Rise of the Living Forge

Chapter 11: Mere smith

Arwin’s ears rung, his mind refusing to believe the information that his eyes were conveying to it. The Demon Queen was dead. He’d killed her – run her through the heart with his sword.

And yet, as if mocking his thoughts, the scar on Arwin’s own heart tingled. The Demon Queen had run him through in the very same spot, and yet here he stood. Arwin swallowed, tasting metal.

Every part of him wished that he was somehow hallucinating. He blinked furiously, trying to snap himself out of it, but nothing worked. There was absolutely no denying that the woman before him was the Demon Queen. He’d put the scar on her eye there with his own sword, and she’d returned the one along his cheek.

It wasn’t that much of a reach for her to have survived the explosion – she and Arwin had been evenly matched for as long as he could remember, so if he’d somehow made it out alive, he should have expected that she would have done the same. Truly, he should have recognized the ominous aura covering the tavern the instant he’d stepped into it.

But, somehow, the thought had never registered. Admitting that she was still alive would have been the same as admitting that he’d failed, and his duties as the Hero still remained. Duty would have compelled him to return to his former role, no matter how little he wanted to. The concept made him feel physically ill.

The surprise in the Demon Queen’s eyes told Arwin that she was just as surprised to see him as he was to see her. Everything around Arwin felt like it had slowed to a crawl, but his heart raced in his chest as if to make up for lost time.

If the Demon Queen was still alive, she would have been plotting and preparing to destroy the Kingdom of Lian once more. Two Demon Queens would have been impossible for a single Hero to handle, and the life Arwin had just started to get used to would come crashing down.

But… she wasn’t plotting. Arwin wasn’t anywhere near stupid enough to believe that starting a tavern in the back of the least populated street in the empire and serving fried rice to strangers was in any way, shape, or form even remotely close to a plot.

His mouth opened, but he wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask. He wasn’t sure what he could ask. His hand shifted, moving toward the hilt of his sword. But, before he could touch it, he paused. The moment his hand touched the hilt of his blade, everything would return to how it had been.

If the blade came free of its sheath, their battle would begin anew.

For a second, he didn’t dare let himself move again. Then he made a decision.

Arwin let his hand lower, scarcely able to believe the actions of his own body. Instead of doing what any sane man would have done and striking the first blow before the Demon Queen could react, he chose another option.

“Thank you,” Arwin said, taking the plate from Lillia’s stunned hands. “It looks delicious.”

She stared at him in disbelief. The shadows had gathered behind her, and Arwin could tell that they were just inches from forming into wings at her back. For several seconds, neither of them spoke again.

He’d made his move. The sword hung at his side like a brick of lead, but Arwin made no moves to draw it. For years, he’d fought. For years, he’d tried to kill the woman before him. And now, the proverbial blade was in her hands. If she wanted to keep their fight going, then she’d have to make the next blow.

A terse second ground by. Arwin could hear the blood slamming in his ears like a roaring ocean, but he refused to let it show on his face. He just held Lillia’s gaze, not letting his hands budge from the table.

The shadows gathering behind Lillia slipped away. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then let it close again. For several seconds longer, none of them spoke.

The silence was then promptly broken by Reya grabbing handfuls of rice with her hands and shoveling it into her mouth, chewing loudly. She was completely oblivious to the nonverbal exchange that Arwin and Lillia were locked within, her eyes completely focused on the plate in front of her. “This is great, Lillia! Thanks!”

Like a hammer through glass, the moment was shattered. Lilia gestured to Arwin’s plate. “Are you going to eat? Or are you just going to look?”

Could it be poisoned? Is this a – no. It can’t be a trick. She didn’t know I was coming, and I’ve been eating her cooking this whole time.

There weren’t any utensils, so Arwin copied Reya and scooped some rice into his mouth. He didn’t break eye-contact once with her as he chewed, then swallowed. A small grin passed over his lips.

“This is fantastic,” Arwin said, genuinely meaning it. “It must have taken a lot of work to make. Thank you.”

Even more confusion passed over Lillia’s face, but she gave him a small nod. “It did. I’m glad to hear you enjoy it. I’m sorry I don’t have another chair. I haven’t had a chance to start properly renovating yet.”

“You just moved in, then?” Arwin asked, keeping his tone conversational. He wasn’t sure where his life had taken a turn to the point where he’d be enjoying a meal served to him by his mortal enemy, but he wasn’t about to stop eating now.

The proper thing to do here is dig for information. This is just research to determine what her goals are.

“Yeah, I did. Reya told me it’s the same for you?” Lillia asked, her tone matching Arwin’s.

She’s aiming for the same goal that I am. I shouldn’t reveal too much… but do I even have anything to hide?

“It is.” Arwin ate another mouthful of the fried rice. “The building was conveniently unoccupied. It needs just a dash of repairs, though.”

Lillia let out a small snort. “Yeah, I’d say. I saw that ratty old thing when I first got here. I’m surprised you chose it.”

“I could say the same about the tavern,” Arwin countered. “You’re not going to get many customers if it’s impossible to see inside it.”

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Lillia’s face fell. “I know, but it was the only building that even resembled a tavern, and it’s in a great location. Once I get it fixed up, I’m sure more people will come around.”

Arwin was suddenly struck with a small pang of regret. She genuinely looked unhappy about his words – but when had the Demon Queen even cared about his opinions in the slightest? They’d exchanged so many insults that he could barely remember the list.

“I’m sure you’ll manage it,” Arwin said. “With food like this, you could be selling it out of a pigsty.”

The corner of Lillia’s lips quirked up, though it quickly returned to normal when she seemed to remember who she was speaking with. “I’m always pleased to hear a client enjoys my work. Is there anything else I could get the two of you?”

“Do you have anything else?” Reya asked through a mouthful of rice.

Lillia cleared her throat. “No. I’m just trying to get into the habit. Hospitality is a bit new to me, but I’ve always wanted to run a tavern. I’m not being too oppressive, am I? Should I wait in the kitchen?”

“It’s fine,” Arwin said, his words ringing in his ears as if someone else were speaking them. “I’m sure there are some people that would prefer to eat on their own, but if you’re going to have a unique atmosphere, you might as well lean into it.”

Lillia’s brow furrowed as she tried to find a hidden meaning in Arwin’s words. When it became apparent that there wasn’t one, her confusion only grew more apparent. “I suppose I’ll keep that in mind.”

Arwin and Reya finished off the rest of their meals quickly, not speaking again until they’d both polished their plates clean. Arwin was pretty sure he was in minor shock – his brain still couldn’t fully comprehend what was going on.

This is it? She really isn’t going to do anything? I thought the Demon Queen hated humans. Why would she want to start a tavern for them? There’s no way this is just some long plot to poison the city or something, is there?

He couldn’t exactly ask her. That would be the same as admitting he knew who she was, and then the farce would be over. As long as he didn’t reveal he knew who Lillia was and she did the same, things could remain as they were.

And, just like that, the meal was over. Arwin quietly stacked his plate on Reya’s. “Thank you for the meal. What do we owe you?”

“Reya already paid,” Lillia said. “You’re good, but if you run into anyone that looks hungry, I’d appreciate if you send them my way.”

“Can do, so long as you send anyone looking for some smithing in my direction. I’ve got some swords I’ll be about to put up for sale, but I’m sure I could figure out more specific requests,” Arwin said.

Lillia nodded, and the two of them stood in uncomfortable silence for a second. Then, slowly, Arwin lifted his hand. Not to his sword, but palm out in offering. Lillia stared at it, then looked back to him.

She took it, and the Hero of Lian shook hands with the Demon Queen. It was a strange feeling to hold hands with the woman that he had spent the entirety of his life trying to kill, but when he looked into her eyes, he saw himself within them.

Arwin had fought her for long enough to understand her body language perfectly. When she was going to summon her magic – the kind of strike she was about to make. He could tell all of it just from a single look, and he suspected she could do the same for him.

But, for the first time that he could remember, Arwin couldn’t tell what she was thinking. He abruptly realized that they’d been holding hands for several moments longer than he’d planned and let go, taking a step back.

“See you tomorrow!” Reya said with a cheerful grin, waving farewell as she and Arwin headed out of the dark tavern. Arwin resisted the temptation to pause at the doorway and glance back at Lillia.

His mind still spun, confusion ruling his emotions with an iron fist. For the first time, he spent more than a few moments wondering what in the world had happened at the end of their fight. He brushed a hand over the wound covering his heart.

I don’t understand this at all. When I first arrived at this world, I thought everything was simple. All I had to do was kill the Demon Queen and everyone could be happy. What would I have thought if I’d learned I’d be eating her cooking?

A chilling realization set in on Arwin’s shoulders as they drew back up to his smithy. If he wanted to figure out any answers to what had happened and how he’d survived the explosion, the best person to speak with was probably the only other one that had been present for it.

That seems like a problem for later. I need to take my mind off all this, but I don’t want to just mindlessly smith swords with no purpose in mind.

“Is everything okay?” Reya asked. “You’ve seemed off ever since we met Lillia.”

“Everything is fine,” Arwin said with a hurried shake of his head. “Just some old memories. You said you didn’t have a class yet, right?”

Reya winced and nodded. “Yeah. You’d have thought I’d have gotten Thief by now, but somehow the only thing I’ve been handed is a fat zero. Why?”

“Just wondering,” Arwin replied. “The Mesh gives you what you desire when you work toward it, you know.”

“I’ve heard that before.” Reya rolled her eyes. “But, if that were true, I’d have gotten a class by now.”

That’s true, unless the thing you were working toward wasn’t at all what you actually wanted.

Arwin kept his musings to himself. Not for his sake, but for Reya’s. The last thing she needed to do was start doubting her desires, and Arwin didn’t know her nearly enough to start telling her how to live her life.

They stepped into the smithy – and Arwin’s eyes narrowed instantly. There was a slip of paper pinned to the wall with a dagger that had been wedged through it and into a crack in the wall.

He strode up to it, pulling the paper down and scanning over it.

We have given you enough time. Deliver Reya and the item she stole, or We shall be forced to act. Though We do not enjoy senseless slaughter, those who flaunt our kindness will be met with Our blade.

You have two days. If she is not returned, then your life and building will be taken in recompense.

The letter was unsigned, but it didn’t need to be. Reya’s face paled as she read over it and she looked up to Arwin, her hands clenching at her sides. “I’m sorry. This is my fault.”

Arwin didn’t respond immediately. With every passing day, it became more apparent that this was his new life – and he was starting to like it. And, if Arwin wanted to keep his new life the way it was, he was going to need to get stronger.

A lot stronger.

“I was just thinking that it might be time to make some money tomorrow,” Arwin said. “You can toss on a cloak and we’ll bring the stuff I’ve made that isn’t horrible to the city center. We can try to sell it for half price and make a bit of coin.”

Reya blinked in confusion. “What? Did you see the letter? You’ve been too kind to me. I’ll hand myself–”

“I’m not handing you over. We just need to get stronger,” Arwin corrected. He hadn’t been kind to Reya at all. He’d tolerated her, but that was a far shot from kind. The fact that she considered his actions kind spoke volumes for the kind of life she’d lived.

Deep within his heart, a feeling that he’d nearly forgotten re-lit itself. The sensation that had driven him in his early days of adventuring. The feeling he’d had before he’d seen all his friends die, when he’d still believed in the cause he’d fought for.

It’s been so long that I almost forgot why I fought. It wasn’t just to end the war. It wasn’t for the Adventurer’s Guild. I fought to protect the people who needed me. I fought to keep someone else from being forced to become who I became.

“Stronger than the thieves’ guild?” Reya asked in disbelief. “They have thirty men! All of them have classes!”

“Which is why we’ll go out hunting.”

Reya’s eyes widened. “The dungeon? But–”

“Not the dungeon,” Arwin said with a chuckle. “Not yet. Just normal hunting. We need materials and experience, and this will provide both. I just need a little more money to outfit us a little better first.”

“But… how? You’re a smith and I don’t have a class. If we run into anything powerful, we’ll be dead.”

A wry smile crossed over Arwin’s lips. He’d just made a new weapon, after all. Perhaps it was time to test it out. “You’d be surprised to find how misleading appearances can be. I’m going to show you just how much this mere smith is capable of.”

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