Ch.147147. The Blacksmith (2)

The day after hearing about the blacksmith, an acquaintance of Grand Master Hecate.

[Is this the place, my lord?]

“Yeah. I think so.”

At noon, when the sun was directly overhead. After having lunch at the treehouse, Lancelot and I set out to find the blacksmith’s forge that the Grand Master had told us about yesterday.

As it happened, the blacksmith who was supposedly Grand Master’s acquaintance also resided in this city of Totler, so this was an opportunity that might not come again.

Anyway, with a clear goal in mind, I navigated through the complex streets of Totler City, moving in all directions, and before long, we arrived at our destination.

‘Is this it….’

The target location, that is, a small forge-workshop existing on the outskirts of Totler City.

In Totler City of the Elven Kingdom, where most buildings were made of mysterious materials or wood, this structure—built with stone and brick—was one of the few that took a surprisingly orthodox form.

On one side of the workshop, a protruding waterwheel turned with water flowing from magical devices, making noise, while on the other side, a chimney stood tall, spewing heat and smoke.

Additionally, what appeared to be firewood was stacked against one wall under the eaves, and a storehouse, presumably for storing materials, was positioned on one side.

The scene looked too ordinary for a blacksmith whom Grand Master Hecate had praised for his skill, but there’s nothing more foolish in this world than judging something by its appearance alone.

So, with hearts pounding from a bit of anticipation, we opened the door of the forge, which had a sign reading “Open for Business,” and entered.

“…”

There was a man sitting comfortably in a chair, looking in our direction as if he had sensed our presence.

This human (presumably) man, who appeared to be over 40 years old, was dressed in typical blacksmith attire, including a leather apron and gloves.

His skin had taken on a copper-like color, likely from spending a considerable amount of time as a blacksmith, and his black hair, which had begun to show some gray, along with his beard, was kept in an unkempt state as if he wasn’t bothered by the heat.

While the blacksmith’s appearance wasn’t particularly remarkable, after seeing him, I noticed through my superior insight that there was something about him.

It could be because of his mysterious eyes with their unique mix of red and yellow, or perhaps I sensed that “something” peculiar to humans who have devoted themselves to a single craft for a long time.

But regardless, since it was clear that the person before my eyes was no ordinary individual, I cleared my throat to loosen my slightly constricted voice and addressed him.

“Ahem, excuse me. Is this the forge of Master Hephaestus?”

“Yes, I am Hephaestus. You are… a human visitor, which is rare these days?”

“Yes. Lady Hecate introduced me to you.”

“…Hecate?”

The blacksmith Hephaestus, who had been listening to my story with a deep voice, inadvertently repeated the name directly when Grand Master Hecate’s name was mentioned.

“Ah, yes. When I asked the Grand Master to introduce me to a skilled blacksmith, she mentioned you, Master Hephaestus.”

“Grand Master… you mean she’s the master of your master?”

“That’s right. She’s the master of my master and adoptive mother, Lady Dalia.”

“Then… this Dalia is Circe?”

“Yes. That’s what she said.”

Somehow he was addressing Hecate by name, and now he seemed to have a connection with my mother as well. I answered the blacksmith Hephaestus like that, and…

“In that case, hiding like this would be disrespectful to both of them.”

“Pardon? Hiding…”

I didn’t understand the sudden remark he made and tried to question him, but it was a bit too late.

Before I could continue speaking, the blacksmith Hephaestus grabbed his “shell” and partially lifted the veil…

“───!!!”

There, stood a 【God】.

A being with a world-shaking presence that would surpass all the presences I had ever experienced, appeared right before me.

With my, my inadequate language ability, I cannot possibly compare it to anything. I cannot express it. Perhaps it will forever be impossible to express that, the appearance of a 【God】, in the language of mortals.

But, if I were to forcibly express the being before my eyes in words…

Right now, before my eyes existed an information life form with a volume of information that transcended the horizon of cognition.

Countless sounds of hammers striking, anvils clashing, metals cooling and heating in water echoed all around.

There were as many tools as there were stars in the high heavens. The molten metal and fuel consumed in the process of building human civilization. Furnaces numbering in the hundreds of millions. The essence that creates the development of civilization and the world of humanity. That was now before my eyes.

Of course, having reached the limit of mortals known as superior, I could understand. The being before me was not so much a transcendental something where the concept itself had gained personality, but rather a concentration of humanity’s spiritual power formed by the solidification of countless emotions and perceptions.

And perhaps because he also noticed that I had noticed his true nature.

【Pleased to meet you. I am Vulcanus. The blacksmith of the gods.】

As the blacksmith god, with an amused smile on his lips, greeted me like that.

I somehow managed to move my stiffened face and gave an awkward smile.

While deliberately ignoring the pressure and heat that seemed about to burst forth.

※ ※ ※

Vulcanus. The god of blacksmiths and fire worshipped during the ancient imperial era.

Having witnessed with my own eyes a true god whose faith still continues among blacksmiths, I… suddenly wondered.

When I saw a demigod (Hecate) who wasn’t a true god, I suffered such a severe spiritual impact, so why on earth am I unharmed after seeing a real god?

As I pondered this, he laid the unconscious Lancelot on the sofa, put his “shell” back on to return to being Hephaestus, and as if reading my question, he chuckled and began to speak.

“Wondering why your mind hasn’t collapsed?”

“…Yes.”

“Actually, there’s no special reason. Unlike the lofty Vulcanus in the high heavens, the blacksmith Hephaestus is merely a mortal. Besides briefly lifting the veil like this, there’s not much else I can do, so my influence on this earth is quite limited.”

“I see… That’s why nothing happened around us…”

“Correct, disciple of Circe. If the blacksmith god of the high heavens were to descend directly, at the very least, this entire area would be destroyed by a volcano.”

Knowing that the blacksmith god Vulcanus was not only the god of blacksmiths and fire but also the god of volcanoes, I couldn’t laugh at what the blacksmith Hephaestus had thrown out as a joke.

A joke made by a being who could actually carry it out is commonly called a threat.

Anyway, after hearing the blacksmith Hephaestus’s words, I finally realized what kind of relationship existed between the two beings.

The mortal blacksmith Hephaestus was like an avatar sent down by the blacksmith god Vulcanus, a material being roaming the earth in place of the original body that was too powerful to operate on the ground.

“So, what brings you to this ordinary blacksmith? You mentioned earlier that you came on Hecate’s recommendation?”

“Ordinary… Ah, yes. Actually, I asked Grand Master Hecate for help in fitting equipment for this friend, and she recommended you, Master Hephaestus.”

“Oh, and?”

“…It seems things have gotten a bit bigger than expected, but my request remains the same. I’m not sure if I can offer adequate compensation, but could you possibly make equipment for this fellow?”

After finishing my explanation, I tried to steady my pounding heart as I waited for his answer, and with a kind smile, he nodded…

“Very well, let me ask a few more questions for reference.”

“Oh, feel free to ask anything!”

“Good. Right now, I am not the blacksmith god Vulcanus but the ordinary blacksmith Hephaestus. So I can only make ordinary weapons…”

“That’s fine!”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“Yes! Well, I was planning to take care of the rest myself anyway. I was just looking for someone to craft the weapons and armor.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, it is!”

“Then, good. Let me show you my craftsmanship. Tell me what you need now.”

“…Thank you!”

And finally, when the definitive answer came from the blacksmith Hephaestus’s mouth, I couldn’t help but be overjoyed, almost jumping with excitement.

After all, who wouldn’t be thrilled when the god of blacksmiths himself offers to make a weapon for you?