"Normally I only make some nails and work tools, bolts and maybe a fence from time to time, but a sword and armor, I never made anything like that before." Harry says, just making sure not to get Fren's hopes up, if Fren thinks to receive a legendary weapon capable of slaying demons and dragons then he should know to upgrade his gear before taking on such a task. It's not shabby work at all, but it's clearly not up to par with what a decent blacksmith could yield.

"It's great, thanks Harry. It fits perfectly." Fren tests out his movement with his arms and twisting his body, soon he looks around the place. "Do you have any mirrors? I'd like to know how it looks."

"I don't have any in the smithy, it'll only get dirty from the smoke and soot. Is it too tight?" Harry worries, maybe too much. He measured Dan endlessly to make sure he and his crafter friend could make proper equipment. A mixture of good will and shame led him to that.

After Fren died, the last time the village elder came out from his magic hut and said that the village is still doomed and that he will need to do the ritual again, but no one volunteered. Everyone in the village knew that the Dali was a mountainous man, strong and sturdy, and the fact he made the ultimate sacrifice was enough to discourage everyone.

Perhaps 'everyone' isn't quite right. There was one who dared to volunteer himself, Dan. Even though the village folk tried to talk him down from it he wouldn't stop insisting on it. "Would any of you go instead then?" No one had anything to say when he asked. It nearly broke the hearts of many knowing that both father and son would go out like this, but in Dan's mind it wasn't heartbreaking at all, it was inspiring. I sure do wonder what to think of this myself.

"Fren… Listen, about Dan… " Harry tries to talk about it, perhaps apologize. He is still ashamed of himself. Had he volunteered instead…

"It's alright, Harry-"

"I told him not to go, that neither you or his father would want that."

"I said it's alr-" Fren stops mid sentence for a moment. After adjusting himself he asks "And what did he say?"

"Well, well he said that, well that uhh…" even recalling the past conversations with Dan is embarrassing, let alone when standing in front of his very image. "He said that it wasn't about what you want or his father wanted, it's about what he thinks is right."

Fren smiles with sad eyes after a long moment he says "That means… that this sacrifice was entirely his own." I didn't think like that, that's absolutely true. Dan's sacrifice was not because he wanted to continue Fren and Dali's legacy of trying to protect the village. It was entirely because he decided this is what he thinks it's right. I knew it wasn't something to be sad about. In fact, I do find it inspiring now.

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"Say, Harry, this spikey part here, is it just for show? I don't think spikes here would be very defensive" Fren points at the spikey white parts protruding from the side of his chest and stomach on his torso armor.

"That's Gaveng's teeth."

"What?! Why? That's gruesome."

"Oh uhh… yeah but he's a monster. Monster parts are normally added to armor and weapons. And they aren't for show, they are important to empower the wearer or wielder. A goblin as strong as Gaveng will give you plenty of power when you wear his parts. There's also his bones mixed with the sword, it was sure hard to balance with the pummle and everything." Harry stood a bit proud, it was no easy task, it was even fun learning and on the fly too, a good challenge he hadn't had in years. Fren had an odd look, probably couldn't decide whether to be happy or sad about it.

"Anyway, Fren, what do you intend to do next?"small

Fren takes a rollee letter out from a bag and brandishes it "I have this letter of recommendation from Rodrick. He said if I show it to his old guild master that I'll get accepted and be able to work there."

"Ohh, but how is that going to work?"

"I can't take on the calamity under the village. Not like this, and not alone, the battle with Gaveng showed me that much. But I can stand a chance if I can get companions, I might go to the capital and ask the kingdom for help, or even make enough money to hire mercenaries."

"That's quite a lot of plans, you really thought about this hard, huh?"

"Not nearly enough, but I have to think about it. Just charging forward won't make it, and I don't want to sacrifice anyone else."

With that, Fren takes off to the road. He learned what he needed to survive from Rodrick, and was packed by the villagers to have enough supplies. It's supposed to be a five day journey to get to the nearest major town, and another two or three weeks to get to the capital. I can’t help but feel he left without saying goodbye to everyone. Perhaps in a bit of a rush that the sense of duty drives, or the excitement of being able to help people, or just the curiosity of what lies beyond the city.

The road is quite tedious and with many inclines and declines but at the very least the hills of green and trees do give a serene feeling while walking down the path, on one of the hills Fren could see other villages on the horizon. It took the entire day to get to the main road from which he can walk to the city ‘Collinzia’. It was already night time and it was time to set up camp and rest for the night. But just as he picked a place on the side of the road and put down his pack he could hear horses and the noise of wooden wheels rolling. A carriage was coming the road in the opposite direction with two horses pulling on it. Perhaps without thinking Fren stopped and looked at the carriage until it came up next to him and stopped.

“Good evening, nice sir, perhaps you would like some help. It is much warmer inside.” A voice beaconed Fren. Fren makes a slow step toward his pack, not moving his eyes off the carriage.

“No need to be suspicious, I work for the people not against them.” A man steps out of the carriage, wearing red and white robes and a smile that is almost suspiciously good willed.