Chapter 6: The change of fates who lost
[Scene: Evening – Dim-lit street in the Old Quarter]
Roy walked slowly along the cobblestone path. His eyes caught the sight of a familiar building — worn-down wood, blackened iron, and a crooked chimney still breathing faint smoke.
Roy (thinking):
"It's been... twenty years since I last stepped foot in this place."
His heart thumped louder as he approached. He pushed open the heavy stone-reinforced door.
Cling! Cling!
A little bell rang above the door.
???:
"Welcome, cu—OH! Roy?!"
Roy paused in the doorway.
And for the first time in two decades, he smiled.
???:
"Haha! Look at you. It's really been a while. How'd that Awakened Test go, kid?"
Roy lowered his head slightly, the smile fading. Seeing this man again… stirred emotions he thought were buried long ago. The one person who helped him back when he was nothing.
Roy:
"…It didn't go well."
???:
"Aww, don't let that test bring you down! You can still take it again while you're on army missions, y'know."
Roy (softly):
"Thank you… Mister Maro."
Maro (smiling):
"There you go. That's the spirit of a future hero!"
Roy stepped closer, hesitating before speaking again.
Roy:
"…I have a request."
Maro (grinning):
"Haha! You're like my older boy, always coming in here with a dozen requests."
Roy reached into his pocket, pulling out a gleaming, razor-edged wolf tooth. Its rare aura pulsed faintly under the forge light.
Maro (shocked):
"…Where did you get this?"
Roy looked down, avoiding the question.
Maro (sighing):
"Alright then. Whatever you did… just be careful, alright? I'll do wha—"
CRASH!
A back door swung open suddenly. A cheerful voice called out.
???:
"Mr. Roy! You came again!!"
A bubbly girl, younger than Roy, sprinted in with a beaming smile.
Roy (chuckling):
"Hello, Yur."
Yur (grinning):
"This cute Yur will one day become a legendary blacksmith! I'll make a weapon that'll save the entire army!"
Maro (patting her head):
"Haha! With that passion and spark in your eyes? You might just beat me one day."
Yur puffed her cheeks proudly.
Roy watched them silently.
Roy (thinking):
"That day… after the town was invaded…"
[Flashback – 20 years ago – Burning village]
Smoke filled the skies. Blood smeared the streets. Maro's lifeless body lay across broken tools.
Yur, then a child, screamed as she knelt beside him, trembling.
Yur (crying):
"Why… why didn't you save Mister Maro?! You promised you'd protect everyone, Roy!"
Roy was beside her, blood running from his side. He couldn't answer. Tears fell silently down his cheeks.
[Skip Forward – Yur at 19, years later]
Cameras flashed around her. Yur stood emotionless in front of microphones, now a renowned international blacksmith.
Reporter:
"Miss Yur, can you tell us your motivation behind your work?"
Yur (coldly):
"I only forge weapons for those who deserve them. The best weapons go to the best adventurers."
She turned to the camera, frowning.
"I don't make weapons for weaklings."
She entered the car without another word.
Roy (narrating):
"I knew exactly who she was referring to... the powerless. The army. The ones who failed her."
[Back to Present – Forge]
Roy looked at Yur, now full of fire and life again.
Roy:
"You'll be the best blacksmith in the future. No doubt."
Yur (smiling brightly):
"I know Roy will believe in me!"
Maro (studying the wolf tooth):
"Hm... this could make a nice sword."
Yur (interjecting):
"Actually, because of the size and density, it's better as a dagger!"
Maro (ignoring):
"Maybe... I can shape the hilt like—"
Yur (pouting):
"Ahh! Believe me, Mister Maro!"
Roy (firmly):
"Maro... I'd like you to make it into a dagger."
Yur (grinning wide):
"You believe me, Mister Roy!"
Maro (thinking, then smiling):
"If that's your wish, then so be it. I'll begin right away—no, first thing tomorrow, it'll be ready."
Yur (raising a hand):
"I'll be crafting the handle!"
Roy (turning to leave):
"Thank you… Maro. Yur. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."
Maro & Yur:
"Goodnight!"
"Good night, Mister Roy!"
[Scene: Outside the Forge – Quiet Night Street]
Roy stood still under the night sky, eyes sharp.
Roy (thinking):
"I will surely change this timeline… No matter what it takes."
He turned to walk down the dark path.
Then—a commotion echoed from the alley nearby.
Roy:
"…Huh?"
He crept closer and peeked around the corner.
A group of young men surrounded a single boy, beating him down.
Roy stepped forward, ready to help—until he got a good look at the boy.
He froze.
Eyes wide.
Hands trembling.
Roy (whispering):
"…It can't be. That face…"
Roy (clenching his fist):
"…Lord of the Puppets?! Why are you… here?!"