Swamp Lord with an Intelligence System-Chapter 572 - 247: So You Really Can Forge Divine Artifacts? The Plague of the Mad Rat
"As long as the flames consumed are abundant enough and compressed for a sufficient length of time, they can even match the temperature of the sun... This special inscription was named because of it."
Lear perceived carefully, and through the Power of Authority, he could sense a unique Power of Rules circulating on the inscription nearby.
It can very subtly manipulate the Power of Rules.
This skill is quite fierce.
If it can be used in combat, just store the flames normally, and let them erupt during a battle... If stored enough, hundreds of people might be able to burn down a city.
"Can other Frays activate it as well?"
"That requires enough talent and luck..."
Bulin was somewhat regretful.
"I was a stroke of good fortune."
Lear shook his head; if it can’t be mass-produced, it doesn’t hold much significance.
Not saying more about it, he switched the topic.
"How’s your research on the Gray Dwarves’ heavy crossbow? Can we manufacture it?"
Bulin nodded.
"I’ve already decoded it; we’re ready to assemble it anytime."
"The crafting skills of the Gray Dwarves are fairly decent, these heavy crossbows are designed quite well... However, most materials are specialty products of the Underworld, replicating them is very difficult, and there’s likely to be a reduction in power."
"If you need, I can immediately design one with even greater power... But the required materials might be substantial, thus large-scale production is challenging."
Lear waved his hand.
"Design one first, but halt production... Let’s focus on equipping the Gray Dwarves’ heavy crossbow first."
Just by looking at the size of those heavy crossbows, one could tell they’re highly troublesome to manufacture.
Weilu City doesn’t have the resources to expend on this right now; there’re more pressing matters to address.
"Yes..."
"By the way, how many Frays did the Rhino-men bring back last time?"
"A total of 200 people."
Speaking of this, Bulin was evidently excited.
The addition of this force made the operations at the Blacksmith Shop smoother.
His confidence to forge a Divine Artifact within half a year stemmed from the increase in tribesmen.
Lear nodded.
"Gather them together..."
The curse within these Frays hasn’t been lifted; it’s time to address it today.
This race is a treasure trove unto itself, possessing strong production capabilities.
"Yes!"
Bulin personally made arrangements with enthusiasm, and shortly after, 200 slightly uneasy and apprehensive Frays gathered in the courtyard behind the Blacksmith Shop.
Upon seeing Lear, one by one they lowered their heads, dared not make eye contact.
Evidently, the recent commotion had reached their ears.
Lear didn’t waste words, directly used the Power of Authority to erase the curse from within them.
Letting these Frays reclaim their ancestral legacy.
Feeling relieved from an age-old curse, the Frays nearly jumped for joy, then knelt down in immense gratitude and reverence, with utmost humility thanking Lear.
The unease and apprehension from being brought back to the territory vanished instantly.
A half even became shallow believers directly...
Lear didn’t say much more, letting them disperse on their own.
Followers acquired through Soul Enslavement provide merely a tenth of the Power of Faith of normal believers, often even less.
With non-combat personnel, Lear had little interest in enslaving them.
In an enclosed setting like Weilu City that isn’t open to outsiders, it’ll only be a short matter of time before these Frays are assimilated and obediently go to the Church to offer their faith.
Although Lear lacked interest in being a preacher, the power provided by faith is tangible.
Who doesn’t like becoming stronger?
Following Bulin’s lead, he inspected the Blacksmith Shop’s operations.
Currently, the Blacksmith Shop produces two types of armor—the Rock Heavy Armor for the Cold-blooded Cavalry and Spider Armor for the Spider Boggart.
Due to the large number of Spider Boggarts, even with full output, quite a bit is still needed.
On the other hand, the Rock Heavy Armor is produced abundantly; every Cold-blooded Cavalry is already equipped.
But for future expansion, they’re stockpiling, so the production line hasn’t stopped.
Overall inspection showed that, despite having two to three thousand people working, everything in the Blacksmith Shop ran orderly with miniscule errors.
The entire complex was busy yet systematic.
Lear was quite pleased with what he saw.
Relative to the Fray’s forging techniques, he felt their management approach was more impressive.
Perhaps that is the meaning of having a legacy.
Leaving the Blacksmith Shop, his steps were quite light.
Thinking it over, he decided to visit the fish pond to check on his Dragon Blood Red Fish, according to previous reports of their growth rate, they should be ready to serve by early February.
This is truly good stuff.
But just exiting the Blacksmith Shop, he saw Isa, the Dark Night Elf hero, leading two squads of Dark Night Hunters patrolling by.
With a sweep of his gaze, his interest was immediately piqued.
At this moment, the customary attire of these Dark Night Elves was replaced by a set of pure black armor.
This armor was extremely unique, akin to a bodysuit, tightly conforming to the body.
Maintaining high agility, the Dark Night Elves faced no hindrance in their movement.
Moreover, the armor had color-adapting capabilities, quietly turning green in green areas and black on black surfaces.
Like a chameleon.
The unique texture of the armor exuded a solidity, making blades ineffective.
It’s rare to experience both lightweight flexibility and indestructible traits on the same armor.
Alchemy-Activated Armor.
Lear nodded approvingly.
The trait of this armor is its ability to conform tightly to the wearer’s body shape.
Moreover, it continuously improves based on the user’s habits.
This clearly shows that this armor is perfectly suited for Dark Night Elves.
And not just Dark Night Elves, Rhino-men, Barbarians, Two-headed Ogres—the future Swamp Divine Race—all could use this armor.
He called out to Isa to inquire.
"Have all the Dark Night Hunters been equipped with armor?"
Isa respectfully responded.
"Sovereign, over half have been equipped, leaving just 3 squads..."
Before finishing the sentence, a sharp screech echoed through the sky, interrupting them directly.
Lear suddenly turned towards the west.
His gaze grew cold.
The sound of squealing rats!
Sensing spread out, immediately detecting anomalies.
Beneath the setting sun, on the hard earth outside of the Mire Swamp, the ground was dug out into piles of soil.
Forming dense tunnels akin to a beehive, an uncountable number of creatures poured forth.
Large bipedal rats, hunched as they walked, with sharp teeth like daggers.
Their gray-brown fur was greasy, emitting a nauseating rotten stench.
The Kelder Ratman, attacking!
Lear’s gaze grew cold.
Finally, they have arrived... Been waiting for you all!
The most terrifying thing isn’t the enemy already present, but the pending danger.
His figure flashed, directly arriving above the swamp, looking down.
Only to see outside the swamp’s mist, thousands of burrows were dug out, Kelder Ratmen swarmed out like locusts and ants, rushing forth at a terrifying speed.
Forming an ocean.
"Enemies approach... Army prepare for battle!"
The military command echoed in everyone’s ears, causing the peaceful atmosphere of Weilu City to shift abruptly.
A murderous aura emerged without warning.
The next moment, ancient guardians—a Treant protector—pulled roots from the Blacksmith Shop, proceeding directly to sit on a custom-built platform at the city wall.
Roots digging into the earth.
Dark Night Hunters agilely climbed on ancient trees.
Rhino-men, Dark Nagas, Cold-blooded Cavalry... Squadrons of fully armed forces climbed the city walls, standing ready.
In the sky, a swarm of Crimson Wasp formed a disaster of insects, a black cloud pervading.
Simultaneously, the Deserted Tomb Guard stationed in the City of Death, ancient Treant protectors and Treant mages also mobilized to return...
Armies quickly amassed.
Meanwhile, more and more Kelder Ratmen gathered outside the swamp, reaching the critical mass of 100,000.
Squeaks~
An abrasive and piercing scream rang out again.
The terrifying swarm of rats seemed to heed the charge’s call, rushing madly into the thick fog...
A plague of wild rats.
