Chapter 3: Unexpected Discoveries

We will deliver this month's tax revenue to your residence the day after tomorrow, regarding the financial situation of Twilight Town... I believe you have already seen it.

Hello, guest

This ... ...

Dark Night Steel is a type of magical metal that is exclusively produced in the Dark Night Forest. However, unlike other metals, its value is not solely attributed to its excellent ability to dispel magic. Rather, it is because its origin—the Dark Night Forest—is the capital of the elves. For those fervent nature protectors, the destruction of even a single blade of grass or a tree is intolerable, let alone the act of mining, which feels to the elves like carving into their own flesh. Consequently, many who ventured into the Dark Night Forest to mine for ore have remained there forever. As a significant force on the continent, no one dares to openly invade the Dark Night Forest for mining. This is also why the price of Dark Night Steel is so exorbitant. Years ago, Yulian was merely passing through the Dark Night Forest when he fortuitously stumbled upon a few pieces.

As he spoke, the middle-aged man opened the oilcloth bag

After leaving the blacksmith's shop, You Lian did not immediately return to the castle, as he still had other matters to attend to during this trip

You Lian's voice was gentle, mild, and carried an undeniable firmness

What appeared before them was a pitch-black longsword, its simple scabbard enveloping the blade. From the outside, it seemed unremarkable, but due to a lack of maintenance, the cord on the hilt had become quite loose, and even the guard was covered in rust. You Lian reached out to take the longsword, frowned slightly, and then grasped the hilt, drawing the sword with a swift motion.

Oh?

The instigator's words carried an unknown degree of persuasion, but at least the old mayor before him had fallen into silence, unwilling to say more. It was evident that he regarded Yulian as a deceived and foolish noble. Clearly, the other party did not believe such rumors and was ambitiously attempting to develop this place. But what of it? Since the end war, this castle had seen several lords come and go, each arriving with the same intentions, only to meet their demise.

I have already reviewed the document. All along, you have been paying taxes directly to Qiuka City. However, now that I have acquired this territory, you should be aware of the issues regarding taxation.

... ... ''

Sword

Upon hearing about the library, You Lian let out a helpless sigh. It seems that she was indeed quite naive, thinking that nothing had changed, only to realize that this world is constantly evolving.

I have also heard these terrifying rumors, but after all, they are merely coincidences. In any case, this place is part of the kingdom's sacred and inviolable territory, and it naturally requires someone to manage it. To retreat simply because of such rumors would be an act of cowardice.

Oh?

However, I have already made a decision. Whether anyone is willing to come to my castle to work will only be revealed after the notice is posted. It is not my principle to give up without taking action. To do our best and leave the rest to fate is the attitude that we, as humans, should uphold, is it not

To speak frankly, my lord, many families in our town have worked in that castle, such as Old Marfa, who has been a maid there since her grandmother's time, and Old Benba, who also worked under two previous lords... However, to be honest, whether you believe it or not, those who have owned this castle have indeed died under mysterious circumstances. This strange occurrence has greatly affected us; people now regard that place as a curse from the devil and dare not approach it, not even willing to come close to the castle... Perhaps you are not aware, but the old coachman who took you up the mountain fell seriously ill after coming down that day and has not fully recovered yet... Perhaps you are not aware, but the old coachman who took you up the mountain fell seriously ill after coming down that day and has not fully recovered yet...

Because my father said back then that this godforsaken place wouldn't have anyone coming, and it was just for the family to use, learning how to forge swords and make knives was a waste of time. Moreover, fighting and killing were too barbaric... So he didn't teach me

I want a sword

We do not have swords to sell you here, after all, I believe you have noticed that Twilight Town is not large, and there are not many people in need of purchasing swords, so we generally forge very few.

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man was taken aback. He carefully scrutinized You Lian and then composed himself. However, the words that followed were completely beyond You Lian's expectations

Although I would very much like to assist you, my lord, I must speak frankly: even if I were to post a notice in town, I fear that no one would respond

Indeed

The middle-aged man did not notice that when he saw the patterns on the blade of the sword, a glimmer of surprise appeared in You Lian's eyes

The old town mayor appeared calm, and it was evident that he and the librarian had dealt with such situations before

The youth before me will not be any different

As for this price, the middle-aged man clearly found it somewhat unacceptable. However, when You Lian informed him that the sword was forged from precious metals, he no longer said anything and readily accepted You Lian's payment. As for what kind of precious metal it was, the middle-aged man did not inquire. In his view, regardless of the type of metal, as long as it could not be used for a kitchen knife, it was not a good metal

Faced with You Lian, the middle-aged man helplessly spread his hands

You Lian interrupted Old Clark's speech. Leaning back in his chair, with his fingers interlaced and a gentle smile, he began to speak.

Upon hearing You Lian's words, the middle-aged man couldn't help but furrow his brow. He realized that the young man before him truly needed assistance. People from the countryside are generally simple and kind-hearted, so being able to help others is always a good thing. Therefore, the middle-aged man did not decline but instead exerted himself to recall something. Finally, it seemed he thought of something, and suddenly he clapped his hands forcefully.

Upon hearing this, the former mayor's originally serious face revealed a clear and unmistakable wry smile

This inexplicable opening remark left even You Lian somewhat stunned, but he quickly regained his composure and spoke up

I am very sorry, but I cannot.

Indeed, this is an official document.

Old Clark squinted his eyes, carefully examining the seal on the document, causing the wrinkles on his face to tighten together.

I certainly understand your thoughts, Mr. Clark

This is, of course, my lord

You Lian maintained a steady gaze on the blacksmith before him, yet deep within, he let out a helpless sigh

However, there are some other matters I would like to trouble you with this time, Mr. Clark. As you can see, I have come here alone, and managing the castle is clearly not something I can accomplish by myself. Therefore, I hope you can assist me in posting a hiring notice to recruit residents of this town to serve me... I believe this should not be a problem for you. Of course, I will ensure that they are well compensated.

Welcome to the Silver Plate Blacksmith Shop, where our craftsmanship is exceptional and our quality is superior. May I ask what you need? A pitchfork, a hoe, or a kitchen knife

I only need a sword, a standard regular type will do. Do you have any here

By the way, my grandfather once left behind some weapons, which might still be usable

With a somewhat pitying gaze, old Clark looked at the young man before him, truly lamentable. He appeared to be no more than seventeen or eighteen years old; how could he have been sent to such a wretched place

However, the Dark Night Steel also has its own limitations. If the wielder does not possess sufficient soul power, it can instead become a significant fatal flaw. A fragile soul cannot withstand fierce attacks, especially on the battlefield. Once the fluctuations of the soul weaken, the weapons forged from Dark Night Steel will also become dull, and may even become completely unusable. For this reason, only the top-tier powerhouses on the continent will use weapons forged from Dark Night Steel in battle. Even so, the number of weapons made from Dark Night Steel is quite rare on the current continent.

You Lian's own longsword had been completely shattered in the wars of his past life due to the inability to withstand its power. Now, upon seeing the same weapon, he naturally would not let this opportunity slip by

That is likely because he was in a hurry to escape, which is why he was affected by the chill of the night

I truly did not expect that he still kept it

Ah... it's not that I am old and talkative, Mr. You Lian, that castle...

You Lian picked up the teacup, gazing at the elderly man before him through the mist rising from the steaming cup

Then, I hope you can forge an ordinary standard longsword, which should not be a problem

Guest, you see, I am not sure if this meets your requirements

Upon hearing this, You Lian widened her eyes in curiosity and casually set down her teacup

I would like to know, how much does it cost

I did not expect that this guest would actually take a liking to this piece of scrap metal. The middle-aged blacksmith was momentarily stunned; after pondering for a moment, he finally spoke.

... ... ''

Unlike its simple appearance, the blade of this sword is exceptionally intricate. Along both sides of the sword's edge, a peculiar groove reveals strange and ornate patterns. However, the blade itself is entirely pitch black, lacking any glimmer, and it even resembles iron that has completely decayed, rendering it devoid of any practical value.

In response to Yulian's inquiry, the old town mayor nodded

This ... ...

Purchasing a weapon forged from Dark Night Steel with thirty silver coins would undoubtedly be a profit. However, Yulian did not take this small advantage; he spent three gold coins and also included the short sword for self-defense—according to market value, it was worth at least fifty gold coins, thus acquiring the longsword. Naturally, he politely declined the middle-aged man's "kind" offer, as Dark Night Steel is not comparable to ordinary items; such matters are better handled by Yulian himself.

Is it because of that rumor

The middle-aged man scratched his head in difficulty, and for the first time, a hint of shame appeared on his face

Then I will charge you thirty silver coins, and if you wish, I can polish it for you free of charge

However, the old blacksmith probably never imagined that his descendants would become blacksmiths who could not even forge a sword

However, the middle-aged man no longer spoke to You Lian. He hurried back to the backstage and rummaged through the pile of junk for quite a while, before finally returning to You Lian with a long oilcloth package in his arms

Is there really not a single sword?

That is merely a rumor, is it not

The reason why Dark Night Steel is precious lies in its ability known as "Soul Conduction." When the holder wields a weapon forged from Dark Night Steel, it acts like a conduit, guiding the holder's soul to fill the weapon. This not only allows for more agile and effortless use but also enhances the weapon's hardness and sharpness. In the presence of a weapon infused with soul power, ordinary iron poses no threat whatsoever. It can be said that as long as one dons armor forged from Dark Night Steel and wields a weapon made from the same material, they become an invincible presence on the battlefield. The weapon, filled with the holder's soul, allows for more agile and effortless use while enhancing its hardness and sharpness. In the presence of a weapon infused with soul power, ordinary iron poses no threat whatsoever. It can be said that as long as one dons armor forged from Dark Night Steel and wields a weapon made from the same material, they become an invincible presence on the battlefield

Um ... ...

A blacksmith who cannot forge a sword

So, you are the master of that castle

Faced with Yulian's words, Old Clark opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he said nothing. In his view, since this lord had made up his mind, he might as well let him make a fuss... after all... there would be no one willing to accept his recruitment.

With this thought in mind, the town mayor said no more and nodded in agreement with You Lian's opinion

At that moment, the figure also noticed Yulian standing at the door, hurriedly turned around, and walked towards him

You Lian supported his forehead, let out a long sigh, and then raised his head to seriously gaze at the middle-aged man before him

Then I can only say I am sorry, dear guest

Of course

He was a robust middle-aged man, seen with his upper body bare, wearing only a leather garment tied around his waist. His strong and powerful arms boasted muscles comparable to those of a bodybuilder. His bronze skin and resolute face added a touch of seriousness to his appearance. However, the words he spoke were somewhat amusing and left people both laughing and crying.

At this point, the middle-aged man already felt a bit ashamed. Although he had never regarded his grandfather's sword with much importance, he was, after all, a blacksmith. Selling such a disgraceful item from his own hands could tarnish his reputation. He should have known better and taken good care of it; even polishing it a bit would have been better than its current dilapidated state.

I said to the guest, what do you need a sword for? In our Twilight Mountains, there are neither bandits nor thieves, and those wild beasts are far away, hiding deep in the mountains and forests. You wouldn't want to learn from those adventurers, would you? We don't sell any swords or knives here; what good is that kind of fighting and killing? Why not take a look at our kitchen knife instead? Look, this kitchen knife has a double-edged thin pattern, and this fruit knife makes peeling very easy. Its length is just right, ensuring that you won't hurt your fingers. Since this is your first time in Twilight Town, I'll sell you both for two silver coins

Upon hearing this, You Lian's eyes brightened. The grandfather mentioned by this middle-aged man was likely the blacksmith he had encountered here before. It must be said that the old blacksmith's skills were indeed impressive, and the quality of his work was top-notch. Therefore, after his rebirth, You Lian specifically came to this small town to seek out the blacksmith's descendants. In You Lian's view, even if the old man's successor had no innovations, as long as he could master about seventy to eighty percent of the old blacksmith's techniques, it would be sufficient to meet his needs. However, what he did not expect was that although the other party had indeed learned about seventy to eighty percent of the old blacksmith's skills, all he produced were kitchen knives.

The middle-aged man did not notice, but Yulian was very clear that this was not rust; in fact, ever since he saw the blades of these two swords, Yulian was certain that they were weapons made of Dark Night Fine Iron! Speaking of Dark Night Fine Iron, it had a significant connection to Yulian himself. In his previous life, he had once found a batch of Dark Night Fine Iron, and subsequently, he had the owner of the shop at that time forge a sword from it. As for the remaining portion, he gifted it to the old blacksmith as a keepsake. After all, Dark Night Fine Iron is extremely valuable and rare. At that time, seeing the old blacksmith's fondness for it, Yulian decided to give him the leftover materials. Now it seems that the old blacksmith used these leftover materials to forge another sword—perhaps he hoped to leave a memento for his descendants, as forging weapons from Dark Night Fine Iron is indeed a blacksmith's dream.

"I did not come here this time to discuss these trivial rumors with you, Mr. Clark"

You Lian nodded slightly

This ... ...

... ... ''