"Here are the swords and scabbards, ma'am," the shop owner said, stretching both swords in their new scabbards toward Lucy.
"I'm sorry to say, but this wooden sword won't hold up in such harsh conditions. If you'll allow me, I have a smith who can turn it into something truly unique," he offered.
"Huh? You can make a wooden sword stronger?" Rebekah asked curiously, picking up her sword while leaving Alfie's wooden one behind.
"Of course, kid," the man said. "Come with me. It'll only cost ten gold coins."
"Ten gold coins?! That's the price of a whole new sword, you moron!" Lucy shouted.
"This isn't just any wooden sword," the owner explained. "It's carved from a rare tree known as the Rock of the Forest. I don't know how you managed to carve this, but whoever did must be extremely powerful."
"Now this is getting interesting," Rebekah said, eyes lighting up.
"Why is that tree called the Rock of the Forest, old man?" Alfie asked bluntly.
The shop owner scowled. Old man? This kid's gonna give me wrinkles, he thought. "Don't call me that. Mister or sir will do."
"Sorry. I got carried away again," Alfie mumbled.
"The Rock of the Forest is a fallen ancient tree. Very few Shinras could cut from it. It's tough as rock and eats up a lot of Renshi when harvested. Over time, Shinras gave up on it, and it was forgotten in the Kingdom of Eminence," the owner continued.
So that's why Alfie's Renshi output was off the charts earlier today... Lucy thought.
"Okay, sir. Can you take us to the smith?" she asked.
"Certainly. This way," he said, leading them toward the back of his shop. Lucy handed Alfie his sheathed wooden sword and followed.
Behind the door was a larger, older smithing shop. Dust and rust clung to every surface, and ancient tools lay scattered around.
"Hey old—uh, mister, are you sure this is a real smith shop?" Alfie whispered.
"Alfie, shut it," Rebekah hissed. "No more trouble today."
"I was just asking," Alfie said innocently. "Why does everything I say sound like trouble to you?"
Lucy snapped her fingers. Instantly, Alfie's mouth went silent—he flailed his arms and muttered muffled noises.
"Alfie?" Rebekah asked, concerned.
"He's fine," Lucy said calmly. "Just a little trick to shut him up."
"Whew," Rebekah sighed. "You should've done that earlier."
The forge was twice as large as the front shop. At its heart stood a bulky man hammering away at a glowing blade,I told you not to bring in any more jobs for now,I'm not interested right now,the bulky man said still forging the glowing sword.
That hammer's as big as the one Papa used... I could probably forge my own sword with it, Alfie thought, still trying to speak. "Hmm hmm hmm!"
"Master, maybe undo the spell? I think he wants to say something," Rebekah suggested.
"Nope," Lucy replied. "He just wants to spout more nonsense and piss everyone off."
"I think you'll like this job," the shop owner said to the smith.
"Whatever it is, leave me alone. I'm busy," the smith grunted without looking up.
"Alright, alright... I guess we'll find someone else to reforge a sword made from the Rock of the Forest," the owner said nonchalantly, turning to leave.
"What did you say?!" the smith gasped, abandoning his work and rushing over. "Why didn't you say that sooner?! You've got a piece from the Rock of the Forest?!"
Meanwhile, Alfie had wandered to the forge and slid his wooden sword into the furnace.
"Alfie, are you mad? Do you want to turn the wooden sword to ash?!" Rebekah shouted.
Alfie smiled through his muted spell, trying to say something.
"Master," Rebekah said urgently, "I think now's the time to lift the spell."
The smith charged forward. "Get away from there! I'm the only one forging that sword!"
"I don't need your help, chubby old man. I can forge it myself," Alfie said as Lucy released the spell.
"Chubby old man?!" the smith barked. "I may be round, but my spirit and will is sharp as ever kiddo!"