#453 The Saint’s Present

So, about that shattered diamond...

“This is incredible, Lord Saint! Every single shard has as much power as it did before it shattered!”

Jewels are more of a practical item than an ornament in this world.

The power they contain benefits their bearer, and their size and beauty are of secondary importance.

That’s why Pops Edward was thrilled to learn that each of the countless shattered pieces of jewelry had the same amount of power.

Similarly, I won’t have to reimburse anymore.

But I still had to strangle Aileron, who wanted to take about five shards for herself under the guise of retrieving them.

“Let’s make haste and make a ring with this diamond! I, Pops Edward of the Underground Dwarven Empire, will create the ultimate masterpiece of my lifeeeee!”

“Um, and the fees...?”

“Free of chargeeeeeee! This jewel has been turned into something far more profitable than it could’ve ever been when it was still a cursed dead stock!”

So, it wasn’t his intention to force an inferior good on me?

Oh well, at least he’s willing to make it for free.

And so, a dwarf with the world’s best smithing skills will make our wedding rings.

I imagine a diamond that has been shattered would not be too much trouble to put in the ring.

***

The process, however, is challenging.

Aileron strictly supervises Pops Edward, who tries to put all sorts of decorations given the opportunity.

“For the millionth time, why are you adding that? Simplicity is beauty!”

“But I think it would look cooler if we added some plumes here and there...”

“Our client wants it simple!”

Pops, who has always considered beautifying something by adding more stuff, feels uncomfortable not being allowed to do so.

Still, he’s determined to follow my wishes, and with advice from his rival, Aileron, he works frantically to get the job done.

Abandoning even one’s own “ism” to meet the client’s request must be another form of a craftsman’s spirit.

He eliminates all the gaudy elements to create a cool and refreshing simplicity.

And that freshness is the love I will convey to Platy.

It will take a lot of flair and skill to arrange the now-pure diamond in a way that won’t make the final product look obnoxious.

With this in mind, Edward designs the ring and puts all his energy into its crafting with Aileron’s help.

And the result is...

***

“A genuine pair of wedding rings...!”

Even I, who have no artistic sense, can tell that this is a masterpiece.

As I had ordered, the design is simple enough to be worn every day without being obtrusive.

But amidst its simplicity, there is an eye-catching twist—the gentle sparkle of the intricately arranged diamonds.

“It’s done! This is definitely a masterpiece!”

“Helping was so worth it!”

“I’m honored to have been made into such a beautiful ring!”

Even the spirit from the jewel emerged to express her delight.

That’s just how good the rings turned out.

They are paired as ordered.

All I have to do is give one to Platy!

***

We return to the farm to give Platy a token of my love.

I look around and see her outside, watching over the cultivation work with Junior in her arms.

“...Where were you at a busy time like this, Dear?!”

The first thing she did was get angry at me for ‘slacking off,’ but it wasn’t that serious because work was going smoothly.

I cut to the chase after apologizing.

“Platy, I have something to give to you.”

“Huh? What is it?”

She senses my seriousness and starts feeling tense.

“Looking good!”

“Keep it up, saint!”

“Ahh, youth.”

Watching (spectating?) from afar are Edward, Aileron, and the jewel spirit.

“...”

I would have shooed them away, but they worked hard on making the wedding rings.

They have the right to see how this turns out.

Now, before I show Platy the wedding rings, let me explain their purpose.

I’ve already learned that the way we see rings is different.

Some explanation going on

“...Ah, so that’s why you were out.”

It’s rare for me to be understood right after explaining, but with Platy, that rare occurrence always happens.

As expected of my wife.

“I’m surprised your world has strange customs. But it’s also interesting. A ring worn on the left hand’s ring finger, closest to the heart, pledging ‘till death do us part’ ...It’s almost supernatural.”

Well... The thing is, we just broke a curse before we came here.

Platy’s perception as a witch is pretty commendable too!

“I told you we were going to have a wedding, right? This is the first step. Will you accept it?”

“I’m afraid I can’t.”

What?

Why?

Is she going to reject me now?!

“Because I’ve already received the proof of your love.”

Platy holds out her left hand to me, ring on her ring finger.

“What’s that?!”

She’s already wearing a wedding ring!

Moreover, I recognize that ring. It’s the prototype I first made!

“After I made it, I left it on my workbench...”

And then, Platy found it?!

“It’s a strange ring. I tried putting it on my left ring finger as soon as I found it, and it was surprisingly a perfect fit. Not sure if this was all because of your power or the mana metal.”

“No, I... I only made that ring as a sample. And besides, it’s a flop!”

I mean, doesn’t it look plain dull to you?

That’s the one and only result when I use the Hand of Supremacy to make things.

That’s why I asked the dwarves to make me a simple yet elegant-looking ring!

“I have a much more beautiful and stylish ring with me. So, if you would take this instead-”

“But you didn’t make that ring, right?”

Well, yeah...

It’s a made-to-order item.

“Then I prefer this one. It doesn’t matter how badly it’s made or how ugly it is. This ring you made with all your heart is the proof of your love for me.”

“Platy...!”

It’s as she said.

How could I have forgotten the most important thing?

What’s important in giving a gift is that it comes from the bottom of your heart.

And for Platy to remind me of this...

She’s the light that shines on the right path when I’m lost!

“Platy, I ask you once again. Will you accept this wedding ring?”

A ring I made from scratch with no design whatsoever.

“Yes.”

The ring sparkles faintly on her left hand, making me realize that we are indeed a married couple.

As for our onlookers from afar...

“What...?!”

“But what of our...”

“Efforts?!”

Pops Edward, Aileron, and the jewel spirit stand beside each other, stunned.

I know, guys.

You put your hearts and souls into making the rings, but the one I needed was here the whole time!

I’m sorry!

***

As for the other ring, it was sold to the general public and marketed under the brand name The Saint’s Ring.

When worn, it doubles strength, speed, magic, wisdom, and quintuples luck.

The ring seemed to have fetched quite the price with its ability to nullify all physical ailments and increased resistance to magic.

Mass production is easy since the design is fixed, and there remain countless shards of the diamond.

These factors will make it a very profitable business, and I hope that will make up for the trouble I made them go through.