35. The Collar
Locking magic stones into metal to create a stable energy source, absorbing the heat of molten metal, and then recycling the energy throughout the entire forge… In any era, this was a breathtaking level of craftsmanship.
Of course, without a [power source], none of this would run smoothly. And what drove it was a treasure left over from the Primordial Era called the [Mountain’s Core]. Therefore, the forge was also named after the [Mountain’s Core].
Reina suddenly remembered that in the game, the orcs hadn’t successfully activated the Mountain’s Core, but had barely managed to run the forge with “orc power.” In the end, the Mountain’s Core was even taken by the protagonist and turned into a decent leveling item.
But in this world, the orcs had succeeded.
Even without the Goddess’s Treasures, Reina could guarantee that they could become the most rampant and crazed race among the Four Realms, relying on the forge’s exaggerated production capacity.
If she remembered correctly, only the so-called elders and the Beast King himself could enter this place. Now that Kribi and the Beast King Kritz were on good terms, this colossus also had the right to enter the [Mountain’s Core].
“Are [those things] almost ready?” Reina said with a smile.
“Of course.”
Kribi looked quite proud.
Yes, Reina had come here to “borrow” the Mountain’s Core.
Not to use the Mountain’s Core to increase her level, but to operate the core forge and create a “weapon” she needed.
Kribi then led Reina to the core forging area. Countless interlocking gears hung from the ceiling, and the largest gear was connected to a circular handle that extended to the far end. The handle was connected to many old hemp ropes, which was the “motor” that could be driven by manpower.
Reina looked down at the fifty-meter-wide, hundred-meter-deep pit beneath her feet, and the pile of golden treasures on the scorching, lava-like rocks.
—Those were all the Goddess of Light’s treasures.
“I’m sorry, the [Mountain’s Core] probably can’t help you. Hehe… You’ll have to do it yourself, President.”
Kribi said with a smile.
To be honest, he didn’t think Reina could get the entire core area to operate.
Even if she could, she didn’t have a high-temperature flame that could melt the Goddess’s Treasures.
Reina sighed.
…As expected, I have to do it myself.
Just yesterday afternoon, Reina had written a letter to the Beast King, suggesting that he shouldn’t continue to waste the Goddess of Light’s treasures, but instead invest them in battle. To her surprise, she quickly received a positive reply from the Beast King.
Reina could confirm that the [Mountain’s Core] could provide the energy for forging, but now it seemed that the orcs… If they really used the [Mountain’s Core] as a power source to melt and forge the Light Treasures, the power source would probably be completely depleted before they could even see the artifact. No matter how strong the Mountain’s Core was, it was just a core that provided continuous energy.
Reina could do it herself.
She channeled her magic power, her long hair and loose dress fluttering with the surge of magic.
Following her memory, she turned the gears at the key nodes, minimizing energy loss. Then, one by one, the gears were set in motion, and with a creaking sound, the core area of the forge began to operate!
Kribi, standing behind her, widened his eyes. She could actually start the forge!
Under the precise control of gravity magic, the deep pit beneath her feet began to operate, but no matter what, without sufficient temperature, it was impossible to melt the Goddess’s Treasures.
Reina was prepared.
She spread her wings, leaned forward, her legs, waist, and hips forming a graceful arc. She opened her mouth, and with a sonic boom from the compressed air and a bluish-purple magic sphere gathering before her cherry lips, a deep purple flame breath shot out into the deep pit.
[Dragon Breath]
[Blazing Sunfire]
This was a skill that combined her dragon breath and temperature with the powerful attack skill of the Goddess. Its temperature was enough to melt the Goddess’s Treasures. The breath lasted for a long time, and Reina only stopped after the Goddess’s Treasures had completely melted into a golden liquid.
—These Goddess’s Treasures were mostly just accessories that increased luck without any real function, so it didn’t hurt to burn them.
At this moment, Kribi had already fled fifty meters away. Even so, he was still burned by the temperature of the [Blazing Sunfire]. But instead of being injured, he began to look forward to what kind of artifact Reina would create with these Goddess’s Treasures.
About thirty minutes passed, and the golden waterfall was continuously compressed and refined, finally becoming a pure golden liquid, flowing along an artificial river to a gray, pillar-like platform. On the platform was a forging table with a complex, multi-faceted shape.
Legend had it that this was the private forge of the ancient Dwarf King. He often hammered on the anvil here, often going weeks without food or sleep to create his ideal equipment. And the equipment he painstakingly created was spread throughout the world, becoming various legendary artifacts and treasures over the ages.
When a golden cube floated above the forging table, Reina knew that this forging was complete.
Kribi followed, and Reina lightly jumped to the side of the forging table. She reached out, and before she could touch the golden cube, an orange-yellow flame, sensing Reina’s presence, began to burn on her outstretched finger.
Unfortunately, as a dragon, and with the existence of [Eternal Golden Radiance], Reina didn’t feel any substantial damage. She easily touched the golden cube and held it in her hand.
Then, she tapped the center cube of the golden cube, and it indented, then instantly split into several golden cubes, which then dissipated into the air. Finally, only a pure golden ring remained in Reina’s palm.
Like an artifact cast entirely from shimmering gold, the golden ring emitted a light that made Reina dazed. Feeling the refraction and pulsation of the light, she seemed to hear the golden ring saying something to her, but she couldn’t understand it.
“I thought it would be a sword.”
Kribi said doubtfully, his arms crossed.
“This is an artifact made from all the melted and cast Goddess’s Treasures. Is this golden ring really useful?”
“Of course.”
Reina smiled faintly.
Kribi didn’t understand, but he still chose to trust Reina’s judgment.
“You should take good care of it, President.”
Although she was the one who did the work, she was quite satisfied that the orcs could provide the Goddess’s Treasures. But unfortunately, those “Light Divine Artifacts” equivalent to the Judgment Blade weren’t contributed and were probably still in the Beast King’s hands.
She looked at the golden ring in her hand, somewhat dazed.
She didn’t tell Kribi the true purpose of this golden ring.
Rather than a golden ring, it was a [collar].
