Chapter 182: Taking the Blade
Ashman looked at the furious Freddy, feeling a great deal of sympathy for him.
When he had first heard that the Secret Realm in the Scorching Wind Territory contained a rare resource like Meteorite Iron, he had been both envious and jealous.
But no one could have imagined that they would have to give away a piece of such a huge prize.
It wasn’t just Freddy; even His Highness Crown Prince Howard had cursed angrily after seeing the Pruck Kingdom’s demands for compensation.
Although it was Freddy and his men who had been on the receiving end of the scolding.
"I completely understand how you feel, but now that things have reached this point, how to handle it is no longer a problem you can decide on your own."
Freddy’s eyes widened. He asked in disbelief, "Is His Highness really planning to agree?"
Ashman said matter-of-factly, "Concessions are a certainty. As for how much we’ll concede, that still needs to be negotiated with those people."
"Why has it come to this?"
Freddy didn’t understand. "If the Pruck Kingdom really wants to start a war, then we’ll just fight them!"
"I don’t believe that with the Akutas Kingdom’s strength, we have anything to fear from them!"
Ashman sharply retorted, "I think you’ve been living in the Starfall Islands for so long that you’ve forgotten the Kingdom’s surrounding situation."
He said in a low voice, "We might not be afraid of the Pruck Kingdom alone, but what if you add the Fidun Kingdom, the Asando Kingdom, and even the Kasa Kingdom?"
"Would they really dare to invade us?"
"Heh, when you’re being besieged, who wouldn’t want to take a bite out of you? Do you really think the Akutas Kingdom is stronger than the other four nations combined?"
Freddy suppressed the rage in his heart and forced himself to calm down. "So, what is your purpose in coming here this time?"
Ashman replied, "I will represent His Highness the Regent King and travel with you to the Silent Shore to negotiate with the Pruck Kingdom’s Nobility and quell this storm."
Freddy fell silent.
He was furious with his subordinates, but even more so with Duane and the Pruck Kingdom.
But he knew that he alone could not stand against an entire country. His own strength was far from sufficient.
Moreover, his Territory had been impacted by the Secret Realm Demon Beasts and would need several years to recover. During this time, it was not advisable for him to resort to military action.
After a long while, he let out a heavy sigh. "Alright, I understand!"
"The Pruck Kingdom’s army is constantly harassing the border right now. The Fidun Kingdom to the west will surely get wind of this, and there’s no guarantee they won’t use this opportunity to stir up even greater turmoil."
Earl Ashman stood up. "Since you can accept this, gather your subordinates and come up with a plan as soon as possible. We should set off at once!"
Freddy stood up as well. He and Ashman had fought in campaigns together before, so they had a bit of a rapport.
"My apologies. This all happened so suddenly. Please forgive me for not being able to offer any hospitality."
Ashman smiled. "Successfully resolving this headache of a matter would be the best hospitality. You know I don’t enjoy haggling with people."
Compared to Freddy, who was at his wit’s end, Duane’s situation was the complete opposite.
The first Black Forest Island Martial Arts Tournament had officially begun.
Open-air fighting arenas had been set up in Lingang Village, Broken Wave City, and Broken Wave Bay for everyone to watch.
For a time, the people of Black Forest Island were all excitedly discussing the event, guessing who would be weeded out of the Guard Team and who would get the chance to be promoted from the Militia Team.
Duane was very happy to see this, as his once lifeless Territory was now bustling with activity.
To this end, he issued "Holiday Plan 1.0" for the coming new year:
For the first three days of the new year, everyone, even serfs, had the right to rest.
It wasn’t that Duane was soft-hearted. He was doing this simply to cultivate a sense of identity and unity among his people.
After all, in this world, common people had no concept of holidays, nor was there even a word for taking a vacation.
By doing this, Duane was creating a collective memory of a "holiday unique to Black Forest Island."
By celebrating and interacting during the same period, his people would imperceptibly develop a shared consciousness of "we are one."
Furthermore, in the future, when outsiders arrived, his people would naturally develop a comparative mindset of ’it’s more fortunate to live on Black Forest Island’ upon learning that people outside worked year-round without rest.
Although the method of granting holidays seemed to have little value on the surface, it could subtly break down the barriers between different people from all walks of life.
Over time, this would foster the sense of identity and unity Duane was aiming for.
Therefore, he planned to establish a few more holidays for commemorative days in the future.
「Meanwhile, in the forest outside Forest Castle.」
Duane had already designated this place as his personal training ground.
He stood with his Longsword in hand, his Spirit focused as he guided every wisp of Fighting Qi to circulate through his body before gathering it on the blade.
When the Fighting Qi surging on the Sword reached a certain point, he swung it abruptly. The moment the blade cut through the air—
SWOOSH!
Dozens of blue Sword Auras suddenly coalesced and poured out like a torrential downpour.
These Sword Auras followed different trajectories, Tearing through leaves, severing branches, and slicing into tree trunks before finally converging on a single point.
CRACK!
The large tree in front of him was pierced straight through. The immense Tearing force snapped it in two, and it came crashing down.
The Willie of those Sword Auras did not dissipate. After shredding a section of the tree into wood chips, they struck the ground, sending dust and dirt flying.
Three seconds later, the forest grew quiet. A large crater remained at the target location, and the area was a complete mess.
Duane took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.
’I’ve finally reached the Entry level!’
After so many days of practice, his Skill Level in the Sword Rain Storm Combat Techniques had reached Entry.
The reason it had been so slow was mainly because this Combat Technique not only demanded a large amount of Fighting Qi but also consumed a great deal of Spirit.
At full strength, Duane could only use it three times at most.
At a maximum of three uses per day, it had taken him four days of practice just to reach the Entry level.
’Even though it’s only at the Entry level, the Willie of this Sword attack cannot be underestimated.’
Duane sheathed his Longsword.
These past few days, he had focused on the Sword Rain Storm Combat Techniques and Magic Shield. The former had now reached Entry, and the latter had reached the Skilled level.
He had already allocated the 0.3 attribute points he’d gained, and his Strength Attribute had now increased to 39.2.
’This will make the trip to the Hot Spring Mountain Range another ten percent safer.’
「The next morning.」
Duane and Kaelon packed enough dried rations and drinking Water, then mounted their horses and galloped toward the mine.
In the forest near the mine, Duane saw over two thousand meters of mining track that had already been laid.
Although it was still the holiday period, there were quite a few people here, hammering and banging away.
Duane went over to ask and learned that working an extra day meant an extra day’s wages.
That certainly made sense.
As the Lord, Duane couldn’t stop people who were eager to work, so after reminding them to get enough rest, he mounted his horse and left.
Before long, the two of them arrived at the mine.
Duane found the Blacksmith who was now living there. "Yanger, how is the saber I asked you to forge?"
"It’s been ready for a while!"
Yanger excitedly walked into the Blacksmith Shop and, with his apprentice, carried out a heavy saber.
"Baron, as you instructed, this Big Ring Saber weighs a full 300 jin and is suitable for an Earth Tier Warrior."
As Yanger spoke, his gaze fell on Kaelon. "Come on, Kaelon, give it a try."
He had worked from dawn till dusk recently, pouring almost all his energy into this saber, and now he was eager to see the results.
"Give it a try," Duane said.
"Alright!"
Kaelon grinned, set down the Storm Greatsword he was carrying, and picked up the Big Ring Saber.
"A little heavy, but I can manage!"
Kaelon’s arm muscles bulged as he swung the large saber quickly. The heavy sound of it cutting through the air amplified the weapon’s Willie.
He gripped the hilt with both hands and chopped forward.
"Hah!"
The sharp blade cut into the tree in front of him, severing it at the trunk.
Kaelon swung it around for a while longer, only putting the saber down after he was warmed up.
"This saber is excellent to use!"
Kaelon commented, "I feel like even against a Plate Armor Warrior, a strike this heavy could injure their internal organs from the shock!"
Duane nodded.
Weapons like Warhammers were generally used against Plate Armor, though heavy Armor-Piercing Swords and Thickened Battle Sabers could also work.
The reason he had the Big Ring Saber forged wasn’t for piercing armor, but for fighting Demon Beasts in the Hot Spring Mountain Range to raise his Skill Level in Basic Blade Skill.
"How long does it take to forge an ordinary saber?" Duane asked.
Yanger thought for a moment. "Forging a saber is a bit easier than forging a Sword. It would probably take about fifteen days."
"The two hundred standard-issue Longswords from the King will be enough to last a long time. For now, you and the other Blacksmiths should forge thirty sabers as reserves."
"Yes, Baron!"
Duane and Kaelon left their horses at the mining camp. Carrying dried rations and Water on their backs, they walked into the Hot Spring Mountain Range.