Harry's Blacksmith Shop
Lock drew his sword from its sheath, and the cold glint of the blade made Armin and the others shift uneasily.
An inexplicable heaviness pressed on their chests.
"Boy, did you fight a Titan this time?" Uncle Harry frowned.
As a blacksmith with exceptional skill, though mostly occupied with agricultural and household tools, and occasionally inspecting gear for the Garrison, his eyes were far from weak.
He immediately noticed the abnormality.
The blade was stained with blood.
"There are thousands of Titans outside the Wall that love to eat humans. Fighting them is not the goal, but it's inevitable," Lock said calmly.
There was a maturity in his tone that belied his age.
If one didn't know him well, it would be hard to believe this boy was only fourteen.
"The brat has matured a lot after his trip out," Uncle Harry said, grinning.
He raised his large hand, palm-like, and patted Lock on the shoulder.
"I'm glad you came back safe. But why draw your sword against us?"
"I just want you to see if you can improve the sharpness of this blade," Lock answered frankly.
With his blacksmithing skills, Lock had not yet reached the level to modify a weapon of this class, but Uncle Harry, as a senior blacksmith, surely had the ability.
If its sharpness could be improved, it would greatly help in battles to come.
Uncle Harry didn't reply at once.
He grabbed the black gold bamboo blade, holding the handle with one hand and the tip with the other.
Without much effort, he bent it deeply into a large arc.
Armin, watching from the side, exclaimed, "Uncle, don't break Brother Lock's sword!"
"No, the flexibility of black gold bamboo is very good. It won't break easily," Lock reassured him.
Hearing this, Armin, Mikasa, and Eren all looked at the black gold bamboo blade with growing curiosity.
Especially Lock, for some reason, a faint pulse of thrill stirred in his chest—a desire to wield this weapon full of lethal intent.
Uncle Harry paid no attention to them, focusing intently on studying the blade.
He was very familiar with black gold bamboo, having inspected similar equipment for the Garrison.
But this was the first time he treated such a blade with genuine study and care.
His dedication said it all: he was willing to help Lock upgrade his weapon.
After all, if Lock had a more powerful gear, his survival chances against Titans would increase.
Lock didn't interrupt but stood silently aside.
Meanwhile, Armin examined Lock's three-dimensional maneuver gear, eyes bright with excitement and curiosity.
Mikasa and Eren observed closely as well.
This was humanity's primary tool against Titans, and none could resist the desire to understand it.
In under five minutes, Uncle Harry finished the study, raising his head with a smile.
"You're lucky, boy. I studied blades like this when I was young. Thinking back, many of those old ideas should work now."
"Thank you, Uncle Harry," Lock said with a faint smile.
"Don't get too happy just yet," Harry said, pointing toward the iron blanks stacked in the corner.
"You can't possibly expect me to use this scrap material to upgrade your weapon."
"Of course not. Uncle, name your price. If I can get it, I'll satisfy you," Lock patted his chest and promised.
"These materials aren't easy to get. They're strategic assets controlled by the government. But with your current standing, it shouldn't be too hard… depends on how much the Survey Corps values you," Uncle Harry remarked, almost to himself.
While speaking, he moved to the only relatively clean table in the shop, pulled out paper and pen, and began writing furiously.
Without hesitation, Lock peered at the list of materials.
He understood the general meaning.
"Uncle, you don't intend to forge a new blade, do you?"
"What else?"
Harry's tone was unhappy, as if to say, "Don't ask stupid questions."
Lock sighed, realizing how ridiculous his question sounded.
As a special forging material, black gold bamboo could bond with metal, but once fused, it could no longer be separated.
Attempting to dissolve the bamboo would destroy its internal structure, turning the blade into a rigid iron sword—devoid of the necessary flexibility.
Without enough flexibility, the weapon wouldn't be suitable for storage or combat.
Lock blushed a little at the obviousness of it all.
Uncle Harry scolded him, leaving Lock unable to reply.
Meanwhile, Armin, Eren, and Mikasa burst into laughter.
Lock's glare in their direction was nothing short of lethal.
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