Elhart

Biodata

Background / History

Elhart traveled abroad to learn his craft and dealt with adventurers from different countries. These experiences helped him recognize the injustice of Melromarc’s treatment of Demi-Humans, although he considered himself powerless to change it as an ordinary weapon-shop owner 46.

While honing his smithing skills, he forged the Black Rock Heavy Iron Sword. Its immense weight left it unsold for years until Bruce proved capable of wielding it 32.

His shop regularly buys ore from Rude Village’s mine, purchasing a batch each month for smelting and forging. Monsters left behind by the previous Calamity Wave later disrupted mining, leaving him short of materials for Chuan Wenwu’s commissions 48.

Appearance

• Bald head: Explicitly described as the weapon shop’s bald owner 28.
• Deep voice: Noted while negotiating the sale of Bruce’s greatsword 32.

Personality

Elhart is good-natured but blunt, trading jokes and complaints with Chuan Wenwu. He remains calm when his explanations are interrupted, misses the hero and Bruce during their week away, and welcomes their return with affectionate scolding 21 29. Requests for clothing particularly exasperate him because he runs a weapon shop, though he still supplies free clothes for the rescued Raphtalia 38 48.

He combines commercial pragmatism with generosity. He provides extra experimental materials, offers discounted custom-work prices because he likes Chuan Wenwu, and refuses an unnecessary second deposit while funds from the first remain 28 29 31. He also promises to protect his customers’ privacy 24.

Elhart readily admits the limits of his expertise. He does not pretend to understand Bruce’s extraordinary growth or specialized monster equipment, and he avoids involvement in political matters despite recognizing the cruelty of Demi-Human enslavement 28 33 46 48.

Abilities & Skills

Blacksmithing and Equipment Design

• Forges needles and spikes from wood, stone, metals, crystals, and alloys, providing materials that unlock new forms of the Shield of the Hero 28 29.
• Experiments with different alloy proportions rather than restricting his work to the exact materials ordered 29.
• Can tailor armor to Bruce’s unusual build and strengthen equipment later with improved materials 32.
• Repairs, maintains, and upgrades weapons and armor, but warns when repairs would leave equipment inadequate for its wearer 31 32.
• His access to precious ore is limited; high-end commissions depend on obtaining suitable ore or powerful monster materials 31.

Appraisal Magic

• Uses a spell explicitly called Appraisal Magic to inspect Chuan Wenwu’s battered Light Iron Plate Armor; a faint green glow appears in his eyes 31.
• Examines Bruce’s size-changing storage collar with green-glowing magic and finds no hidden tricks 48.
• Identifies the collar’s principal hazard: stored belongings retain their weight, requiring the wearer’s neck to support the load 48.

Analysis of the Shield of the Hero

• Initially reacts with astonishment when Chuan Wenwu’s shield changes form 22.
• Through equipment tests, concludes that the shield distinguishes new forms by material and method of use; cosmetic alterations or size changes alone are insufficient 30.
• Supplies the Iron-Banded Wooden Cross Shield that grants Chuan Wenwu Shield Bash, allowing him to turn defense into damage 30.
• Adjusts future commissions toward Cross Shields after learning how valuable that form is to Chuan Wenwu 31.

Notable Creations and Merchandise

• Magic iron needles — Commissioned by Chuan Wenwu; their sharpness makes them effective against Balloon Monsters 25.
• Experimental spikes and needles — Include silver iron, magic steel, magic crystal, bronze, adamantine, palladium, and additional alloys. Their absorption unlocks numerous thorn-bearing shield forms 28 29.
• Iron-Banded Wooden Cross Shield — A full-front protective shield whose pointed, elongated shape also permits smashing or stabbing attacks 30.
• Small Round Shield — A light, portable shield intended to block critical blows rather than provide comprehensive protection. Copying it grants Chuan Wenwu two points of speed 30.
• Black Rock Heavy Iron Sword — A dark-gray greatsword with a two-meter blade, forged with meteorite powder for toughness. Elhart sells it for twelve gold coins, including a scabbard, blood-resistant coating, and three free maintenance-and-upgrade services; upgrade materials must be supplied by the buyer 31 32.
• Barbarian Armor blueprint — Used for Bruce’s custom armor commission. Elhart describes its initial performance as comparable to fine-quality level-twenty-or-thirty equipment, with later improvements possible through better bones and hides 32.

Relationships

• Chuan Wenwu — Regular customer and friend. Elhart supplies experimental equipment, explains local affairs, and becomes the person Chuan Wenwu says he has dealt with most since arriving in the world 21 28 46.
• Bruce Dahuang — Customer and equipment recipient. Elhart encourages Chuan Wenwu to raise him well, is astonished by his beastman transformation, and supplies his greatsword and custom armor commission 28 29 32.
• Raphtalia — Provides her with free clothes after her rescue and expresses concern about her future. He later praises her rapid recovery and learns about the destruction and enslavement of her village 38 46.
• Rude Village miners — Longstanding ore suppliers. Their inability to work safely in the monster-infested mine threatens his shop’s production 48.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Notable Quotes

“Don't worry. This weapons shop protects its customers' privacy...” 24

“When you see something unbelievable, you've got to think about it, don't you? Thinking doesn't mean you'll figure it out.” 28