Chapter 66: Baron Romero's Worry (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 66: Baron Romero's Worry (3)
A sword forged by Roman?
He didn't believe it.
No—he couldn't believe it.
"Do you expect me to believe that, Roman? The man standing before you is the Master Blacksmith of the Dmitry family. I have spent my entire life working steel on this land. I can tell a true craftsman from a fraud without even needing to verify the facts. Yet, you dare mock me like this? The rumors that Roman Dmitry has changed must all be lies."
His voice boiled with anger.
There was no need to investigate further.
In the past, Roman had visited the forge for his successor training. Back then, he had been terrible at everything—starting with his hammering—and lacked even the slightest desire to learn. It had infuriated Hendrick. Since that day, Roman had never set foot in the forge again. No matter how well-equipped the Dmitry family's private forge in the inner castle was, Hendrick refused to believe that Roman Dmitry—a fool who had lost himself in pleasure and forsaken his duties as the successor—could have somehow grown into a master craftsman.
Yet, the sword before his eyes...
It was a masterpiece.
Though he couldn't speak for the smithing techniques used, its mana responsiveness was undeniably the work of a craftsman far superior to himself.
There was no way it could be Roman.
The sheer disparity between the boy of the past and the blade of the present made Hendrick's anger burn fiercely.
However—
"Master Hendrick."
Roman's voice was calm, as if he completely understood the older man's reaction.
Looking straight into Hendrick's eyes, he spoke in an unwavering tone.
"I fully understand why you are reacting this way, Master. A blacksmith's skill, much like Aura, cannot be built in a day or two. If I had ever shown you any effort in the forge before, you might have believed me. But what I said is the truth. I named this sword Salamander, after the continent, and it is a one-of-a-kind blade forged by my own hands."
"Why, you little...!"
Hendrick's face flushed red.
He was ready to slap Roman across the cheek for his insolence, but he froze at the young man's next words.
"I will show you myself. I will show you exactly how I made this sword. With the discerning eye of the Dmitry family's Master Blacksmith, wouldn't a single demonstration prove the truth far better than a hundred explanations?"
"...?!"
Seeing is believing.
At Roman's proposal, bewilderment painted Hendrick's face.
They relocated to the forge in the inner castle.
As they walked, Roman spoke.
"Whenever an important battle approaches, I personally forge the sword I will entrust my life to. I need a blade that can perfectly draw out my current physical capabilities and align with the Aura I manifest. That is how Salamander was born. While preparing for the war with Barco, I decided I needed a new weapon. I struck the steel countless times while facing the roaring flames of the furnace. In those moments, the forge feels like a sanctuary. It is a sacred place where no one else can intrude, where I cannot stop until the story between myself and the steel is finished. I believe you know that feeling well, Master Hendrick."
"..."
Hendrick remained silent, his face tight with discontent.
He had followed along because Roman offered proof, but he despised how the boy acted as if he understood the heart of a blacksmith.
Roman was not a craftsman.
He had never once put in the effort, so how could Hendrick believe him just by looking at a finished product?
Regardless of Hendrick's sour mood, Roman continued.
"I must fulfill my military duty soon. During this time, the person known as Roman Dmitry has constantly evolved, which is why I recently began crafting a sword to replace Salamander. What I am about to show you, Master Hendrick, is the process of making that new blade. If you still do not believe me after seeing it with your own eyes, I will humbly accept whatever punishment you wish to impose by reporting me to my father."
Step.
They arrived at the forge.
Roman prepared to work.
In truth, there wasn't much to set up. Since he had practically lived in the forge every evening, his workspace remained exactly as he had left it.
He slipped off his shirt, baring his upper body to fully embrace the heat of the furnace.
At this action—one that defied all common sense for a craftsman—Hendrick's expression instantly contorted in dismay.
'He doesn't even know the basics of being a blacksmith.'
Honestly, he wanted to turn around and leave right then and there.
There was no need to watch any further. A craftsman who didn't even wear safety gear could safely be assumed to lack the proper respect for steel.
It was then.
The flames flared up.
And with a single strike—the very moment Roman's hammer met the steel—Hendrick's expression completely changed.
Clang!
A crisp, clear sound rang out.
Roman's muscles swelled.
He began to strike the steel in earnest, completely ignoring Hendrick's gaze.
'This world and Murim. The metalworking techniques of the two worlds are fundamentally different. Since the people of this world cannot perfectly control Mana, they invest heavily in a sword's inherent abilities. In Murim, however, the absolute top priority is facilitating the smooth flow of Qi. A sword that maximizes the efficiency of Qi—that is what was called a masterpiece in Murim. Throughout my life of struggle, I forged countless swords tailored to myself.'
The very point that had amazed Hendrick—the blade's high mana responsiveness—was a technique unique to Murim.
And even in Murim, Baek Joong-hyuk was revered as a master craftsman.
Baek Joong-hyuk's swords were considered supreme treasures, and that exact same craftsmanship had birthed 'Salamander' in this new world.
Clang!
Clang!
He hammered the steel.
The flames roared, and his skin flushed red.
Flame Divine Art.
He absorbed the scorching heat directly into his body.
The process of forging a sword was an extension of his training. He was assimilating himself with the blade so that it would perfectly accommodate his current state.
Soon, just as he had told Hendrick, he would have to leave for the battlefield.
There was not much time.
He did not know what awaited him in the coming war, but there was one thing Roman was absolutely certain of, a truth carried over from his past life:
'Even there, I will reign supreme.'
For the next three months, Roman intended to devote all his efforts to crafting this new sword. And when the blade was complete, he would depart for the battlefield as the representative of the Dmitry family.
He became completely absorbed in his work.
Casting aside all distracting thoughts, he focused solely on the steel.
A State of Selflessness.
Roman was entirely lost to the rhythm of the forge.
Was this what it felt like to have one's breath taken away?
Watching Roman, Hendrick was utterly spellbound.
Clang!
Clang!
'...This is impossible.'
As the Master Blacksmith, just as he had told Roman, he possessed the eye to recognize a true craftsman. Because of this, watching Roman strike the steel without a single hint of hesitation or wasted movement caused his common sense to crumble to pieces.
'This is Roman Dmitry?'
He couldn't believe it, even as he watched it happen.
The Roman that Hendrick knew had absolutely no interest in the forge, yet his reverence toward the steel and the flawless sound of his hammering clearly belonged to a highly skilled master. But that wasn't all. What completely captivated Hendrick was Roman's unwavering posture as he faced the intense heat of the furnace head-on.
His bare skin flushed red.
The heat must have been unbearable, yet Roman never took his eyes off the steel, staring at it as if he were a man in love.
And then, he struck.
Once.
Twice.
Three times, four times.
His muscles rippled, taut as if they were about to burst. Striking the hammer at a constant, driving tempo, he followed a beautiful rhythm. He looked like a maestro conducting a grand symphony.
"What on earth..."
It was certain.
Roman was a master craftsman.
Although common sense dictated that this was impossible, the scene unfolding right before his eyes was an undeniable reality. If a man like this was not a master craftsman, who else could claim the title? While his initial instinct had been to reject Roman completely, he now fully accepted the truth.
'With this level of skill, he is more than capable of forging a masterpiece. His attitude toward the steel, the speed of his hammering, the crisp ring of the hammer clashing against the metal... everything is perfect. And unlike me, the way he embraces the heat of the furnace with his bare body reminds me of Baron Romero in his prime. In the end, blood will tell. To think that it wasn't Rodwell Dmitry, but the eldest son, Roman Dmitry, who truly inherited the blacksmith's blood.'
Gulp.
A profound thirst welled up inside him.
Within Roman's technique, there had to be a secret to increasing a weapon's mana responsiveness. Before he knew it, Hendrick had become a rapt spectator in the audience, casting aside his doubts to simply marvel at the performance before him.
Time passed.
He had no intention of stopping the young master, nor did he dare interrupt him.
Until the sun completely set, Roman remained absorbed in his work, and Hendrick watched him in total silence, as still as a stone statue.
Both of them knew.
The need for proof had long since lost its meaning.
Hendrick believed Roman's words simply by witnessing his art.
Clack.
The work was finished.
Looking at Roman, who was now drenched in sweat, Hendrick spoke with an expression like a man who had just committed high treason.
"...I am sorry. You truly are the creator of that sword."
His apology was swift and sincere.
Hendrick was a craftsman first and foremost. Having dedicated his entire life to the forge, his pride was immense, which was why he had been so furious when he thought Roman was mocking him. But once he confirmed the truth, his attitude completely shifted. If Roman was indeed the master who forged Salamander, Hendrick had no choice but to admire him, regardless of their bitter past.
Roman smiled.
This meeting had always been intended to clear up the bad blood between them. He had judged that in order to fully settle in as a member of the Dmitry family, he needed to mend his relationship with Hendrick.
"I will give you Salamander as a gift," Roman said.
"...?!"
"As you saw today, I am already crafting a new sword. I once sold your masterpiece without your permission, Master Hendrick. I do not know if this will make up for my past transgressions, but I would like you to accept Salamander as a gift."
At Roman's words, Hendrick's hands trembled.
In truth, he had desperately wanted Salamander from the very moment he laid eyes on it. It was a blade of a completely unprecedented design; a burning desire had welled up inside him to analyze Salamander and make its techniques his own.
And now, it was being freely offered to him.
Hendrick cleared his throat.
Remembering how furiously angry he had been just hours ago, he couldn't bring himself to openly rejoice, but he certainly wasn't going to refuse it either.
"...Ahem. Th-thank you," Hendrick stammered.
He hadn't even considered declining.
As if it were already his most prized possession, Hendrick carefully cradled Salamander in his arms. Watching him, Roman realized the old blacksmith wasn't a bad person.
Hendrick and Roman.
The rift between them had been entirely Roman's fault. Despite being the successor of Dmitry, the old Roman had neglected his duties in the forge and even sold Master Hendrick's masterpiece for drinking money. It was only natural for Hendrick to be hostile. Even so, he wasn't malicious. The moment he confirmed that Roman was a kindred spirit of the forge, his fiery temper melted away like spring snow.
It had been the same in his past life.
For people who were completely obsessed with a single path, the easiest way to win them over was simply to show absolute respect for their domain.
"And you are welcome to come watch me work whenever you like."
"...Well, if you insist."
Hendrick beamed.
At the promise of receiving Salamander and being allowed to study Roman's techniques, his wrinkled face filled with such pure happiness that he looked as if he might float away.
He was a delightfully simple man.
That day, the ill fate between Hendrick and Roman finally came to an end.
And at that very moment, a servant, acting on the urgent orders of Baron Romero, was frantically searching for Hendrick's whereabouts.