NOVPUB
Chapter 116: Looking for a Blacksmith
One thing that makes the dwarves famous is their ability to craft artifacts from almost any material. Unlike other races in the field of blacksmithing, the dwarves seem to be born for it. Their affinity with the earth and fire elements, combined with their innate skill and talent in blacksmithing, enables them to create artifacts of exceptional quality.
Even today, their services are sought after across the entire continent. While blacksmithing is not exclusive to dwarves, their craftsmanship remains highly valued, and their products are still preferred by many. Even some of the legacy artifacts held by major clans or noble families bear the mark of dwarven craftsmanship.
Whenever a dwarven blacksmith master creates an artifact, it is eagerly sought after and commands a high price, affordable only to cultivators with deep pockets. Thus, not every cultivator is fortunate enough to possess an artifact made by the dwarves.
There is a small kingdom, though it has the smallest territory on the continent compared to its neighboring powers, that holds significant status. The Forgeheart Kingdom, a landlocked territory located south of the Everlasting Silent Forest, is bordered by demon territories to the east and south, and by Buddhist sect territories from south to the west.
This kingdom is the place where cultivators from all over the continent come to find the artifacts they need. From the smallest village to the largest city, blacksmithing is a central activity throughout the kingdom.
When Aldrian and his companions stepped out of the teleportation station in Valiard City, the second-largest city in the Forgeheart Kingdom, the first thing they saw was many dwarves passing by. The sight of so many beings shorter than the continent’s average height amused Aldrian, who was seeing them in such numbers for the first time.
Although he had encountered a few dwarves during his journey from the Ivory Empire to here, seeing so many in one place gave him a fresh experience. Their tanned skin and sturdy, muscular bodies—shaped by vigorous activity—looked impressive on their short frames.
Baek Ji-Min, also leaving the Demon territory for the first time, wore a look of curiosity and amazement. Her once-white hair had been dyed black to avoid drawing too much attention, though her red eyes remained visible. She now wore a veil to conceal most of her face from others.
"Didn’t you want to find a blacksmith master to fix your sword? Let’s check this place out. Since this is the second-largest city in the Forgeheart Kingdom, we might get lucky and find a blacksmith who can repair your sword quickly," Xin Haotian suggested to Aldrian.
The blacksmiths capable of creating or repairing Heaven-grade artifacts were few in this city, and making an appointment with them could take an unknown amount of time. They were always busy, and their skills were constantly in demand.
Since Aldrian was already in the city, he decided to search for a skilled blacksmith to fix his sword and, if lucky, perhaps find a way to upgrade it. His Heaven-grade sword was no longer sufficient to handle his techniques.
It was already noon, so they decided to find a tavern first, both to rest and gather information on a good blacksmith. After some searching, they found one of the largest taverns in the city and stepped inside. What greeted them was a lively mix of different races. Aside from the dwarves, many others were enjoying their food and drink.
Without paying much attention to the crowd, they made their way to an empty table. Once seated, they placed their order with a dwarf who came to serve them. As they waited, Aldrian scanned the room and listened in on the conversations around him. Most of the discussions were about searching for artifacts, which didn’t interest him much. However, one topic that caught his attention was the rumor surrounding the Golden Swan Commerce.
"Have the three great sects made their move?" he wondered to himself.
He put his thought aside when the waiter returned with their food and drinks, Aldrian asked, "Excuse me, do you have any recommendations for a good blacksmith who can fix a broken Middle Heaven-grade sword, or even upgrade it?" He handed the man a tip, which he accepted with a smile.
"If you’re looking for the best blacksmith in the city, it’s definitely Duke Valiard. His skills are recognized by the king himself, but unless you have connections, it’s nearly impossible to meet him. So, I’d suggest going to the second best: Sir Boliv. You can visit his workshop, which is located in the northern part of this street. It’s quite famous, so you should find it easily. Just be prepared—the queue will be long," the waiter replied.
After thanking him, Aldrian decided on their next plan. They finished their meal and, with their destination clear, set off toward the workshop.
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Packed with people—that was their first impression upon arriving at the Boliv Workshop. Those seeking the workshop’s services were so numerous that the queue nearly blocked the entire street. Aldrian could only sigh as he decided to join the line, while the others wandered off to explore the city’s scenery.
Just when Aldrian thought it would take a long time for his turn to come, he was astonished to see the queue moving rapidly. It turned out that the Boliv Workshop was selective with its clients. If they accepted everyone, they would be overwhelmed by the workload. As a result, they only worked on certain grades of artifacts—mostly Heaven-grade and occasionally peak Sky-grade.
The cost of their services was also quite high, making it unaffordable for many. Those who were unlucky or couldn’t afford the prices had no choice but to leave disappointed and seek another blacksmith.
When Aldrian’s turn finally arrived, he entered the workshop and approached the receptionist, a female dwarf.
"Welcome to Boliv Workshop. How can I help you?" she asked.
"Yes, I’d like to have my sword repaired," Aldrian replied.
"What grade is it?"
"Middle Heaven grade," he answered.
"May I see your sword?" she requested. Aldrian pulled the sword out from his storage ring and placed it on the table. The receptionist inspected the sword with sharp eyes. After a few moments, her expression grew puzzled. The longer she examined it, the more confused she seemed. Finally, she looked up at Aldrian and asked,
"Why do you want to repair this sword here?"
"Because someone recommended this place to me," Aldrian replied. "I’m new in the city, and when I asked where I could get my sword repaired, they directed me here."
The woman nodded. "I see, but are you aware that your sword has a unique style associated with the Valiard family? Given its level and the fact that it was crafted by them, it would be more appropriate for you to have them handle the repair."
Aldrian was stunned by this new information—his father’s sword was created by the Valiard family?
"If I may suggest, it’s better for you to take this sword to them. If we attempt to fix it, it could cause misunderstandings with the Valiard family, as all owners of artifacts made by them typically return to their craftsmen if something happens to their artifacts."
"Alright, thank you for the information. By the way, which direction is the duke’s mansion?" After being given the mansion’s location, he left the workshop. He paused for a moment before heading toward the northwest side of the city. After half an hour of walking, he finally spotted the large mansion, the residence of the ruler of this city and the Dukedom of Valiard. Despite being a noble family’s estate, he could see a large workshop inside the mansion grounds, close to the street.
The front gate was guarded by two dwarves at the Marquess stage. Aldrian approached them.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," he called out.
The guards immediately focused their attention on Aldrian, scrutinizing him closely.
"I’d like to inquire about the Valiard family’s blacksmith services. I need their help to repair a sword," Aldrian said.
"Who are you? Do you have an appointment with Duke Valiard?" one of the guards asked.
"I’m just a vagabond, and no, I don’t have an appointment with the duke," Aldrian replied.
The two guards’ expressions shifted to one of exasperation, and one of them quickly waved his hand dismissively.
"What do you think this is? You can’t just show up and request Duke Valiard’s services on a whim! Not everyone can demand his attention. You’d better leave if you have no reason to be here, and find another blacksmith," the guard said firmly.
Aldrian put on a look of confusion. "Is that so? But what if I want Duke Valiard himself to repair this sword? Can I use his services then?" Aldrian asked as he took out his sword.
The two guards raised their eyebrows as they sensed the aura of the sword—a Middle Heaven-grade artifact. They examined it closely, and their eyes widened in shock.
"This sword... it carries the distinct style of the Valiard family. There’s no mistake, this sword was crafted by Duke Valiard himself!" one of the guards exclaimed.
Their demeanor shifted instantly, their eyes now filled with respect.
"Young master, why didn’t you show us this sword earlier?" the other guard asked.
"Yes, with a sword like this, you can request an audience with Lord Valiard directly. Please, come in, we’ll inform him of your arrival," the first guard added.
Aldrian smiled at the sudden change in their attitude, storing the sword back in his storage ring before walking into the mansion.
