The Empress of Battle Gear

The sun was still low in the sky as Elysia, her silver hair gleaming like a cascade of liquid metal, returned to her quarters in Davian's Mansion. Her usual ethereal elegance remained intact, but now she was dressed in more practical attire, suited for the work that lay ahead in the blacksmith's workshop.

Vecna stood by the entrance, waiting for her, and the transformation in her attire didn't diminish her allure in the slightest. He couldn't help but admire how effortlessly she adapted her appearance, reflecting her versatile nature. 

Her silver hair, which usually flowed down her back like a shimmering waterfall, was now neatly tied up in a loose bun, exposing her slender neck.

Maribel joined them with her vibrant crimson hair cascading around her shoulders like a fiery halo. 

Her attire, unlike Elysia's, exuded the aura of a craftswoman ready to face the heat and sparks of a blacksmith's workshop. 

She wore a dark leather tunic and pants, specifically designed for ease of movement and resistance to the forge's searing heat. Over her tunic, she sported a leather apron, well-worn gloves, and sturdy boots, all tailored to protect her from the intense conditions of the forge.

With their party assembled, they were ready to embark on their journey to the town's blacksmith, known as Garret. 

Rax had already departed from Summit's Crest, his mission being to unite the long-divided Goblin Tribes. As they left Elysia's residence, they headed towards the forge, the purpose of their visit hovering in the back of their minds.

As they strolled through the streets of Summit's Crest, the town seemed more alive than ever. The flow of people had notably increased, and most of the newcomers were referred to by the town's inhabitants as the "Cursed Ones," a term that both Elysia and Maribel had grown accustomed to. In their understanding, they were simply "Players."

Vecna explained to Elysia and Maribel the concept of players, emphasizing that the only difference between these newcomers and themselves was the origin of their souls within the World of Satisfy. Despite this difference, they shared the same biology, and each of them could experience emotions.

'It seems the first stages of my plan moved smoothly. That 'Jack_Reaper' guy sure is quick on placing my Posts on Pin. Well, it was a good investment on selling that Forum moderator items cheaper.'

However, as they passed groups of players who were directed to Reginald's Town Hall, Vecna's smirk hinted at his cunning plan. 

'Welcome, my little sheep. I'm sure the Orcs will be delighted to face you in combat.'

By recruiting the assistance of the players in the upcoming war against the Orcs, he hoped to capitalize on their enthusiasm for loot and experience. 

The Saharan Empire Region boasted the world's largest player community, and they had flocked to Summit's Crest in the presence of the Western Continent's Hegemon, as the Tavern Patrons had aptly dubbed Vecna.

Unfazed by the new arrivals, Vecna's group continued on their way to the blacksmith's workshop.

As they navigated through the bustling streets, they couldn't help but observe the reactions of the players. 

The townspeople directed the newcomers to Reginald's Town Hall, where they were expected to receive their instructions and assignments. It was a heartening sight to see the players, with their diverse appearances and equipment, mixing with the town's residents.

As they approached the town's center, the Great Fountain Square came into view. A magnificent fountain, its waters sparkling under the morning sun, served as the heart of Summit's Crest. This location was exactly the Respawn Point or Checkpoint inside the Travian Sierra for the players.

Noticing that players kept on appearing from the Respawn Point, Vecna's predatory eyes blazed with a cold murderous hint. 

'Those imbeciles, don't tell me they are storming the Orc's Warcamp?'

Slowing down his pace, the girls sensed that Vecna focused on the players, and didn't complain. With his Vampiric Hearing, he eavesdropped on the conversation and complaints of the players that made him shift his expression into a cruel smile.

#Frostweaver: "Since when are Field-Bosses roaming around the vicinity of Summit's Crest? My group got wiped while we're on route to join the Orc Quest.

#Stormweaver: "Truly. We got one-shotted by that LV.250 Boss. Was that the Orc Warchief or something?

#Celestial_Sorcerer: "Can you not complain? Your "Weaver" group isn't the first to get in touch with that monster.

#Thunderclap: "Well, my group was lucky because of the NPC Captain patrolling at that time the road leading to Summit's Crest. It seems our LV. 200 Captain managed to scare away that Boss, Rax Darkclaw.

The girls could hear some of the discussion of the players, and seeing Vecna's villainous expression, it didn't take a genius to guess that those unfortunate people encountered the evolved goblinoid who wiped them with ease.

"I brought him up. It was me." said Vecna, chuckling as he remembered the fearful little goblin that bared his fangs at him.

"Sure. I should also take some credit, since I taught him Magic. I found out I'm good at teaching people."

"This trait runs in your family. The Moonshadow is a Clan of High-Elf Sages and Sorcerers." remarks Maribel, nodding at the new fact she brought up, which turned her back in time, at a time where she was still a young lass learning the path of the Forge.

The gathered players and townsfolk turned the fountain as a meeting point, a place to exchange stories and information, and even as a stage for performances by bards players who wanted to get some money while idling in town.

With the Great Fountain Square as a central landmark, the trio continued their journey, moving through the heart of Summit's Crest, toward the blacksmith's workshop owned by Garret. 

Maribel, Vecna, and Elysia finally arrived at Garret's blacksmith workshop. It was a modest, unassuming building tucked away in a corner of Summit's Crest, far from the grandeur and scale of Davian's estate.

The wooden door to the workshop swung open with a creak, and the group entered the building. Inside, the atmosphere was suffused with the heat of the forge and the clamor of metalwork. 

Sparks danced in the air, and the rhythmic pounding of hammers against steel filled the room.

Maribel, once she saw this Workshop, her calm demeanor shifted starting with her emerald eyes which shined with excitement. This was her element, her sanctuary, and her place of power. 

The Forge is what made her the woman she was in the present.

As Maribel approached the forge, a middle-aged man with rugged features and calloused hands, presumably Garret, the owner of the workshop, emerged from behind a blazing forge, holding a red-hot piece of metal with a pair of tongs.

Garret glanced at Maribel with an appraising eye, seemingly unimpressed. The sight of a beautiful woman in his workshop caught him off guard. 

'What is such a young woman doing at my Workshop? Is she someone from the Mayor's side inquiring about the status of his order?'

'Tsk, they think it's so easy to build weapons? That it would take hours before I finish their order? Don't make me laugh. She's clueless for sure.'

He was quick to judge her, assuming that she had little knowledge of the blacksmith's craft. To him, she appeared more like a wealthy visitor or a curious bystander rather than a skilled blacksmith.

Maribel's confidence and enthusiasm were unmistakable, but she was about to encounter an adversary in the form of Garret, a man who underestimated her skills and craft. 

"This brings so many great memories from back in the days when I used to hole myself up in the Imperial Forge. Ahh, the smell of coals and smelted iron. Hey, what are you doing?" she mused aloud, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Garret, the middle-aged blacksmith, paused in his work and turned his attention toward Maribel. He placed the red-hot piece of metal somewhere safe and walked up to her, his face etched with a mix of concern and annoyance.

"Young girl, this isn't a place you can run around and play. You could burn yourself, and blame would come into my head. Now, stop bothering me before I tell the Guards you're a nuisance," Garret warned, his tone gruff and authoritative.

Maribel's initial enthusiasm waned as the blacksmith's stern words fell upon her ears. She had expected a warm welcome, given her reputation as the "Empress of Battle Gear." But instead, she was met with skepticism and condescension.

"Bother you? I'm more than capable of handling all your commissions in a workday. Hmph, this younger generation of Blacksmiths lost respect for their superiors."

"Superiors? Young Generation? Young girl, you don't seem older than 26, to say this to someone who has spent your whole age handling the Forge, is insulting to me, and other of my brethren.'

"Hah, nonsense. This is why you, kid, only seem to be a so-so Blacksmith from the quality of this work." remarked Maribel as she scanned the various weapons Garret has completed for the Militia Band.

"Look, young lady, I'm busy, tired, and running out of patience. I'll call on the Guards if you don't quit your act."

The tension in the air was palpable as Maribel tried to explain her true intentions. 

As the exchange between them escalated, Maribel's frustration grew. She found herself engaged in a heated argument, defending her craft and asserting her right to use the forge.

What irked Garret even more was Maribel's casual reference to him as "kid." To him, it was a blatant lack of respect for her elders, adding more fuel to the fire of their confrontation.

The more they talked, the clearer it became that a logical agreement was unlikely. Maribel's ego was bruised, and the delay was affecting her promised date with Vecna, who watched the situation unfold with amusement.

Meanwhile, Elysia, who stood beside Vecna, tried to hide her amusement as she observed the workshop's drama. 

The charged atmosphere between Maribel and Garret was something she hadn't expected, and she couldn't help but find it entertaining.

'Heh, to think I would see Aunt Mari so angry as she explains the situation to the blacksmith.'

'I think they'll get into a stalemate of shouting and ironically calling each other bad.'

'Is this how Blacksmith's confront each other on skills? Quite pathetic, but I shouldn't tell that to Aunt, or she'll annoy me all day long, with how she would steal Vecna from under my fingers.'

'Like… I'm not even sure if he loves me or not. There's something, but… I'm too afraid to confess to him.'

Glancing at Elysia who was fidgeting about something internally, he got closer to her, and said sarcastically. "Prepare for the climax of the show."

Maribel finally reached her breaking point, her frustration evident in her tone as she made one last effort to appeal to Garret's reason. 

"ENOUGH! ANNOYING KID! Stop making it seem like such a travesty. Instead of celebrating me, the Great Empress for allowing you to see me at work, you continue denying me access and threatening me with how you'll call on the Guards."

"Besides, I'll not use the forge for too long, at most one week since I don't have to do extra work on cleansing the crafting material… Initially, I was in a good mood and even willing to let you assist me, but you are headstuck at not letting me!"

But the middle-aged blacksmith remained stubborn. "No way, young girl. You're delusional, and should check on with one of Rebecca's Priests for treatment."

"First, I don't want to hear from your noble parents that you got hurt and then carry the blame on my back. I'm just a simple citizen of Summit's Crest." 

"Another thing is that you don't even seem capable of bringing the Forge to a high temperature by using the Bellows. Don't make me get into how unlikely it is that you'll be able to use my Hammer."

As Maribel's patience waned and her frustration reached its zenith, feeling how a vein on her forehead began to pulse, she didn't back down. "Nonsense! Do you even know who you're talking to?" 

"Clearly, someone with a lot of problems." said the middle-aged blacksmith with irony, as he was preparing to call the guards.

"Problems? You have problems! I'm Maribel Ironforge, Empress of the Battle Gear. While I was building my first sword, your great-grandfather wasn't even born."

However, he remained stubborn, seemingly unmoved by her words. "Haha, I do appreciate your sense of humor, young lady. But, I'm kind of busy with forging the weapons for the Militia Band. Sorry, but can you leave my Workshop?"

Feeling cornered and exasperated, Maribel turned to Vecna, who stood by, a mixture of amusement and concern on his face, and called for his intervention in the ongoing conflict.

Vecna, who had been enjoying the spectacle of Maribel's interaction with Garret, finally took steps toward the forge, unbothered by the searing heat. Garret noticed Vecna's approach and straightened up, realizing that the man with the golden hair was more than a casual observer.

Seeing Vecna, the blacksmith was reminded of the information circulating among the townsfolk and the influence Vecna held over the town's structure and militia. It was akin to having Mayor Reginald Thornfield himself visit the humble workshop.

"Mister Garret, I hope you don't make things hard for me. You should know who I am, right?" Vecna's tone was measured, and he bore an air of authority.

"Sir Vecna, of course. Is this young girl your companion by chance?" Garret inquired, trying to place Maribel's identity within the context of Vecna's influence.

With a subtle grin, Vecna proceeded to reveal the true identity and remarkable skill of Maribel. "Mhm, she might not look like one, but in truth, she's a Craftswoman of the Highest Caliber. Her skills would put even Pagma or Albino to shame. Wouldn't you want to check the validity of my words by yourself?"

"... That. Are you certain of your words?"

"I'll pay for any damages."

Vecna, in his characteristic informative manner, acknowledged Maribel's true profession as a Craftswoman of the highest caliber.

Garret was taken aback by the revelation but listened intently.

"You tell him, Hubby. Make him apologize for insulting me."

Garret was visibly taken aback by this revelation. The comparison to legendary blacksmiths like Pagma and Albino left him momentarily speechless. He couldn't fathom that someone as illustrious as Maribel, who had introduced herself as the "Empress of Battle Gear," was standing before him.

Yet, for some reason, he wasn't aware of any illustrious figures called Maribel Ironforge, or 'Empress of Battle Gear'. He was aware of individuals such as Pagma or Albino of the Eternal Kingdom, but the identity of the woman didn't match.

His initial skepticism wavered as he started to piece together the magnitude of the situation. "She is a Blacksmith Craftswoman? I'm barely an Intermediate Blacksmith, and she's someone as great as the Masters from Valoria or Titan?"

Maribel couldn't resist interjecting with her characteristic confidence, her tone infused with a touch of humor. "That's right, kid! I'm that awesome. Now, move to the side and watch a Master at work."

If someone would have told Garret that he had in front of him the Monarch of the Dwarves, the True Masters of the Forge, he would have put together the information and kneeled down in reverence, but the current Maribel, had the body of a human, a beautiful maiden that didn't match with the image of a rowdy Dwarf Woman.

"I'll watch you, young girl. If I feel that you're a scam, I'll put a stop to your act," Garret replied, still retaining some of his earlier skepticism.

Maribel, now that she had managed to break through Garret's preconceived notions, couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "Arrogant Imperial Human."

Garret, no longer acting hostile and now fully aware of Maribel's expertise, reluctantly complied with Vecna's request. Vecna handed him a bag of gold coins as a token of appreciation, but Garret hesitated. "No need, Sir Vecna."

Vecna insisted, understanding the necessity to maintain goodwill and facilitate Maribel's work. "Take them, man. This is payment for allowing her to use your forge. If she breaks something, she'll pay from her own pockets!"

Maribel, having successfully secured Garret's reluctant cooperation, couldn't contain her triumphant grin. "As if I would break something. Now, Vecna, pass me all the crafting materials you want to use."

Vecna began to unpack the crafting materials, placing them in an orderly fashion near the forge. He started with the two weapons: the [Corrupted Knightsblade] and [Camio's Shadowed Talon]. Garret, despite his earlier skepticism, couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship of these extraordinary weapons.

However, when Vecna pulled out [Camio's Demonic Horn], an item oozing with Demonic Power, accompanied by the ominous [Darkbane Enchantment] in the form of a dark orb, Garret's expression shifted to one of concern.

"Those crafting materials... are unnatural. They feel corrupted and evil. Sir Vecna, are you sure you'll use such materials for a weapon? I have to warn you, but you'll only get... a Demonic Blade."

Vecna, however, was unphased by the blacksmith's concern. "And? What's your point? Should I be afraid of a sword?"

Maribel, eager to get to work, intervened before the conversation could linger on the potential dangers of these materials. "Stop the chatting, you two. Come, stop delaying and take out everything you want to use. I'll see if I need to discard some."

Maribel's Empress-like demeanor had fully taken over, and Vecna promptly followed her instructions. 

He began to lay out the crafting materials systematically, starting with the [Corrupted Mana Gems], [Fire Essence Crystal], [Earth Essence Crystal], and ending with the [Demonic Essence], which resembled a jet-black pearl, its surface almost inviting, yet undeniably sinister.

"That's all," Vecna confirmed, looking to Maribel for guidance. "I was thinking it could be used for a new sword. Smelt the Knightsblade and Talon together and fuse them into a single entity."

Maribel waved her hand dismissively as if she didn't feel like listening to further complaints from her customers. "Yes, yes, sure. I got the gist of it, so don't go teaching me how to do my job. I received your commission in the morning and understand you want a longsword, since the Dagger doesn't fit your fighting style."

"Well. That's what I want," Vecna responded with a nod.

Maribel dove into the crafting process with precision and skill. She began by laying out the [Corrupted Knightsblade] and the [Camio's Shadowed Talon] on the anvil, positioning them in a way that they could be merged seamlessly. 

The air in the workshop grew charged with an eerie energy as she prepared to meld the two blades.

"Unbelievable technique. How has she done it so flawlessly?" Garret muttered under his breath, his skepticism gradually giving way to admiration. The Empress of Battle Gear was proving herself as a master craftswoman.

Garret stood in silence, his preconceived notions about Maribel vanishing like mist in the presence of her majestic craftsmanship. He watched her every move, his initial skepticism replaced by genuine awe.

"By the gods, I've never seen anything like it," Garret whispered, his voice filled with reverence. "She's a true master at work."

With practiced hands, Maribel stoked the furnace, adjusting the flames until they reached the perfect temperature. 

She used a pair of tongs to hold the blades in the heart of the fire, watching as they began to glow with an otherworldly, crimson light. The [Camio's Demonic Horn], exuding demonic power, was placed nearby, ready to be incorporated into the process.

As the two blades reached the ideal forging temperature, Maribel skillfully wielded her hammer, striking them with controlled force, ensuring they fused without any loss of quality. 

"I've been at this forge for decades, but I've never seen someone handle a blade like she does. It's as if she and the metal are one," Garret mused, his eyes fixed on Maribel's every motion.

The blacksmith was so engrossed in Maribel's work that he momentarily forgot the passage of time. The process was slow and deliberate, and every action spoke of a craftswoman who had dedicated her life to her art.

The [Darkbane Enchantment], a dark orb of condensed darkness and demonic energies, was carefully introduced into the molten metal. It was a challenging endeavor, but Maribel's expertise shone as she integrated it seamlessly.

As Maribel continued her meticulous work, Vecna began to feel the weight of exhaustion settling in. He had been awake for many hours, and the crafting process was progressing slowly, as it should for a work of such precision. 

With the understanding that Maribel had the situation well in hand, he turned to Elysia, who had been observing the workshop attentively.

"Elysia, I believe I need some rest," Vecna said with a yawn. "This process is going to take a while, and I don't want to be a burden. I'll return when Maribel reaches the crucial fusing stage."

Elysia nodded with a reassuring smile. "Of course, Vecna. You've been through a lot today."

"Ohh, you don't even know how right you are."

"Don't worry, can't you see how engrossed is Maribel while crafting? It's like she turned into a different person altogether. So, Take your time to rest, and I'll make sure to keep you informed of any developments once you're back."

Vecna then approached Maribel, who was fully absorbed in her craft and gently touched her shoulder to get her attention. "Maribel, I need to get some sleep. I trust you to complete this with your expertise. Elysia will inform me on what I'm missing up. I'll be back for the fusing since my Blood Magic and the Demonic Power will get into a clash. Take care."

With those parting words, Vecna logged out, disappearing from the Workshop with his unique effect of turning into a pool of blood that dissipated from the World, leaving the Empress of Battle Gear to continue her remarkable work.