Hearing her answer, Milda’s expression clearly froze, as if she hadn’t expected this little girl to be so certain.
She pondered for a moment, then smiled, the curve of her lips tinged with a bit of helplessness.
“What a surprise. It’s been ages since I last saw a Golem.”
Helos curled her lips, muttering softly, “It’s my first time seeing one too… though it’s just the remains.”
Milda glanced at her, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but she didn’t pursue it. Instead, she changed to a more direct approach.
“All right, but if you want my help, I’ll need to see what this Golem actually looks like. If the parts you want are too complicated, I might not be able to make them.”
“That’s not a problem.”
Helos nodded immediately, a glint flashing through her eyes.
However, Milda’s tone suddenly shifted, her voice becoming more serious.
“But let me make this clear first. Even though I learned a lot of crafts from my Dwarf master, a Golem isn’t an ordinary weapon or piece of armor.”
“Its internal structure is as complex as a labyrinth. Even professional alchemists might not be able to complete a Golem alone.”
She paused, lowering her gaze to her callused hands, a trace of nostalgia flickering in her eyes.
“I can forge Golem parts and armor, but as for the core and those intricate inner mechanisms… that’s outside my field.”
Helos listened quietly, her pale violet eyes showing no disappointment, but rather a sense of relief.
Isn’t that just perfect?
She had already repaired the insides herself. All she needed now were the outer parts.
“I understand.”
She lifted her head, giving a smile. “All I need is some armor and joint components, enough to make it move properly. As for the core and internals, I’ll handle those myself.”
Milda was momentarily stunned, as if she hadn’t expected Helos to be so straightforward.
Then she shook her head and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“That’s good.”
Still, her tone remained cool. “But let me remind you—this kind of work isn’t cheap.”
“Even ordinary parts take a lot of time and materials to craft, not to mention making them to fit a Golem’s measurements.”
“Money’s not an issue.”
Helos immediately cut her off, her eyes determined. “I just happen to have some spare coin myself~”
Milda raised an eyebrow, eyeing her with a half-amused, half-skeptical look.
“Quite the confident little lady. You look like you’re from a wealthy family.”
Helos’ heart gave a jolt. She quickly averted her gaze and forced a dry laugh.
‘Anyway, don’t worry about the money. Just help me make them.’
Milda didn’t press further and simply nodded.
“If you say so, then let’s set a time. After all, if I don’t see the actual thing, I can’t start.”
“Alright.”
Helos agreed without hesitation. “Then tomorrow at noon, I’ll meet you at the plaza in the Upper District and take you to see it.”
Helos gently closed the creaking wooden door, instantly shutting out the heat of the smithy and leaving only the sunlight on her shoulders from the street outside.
Whew—
She let out a long breath, as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from her chest.
The frustration from repeatedly hitting dead ends along the way was finally released in this moment.
“At last, someone’s willing to take the job.”
The girl lowered her voice, talking to herself, her silvery hair shimmering faintly in the sun.
She tightened her cloak and walked briskly toward the depths of the stone-paved street.
The Lower District was still as noisy as ever. Vendors shouted back and forth, the clang of the smithy mixed with the hawking from afar, making for a bustling, lively scene.
But in Helos’ heart, there was a calm she couldn’t quite explain.
At least, her plan had finally taken a crucial step forward.
Thinking of tomorrow’s meeting with Milda at the Upper District plaza, the corners of Helos’ lips couldn’t help but curl upward.
That Golem doll might soon have new limbs and move again.
Just wait—soon, you’ll witness a miracle.
She thought to herself, her steps quickening until her figure soon vanished into the crowd.
***
On the other side, Milda watched the girl’s departing back and couldn’t help but sigh.
“You’ve just landed a big commission, so why are you sighing?”
Mira lifted the curtain and stepped out from behind the house, smiling as she looked at Milda.
“Golem parts aren’t so easy to forge.”
Milda glanced back at Mira and shook her head. “Besides, I still need to see what type it is.”
“Speaking of which, the Upper District… So that kid really is a noble’s daughter?”
“Mmm, most likely.”
Facing Mira’s question, Milda nodded. “Only those nobles could afford something like a Golem. Folks like us could never buy one.”
“But she doesn’t look like a typical rich girl.”
Mira blinked in curiosity. “If it were any other noble lady, she’d look down on us with her nose in the air. Who would personally come to the Lower District to find us?”
Milda smiled lightly, though her smile was tinged with deeper meaning.
“That’s exactly what worries me.”
“Worry?”
“Mm.”
Milda’s voice lowered, as if speaking only to herself. “There’s a stubbornness in her eyes, a lot like when I first learned to forge.”
“My master used to say, ‘What’s an Elf like you doing learning smithing?’ But I insisted.”
“In the end, I did manage to pick up a few skills.”
Mira was stunned for a moment, then cautiously asked, “Isn’t that a good thing? Means she’s got drive, just like you.”
“Drive is one thing. But a Golem is a whole other matter.”
Milda shook her head, her ashen silver hair swaying lightly on her shoulders. “If it were just ordinary armor or weapons, I wouldn’t be worried.”
“But the craftsmanship involved with that thing… if it goes wrong, it could cause a lot of trouble.”
Saying this, Milda’s gaze fell toward the door, as if she could see Helos’ retreating figure beyond the plank.
“But if she can really stick it out till the end, I don’t mind taking a gamble on her.”
Mira blinked and smiled with pursed lips.
“As expected, Milda, you’re all bark and no bite.”
“Stop being cheeky.”
Milda flicked Mira’s forehead lightly, then turned and walked behind the counter.
“Hurry and help me get ready for tomorrow! I don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute.”
“Yes, yes~”
The day passed by in a flash.
***
The next day at noon, sunlight poured onto the stone-paved road, making the entire city gleam.
After lunch, Milda and Mira walked side by side along the road to the Upper District.
The rough street scenes of the Lower District gradually gave way to ornate carvings. The buildings lining the street grew ever more refined, and even the air seemed to carry a fresh, sweet scent.
“Wow. The Upper District really is nothing like the Lower District.”
Mira’s eyes sparkled as she looked around, almost like a little girl entering the city for the first time, full of wonder and curiosity at everything before her.
“Don’t stare.”
Milda reached out and pressed her hand on Mira’s shoulder. Her voice was as calm as ever, though she couldn’t quite hide the hint of helplessness in her eyes.
Unlike Mira, Milda’s gaze didn’t linger on the lavish decorations. Instead, she calmly scanned the edges of the plaza.
Crowds flowed, carriages passed, and she took note of every detail.
After a moment, her gaze finally stopped.
Not far away, a slender figure stood quietly in a deserted corner at the edge of the plaza.