Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

The two were caught off guard for a moment. They hadn't expected that the favor Aberardus wasn't to ask would actually be meant for them. This was, indeed, a surprise. 

Before, they thought that maybe Aberardus had been exaggerating Ryu's involvement in his breakthrough… But maybe? 

Wynhorn's gaze flashed with interest. For the first time, even considering the moment Ryu spoke out, she looked toward Ryu, eyeing him up and down. 

"Aberardus, you must know that I have certain rules of my own when it comes to forging. If someone cannot meet my standards, I won't light my forge. Also… I do not forge spears. If that is what your…"

"Friend." Aberardus smiled. 

Wynhorn was taken off guard once again, as were the others. They had expected to hear the word disciple, but to think Aberardus would choose this form of address. It made them even more curious about exactly what was going on here. How had this happened? 

"There's also no need to worry, senior Wynhorn. What this junior of mine wants to forge is precisely a sword, albeit a unique one, this is why he insisted on having your help. He's well aware that there is no better person than yourself."

Wynhorn recovered and smiled lightly. She had heard such praise many times in her life before and it couldn't be said that she was moved. This was precisely what anyone who wanted her help would say, but then again, since so many people needed her help, maybe these words were true. 

"A unique sword, hm? I am willing to listen to this little friend's proposition, then. As for whether I agree or not, that will be up to him."

Seeing how this conversation was going, Ryza finally relaxed. These were all her peers to begin with, and although she wasn't a True Sky God, she was still a False one nonetheless. It wasn't like she was an ant compared to the others, so she didn't fear them. Rather, she had just been scared that if Ryu said something that got him killed, there would be nothing she could do about it and her foundation would never be healed. 

'Hm?' Wynhorn raised an eyebrow, noticing that Ryza was actually quite close with Ryu. This was even more odd to her. 

Ryza tried to convey a 'we'll talk later' message with her gaze, something Wynhorn could only accept. 

Aberardus smiled brightly. "Thank you, senior. I'm sure this little one won't disappoint you."

After saying this, Aberardus turned his gaze toward Jan who chuckled. 

"This little one's appetite is quite large, to actually need the help of more than one Supreme Blacksmith. You are correct, I cannot make promises in the stead of Supreme Blacksmith Arcus, I can only pass on the message for you. Is that alright?"

"Of course, it's no problem at all. I'll have to thank senior in advance, then." Aberardus clasped his hands once more. "Since this matter has been resolved, I will take my leave. Will you come with me, or?"

Aberardus looked toward Ryu. 

"It's okay, I will take him to see Big Sister Wynhorn." Ryza interjected, realizing that her relationship with Ryu would be out of the bag eventually, regardless. 

As expected, numerous were shocked by this change and couldn't help but give Ryu several more once overs. What is it that they were missing, exactly? 

Unfortunately, with Ryu's face hiding behind a mask, not many could make the final connection they needed to. 

Aberardus' brows arched. "I see… Fair well. I'll wait for the good news."

**

Ryu was quite satisfied with how things had gone. Since he had the opportunity to meet Wynhorn, he felt that this matter was already set in stone. His only worry was how Supreme Blacksmith Arcus would react, but the truth was that even if this final Sky God Blacksmith said no, it wouldn't be the end of the world. 

Compared to the Great Swordstaff, there bow was obviously far more common and ubiquitous. The Tatsuya family treasury had several of an extremely high quality. It was just that without Ryu's design, he wouldn't be able to use them and would instead be restricted to a lower level weapon. 

Ryu was fine with accepting this. He had no intention of groveling. 

"Big sister Wynhorn, we're here."

Ryza spoke out neither too loudly nor softly. Clearly, she was confident in Wynhorn's senses. 

The location was a sky island of sorts separate even from the Armament Guild main city. There were rushing rivers of pink and violet, trees with leaves as white as snow, and grass so green that it was almost a shame to step on it. 

Up above, a formation formed an artificial sky of blue and white clouds, a light drizzle of golden rain falling perpetually, and yet not a single thing was wet. 

"Yes, you can enter."

The two passed through an invisible wall, finding themselves in an even greater paradise. Within, a middle-aged woman sat, wearing a fluttering blue dress. Though she sat and her curves weren't as obvious as they had been on her avatar, it was without a doubt still a feast for the eyes. 

When her gaze met Ryu's this time, there was a strong and formless pressure that even Ryu himself couldn't completely ignore. The gap between an avatar and her true body was so large that it spoke for itself. There was no doubt that this was, indeed, a True Sky God. 

"You would like me to forge a sword for you?" Wynhorn asked lightly. 

"More accurately, I would like you to work with Supreme Blacksmith Okie to forge this sword."

Wynhorn's brow furrowed. As a Blacksmith, she had never worked with anyone else to finish her crafts, and to be asked to do so by a junior was a hard pill to swallow. If not for this being a favor asked of her by Aberardus, she would have already thrown Ryu out. 

"The weapon I want to forge is a Great Swordstaff." Ryu said slowly. 

It was only after hearing this that Wynhorn's tight brows loosened, replaced by a hint of curiosity. 

[Author's Note: My bday is tomorrow so I won't be uploading. See you guys in two days!]