And when Vivian infused her shadow energy into it, it completely disappeared into the shadows.

The work of the yak-men was also well done.

Bain, along with four other yak-men who received the flame forging tradition, finished tempering all fifty Turtle Tokens.

The Winter Iron Guard's equipment was fully equipped.

Facing ordinary soldiers, the Winter Iron Guard could win in one-on-five situations.

Of course, this was when the Winter Iron Guard faced the ordinary soldiers under Lord Rod, who had similar attribute effects.

Facing soldiers of other lords, they would likely be even more formidable.

As for the militia's combat success rate, Rod didn't keep track, as one-sided slaughter was meaningless.

It's worth mentioning that Durant was too busy, having to train new troops and manage military affairs.

So Rod selected two people from the guards to join the Winter Iron Guard as deputy commanders to assist Durant in management.

And now, the manor's defenses were also taken over by a team of Winter Iron Guards.

As the legion continued to expand, the population of the territory grew more and more.

The guards who came at the beginning had already been promoted.

Some were responsible for maintaining order, some for training new recruits, and some managed the guard at the mines at the foot of the mountain.

Only two remained by Rod's side now.

They likely wouldn't stay for long.

Rod wanted to create a longsword with a sharp edge enchantment for each of these guards to enhance their strength.

But there were more important matters at present.

— Rod still wanted to conduct flame forging on his demon steel greatsword.

So Rod needed to forge a new magic steel dagger for testing.

This way, if it was damaged, it wouldn't be regrettable.

The dagger was forged quickly, as the test item didn't need to be too refined; the handle was simply wrapped with animal skin and tied with string.

"Try this, can it undergo flame tempering?"

Rod handed the dagger to Bain.

"Yes, my lord."

Bain respectfully accepted it with both hands.

Without any delay, Bain immediately began to operate his talent spell.

Since "Ashbringer" was being tempered, it was naturally necessary to experiment with the same material.

Thus, the material of this dagger, like the Ashbringer, had fire energy infused by Rod.

As soon as Bain started, the dagger shimmered with a red light.

Then, countless sparks appeared all over the dagger like stars, quickly turning it orange-red.

"This, this!"

Bain suddenly widened his eyes, "It's, it's absorbing my energy!"

Bain let out a startled cry as the dagger reddened even more, and in the next moment, flames "whooshed" into life!

The flames flickered between reality and illusion, and the patterns on the dagger resembled flowing lava.

"How is it?"

Rod frowned and stared at Bain, "If you can't take it, throw it away!"

"No, no, I can't throw it away!"

Bain tried to shake it off, but the dagger seemed to be clinging to him, continuously absorbing his energy!

In no time, Bain's face turned pale, and his sturdy legs began to tremble.

Rod noticed the oddity and was just about to approach—

"Bang!"

Bain fell to his knees, seemingly drained completely, lying on the ground in distress.

The good news was the dagger had left his hands, dropping to the ground.

"My lord, it... it's complete."

Bain weakly said.

"Quickly!"

Rod hurriedly motioned, "Help Bain up and let him rest nearby!"

"Yes, my lord!"

Several blacksmiths immediately stepped forward, exerted their strength to support Bain, and helped him to sit on a stone bench nearby.

Only then did Rod crouch down to examine the dagger on the ground.

He could clearly see faint lights flickering across the blade from time to time.

It was evident that this thing was definitely not ordinary.

Rod stroked the blade, which still retained some warmth.

"Bain, how are you feeling?"

Rod turned to ask with concern.

"I'm fine."

Bain shook his head and slowly stood up.

"My lord, this dagger should bear the Burn enchantment, though I'm not sure about the activation chances..."

His voice trembled, clearly yet to recover.

"You rest, I'll give it a try."

Rod turned his gaze toward a wooden target not far away.

He walked over, gripped the dagger, and slashed at the wooden board.

The wooden board was undoubtedly split in two, but there were no other special effects.

Rod patiently struck a second blow, and still nothing happened.

Until the third strike swept across the board, and flames instantly engulfed the board's cut!

Luo De was delighted; this was exactly the effect of the Burning Enchantment!

After the blade grazes the target, there is a chance to leave flames on it, continuously singeing the target.

This type of flame relies entirely on magic power to sustain, but if the target is flammable, it will be directly ignited!

The key is, this effect doesn't require any magic power infusion at all!

Even ordinary people can use it!

Luo De hurriedly waved at the plank a few more times, triggering another burn on the eleventh attempt!

"Is the trigger probability less than twenty percent?"

Luo De calculated silently.

But a dozen tests are not accurate; only by swinging many more times can one measure the exact probability.

Luo De wasn't in a hurry to test the probability, instead channeling the blazing energy in his body into it.

"Whew!"

A burst of flame instantly enveloped the dagger, causing an uproar!

It was no longer the previous simple flow but a real fire wrapping around it!

Luo De vigorously swung the dagger, and a blaze swept through the air with his motion, the smell of burning instantly permeating the air!

If it were switched to the Ashbringer, everyone standing in front of Luo De would be dead!

Whew!

Luo De let out a long breath.

It's just that the consumption of blazing energy was a bit large; Luo De felt his body was drained by a quarter.

But it doesn't matter!

"Bain, you can temper it now!"

Luo De excitedly lifted the Ashbringer, but seeing Bain looking exhausted, he put it aside.

"Take a day to recover first."

"My lord, tomorrow I shall join my people."

Bain said weakly, "Your Ashbringer probably needs more flames."

"Alright."

Luo De nodded in agreement, "Tomorrow I'll join you too."

Luo De was in a good mood, clamping a new piece of magic steel into the furnace to heat, preparing to upgrade Durant's longsword as well.

In terms of planning, Luo De still owed quite a bit, the guards' longswords, Vivian's darts, Rein's arrowheads…

Just as Luo De was energetically wielding his hammer, a guard came to report,

"Lord, Kael the Snow Rabbit has crossed the border with a group of Mountain Cat people, heading towards Frost Leaf Town."

"Then bring out Vika."

Luo De put down the hammer, wiping the dust off his hands, "They should be put to work too."

...

...

Before the Mountain Cat people entered the town, Luo De had someone drape a robe over Vika and took him out of town.

No matter how proud the race, when seeing kin, they will reveal their most genuine emotions.

When Vika saw his wife Nessa and child, he couldn't suppress the longing in his eyes.

Luo De didn't stop him, waved his hand, and let him run over directly.

When Vika reached Nessa, he carefully examined her from head to toe as soon as possible, and only after confirming she was unhurt did he sigh in relief.

Then he glanced at the child sleeping soundly in Nessa's arms, eyes scanning the crowd,

"Is everyone alright?"

Vika hesitantly said, "I see everyone is here."

Nessa nodded, "Yes, when the Lizardman came, we were already prepared and withdrew in advance."

"They really went for it!"

Vika's vertical pupils opened wide, a tinge of anger in his words,

"They really attacked our camp?!"

Nessa nodded forcefully, "Fortunately, those human friends arrived in time, we fiercely defeated them!"

Nessa said, excitedly swinging her fist.

"Why are you so surprised? Didn't you know?"

Nessa asked curiously, "Weren't you the one who let those human friends pick us up?"

"And, you even told them about our disgraceful matters..."

Nessa bit her lip, holding the child with one hand, the other hand pinching Vika's waist hard.

Usually, Vika would play along, gritting his teeth and avoiding her.

But this time, Vika's expression turned serious, he brushed away Nessa's arm.

"You..."

Nessa was a bit stunned.

Vika didn't give her a chance to speak, turning around and walking to Luo De, lowering his head.

Without delay, he knelt on one knee, placing his hands on his knee,

"Your magnanimity is as vast as the pine forest of the desert, enduring our offenses and arrogance."

"Your benevolence is as warm as the sun of the extreme winter, dissolving the Lizardman's plots and evil, saving our Silver Claw tribe."

"Now, my life and the lives of the Silver Claw warriors belong to you, ready to do anything for you at any time."

As he finished speaking, Vika moved his head closer to Luo De.

Kael voluntarily moved close to Luo De, translating once, then softly reminded,

"Master, his action signifies complete submission and allegiance."

"You can now offer your tail to him to kiss."

"But since you don't have a tail, you might as well have him gently touch his triangle-shaped ears."

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