Chapter 60: The Artisans of the Wasteland (3)
“Thanks! You saved my life!”
The dwarf, seated on the ground, guzzled down a large water bottle. Envy and I stood silently, watching him.
I wasn’t inherently a good person, but I wasn’t malicious either. I couldn’t ignore someone in need right in front of me—especially when I’d punched him by mistake.
Offering water in exchange for forgiveness seemed like a fair trade.
“He must’ve felt that punch…”
Yet, his muscular frame showed no signs of discomfort. He moved as though unaffected.
“Ahhh…!”
After draining the bottle, the dwarf stood up. His beard, now soaked, dripped water as he wiped it off with a thick hand.
“My name’s Black Light!” he declared, pounding his chest.
His arms, covered in scars, spoke of countless battles or long years of labor. The scent carried on the wind told a similar story—a mix of iron and fire.
For a swordsman, it was always advantageous to befriend a blacksmith. Lightly patting my shoulder, I introduced myself.
“I’m Saeorin, a mid-tier knight of Azure Wings from the Karma Empire.”
“And I’m Envy, a mage from the Magic Tower,” Envy added.
“Oh-ho! I’ve run into some truly important folks,” Black Light said with genuine delight. His wide smile was accompanied by darting eyes that lingered on my hands, arms, and the swords strapped to my back and waist.
Turning my gaze away, I scanned the barren expanse of the wasteland. It was desolate. The only notable features were the massive rocky mountain far in the distance and the dusty plains stretching endlessly.
“What was this dwarf doing out here?” I wondered.
“What were you doing here?” I asked.
“Hmmm. I was trying to feel the starlight,” Black Light replied.
“Starlight…?”
In the past, I might have dismissed his words, but not anymore. The memory of a master swordsman’s training surfaced in my mind—his teacher had drawn the essence of nature into his body. Similarly, this dwarf likely sought to infuse starlight into his craft.
I nodded without pressing further. “I wish you success.”
With that, I turned away. Envy, who had been standing idly, hurriedly followed as we made our way to the horse.
Just as we were about to mount, Black Light leaped onto the back of the horse.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Mind giving me a ride? Judging by your direction, you’re heading to Black Forge. That’s where I’m going too.”
I frowned. While the three of us were small and light enough to share a horse without overburdening it, his brazen action was frustrating.
“Get down at once, or—”
“Oh, the spot you punched earlier still hurts terribly,” Black Light interrupted, clutching his side dramatically. “If you leave me here, I’ll collapse on this cold ground and await death…”
His words left me speechless. I turned to Envy for support. Surprisingly, she was accommodating.
“I don’t mind. In fact, it’s probably for the best. Having a local guide us is better than me trying to navigate,” she said.
Thus, Black Light joined us. The three of us mounted the horse and began our journey across the wasteland.
Time passed, and the sun dipped below the horizon. In its absence, a large, softly glowing moon rose, casting a pale light over the barren land. I hadn’t noticed its ascent until now.
Darkness had settled around us.
Whoosh—
The wind shifted. The hot, dry gusts of the wasteland were replaced by a cool chill. I pulled down the cloth covering my face, enjoying the refreshing sensation.
As the wind flowed through my silver hair, it shimmered under the light of the moon and stars, glistening like another sky unfolding.
Envy and Black Light both froze, mesmerized by the sight, their breaths caught in their throats.
Looking up at the night sky, I saw countless stars flowing across the dark expanse like a celestial river.
I recalled the stories told by the elders of the tribe. They said each star in the sky was the trace of someone who had departed. Reaching out to touch them was futile—they had traveled far beyond our grasp.
Still, I extended my hand toward the heavens, reaching for the distant stars that glittered beyond.
“Even if I reach, I cannot touch them. They’re too far away. How do you intend to feel the starlight?”
At my question, Black Light replied,
“Distance doesn’t matter. You just keep trying. Someday, you’ll reach it, won’t you?”
He wasn’t talking about the physical distance to the stars. Clenching my outstretched hand, I felt the starlight-filled wind slip through my small fingers.
Three more days passed.
The half-day gap between the Magic Tower’s delegation, Shave’s group, and us remained stubbornly unchanged. Despite all efforts, we couldn’t close the gap.
During our journey, we encountered many travelers headed for Black Forge.
Some greeted us warmly, while others challenged me to spar.
These travelers came from all over the continent, seeking the famed dwarven stronghold.
As a knight of the Empire, I treated them accordingly. Those bold enough to draw their swords were swiftly subdued, while I returned courtesy to those who showed kindness.
I minimized rest, ate on the move, and even walked alongside the horse to conserve its strength. Yet, not even a shadow of the delegation was visible.
Finally, after a week, we arrived at Black Forge.
The massive citadel rose proudly in the vast wasteland, a testament to the dwarves’ pride. Black Light looked at it with unabashed pride as it came into view.
“See that? That’s Black Forge, where masterpieces of the century are born!”
Suddenly, the ground trembled, accompanied by a deep rumble.
Beeeeep—!
All eyes turned toward the source of the sound. The first thing I noticed was the sleek, glimmering body of a massive structure cutting through the darkness.
It resembled a mythical dragon as it emerged, a colossal train made of black iron speeding past us along the rails stretching across the wasteland. Its long, black tail extended far behind it.
From another life’s memories, the word train whispered to me. A means of transport from another world, now present in this one.
“Was it a natural invention in this world?” The thought lingered briefly.
Watching the train fade into the distance, Black Light commented,
“That must have been Raiden on a test run. You’re lucky to have seen it—usually, it’s a rare sight.”
As the starlit night guided us closer, the citadel loomed larger. I slowed the horse as we approached the massive gates. Being a heavily trafficked area, long lines had formed outside the entrance.
As we moved toward the back of the line, Black Light jumped off the horse, saying,
“Follow me. We don’t need to wait in line.”
His claim proved true. Showing a heavy hammer to the guards at the gate, Black Light secured entry for all three of us without any formalities.
Once inside, he turned to us.
“Thank you for bringing me here. It’s been a delightful journey.”
“I enjoyed it too,” Envy said with a smile. I nodded silently in agreement. Despite the challenges, it had been a pleasant experience.
Black Light had regaled us with numerous stories throughout the trip. While I hadn’t listened closely, his constant chatter had kept boredom at bay.
“Well, I’ll take my leave! Oh, if you ever have trouble with your sword, look for the Faint Light Forge. That’s my smithy!”
And just like that, a small bond was formed. Would we meet again someday? I watched his small figure disappear into the crowd, his cheerful demeanor lingering in my thoughts.
“What a life that must be.”
“Let’s go,” I said, breaking my reverie.
“Ah, yes!” Envy replied, following as I led the horse toward the grand citadel.
This was the residence of Big Hammer, the king of Black Forge. The citadel, shaped like a hammer and anvil, was a sight to behold.
“I don’t really have business here… What should I say?”
My mission was to destroy the mana generator if it had been repaired. For now, I was just a tourist, nothing more.
Unlike the Magic Tower delegation, here as official envoys, my presence carried no weight.
But contrary to my concerns, Black Forge welcomed me as an honored guest. Upon revealing my identity as a knight of the Empire, I was provided with a small annex for lodging.
I was officially permitted to stay within the citadel. Though my access was restricted, it was more than enough for now.
Envy, naturally, was directed to the annex housing the Magic Tower delegation. Before parting, she turned back to look at me. Her gaze carried a clear sense of reluctance.
“See you in the morning!” she said.
***
Karma Empire Castle – The Emperor’s Office
Inside the grand office reserved for the Emperor, the young ruler lounged casually in his chair, golden hair cascading over his shoulders as he propped his feet on the table. It was a posture utterly devoid of dignity, yet no one dared to correct him.
“You don’t seem particularly interested in the mana generator,” came a voice.
The Emperor turned his head toward the speaker—a white-haired old man whose gaze rested on him steadily.
The man had long since discarded his name. Once a celebrated commander of the knights, he now existed merely as the Emperor’s shadow.
The Emperor chuckled softly.
“This world despises anything that defies its natural order. It’ll never be completed, and you know that.”
“That may be, but—”
“It’s also the reason you couldn’t move forward.”
The old man’s demeanor darkened, his presence lowering into a heavy silence.
The Emperor glanced away, keenly aware of the piercing weight of the gaze directed at him.
“Then why did you send the girl?”
The Emperor’s golden eyes wandered through the air, his expression unreadable.
“The threads of fate unraveled in that direction.”
His gaze seemed to pierce the void, where threads of golden light floated and twisted chaotically in the black abyss.