A Monster and a True Monster (4)

I bring my hammer down on the iron glowing bright red.

The fire spirit dwelling in the furnace seems to frolic among the scattering sparks, its flames burning more fiercely than before.

Several dwarves, including Gvuord, watched me work in the heat-filled forge from a short distance away, careful not to get in the way.

At the sound of iron and hammer ringing together, one of the dwarves let out an admiring sigh.

What I am forging now is a straight sword to be wielded in the Yosogi style.

Yes, I am probably one of only two people in the West who wield the Yosogi style, the other being Win, and since I already have a magic sword of my own, I am forging this straight sword for Win.

Ah, no—strictly speaking, it is still only at the prototype stage.

Incidentally, the weapon Win gave the beastfolk, which they apparently favor using, is a short spear.

They call short spears fangs, because their length does not interfere with the beastfolk's running, and apparently they can use their momentum and strength to pierce even iron armor.

The clearer the situation in the West became, the more I came to understand why Win said he intended to kill the Holy Pontiff with his own hands...