Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

Mission “Shock and Scare” was mostly finished. All that was left was to make sure the information spread properly to implant proper fear, or at least respect, into the remaining sects of the province. The lords and field teams of Minas Mar returned to Urth, for the most part.

There were some who decided to stay for their own reasons, and others who intended to stay from the start, like the tower master and his wives. Using the <Marriage Bond>, the three were able to contact each other easily, once they were done on their part.

Seth had collected them using the silver flying ship, and they made a quick return to the Gate Guardian. There were a couple of reasons for that. For one, they wanted to register the finished trade hub as their temporary home base.

They also made sure that Delta knew they were okay and to see if anyone else had already returned or contacted them. Mina was worried for Mike, but the Choosen of Maahes had not returned yet. However, Seth assured her that he was probably okay.

After traveling around Urth and the XiGuang Province, his <Map> had actually reached lv. 6. Now, he not only felt the presence of his creations, but the golems he created were also shown on the map display.

There were many spots at the location of the Gu Family, although this was no guarantee that Mike was okay. If the registered user had died, the golems would be on their way to return to Seth and not stick around the place.

However, the biggest reason was to drop off the intel Fin had looted from the Stony Road sect. This stuff was better off with the administrative office under Mary than with them. Once all the smaller things were taken care of Fin, Mina, and Seth finally set off on their honeymoon journey.

The feline assassin and the fairy brute had already planned out their route based on the more general information about the XiGuang Province. Their first stop was Konan, a city not far from the gate between Urth and the province.

They didn't want to travel straight to the big guns and seem like country bumpkins, so they decided to start with the smaller point of interest on their journey and get used to the culture and people. For this, they had also prepared this carriage. Well, Cerberus and the dwarves did, based on a carriage Master Mountain gave them as an example.

From the outside, it simply looked like a well-made carriage, not too opulent, but also not something anyone could afford. Inside, it was stuffed with the magic technology of the system and Urth. Not only was it made from wood of the Guardian Tree, making it incredibly sturdy, but it was also covered in shield technology for defense.

The carriage didn't need a horse or driver, as it was self-driving, using tech from Y-City and a golem core from Seth. Everything was powered by a magic core generator that not just maintained the defenses, but also the driving system and auxiliary systems like arcane suspension and illusion magic that created a driver and horse for onlookers.

Of course, they could also use a golem or a mount to pull the carriage, and have someone pose as a driver if they wanted to. The only thing the carriage couldn't do was fly. not because they couldn't do it, but because it was not supposed to.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

If they wanted to fly, they had a much better option with Seth's silver flying ship. The carriage was for their slow honeymoon travel across the province. If they wanted to fly around with it, there was no point in keeping its design mute to draw less attention.

They had used the flying vessel to get closer to Konan and then switched to the carriage. Inside, the three had exchanged their armor for the expected attire of the XiGuang Province. Master Mountain had provided them with sets of robes that were not too expensive, but also not cheap, fitting in with the carriage.

A couple of disciples of the Luminous Mountains Sect had taught them how to properly put them on during their short stay at the Gate Guardian. Although it was a hassle to put on, Seth quite liked the look of the various layers and robes.

Fin and Mina looked especially pretty and exotic with the makeup the female disciples gave them.

Despite not being used to wearing makeup at all, they actually took quite a liking to it after receiving the instructions of the cultivators.

Although it was a nice change of pace, the blacksmith actually preferred their natural looks. Considering the situation, he came to know both of them, and Seth realized that he may have a certain type, and it wasn't dainty women with pretty makeup.

“Once we get some travel funds, we should get a room at the Amber Star Pavilion. It's close to the market. We can leave the carriage there and stroll around to explore and do some window shopping,” Mina went over the plan once again when the carriage closed in on the city gate.

“Aww, didn't we say we would stay at the Silver Sparrow Inn? Their food is supposed to be the best!" Fin argued, dreaming of food again.

“That inn doesn't have the space to keep the carriage. We don't have to stay there. We can just go eat there later,” Mina pacified the fairy. Fin wanted to say something more, but the carriage came to a halt at this moment.

They had reached the western city gate of Konan. Looking out the window, Seth saw a short line at the gate. Only a cart and a couple of people. It seemed like a calm day for the city. As he watched, one of the guards walked down the line to ward their carriage.

“Please stay calm. This is a routine inspection,” the guard spoke to the illusory driver, but loud enough for the people in the carriage to hear it, too. “Papers, please,” the guard continued toward the driver.

Master Mountain was kind enough to prepare official papers for them. According to the documentation, they were part of a small but affluent martial clan under the supervision of the Luminous Mountain Sect. With that, their identities and passage rights were guaranteed by one of the biggest sects in the province.

Reaching out from inside, Seth placed the papers on the coachman's seat, where the guard picked them up. This was what happened, but not what it looked like from the outside. For anyone else, it was the driver who readily handed over the papers. Even for the guard who picked them off the seat.

Illusions were quite handy, as long as the target wasn't strong enough to resist.

Afterward, the guard took a look inside the carriage and greeted them. He didn't attempt to search or inspect. The name of Yu's sect had quite some weight, even this far away from it. Their passage was quickly assured, and the journey continued.

While the three of them kept talking about what they would do once in Konan, the carriage passed the gate without a problem. Seth was glad the entrance fee was waived, thanks to their affiliation. Although Master Mountain had given them some travel funds, they didn't have much secular money.

Cultivators usually traded with spirit stones of various sizes and quality; they had little use for secular coins, paper money, or ingots of common metal. Their lack of funds was also not improved by looting the sects they attacked.

There was not much in Mina's place to begin with. Fin had robbed a sect of bums for information. Seth was the only one who made some cash, but again, it was mostly spirit stones, pills, artifacts, and materials from a struggling Silk River Sect.

They were quite rich by cultivator standards, but that didn't help a whole lot when dealing with normal people. This was why their first goal in Konan was to exchange some stuff for mortal currency.

Mr Moneybags didn't intend to be a poor pauper, just because they entered a new world.