The trio strolled through the bustling Weapon District, Sylveria blending seamlessly into the crowd thanks to her unassuming attire and clever disguise. As they approached a row of blacksmith shops, Isla's sharp gaze scanned the offerings, her interest piqued by the array of weapons on display. "Hey, ugly dwarf." Isla addressed the stout craftsman working at a nearby forge who looks just like a normal dwarf, her blunt words sending a ripple of surprise through the man. "Can you make me or sell me a light great sword? I want it very thin and light." The dwarf blinked, momentarily thrown off balance by Isla's directness. He wondered if she was mocking his appearance or simply expressing her straightforward desire. Isao's hearty laughter broke the tension, while Sylveria let out a patient sigh, accustomed to Isla's tendency to offend without malice.
However, Isla's words that struck like a hammer, leaving the gruff dwarf visibly annoyed at the blatant insult. "Tsk. I won't sell any to you kids. Yeah, y'all young'uns have sharp tongues." he retorted gruffly, crossing his arms over his broad chest. Isla, seemingly unfazed by the artisan's ire, slammed her hand down on the workshop counter with a resounding thud. "The reason I chose to buy here was because your weapons look really good, ugly dwarf!" she declared assertively, her brown eyes flashing with conviction.
Sylveria and Isao exchanged awkward glances, their cheeks flushing slightly as they struggled to navigate the tense situation. While they trusted Isla's discerning eye for exceptional weaponry and fighting prowess, her tactless approach often left them sweating bullets. The dwarf's face contorted in offense, his bushy beard bristling as he seethed under Isla's blunt verbal assault. "Aren't you happy I'm calling your weapons cool, ugly Dwarf? It means your skills are exceptional and first-class! So why are you calling me rude when I'm praising you, UGLY Dwarf?!" Isla huffed, clearly annoyed. She failed to realize that the dwarf's reluctance to sell was due to her constant use of "ugly," which she saw as a simple observation rather than an insult. To Isla, she was just stating what she saw while complimenting his craftsmanship.
"Ahaha... that's Isla for you." Isao said with a chuckle, while Sylveria let out an exhausted sigh at Isla's antics. The dwarf's eyes widened in momentary shock, his initial irritation momentarily forgotten in the face of Isla's unexpected compliment. "Uh... well, I s'pose I never thought anyone'd be so... direct about it." he admitted, scratching his head in confusion. "Most folks just toss out compliments without meanin' 'em. Y'know, flattery to get ahead and all that."
He paused, studying Isla with a newfound curiosity. "But you... you seem genuine. Like you actually mean what you're sayin'. That's... refreshing, in a way." The dwarf's gruff exterior softened ever so slightly, a hint of gratitude peeking through his rugged demeanor. "Guess I could consider sellin' somethin' to ya, if ya promise to keep the 'ugly' comments to a minimum, eh?"
"Eh, but aren't you ug—" Isla began, but Sylveria quickly covered her mouth, her voice nervous yet diplomatic. "Ahaha... Sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Dwarf. My friend isn't used to seeing dwarves. But her words are genuine—your craftsmanship is exceptional and top-class." Turning the conversation, Isao presented a design. "Mr. Dwarf, I'd like you to make these weapons—eastern weapons, katana and wakizashi. I also want to include some of my blood to make them magical weapons." The trio had recently discovered a book in the royal library explaining that master blacksmiths could forge "soul-bound" weapons by mixing a person's blood into the metal, allowing the wielder to channel their magic and skills through their lineage. Sylveria's eyes widened as she realized why her rapier could unleash ice attacks—it must have been forged with her blood. Returning to the present, Isao asked politely, "So, can you create these weapons?"
The dwarf's expression shifted from wariness to intrigue as Isao outlined her desired custom weapons, his eyes lighting up with excitement at the prospect of crafting such unique pieces. "Ah, a katana and wakizashi, eh? That's a challenge I relish!" He rubbed his hands together, a sly grin spreading across his weathered face. "And addin' a bit o' your blood to the forge, hmm? That's a neat trick I hadn't tried before. It'll give 'em an extra edge, for sure."
"Hey, dwarf guy. Just give me a thin, lightweight greatsword," Isla said. She didn't like the idea of using her own blood in the weapon since she had no special lineage or powers. Unlike Sylveria, with her icy blue aura, or Isao, with her lavender aura, Isla's abilities weren't tied to her commoner bloodline. The dwarf's brows furrowed in thought as he considered Isla's request. "Light and thin, ye say? That's a mighty specific order for a weapon," he remarked, his fingers drumming against the anvil as he pondered the challenge. "But I reckon I can whip somethin' up for ya. Can't promise it'll be as fancy as the noble lass's requests, but I'll do my best." He gestured to a pile of fine-grained iron ore and high-carbon steel bars. "These should do the trick. I'll forge the blade myself and maybe add some light enchantments to balance the weight. Shouldn't take more than a few days, dependin' on how much time I can spare from other orders." Isla nodded; her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Sounds perfect, Ugly Dwarf! I'll come back in a few days to collect it."
"Don't call me 'Ugly,' you damn brat!" the dwarf snapped. Isao stepped in diplomatically. "Mr. Dwarf, here's 100,000 gold coins as payment and my blood for the weapon. If possible, please prioritize our commissions. We'll return with another 100,000 gold as an additional payment." Sylveria was stunned. Isao never hesitated to spend lavishly when she wanted something, unlike herself, who always ensured the payment matched the item's value. The dwarf's fiery retort hung in the air for a moment, his scowl deepening at Isla's insolence. But Isao's intervention swiftly changed that tone, the merchant's demeanor softening noticeably at the offered gold. "Hmph, seems ye know how to show respect." the dwarf grumbled, eyeing the coins greedily. He hesitated for a moment, clearly tempted, before turning to inspect Isao's blood sample with a critical gaze. "Aye, fine. I'll prioritize yer orders, provided the additional payment holds up."
With that, the transaction was settled, the deal sealed in the harsh clang of metal against stone. Isao smiled graciously, satisfied with the outcome, while Sylveria gaped at her friend's lavish expenditure, impressed by her commitment to acquiring exactly what they needed. "We appreciate your understanding, Master Craftsman." Sylveria spoke up, bowing politely before they leave.
Later, at a café, the three friends chatted.
"I can't believe you never change, Isao. You've always bought whatever you want without caring about the price. I'm royalty, and you're just a noble, but you spend way more than I do!" Sylveria said, shaking her head.
Isao laughed in response. "And you, Isla, you only spend money on sweets. You never buy anything for yourself. You should treat yourself to something nice." Sylveria added. Isla then had an idea. "Waitress! Five more parfaits, please!" Isla called out, raising her hand. Isao laughed more, while Sylveria stared, dumbfounded. She hadn't meant for Isla to spend money on more sweets and food—she had been suggesting material things. "W-wait, Isla! That's... not what I meant by spending on yourself!" Isao's infectious laughter filled the cozy café, her bright purple eyes sparkling with mirth as she leaned back in her chair, watching Sylveria's befuddled expression.
