The weapons I forge are absolutely flawless.

As if guessing what the other party was going to ask, Wiener gave an explanation directly.

Unverified, Wiener was also unsure how much the blizzard would affect the detection range.

However, being able to escape such a long distance from the pursuit of two eighth-tier emblem wielders is not something that ordinary demons can do.

As if by magic, Wiener produced a pocket watch from his hand, but as he had expected, it did not react at all.

"The detection range is still not enough," Wiener couldn't help but sigh.

Given the limitations of the technology and the difficulty in expanding the detection range, increasing the quantity of detection is the best solution.

Unfortunately, these few pieces are just samples hastily put together on Vina Road; there aren't any more.

“Sigurd, your family must have craftsmen who are skilled in processing cold iron, right?” Viner asked.

Since the Laffner family maintains an Iceblade Cavalry whose entire armor is forged from cold iron, they must have a team of experienced craftsmen.

"You might as well ask me how many families in Snowdrift Valley don't know how to process cold iron."

People who live near mountains live off the mountains, and people who live near water live off the water.

Even excluding the cold iron, Xuelu Valley is extremely rich in mineral resources, and many families make a living from them.

While not everyone is a craftsman, the process of mining, refining, and processing is certainly not difficult for the residents of Xuelu Valley.

"But why are you asking this?" Sigurd looked at Viner with a puzzled expression.

"I plan to expand the production of this thing and use quantity to force these demons to have nowhere to hide."

"You mean there's more than one demon lurking in Snowdrift Valley?"

Sigurd narrowed his eyes, pondering how much truth there was in Wiener's words.

“Always prepare for the worst.” Vener pointed out the window. “Jessica and the Earl have not returned yet, and there are only two possibilities.”

"Either they want to capture them alive and interrogate them to find out their purpose for being infiltrated."

"Or perhaps we're planning to follow the clues and see where the other party has run off to."

"No matter which possibility comes, we can prepare in advance."

This trip to the Lafner family was not Wiener's original intention, but since he was already there, he had to make sure things went smoothly.

Viner would find it hard to feel at ease without thoroughly investigating and turning Snow Mountain Valley upside down.

“Personally, I strongly support this idea, but as you can see,” Sigurd spread his hands and pointed to his paralyzed legs, “given my current situation, I don’t have the authority to help you mobilize the family’s artisans.”

The Lafner family had a strict class system.

Although Sigurd was the chieftain's son, he had lost his potential for development and thus lost all say in the matter.

"Then, given Young Master Sigurd's remaining influence, could you spare a workshop for me?" Viner asked as a second choice.

“That’s not difficult,” Sigurd replied.

It's not peak season for mining and forging these days, and most workshops are idle.

Even considering Vina's status as a guest, it wouldn't be difficult to spare a room for her.

"If you really need to cooperate, you'll have to persuade them..."

Before Sigurd could finish speaking, two figures suddenly appeared in the study, as if they had walked out of the snow and ice.

“Father.” Sigurd immediately lowered his eyes and bowed respectfully.

"Hmm," Feld responded faintly.

Despite chasing each other through the snow and ice, Feld didn't have a single snowflake on him.

“What did you see?” Wiener asked in a low voice.

"We chased it out of the mansion and found a monster that looked like a snowman. It was extremely well hidden under the ice and snow, and we would have almost missed it if it weren't for the compass."

Jessica casually conjured a fiery shield, melting the snow off her body, and continued to explain, "Its mission seems to be merely to monitor the mansion, and once its consciousness is exposed, it immediately uses the snow to escape."

"We determined that it had accomplices, so we deliberately controlled our speed and followed behind it, hoping to find their lair."

"But unexpectedly, after realizing that it could not get rid of us, it chose to self-destruct without hesitation."

"Not even a little resistance?" Viner was somewhat surprised.

“Yes, it was too decisive; we didn’t have time to stop it. After that, the Demon-Seeking Compass went silent.” Jessica handed the compass back to Vina. “I think it was intentionally hiding something.”

"I knew it wouldn't be that simple."

Wiener muttered something, then walked toward Feld.

"Your Excellency—"

"My son told me that you wish to borrow our family's craftsmen?"

“That’s true,” Viner nodded. “The few pieces of equipment we have are not enough to cover the entire Snowdrift Valley.”

"I hope to get the help of the artisans from the Rafna family to increase production so that we can conduct a thorough search for the remaining traces of the demons."

"Is that all?" Feld continued to ask.

"I'm afraid we'll need to borrow some mineral materials as well," Viner stated, completing her request.

“It’s not a loan,” Feld waved his hand. “The Laughman family asked the Academy for help, and we are extremely grateful for your assistance. How could we let our guests spend money?”

"Since Her Highness Edel is also interested in promoting this product, then let Snowdrift Valley be the first pilot project!"

Chapter 409 Bottom Line

Whether it's mobilizing craftsmen or preparing materials, time is required for preparation.

Feld promised Wiener that he would have everything ready by today and that work could begin on time tomorrow.

If it was just a suspicion before, it is now completely confirmed that the demons have their eyes on Snowdrift Valley.

Until this external threat is eliminated, the Laffner family can only temporarily suspend negotiations with the Valentin Chamber of Commerce regarding the supply of cold iron.

Anna had foreseen this and generously suggested that it would be better to discuss it once Snow Valley had overcome its current difficulties.

Felder rang the bell on his desk, and a few seconds later, Jegan pushed open the door and entered the study.

"Master, what are your orders?"

"Take these four distinguished guests to their rooms to rest," Feld instructed.

Jegan respectfully responded, then turned to the four guests and gestured for them to come in. "Your rooms have been arranged. Please follow me."

After thanking Earl Feld, the group followed Jegan out of the study.

After everyone had left, Feld spoke.

How would you rate this Wiener?

"He is tactful yet principled, a rare talent."

Even though Sigurd disliked Wiener, he still gave him an objective evaluation in private.

Even if he turns you into this?

Feld turned his attention back to his eldest son, on whom he had once placed great hopes.

“He won fair and square; it was only by losing his principles that he turned me into this.”

Sigurd shook his head slightly; a month had been enough for him to figure out many things.

"If Princess Edel could recruit him, he would be an invaluable asset, but unfortunately, his ambitions lie elsewhere."

Once a person loses their bottom line, they may be able to go fast, but they will never go far.

That's why Sigurd wanted to see how far Viner could go while holding the line.

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

Jegan led the four of them through the corridor to a row of spacious and bright guest rooms.

He opened each door one by one to show the guests that each room was decorated in a warm and comfortable manner.

"Everyone, this is your room."

Before Jegan could finish speaking, Felix rushed in and leaped onto the soft bed.

"Wow! Finally, I can get a good night's rest!"

Felix rolled around happily on the bed, his face full of satisfaction. "Vina, you should try it too, this bed is so comfortable!"

Compared to the cold sleeping bag during a trip, having such a big bed is a true blessing.

"Then I'll stay in the room next door."

Wiener wasn't too particular about such things and casually chose to stay in the room next to Felix's.

"Do you two beautiful ladies have any other requests?" Jack asked softly.

“There is indeed something I need to trouble Mr. Jegan with,” Jessica said. “The rooms here are nice, but they are a bit too quiet. Anna and I can share a room; that way it will be a little more lively.”

Jegan turned to Anna, seeking her opinion.

“Yes, Mr. Jegan, I’d appreciate it if you could add another bed to the room.” Anna nodded slightly.

Seeing that the parties involved did not refuse, Jie Gang naturally agreed, "No problem, I will arrange it for you two right away."

"Then we'll sit here for a while."

Anna then went into Venus's room.

"Felix."

Jessica woke Felix, who was almost asleep, and then went inside with Anna.

"Squeak!"

Felix, who was the last to enter the house, closed the door.

Jessica simply set up a soundproof barrier.

"Be careful when you rest at night. This time the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. They may come back at any time."

Anna was the weakest, and Jessica offered to share a room with her for the sake of protection.

"Isn't this making a mountain out of a molehill?"

Felix didn't take it seriously.

Not to mention the compass that Vena made, which was enough to detect the approach of the demons.

Like that unlucky demon before, who was hiding so far away outside the mansion spying, he was still caught red-handed by the Demon-Seeking Compass.

“No demon that can infiltrate human territory is simple,” Anna shook her head.

If one demon can be found in the open, who knows how many more are lurking in the shadows.

The fact that the Yeti was willing to self-destruct in order to stop the two from following them indicates that there are even higher-ranking demons lurking behind them.

This is not a good sign.

No one would think that the demons' interest in Snowdrift Valley was simply about finding a place to hibernate.

“Then why don’t we speculate on what the demons’ purpose is in appearing here?” Vena suggested.

“I know! They must dislike the Lafner family or have a grudge against them, and want to erase Snowshoe Valley from the map, so they’ve set their sights on this place,” Felix answered first.

"Okay, let's eliminate one wrong answer first."

"Huh?! I thought about it very seriously, okay!"

“That’s precisely why it’s impossible, knowing you’ve thought about it seriously. Next.” Venere turned her gaze to Anna.

"The only thing that Snowdrift Valley is rich in is its mineral resources. These minerals may be of little use to the demons, but they are coveted by other forces."

"It's just that the Lafner family had maintained neutrality, which made other forces see the possibility of winning them over, so they didn't take any major action."

“But now that the Lafner family has clearly supported the princess, those forces that were already envious will probably be getting restless,” Anna analyzed.

Since we can't get this help ourselves, we shouldn't let our opponents get it either.

If cutting off food and supplies still doesn't force the Lafner family to submit, then more extreme measures should be used to make them realize their true position.

"You suspect that these demons are like private soldiers, used specifically to eliminate dissidents?" Viner chimed in.

“That’s about it,” Anna nodded.