TAMWSFB 21

Chapter 21

Let’s Make a Charm

I had the Holy Sword possess a needle, and used Moko’s fur as thread.

Ta-dah!

I’m going to make a protective charm!

The plan was to make a little drawstring pouch that could hang from the neck, and embroider a piece of fabric to put inside.

“‘Protection’ sounds like a difficult word to stitch… maybe ‘Absolute Defense’ would be better? That sounds hard too… but it’s for my big brother, so I’ll do my best!”

I’d never done embroidery before, but I’d seen our maid Dorothy doing it, so I figured I’d probably be fine… hopefully.

“The pouch should be the same color as my brother’s eyes—light blue, I think.”

Dorothy gave me some pretty fabric, and while she taught me, I sewed the drawstring bag.
The stitches were a bit uneven, but since it was my first time, it wasn’t too bad, right?

“You’re doing wonderfully, my lady.”

Dorothy really knew how to compliment people.
Being praised for something I was making for my brother made me so happy.

Motivated again, I started working on the embroidery.

Now for the main part—the charm itself.

I’d wanted to embroider on a small piece of fabric, but that was a bit too difficult for a beginner like me.
So I decided to start with something easier—a handkerchief-sized piece.

But it turned out to be incredibly difficult.

Every time I pushed the needle through the cloth, I felt my energy draining away.
I hadn’t even managed to finish stitching the word “Defense” yet.

『That’s only natural. You’re infusing it with magic, after all.』

(Holy Sword, can’t you help me?)

『Impossible. If I lend you more power, your magic will overflow.』

Ugh… that’s bad.
That’s how magic rampages start—definitely not good.

The Holy Sword could channel power through any metal I held, so I asked it to help regulate the flow of my magic so it wouldn’t overflow.

I could have used the Holy Sword’s power directly, but we decided it would be better if the charm was made using my own magic instead.

To store that magic, I used fur from Moko, my familiar.
Since Moko and I are connected, the charm made from his fur would retain its power indefinitely.

In other words—as long as I had magic, my brother would be protected.

But apparently, channeling my magic required delicate control, which made it hard to progress with the embroidery.

『It’s likely that the word itself carries power.』

The word I was trying to stitch was a kanji character.
Kanji didn’t exist in this world, so I figured it might have extra power.

(Then what should I do?)

『Why not use something simpler?』

(Simpler… maybe “守” — the character for ‘protect’.)

Yes, instead of something complicated, I’d just pray for my brother’s safety and embroider that one word.

I undid what I’d started and stitched only a single character.
Strangely, the needle began moving much more smoothly.

The first charm came out a bit crooked, so I made another one.
It was still a little uneven, but it looked decent enough to give to my brother.

(Holy Sword, how about now? Does it look good?)

『Hmm. Not bad… not great either.』

(“Not great,” huh… well, better than nothing!)

Even if the Holy Sword’s evaluation wasn’t glowing, I thought it was pretty good for my first try.

Excited, I ran over to Dorothy—who was playing with Moko—and showed her the handkerchief with the large “守” embroidered in the center.

Since it was made with a thin handkerchief, it should fit nicely inside the charm pouch.

“What kind of pattern is this?”

Dorothy tilted her head curiously, and I realized that since she didn’t know kanji, it must just look like a symbol to her.

“Um, it’s something that will protect my brother.”

“Oh my, is that so? I’m sure Lord Serios will be delighted.”

Her warm smile made me beam back happily.

“Hehe… you think so? I hope so.”
“He’ll absolutely love it. And this one must be for the master of the house, correct?”

She pointed to the first, rather crooked one, and I decided to make one for Father too.

He’d been poisoned by Miranda, and though Moko had been slowly detoxifying him, he still hadn’t fully recovered.

Should I make his pouch match my brother’s?

As I pondered, Dorothy brought me a beautiful purple fabric—it was the same color as Mother’s eyes in her portrait.

“Do you think Father will like it?”
“I’m certain he’ll be overjoyed.”

Moko hopped up and down as if agreeing.
He didn’t talk much usually, but his little gestures made his emotions easy to read—and adorable.

Once the charms were finished, I gave them to my brother and father just before they were about to leave.

Father was so moved—since it was the first gift I’d ever given him—that he actually cried.
Seeing how happy he was made all the effort worth it.

Of course, my brother was happy too.

He narrowed his ice-blue eyes and gently patted my head…

Ahh… bliss.
More, please. More head pats.

It was pure heaven. Thank you very much.

After thoroughly enjoying my “head-patting time,” I reluctantly saw my brother and father off as they departed to inspect the territory.

But a few hours later—

I received word that the carriage carrying my father and brother had been attacked by bandits.