Clang~ Clang~
After Li De decided to create super heavy warriors, the sound of forging weapons became the main melody over Dawn City.
For the past few days, the residents had been living amidst the constant clanging of metal.
[T/N: master smith > grandmaster smith.]
At present, Dawn City had a total of seventy-eight blacksmiths. Most of them were low-level blacksmiths who forged farming tools for the farmers, and only about a dozen were intermediate blacksmiths capable of forging weapons independently.
As for advanced blacksmiths, there was only Golddig, who possessed half-dwarven blood. There were no master blacksmiths above the advanced level, and as for grandmaster level blacksmiths, there was only the dwarf who had just arrived at Dawn City, Valen Brutehammer.
The blacksmith ranks were divided into: low-level, intermediate, advanced, master level, grandmaster level, and legendary level.
Blacksmithing was classified as a life-class profession and did not conflict with combat professions; anyone could transfer to it if they wished.
However, reaching master level or even grandmaster level required sufficient talent. These life-class professions, though easy to enter, demanded even more effort than combat professions to advance to higher levels.
At first, Valen was unwilling to forge armor for him, especially after seeing the massive frames of Kosso and Castro.
Who knew how long it would take him to finish forging for such giants?
Naturally, Li De couldn’t let go of this grandmaster level labor force. He made a promise not to harm the young dwarven prince Anakin, and in return, under the dwarf's resentful gaze, obtained his agreement to forge armor for Kosso and Castro.
Of course, if the forging was left solely to Valen, even with his grandmaster level skills, it might take half a year to complete the armor for these two behemoths.
Li De didn’t have that kind of leisure, nor did he want to continue tormenting the stubborn dwarf. With a wave of his hand, he allowed full access to Dawn City’s blacksmithing resources.
He only wanted Valen to forge the strongest armor in the shortest time possible.
The Mithril Vein could be discovered at any moment, and there were tens of thousands of Beastmen entrenched there.
He needed to rapidly enhance his combat power, and Kosso and Castro were undoubtedly the best options at this stage. These hulking giants had overwhelming advantages when dealing with ground forces that few other creatures could match.
Furthermore, to improve efficiency in the future, Li De also promised that if Valen’s armor satisfied him, Valen could choose a residence within Dawn City.
Additionally, he would no longer be forced to complete fixed daily tasks and could even receive half a barrel of fine wine each week.
After more than half a month of forging at least sixteen Sun-hours worth of weapons each day just to earn food, Valen had finally developed a rare sense of weariness toward blacksmithing.
Now, hearing Li De’s offer immediately reignited his enthusiasm, especially the reward of half a barrel of fine wine per week, which made him cheer with joy.
Dwarves and fine wine were inseparable; their love for wine rivaled their passion for forging weapons and mining.
No dwarf could resist fine wine. None.
Li De simply smiled at this. Such was human nature. His previous exploitation of Valen had been absolutely ruthless, to the point that the dwarf felt suffocated.
Now, by taking a step back, reducing Valen’s work time from sixteen to twelve sun-hours, providing ample food, and even allowing one day of rest each week, his ‘generous and lenient’ policy, compared to before, immediately made Valen relax. His resistance visibly diminished.
In his relaxation, Valen didn’t seem to realize that he was still working for Li De just as before; the only difference was that the work was now a bit more comfortable.
This was the essence of how those in power controlled those beneath them.
Or perhaps, even if Valen noticed, he had no choice but to fall into this pattern, because the initiative always lay in the hands of the superior. The subordinate could only passively accept.
---
"Lord Kachar, this alchemy formula was something I obtained years ago while adventuring in the Underground World from the Dark Elves.
The Dark Elves are kin to the Elves. They prefer to fight wearing light armor, yet despite its thinness, their armor can withstand heavy crossbow bolts and has extremely strong defensive capabilities.
The alchemy formula I possess is the one they use to create this metal. I have named this metal, found only among the Dark Elves, Shadow Metal."
After taking over the blacksmith workshop, Valen immediately began his grand forging endeavor, but he became stuck when it came to deciding which type of steel to use for the armor.
Previously, Golddig had developed a type of reinforced steel that was three times harder than ordinary steel. It was currently the highest-grade metal available in Dawn City.
Originally, Li De intended to use this new reinforced steel for Kosso and Castro's armor.
However, Valen objected to this. Although reinforced steel had strong defensive properties, it was simply too heavy.
Its density was twice that of ordinary steel, and armor forged for Kosso’s size could easily weigh over ten tons.
Even Kosso, with his Ancient Giant bloodline, would become sluggish while wearing such armor.
Valen firmly disagreed. For a perfectionist dwarf, this would be an insult to his title as a grandmaster blacksmith. Because of this, he presented a precious alchemy formula.
"Dark Elves?" Li De stood beside the forging furnace, somewhat surprised as he looked across at Valen, who was holding a heavy hammer while sparks flew intermittently in the background.
Dark Elves were closely related to Elves. In ancient times, when the Elves still ruled the Glory Main Plane, Dark Elves lived together with the Elves in the ancient forests.
When the Age of Alchemy rose and the Elves declined, the Dark Elves parted ways with them and descended into the Underground World to survive.
Unlike the Elves, the Dark Elves underwent tremendous changes over the course of tens of millions of years.
Living underground, they were heavily influenced by the dark creatures of the Underground World, gradually losing the abilities they once relied on for survival on the surface, eventually becoming dark beings entirely.
They were sinister, cunning, and bloodthirsty.
However, after becoming dark beings, these superior beings who still carried Elven blood did not weaken; instead, they earned great renown in the Underground World.
That was why Li De was so surprised by Valen’s words. To have acquired such a precious alchemy formula from the powerful Dark Elves was no simple matter.
"That’s right, Lord Kachar. The Dark Elves inherited precious knowledge from the Elves. Their slender bodies required light armor to maintain agility in battle.
But light armor alone could not provide sufficient defense.
Under such circumstances, the powerful Dark Elves devoted tremendous effort to developing this metal, which is both lightweight and extremely durable.
The defensive strength of Shadow Metal is at least twice that of the reinforced steel developed by Golddig, but at the same volume, it only weighs half as much as ordinary steel."
Upon hearing this, Li De's eyes lit up.
If Valen was telling the truth, what did this mean?
It meant that Kosso and Castro could wear even thicker armor, gain even stronger defense, and truly become iron behemoths.
"And that’s not all," Valen continued, clearly more enthusiastic as he spoke of forging armor, showing off before Li De with no small amount of pride. "I also know of an alchemical array. If inscribed inside the armor using Mithril, it will grant the armor extremely high magic resistance."
"By then, combined with the unique durability of the Dark Elf metal, even a direct hit from a human Dragon Slayer Ballista wouldn’t injure them. Armored Cyclops would become invincible existences!"
Li De’s heart was moved. He quickly pressed further.
"How can this metal be produced?"
Hearing Li De’s question, a peculiar glint flashed through Valen’s eyes.
"Lord Kachar, this treasure was obtained at the cost of my life in the Underground World."
Li De waved his hand and spoke bluntly.
"What do you want?"
Since the other party had thrown out such a tempting offer, he didn’t believe Valen truly sought nothing in return.
By the fire-spewing furnace, the scorching heat made the surrounding air blisteringly hot. The red glow reflected off the side of the dwarf’s face, covered in black beard, as his black eyes stared fixedly at Li De.
"Lord Kachar, if one day you discover the Dwarven Clan, I hope you will spare my people."
Oh?
Li De raised an eyebrow. He had expected Valen to request the release of a single dwarf or negotiate for their eventual freedom after some time, but he hadn’t expected this grandmaster blacksmith to say such a thing.
"Lord Valen, why do you believe I will discover the Dwarven Clan?" Li De asked with a playful glint in his eyes. "I think you must have great confidence in the dwarves."
In truth, Li De greatly underestimated the intimidation he held over Valen.