Ch.97Chapter 97 – Toward the Heart of Extreme Heat (1)

The bracelet made by Vulcana, the guardian deity of blacksmiths, fit perfectly around my wrist.

As if it had been made specifically for my wrist size from the beginning.

“Shall we test it out?”

At Epitrina’s suggestion to test it, I transformed the bracelet into various tools.

Starting with the most basic hammer, then a mallet, sledgehammer, crowbar, spanner, pipe wrench, screwdriver, and other tools.

Even various kitchen utensils like frying pans, woks, spatulas, spoons, chopsticks, tongs, scissors, and knives.

This freely transforming bracelet seemed like it would be of great help to me in the future.

“Above all… I don’t feel any weight at all.”

No matter how large a tool I transformed it into, I couldn’t feel any weight.

Though it clearly made sounds when swung, I could swing it repeatedly without easily getting tired.

“That’s why Vulcana is called the guardian deity of blacksmiths. She possesses greater craftsmanship than any blacksmith in this world.”

Pride was evident in Epitrina’s voice as she boasted about Vulcana’s abilities.

“Now it’s time to return. With this artifact, you’ll certainly be able to repair the Heart of Extreme Flame.”

Has that much time passed already?

Epitrina waved her hand with a regretful expression.

A portal formed, and through it, I could see the interior of the Great Prayer Hall in the Great Goddess Temple of the Grendillet Mountains.

“Before you leave, feel free to ask if there’s anything you want to know.”

Before departing this place, I was given one last opportunity to question Epitrina.

As I was wondering what to ask, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

“Epitrina. Are there any other restrictions on this ability you’ve given me?”

It was about the limits of my power.

This ability that could cure the Chancellor’s curse, heal incurable diseases, repair broken swords, and even transform tasteless bread into culinary masterpieces.

As far as I had discovered, the only drawback of this ability was that it had to be activated through a hammer.

However, this was something I had figured out through my own testing, not something I knew from the beginning.

Therefore, I concluded that Epitrina, the being who gave me this ability, would know the extent of its limitations.

I looked into Epitrina’s eyes, urging her to answer quickly.

“Don’t you already know? That for now, the ability can only be activated through a hammer.”

“For now?”

The word “now” came from Epitrina’s lips.

Does that mean that later I’ll be able to use this ability freely without a hammer?

“I was going to tell you later, but since it’s come to this, I’ll tell you right now.”

Epitrina raised her head to look at me.

“The only penalty of the ability I gave you is that it can only be activated through a hammer. And the reason for this penalty was because of the environment you grew up in.”

I was puzzled by Epitrina’s explanation.

A penalty requiring a hammer was created because of the environment I grew up in?

“That’s not quite enough explanation…”

“I was just about to explain. First, in the world you lived in, what object comes to mind when you think of fixing something?”

Obviously, a hammer…?

“Ah!”

The single word that popped into my mind upon hearing Epitrina’s question.

‘Hammer.’

In most games and almost all creative works, isn’t a hammer the symbol of someone who fixes things?

“That’s right. In the world you lived in, when you think of ‘fixing’ something, you think of a hammer. Of course, there are regions where this isn’t the case, but in most places, hammers have been used to create and fix things since ancient times.”

I listened attentively to Epitrina’s words.

“I’ll cut it short since we don’t have time for a more detailed explanation. Anyway, this penalty exists because of your experiences in the world you lived in. And not just you—all other ability users have similar penalties in their own ways.”

Hmm. I see.

It’s the first time I’m hearing this, but I nodded in understanding.

This kind of penalty wasn’t mentioned while playing Erasto Chronicle.

“And this is the most important part: ability users cannot use their abilities on themselves.”

“I thought so…”

Ability users cannot use their abilities on themselves.

So that’s why my ability didn’t activate when I experimented on my own body.

“Oh, but that only applies to other people~.”

What?

“Wait, so my ability…!”

“Well~ that’s all for today’s meeting~. Let’s meet again sometime!”

No, wait! This isn’t fair! You need to explain everything!

I tried to grab Epitrina somehow.

But the moment I reached out, I was already inside the Great Prayer Hall.

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

As I came out of the temple, that priest from earlier was waiting for me.

“Did you have a good time, Brother?”

A good time…

“It was decent enough.”

It would have been much better if Epitrina hadn’t kicked me out at the end.

But thinking about it again, Epitrina didn’t completely withhold information from me.

At least my ability has restrictions “for now.”

To summarize these restrictions: I need to hold a hammer for the ability to activate.

And unlike others, I might be able to use my ability on myself.

For the first case, this was confirmed directly by Epitrina herself.

Needing a hammer to use my ability is both an advantage and a disadvantage.

Why is it an advantage? Because I can use the excuse of not having a hammer to avoid using my ability.

But in urgent situations, not having a hammer becomes a fatal weakness.

So my priority should be to eliminate this penalty for using my ability.

Next, I need to figure out how to use my ability on myself.

“Count Severio. Have you finished your business?”

“Yes. Let’s return to the palace.”

The dwarf knight had also appeared.

I followed him back toward the palace.

Many thoughts crossed my mind as we headed to the palace.

‘How should I explain this?’

It’s true that the Heart of Extreme Flame was damaged due to the dwarves’ arrogance, and Vulcana is satisfied that they’ve realized this.

However, because a major crisis is approaching, she needs to conserve her strength and cannot fix it herself.

Therefore, she has delegated the task to me, and the proof is Vulcana’s artifact that I’m wearing on my wrist.

‘This should be enough for them to understand.’

Ironbeard isn’t stupid; he should be able to understand this much.

With an artifact made directly by Vulcana as evidence, I think Ironbeard and the other dwarves will agree to let me repair the Heart of Extreme Flame.

“Your Majesty. I have brought Count Severio.”

“Come in.”

Opening the reception room door, I found Ironbeard waiting for me in the same place as before.

“So, what did the Goddess say?”

Ironbeard seemed curious about what answer I had received.

His eagerness was evident in how actively he invited me to sit down.

I took a seat, and soon a dwarf servant brought a cup of tea.

“How much time has passed since I left here?”

“About 45 minutes.”

About 45 minutes. So I spent roughly 5 minutes in the temple.

It felt like a couple of hours to me.

“Hahaha. Don’t worry. It’s common for those who commune with the divine to feel as though much more time has passed than actually has.”

Ironbeard laughed heartily, saying he had experienced the same, and I nodded in agreement.

“So, what did the Great Goddess say?”

Ironbeard’s question came again, and I slowly began to speak.

“The guardian deity of blacksmiths, Lady Vulcana, was disappointed by the dwarves’ arrogance, but she is satisfied that you have now recognized your arrogance.”

“Ah! Vulcana! Most ardent flame! Thank you!”

I raised the hammer-transformed bracelet before Ironbeard, who was offering his thanks.

“And the Great Goddess commanded me to repair the Heart of Extreme Flame with this divine object given to me by Lady Vulcana.”

“This is… the Infinite Shadow!”

Infinite Shadow? So that’s the name of this artifact.

“This is one of Vulcana’s greatest masterpieces. Even I could only manage to create an extremely poor imitation. The fact that it’s in your hands means that Vulcana has truly granted permission to repair the Heart of Extreme Flame.”

Ironbeard nodded as he looked at the Infinite Shadow transformed into a hammer.

“Stand up. From now on, we will head to the deepest part of the Grendillet Mountains, where the Heart of Extreme Flame is located.”