Right. While you were getting that, Usener taught me how to craft the weapon. So I’m ready for you now.

I’ll start creating the weapon now. Could you do me a favour while I’m working on it?
Isn’t this the weapon that belonged to that boy’s father? We need to be extremely careful with it.

I want to make sure this weapon never gets a scratch. That boy should have it for a long time.

That’s why I was thinking whether it might be an idea if you go and see Shugo Kohrunerk of the Black Cloud Merchants about getting a protective coating for the dragon claws.

I think you should be able to ask him for it outright. You won’t have to lie to him about what such a powerful item is for. Go and try, please.
Of course, he might suggest a trade.

But I think you can do it. Please take care of it.

I’ll make the boy his weapon in the meantime.
Ah, Daeva!

Shugo has been curious about how it went. Did Daeva find the owner of the sword yet?
Shugo thinks us Black Cloud Merchants were part of why that tragedy happened.

Just this once, Shugo will give Daeva the protective coating for that boy at no extra cost! But this is a special case!

Shugo is a merchant, but even a Shugo of the Black Cloud Merchants has a heart under everything.

(The Shugo gives you the coating, his hands shaking a little.)

Take it...! Shugo thinks it’s a worthy cause...! Help that boy, akakak!
You’re back. Excellent.

Okay. Did you manage to get the protective coating?
Good. I just finished the weapon.

This coating will prevent the weapon from being destroyed, or from getting any rust.