Chapter 53: Forging the Holy Sword
The old dwarf's eyes immediately went wide. He tremblingly took the gem pouch and carefully examined the quality of each stone, his calloused fingers handling them with the reverence reserved for sacred relics.
Only a handful of gems in his treasury could compare to these.
Truly worthy of a dragon's treasure.
"Good, good, good!" Excitement made him repeat the word three times, his voice rising with each iteration. "This reward is more than enough!"
With these gems, the materials and effort he'd expended were completely worthwhile. He could probably retire comfortably after this single commission.
"However, I have one more request," Norn said. "I hope to select some weapons and equipment from your workshop."
The old dwarf hesitated, his enthusiasm dimming slightly as he calculated potential losses.
Seeing this, Norn continued, "These are enough to cover your material and labour costs, and even far more, aren't they?"
Norn understood the value these magnificent gems held for the dwarves. Each stone represented months of earnings for even the most skilled craftsman.
He wasn't one to suffer losses. Otherwise, why would he give the old dwarf an entire pouch of gems instead of just a few? He had other intentions.
This action made Kurtz nod in approval. The strategic thinking was impressive.
A determined Norn was gradually walking the path to becoming a king.
However, Kurtz felt that this sentence sounded familiar. Something about the phrasing tugged at memories from his previous life.
Ultimately, the old dwarf agreed to Norn's request. The profit margin was simply too good to refuse.
Serie coldly added, "The reward we've given is already more than generous. Don't let me see you play any tricks during the forging, such as replacing the ore or anything like that."
Invisible magic began to condense around her, emanating a strong sense of oppression. The air itself seemed to thicken with barely contained power.
The old dwarf swallowed hard and quickly waved his hand. "Of course not! I swear by the honour of the dwarves, I will certainly put all my effort into forging this holy sword!"
If a client paid little, he naturally wouldn't forge with his heart.
But Kurtz's group had brought precious eternal ore and scales, plus so many gems as a reward.
The old dwarf would naturally use all his energy forging this holy sword for them. This would be the commission of a lifetime.
He carefully put away the gems and dragon scales, then looked at Kurtz, hesitating to speak. "But... to forge a holy sword that can store magic, one more crucial item is needed."
"What item?" Kurtz asked, though he already suspected another complication was on the way.
"Crystals that can store magic."
"You don't have any?" Kurtz was confused. It seemed like such a fundamental component for magical smithing.
"Not at the moment. This item is only used when making magic tools, and I've never stocked it."
The dwarves' forging craftsmanship included creating magic tools, but this old dwarf mostly forged various weapons and equipment, very rarely magic tools.
Naturally, he wouldn't specially stock magic crystals. Besides, this stuff was quite expensive. He couldn't possibly store materials in his warehouse for something he might not forge once a year.
So if there were a need, he would only start forging once materials were available.
"You mean for me to go find it?"
After all, he'd already paid so much in rewards, why was he still being asked to find materials? It made him feel like a hapless character in a fantasy novel, asking someone to refine pills.
Not only did he have to prepare several sets of materials to ask someone to refine pills for him, regardless of success or failure, but he also had to prepare additional rewards.
It was simply miserable beyond compare.
"You can also wait. A dwarf merchant caravan will arrive in this city in about a year, and you can purchase magic crystals from them."
The old dwarf was equally embarrassed; he only lacked this one material. The main reason was that he hadn't expected the elf miss to request a holy sword that also had magic storage effects.
He'd never forged weapons with such effects before. The complexity was beyond his usual expertise.
"How about we remove the magic storage function? I can add some other skills for you instead?"
"No!" Serie directly refused, her voice brooking no argument. "This is the bottom line: it absolutely must be able to store magic!"
The old dwarf wiped sweat from his forehead. Facing this cold elf, he always felt his heart pounding. Her presence was like standing too close to winter itself.
"I understand. Then how about we wait for that dwarf merchant caravan to arrive in a year, and then I forge it for you?"
Kurtz frowned. A year was too long. Time was a luxury he couldn't afford, not when every day brought him closer to the limits of his human lifespan.
Perhaps this amount of time meant nothing to Serie, but Kurtz was unwilling to wait that long.
Just as the atmosphere fell into deadlock, Somo suddenly poked his head out from the workshop depths. "See if there's anything in here!"
He quickly walked over. He'd packed a large bag of ores from the dragon's lair back then, and now was a good time to let the old dwarf identify them. The weight had been bothering him for weeks.
A pile of colourful ores was dumped onto the ground by Somo, and the old dwarf was once again severely shocked. His jaw dropped as he processed the treasure trove before him.
"This... this is Sand Gold? Its hardness far exceeds that of steel, the best material for a weapon. And such a large magic crystal!?" His voice cracked with excitement.
"No, it's so pure and star-blue in colour, this is a top-grade item that can store massive amounts of magic!"
Kurtz's expression finally softened. "Are the materials all here now?"
In his heart, he only wanted to thank that dragon. The beast had been more generous in death than most benefactors were in life.
Not only did it provide money, but it also provided materials. Even its blood and dragon hide could be used to make magic books. It was simply a great dragon!
"All here, all here!" The old dwarf nodded repeatedly, but then showed a troubled expression. "However, to activate the magic in the crystal, a magician needs to infuse magic into it."
A Light Arrow instantly condensed on Serie's fingertip. "Are you doing this on purpose?"
First, he said there weren't enough materials, and now he needed a magician. The pattern was becoming suspiciously convenient.
Just now, he'd boasted that he, a forging master, could forge a holy sword, but it still required their help.
"No, no, no!" The old dwarf hastily retreated, genuine fear flickering in his eyes. "This is a requirement for forging weapons that can store magic! This also applies to forging magic tools."
Kurtz looked at Serie thoughtfully. "So..."
"The two of us together." Serie's tone carried a mix of resignation and determination.
Seeing that the old dwarf had no intention of deceiving them, Serie retracted the Light Arrow from her fingertip. The magical energy dissipated with visible reluctance.
"Alright!"
As the only two magicians in the team, Kurtz naturally felt it was his duty. "It seems we not only have to stay here for a while, but we also have work to do."
That night, everyone settled down in Dwarf City.
There were no inns or similar establishments here. They had to spend a large sum buying a house from a dwarf, a modest stone dwelling with thick walls and tiny windows.
After all, they had to stay in this city for at least a month, so they needed a place to rest. The alternative was sleeping in the streets, which seemed inadvisable in a city of proud craftsmen.
This made Kurtz curse inwardly once again, those greedy fellows.
Why couldn't they learn from Somo? He was also a dwarf, yet he had none of the dwarves' shortcomings, only a desire for honour.
Inside the room, Serie stood by the window, looking at the brightly lit forging workshop in the distance, lost in thought. The rhythmic hammering echoed through the night, a metallic lullaby that spoke of dedication and craftsmanship.
"What are you thinking about?" Kurtz walked over and handed her a cup of hot tea, steam rising from the ceramic rim.
Although the dwarves' weaving craftsmanship was terrible, it was at least much better than adventuring in the wilderness. The simple comforts of walls and warmth felt luxurious after weeks on the road.
Serie took the cup, and the warmth from her fingertips made her relax slightly. "I was just thinking that once the holy sword is forged, you can use its magic storage function to try and improve your magic."
Kurtz was surprised. "No wonder, so you thought this holy sword was for me." The realisation carried a mix of gratitude and something deeper he couldn't quite name.
__________________
Check out more than 30+ chapters right now! 🔥
👉 patreon.com/Mr UmU
https://www.patreon.com/Mr_UmU
__________________