"So, I wanted to consult with you first. I've heard it's a precious ore and that it's being treated with great care... If you don't want to, I can't force you, or rather, I can't compel you, because if I did, the country... or rather, a lot of things would likely collapse."

Riokuru's speech was becoming increasingly hesitant. Darius was a little puzzled by the way he spoke, as if there was something he was afraid of besides the Tyranno Behemoth but,

"I don't mind but..."

"Eh? ...Is it alright? Why? Wasn't it an important ore? I heard from Luna-dono that she wanted to process the Crystallium when she became first-rate but..."

"That's true... But I think it would be better for her if you used it when she needed it... Besides, Aria and the others will be involved too, right?"

"...Yes, but..."

"As a parent, if there's anything I can do to help protect them, I'll do anything."

When Darius smiled, Riokuru's eyes widened in surprise.

However, that was his true intention for Darius.

The only question was whether he currently possessed the skill to handle the crystal ore to a satisfactory level.

"That... that might be true... but, are you really sure about this?"

"Yes, it is an important ore, but... Luna has been helping me, and there are also Baldus and Aldo... I don't think you came here to use the Crystallium for something unnecessary."

When Darius said that, Riokuru looked a little surprised and scratched his head a bit bashfully.

"...That's... I'm happy you trust me that much, but it's a little embarrassing."

Riokuru was chuckling a little bashfully.

Seeing his expression, Darius smiled in the same way.

At first, he thought Darius was a strict person, but he's actually much easier to get along with than he expected.

"For now... could you tell me more about the Tyranno Behemoth? Since it's an enemy, I'd like to prepare properly."

"Oh, of course."

Still blushing, he asked Riokuru and continued the conversation.

The information he heard from Riokuru was related to the Aldrian Kingdom.

The efforts of Sofia and Verrier have restored some of the kingdom's barriers. Also, it may be necessary to defeat Tyranno Behemoth this time in order to recapture the capital.

Also, according to legend, the Tyranno Behemoth must first have its deployed barrier destroyed using weapons made from Crystallium ore.

Having finished listening to those stories, Darius nodded silently.

"The amount of crystal ore I have right now is really very small. Perhaps, with just that... there might not be enough."

"...I see."

Riokuru's expression clouded slightly.

However, Darius immediately continues speaking.

"However... There's one thing I can try. If I use magic stones with a wavelength similar to the Crystallium and successfully adapt and process them... I think I can make something like a dagger."

"...And yet, compatibility... wasn't that something that requires a considerable amount of skill, even among blacksmiths? I've read a few blacksmithing books myself, and even with ordinary ore, it's difficult to bulk it up, let alone with Crystallium ore..."

Riokuru is probably trying to say that the difficulty is immeasurable.

Indeed, it's not as easy as it sounds. Perfectly synchronizing the magical wavelengths of different materials and forging them into a single weapon is a nerve-wracking task.

One wrong step, and the magic stones used for processing could be ruined. That's not so bad, but there's also the possibility of damaging the Crystallium ore.

Even so, the thought of processing the Crystallium ore was already circulating in Darius's mind.

(Tyranno Behemoth can only break the barrier with the magical power of Crystallium ore. How should I process it? Should I melt it and mix it together as usual... or should I cover a core made of Crystallium ore... no, or perhaps...)

It's certainly a valuable ore. If it's lost, there's a chance he might never see it again.

However, Darius at this moment had no such anxieties.

The unknown material and the pure exhilaration of stepping into an unknown realm.

That was all there was at the time.

This is different from the repetitive forging he has done before.

It's a challenge.

Everything was trial and error. It was filled with the same excitement and nervousness as when he first forged, and Darius's body was trembling with emotion.

(...In this extreme situation, where there's no turning back, facing it head-on is the only way to discover new horizons. New materials, new challenges... Ah, I should get started quickly. I want to pour this heat into the Crystallium ore and first listen to the voices of the materials.)

Darius took a deep breath and spoke carefully.

"You probably don't have much time. I'll get started on the work right away."

Darius had already stopped listening to the replies of the three.

Right now, he just wanted to focus all his attention on the Crystallium ore.

Chapter 48