Light and Isa search for a blacksmith to craft a new weapon, but most workshops in the tradesman’s district refuse to work with them due to their loyalty to the Holy Sister. A local guide suggests the Bolst Workshop on the west side, run by a legendary blacksmith who has recently faced setbacks. Excited, Light asks for a letter of introduction.
Meanwhile, Lena is traveling by carriage, hoping that Light and Isa are doing well. Back in the city, Light and Isa explore the district when they see a girl being chased by three men. The men corner her and demand she surrender, preparing to attack. Light steps in, calling them out for ganging up on a single girl. They try to fight him, but he dodges effortlessly and tells the girl to stay behind him. One attacker charges, but Light knocks him out with the hilt of his broken sword, sending him flying. The other two, shocked, retreat with their injured companion.
The girl introduces herself as Monica, and after Light and Isa introduce themselves, she gushes over Isa, saying she loves tiny kids. To thank them, she invites them to her place for pancakes. Isa is excited, but Light reminds her they need to visit the Bolst Workshop first. Monica then reveals that the workshop belongs to her, leading them to believe she must be an apprentice. However, when they arrive, she surprises them by revealing her full name—Monica Bolst, the legendary blacksmith.
Thrilled that word of her has spread, Monica decides to show them her finest creation as a token of thanks. She presents a frying pan with holes, designed to make perfectly round pancakes, calling it “The Monica Pan.” She demonstrates how removing the mold turns it into a regular pan. She even has multiple versions of it, each costing 2,000 gold. Light is shocked by the price, but Monica offers him a 50% discount for saving her. However, he declines, saying he prefers whole pancakes, and she sighs, frustrated that no one appreciates her invention. She explains that she tried selling it to the men from earlier, but they accused her of scamming them, which led to the chase.
Light is surprised to learn that blacksmiths don’t only make weapons, and Monica explains that she mainly crafts household tools. His attention shifts to a hoe lying around, and she asks if he’s interested in farming equipment. He tells her he grows fruit, and she remarks that harvesting must be difficult. He admits he does it all by hand, showing his calloused palms. Seeing this, Monica decides to craft the perfect tool for him.
Light wonders if she’ll make it right then and there, and Monica confidently declares she will, as a special thank-you for saving her. She heats the metal and begins forging with expert precision. Isa observes that she’s using a technique called “Super Forge,” which enhances metal properties through precise hammer strikes. Light is amazed, realizing this is the perfect skill for a blacksmith. Before long, Monica finishes crafting a pair of high-quality harvesting shears for him.
Light inspects the shears and is surprised by their perfect fit. Monica challenges him to cut firewood with them, and despite his skepticism, the shears slice effortlessly through the wood. Isa asks if Light activated his Sword God skill, but he assures her that he didn’t—the shears are simply that sharp. Impressed, Light acknowledges Monica’s skill and asks her to forge him a sword, explaining that he seeks the ultimate blade.
However, Monica refuses, not because of any loyalty to the Holy Sister, but because she hates swords and refuses to craft them. She offers to make other items instead, but Light insists he needs a sword. Monica confesses that she recognized his need the moment she saw his broken blade and reveals that she initially brought him here in hopes of selling him her pan. Light questions why she’s so eager to sell it, and she explains that she wants to prove her worth as a tradesperson, even though she doesn’t make swords.
Light recalls that the guide had mentioned this was a weapons workshop, but Monica clarifies that the guide was actually referring to the shop across the street—the other Bolst Workshop. The scene shifts to that busy workshop, where blacksmiths are scrambling to meet their delivery deadlines. Monica brings Light and Isa inside and asks her father, Iil, to craft a sword for Light. Iil is incredulous that Monica is passing customers to him instead of handling them herself. They argue briefly, with Monica claiming that it’s better than making weapons for dishonest merchants. Iil tells her to mind her own business and return to her shop, prompting her to leave while muttering that she shouldn’t have come in the first place.
Light then turns to Iil about the sword, but Iil informs him that he’s already swamped with a major order for the next six months and advises him to find another blacksmith. Determined, Light decides that he truly wants his sword made by Monica. Isa suggests they try asking her again when a worker from Iil’s workshop, Cain, stops Light by calling out his name. Light is surprised since he never properly introduced himself. Cain explains that he saw Light’s duel against Grous and was amazed that a rookie defeated him with nothing more than a deck brush. Since then, Cain has been a fan of Light.
Light explains how his duel with Grous led to being shunned by those who support the Holy Sister. Cain quickly realizes this is why Light sought them out and notes that Monica and Iil are the only blacksmiths in the district who don’t align with the Holy Sister. Light asks why Monica and Iil run separate workshops, and Cain reveals that Monica used to work in Iil’s shop. Three years ago, she gained fame throughout the Holy City when she acquired her Super Forge skill. However, six months ago, a supply wagon was ambushed by bandits outside of town. Monica’s grandmother, who was aboard, was killed along with others.
The Security Bureau caught the bandits and found that their weapons bore Monica’s signature. Though she wasn’t directly involved, the weapons had changed hands multiple times before reaching the bandits. Still, the fact that a sword she forged had indirectly led to her grandmother’s death left Monica deeply scarred. Light realizes that this tragic incident is why Monica despises swords and has a strained relationship with her father.
Just then, Zambo and his underling Doug arrive, looking for Iil. Cain identifies Zambo as a merchant from the Blackbird Merchant Group. Zambo recognizes Light from somewhere before, but before he can place him, Iil approaches and asks about his business. Zambo presents a contract for purchasing weapons on a weekly basis for another year. Cain doubts the workshop can handle such a large order since they are already overwhelmed. Doug suggests that if necessary, they can have Monica take over, praising her ability to craft strong weapons even from scraps.
Light interjects, reminding them that Monica refuses to make swords. However, Zambo insists that they will make her do so if necessary. He activates his skill, and Iil evaluates it. Before tensions escalate further, Iil tells Zambo that he will accept the order and signs the contract.
Zambo and his lackey leave. Cain tells Light that the Blackbird Merchant Group is using Monica to pressure her father, Iil, into unfair deals. Iil asks Light not to tell Monica about this, saying it’s unnecessary.
That night, Light and Isa visit Monica’s workshop. She refuses to forge a sword for Light, but he instead invites her to dinner. She agrees. During the meal, Monica is surprised to learn that Isa has an appraisal skill, saying many tradespeople would want her talent. She even asks Isa to work for her, but Isa explains she wants to keep adventuring with Light.
Monica offers to pay for their meal as thanks for saving her, mentioning that she hasn’t shared a meal with anyone in half a year. Light orders a lot of food, and Monica notices he eats without holding back.
Meanwhile, in another part of town, Zambo meets the Holy Sister, who orders more weapons. He tells her he saw Light in the Tradesman District and assures her they will capture him soon. The Holy Sister sends a spy to keep the Security Bureau away, reminding Zambo that Light must be taken alive.
After her meal, Monica runs into Doug, who kidnaps her. At the same time, Light and Isa are heading home when Cain rushes to them with a note attached to Monica’s goggles. It reveals that she has been kidnapped and that Light must go to the underground arena alone. A tradesman explains that this arena is controlled by the Blackbird Merchant Group and is on the edge of the district.
Iil, determined to save Monica, steps forward, but Cain warns him he can’t take on the kidnappers alone. Light volunteers to go instead, since they specifically asked for him.
In the arena, Monica wakes up chained. Her captors tell her she is just bait to lure Light. Doug adds that once they capture Light, Monica will be forced to make weapons for them forever. Suddenly, Light arrives alone, and his captors mock him for coming without backup.
They release a massive bull-like monster, the Taurus, to attack him. Doug taunts that Light has no chance against both the beast and their group. However, Light remains calm and summons a Sleep Fairy, putting both the Taurus and the enemies into a deep sleep.
A shocked Monica watches as Light frees her and says it’s time to go home. She realizes she now owes him two favors.
Back at the workshop, Light carries Monica inside. Iil rushes over, asking if she is okay. Light assures him she is fine, just unconscious from inhaling sleep pixie dust. Iil sighs, calling her a troublemaker. Light gently lays her down, and Iil thanks him for saving her.
Elsewhere, a young boy asks the Holy Sister why she is investing so much effort into capturing Light. She responds with curiosity and authority, saying she wants to find out if Light is truly the “legendary priority.”
Leave a Reply