Chapter 43: Level 4 Forging

“Thanks, Fred.” Levi smiled as Knight Fred helped him up.

On the muscles of his sturdy legs, traces of a prowling black mist swirled in the air.

This black mist wrapped around his legs, enhancing his reaction time and making his speed far exceed that of an ordinary person.

“You’re one step closer to becoming a well-rounded Knight. Keep it up,” Knight Fred encouraged.

Levi flexed his muscles, and he could feel the seed in his heart lying dormant in his heart.

Faintly, he could see the snake-like mist suppressing the wolf-like mist—even though they are mere breathing methods, there is also the distinction of class within his heart.

Levi was surprised as he peered into his own heart.

‘It’s time to put the Siren Breathing Method and the Giant Bear Breathing Method on the agenda,’ Levi muttered to himself. ‘Being able to change my own body shape is going to be very useful.’

Judging from his past experiences, these superficial breathing methods should not take very long, and the special abilities produced from them will still be very helpful to him.

Back in the castle, Levi came to the forge.

“Lord Levi, this is the steel helmet I forged. Please take a look at it,” Milan said, showing Levi the results of his forge.

“Well, look at you!” Levi praised. “You’re a qualified blacksmith, just like your father. Listen, I am busy with my affairs, but forging will remain important in my territory. If we exceed this year’s target, I will give you a pay raise. As for your father, I have plans to rescue him at the right time.”

“Thank you, Lord Levi.” Milan looked flustered as he scurried back to work.

Levi came to his station and started to forge sets of armour.

He wants to reach Level 4 as soon as possible.

About a week later, Levi spent a lot of time in the forge, and soon he hit the fourth level.

Forging: Level 4 (222/20000). Special Effects: High-Quality Goods, Luck of the Forge.

[Luck of the Forge: You are proficient in forging, and your efficiency is beyond the reach of ordinary people.]

Not bad, Levi thought. ‘This way, my output will be greatly increased, and I will be able to save more money.’

He was pleased to see that there was still much to be improved with forging.

This means that the depths and technicalities of forging run deep.

Levi couldn’t help but think of the legendary blacksmith known as Hagrid, the Hammer of Flame.

However, he doesn’t know how far he is from becoming a legendary blacksmith like him.

‘It’s a pity he has passed away. In the kingdom, I heard that there is no longer a blacksmith of his calibre.’

For the rest of the month, Levi continued to forge and practise.

With his newfound ability, his forging efficiency is twice as high as before.

Originally, his forging efficiency was already far higher than that of ordinary blacksmiths.

In short, Levi could forge six pieces of armour, while Milan could only forge one. The gap is self-evident.

Two months slipped away in a moment of time, and Levi practised and forged day after day. During this time, he successfully introduced the Siren Breathing Method into his body.

With the arrival of the budding moon, the winter snow began to melt, and the chilly air began to fade away. Amongst the permafrost, tiny, green buds began to emerge, and the gentle breath of spring descended upon the Blackwater Valley.

On this day, Levi led a small group of soldiers along a muddy trail, and an old cow pulled a cart full of weaponry and armour covered with hay.

In the past winter, they produced a total of 30 sets of armour, and Levi kept half of the best ones for his men.

He will sell the others in the City of Icy Winds and purchase some ambergris before he heads back home.

With forging becoming his cash cow, Levi forecasts that the land’s annual income will be doubled with ease.

He was confident that the revenue of his territory would soon exceed 1,000 gold coins, which was an income that many barons of the North couldn’t achieve.

City of Icy Winds.

In a luxurious, solemn mansion, an aristocrat donning expensive clothing enjoyed his dinner. He was poised in an elegant manner, cutting the piece of beef before him gently with his fork and knife, savouring the beef on his tongue before swallowing.

At some point in his meal, in the shadows beyond the candlelit dinner, a figure fully wrapped in black emerged.

“The Illusory Demon Knight has not reported back for almost half a year, but according to our spies, Baron Levi remains alive. That means that he is either dead or abandoned the mission and cut contact with us,” the shadow said.

“Our client is questioning our abilities, so the Pale Shadow has entrusted you to carry out the mission that the Demon Knight failed in,” the shadow continued. “Our client has raised his payment, and you will be paid 300 gold coins; here is the deposit of 100 gold coins. The Pale Shadow holds high hopes for you. You must be careful in this operation and ensure success.”

The aristocrat put a hand behind him, wordlessly taking the bag of 100 gold coins from the figure. He shook it lightly, and the wonderful cacophony of gold clashed loudly in the silent hall.

“Where is Baron Levi?” the aristocrat asked.

“In the City. Our spies report that he is wearing a white wolf mask, so he should be an easy target for you.”

“I see. Await the good news,” the aristocrat said as he waved his hand, and the shadow disappeared into the darkness.

The aristocrat got up, gingerly placed the gold coins into an iron box, and locked it up. His eyes shone with avarice as he eyed his stash of 3,000 gold coins, which were his savings over the past few decades.

Fiddling with his clothes in front of his large mirror, he picked up his sabre and blew out the candles in the room. Bernard stood silent in the darkness, whispering a prayer.

‘O’ Lord of Shadows, may this assassination be completed with ease.’