Dark Evolution Begins with Marrying an SSS-CLASS Blind Monster
Chapter 137: Anna’s Grandfather

Chapter 137: Anna’s Grandfather

As Nellas walked away from the training hall, his steps carried him gracefully yet simply towards the blacksmith’s workshop that stood in front of the bustling training grounds.

The onlookers who had witnessed his remarkable display of sword-catching remained in a state of bewilderment, astonishment, and awe as they watched him depart.

Their faces mirrored a spectrum of emotions, from disbelief to admiration, their eyes fixated on the enigmatic figure who had intervened in the dramatic duel.

The path before Nellas seemed to stretch out like a river of anticipation, every step echoing with the resonating impact of his words.

He had not only defended the honor of the less fortunate but had left an indelible impression on those who had witnessed his impassioned speech.

As Nellas entered the blacksmith’s workshop, he was immediately enveloped in an intense heat that seemed to dance in the air, a testament to the furious forge fires at work.

The scent of burning coal and molten metal hung thick in the atmosphere, mingling with the rhythmic clanging of hammers on anvils.

The workshop was a cacophony of activity. Sparks flew like fireflies, and the metallic clangor reverberated through the space, creating a symphony of craftsmanship. Nellas’s keen eyes fell upon two figures within this fiery maelstrom.

A middle-aged man stood before the blazing forge, his muscles glistening with sweat as he expertly heated a piece of iron until it glowed like a miniature sun. The rhythmic dance of the flames mirrored the determination in his eyes, and the muscles in his arms flexed with every calculated movement.

And an old man stood nearby, his every movement a masterful display of precision and strength. With each strike of his hammer, the red-hot iron responded, obediently transforming under his experienced touch. His weathered hands, etched with the marks of countless hours at the anvil, wielded the hammer with a grace that belied his age.

Nellas watched in silent awe as the old man’s hammer danced upon the anvil, each impact creating a mesmerizing display of sparks and shaping the metal with unerring precision. It was as though the iron surrendered willingly to his command, becoming thinner and more refined with each stroke.

His thoughts raced as he observed the blacksmith at work, a realization slowly dawning upon him. ’Isn’t he Anna’s grandfather?’ Nellas pondered, his gaze unwavering. ’Wait, he is... A blacksmith?’

The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, and Nellas’s thoughts raced like wildfire. ’Don’t tell me?!’ He couldn’t help but connect the dots, a sense of revelation washing over him. ’Yesterday, when I saved him. He said that he would give me anything as long as it is in the reach of the Alkan family.’

Nellas’s eyes dropped to the ground, his hand grazing his chin as he contemplated the implications of this newfound knowledge. ’At that time, I didn’t think about it much,’ he mused, ’I thought he was just a noble from the Alkan family, but...’

The weight of understanding settled upon him as he pieced together the old man’s identity. ’How can I not notice?’ Nellas continued his inner dialogue, his gaze shifting back to the blacksmith’s masterful work. ’It was pretty obvious. He is that rumored blacksmith, the founder of the Alkan family.’

And then, a sudden rush of regret washed over Nellas as he recalled his previous actions. ’And I refused him?’ The words echoed in his mind like an accusatory refrain. ’Shit!’

’I regret refusing his offer.’ The realization gnawed at him, a missed opportunity that now felt like a heavy burden.

’I could have asked him to meet my father.’ Nellas’s thoughts continued to spiral, his mind filled with the image of his father’s proud smile at the prospect of meeting the legendary blacksmith.

’He would be very happy to meet him.’ The words hung in the air, a bittersweet reminder of what might have been.

As Nellas pondered, Anna’s grandfather continued his work at the blazing forge, the piece of iron he had been diligently shaping finally reached the desired form. With a final, precise strike of his hammer, he carefully placed the finished work on a nearby cooling rack, revealing a beautifully crafted sword, its blade glistening in the workshop’s fiery glow.

"Phew, that refreshed me," Anna’s grandfather remarked, wiping sweat from his brow. He couldn’t help but smile as he looked at the sword he had just forged. ’It’s been a while since I’ve forged something,’ he thought, ’Ever since the curse was removed, my body is no longer restricted, and I can feel the power growing inside me, which had been blocked by the curse.’

Noticing Anna’s grandfather taking a break, the middle-aged man working alongside him spoke up, "My lord, are you going back?"

"Yeah," Anna’s grandfather replied with a nod, his eyes reflecting a sense of fulfillment.

"Thanks for your hard work!" the middle-aged man bowed respectfully.

"Oh, it was nothing. I just wanted to forge myself," Anna’s grandfather replied with humility, his thoughts drifting to the young man who had helped him the day before. ’Thanks to that young man, I can do heavy work and forge the weapons I like again,’ he thought, ’I wonder what his name was. I was so happy that I forgot to ask his name.’

As Anna’s grandfather turned his attention toward the exit, his eyes widened in surprise when he saw a familiar figure standing there.

’Huh? He’s that young man!’ he thought, recognizing Nellas from the previous day. His heart swelled with gratitude.

He quickly walked closer to Nellas, his eyes filled with appreciation for the young hero.

The guard beside Nellas who had been watching the scene also observed the founder of the Alkan family approaching Nellas. A thought raced in his mind, ’Wait, isn’t he? He is coming toward us.’

They watched in intrigue as the founder of the Alkan family, Anna’s grandfather stood in front of Nellas, his expression one of pleasant surprise.

"You... You are the one who saved me yesterday?" Anna’s grandfather asked, his voice filled with warmth and recognition. "Right?"

Nellas, slightly taken aback by the sudden encounter, replied with a modest smile, "Um, yeah, I am."

"It is really you!" Anna’s grandfather exclaimed with a hearty laugh, his eyes sparkling with gratitude and delight.

’Huhhh? He really knows him,’ the guard thought, his surprise evident in his wide-eyed expression. ’How is that possible?’

"I didn’t expect to see you here," Anna’s grandfather said, addressing Nellas with genuine curiosity. "Are you here to get something in return for your help? I was wondering why you refused. I didn’t know that you needed some time to think."

"So, what do you want? Just tell me," Anna’s grandfather continued, his tone inviting.

"Oh, no, that isn’t why I’m here," Nellas replied, his humility shining through.

"Huh?" Anna’s grandfather raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?"

Before Nellas could speak, the guard standing nearby interjected, "He is a guest of Young Master Han. He is here to see the blacksmith workshop."

"Han? Han from the FalmeHeart family?" Anna’s grandfather inquired, seeking clarification.

"Yeah, he is accompanying Young Master to a place, and we had to stop here because Young Master had something to do here," the guard explained.

"So that’s why you’re here," Anna’s grandfather concluded with a hint of understanding. "And here I thought... Just forget it."

"If you don’t want anything, at least tell me your name. I forgot to ask yesterday," Anna’s grandfather requested.

"My name is Nellas," Nellas replied with a polite nod. "It is my honor to meet the founder of the Alkan family." He bowed, placing his right hand on his chest and his left hand on his back in a gesture of respect.

Anna’s grandfather smiled warmly. "Oh, you don’t have to do that. Instead, it should be me thanking you."

As Nellas bowed, Anna’s grandfather’s keen eyes fell on the workshop door, where his granddaughter Anna was peeking at Nellas with a mixture of curiosity and shyness.

’Anna?’ he thought, and his eyes widened in surprise as he understood something. A soft smile graced his lips as he realized the connection, a warm feeling of gratitude and destiny filling his heart.