It wasn’t until we were finished that I realized that the entire room had gone quiet. The often talkative and boisterous dwarves were all watching intently. None was watching harder than Gabbro, who had a strangely intense and peculiar look on his face. Whether he was confused, pleased, or disgusted, it was impossible to tell what emotion he was displaying. I used refresh on Sapphire and then held her to help her up. When I touched her, she jumped a little bit, her eyes darting at me before looking away shyly.

I had been intimate with so many women, I hadn’t considered how comfortable she would have been with my soul touching against hers like that. I wanted to apologize, but just then Gabbro slapped his hands together.

“Well, you at least finished it. I had my doubts you’d even make it that far. Since this is the case, then let’s get this over with!” Gabbro growled.

He picked up his knife and then handed it hilt first to Terra. Terra glanced at me curiously, and so I did the same. Terra seemed to have a pretty high tolerance for heat too, but she did stay off the main platform with the forge, so many it wasn’t quite at the dwarf’s level, especially since she didn’t sweat. Gabbro’s dagger was very normal, and the quality of the blade was clear to see. Ours had a slightly curved appearance.

Terra looked over each blade and then slashed them a few times. Her analysis continued for about five minutes, and during that time, Gabbro impatiently tapped his foot.

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“Will you get on with it already!” He snapped.

Terra jumped, and then let out a sigh. She shot me a regretful look before placing them down on a counter.

“Both blades are good. They have a similar sharpness, and the silvthril is pure.” She started first, deflating slightly under Gabbro’s look. “However, Gabbro’s blade is much more balanced. The integrity of the blade is superior, and the weight is perfect. I’m sorry, Master. You asked me to speak honestly.”

Gabbro chuckled. “There’s nothing wrong with speaking the truth. A bad blade is a bad blade.”

“It’s not bad!” Terra cried out and then blushed, not meeting my eyes. “It’s just, this is a superior dagger.”

“It’s okay, Terra.” I sighed. “Thank you for being honest with your assessment.”

“Since she has accepted, I’m the best, this is already over.” Gabbro shrugged. “Sister, please tell them who is superior.”

Lapis approached the blades as well but hesitated. “Can you remind me of the conditions of victory again?”

“What? It’s just whichever is the best weapon! Go ahead and tell them which is the better weapon.”

“I won’t just randomly state something. I’m a queen, and my word is my honor!” Lapis chastised, causing Gabbro to quickly back down.

“Ah… s-sorry…” He coughed.

Lapis picked up each blade. Compared to Terra, who seemed to be comfortable wielding the blades, she seemed to barely know what she was doing. However, after looking over both blades and putting them back down on the counter, she nodded to herself.

“I have decided which blade is the superior weapon,” she said.

“And?” Gabbro asked.

“That would be Sapphire’s blade.”