Of course, Aslan had no idea about the rumors that were gradually spreading. After all, the subject of a rumor often learns about it last. In a way, that itself is a kind of pseudo-truth.
A few days earlier, Aslan and Melusine had already arrived at the location mentioned in the intelligence given by Merlin. But one had to admit, those old-fashioned magi were truly good at hiding—so much so that they hadn't left even a trace behind.
No wonder Merlin had handed over the information so decisively. He probably already knew that Aslan wouldn't be able to learn more advanced magic in a short time and was hoping to prompt a leap in progress instead.
After all, from that old nightmare's perspective, the weaker this variable's power, the less impact he would have. It felt like that old man was deliberately trying to slow down Aslan's growth in a roundabout way.
Still, Aslan wasn't completely out of options. If it really came to it, he could just ask Melusine for one of her dragon fangs. He didn't believe that such a powerful item couldn't be used as bait to lure out a single magus. The problem was, Melusine would need time to recover afterward. That would truly be a last resort. Dragons may heal quickly, but it still hurt like hell.
Even though they hadn't gathered any information about the magi, they had caught wind of something else—a rather intriguing event: the Grand Sword Appreciation Gathering.
Famous knights from all over Britain—or simply anyone in possession of a treasured sword—were being invited to gather at a certain castle to display and compare their blades. Even if you weren't a knight, you could participate as long as you had an heirloom sword.
The goal of the event was to let sword-bearers exchange insights, and even conduct sword trades, all under the supervision of the local lord to ensure fairness and transparency.
It was an excellent opportunity to gain fame—and to get one's hands on a famed sword. Every knight Aslan encountered along the way had shown some curiosity about the event and seemed inclined to attend.
After all, since the Sword of Selection had been drawn, this was shaping up to be the grandest event yet.
But in Aslan's mind, his perspective on the gathering differed somewhat from that of the knights. To him, this wasn't so much a knight's banquet as it was a paradise for blacksmiths!
This was a rare opportunity to observe all the famed swords up close—to study a variety of forging methods, blessings, and enchantments. With so many examples to learn from, it was the perfect chance to improve his own smithing skills.
And indeed, in a nation ruled by knights and riddled with constant warfare, who wouldn't love swords and weapons? Even the women were no exception.
The daughter of a certain noble lord had heard the recent rumors. After pondering it for some time, she decided to organize this event. Her motive was to lure out the rumored legendary blacksmith. Part of it was curiosity—was such a powerful blacksmith real? The other part was simple desire: who didn't want a sword crafted just for them?
If the blacksmith truly had the skill, then surely they could forge a one-of-a-kind blade.
Of course, even if they failed to attract the mysterious blacksmith, she would still get to see the island's famed swords. The event wouldn't be wasted. Moreover, her father would take a cut from each sword trade, ensuring the family made a tidy profit.
This event didn't just catch Aslan's attention—it also sparked the interest of Artoria, who was traveling the land with Merlin and Kay. A faint hint of curiosity appeared on her face.
Morgan, veiled and observing firsthand how far this kingdom had fallen, also wondered whether her father's illegitimate child would be drawn to the event—and perhaps alter their path because of it.
Even the foreign magi, engaged in magical challenges, had taken notice. Regardless of whether the island's magi would attend, it was still worth going to the gathering for a deeper understanding of the land. Quite a few magi were already considering settling down here for long-term magical research.
Aslan sat in a tavern, listening to the lively conversations around him as people excitedly discussed the event. He couldn't help but stroke his chin.
Sitting across from him, Melusine pouted. Others might not notice, but as a dragon who had lived with Aslan for years, she could see the excitement hidden deep within his pale blue eyes.
"So jealous… These past few days, you've been paying way more attention to this event than you have to me."
Aslan paused for a moment, then smiled with a mix of affection and helplessness. When he had accidentally formed a contract with the dragon before him, their relationship hadn't been this close. In fact, due to having slept for so long, Melusine had initially acted on instinct and taken control of her body.
It wasn't until Aslan promised to modify her body—adding things like orbital cannons or perhaps equipping her with machine guns and missiles—that she began to follow him willingly. Over time, their relationship grew more intimate.
Originally, Aslan hadn't planned to become a blacksmith. He wanted to be a swordsman—or even a magus, the kind who'd rather talk than fight. Truly, every path in life required the right coincidences to take shape.
Aslan reached out and gently ruffled Melusine's hair.
"I'm doing this for your sake, too. Human life is short. I'll use what time I have to help you—to shape your body into the form you dream of."
The expression on Melusine's face instantly changed, a shadow flickering in her eyes. She was a dragon who should've decayed along with the end of the Age of Gods—a being born from fragments and remnants, destined to perish in silence, unnoticed by anyone.
But now, she was a dragon who soared only for Aslan.
Melusine showed a rare look of solemn seriousness. She stood up and leaned in close to Aslan's face, her voice unusually earnest.
"Aslan, I am a dragon who flies only for you. And I will give everything I have to soar alongside you. On our journey, I will find a way—no matter what—to extend your life!"
Under Aslan's gaze, Melusine spoke as if making an oath.
"A dragon without a home will eventually die, Aslan. From the moment we formed our contract, we've been bound together. If you die—I will carry your soul to the distant beyond!"