[LSB] Chapter 132: Connected By The Bridge

Julian no longer knew what was happening.
He’d almost forgotten he was still technically following the Bridge quest given to him by the Guidance—what even was it about anymore? He hadn’t checked in ages. All he remembered was that it started with a lump of coal. Now, he was here, just waiting to learn how to create a golem, because Maldan had promised to teach him.

He’d nearly forgotten he had once teamed up with other chosen individuals—people with unique classes like his. That one of them had even attacked him, simply because Julian was... different. That all felt like a lifetime ago.

And yet… somehow, it all led him to this. To this moment.

To this very moment: watching Cyrus dance, nearly naked, in front of an entire village.
No one seemed to care—in fact, most people were either encouraging him or even joining in. Kitty was out there too, spinning and laughing as a crowd of admirers tried, but ultimately failed to keep her attention. She’d even dragged Juliet into the festivities.

Juliet was reluctant at first, but all it took was a few licks of ale, and she started dancing without a care in the world.

Julian had been told the celebration started the moment the eternal chill lifted and the first snowflake fell. That had been days ago. And when he and Juliet arrived, the party had somehow grown even… wilder. He didn’t remember sitting down, but he now found himself with his legs crossed on the ground, a low table of roasted meat and glowing ale laid out in front of him.

Julian couldn’t even exit the celebration to return to Earth for a bit, as the second-in-command of the entire Order of Artemia has been staring at him for an entire hour now. The only reason she hadn’t approached yet was that nearly everyone else in the village was taking turns to shake his hand, offer him gifts, or simply bask in his presence. Even soldiers of the Order had come forward, saluting him with solemn respect.

It was only when Maldan finally sat beside him that the crowd in front of him began to thin.

"I did not truly expect thee to tame the primordial spirit slumbering 'neath the mountain’s heart, Forger," Maldan said, handing Julian a mug of ale. Julian politely declined, raising his own glass of water in response. Maldan didn’t seem offended by this and only shrugged, and placed the ale on the table.

"I knew Artemis did send thee for a reason," Maldan said, gazing upward with a deep breath. "Yet never did I imagine… this."

He opened his palms toward the sky, as though offering something to the very stars.

"I have dwelt in this place for many a year," he continued quietly. "Built this village for the lost and wandering. I might have gone from here, time and again. We all might have. But I held fast to faith—that Artemis set me here with purpose. So I waited. And waited. And now… thou art come."

Julian turned his shoulder slightly toward Maldan. He found it hard to understand Maldan, but fortunately, MEGAN was inside his mind to softly translate the eldazen’s words,

“I’m… really not what you think I am.”

“It matters not what you are,” Maldan said with a gentle smile, shaking his head as his eyes drifted back to the growing festivity. "To be so beloved by the spirits is honor in itself. To stand near thee… ’tis the closest many shall come to feeling the warmth of Artemis."

“I’m not… close to Artemis,” Julian muttered to himself more so than anyone else. After all… he had received visions of Artemis and the creation of Artemia itself. But of course, no one else needed to know that.

Maldan chuckled when he saw Julian shake his head. He then turned his gaze toward the Shield Saint. "But dost thou truly believe these folk journeyed all this way for aught but thee? We are bound, all of us, by something far greater, Forger. The Shield Saint spoke to me—she was drawn hither by a quest. The quest. The selfsame one thou and I now walk—the Bridge."

[I knew it.]
MEGAN’s voice suddenly whispered inside Julian’s mind.
[Julian—it’s her. You remember that Hidden Dungeon? When the Guidance said someone else had already started the quest, and you and the others were supposed to join them? I think it’s her. She’s the one who started it.]

Julian hummed and glanced at the Shield Saint when he heard MEGAN’s words. Unfortunately for him, the Shield Saint’s eyes, which were the only things that could be seen from her helmet, met with Julian’s, and she seemed to have taken this as a sign to finally approach him.

The change was immediate. As soon as she stood, the soldiers of the Order, moments ago loud and jubilant, fell silent and stood at attention. The villagers, noticing the change, began to quiet too, confusion growing across their faces.

And then, the celebration just… froze.

Everyone watched every step that the Shield Saint took toward Julian. She paused, however, when she noticed the sudden hush that had blanketed the gathering because of her. Then, with a subtle raise of her hand, she gestured for her men to relax.

Almost instantly, the noise returned. The music, the dancing, the laughter—all resumed as if nothing had happened. Only the path between her and Julian remained still. But very soon, she stood in front of him.

“Village Chief,” she glanced at Maldan, placing a hand across her chest in salute. And even with all the noise, her armor gave a quiet clang. “May I speak with the Liberator of Dodona for a moment?”

"That choice lies with him, Crusader," Maldan said after a sip of ale.

The Shield Saint gave him a nod before turning her full attention to Julian. “May I sit with you, Sir Julian?”

He studied her for a breath, then gave a small hum.

Without hesitation, the Shield Saint lowered herself to the ground beside him, completely facing him rather than the celebration.

“I won’t waste your time,” she quickly said. “I’m here to ask, again, that you join us.”

She opened her palm to him. Her voice was soft, extremely so… but her conviction was obvious.

 “I know Lukas has already tried, and that you refused. But I insist, truly”

“Lukas?” Julian asked.

“My friend,” she replied quietly. “You may know him better as the Pope of the Order of Artemia. He approached you at the tavern back in the City of Blacksmiths. He has… the ability to take control of anyone who swears allegiance to him.”

“That’s—” Julian was about to speak when MEGAN shot out of his chest, hovering defiantly between him and the Shield Saint.

“Excuse me?” she said, the tone of her voice heated. “This Pope of yours can control anyone who swears allegiance to him, and you still want Julian to join you?”

The Shield Saint glanced at MEGAN, then lowered her head in a small bow, her hand resting respectfully over her chest.

“It is an honor to speak with another avatar spirit,” she said calmly despite MEGAN’s obviously angry tone. “And forgive me for the phrasing. Lukas can only influence those who willingly offer themselves. He would never take control without consent. He can not.”

“Heh. Convenient,” MEGAN scoffed. “You—”

But before she could finish her words, the atmosphere shifted.

The music faltered. The laughter died. And slowly, the snow that had been gently falling from the sky turned to soft, cold rain. But no one looked at the sky. Not at all.

Everyone’s eyes were turned toward Julian.

And before MEGAN could finish her words, the party once again died down as everyone felt the air suddenly turning heavy, and the snow softly falling from the sky to turn into rain. None of them spoke, but everyone knew where the sudden pressure was coming from.

Everyone turned their heads toward Julian, only to see an arm seemingly made of porcelain protruding from his back. They all then watched as the arm suddenly grabbed MEGAN and then forcefully pulled her back into Julian.

Then, just as quickly as it had come, the arm vanished.

The people’s gasps replaced the lively and happy sounds that lingered in the air just moments ago. Everyone turned silent for a moment, and it wasn’t until Cyrus clapped his hands that they snapped out of their stupor.

“E-Everyone!” he roared, voice cracking slightly. “Let’s hear it for the Liberator of Dodona!”

There was hesitation at first. Uneasy glances passed between villagers and soldiers alike—but Cyrus’s charisma, somehow, always won. Slowly, they raised their hands, and their voices followed.

“The Liberator of Dodona!”

Cheers erupted around Julian once more.

He tilted his head uncomfortably as the voices surged toward him… and it didn’t help at all that MEGAN was now screaming inside his mind.

[What are you doing, Newbie!?] MEGAN’s voice shrieked.

[It is unwise to provoke the one called the Shield Saint, Silvie.] Exhalia’s voice hummed through Julian’s consciousness—gentle, but filled with weight. [She is the strongest individual here. Even the Shadow Blacksmith… would struggle against her. And I also sense many spirits inside her.]

[W-what?] MEGAN faltered. She was about to protest further, but Julian shook his head once, silently asking them both to stop.

The Shield Saint noticed, and a soft chuckle escaped from behind her helmet.

“Is it noisy inside your head, Sir Julian?” she said, her voice surprisingly warm. “I remember the same when I first bound my contracts. But you grow used to it.”

She paused for a moment, then turned to face him fully.

“And to think… you’ve truly tamed a primordial avatar spirit.” Her voice dropped as she glanced over Julian’s shoulder. “Now I must insist, once more—join the Order, Sir Julian. This world needs someone like you. Of all the ones Artemis has led me to… I believe you are the one who can help us finally advance through our quest.”

The Shield Saint’s voice was passionate, each of her syllables proud and clear, and Julian could feel no change in her heartbeat at all.

“This quest…” he asked quietly, “Is it the Bridge?”

“Yes,” she said, bowing her head. “The same quest you and your companions received when you entered the hidden dungeon near Ethaca. I have met them, your friends. Benjamin, Natalia, and the one who could create potions. I forgot his name.”

“I’ve… also forgotten his name,” Julian sighed, “So the corpses we found there…”

“Were the bodies of those who gave their lives for the Order—all of them, gifted with Unique classes by Artemis,” she whispered, exhaling a quiet sigh. “We faced an enemy… not of this world. Many fell before we finally defeated it. For a time, I questioned my faith in Artemis. I asked why our friends had to die for what seemed a meaningless cause. We gained nothing from their sacrifice… or so I thought. But now I understand.”

She looked directly at Julian, her gaze unwavering.

“They died for you, Sir Julian.”

“Hmm?”

“So that you could live,” she continued, steadying her voice. “Had we failed, that creature would have wiped you and your companions from existence before your potential ever awakened. Artemis does not think as we do. She sees beyond time—and in doing so, she ties us all together.”

[Is she saying you owe them?] MEGAN whispered. But Julian only sighed.

“I’m sorry for what happened to your friends,” he said, resting his hand on the table. “But I won’t be joining your Order. I’m doing this quest for personal reasons. When I find the answers I need, I’ll stop. I just want to live quietly—as a blacksmith.”

“Personal reasons…” she echoed, her voice softening. “I understand, Sir Julian. I won’t press the matter again. But I believe you and I are still connected, I have to believe Artemis has sent me here for you for a reason.”

“Thank you,” Julian replied with a slight nod. “And thank you to your friends.”

A faint gasp escaped the Shield Saint’s helmet, and Julian could hear her lips tremble. But after a moment, she shook her head, and a quiet chuckle followed.

“It was their duty,” she said. “And truthfully, I suspected you’d refuse. Those who are beloved by spirits rarely get involved in mortal affairs.”

“I’m just a blacksmith,” Julian sighed again.

“I know, Sir Julian.” She stood, brushing a bit of dust from her armor. “And I know how good you are, too—we were the ones who purchased everything the Blacksmith Guild confiscated from your shop a few weeks ago.”

She turned to leave, but paused without even a step as she glanced back over her shoulder.

“One last thing… Be careful. I can sense the presence of Evil Spirits in this village. Don’t worry—we’ll handle it soon enough.”

“Right…” Julian hummed as she walked away. But instead of rejoining her soldiers, she slipped quietly into her tent.

As soon as she disappeared, Maldan slid back into the space beside Julian, placing a small, weathered hammer on the table.

“Hyums,” he murmured, watching the Shield Saint disappear into her tent, "Though their days be few, they burn with a fire that outshines even ours, or that of the gnarfolk."

He tapped the hammer once against the wood. "So, art thou ready, Forger? Come—let me teach thee the forging of a golem. And with that, let my quest draw to its end."

Julian leaned back slightly. “I have a question first.”

“Speak it.”

“Is it possible…” Julian clasped his chest, “...to put an entire avatar spirit inside a golem?”

***

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You guys know what's about to happen. Also, please do holler if you notice any mistake... Maldan's dialogue sapped all of my powers. And also, for those who are not aware, Book 1 of Legendary Shadow Blacksmith is now available for pre-order on Amazon T_T

Can't wait to sniff my own book.