Chapter 796: The dwarf’s predicament
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Frankly speaking, Sheyan was pretty annoyed at this contestant mob.
They were unable to accomplish anything but liable to spoil anything, like house flies that constantly bugged the soul.
If not for Rivendell prohibiting acts of violence, Sheyan and Reef would've started a massive massacre already.
In the midst of multitudes of enemies and few friends, Sheyan could distinctively notice the obvious cracks within that temporary party. As for the obvious crack, it was clearly due to the absence of a strong party leader. That was the opportunity Sheyan would seize.
Despite battling a party with half the members being Growth-Hunters, they would still win! This sounded rather far-fetched but it wasn't as complicated as it seems.
Once the battle begins, the duo would first reveal the party skills of their silver prestige party, before announcing that they were willing to recruit members. Right now, they were merely trialing for party members. Moreover, they would show off the terrifying HP and MP boost of 'Asylum' and even the insane healing skill, 'Gloryheal'. Even a formidable large party leader like Zi was dumbfounded, what more these brats?
That, was pure naked enticement.
Then, the duo would unleash their supreme crushing might and teamwork, while Reed demonstrates what an invincible MT he is.
That, was basic deterrence!
With deterrence and allurement combined, how could that reserve-duty MT with a dark-blue grade shield possibly capture the hearts of his members? How loyal could one be? Destroying such a temporary party was as simple as it sounds!
Nevertheless, Sheyan had no intentions to recruit new members. All his attention was now focused on Melody and thus he allowed them to go for now.
"The pesky flies are gone, let's continue." Sheyan muttered calmly to Franklin.
Franklin was an intelligent man. Although he could observe Reef's formidability and that he had encountered two large legs to latch on, he didn't raise any request and focused solely on his music piece.
He knew that any unnecessary words could distance himself further from the two large legs. Right now, he had to demonstrate his capabilities and earn a chance for himself.
At this moment, the decisive Franklin uttered to Sheyan.
"I possess an illusory art ability. If great sir can supply me with some specific instructions on the ambience or scene, I can allow the audience to truly receive that sensation. This will enhance the success of this operation."
Sheyan was slightly moved and asked.
"Oh you really have such an ability?"
Franklin chuckled and replied.
"I'm a magician in the real world. Started practicing magic tricks since the age of ten, and by the time I entered the realm, I already possessed 30 years of experience."
"Since that's the case....."
As Franklin needed more time to practice the piece and wished to perfect it, the performance was rescheduled to the next day.
Sheyan and Reef separated with Franklin and decided to investigate more on Legolas. Although Legolas was now reduced to an option, they still had to take precautions against him.
According to the former plan, Sheyan sought out the young Segimli again. Meanwhile, Reef seemed to have become accustomed with another human whose family were adventurers. Through him, they managed to find out quite a few information.
However, Segimli appeared to be in a moody state today, running to a tavern early in the morning for some drinks. He was munching on some grapes while drinking mugs of ale, as though his only goal was to get drunk.
When Segimli noticed Sheyan, he squeezed out a forced smile and addressed.
"My friend. I've just contacted Mister Samu of the tavern, he is willing to discuss music with you in an hour."
Samu was an adventuring bard who stayed in a northern kingdom for more than 10 years. The taverns there were like his home and was an exceedingly well-informed individual. Most importantly, Prince Legolas also came from the Mirkwood kingdom in the North and a neighboring kingdom. Without a doubt, Samu would be one of the best sources of intelligence for Sheyan.
Still, he wasn't in a rush to locate Samu. Instead, he sat before the young dwarf and earnestly observed him before saying.
"Segimli, you shouldn't keep your troubles to yourself. Sharing it with your friend will make you feel better."
Segimli shot a grateful glance and, being a big-mouthed individual, immediately divulged.
"My clan has encountered some problems, my friend. It will soon be the Skifz Ascûd festival of the dwarves."
Sheyan asked.
"Is that festival important?"
Segimli replied worriedly.
"The Skifz Ascûd festival is held amongst the dwarves once every century. It is a competition and the most exquisite artifact forged shall be deemed as the victor. Moreover, those who performed well will also be awarded with an abundance of reserves, and superb quality mines. In truth, my clan prepared a necklace, a staff and a platemail. However, I just got news from father that the necklace is not permitted for this competition...…..I'm afraid the end of the festival marks the start of my clan's decline."
"You're missing a single artifact?" Sheyan understood. "Is your Skifz Ascûd festival held tomorrow?"
"No, half a year later." Segimli shook his head.
Sheyan inquired.
"Then why not forge another one immediately? Could it be you lack a grand blacksmith?"
Segimli answered dejectedly.
"The Gimli clan of dwarves possesses the finest grand blacksmith of all dwarves. His standard surpasses that of those vile grey dwarves! However...our three main mines have run dry of ores. The reason we forged a necklace was due to the lack of materials."
Sheyan couldn't help but asked.
"What sort of materials you lack?"
Segimly replied.
"Mithril, adamantium!"
Sheyan frowned slightly after learning of this. Back when he plundered the white wizard Saruman's wizard tower, he harvested quite a load of rare mithril and adamantium. Sadly, Sheyan was unable to bring tose materials back to the nightmare realm and had to rely on Melody to store them.
Although Sheyan instructed Melody not to divulge information on these materials but to arm herself only, he felt the innocent and naive Melody would've spilled the beans to the elves by now. Thus, he didn't harbor any hopes of that.
However, her conduct during Rivendell's celebration had utterly toppled Sheyan's perspective of her. He suddenly realized something. Melody's growth could not be described in normal terms, besides, a twilight elf was one who will recover memories of past! That indicated that her current state was likely to be better than he imagined.
Of course, Sheyan wouldn't take charge presently. After all, he didn't know where those materials were stored.
Thus, he only probed further.
"So your family needs to forge a larger artifact? Seems like 50-60 kilogram of mithril or adamantium ores?"
Segimly shot a spiteful gaze at sheyan and replied speechlessly.
"50-60 kilograms??!! Mister! The entire reserves of mithril and adamantium throughout the entire dwarven empire is not even 10 kilograms! Do you think we directly forge the two treasured materials into artifacts? We only use them to enhance and strengthen, like adding salt to meat. If my family could even acquire 5-6 pounds of mithril and adamantium, we'll be able to preserve our mines and challenge other clans with confidence."
Sheyan laughed awkwardly but his heart swiftly begun devising...…..
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Morning the next day, the well prepared Franklin commenced the operation.
To him, busking on the streets was all along a hobby. As an individual who delighted in music, he regretted not being able to use music to pay for bread, housing and family. Instead, magic tricks could but it still didn't hamper his love for music.
The place to locate Melody was very simple. Why so? Because the exalted twilight elves would be given residence in a place called 'Validantise'; meaning 'bathing in starlight'. The elven constructs were already gorgeous and splendid. Yet the twilight elf residence dazzled majestically above the rest, having a unique flare visible from afar.
After Franklin and Aamir's performance the previous day, the elves and other travelers welcomed such an activity. Hence, when Franklin lazily trudged along the pristine white pebble path while blowing on his flamboyant saxophone, he didn't really cause huge commotion. Some of the patrol elves would even halt for a moment to nod their heads in approval before resuming their patrol.