Free Web NovelChapter 63: A Blacksmith’s Natural Habitat (2)
The first rays of sunlight crept through the small window of the room, gently illuminating the space. Shinon stirred from his sleep, slowly opening his eyes to greet the new day. Instead, he was welcomed with his next daily quest.
Thankfully, it aligned with the job the Phoenixes had given him, so he didn’t have to go out of his way to accomplish another task.
’Two hundred knives for the Phoenixes and fifty to complete the daily quest. Hopefully, I won’t need to craft additional knives to complete the mission.’
He sat up on the edge of his bed, stretching his tired muscles and rubbing his eyes to chase away the remnants of sleep.
"Time to get to work. The sooner I finish making the knives, the more I can investigate about Sarah’s kids and what happened to the rest of them."
The previous day’s events lingered in his mind as he prepared himself for his first day of work under the Phoenixes. But he wasn’t the only one who woke up.
In the bed next to his, Kira stirred as well, her eyelids fluttering open. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the light before focusing on Shinon. A warm smile curled on her lips as she watched him.
"Good morning, Shinon," she greeted softly, her voice still laced with sleep.
Shinon returned her smile, his expression tinged with weariness. "Morning, Kira. Did I wake you up?"
Kira shook her head, her cascading locks of hair swaying gently. "No, I was already starting to wake up. Besides, I’m used to your early morning routines by now."
"Of course you are," Shinon replied, quickly stretching his hands. "You should probably go and check on Rico, while I get the job done."
Kira nodded, and with a sigh, Shinon swung his legs over the edge of the bed and rose to his feet. He dressed quickly, donning his blacksmith’s attire—a sturdy leather apron and heavy gloves.
As he made his way to the workstation, his eyes glanced around the room. He took in the small workbench set up against the wall, cluttered with tools and materials.
Rows of metal tools and equipment adorned the walls while the heat from the forge filled the air. Shinon walked over to the workbench, eyes scanning the materials before him.
Steel bars of various sizes, stacks of wooden handles, and trays of small, intricate parts were meticulously organized, ready to be transformed into weapons.
’Selena must have had everything arranged in order last night,’ Shinon thought to himself. ’I have a feeling my words might not have gone through her head after all.’
His hands moved with purpose, picking up a piece of steel and examining it, envisioning the final form it would take. The rhythmic clanging of hammers against anvils resonated throughout the room, a symphony of craftsmanship.
His task for the day was to create 200 combat knives for the Phoenixes—an arduous undertaking but one that Shinon had grown accustomed to through his years of working as a Blacksmith.
He approached the forge, stoking the flames and feeling the intense heat against his skin. The anticipation of the day’s work fueled his determination. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
With steady hands and a focused mind, Shinon began the process. He selected a steel bar and placed it within the forge, allowing it to heat until it glowed red-hot.
The hammer met the anvil, striking the metal with precision and force. Over and over, the hammer fell, shaping the molten steel into a blade of deadly elegance.
As Shinon began his work, Kira watched him intently, a mix of awe and concern in her eyes. She knew the amount of effort and precision it took to create each knife, and she admired Shinon’s craftsmanship.
But she also worried about his well-being, knowing he often pushed himself to the limits to accomplish something inside his head.
"Shinon, are you sure you can handle all of this?" Kira asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
Shinon paused for a moment, his gaze meeting hers. He could see the worry etched on her face, which touched his heart. Because it was the first time someone had asked him that question besides Kartiya, his beloved butler.
The other servants preferred not to cook in the furnace’s extensive heat as Shinon worked his magic. But Kartiya had always been there for him since day one.
Even now, whenever he picked up his hammer, he missed his presence and wondered if everything was fine in his absence. But he knew worrying about such trivial things was not good for him as it distracted him from his goals.
"I’ll be fine, Kira," he reassured her, his voice steady. "Crafting these knives is a task I’ve undertaken willingly, and it’s my way of contributing and ensuring our safety. Besides, I have the skills and experience to handle it."
Kira nodded, her worry lingering but tempered by trust in Shinon’s abilities. She knew that he was a skilled blacksmith, capable of creating weapons of remarkable quality.
"I understand, Shinon," she said softly. "Just remember to take breaks and rest when you need to. We’re in this together, and I don’t want you to overexert yourself."
"Will do. Now get going, or Rico will freak out if he wakes up in a strange place without anyone’s support."
Kira nodded, dressed, and left to check on their beloved trio member, allowing Shinon to put his master plan to work.
Although he initially didn’t want to use the Mastersmith’s hammer and upgrade the quality of the weapons he would provide to the Phoenixes. he decided to play around with them.
He used the hammer to add a particular option to the blades he created. After all, Shinon had to ensure that the weapons he made for the Phoenixes didn’t come to bite him in the ass later.
"I hope you weren’t planning on using my creations against me, Marcus," Shinon mumbled. "because if you were, you’d be in a world of pain."
As the morning hours passed, Shinon immersed himself in his craft’s rhythmic dance. He moved purposefully, his muscles working harmoniously as he shaped, forged, and refined each knife.
The steady beat of the hammer against the anvil became a symphony of creation, each strike bringing him closer to his goal.
The workshop was filled with the clatter of metal, the hiss of steam as blades were quenched, and the occasional curse when a strike went awry.
But amidst the noise, Shinon found solace. The act of creating weapons was both a testament to his skill as a blacksmith and a reminder of the harsh reality of the world they lived in.
As the sun reached its zenith, Shinon took a brief respite, wiping the sweat from his brow. He surveyed his progress—rows upon rows of gleaming blades, their edges honed to perfection.
Within six hours, he had created 72 knives, each of varying qualities, but he ensured to keep the grade between Rare to Extremely Rare as it was already better than any weapon Tom had ever made.
A sense of atonement washed over him, knowing that each knife he crafted would aid the Phoenixes in spreading their reign of terror. But one day, the Phoenixes will have to pay for their crimes, and he’ll be there to witness their downfall.
