Chapter 20: The Rust Plague and Custom-Made Weapons

“Though the conditions are somewhat humble, Mr. Mo Wen, I ask for your understanding.”

By the fireplace near the furnace, Mo Wen and Sophia sat facing each other.

An iron pot hung over the fire, bubbling with steam rising from it. Inside, chunks of potatoes and other unidentifiable ingredients simmered.

Mo Wen shook his head and glanced at Freya, who was curiously leaning in to peek at the pot’s contents. Then he spoke, “Ms. Sophia, I suppose you’ve already guessed—I am an outsider.”

“Commissioned by others, I have traveled thousands of miles to the Duchy of Maine solely to uncover the reasons behind the sudden halt in trade between Maine and our homeland.”

“But I hadn’t expected to find it in such a state…”

“What exactly happened in the Duchy of Maine?”

Sophia paused slightly as she poured water, then sighed. “Haven’t you noticed?”

“The Duchy of Maine rose and fell by the puppets.”

“After that rebellion, the kingdom’s former glory was reduced to ashes. Now, we are but pitiful souls barely clinging to life, hunted relentlessly by the rebel puppets.”

“Today, the Duchy of Maine has completely lost its eligibility to trade with other nations. Mr. Mo Wen, if you came seeking new partners for your clients, I’m afraid you will be disappointed.”

“You are an outsider. Once you learn the truth, you should leave as soon as possible.”

“We were born here, grew up here, and have nowhere else to go—but you are different.”

Mo Wen fell silent for a moment before shaking his head. “I cannot leave anytime soon.”

“The sailboat carrying us was attacked and sunk near the Duchy of Maine.”

“I have been wandering for a long time.”

“Until I find a new ship, I will stay here for a while.”

“May I ask if I might temporarily reside in the shelter?”

Sophia smiled gently. “Of course.”

“The very purpose of the shelter is to provide a refuge for those with nowhere else to turn.”

“As for ships… Clark Town has no shipyard; you would need to go further to Kent City.”

Mo Wen nodded. “Thank you.”

“I dislike receiving help without offering anything in return. Is there any way I can assist here in the shelter?”

Sophia touched the braided hair at her chest. “Mr. Mo Wen, I heard from Rand that you recently defeated a soldier puppet in direct combat?”

“Yes.”

There was nothing to hide—being new here, showing strength was also a form of capital.

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“Impressive!” Sophia exclaimed. “Since puppets were introduced, fewer people are willing to learn traditional swordsmanship. Compared to years of hard practice with uncertain progress, it’s far more effective to just buy a fire-type puppet or a guard puppet to boost one’s strength.”

“Who would have thought even puppets bound by the supreme puppet covenant would revolt…”

“I’m digressing.”

“Mr. Mo Wen, there is indeed an urgent matter in the shelter that requires your help.” Sophia smiled apologetically.

“As you’ve seen, supplies in the shelter are extremely scarce. We don’t even have medicine for fever, so Hank has to risk going into the Venomous Snake Forest to gather herbs.”

“In truth, Clark Town is not lacking supplies. Some time ago, Rand discovered an old noble’s warehouse stocked with various materials.”

“But soldier puppets frequently patrol around that warehouse.”

“So, I’d like to ask you to help clear out those soldier puppets.”

“Of course, the shelter will not ask for your help without recompense.”

Sophia’s gaze fell on the simple metal sword at Mo Wen’s waist and back.

“Your weapons… are somewhat rudimentary.”

“If you don’t mind, the shelter can provide you with standard issue weapons and anti-poison equipment.”

“Little Anna is an excellent blacksmith. If you find the standard weapons insufficiently strong, you can provide materials, and Anna will custom-make or even enhance weapons to your specifications, though it will take some time.”

Hearing this, Mo Wen’s heart lifted.

The issue of weapons had long troubled him.

When he left the St. Steel Chapel, he forged three simple metal swords, but after battling a soldier puppet, one was ruined on the spot.

With weapons of such quality… he certainly couldn’t wander the Duchy of Maine carrying a bulky load of simple swords behind him.

The shelter’s skilled blacksmith being able to provide and even enhance weapons truly eased his pressing concerns.

However…

“Anti-poison masks?”

A single phrase from Sophia caught his attention.

From the moment he met Hank, he had noticed the raven-beak mask covering his face.

“Mr. Mo Wen, you may not be aware,” Sophia patiently explained, “there is a terrible plague spreading within the Duchy of Maine, which we call the Rusting Disease.”

“Those afflicted with Rusting Disease experience their bodies deteriorating as if rusting. Their movements grow sluggish over time, and in the later stages, a layer of black-green rust-like substance covers their skin, rendering them completely immobile until death.”

“It spreads through various mediums: contact, air, and so forth.”

“Therefore, anyone venturing outside must wear anti-poison masks to avoid contracting the Rusting Plague.”

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Mo Wen furrowed his brow.

The situation in the Duchy of Maine was indeed dire.

Not only were there puppet uprisings, but rampant plague as well.

Yet soon he noticed something odd. “Ms. Sophia, why don’t you wear an anti-poison mask?”

“That is precisely what I wanted to discuss with you.” Sophia was unsurprised and smiled softly. “Those afflicted with Rusting Disease fear fire, and the ‘infectious agent’ of the Rusting Plague seems to share the same vulnerability.”

“I spend most of my time near the furnace and forge, where the temperature is high. I don’t need to worry about infection here.”

“When you are out, if you encounter someone with Rusting Disease, fire might be a viable defense.”

Mo Wen nodded in understanding.

After a moment of thought, he agreed, “Very well, I accept this commission.”

“On behalf of everyone in the shelter, thank you for your assistance.” Sophia stood and bowed respectfully.

“I am now a member of the shelter as well.” Mo Wen smiled. “Rather than these formalities, why not take me to see the weapons first?”

“Please, follow me.” Sophia smiled warmly and gestured invitingly.

Soon, they arrived at a workshop not far from the great furnace.

A figure sat quietly behind a workbench.

Drawing closer, Mo Wen’s pupils suddenly contracted.

Under the dim candlelight, a woman dressed in denim overalls and a short-sleeved gray shirt was writing something.

At the sound of footsteps, she looked up.

The skin illuminated by candlelight revealed an oddly delicate texture, resembling wood grain.

A puppet?!

Instinctively, Mo Wen’s hand tightened around the hilt of the metal sword at his waist.

“No need to be nervous.”

At that moment, Sophia’s gentle voice whispered in his ear.

“Mr. Mo Wen, Anna is not like those rebellious puppets outside. Please relax.”