Fairy Tale: With Sin Of Pride

"Father, what about this man, Koroli? Should we investigate his dealings with the Mahad family?"

Cord's sharp mind always leaned toward caution. Though he was deliberate in his actions, there was a ruthless edge to his methods when necessary.

"No need," Cord's father replied calmly. "Their business is concluded for now. What matters is that we remember the details about those two individuals. Who knows? They may become our clients someday."

"But—"

"We promised to ensure their safety, not protect their secrets. Remember that distinction."

---

Meanwhile, Rhodes stood before a massive furnace, his calm gaze betraying a flicker of curiosity.

"This is what you've created? A divine furnace?" he asked.

Delsa, a master craftsman of the dwarves, nodded with pride. "Yes, Mr. Rhodes. Allow me to introduce this groundbreaking invention. I promise, it will amaze you!"

Rhodes examined the furnace closely. It wasn't just a single magical construct; rather, it was a complex system of overlapping magic arrays. Two arrays were carefully layered, their designs blending seamlessly.

"This invention," Delsa continued, "was inspired by your dragon-slaying magic and god-slaying magic. Both share similar origins, and the patterns in their magic arrays reflect that. I suspect this is because god-slaying magic is fundamentally an evolution of dragon-slaying magic."

Rhodes nodded thoughtfully. "Interesting. I may need to spend some time studying my own magic more closely."

Delsa grinned. "I also integrated an original concept—'hard magic'—into the sharpness of the original design. It symbolizes resilience. Though the process was arduous, the result was worth it!"

Rhodes acknowledged the innovation. "This is indeed a significant step forward. Impressive work."

Delsa then demonstrated the furnace's capabilities, gently placing a steel bar into its fiery maw. The flames within roared like molten magma, their color shifting from orange to blue, then to purple, and back to orange. As the magic array atop the furnace activated, the spiritual crystal at the back began to glow, channeling energy into the process.

The steel bar melted, transforming into a pool of liquid. Delsa poured it into a mold, allowing it to cool before it was heated and hammered again.

"Bang! Bang! Clang!"

The rhythmic sound of metalwork filled the air as two craftsmen worked tirelessly to shape the steel. Hours later, a gleaming new sword emerged.

Delsa handed it to Rhodes, his excitement palpable. "Behold, Mr. Rhodes! A masterpiece of craftsmanship. While it has no inherent magic, it's designed to cut through magic itself. This is still a hypothesis, of course."

Rhodes turned to a patch of grass in the distance, his eyes narrowing. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a small burst of fire magic. Flames crackled to life, forming a glowing red magic circle in the air.

In one swift motion, Rhodes swung the sword. A silver arc of light shot forth, slicing through the magic circle. The circle rippled like water before vanishing completely. The sword's brilliance dimmed slightly in the aftermath.

"It's still a bit crude," Rhodes observed, "but this is only the beginning. With your dwarven expertise, I believe you can create weapons capable of slaying gods."

Delsa's eyes widened with realization. Rhodes' vision was grander than he had imagined. If someone had proposed this idea to the dwarves before, they would have dismissed it as folly. But now?

"We will follow your lead, Mr. Rhodes!" Delsa declared fervently.

In that moment, a deep sense of loyalty surged within Delsa and his kin. Their faith in Rhodes grew like a river pouring into the endless ocean. And the best part? This power of faith showed no sign of waning.

"A fanatic," Rhodes mused. "Tech enthusiasts like these can turn into zealots if given what they desire. I wonder how the God of Forging would react if he woke to find his followers had rebelled, crafting weapons to slay gods. What a sight that would be!"

Rhodes handed the sword back to Delsa. Holding it, Delsa felt the blade's resilience and potential.

"Begin mass production immediately," Rhodes instructed. "Spread the word that Dwarven City has developed a revolutionary technology. This invention will change the world—and bring us a fortune in gold coins!"

"Yes, sir!" Delsa replied with unwavering determination.

---

Later, as Rhodes retired to his room, he pondered his next move.

"I have plenty of offensive techniques, enough to instill fear in this world. But what I lack are solid defenses," he admitted.

The flame barrier he had previously unleashed in the city wasn't a pure defensive measure. Instead, it was a fiery counterattack that targeted intruders. Ultimately, it was a variation of dragon-slaying magic, designed for aggression rather than protection.

"I need a true defensive power. But where can I find it?" Rhodes thought aloud.

A god must possess not only overwhelming offensive capabilities but also unbreakable defenses. Strength alone was not enough.

"So, system," Rhodes said with a smirk, "help me sign in to the world of Naruto!"

"Ding! Are you sure you want to sign in to the world of Naruto?"

"Yes!"

"Ding! Sign-in successful. Congratulations, you have obtained…"

---

Meanwhile, the Mahad family's carriage emerged from the forest, entering the rugged terrain beyond the village.

Though they had left the village's jurisdiction, the men inside the carriage remained tense, their eyes darting nervously at every shadow. The air of unease was palpable...

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