I Want to Learn the Longsword

"I want to learn how to use the katana."

Lan Le spoke solemnly to the bodyguards in front of him.

"."

The bodyguards exchanged bewildered glances, unsure how to respond.

It's your freedom to choose what you want to learn, so why are you notifying us?

However, it seemed that Lan Le wasn't really seeking their opinions, but rather looking for a way to announce his goals and, incidentally, make demands of his bodyguards.

He pointed to each of the bodyguards one by one and said:

"You learn the Greatsword, you learn dual blades, you, Insect Glaive, and you, learn the Hunting Horn, plus my longsword, and we will become the elite dragon hunters!"

He quickly assigned tasks to everyone, then put his hands on his hips and looked up at the azure sky.

I felt as if a bright and beautiful future was beckoning to me.

The bodyguards thought their master had gone mad and had probably been brainwashed by those adventurers of unknown origin.

Lan Le's transformation came about after he interacted with people who were ostensibly adventurers but were actually Te Mude's guards.

Their conversation wasn't particularly complicated.

The guards first presented their vague speculation about the location of the Great Dragon Feast Church.

Secondly, it illustrates the fact that many of the users of the unique weapons in the Forest Area are skilled dragon hunters.

These two pieces of information weren't really related, but when put together, they became "those who returned from training in the Forest Area are all capable of killing dragons like slaughtering dogs and then swallowing a dragon's heart, becoming true men."

At least that's what Lan Le thinks, so he's now eager to get started, sending people to find the Great Dragon Feast Church while he himself leads a group to learn how to use weapons like the katana.

Once he can also perform the Dragon Communion, he will probably be as popular as Te Mude, right?

His rational mind told him that things weren't that simple, but his emotions made him want to try it no matter what.

Furthermore, why would a Reformists prince like him learn to wield a katana, something that clearly appears to be a melee weapon?

"Since those mages won't come to my aid, then I'm on a completely different side from them now!"

This was the result of his decisive action. He might still temporarily use the name of Reformists, but he would never open his heart to those people again.

His past hesitation led him to regretfully decide not to participate in the first Battle Festival. Now, having learned his lesson and made a painful decision, he is determined never to be indecisive again!

"You go find someone to explore the location of the Great Dragon Feast Church. The rest of you, come with me into the Zane Dungeon."

Lan Le is now at maximum action level!

Today was Lan Le's first time entering the Zane Dungeon, but he didn't feel nervous at all; instead, he was filled with anticipation.

As for the bodyguards...

"I think there are a lot of people teaming up to challenge the Battle Festival right now. There are more people attracted by that video than in the entire Black Rock City. I know of at least four groups that are currently recruiting, and each one is quite large."

"Furthermore, I heard that a group is going to the Battle Festival the day after tomorrow, led by eight Gold-Rank Adventurer. Why doesn't Prince Lanle go with them?"

"Because what His Highness wants is to build a team based on his own reputation, like His Highness Te Mude, rather than joining a team built by someone else."

"It's rare to see Your Highness so motivated. I'll learn from you!"

As time passed and night fell, the exhausted group reappeared near the portal, each looking utterly worn out.

Lan Le, carried on the bodyguard's shoulder, muttered to himself as if his soul had left his body:

"After running around all day, we've only just arrived at the Roundtable Hold. Just how big is it?"

They originally thought they could go directly to the Forest Area, but they found that without first unlocking the access to the Roundtable Hold, they couldn't go to Firelink Shrine or any of the old areas.

So after running around all day, with the help of the walkthrough, I finally found the ominous demon and went to the Roundtable Hold.

Just getting there is exhausting.

When daylight came, they rallied and came to challenge Sain again, but they looked somewhat apprehensive.

Fortunately, this time their wish came true. They successfully arrived at the Firelink Shrine and reached the Forest Area, and they even had a hired guide with them.

The guide looked like an elf, carrying a katana made of some unknown material on his back. He had a shrewd and capable appearance, but he smelled strongly of alcohol.

"Just call me Mei Erjia. If you'd like to know anything, I'm very familiar with this place."

"That's what Mei Erjia, the elf and sister of Si Telan, said."

"Well, we came here because we heard that the weapons here are very unique and we are eager to slay dragons. If you could, could you tell us about the infrastructure of this area and the characteristics of the various weapons?"

Lan Le concealed his identity this time, so he probably thinks of himself as a rich young master in Mei Erjia's eyes now? This is the first time he has ever hidden his identity, and it is quite a novel experience.

"Hmm, longing to slay dragons, huh~" Mei Erjia's lips curled up, and she raised her hand and said, "Come this way, I'll take you to the stronghold first."

"Stronghold?"

Lan Le was stunned. He had heard that, in addition to the lake area, the Forest Area was also limited to ten people for exploration. How could someone have built a base there?

No, it could also be something that comes with the Zane Dungeon itself. Anyway, let's go check it out first.

The Forest Area, one of the "oldest" areas in the Zane Dungeon, is still a place that veteran players like to recommend to newcomers.

As for the reason, besides the fact that the environment here is really beautiful, it is also because adventurers can always encounter monsters that match their strength when they come here, which is a great training ground for newcomers.

If you can hunt the same monster repeatedly and accumulate enough materials, you can also obtain a reward in the Zane Dungeon that is considered a must-get reward in your life. If a new adventurer can get those, he can quickly start his journey to fame and his adventures will become smooth sailing.

"What a vast forest!" the bodyguard exclaimed, looking at the enormous jungle that seemed to blot out the sky. He felt like a tiny person who had wandered into a land of giants.

"According to the information unearthed in this area, this place seems to have been called the Ancient Tree Forest by people in the past."

Mei Erjia pulled out a map and gave it to Lan Le; it was covered in colorful markings.

"Although it's called the Forest Area, there's more than just forest here," she said, pointing in different directions.

"Centered on the Ancient Tree Forest, heading north will lead to a sea and archipelago covered in ice, which we generally call the Cold Archipelago. The monsters that inhabit there are also related to the cold, with the most popular being the Icefang Dragon and the Snow Oni Beast."

"Going west leads to the Lava Caves, which, as the name suggests, is a hot place filled with lava. The monsters there are scalding hot, so it's best to drink some cold drinks before you go. The Queen Spider and the Fire Dragon live there."

"Going east leads to the Sand Plains, which are equally boundless. The Rock Dragon, Sandstone Dragon, and other monsters there are tough and strong, and very annoying. But the most annoying ones are probably the Diablos. Recently, the Thunderclap Dragon and other new monsters have also appeared in the Sand Plains. I would absolutely not recommend you go there. Even veterans don't want to go."

"What about heading south?" a bodyguard asked with clear, bright eyes.

"Going south Firelink Shrine."

Mei Erjia really wanted to give him a "Are you kidding me?" look, but the other person was her employer who was paying her, so she couldn't be so rude.

The bodyguard immediately lowered his head, realizing he had asked a stupid question.

"Although this place is called the Forest Area, it is actually very large and has everything. I think this area alone could be a dungeon."

"Then, what is the most representative monster in the Ancient Tree Forest?" Lan Le asked.

Of course.

Suddenly, the roar of the Ape God echoed from the center of the forest, shaking the entire area. The bodyguards were so frightened that they quickly drew their weapons and went to guard their surroundings. They had never felt such a wild killing intent before.

Mei Erjia continued with a smile:

"The Furious Rajang."

Looking at the still-shaken Lan Le and the others, she waved her hand and said:

"Don't worry, we won't encounter the Furious Rajang if we don't go deep into the area, but if we do, we're doomed."

"The earliest recorded instance of Furious Rajang hunt is that of the Sword Saint Gapar and his apprentice Leon. It is thanks to them that people know that Furious Rajang can be hunted."

"By the way, each region has its own unique minerals and plants that can be collected. Rare items are very valuable outside. A piece of Ice Light Metal can be exchanged for ten times its weight of high-grade wine."

Lan Le had no interest in alcohol; he only wanted to hear some practical information. Just then, Mei Erjia suddenly said:

"We've arrived. This is the base."

"Stronghold."

Lan Le looked at the small village in front of him, located in a forest clearing, and didn't find anything special about it; in fact, it was quite ordinary.

But the next moment, when he saw something, he shuddered.

"What, what is that?" He tremblingly stretched out his finger, looking at Mei Erjia with a subtle expression.

"These are Felyne. This is a village built by Felyne and humans together," Mei Erjia explained dutifully. "However, there are no traces of humans in the village now; it's all cats."

All that could be heard was the sound of cats meowing in the village. Suddenly, a large group of Felyne surged out and escorted the group into the village. Their enthusiasm left the bodyguards at a loss.

"Lord Lance, are you alright—" The bodyguard was calling out Lan Le's pseudonym when he noticed that the man was carrying Felyne in one hand and had a blush of happiness on his face.

"You're new here, aren't you?" one of the bodyguards said. "The master really likes animals that are somewhat humanoid."

"Is that so?"

This moment is truly a day of celebration for Lan Le.

His brain was flooded with dopamine, and he was enjoying the feeling of being surrounded by the Felyne. Even when cat hair got into his throat, he couldn't bear to cough. He was so happy that he couldn't make a sound.

As a prince, he was unwilling to reveal his hobbies, and only his bodyguards knew them. Now, here, he can let his true nature shine through!

"Felyne is amazing!"

He gave a small cheer.

Unfortunately, the next second he was lifted up by Mei Erjia, who said, "The Felyne here are too friendly. You have to be careful. There have been quite a few people who got divorced by their jealous wives or husbands because they were obsessed with Felyne."

Lan Le watched in despair as the Felyne drifted further and further away from him, his face finally turning ashen.

However, after a short while, he was placed in front of a new Felyne.

The other party was larger than the other Felyne, with a fierce look on their face, and was sitting in a place that was obviously a blacksmith's shop, staring at them sharply.

"This is a weapon master. You can come to him to forge weapons using the materials you obtain after successfully hunting monsters, but he can only make a dozen or so specific types of weapons."

"The person opposite him is an armor master who can forge armor. The other Felyne will sell some new gadgets from time to time. You can interact with them more."

"The place with smoke in the distance is the main dining hall. The head chef's Palico Meal has magical effects, but unfortunately you can only eat it once a day. If you don't like the Palico Meal, you can eat Dango or drink beverages and soak in the hot spring. None of these are free."

Mei Erjia removed her backpack and placed it in front of the Weapon Master, saying with a beaming smile:

"I happen to have some materials on hand, they're from Great Jagras, I can forge a weapon for each of you."

"I want to learn how to use the katana," Lan Le said immediately.

"But for beginners, I would recommend this film."

"I want to learn the katana," Lan Le said, enunciating each word clearly.

Mei Erjia's cheek muscles twitched, and finally she sighed and said:

"Alright, since you want to learn how to use the katana, I can teach you for a higher fee, but you should think it over."

She said with a very serious expression:

"The path of the katana, what awaits you is hell."

"No problem!"

And so, the Second Prince of the Warrior Country, one of the leading figures of the Reformists, Lan Le Zhulei Penliu.

Now we have embarked on a road of no return, a Broad Avenue that will undoubtedly lead to success.

Meanwhile, he was honing his katana skills in the Forest Area.

The bodyguards he dispatched successfully assembled a fairly reliable team and began searching for the Great Dragon Feast Church within the vast Caelid.