Chapter 102 : Witch Blacksmith (3)
Chapter 102: Witch Blacksmith (3)
“We just have to go outside here.”
The barrier Circe had created was even more conspicuous than Leon had expected.
A blue curtain shimmered through the air. When he looked up, he could see the barrier stretching all the way into the sky.
Leon spoke.
“Anyone would recognize that as a barrier.”
“Hehe, it only looks like this from inside. Grandma said she separated the space itself. She told me that unless someone has considerable mastery over magic, they wouldn't be able to see through it.”
“Oh...”
A glimmer appeared in Leon's eyes.
She spoke as though it were nothing, but magic that manipulated space was by no means simple.
The most representative example was spatial teleportation magic.
Even Luseus, the Dragon known as the founder of magic, required extensive preparation to use spatial teleportation.
Of course, if stated like this, most people would not understand just how extraordinary that was.
While it was common knowledge that Dragons excelled at magic, few truly understood just how overwhelming their abilities were.
However, even someone completely ignorant of magic would be stunned if they heard that magical power had been converted into Divine Power.
That was because converting magical power into Divine Power was, in reality, virtually impossible.
Magical power and Divine Power were fundamentally different in nature.
If one had to compare them, they were like water and oil.
Yet Luseus had demonstrated the impossible by turning water into oil and oil into water.
It was nothing short of a miracle.
Even Luseus had displayed shortcomings when it came to spatial magic.
Yet somehow, Circe was capable of wielding it.
‘It seems the Witch race is exceptionally gifted in magic as well.’
Metallurgy, medicinal herbs, and now magic.
The barrier and her ability to observe the future had already been astonishing enough.
Just where did the limits of the Witch race lie?
‘Surely she doesn't know how to use a sword too?’
Leon seriously pondered the possibility before shaking his head.
Thinking back, Circe's hands hadn't had a single callus.
‘No matter the weapon, mastering it requires time. If Circe had ever wielded a weapon properly, there would be no way her hands would be free of calluses.’
He had heard that those who reached extraordinary realms could lose the calluses on their hands.
However, unless they had cultivated a special martial art, such a thing was impossible.
‘Of course, it's not impossible that Circe has learned a special martial art...’
To be honest, he didn't even want to consider that possibility.
No matter how indifferent Leon usually was toward others, he wasn't devoid of emotions.
When faced with talent that shone too brilliantly, even Leon couldn't help but feel a little envious.
Of course, he would quickly cast those feelings aside and focus on his own work again.
Still, wasn't it better not to have a reason to be jealous in the first place?
As he walked while thinking such thoughts, he noticed Bestie wandering around all over the place.
Perhaps she was simply delighted to be outside the barrier again after so long.
She ran throughout the valley, gathering every medicinal herb she could find.
At one point, she even tried to dive into the lake, causing Leon to ask in alarm,
“Why are you going into the lake?”
“There are some gold flakes settled down there. I used them once as alchemy materials before, and they worked really well.”
“Witches know alchemy too?”
“Then why do you think I wanted to come outside the barrier? I'd already gathered all the medicinal herbs Grandma needed.”
“……Can Witches use swords too?”
“Swords? Hmm... I've never seen Grandma holding a weapon before. I'll ask her later.”
“……Thank you.”
Leon answered with an exhausted expression.
He was finally beginning to grasp just how extraordinary the Witch race truly was.
Metallurgy, pharmacology, alchemy, magic, barriers, and even foresight.
Each of those disciplines alone was difficult enough to master.
Yet it seemed the Witch race had not only learned all of them but reached expert levels in every single one.
‘At this point, I might as well assume they're proficient in martial arts too.’
The potential displayed by the Witch race was simply astonishing.
“Phew! I've gathered everything I wanted. I think we can head back now.”
“Really?”
Leon asked with visible delight.
Seeing his reaction, Bestie tilted her head.
“Why are you so happy? Was my request really that burdensome?”
“Not at all. It's just... I was beginning to feel dissatisfied with my own talent.”
“??”
Bestie frowned as though she couldn't understand him.
Then she simply shrugged.
“I don't know what you mean, but as long as you're okay, that's what matters. Let's head back.”
“Very well.”
“Grandma, come take your medicine for a moment.”
The moment they returned to the cabin, Bestie went looking for Circe.
She looked rather anxious.
Seeing that, Leon asked curiously,
“You seem to be in quite a hurry.”
“I can't help it. Grandma hasn't taken her medicine for quite a while. I was supposed to bring it two days ago, but something came up...”
As she spoke, Bestie headed toward the underground workshop.
There was unmistakable concern in the way she hurried down the stairs.
Her anxious footsteps clearly revealed her desire to get the medicine to Circe as quickly as possible.
Leon understood exactly how she felt.
If one of his own family members had fallen ill, he imagined he would behave the same way.
Besides, Circe was already elderly.
Even healthy people in their twenties became bedridden when they fell sick.
An aged body would fare even worse.
Clang-! Clang-! Clang-!!
Following Bestie into the underground workshop, Leon was met with an intense wave of heat, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of something being struck.
The moment he heard it, he unconsciously let out a sigh of admiration.
Leon knew absolutely nothing about metallurgy.
Yet even someone as ignorant as he was could tell that the sound of that hammer was anything but ordinary.
‘Such a clear sound.’
In his previous life, Leon had traveled through countless regions and visited many workshops.
Most of them had been filled with deafening, unpleasant noise.
Naturally so.
At its core, metallurgy was simply the process of refining ore.
Weapons were merely the product of adding more advanced techniques afterward.
Fundamentally, it was still the work of shaping iron.
Crafting hard metal into various forms was bound to produce unbearable noise.
Yet, for some reason, Circe's work made him want to keep listening.
The sound reaching his ears didn't resemble noise at all.
Instead, every strike of the hammer delighted his ears as though he were listening to the performance of a master musician.
‘Now I understand why Circe takes such pride in her craftsmanship.’
Even the process of forging weapons was this enjoyable to witness.
Surely the finished product would surpass even the process itself.
‘She truly wasn't exaggerating when she said she had taught the Dwarves her techniques.’
The weapon wasn't even finished yet, but Leon already couldn't wait to see the result.
Just then—
“Oh? You're back.”
Circe looked at Leon and smiled faintly.
She casually chewed the medicinal herbs Bestie handed her.
“Come over here and take a look. After seeing your swordsmanship, I think the results will come faster than I expected.”
“Understood. By the way, that's quite an unusual way to take medicinal herbs. It doesn't even look like you've brushed the dirt off.”
“This one works best when eaten fresh. More importantly, come over here.”
Leon approached Circe.
At that very moment—
Boom-!!
Leon felt as though thunder had exploded inside his mind.
It was merely a figure of speech, yet no other expression could better describe what he experienced.
The sword Circe was forging was still unfinished.
Yet even in its incomplete state, it possessed an extraordinary presence.
‘Incredible... Is this really an unfinished sword?’
It had only barely taken shape, yet Circe's blade already possessed sharper killing intent than most completed swords.
Leon spoke with a trembling voice.
“Is this... truly an unfinished sword?”
“Of course it is. It hasn't even been a full day yet. Do I look like some Witch who can simply whip up a sword in an instant?”
Circe answered with an incredulous expression.
Yet judging by the slight twitch at the corners of her lips, it seemed she hadn't disliked his compliment.
“Just wait a little longer. I'll make you something the Dwarves couldn't even dream of creating.”
“You said it would take three days, didn't you?”
“Hmm... At first, that was all I intended to spend on it. But I've changed my mind. Seeing my friend's swordsmanship again after so long has rekindled my passion. It's good news for you. My craftsman's spirit has finally caught fire again.”
“Gasp!”
Bestie immediately covered her mouth with both hands in shock.
Seeing her reaction, Leon blinked and asked,
“Why are you reacting like that?”
“It's the first time in my life I've ever seen Grandma genuinely devote herself to something.”
“…What?”
“Well... Have you ever heard of the Holy Sword?”
“I have. I heard the Demon King who appeared five hundred years ago was defeated by that sword.”
“My grandmother made that sword.”
“…?”
Leon stared blankly at Circe.
As though answering the unspoken question in his eyes, Circe chuckled.
“I only made it to pass the time. Everyone makes such a fuss over it.”
“You made the Holy Sword... just to pass the time?”
“You said you stayed in the Holy Kingdom for about a year, didn't you? If you were close with the Pope, you've probably seen it once or twice. That sword that looks like a child's toy.”
“……”
Leon was left speechless.
A sword that looked like a toy?
Yes.
Of course he had seen it.
A sword that looked rather plain for something called the Holy Sword.
And standing proudly beside it with her chin raised had been Sibelte.
—Leon, this is the Holy Sword that severed the Demon King's head. What do you think?
—It's incredible. It's been five hundred years since it was forged... yet its sharpness hasn't diminished in the slightest. It would not be unworthy of being called a Divine Relic.
—Hehe! It's the pride of our Holy Kingdom.
The memory remained vivid even now.
To be honest, at that moment he had even been glad that he was on good terms with Sibelte.
The Holy Sword's presence had been that overwhelming.
And now he was being told that Circe had forged it?
Just to pass the time?
Leon unconsciously trembled.
If something she had made merely to amuse herself became the Holy Sword...
What kind of masterpiece would she create when she truly put her heart into it?
The mere thought made his blood boil with anticipation.
Watching Leon, Bestie grinned.
“Hehe, now you understand too, right? Grandma is incredible when she's serious.”
“…I thought Solar had guided me here only to dispel the doubts in my heart... but it seems that wasn't His only purpose.”
“The doubts in your heart?”
“I mean... I can't wait to see the finished result.”
Leon gazed at Circe with eyes full of anticipation.
There was unmistakable greed within that gaze.
Until now, Leon had never coveted any object.
But this time was different.
“I'll be counting on you.”
He said nothing more, nothing less.
Hearing Leon's heartfelt words, Circe chuckled warmly.
“Leave it to me.”