Chapter 230 – Plotting Mercenary Downfall.

“They really did a number on this place…”

“A number? I do not see any numbers, just a lot of chaos…”

“It is just a… never mind. It is probably best we get things in order here.”

Alexander replied to Rusty as he finally descended into his underground basement. The door had been forced open, one of its hinges damaged, but that was only the beginning. The smithy built there had been completely trashed. Equipment and materials lay scattered everywhere, and even the bellows had been cut open, as if they had searched every corner to see whether gold was being hidden.

“At least they did not find the hidden compartment…”

Rusty commented when he noticed that no one had tried to pry open the concealed opening in the ground.

“Because there was nothing there in the first place, my dear Rusty. If you had been inside undergoing evolution, they would have likely detected something with that magical device they were using.”

Aburdon spoke as Rusty stepped forward, his metallic boots crunching over lumps of spilled coal scattered across the floor. He stood at the center, looking around and wondering if all of this had been necessary. Some tongs were bent, molds were cracked, and many of the tools had been cut by something.

“Why go this far…”

He picked up a chisel that had been sliced along the side and frowned.

“They were probably checking whether you had mixed gold into the tools. It is a valid tactic to hide it for later.”

Said Alexander as Rusty went through all the cracked steel tools.

“I suppose…”

It was possible to mold gold first and then pour bronze or iron over it as a hidden layer beneath the surface. However, such tools would likely have problems with weight and durability, since pure gold was a rather soft metal. That also explained why the tongs were bent.

“So they were testing whether these would bend more easily than real steel tools…”

Rusty nodded and took the bent tool, straightening it with his pure strength. In truth, this was not the real forge, and the tools lying around were mostly for show. Most of them were copied through the system. He still worked here from time to time, mostly handling smelting, which made the damaged molds a serious problem.

“They even punched a hole through the smelter…”

There was a two-finger-sized hole punched through the thick smelter. It had not been made by any tool. Instead, it looked as though something uneven had drilled its way through, leaving behind cuts and gashes along the edges and across the surrounding walls.

“This looks similar to that magic. Did Varkas do this?”

“It’s possible. Wind magic is quite versatile.”

Alexander responded, as it did appear that magic had been used. The size of the hole could probably fit the tip of a sword, and it was bent slightly, much like the saber the mercenary leader wielded.

“So he can puncture even thick metal like this.”

Rusty realized that engaging Varkas directly would be unwise. Taking hits with his metallic body was not something he could afford. His durability was high, but he was not invincible. With the right spell, even a sword, a weapon he was normally well protected against, could cut him in two.

“This won’t do. Rusty, we need to kill that man. Show everyone what happens when they cross you.”

Aburdon voiced what Rusty had already been thinking. Varkas had crossed him several times, and his presence was becoming an eyesore. Now he had come to Rusty’s lair looking for trouble. The damage was extensive, and Rusty knew that even if he reported it, nothing would come of it. He certainly would not be compensated for the losses unless he was seen as more useful than the mercenary leader by the humanoids in power.

“…”

“Don’t be rash, Rusty. We have enough money to fix this. It would be wiser to wait until a proper opportunity presents itself.”

“Oh? You also wish to slay this man, hero?”

Aburdon sounded surprised that Alexander was not dismissing his attempt to provoke Rusty.

“Is it the children? Is that where you draw the line?”

“Shut up.”

Alexander snapped back at the demon king’s taunts while Rusty continued to think. His anger was growing, and he wanted nothing more than to kill Varkas. Still, acting now, right after his home had been vandalized, would be far too obvious. He needed to wait for the right moment.

“I will get him for this, but not now. When the time is right…”

Rusty picked up a dagger from the floor and drove it into the wooden table with force.

“When the time comes, that man will die.”

He stared at the dagger embedded in the wood. A moment later, the table’s legs gave out, and it collapsed to the ground.

“…”

“Well, let’s clean up first.”

Alexander broke the silence as Aburdon cackled at the sight of the ruined table. Rusty could only stare at the splintered wood, momentarily speechless.

“Fine, but you two are helping me clean this up.”

“You want me, the great Demon King, to help you clean? Preposterous!”

Aburdon was not too keen on the idea, but Rusty knew this would go much faster with more help. He could summon puppet armors, but they were not very intelligent, so asking them to clean would be difficult. His two guides, however, were competent. With the children upstairs keeping watch over Rolo and cleaning the main shop, he could safely summon them without being noticed.

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“Yes, you will clean.”

With that, Rusty brought out the two suits of armor he had made for them and used his skill to let them inhabit them. The light armor and dark armor surged to life as his guides took control.

“Now work together to clean this place. I will fix the door first and make sure none of the children come in here and see you two.”

The suits of armor stood motionless for a brief moment as the skill finalized. The light set rolled its shoulders first and, without a word of defiance, grabbed one of the nearby brooms that had somehow survived.

“I will start sweeping. You gather the larger pieces from the ground and place them on the workbench.”

Alexander said to Aburdon, who instantly refused.

“Do not order me around. This is highly undignified for someone like me!”