"Here are your swords and scabbards, ma'am," the shopkeeper said, handing both sheathed swords to Lucy.
"However, I should warn you that this wooden sword might not withstand harsh conditions. If you're interested, I know a blacksmith who could reforge it into something special."
"Huh? You can actually make a wooden sword stronger?" Rebekah asked curiously as she collected her own sword, leaving Alfie's behind.
"Of course, young lady. I can take you to him. The service will cost ten gold coins."
"Ten gold coins? That's enough to buy an entirely new sword, you idiot," Lucy snapped.
"This isn't an ordinary wooden sword," the shopkeeper explained patiently. "It's made from a rare tree known as the Rock of the Forest. I have no idea how you managed to carve it, but whoever did must possess incredible strength."
"Now you've got my attention," Rebekah remarked, her eyes lighting up.
"Why do they call it the Rock of the Forest, old man?" Alfie asked bluntly.
The shopkeeper's face twitched.
"Old man? I'm not that old. Don't call me that. Mister or sir will do."
"Sorry... Your face just looks a little old. My bad," Alfie replied.
"The Rock of the Forest is an ancient tree that fell long ago. Only a handful of Shinras were capable of cutting into its wood. It's as hard as rock, and harvesting it requires an enormous amount of Renshi. Eventually, Shinras stopped trying to work with it, and the tree was forgotten here in the Kingdom of Eminence."
So that explains why Alfie's Renshi output was off the charts earlier today... Lucy thought.
"Alright, sir. Could you take us to this blacksmith?" she asked.
"Certainly. Follow me."
The shopkeeper led them toward the back of the store. Before following the others, Lucy handed Alfie his sheathed wooden sword.
Beyond the door stood a much larger, older smithy. Dust covered nearly every surface, rust clung to the equipment, and ancient tools lay scattered around the workshop. It looked as though the place hadn't been properly maintained in years.
"Hey, old... uh, mister. Are you sure this is actually a blacksmith's shop?" Alfie whispered.
"Alfie, shut up," Rebekah hissed. "Can you go even one second without causing trouble?"
"I'm just asking a question. Why does everything I say sound like trouble to you?"
Lucy snapped her fingers.
Instantly, Alfie's mouth fell silent. He waved his arms frantically, trying to make himself heard, but only muffled noises escaped.
"Alfie?" Rebekah glanced at him, her expression turning concerned.
"He's fine," Lucy replied calmly. "I just used a little trick to keep him quiet."
"Whew. You should've done that much earlier," Rebekah sighed in relief.
The forge was twice the size of the front shop. At its centre stood a bulky man, his attention fixed on the glowing blade he was hammering into shape.
"I told you not to bring me any more jobs," the blacksmith grumbled without looking up. "I'm not interested right now."
That hammer is almost as big as the one Papa used... I could probably forge my own sword with it.
Alfie stared at the enormous hammer, his excitement growing. He tried desperately to say something, but Lucy's spell still held his mouth shut.
"Hmm! Hmm! Hmm!"
"Master, shouldn't you undo the spell?" Rebekah suggested. "I think he wants to say something."
"Nope," Lucy replied. "He probably just wants to spout more nonsense and annoy everyone."
"I think you'll be interested in this job," the shopkeeper told the blacksmith.
"Whatever it is, leave me alone. Can't you see I'm busy?" the blacksmith grunted, continuing to hammer the glowing blade.
"Fine, fine. I suppose we'll have to find someone else to reforge a sword made from the Rock of the Forest," the shopkeeper remarked casually, turning to leave.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
The blacksmith immediately abandoned his work and rushed toward him.
"Why didn't you tell me that sooner? You have a piece of the Rock of the Forest?"
Meanwhile, Alfie had wandered over to the forge. Without waiting for anyone's permission, he slid his wooden sword into the furnace.
"ALFIE, ARE YOU CRAZY?" Rebekah screamed. "Do you want to turn that wooden sword into a pile of ash?"
Alfie simply smiled, still unable to speak because of Lucy's spell.
"Master..." Rebekah turned to Lucy urgently. "I think now would be a good time to undo the spell."
The blacksmith suddenly spotted Alfie and charged toward him.
"GET AWAY FROM THERE. I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO'S GOING TO FORGE THAT SWORD."
Lucy released the spell just in time.
"I don't need your help, chubby old man. I can forge it myself," Alfie declared confidently.
"CHUBBY OLD MAN?"
The blacksmith glared at him, visibly offended.
"I may be round, but my spirit and will are as sharp as ever, kiddo."