Chapter 58: [58] Forging
Lowering Aiden's hands and obtaining the data needed for the hilt, Hephaestus redirected her attention to Durandal.
Perhaps it was an intuition derived from being the Goddess of Smithing, but even though Durandal was quietly sheathed, Hephaestus still sensed its uniqueness.
As a creation of the system, Durandal didn't possess any additional special functions. If anything, its uniqueness lay in its durability and sharpness.
The only peculiarity was that it originated from the system, utilizing forging techniques different from any sword in this world.
This was why Hephaestus was now somewhat interested in Durandal.
"Aiden, your sword looks quite different." Hephaestus remarked with interest, gazing at Durandal.
"Different?"
Aiden was somewhat puzzled. After all, to him, Durandal, apart from being sturdy and sharp, didn't seem particularly special. It was just a high imitation version. Was it because the design was too flashy?
Feeling somewhat perplexed, Aiden also sensed Hephaestus's interest in Durandal.
Clang!
Accompanied by a crisp sword song, Aiden drew Durandal, cradling the blade with his left hand.
"It's just an ordinary weapon." Aiden smiled, while inwardly musing, Could it be that the system has given me some hidden benefits, tucked away in the sword?
"This sword is truly beautiful." Hephaestus's initial reaction upon seeing Durandal.
With its golden body, purple spine, and exquisite patterns, Durandal's first impression was not only grand but also aesthetically pleasing.
It seems it's indeed because of its flashy design. After all, you're the Goddess of Smithing, Aiden silently quipped in his mind.
Aiden then presented Durandal to Hephaestus.
Hephaestus stared straight at Durandal, from the hilt to the guard, finally lingering on the blade. She instinctively extended her finger to touch the blade and then lightly tapped it. She then plucked out a strand of hair and placed it on the upturned blade, giving it a gentle blow, causing the hair to split into two.
Narrowing her eyes, curiosity filled Hephaestus's crimson left eye. She examined the large sword before her, its unprecedented flamboyant design, and the forging technique employed...
Finally, Hephaestus looked up with keen interest at Aiden. "Can you tell me its name?"
"It's called Durandal." Still not understanding why Hephaestus was interested in it, Aiden directly asked, "Why are you interested in it?"
"Yeah, does Aiden-kun's Durandal have any issues?" Hestia chimed in with the same question.
Upon hearing Aiden and Hestia's inquiries, Hephaestus smiled knowingly.
As the Goddess of Smithing, her divine duty was forging, and her interest lay in forging as well. Naturally, she would be interested in unknown weapons and unfamiliar forging techniques.
"Issues? Actually, there are no issues. It's just that the forging technique used for this sword, I didn't expect there to be such a method. Whoever forged this sword must be an extraordinary blacksmith." Hephaestus exclaimed. However, instead of probing further, she directly made a request.
"Could I study it for a bit? A day would be enough."
There was nothing more insightful than direct study.
"Of course." Aiden immediately agreed.
Finally understand why Hephaestus was so interested in Durandal, after all, she was the Goddess of Smithing. Even if it's just for Hestia's sake, he'll lend it to her, not to mention she offered a fifty percent discount, how could he refuse?
"Thank you." Hephaestus, receiving Aiden's affirmative response, couldn't wait to continue, "Let's begin then."
"It's going to get hot, so you better take off your outerwear." Hephaestus reminded as she herself put on protective gear.
"Okay." Aiden took off his coat and handed it to Hestia, leaving only a shirt on his upper body. Then, following Hephaestus's instructions, he opened the window.
Turning back, he saw Hephaestus pouring an igniter into the furnace. It was made from the flame stones of the monster Flame Rock and because of its domineering effect, only a few people could purchase it.
After pouring in the igniter, the furnace, which had been burning steadily, instantly blazed up, and the rising flames dyed the entire forging room red.
Aiden, who wasn't usually affected by temperature, soon found himself sweating profusely.
Hephaestus placed the dragon horn and the other metals together, subjecting them to the scorching flames.
The teeth, claws, or horns of dungeon monsters possessed gold attributes, similar to the precious minerals known as adamantite by blacksmiths, so they needed to be treated with forging metals rather than directly grinding them into blades.
Hephaestus, already in the zone, stared at the red-hot dragon horn. This wasn't her first time processing dragon horns.
In the flames, impurities in the dragon horn began to peel away, the black gold gradually softened, and the iron blocks melted into molten iron like syrup.
It was Aiden's first time observing a blacksmith forge a sword at such close range, and this blacksmith happened to be the Goddess of Smithing.
...
Outside, the sun began its gradual descent.
Hephaestus, holding the hammer in her right hand, took a deep breath, then pursed her lips tightly.
The fiery glow danced in Hephaestus's crimson left eye. At this moment, she seemed to be wielding divine power, radiating the majesty and aura of the Goddess of Smithing, pouring her entire passion into her craft. Gripping the hammer tightly in her right hand, she struck down fiercely.
Clang!
Sparks flew, and the heat wave filled the air.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Hephaestus continued to strike, and gradually, Aiden began to discern some nuances.
She varied the intensity of each strike. It wasn't because she couldn't control her strength, but rather, it was necessary for forging. Heavy blows allowed the metal to stretch, while lighter ones adjusted its shape. And so, the crimson metal bar gradually underwent transformation.
Sweat trickled down Hephaestus's cheeks and forehead, soaking her white shirt.
Of course, Aiden's focus wasn't on her at this moment.
As the moon reached its zenith, the sky outside had turned dusk.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The once irregular hammering gradually fell into a rhythm.
Hephaestus embarked on the final step, the dense hammering echoing in the forge room like an impassioned melody.
Clang!
Hephaestus struck down the final blow heavily.
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