When Rein tactfully shared Boris’s little scheming with Lagaray, she did not mind him watching and agreed readily with a nod.
Perhaps, in the eyes of Lagaray, the high-level Blacksmith, the ordinary blacksmiths of the town could barely steal any relevant smithing skills, even if they were to observe her entire process.
Just the flux mixing step alone, which requires a precise ratio of Glowstone and barbarian blood, would pose a significant challenge to ordinary blacksmiths.
However, Rein thought of something and quietly asked Lagaray, “Lagaray, can the greatsword incorporate Glowstone and, at the same time, meteorite iron?”
“Ah, yes, meteorite iron. I don’t know what you barbarians call it,” Rein gestured and said.
Lagaray’s eyes lit up and she said, “Of course, it is possible. Do you have some meteorite iron? I was a bit worried that using purely Glowstone might make the blade’s hardness and toughness a bit weak. That would require extra care during the forging.
“But if some meteorite iron is incorporated, I can assure you that your new weapon would be above the standard of Huestone weapons, even if placed among our barbarian tribes.”
Rein gave a mysterious smile and said, “You will have it soon.”
Then, Rein pulled Boris aside to a corner. After some hard bargaining along with the enticing offer to let him watch, an offer Boris could hardly refuse, Rein successfully acquired Boris’s beloved meteorite iron at the price of thirty Empire Gold Coins.
Of course, the price was also because Boris’s piece of meteorite iron was barely larger than a fist.
But it was more than enough to be melded into a greatsword to enhance its hardness and toughness.
Boris, with a mix of joy and pain, immediately announced that the blacksmith shop would close for the day.
Rein originally thought that Boris, always being a miser, rarely gave the blacksmith apprentices a day off, and logically, these apprentices who long complained about Boris the Miser should be thrilled.
But when Boris spread the news, the apprentices looked at each other for a while, then one by one, they began making excuses, seemingly eager to stay and continue working.
However, Rein soon figured out from their occasional enthusiastic glances toward Lagaray that their motives were not that simple.
Eventually, Boris forcefully sent this bunch of blacksmith apprentices away!
Rein and Boris then closed the doors of the blacksmith shop, hung a ‘Closed’ sign, and went back to the yard, ready to assist Lagaray.
The two were just stunned by the scene in front of them as they had not expected Lagaray to have already begun her process alone.
Lagaray had already mixed quite a bit of clay and started building a small cylindrical furnace, apparently planning to melt Rein’s Glowstone in it separately.
Although there was a regular furnace at the smithy, Lagaray was already using it to melt the meteorite iron and Rein’s original greatsword.
Considering the Glowstone piece wasn’t large, the furnace she built was only about a meter high with a diameter roughly the size of a washbasin.
Soon, Lagaray finished the construction and was now carefully placing charcoal inside.
“Lagaray, is there anything I need to do?” Rein asked, becoming a bit anxious on the side.
After all, he wanted to be actively involved in the process of creating a Glowstone weapon. One could imagine, just by thinking with their toes, that being part of crafting a Glowstone weapon would bring a massive influx of blacksmith professional experience.
But just standing on the side was making Rein extremely restless.
Lagaray thought for a moment, realizing there really wasn’t anything that needed Rein’s help, and seriously replied:
“Rein, you don’t need to do anything. I can handle the whole process myself.”
The moment Lagaray finished speaking, Rein felt as though he was watching a huge wave of blacksmith experience slipping from before his eyes.
With his brain working overtime, Rein finally thought of a reason, albeit not a great one, and immediately, with a grave expression, said:
“Lagaray, since we are forging my Dual-Handed Greatsword, please assign me some tasks so that I can be involved.”
Rein emphasized the word ‘my’ heavily.
Although Lagaray didn’t understand Rein’s eagerness, his words made sense since it was his weapon, and wanting to be involved was a reasonable request.
Without thinking much about the tiny request of her lifesaver, Lagaray nodded in agreement.
“Uh… okay then!”
This made Rein sigh in relief internally. Thankfully, he was now involved!
However, after looking around, Lagaray realized she really couldn’t find anything for him to do, so she casually said, “Rein, you… help set up the blower and the pipes for this small furnace.”
“Set up the blower?” Rein immediately looked dumbfounded. The skill of setting up a blower wasn’t in his blacksmith repertoire.
He knew how to operate a blower but not how to install one!
Boris, watching Rein’s stunned expression, couldn’t help but laugh, and immediately started, “Rein, come with me. I’ll show you how to do it.”
It was obvious that Boris was in a good mood.
After all, not every blacksmith gets the chance to witness the birth of a Glowstone weapon.
Soon, Rein followed Boris to the storeroom and picked up a set of equipment for blower operation.
The main items were a rough iron pipe over two meters long and a floor-standing round blower stitched together from multiple layers of cowhide, which when pulled and pressed would produce a blowing effect.