After receiving the material list and seeing dozens of items with detailed specifications, Lock couldn't help thinking the old forging master might not even be able to complete this task.
The time and effort required were immense.
A skilled blacksmith needed years of experience.
In this era, without any modern measuring tools, everything—from temperature control to hammer precision and quenching—depended entirely on the smith's naked eye and instinct.
In terms of strength, Lock had no issue; he far exceeded the standard.
But in experience, he was only fourteen, and he'd been in this world for less than half a year.
He lacked the years of accumulated technique that true craftsmanship demanded.
It would take time to bridge that gap.
Just as Lock considered postponing this long-delayed goal, he received orders: his ultrahard steel blade could indeed be upgraded, and both its sharpness and toughness would improve significantly.
Keith and Erwin acted decisively, ordering Lock to remain in the Shiganshina District to oversee the process.
"Do you really want me doing this…"
Lock muttered, watching the Survey Corps troops depart.
Oruo's smug expression didn't help.
"Well, you used to be a rising star in the Survey Corps," Oruo teased. "Now you're a foreman in a blacksmith's shop. How's that feel? Oh, wait—my mistake. You're just supervising."
If it were anyone else, Lock would have ignored the comment.
But since Uncle Harry was the one leading the forge this time, Lock would likely be swinging hammers again soon.
Shaking his head, Lock exhaled and steadied himself.
Somewhere deep inside, a strange sense of purpose pulled him toward the forge—like destiny.
[Forging Master]
Mission Objective: Become a Forging Master
Mission Reward: Strength +5, Coordination +5, Weapon Mastery +5
Mission Penalty: None
Mission Time: 3 Months, 13 Days
Recalling the long-forgotten mission prompt, Lock glanced at the remaining time.
He might just make it.
There was no rule that said he had to complete the forging process alone.
His first mission had succeeded only thanks to Uncle Harry's help.
This time… the same loophole applied.
An opportunity had appeared, and Lock resolved to take it.
He remembered that the Titans would breach the city only after the Corps left the Walls.
There was still time.
Applying to stay stationed in Shiganshina would be a problem for later.
For now, he turned toward the base, prepared to oversee the upgrades.
Keith, true to form, acted quickly.
Once word spread that the ultrahard steel blade could be enhanced, the commander immediately set up a temporary workshop, promoted Uncle Harry to head blacksmith, and gave him full authority to recruit assistants and use the Corps' supplies.
The order was simple: complete it as soon as possible.
For the Survey Corps—who fought Titans beyond the Walls—better equipment was not a luxury, but survival.
Naturally, Keith and Erwin paid close attention.
As for why Lock had been ordered to stay behind rather than report the progress to the royal government… There was a deeper reason.
At the front of the Survey Corps column…
"Commander, you seem to value Lock quite a bit," Erwin said, his tone deliberate.
Keith gave him a sidelong glance.
"In terms of how much you value that boy, you're second only to me."
Erwin nodded slightly.
"My intuition tells me he'll become the pillar of the Legion one day."
Keith's eyes drifted briefly toward Levi. "And here I thought Levi was your favorite."
"Levi's strong," Erwin admitted, "but he's suited to lead on the field—not the Corps itself."
Then, lowering his voice, he added, "The government again?"
"As expected, nothing escapes you, fox," Keith said with a faint, bitter smile before turning grim.
"The Military Police are on the attack once more. After our heavy losses beyond the Wall—and all those wasted supplies—the government's patience is wearing thin."
He sighed deeply.
"Even though this expedition achieved partial success, those short-sighted bureaucrats will never acknowledge it. My time as commander is almost up."
"Commander…" Erwin hesitated, his tone heavy with unspoken thoughts. After a long pause, he offered quietly, "We could appeal to the Garrison Corps—"
"It's useless." Keith shook his head. "The royal government never cared about us. Their move against the Corps was planned long ago. I'll have to step down."
Turning to Erwin, his expression softened.
"From here on out, the Survey Corps will be your responsibility."
"I'll do my best," Erwin said solemnly.
But his heart was heavy.
The Titan crisis was far from over, and humanity remained trapped like livestock behind stone walls.
Inside, factions schemed for power while the king turned a blind eye to reality.
Could such a government ever bring true freedom?
Erwin deeply understood Keith's helplessness—and his good intentions toward Lock.
Reporting the weapon project to the king would only have placed Lock in danger.
Leaving him in Shiganshina… was Keith's way of protecting him.