When Hanar stood up with his hammer in hand, Nidhogg was struck by the realization that he wasn't even tall enough to reach his waist.
It was just his powerful build that had made Nidhogg overlook this at first. Now it was clear—he was indeed a dwarf.
Hanar had long known about the visit of the two strange guests. Danan had informed him of this news through an elf.
Hanar also understood perfectly well why Danan had brought them here—to give them a deeper understanding of the connection between them and the skeleton knight.
He said almost nothing. He quickly walked forward. Under Guts's bewildered gaze, he suddenly raised the hammer in his hand and swiftly and precisely struck Guts's armor!
CLANG—!
Guts's Berserker Armor suddenly shook violently. The helm attached itself to his head as if alive, fierce as a wolf's head, blocking his vision. Darkness flared!
Intense pain shot through his entire body. He couldn't help but roar like a beast!
Hanar struck another stone pillar nearby.
FWOOSH—!
Several iron chains were thrown. The grapples at the ends of the chains seized Guts's limbs. The chains wrapped around his body, making it impossible for this berserker, capable of killing many Apostles, to break free!
At the same time, surges of memories flooded in.
In the painful illusion, Guts saw the Eclipse of a thousand years ago.
He saw countless tentacles and fierce giant monsters, a dark vortex in the distance, and five terrifying figures standing beneath that vortex.
This was the five God Hand of a thousand years ago?!
Was Void there?
After that, Guts encountered "Lord" Gaiseric of a thousand years ago. He was already wearing the Berserker Armor.
In Gaiseric's arms lay a beautiful woman. Her appearance was almost exactly the same as Danan's, only slightly different in character. On the woman's right shoulder was a branded mark.
Guts immediately understood.
This was Princess Sakura Miko. She died during the Eclipse. Her soul and body were sacrificed. Danan must be the daughter of Princess Sakura Miko. So the relationship between the skeleton knight and Princess Sakura Miko and Danan...
CLANG—!
Another hammer strike. Guts was immediately pulled away from this illusion.
When he opened his eyes, he realized that Hanar had helped him by striking his armor with the hammer.
Danan, to the side, had also raised her flower scepter. She gently rested it on his shoulder and performed an elven method that also helped him find himself.
The chains and grapples on Guts slid off and fell to the ground. He regained his freedom. He raised his helm, sweating profusely and breathing heavily.
Danan put away her flower scepter, smiled slightly, and stepped aside.
Hanar took back his hammer and nodded to Guts:
"Not bad. As the second master of the Berserker Armor, you should be able to control it. But be careful. If you are consumed by it, you will become like the skeleton knight."
"Although I can prepare and forge a second set of armor similar to the skeleton knight's, that might be bad for you."
Guts listened quietly. When Hanar finished speaking, he asked, "Was that just now the skeleton knight's memories?"
"Correct," Hanar said. "This Berserker Armor is attached to the skeleton knight's memories of the Eclipse. This is his most unforgettable memory. He is so persistent that the armor remembers it too."
Guts understood perfectly well the state of the skeleton knight's soul. If it were him and Casca, he would definitely still be chasing the demons he pursued to this day.
Hanar turned his head to look at Nidhogg again. "And you. You plan to plant the golden tree on the Island of Fairies and summon islands from another space, right?"
"Yes." Nidhogg looked at the layers of stone mines in the stone chamber. "Welcome to the Junction. There are many mines here. And in the mines, there are stones called 'Smithing Stones.' They should interest you."
Nidhogg added, "In Castle Morne on the Weeping Peninsula, there is a very good blacksmith named Hewg. Perhaps you can exchange skills with each other."
"Smithing Stones, repairing ancient things..."
Hanar thought for a moment and, after carefully examining the craftsmanship of the Carian Knight armor on Nidhogg, nodded.
"When the Junction truly appears, I will go for a walk."
Hanar had become interested in the Junction. Some of the opinions he had originally wanted to express about the golden tree and the Junction were unconsciously swallowed and never mentioned again.
Guts had actually wanted to mention Godo's name. But thinking that although Godo had forged the Dragonslayer, his skills were still within the human category. He feared he couldn't compare with this dwarf master.
Hanar was the first to become interested in the Dragonslayer Guts carried. "Guts, show me this greatsword."
When Guts heard this, he didn't hesitate. He took down the Dragonslayer and planted it in the ground.
Hanar looked at the blade of the Dragonslayer and touched it with his hand. "It's scarred... However, judging by these gaps, one can also deduce that you have used it correctly. There have been quite a few Apostles who have died by your hand."
Guts glanced at Nidhogg, who remained silent at this moment. When it came to the number of Apostles killed, the skeleton knight must be first, and Nidhogg second.
"The blacksmith who forged this greatsword is quite skilled... I will repair this greatsword for you."
Hanar didn't wait for Guts's reply. He grabbed the Dragonslayer, lifted it with one hand, and easily returned to his forging table. This demonstrated his extraordinary strength.
Guts was very happy to hear Hanar praise Godo's skill. So he let Hanar forge the Dragonslayer.
CLANG! CLANG!—!
After a long time, Hanar returned the whole, enchanted Dragonslayer to Guts.
When Guts took the hilt of the Dragonslayer, he immediately noticed something unusual.
Hanar smiled. "The material I used is the ore from this stone forest. So your Dragonslayer now contains a layer of heavy elemental spirits. If you can resonate with them, you can deliver gravity strikes."
Guts's eyes lit up. He looked at his Dragonslayer with increasing surprise.
Hanar looked at Nidhogg again and also smiled. "As for your armor and weapons, I don't think I need to enchant or repair them. Everything you have surpasses my experience. Any addition I make would just be gilding the lily."
Nidhogg shrugged.
"Alright, you can go." Hanar waved his hand, turned, and returned to his forging table, continuing his work.
Danan knew that Hanar had always had a hot temper. So after greeting him, she led Nidhogg and Guts out of the Stone Forest. In any case, this invitation had achieved its main purpose.