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Chapter 11: Buying a first-rate sword for Martina

Early in the morning, Reiner brought the two demi-humans to Melod’s weapon shop to pick out arms.

Since they intended to exterminate goblins, he naturally had to equip Martina with a proper weapon.

Demi-humans seemed to have an inexplicable fondness for weapons.

The moment she walked into the shop, she squatted in front of the shelves and looked left and right.

Yet after browsing for quite a while, she still did not find a weapon that felt right.

While Martina tried one weapon after another, the old blacksmith in the shop stood to the side glaring at her, looking rather impatient.

Reiner asked, “Well? Have you decided?”

At that moment Martina was brandishing a two-handed sword taller than a man between the racks and said, “Not yet; help me check this one.”

Reiner took the sword and swung it twice, but the blade was so heavy that he could not handle it comfortably at all.

He looked at the muscles on Martina’s arms; although her biceps were smaller than his, she could unleash a terrifying brute strength.

Martina added, “If the blade were wider, it would be even better; this sword is too light for me, and I want something heavier and sturdier.”

Reiner repeated her words to the old blacksmith beside him.

The man glanced up at Martina and cursed, “A beast is a beast, all stupid muscle.”

Huh?

Although most people in this world harbored a natural hostility toward demi-humans, hearing the man curse so casually still made Reiner feel disgusted.

The old blacksmith turned and entered the storeroom, then struggled to haul out a heavy, long wooden case.

After prying off the lid, he brushed aside the straw on top and revealed a brand-new, gleaming greatsword.

When one looked at the blade from different angles, it shimmered in various colors.

The blade of this two-handed sword was especially wide, and its weight was evident at a glance.

“I thought this old fellow would lie in the warehouse for the rest of his life,” the blacksmith said as he scratched his ear.

Martina bent down and lifted the sword with one hand as if it weighed nothing.

She swung it casually, and the frightening whoosh of air made the onlookers’ spines tingle.

Martina could not help praising, “This is the finest weapon I have ever seen; it not only feels great but is exceptionally sturdy.”

The old blacksmith asked, “What is that beast saying?”

Reiner translated her words for him.

“So the beast has taste; tell her that this sword is forged from top-grade steel and mithril, the nemesis of all evil spirits! It is the masterpiece of my life, and there is no armor it cannot cut or monster it cannot slay. I never imagined the one who appreciates it most would be a demi-human. I swear this is the best two-handed sword in the entire city….”

The old blacksmith rattled on and on, and Reiner’s ears practically developed calluses.

He gave Martina a brief translation: “The old man says it’s a good sword.”

Then he asked the blacksmith, “How much?”

The blacksmith narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, and answered, “At least 15 Dyast gold coins.”

Reiner was speechless for a moment.

Although he had already prepared himself for a high price, iron was still rather scarce in this era.

What was more, the sword contained mithril that could ward off demons.

That stuff was a top-tier forging material, so expensive that even the kingdom’s elite knights could not afford it.

Just then, the system’s voice sounded.

[Host, please manage your finances wisely and spend money where it counts.]

“The materials and craftsmanship of this sword are first-rate; it is absolutely worth the price,” the blacksmith continued.

Reiner sighed and said, “But to afford it, a farmer would have to save every coin for at least 7 years without eating or drinking.”

A sly glint unique to merchants flashed in the blacksmith’s eyes as he said, “You’re an adventurer, aren’t you?”

Reiner nodded.

“How about we make a deal?”

Reiner looked at him warily. “Speak.”

The blacksmith hurried to the counter, took out an old map from a drawer, and unfolded it.

Pointing to a wilderness west of Melod City, he said in a low voice, “A band of brigands is hiding here; their leader is a bastard named Leonard. Capture him alive and bring him to me, and the sword is yours. How about it?”

After speaking, the blacksmith handed over a portrait of Leonard.

A full beard, a scarred face, and one eye slashed blind… he had the classic villain look.

Reiner stowed the portrait in his pouch and asked, “What grudge lies between you two?”

Clenching his aged fists, the blacksmith said furiously, “He killed my only son.”

“Why not hire bounty hunters?”

“I did, but they have found nothing for months,” the blacksmith said with a shake of his head.

Reiner thought for a moment and then asked, “About how many men does he have?”

The blacksmith shrugged. “A few, maybe a dozen… who knows?”

“Alive only?”

“Alive is best; if he is dead, bring me his head,” the blacksmith replied, his gaze cold.

Reiner nodded and said, “I’ll give it a shot, but don’t get your hopes up.”

Reiner decided to set the main quest aside and tackle a side quest first.

After all, the blacksmith’s reward seemed richer than the system’s.

He walked to the rack, had Martina pick another two-handed sword, and then pulled a gold coin from his pocket and handed it to the blacksmith.

Seeing Martina carry the sword effortlessly in her right hand, Reiner felt something was missing. “If you wield the sword one-handed, do you want a shield for your left hand?”

Martina thought for a moment and then nodded lightly.

Reiner took out 10 silver coins and bought a heraldic shield hanging on the wall.

After buying Martina’s gear, Reiner turned toward Nora.

She was squatting by the shelf, carefully selecting throwing knives.

Their eyes met.

(Should I ask Master about it? These knives look pretty good.)

A set of throwing knives cost 3 silver coins, and two sets were only 6; Reiner felt there was no need to be that frugal.

The things were consumables; once thrown, if there was no chance to retrieve them, they were gone, so the more the merrier.

“Just say what you need; no need to be shy.”

Nora scratched her cheek and whispered, “I’d like to buy a few more throwing knives…”

Reiner placed 6 silver coins on the counter, then picked up two sets of knives and stuffed them into her belt pouch.

He now had 2 gold coins left in his purse, along with a handful of copper.

Reiner next went to the armor shop to have leather light armor custom-made for the three of them.

The craftsman glanced at Reiner and could not help teasing, “I’ve been in this line for years, and it’s the first time I’ve seen someone buy armor for his slaves… especially female slaves…”

Once their measurements were taken, they would need to wait 3 days before picking the armor up.

During that time, he planned to scout the bandits on the city’s west side and see if he could find a chance to butcher them.

Thinking of that, Reiner looked at Martina beside him and asked, “How is your leg?”

It seemed her leg had almost healed, and she could hop and jump all the way.

“Almost fully recovered,” Martina said with a blank expression.

Reiner nodded. “Then show me what you can do in a bit.”

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