The Crafter's Dominion: A Dungeon Core Novel (Dungeon Crafting Book 5) Jonathan Brooks (books that read to you txt) 📖

“From when you were in training to become a Shieldman, of course. You remember all of those sessions where you were left black, blue, and bleeding on the floor?  While those are designed to toughen you up, they also allow any of the Blacksmiths to gather what we need; it’s especially handy if you get knocked out cold,” Master Jespin added with a chuckle.

Gerold looked thoughtful, as if he were indeed remembering such occurrences.  In the end he shrugged, likely figuring it was worth it.

So, I’m guessing that’s why you wanted to keep it a secret – because there technically isn’t a secret to it.  Though, one would have to know how to manipulate metal with Earth energy, I suppose.

“All true.  That is the reason why it takes so long, as well; one of the attributes of the mithril is that once it ‘feels’ the touch of an Earth energy signature, such as one coming from a Master Blacksmith, it will only allow that signature to manipulate the metal.  Therefore, the creation of a single set of armor can take anywhere between 5 days to an entire month, because it depends on the Master’s reservoir of Earth energy; none of the other Blacksmiths can work with it after that.”  He looked down at his palm and the Energy Orb embedded in it.  “Though, I’m guessing that could change with access to these Energy Orbs; they could probably get a set done in less than a day, in that case.”

Do you think you could?  Because there is someone behind you that desperately needs one. 

Jespin turned around in surprise to look at the King still unconscious on the floor; it was almost as if he had forgotten that he was there.  “I…suppose that I could.”

Excellent!  Would you like to do it here, or down below?  Plus, I imagine that you’re hungry and tired, so I can find you some place to sleep.

“No sleep needed for me; I’m used to staying up for long hours working in the forge.  Besides, I’ve never felt this invigorated before, discovering all sorts of new things I never knew existed before.  Where do you want me to work?”  Sandra described Kelerim’s forge down below, which was currently vacant as he was off getting some sleep.  The efforts by the Master Blacksmith might end up waking him up, but he’d probably appreciate learning this as well.

She had her Ape – which had directed the Dwarven citizens down below, where they met up with the villagers with great relief, rejoicing, and sorrow as they recounted their tales – pick up the King and bring him below with Gerold and Jespin.  Before long, the two of them were eating in the kitchen, scarfing down food as if they hadn’t eaten in days, which she realized was quite possible as she listened to the story of what was going on in the strongholds that the civilians described.  Neither Gerold or the Master Blacksmith mentioned anything, but she suspected they had been in the middle of all of that, and would probably also account for the fact that the Deep Diver that had gone with Gerold was nowhere to be seen.  Which reminded her—

Gerold, I have a question for you.

He was just finishing up his meal, appearing extremely full by that time, but he paused as she spoke.  “Absolutely.  Anything you need.”  Sandra made sure that Jespin was listening in as well, because she wanted to make sure he understood what her plans were.

I’m hopefully going to learn how to manipulate this new alloy using Earth energy, so I’d thought I would ask you what you’d like.  I told you that I would replace the armor I accidentally destroyed, and I intend to keep that promise.

There were tears in his eyes, though he blinked them away quickly.  “Thank you, Sandra.”  He paused in confusion.  “But what do you mean about what I want?”

Well, I could make you another set of armor like you had before, but it probably won’t be as finely made as the one Master Blacksmith Jespin made for you.  Or…I could make you another Deep Diver suit with the alloy, since you seemed to enjoy using it.  What’s even better, with the way it is constructed, you should be able to manipulate your energy like you would with the armor and weapons you’ve done in the past, giving you much more versatility.  And I’m sure having the suit not buckle under the blows of the Golems would be nice.

Gerold smiled at that – and Sandra had her answer.

Chapter 39

The process of manipulating Earth energy to shape and bend a Steel-Mithril alloy was both easy and complicated.  Sandra had to ask Master Blacksmith Jespin to slow down his process, in fact, because it was done so quickly and simply that she couldn’t follow it at first.  Once she understood it, she created a brand-new Stabilized Shapeshifter and asked if she could prick Jespin to gain access to his form; he was a bit wary of the multi-colored blob at first, and even more after he saw it turn into a copy of himself, but after Sandra had it travel down to her own personal forge, he promptly forgot about it while he busied himself with the King’s new armor.

As for Gerold, he eschewed sleeping down below with the villagers in favor of a room that was empty at the moment, higher up near the crafting rooms.  He said it wasn’t because he didn’t want to see those he had helped to save before, but because he was so exhausted that he didn’t want to walk any further. By his appearance, and a feeling that he had been under a bit of stress lately, she could entirely understand.  Therefore, he joined Violet and Princess Celeste, Echo and the Elven King and Queen, and King Mynag in