*Mother?*

Theo’s mind spun as he tried to process the scene before him.

*Mother? Kirson?*

As far as Theo knew, Cecilia had no family—a lone orphan with no standing in the clan. Yet here she was, calling the owner of the Bask Workshop “Mother”? It didn’t add up.

Not to mention, Kirson was an elf, a “High Elf,” one of the few remaining on the continent, and a being rumored to have an insatiable love for wealth. It didn’t seem plausible that she could be Cecilia’s mother.

Seemingly unaware of Theo’s inner confusion, Kirson responded with an irritated frown.

“Mother? Do you really consider me your mother?”

“You may have raised me for only half a year as an adoptive parent, but a mother is still a mother.”

“Damned brat. You never show your face, but suddenly here you are.”

“Or would you prefer if I called you what I usually do, ‘Old Hag’ or ‘Mossy Fungus’?”

Theo had to stifle a chuckle. His mother’s sharp tongue was something to behold.

“Suit yourself. Just get out of here. Whatever ties existed between us ended a long time ago.”

Kirson turned to leave, exasperated, but Cecilia tossed the three ceremonial swords toward her.

“What on earth are you doing?”

With deft reflexes, Kirson caught the swords, barely batting an eye. Her movements were so smooth it was as if the air itself obeyed her command.

*Her skills match her craftsmanship.*

Theo’s eyes gleamed with admiration as he observed Kirson’s expertise. She raised a brow, examining the swords in her hand, each of which Cecilia had previously commissioned as a gift for her son.

“I’m here for a refund.”

“You must be joking. Asking for a refund on swords I personally forged?”

Theo blinked in surprise. He’d assumed the swords were just quality ceremonial weapons, but they’d actually been crafted by the legendary Kirson?

“Besides, who would issue a refund for something bought over a year ago?”

“Shouldn’t a defective item be eligible for a refund, no matter how much time has passed? Didn’t the Bask Workshop pride itself on trust and craftsmanship?”

“Defective? How dare you imply that I, Kirson, would make a flawed item—”

“Check for yourself, if you don’t believe me.”

Though Kirson’s face twisted in irritation, she drew the first sword.

As soon as she examined it, her expression hardened.

The same went for the other two swords.

“...This can’t be.”

“Now do you still deny it’s defective?”

Kirson inspected each blade in silence, checking the wear on the edges, the damage from impact, and even the balance of the swords. For the first time, her usual casual attitude was replaced by something serious.

“Who used these swords?”

“Who do you think? My son, of course.”

“That boy behind you?”

“Watch your words. He is Ragnar’s next leader and the star of the upcoming Blooming Ceremony.”

Theo felt embarrassed at Cecilia’s praises, but he respectfully bowed.

“I am Theo Ragnar from the Camellia Palace. It is an honor to meet the renowned master of the Bask Workshop.”

“Theo Ragnar... Ah, yes. I’ve heard the young blacksmiths murmuring about you. They say you cut off the right hand of Hanabi’s son and turned the second son of the Ranke family into a bloody mess.”

“Exaggerated rumors, nothing more—”

“Didn’t I say? He is the future of Ragnar.”

Cecilia’s nose lifted with pride, and Theo wished he could hide.

“My son had to use those faulty swords. Imagine if he’d gone into the Blooming Ceremony unaware of their state. What a laughingstock he’d have been. Would you be ready to handle the ridicule aimed at both the Bask Workshop’s reputation and your own title as a master?”

“These marks aren’t due to—”

Kirson stopped mid-sentence, then turned and gestured for them to follow.

“We’ll continue this conversation somewhere more suitable.”

---

*Clang, clang, clang—*

Theo and Cecilia followed Kirson through the workshop. Even at this late hour, nearly a hundred blacksmiths were hard at work, likely struggling to keep up with the orders pouring in for the Blooming Ceremony.

The workers were too focused to pay much attention to Kirson’s unexpected guests, giving Theo a moment to ask the question that had been bothering him.

“What is your relationship with the Master Blacksmith?”

A nostalgic smile appeared on Cecilia’s face.

“Exactly as you heard.”

“So she was your foster mother?”

“Our connection lasted less than half a year, but yes, she was the mother who took me in.”

A tender smile accompanied Cecilia’s words, as if she were recalling fond memories.

“You know I was an actress before marrying into Ragnar, right?”

“Yes, you mentioned it once.”

“I met her during that time. She loved anything beautiful—whether it was a gem, a painting, music, or even people.”

Cecilia paused before adding, “And that included me.”

“...”

“So, she adopted me as her foster daughter, saying she rather liked me. And I didn’t mind either; having a powerful backer was useful.”

Though Cecilia spoke casually, Theo could sense a deep affection in her words. It seemed that half-year relationship had been a cherished memory for her as well.

*“So her keen eye for art was influenced by Kirson.”*

“And why did you part ways?”

“That was around the time I caught the patriarch’s eye.”

“...”

“Back then, the patriarch was so dazzling, so gallant... I was completely captivated.”

Cecilia’s words carried a trace of lingering regret.

Theo could only imagine the conversations that must have taken place between her and Kirson during that time.

*“Surely the choice to leave was a difficult one.”*

“After that, we hardly kept in touch until I visited her last year.”

---

“You’ve finally shown your face after all these years. What do you need?”

“I need a sword.”

“A sword?”

“Yes, a gift for my son. Can you make it for me as a favor for old times’ sake? I’ll pay whatever price you name.”

“...Fine. Do as you wish.”

---

“So that’s how the three ceremonial swords came to be.”

“Exactly. Though I never thought she’d make them so poorly! Is this how she treats an estranged daughter?”

Theo scratched his cheek, sensing a mixture of fondness and frustration in Cecilia’s words.

He knew perfectly well that Kirson’s swords were not defective.

*“The damage is from Drake’s scales... How should I explain that?”*

Bound by secrecy about the dungeon, he was unsure how to approach the topic. Yet, he didn’t want Kirson to remain the target of Cecilia’s misplaced blame.

*“Besides, she seems to care deeply for my mother.”*

As he observed Kirson’s smoke-filled silhouette, a question crept into Theo’s mind.

*“Why didn’t she attend Mother’s funeral in my previous life?”*

---

“I’ll reforge the swords. It’d be pointless to explain since you’d only see it as an excuse.”

Kirson’s first words upon entering her office were directed at Theo and Cecilia, her tone curt as she exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.

Cecilia waved her hand, trying to dispel the fumes.

“That’s all well and good, but can you do something about the smoke?”

“However, I need to ask just one thing.”

Kirson cut off Cecilia’s complaints, directing her attention to Theo with a penetrating gaze.

「What sort of relic of the Ancient Dragon do you possess?」

It was a technique that allowed her to communicate telepathically.

Cecilia watched with narrowed eyes, understanding that Kirson wanted to speak with Theo alone. Though her mastery extended only to basic breathing techniques, as the matron of a prestigious sword family, she was well-versed in various forms of combat arts. She knew when to take a step back.

「Ah! You haven’t had the Blooming Ceremony yet, have you? Then just mouth the words. I can still read them.」

Theo nodded, mouthing his response.

*“By the Ancient Dragon, do you mean the ancestor that protects the Ragnar clan?”*

Kirson’s brows furrowed.

「You don’t know about the relic?」

“I’ve heard the legend that the founder scattered the treasures of the Ancient Dragon for his descendants… but it’s just a legend.”

Theo tried to gauge what Kirson was getting at.

Was she referring to a mere fairy tale known to every Ragnar child?

「Legend? A legend? Ha! That’s what you think? Don’t play coy with me.」

In frustration, Kirson drew one of the swords.

「If you don’t possess the relic, how would you explain the traces on these blades?」

The marks Kirson pointed out were those left by Drake’s scales and bites.

「These unique patterns can only be left by someone who has awakened a relic!」

Theo’s eyes widened.

Her words suggested she knew about the dungeon!

*Thump, thump, thump!*

His heart pounded, but he remained composed.

This wasn’t the moment to reveal his hand.

*“The marks on the swords are simply from intense training.”*

「So you’re determined to keep up the charade? Well, I understand. Even I wouldn’t readily reveal my secrets to someone I just met.」

With a sigh, Kirson took a deep puff of her pipe, filling the office with smoke. Cecilia glared but refrained from interrupting.

「Let me tell you this: awakening a relic isn’t something just anyone can do.」

Kirson’s gaze grew distant, her usually fiery demeanor replaced by something deeper.

*“Is this the real Kirson?”* Theo wondered.

「For some, no matter how much they desire it, awakening remains beyond reach. For most, in fact.」

A half-smile tugged at her lips.

「But it seems you have done it… So let’s test if you’re fit to wield another.」

Before Theo could respond, Kirson clapped her hands.

The door opened, and her secretary entered.

“You called, Master?”

“Bring ‘it’ from the storage.”

“‘It’… you mean that? But, Master, that’s—”

“Stop babbling and get it.”

“...Understood.”

The secretary hesitated, eyeing Theo and Cecilia with suspicion before leaving the room. Cecilia turned to Kirson, perplexed.

“What exactly are you bringing?”

“Oh, just a little compensation for my ‘defective’ work and to keep rumors from spreading. I’m gifting my ‘grandson’ a little something.”

Cecilia squinted, clearly skeptical of Kirson’s exaggerated use of “grandson.”

“Are you alright with this, Theo?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“You see? Our dear grandson is fine with it. You’re the one taking it too seriously.”

Theo smiled reassuringly, easing Cecilia’s worries.

*“Another relic... If Kirson truly knows what she’s doing, this could be risky.”*

Though it might expose his secret, Theo felt the potential gain was worth the gamble.

*“I’ll have to trust her for Mother’s sake.”*

Theo’s eyes grew thoughtful as he waited, and soon the secretary returned, setting down a long wooden box.

The box was peculiar. Its surface was wrapped in iron chains, and the opening was tightly secured by a rusted lock. Apart from that, there seemed to be no distinguishing features.

Cecilia cocked her head, puzzled.

But Theo noticed something that made his heart race.

*Paaaa—*

A faint blue glow seeped from within the lock.

It was the same light he’d seen in the Camellia Palace storage and the dungeon entrance.

「I see you can see it. I can’t see anything myself.」

Kirson’s amused voice drifted into his mind.

「This is something I once desired but could never attain—a sword forged from the Ancient Dragon’s fang, known as the *Moonlight Blade*.」

Theo’s eyes widened.

It was a name he knew well.

*“The sword of the Black Dragon… but why is it here?”*