Richard sat down casually and closed his eyes, signaling to the two women that he simply wanted to wait and didn’t feel like talking.

But Carla wasn’t the type who could stay quiet. She eventually started chatting with Elena.

That didn’t bother Richard—as long as the topic didn’t involve him.

Click!

After some time, the door finally opened.

Richard instinctively opened his eyes and straightened his posture.

A middle-aged man walked in, looking rather ordinary at first glance.

His blond hair, like Elena’s, was slightly messy.

He was tall but somewhat thin, with pale skin that suggested he rarely went outside.

His clothing was the simplest of all—just a plain blue robe, the kind commonly worn by villagers.

And yet, his eyes told a different story.

The aura hidden within him made Richard feel a subtle sense of danger.

He was known as a weapon forger. Perhaps not strong in direct combat, but that didn’t mean his foundation was weak—or that he couldn’t reach the level of an Ancient Sovereign, and do so quickly.

When he saw Richard, he gave a faint smile.

"You truly are extraordinary. You give off the impression of possessing perfect strength. It seems the Sea River is indeed a miraculous place," he said.

He clearly knew Richard well.

Perhaps he had already been observing him the moment Richard entered the house.

"Master Watson, I’ve long heard of your great reputation in forging weapons. But you overestimate me. I still find it hard to believe that you would give your finest creation to me just to be used. It feels like an unreal dream..."

Richard had no reason not to show respect to such a talented figure—especially one who seemed to hold goodwill toward him.

"I’m not blind... I can judge you. If you’re not worthy, then who is? Have others achieved nothing?" Master Watson replied with a light joke.

Richard smiled awkwardly, but his gaze couldn’t help drifting toward the cloth pouch in the man’s hand.

He held it tightly—as if it were more precious than anything else he owned.

"You can take a look," Master Watson said, handing the pouch to Richard.

"Are you sure about this, Master Watson?" Richard asked.

"If I didn’t choose you, I’d just throw it out for others to fight over and let fate decide its owner. In the end, people would still know I made it," he replied casually.

"That’s what weapon forgers usually do—don’t be too surprised."

Hearing that, Richard finally accepted the pouch.

At first glance, it looked completely ordinary.

But the moment he held it, he felt an immense, sturdy presence.

It was almost like holding a Grand Weapon.

After all, he had personally wielded the spear of the Demon Flame Grand Sovereign—he could clearly recognize that sensation.

Filled with curiosity, he opened the pouch.

A sharp light flashed for a moment.

No—rather, it was dim, yet even in its dimness, it was dazzling.

Inside was... a ring.

It was white, almost transparent.

There was nothing particularly special about its shape, except that it was slightly wide—around 2.5 cm.

He picked it up.

"You don’t need to wear it. Just holding it is enough," Master Watson said.

The moment Richard held the ring, he felt a strong connection.

(Will you be my master?) A soft voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

(Are you... this ring?) Richard replied mentally.

(Yes. Master Watson said I would be given to a suitable master. Master, I can take any form—just command me.)

(Become a sword!) Richard ordered.

Immediately, the light of the ring expanded and transformed into a solid-looking blade of light.

Though it appeared to be pure light, it felt as tangible as metal.

It might not even be pierced by peak-level power like that of the Crimson Grand Ancestor.

"Richard, as long as you have an artifact with special offensive power—or any weapon below the level of a Grand Weapon—you can fuse it into this," Master Watson explained, knowing Richard had already communicated with it.

"What about Echo of Wave?"

"Of course. Its abilities will be inherited by the weapon," Master Watson smiled.

"Why not Grand Weapons?" Richard asked.

"It’s not that it can’t—it just hasn’t reached that stage yet," Master Watson replied.

"In short, it needs power derived directly from World Magic Aether to evolve into a Grand Weapon. That’s what Grand Sovereigns rely on when forging their weapons. However, this weapon is inherently far more unique... Once it reaches the Grand Weapon level and absorbs other Grand Weapons, it will become truly terrifying. Even now, it can already contend with lower-tier Grand Weapons without losing."

"I see..." Richard nodded.

The most impressive aspect was its ability to take any weapon form.

Richard then took out the Ignis Volt Core and Echo of Wave.

"Consume them," he commanded.

Buzz!

Part of the weapon’s light suddenly formed a mouth and swallowed both artifacts.

As the light fused, the artifacts disappeared.

Richard could even hear the faint sound of materials being crushed.

"How can something like this exist..." he muttered.

"There are many wonders in this world," Master Watson replied casually.

Indeed, materials were only part of the equation—the real mastery lay in turning them into such a weapon.

And here, it was clear just how extraordinary Master Watson was.

"What would happen if this weapon eventually devours all Grand Weapons in the world?" Carla suddenly asked.

Richard was slightly surprised—but couldn’t help becoming curious himself, turning to Master Watson.

The latter shook his head.

"I don’t know. Don’t assume that just because I created it, I understand its future," he said. "Besides, without a certain coincidence, this weapon wouldn’t have been created at all. Even with the same materials, I wouldn’t be able to make it again..."

"Oh..." That revelation caught Richard off guard.

So it wasn’t purely due to Master Watson’s skill.

"What kind of coincidence was it, Master Watson?" Richard asked.

"That... is not something I should tell anyone," he replied. "Alright, keep it. I must go—there are many people waiting for me to forge weapons..."

"..."