Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 73 Forbidden Castle (Part Two)

The butler hurriedly stepped aside, and Su Mu carried the rattan armor into the courtyard.

The first thing you see is a huge furnace and a newly forged spear.

It was connected by a wooden handle, and the spearhead was matte and colorless, looking rather dull, even less impressive than the spell spears that spearmen usually wielded.

Dylan gripped the spear and plunged it into the pool. Instead of the expected mist, the spearhead resembled a water snake, lingering in the pool, waiting for its chance to strike.

"What a fine water snake gun! If used in combat in water, the one who can master this weapon will surely be able to unleash its maximum destructive power!"

Even among units of the same tier, their lethality varies, which is related to individual ability and the quality of their weaponry. If they could master more powerful enchanted weapons, their level could be further improved, although the cost would be quite high.

Dylan glanced at Su Mu, quite surprised. He hadn't expected that this man could see through the secret of the newly forged weapon at a glance.

"Throw the rattan armor into the pool. The seal on this treasure is already somewhat damaged. If you carry it with you, it will easily drain your magical power and life force."

Su Mu then threw the damaged vine armor into the pool. Many roots emerged from beneath the armor, anchoring themselves to the bottom of the pool and absorbing the weapon fragments and water.

As a cooling place for blacksmiths, this place is filled with magical energy.

Dylan walked to the pool and used a professional tree branch to poke at the roots of the vine armor.

"This rattan armor is a relic, probably taken from the body of a dead hero. However, the collector was an ordinary person, and the process was very disharmonious. It had seen blood, and without the nourishment of magical power during its turbulent journey, it slowly went out of control."

The sealing method is also very rudimentary; it only temporarily satisfies its desires and will eventually become completely ineffective.

You might face a crazed treant leader, or a group of awakened withered warriors who cannot be subdued and know only slaughter!

With just a few words, Dylan had already determined the treasure's future. As a blacksmith, he had seen countless treasures and would naturally not make a wrong judgment.

He not only has a good eye for treasures, but he is also good at dealing with people.

Dylan didn't turn his head, but asked, "I've heard Conrad mention your name. You've thwarted Isildur's plots many times. You're quite good compared to those useless guys at Longletburg."

"You're not here to fix the rattan armor, are you? Just say what you want to ask."

Su Mu couldn't help but feel a little ashamed. Facing the elites of the kingdom, there was indeed no need to hide anything.

"I once read a secret in an ancient book: sealed treasures are not actually incomplete; they have better uses. If we can build the corresponding structures in the town, perhaps a miracle will happen!"

Dylan slowly turned his head back and carefully examined Su Mu from top to bottom before speaking.

"That's true. Sealing doesn't mean there's a flaw; sometimes it's actually a manifestation of human control over spells."

Heroes need to consume treasures to control them. Before reaching a certain level, ordinary heroes can only equip 6 treasures. If a hero is very strong in a certain aspect and one of their attributes reaches 10, they can equip 10 treasures. As for the most powerful legendary heroes, they can equip 13 treasures.

However, there are not many heroes who can possess such power, and if some people with insufficient abilities forcibly use the treasure, it will have terrible consequences.

The Cavern of the Dead, the Doomsday Volcano, the Dragon Valley Lava. These historically infamous disasters are all actually related to treasures going out of control.

"If the treasure becomes abnormal and out of control, we will find a way to seal it away and gradually eliminate its danger, waiting for a suitable hero to inherit it."

Of course, there is another function: the lord can effectively control his subordinates, because the sealing environment of many high-level treasures is specific and difficult to replicate.

Regarding the buildings that can utilize treasures, there are indeed some, and more than one. However, there is only one building that purely suppresses the feedback from treasures to the city: the Forbidden Castle.

As Dylan explained, a description of a building instantly appeared in Su Mu's mind.

Forbidden Castle (Special Building): A forbidden land that provides methods for sealing treasures. As the power of the treasure's spell increases and the building is upgraded, it can provide special assistance to towns or heroes. Human Castle Faction: Morale, Luck, Speed, Tower Defense.

Prerequisite buildings: Parliament, Headquarters.

Evaluation: This place possesses forbidden secret techniques and magical artifacts that unleash potential; you can use them to build a powerful territory.

The building was so familiar, yet it seemed shrouded in a fog, and I couldn't recall it at all.

But such special architecture can't be built at will; it requires a special opportunity, and most importantly, an architect. Behind every legendary city stands such a man—and that's no exaggeration.

Forrest cannot build it yet. Firstly, he doesn't have such an idea, as it's difficult to do so simply by thinking about it; secondly, his basic civil engineering skills are still lacking and he needs to continue to learn.

Seeing Su Mu's thoughtful expression, Dylan was slightly puzzled: "Could you be an architect? You don't seem like it!"

Su Mu hurriedly shook his head: "I know nothing about architecture, you overestimate me."

Dylan also realized he had overthought things: "Garfield reported your achievements to Congress this time, so getting a baron should be no problem. The investiture certificate will arrive in the next few days, and Conrad will bestow the title on you on behalf of the King."

As for the fiefdom, I estimate you'll choose Kuraki Town, which is a matter for Longlet Castle; you can handle that.

I know you want to develop the town, but the Forbidden Castle is still a long way off; don't dwell on it.

Su Mu nodded, then asked another question: "If you use your spell trajectory, could you throw even more advanced spellbooks? Wouldn't that be world-destroying?"

Dylan's eyes glazed over, but he quickly regained his senses and said with a self-deprecating laugh, "Mastering advanced magic is much more difficult, and scrolls are much rarer. Don't underestimate a small magic scroll; some are more violent than thunder. If I were to control those advanced spells, I reckon I could only throw out a few."

Moreover, war is a countermeasure, not an unlimited drain on resources.

Although Dylan said that, Su Mu had already imagined other scenes in his mind. The magic tower in the fortified city released the god of fortune at the very beginning of the war, cheering and even throwing fireballs like cannonballs.

How do you attack a city like this?
This is not a mere fantasy, but the true terror of the legendary city. As for the secret, it lies in the Forbidden Castle and its special buildings.

Su Mu and the blacksmith talked for a long time, including the characteristics of various treasures, the role that treasures in each position can play, and the legends of combining treasures.

I've heard that there's a set of treasures in the capital that requires the king's personal blessing to be worn. I just don't know which set it is; I'd love to see it someday.

The conversation with Dylan was very fruitful, at least pointing the way for the future development of the castle.

Just as the two were about to part, Dylan suddenly called out to Su Mu.

"Such secrets would not appear in low-level magic guilds, and the area where they are displayed is also a forbidden zone, which ordinary people cannot see."

Since you lack magical wisdom, and your magical power and knowledge are not strong enough, it's best not to think about these things.

Sometimes, sealing is for protection!

Feeling uneasy under Dylan's gaze, Su Mu explained, "I only acquired some knowledge by chance, and it's not comprehensive enough, which is why I came to visit you."

Dylan didn't ask any further questions, turned around and went back into the house, but left behind a warning.

"Knowledge of sorcery is full of taboos and dangers. Some memories and feelings may not be true and may come from some kind of fraud or temptation."

If you feel you've strayed from your path, stop and think it over.

If you're not strong enough, find a way to become stronger, and all difficulties will naturally be resolved.

(End of this chapter)