Chapter 36
Clang! Clang!
He hammered the red-hot iron resting on the anvil with all his might.
The dwarf hummed to himself, striking the metal in a steady rhythm.
It was his own unique way of breathing affection into the work that was about to be born.
His hands were rough, and occasionally sparks would fly, causing his magnificent beard to crackle and singe.
Yet, the expression on his face as he forged the weapon was as innocent as a child’s.
What kind of fellow would be born?
Into whose hands would it fall?
Always pondering such things, the man who loved blacksmithing was named Leminghoff.
He was a renowned dwarf, the likes of whom appeared on the Lachman Continent perhaps once in a thousand years.
He had two star pupils.
Fabro and Schmidt.
Fabro dreamed of mastering all of Leminghoff’s techniques to forge weapons for heroes recognized by the world.
Schmidt, on the other hand, preferred crafting agricultural tools or decorative ornaments over weapons intended for killing.
Clang! Clang!
One day, during their training, Schmidt watched Leminghoff as he repaired a broken sword.
Sssssss!
Leminghoff cooled the heated metal in water, his eyes filled with a grave intensity.
“Master, why do you fix things for those who treat their weapons so carelessly?”
“Because this is the one my child chose to serve as its master. You’ll understand once you start hammering. These swords want to achieve victory and glory alongside their owners. A parent cannot turn a deaf ear to that voice.”
