The Legend of the Fishermen of Sicily

"These are roughly the fifteen requirements; anything else is just minor detail."

Leo wanted a sip of water, but found that the glass in front of him had already been emptied by the person opposite him. He awkwardly stopped halfway through his outstretched hand.

"I'm done speaking."

Aurelio, blushing, invited Leo into the house:

"Regarding your needs, I think there's still a lot we can discuss in more depth. It's getting dark, let's go inside and talk over drinks!"

.......

Aurelio warmly welcomed "Client Dad" Leo in his living room, which resembled a garbage dump.

The two then engaged in several in-depth discussions regarding the functionality and practicality of the harpoon.

One dares to speak, the other dares to chat.

Before long, the number of design requirements rose from 15 to 21, and it continues to increase.

After drinking some alcohol, Leo was feeling dizzy.

I thought to myself how wonderful it would be if I had such an understanding "service provider" when I was working before.

He had already explained all the requirements, but Aurelio still felt it wasn't good enough, so he brought up the next few himself.

There's no longer any distinction between Party A and Party B; the two of them are like scientists working together to overcome a difficult problem.

"We've covered functionality and practicality enough. Now let's talk about the appearance." Aurelio got up to find something. "Such a powerful harpoon must have a magnificent shape to match it."

He turned back and gave Leo a fawning smile:

"You're going to represent Malzamemi in Messina, so you need to consider your image. I have a good idea. Wait a minute, where is it? Let me find it—"

"Here!" Aurelio found an old book with moldy pages at the bottom and carefully opened it.

He held the book up to Leo and tapped on one of the pictures a few times:

"What do you think of this design?"

The first thing Leo saw wasn't the photo of Aurelius, but the title of the page—"Poseidon, the God of the Sea."

The alcohol sobered me up a bit:

"You want to build a trident?"

Aurelius sat back down with the book in his hands and waved his hand:

"Similar in form, but only in form."

Leo leaned forward, suggesting it would be better to talk about something more practical:

"The appearance isn't important. I want to know, is it possible to make a harpoon that meets so many requirements?"

Aurelius turned to another page of the book, picked it up, and showed Leo the title, which read—"The Twelve Labors of Hercules."

Leo was fortunate enough to hear Andrei tell this Greek myth.

It tells the story of Hercules, who, in a fit of madness, accidentally killed his family. To atone for his sins, he obeyed the king's orders and completed twelve impossible labors, including hunting the Nemean Lion, slaying the Hydra, and subduing the mad bull of Crete.

The entire Greek mythological system is permeated with an extreme sense of "fatalism." The fates of gods, mortals, and heroes are predetermined at birth, and no one can escape destiny, curses, or prophecies.

However, the twelve labors of Hercules are a rare example in Greek mythology of a "human effort leading to success" comeback.

Aurelio closed the book, his weathered eyes seeming to hold a stormy sea:

"How will you know if you don't try?"

Leo crossed his arms, his mind racing.

With only 15 requirements, the ideas could already be described as "out of the ordinary".

After discussions and brainstorming with Aurelius, the production difficulty became even greater.

Before arriving, Leo wasn't sure if the other party had the ability to do it.

At this point... he felt even more strongly that it would be best to find a good blacksmith.

Leo calmed down and replied:

"I'm in a tight schedule; I need to get it before I go to Messina next Tuesday."

Aurelio spread his palms out and made a "5".

Leo thought that if he said he could finish in 5 days, then he could definitely make it in time.

"I only need five hours of sleep a day, and I can spend the rest of the time making this harpoon."

Leo gasped and pressed for an answer:

"You're not going to sea anymore?"

Aurelio held the hat in his hand and fanned himself with it.

"I'm too old to go every day. My son can handle things on his own now. If he were a few years younger, you wouldn't be going to Messina this year. According to the rules, I should be the one going."

Leo became even more worried upon hearing this. Could someone so old still lift heavy weights?

"And your stamina..."

Aurelio gestured with his hands at his sides:

"No problem, I can carry fish weighing several hundred pounds, and besides, you're here too, aren't you? Enzo said you want to watch the whole thing?"

Leo frankly said:

"I don't know anything about forging. I've only witnessed a few forging masters competing and learning some techniques in my hometown, but I've never actually forged anything myself."

"Oh, I see." Aurelio optimistically reassured him, "It's okay, as long as you have the energy. I'll teach you when the time comes, and you can take over when I get tired."

Leo thought Aurelio made it sound too easy... It's not that simple.

Three cobblers can equal one Zhuge Liang, but two cobblers are still just two cobblers!

"I understand the situation. I'll go home and think about it." Leo said, preparing to leave.

Aurelio's anxiety was palpable; the thought of that harpoon made him tremble. How could he possibly let Leo escape?

"I do blacksmithing mainly as a hobby, not to make money from it. Unlike the custom fishing gear services outside, I only charge a small fee for the furnace."

Leo's steps slowed as he walked away.

How much can the stove fee be...? Is it really that cheap?

Aurelio followed beside Leo:

"Besides, if you don't come to me, you'll have to go to the towns outside or the city to fight. Do you think those people are as easy to talk to as I am?"

His hand moved rapidly between himself and Leo:

"They're all acquaintances; you need to tailor a harpoon to your own needs. Communication is very important."

Leo slowed his pace.

That's absolutely true.

Going to the city or town will incur a new pick-up fee.

With the gate just a short distance away, Aurelio stepped in front of Leo and unleashed his killing move:

"I'm determined to be the Cyclops, are you?"

In Greek mythology, the three brothers Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades joined forces to overthrow their father's regime and free the imprisoned Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires.

To express their gratitude, the Hundred-Handed Giant directly participated in the Titan War.

The Cyclops forged and gifted three artifacts to the three brothers, with Poseidon receiving the famous trident.

Aurelio's self-identification as the "Cyclops" serves two purposes: firstly, to express his lofty ambitions, and secondly, to question Leo—

Do you have the confidence to be Poseidon?!

Leo was a man of strong emotions, and having had a few drinks, he became even more hesitant upon hearing Aurelio's bold pronouncements.

The people on the eastern coast of Sicily are deeply influenced by Greek culture and have a strong belief in fate.

According to the logic of fatalism, the harpoon was already "completed" when Leo wanted to make it, and as the owner of the harpoon, Leo also entered a new "life chapter" woven for him by the three Fates.

Leo began to convince himself—it's just a harpoon, why not give it a try? If it's broken, just make another one; it won't cost much anyway.

If all else fails, we can go to Messina and find a local harpoon to use temporarily, then come back and continue fishing with the harpoon we have now.

"Divine artifacts" are something that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be sought after. Don't let Aurelio's passion go to waste.

Just then, a young man in a white shirt pushed open the door and walked in:

"Aurelio, Mom said we're going to start making tomato sauce tomorrow. Tell me the recipe you told me last time again, and I'll ask Mom if she wants to try some."

Bianchi was taken aback, and looked at Leo to ask:

"What are you doing here? I was just looking for you."

Aurelio, having just made his bold statement, is currently filled with excitement:

"Leo and I are planning to tackle a huge challenge!"

Bianchi's eyes instantly turned from clear to cold.

He touched the buttons of his white shirt and unbuttoned them one by one:

"What challenge? I'll help."

Leo looked at Bianchi, then at Aurelio.

Alright, we have to give it a try this time.

Three cobblers have made up their numbers.