A Leap of Faith

After hearing Linkin's words, Lovell furrowed his brows with a contemplative expression. One could see the hesitancy and uncertainties forming once more in his eyes.

Seeing Lovell creeping resurgence of thoughts against closing the deal, Richard quickly spoke up in an attempt to persuade him further.

"Mr. Lovell, do not listen to his nonsense and be misled by false hopes! This guy dares to speak so boldly when he understands nothing of your situation! How can you ever trust such a reckless man who makes empty promises without any information?! He'll lead you right to your doom!" Richard stated firmly.

"That's right, Mr. Lovell! Have you forgotten? Even Sir Richard, a Class 3 Merchant, was unable to change your situation. How can you place your trust in some stranger who doesn't have your best interest at heart?" One of the men in Richard's group chimed in.

Lovell had a troubled look on his face. A part of him wanted to believe that there was still a way out. However, the other part of him could not ignore the reality before him. Indeed, that young man knew nothing about him nor the circumstances surrounding his smithy. Taking those things into account, how could he possibly be of any help to him?

Lovell shook his head and sighed, "Young man, while I appreciate your offer, I'm afraid I must decline. It is exactly as Sir Richard says, you are only presenting me with false hopes when you know nothing of my situation. Or, perhaps, are you saying that your abilities as a Merchant surpass that of Sir Richard's?"

When Lovell said those words, a meaningful look appeared in his eyes as his gaze landed on Linkin.

After Lovell spoke, Linkin and Richard simultaneously grinned inwardly—but for two different reasons.

Richard was reassured that Lovell had already made up his mind and that his words finally got through to that stubborn man.

Linkin, on the other hand, had seen that look in Lovell's eyes many times.

'I see. You want me to give you something to grasp onto besides straw while you're drowning, is it? Alright, in that case, I'll make it so that you have no regrets trusting this ally of justice.'

Despite his discouraging outer stance on the issue, Linkin could tell that Lovell was a man that was not afraid to gamble. Nevertheless, he still required more than a few words and empty promises to be convinced.

"It's true that I know very little of your specific situation, Mr. Lovell; however, I understand what it's like to be in your position. Every day is a struggle, and you keep asking yourself if the path you're on is the correct one. Not a day goes by when you don't pray for a sign, a miracle—anything that confirms that what you're doing is right. It is a sad truth of life, but effort and hard work does not always equate to success. Mr. Lovell, the blisters on the palm of your hands, the definition of your muscles that comes from years of hammering away in the smithy—with those things alone, I can tell that you are a man who gives it his all. To you, being a craftsman is more than a job to survive; it is a burning passion that gives your life meaning. I do not wish to see such bright flames of passion extinguished before my eyes without attempting to do something to keep it burning brilliantly." Linkin said in a heartfelt manner.

He briefly paused as his expression switched from one of empathy to solemnity.

"You asked if my abilities as a Merchant surpasses that of Sir Richard's. No matter what kind of answer I give you, it won't change anything. In the end, whether or not it's true—I will leave that up to you to decide. That is, if you are willing to work with me, Mr. Lovell." Linkin said as he stood to his feet and held his hand out towards Lovell.

He then continued, "My name is Linkin. I am the leader of the Cheshire Cat Company. But, right now, none of that is important. Instead, I will ask you one final time, not as the Merchant Linkin, but as a person who understands your plight. From one passionate dreamer to another, Mr. Lovell—will you take this leap of faith with me?"

Lovell's whole body trembled as Linkin reached his hand out. A spark of life flashed through his eyes and his heart shook to its core. He became overwhelmed with emotion as he fought back his tears.

One person—just one person who could see his hard work and understand how far he was willing to go to keep his dream alive. Just one person to tell him that it was not a hopeless endeavor and that he did not have to give up on his life's passion.

Lovell felt as though he had been waiting an eternity for this one moment to arrive. And before he knew it, Lovell found his hand firmly placed into Linkin's—as if his instincts had fully taken over in that split instant.

"Sir Linkin, please... please, save my smithy...!" Lovell uttered with an anguished bearing as he lowered his head respectfully.

When those words left Lovell's mouth, Richard's expression turned extremely ugly as veins could be seen protruding from his face out of sheer anger.

Did some Merchant he had never even heard of before today really just steal his client right in front of him? If such news were to leave this private room, he would become a laughingstock of the Merchant's Guild! How could he bear such a great humiliation and slap to the face?!

Richard shot to his feet and snapped, "Don't screw with me, you thick-headed blacksmith! Do you know how much trouble I went through to set up this deal and you're just backing out at the last second?! I'm warning you, if you go through with this nonsense, I'll see to it that smithy of yours is razed to the ground and you never see the inside of another smithy again for the rest of your miserable excuse for a life!"