Chapter 359: Greenhorn Blacksmith

The sudden appearance of the giant tree shook the heart of the kingdom. A tree bigger than Mother Rega appeared overnight. Some groups were furious, and they included merchants and devotees of the Divine Tree.

The details and information were obscured, but no one can stop gossip and rumors. The people talked about it unceasingly, as the balance of power will be shaken if this new tree had the same traits as Mother Rega.

One can only imagine what would happen if they knew it was Mother Rega itself. However, that information was obscured by the newly found intelligence department led by Ma under Arthur's direct order.

The City of Shades was known for its ever-stretching farmlands and its fertile soil. Mother Rega made the land around the city rich with nutrients and mana, allowing the farmers to yield thrice as an ordinary farmer would in other places.

However, the new emergence of a tree was like a big pie that fell from the sky. Farmers all over the kingdom coveted a part of the tree's lands, hoping to take a slice from this natural treasure.

That's why a few days after Mother Rega descended next to Hidden City, refugees began to appear. Farmers with their large wagons and tools visited Arthur's mansion one after the other.

"Ma Lord," The thin man with a giant beard in front of him bowed. "I come from afar after hearing of your grace, desiring to serve you."

"You desire the land, no?" Arthur said with amusement as the bearded man coughed in embarrassment. "Don't worry. I appreciate your trust and the risk you have taken."

"However, as you can see, we still have a lot of things to build. The agriculture department is still underway. Lands will be assigned later on, but we still need to clear out monsters and trees. That's why you need to take residence in one of the temporary houses for now." The Knight of Courage explained.

"I understand, thank you!" The bearded man beamed at the mention of a residence. It was rare for a refugee to be offered a home right away.

"Of course, we lack in people. Do you mind that you and your people help us? We will pay you." Arthur jumped in, and the farmer bobbed his hand readily. He thanked Arthur again before leaving.

"I'm always amazed by your generosity to the common folk." Courage said with a satisfied smile as she jotted down the name of the farmer and the number of the people with him.

"Generosity?" Arthur was confused. "I didn't do anything to them yet."

"You gave them a home and paid them for working. It's usually only one of those."

"The economy will flourish by giving money to these people. It's a way to get things started. I don't want my people to worry about housing that they do their jobs half-heartedly."

"That's a fresh way of thinking. But aren't you worried about the treasury getting empty? The money that the Duke of Contracts gave isn't going to last forever."

"I think you forgot what our city to be about." Arthur grinned and stood up. "Let's visit Gruen's smithy."

The two left the house and walked toward the small smithy that Gruen currently used. They could hear the sounds of hammering even from a distance away. As they walked in, their eyes fell on the countless weapons that looked sharper than any they have seen before.

"Hidden City has a new monster and pillar, The Greenhorn Blacksmith." Arthur smiled as he walked in with Courage. The weapons lined on the table each looked no less than high-tier, with a few in the mid-tier.

"This is almost at the True-rank." Courage picked up a sword and muttered, her eyes full of shock. "Is this truly his creation? Why the sudden leap in proficiency?"

Arthur didn't tell anyone but Gala, Dia, and Rosa that Gruen was a Seika, so it came as a surprise for the Titled Knight. She studied Gruen's creation with increasing shock.

"I gave him a few pointers,"

"You?" Courage asked with suspicion. "Do you even know anything about smithing?"

"I'd surprise you." Arthur smiled and didn't say anything anymore. "Wait here." He told the knight before walking into the forge. As soon as he walked in, a heatwave fluttered his robes and hair.

In the middle of the forge stood Gruen, hammering away another perfect item. The moment his hammer touched the metal, it drained all the impurities away from it.

Arthur didn't interrupt him in his focused state and watched from the side. The hammering continued until the metal molded easily into the shape of a curved sword. The impurities of the blade were all taken out, producing a sharp sword.

"Just one round of hammering?" Arthur muttered with amazement as he looked at the sword. Gruen took off his glove and wiped away the sweat with a grin.

"I only need to think about it, and the impurities would leave the weapon as it takes its final form. This isn't smithing anymore, but direct creation." Gruen said with a triumphant smile.

"Hm, if it's that easy, I would expect that you produced more weapons." Arthur squinted his eyes. "Gruen, are you creating accessories again?"

"Ah?" Gruen looked away, "How can I think of such a thing?"

It was evident that he was lying. From the time he was in love with Aimee, he created all sorts of stuff for her. At that time, he wasn't even a Seika yet. Thus, Arthur wasn't surprised that Gruen would forge accessories for her now.

"Keep at it," Arthur said before he bowed toward the dwarf. "I'm truly sorry for what I did the other day. I don't regret that I did it, but I wish I had another way."

"No, no, no!" Gruen panicked and hurried over to make Arthur stand. "You did the right thing, Seika. Even if at that time, I hated you, I know you did it for me,"

"I did it for the city." Arthur straightened himself and said without hesitation. "I like you, Gruen. I consider you as a friend. I truly do. But I also need to make a city from scratch, and this..." He gestured toward Gruen's creations. "...is necessary."

"I understand." Gruen nodded. "Aimee resents you right now, Seika. But I know that without you, we wouldn't be together. Without you, I wouldn't have this power to protect her from harm."

"No, Gruen." Arthur smiled. "You are the reason for all of that. I simply helped you get there. Not using merciful methods, I admit."

"Even so, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life: to serve you." Gruen knelt on the ground. "Whatever you want me to create, I'll create."

"Let's create the best city the world has ever seen." Arthur grinned. "I'll call you later to reinforce the walls, so make sure you're prepared."

Gruen nodded with a determined expression, and Arthur left the smithy. The Knight of Courage waited for him outside and walked beside him.

"How is Manager Gruen?"

"He just created a True-Rank weapon." Arthur grinned. "The Duke of Contracts will pull his hair off if he hears about this."

"A True-Rank...." The Knight of Courage muttered in a daze. "Just what kind of potential does he have?"

"This is just the beginning. Where is your subordinate?" Arthur asked, and Courage was confused. "The architect." He elaborated.

"Oh, Rumi. He's been in his house ever since the giant tree appeared, mapping and outlining the city. It seems he refused to eat anything before he's done, as that would disturb, what he called, his creativity rush."

"At least he's taking it seriously. But I need to know the outline of the city today." Arthur said as he walked toward the house of the architect.

"Why?"

"Because I'm going to create the walls of the city."

"Create the..." Courage blinked. "Are you going to use the tree?" She linked the dots, and Arthur nodded with a grin.

They walked toward the house of the architect, and when they knocked, no one answered. These doors were installed by the workers, making the place look less of a refugee camp. Arthur knocked again, harder before the door opened.

"What?"

Rumi spat with his hair sticking to his face because of the sweat. His tower head looked like a lump now, falling to the side of his face. Even when the architect saw that it was Arthur, he was still upset. "I told you not to disturb me."

"I need to know the outline of the city," Arthur said with a frown. "Now."

"Why?" The architect seemed to calm himself under Arthur's glare, and he softened his tone. "The outline is done, but anything else is still..."

"I just need to know where we're placing our walls. You should have finished that. These will be the initial borders of the city, and everything comes afterward. I'm creating the walls today."

"Today?" Rumi was confused and turned to Courage, seeking out an elaboration.

"He's using the giant tree."