The count cleaned up his mood, adopting an attitude of seeking advice, and asked the old factory manager.
"What ideas do you have?"
In the past, forging masters didn't have an entire factory and assembly line to assist them in manufacturing equipment. However, history still left behind many awe-inspiring divine weapons, and many ancient high-tier pieces of equipment remained brilliant as new. Some were even more than legendary; some were holy artifacts.
The right time and place, blood sacrifices, soul rituals—these did not rely on standard processes and precise controls but depended on the enormous magic power of the forging master and countless strikes of accumulated experience. Viewing the world as a furnace, with willpower as fuel, was a forging technique known as the "ancient method."
This forging approach, although producing rarities with uneven quality and even the forging master themselves not ensuring success each time, could achieve pinnacle works beyond human capability.
Even a modern expert in arcane engineering like the count had to admit that the ancient method was still far ahead in forging limits.
Just as the world had phoenixes, dragons, and other powerful beings beyond human comprehension, legendary equipment was born not so much as the culmination of human technology but as certain people, at certain times, stepping into the door of truth by a stroke of fate, reaching a breathtaking level of craftsmanship in that instant.
"Ancient method, huh... as you know, the ancient forging lacks a fixed process, relying more on luck and opportunity..."
Although he said this, the old factory manager didn't ponder for long.
"But indeed, at this point, sticking too firmly to ancient or modern ways is meaningless. Regardless of technique, a good forging master is one who can make equipment.
"In order to restrain the curse on the hero, one must consider the corrupted phoenix and the devouring curse demon of the raw materials—finding the path isn't difficult.
"The places related to the ancient hero that once sealed the corrupted phoenix for ages, and venues capable of purifying the magic of the devouring curse demon, or perhaps assisted by fantasy species of the same or higher class..."
Saying this, he shifted his focus to the hero, who had been silently listening with a slightly vacant expression: "Hero, any thoughts?"
Hearing his name mentioned, the hero, who had been listening to their conversation absentmindedly, snapped to attention.
"Huh? Sword Tomb? Ice Heaven Lake?"
Then, she hesitated for a moment before responding doubtfully.
Though unsure of the correctness of her direction, upon hearing the hero's explanation about these two places, the eyes of the old factory manager lit up with realization. He clapped his hands and said excitedly:
"That's right, absolutely perfect, those are indeed the places!"
[Special Event: Scorpion Forging LV67]
Achievement Condition: Process the remains of the devouring curse demon into equipment capable of restraining a curse.
The arcane workshop would perform some preprocessing on the material, and the hero needed to follow the thinking of ancient forging methods, carrying the preprocessed materials to specific locations and completing subsequent forging under special auxiliary conditions.
Destination: Ice Heaven Lake where the White Snake resides, Sword Tomb of the ancient hero (and Sword Maiden)
1. Star Forging Strike (referencing Enchanted Claw)
2. Spiritual War (referencing Depraved Hero Battle)
3. Heavenly Mandate (multi-layer anchoring value)
4. Demon Flame Conductor (Magic Consumption)♛
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
[So, is there anything to do before departure?]
5. Grandpa's preparation lecture
6. Consultation with the Fourteenth Princess
7. Farewell to the Healer Association President
8. Visit from the cruising bishop♛
9. Let's relax in the city! (Anchor)
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure