The weapons I forge are absolutely flawless.

Combined with reduced usage requirements and other features, it is a rare and valuable tool.

"Then we have a ready-made shill?" Anna smiled slyly.

“You mean—” Viner suddenly realized.

“If you can get Barr to come to my shop tomorrow, I’ll take care of the rest,” Anna said.

“Alright, then I’ll leave it to you.” Viner nodded in thanks. “Oh, by the way, I have something for you.”

After speaking, he slowly took out an exquisitely crafted cloth bag from his clothes, its delicate embroidery emitting a faint luster.

"What is this?" Anna asked curiously, her eyes sparkling with surprise.

"The pouch that comes with the throwing knife was only recently made. Although it's a bit late, I hope you like it; consider it a token of my appreciation."

"Remember to bring your gifts out soon, Vena," Anna said with a smile. "I have a gift for you too."

“I don’t lack anything,” Viner said with a slight shrug, seemingly unconcerned.

"That's not necessarily true. You must really want to know about this." Anna smiled brightly.

"Then stop keeping me in suspense."

"The Hero's Legacy, the replica of Ziglind's 'Ademura,' will be the prize for the winner of this Griffin War."

"really?"

"Believe it or not."

Anna said irritably, "I told you this out of good intentions, but all I got was Viner's suspicion."

"Are you sure it's not a blueprint, but a finished product?"

It's no wonder that Wiener was surprised.

Finished products and blueprints are completely different concepts.

Even a replica of a hero's relic can only be reproduced by a master-level blacksmith.

Even the princess of the Aster Empire could only take a blueprint and search everywhere for a craftsman with forging skills.

Instead of keeping such good things for their own use, they're giving them out as prizes. When did the academy become so generous?

“The Kingdom of Fascia wouldn’t try to fool St. Freya Academy with something like this,” Anna revealed the answer.

"What does this have to do with them?" Now Wiener was even more puzzled.

"Because this prize was provided by the Kingdom."

"The academy is holding an event, and they're using something so expensive as a prize? Isn't that just giving the academy a free ride?"

“This might not be a wedding dress,” Anna shook her head. “If they’re willing to spend such a generous gift, they must be confident they can get it back.”

“Don’t forget who won last year’s Griffin Tournament,” Anna reminded her.

Leaving aside the Allied powers for the moment.

The Aster Empire and the Kingdom of Fasca, these two arch-rivals, one eagerly anticipates avenging its previous defeat in the upcoming Griffin War, while the other hopes that Dimir can seize the championship with the might of a king and completely overshadow Edel's brilliance.

This Zeglind is part of the Fasca Kingdom's efforts to build momentum for its future king.

"Is there any movement from the Empire?" Viner asked curiously.

Face is of utmost importance among major powers.

Since the Kingdom of Fasca has made such a big fuss to create momentum, the Empire has no reason to remain indifferent.

It's like both sides raising their bets; one side puts out a prize, and the other side has to bet an equal amount to match it.

Otherwise, you've already lost before the game even begins.

"Unfortunately, not yet. The kingdom's move was too sudden, and the empire is probably in a complete mess right now."

“Nobody expected them to produce a perfectly intact Siegfried,” Anna replied.

Ordinary people can't distinguish the subtle differences between a holy sword, a hero's legacy, and a replica.

But they believed that the sacred object should belong to the virtuous.

Since we can produce it while you can't, then it's definitely not my problem, but yours.

The best course of action is, of course, to bring out another heroic legacy.

But such a treasure is not something that can be obtained casually.

Chapter 275 Anna's Seduction

Viner didn't care whether the kingdom had other purposes; he just wanted to see Ziglind in person.

Look at the heroic legacy created by others, and see how it differs from the one you forge yourself.

It would be even better if I could touch it.

By birth, he could be considered a citizen of the Kingdom of Fagas.

But the blacksmith from the remote countryside clearly had no connection with the royal family.

We need to find another way to get in touch with Zieglind.

"You said you wanted to meet Siegfried?"

Tissa was slightly surprised when she heard Vina's request.

"Ah."

Wiener nodded repeatedly.

In his view, since this item would be a prize in the Griffin Battle, it was natural that the academy should handle it.

Rather than trying to win in the Griffin battle, it's better to strike at the root of the problem.

"Then what should you call me?" Tilisa asked deliberately.

"sister."

“Hmm,” Tilisa said with a satisfied expression.

Many people wanted to get close to her but couldn't, except for this guy, Vina, who would call her "sister" when he needed something and call her by her first name when he didn't.

"I'd really like to grant you that request, but—"

"Give me back the one you shouted."

Upon hearing Tilisa's tone, Vena knew it was hopeless.

"Don't worry," Tilisa reassured her. "The kingdom has agreed to give Zyglind as the prize for the Griffin War."

"However, in what form the award will be presented, and when it will arrive at the academy, have not yet been decided. So I cannot give you an answer at the moment."

"But since you've already called me 'sister,' I'll remember this."

"Just focus on competing normally, and leave the rest to me."

-----------------

At this moment, within the territory of Cordelia, a single, unextinguished light still shone in the study.

The study light was still on.

The countess, who had been waiting for her husband to go to bed, dressed in a soft nightgown and holding a candlestick, slowly walked toward the half-closed door.

"Honey, I know you want to go to the academy to see our daughter as soon as possible, but please take care of yourself too, okay?"

Mrs. Xiumeia pushed open the door and entered, trying to persuade her husband.

The Earl, who should have been engrossed in his heavy political affairs, was now asleep at his desk.

Lady Xiumeia narrowed her eyes slightly, a barely perceptible hint of anger flickering between her brows.

She put the candlestick down and rearranged the jumbled documents.

She then reached out and gently pinched her husband's ear, whispering, "Darling, you still have a lot to do, you can't rest now, can you?"

"If we're late for our departure—I'll leave you behind and go see our precious daughter by myself, okay?"

The words, though spoken in the gentlest of times, completely jolted Count Faldwell awake from his half-dreaming state.

"Madam, please don't joke with me like that! I'll take care of these tasks right away!"

Xiumei shook her head, then moved a chair over and placed it to the right of Fadvi.

"Let me help you."

"Thank you ma'am."

-----------------

“That guy, Viner, he just has to keep us in suspense,” Barr couldn’t help but say.

During the day in the classroom, Venere mysteriously told him to go to Market Street, saying that there was a surprise waiting for him.

Knowing that the other party wouldn't make baseless accusations, Barr headed straight for Market Street as soon as get out of class ended.

The market street remained bustling, but a newly erected billboard in front of a shop owned by the Valentin Chamber of Commerce stood out.

The advertising slogans on the billboards were somewhat exaggerated.

"Blind box lottery - draw your own peerless weapon."

"Believe in yourself, you are the next chosen one."

Each attempt requires only 300 credits and guarantees at least one high-quality (C-rank) weapon, with a small chance of obtaining a high-quality (B-rank) weapon.

Despite the allure of B-rank weapons, the requirement of 300 credits per use makes many hesitate.

For the same price, you can buy two C-rank weapons.

If you were to draw a weapon you don't need, you would be at a huge loss.

Even so, no onlookers left; everyone was waiting for the first person to try it.

"Could this be the surprise Vena was talking about—?"

Barr pondered to himself, but his feet unconsciously led him into the store.

"Snapped!"

Just as he stepped into the store, a burst of fireworks suddenly erupted above Bal's head.

"Congratulations on becoming our shop's 100th customer today! We've prepared a special gift for you—a single blind box draw voucher."

Anna held a tray and presented it to Baal, saying, "You can draw a blind box weapon for free once."

"Is there such a good thing?"

Barr paused for a moment, then picked up the lottery ticket from the tray.

There seems to be a slightly raised mark on the back of the lottery ticket.

Witnessing this unexpected surprise, the students who had been gathering around but hesitated outside the door were filled with regret and frustration.

"Huh? If I had been the one who just went in, wouldn't that be like getting 300 credits for free!"

Even if it's not suitable for you, free things are always good.

"Too small, too narrow-minded. If we could pull out a B-rank weapon, the value would be at least five times higher."

This is a gambler's statement.

"I don't believe it, he definitely can't pull it out."

Some people were skeptical, their words tinged with bitterness and jealousy.

"Everyone doesn't need to stand outside and watch; you can all come in and take a look," Anna called out to the outside of the store.

"I know everyone still has doubts about this blind box method, so why don't you let Baer demonstrate it for everyone?"

It was this invitation that made the hesitant students step into the store.

The store layout was rearranged for this event.

One hundred identical wooden crates, arranged in ten rows and ten columns, stand quietly in the center of the shop, each with its own unique number.

"This batch of blind boxes contains three B-rank weapons: one gun, one sword, and one axe. The quantity is limited, so please open them while supplies last."

Anna's voice echoed in the store, quickly building up the customers' anticipation with just a few words.