Chapter 156: Alek the Genius Blacksmith

Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Alek the Genius Blacksmith

Selena watched Vili nervously, awaiting his final judgment.

Vili, in turn, was studying Selena.

Though she was trouble, she was also a medium through which he could communicate with the depths of the ocean.

The ocean was far more vast and resource-rich than the land, but Vili had found it difficult to effectively utilize those resources.

But now, an Extraordinary Being from the depths of the sea had suddenly appeared, presenting Vili with an opportunity to make contact with the ocean.

Although Selena’s identity was sensitive, if he played his cards right, she could provide him with a massive amount of resources in the future.

As for her pursuers, they wouldn’t be able to sense her presence in White Bear Town once the Power of Justice had suppressed her Power of Evil Origin.

At this thought, Vili made his decision.

"I can take you in for now."

Ultimately, Vili made his decision.

In the end, the allure of the ocean had been enough for Vili to decide to keep the Sea Elf.

Of course, this didn’t mean Vili had completely let his guard down around Selena.

He had to continuously use the Power of Justice to suppress Selena’s Power of Evil Origin. Otherwise, if Selena were to have a change of heart, she would become a ticking time bomb.

Vili decided he would only grant Selena her freedom once he had advanced to a Two-Engraving Hanged Man and could use the Seal of Justice.

Besides, with the greater power that came with that advancement, Vili could also begin exploring the ocean more deeply, even initiating contact with the Deep Sea Races.

"Really?"

A look of disbelieving joy appeared on Selena’s face.

She hadn’t expected Vili to agree to a request that seemed to offer him nothing in return.

"Of course. Hanged Men always keep their word."

Vili said offhandedly, making it up as he went.

’That might be true for other Hanged Men, but not for him.’

"Thank you, Sir Hanged Man."

Selena clasped her hands to her chest and gave Vili a heartfelt bow.

’At least for now, I don’t have to worry about being captured and forced into marriage.’

...

After deciding to take Selena in, Vili made arrangements for her.

The first thing he did was restrain Selena’s Power of Evil Origin by infusing her body with his Power of Justice.

Vili calculated that a single application of his Power of Justice could suppress hers for half a month.

This meant that as long as he reinforced his Power of Justice every two weeks, Selena would be no more than an ordinary Mermaid, completely unable to break free from his control.

Next, Vili arranged new living quarters for Selena.

As a Sea Elf, she couldn’t be returned to the sea just yet, but she couldn’t stay in his bathroom forever either. So, Vili simply tossed her into the man-made lake behind his manor.

This would both ensure she had a suitable living environment and prevent her from being discovered.

With that all taken care of, the matter of the visitor from the deep sea was settled for the time being.

All Vili had to do now was train hard. Once his power increased, he could begin his deep exploration of the ocean.

...

A month passed quickly.

Spring had given way to early summer, and a touch of sweltering heat already hung in the air.

Vili was currently inspecting the Military Equipment Manufacturing Bureau, accompanied by Sandoor.

The Military Equipment Manufacturing Bureau, part of the Town Hall, was managed by Sandoor.

In this era, assembly-line manufacturing had not yet been invented. The forging of Armor and weapons relied mostly on a number of skilled blacksmiths.

"Lord Baron, Sir Sandoor."

A heavyset man led Vili and Sandoor on their inspection of the diligently working blacksmiths.

He was Flana, the man in charge of the Military Equipment Manufacturing Bureau.

"Quite good," Vili praised aloud.

These blacksmiths were holdovers from the Blue Whale Town era, all of them highly skilled armorers.

In addition to forging new Armor and weapons, they also repaired damaged pieces. In an era of scarce resources, anything that wasn’t broken beyond repair was mended and reused.

"By the way, where is Alek now?" Vili asked.

When Laudon and his son arrived in White Bear Town, Vili had assigned them both to the Military Equipment Manufacturing Bureau.

Vili had appointed Laudon as a foreman, with the daily task of inspecting the quality of the equipment.

Meanwhile, Vili had arranged for Alek to be taken on as a student by one of the Bureau’s veteran blacksmiths to learn the art of forging.

"Alek? He’s in a private forge," Flana replied respectfully.

He was well aware of how highly the Lord Baron regarded the seven-year-old boy.

And as it turned out, Baron Vili’s eye for talent had been correct.

Just one month into his apprenticeship, Alek could already forge equipment on par with that of an average, experienced blacksmith.

Now, after nearly three months, he had essentially mastered all the skills of his teacher, the veteran blacksmith.

If not for his youth and limited stamina, he could already be considered the best blacksmith in the entire Military Equipment Manufacturing Bureau.

"Take me to see him," Vili ordered.

Flana led Vili and Sandoor to the front of a forge.

The forge door was open, allowing Vili and Sandoor to stand at a distance and watch Alek, who was completely absorbed in forging an iron tool.

Alek’s clothes were soaked with sweat, and his face was flushed red from the heat of the furnace.

Yet his movements never faltered. Even as sweat streamed down his cheeks, Alek didn’t wipe it away, as if he had entered a trance-like state of focus.

"This kid is terrifying."

Sandoor marveled, now understanding why the Lord Baron thought so highly of Alek.

"Perhaps one day, this child will become a master smith like Master Bulnan," Sandoor added admiringly.

Bulnan was renowned as the foremost master smith in all of Dawei Province.

The weapons he forged were not only exquisitely crafted and incredibly durable, but also perfectly ergonomic. They could be considered works of art.

Many nobles considered it a great honor to own a longsword forged by Master Bulnan.

"He really is an incredible kid..."

Vili nodded, his eyes filled with admiration.

In truth, back when Laudon had been a wanderer in Fandou Village, the main reason Vili had taken in the father and son was Alek.

From the first moment their eyes met, Vili had sensed that Alek was no ordinary child.

He had never before seen such a gaze, one that was calm to the very depths of the soul.

"Lord Baron?"

Alek had just finished his forging and was about to cool the iron tool when he happened to glance outside the forge and spot Vili.

He calmly set down his tools, walked out of the forge, and bowed deeply to Vili. "Greetings, Lord Baron."