Chapter 22: The Sword of the Sun

World Tree.

In other words, ‘Yggdrasill’.

To the Elphyrion, it was known as the greatest and most noble tree—a legendary tree said to exist somewhere in the world.

“I’ve heard the name before. But whether it actually exists, I’m not sure.”

“Hm.”

She stroked her chin with a puzzled expression.

“Do you really know where the mithril is?”

“You look like you want to believe me.”

When Rohan gave a sly smile, Retina furrowed her brows.

“You’re clearly just a young human… Yet, there’s something odd about you.”

“Are you going to stay here with us for a while?”

“Well, I suppose I am.”

“Then could you introduce us to Loctercia?”

At Rohan’s question, Retina rolled her eyes.

“I don’t see why not. As long as I’m here, you won’t be up to any funny business.”

Her gaze finally landed on Martin.

“That’s good. I was getting bored just hanging around here anyway. Let’s go. This may not be my city, but I’ve visited often enough to know my way around.”

Retina unexpectedly accepted Rohan’s request without hesitation.

Rohan had always been curious about the sights of Loctercia.

He had visited once before, but he’d never had a proper chance to explore the place where the Dwarves actually lived.

Maybe it was the thought of getting to see Loctercia?

Martin, too, had a quietly expectant look on his face, and Demico was nearly drooling with anticipation.

And so,

Three humans and one Elphyrion stepped out of the house and onto the street.

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Kang! Kang! Kang!

The sounds ringing from the forges resounded all around, as if in perfect harmony.

Even though the air was heavy with sweltering heat, the Dwarves went about their lives without the slightest concern.

“Drink up, drink up!”

“Ah! That’s the stuff!”

Aside from the Dwarves working in the forges, the next most common sight was, as expected, Dwarves guzzling beer straight from huge oak barrels.

“Wow, so the inside of the house really was cool.”

As they entered the district clustered with forges, Demico flapped his clothes and stuck out his tongue.

“Dwarves’ houses are built in a unique way. They spend about eighty percent of the construction time just insulating them from the heat.”

Retina was proving to be a surprisingly thorough guide.

Despite being an Elphyrion, she knew a great deal about Loctercia.

Occasionally, they passed by a sharp and peculiar scent; Retina explained that it was the smell of a mineral called Marinstone.

“You must come to Loctercia often?”

Walking along, Rohan asked Retina, who was beside him.

She brushed back her red hair and gave a bright smile.

“I’ve been coming here since I was little. Even lived here for a few months. You could say Loctercia is like a second home to me.”

“But isn’t the Blood Elphyrion settlement quite far from Loctercia?”

“What the… You even know that?”

Retina gave a short, incredulous laugh.

“You’re right, but I don’t live in the Blood district.”

She was certainly a unique Elphyrion.

Usually, Elphyrions had designated residences within Sylvaren according to their sub-tribe, and leaving those areas was extremely rare.

“But really. What’s up with that human over there?”

Retina pointed her thumb in one direction.

“Ah.”

There was Demico, mouth wide open, panting excitedly.

“Demico really likes ores. In that sense, this place must be heaven for him.”

“A human obsessed with ore. Poor thing, being born human of all things.”

‘If only he’d been born a Dwarf, it’d be better for him.’—a typical Elphyrion consolation.

Just then, a crowd of Dwarves gathered in the middle of the street, murmuring excitedly.

“Does it really change like that?”

“No way! You’re lying, just because we can’t see it?”

“What’s going on?”

Curious, Rohan walked toward the cluster of Dwarves.

What they were surrounding was none other than a sword.

“I’m telling you, it’s true! I can’t show you right now, but this sword will definitely transform into something magnificent!”

At the front, a big-nosed Dwarf, his face flushed, was shouting at the top of his lungs.

He kept insisting something about the sword transforming, but it was hard to make sense of what he meant.

Growing curious, Rohan raised his hand and asked,

“How does the sword change?”

At his question, the Dwarves turned their heads absentmindedly—and then recoiled in shock.

“What the—?”

“Isn’t that a human?”

“How did a human get into Loctercia?!”

Before their surprise could escalate, Retina stepped forward.

“These are the human hostages Lord Graham brought in. There’s no need for concern.”

“Huh? Retina!”

“When did you get here, Retina?”

Their shock at seeing humans was quickly replaced by friendly greetings for Retina.

‘Seems like just about everyone here knows her.’

The more he saw, the more mysterious she became.

“In any case… That’s a splendid sword. I’m curious too, Uncle Alcon. What do you mean the sword changes?”

Apparently, the maker of the sword was named Alcon.

Given she called him uncle, they must be close.

“Kehum! Is that so? If Retina’s curious, I’ll have to explain!”

With a face full of excitement, Alcon lifted the sword high.

“This here is ‘Sunfire’! It looks like a normal sword right now, but when you pour aura into it, that’s when the magic happens!”

“…Aura?”

Martin’s ears perked up as he watched.

And Rohan’s eyes widened for a different reason.

‘Sunfire? Is that the Sunfire I know?’

If that sword really was the one he was thinking of…

“But unfortunately, we Dwarves can’t use aura, so we haven’t been able to test it. Still, I’m sure it’ll be magnificent, without a doubt!”

“Bah, you’re such a liar!”

“Go drink your beer. What a waste of time!”

“Where in the world would you find a sword that transforms with aura?”

Despite Alcon’s proud tone, the other Dwarves were shaking their heads.

“Hmm… The crowd doesn’t seem too convinced.”

“Uncle Alcon is known as the oddball around here.”

Again, Retina expertly filled in the explanation for Rohan’s muttering.

“Hmm.”

After a moment of thought, Rohan strode forward.

“If what’s needed is aura, we might be able to help.”

“…?”

“We have a swordsman in our party who can use aura.”

At Rohan’s words, Alcon’s eyes nearly popped out.

“Is—is that true?!”

“What? Someone who can use aura?”

“Haha! Well, Alcon, looks like your lie is about to get exposed!”

The Dwarves who had started to leave turned back, faces eager not to miss the show.

Alcon grabbed Rohan’s hand tightly and asked,

“Wh-who is it? The human who can use aura?!”

“My squire.”

When Rohan turned his head, Martin blinked in surprise.

“…?”

“What are you waiting for, Martin? Give it a try.”

“M-me, sir?”

Martin looked oddly nervous.

“You’re Alcon, correct?”

“Yes, that’s me—Alcon.”

“Through my squire, I’ll pour aura into the sword and reveal its true worth. But I have one request.”

“A request? What’s that?”

Alcon’s eyes narrowed.

“If I return soon with a gift, I want you to give me that sword.”

“What?!”

Alcon flailed his hands in alarm.

“No way! That’s one of my life’s masterpieces! That’s crazy talk!”

Of course, Rohan had expected this reaction.

He leaned in close and whispered to Alcon,

“To be honest, I came here seeking mithril, the ancient secret legacy.”

“Wh-what?”

Alcon’s eyes trembled as if in an earthquake.

“If I bring you ‘mithril’, wouldn’t you be able to craft something far greater than that sword?”

“…Is—is that true?!”

His beard quivered.

Alcon had been struggling lately.

He hadn’t managed to make any proper weapons because he’d poured everything into making this ‘Sunfire’.

In fact, it was more of a decorative sword than a true weapon, so its real value wasn’t that high.

‘If this human really brings me mithril… That’s an incredible deal!’

He wasn’t good at math, but even he could see this was a bargain.

Giving away a decorative sword that only got him mocked in Loctercia, in exchange for mithril!

And even if the human failed to bring mithril, he could just sell the sword to someone else.

Either way, he had nothing to lose.

“Heh, heh heh.”

Alcon’s lips curled up involuntarily.

“Fine, let’s do it. But! No backing out!”

“Of course.”

Rohan smiled and nodded to Martin.

Martin received the sword from Alcon and closed his eyes.

Pure aura flowed from his hands into the blade.

Ziiing.

The sword began to vibrate.

And then,

Whoosh!

As if the blade were heating up, a red glow slowly climbed up from the hilt.

“Oh-ho!”

“It really is changing!”

“Wow, beautiful. Humans would go crazy for this, wouldn’t they?”

Everyone crowded around, mesmerized by the sword.

“…!”

Even Martin, pouring in the aura, stared in awe at the blade.

Once the blade was fully suffused in red, a hidden flame pattern on the surface flared to life.

‘It really is the sword I know!’

Rohan cheered inwardly.

Sunfire.

Five years from now, its true worth would be revealed, and it would be reevaluated as a national treasure.

The maker had claimed it was just a showpiece, but in truth, this sword had a hidden ability even its creator didn’t know.

That was—

‘When aura is infused to its limit, the aura goes berserk.’

It doubles the effect of one’s aura.

For those with little aura, the difference is minor, but in the hands of a skilled warrior, the gap was absurd.

The secret was uncovered after the sword passed through many hands and eventually landed with a swordsman of the Eisenka Empire.

Its value skyrocketed, and ‘Sunfire’ ultimately became a treasured artifact of the Eisenka Empire.

‘Sorry, but I’ll be taking this for myself.’

Alcon looked thrilled at a deal he couldn’t lose, but honestly, trading a few chunks of mithril for this sword was a much greater bargain.

Eventually, it would become something you couldn’t buy with mithril, no matter how much you had.

“See! I told you! The sword transforms with aura! Well, how about that?”

“It’s beautiful, Alcon. Sorry for calling you a liar.”

“Told you, Alcon’s a real oddball!”

At any rate, Alcon’s claim wasn’t a lie, and his shoulders rose proudly.

“Please keep your promise, Alcon.”

Rohan returned the sword he’d received from Martin.

“Of course! We Dwarves never take our promises lightly! Everyone here is my witness!”

Alcon laughed heartily, and the Dwarves all nodded in agreement.

‘Who’d have thought I’d come out for a stroll in Loctercia and get my hands on a national treasure sword.’

This journey—

It was off to a good start.