The day after our tour through the Kingdom of Giants, I woke up a little earlier than usual. The morning light slowly filtered through the curtains of the mansion built for us in the castle garden. The atmosphere in that kingdom was different. The air felt heavier because of the mountains, yet at the same time there was a strange sense of peace.
I sat on the bed for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling while trying to organize my thoughts. It had been a long time since I had spent so many consecutive days in one place without having to face a truly dangerous battle. Even with the recent demon attacks, things had stabilized far too quickly after we eliminated their camps.
Scarlet was still asleep beside me, while Liriel was hugging Elara on the other side of the bed. Rai'kanna slept near the window, Vespera was covered up to her face, and Lyannis was holding a book even in her sleep.
I let out a quiet laugh.
That scene had already become normal for me.
I quietly got up so I wouldn't wake anyone, walked over to the balcony, and looked up at the giant castle towering above the mountains. Even after so many days, it was still difficult to get used to the sheer size of that place.
A few minutes later, I heard footsteps behind me.
Scarlet appeared, still half-asleep.
"You're up early again."
"I couldn't get back to sleep."
She walked over and stood beside me, looking at the scenery.
"Their kingdom is beautiful."
"It is."
"And strange too."
"I think so too."
Scarlet crossed her arms.
"Even after everything, it still feels like they're hiding something."
I looked at her.
"You noticed that too?"
"I did."
Before we could continue, we heard a knock at the bedroom door.
One of the demi-dragon servants entered politely.
"Lord Takumi, Master Blacksmith Tholgrim wishes to meet with you this morning."
"Did he say why?"
"The master said he wants to show you and your group something important."
I nodded lightly.
"Tell him we'll be there shortly."
The servant bowed and left.
Scarlet looked at me.
"I bet it's something related to the war."
"Probably."
A short while later, everyone was awake. We went downstairs for breakfast while discussing Tholgrim's invitation.
Lyannis looked especially curious.
"A giant forge... honestly, I really want to see it."
"You only ever think about magic and weapons," Elara commented.
"Because they're interesting."
"You say that about any old book too."
Lyannis adjusted her hair.
"Knowledge is always interesting."
Rai'kanna let out a small laugh.
"She has a point."
After breakfast, we left the mansion and found Tholgrim waiting outside. The enormous giant carried a hammer strapped to his back and wore heavy dark leather clothing.
When he saw us, he gave a slight smile.
"Good morning, Hero."
"Good morning."
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"You're not."
Tholgrim crossed his massive arms.
"The king asked me to show you something important before you leave."
"What exactly?"
"The Great Forge of the Kingdom."
Lyannis' eyes practically lit up immediately.
We followed Tholgrim through the castle's inner halls. As we advanced, I noticed the path descended deeper and deeper into the mountains.
The temperature gradually rose.
Soon, we began to hear heavy sounds echoing through the walls.
Hammers.
Metal being struck.
Fire.
When we finally arrived, I stood silent for a few seconds.
The forge was enormous.
Rivers of molten metal flowed through channels carved into the stone. Massive chains supported metal platforms while dozens of giants worked simultaneously.
The noise was deafening.
Giants hammered pieces of metal the size of human wagons as if they were ordinary bars.
Even Scarlet was impressed.
"This is unbelievable..."
Tholgrim spread his arms.
"Welcome to the Colossal Forge."
I observed the structures around us. Ancient runes were carved into the walls, though they looked very different from the magical runes commonly used by humans and elves.
Lyannis noticed immediately.
"These runes..."
Tholgrim looked at her.
"You understand ancient magic?"
"A little."
The giant nodded with satisfaction.
"Then you noticed our forge doesn't run on ordinary fire alone."
That caught my attention.
"You use magic?"
Tholgrim let out a quiet laugh.
"Few giants can use magic directly. Our people have always relied more on physical strength. But that doesn't mean we completely ignore magical knowledge."
He pointed at the runes.
"The northern mountains contain naturally magical ore. These runes absorb heat and stabilize the metal."
Lyannis stepped closer, examining everything carefully.
"Amazing..."
Rai'kanna also seemed surprised.
"So you really do possess magical technology."
"Limited," Tholgrim replied. "We aren't like dragons or elves. Our magic has always been more closely tied to earth and metal."
We continued walking through the forge while the giants worked without stopping.
I saw enormous swords.
Colossal axes.
Giant hammers.
Armor thick enough to withstand monstrous attacks.
One thing caught my attention.
Many of the weapons were damaged.
Some bore dark stains across the metal.
"It looks like demonic corrosion."
Tholgrim grew serious.
"That's exactly what it is."
He picked up a massive broken axe.
"The demons have begun using cursed energy in their weapons. It weakens our metal."
Liriel frowned slightly.
"Demonic mana..."
"Yes."
The giant rested the axe on the ground.
"Our people have always relied on brute strength. But the demons have evolved. They no longer fight using only monsters and numbers."
I crossed my arms while observing it.
That detail was important.
The demons really were becoming smarter.
It wasn't just random destruction anymore.
It was strategy.
Tholgrim resumed walking and led us to a more secluded section of the forge.
There was something different there.
A gigantic black sword bound in massive chains.
The presence of that weapon was overwhelming.
Even Vespera immediately became alert.
"What is that?"
The master blacksmith remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
"A weapon forged during the ancient war against the demons."
I slowly approached.
Even standing still, the sword released a strange pressure.
"Does it still work?"
"It does."
"Then why is it chained?"
Tholgrim looked directly at me.
"Because it kills whoever tries to wield it."
Silence filled the place for several seconds.
Lyannis carefully observed the runes surrounding the sword.
"It's sealed."
"Yes."
Tholgrim nodded.
"Our ancient king tried to wield that weapon centuries ago during the first great demonic invasion."
"And what happened?"
"The power consumed his body."
I looked at the sword again.
It immediately reminded me of my own blade.
Ancient weapons always came with a price.
Tholgrim continued:
"The giants survived because they learned one important lesson."
"What?"
"Power without control destroys the one who possesses it."
Those words lingered in my mind for several seconds.
They applied perfectly to me as well.
Especially now that the power of the Dragon's Breath kept growing stronger.
Tholgrim led us back toward the main area of the forge.
A group of giants stepped aside as he picked up a massive heated metal bar.
Then he gripped his gigantic hammer.
"Watch carefully, Hero."
The next instant, the sound echoed throughout the entire forge.
BOOOOM.
The impact was so powerful that I felt the ground tremble.
The surrounding giants continued working as though it were perfectly normal.
Tholgrim struck the metal over and over with unbelievable precision.
There wasn't a single wasted movement.
Everything was calculated.
Scarlet watched in amazement.
"He's incredibly skilled..."
Rai'kanna nodded.
"The giants turned strength into technique."
After a few minutes, Tholgrim finished the process and plunged the piece into the molten metal.
Steam immediately rose.
Then he turned toward us.
"We giants aren't as intelligent as the elves."
Lyannis raised an eyebrow.
"That was oddly specific."
Tholgrim laughed.
"Nor as refined as human nobles."
Elara smirked.
"That was specific too."
"Nor do we command magic like dragons."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"Now you're provoking us."
The giant burst into laughter.
"But we've survived for centuries because we never gave up."
The room fell silent after those words.
I looked around once more.
At the workers.
At the weapons.
At the damaged armor.
At the exhausted giants who continued working despite the recent war.
Then I realized something.
Despite the differences between humans, giants, dragons, and elves...
They were all in exactly the same situation.
They were all trying to survive.
They were all fighting the demons in their own way.
Tholgrim stepped closer to me.
"Do you understand now why the king trusted you?"
"Maybe."
"You don't fight only for humans."
I remained silent.
Because he was right.
Without realizing it, I was already carrying responsibilities far greater than I had ever imagined at the beginning of my journey.
Tholgrim then placed his enormous hand on my shoulder.
"The Kingdom of Giants will never forget what you did for us."
I looked at him and answered calmly:
"If the demons return... I'll return as well."
The master blacksmith gave a small smile.
"That was exactly what I hoped to hear."
When we left the forge, the sun was already beginning to sink behind the mountains.
As we walked back toward the mansion, I felt the cold wind brush against my face.
But my mind remained fixed on Tholgrim's words.
Power without control destroys the one who possesses it.
I discreetly looked at my hand.
Small golden flames flickered between my fingers for a few seconds before disappearing once again.
And at that moment, I realized something.
I truly needed to master that power before the final war began.