After the wall opened, Alex, Silone, and Cecilia went down a staircase that led to the forge. During the descent, Alex observed the forge and thought:
(This is really impressive, it's the very first time I've seen dwarves. It looks like the only thing that matters to them is forging. This huge forge smells of coal… I wonder how all of this can exist underground.)
When they reached the bottom, a girl with orange hair approached them and said:
"Lady Cecilia, it's been so long! How have you been?"
Cecilia: "Ah, Kira, it's you. It's been a while! So, have you managed to start training to become a blacksmith?"
Kira: "How did you know?"
Cecilia: "Your clothing gives it away."
Alex watched the girl as she talked with Cecilia and thought:
(So, even girls can become blacksmiths… I thought dwarves were strict about that. Well, I don't really care. I'd rather take a look around.)
He put his hands in his pockets and slipped away without anyone noticing. Meanwhile, Kira said to Cecilia:
"If you've come with guests, then surely it's for Master Stone. As usual, he never leaves his forge, but he was expecting you. I'll take you there, but I warn you, he's rather hot-tempered."
Silone: "Don't worry, little one. He and I know each other well."
Meanwhile, Alex roamed through the vast underground space, watching both dwarf and human smiths at work, until he stumbled upon a house. He observed it and thought:
(With that chimney, I'd bet it's a forge. But who would build a forge inside a forge? Not my problem, I'm leaving.)
But just as he turned to leave, the door slowly opened. He turned back and said:
"Now I feel like going in."
Without waiting, he stepped inside and found himself in a forge. The wall of the forge was covered with numerous weapons. Alex thought:
(This forge must belong to a great craftsman… I wonder what would happen if he found me here.)
Then he heard:
"Hey, kid!"
He looked around but saw no one. Then he heard again:
"Kid, are you listening or not?"
Alex looked down and saw an old dwarf with a massive hammer. The dwarf leapt forward and swung his hammer, which Alex narrowly dodged, but the strike caused the entire forge to tremble.
Silone and Cecilia's group felt it, and Silone asked:
"What was that just now?"
Kira replied:
"There's only one person I know who can do that—Master Stone!"
Silone looked around and noticed Alex was missing. He thought:
(Damn!)
He ran toward Stone's forge and saw Alex leaping out, shouting:
"Sorry, it was a mistake! I'm not an intruder!"
Stone came out of the forge as well, shouting:
"Shut up, arrogant brat! I'll smash your skull with my hammer!"
Silone shouted back:
"Stop, Master Stone! This boy is with me—Arthur sent him here."
Stone raised an eyebrow strangely at Silone and asked:
"Are you telling the truth, Silone?"
Silone: "Yes! I swear it."
Alex felt his heart ease and said:
"See? Listen to him."
Stone took a deep breath, then gave Alex a hammer blow on the head, knocking him out.
After a while, Alex woke up in a chair and saw Silone and Stone talking around a table. He got up and approached. On the table, he saw four weapons. Silone noticed him and asked:
"You alright, Alex?"
Alex: "I've had better days."
Stone: "Serves you right. I don't like people snooping around."
Alex: "I'm fine, but tell me—this gigantic axe, this golden greatsword, this long greatsword, and this one-handed sword… what are they for?"
Stone replied:
"It's Arthur's order. Each weapon has an owner. There's even one for you, kid."
Stone then took the long greatsword and handed it to Silone, saying:
"Here, this one's yours, Silone. It's one of my finest creations. I've named it Darkla."
As Silone brandished it, he immediately felt a connection and said:
"I thank you deeply. I'll never part with it."
Just then, a boom echoed through the forge. Silone, Stone, and Alex rushed to see what had happened, and they found two men clad in black robes. Without hesitation, Silone launched himself at one of them, kicked him, and sent him flying out of the forge, following close behind.
Seeing this, the other man smiled before swinging the back of his hand toward a dwarf. Instinctively, Alex rushed forward and pulled the dwarf to safety. But immediately after, the cart that had been behind the dwarf was sliced clean in two. The mysterious man smiled again.
END OF CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: First Mission (Dance in the Night)