Three weeks have passed, and I'm finally being granted an audience with the Royal Blacksmith, Mundul. It took quite a while but here I am, standing in front of the doors to his workshop. I've spoken with Mundul before—although not in this timeline.
I put my hands on the door, preparing myself to open it. Getting here was not easy.
. . .
" You plan to meet with Mundul? For a boy that's only just been summoned here, you sure know a lot. "
" It's not crazy for me to have heard about the best Blacksmith in the Human Territory! "
I would have to be careful with what I say around Brina, however, she's the only one I can fully let in on my plans for the moment. And the only one that can help me with this.
" If I can meet with Mundul, I know a way to get him on my side. "
" On your side? "
" But! To do that, I need you. You have to appeal to the King— "
" King? You're starting to push it, Hero. "
" You've got to understand! "
I grabbed onto Brina's hands tight, pulling her a bit closer. Sweat dripped down the side of my face, my hair dipping down as I lowered my head.
" This...This is beyond just the Human Territory. The entire WORLD is at stake— "
My eyes met hers. My black pupils met her crimson red.
" Please, Brina. "
She paused. Then—she shook off my hands and turned, sighing heavily.
" What do you need me to do? "
" Just get me an audience with Mundul! I don't need him to make anything yet—just an audience! "
" I'll see what I can do. But you can't rush this, okay? "
. . .
After that, Brina spoke with the King and, in her words, made an "extremely heartfelt plea", whatever that meant. Either way, I still ended up having to wait three weeks for a free spot in Mundul's schedule to meet with him. During that time, I trained with Elise, aiming to elevate her to an advanced level of Aura usage.
Of course, due to her talented nature, there were strong strides in the right direction. However, Aura usage requires experience more than talent. Even the most talented person will reach a wall. Elise has met that well and now she must overcome it on her own. I've left her to her own devices for the past week so hopefully by the time I have finished my business with Mundul—she'll be ready for an outing.
* CLICK—CREAK *
Opening the door, I was immediately greeted with the smell of rust, oil, and burning ashes. Inside the workshop covered from ceiling to floor in swords, axes, spears, and sets of armor had been the single solitary man. Someone who could only find pleasure in working with iron rather than working alongside another person. A lot of Humans and Elves used Demi-Humans to do work for them in their shops and Dwarves only ever worked with other Dwarves. But this man worked all by himself on hundreds of orders across the entire Human Territory.
" So you're the boy who wanted to see me? "
" T-That's right! "
I had only talked to Mundul a few times, each time being brief and for business only. When I was given the first set of gear by the King, Mundul had to measure me directly and see my prowess with a sword at the time, sparking our first interaction. But this time...
" So you want armor? A sword? Don't tell me you came all this way because you think you can cheat hard work by getting a weapon made for you by a master craftsman. Tch...Some Hero you are. "
The older, experienced, and rather grouchy man seemed to jump to a rather harsh conclusion. Mundul was tall, easily over 2 meters tall, taller than me for sure. I wasn't short, by no means, but he certainly made me feel like I had been. His darker skin, possibly due to his exposure to heat and the sun but also maybe just an inborn feature, made him stand out. His hair was beginning to grey, the salt and pepper look setting in clearly, especially in his large beard.
He stood up straight from shifting metals around on one of his desks, moving his goggles from his eyes and peering down at me.
I raised my hands in protest beginning to say,
" No no, sir! You've got it all wrong—I don't want anything made! "
" You don't? Then what the hell do you want from me? "
That didn't sound like a question—more like a threat without being a threat.
But...
" I want you to quit being a Royal Blacksmith. Come work for me. "
I've seen far more imposing and grizzly things in my time.
" Hahaha!!! "
He burst out into laughter, his hand coming up and clutching his gut, his bellowing causing him to hunch over a bit. His voice was loud, prompting me to want to cover my ears. Though, I didn't.
" Oh, that's funny! You think I'd work for you and quit?! What sort of delusional world are you living in?! "
He stopped laughing, promptly placing his fists at his hips, his muscles tightening as he looked down at me with sheer bewilderment.
" And, even though I obviously would never—say I did try to quit my position. What makes you think the King will just let me do that? "
He was right to ask that. As it stands, I'd only been in this world for just over three weeks. I have no influence, no connections, and no way of convincing anyone of anything just yet. At least, that's how Mundul would see it. However, he'd be wrong. At least, partially.
" Well...I know the answer to a question that burns in your heart—an answer that would free you from the shackles you think you have around your neck. "
My voice turned cold and analytical. In the old world, on Earth, many people used to say I could be quite cold at times. I used to not believe that but now—
" And what would that be? "
" I know where your daughter is. "
Mundul froze entirely. The imposing, towering, and overly muscled man stopped dead in his tracks, not making even the slightest of movements. Soon before I could say anything further, Aura began to fill the room. It was deep and heavy, a brooding feeling seeping through it. Aura was colorless unless you wielded a weapon you were familiar with or were a Martial Arts fighter. However, you can always feel both intention and emotion from overwhelming amounts of Aura.
Mundul was beginning to get angry.
" Do not play...with a Father's emotions, boy. "
Aura weighed on my back. Had I not already been an advanced user myself, I may have crumbled under his pressure.
" I wouldn't make light of such a serious situation and throw around the mention of your daughter so willy-nilly. "
" Then am I to trust you to truly know of her whereabouts? "
" You are. And if you want to know where she is, you'll do what I say. "
Mundul stepped forward and grabbed my shoulder, gripping it tightly. As he was much taller than me and a craftsman, it wasn't unreasonable that his hands were much larger than mine. His grip covered my entire shoulder, crushing it under his palm.
I didn't bring out my Aura just yet.
" If you truly know where she is, what's stopping me from torturing the information out of you? "
Mundul was serious. I knew he would be out for blood if I brought up his daughter. Mundul is the type to kill a useless assistant before letting him compromise his work. And so I knew good and well he would have no problem torturing me.
However, force and oppression are not how I want to live this life. And so, although I had been stronger than Mundul, I did not pull that card.
" Because if you try, I will use my own Aura and overextend myself. I'll end my life before you even get a chance to. "
I smirked, a bead of sweat falling from my face.
" Then you'll never learn where your daughter is. "
My own Aura crept out of my pores, the golden glow wrapping around my chest and circulating. Mundul had his hand on me and his own Aura pouring so he could tell, I was serious. This was an all-or-nothing gambit, my life was now on the line. If I couldn't get Mundul to help me with my plan, I wouldn't be able to save everyone.
I'm not going for a half-ass victory here. I want to save everyone on this Continent.
For a moment Mundul continued to stand over me, his tight grip not loosening. It felt like the only sounds in the room were the whirring sounds of our Aura and the fire that still sparked in the background of our conversation.
" Ugh. Fine. I won't go along with your nonsense just yet...But I'll hear you out. "
Mundul's grip loosened and he let go, stepping back and folding his arms, frustratedly looking at me.
"Whew"—was all I could feel as I let my Aura stop constricting my chest, my muscles feeling a little sore from the strain I put on them forcefully. If Mundul truly didn't step down, I would've had to get a little violent. I'm quite glad it didn't come to that. I'd rather not harm someone who's going to save this Continent.
" You don't have to quit just yet, however, I need you to work in my interests and prioritize whatever I need you to do. "
" And what exactly would you have me do? "
" Give me direct access to you. I need you to make a few things—in the future that is—that'll be pivotal to the survival of everyone in the future. Only you have the know-how to see my plans through as soon as possible. "
" Listen, boy, I know you're still not telling me the whole truth here. You just said you didn't want anything made—right? "
The way he said boy reminded me of a stern father—my father. It was a little comforting. And a little unsettling all at the same time.
" You have to trust me. Once I get the last piece I need for my plan to truly begin—I'll let you all in on it. Can you do that? "
" Trust you? "
Mundul looked off to the side and for a moment I couldn't tell. Was he upset? Was he contemplating whether it was worth the risk? Maybe he was.
* EXTEND *
I held out my hand.
" Trust me. "
He stood there still. And then he grabbed onto my hand, a firm handshake solidifying it.
" I'm doing this for my daughter. I don't trust you—and I won't. Not until I find my girl. "
His surly and rough voice almost seemed to break up a bit. He must've been worried about her all this time. When I think about it more, it makes me sad that the King will have him executed in a few days.
After letting go of my hand quickly, Mundul turned away, going back to his desk.
" I doubt you have the time to waste standing around in my workshop. If you've got no further business with me, get lost. But I expect an explanation—AND my daughter—soon. "
Stepping back toward the door, I nodded my head. I'd get him exactly what he wanted...And...
" I'll save you too, Mundul. "
" What was that? "
" Nothing! We'll talk later! "
I mumbled under my breath and quickly dismissed what I said, rushing out the door and closing it behind me.
" I'll save everyone...I have to. "
The final piece of my plan is finally in sight. Now that I know I have Elise training to become even stronger than her past self and have gained an unexpected collaborator that's made it even easier to get to Mundul, all the pieces are in place.
Now, I'll have to make sure Elise is ready for the next stage of my plan.
CHAPTER 25 END