Chapter 218: The Last Flame

Frontesium.

The ore named after Frontesis, known as the Aspect of Protection and Stone, could only ever be worked by Frontesis himself.

And yet...

He was saying that even he could no longer work it.

Startled, Valdrova asked,

"What happened?"

"The thing is…'he muttered'...the flames of the forge in the Primeval Forge are growing weaker..."

The Primeval Forge had been created using the flowing magma deep beneath the earth and the power of fire itself.

"You mean those flames? Even if they've weakened, aren't they still unbelievably powerful?"

"They are. Of course they're powerful! Steel and all the other worthless junk would melt with ease... but not Frontesium anymore. I've tried melting it again and again, but it wouldn't even begin to heat up."

"How could..."

"I can't stay sober after this. I need a drink. Do you have any liquor?"

"It's already prepared."

As if she had been expecting the request, Luri handed him an entire bottle.

Frontesis uncorked it in a hurry, taking a long swallow as though trying to wash away the bitter disgust lingering in his mouth.

Once he had calmed down somewhat, he continued.

"I already knew the forge's flames were gradually weakening. Nothing can remain unchanged forever—that is the law established since the beginning of creation."

"But doesn't that not matter? You already said you wouldn't forge any more weapons out of Frontesium..."

"That was a choice I could make because I still had the ability. Now... even if I wanted to, I no longer can."

There was an enormous difference between choosing not to do something and being unable to do it.

The reason Frontesis looked so dejected was simple.

He could see himself becoming increasingly powerless.

"That lunatic obsessed with hunting the Demon Race."

Another name for Alberdo.

"When that fool came to me, I knew it'd probably be the last chance I'd ever have to work Frontesium. But...he ground his teeth. Just look at that armor. The brilliant radiance is gone. It only half-melted, leaving ugly waves all over it, turning into an unstable lump of rock that's far too heavy! No one would ever believe I forged such a miserable piece of work!"

Trying to swallow his bitterness, Frontesis drained another mouthful of liquor.

"That was when I realized it."

"I'd truly become a useless old fool."

"..."

"That damned bastard. I didn't even like the way he asked for the favor. Still... I was tempted by his ambition to wipe out every last member of the Demon Race, so I accepted."

His face twisted with anger.

"When I couldn't even handle the ore properly anymore... he had the nerve to ask if I'd give him my final masterpiece."

Even now, the memory infuriated him.

"Damn that wretched brat! Makes my blood boil just thinking about it! I ought to march over there this instant and smash his thick skull in...!"

"Please calm down."

Frontesis grabbed the hammer he had set down and began fuming all over again.

Valdrova gently soothed him.

Once his anger subsided, it was replaced by the face of a lonely, depressed old dragon.

Not wanting Valdrova to see such an expression, Frontesis covered his face.

"So this is the end of my era."

"I was a dragon whose greatest accomplishment was forging weapons from the ore that bore my own name."

"And now..."

"I can't even do that."

"I'm nothing more than a large, fat, lazy lizard pretending to be a king."

He let out a deep sigh.

"Anyway... that's why the Primeval Forge can no longer melt Frontesium."

"Hmm..."

"Damn it... nothing is going right."

"Such a lovely girl as Valdrova finally found the courage to step back into the world..."

"And yet there's nothing I can do for her."

Valdrova fell silent, deep in thought.

Then she looked at him.

"Frontesis."

"Yes?"

"If it were only one last time..."

"...Would that be enough?"

Frontesis slowly raised his head.

It was as if he already understood exactly what she meant.

Hope lit up his face.

"Valdrova..."

"You couldn't possibly..."

"If it's only one last time..."

"...Would that be enough, Frontesis?"

"Of course."

"Of course it would!"

"One last time is all I need."

Ferda immediately understood.

The only thing capable of melting Frontesium was the Primeval Forge.

Valdrova possessed the Aspect of Fire and Strength.

Which meant...

The flames she commanded rivaled—or perhaps even surpassed—the flames of the Primeval Forge itself.

"Very well."

"We'll do it."

Valdrova quietly nodded.

The worry and despair vanished completely from Frontesis's face.

"I'll prepare everything at once!"

He pointed toward Ferda.

"Hey! Valdrova's fiancé!"

"Yes?"

"Go tell that damned brute to bring me every last piece of Frontesium he's wearing!"

"I'm extracting only the purest metal this time, so I'll need all of it!"

"And if he refuses..."

"I'll beat him to death!"

"Understood."

Ferda relayed the message to Alberdo.

Without a single complaint, Alberdo removed every piece of his armor and handed it over.

The thick suit of armor had once made him resemble a walking fortress.

Now, stripped of it, he looked no different from an ordinary heavy infantryman.

He seemed completely unconcerned.

His goal remained singular.

Nothing else mattered.

The collected Frontesium was carried deep into Valdrova's Lair.

Her chamber had already been transformed into a temporary forge.

Vernel and the castle's blacksmiths were also waiting there.

"So all I have to do is pour it into these molds?"

"Y-Yes, that's correct."

"Excellent!"

"I'm getting excited again!"

"You young mortals!"

Vernel and the blacksmiths stared blankly.

Vernel was surprised by how comfortable he felt despite standing face-to-face with a dragon.

Aside from the horns on his head, Frontesis merely resembled an extraordinarily large dwarf.

The blacksmiths, however...

They looked ready to faint.

Among all those revered as the god of blacksmiths, Frontesis himself was counted.

And now...

That very legendary being was personally handling their tools.

"Everyone not directly involved, leave!"

"What you're about to witness..."

"...Is the greatest forging ever performed by mortal hands!"

It was hard to believe this energetic dragon was the same one who had been drowning in despair moments ago.

Watching him regain his spirit, Valdrova quietly asked Ferda,

"Would you like to stay and watch?"

"There may be danger."

"Even so..."

"If I can witness it, I'd like to."

"Very well."

"Luri."

"Understood."

Luri summoned powerful winds that completely surrounded the area.

The space was nearly sealed off.

"Hmm..."

She frowned thoughtfully before turning to Ferda.

"Lord Ferda, do you know any frost magic?"

"I know a few spells."

"Then please use them."

"If you're going to survive this..."

"...This barrier alone won't be enough."

"How much do I need?"

Her answer was simple.

"You'll need to freeze yourself."

A few moments later...

Ferda realized she hadn't been exaggerating.

Valdrova returned to her true form.

The enormous dragon gazed down at the vessel filled with Frontesium.

Ferda assumed he knew what would happen next.

She would unleash an overwhelming blast of dragon fire, melting every piece of Frontesium at once.

He was completely wrong.

Valdrova lowered her head.

Her lips parted ever so slightly.

From within...

A tiny jewel-like light no larger than a thumb emerged.

It was nothing like the ordinary yellow and crimson flames burning within her body.

This...

Was as though she had plucked the distant sun from the heavens...and dropped it directly into the center of the Frontesium.

Fwoosh!!

The vessel erupted into blazing flames.

An unbearable wave of heat exploded outward.

"...!"

The frost surrounding Ferda instantly vanished.

His freezing body regained warmth—

Only for that warmth to become scorching heat that threatened to incinerate him alive.

Even with the massive vessel redirecting most of the heat...

Even with countless protective spells layered around him...

It was still overwhelming.

Ferda increased the power of his frost magic with the genuine intention of freezing himself solid.

Then he forced his eyes open.

It was worth risking his life.

Because...

For the very first time...

He was witnessing Valdrova's true power.

"Excellent!"

Frontesis began forging.

Again and again he plunged his hands into the molten metal, carefully guiding it so every portion melted evenly.

The armor, once resembling rough stone, gradually liquefied.

Then...

It began to shine.

A magnificent golden radiance spread across its surface.

"Yes..."

"This is it."

His eyes glowed with pure ecstasy.

"This..."

"...This was always the light my ore possessed."

The flame of desire sleeping within Frontesis's heart reignited.

Carefully, he poured the molten Frontesium into the prepared mold.

As he worked, he murmured softly—

Almost as though speaking to children.

"Slowly now..."

"That's right."

"There's still plenty of room waiting for all of you..."

The brilliant liquid filled the mold completely.

Frontesis sealed the opening.

The searing heat disappeared almost instantly.

Carefully placing the mold on the ground, he turned to Ferda.

"If we let it cool for about four days..."

"...It'll be complete."

"Give it to that damned fellow."

"Thank you, Lord Frontesis."

"There's still just a tiny bit left..."

At the bottom of the crucible, only a thin layer of molten Frontesium remained.

"Hmm..."

"At this amount..."

"I doubt that ill-mannered brat would mind if I borrowed a little."

After thinking for a moment, Frontesis scraped together the remaining metal.

Once it rested in his hands, the Frontesium cooled almost immediately.

He stretched it into incredibly fine strands, as thin as noodles.

Despite his rough appearance and enormous fingers...

His movements were astonishingly delicate.

Completely absorbed in his work, he patiently shaped the metal.

Finally...

A satisfied smile appeared.

"Done."

Holding the finished object, he slowly walked toward Valdrova.

"Valdrova."

"My little lady."

"Here."

She accepted it.

"This is..."

It was a pair of rings.

Delicate strands formed elegant vines and tiny blossoms, while a single large flower bloomed proudly at the center.

Their craftsmanship was so intricate that no mortal artisan could hope to reproduce it.

"Wedding rings."

"They're still a little plain."

"But if you find a capable craftsman to set a few gemstones into them..."

"They'll become something truly beautiful."

"Frontesis..."

"Did I overstep?"

"I didn't become some strange old man who made wedding rings without asking... did I?"

"No..."

"I hadn't even thought about wedding rings yet..."

"Then..."

"Would you wear them?"

"For my sake?"

"Of course."

Valdrova's voice trembled with emotion.

Joy filled Frontesis's heart.

Yet guilt weighed upon him at the same time.

"I've committed far too many sins."

"So saying something like this feels rather awkward..."

"But..."

"I hope you and your fiancé live a happy life together."

"No, Frontesis."

"I'll always remember those feelings."

"Thank you..."

"My lady."

Once again, Frontesis gently kissed the back of her hand.

His expression had never looked more relieved.

"Well then..."

"This old dragon should be going."

"Tell that damned fool to hurry up and die for me."

He looked toward Ferda.

"Valdrova's fiancé."

"Would you escort me to the exit?"

"With pleasure."

Ferda walked beside the swaying old dragon.

After they had traveled far enough from the Lair, Frontesis finally spoke.

"The reason I asked you to escort me..."

"...Is because there's something I wished to tell you."

"I thought as much."

"I'm listening."

"I'll tell you something."

"But you must promise two things."

"You will ask no questions."

"And you will never repeat my words to anyone."

"Can you promise me that?"

"...What is this about?"

"I'll only accept an answer to my question."

"If you promise, then I'll speak."

After a moment's hesitation, Ferda nodded.

"As the fiancé of the Grand Duchess, I give you my word."

Frontesis looked him straight in the eyes.

"Valdrova..."

"...That child is growing weaker."

"What?"

"What do you mean...?"

Frontesis raised one thick finger.

It was a reminder of the promise.

No questions.

Ferda closed his mouth.

"I'm truly happy I was able to see her again."

"After being apart for so long..."

"I couldn't tell how much her power had changed."

"But after witnessing the flames she summoned..."

"I understand now."

"She's noticeably weaker."

His worried gaze drifted toward the sky.

"Nothing is as it once was."

"Not me."

"Not the Primeval Forge."

"And not that child."

"The prophesied Twilight of the Dragons..."

"...Is becoming reality."

"..."

"Everything depends on you now, young mortal."

"Cherish your fiancée."

Stepping outside, Frontesis lowered himself toward the ground.

His body rapidly expanded.

Before he had even fully returned to his true dragon form...

He burrowed deep beneath the earth.

Ferda stood silently, staring at the overturned soil he left behind.

Valdrova was weakening.

The Twilight of the Dragons was coming.

After uttering nothing but ominous words, Frontesis had disappeared.

Ferda didn't even know what he was supposed to think.

Standing there achieved nothing.

Eventually, he returned to Valdrova.

She was sitting on the ground, quietly humming to herself.

"Ferda."

Her voice was bright and cheerful.

She had no idea what turmoil now filled his heart.

She was simply...

Happy.

"Come sit beside me."

She patted the bare ground next to her.

Ferda quietly sat down.

Valdrova scooted closer until their shoulders touched.

Smiling warmly, she held up the rings she treasured so dearly.

"Aren't these rings beautiful?"

"They are."

"These will become our wedding rings."

"See these little grooves?"

"I do."

"We'll place gemstones here."

"They'll sparkle beautifully."

"I see."

"I want mine to hold a blue gemstone..."

"...One that reminds me of your eyes."

"And yours should have a red gemstone."

"What do you think?"

"If that's what you're imagining..."

"I'm certain they'll be beautiful."

"And our wedding..."

"...Will be just as wonderful."

Still immersed in happiness, Valdrova gently rested her head on Ferda's shoulder.

The weight upon his shoulder did not fill him with excitement.

Instead...

His heart ached.

At the same time...

He found himself grateful that, from where she rested...

Valdrova couldn't see the expression on his face.