Chapter 50: My Assistant

As Silas’s voice faded, Vespera responded with hostility. "Keep him here? Silas, are you trying to steal my assistant?"

"Who wants your assistant? I am keeping the ancestral artifact!" Silas retorted with unusual firmness.

Even if this matter went to the Sect Master, Silas was in the right...

Besides, Vespera’s concerns were not entirely unfounded. If an Armory Peak disciple gained the Crucible’s recognition, they would undoubtedly become the next Peak Lord.

"Elder Silas, you don’t plan to keep me here forging weapons, do you?" Theo vaguely sensed the underlying intention.

That wouldn’t do.

If he stayed here every day, how could he continue to invest in Liana?

"If Theo stays, the Armory Peak will cover all your laboratory expenses from now on."

The next moment, Silas’s solemn voice rang out. It dripped with temptation. He was prepared to make a hefty investment to keep the Crucible.

"Elder, what are you saying? My mentor is unyielding and principled. How could she abandon her assistant for mere material gains?"

"Right, Elder? ...Elder?"

Theo spoke righteously. He turned to look at Vespera. Her previously fierce demeanor vanished. Her eyes glazed over. She seemed to calculate the carefree life of unlimited funding and resources.

He strongly suspected she could already hear the clinking of silver coins.

Theo fell silent.

It seemed he underestimated his mentor’s poverty and money-grubbing tendencies.

Theo lowered his voice. "Elder, when has the pavilion ever lacked fine food and wine for you? If I stay at the Armory Peak, who will cook for you in the future?"

The Armory Peak’s weapons were in high demand. They made mountains of gold daily.

But it still couldn’t compare to his system’s ability to create wealth out of thin air.

Moreover, he never feared poverty. His investments only made him richer.

"Humph. I am not that kind of person."

Vespera’s beautiful eyes instantly cleared. She nodded seriously.

"Elder, you worry too much. This assistant has modest means."

Theo clasped his hands respectfully toward Silas.

"How much could you possibly have—"

Thud.

Two large chunks of gleaming metal crashed onto the ground.

Instantly, the room’s temperature dropped slightly. It was as if the metals were absorbing the heat.

Silas’s amused expression froze. It was replaced by deep contemplation.

Iron Essence.

One ounce refined from ten thousand pounds of raw ore. A mere trace added to an ordinary weapon could make it slice through hair and cleave steel like mud.

These two chunks? Even with the Armory Peak’s Cold-flame Spring and all its disciples hammering away until their arms gave out, it would take three years to produce this much.

Thud.

Another muffled sound.

A fist-sized chunk of fiery red metal landed on the ground.

Silas completely lost his composure.

Sun-flare Copper.

Found only where volcanic activity coincided with ore veins. The ore tempered by subterranean flames for millennia. Even then, it required a volcanic eruption to bring it to the surface.

The legendary Crimson Edge contained this very material.

And Theo called this modest means?

The old man began pondering the origins of Theo’s inheritance.

Vespera was also deep in thought.

The expert who left this legacy. Were they perhaps a merchant tycoon in their past life? Or maybe a notorious bandit who plundered immeasurable wealth?

"I am no blacksmith. These treasures would be wasted in my hands."

"Elder Silas, you are the province’s most renowned artisan. Only you can bring out their full potential."

Theo knew how to sweet-talk an old man.

Silas fell silent.

After a long pause, he sighed.

"Vespera, your assistant has better manners than you. At least I don’t have to worry about him wielding the origin artifact for evil."

Vespera raised an eyebrow. "?"

Ignoring her, Silas turned back and spoke gravely.

"Theo. If you can fulfill three conditions, I will gladly step aside."

"Elder, please name them."

Theo was all ears.

"First. If the Armory Peak ever forges a mystic artifact and requires the Crucible of Genesis, you, as its master, must assist."

"Second. Until your strength is sufficient, do not flaunt the artifact. Aside from me and your mentor, no outsiders should know of it."

"Third. Do not stain the founder’s legacy with unjust blood."

He emphasized the last condition.

"Only fair."

Theo agreed without hesitation.

The terms were far more lenient than he expected. Even if Silas hadn’t mentioned them, he would have done so anyway.

"Good. You may go."

Silas waved tiredly.

"The old man is being unusually agreeable today." Vespera raised an eyebrow, unaccustomed to this.

Theo bowed to Silas and tugged his mentor toward the exit.

Best not to push their luck after getting such a deal.

Watching the duo leave, Silas murmured to himself.

"The origin artifact found its master after all. And it ended up on the Ninth Peak."

"Vespera didn’t get it. Her assistant did instead."

"How unpredictable fate can be..."