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CHAPTER 189
293 AC
POV THIRD PERSON
After Aermir toured the three islands and raged Lord Borrel, Longthorpe, and Torrent and Sunderland with his stories and he left his familiar on each island. Erebus was on House Borrel, Kilim was on House Longthorpe, each serving as silent observers and guardians of Aermir's interests, and now he summoned Nin on House Sunderland. The tiny black mouse emerged from the depths of a dark portal, his demeanor a curious blend of formality and theatrics.
"Greetings, my honorable lord! Your humble ninja servant has arrived, shrouded in shadows and ready to execute your most covert and daring commands. With silent steps and swift moves, I stand at your service, ever vigilant and ever ready to embrace the way of the ninja!"
Aermir's initial surprise was quickly replaced with a mixture of incredulity and mild annoyance. The theatrical display was so over-the-top, and he struggled to find the right words in response.
"From now on, you are forbidden to access my past life memories,"
Aermir said firmly, his frustration palpable.
"My lord, I humbly request your understanding. If I do not remain steadfast in my commitment to my ninja training, its mastery will forever elude me; with your permission, I would need to access the most secret ninja training, I have to find my ninja way."
Nin replied with a deep bow.
"The path of the shinobi demands unwavering dedication, and I must ensure that my skills remain sharp and my movements remain as silent as the night breeze."
Aermir slapped his own face in disbelief. It seemed that his familiar’s exposure to his past memories had influenced his manner of speech, and Aermir found himself struggling to maintain his composure.
"Stop talking like that!"
Aermir exclaimed, his exasperation evident.
"Oh, my honorable lord, I humbly seek forgiveness for actions done amiss,"
Nin responded with a profound sense of contrition. Taking a deep breath, Aermir gave up on the endeavor and decided to focus on the task at hand. He assigned Nin a crucial mission: to monitor the actions and intentions of the Lord Sunderland.
"Inform me immediately if they decide to take any actions against us," Aermir instructed, his tone serious. Nin replied with a bow.
"Yes, oh, my honorable lord,"
As Aermir turned away from Nin and began walking back toward the grove, he couldn't help but shake his head in bemusement. The absurdity of the situation seemed almost surreal, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"I give up, I just give up..."
Under cover of night, Aermir's transformation into an eagle was a seamless transition. His form shifted and melded into that of the majestic bird, wings spreading wide as he took to the skies. With the moonlight illuminating his path, he soared through the darkness as he flew toward Moat Caitlin.
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Meanwhile, back within the halls of Lord Sunderland’s castle, Nin continued his silent infiltration. His presence melded seamlessly with the dark corners of the torch-lit castle thanks to his shadow magic. As he navigated the labyrinthine passages of the castle, the ninety mice under his command moved into every crack and crevice, gathering whispers and secrets along the way.
Within the hidden alcoves of the castle, the mice relayed their findings to their ninja commander. Fragments of conversations, suspicions, and private discussions formed a puzzle that Nin carefully pieced together in his mind.
Back in the skies, Aermir's journey drew him closer to Moat Cailin. The fortress, a bastion of his own plans and designs, awaited his return. His eagle eyes surveyed the landscape beneath him; the fully renovated Moat Cailin now stands as a formidable fortress in the midst of the marshlands. Its walls and towers have been meticulously restored, exuding strength and authority.
Within its walls, chambers have been expanded and adorned with tapestries that tell the North's history. The courtyard has been transformed into vibrant gardens and training areas. Overall, Moat Cailin is now a symbol of both physical and spiritual rejuvenation.
...
In the dimly lit chambers of Moat Cailin, Aermir and Tobho Mott, the master blacksmith, sat across from each other at a sturdy wooden table laden with designs and blueprints. The room was filled with the faint echoes of clanging metal and the subtle hiss of a nearby forge, a constant reminder of the laborious work that transpired right behind them.
Tobho Mott's weathered hands traced the intricate patterns etched onto a piece of armor, his brow furrowing in concentration as he examined the fine details. Aermir observed the blacksmith's scrutiny with a keen interest.
"Remarkable work, Tobho,"
Aermir remarked, his voice holding a mixture of admiration.
"These enchanted armors possess a quality unlike any other. The craftsmanship, the infusion of magic—it's all coming together quite splendidly."
Tobho Mott's eyes met Aermir's, his gaze a blend of pride and satisfaction. "My lord, it is an honor to be part of such a grand endeavor. These enchantments are unlike anything I've ever seen or forged. They draw on the very essence of our world, melding strength and sorcery in a seamless union. It is all thanks to you, my lord."
Aermir nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"They are still not at the level of Valyrians, but in time, we will catch up to them and even surpass them. With each set of armor and every weapon that leaves your forge, our strength grows. These enchanted arms will be our legacy, a testament to the unity we are forging in the North."
Tobho's gaze shifted to the nearby forge, where a blade glowed with a soft, otherworldly light as it underwent its final enchantment. The sword had intricately carved runes and magic diagrams, and a small gemstone was put on top of it. The man smithed the gemstone with his hammer, and with a spark of light, the gemstone exploded, merging with the sword.
As the light dimmed, the runes and diagrams carved onto the sword started to submerge into the metal. The gems were Aermir's creation; they were filled with the mana and incantation for the enchantment.
"The process is intricate and delicate, my lord. As you said, even a millimeter of error makes the sword ordinary. But I dare say the results are more than worth the effort."
Aermir's fingers drummed lightly against the table's surface as his thoughts turned to the future.
"We've created five hundred pieces thus far—a formidable arsenal, no doubt. But the time has come to increase our production. Our allies and our cause demand no less. I have 350 knights in the Paladin order and 150 knights under my personal army, but I need at least 500 of my professional soldiers to be armed with those weapons."
Tobho Mott's expression shifted, a flicker of concern crossing his features.
"My lord, while I am dedicated to this endeavor, the creation of enchanted armor and weapons is no simple task. Our workforce is skilled, but there are limits to what we can achieve."
"I understand the challenges, Tobho. That's why I propose we hire fifty more blacksmiths who are willing to dedicate themselves to this cause. With their expertise, we can expand our production."
After thinking for a bit more, Aermir continued,
"I can spend 50 more spots of my oaths for artisans."
After this, he would be left with 50 more spots for oath rituals, and he was saving them in case of emergencies.
"I will expand the underground forges. They will work in the hidden forges beneath this castle, away from prying eyes and uninvited ears."
Tobho's features softened, his eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and respect.
"My lord, your dedication to this endeavor is commendable. With your assurance and the resources you provide, we shall forge not only weapons and armor but also a legacy that will echo through the annals of history."
After this conversation, the old man was fired up again with a renewed enthusiasm and passion for his job. Aermir was able to guess the three enchantments on Valyrian weapons, but he was not able to figure out how to implement them. They had always-sharp, durability, and lightness enchantments, and of course, there was also a low-level anti-magic area created by the arcane steel itself.