Chapitre 23: The Master Blacksmith (4)
"Uncle, where are we going?" Fiona asked while munching on some imported bread from Glendora. Apparently, with the infertile soil in the mountains, growing crops is still very difficult if not near impossible, even with the help of spiritual essence. So Maeriona buys most of their food supply to feed their citizens from the Glendora Kingdom at ridiculous prices, which is a reason the two countries have this feud.
Poor Burkan forged some mid-grade weapons last night and told me to sell it for him to buy some breakfast, and Fiona used up all of his middle-grade spirit stones just to satisfy her appetite with local delicacies.
Burkan ate his share sparingly, taking small nibbles at a time, almost crying at the size of his wallet. I watched as he stared at the sun, almost as if he was asking for a favor from the heavens. With his reputation the way it is now, it will truly be difficult to find customers, unless he changes his identity or flats out moves to another city.
Burkan has talked a little about his plans though, which makes me worried for him. He's a good man, with a good heart, but set it in the wrong place. And while this may sound like I'm taking advantage of him, Burkan IS a Master Blacksmith. In this world where survival is the priority, abusing your connections is normal. Excuses, you might say, but for my selfish desire to have Fiona by my side, I probably have to go against two of the strongest major kingdoms on the continent. It's justified.
"Little Fiona, there's been sightings of a 5th-grade snake beast at the bottom of the mountains. The fangs of it will provide excellent material to refine your daggers." Burkan intoned, restraining his anger.
I chuckled at the sight of that. Fiona's cuteness will make anyone unable to get mad at her, no matter her actions or her sharp tongue!
"Do snakes even live on mountains?" I asked, wondering about the ecosystem of this world. Monkeys and tigers roam the same forests. Wolves attracted by flowers. Snakes on mountains would fit right into that list. I won't even start talking about the flying wolves, fantasy creatures are on all whole additional level of comprehension.
Burkan shrugged. "I'm a blacksmith, you know. People come to me for weapons and armor, not the latest information on beast habitats."
"Humph, haven't you done business with hunters or loose cultivators? At least get some information out of them, you old sack of bones!" I protested.
It infuriated Burkan. "This ol' sack of bones can forge better than you can dream! And in case you forgot, this one's reputation is in the dumps! How could I talk to people??"
"Your trashy reputation isn't something that you should brag about, you senile old fart."
"Daddy, uncle, you two..." Fiona said while trying to hold on to her laughter.
Burkan shot me a look of triumph. "Look, even Fiona says I'm only an uncle. I'm still at a ripe young age of forty! Which old bones are you talking about?"
I glared at him in response. Well, not really because he one-upped me, but he interrupted Fiona's next words! You dare, mortal?
I was about to criticize the smiling Burkan before Fiona spoke up and pointed in front of us. "I think we're here."
I could make out a valley in front of us, but the fog blocked my vision. There was also a strange stench in the air, which reminded me of a swamp.
Burkan glanced at his surroundings and nodded. "Looks like the rumors were right. Never would have thought such a place existed behind the mountains." I rolled my eyes. Please, didn't you say a minute ago you were just a blacksmith?
"Fiona, lights please."
Fiona closed her eyes, and after a second a bright flame danced in her palms.
Burkan widened his eyes in surprise. "Alchemy fire, at such a tender age."
"Oh? You seem to be knowledgeable about alchemy as well?"
"I'll tell you about it later." He reached into the pocket of his overalls and pulled out a hammer. Ha, a classic for a blacksmith.
Burkan also tossed me a low-grade dagger he'd forged. Better than nothing, I guess. Plus, my constitution and cultivation base is the weakest amongst us three. Going in barehanded is suicide.
We nodded and headed deep into the fog.
_______
"This... this is a small lake? It's created by the waterfall from that mountain." I noted as Fiona glanced around the surroundings.
"Yep, how the waterfall magically appeared brought most of the confusion from the people. Some adventurous ones thinking the formation was because of a treasure, they tried to scale the mountain, only scared off by the snake beast."
"Sh." Fiona hushed us, still wary. She whispered softly, "It's here, in the lake."
I ducked behind some boulders and looked at the lake. Whish. A serpentine silhouette flashed behind the fog and disappeared.
"We have to drag it out. That lake will hinder our movements. Burkan, you got any explosive talismans or any of the likes?"
Burkan shrugged. "Nope, nothing. Got robbed clean."
Fiona walked over just as I was about to curse him for his uselessness. "Daddy," she said in an indistinct voice. "I want to make sure of something."
I stared into her eyes, still as bright as ever although I could see traces of worry along with a sense of reluctance about something.
"Fiona, you silly girl. I thought I told you already." I squatted down to face her directly. "You don't have to worry about anything. Just speak your heart out."
"I... I want to fight head-on, but I'm worried about the poison. But I also want to confirm something... and I don't want daddy to get hurt." Fiona said nervously, shaking a bit.
I stood up and patted her head. "Why are you worried about that? You're truly so silly, Fiona. We have Uncle Burkan here to serve as your test subject!"
Fiona almost cried. "Daddy..." she said pitifully, but I was more worried about the killing intent that aroused behind me at the moment.
I scratched my neck. "Hehe, sorry, I couldn't resist teasing you," I said while pinching her cheeks.
"Now, daddy will be all right? Look at the last few times. Daddy wasn't injured at all. Trust in him, and daddy will trust you too, okay?"
"But.. but!"
I kissed her forehead. "Do not worry. Daddy still hasn't cooked your favorite noodles since we've been here, you know..."
Fiona protested but sulked when she realized that she was adamant about testing her theory. "F-fine, but be safe."
That made me smile. I glanced at Burkan, who was muttering something under his breath.
"Oi, why so wholesome? It's like you're departing for your execution, so heartbreaking. You know, if that shameless bastard dies, I could adopt little Fiona myself."
My smile disappeared as I kicked Burkan.
"Focus, and find another core," I whispered.
"Got it." He confirmed, looking serious.
That was my cue to leave, and I trudged into the murky lake.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
ryfulrifle
ryfulrifle I was about to publish this last night but wanted to do some revision.
Expect a chapter tonight.
As always, thanks for all your support!