Along with Baldus and Aldo, Riokuru quietly sits down on the chairs against the wall so as not to be in the way. He had concealed his identity when coming here. He simply wanted to face this man as "Riokuru"... and as a client.

He also considered that if he went as king, it would turn out as Luna had feared.

Nevertheless, Darius, who had readily accepted, immediately entered the workshop.

Riokuru watched him forge while trying not to get in the way.

The biggest reason Riokuru declared he would come here was to set an example for the others as their king.

And one more thing.

That was because he was interested in blacksmithing.

(...If I hadn't been born into the royal family, would I have walked the same path as him?)

Riokuru was fascinated by watching blacksmiths. He loved seeing how iron changed shape through heat and the hammer, transforming into a new tool.

He has loved every step of that process since he was a child.

Some of the reasons Riokuru came here included that as well.

Darius's blacksmithing was truly a series of divine feats.

First, he stared at the Crystallium ore over and over again.

The brilliance and magical power emanating from that ore do not diminish even from where Riokuru is located.

After a while, Darius picked up some magic stones, tilted his head as he examined the materials, and then picked up new ones again.

Riokuru doesn't know the difference. But as a blacksmith, he probably senses the subtle distinctions.

He seemed to be endlessly checking what would go well with the Crystallium ore.

His concentration is sharp, and the air becomes tense.

Even as Riokuru was just watching, the atmosphere made his breathing naturally shallow.

Soon, Darius began to raise the temperature of the furnace.

The ore turned red, and then the hammer began to swing.

The rhythmic clang of the hammer is pleasing. The skilled blacksmith's movements were regular and efficient.

It was like music, as if he were conversing with the materials, listening to their voices, and guiding them toward their destined form...

The materials and the sounds he creates with them are very pleasant, and he feels they showcase his skill.

Darius was repeatedly going through trial and error.

He hammered it, returned it to the furnace, infused it with magic, and then hammered it again.

However, even that process seemed to bring him joy. He lost track of time, forgetting to eat and even to sleep, completely absorbed in the world before him.

The work won't be finished in a day.

Fortunately, Baldus, who is good at home-cooked meals, prepared a warm meal with ingredients he somehow managed to find.

Even as the Riokuru quietly brought it to his mouth, Darius didn't stop swinging his hammer.

Riokuru and his companions thought that he should rest a little, but they didn't say anything.

(...It doesn't seem like he's doing anything reckless, and if I interfere clumsily... it would be a waste.)

He shouldn't stop. He shouldn't disrupt his concentration. Riokuru sensed that.

Riokuru was re-evaluating the blacksmith named Darius.

He already thought his blacksmithing level had reached the top tier. When Darius said things like "someday when I become top-tier...", he honestly thought, "What is this guy talking about?"

However, there was no lie in his words.

He is still growing. Darius hasn't mastered blacksmithing. Even now, at this very moment, and beyond, he continues to advance, beyond common sense and beyond understanding.

He was moved by that sight. Many people set limits and are satisfied once they reach a certain point. He doesn't have that.

Is it because he doesn't compare himself to others? Or is it due to his inherent personality and temperament?

He doesn't compare himself to anyone, compromise, or give up.

However, he's here simply pursuing his ideals.

That posture attracted Riokuru. As if drawn to his concentration, he also kept watching him as long as time allowed.

And then, two days passed and one dawn.

The final clang echoed through the workshop.

Since Riokuru was also there in a communal sleeping arrangement, he immediately noticed his voice.

"...I did it."

Darius held up a beautiful dagger.

Riokuru didn't see many of Darius's works.

Even so, compared to the few others he owned, it was immediately clear that the dagger's brilliance was of a different nature.

The blade was so beautiful, it looked as if light itself had been sealed within it.

However, just standing there made everything around him seem faded.

Everyone is speechless, even forgetting to breathe.

He couldn't take his eyes off it for a single moment, captivated by its goddess-like beauty.

And then, as he was watching that scene for a while...

"Huh...?!"

Riokuru realizes he had forgotten to breathe and frantically takes a breath. That was close. He almost suffocated.

It was so beautiful it took his breath away.

It's no longer just a weapon. It's a living entity with its own will and pulse.

At the same time, everyone there seemed to gasp and resume breathing in a flurry.

"...Ha...Haha, so this is the weapon for hunting the Tyranno Behemoth?"

"...Of course, the brilliance of the Crystallium ore is undeniable... but this is truly terrifying."

Baldus and Aldo also seemed speechless at its divine brilliance.

"I will use it with great care... So, about the reward..."

"That's... right... You know about Aria and the others too, don't you?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, that's right."

"Then... if you could just ensure that Aria and the others can live happily in that country, that would be enough. Please, defeat the Tyranno Behemoth. This child is also brimming with enthusiasm."

Darius hands over the dagger with a cheerful smile.

As Riokuru received it, sweat trickled down his cheeks from the intimidating magical power within the terrifying lightness of the dagger.

He had heard that Darius often didn't ask for rewards.

So, Riokuru had somewhat anticipated his reply as he hesitated but ultimately nodded.

"I see... Then, if anything comes up, please let me know again."

"Yes, I understand."

Darius nodded briefly, and then the three of them returned to the royal capital.

Chapter 49