Chapter 758: Double Celebration for the Barmul Alliance and the Minche Blacksmith Association (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 758: Double Celebration for the Barmul Alliance and the Minche Blacksmith Association (1)
Moru’s sudden, extreme display of humility stunned the group into silence.
Not content with merely kneeling, Moru had prostrated himself completely, pressing his forehead against the ground in a deep bow. A closer look revealed tears dripping onto the floor.
At the very least, Moru was attempting to maintain some semblance of a leader’s dignity while overcome with emotion. The other association members prostrate beside him, however, were wailing at the top of their lungs.
Crazy… Things are going even better than expected, which is great, but are they really not going to do even a basic check?
These arrogant bastards… they’re doing all this just because they heard the name Picon Minche? They’re actually crying?
From this moment forward, every single grain of sand on this island belongs to Picon Minche…
Jin suppressed his bewilderment as he chewed on those words. If the Blacksmiths' Island truly held more steel than the Barmul Alliance’s entire stockpile, they would have no need to go begging to Kinzelo.
[You’re saying you’ll give it all to me?]
“Of course!”
[Are you sure about this?]
“Lord Picon, our Minche Association is composed solely of those prepared to sincerely carry on your will. The words you spoke a thousand years ago are still burned into our hearts with fiery passion.”
What exactly did I say?
Picon wanted to ask, but he simply cleared his throat with a “Hmph, hmph,” and waited for Moru to continue.
“Do not leave the forge. Devote yourselves only to tempering weapons. Until the master appears.”
Those were words Picon had often said to his disciples a thousand years ago.
Of course, the “master” Picon had referred to back then wasn’t himself. At the time, he had spoken those words to encourage his less-talented disciples who had fallen into despair, telling them not to give up—that somewhere in the world, someone would consider their weapon the absolute best. And indeed, many had eventually gone on to create masterpieces because of it.
For about fifty years after Picon’s death, that intention had been passed down accurately.
However, as the centuries passed, Picon’s original words had gradually become distorted. Moru, unaware of the true context, interpreted Picon’s meaning like this:
“Our association has been waiting with bated breath for the appearance of such a master—one who could lead the world’s blacksmiths to the next level, a man truly worthy of being called the reincarnation of Lord Picon. That is why the association has maintained a three-man management system for the past thousand years without ever appointing an Iron King.”
What the hell is an Iron King…?
Picon suppressed that question as well, maintaining a smile that looked as natural as possible. He wore an expression that seemed to say, Yes, you have upheld my will well.
When Picon was alive, the position of “Iron King” didn’t exist. The term used to symbolize him was simply “The Legendary Blacksmith.”
Regardless, according to Moru, the leaders known to the world—Bul, Moru, and Hammer—were merely temporary. They had kept the seat of the true leader, the Iron King, vacant all this time, waiting for the birth of a blacksmith whom everyone could acknowledge as Picon’s successor.
In the midst of that, not just a successor, but Picon Minche himself had returned—and as a God of Blacksmiths, no less. It was only natural for them to react so violently.
From the association’s perspective, the Iron King they had awaited for a millennium had finally returned.
[Hmm… Excellent.]
As Picon spoke in a dignified voice, Moru and the association members raised their heads. Every single one of them had moist eyes that sparkled with hope. They looked like people who had just been granted salvation.
Then, Moru suddenly startled himself and bowed his head again.
“Ah! My apologies… I fear I may have overstepped in my overwhelming joy. Lord Picon, if you find it burdensome to accept the assets of us blacksmiths…”
Jin quickly nudged Picon in the ribs.
[That is not the case. From this day forward, I shall lead you once again.]
Though the words were tossed out casually, the effect was perfect.
“It is the greatest honor of my life! Please, let us escort you inside!”
Before moving, the association members pulled small trumpets from their robes and blew them. It was a signal announcing that the Barmul Alliance’s official document had been true.
As soon as the trumpet blasts echoed, the dark island instantly brightened. Flames roared to life in forges scattered across the island, which occupied eighty percent of its total area. The association members who had been waiting in the forges moved busily, preparing to welcome Picon.
Furthermore, Moru’s attitude toward Jin changed completely.
“Young Master, please forgive my earlier rudeness. Since you have truly brought Lord Picon to us, you are now like a savior to our association.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
What about me? Siris wanted to snap, but she suppressed her temper. She was so flabbergasted that she was practically speechless anyway.
At the entrance of the main forge, every blacksmith in the association was prostrate in a long line.
They’re nothing short of fanatics.
Though it felt a bit excessive, Jin smiled, feeling like he had gained a reliable ally.
Just as with Moru, a sea of tears erupted for a while. Picon offered words of encouragement as the executives introduced the members one by one.
No one doubted Picon. Part of it was because his appearance was a perfect match, but Picon also demonstrated his expertise by instantly recognizing the use and quality of the equipment and weapons within the forge. The few words they exchanged during that process were enough for the blacksmiths to recognize Picon’s profound skill and marvel at it.
[Bul, why did you choose this island as the holy land for blacksmiths? This isn't even my hometown.]
Once the various rituals and formalities were over, Picon began asking the serious questions on Jin’s behalf.
“Is it alright if I answer while the Little Palace Master of the Secret Palace is present?”
[I will personally vouch for the Little Palace Master. Furthermore, I would like you to show her proper respect from now on. She is my guest.]
“I shall do so.”
If Cyron, Talaris, or even Ron had seen this scene, they would have been speechless with absurdity. Siris shook her head and swallowed a sigh.
“The reason we established our headquarters here is because of Sea Steel.”
[Sea Steel?]
“It refers to steel that comes from the sea. This island became the association’s headquarters about three hundred years ago. We chose it because there is no other region where Sea Steel is as abundant as it is here.”
[I am aware of Sea Steel’s existence, but shouldn't it be excessively difficult to harvest? I heard the association currently holds more steel than the Empire or any other Great Power.]
“That is half-right and half-wrong.”
[Explain.]
Even though they were about to reveal the association’s greatest secret, Bul and the other executives did not hesitate.
“First, the mining of Sea Steel is done through a monster with an inner core that makes the sea its primary domain. It is a creature called Bailam, a friend whom the past executives recruited. Although it is a monster, it has a clear ego and has no intention or reason to harm humans.”
“Such a monster exists?”
The executives nodded at Jin’s question.
“Indeed, Young Master. Its main diet consists of marine life and seaweed. Since it mostly resides in the deep sea, it rarely catches the eye of humans.”
In that case, it was more like a divine beast or a beneficial creature than a monster.
“Long ago, Bailam made a deal with us. Naturally, Bailam needs to grind its teeth periodically, so it has a habit of gnawing on Sea Steel on the seabed. However, at some point, it reached a limit in grinding its teeth on unrefined Sea Steel.”
“So, you’re saying that if it brought you Sea Steel, you would process some of it into steel blocks for Bailam to use for its teeth?”
“Exactly.”
The Sea Steel buried in the waters near the Blacksmiths' Island was nearly infinite. Normally, the cost of mining and processing Sea Steel far exceeded its value, so no one coveted it. However, the association had been obtaining Sea Steel for almost nothing for hundreds of years through Bailam.
The association was also the only group capable of rapidly processing such a large quantity of Sea Steel.
Jin had never considered the possibility of monsters and humans coexisting in such a way.
“That’s a fascinating story. You’ve done well to keep this a secret until now.”
The executives led the group to the basement of the forge. In the center was a massive opening mechanism. When the executives pulled the levers, the floor split apart, revealing the sea below. It was a space large enough for several sailing ships to fit inside.
With a space like this, there was no way for the outside world to see Bailam supplying steel to the association.
“Thanks to this and the mindset passed down by Lord Picon, our association has never needed to ask anyone for favors. Until recently, it would have been no exaggeration to say that the association possessed the most steel in the world.”
The group let out exclamations of wonder as they stared at the undulating sea.
Jin was impressed as well, but he was also sensing a powerful energy of Chaos rising from the water.
“It seems Bailam has been tainted by Chaos.”
At those words, the executives’ brows furrowed in pain.
“…That is correct. Bailam and the association are no longer just in a symbiotic relationship; we are like friends now. The Chaos that spread across the world following the Sword Emperor Holy War and the battle at the Land of the Malevolent God has made Bailam ill.”
Bul blew a trumpet toward the sea several times, and the surface of the water churned with bubbles.
A moment later, Bailam surfaced. It bore a striking resemblance to a massive whale.
[Piiiiii….]
Its cry was also similar to a whale’s, and its overall rounded appearance was indeed not threatening, just as the executives had said.
However, black spots of Chaos were visible all over its body. Bailam cried out continuously, as if in agony.
“If Bailam does not recover, not only will we be unable to mine Sea Steel, but everyone in the association will be plunged into the sorrow of losing a friend.”
While there was joy in Picon’s return, there was also the sorrow of potentially having to say goodbye to a friend.
Picon seemed to be choosing his words, and Siris did not hide her heartache at Bailam’s cute but pained appearance.
Then, Jin looked closely at Bailam and spoke.
“Bul, has there been any physical mutation in Bailam?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean, aside from the black spots, is Bailam’s appearance exactly the same as it was before it was tainted by Chaos?”
“It is.”
Jin broke into a grin.
“It seems I might be able to fix your friend.”