Prewar Preparations

With war drawing near, it was certain that more than just potions would increase in price. After buying a large batch of potions, Gagnor immediately went to Barto's Smithy.

Barto's Smithy was famous, and the reason was simple—the owner, Barto, was a dwarven blacksmith.

Barto had not disappointed people's stereotypical image of dwarves, either. His smithing skills were exceptional, and most of South Sea Town's high-quality weapons came from his hands.

"Long time no see, Gagnor!" Grim was the one who greeted him. He was Barto's older brother, but unlike his younger brother, he was not an excellent blacksmith.

Grim was a Mosa Follower, and he seemed to have the zeal of a recent convert. He was extremely devout. Since he had always mistakenly believed that Gagnor was also a devout Mosa Follower, he was always particularly enthusiastic toward him.

"What do you need?" he asked with a hearty smile.

"I need to buy quite a few things this time." Gagnor walked over to the weapon rack displaying bows and arrows and pointed at it. "How much are these arrows?"

"Enchanted Steel Arrows. Steel arrowheads, graywood shafts, Wind Eagle fletching, and the arrowheads are enchanted with 'Ever Sharp'—collisions and wear won't dull them." Grim introduced them. "A set of twelve costs one gold coin."

"I'll take three sets."

"No problem!" Grim brought over three sets of Enchanted Steel Arrows.

"I also need a sword... How much is this one?"

"A steel longsword costs one gold and twenty silver without enchantments, or three gold with 'Lesser Fortification.'"

"I'll take one with 'Lesser Fortification.'"

"All right!"

"Does this steel chainmail have any enchantments?"

Grim shook his head. "No. Armor enchantments are much more troublesome than weapon enchantments. If you need one, we can provide an 'Ever Clean' enchantment to make cleaning easier."

"All right. How much?"

"The chainmail is six gold coins. The enchantment is free."

Although Gagnor had known for a long time that armor was expensive, his heart still ached when he heard the price. "I'll take it."

After that, he bought some odds and ends here, such as arrow shafts, fletching, and trap tools, as well as ten sets of cheap arrows.

All told, he spent about thirteen gold coins.

Gagnor then went to the Mage Guild and bought some spell scrolls, mainly three types: the first-circle spells "Agathys's Armor" and "Tasha's Hideous Laughter," and the second-circle spell "Remove Curse."

Agathys's Armor was a defensive spell, while Tasha's Hideous Laughter was considered an offensive spell that could send enemies into uncontrollable laughter.

After buying several scrolls of each spell, along with some practical cantrip scrolls, Gagnor spent around five gold coins.

Then he had a thought: what if the enemy also had similar spells or spell scrolls?

Agathys's Armor was merely a defensive spell, but what if the enemy also had something like Tasha's Hideous Laughter and used it on him? Would he laugh himself to death?

Gagnor's Spirit attribute was high enough to resist it to some extent, but to be safe, he gritted his teeth and bought another scroll of "Remove Curse."

"Remove Curse" was a second-circle spell scroll, and it was also the most expensive among all second-circle spell scrolls. This brought Gagnor's spending at the Mage Guild to nine gold coins.

That evening, on his way back to his lodgings, Gagnor reviewed his spending for the day.

Thirty-one gold coins in total!

That was enough to buy a decent home in South Sea Town!

In fact, Gagnor had recently considered buying a house in South Sea Town, but after spending these thirty-one gold coins, buying one would clearly be a little beyond his means.

He hoped the money would not be wasted...

With that thought in mind, Gagnor ended his day's shopping.

As it turned out, his choice had been wise. By the very next day, the prices of various potions, weapons, and scrolls had risen again, and they continued to do so for the next several days.

At the same time, as the number of short-term recruits increased, the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group began expanding rapidly. In just a few days, the entire group had grown to more than a thousand people.

Many of these recruits who had signed short-term contracts were street punks from the slums. Their Holy Names usually had no more than two sections, and they had neither blessings nor any particular skills.

Obviously, they needed to undergo some training before they could become qualified cannon fodder.

Thus, for more than ten consecutive days, the training grounds at Gray Eagle Camp were bustling with activity. Several hundred people received crash training every day, learning basic combat skills as well as the fundamentals of armies and warfare.

"They think they're going to get that money!" Marcus watched the prospective cannon fodder from a distance, his tone filled with contempt.

Gagnor raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't the mercenary group pay them?"

"Not exactly. But you have to understand that everyone wants to cut costs. To the mercenary group, money is a cost, but people aren't—at least, these people aren't." Marcus paused before continuing, "Of course, that's good news for us."

Gagnor did not understand and gave him a questioning look.

Marcus said languidly, "The world is nothing more than men and women. At its core, war is about killing men and taking women. After the men have worn one another down, the survivors can find women more easily. And as long as men find women, the world will be at peace..."

He crooked his mouth into a grin. "Heh heh, it probably won't be long before the girls on Joy Street start cutting their prices across the board. Aren't you going to give it a try?"

"No." Gagnor replied, "I'm going to Presto."

Marcus froze. "Were you chosen to be a 'field alchemist'?"

"I want to go myself."

"Why?" Marcus widened his eyes as if he were meeting his neighbor for the first time.

Gagnor was silent for a moment, then said only, "You can take it as me having a bit of a war frenzy."

Marcus stared blankly for two seconds, then sighed. "All right. I thought he was the only person in the world like that."

As he spoke, he pointed toward something.

"Lucius the Twinblade."

On the elevated platform at the training grounds, the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group's usually seldom-seen leader, Lucius, was rallying the soldiers in his impassioned voice.

He wore gray swordsman's garb and had a tall, lean build. Framed by his long black hair was a handsome face as sharp as an eagle's.

At that moment, Lucius stood atop the platform, the twin swords on his back reflecting a cold gleam in the sunlight. As he raised and lowered his arms, the cheers and silence of several hundred people rose and fell in alternating waves, making him look like a conductor leading an orchestra.

"You may have trudged through Raven Street's mud just yesterday, but I can see steel surging through your bodies—the rats that huddled in the corners of inns, searching for crumbs of bran bread, will never understand!"

"Your cowardly countrymen—some of them are waiting for you to die in the muck like wild dogs. But I know you'll return to Nordanlun with gold coins, return to South Sea Town, and sleep in every bed on Joy Street!"

The soldiers erupted in earth-shaking cheers.

"Some of you also yearn for power. You are the darlings of the battlefield!"

"Because Holy Name is never bestowed upon cowards. It only falls upon the heads of the brave—even after those heads have been severed!" As he said this, Lucius lifted his head high.

Only then did the people notice that a terrifying scar actually ran halfway around his neck!