Ignis set the shoulder plate onto the forge to heat it up. The molten scars left by the stray blast from the energy cannon needed to be repaired.
Ignis adjusted the ratio of fuel to oxygen, raising the temperature of the furnace until it was hot enough to melt away the outer layer of the shoulder plate. The violent combustion caused the temperature of the entire workshop to climb; even the air-conditioning system began to issue warnings. Ignis walked over and switched off the harmless alert.
But that alert quickly summoned Nicole, Boss of the Cunning Hares. The pink-haired woman, arms folded across her chest and dressed in casual sleepwear, nearly stumbled the moment she stepped inside—the scorching air hit her like a wall.
"Good grief, you burned down a whole power plant yesterday, and now you want to torch this place too?" Nicole stared in disbelief at the bright yellow flame climbing out of the forge, looking almost like the exhaust of a jet engine.
She tried stepping farther inside, but the searing heat made her reconsider. Better to stand at the doorway where the AC still reached.
"You already heard about it?" Ignis kept his eyes on the heating shoulder plate, using Fire-Sight to monitor the rising temperature of the ceramite-steel. He had to focus—he was working with ether-fuel, not the promethium he was used to. Overheating the ceramite-steel would ruin the whole plate.
Recently, he had discovered a high-grade alloy with excellent hardness and decent toughness. He could try using it in the future to repair damage on the outer layers of power armor.
"Anby, turn up the volume on the TV so our resident fire hazard can hear how his 'glorious achievements' are being reported." Nicole shouted toward the hall.
Anby complied, raising the volume.
["I'm now standing outside the Vulkan District Thermal Power Plant, where a dramatic fire broke out last night. As you can see behind me, Warehouse Six of the plant has been severely damaged. After fighting the blaze overnight, firefighters have finally contained it completely early this morning."] The voice belonged to a young female reporter at the scene.
["According to initial reports, the fire began late last night, originating in Warehouse Six. Preliminary assessment suggests an electrical malfunction inside the warehouse. Fortunately, since the fire occurred after hours, no staff were present, and no casualties have been reported. However, due to the scale of the fire, nearby residents were temporarily evacuated to safety."]
["Although the fire is now extinguished, repairs to the power plant are only beginning. The electrical company states they will conduct comprehensive inspections and repairs to ensure the plant resumes normal operations as soon as possible. They also promise a full investigation into the cause, particularly concerning Warehouse Six, to prevent similar incidents."]
Ignis listened to the broadcast. It seemed the New Eridu Public Security had indeed worked quickly—those Four destroyed tactical mechs must have been hauled away overnight. Otherwise, there'd be no hiding the giant wrecks. He himself had already disposed of most of the bodies and hazardous materials.
["This fire has had a noticeable impact on the Vulkan District's power supply and industrial output. The company has activated emergency protocols, redirecting grid load and starting backup generators to ensure residents and essential facilities remain unaffected. However, certain industrial companies reliant on this plant may face temporary reduction or suspension of operations."]
The feed seemed to return to the studio now, with a male host continuing the report.
["Environmental authorities have also stepped in to assess potential contamination. So far, no toxic substances have been detected. Monitoring of air and water quality will continue to ensure public health and environmental safety."]
No toxic substances? Ignis doubted it. When he torched that warehouse, the concentration of poisonous smoke was quite high. But even if toxic material had leaked, they would never admit it. What kind of power plant warehouse stores a mountain of toxic matter?
["In finance, the fire may influence the stock price of the company operating the plant. Investor reactions to such incidents may cause short-term volatility. The company has issued a statement saying they will soon publish a detailed report on the operational impact and take steps to minimize losses to shareholders."]
There were even stock market consequences?
"You hear that? The stock price will drop." Nicole looked genuinely distressed. "I thought energy stocks were stable enough for long-term investment… now a fire like this will drag the price down a ton."
Ignis suspected this was the real reason the Boss of the Cunning Hares—perpetually at the edge of bankruptcy while raising Four weirdos—was in a foul mood.
The shoulder plate reached the ideal temperature. Ignis immediately lifted it with tongs, hung it over the anvil's edge, and began hammering. The warped, molten areas gradually smoothed out under each blow.
"I'm honestly curious what you'll blow up next. Maybe one day you'll take out that big building in Lumina Square?" Nicole leaned against the door frame, watching him repair his armor.
"Under normal circumstances, I prefer the least destructive route," Ignis replied, raising the plate to inspect the hammer marks, aiming to make them as even as possible. "But this time, burning everything was the best option."
"You remember that narcotic—Fantasy? I destroyed all the raw materials and tools in that place. Not sure if they had other warehouses, but judging from the materials there, everything was fresh. No signs of cold storage."
Nicole certainly knew drugs. As a fixer who roamed the streets, she had seen every kind, from herbal extractions to fully synthetic blends. But if he burned it without leaving a trace, it must have been something terrible.
"They mixed human organs, brains, and blood into it—crafted through some kind of occult ritual—and then sold it. That bizarre rose-colored tint was probably the leftover blood."
"I found barrels of blood and organs there. And piles of bodies, hollowed out."
"Believe me—a fire was the best solution. Even a hint of that stuff leaking would cause massive problems."
Ignis stated these horrors calmly, but Nicole felt chills just hearing them. Drugs made from human blood and organs? Who knew if they even worked, but the ritualistic aspect was unmistakable—like stealing someone's life and soul for personal use.
Thinking back to the reports that artists who consumed it saw strange visions… did they really see the souls of the dead? Relive their final moments?
Nicole didn't know much about religion. In truth, after the leader of the Order was publicly executed, "religion" became practically taboo in New Eridu. The city prided itself on science and rationality, rejecting all things spiritual. Nicole still believed in luck and charms, but that was hardly religion.
Ignis, however, always seemed a little religious in his own way—even forging in the dark with only incense candles lit, not unlike some old-world priest reading scripture by night.
"I can understand why you didn't want us involved." Nicole lowered her head, though she couldn't see her feet anyway.
"I worry about all of you. This is an extension of an evil faction that existed in my era." Ignis confirmed the shoulder plate was perfectly repaired, then pulled a small alloy rod from a toolbox.
He pressed the rod against the still-warm surface—before the ceramite-steel fully hardened—and struck it once with a hammer.
It was a hand-pressed steel stamp, carved by his own hands over these past days.
Iori. The name of the Thiren girl with the sun-tan marks. He had sworn to remember her forever; now he engraved her name onto the sturdiest—and most frequently damaged—piece of his armor.
He shut down the forge. Once the plate cooled, the work would be done.
As the heat faded, the central AC roared to full power. Cold air rushed in, clashing with the residual heat so sharply that mist formed.
Only now did Nicole step inside. She watched the shoulder plate slowly cool from glowing red back to its natural metallic sheen.
"Iori? Your own brand? Planning to build a signature line?" she asked curiously.
"No. It's the name of a victim." Ignis lowered his head. "She was controlled by Fantasy and kidnapped by a gang for… unspeakable work. She begged me to kill her—to free her. And I did."
"I swore to remember her name. And I swore to avenge her."
Nicole heard the grief beneath his calm tone. "So what happened yesterday was part of that revenge?"
"Yes. There were many victims. I only remember her name. Iori isn't just one person—it represents all of them. Even if this blood-debt is settled someday, I'll engrave her name onto every new armor plate I forge." Ignis picked up the shoulder plate; it was still warm, almost burning his hand.
"I twisted her neck with my own hands. Emperor damn it… she was half my height. Just a child." Ignis suddenly slammed the hammer down on the anvil, sparks flying.
"At least you spared her from living long enough to rot from the inside. Sometimes living is far worse than dying." Nicole gently patted the giant's back. "If there's anything we can help with, don't hesitate. I can pull plenty of strings on the intel side."
"Someone invited me fishing tomorrow. So you'll need to handle your own lunch." Ignis said as he rummaged for paint and thinner—he still needed to repaint the Chapter insignia.
"Huh?" Nicole blinked at the sudden change of tone. "I thought you'd… brood a little longer."
"I am grieving. Deeply. But there are more important tasks now. The armor must be repaired, or the next battle will be harder." Ignis compared the paints under the lamp, adjusting the shade. "And fishing is payment for information. If I don't show up, I don't get the intel."