Chapter 47: Let's Make Armor

Lately, it has been a whirlwind of unexpected events. Because of this, I haven’t been able to deal with it, but there is something that has been on my mind. It is the likelihood that the threat from Monsters has increased deeper inside the Sea of Trees, given that the Elves followed the Dwarves in fleeing from it.

When I asked Liam and the Knights, there seem to be no major changes in the Monsters around this area. However, it will be too late if we wait until something happens. I thought about what I could do with Production Skill and decided to make Armor.

I can create swords, but the swords forged by the Dwarf Blacksmiths are of better quality. It seems I’m not very good at processing metal. Therefore, I decided to make a Leather Armor to be worn under the Chain Mail, using the tough Leather of animals from the Sea of Trees.

Leather is a familiar material. I usually activate Production Skill to process Leather, but feeling that I could do it somehow, I tried activating Production Skill this time with the image of strengthening the raw Hide.

The Monsters in the Sea of Trees attack with tusks and claws, and also by charging. The Knights wear heavy Plate Armor on flat ground, but since it’s hard to move in the Sea of Trees, they use relatively lighter Chain Mail.

However, Chain Mail is not sufficient to defend against blows and is weak against thrusts. Liam had told me that some Monsters in the Sea of Trees charge like Magical Boars, and sometimes tusks and claws pass through the gaps in the Chain. It seems that making the rings of the Chain tighter to reduce the gaps is technically difficult and would make the Armor expensive if created.

I placed the raw Leather and visualized Leather Armor that could withstand a Monster‘s blows and thrusts. I wished to protect the Knights and the Elves from dangerous Monsters. When I activated Production Skill with that wish, Magic Power gathered at my fingertips, and a beautiful Magic Circle floated above my palm.

After the warm light vanished, the Leather Armor appeared. The appearance was no different from a normal one. But when I Appraised it, it came out as: “Sea of Trees Deer Leather Armor: Strike Resistance (Granted), Thrust Resistance (Granted).” I did it! I clenched my fist. This is a good item.

But is this Granting? I felt like I could do it, and it actually happened, but perhaps I used Granting Magic. Come to think of it, I felt a significant amount of Magic Power was consumed, unlike usual.

“Lord William, your body was glowing just now. It was a somewhat Divine light.”

“Eh?!”

What does that mean? Did I awaken like Theo? I should ask the Elder of the Elves.

In any case, it was a good thing that only Theo was next to me and the other craftsmen were absent. Suddenly starting to glow would surprise people, and I wouldn’t know how to explain it.

Thinking back, it was also good that no one was nearby when Theo awakened and glowed. I don’t think awakening happens often, but I might need a workspace where I can’t be seen by others.

The next day, Theo and I went to the Elves’ Hidden Village, and I told the Elder about what made me think I might have awakened.

“Is that so? I hear that the Savior also grows, but I have not heard of a case where the Savior awakened just like an Apostle.”

Eh, really?

“However, I have heard of Saviors who grew stronger as the number of Apostles increased. Perhaps Lord William also grows as Apostles increase.”

If that is the case, then I was able to awaken thanks to Theo becoming an Apostle. Even if I am called the Savior, I don’t have very amazing abilities, but I hope I can grow little by little.

It seems I have awakened. The next issue is what to do with the Leather Armor made from the Granted material. According to a book I read in our Library before, I remember the number of Granting Mages was small.

I should probably consult with others about what to do with the Leather Armor that has been Granted two resistances. With that thought, I went to the Knights’ Training Ground and showed the Leather Armor to the Commander, Liam.

“Oh, Lord William. Did you create this Leather Armor?”

“Yes. Actually, I used a slightly special Leather.”

When I explained the situation in a low voice, Liam shouted, “What did you say!” The surrounding Knights gathered, wondering what was happening. “Ah, no, it’s nothing, everyone, please continue your training.”

After dismissing the Knights with that, Liam apologized in a low voice. “Ah, I am sorry, Lord William. I unintentionally raised my voice. However, an Armor that has been Granted Strike Resistance and Thrust Resistance… this is extremely valuable.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The number of Granting Mages is small, and they can usually only Grant one characteristic. Armor Granted with two characteristics is rare.”

To think it was such a rare item… Perhaps I shouldn’t circulate this too widely. But I believe it will be necessary when the Monster threat increases. I will consult Father about what to do.

“Hmm, this is certainly valuable Armor.”

When I explained the situation to Father in his Office, he folded his arms and fell into thought.

“Just as Will says, we need to prepare for the Monster threat, and there’s no doubt this will be useful, but it is a very conspicuous item.”

If this Armor is circulated, it will become a topic of who Granted it. And if it becomes known that I made it, it could cause an uproar. I want to live a relaxed life in the countryside, so I want to avoid standing out.

“By the way, how many can you make?”

Since the other craftsmen cannot perform the Granting, only Theo (who can perform Replication) and I can make it.

“If Theo and I only focus on making this, perhaps about 10 pieces a day?”

It requires about as much Magic Power as building a house, so I can’t make many. Even though the Armor is small. I wish I could make a lot more.

But Father‘s reaction was different. “You can make that many? We should keep that a secret.”

Eh? I thought Granting Mages could Grant more easily.

As a result of our discussion with Father, we decided to stop mass production for now and make 20 pieces in total.