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Chapter 107 - **Chapter 107: A House Secret**

In the forge of Neoras, the atmosphere was calm and restful. Valar, the village blacksmith, was quietly sipping a glass of pear juice while his apprentice arranged tools on a workbench. For several days, orders had been scarce. The confinement imposed by the village chief had frozen the economic activity, and apart from a few minor repairs, the forge was running almost at a standstill.

Suddenly, the bell hanging above the door rang, clear and metallic, announcing the arrival of visitors. Valar barely raised his eyes, intrigued, while his apprentice quickly straightened up. The wooden door opened, letting Samuel in, followed closely by Relia. The forge, usually warm, felt rather cold.

"Hey, miss Relia !" the apprentice declared with a smile as they approached. "So, how's the new armor ?"

Relia answered with a small spark of pride in her voice."Perfectly. Even though I haven't had the chance to fight with it today."

The apprentice nodded, satisfied."That's good news. So… how can we help you today ?"

Relia gave a faint smile, ready to explain the reason for their visit."Actually, it's my boss who wanted to come…"

She didn't have time to finish. Samuel stepped forward, determined, bypassing her to stand directly in front of the counter where Valar was seated. His dark eyes stared intensely at the blacksmith.

"You're Valar, the one who forged this armor ?" he asked bluntly.

Valar calmly lifted his gaze, his glass of juice in hand. He took a sip before replying, his voice calm but slightly mocking."It's possible. But that depends on the reason for your visit."

Without a word, Samuel took out a neatly folded piece of paper and placed it on the counter. Valar reached for it, unfolded it, and read carefully. A silence settled. Then, a slight smile appeared on the corner of his lips.

"So it's you… the one who leads the defense against the monsters attacking Neoras," he said with a little laugh.

Relia, intrigued, approached to take a look at the document."What's that paper ?" she asked.

Still smiling, Valar replied:"It's a pass. A letter from the village chief, giving him the right to take whatever he wants from the shops and merchants of Neoras, free of charge."

He folded the letter back, set it on the counter, and looked once more at Samuel."Surely that's what you asked in exchange for your help, isn't it ?"

After another sip of juice, he went on, more serious this time:"So, what brings you here ? Do you want me to forge you a new armor ? A new weapon ? Or should I apply runes to one of yours ?"

Samuel remained silent for a moment, his piercing gaze fixed on the blacksmith. Then he spoke, his voice calm but heavy with meaning."I came so that you could explain to me how you managed to make this armor my friend is wearing… in only a day and a half."

At these words, Valar's smile faded. His brows furrowed slightly. The apprentice, too, stopped cleaning, sensing that the conversation was taking a serious turn.

"If it's that answer you came for," Valar said slowly, "know that it's a house secret. I can't just reveal it like that. I'm sorry, but even that piece of paper the chief gave you won't be of any use."

Samuel gave a faint, almost mocking smile. He picked up the letter, carefully put it back into his coat, and said calmly:"Very well. Then we are done with Neoras, it's over."

He turned on his heel and walked toward the door, his boots echoing on the stone floor. Relia followed him with her eyes, surprised by the abruptness of his decision.

"Wait !" Valar exclaimed, startled. "What do you mean, 'it's over'? You're bluffing. You can't just give up like that! There are lives at stake!"

Samuel stopped without turning around. His voice rose, cold and implacable."And why not ? I'm the one who decides. I'm not a hero, nor a savior. I help your village because I had an interest in doing so. But today… that interest is gone, since you refuse to answer my question."

A heavy silence fell. Samuel continued, his voice even darker:"I hope your conscience will be at peace, knowing that you are the one who just condemned this village and its inhabitants to death. Come, Relia. We have nothing left to do here."

He resumed his walk toward the door. Valar watched him go, his hands clenched tightly on the counter. His heart beat faster. A hot, unpleasant sensation rose within him, a mix of anger, fear, and guilt. His jaws tightened. The image of the village in ruins flashed through his mind, the screams of the villagers echoing in his head.

He gritted his teeth, sweat forming on his forehead, then shouted with a strong, almost desperate voice:"Wait!"

Samuel stopped in his tracks. The silence in the forge grew oppressive. Slowly, he turned his head slightly, revealing a dark and sinister glimmer in his eyes.

Valar took a deep breath, as if about to cross a line he had always sworn never to cross."If I tell you what you want to know… do you promise to continue helping this village ?"

Samuel's gaze shone with a frightening intensity. His voice, deep and sharp, resounded in the room."I promise."

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