After the heavy door behind the Phantom Captain closed, Yanaki's party found themselves in a vast, long hall. This was the citadel's armory. Despite the ravages of time, the place still radiated a heroic aura. Hundreds, thousands of weapon racks stood in neat rows, upon them spectral swords, spears, battle-axes... all emitting a faint blue glow. Interspersed between them were complete sets of plate armor, standing silent like eternal sentinels.
Drifting between these weapon racks were other phantoms. But they carried no malice. These knight spirits, called [Phantom Custodians], were diligently carrying out their final duty. One was using a spectral cloth to polish a sword; another was checking the string of a longbow. They were completely engrossed in their work, ignoring the presence of Yanaki's party.
"As long as we don't touch anything, they won't bother us," Elara whispered, intimately familiar with the discipline of this place.
This was a precious moment of calm after the intense duels. They walked through the armory, an unexpected safe corridor. As they neared the end of the hall, Yanaki noticed an area that was somewhat different. There were no finished weapons here; instead, there were anvils, hammers, tongs, and forges that had long gone cold. This was the citadel's forge.
And in the center of the forge, a lone spirit was working tirelessly. It was not a knight. He was a large, powerfully built man, his muscles bulging even as a spirit. He wore a thick leather apron, his hands holding a spectral hammer, relentlessly pounding on a spectral sword on the anvil. Each of his strikes echoed, yet made no sound, only ripples of energy.
[Spirit of the Master Blacksmith - Balthus]
Level: 22
Status: Neutral (Obsessed with an unfinished work).
Description: The spirit of the last master blacksmith of Erathos. He died during the Great Cataclysm while trying to forge one final weapon to protect the kingdom. His soul is bound by the regret of not being able to complete it.
An NPC, a spirit with his own story. Yanaki knew this was not an enemy.
She signaled for Sylva and Elara to stay back, then cautiously approached alone. Balthus paid her no mind, his eyes fixed on the unfinished sword, his spectral face etched with an expression of anguish and regret.
How to communicate? Yanaki wondered. What would a blacksmith care about most? Materials.
She remembered the items she had received. She rummaged through her inventory pouch and took out the [Captain's Pauldron Fragment]. It still radiated the honorable aura of the fallen captain.
She held the fragment out. "Sir Blacksmith," she said respectfully. "This material... is it good enough?"
CLANG...
The hammering suddenly stopped.
For the first time in centuries, Balthus looked up. His spectral eyes focused on the pauldron fragment in Yanaki's hand. He could see the quality of the steel, the forging technique, and even the spirit of the knight who had once worn it.
"Good," his voice was as hoarse as a whetstone. "But not enough. My sword... 'Legacy'... it needs something purer. Something forged in honor and crystallized from courage."
A quest panel appeared before Yanaki.
[You have received the Side Quest: [The Blacksmith's Legacy].]
Description: The blacksmith Balthus wishes to complete his final masterpiece, the greatsword 'Legacy'. He needs the noblest materials, steeped in the honor of the knights of Erathos.
Tasks:
Collect 3 [Broken Knight's Crests]. (Current: 1/3)
Collect 1 [Heart of Courage] from a high-ranking knight commander.
Reward: Balthus will help you forge a custom piece of equipment for one of your familiars.
A custom piece of equipment! This was an extremely generous reward. A new shield for Sylva? Or an item to enhance Elara's energy? The possibilities were endless.
"Bring them to me," Balthus said, then returned to his work. "I will finish 'Legacy'. And because you have given this old soul a purpose, I will give you a path."
He used his hammer to point to a small stone door, hidden behind a weapon rack at the far end of the forge. "The path of the noisy ones is through the courtyards and the great hall. But there is another way... the craftsman's path. It leads directly to the Hall of Honor, right outside the Commander's chambers. Go."
A shortcut. Her choice to take the silent path had been rewarded once again.
"Thank you, Sir Balthus." Yanaki bowed.
She led her two companions towards the secret door. They had not only passed through a dangerous area, but also gained a promising side quest and a huge strategic advantage.
Their journey to conquer the Ancient Citadel had just taken a completely new turn.