"Thanks for coming along, John. Didn't think you'd agree to participating in what's essentially a terribly put together heist."
"Don't worry! Since I know this is for Lorelai's sake, I'll let it slide."
It was now the next day. Using some of his special privileges as the club leader of the TGS, Dignitas was able to obtain permission to host a special "unscheduled" mission.
Because unlike their past missions, this time, they would not be taking the portal. The All-Seeing Eye Implant wasn't located in another continent, or a city-country like Fihndreik. Rather, it was right under everyone's noses.
Most of the people who lived in Regalian and around the world were never able to find out much about this certain place throughout their lives. It was just that hard to find, and that difficult to get access to.
Currently, Dignitas and John were walking through the streets where the former lived before entering in the Academy. As their destination wasn't that far away, they could spend a great deal of time preparing.
Ring… the door to Duvari's shop opened. It had been quite a long time, about a few months, ever since Dignitas had met with the dwarf, the very same person who entrusted to him Dainsleif.
And since his shop was fortunately situated right in the middle of the route they were taking, Dignitas found no reason to pay a visit to him.
"There he is. Still as shaky as ever."
Dignitas watched Duvari rapidly taking on orders from his customers with a pen and paper and shifting between the forge.
"It looks like word of his skill in blacksmithing has started to spread, heh. It was only a matter of time. We should wait for the crowd to clear up. You can have a look around if you want, John."
"I'll take you up on that offer, Dignitas. The selection of swords on display are quite pleasing to the eyes! Oh, this one's handle looks a bit loose, and yet the blade seems sharp and steady…"
Leaving John to go about his own business, Dignitas went about the shop, perusing the various products available. While he didn't really have any money to spend, he still felt a sense of wonder from looking at the large number of weapons hanging from their respective displays.
A few swords had appealed to his tastes, but none of them were even remotely close to the price point he had expected them to be at.
It was only after ten minutes that the crowd surrounding Duvari had dispersed and he was able to breathe.
"Yo, Duvari. Remember me?"
"Ah, of–course! How have you been doing, Dignitas?"
The passing of time seemed to not have done in regards to changing the dwarf's personality. He figured the blacksmith would never lose that anxious look on his face no matter how many swords he forged.
The same couldn't be said for his skill, though. Dignitas didn't even need to consult the Log; he knew how much The God Of Smithing could improve if given time.
And time he was indeed given. In no less than a few months, his works had undergone a vast improvement.
"Fine. Sorry, haven't been able to track down the Basilisk. I've kept myself busy thanks to the Academy. But say, do you mind performing a check-up on Dainsleif?"
"Not at all." Duvari's face beamed with happiness as he finally laid eyes upon his master's work after a long time. "Not a single one of my weapons have been able to reach even half of the mastery my master employed in his forging. I've started to give up on ever trying to reach his level."
"No, I know you'll reach it. You've got the talent to do so." Dignitas replied, as he was one of the very few people who knew the dwarf's true worth.
"I'm thankful you think of me that way. You have my gratitude…"
"Let's take a look at how my master's sword has been doing."
Taking Dainsleif from Dignitas, the blacksmith placed it onto a small pedestal adorned with all sorts of machinery, where a rather large lamp flickered slightly before flashing an intense light at the sword.
Duvari then began quite literally placing his face directly in front of the sword. With his trained eyes, he scanned for any changes to the blade, hilt, and handle, while also making sure to note down any imperfections that seemed to have popped up as a byproduct of its use.
"Surprisingly, there isn't much wear and tear noticeable on the blade's surface. There's a few scratches towards the edge and… oh… what is this?" His voice raised, sounding intrigued.
"What? What is it?"
"I can see… rock? It's melding with the sword's blade and somehow amplifying its sharpness. Did you perhaps… strike the sword against a really durable boulder?"
"Boulder… boulder?" Dignitas tilted his head, trying to recall. "No, never hav—ah. Yup, a demonic boulder."
"I see. If it was a boulder that had been surrounded by Devil Ashra, then maybe it grew to become able to take in the energy from the air."
Dignitas couldn't help but chuckle a bit. Back then, Varnier had caused him and the others so much trouble, and yet here he was, comparing him to the likes of a boulder enchanted with Devil Ashra.
Well, it wasn't like the Demon Of The Stone was any different from one.
"So, what's up with the blade? Did the boulder make Dainsleif stronger?"
"Yes, something like that. The excess Devil Ashra from the boulder seems to have seeped into Dainsleif's blade, and granting it increased properties. As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to have any… adverse effects."
"You sure? I don't want the sword suddenly turning demonic and taking away my life force while trying to kill a beast."
If what John said back in the entrance exam was true, then Dainsleif was treading on the border of light and darkness. If darkness was to refer to demons… then was light supposed to correspond to angels?
The existence of holy beings weren't entirely too far fetched, of course. This world's inhabitants worshipped a variety of different gods and goddesses. Even Duvari himself was a devout follower of Maximus, the God Of Smithing in the dwarven pantheon.
"There shouldn't be any problem as long as the sword doesn't take in too much evil energy. If you notice anything, you can always come back, and I'll try to return it back to its original state."
"That's pleasant to the ears, definitely. Thanks for the checkup." Dignitas said as he received Dainsleif back from Duvari.
"My pleasure. Please come again."
Bidding farewell to the dwarf, Dignitas then continued on to look for John, who he later found in the back end of the shop, examining a sword.
"You gonna buy that?" He said as he approached him.
"No, I don't have the money, haha. Maybe if we run into one of Curie's shops while on the way, I could."
"Shame. It looks mighty fitting next to your other sword, you know." Dignitas stared at the golden Excalibur replica John had sheathed to his waist.
"You think so too?"
"Yeah, it suits that whole vibe thing you've got going. You know, the hero of light aura you always carry around."
"Nonsense! We're all our own heroes. If you can't find the strength to save yourself, then it is perfectly fine to ask for help from another. That way, we'll be heroes who save other heroes."
"I envy that optimistic attitude you have, too," Dignitas nodded while sighing.