Heart of Fire

History

A treasure that chose its lord

The Heart of Fire originated as a magic stone that became an artifact by itself rather than being crafted. After Yu IlHan received it from the Heaven’s Army treasury, the artifact acknowledged him as a suitable lord. Its affinity was unusually narrow: because he possessed the blessing of the goddess of fire, it held meaning for Yu IlHan that it would not have for an ordinary owner. He set it aside while deciding how it should fit into the final form of his armor. (Chapter 268)

Core of a living inner armor

Yu IlHan brought out the Heart of Fire when he began crafting armor suitable for his ascension. He planned a thin inner layer from Kelatuke’s bones, part of the Infernal Dragon Body, and the Heart. During forging, it resonated with the Eternal Flame, producing heat so intense that nearly everyone else had to leave the barrier. The artifact gradually melted as blacksmithing, mana crafting, and soul enchantment converged. It disappeared as an independent object when the work completed, becoming the core of a living red armor called the Soul of Fire, with the Eternal Flame’s main body residing inside it. (Chapters 278–280)

A hidden weakness in its records

The Heart of Fire retained records from its time in Heaven’s treasury. Raphael had secretly tampered with those records, and Michael later activated the prepared magic to nullify Yu IlHan’s concealment. Although the artifact had already become part of the Soul of Fire, its inherited record provided Heaven with a route into the new armor’s history. Raciel, the treasury’s guardian who delivered the artifact under contract, was not involved in the alteration. (Chapters 293, 323)

Abilities and properties

• Self-formed artifact: It arises directly from a magic stone without an artificer shaping it.
• Fire-user recognition: It selects a compatible lord and is particularly suited to the goddess of fire’s blessing.
• Resonant heat: In concert with the Eternal Flame, it can melt and transform otherwise resistant materials.
• Living armor core: Its power becomes the fire core of the Soul of Fire.
• Persistent records: Its treasury history remains accessible even after fusion, including hostile alterations embedded there.

Ownership and custody