NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 902 Current State of Affairs
Chapter 902 Current State of Affairs
"I think I have a good idea of how that's going," said Valyr in response to Julian's words, causing the latter to raise his eyebrow in curiosity. "Surprisingly enough, I found a way to keep myself updated on Veldanyr while I was still in the inheritance."
"I'm guessing you figured this out after the four that came along with you finally left the inheritance?" asked Julian, to which Valyr faintly nodded as he clarified a bit more.
"I already found a way to obtain information from the outside world before the other four left," said the young man. "However, the information I got at that time wasn't really enough to be substantial, so I only told them some of the more important information I got."
Nodding back in response, Julian thought over his explanation of the current state of war to the young man, eventually deciding to base it off how much the young man knew.
"So, what information did you get while you were in the inheritance?"
Hearing that, the young man began to explain about how he heard that the small skirmish between the two races had expanded to span beyond the Algerie Kingdom at some point.
Recalling the incident that happened while he entered the Akashic Battlefield with Zeik, he then told Julian about how he heard that multiple kingdoms under the Meltierre Empire had now begun to work alongside the Algerie Kingdom.
After all, the orcs were beginning to harass their defenses as well.
"The last piece of information I got while I was in the inheritance was the fact that the Meltierre Empire was making a move now that the orcs had seemingly gone on the offensive," said Valyr as he looked at Julian.
Letting out a low sigh, he then smiled bitterly. "It took a few days after I got that information for me to leave the inheritance, so… I'm guessing the empire has already made a move?"
"About a month ago." Julian nodded with a solemn expression. "A month ago, the Meltierre Empire finally made their move against the Khagarax Empire, pushing the orcs away from the many kingdoms that they were harassing."
Just as he said those words, he shook his head as he sighed. "Though it was effective at first, the orcs were eventually to return the state of the war into a stalemate, with it currently teetering on the edge of where the war would be to their advantage."
After that, Julian gave Valyr a bit more information on the state of the war, such as the number of people that participated, the average strength of those who participated, as well as the kingdoms that have joined in on the war.
"In total, 23 human kingdoms under the banner of the Meltierre Empire have joined forces to fight against the orcs," said the man, prompting a slight frown to appear on the young man's face.
"Depending on whether or not anything changes on our side, that number might gradually increase over time or drastically increase in one go."
"And that's why you want to get your hands on the blueprints of the weapons I've just showed you," said Valyr, to which Julian profusely nodded in response.
"Just like the offer we've agreed upon for the blueprint of your unique armor, we'll also decide upon a set of conditions that would leave you satisfied if you were to agree with giving the Blacksmith Guild a blueprint for that weapon of yours."
Though he had a feeling that he could squeeze out more from this due to the current circumstances, the young man thought about it from a long-term perspective.
With that, the young man shrugged his shoulders as he replied, "Well, the least I could do is make the conditions less stringent than before. After all, sharing this blueprint would help humanity out, after all."
Hearing that, Julian smiled as he profusely nodded in agreement.
"But now that I think about it, did any of the other four that joined me in the inheritance share any of the information they've gotten to aid in the war efforts?" asked Valyr, thinking about how much time had passed since he had been separated from the others.
"They've shared a lot." Unsurprisingly, the man nodded. "Faulus from the Alchemist Guild had shared a great portion of the alchemical recipes he obtained from the inheritance, reducing the mortality rate of our soldiers on the battlefield."
"On the other hand, Loreina from the Tailor Guild was successful in creating a unique sewing pattern that empowered the strength of those wearing clothing made with that pattern," continued Julian, prompting Valyr to recall Loreina's actions in his past life.
'It seems there are some things that don't change,' thought the young man to himself as he inwardly smiled at those words.
"As of late, they're mass producing the pattern for the soldiers to wear to try and even out the stakes. Though, as far as I've heard, Loreina is currently attempting to improve her original pattern, with considerable success."
"How about Hal and Vera?" Nodding in understanding, Valyr then steered the topic to the two that hadn't been mentioned yet.
"Though she's an alchemist just like Faulus, Miss Vera didn't really have any alchemical recipes to offer," said Julian with a slightly awkward smile. "This had something to do with her class, which the Imperial Alchemist mentioned as something unique to only her and Miss Vera."
Even though he was faintly amused by how Julian changed his manner of speaking when talking about Vera, Valyr remained silent as he continued to listen.
"Nevertheless, she's currently active on the battlefield as a rear-line support and healer. With how effective her healing is, she's even begun to be called the Mystic Saintess by the soldiers."
"And Hal?" Valyr asked, curious as to why that man had been saved for last.
"Being called the Lord of All Trades, what else would you expect?" replied Julian with a knowing smile. "After he left the inheritance with Miss Vera, Vylhalteinn shared all of the information he could with the four production guilds in the hopes that they could help."
"In fact, he had even shared a blueprint similar to the arquebus you just showed me to the Blacksmith Guild," the man said, prompting a smile to briefly appear on the young man's face. "I'm guessing he got that idea from you?"
Valyr let out a chuckle as he nodded. "How much of my weapon was he able to emulate?"
"Comparable to the arquebus you created before the inheritance, but simpler in concept," replied Julian, finding the situation amusing as well.
"Though that may be the case, we have begun equipping squads with it since it still boasts a higher Attack stat than the other weapons," added the man. "Aside from that, he's currently active on the battlefield as part of the frontlines."
"That makes sense." Valyr nodded in understanding. "He did have that unique Intent based on the blade."
"Yeah." Agreeing with the young man's words, it was at that moment that Julian felt like he'd talked for long enough with the young man.
Thinking about how much equipment he still had to forge, the man let out a faint sigh before asking Valyr to move aside as he began to forge more equipment for the war.
"Orders from the frontlines?" Watching Julian chuck a great number of materials into the furnace in front of him, Valyr did not take long to figure out what's going on.
"Specifically, for the elite squads," replied Julian, keeping an eye on the flame's temperature. "In any case, our conversation is over for now. I'll compile some of the less surprising information you've given me and share it with the guild."
"For the meantime, get some rest. You haven't gotten any after leaving the inheritance, after all."
"You sure?" Though he appreciated the man's concern for him, Valyr still asked. "I could help forge a part of the equipment the guild needs to make."
"I highly appreciate the thought, but we can still handle this." Glancing at Valyr for a bit, Julian swiftly returned his attention to the furnace. "You've already given this guild a lot through the information you just gave me."
"With that, you can give even more only after you've gotten enough rest. Though we're at war, it hasn't reached the state where we're forging for our lives yet."
"Alright then." At those words, Valyr merely smiled, finding the man's words ironic as he recalled his past life.
Watching the man forge for a bit more after that, the young man eventually decided to heed Julian's advice, bidding farewell to the man before leaving.
Though, just as he was about to leave the workshop, a couple of thoughts surfaced in Valyr's mind. "Now that I think about it… what happened to the talks regarding the blueprint for my armor?"
"They didn't go anywhere, even though I said back then that it wouldn't take that long." Julian let out a sigh. "They said I didn't have any proof as to why such an armor should be prioritized, even more so with those kinds of conditions."
"I see." Valyr faintly nodded, the gears in his mind turning as he thought about how he could turn that situation in his favor.
However, he decided to save those thoughts for after he had gotten enough rest.
"How about my companions? Do you know where they are at the moment?" Pondering over other things he needed to say to the man before leaving, Valyr eventually decided to ask Julian about Wells and Edward's whereabouts.
"Wells and that kid, right?" replied Julian, to which Valyr nodded in response. "I haven't been keeping an eye on them since I'm busy forging equipment, but I'll have someone from the guild find out their current whereabouts for you."
"It wouldn't take long for them to get the information you need, just a couple days of waiting at most."
"Thank you," replied Valyr as he bowed, eliciting a faint smile to appear on Julian's face as he softly chuckled.
And with that, it was only then did Valyr make his way out of the Blacksmith Guild, arriving at the inn where he had stayed in the kingdom not that much later.