I ain't no way I'mma work for the day now that I've seen this. Ya can already swing this thing well for someone so young. Well I'll be, tickle me intrigued."
Dongoro's eyes are sparkling suspiciously as he stares at the still sheathed katana.
He saw through the fact that I wield this katana. Even though I only used it a few times since I got it made. Must be the so called craftsman's eye.
"I ain't got lotta chances to inspect something this fine. Alrighty! I don't need no gold. My thanks for showing me this interesting stuff."
"Eh? I'm paying though. Are you sure you can decide that on your own anyway? I don't think so, no? Your accountant is going to have a word with you."
"...Ah, yeah someone's gonna raise hell 'bout it... Hold it right there. Ya got any more business today? Not in a hurry ain't ya? Yer' free the whole day, yeah?"
"Yes, I don't have anything planned. I'll wait."
"Lemme go get her."
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Why? Who? Dongoro left before I could throw those questions.
He hasn't even touched my katana. I'm getting worried now.
(Who is he calling? The accountant? Is there even a point of the accountant being here? Then who?)
Besides, Dongoro should be the one inspecting the katana. Is there even a point for that someone to be here?
He introduced himself as the manager. Is it somebody higher on the pecking order?
Besides if that someone is gonna raise hell, why call them here.
My confusion lasted until Dongoro came back. Along with a girl.
"Hello, nice to meet you. I take it you're the person Dongoro approved. And that must be the katana you brought with you. Do you mind if I take a look as well?"
"Eh? Ah, no I don't. And um, uh, you are?"
"Ah, do pardon me. I am this workshop's backer. My name is Makiru."
"Oh yes, I'm Saito. Not only did I make a request without reservation, he also offered to undertake it for free so I'm not sure what to do."
"Please don't overthink it. Dongoro only deems something worthy once a year, if even that. I would love to be present as well for this rare occasion, so please think nothing of it."
"Thank you very much."
After all that formal pleasantries, Dongoro finally took the katana in his hands.
Then he slowly pulled it out its sheath.
"...Ho... Well I'll be darned. It's forged from mithril. By quite a skilled fella at that. The enchanter ain't no slouch either. So simple yet so refined. Beautiful..."
"This workmanship... is the polar opposite of mine. But the word beautiful comes up in my mind as well. I'm reminded again how 'beauty' is ultimately rooted on simplicity over haphazard gaudiness. You cannot desert complexity but that cannot be the sole factor either."
"Look at these ripples. They're natural. I don't see a single superfluous addition yet this work exudes beauty. There is no waste to be found. To top it off, this thing has an unimaginable sharpness. It must have cut quite a few things. How's the cross-section like?"
"Oh the sword guard has this coolness factor to it. It's stylish in an understated manner. I spot many tiny details with the same idea behind them. Ah, the sheath is quite a fine specimen as well."
The two got more and more heated up. I can't find a good time to interject them.
Dongoro asked me about the sharpness. And Makiru is apparently an ornament artisan? or so she sounds like from the way she fussed over the finer details.
It took some more time until they calmed down.
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