Chapter 670

“Hand over the blade.”

“…Take it.”

Ar neared Dweno, cautiously passing over the fractured Brave.

Dweno inspected Brave from multiple viewpoints before uttering a question.

“Where in the world did you acquire this weapon?”

“Oh? That is…”

“And who exactly forged it?”

Ar faltered, unsure of how to respond.

Brave was a masterpiece created by Dweno himself.

However, it wasn’t forged by the Dweno standing before him today.

Brave was destined to be finished in a time far down the line.

Revealing the actual reality was impossible.

“My sibling used this blade. I have no idea who its creator is.”

Leo brought his hand down on Ar’s head with a heavy thud.

Spurred by the gesture, Ar rapidly nodded in agreement.

“Correct! That’s it! My brother… Arion-nim… Puff! It’s a treasured keepsake Arion oppa bestowed upon me! Puff! Puff!“

“Why are you panting like that? And why has your face turned so red?”

“Uh… Yeeek!“

“This fellow is… slightly lacking in sanity.”

“I’ve warned you before! Stop clutching my tail so suddenly!”

Observing Ar behaving in such a dubious manner, Leo ruthlessly tugged on his tail.

Ar twisted and turned, trying to wrench his tail away from Leo’s hold.

Driana, having managed to crawl out of the forge, suddenly cried out.

“I-Isn’t this plenty already! I can’t endure this! Leo! Ar! H-help me…!”

“We are discussing something vital right now, so return to the interior.”

“You jerk! You miserable cat!”

Ar unhesitatingly shoved the struggling Driana back into the intense heat, utilizing the heavy metal tongs resting beside the forge.

“Hold on, why are you throwing her back in like that?”

Leo delivered a soft blow to the top of Ar’s head.

“The Driana of my acquaintance possesses far greater resilience,” Ar replied impassively. “I am definitely not paying her back for the time she made me stay underwater during our past training sessions. This is purely for her own benefit.”

Dweno touched his beard, observing Ar earnestly deny having any hidden grudges.

“The bond between you two is truly deep.”

“Indeed, it is.”

Dweno burst into a loud chuckle, hearing Ar speak so dispassionately about things that would undoubtedly cause Driana to lose her temper and pull him into the flames if she were listening.

“Besides, you, the dark rabbit, would have tossed her back regardless.”

“Fair point.”

‘In any case, Dweno would never have permitted such a long break, so my intervention wasn’t even required.’

Ar whispered “cruel” under his breath as he stared at Leo’s gentle smile, shaking his head.

“Well? Is restoration possible?”

Leo inquired with folded arms, while Dweno scrutinized Brave with immense care.

After analyzing Brave from every side, Dweno employed a small magnifying lens to study the steel intently.

Finally, he spoke.

“It is practically unfixable. This weapon has lost its life entirely.”

“…”

Ar’s ears sagged upon hearing the verdict.

“Nevertheless, it is extraordinary. To think a craftsman existed who could fashion such a masterpiece.”

“Uh… didn’t it evoke any familiar sensation when you laid eyes on it?”

“It filled me with a sense of inadequacy.”

Ar felt a wave of bewilderment at how casually Dweno dismissed it.

Even though the creation belonged to the future, Ar had anticipated that Dweno might sense his own handiwork and experience some internal confusion, making the reaction rather surprising.

Leo, however, remained unfazed.

‘Naturally.’

The Dweno Leo had encountered initially and the version of Dweno who embarked on their ultimate quest were entirely altered individuals.

This transformation applied to both his martial prowess and his smithing craft.

Granted, even the present Dweno held the title of the finest artisan and fighter across the land by contemporary standards.

‘The same held true for the rest of us.’

Right from the beginning, the companions assembled by Lysianas were selected exclusively from the elite to safeguard the realm.

To be picked by Lysianas meant one was a legendary figure destined to guide their age.

‘It is merely that our tribulations were grander than what we could withstand.’

Without exception, those magnificent champions were forced to shatter their own boundaries repeatedly.

Still, there were areas where Dweno completely surpassed everyone else from their very first introduction.

‘Fortitude of mind.’

If one were to designate the individual with the most unyielding willpower among the five exceptional heroes, it was unquestionably Dweno.

‘His psyche was already perfectly forged when our paths crossed.’

Serving as the counselor of the group, Dweno remained an immovable anchor whenever Arhi faltered.

For this reason, Leo held onto his conviction.

Even if the current Dweno experienced a fleeting sense of inadequacy, he would never surrender to it.

In the times ahead, when he eventually witnessed the armor and weapons he would later forge, he would feel inspired rather than defeated.

‘That was simply his nature.’

Dweno was a man who would resolutely fulfill his duties to the absolute end, regardless of the circumstances.

Leo offered a subtle grin, focusing his gaze on Dweno.

‘Lysianas discovers optimism within hopelessness. Luna completely rejects hopelessness, and Arion extracts bravery from hopelessness. As for Dweno…’

He persistently performed his duties in silence, even amidst total ruin, ensuring no remorse remained.

‘If he didn’t possess such bizarre eccentricities, he would be absolutely flawless.’

At that thought, Leo gave a quiet, internal click of his tongue.

“Incredible. Was the nocturnal sky salvaged in this manner?”

Dweno murmured while keeping his focus on Brave.

“Yet, far more stunning than the creator of this blade is the warrior who wielded it, your sibling. Arion, was it?”

“Correct!”

“This edge carries evidence of slicing through the blazes of disaster.”

“Precisely! Arion oppa is the ultimate master of combat in the entire world!”

“So it appears. I find it baffling that his reputation remained hidden until this moment! He must be an incredibly potent warrior! And exceedingly…”

“Ahem!”

Ar expanded his chest, looking immensely pleased.

“Exceedingly…”

“…? Master Dweno?”

“Eeeek! Help…!”

Driana, shrieking as she bolted from the core of the forge, recoiled the moment her eyes met Dweno’s.

Clatter-

“…He strikes me as a remarkably courageous companion… Truly景色…”

Dweno choked out, burying his face within his quivering palms as tears overtook him.

Leo had observed the passing of innumerable souls throughout the Age of Calamity.

Arion, naturally, along with Lysianas and Luna.

He too had wept on endless occasions.

Yet, under no circumstances had Dweno ever permitted a single tear to fall.

Whenever the comrades stumbled, Dweno acted as their grounding focal point.

When the entire group felt drained and broken, Dweno was the person who held the line until the others collected themselves.

Such was his adamantine resolve.

Leo alone had ever borne witness to Dweno weeping.

And that had occurred precisely once.

Following Arion’s departure.

When he succumbed to self-reproach, convinced that had he not been fixated on aesthetics or artistry, Brave would have remained intact.

Aside from that solitary instance of profound grief, Dweno had never exposed any vulnerability.

Leo felt utterly disoriented seeing Dweno shed tears now.

“Master Dweno…?”

“Forgive me. I have displayed an unseemly sight.”

Dweno inhaled deeply.

“It is merely… a profound sense of relief that brought these tears forth. Realizing that our enduring defiance was not futile leaves me entirely overwhelmed.”

“That is quite unexpected.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I never envisioned you as someone who would weep over such matters.”

“Listen, Leo.”

“Dark hare.”

Driana and Ar cast admonishing glances toward him, though Dweno merely let out a soft laugh.

“It makes sense for you to assume so. I am well aware of how the world perceives me.”

Prior to uniting with Arhi’s companions, Dweno bore the title of the ‘Iron-Blooded Guardian’.

He was the figure who defended Ivaldi with an unwavering presence.

‘Albeit a moniker that vanished after he aligned with Guardsron, replaced by his kindly reputation.’

Leo quietly observed Dweno.

‘Even so… this elder is shedding tears?’

“Are you unhurt?”

Dweno, reclaiming his composure, softly patted Driana’s hair as she gazed up at him with anxiety.

“I am far from fragile enough to warrant your concern. Therefore.”

Dweno’s broad hand, accompanied by a warm grin, abruptly clamped down on Driana’s head.

“Get back inside. I gave no permission for your exit.”

“Yaaah!“

Dweno bellowed while forcing Driana right back into the blazing forge.

“How can you hope to master my forging arts with such a fragile spirit! Tolerate it as though you are ready to turn to ash!”

“Yikes!“

Ar, frightened by Dweno’s sudden ferocity, sought cover behind Leo.

“I doubt your words are reaching her,” Leo noted, clicking his tongue as he watched Driana twist in agony within the heat.

“Ahem. Be that as it may, let us return to the matter at hand.”

Dweno lifted Brave and rested it upon his working table.

“This weapon was forged by an artisan vastly superior to myself. I cannot promise success in repairing it, however…”

Dweno directed his eyes toward Leo.

“It may require recreating it almost completely from scratch, but… I shall attempt to mend it.”

“There is no need to say you will ‘attempt’ it,” Leo interrupted. “Mend it.”

“You truly are unyielding.”

“Only because I know you have the ability.”

“Hmph. Your appraisal of my skills is far too high.”

Dweno shook his head, reaching into the intense heat to draw Driana out.

He then grabbed a container from a corner of his studio, filled to the brim with a specialized blend he had brewed.

Ssssssshh!

Dense vapor quickly obscured the room.

“We shall conclude the morning session here.”

“T-Thank goodness… That means we are finished for the day, correct?”

“Incorrect. We resume once the midday meal is finished.”

Hearing this, Driana’s eyes rolled back as she lost consciousness.

Dweno thrust his hand back into the forge.

Fwoosh!

Brilliant golden fire erupted violently inside the forge.

“According to your desire, I shall restore it.”

Just as Leo offered a grin in response to Dweno’s commitment, the blacksmith spoke again.

“That band on your digit.”

“Oh?”

“It shares the same creator as this blade, does it not?”

“Spot on. Did you spot it instantly?”

“Hmph. It is obvious to my eyes. Allow me a closer look.”

Leo passed the band across to Dweno.

Taking the object and assessing it from multiple angles, Dweno commented, “Puzzling. It possessed clear vitality while resting on your finger, yet now it seems entirely inert. What causes this?”

“The moment it leaves my touch, it reverts to a mere trinket.”

“Ah? It only displays its genuine properties when in contact with you? That is hardly an ordinary condition. Fascinating. I shall endeavor to reawaken this band as well.”

“Is that within your power?”

“Hmph. What a question after egging me on. Do you possess any other pieces like these?”

In response, Leo retrieved Arion’s greatsword from within his garments.

Dweno, taking possession of the gear forged by his future self, stated, “If I manage to breathe life back into all of these, you must fulfill a single request for me.”

“Name it.”

“A competition of spirits until we collapse.”

“…That sounds fatal.”

“Surely a challenging task warrants a proper compensation?”

Leo offered a faint, dry chuckle at the proposal from Dweno, who was famously the most formidable consumer of alcohol among the legendary figures, and responded, “Very well.”

Dweno flashed a wide smile.

Leo, hoisting the insensible Driana beneath one arm, exited the smithy while supporting the nearly depleted Illiana under his opposite arm.

Remaining behind in solitude, Dweno stared intently at Brave resting on the rack for a lengthy duration.

‘What in the world is happening?’

He shut his eyelids tightly and offered a prayer.

‘What has happened to the heavens?’

His form shuddered with terror as no answer came back to him.

‘Oh Lord… for what reason do you remain silent?’

The abrupt turn of events plunged him into an abyss of absolute dread.

Right at that moment.

“Truly, it proves difficult to track down. Had it not been for my own guidance, locating it would have been impossible.”

Boom!

The earth vibrated violently, mimicking a tremor.

An aura of lethal malice instantly masked his supplicating expression.

“What manner of creature are you, villain?”

The emerging figure spoke, addressing the individual who glared back at him with a gaze filled with absolute animosity.

“Giant King Gias. You ask who I am? Is it not apparent from a simple glance?”

A grotesque and horrifying grin stretched across his countenance.

“I am none other than you.”