Standing outside a large home, Richard studied the house. It was big, but not as large as a mansion. If he had to guess, there was a good chance there were five bedrooms inside. Maybe six. The house was tall, three stories high, and made of white stone.

Where he expected dirt and grass to be, there were none. The stone used was clean, with no dust, dirt, or grime present. It was a sight to see since his world never had a stone like this. He couldn't help but wonder what it was made of.

That's why he did not notice the time. It's been long past an hour since he arrived, but he was still gazing at the marvels around him. Each sculptor, hedge of grass, brick, stone, and gate all blew him away.

"Richard?" A man in a leather outfit asked.

The leather looked to be used as armor more than anything else. And the way he called Richard was as if he were unsure if Richard was Richard.

He drew his attention, pulling Richard away from the fountain that sparkled with green water. Green, not blue.

While he was curious about the water in the fountain, this was the first time that Richard got a chance to see his reflection. He first assumed that he came to this world in his own body, but no, that wasn't the case. His wrinkles were gone, he knew of that and was even interested in knowing why. But, never to the point that he went to actively search for a mirror of any kind.

Now that he was here, he couldn't help but look at himself. His skin was darker, his eyes were dark brown. Most of that would have been normal for him, but the odd thing was he had hair. Actual hair that he could run his hands through.

Back on Earth Richard was bald and had a beard. Even in his youth he never looked like this. He was handsome? Yeah, he would consider himself to be handsome. Although his arms were thin, he felt excited on the inside.

When would an old man like him have the chance to be young again? Never. This was a godsend, and best of all he wasn't dreaming or losing his mind. There were so many things he'd have liked to do if he had a second chance at life. Or even if he were to be young again for a day.

There were so many things. But now, there weren't many if any. He was in a strange world lacking the technology, culture, and advantages of his previous world. While he hasn't encountered racism yet, or even discrimination there were slaves here. Actual slaves, so this change was one he wasn't sure if it was a good trade-off.

Richard looked at the man, a guard he presumed based on his attire and the sword at the man's waist. With a nod, Richard told the man that he was who he was searching for.

This was not the only guard in the area, but the rest of them were posted at different locations. One of them Richard could swear was watching him like a hawk.

"The Lord will see you now."

Lord? Gregor never said they were going to see a nobleman. He didn't really think that there was one. But, why wouldn't there be?

Why'd that short man bring him here?

Following behind the guard, Richard entered the estate. They passed through the main hallway, took a right, went straight, turned left, and finally entered a large room. No chairs, or tables. Just a red carpet that went from the entrance all the way up four stairs until it reached a large stone seat. Probably a throne, but it did not resemble any thrones portrayed in movies.

Seated on it was an older man, past his prime.

Gregor was standing with his burly arms crossed, and seconds later another short man entered the room carrying a black longsword. Two short men? Richard knew that some people never grew past a certain height, but what were the chances he'd encounter three of them in such a short period of time?

All of them were hairy with deep voices and had a laugh that sounded as if the sky was being split.

Richard knew of fantasy worlds, but he's never been fully invested in one before. Heck, he didn't begin reading books until he was in his late fifties. And most of what he read were biographies, sci-fiction, or mystery. Oh boy, he liked a good mystery.

Lord Kirk watched the Asthian man look around the hall. His eyes were never on one thing for too long. He also looked young, very young. As young as Serena, his youngest daughter. She was sixteen this year, and given Richard's feature Lord Kirk placed him within that same age range.

How could such a young man have such a talent for smithing? He couldn't help but glance at Gregor, beginning to doubt the dwarf.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Richard I take it? I am Kirk, lord of Evergreen." Kirk introduced himself as Bojack stood in front of him with his famed sword.

Richard did a slight bow of the head, something that was lacking in both elegance and grace. But, Lord Kirk did not mind since the young man had more than likely never been in the presence of a ruler before. So his reaction could be justified in that he did not know how he should act.

"I heard you've crafted this sword, is that true?"

"Yes." Richard replied.

"How did you create something so... unique?" Kirk asked him as he wielded the sword and ran his finger down the edge.

Richard raised his eyebrow at that. Unique? He held himself back from laughing, the sword he forged was not unique in the slightest. It was basic if anything.

"Were my words wrong?" Kirk asked him as he saw Richard react.

"Not wrong. I just don't consider that sword to be anything special. Given enough time I could easily make something better."

"Do not insult the lord human!" Bojack spouted.

The sword in Lord Kirk's hand was clearly special and had to have been crafted with the utmost care. To say otherwise was spitting in the face of all the blacksmiths. Even worse, Richard had the gull to say he could do better. That irked Bojack to the core.

Even Gregor felt some kind of way hearing that. But then again, he saw the process Richard took and the time limit he gave the man. What if he gave Richard more time? Could he have truly made something better?

"But I'm not. I'm simply stating facts." Richard wasn't riled up by Bojack's words.

Instead, his sight was focused on the black sword he was holding. Richard could tell it was made of some unique metal, but he'd have to personally see it to find out what it was.

Lord Kirk raised his hand to prevent Bojack from speaking further. He knew that once the dwarf was riled up, there was little anyone could say. He'd rather not deal with Bojack's outburst at the moment, but the dwarf had good eyes and his opinion mattered.

"That still does not diminish the value of the sword. For me, I haven't seen anything with such quality besides my own personal weapon. So when I say it's unique, I mean it's unique."

That sealed it for Richard. This world was far behind in times. For them to not even know about steel and the benefits it could bring. Richard raised his hand to his chin as he thought about it for a moment. Maybe there was something there, something he could capitalize on.

A world so far behind his own with him here. Yeah, he could benefit greatly from this. He'd have to do some research first, but if things played out like they were in his head... Richard was going to make it big. But, there were still a few cogs in his wheel that had to be settled first.

"I see. So, would you like to buy it?" Richard asked him.

Lord Kirk looked at Bojack, who handed him his black sword. The length was similar to that of Richard's own sword, but the weight was different. Lord Kirk's black blade was heavier, so much so that most men would have to use two hands to wield it.

"I might, but first, do you mind if I test the quality of the sword?" Lord Kirk asked. He didn't have to, but he was showing Richard a bit of respect. If the young man's skill was as good as he thought, then there was nothing wrong with showing him some respect. After all, Lord Kirk could use Richard in the future.

Bojack was good, but he could always be replaced.

"Go ahead." Richard said as he saw nothing wrong with this. He was also curious as to how the black longsword Lord Kirk was holding would fare.

Lord Kirk held Richard's steel longsword in one hand, and his own obsidian one in the other. He struck down with his obsidian blade causing the two metals to clash against one another. One strike and Lord Kirk examined both swords. Neither of them showed any damage. This was good.

He struck once more. Still no change. Four more times and both swords were fine.

The seventh strike would surely leave a mark or cause the blade Richard made bend. All iron swords began to fold under the pressure of the obsidian sword. Yet, a fire was ignited in Lord Kirk's heart. He wanted this to be different.

Bang!

Once more, he struck fully expecting there to be some mark, tear, or fold on the sword. But again, both of them were fine.

A smile began to emerge on his face.

To Richard it looked like a child playing with a new toy. He knew what Lord Kirk was trying to do, and he wasn't sure if his steel sword would hold up to the black one. After all, it was made of some material he didn't know about.

After ten strikes the lord stopped his test. "Yes, this is good. Real good. How much for it?"

Gregor who was silent this entire time watching the process spoke up. When Lord Kirk first began striking the swords against one another he felt pain in his heart. But with each collision, he felt a weight being lifted from his shoulder.

"Richard is new to town, and has yet found a place to stay. I propose he takes over Samson's workshop."

Lord Kirk looked at Gregor, he could tell what the dwarf was getting at. He wanted to give Richard a place to work, so he'd become aligned with the city. Which was fine by him, he was going to do something similar.

"Lord, we've yet to see if he actually made it. You just can't-" Bojack started but quickly stopped as Lord Kirk eyed him with an icy glare.

However, there was merit to what Bojack was going to say. Lord Kirk did not see Richard make the sword, so he shouldn't rush to reward him for creating such a fine weapon. No, he should see his skill personally. Only then would he know.

With a nod, Lord Kirk spoke again. "Yes, he can have Samson's workshop. The old man passed away and did not have anyone to inherit the place, so it's been unused for a while now. However, I do have to agree with Bojack, we do not know if you've truly crafted this sword. Therefore, I need you to demonstrate your skill."

"I can, but I'll need you to write a contract. Also, if I'm to show off my work, then no other smith shall be present. Your guards or even you can watch if you so desire, but no smiths." Richard stated.

"What?" Bojack looked at Richard as if the man just said something that went against all logic.

But, Richard was doing this for a reason. Steel wasn't known yet, meaning they had no idea how it was made. He could use that and would use it. The less people that had knowledge of what he was doing, the better. Any competent person would see how he forged a weapon and try to copy it. Their results would vary, but eventually, they'd get close enough to find the answer.

Before that happened, Richard wanted to monopolize the market. Heck, he might stop making swords altogether and only produce steel to sell to the smiths.

"Very well." Lord Kirk agreed.