Hero of Darkness

Everyone from his crew was left speechless as they heard the outrageous price again. But this time… the same price was revealed by this old and hateful saint blacksmith, who seemed like Kahn's great grandfather in terms of greed for money. 

But his greed was so big that he was charging this high amount only for one set of armor, clothes and weapons. And since there were seven of them… it would mean they needed to pay 140 trillion harlen. 

"You're trying to rip us off, old man!" shouted Ceril. 

"You know what… I'll go to someone else." declared Kahn. 

He too felt like this was a total scam. 

"Good luck with that. They'll charge you even more and none can guarantee the quality of the work like I do." spoke master Oakenshield as if he didn't care. 

[That's not a bluff, boy. He's a real deal. 

I have known some saint rank dwarf blacksmiths in my time as well. 

There are two things they don't lie about as it's taboo for their race and profession. 

One… they don't lie about their capabilities as a blacksmith. 

Two… their promise to deliver upon the final product.] spoke Rathnaar in his mind. 

"What's so special about your case then?" asked Kahn in an irritated tone.

"You think working with a dragon's body parts is a joke? It takes tens of hours just to get them at the right temperature and start forging. 

On top of it, I will need to reforge them without ruining the previously engraved runes and formations while adding in my own ones to improve the quality. 

It takes months for a single set. And there are seven of them." explained the old dwarf. 

"How much time will you need then?" asked Kahn curiously. 

"Given the amount and the processing speed since it's a legitimate dragon… at least one year till I'm done with all of your weapons, clothes and armors. 

Because they're already made with an Invimarak's body… It will take much longer since I will have to carefully mix the dragon's body parts and maintain perfect balance. 

But trust me… the quality will be far better than any other legendary rank weapons and armors you can find." he affirmed.

"Hell, even the imperial clan's legendary rank weapons won't be comparable if you're at the same level. That I can assure with my pride as saint blacksmith." declared the old second stage saint. 

"And about that thing with becoming my disciple… I won't charge you for that if you're willing to sign a contract with me." he proposed. 

[What do you all think? Will it be worth it?] he asked the opinion of others. 

[It's not like we can get a meeting with any saint blacksmith easily. And they certainly won't make your their disciple either, master] said Ronin. 

[Besides… this man's company is in peril. We can use it to our advantage later.] said Jugram 

[As for the armors and weapons… we only need 14 trillion harlens to pay for them to be made. That much can be easily arranged by robbing another auction house. 

He seems to know his stuff since he recognized all of old man Albestros' work and how he made them just with a single glance.] said Ceril. 

[Yes… he is indeed worthy of his name. 

I vote for yes.] said Omega. 

Soon, the rest also chimed in and they reached a collective consensus. 

"Fine. But I'll pay you 20 trillion with each set you make. And the quality should be top-notch. Or our contract is nulled." said Kahn as he presented his own terms. 

But without any hesitation… Oakenshield agreed to sign both the commission and apprenticeship contract with Kahn. And now… 

Their fates were connected till the next year. 

Although he was reluctant… Kahn still signed the contract. 

Because he just realized that in the future, he had to forge his own weapons and armors by himself. Having someone else do it cost too much money that would be enough to feed villages for months. 

In a way… this was a necessary investment for his upcoming future. Something he might regret if he chose to let go of just for some chummy change. 

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"Alright then… now that everything is settled; can you tell us what happened this noon?" asked Kahn and even the other subordinates also perked their ears. 

An hour passed and the old blacksmith told them exactly what happened a couple of weeks ago and why even his students and old friends betrayed him. 

But to his sad story… not a single one of the listeners felt any empathy towards him or felt like he was truly wronged. 

Suddenly… Kahn's eyes turned furious and he shouted. 

"You deceived me, you old bastard!! 

Give me those contracts! I'm gonna tear them off!" he said and almost jumped on the old dwarf, ready to rip him apart in two. 

Omega and Ronin pulled Kahn and stopped him from attacking. 

"He he… is that how you talk with your master? 

Remember the contract? 

You or neither of your associates can harm me as I'm your teacher and you're my student." said Oakenshield with a smug smile. 

"Fuck! How can you be so old but be so dumb and impatient?! 

Out of all people you had to provoke... You messed with the very kind you shouldn't have!" said Kahn with a tone full of regret. 

Because now they all understood why everyone was jumping ship and leaving this old rascal and cunning as well as an impatient old dwarf with anger issues. 

That why even his most trusted pupil chose to betray him. 

[Why is my luck always so bad? 

What kind of sick sadist bastard is writing my story?!] complained Kahn as he cursed himself and whoever put him in such a helpless situation. 

Because his current situation was the one thing Kahn wanted to avoid the most. 

Kahn tried to avoid a well but fell from a cliff instead. 

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The saint blacksmith was ruined because someone insulted his weapons and works a couple of weeks ago in a banquet between the top nobles and figures of the Vulcan empire. 

And given the type of hot-headed person this old saint blacksmith was… 

He openly said that it wasn't his weapons and armors that were at fault. Rather the person who didn't have the skills and strength to properly use them. 

And the one he openly insulted in a fit of rage in front of all the top powers and influential figures was the…

Second Prince of the Vulcan empire.