Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

Seth stared at it for a while. This prompt meant that this head still needed to be either looted or processed by a hunter to get individual crafting materials from it. This meant that this was not just one piece of relic-rated material, but as many as the hunter could get out of it.

No small piece of leather, the skull, the horns, the fangs. Maybe Evee and Alison could do something with the tongue or eyes, or maybe Link himself would use some part for cooking? It was not a bad deal, getting legendary material as well as a bunch of relic-rated stuff to forge it.

“Was this the guardian who did that to your armor?” Seth asked, although his decision was clear. The man’s armor was mostly epic and relic-rated. It was clear they were drops from dungeons, but it didn’t mean they wouldn’t have been tough. To accomplish something like that, the beats must have been outstanding when it was alive.

“Whether it guarded it, I don’t know, but it was a massive snake-like beast living inside the cave of the mountain well, where the <Well Electrum> was being washed out from the rock. It’s a shame the body fell into the depths of the abyss, or I would have tried asking you to make an armor for me, too. The scales of the beast were really tough, I only managed to win by sacrificing my hammer in an all-out blow.”

From the man’s tale, and the head on the table, Seth was able to roughly imagine what the beast must have looked like and how their battle had gone.

“Accepted. I will turn this nugget into a hammer for you, in exchange for this head,” the blacksmith said with a friendly business smile. He didn’t doubt Gallwell’s story, since he knew the rating of the head even before dismantling. The beats he had killed would have needed to be on the path to legends, maybe on a similar trajectory as Tatzel. Definitely something close to a dragon.

“Great, then I will leave these two things to you and go look for someone to fix my armor,” Gallwell laughed joyfully and attempted to stand up.

“Why do you already want to leave?” Seth stopped the big guy as he packed away the two items. “There is something else we have to talk about. Gamma, or rather Arget Nore.”

The man’s bushy eyebrows jumped almost all the way up to his hairline. His joyful demeanor subsided as he slowly sank back down in his seat. He had acted very friendly and warm until now, but now his gaze held an edge, and the determination of an iron will.

“What would there be to talk about?” he asked, interlocking his finger on the table.

“Arget Nore has approached Delta and Minas Mar with the intent to form an alliance or at least a non-aggression treaty. I’m sure you know about it,” Seth spoke bluntly. Gallwell answered with a slow nod.

“Minas Mar in favor of a non-aggression treaty. Especially since I want to sell them Golem Troops,” the bard added the last part cheekily.

“YOU WHAT?!” Gallwell exploded, reacting exactly as Seth had predicted. The hulk jumped from his chair but stopped when he saw Seth’s amused grin. “You tricked me. Give me back my items,” he said, reigning in his emotions.

“Do you think I’m telling you this to mock you? Or to insult you? Maybe a little bit, but mostly I want to tell you to keep your feet still. My Head of Administration is working with Chrona’s representative in Delta, they are making a contract to have the release of human slaves, as a condition for the non-aggression treaty.”

Gallwell stared at him for a long moment, even more surprised than when this talk began. When he finally processed what the blacksmith had just told him, he sat down, once again. He was a little grumpy, but it didn’t seem like he was going to hold a grudge over Seth’s little tease.

“So you are also working to get our brethren out of there?” he finally asked in a hushed voice.

“Not really, Mary and Leana do. I’m a blacksmith, not a politician. It was just an opportunity that came up by chance,” Seth gave his honest thoughts. If Arget Nore had not approached them, the bard would probably not have thought of interfering any time soon.

“But Minas Mar is then. That’s good news. But why do you want to aid them with your golems?” he asked him seriously.

“Why not? They are paying me to increase my own forces. How could I say no?” he asked back with a meaningful smile. This time, Gallwell instantly got what Seth was playing at.

“So you keep...?” “Yes, even if I transfer it temporarily to someone else. The golems stay mine,” the blacksmith revealed in a hushed voice.

“This is why I hoped you could stay a little more low-key for now, it will help our negotiations. Anyway, the reason I brought it up, initially, was that I wanted to involve the Gamma resistance if Arget Nore agrees to the condition. I want to leave the recovery and aftercare of the people to Gamma Resistance.”

Seth unfolded his grand scheme, well not just his but Mary and Leana had also agreed. They would shove the aftercare to the Gamma Resistance people, washing their hands off that responsibility. It was not just a humanitarian action but a great image campaign for everyone involved.

“I see, this way everyone would win... but the undead would get away unpunished for their crimes,” Gallwell lamented bitterly. It seemed like he was not too keen on peace and even about to decline his request. However.

“It’s not like you are signing the treaty,” Seth said with a shrug. “Once the people of Gamma are freed, you can continue to protest or go on a guerrilla war against them. At least Minas Mar won’t stop you.”

“But your golems will.” “I can just command them to be unable to fight ori huma. Since Arget Nore officially gets them in case Spatia attacks, they won’t be able to protest against this small restriction. You will only be fighting their own forces,” Seth explained nonchalantly.

It seemed that the leader of Gamma Resistance understood that there was no reason to refuse anymore.

“I see, but you are really not willing to help me?” The Chosen of Tyr asked a final time.

“Aren’t I already helping you enough? I’m making you a legendary weapon; we are getting the captured people out and the weapons, I deliver them, won’t hurt you. I think that’s enough help,” the bard berated the man who was almost a head taller than even himself.

“You are right. Seeking my justice should be done on my own and those who agree with me, and not involve innocent bystanders. If you succeed, Gamma Resistance will take care of the freed people. I thank you for your help, and I will look forward to good news.”

With that, he stood up and reached out his hand for a handshake, a strong resolve in his eyes. It seemed that he was ready to leave. Surprised about the sudden and resolute decision, Seth also stood up to shake his hand.

It was a strong gnarly hand, but not as strong and gnarly as the blacksmith's rough paws. With a shake and a nod, they said their farewells and Gallwell left the restaurant posthaste to go and prepare his men.

“That went pretty well,” Mina commented after the man left.

“I guess so. Nice guy, though I doubt he will be able to do a lot if he seeks a fight with Arget Nore,” Seth mumbled. From Leana, they knew how thoroughly the undead empire had entrenched itself in Gamma, so far so that they had terraformed it into a land of death.

“Maybe Cromwel’s companions will join him when they return,” the catwoman pondered.

She reminded Seth that their mad scientist with a terrifying ineptitude to create failsafes in his works was also currently traveling around northern Gamma, to find the other group of people that survived his prototype serum with more severe side effects. Allegedly so severe that they would be confused for monsters if they got close to a human settlement.

If Seth remembered correctly, they were some of the poor sobs that were left in Gamma and had to serve the undead. The chance that they would turn against their former masters was high.

“Yeah, yeah, can we go and eat something now? Fin wants food!” the fairy interrupted their talk, returning to the topic to the original objective: a fun short trip. They had been on their way to grab something to eat after watching a movie.

“You are right, Fin. Let’s go to a restaurant that is still operational.”

The group of three stood up, quickly leaving the restaurant.