Hidden Blade
Sir Marcus raised an eyebrow, his eyes fixed on the blueprint in Sid's hand.
"A hidden blade? That's not an easy thing to create, even for a Master Blacksmith. And this blueprint..." he trailed off, his eyes widening as he took a closer look.
"Where did you get this !" Marcus exclaimed.
Sid noticed his shocked expression so he realized that the blueprint he got must be more important than he thought.
'I have to be careful, I can't just trust anyone ' Sid muttered to himself as he remembered Vincent's words.
"A traveler sold it to me" Sid lied but he kept his expression neutral.
Marcus noticed Sid's hesitant voice, so he decided not to pry further. He understood that everyone had their own secrets, and it wasn't his place to ask more questions. Besides, while the blueprint for the hidden blade was impressive, it paled in comparison to the blueprints of Three Star Master Blacksmiths that he had seen in the palace workshop.
"Let's go to my office first " Marcus led the way into a spacious room that smelled of oil, metal, and leather. The walls were lined with wooden shelves filled with swords, axes, and other weapons of varying sizes and shapes. The room was lit by several hanging lanterns, casting a warm glow that made the room feel cozy despite its size.
"As a One Star Master Blacksmith, I can create the basic design and structure of the blade. But for the smaller and intricate parts, we'll need the expertise of a Three Star Artificer," Marcus explained to Sid.
Sid's face fell slightly at the mention of needing a Three Star Artificer. It was not easy to find one, let alone convince them to help.
"I understand, Sir Marcus. Do you have any suggestions on where I can find one?" Sid asked, hoping for some guidance.
"Unfortunately, it's not an easy task. Three Star Artificers are hard to come by and they're usually busy with their own work. Your best bet would be to visit the Business Union and ask for recommendations. They usually have the most up-to-date information on skilled craftsmen in the kingdom," Marcus replied.
"Thank you for the information, Sir Marcus" Sid nodded, grateful for the advice.
"Wait!" Marcus exclaimed suddenly, his face lighting up after remembering something.
"I just remembered. There's an ex-Three Star Artificer here in the city," he said.
Sid's interest was piqued. "Where can I find him?" he asked eagerly.
"Well, that's the tricky part. He's currently imprisoned on charges of scamming investors," Marcus replied with a sigh.
"I don't think it's a good idea to have a scammer build my weapon, "Sid's excitement waned.
"He's not a scammer, kid. He was framed by a wealthy aristocrat in the city," Marcus shook his head, his voice laced with a hint of bitterness. It was clear to Sid that Marcus knew more about the situation than he was letting on. There was a certain edge to his words as if he had seen similar injustices before and knew how difficult it was to fight back against a family background.
"Someone could frame a Three Star Artificer?" Sid was surprised. The status of an Artificer was higher than that of a blacksmith due to their rarity. Who would be foolish enough to imprison one? and why?
"The world is a dark place, kid. My advice to you is to not offend anyone with a powerful background, or you could end up like him," Marcus warned in a somber tone.
"I understand," Sid nodded thoughtfully. "But if he's truly innocent, then someone needs to help him."
"What do you mean?" Marcus asked, puzzled.
"I mean, if this man was framed, then he deserves to have his name cleared," Sid said firmly. "I don't want to see someone suffer unjustly."
Marcus raised an eyebrow at Sid's sense of responsibility, but he couldn't deny that the boy had a point.
"I see your point, but dont bet your future. Getting involved in something like this could be dangerous." Marcus warned.
Sid nodded, understanding Marcus' logic.
"Thank you for your help, Sir Marcus, I'll keep your advice in mind," Sid said gratefully as he store the blueprint in his bag.
***
As he stepped out of the Blacksmith Guild, his gaze drifted down to the hilt of the sword that hung at his side. His old weapon had been damaged beyond repair during his recent journey, but Marcus had offered him a new sword in exchange for the ores he had obtained in the dungeon. Of course, Sid had only given Marcus the ores he didn't need, but he was grateful for the trade nonetheless.
Sid gazed at his new sword, admiring its sleek and elegant design. The black hilt was adorned with intricate dragon patterns that seemed to come to life under the sunlight. The pommel of the sword was shaped like a dragon's head, its mouth slightly open as if ready to breathe fire. The blade itself was crafted from gleaming millennium silver, sharp and deadly. The edges were honed to perfection, and the sword felt light and balanced in his hand.
"Master Blacksmiths are on another level. This type of sword is something that can't be bought with money," Sid thought to himself, appreciating the craftsmanship. He knew that Marcus was trying to befriend him.
"It's time to go, Elliot," He said, as he unhitched the rope that tied his horse to the post. With a smooth, practiced motion, he leaped onto the horse's back, settling into the saddle with ease.
While riding Elliot on the paved road, His thoughts turned to the imprisoned artificer. He couldn't help but feel sad for the man, knowing that he had been wrongfully accused.
But Sid also knew that his not powerful enough to help him, so he shook his head to dispel his thoughts. He needed to focus on his own goals and mind his own business for now.
"I'll have to visit the Business Union tomorrow to ask for information on finding a Three Star Artificer," Sid muttered to himself, determined to continue his plan for the hidden blade.
He then set off to find a place to stay for the night, his mind already planning his next move.