The commander's chamber sank into a solemn silence. Sir Kaelan's spirit had passed on, leaving behind a sense of peace in place of the torment that had haunted the place for centuries.
Yanaki slowly stood up, letting out a long breath. The recent battle had exhausted her entire party, but the victory brought a profound sense of accomplishment. She looked at the two items floating before her. The [Shard of Courage] emitted a warm, steady golden light. The [Heart of Courage] beat with a weak pulse, containing a latent energy. She carefully stored them in her inventory.
"Each Memory Shard is not just a key," Elara said, her gaze fixed on the spot where Sir Kaelan had just vanished. "They are a part of a heritage, a piece of Erathos's soul. When you gather all three, you will understand their true meaning."
Elara's words gave Yanaki's quest an even deeper significance. This wasn't just about clearing a floor.
"Let's go," Yanaki said. "There is still one promise left to fulfill."
They left the chamber, retracing the path that had brought them there. The ancient citadel was now completely different. When the commander's spirit found peace, his pain no longer corrupted his subordinates. The [Phantom Captains] and [Sparring Phantoms] no longer challenged them. They just stood still at their posts, and as Yanaki's party passed, they all placed a hand on their chests in unison, a salute full of respect for the one who had liberated their commander.
They quickly returned to the forge in the armory. The spirit of the blacksmith Balthus was still there, still striking silent hammer blows on an invisible sword. But as Yanaki entered, he stopped. It seemed he too could feel the change in the citadel.
Yanaki said little. She placed the 3 [Broken Knight's Crests] and the [Heart of Courage] on the anvil before him.
Balthus's spectral eyes blazed with a fierce fire. "Finally... finally enough!" he roared, his voice thick with emotion. "The fragments of honor... and a heart full of courage!"
He didn't need Yanaki to say another word. He swung his hammer. A magical scene unfolded. The three crests melted into a stream of shimmering silver metal. The Heart of Courage floated up and merged with the stream, turning it a deep, blood-red.
Balthus began to forge. His hammer moved with impossible speed and precision. With each strike, sparks of energy flew. He wasn't just forging metal; he was forging a story, a legacy, a final farewell to the knights he had served his entire life.
Finally, a beautiful spectral greatsword took form on the anvil, emitting a soft silver light. It hovered there for a moment, as if showing off its beauty, then slowly faded into the air. Balthus's final masterpiece was complete.
[Side Quest: [The Blacksmith's Legacy] has been COMPLETED!]
The master blacksmith's spirit turned to Yanaki, his form beginning to turn transparent. "Thank you, child. Now... I can rest." He smiled. "A promise is a promise. Choose a companion, and your gift."
Yanaki didn't need to think. Sylva had fought so bravely; its shield had been broken and healed countless times. "A shield, sir. For my Protector."
Balthus nodded. He used the last of his energy, combining it with the [Captain's Pauldron Fragment] Yanaki had given him earlier, and struck his final hammer blows into the air.
A new shield, beautiful and strong, slowly materialized. It flew over and automatically equipped itself to Sylva's arm, replacing the old one.
[Legacy Shield of the Guardian (Armor/Shield - B-Rank)]
Defense: +150
Bonus Stats: +10 Stamina, +10 Spirit.
Special Effect 1: [Knight's Honor]: Reduces incoming damage from higher-level enemies by 15%.
Special Effect 2: [Root Retaliation]: Upon successfully blocking an attack, there is a 25% chance to automatically trigger [Root Prison] on the attacker (no energy cost).
A B-Rank shield! This was a huge upgrade, a reward far beyond Yanaki's expectations. Sylva had now become a true fortress wall.
The spirit of Balthus smiled with satisfaction and then faded away. The forge fell silent.
Yanaki took out the two Memory Shards. The [Shard of Growth] and the [Shard of Courage] were resonating with each other, emitting a soft glow. When she focused, a faint image of a map appeared in her mind, pointing to a final location: the Observatory on Moonwatch Peak. But to activate the mechanism there, she needed the final piece.
[Two Shards have been found. The [Shard of Sacrifice] will soon appear. Pay attention to the Floor Administrator's announcement.]
The phase of exploration and dungeon conquering was over. The next phase, the phase of competition with all other players on Floor 1, was about to begin.
The party left the now-peaceful Ancient Citadel. The final, and most dangerous, trial awaited them up ahead.