The Master Blacksmith (3)

Vincent POV

Another one ridden by the troubles of love... I sighed. Burkan looked exactly like my past self when my mother left that night. An arched back, the crestfallen aura coming off of him, and his eyes, gloomy with misery but traces of light and hope hid underneath.

While I said that it was for the favor of a custom-made weapon, it was truly because I didn't want him to fall as low as me, clinging onto a hope that never came. Being a master blacksmith, it would be a pity with his skills and would definitely be regretful of this bloodthirsty world without his craftsmanship. I'm eager to see what kind of dagger he can forge for me and Fiona.

While thoughts clouded me, Fiona was humming happily, examining the other items on display. This was Malindor City, renowned for producing many talented blacksmiths, and other kingdoms would always come here hoping to recruit one under their wings. Swords, sabers, spears, sickles, many types of weapons.

Fiona furrowed her brows, and muttered under her breath, "While a lot of these weapons are of high-grade, their craftsmanship is terrible. They'll break within a few uses. How useless. Grandpa Burkan better makes something better than these trashes."

Burkan shivered and let out a dry cough.

I smiled at the sight of that, and he invited us into his workshop, which was eerily empty.

"With your craftsmanship, how can your shop be empty?" I asked carefully, knowing that it probably had something to do with his heartbreak.

Burkan replied with an indifferent tone, "Well, I never planned on hammering something again after that incident."

My palms sweat. Did I go too far? Well, we're here already. He can't turn us down now, right? My bad, bringing that up, plus he's still probably mad at me for when I fooled around with his dagger before...

"Well then, thank you, Uncle, for doing it for us!" Fiona said, with a glint in her eyes.

YES! I did a cheerful roundhouse kick in my mind. Console him with your cuteness and make him obliged to forge some weapons for us! Okay, now Burkan will turn around, with an 'aww' on his stonewall face! In front of cuteness overload, not even a steely man can resist!

Now, let's see it... wait, why so serious? Please follow the script!

Burkan turned around with a frown on his face after fiddling with some drawers behind his desk. He mumbled something silently and stared at the ceiling, ignoring us completely.

"I didn't think they would get to my secret blueprints. That means it will be hard to forge something that will exceed the expectations of the little girl... hehe, I want to see her face then after looking down on this Grandpa!"

"..."

So you've accepted being a Grandpa already? And here I am, worrying about you...

Burkan turned around and asked us. "What are your requirements for the daggers?"

Fiona replied instantly, without shame. "High-grade attributed dagger."

Oi Fiona, isn't that asking for too much? Well, with your cuteness, you will probably get it anyway... damn, I can't get outdone!

"It's the best that you can make," I said brazenly.

Burkan glared at me. I returned with a sheepish smile. Well, at least I can confirm he's not gay...

"Okay, it's manageable." He raised his eyebrows at me. "I have an Ice-type core with me already, but I need some materials, especially a base. Do you have any crystals, gems, or beast parts, like bones, claws?"

Fiona looked into her spiritual ring, then shook her head.

Burkan sighed. "Too bad they robbed my storage of materials clean. Looks like we have to go hunting."

I looked outside at the darkening side. "How about we leave first thing tomorrow morning? Fiona and I have been traveling for the entire day, she needs some rest."

Burkan nodded. "Sounds good."

I hoisted Fiona up and walked to the guest room. "We'll be using the guest room!"

"What's the point of telling me, when you aren't even going to ask? Burkan muttered before laughing. "Truly a shameless but loving father-daughter duo. Seems like their affection for each other is smooth. How admirable."

He sighed, and looked towards the city lord's mansion, far down into the luxury housing area. "She's probably spending the night there... who would have thought she was coveting after my wealth? Loken, too, probably bought over. The timing and arrival of the city lord were so precise, and the scripted words pitted the people against me. Tonight, they may as well attack me, for all I know..."

"What a turn of events, today. All I can do right now is hope tomorrow goes better, with Fiona and Vincent. Maybe I should get a daughter, myself?"

"Yes, you should," I said, whilst closing the door to the guest room.

Burkan stared at me, and we sat down together on a small couch.

"You talk first?"

He laughed. "You probably already guessed have the gist of things. You first."

I shrugged, not minding it. "There's nothing special about me. As per Fiona, well, she's my adoptive daughter. Princess of the Glendora Kingdom."

Burkan nodded, not surprised. "As expected, from her cultivation. Nascent Realm, at what?"

"Seven," I replied.

"Amazing things there, the same realm as me, but less than half my age." He praised, which made me warm and fuzzy inside. Hehe, Fiona, you are truly my pride and joy!

"Not holding grudges against Glendorians?"

"Well, I was never one to dabble in politics, I'm just a blacksmith. And either way, I don't consider myself to be a citizen of Maeriona, especially after what happened today."

"That's a relief," I said, and we both laughed.

The atmosphere grew solemn suddenly, and I lowered my voice. "I have another favor to ask you."

"... what?"

"The bitch of a mother engaged her to a marriage with the Azure Frost Kingdom after assassinating her biological father. She hasn't exactly told me the details on why, and that makes me suspicious. I found out that her entire character changes after using Ice-type spells, which I suspect has to do with a special constitution of hers, and that's why the Azure Frost Kingdom agreed to this marriage. To extract it or something."

Burkan was silent for a while, contemplating whether he should get caught up in this storm that was politics. He finally said, "And... how will I be of help?"

I sighed in relief. He agreed... that's assuring. Having top-notch quality weapons will make our journey safer and keep Fiona's condition in check.

"I would like you to pass the weapon with the attributed Ice-type Core to me."