The Next Day at the Blacksmith Shop
The soft chime of steel echoed through the blacksmith shop, where the air smelled of metal, oil, and sweat. The walls were lined with an impressive display of weapons—gleaming swords with polished hilts, sturdy axes with intricate engravings, and daggers with razor-sharp edges resting on velvet cloths. Shields of various shapes and sizes were hung on display racks, some bearing ornate symbols of lions or dragons, while others were smooth and unadorned, built purely for utility. Rows of spears and halberds leaned neatly against the far wall, their tips shimmering faintly under the flickering torchlight. The center of the shop was dominated by an anvil and forge, glowing faintly from recent use.
A middle-aged man, his graying hair tied back into a short ponytail, stood on a stool, hefting a shield into place on one of the racks. The shield was circular and imposing, with a polished steel surface reflecting the light. A detailed motif of a roaring bear surrounded by intertwined vines was etched across its face, and a sturdy leather strap was affixed to its back. As the blacksmith hung it, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his arm and sighed.
"Whew... That's that." He stepped down from the stool and glanced around his shop with pride, muttering to himself, "Now that's settled, I need to check the materials for..."
The sound of the shop door creaking open, accompanied by a chime-chime, made him pause mid-sentence. Turning around, he called out warmly, "Welcome, customer—" He stopped when he recognized the figure standing at the entrance. His smile faltered slightly.
"What brings the loyal servant here?"
It was Sora, standing just inside the doorway, clad in her usual sharp, practical outfit. Her hands were clasped in front of her, holding a folded letter. Her expression was calm, unreadable as always.
"Good day," she greeted flatly.
The blacksmith's face twitched with annoyance as he forced a grin. "I see you haven't changed a bit."
Sora walked past him without a glance, heading toward the counter. "I can't have respect for someone who doesn't deserve it after what they did," she replied coolly.
He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, his voice tinged with regret. "Sigh… That was ages ago. You're still holding on to that?"
"A prank like that isn't something you forget," she shot back, her tone dismissive.
"It was harmless!" he protested.
She ignored him, her gaze drifting around the shop. "Making weak weapons for a living, I see."
His brows furrowed as he stepped behind the counter, folding his arms. "The least you could do is ask how I've been. Or did you forget who looked after you?"
Her calm eyes finally met his. "How have you been?"
"Fine, fine," he sighed in defeat. "What do you need? And where's Subaru? He's the one who usually shows up when there's idle chit-chat to be had… especially late at night."
Sora placed the letter on the counter, tapping it lightly with her fingers. Her tone remained calm but slightly sharper. "His late-night chats with you aren't my concern."
The blacksmith took the letter, grumbling. "Figures. That old man…" He opened it and began to read, his expression shifting from curiosity to frustration. When he finished, he slammed the letter down onto the counter. "Damn you, Subaru! What about the things you owe me?"
Sora's face remained blank as she replied dryly, "I see you still have the same anger issues."
He waved the letter in front of her face. "What does he mean by 'making new weapons'? And why didn't he tell me he was heading to Dreadholm Dominion?"
She shrugged, unbothered. "Granduncle doesn't answer to anyone. He's a man of his whims."
"Subaru, when I get my hands on you, I'm taking every coin you owe me!" he cursed loudly, running a hand through his graying hair.
"As the letter states," Sora cut in calmly, "I need a dagger for Lily and dual blades for Syl."
The blacksmith raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in his gaze. "Syl? Who's that?"
Sora's tone remained calm, almost indifferent. "She's the princess."
His brow furrowed as confusion flickered across his face. "The princess? Wait… you mean Thorn's kid?" A beat passed as realization hit him, and his expression shifted. He let out a bark of laughter, shaking his head in disbelief. "Ha! Of course. Thorn—still as unpredictable as ever." He rubbed the back of his neck, a grin tugging at his lips. "That man always did have a knack for keeping everyone on their toes. I guess his daughter's no different, huh?"
Sora gave a small nod, her face betraying just the faintest trace of weariness. "Yes. And let's just say it's been… stressful on my side."
He gave a low chuckle. "That bad, huh? Figures it'd be rough, dealing with that kid. Heard some rumors about how she acts—stubborn and bratty, right?"
Sora's eyes softened slightly. "More like… confused and proud. She doesn't know how to handle emotions well."
The blacksmith's grin softened, and he leaned against the counter. "You sound like you're worried about her."
Sora didn't answer, but her silence spoke volumes. The blacksmith's gaze lingered on her, seeing through the stoic mask.
"You know," he continued quietly, "sometimes we end up caring about people without realizing it. Same way I cared about you and that old fool back then. Took me a while to admit it."
She looked at him with a calm, almost resigned expression. "You never change. Always trying to sound wise."
He chuckled. "Someone's got to, since you two are hopeless. You're too serious, and Subaru's too reckless."
There was a pause, and Sora looked at the ground, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe... that's why we balance each other out."
The blacksmith smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Yeah. That's probably it."
Before she could react, he reached out and patted her head—a gesture both unexpected and out of character. Sora stiffened slightly, blinking in surprise. For the briefest moment, the usually composed warrior felt a small flicker of happiness, like a distant warmth in her chest.
The blacksmith smirked, catching her reaction. "Don't look so shocked. I am the half-dwarf, after all."
His hand fell away, and his expression turned serious, the jovial air thinning. "On another note… I've been hearing rumors from some adventurers. Monsters have been popping up in the woods lately. Probably something to do with the time of year."
Sora's smile faded, replaced by her usual stoic calm. "That won't be a problem," she replied curtly.
The blacksmith watched her for a moment, then exhaled through his nose, his gruff demeanor softening ever so slightly.
Sora turned toward the door, her steps deliberate. As her hand touched the wooden frame, she paused, glancing back with a faint frown. "When will you be coming back?"
He shook his head, looking down at the counter as though lost in thought. "Not now, Sora. I'm not needed yet."
Her frown deepened, just slightly, before she turned and stepped through the door. The familiar chime of the bell echoed behind her—chime-chime—as the door swung shut.
The blacksmith remained in place, staring at the empty space she'd left behind. His voice was a low murmur, almost to himself. "Can't even remember the last time I paid a visit…"