The members of the Sky Squad had completed their consultations regarding their weapons. For the most part, they retained their previous weapon types; the upgrade focused primarily on superior forging materials and high-tier magical artifacts embedded within their armaments.

However, two individuals had not possessed permanent weapons from the start: Aji and Gayatri. Warrior Jiro advised Gayatri to choose a weapon that suited her naturally. Although she was capable of creating energy-based weapons, a physical weapon would prove invaluable should her energy ever run dry. Furthermore, a unique weapon could provide essential auxiliary capabilities in unpredictable battle scenarios.

Aji suggested that Gayatri request a set of large, heavy needles forged from exceptionally durable and sharp metal, synchronized with a ring artifact designed for remote control. Aji reasoned that such a setup would allow her to eliminate low-tier enemies swiftly without expending her own energy. The needles could strike with lethal speed, guided effortlessly through the control ring. Finding the idea practical, Gayatri readily agreed.

Rakuta, faced with Gayatri's unique commission, confirmed he could forge it, though he noted that constructing such intricate mechanisms would take longer than the standard weapons requested by her comrades. Gayatri offered her thanks, assuring him that she did not mind the wait.

Next came Aji's turn. Having received no specific directions from others, he submitted a request for a long staff—though one built with precise internal specifications.

Unlike the rest of the Sky Squad, none of whom wielded a staff, Aji stood apart. A standard staff was a blunt weapon on all sides. Aji selected this form, but he handed the chief blacksmith a detailed schematic detailing the staff's unique internal structure.

Rakuta, the chief blacksmith, reviewed the schematic Aji provided and was visibly astonished. It was a weapon design unlike anything he had ever encountered or forged before.

Recognizing the complexity of the design, Rakuta requested a private word with Aji, leading him into a secluded room inside the forge's office.

"This weapon..." Rakuta began, examining the detailed drawing with fascination. The blueprint illustrated a hollow staff containing a concealed longsword and a dagger, fitted together so seamlessly that the exterior appeared to be nothing more than a solid, blunt staff. The outer ends of the staff doubled as the hilts for the sword and dagger, while the wooden center served as a hidden sheath for both blades.

It was an ingenious design—a hidden weapon with the potential to become a true masterpiece.

"You are remarkable, young warrior," Rakuta praised. "Did someone teach you to design this, or did you conceive such a mechanism yourself?"

Aji smiled subtly. While he genuinely wished to have the weapon forged, his primary goal was to draw out information that could serve as evidence to unmask Drakos's corruption. He knew Rakuta was obsessed with the craft of weapon-making—whether or not the chief blacksmith was involved with the Mondu, Rakuta cared for little else beyond the forge itself.

That detail aligned with the intelligence provided by Aaman.

"I designed it myself, Master Rakuta," Aji replied calmly. "I wanted to conceal a lethal weapon inside something unassuming. Opponents tend to lower their guard against a blunt staff, and that is precisely when a hidden blade is most effective."

"Brilliant!" Rakuta’s face lit up with genuine excitement, his eyes widening. "This weapon will become legendary! I will personally ensure it is forged to perfection."

Capitalizing on Rakuta's good mood, Aji casually asked, "By the way, Master Rakuta, why are so many blacksmiths on leave today? Won't that delay the production of the Sky Squad's weapons?"

The Martial Arts Association had paid a substantial fee to the chief blacksmith to guarantee the finest craftsmanship for the Sky Squad. They had insisted on top-tier quality, knowing the Sky Squad was destined to stand at the vanguard of the continent, protecting the populace from the forces of darkness.

Rakuta paused, his eyes shifting nervously. He glanced left and right before whispering, "Please, keep your voice down, young warrior. I dare not question any orders handed down by the academy's leadership. My duty here is simply to oversee the forging process."

From Rakuta's reaction, Aji confirmed that the chief blacksmith was genuinely kept in the dark regarding the broader conspiracy. He was merely tasked with managing weapon production.

"Do you mean you don't even know who places the orders or how buyers arrange their commissions?" Aji asked, adopting an inquisitive expression to mask his true suspicions, appearing merely as a curious young fighter.

Rakuta glanced toward the door once more and lowered his voice even further. "I apologize, warrior, but truly, my role is strictly limited to crafting the finest weapons possible—that is my sole expertise. I am never informed of the buyers' identities, as an entirely separate department handles customer orders."

Still speaking in hushed tones, Rakuta added, "You and your comrades in the Sky Squad are the very first buyers to come directly to me with your own schematics. I am truly delighted to meet the users in person and understand your exact needs."

The picture was becoming clear: something was deeply amiss within the Golden Crane Academy's blacksmith operations.

"In that case, Master Rakuta... who directly manages the personnel responsible for receiving customer orders?" Aji asked quietly.

"I only know that the officer who brings me the weapon outlines and production orders is Nasura," Rakuta replied softly. "He serves as the personal envoy to the current leader of the Golden Crane Academy."

Nasura. Aji noted the name; he would need to extract precise intelligence from this individual. Nasura undoubtedly held the key to identifying which weapons were being manufactured and who was purchasing them. This was crucial, especially given that ordinary martial artists had recently been turned away under the pretext that the forge was overwhelmed with orders.

Aaman had previously reported being refused service due to an allegedly packed production schedule, leading the academy to temporarily suspend public commissions. Yet today, when the Sky Squad arrived, over eighty percent of the workforce had been placed on leave.

Only a handful of blacksmiths remained on site—so few they could be counted on one's fingers. When Commander Gonan had questioned the sparse workforce earlier, Rakuta had claimed the forge was cleared specifically to focus on the Sky Squad's order.

Logically, a larger workforce should have accelerated production. The Golden Crane Academy was clearly hiding something.

"One more thing, Master Rakuta," Aji pressed gently. "We heard rumors that the Golden Crane Academy recently received a massive order for weapons, many of which were to be embedded with magical artifacts. Why is it that we don't see any of those mass-produced weapons around the forge?"

This question touched the core of Aji's investigation. If the forge was supposedly flooded with high-volume orders, why was the facility mostly empty, with the majority of workers sent home and no sign of mass weapon production anywhere in sight?