Ferdikion stood with his arms crossed, calmly looking down at Heumi. Heumi and the white night beside her had a slight smudge of soot on their faces. Heumi, rubbing the soot off her nose with her arm, ran up to Rune with a wide smile and opened her arms. "Lord Rune!" "Pee?" "…Why do your faces look like that?" Rune accepted Heumi, who was running towards him, to take a closer look. He had to give up, though, because Heumi was hugging his neck tightly, clearly very happy about something. "Fer. What happened? I smell something burning." In response to Christina's question, Ferdikion uncrossed his arms. "I helped her manifest the power of fire." At this, Rune, who was standing behind, looked at him in surprise. 'These kids?' He understood that Byakuya was a phoenix's offspring, but it was the first time he learned that Heumi had an affinity for fire. "Right after you absorbed the seal of fire, I could faintly sense the power of fire from that Servant." As Ferdikion explained, Rune glanced at Heumi. At that moment, Heumi's ears flattened and then perked up as she pointed at Ferdikion. "Manticore!" 'A manticore… a large monster that swings a scorpion's tail?' It was a monster known for its ferocity and power. Heumi, who compared Ferdikion to such a fierce monster, huffed and muttered, "Bad!" "…" 'Was that an insult?' Ferdikion chuckled as if it didn't bother him. "Even if a Servant is still inexperienced, there's no reason they shouldn't use their abilities. So, I just taught her a bit for my brother's sake." 'As expected of Ferdikion. Even with children, he's ruthless.' Rune inwardly clicked his tongue. "I appreciate that you tried to help. Still, since they are my subordinates, you should have talked to me first." "I got their consent directly." "Directly from Heumi?" When he turned to ask what he meant, Heumi pouted. "I just said I wanted to help Lord Rune." In short, Ferdikion had taught Heumi how to control her newly acquired fire magic, but he had used a rather rough method. However, he had at least obtained minimal consent. Rune quickly summarized the thoughts of both sides. "Brother, if I were to teach something to the residents of your lair, I would ask for your permission first. Especially if the subject is young and lacks discernment." Ferdikion crossed his arms and remained silent with a stern face for a moment. But soon, he nodded, seemingly agreeing. "Yes. Even with good intentions, it's lacking in consideration to confirm the will of a being with weak discernment." 'Hmm. It seems the kid has improved over the past ten years.' Ferdikion's slight concession made the conversation go smoothly. Rune added his gratitude for his consideration. "Yeah. Still, I'm very grateful for the attention you paid." "Hmm. Understood." 'That's enough for Ferdikion.' He was a simple kid who couldn't hide his satisfaction. "And Heumi." "Yes!" Heumi, who answered boldly, didn't need a detailed explanation. "From now on, you must always ask me about any new situations you encounter." "Understood!" "That's all I need. The rest you did well." It was natural that she didn't know what was good or bad at this stage. Feeling praised, Heumi rubbed her cheeks with a silly grin. Meanwhile, Byakuya, who hadn't a single hair singed, was pecking at Rai, who was nearby, without a care. "Alright. It's time to leave." Christina, who had remained silent until now, immediately drew everyone's attention. Ferdikion, who naturally took on the role of leader, checked Heumi, Byakuya, and Rune. Christina took out a communication mana stone from her pocket and handed it to Rune. "Use it whenever you need it." It was a mana stone that allowed communication under normal circumstances but could instantly teleport to Christina's lair in an emergency. Though familiar, it was a precious item filled with her concern. "Yeah. I'll be back." Rune tightly held the mana stone before tucking it away. It was time to leave this golden, warm lair. "May the light bless those who depart." Christina's blessing shattered like stardust above their heads. "Then, let's go." Ferdikion raised his hand lightly and began to cast a spell. Whoosh! Flames enveloped their bodies, and they disappeared in an instant. *** Burning ground. The smell of sulfur. A mountain with lava flowing like a stream. Ferdikion's group appeared in the scorching air. "Here?" Rune, floating in the air, looked down at the scene with a puzzled expression. Flames flickered and burned in the air, then disappeared. 'Not even a village, let alone any living beings in sight?' Fortunately, no one was suffering from the boiling air. An ordinary creature without the blessing of fire would have melted to the bone the moment it appeared here. "We're in the right place." Rune, as well as Byakuya and Heumi, exchanged doubtful glances. In response, Ferdikion pointed to a vent where lava was bubbling. As Ferdikion's flight spell activated, the group was involuntarily flown towards the lava vent. "We're going in. Those who are unsure, cover your noses." Splash! Rune, who was forced into the churning magma, grimaced at the heat and brightness. 'Are they like summer river swimmers?' But there was no need to open his mouth and swallow a mouthful of lava, so he remained silent. Soon, a large teleportation magic circle appeared beneath their feet. 'Is this the entrance to the lair?' The thick patterns on the magic circle were both letters and spells woven with mana. Whoosh! A brilliant light enveloped their bodies, and the world beyond the magic circle unfolded. It was a spacious hall built of granite, exuding a clean and luxurious atmosphere. Perhaps due to the heat from a moment ago, the air brushing against their cheeks felt unusually cool and different. 'This is the lair of Ferdikion, known as the sanctuary of fire.' The air, dry and mixed with a faint burning smell, was filled with a powerful aura of fire. The sky visible through the windows was overcast with gray clouds and wisps of smoke. "This is my personal space. But before I call the others." Ferdikion smiled subtly, as if revealing a secret. "There's a place I want to take you." "Where?" Not in a state to refuse, Rune asked lightly. "The Great Smith's Forge." "The Great Smith's Forge?" The name was extraordinary. As expected, Ferdikion nodded confidently. "Yes. It's the forge of the most skilled 'Great Smith' in my lair. Don't overthink it. Just think of it as visiting the best weapon maker." 'A master craftsman.' As he nodded, the young dragon, clearing his throat, added with a subtle hint. "Only the winner of the 'Smith Competition' I personally select is called a 'Great Smith'." "Hmm." Talent was precious. Rune even had the best materials for crafting weapons that dragons could use. His subspace pocket was full of mana stones that Christina had packed for him. "Rune, war can make even the mightiest dragons miserable." Ferdikion's face turned serious. "You may not fully understand yet, but before I was born, many dragons lost their lives in the war against the demons." A time when demons mercilessly slaughtered to dominate the world. Given Ferdikion's age, he might have witnessed the aftermath of the war. Imagining that time, his expression darkened. "It was the result of dragons' overconfidence in their own strength." Rune nodded. He knew that well. In his previous life, Imugi also died for the same reason. Rune recalled his regretful past. 'I was arrogant. I never thought I would die at the hands of mere humans.' Whether they wielded weapons or used underhanded tactics, it didn't matter. Death was the end. "But if excellent weapons can save your and your subordinates' lives, the story changes. One day, you will be the one to protect and defend the dark clan." While Rune was lost in thought, Ferdikion continued. "Protecting the clan and yourself. Equipping weapons for that purpose is the most important task for an elder of the clan." Chapter 39: Who is this person? Ferdikion's thoughts were clear. Rune, who would one day lead the dark clan, and Heumi, who would assist him. He intended to provide them with equipment through the best craftsman in his lair. 'Now that I think about it, Christina's suggestion to look at weapons was for the same reason.' Given that the best weapon makers in the continent were here, Rune also thought he could find good weapons. Ferdikion looked at Heumi and Byakuya. "The owner of the forge we're going to can also make weapons for these two. Don't hesitate to choose what you like." "Sure, thanks, brother." "Thank you!" Heumi, catching on to Rune's hint, quickly thanked him. "Well, it's just this much." Ferdikion, looking somewhat satisfied, began his incantation, and the scenery before them changed again. They arrived at a fountain in a square paved with rough stones. Clang! Sizzle. The sound of metal being hammered and steam being