Broken entered the spacious sitting room, where a Knight Lionell sat comfortably on a plush sofa, waiting patiently. As soon as Lionell noticed Broken’s arrival, he stood up and saluted him warmly.
“Please, Sir Lionell, I am deeply honored by your visit,” he said with a genuine smile.
Both men then took their seats again. In the same room stood a couple of other knights, their postures attentive and respectful.
“I’ve noticed some very positive developments in this town,” Lionell remarked.
“That’s my commitment as the Baron, Sir Lionell,” Broken responded humbly. “I’m merely doing my duty.”
With an expression that remained composed and steady, Lionell retrieved a wooden chest brought by one of the accompanying knights and placed it carefully on the table between them.
“Her Highness, Princess Alora, has prepared several blueprints according to your requests,” Lionell explained. “Additionally, she has included others that she believes might prove useful to you as well.”
Broken’s face lit up with a smile. “I cannot express enough thanks to Her Highness,” he said sincerely.
“Her Highness has a new commission for her sword. But we’ve had trouble getting the materials for two swords to craft. So instead, she’s decided to give you the materials for a greatsword as your reward.”
“A greatsword?” Broken exclaimed.
He had never discussed a greatsword with Alora, but she had given him this type of weapon. Nonetheless, the prospect of acquiring a new type of weapon always amused him. Not only would it diversify his arsenal, but mastering the greatsword could also bestow him with new skills.
“Please, let me know if you need further assistance from me or from Her Highness,” Lionell offered.
“No, Sir Lionell, I’ve already received ample support,” Broken replied. “Thank you.”
Lionell signaled to the other knights, who then moved forward, bringing the chest closer to Broken.
“Inside this chest, you will find the materials for both the sword and the greatsword,” Lionell explained.
“Thank you.”
Lionell then stood up, and Broken followed. He saluted.
“Baron Broken, it’s been a pleasure visiting Slumdon Town,” Lionell said. “We’ll send envoys every two weeks to see if you need any help with the commission or anything else. Please keep us updated on your progress. But Her Highness mentioned you should align the schedule with your own. Don’t overwork yourself.”
“Thank you, Sir Lionell.”
With that, Broken accompanied Lionell and the other knights back to their carriage. They quickly departed from Slumdon Town. It was a very short visit. Even so, to deliver the blueprints, a Knight Grand Cross himself had come to see him.
Just how valuable were these blueprints?
Freya was waiting for Broken in the living room when he returned to the House of Slumdon.
“Hi, Mr. Baron. Did the visit live up to your expectations?” she asked with a giggle.
Broken grinned. “Come on, Freya. Do you want to see the blueprints I got from Princess Alora?”
Freya quickly followed Broken as they took the elevator to his study.
“The Knight Lionell himself came to deliver these items to you. I’m sure the other royals will dislike you even more if they find out,” Freya remarked.
Broken fell silent for a moment, contemplating. The status of a Knight Grand Cross was indeed that high. Their power was something only the best could handle. Knights of that rank had a reputation so esteemed, they were on par with the kingdom’s top officials. They led great battles and were revered as heroes.
Yet, someone like Knight Lionell, a Knight Grand Cross and the guardian of Princess Alora, had come to personally deliver his order. Just imagining it was wonderful enough, and now it had actually happened to him.
Amazing, he thought, as the reality of the situation began to sink in.
“I guess I’m important enough to merit this kind of treatment,” he said, jokingly. “You’re growing more arrogant by the day, Mr. Sloth. Remember, you’re sloth, not pride.”
“At this rate, you’ve labeled me with almost all the seven sins, Freya.”
“Yes, you’d even fit Mr. Lust for asking an underage girl to accompany you in the bath.”
“That’s a misunderstanding, enough,” Broken replied.
Once they reached Broken’s study, he retrieved a chest from his Inventory and placed it on the desk.
“This might be your chance to craft another Legendary-grade item, I think.”
“How certain are you that these blueprints are of such high grade?”
Freya giggled again. “I’m pretty sure Princess Alora knows just how skilled you are as a blacksmith. She’s not clueless, right? Even a Knight Grand Cross delivered this package, so it must be quite valuable.”
“I hope so. Or should I say, it sure is?”
“Good enough, Mr. Pride,” Freya teased.
Broken pulled out the blueprints and laid them on the table; there were seven in total.
[Cragstorm Sword Blueprint]
[Grade: Elite ~ Legendary]
[Gravestone Greatsword Blueprint]
[Grade: Elite Legendary]
[Woodland Ranger Helmet Blueprint]
[Grade: Rare – Unique]
[Woodland Ranger Armor Blueprint]
[Grade: Rare – Unique]
[Woodland Ranger Breeches Blueprint]
[Grade: Rare Unique]
[Woodland Ranger Boots Blueprint]
[Grade: Rare Unique]
[Woodland Ranger Gloves Blueprint]
[Grade: Rare – Unique]
“A sword, a greatsword, and an archer set,” Freya said excitedly. “And just as I thought, both
the weapons have a chance to be a Legendary-grade item. Plus, they even provided the
materials for you.”
“Yes, but there’s something that puzzles me,” Broken replied. “Both weapon blueprints require an Expert Rank blacksmith. Princess Alora is really confident that I’m at Expert Rank? Even the Wavebreaker Spear only needed an Advanced Rank.”
“Like I said, she’s not that clueless,” Freya said. “Especially after spending quite a bit of time together in the Trial Domain. Who knows, maybe you accidentally let it slip?”
“No, I don’t remember mentioning my blacksmith rank to her. But it’s fine. I don’t have a problem if she knows,” he replied.
“You sound so sure. I wonder what kind of things you two went through in the Trial Domain, Mr. Playboy? Did you perhaps promise to marry her if you got her out safely?”
“How do you know?” Broken asked, his face expressionless.
“So it’s true?” Freya laughed.
“That’s not your problem,” he said, focusing again on the blueprints.
“Tell me if it’s true, Broken,” she insisted, shaking his shoulders playfully.
But he didn’t answer.
Two of the weapon blueprints Broken received had the potential to produce Legendary-grade items, and he truly hoped at least one would turn out that way. This would significantly advance his quest. He needed to craft three more Legendary-grade items to upgrade his blacksmith class to Legendary, and the prospect excited him.
Moreover, if he succeeded in forging a Legendary-grade sword, it would help Princess Alora defend herself even better. Despite having the Invincible Paragon armor, she would be even stronger with a fitting weapon.
In case of an emergency, Broken still had an ace up his sleeve: the Item Grade Enhancer Ticket. This ticket could elevate the grade of an item, and he planned to use it on the bow he got from Freya. This was due to the enormous potential damage it could produce using his bow skills, particularly with his Explosive Arrow and Sniper’s Focus abilities.
But wait, it turned out he had overlooked something. There was one more blueprint that he
had missed.
[Bedrock Breaker Pickaxe Blueprint]