Chapter 232 Chapter230-Secrets within the Glacial Lair
Henry Powell's room was brimming with an array of forged weapons.
Besides the weaponry, there were an assortment of unusual equipment, a dazzling array to behold.
What was truly astonishing was that despite Henry Powell's towering stature, the items he crafted were suitable for ordinary folk.
"Those were made for the villagers," Henry Powell remarked, pointing at a row of bows and spears hanging on the wall. "However, I'd suggest they use this."
Ethan followed Henry Powell's gesture and spotted a crossbow machine, with several massive bolts placed alongside it.
Henry Powell, with a gleam in his eye, proclaimed, "This, my friend, is a masterpiece. From a significant distance, it can fell a fierce monster with a single shot. Of course, handling it does require some skill. It's best utilized atop city walls."
It was evident that his words were directed pointedly at Ethan.
Henry Powell wasn't a fool; his mastery in forging was testament to that.
Once Ethan provided the blueprint, the implications became clear to him.
The ability to produce the Blood Source, an artifact that enhances one's power, is something no kingdom would ignore.
They would vie for it by any means. As the possessor, Ethan faced two paths: either offer the blueprint and the heart of Oksd to the mightiest kingdom or choose to stand and fight.
Ethan's presence in Snowy Plains indicated his decision.
Although unsure of the young man's hidden strengths, Ethan's course of action resonated with Henry Powell's preferences.
That resonance was a significant factor in his agreement to assist, even with his friendship with Victor.
While there were underlying complexities, Ethan chose not to ponder them.
Instead of dwelling on them, it was more worthwhile to marvel at the treasures displayed by Henry Powell.
In truth, Forging shares many parallels with Alchemy.
One might even say the origins of Forging trace back to Alchemy.
However, Alchemy delves into the exploration of rules, representing an art form subtle to perceive and incredibly taxing to pursue.
Forging, on the other hand, is distinct. It leans more towards tangible artifacts, things one can touch and feel.
As Ethan observed the array of items Henry Powell forged, his understanding of Alchemy deepened, giving birth to fresh insights.
If Alchemy could bestow new properties upon items, what wonders could be achieved when combined with Forging?
Yet, this notion demanded validation.
The pressing concern was to swiftly return to his domain and manufacture Oksd's apparatus.
Sharing his intentions, Ethan promptly voiced his request to Henry Powell.
"No, no, hold on a moment," Henry Powell promptly declined.
He elucidated, "The reason I reside in this quaint village is its proximity to the Glacial Lair, allowing me frequent access to mine resources. I've named one such mineral Hard Ice, an extraordinary material. Swords crafted from Hard Ice boast unparalleled sharpness, and when shaped into armor, its resilience is unmatched."
Henry Powell's veneration was palpable, underscoring the brilliance of this so-called Hard Ice.
However, having already invested considerable time in this quest, Ethan couldn't afford further delays.
Ultimately, persuaded by Ethan's words, Henry Powell resolved to accompany him back to his domain. But before departing, he made a special trip to the Glacial Lair, setting up certain measures.
Upon returning, he generously bestowed all his forged creations upon the villagers.
The villagers emerged to bid farewell to Henry Powell.
Having dwelled in the village for an extended period, Henry Powell's departure was met with genuine melancholy from the locals.
Amidst the villagers' farewells, Ethan and his party made their exit from the depths of the Snowy Plains.
The journey back was rather smooth.
Ethan and his companions encountered no unusual events, and the weather was quite agreeable.
However, Henry Powell's imposing stature led some of the villages they passed through to mistake him for an attacking Snowy Plains Monster.
With a mix of amusement and exasperation, Ethan found himself having to patiently clarify the situation.
As for Henry Powell, he was swinging his massive hammer around. "These folks dared to take me for one of those hideous monsters," he huffed.
"Perhaps I should teach them a lesson. So, the next time they encounter a real Snowy Plains Monster, they'd know to run, rather than rallying a group to face it head-on."
"It's alright, Powell. It's not your fault," Ethan said with a comforting chuckle.
At that moment, Sherry turned to Henry Powell and inquired, "Mr. Powell, I've heard that there's a subgroup within the Dwarves who are of a considerable size. Are they the royal line of Dwarves?"
"Hmph, that's what the uninformed say," Henry Powell responded with disdain.
He declared, "Young lady, remember this. My kin are called the Mountain Dwarves. We are not to be confused with those who dwell in jungles and caves, surviving on rotten fruits that have fallen to the ground."
Sherry covered her mouth, giggling, signifying she got the message.
With laughter and stories filling their journey, the trio traveled for five days.
Though they passed by Frosty City, they chose not to linger, pressing on in their travels.
By the fifth day, Ethan reached the outskirts of the Snowy Plains.
"Come to think of it, the last time I was here was a decade ago," Ethan mused.
For a Dwarf, a decade isn't considered long. The average lifespan of a Dwarf spans around two hundred years.
The Mountain Dwarves, like Henry Powell, stand out among their kind; even the weakest among them live for at least three centuries.
As for Henry Powell, with his commendable strength, he once casually mentioned that living half a millennium wouldn't be surprising for him.
Upon hearing this, Sherry could only respond with envy.
As for Ethan, he possesses the Bloodline of the Dragon. The lifespan of a Dragon far exceeds that of a Dwarf.
However, the time Ethan has spent in this world hasn't been particularly extensive.
He hasn't truly grasped the loneliness and boredom that comes with the passage of countless years, especially now when the village they just entered seemed to have vanished.
"Could we have taken a wrong turn?" Sherry, sensing something amiss, asked Ethan.
On the edge of the Snowy Plains, there was supposed to be a small town.
Now, all that remained was an expanse of endless white snow.
"We're in the right place," Ethan asserted with conviction.
He scanned the surroundings and, spotting a familiar hillock, said, "Look over there. That's the cave we discovered when we left last time. The innkeeper was lying alone inside it, and we rescued him. Later, a giant serpent appeared."
Sherry's gaze followed to the hillock. But now, the entrance was sealed shut by a massive rock.
"What happened to the town?" Sherry inquired again, her voice laced with genuine concern.
The entire situation reeked of mystery.
It was then that Henry Powell decided to speak up.
"The year I came to this town, I felt something was off," he began.
"The townsfolk seemed fine at a glance, but there was this faint, elusive aura of a monster about each of them. I simply chose not to concern myself with it back then."
"A monstrous aura? Were they under some sort of monster's enslavement?" Ethan pondered internally.
For now, he had no time to dwell on it and merely made a mental note of the mystery.
Ethan, Sherry, and Henry Powell decided to leave the Snowy Plains.
To expedite their return, Ethan transformed into his Dragon form, grasping both Sherry and Henry Powell, and flew back towards his domain.
This mode of travel was significantly faster, but it wasn't the most pleasant experience for Ethan.
The sheer weight of Henry Powell's robust frame combined with the vast distance they had to cover was quite taxing on Ethan's strength and energy.
Nonetheless, the pace was indeed rapid.
In just a day, Ethan landed on the outskirts of the Abandoned Temple with Sherry and Henry Powell.
However, upon their return, Ethan began to doubt whether they were in the right place.
"Is this my domain?" he questioned, looking at the under-construction city walls.
Beyond these walls, many other structures were being laid out and built.
Soon, Victor emerged, leading a group. "Lord Ethan, you've returned," he greeted with a smile.
Then, casting a glance at Henry Powell standing behind Ethan, Victor burst into laughter, "Powell, I knew you weren't dead yet!"
"You old geezer, neither are you," retorted Henry Powell.
The two then erupted into hearty laughter, exclaiming in unison, "Long time no see!"
Once their laughter subsided, Ethan voiced the burning question about the drastic transformation of his domain.
Victor explained the situation:
Due to the various policies implemented by the Azure Empire, which showed aggressive posturing against the Dark Lord factions, many Dark Lords found it hard to resist and chose to align with the Azure Empire. However, another group of Dark Lords chose to continue their resistance.
With the increasing infrastructure within the domain and the looming threat of a retaliatory strike from the Azure Empire, the Abandoned Temple's vulnerability became apparent.
The need arose to construct more formidable defenses against potential attacks.
Hence, building a fortress became the priority.
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