Near the two-hour point, Phaestus' group was ready to head out for battle. The King's guards made sure to inform the passengers not to panic and stay on the train. Phaestus and his group were up in the engine with the conductors. His map was up, showing the fanatics' position.

"Alright, begin slowing down, but do not turn the engine off. Also, keep the emergency defense spell at the ready." Phaestus ordered.

"Understood, sir… But I have to ask, there are nearly one hundred enemies there. Will ye be alright?" The female dwarf asked.

"Not to worry, miss. Papa is the strongest!"

"By the way, Phaestus, are those the new bracers?"

"They are. Athena, make sure to hang back. I don't want to put the twins at risk." He said to her with a smile.

"You're not worried about me?" Dite asked, which he flicked her forehead.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Your stupid question, which you know the answer to."

"I can still fight Phaestus." Athena said.

"No. You know how much I care about you, and you are pregnant. I know that you are quite capable of hulk smashing everything."

"I love that movie! We have to watch that tonight!" Athena said.

He agreed and checked his map once more. He looked outside, looking for a signal from the enemy forces. A few minutes later, he saw three light flashes from the nearby forest.

"Alright, bring the train to a crawl."

"There's the train, sir." A man in metal armor said.

"Good, send the signal. Let's see if they were successful." A caster flashed a light spell three times.

They heard the train apply its breaks and begin to slow.

"They didn't send the signal."

"Their caster might have died. The Heretic is onboard. It might be dangerous for them to do that. Crusaders! Today! We bring an end to that Heretic!" The soldiers gave a war cry and charged toward the train.

About a third of the way to the train, the leader called a halt to their forces. Before them were four people of different colors, all wearing mithril masks and armored waistcoats with the hoods up.

"So you come to us, Heretic!" The leader called out.

"I did. Your men failed. I came out clean up some trash." Phaestus said.

"Hah! You are the trash that has desecrated the great works of our God!"

Phaestus sighed at the man's short-sightedness.

"If you surrender now, you will all live. If you decide to fight, we will not hesitate to defend ourselves or the innocent lives aboard the train."

"You will all die as heretics!" The leader called for them to charge once more.

"I see. [Encirclement of Stone], [Magic Dampen], [Magic Defense], [Strength Enhancement], [Dexterity Enhancement], [Reflect Magic].” Phaestus rattled off several spells without a chant, all of which were cast.

The force of one hundred, Phaestus and his group were surrounded by a stone wall. The attacking force felt weakened, and Phaestus' group seemed energized.

What?! He cast those spells without an incantation?! The leader thought.

"Don't worry about leaving them alive." Phaestus said coldly.

The leader turned just in time to see a rabbit beast-kin fly past him, instantly downing four people with a flurry of attacks, and continued her rampage of lethal kicks. The one in red dashed forward as well, performing a beautiful dance of death, cutting down his soldiers while dodging any attacks at her by a hair's breadth.

The one in white raised her war hammer. "Lightning Barrage!"

A lightning bolt arced upward above the rear line, then spread out, decimating their rear forces. Phaestus pulled out two magnificent-looking short swords, wielding one in each hand, one wrapped in fire, the other with a cold aura.

God of Light, what kind of demon is this…? The leader asked just as Phaestus appeared before him, beheading him in a single stroke.

Several casters managed to launch magic at them, only to have it kicked away with a flurry of kicked from Ruby.

"She deflected them!" "Someone kill that beast!" "We can't! The red one is covering her!" "Dammit! Kill the Heretic!" The soldiers kept trying to kill them, only to fall to their blades and magic.

Lord Tulsen was right. There is no negotiating with fanatics. Phaestus thought, trying to fight his inner moral conflict.

"[Wind Scythe]!" With a swing of his arm, a blade of wind cut through several soldiers.

"How the hell can he cast without incantation?!" "Another lightning barrage from the white one!" Another lightning storm ripped through their forces.

"Shiva." Swinging his ice blade, several soldiers were frozen in a path.

"Ifrit." His fire blade unleashed a burst of fire, taking out another group.

"Boost!" Ruby cried, causing her armored leggings to glow, leading to her kicks to crush anyone they struck.

"Rip and Tear, Scorpion." Dite's blade changed into a bladed whip three times the length of its original size, which she used to rapidly wipe out the soldiers.

Within fifteen minutes, all of the soldiers were dead or writhing in pain on the ground.

"Phaestus, are you alright?" Dite approached him. He was breathing heavily.

"Yeah. I, I'll be okay. I know I have killed before, but this was different. Not like bandits. I just...." He said.

Phaestus had a conflicted look on his face.

"I rationalized that they were fanatics. I just... I just wonder if this could have been done-."

"Differently?" A male voice casually asked.

They looked over to see a familiar black-clad, crimson-haired man appearing near them with a smile on his face.

"Lord Tulsen?!" Phaestus was surprised.

Lord Tulsen smirked.

"Um, well, why are you here?" Phaestus asked.

"Sorry, I stopped by your home in Lenmos, but your steward said that you were on a trip. Didn't take me long to catch up. Anyway, I'm guessing these are fanatics of the Church of Light?" Lord Tulsen asked.

Phaestus got a pensive look on his face.

"I am guessing you are conflicted over killing these men. That is normal, and honestly, the mark of a good man." Lord Tulsen tapped his fist to Phaestus' chest.

"Mark of a good man?" Phaestus asked, confused.

"Yes. You see, I would not consider myself to be a good man. I value my own family and friends, willing to wipe out any who would cause them suffering. Sometimes I kill for little reason, but... I always have a reason. I have done some evil things in my time, being consumed by my own twisted ideals. Lord Hephaestus, I advise you to hang onto your humanity. Make sure that you always value life, even if it is an enemy, but do not hesitate when needed. Those of evil and darkened souls will not hesitate to crush your happiness and your people. I will tell you this though, these men are sinners. The first one you beheaded. Rape, murder, assault, torture, religious oppression, and many other crimes. These were not good men. You were justified in your actions. You gave them a chance to surrender, yes? I also know that if they had surrendered during the battle, you would have spared them. Like I said, Lord Hephaestus, you are a good man." Lord Tulsen finished his speech.

Phaestus could feel his eyes tearing up, his guilt subsiding.

"Thank you. Lord Tulsen." He shook his hand.

"Anyway, I'll clean this up if you want." Lord Tulsen motioned toward the army.

"Oh, um, sure."

"[Raise]." The bodies began to spasm, their flesh melted away, leaving only skeletons in armor with glowing purple eyes. Before them now stood an undead army.

"Holy shit!" Phaestus and his group freaked out seeing the one hundred people turned into skeletons.

"Y-you're a necromancer?!" Dite asked in a panic.

Lord Tulsen laughed before shrugging his shoulders. "Eh, it is one of my many skills."

His shadow extended out, swallowing the one hundred skeletons.

"You are really dangerous, aren't you?" Phaestus asked, with tension in his voice.

"Only to those who I count as my enemy. You though, I consider an ally, possibly a friend." Lord Tulsen smirked.

"Oh, uh, thank you?"

Lord Tulsen laughed and followed them back to train. Boarding it, they continued their journey onto Merluka.

The atmosphere in the private car was heavy and tense. The Dunlap royal family was very wary of the man clad in black, enjoying a cup of tea.

"So uh, is there something you need?" Phaestus asked.

Lord Tulsen sipped his tea and placed it down on the table.

"I need a special tool made for an associate of mine. I have all the materials. I am just not that great of a smith. I am good at making magic items and some advanced technologies, but smithing is my weakness. Thusly, I came to the best smith I know, you."

"What is it you need to be made?" Phaestus asked.

"A hatchet, but not your normal run-of-the-mill type. I have a prop to use as a size reference. This area is a bit small to take it out. You have a pocket dimension, correct?" Lord Tulsen said casually.

What the hell?! He knows?! How does he know?!

"Hahahahahah! It is written all over your face. Yes, I know of it. As for its contents, I am hoping it is your forge." Lord Tulsen smirked at Phaestus' and everyone else's shock.

"Come on now, Master of Magic? Does that ring a bell?" Lord Tulsen teased.

Phaestus was unsure of whether he should confirm it or not, but Dite spoke up.

"Phaestus, he might be able to help you find your answer."

Wait, Micah is right. Lord Tulsen knows so many things….

"Lord Tulsen, if you can help me find an answer to my crafting dilemma, I will consider that payment enough for making the hatchet." Phaestus said.

"Hmm, very well. I will still leave you some nice crafting materials. Hopefully, I will be able to help." Lord Tulsen replied.

Phaestus said they would be back in a few hours and shifted the two of them into the Haven.

"Oh wow. This is unexpected. Even I don't have something like this." Lord Tulsen said, looking around.

"That is... somewhat surprising. You don't have something like this?"

"Nope. I have a spatial storage with a massive capacity, but not only is this a large living space, but it is also teeming with divine power." Lord Tulsen followed Phaestus to his workshop.

"Teeming with divine power? You can sense it?" Phaestus asked, changing his clothes to his workshop clothes, still wearing his mask.

"Sense it? I can see it." Lord Tulsen chuckled.

Phaestus asked for the prop and materials. Lord Tulsen summoned a massive prop made of stone that looked like a hatchet Elder Ooolba would wield.

"That is quite large. Is it for a giant?"

Lord Tulsen nodded and pulled out several green ingots and several gemstones.

"What are those? I have never seen this metal." Phaestus picked up one of the ingots and inspected it.

This thing holds a lot of power… He thought.

"It is a metal that you will not likely find anywhere. Only I know where to find it. It is called Elementium, and it comes in many types. These ingots, in particular, are filled with Nature energy. There should be just enough to make the hatchet. I would like these two gems embedded in it. The remaining four are for your personal use. The gems can be imbued with various energies. All you have to do is channel a bit of magic into it and toss it or imbue the element of your choice into it for about an hour. The more magic you channel into the gem, the more powerful the end effect will be." Lord Tulsen explained.

These gems might be perfect for something new!

Phaestus had Lord Tulsen stand by while he melted all the ingots, pouring them into a large cast. He cooled it using a large ice cube made from divine water and placed it on the god anvil. The process took nearly thirty minutes, but Phaestus began to channel his will into his god hammer. The hammer glowed with power.

Phaestus hammered the metal, driving his will into the metal. Golden sparks flew into the air, and the metal began to gain a slight golden glow. Phaestus continued to strike the metal, over and over again, the golden light increasing in intensity.

"Amazing." Lord Tulsen said, impressed.

The glow reached its peak, buzzing with power. Phaestus gave it one final, powerful strike. The metal flattened, elongating, and forming itself into a beautiful hatchet with designs of leaves and vines on it. There were two sockets on the main headpiece for the two gems Lord Tulsen wanted to be installed.

"Interesting. Will Forging. It is a rare skill, typically central to disciples of a crafting or smithing god. I am guessing yours is Hephaestus, Greek God of Fire." Lord Tulsen commented.

Phaestus turned to Lord Tulsen in surprise, his mask flying off his face into Lord Tulsen's hand.

"Hmm, if I am correct, you must be Eric Bison." He said.

"What? You know me?!" Eric asked.

"Yes. You made quite the news in your old world. So what does the God of Fire have you making? I have heard that he will sometimes give projects to his disciples."

"So you are from my world. How long have you been here?"

"Ignoring my question… You are not ready to learn the full truth just yet." Lord Tulsen said dismissively, waving his hand.

"I… Okay... Then I will finish this by inlaying the gems." Eric used a spell similar to [Welding] and [Melding], called [Merge], to install the gems into the hatchet.

"There, done."

Lord Tulsen picked up the hatchet effortlessly and inspected it.

"Excellent. Thank you. Now, what weapon does Hephaestus have you making?" Lord Tulsen asked, storing the hatchet away.

"He wants me to make a divine blade, double-edged longsword. These bracers are the latest item I have made. I keep forging item after item, but I feel like I am not getting enough divine energy into the items yet." Eric replied, frustration evident in his voice.

"What sort of process do you use? Is it what you just did?" Lord Tulsen asked.

"I let the metal and hammer sit in divine water for about an hour to absorb divine energy. Anything more than that has no benefit. After which, I quench the metal in divine water, reheat it in the forge while the hammer soaks again in the water, and I splash the anvil with it too. I repeat the process multiple times, which led to these bracers." Eric explained.

Lord Tulsen tilted his head, "Why not do it all at the same time?" He asked casually.

"What do you mean?" Eric asked, tilting his head confused.

Lord Tulsen sighed, and picked up a piece of scrap, the hammer, and approached the anvil.

“[Water Control], [Fire Control].” Lord Tulsen began.

Fire flowed from the forge, wrapping itself around the metal. Water floated up, settling upon the hammer surface that would strike the metal. A minute later, when the metal was red hot, Lord Tulsen struck the metal as it laid upon the god anvil. GONG! A powerful force radiated from the strike, steam rising from the strike.

"Wha-?" Eric was stunned as Lord Tulsen continued.

GONG! The force radiated once more. Lord Tulsen ended his spells and quenched the metal in the barrel of divine water. Pulling out the piece of scrap metal, it was glowing golden.

"That's it. Holy shit, you did it. You did it!" Eric became incredibly excited, dancing around the workshop, cheering.

"Thank you!" Eric hugged Lord Tulsen in his excitement.

He instantly realized that he just hugged the most dangerous man in the world and immediately let go, apologizing profusely.

Lord Tulsen laughed. "Hahahahah! I never would have thought you would do something like that, but it is alright."

"This is amazing, though. With two strikes, the metal has so much divine power without even using Will Forging. Maybe you do have a knack for smithing Lord Tulsen." Eric commented with a smile.

"No. I tried to figure out how to do Will Forging, but I could not for the life of me. Some things just come more naturally to some. Be thankful though that everything you are using has divinity, or else this would not work."

They shared a handshake with each other before Eric changed back into Phaestus, and they shifted back outside.

"Papa!" Leros cried out as they returned.

"Phaestus, what was that noise? It sounded like a bell far off in the distance." The King asked.

Phaestus smiled at Lord Tulsen. "I found the answer I was missing, thanks to Lord Tulsen."

Dite, Athena, Ruby, and Leros hugged Phaestus, congratulating him on his success, as well as thanking Lord Tulsen for his help.

"It is no issue. It is only natural to help a friend. But, I must be on my way. I now have a delivery to make. Thanks again, Lord Hephaestus. I look forward to seeing your completed work in the future." With his final words, Lord Tulsen vanished.

"Well, Phaestus, when do you plan to create it?" Dite asked excitedly.

"Probably when we get home. I have no idea how much making this will tire me, so I will likely need one of you in the Haven with me just in case." Phaestus replied.

After a moment of thinking, Dite offered her idea. "I think I should stay outside. Since Douglas and Ella will be out, I will handle the administration duties and care for Leros. Athena, Ruby, you two stay inside to assist him."

Princess Lindi then spoke up, "Let me help too! Mother! Father! Please let me help my aunts." She pleaded.

"Let me also help them. The two of us can return to Dunlap afterward." Prince Alfa offered as well.

Queen Delvirra was alright with them staying and diverted the final decision to the King.

"Hmm. I'm sorry, Alfa, I will need ye with us back in Dunlap after our trip to help with local affairs. Lindi, you can stay and help them." The King said.

Prince Alfa didn't argue with his father, understanding his reasoning. Ruby offered a different idea of swapping places with Lindi in the Haven. Lindi would stay in the Haven to help her aunt and Phaestus while Ruby would stay outside, helping Dite.

"White, can you stay outside and assist Dite, please?" Phaestus asked.

"S-S-Sure! I can't wait to see the s-s-sword!" She said, seemingly shaken by something.

"Are you okay?" Phaestus asked her.

"Yes! Absolutely fine! Don't worry about me!" She assured him, a nervous smile on her face.

Odd. She seemed fine earlier. Was she shaken by Lord Tulsen? Ah, whatever...

They continued their discussion, working out the details late into the night before turning in. Though Phaestus choosing not to prod White for what she was hiding saved her life, as she finally realized who Lord Tulsen really was.