Chapter 8, The Stranger Knight

"Archer?" Reis inquired

I do not have the money to forge a sword; this sword was taken by me...

This, uh... Greg suddenly chuckled awkwardly, "This is Miss Sally, Sally..."

Do not be overly confident, young man. I assure you that Grant is the most wicked and terrifying person you will ever encounter. Now, all the knights are searching for him, and those who have discovered his whereabouts... without exception, have been killed by him. He is like a dreadful curse, drifting above the plains of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

"Let me see your hand," said the blacksmith. Reis did not understand his meaning, but extended his palm. The blacksmith laid Reis's hand in his own palm, examined it closely, and nodded.

I have said before that I never create weapons

Just say whether you will do it or not!

"Where are you going?" Reyes asked

How wonderful it would be if life could always be like this, how wonderful...

sacred

"Shameless..." said Reis, drawing his longsword.

***

This is strength, not divine might, it is the power of a knight that emanates from within

"Where did I put your bow...? Oh no..." As he spoke, Greg was running around like a headless chicken, searching for the bow, nearly bumping his head against the door frame.

Reis smiled, disregarding Greg, mounted his horse, and left the cabin alone, strolling outward. Gradually, the sounds faded, and the forest returned to tranquility

"Where is my bow?" Sally asked. "Didn’t you promise to give it to me today?"

Reis recalled the verses of an unknown bard, reciting them softly, a smile appearing on his face

In the morning mist, the knight seemed unable to discern his direction, his horse restlessly circling around, the sound of its hooves breaking the tranquility of the morning. The knight was clad in a robe of pure black, without a trace of impurity, heavy and textured, flowing like liquid mercury. Reis knew that this pure black fabric was extremely precious, reserved for only a select few of the highest nobility, and could not even be purchased with money. If he were not the leader of a prominent knightly guild, he must be a wealthy merchant of considerable standing. However, Reis recognized that he was a knight. His posture was noble, head held high, his back always straight, his body as solemn as a statue, exuding a calm and elegant demeanor as he glanced around, evoking an inexplicable sense of admiration in those who beheld him

However, this person gave Reis a completely different impression. Every gesture and movement he made was imbued with meaning and substance, leaving a strong impact of personality on Reis. Each of his seemingly casual actions appeared to symbolize something, and Reis felt that the symbol was:

The knight saw Reis and slowly approached him, his demeanor calm yet not arrogant, elegant yet not reserved

The blacksmith laughed and said, "Do you think this is divine power? No... How could poor wretches like us receive the blessings of the gods? This is a special ore, found right in this cave. I have fused it with iron; this ore is extremely rare..."

"Go to hell, you bastard!" The knight was enraged and drew his sword

"Greg, wait a moment..." Reis asked with a half-smile, "What exactly is going on with that Sally?"

For an ordinary person, hearing the term "Divine Might" would likely cause an immediate reaction of excitement. Divine Might is the supreme treasure that everyone in this world yearns for; for the sake of Divine Might, one could sell everything, even their soul. For an ordinary person, possessing Divine Might symbolizes status and identity, guaranteeing wealth and prosperity. However, Reis merely smiled disdainfully and said, "Divine Might? I am not worthy of such a thing. While obtaining Divine Might is certainly a cause for joy, it also turns one into a coward; Divine Might is a chain that binds the soul. The fear of losing Divine Might is akin to a turtle's fear of losing its shell. What meaning does such a life hold?" Reis recalled the arrogant knight Marif.

Reis softly murmured, "When this matter is resolved, you can come find me... I hope you will come... The strength of the knight also needs someone to inherit it..."

Reis let out a bitter smile, thinking to himself that this blacksmith was indeed strange, showing no concern for his own injuries, but rather an interest in his sword

Reston paused for a moment and said quietly, "I have never seen a blacksmith like you."

There is no poverty, no discrimination, no class, no ...? ... Why does God never consider these ...? Why does God not create a perfect world, why does God allow people to suffer ... ...

I understand, please wait a moment..." Saying this, he picked up a piece of iron ingot and began forging it on the furnace. Before long, the iron ingot glowed red, and bright sparks flew out with each strike of the hammer. The blacksmith was busy, sweat continuously sliding down his forehead, his muscles bulging. Gradually, a beautifully crafted sword hilt emerged. Finally, the blacksmith welded the hilt to the blade, and after it cooled, he picked up the long sword, admiring it with a satisfied smile. The blacksmith was busy, sweat continuously sliding down his forehead, his muscles bulging. Gradually, a beautifully crafted sword hilt emerged. Finally, the blacksmith welded the hilt to the blade, and after it cooled, he picked up the long sword, admiring it with a satisfied smile.

***

Hey!" Reis shouted loudly, "Can I borrow a place to hide from the rain"

Who are you? This is none of your business, get lost!

"Do not waste words with him," another person shouted, "be straightforward: either forge weapons for us, or we will cut off your arm, rendering you incapable of forging anything!"

"What does it matter if I bully you, what does it matter, what does it matter?" A knight drew his sword, and with each question, he swung down a strike, swift and precise. In succession, he delivered three strikes, and Reis evaded all three.

This is a placeholder text.

It is too heavy, it is too heavy

Which Sally? Greg scratched his head, his face still a bit flushed, unable to feign calmness.

It should be said that Greg is a rare blacksmith. An unsightly iron ingot, once shaped by his skilled hands, instantly transforms into a beautiful object. Although Greg appears somewhat dull and is not particularly intelligent, with average abilities in other areas, he possesses a natural talent for blacksmithing. The blacksmithing techniques that are difficult for others to master come easily to him; he learns them quickly and excels in no time. He can even forge peculiar items that others cannot create, making him a true genius in the art of blacksmithing. It is for this reason that Reis and Greg became acquainted.

Sally took her bow. Only Greg and Reyes remained in the room. Reyes said nothing, merely watching Greg until Greg felt completely uncomfortable.

Reis's gaze dimmed as he returned the sword to the blacksmith, saying: "I... have no money..."

"I still need to go back to get my things," Greg jumped up as if trying to escape Ray's gaze. "I have to sleep over at your place tonight, so I need to go get my blanket..."

"Indeed, I do not forge weapons of slaughter," said the blacksmith. "This is a sword, not a weapon of slaughter, for the owner of the sword is different."

The Power of the Knight

Greg could only chuckle foolishly, unable to utter a word

Who exactly are you

Not bad... The blacksmith admired his masterpiece, chuckling to himself like an innocent child

What do you mean by haggling? I have plenty of money; just name your price

This sword is somewhat peculiar... Could it be... where did you find the divine might?

The peaceful life that Reis yearned for was destined never to arrive; he was fated to be caught in a dark and dangerous vortex. Life is often beyond individual control, and even a small opportunity can completely change everything. For Reis, the turning point in his life began at this moment, even though he was not yet prepared. At this time, he saw a knight.

I am leaving, goodbye," said Reis as he turned around

Reis was taken aback and said, "But... when those knights threatened you just now, didn't you say you wouldn't forge any weapons?"

The rain had been falling for a long time. The sound of the pounding also persisted for a long time. For some reason, Reis suddenly felt a sense of tranquility, as if the entire world had been isolated by the heavy rain. On this side of the world, there was only him and the lonely blacksmith. Although no one spoke, an unspoken understanding arose; the blacksmith did not ask where he came from, and he did not disturb the blacksmith's work. After all, they were merely strangers meeting by chance, and soon they would each go their separate ways.

Reis held the longsword, the grip fitting his hand perfectly, as if it were a part of his body. The longsword was extremely light, neither too heavy nor too light, making it feel as natural as swinging his own arm. Reis was secretly astonished; that blacksmith, with just a glance at his hand, was able to forge such a well-suited longsword—truly a genius

"Indeed... there are very few pure knights left in this world," Uralat said with some emotion. "A knight is not merely a combination of combat skills and magical elements; rather... a true knight seeks only pure power, a power untainted by pollution or evil thoughts, and that kind of power is the true brilliance that overwhelms all." As he spoke, he drew his sword, which shimmered with a faint white light, as dazzling as the soft radiance emitted by the Supreme God Melania.

The blacksmith spat forcefully at his face, and the knight was unable to evade it, striking him squarely on the visage

Indeed..." the knight sighed, somewhat helplessly, "but I must find him."

"You are the real robber!" One person kicked the blacksmith, "Otherwise, why would you hide here? We are the honorable knights of the Ticurian Knights Guild, and it is your fortune to forge weapons for us. Get up quickly and get to work!"

Reis drew a bow from behind. "Is this it?"

He... killed... the... god..." The knight said word by word, gritting his teeth

"Who is he?" Reis asked curiously

Sally revealed a joyful smile, reached out to take it, weighed it in her hand, and exclaimed: "What a fine bow!"

"No, this sword is too heavy. Just by the way you wield it, I can tell that it is very unwieldy. Who forged this sword for you?"

"It is ... ... is ... ... archer ... ..." Greg mumbled incoherently

"This is how swords are." Reis reached out, wanting to retrieve the longsword. However, the blacksmith did not return it to him

My name is Wulate, and if there is any news, please find me in Tikuria

"Your clothes are all wet, you should change them," he said, taking out an old long robe. "It is a bit worn, but very clean. I believe it should fit you."

"Try this," he said, placing the sword into Reis's hand

Ulatar gazed at Reis as if studying a peculiar object. He was not angry; instead, he nodded and said, "I did not expect that in the Knights' Guild of Omari, there is not a single person worthy of my respect, yet in the woods of the Afrasian wilderness, there is a down-and-out warrior who earns my respect. You are an extraordinary person, and I would like to know your name"

I am merely a faithful servant of the gods... Uralat said, slowly departing and disappearing into the mist. Reis was unaware that this Uralat was the mysterious figure who had caused a commotion at the Omari Knights' Guild.

One day, Reis happened to pass by the cave again. Out of curiosity, he wondered if the blacksmith was still there, so he rode over to take a look. Just as he tied his horse outside the cave, he heard a commotion coming from within.

From then on, the two became friends. Perhaps Reis was not accustomed to the relationship of friendship, so Greg half-jokingly referred to Rei and Tush as his mercenaries. Reis also liked this title, as the term "mercenary" did not touch his soft heart like the word "friend" would.

That day, Reis left the cave without even saying a word of thanks; he had long since become unaccustomed to such expressions. In the arid plains of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, coldness was the only way to survive. However, many days passed, and Reis found it strange that the unfamiliar blacksmith frequently appeared in his mind.

"Robbers!" the blacksmith said in a low voice, revealing an angry gaze, showing no fear at all, and glaring at those few people

So it is... Greg held the hilt of the sword, glanced at it, and said, "The divine power is indeed formidable. I thought there was nothing that could destroy this blade. It is truly unfair... All human efforts pale in comparison to a small miracle from the divine. What use are we, then? Everyone might as well just wait for the divine to provide." Greg mumbled as he tossed the hilt into the corner.

"Looking for someone? In the vast plains of Asia, Africa, and Latin America?" Reis felt a slight sense of curiosity; the plains were so expansive that any individual blending into them would vanish without a trace, much like a drop of water dissolving into the ocean

Reis strode into the cave. Inside the cave, three men were surrounding the blacksmith, their backs turned to Reis, each holding a weapon pointed at the blacksmith. The blacksmith was half-sitting on the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth

Reis was taken aback, momentarily stunned and unable to speak. The knight quickly regained his composure, closed his eyes as if fearing that his gaze might betray his thoughts, and then slowly opened them again

How is it? Are we just leaving like this

Reis held the garment, perhaps due to the warmth from the stove, the fabric was very warm, penetrating right through to the palm of his hand

Reis was captivated for the first time as he witnessed the miracles displayed by the knight, the miracles of humanity

Reis furrowed his brow slightly; he had not brought any money. In the arid lands of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, everything comes at a cost, which is quite normal, as life is harsh and realistic. "What do you want?" Reis asked, having made up his mind to forgo the payment for shelter from the rain.

It seems you are living in impatience ... A dull thud sounded, as if something had fallen to the ground, followed by the blacksmith's painful groans.

Reis knew that he was a true knight

"I have never seen a robber like you before," said the blacksmith. "My name is Greg, and what is yours?"

"Please wait a moment," the blacksmith said, and then he dove deeper into the hole. After a short while, he reappeared in front of Reis.

"Look, fellows," the knight said with a face full of disdain, mocking, "Who dares to swing a sword at a knight? Truly, they must be tired of living."

"Bullying a blacksmith," Reis mocked, "Is this all the knight is capable of?"

Reis's injury is not very serious; he just needs to rest for a while and does not even require the help of a therapist. The only regret is that the sword has broken, but Greg seems to be quite unconcerned about it

"Who are you?" Reis asked, scrutinizing the woman.

Do not play dumb, didn't you say you wouldn't create weapons? Why are you making a bow again

What?" Reis was somewhat at a loss.

Not building is simply not building

I gaze into the distance, yet my heart only wishes to sing, for this is a life of freedom

Reis came to his senses and said, "I am not interested"

It was just another ordinary day. The sky outside was very blue, and the view could almost extend beyond the thickets to the distant mountains. The wind swept across the horizon, stirring some withered leaves that lazily floated by. In the morning, tranquility reigned over the land, and Reis strolled leisurely; this was his favorite moment. Reis often found it strange that the Afrasian plains had a sinister side: dry riverbeds, desolate land, raging storms, and beasts lurking in the wilderness. However, at an unexpected moment, Afrasia would secretly reveal a corner of its peaceful beauty, like a shy woman gently lifting her veil, stirring the heart. Reis closed his eyes and took a deep breath, instantly filling his chest with a refreshing fragrance

At that moment, the blacksmith finally raised his head, glanced at Reis, and displayed a look of astonishment

"Actually, it's nothing..." Greg said with difficulty, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "I only saw her occasionally, and at that time I didn't really pay attention to her person; I just noticed the bow on her back, which was taller than her head. So, I couldn't help but say, 'It's too long...'"

"Let me see your sword," the blacksmith said as he stood up and extended his hand. Reis hesitated for a moment, then drew his longsword and handed it to the blacksmith. The blacksmith examined it, shaking his head.

I am not quite sure either," the knight murmured, appearing somewhat perplexed, "In fact, I am looking for someone.

At last, the storm grew weary of its rampage and gradually subsided. Reis extended his hand and felt that the raindrops in his palm had diminished.

whenever the morning fog has not yet dissipated, the sun has not yet risen, and the road beneath my feet is a blur of confusion

Reese remained silent, glancing at Greg and then at Sally. Greg's face turned red, and he appeared flustered, as if he had committed some wrongdoing

Urat stared at Reis for a while and said, "I will reward you; do you want divine power?"

"Yes, yes, it doesn't matter..." Greg seemed as if someone had exposed his innermost thoughts, not knowing where to place his hands.

Suddenly, the knight's face contorted, and a fierce expression spread across his once handsome features. Reis's horse instinctively took a step back, whinnying uneasily.

The blacksmith did not accept it and said, "I do not want your money; this is yours."

"All the knights are looking for him?" Reis asked, clearly unaware of what had happened. "What trouble has this Grant gotten into?"

Stop!" Reis could no longer bear it and exclaimed. The knights turned around in unison, displaying expressions of surprise, which were soon replaced by arrogance.

Grant

Reis, Reis Doma

Before he could say it a second time, the last knight abandoned his companions and fled the cave in a tumble, disappearing in an instant.

"Teach him a lesson!" As they spoke, three knights rushed over together, surrounding Reis in the middle, revealing their rogue nature

It was a rainy day, with strong winds blowing and a chill in the air. Reis hurriedly urged his horse forward, running through the rain, and soon found himself completely soaked, his damp clothes clinging to his skin, making him very uncomfortable. At that moment, he spotted a cave and quickly took refuge inside to escape the rain. Upon entering the cave, he immediately felt a wave of warmth; a large stove was roaring with flames, and on it rested a glowing red object, with sparks flying out continuously. Reis was taken aback, realizing that someone was there.

Someone responded with a sound and walked out from the depths of the cave, bare-chested, revealing well-defined muscles. Upon seeing Reis, he smiled and said, "It's alright, please make yourself at home." As he spoke, he nodded to Reis and turned to tend to the items on the stove. Reis, with his back to him, looked at the heavy rain outside; it was pouring, a vast expanse of white, and the cave entrance had formed a curtain of water. After that, neither of them spoke again. Reis could only hear the continuous clanging and heavy pounding sounds coming from within, with waves of heat wafting outward. Reis, with his back to him, looked at the heavy rain outside; it was pouring, a vast expanse of white, and the cave entrance had formed a curtain of water. After that, neither of them spoke again. Reis could only hear the continuous clanging and heavy pounding sounds coming from within, with waves of heat wafting outward.

Reis's sword was faster, thrusting swiftly, creating a powerful gust of wind. In front of him, a knight crossed his sword in defense, attempting to parry Reis's strike. With a loud clang, the sword flew into the air, piercing the cave wall halfway. Reis's sword did not falter; with a thrust, it pierced the knight's chest. The knight fell. Two more knights lunged forward, attacking from both sides, their long swords glinting as they aimed to strike. Reis blocked the sword from the left, using the momentum to unbalance the left knight, who stumbled and fell to the right. The knight on the right hurriedly retracted his sword, nearly stabbing his comrade. Seizing the opportunity, Reis delivered a punch with his left hand, striking the knight's face. The knight cried out in pain, clutching his nose as he fell to the ground. Another knight appeared momentarily dazed, frozen in place, unable to swing his sword, his face filled with terror. Seizing the opportunity, Reis delivered a punch with his left hand, striking the knight's face. The knight cried out in pain, clutching his nose as he fell to the ground. Another knight appeared momentarily dazed, frozen in place, unable to swing his sword, his face filled with terror.

"What is the point of this?" a person said in a sarcastic tone, "We know your skills are commendable and have come here seeking you. Entering the wilderness of Asia, Africa, and Latin America is no easy task. Do not let us down; my brother has a bad temper"

No wonder..." The blacksmith smiled, "In fact, swords are not all the same, just like people's clothing; they must fit well to unleash greater power, otherwise they are no different from scrap metal... Wait a moment..." Saying this, the blacksmith returned the sword to Reis and walked straight into the cave. After a while, he reappeared in front of Reis, holding another sword. This sword appeared thin, narrower than an ordinary sword, yet it emanated a faint white light, lacking only a hilt.

Reis fell silent, the residual warmth from the sword hilt radiating through, feeling so comforting. For some reason, Reis felt a lump in his throat, fearing that speaking would lead to a loss of composure. He swung the sword, growing more fond of it; as he danced, the blade began to emit a white glow, fluctuating in intensity, moving with his will. Suddenly, Reis came to a halt

Reis furrowed his brow, lifted his feet, and kicked the two injured knights out together. He sheathed his longsword and turned to look at the blacksmith's injuries

"Come on, tell me, I am very curious. How does a straightforward person like you, who only has eyes for iron, approach such a beautiful woman?"

The knight observed Reis's expression and, seeing that he showed no reaction, felt a slight disappointment. Thus, the knight turned and slowly walked away, looking back to say: "If you encounter him, be sure to evade quickly and absolutely do not engage him in combat. If you are fortunate enough to escape... please come find me"

I seem to be lost he said, his voice clear and pleasant

Aren't you going to get lost?" Reis raised the sword in his hand once again

What is a knight? What constitutes a true knight? Reis believed that true knights had long since vanished from the world. Those so-called knights are merely cowards and scoundrels clad in beautiful armor, donning imposing helmets, and wielding shining swords. The so-called knight guilds can be easily joined with a bit of money or simply by being a relative of some powerful figure. These so-called knights have long forgotten the true essence of knighthood, neglecting the arduous and solitary path of training that knights once undertook. In pursuit of quick and practical skills, modern knights have taken to learning simple killing techniques and laughable elemental magic, resulting in a vulgar mishmash. Knights measure their worth by combat prowess, entirely forgetting the true spirit of knighthood. Reis looks down upon these knights; they possess only the appearance of knights but lack the knightly spirit. Observing them is akin to watching a ridiculous puppet, all molded from the same template. This is why there are so many knights in the world, yet not a single true knight exists.

Reis smiled faintly. The knight understood the meaning of his smile

"It is too heavy." The blacksmith unexpectedly uttered such a statement.

"Don't smile so frighteningly, Greg," Sally impatiently pushed aside Greg's massive frame, "I have nothing to do with you"

"I cannot forge another sword like that for you right now, Reis. For the time being, take this ordinary iron sword," Greg said, placing a piece of iron ingot back onto the forge. "And your armor is also in tatters, what a hassle..." As he spoke, Greg resumed swinging the hammer. Amidst Greg's complaints, rhythmic striking sounds echoed, and soon sparks flew, creating a beautiful display of fire.

Reis could not help but laugh, feeling a wave of warmth in his heart. Greg truly lived up to his reputation as a blacksmith