Chapter 14: Smithies

Michael and Mary walk leisurely through the street. Michael then asks Mary a question as they continue walking forward "Madelaine said you were exercising since you were young?" Mary nods quickly to his question before replying, "I have, it's been something I do to remember my father by."

"Then have you used any weapons before?" The question makes Mary shake her head, "I have, but that was before it broke. New weapons are too expensive to be bought by someone like me." Michael looks at her questioningly, "Expensive? I'm sure a simple short sword would be more than enough for practice."

Mary shakes her head more, "Something like a short sword cost five gold coins, that's actually more than my annual salary." Michael thinks on the new fact, 'Huh, I guess I got used to the big numbers that I kinda forgot that five gold coins were enough to feed a family.'

Michael hesitantly asked Mary a question, "So, would you be willing to learn swords and magic?" Mary widens her eyes in shock as she stops and immediately bows as she spoke, "I would be more than willing to take such an opportunity." Michael raises her up from his bow, a bit embarrassed of the people around looking.

He then whispers to her closely, "Don't just bow in the middle of nowhere." Mary furiously nods, her excitement only making Michael sigh as he thought, 'I guess they both have ways to show their excitement.'

Mary then cutely pulls on his shirt which makes him lean closer before she whispers, "Um, so are you going to teach me?" Michael looks away, a bit happy of seeing such a cute expression. He coughs before he replies, "No, I'll probably teach you how to use magic. But I don't really know much about weapons to be of help."

Mary lowers her head as her atmosphere turns grim, she smiles as she thought, 'With this, I can be a step closer to my revenge.' Michael seeing this only scratches his cheek before pulling her once more, hoping to at least ease the tension.

He spoke hoping to at least take her mind off of the topic, "So how old are you two again?" Mary replied, "Sixteen." Michael mutters to himself, "Sixteen, huh. Guess the two of you are older then." Mary inspects him closely, "Really sir? You're younger than us." Michael smiles, "Yup, by two years I think."

Mary looks down as she mutters, a bit embarrassed of her actions towards the younger man "You don't really look that younger." Michael leans closer as he whispers, "It's actually magic." he taps his face as a sound can be heard, Mary looks in curiosity as she taps his face. "Oh, I see." Michael smiles as she curiously holds his face only to realize what she's doing as she instantly pulls back and mutters a "Sorry."

Michael only chuckles as they continue to walk, leisurely chatting until they reach a section of a city. The smoke and soot prevalent throughout the neighbourhood make it obvious where they are. He nods to Mary as they stop at a blacksmith. He opens the door to see a bearded man in his thirties sitting at the counter.

Michael waves to him while he shouts, "Jake!" Jake looks to him and smiles before he shouts back, "Michael! haha. So what brought you here?" Michael only smiles as he points to Mary, "I have a friend that'll be buying a sword." Jake looks to the girl as he spoke, "Sure, she a friend of yours?"

Michael smiles as he replied, "Yeah, she is," He then looks to Mary, "Pick a sword you like, I'll be talking with him for a while." Mary nods before she starts walking around the store. Jake then looks to Michael again, "So you need something custom made again?"

Michael shakes his head before speaking, "Not this time," He looks around the store before looking out the window, the difference of customers was for all to see. Jake noticing this wrily smiles as he spoke "Demon blacksmiths always had a great advantage with their magic," Jake plays with coins in his finger, "That's why most customers believe demon weapons to be of a better quality."

He takes the dagger on the counter playing with it as he talks to who he considered his biggest customer. "And I can't even blame them if your gonna pick between a blacksmith that can control the fuck out of your sword as he makes it." He stabs the dagger to his desk as he growled, "Fuck me, I guess. Fuck me for being born human."

Michael has watched rants like this before, unlike before where he can only listen. Now he greedily smile, he lowers his wrist to his pocket before it lights up. He takes the pouch hanging by his side before speaking, "How about I give you an offer?" Jake raises an eyebrow, noticing the greedy smile before replying. "I'm listening."

"I can give you the power to create weapons at their level or even something better." Jake widens his eyes as he grabs Michael's shirt before shouting, "I'll do it!" Michael chuckles as he takes the hands off his shirt, he spoke with a smile, "Now, now. No need to get hasty. How about you hear me out first." He flicks the pouch sitting by the counter, the sound of coins ringing can be heard before Michael says "I plan on buying your smithy."

The words douse Jake's excitement, he crosses his arm before grimly saying "I can't just give you my smithy, even if I am losing money. I still have employees and apprentices working for me." Michael nods in understanding, "I understand," But before Jake could speak Michael cuts in, "That is why I plan on buying all of it."

Jake looks at him, "All of it? You are aware that this smithy is losing business, right?" Michael nods, "That is why I plan on giving you the power and money to rise above your competitors." Michael takes out another pouch of gold, "The only thing you need to do is follow me and my orders while giving me the profits."

Jake listens in before grimly replying, "Fine, I'll sell it to you in one condition." Michael smiles, "Anything." Jake deeply exhales, "I want you to pay me and my employees, fairly." Michael shakes his head as he was laughing, he looks to Jake whose expression looks unreadable, "Why would I not pay you fairly? Its going to be hard to find anyone else to work for me. You know?"

Jake sighs in relief as he pushes his hand out for a handshake, "Then that's a deal then." Michael shakes his hand, "Oh yes, it's a deal." Michael then excitedly spoke,

"So I have this machine, I'd like for you to create."

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