People are at the border, but they become the incarnation of the sun

when--

when--

Every time the heavy hammer fell, countless sparks would burst out from the anvil and splash all over the ground.

An elderly hybrid with an iron chain tied to his feet, the other end of which was fixed to the wall. A portrait of [War King] Ge Fulei was hung diagonally above the wall.

However, the old hybrid seemed to be completely unconcerned about this, and focused his attention on the red-hot weapon on the anvil, hammering it again and again, with his masterpieces all around him.

There are all kinds of swords, spears and halberds, covering almost all types of weapons, and from the sharp blades you can tell that these are not ordinary items, but are made with great effort.

Not only that, although he looks old, his movements are precise and powerful. He can even use the seemingly extremely heavy stone hammer with one hand.

There was a blazing stove nearby, the flames illuminating the old man's dry face, revealing his serious expression.

The heat from the stove caused the temperature around it to rise significantly.

The burning feeling made the faded people who passed by avoid it.

Only Reinhardt stood in front of the anvil, watching the hybrid's blacksmithing movements intently, without moving, allowing sparks to splash onto his body.

Even though the luxurious clothes he was wearing were burned to pieces.

The crisp sound of the hammer falling seemed to hit his heart, and each fall would evoke some memories.

This made him look nostalgic.

The old blacksmith was called Xiu Gu. He claimed to be a loser and was captured here.

He is one of the few people in the game who acknowledges that he is the king.

He spared no effort to strengthen his weapon, and eventually created a weapon powerful enough to kill gods.

However, the result of forging the god-killing weapon was also the end of Xiugu's death.

In the end, he was consumed by flames accompanied by Roderica, and buried in this round table hall, disappearing together.

"...A new face."

Suddenly, the blacksmith stopped forging iron, and while speaking in a dull and hoarse voice, he raised his head and looked at him with his bright eyes.

"...I..."

"Oh, it's you. The kid once mentioned you to me..."

Before he could speak, he was interrupted by Xiu Gu, who picked up the hammer again and hit the anvil hard.

It goes without saying that the child Xiu Gu was talking about was Rodlika.

This is not surprising. Grandpa Xiu Gu is the person closest to Roderica besides him, so it is normal to mention him.

"Well, but what needs to be done is the same. Bring out the weapons and I will forge them."

This passion and persistence for forging is as if Hephaestus, the god of fire in Greek mythology, has descended here. The hammer and anvil are his symbols. He is often accompanied by the furnace and forges weapons for the gods.

As for Xiu Gu, who forges weapons for the Faded Ones, his skills are unique in the Border Area, and even old man Iggy cannot compare to him.

It’s a pity that Xugu only has the unique skills of Hephaestus, but not the treatment of Hephaestus.

Instead, he was like a prisoner imprisoned forever in this round table hall.

However, since Mr. Xiu Gu had suggested this, he chose to do as he was told. He took out his pocket and handed over the fist-like De.

Seeing the weapon in his hand emitting a faint glow like a gem, Xiu Gu put down the hammer and looked at it carefully.

"Hmm...it's very rare. It's actually a pyroxene weapon, and the forging craftsmanship is not bad..."

As he spoke, he took the half-forged sword off the anvil, placed his De on it, and looked up at him again.

"This forging technique is very similar to that of the mountain goblins of the past. Could it be that you are from the Kalia clan of Lienia?"

The only person in the entire border area who can use pyroxene weapons is Kalia, who is proficient in magic.

"Yes, Master Xu, you are right. I am indeed from Lienia, a Knight of Kalia who once served the Moon Princess, Rani—Reinhardt."

Under Xiu Gu's gaze, he respectfully stated his name and performed his knight's salute to express his inner respect and reverence.

He never even bowed when meeting Shuangzhi, but when he saw Xiugu, he bowed deeply.

Craftsmen like Xiu Gu and his character deserve his respect and admiration.

He also respects this old man from the bottom of his heart.

However, it was quite funny to use this chivalrous etiquette with the tattered clothes on him, as if he was a poor noble who was trying to be particular. The faded people passing by stopped and even pointed at him.

As a member of the Faded Ones, he actually bowed to a captive hybrid.

But neither he nor Xiu Gu seemed to care.

Xiu Gu slowly picked up the hammer placed aside, lowered his head again, raised the hammer and smashed it on the anvil, and the hoarse and old voice sounded again.

"...There's no need for that. I'm just a dirty, ugly hybrid captive. I don't deserve your respect."

"No, there aren't many craftsmen like you left in the border area."

The hammer clanged against the anvil, so loud that it drowned out his words.

"Oh, come back later. It will take some time to forge this weapon."

Xiu Gu immediately ordered him to leave, not knowing whether it was because of what he said or the faded people who were watching him.

But Reinhardt did not leave immediately. Instead, he asked again, "Master Xiu Gu, I have something else to ask you. Do you know the whereabouts of Mr. Roger? I have something to ask him..."

"I don't know. I'm just a blacksmith, and forging weapons is the only thing I can do."

Xiu Gu tapped his weapon and answered smoothly.

But he seemed to feel something was wrong and added, "...But you're talking about that kid who plays pyroxene magic. I haven't seen him for a long time."

After saying that, Xiu Gu once again focused on hammering his weapon.

"Well, thank you for repairing the old man."

We found nothing here in Xiugu and got no information about Roger's whereabouts.

Since I didn't see this guy in Stonewell City, it must be that he returned to the Round Table Hall.

Because Roger had nowhere else to go except here.

But where can you hide?

He searched almost the entire second floor of the Round Table Hall, and even went to the room where Fia was supposed to be, but found it empty.

Even the niches on the walls were turned over.

But nothing was found except a pile of broken and rusty weapons.

Where can I hide?

He pulled over an abandoned chair and sat down, leaning his head against the wall, looking at the ceiling several meters high, thinking quietly.

There is none at the original terrace location, nor anywhere else.

Where can a human infected by dead roots run to?

It's just like cats and dogs, when they get old they find a secluded place to die quietly.

Just as he was leaning there wondering where Roger could be hiding, he suddenly heard some noise through the wall.

"Is anyone crying?"

He leaned against the wall and listened carefully.

No, it's not crying!

Rather than crying, it sounded more like someone groaning in pain.

And behind this wall, he remembered Neferi saying that it was a place where discarded debris was piled up.

"No way, this guy is hiding here?!"

He didn't care about being surprised anymore and quickly got up and walked towards the next room.

As soon as I walked through the door, a musty smell hit me in the face. In addition to dust, the air was filled with the smell of decay and dilapidated, mixed with a hint of death.

Not only is the candlelight dim, but you can also clearly feel the instability of the floor when you step on it. You can imagine how many years this room has been abandoned.

Yet, in the deepest part, he found Roger, Roger dressed like a minstrel.

His wide-brimmed hat was slightly lowered, and his lower body was covered with his gown, as if he were asleep, but the painful groans he made proved otherwise.

The deathly aura that permeated the air came from Roger's body, mixed with a foul smell. One could even see a few scattered Indian bees lingering around.

“He’s seriously ill…”

He walked lightly and stood in front of Roger, staring at him quietly, but his brows were furrowed.

The deathly aura emanating from Roger was almost the same as that of the group of dead-borns.

Although the power of the sun can effectively restrain the breath of death emanating from the Death Rune, it is still unknown whether it can cure the man in front of him.

And he really couldn't believe that Roger was still alive after being corroded to such an extent.

Without Fia, what is it that supports Roger's spirit and keeps him alive until now?

Reinhardt expressed some curiosity.

Then, the sleeping Roger responded.

It was not known whether it was his appearance that blocked the faint candlelight, or the painful torture that woke Roger slowly from his sleep.

The wide brim of the hat was slowly lifted up, and Roger looked up at him, their eyes meeting.

After staring at him for a few seconds, Roger slowly smiled. "Ah, hello. I didn't expect it to be you, the hero who defeated [Limb Retrieval] Greg."

"...Nice to meet you. I'm Roger, an immature magician."

Roger introduced himself to him, but Roger's words surprised him, "You know me too?"

"Of course. You are the hero who defeated Greg. Everyone in the Round Table Hall knows of your deeds through Lady Enya, even me."

"It's just... I'm sorry to have to speak to you in this position, but I really can't move my body."

"As you can see, I can no longer move freely in this state."

"It's okay." Reinhardt waved his hand, indicating that Roger didn't need to take it so seriously.

"Ah, thank you, that's really great."

There was a hint of fatigue in the smile Roger showed him.

Although he wanted to make his voice full of vitality, Reinhardt could clearly feel that Roger's internal energy was insufficient, like a candlelight that had run out of oil.

It seemed like it would go out at any moment.

"So, what do you want to talk to me about?" Roger asked again.

"Nothing. I'm looking for you, Mr. Roger, mainly because of two things. I hope Mr. Roger can answer them for me."

"Oh, of course you can. I just happen to want to talk to someone."

There was suddenly a hint of gratitude in Roger's voice. He seemed very grateful to Reinhardt for coming and finding him.

And make demands on yourself.

This lets him know that he is not a complete loser and that he can still be of some use.

How sad...

Reinhardt couldn't help but sigh inwardly as he looked at Roger.

A man who was originally so high-spirited ended up in such a situation, even worse than his situation in the game.

A person hides in such an abandoned room and waits for death silently.

If this is the end of the faded ones, it is too miserable.

He took a deep breath, clearing his mind of distracting thoughts, and then slowly exhaled. He asked, "Mr. Roger, you've been to the underground of Stonewell City, and that's why you ended up like this, right?"

"Oh, so you want to ask about that alien body beneath Stonewell City?"

Roger suddenly understood and slowly explained to him, "...these are the remains of the assassination night known as the Black Knife Plot."

"Before the Elden Ring was shattered, in the distant heyday of the Golden Tree, someone stole the fragment of the Death Rune held by the Black Sword Malicus."

"In the cold night, I killed [Gold] Godwin..."