Before even landing on Flame Island, Alvin immediately felt a scorching heat, truly befitting an island built on an active volcano.
Before deciding to come to Flame Island, he had already roughly understood the intelligence about this place.
Flame Island, this island, has four active volcanoes. Originally, it was a barren land where humans could hardly survive, but later, some forging craftsmen discovered that there were extremely rare and special ores suitable for crafting weapons here, and the Red Aurora Lava inside the volcanoes was very suitable for crafting weapons. So, these forging craftsmen found ways to survive here.
Starting from these craftsmen, more and more craftsmen came to Flame Island. Moreover, because the weapons they crafted were of superior quality, many merchants also came here, and gradually, a town formed here.
As more and more people settled here, and the craftsmen on the island gradually formed four major systems: sword forging, firearms, armor, and large weapons, these four systems eventually established four countries.
The four countries are the Furnace Country (large weapons) located on the east coast, the Black Anvil Country (armor) on the west slope, the Flint Country (flintlock guns) in the north, and the Flame Country (sword forging) in the center.
Although they are four countries, whenever a major event concerning the entire Flame Island island needs to be voted on, representatives from the four countries will discuss it together. This is also Flame Island's special political system: the Great Furnace Council.
In addition, the four countries also have a common organization, the Volcanic Priesthood, whose members can predict volcanic eruptions by observing the patterns of the underground magma.
As for the southern land, it is truly barren, because the magma from the four volcanoes on the island all flows south after erupting.
However, precisely because of this, the southern side of Flame Island is where the island's special ores are most abundant, and this area is jointly managed and developed by the four countries.
Because Flame Island once forged a Supreme Grade Great Sword for a strong individual from the World Government, it is also a legal weapon export site specially approved by the World Government.
Therefore, many people come here, almost all major forces are present, and most importantly, Flame Island prohibits anyone from fighting!
Alvin only knows this much about Flame Island for now, but it's enough. This trip, as long as he can find...
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Alvin finally chose to land in the Black Anvil Country on the west slope. This is the largest flintlock gun producing country in the West Blue, and he wondered about the quality of their sniper rifles.
Entering the port, he noticed various sailing ships docked there, and even Marine and World Government vessels.
The entire port was very lively.
"Tsk tsk tsk… Mafias, pirates, and Marines all gather here, yet they can still be so harmonious. This sight is truly rare." After disembarking, Alvin looked around with interest.
He even saw ships flying the Iceberg Bay flag, and the other party seemed to recognize Alvin's identity. For a moment, the Iceberg Bay gang members were in a panic.
However, upon remembering that fighting among any forces was prohibited in this place, they quietly relaxed.
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Alvin merely glanced at them, then walked towards the street. Although it was very hot here, it did not affect the prosperity of the place at all.
Even men liked it here very much, because the women here dressed very revealingly, allowing them to feast their eyes every day.
Alvin couldn't appreciate it, because the people here had reddish skin, which should be due to the unique geographical and climatic environment of this place.
There were many weapon shops selling flintlock guns on the street, but they were all merchants from other places doing wholesale and retail business here. There were only three official shops of the Black Anvil Country.
Finally, Alvin chose an official shop.
As soon as he walked into the shop, the owner's eyes instantly lit up with a brilliant glow the moment he saw Alvin, and he became incredibly excited.
"Red Hawk Sir! I didn't expect you to come to our Black Anvil Country. It's truly an honor! My name is Bart, may I ask if you need anything?" The shop owner, 'Old Smoker' Bart, excitedly greeted him.
This was the publicly recognized number one sniper in the West Blue, with a bounty of 110 million Berries! Those who sell firearms like them love strong individuals like Alvin the most!
Facing Bart's enthusiastic attitude, Alvin was a little surprised: "Hello, Boss Bart! I'd like to ask, do you accept sniper rifle refurbishment services here? Hmm… it might also need some minor modifications."
Before his words completely fell, his sniper rifle appeared in his hand as if by magic, in the blink of an eye.
Although the sniper rifle looked a bit old and unremarkable, it still exuded an awe-inspiring aura.
Seeing this, Bart's eyes immediately lit up, and his face instantly broke into a wide smile. He answered without hesitation: "Yes, we do! We have the most top-notch craftsmen and the most superior materials here! We can definitely greatly enhance its overall performance while perfectly preserving the unique style of your beloved gun. I believe the final product will surely satisfy you greatly!"
Bart had been in the gun trade for many years, and he could almost instantly understand all of Alvin's requests, even including those potential needs that had not yet been explicitly stated.
Hearing Bart's confident assurance, Alvin breathed a slight sigh of relief and responded with a smile: "In that case, I'll trouble you then, Boss Bart."
As he spoke, Alvin gently handed his cherished old companion to Bart.
Bart quickly extended both hands and carefully took the sniper rifle, as if holding a rare treasure.
Then, he solemnly assured Alvin: "Red Hawk Sir, please rest assured! I will definitely instruct the craftsmen to exert all their efforts and put in two hundred percent to this task!"
As a gun enthusiast, Bart greatly respected Alvin and did not even charge for this business.
Seeing Bart's enthusiasm, Alvin did not force him to accept the payment. He then inquired about the legendary sword smith of Flame Country.
After getting the information he wanted, and after agreeing to pick up the sniper rifle when he returned from Flame Country, Alvin left the Black Anvil Country.
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However, the current situation in Flame Country is somewhat complex.
Because Flame Country underwent a revolution more than ten years ago, initiated by the descendant of that legendary sword smith.
After 500 years, only two descendants of the legendary sword smith remain, but their philosophies regarding future development are vastly different.
Originally, Flame Country followed a high-end customized model, where they would forge whatever kind of sword the customer wanted.
This model led to very slow development for Flame Country, and it had been greatly left behind by the other three countries of Flame Island.
So, one of the two descendants of the legendary sword smith wanted to change this model, from custom-made to mass production like a factory.
This way, their Flame Country could sell weapons in large quantities.
Because taking the high-end route was simply too resource-intensive, and most of the weapons crafted still ended up as failures, which was very uneconomical.
This descendant gained the support of most people in the country.
However, the other descendant opposed this change. He believed that it would gradually degrade their skills, and eventually, they would be unable to forge a good sword.
What he always hoped for was to forge a weapon that at least reached the level of a Great Grade Sword of the Twenty-One Grades, to restore the glory of his ancestors.
However, his idea only received the support of a few people, as most people in Flame Country still needed to make a living.
Unable to change the situation, he could only set up his own forge and continue his research independently.
But to forge a good weapon, besides skill, the most important thing is materials. After setting up his own forge, he had no resources, making it very difficult to continue his dream.
It is said that to gather the resources for forging, this guy has now sold all his valuable possessions and has fallen to the point where he relies on others to live in Flame Country.
...
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