The return journey from the Northern End Cave was far more treacherous than the ascent.
The labyrinth, sensing the "theft" of its data and the disturbance of its silence, vomited forth Frost Ghouls and Cave Yetis with a rhythmic, mechanical fury.
But inside the moving fortress of the twenty-four elite knights, a different kind of magic was taking place.
Arthur sat by the campfire during their first night of the retreat, the howling winds of the north muffled by the cavern's heavy stone throat.
While the knights sharpened their blades with whetstones or shared dried rations, Arthur reached into his spatial bag and pulled out a small, unassuming leather roll.
Inside was a Basic Repair Kit—a collection of small hammers, files, and tempering oils he had purchased back in Patrian for a handful of silver.
At the time, it seemed like a redundant purchase for a swordsman. Now, it was the key to a kingdom.
"Sir Darius," Arthur called out, gesturing to the man's heavy plate gauntlet, which bore a deep, jagged dent from a Golem's fist. "That restriction in your wrist movement... it's going to cost you a second in the next ambush. Hand it to me."
Darius blinked, his exhausted eyes showing a flicker of confusion. "Sir Arthur? You shouldn't trouble yourself with such menial labor. We can have the castle smiths look at it once we return."
"Blacksmithing is a hobby of mine," Arthur replied with a faint, enigmatic smile. "A man who doesn't know the soul of his steel doesn't deserve to wield it. Besides, the walk back is long. I need something to do with my hands."
Reluctantly, Darius unstrapped the gauntlet. The other knights watched with silent curiosity. They had seen Arthur cleave horizons and command the atmosphere. Seeing him roll up his sleeves and squat by the fire was a jarring shift in perspective.
As soon as Arthur's fingers brushed the cold iron of the gauntlet, his world transformed.
[Skill Activated: Legendary Blacksmith's Appraisal]
Item: 'Sentinel's Vow' Gauntlets (Left)
Rating: Rare
Maker: Advanced Blacksmith Mengel
Current Durability: 42/180
Structural Analysis: Three micro-fractures in the thumb-joint pivot. Tempering has faded due to extreme cold.
[Would you like to record this blueprint?]
'Record everything, Ciel', Arthur commanded silently.
Arthur didn't just bang on the metal. Under the guise of a "hobbyist," he used the precision of a legend.
He heated the metal just enough using a small 'Ignis' spell, then used his hammer to coax the iron back into its original shape.
Every strike was calculated to realign the structure he could now see with his eyes.
When he handed the gauntlet back, Darius slid it on. He rotated his wrist, his eyes widening.
"It's... it's smoother than when I first bought it," Darius whispered. "The friction in the joints is gone. Sir Arthur, this isn't a hobby. This is mastery."
The word spread through the camp like wildfire. One by one, the knights approached. They weren't just looking for free repairs—though the gold they saved was a significant bonus—they were drawn to the way Arthur treated their weapons. He spoke to the steel as if it were alive.
For the next four days, the "return journey" became an mobile masterclass in acquisition. Every piece of equipment in the twenty-four-man unit was a masterpiece crafted by the finest blacksmiths in Earl Ashur's territory.
Arthur moved through the ranks like a silent reaper of knowledge.
First came the spears and bows.
"This spear," Arthur noted, running a thumb along the shaft of a knight's lance. "The balance is slightly forward-heavy. The blacksmith who made this intended this for a mounted charge, didn't he?"
The knight nodded vigorously. "Yes, Sir Arthur! How did you know?"
Arthur just smiled, his eyes glowing faintly as the system window popped up.
[Blueprint Recorded: Razen's 'Whirlwind' Spear (Unique-grade Prototype)]
[Blueprint Recorded: Razen's 'Hawk-Eye' Composite Bow]
Then came the heavy infantry.
He spent three hours working on the breastplates of the front-line guards. These were the works of Advanced Blacksmith Mengel, a man famous for his "Layered Deflection" technique.
Arthur's hands memorized the way the plates overlapped, recording the exact thickness required to stop a Level 300 monster's claw.
Lastly, he turned his attention to the greatswords and longswords.
The blades were the work of Advanced Blacksmith Mammon. Mammon was a specialist in high-carbon alloys and blood-groove geometry.
As Arthur repaired the nicks and serrations caused by the Frost Ghouls, he felt the intent behind the smithing.
[Blueprint Recorded: Mammon's 'Titan-Slayer' Greatsword]
[Blueprint Recorded: Mammon's 'Silver-Leaf' Longsword]
[You're doing more than just fixing them,] Madra said in Arthur's mind, [You're studying them. You're looking for the flaws in their makers' logic.]
'The best way to learn is to fix the mistakes of those who came before,' Arthur replied, his hammer falling in a perfect, rhythmic beat.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
By the time they reached the sunlight of the path's exit, Arthur's Blacksmithing Journal was no longer empty. It was a treasure trove of the Eternal Kingdom's military secrets.
[Journal Update:]
* Blueprints Acquired: 188 (Total)
* Advanced Blacksmith Techniques Recorded: 3 (Razen, Mengel, Mammon)
* Blacksmith's Craftmanship skill progression: 8.3%
* Affinity with the 'Iron Sentinels' Knight Squad: MAX (Admiration/Loyalty)
As the group emerged from the frigid north into the warmer plains leading back to Patrian, the knights looked at Arthur with something bordering on worship. He had saved their gold, improved their gear, and shared their campfire as an equal.
But Arthur was looking at his status window.
He had successfully tied Grid to the most suspicious, paranoid NPC in the early game—Earl Ashur.
He had plundered the data of a Legend without resetting his level. And now, he held the blueprints for a small army's worth of high-tier equipment.
"Sir Arthur," Darius said, his horse pulling up alongside Arthur's. "When we return to the city, I will personally speak to the Earl. He needs to know that you are more than just a benefactor. You are a treasure of the Kingdom."
"I appreciate that, Sir Darius," Arthur said, looking toward the horizon.
He knew that Morpheus, would be struggling to adjust the narrative balance. A player with the combat prowess of the Undefeated King and the crafting knowledge of Pagma's Apprentice shouldn't exist this early.
The system would likely try to "correct" this by throwing a massive hurdle in his path—perhaps a quest of impossible difficulty.
Arthur welcomed it.
He had the blueprints. He had the levels. And soon, he would have the Saintess of the Vatican.
"Ciel," he whispered. "Calculate the fastest route to the Bairan Village. It's time to pick up our next piece of the puzzle."
Arthur's smile didn't falter. "Good. I was starting to get bored of Goblins anyway."
Arthur has reached Patrian. The knights are heading to report to the Earl, while Arthur prepares to depart for the Bairan Village.