Chapter 218

Chapter 218: The Last Flame

Frontenium.
That mineral, named in honor of Frontesis, who is called the Guardian and Phase of Rock, can only be manipulated by Frontesis.
That Frontesis cannot manipulate it.
Valdrova asked him in surprise.
— Is something wrong?
— Well, you see… The furnace fire in the Primordial Forge is weakening…
The Primordial Forge, created with the lava and fire power flowing deep underground.
— That flame? Even if it weakens, isn’t it still incredibly strong?
— It is strong! Of course it’s strong! It would easily melt steel and other junk… but no longer Frontenium. I tried to melt it several times, but it didn’t heat up even a bit.
— It can’t be…
— I can’t do this sober. I need a drink. Could you give me some alcohol?
— It’s ready.
Ruri handed him an entire bottle as if she had been waiting, and Frontesis hurriedly opened it and tried to swallow his displeasure along with the alcohol.
Once he had calmed down a bit, he continued speaking.
— I knew the furnace flame was gradually weakening. That not everything can remain the same is the providence created by the Primordial Era.
— But does that matter? You said you would no longer forge weapons with Frontenium…
— That is something possible by my will, so that’s all. But now, even if I have the will, I lack the ability.
Not doing it and not being able to do it.
The reason Frontesis was so depressed was because he saw himself becoming increasingly incompetent.
“Madman obsessed with hunting demons.”
Another way to refer to Alberto.
— I thought that when that bastard came looking for me, it was truly the last chance to manipulate Frontenium. But… just seeing the shape of that armor tells you everything. It doesn’t have that brilliant color, it is partially melted and deformed, and it has turned into an extremely heavy and unstable piece of rock! A piece of junk that no one would believe I made!
Frontesis gulped down alcohol in large swigs, trying to swallow his bitterness.
— That was when I knew. That I had truly become an incompetent bastard.
— …..
— That damn bastard. I didn’t like how he asked for it either. I accepted the proposal because I was swept away by his ambition to wipe out all demons… but I even asked him if he could give me the last flame when I couldn’t handle it properly.
Frontesis’s face twisted malevolently.
— Just thinking about it enrages me, this damn bastard! Right now I want to run over and crush his skull…!
— Calm down.
Frontesis picked up the hammer he had set down and snorted again.
Valdrova reassured Frontesis.
Once his anger subsided, he immediately adopted the countenance of a depressed old man.
Frontesis didn’t want to show that face to Valdrova, so he covered his face.
— This is the end of my era too. I was a dragon who could barely craft a weapon with the mineral that bears my name, and now even that is gone; I’m just a big, fat, lazy lizard playing at being king.
Frontesis exhaled a deep sigh and continued.
— Anyway… so the Primordial Furnace won’t be able to melt Frontenium.
— Mmm…
— Damn it, nothing works! Even though the lovely Valdrova present here found the courage to return to the world, there is nothing I can do for her.
Valdrova showed a contemplative expression and asked him.
— Frontesis.
— Why?
— The last time… just once would be enough, right?
At her question, Frontesis raised his head.
Frontesis seemed to know what Valdrova was saying, and his face appeared to have grasped a thread of hope.
— Valdrova… don’t tell me…
— Would just once at the end be enough, Frontesis?
— Of course. Of course it is! The last time is enough.
Ferda could guess what Valdrova was proposing and why Frontesis was reacting like that.
What can melt Frontenium is the Primordial Furnace.
Valdrova is the Phase of Power and Fire.
Which means her flame is similar to or greater than the firepower of the furnace in the Primordial Forge.
— I understand. I will do it.
Valdrova nodded silently, and Frontesis’s face no longer showed worry or depression.
— I will prepare right now! Hey, Valdrova’s fiancé!
He pointed at Ferda.
— Speak.
— Go and tell that damn bastard of trash to bring all the Frontenium he is wearing! I’m going to extract high-purity material properly, so I need it all! If he refuses, beat him to death!
— Understood.
Ferda delivered Frontesis’s message to Alberto.
Alberto obediently removed all his armor and handed it over to Ferda.
It was thick armor worthy of a Walking Fortress, but now he looked no different from a single heavy cavalry rider.
Alberto didn’t seem to care about his appearance at all.
His goal was only one thing; it meant he was focused solely on that.
The place they moved to with the collected Frontenium was inside Valdrova’s lair.
Valdrova’s space had turned into a makeshift forge in an instant.
Vernel and the castle blacksmiths were also there.
— So I just pour it into this mold?
— Y-yes, that’s right.
— Good! Motivation is returning! Young mortals!
Vernel and the blacksmiths were dumbfounded.
Vernel was surprised that, despite facing a dragon, it felt more comfortable than expected.
Apart from the horns on his head, he was practically a very large dwarf.
Meanwhile, the blacksmiths looked like they would faint at any moment.
Among those spoken of as the God of Blacksmiths was Frontesis, and that god was right here touching their work?
— Everyone except those involved, get out! From now on, you mortals will witness the greatest work you will ever experience!
It was hard to believe this was a dragon sunk in depression; his energy was incredibly high.
Valdrova watched him regain his vitality, then asked Ferda in a low voice.
— Do you want to watch, Ferda?
She asked.
— It could be dangerous.
— Even if it’s dangerous, I want to watch if I can.
— Yes. Ruri.
— Understood.
Ruri stirred the wind, creating a fierce gust that enveloped the surroundings.
The space was almost completely isolated.
Ruri exhaled a subtle “Mmm…”, and asked Ferda.
— Ferda-nim, do you know any Frost Magic?
— I know a few.
— Then, please. With just this, it won’t be enough for Ferda-nim to endure.
— How much is enough?
She answered like this.
— Enough to freeze yourself, Ferda-nim.
Shortly after, it was revealed that what she said was not an exaggeration.
Valdrova returned to her original form.
She turned into a giant dragon and looked toward the vessel where the Frontenium had been gathered.
Ferda anticipated what would happen next.
She would exhale a high-temperature Breath and melt all the Frontenium.
He thought that, but he was completely mistaken.
Her head tilted toward the vessel, her mouth slightly open.
A small light resembling a jewel, the size of a thumb.
It was in a completely different dimension from the yellow and red flame of her belly.
It was like dragging the distant sun right here, and that sun fell into the center of the piece of Frontenium.
Hwa-ryuk!!
The inside of the vessel burned fiercely in an instant, releasing heat.
— Uht!—
The body that had been trembling from the scattered frost found warmth instantly.
The warmth turned into burning in an instant and tried to scorch Ferda’s body.
Even with a large vessel redirecting the direction of the heat and all kinds of barrier magic cast, the effect was that intense.
Ferda decided to freeze himself, increased his magic output, and opened his eyes wide.
It was worth taking the risk.
Because he could see her pure power, the one he had never witnessed before, right there.
— Good!—
Frontesis’s smelting work began.
He repeatedly put his hands in and out, guiding it so that it melted evenly.
The piece of armor that looked like rock melted smoothly and began to emit light.
That color was a brilliant gold.
— That’s right, this was it.—
Frontesis’s eyes seemed captivated by ecstasy.
— My mineral used to shine with this light.—
The flame of desire sleeping in Frontesis’s heart ignited.
Carefully, he began to pour the molten Frontenium into the prepared mold.
As he poured, he murmured as if whispering to children.
— Go in slowly, yes. There is still plenty of room for you…—
The Frontenium, emitting a brilliant light, filled the mold completely.
Frontesis finished by sealing the entrance of the mold.
The scorching heat was extinguished instantly.
Frontesis set the mold down carefully and looked at Ferda.
— Cool it like this for about four days and it will be complete. Give it to that damn bastard.—
— Thank you, Frontesis-nim.—
— And there is only a tiny bit left…—
In the vessel containing Frontenium, only a very small amount of molten Frontenium metal remained pooled at the bottom.
— Hmm… with this amount, I suppose I can take a bit of that hopeless stuff.—
Frontesis thought for a moment, then scooped up that molten metal.
Once in his hand, the Frontenium cooled rapidly, becoming as thin as noodle strands and stretching.
Unlike his rough appearance and thick fingers, his touch was incredibly delicate.
He concentrated and crafted it diligently, and finally put on a satisfied expression.
— Done.—
Frontesis held the object and walked slowly toward Valdrova.
— Valdrova, my little Lady. Here, take it.—
— This is…—
What he had made was a pair of rings.
Delicately sculpted stems and small clusters of flowers with fine strands, with a large flower blooming in the center.
So delicate that no craftsman could replicate it.
— Wedding rings. The design is a bit simple right now, but send a decent craftsman to set some gems and it will look nice.—
— Frontesis…—
— Did I act too familiarly? Haven’t I become a weird uncle who even made wedding rings on his own?—
— No… I just… never even thought about wedding rings.—
— Then, will you wear them? For me?—
— Of course.—
Valdrova’s voice, dampened with emotion.
Frontesis was overwhelmed with joy while, at the same time, lowering his head with guilt.
— I have done so many things wrong, that telling you this feels really uncomfortable… but I hope you live a happy life with your fiancé through this.—
— No, Frontesis. I will definitely remember this gesture.—
— Thank you, my Lady.—
Frontesis kissed the back of Valdrova’s hand once more.
Frontesis wore a completely refreshed expression.
— Well then, this old man must leave. Tell that damn bastard to die quickly. Valdrova’s fiancé, will you walk me out?—
— Yes, gladly.—
Ferda matched his steps with Frontesis’s waddling walk.
When they were far enough from the lair, Frontesis spoke again.
— The reason I asked you to see me off is because I have something to say.—
It was to be expected.
— Speak.—
— I will tell you one thing. Can you promise not to ask any questions about it and not tell anyone?—
— What kind of words would those be…?—
— I will only accept an answer regarding the promise. If you promise, I will answer you.—
Ferda contemplated, then replied.
— I promise as the Grand Duke’s fiancé.—
Then Frontesis told him.
— Valdrova… that child is gradually weakening.—
— Huh? What do you mean…?—
Frontesis raised his thick finger.
Meaning he had to keep the promise not to ask, and Ferda closed his mouth again.
— It was truly good to see her after so long, and I wasn’t sure how her power had fared after being apart for so long… but seeing the flame she produced, I can tell. She is weakening noticeably.—
Frontesis looked outside with worried eyes.
— Nothing is like before. Me, the Primordial Forge, and that child too… The prophesied Twilight of the Dragons is coming true.—
— …..—
— Now everything depends on you, her fiancé, young mortal. Cherish your fiancée.—
Frontesis tilted his body toward the outer ground.
At the same time, his body swelled, and before fully returning to his true form, he sank into the earth and went into the depths.
Ferda stared endlessly at the place where the earth had been overturned.
She is weakening.
The Twilight of the Dragons is coming true.
After saying only incomprehensible negative things, he disappeared suddenly, leaving Ferda unable to even fathom what to think.
Thinking while standing there blankly would yield no answers, so Ferda returned to Valdrova’s side.
She was sitting on the ground, humming a tune.
— Ferda.—
A cheerful voice that knew nothing of Ferda’s grief.
She was completely soaked in happiness.
— Sit here next to me.—
She tapped on the bare ground.
Ferda sat carefully beside her.
Then Valdrova shifted her hips and pressed against Ferda’s side.
With their shoulders now touching, she showed him the ring she held preciously.
— This ring, isn’t it so pretty?—
— It is.—
— This will be our wedding ring. Do you see this little groove here?—
— I see it.—
— If we put a gem here, it will shine and glitter.—
— I see.—
— I want to put a blue gem like Ferda’s eyes in mine. And a red gem in Ferda’s. What do you think?—
— It will surely be wonderful, just as you imagine it.—
— Our wedding will be just as wonderful.—
Valdrova, soaked in happiness, rested her head on Ferda’s shoulder.
The weight resting on his shoulder began to ache his heart more than thrill it.
On the other hand, he felt relieved that Valdrova could not see his face.