blacksmith of a Thousand tales

Chapter 57:

Duke Valroth lounged in his opulent chamber, his self-satisfied smirk illuminated by the golden glow of the fireplace. Women adorned in silks and chained by gold-plated collars moved around him, their expressions blank. Valroth's reputation as a ruthless womanizer was well-earned, and he basked in the decadence of his lifestyle.

"What's the matter?" he sneered, pulling one of the women closer. "You're fortunate to be in my service. Few men can offer such luxury."

The revelry was interrupted by a loud knock. The heavy doors creaked open, and Valroth's knights dragged in a trembling messenger.

Valroth's smirk faded, replaced with a cold glare.

"This had better be worth my time," he growled, swirling his goblet. "Or you'll regret interrupting me."

The messenger fell to his knees, visibly shaking.

"M-my lord, we've uncovered some information. The blacksmith behind the new magical artifacts has an apprentice—a commoner boy studying at Greyhold's Magic Academy."

Valroth raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"A commoner, you say? Interesting. And the blacksmith

"We couldn't find him. Most of our spies were… captured or killed."

A dangerous silence followed before Valroth rose, a dagger glinting in his hand.

"So you're telling me you failed to steal the blacksmith's secrets?"

The messenger begged for mercy, but Valroth silenced him with a swift slash to the throat.

"Failure has consequences," he muttered, wiping the blade clean.

His knights exchanged amused glances, their expressions mirroring their lord's ruthlessness. Like Valroth, they held no tolerance for incompetence or weakness.

Turning to his knights, Valroth gestured for a report.

"How are our forces?"

One knight stepped forward, speaking with confidence:

"Thanks to the training camps, we've raised over ten thousand knights, my lord."

"The camps are working perfectly. The orphans are pliable and easy to mold. With the right mix of training and… persuasion, they grow into soldiers who follow your commands without question."

Valroth grinned. His training camps weren't just for training; they were factories for brainwashing the abandoned and unwanted into loyal pawns. Orphans from conquered territories and the Empire's outskirts were stripped of their identities, reshaped into warriors who viewed Valroth as their savior and the Empire as their enemy.

"Good," Valroth said. "Let the Empire think their discarded children are worthless. We'll use their blind spots to destroy them."

Valroth's thoughts drifted back to a moment years ago, when a demon from the distant continent arrived to meet him and the other dukes who clung to the old ways.

The demon was infuriating—aloof, obsessed with sleep, and entirely unconcerned with their plans. Valroth still remembered the frustration as the demon yawned its way through their meeting, pausing only to complain about the lack of comfortable places to nap.

But when one of Valroth's knights made the mistake of insulting the demon, it awoke in full. In a single moment of fury, the demon obliterated the knight, reducing him to ash. The sheer power on display was a stark reminder of why this alliance, no matter how irritating, was necessary.

"If that damned creature weren't so powerful, I'd have killed it myself," Valroth muttered. "But even I know better than to challenge it."

The demon's promised weapons would arrive in two years, perfectly aligned with their plans to overthrow the royal family. Yet the wait grated on Valroth's patience.

"Two years," he grumbled. "If that lazy beast delays any further, I'll have its head

Snapping back to the present, Valroth addressed his knights.

"What of the holy knight, Seraphine? She's been interfering with our caravans."

"She's elusive, my lord. But we've set traps. It's only a matter of time before we capture or kill her."

Valroth nodded, satisfied. Then, his expression darkened as he turned to another matter.

"And the northern and eastern dukedoms? Have they acquired the new technology?"

"No, my lord. They haven't managed to steal it, nor have they developed anything comparable. The Empire has kept its secrets locked away. For now, our forces are unmatched."

"Good. Let them lag behind. It will ensure they follow my lead when the time comes."

Valroth finally addressed the demon's promised aid.

"What of our sleepy ally from the demon continent?"

"The weapons and support he promised are on schedule, but they won't arrive for another two years."

Valroth slammed his goblet onto the table, frustration boiling over.

"Two years is too long. Summon the northern and eastern dukes. We need to discuss advancing the timeline. This new technology has made the Empire stronger than we anticipated. If we wait, we risk losing our advantage."

Alone in his chamber, Valroth stared into the flickering flames of the hearth. His thoughts returned to the blacksmith's apprentice.

"The royals think they're untouchable, their Empire unbreakable. But every empire falls. And when it does, I'll be the one standing on its ashes. That boy… he may be of some use."

few days later, Reyn stood outside his parents' newly upgraded home, a large satchel slung over his shoulder. The sturdy stone walls and polished wood beams reflected the success they had all achieved together, yet it was still the same warm, inviting house he had grown up in. He took a deep breath before stepping inside.

"Elara, Reyn's here!" Garvin's deep voice called out as the door swung open.

His mother appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him. "Reyn! You've been so busy lately. Sit down, you look exhausted."

Reyn smiled. "I'll rest soon, Mom. But first, I brought gifts."

Both Elara and Garvin exchanged curious looks as Reyn set the satchel on the dining table.

"For you first, Mom." Reyn carefully pulled out a neatly folded parchment and handed it to her.

Elara's eyes widened as she unfolded the paper. "A… deed?"

"A deed to a restaurant," Reyn said with a grin. "It's in the city square. Fully outfitted with magic-powered cooking equipment. No more lugging firewood or waiting for coals to heat."

Elara gasped, her hands trembling as she read the details. "Reyn… I don't know what to say. This… this is everything I've dreamed of."

"I also included this," Reyn added, placing a small book on the table. "It's a recipe book I wrote for you. Some ideas from my research—things like lasagna, ramen, sushi, pizza, and even pancakes. I thought you might like to try something new."

Tears welled in Elara's eyes as she clutched the book to her chest. "My little boy… you've given me the world."

Reyn chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Well, you've done a lot for me, Mom. It's the least I could do."

Turning to his father, Reyn unwrapped a bundle of cloth to reveal four hammers. Each gleamed faintly in the light, their surfaces inscribed with intricate runes.

"For you, Dad." Reyn's voice was steady, but his expression betrayed a hint of pride. "Each hammer is infused with elemental magic. They can transform any ordinary weapon into something extraordinary. Fire, ice, lightning, wind—whatever the wielder needs."

Garvin stared at the tools, awestruck. He reached out, running his calloused fingers over the smooth metal. "Reyn… these are incredible. But I'm just a simple blacksmith. I've only ever forged and repaired regular weapons."

"Not anymore," Reyn said, his grin widening. "You've always had the skill, Dad. These hammers will let you take it to the next level."

Garvin hesitated, then picked up the red hammer. He placed a plain iron blade on the anvil and struck it once. A burst of orange light flared, filling the workshop with a soft glow. When the light faded, the blade shimmered faintly, as if embers danced beneath its surface.

Garvin's jaw dropped. "It's… alive."

Reyn chuckled. "You did that, Dad. You've got the talent—I just gave you the tools."

Elara stepped forward, resting a hand on Garvin's arm. "Our son's amazing, isn't he?"

Garvin nodded, still staring at the blade. "More than I ever imagined."

Reyn's voice softened. "I wanted to give you both something to make your lives easier. I'll be busy forging and studying at the academy, and if all goes well, I'll be able to graduate early next year. After that… I'm planning to see the world. I want to find people worthy of my creations."

Elara's smile faltered. "You're leaving?"

Reyn nodded. "Not right away, but eventually. There's so much out there to see and learn."

Elara pulled him into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you, Reyn. But I'll miss you terribly."

Garvin stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Reyn's shoulder. "You've got your mother's heart and my stubbornness. You'll do great things out there. Just don't forget where you came from."