There were two men sitting at a table. One was wryly smiling while the other was collectively calm.
"You know, it was very convenient that you showed up right as I was thinking of looking for you. It was like you were reading my mind or perhaps following me around until the right moment to show up."
"That's absurd. I don't have the luxury of time to be waiting around for you all day. I have quite a trip ahead of me, so I've been out getting ready for it."
"Are you saying this was merely brought on by fate?"
"I suppose you could say that. Not that I'm one to believe in such things. More like a mere coincidence."
The blacksmith left Paul's shop with the decision to take the butler's request. It was sooner than they'd agreed on, but William thought of looking for the butler before the original time frame he had established ended. Just as he was about to go look for him, there he was standing in front of him.
"Did you have enough time to think this through?"
The blacksmith nodded, "Yes, I did."
The butler rested his chin on the palm of his hand, examining William, "I do say, you appear to have come up with some resolution. You look like a different person since we last saw each other, Mr. Jaeger."
"Well, I cannot lie… I was hesitant to take your request. During this little time that I had to collect myself, I found interesting things about my family. I think it's about time I got some answers. I'm not getting any younger, you know. I don't want to die with that regret."
"Aren't you in your twenties?"
"You get what I mean. Besides, it doesn't seem like I have a choice."
"Mr. Jae—"
"—WI-LLI-AM." the blacksmith interrupted with a glare.
"William... you make it look like I'm the bad guy."
"Not in the slightest..."
William knew he needed to be cautious around the butler. He didn't know his true intentions or what shady work he was helping him accomplish, but there was something about him that seemed earnest. The blacksmith didn't get a sense of malice from the butler, but then again, he was an awful merchant. If experience had taught him anything, it would be that he shouldn't rely too much on his judging of character,
"We both know that if I were to decline, you would make me go anyway."
From the very beginning, the butler came up with a plan to get the blacksmith to go with him. He waited until William came to terms with his situation. It was easier than dragging him along the road.
The butler smirked, "If you know that much, I assume you're here to accept my request then?"
"I am…"
William had found his purpose to venture back into his past. He needed to find the meaning of his great grandfather's letter and how it tied to his own life. Although it was meant for none other than his significant other, the fact that it was stored in the secret library meant that the supposed recipient never got the letter in the first place. He knew that if he wanted answers, he needed to go to the temple.
William raised one finger, "On one condition..."
The butler sat back and crossed his arms, "Alright, Mr. Jaeger. Let's hear it first."
"I will have nothing to do with whatever it is you're doing there, and you won't have to do with anything I'm doing there either."
"No one meddling with each other's business… Very well. I'm okay with said conditions. It will make my job easier."
"Great, then it's settled. We should discuss the plan and what will be needed for our trip."
"What is it that you have in mind?"
"We need transportation, food and equipment to protect ourselves."
"Transportation? Can't we just walk? I get around like that just fine."
"Only freaks of nature like yourself can get away with that. We need something like a carriage. I assume that won't be a problem for you. You are working for Mr. Reinsfield."
A drop of sweat fell from the butler's forehead, "I-I'll see what I can do." Although he was delighted things went according to plan, he had a defeated look.
The blacksmith clapped his hands, "That's right! The reward goes without saying, of course. I expect to be paid in gold and I want this much." the man raised five fingers.
The butler hits the counter in disbelief, "What?! That's preposterous! Not even my master has that much. I would even need to sell myself!"
The blacksmith shrugged his shoulders, "I'm the one that's going to go through some psychological trauma when we're there. I should be compensated greatly."
"Seriously, why do I feel like I'm the one who lost here?!"
William laughed, "I'm just messing with you. Whatever your master rewards me will be just fine. Besides, since I also have other motives for going there. Why not take your request and get paid as a bonus?"
"Oh really..." The butler laughed dryly, "Sometimes you come up with the sickest of jokes, Mr. Jaeger."
"It's William."
"Right… now I need a drink." The butler defeated accepted the offer. He had to, for it was the only peaceful way to accomplish his mission. "I guess that if it's for my lady, I would gladly accept anything."
"I think I'll have a few too... Hm? What did you say?"
"Nothing, we agreed to not meddle with each other's business, remember?"
"So, you're a smartass now!"
The butler cocked his head, "Didn't I look like one before?"
William imagined the butler the day before, all dressed in green camouflage, and he couldn't see him as anything other than,
"Nope, just a complete idiot."
***
Now that William had accepted the offer and the small talk was over, it was time to begin the planning. He knew very well that travel time would take around a month and a half at least to reach the temple. It all depended on the road.
"We are currently in the town of Aoba. It is the closest town to the Lost Forest, the biggest forest in the kingdom." They were both looking at a map that William had taken out and planted it on the counter, "We are south of the forest and the temple is to the northeast. Going around the forest would take too much time. The only option would be to go through it."
"Right, but that darn mountain is in the way... we'll need a route that can take us safely to the other side and in the quickest way possible. I take it that living in the forest gives you the expertise?"
It was hard to think of one. William grew up in the forest but not with its people. He barely saw any of the Drakon tribe and when he did, they would act very distant towards him. He wasn't permitted to walk further inside the forest.
"I do know of a fast route. I heard about it recently, but there are some complications."
He didn't know much about the paths, but he thought of a road they could take. From what he overheard, it was the quickest but the farthest from being safe. The only way to get across it was with some help from the Drakon tribe. Specifically, from her.
—But, how the hell will I make her listen?
It was clear to him that the Drakon tribe hated William. Their actions towards him only proved that they wanted nothing to do with him or any other outsider. To get their help would be a tough challenge.
"First, I need to know how much time we have to get to the temple."
The butler, without any hesitation, said, "Two weeks."
"You're insane?! There's no way. Just the forest alone takes about a week. The temple is in the far northeast."
"I don't have that luxury of time!" he exclaimed while standing on his stool and slamming the bar counter.
It caused a few heads to turn around towards the odd pair. The butler cleared his throat and sat back on the stool. He continued the conversation in a lower tone of voice.
"I know very well the travel time, but I know of a certain someone that can help us with that once we're out of the forest. We just need to find a fast way through the mountains so we can reach him."
William could sense the butler's desperation. Although he hadn't said it, William knew that it was a dire situation that could not wait any longer.
"If it comes to that, then I guess I have no other choice... don't worry, I'll find a way. I just need to have a little chat with an old "friend" of mine is all."
As they kept planning the route, things got more twisted when it came to getting everything done. It wasn't sure if both of the men were on the same page, but they both seemed convinced that it would play out just fine or, at least, they hoped.
With the route out of the way there were only two things left to discuss.
"Let's begin by discussing transportation and what we will bring."
William scratched his cheek, "If you're talking about weapons, I got you covered. I happened to get a big score of food, so we're covered with that as well. Like I requested, you will have to provide a carriage since I don't own one. I don't know if I have told you this, but I'm very close to... penniless." The blacksmith could barely look at the butler's eyes when he said it.
The butler sighed, "I thought as much as soon as I found out that you lived in that forest. Very well, I will see to it on getting the carriage."
"I'll make sure to forge some weapons before we leave. For you as well."
The butler was surprised by William's addition, "Is it really necessary to make weapons for me as well? I was under the impression that you didn't like making weapons for anybody but yourself, or so the rumors say."
"Who's spreading those rumors!? No wonder I'm not getting jobs lately!" The man sighed, "Well, in a way, they're true. Things change and I'm under payment. As long as you aren't greedy."
Sebastian gave William a slight bow, "Very well. I would be most grateful."
"Alright then," The blacksmith stood up from his stool, "I had best be off and get started on making those weapons. I'm going to drain that boy tonight. I won't let him sleep one bit."
"I suggest you word that differently next time..." The butler rested his chin in the palm of his hands as he watched the blacksmith turn his back on him to leave, "The kid... are you going to bring him along?"
William turned to look at the butler, "What do you mean?"
"Don't you think he's incapable of going out on a dangerous journey?"
"I believe in the kid. He's shown to have guts."
The butler remained silent, lost in his own thoughts.
"If you have something else to say about the matter, I suggest you speak up because silence won't get us anywhere."
"My apologies," The butler's face changed to a colder expression, "but don't you believe something's off with the boy?"
The blacksmith raised an eyebrow, "What the hell do you mean?"
The butler closed one of his eyes, "...Never mind, maybe it's just me imagining things." He got up from his stool and put a hand on William's shoulder, "I'll be taking care of the carriage situation now. I'll be seeing you both tomorrow at dawn."
William looked at the butler's back confused as he walked out the door.
"What? Hey!"
"--Excuse me, Mr. William Jaeger?"
A voice rang behind the blacksmith. He looked away from the butler and turned to the waitress behind the counter.
The drunk William responded rather crudely after being called out of the blue, "Can I help you with something?"
The woman bowed, "I'm sorry for interrupting, but I would like to have a word with you. It's about Lucy..."
***
"Ugh! You reek of alcohol!"
"Hey, you're supposed to say, "welcome back"!"
The moment William opened the front door, the scent of alcohol had enveloped the entire room. He had chucked down eight to ten glasses of beer in broad daylight talking with the butler. Although the result was a smooth negotiation, it was received with a cold stare from one of the people of his household.
"Here I am, the soon to be legend, working vigorously while his, good for nothing, master is enjoying his time at the bar... in broad daylight at that. This isn't the first time I've seen you do this either."
"When you become an adult, you'll understand that any time is a good opportunity to drink alcohol."
"Whatever you say... I'm still staying as far away from it as possible."
The young man remembered what it was like to drink alcohol and he couldn't understand it. The adults made it seem like it was the tastiest thing in the world and showed nothing but happy smiles when they drank it, but he could barely even swallow it down when he tried it. The tingling sensation bothered his throat and after just one glass he felt his body weakened. He even passed out in front of everyone at the bar. The young man had a sudden burst of rage. That humiliation was all thanks to that one red-haired man.
"Did everything go smoothly with that evil demon?"
"Hm? I didn't know you were so fond of him."
"Hah! as if! I'll get my revenge on that jerk for making me look bad in front of everyone at the bar."
"Well, you'll get your chance at it soon enough. We'll be leaving tomorrow at dawn."
The young man's eyes opened wide, "Is it that soon!?"
"According to Sebastian, time isn't in our hands. So, we have to leave as soon as possible."
The young man cocked his head, "Wait, you said "we". Does that mean that I get to go too!?"
"Isn't it obvious? I need someone to carry my equipment around."
"I'm just going to be your bell boy?!" the young man sighed and accepted it defeatedly, "Alright..."
"That's the spirit!"
The young man turned to continue on his work, his eyes concentrated only on his craft, determined to get the work done before the estimated time. The blacksmith couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"Don't you believe something's off with the boy?"
The blacksmith recalled the butler's words, and he couldn't understand. What was it that made the butler question about the boy?
"Have you finished making the daggers I requested?"
"I finished one just a few minutes ago. Take a look!"
The young man enthusiastically handed down the dagger that he carefully crafted to the blacksmith. He waited patiently, this time with higher expectations of his master's critique.
The first step in making a dagger would be to choose the steel. It depended on the amount of carbon that was added to the iron to make it a certain grade of steel. In the first attempt, the young man had chosen the one with the highest amount of carbon. Although the greater amount of carbon it has can make a difference in how strong the dagger can become, it can also make it so strong that it can be brittle.
The last time the young man had been over his trial at making a dagger, the biggest mistake was that he had sharpened only one side of the blade. In that case, what he made back then was not a dagger at all, but a knife instead. The dagger is a centerline weapon. Its primary focus is on stabbing, not slicing. It needs to be sharpened on both sides of the blade so the stab can cut deep into its target.
--But this time...
The young man had rough cut the excessive steel, following the model dagger the blacksmith had provided for him to follow, and filed it to give it the final shape. After beveling the blade, he made the brass guard and the wood handles. He hardened and tempered the blade this time, softening enough to make it slightly flexible, not as hard as to be brittle and prone to shatter. After forging the blade, he finished it off by polishing it and attaching the brass guard and handle.
Thus, he finally made a proper dagger.
"Boy, you actually did it this time. Well done."
The young man's eyes lighted up with joy. He had spent all day working on properly making his dagger. He tried multiple times, but they all ended in failure, just like his first attempt. He thought of giving up, but as the saying goes, "practice makes perfect". He eventually got better at it on each try until he finally succeeded.
The young man puffed up his chest, "I knew you would like it! I made it after all and on the first try at that!"
"I can see your nose growing. Besides, if it was on your first try then, what are those rejects on the floor?"
The blacksmith pointed at a pile of daggers on the floor and upon closer look, they were made improperly, not up for use. The young man swings his arms around all flustered, trying to cover the mess, "These? um... these are nothing. Don't look!"
The blacksmith smiled, "Just clean it up before our guest sees it. We don't want her thinking we're messy people." He looked for a bag in one of his drawers and walked to the young man, "Open your hand." he took out from the bag what appeared to be a crystal.
The young man opened his hand and cocked his head in confusion as the blacksmith handed him down the object, "What is it?"
"It's a mana crystal. Try melting some of it with ten daggers."
"When am I making ten daggers?"
"What do you mean?" The blacksmith put his hands on his hips, "You're making them now for our trip."
"What?!" The young man was left speechless at the amount of work that was laid in front of him.
"Before you begin, make sure to clean up. I don't want the rejects to keep piling up."
"Who says I'm going to keep failing? Just wait! I'll do a ten streak of perfectly crafted daggers and--"
"--Yeah, yeah. Just get to cleaning."
The young man sighs, "Jeez, would it kill you to help me clean it out at least?"
The blacksmith ignored the young man's question, "By the way," He smirked at the back of the young man cleaning, "Have you been treating our guest properly?"
"Of course, I'm not an uncivilized man. I've been offering her food, drinks and places to rest."
"Hmm. I saw the way you were looking at her. You haven't done anything... weird, have you? You are at that age after all."
The boy turned aggressively at the blacksmith, "Who do you think I am?!" He put one of his hands on his chest, "I would never do that! I'm a soon to be legend and legends don't commit such actions. Besides," The young man's cheeks turned red, "she's a nice person."
The blacksmith crossed his arms and looked at the young man, pleased at his answer. He was glad that he picked an apprentice with high morals. He looked around for the topic of their conversation but,
"Hm? Speaking of which, where is our damsel in distress?"
"Oh, a while ago she said she wanted some fresh air. She's most likely at the lake right now."
"I see... Well, if she asks, tell her I'll be back in a bit." The blacksmith said as he walked out the door.
The young man walked behind him, "Wait! You're leaving again? Where are you going?"
The blacksmith stood outside the doorframe and while closing the door on the young man, he said, "I'm going to see an old... "friend"."