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38fury

38fire in the fire pit (3)

The reason I took a step back.

It is not simply because the cost of protest is fearful..

Hendrick always sticks to what he thinks is right, but now he realizes what mistake he made..

‘Hendrick, Hendrick. What on earth have you done?.’

Moment.

Old memories came alive.

Hendrick, known as Master Blacksmith, also had an apprenticeship..

At that time, it was a job I chose to make a living rather than a sense of duty as a blacksmith like now, and I worked odd jobs day and night to establish myself as a full-time blacksmith as soon as possible..

Beating was common..

Nowadays Dmitry has gotten rid of his past bad habits, but when Hendrik was learning his trade, the bruises on his body never disappeared..

One day.

A mercenary came to the blacksmith shop..

The mercenary, who had just begun to break away from the man, brought only 1 silver and asked to sell the sword..

“I know very well that I don't have enough money to buy a useful sword. But this is all my money, and if you sell me the sword, I will repay you dozens of times later. I have a family to support. Since all I have is a strong body, I really need weapons to make money..”

It was a common occurrence.

People who had no land to farm or any special talents went into mercenary work, relying only on their bodies..

It was the same case.

The master of the blacksmith shop was not a kind enough person to give his sword to a man he met for the first time, so he swore harshly at the mercenary and kicked him out of the blacksmith shop..

The mercenary's appearance at that time was truly pitiful..

Hendrick couldn't just look at the slumped shoulders carrying the burden of his family on his shoulders..

master secretly.

Hendrick followed the mercenary..

Then, without receiving anything in return, he gave the master the first sword he had made without his knowledge..

happy.

Seeing the mercenary expressing his gratitude with tears in his eyes, Hendrick thought that this might be the happiness of being a blacksmith..

It was the first time he felt proud of his job, and after returning to the blacksmith shop, Hendrick devoted himself to work with the desire to make better swords..

But 1 month later.

Hendrick, facing the mercenary's corpse, felt like his world was collapsing..

Behind the sobbing family, people told why the mercenary died..

“This time, he died while serving as an escort to the top. Tsk tsk, poor guy. If only the sword hadn't been broken while fighting the bandits, he would have been able to come back alive like the other guys. This is why you have to use good weapons.”

“I know. Everyone else is fine, but he's the only one who died.?”

My heart sank..

My hands and feet were shaking.

An action he thought was a favor ended a mercenary's life..

I felt a sense of shame..

Only then did I realize why the Master had said it was too early, but no matter how quickly I regretted it, I could not change the reality before my eyes..

So Hendrick lived as an outcast for a while. If it had not been for the help of his close friend Baron Romero, he would not have been able to return to the blacksmith shop..

In his pain, Hendrick vowed never to repeat something like this again, and was able to overcome his painful past and grow into Master Blacksmith..

however.

I made the same mistake as then.

Because he didn't like Roman, Hendrick was complacent and wondered if they were going to start a war with him in the outskirts, so Hendrick forgot his past mistakes for a moment and ended up repeating the mistakes he had regretted countless times..

‘It's so pathetic.’

Excuses didn't work.

For whatever reason, as Roman points out, an innocent person almost died from the trash he handed out..

I swallowed my words.

didn't make excuses.

If Roman punishes.

I was willing to accept it, whether it was the price for protesting or some other punishment..

“I will pay for my actions..”

“Master!”

At Hendrick’s words, the blacksmiths dissuaded him with a puzzled expression..

They couldn't accept the current situation..

Hendrick was their heaven, but he could not be punished by Baron Romero or Roman Dmitri..

The hilt of the sword was held by Roman..

Hendrick looked up at Roman's face, waiting for punishment..

That moment.

I made eye contact with Roman..

“If you regret your mistake to that extent, I will not ask you any more questions. Let's go back to the main topic. I know that Master Hendrick is a great blacksmith. Therefore, I would like to ask for weapons to arm 30 soldiers..”

Roman's words.

This time, Hendrick's pupils shook greatly at the unexpected remark..

He was an absurd guy.

Up until now, they had acted as if they were going to eat them at any moment, and when the momentum was gained, they did not hold them accountable..

Roman knew..

hendrick.

in his position.

How difficult it is to admit your mistakes in front of your subordinates..

‘Anyone can make mistakes. At least if the mistake is something you can make up for, you can get another chance by acting like you regret your mistake..’

In the town yam (泣斬馬謖)).

When I swallowed my sorrow and cut off my subordinate's head, it was a decision I made when that mistake was absolutely unacceptable..

It was different from now.

Hendrick is a man who has a bad relationship with Roman, and he only timidly took revenge without thinking about what would happen based on his decision..

If he hadn't shown any remorse, he might have judged it as malice, but at least Hendrick knew what was right and what was wrong..

‘Rewards and punishments should not contain emotions..’

It was Baek Jung-hyuk's iron rule, and he always acted according to the iron rule..

Roman said.

“As I said before, I don't think Master Hendrick intentionally tried to protest. It's probably because of their antipathy toward me, and I completely understand those feelings. So, I hope they both leave their mistakes behind. All I want is a sword and armor to protect the lives of my soldiers..”

It was a stick and a carrot.

After swinging the whip until his skin turned red, Roman presented a carrot with a clever way of speaking..

Roman's attitude.

Hendrick was impressed once again..

‘Roman has changed.’

I heard it through rumors.

In particular, I was aware to some extent of the reputation around me that things had really changed due to this recruitment of enlisted soldiers..

But seeing it in person was different..

Hendrick, who had been trying to ignore the truth, only now saw Roman's true face..

It was different from before..

Roman, who used to be mean and bleary-eyed, became a strong man, and the charisma that came from his sharp eyes made the heart tremble..

It's not just about changes in appearance..

Roman was different from his past self in every way, to the point where he was thought to be a completely different person..

How is this possible?.

There are definitely traces of Roman being called Dmitri's idiot, but he could not be said to be Roman back then..

A layer of prejudice was removed.

admitted.

Roman has changed, and what happened today is his own mistake..

I, who had regretted countless things in the past, couldn't allow myself to pass out trash out of personal feelings..

hendrick said.

“……Once again, I'm truly sorry about this. No matter what happens in the future, something like this will not happen again. And as an apology, I will prepare weapons and armor for your soldiers made of the highest quality iron that Dmitry is proud of..”

After all the fuss,.

Roman decided to receive the goods later and left the blacksmith shop..

In the process, I heard about Hendrick's situation through another blacksmith..

“The sword that Master Roman stole that day was Master Hendrick's masterpiece. It took six months to come up with the idea, and it was a masterpiece that was only completed after three months in the blacksmith shop. However, it was natural to be angry because they sold it to a street vendor for a low price. What Master Hendrick is truly angry about is not the fact that Master Roman stole it and sold it, but rather that the masterpiece he created was not found by its owner and was sold for a low price..”

I understand..

Why was Hendrick angry?.

Why did you throw the trash at Roman, even though you knew it was against the spirit of craftsmanship?.

Roman in his past life really crossed the line..

an unforgivable mistake.

Maybe that's why, before leaving for the last time, Hendrick said this to Roman:.

“I haven't completely forgiven you for this. Although I will grant your request because it was my fault, I still cannot tolerate the eldest son of the Dmitry family being negligent in blacksmith work. Keep in mind. Dmitry's roots lie in the blacksmith. If the day comes in the future when you make even a trashy sword with your own hands, then it might be an opportunity to see you again..”

Hendrick was stubborn.

It is said that this incident removed a layer of prejudice, but Roman was not recognized as Dmitry's successor..

however.

Hendrick also made a misjudgment..

‘The Roman Dmitry that Hendrick remembers must have been a simpleton who had no interest in blacksmithing at all. A scum that ignores the foundations of the family and only enjoys pleasure. It's understandable why Dmitry's people hate him. but.’

Baek Junghyuk.

he was different.

“From now on, let’s prepare for deployment..”

took a step.

There was one more purpose left for this outing..

* * *

Where Roman arrived.

It was a closed workshop where training took place..

The workshop, which was old and shabby at the time, is now neatly organized so that work can be done right away..

Immediately after deciding to go to war.

Roman told Hans to make this place usable for its original purpose..

“long time no see.”

Zech.

I walked inside and checked the surroundings..

it was a good place.

The ceiling was high so there was good ventilation, and the lighting properly differentiated areas to be bright and areas to be dark..

In a blacksmith shop, ventilation is basically essential..

Since smoke and dust from coal fires impede visibility, ventilation was the first priority when checking for a blacksmith shop suitable for the work..

after that.

I saw familiar objects.

A furnace boiling hot.

A cold and heavy looking anvil and an oak stand supporting it..

And hammer and tongs, etc..

These were things he had seen in Hendrick's work space, but for Roman, this moment was special..

‘I remember the first day.’

first.

The day I started my life as Roman.

Listening to Dmitri's history in a shabby shack, Roman thought that maybe this was his fate..

Cheonma Baek Jung-hyuk.

In the history of martial arts, he is simply described as the best in the world, but those who were even slightly interested in him were able to see a different side of Baek Jung-hyuk..

That's what it was like in this blacksmith shop..

Immediately after Baek Jung-hyuk decided to go out to the military, he always visited the blacksmith shop and performed his own ritual..

life of struggle.

To survive.

to win.

And to rule.

Baek Jung-hyuk revealed his soul in front of a hot fire..

Hwareuk.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

lit the fire pit.

From now on.

It was time to create a sword just for yourself in preparation for the coming war..