Chapter 473

Chapter 473: Comprehensive Armoring Plan

In Nide County, Iron Anvil City.

Outside the gray brick walls, groups of youths were running around the city, doing their basic training for the day.

They shouted in unison, their movements coordinated and their spirits high as they stepped through the morning dew, trampling a path through the grass.

Lolan Hill stood on the watchtower, looking down at these people.

“These are the first batch of trainees. Due to the incomplete facilities and instructors, there are only about 2000 people. The numbers will gradually increase.” The two local officials accompanying her explained. Despite their best efforts, due to the hasty preparations, there were still some imperfections. Facing this sage, they felt a sense of shame.

After all, this person had taught Pluman, the Star Leader, and was the enlightenment mentor for all of Clancia. In the eyes of those who followed ideals, he was a role model. To have the opportunity to serve before this young lady was rare, and now they hadn’t achieved complete success.

“There’s no need to worry. Time was also limited,” Lolan Hill shook her head. She wasn’t someone who was overly critical. She understood that practical difficulties often arose.

“Among the newly recruited trainees, there are a few special individuals.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The officials began to explain.

“One of them is ‘Red Claw’ Bard, who has been active in the mountains recently. Although he is not from here, his reputation is good, so he was allowed to join the first batch of trainees. He is quite capable, though he lacks some military knowledge. However, he is considered a leader among the current trainees.”

“Additionally, there are several others: ‘White Bow’ Xiesuo, ‘Thick Sword’ Barut, and ‘Feather String’ Helie. They are also outstanding figures in Nide County, each with strength above Sequence 5.”

“These people previously lived in their respective cities and villages. Upon hearing that the Sage was building an academy in Nide County, they came forward.”

The official accompanying her silently admired the reputation of this young lady sage. Those who were unwilling to join before were now coming forward voluntarily.

It wasn’t surprising that these local talents were hesitant. After all, Clancia had just been established, everything was unstable, and who knew if it would collapse at any moment. But as the country gradually improved, the promises and vows made were being fulfilled step by step. As a result, these excellent talents were gradually joining willingly.

The visit of Lolan Hill, this sage, seemed like a signal, igniting the final spark in their hearts, making them finally decide to bind themselves to this rising nation.

“There’s no need to attribute such great credit to me. I merely proposed some ideas and theories; it was you who worked hard to put them into practice,” the young lady shook her head. Having traveled through several provinces and seen countless households, she realized her personal ability to make changes was limited. The true improvement of the country depended not on her as a mere titular sage, but on the people who loved this land.

They were striving to build their ideal homeland.

Although it was hard work, every drop of sweat brought joy and happiness. No wonder the descendants of the nobles of the West Wind also viewed Clancia favorably.

Descending the stairs from the watchtower, this young lady sage arrived at an ironworker workshop in the city.

Today, many people had gathered here. This was already the largest blacksmith workshop in the city, and it was now filled with skilled craftsmen.

Upon seeing Lolan Hill arrive, nearly a hundred craftsmen first bowed respectfully, then stepped aside to reveal the armor displayed beside them.

These were the armors Lolan Hill had ordered to be forged some time ago. She had provided a design document detailing the process and style. Today, she was here to inspect which ones matched her expectations.

A series of similar yet slightly different armors appeared in the young lady’s eyes.

[Cold Forged Steel Armor] (Bronze Tier): Crafted using mature forging techniques from past civilizations. Its advantage is low requirements for forging skills, no need for extraordinary craftsmanship, and can be mass-produced. It offers good cost-effectiveness and can withstand most physical attacks below Sequence 3.

These armors were intended for rapid distribution to the county’s law enforcement teams, with the goal of standardizing production quickly and equipping the local forces. Excess armors would be stored for emergency use during warfare.

The purpose was not to achieve the highest protection but to ensure all soldiers transition from being unarmored or lightly armored to fully equipped, achieving standardized protection.

During the uprising in Clancia, many armors were forged, but due to time constraints and lack of uniformity, the quality was inconsistent. Now that the country was established, it was necessary to consider uniform equipment for all soldiers.

This bronze-tier armor was just a trial by Lolan Hill to see if high-quality armors could be produced based solely on the design document and ordinary craftsmanship, without her guidance.

If successful, such armors could be rapidly replicated nationwide.

“Your Highness, please take a look.” Accompanying technical officials used hammers, spears, bows, and crossbows to test the strength of each armor.

First, they hung them up and shot with bows and crossbows, then tested with spears and hammers to assess their protective effects.

With the aid of the system, Lolan Hill examined the strengths and weaknesses of each armor.

The skill levels of the city’s craftsmen varied, each having their own specialties. Despite using the same design document, the results differed significantly.

In Lolan Hill’s eyes, these armors were labeled: Deficient, Ordinary, Excellent, Superior, Rare.

No Perfect Tier armors appeared, perhaps due to the lack of master craftsmen in the city or limited forging techniques.

After selecting, Lolan Hill chose eight Rare Tier armors and called the craftsmen from these eight workshops.

“The armors you crafted are the best among your batch. Your skills are truly remarkable.”

“In the future, the Iron Anvil City will establish a state-owned steel and armor department dedicated to crafting armors and weapons for the army. Small workshops cannot meet these needs.”

“Are you willing to join this new institution and contribute to Clancia? Of course, the benefits will be generous.”

“We are willing, Your Highness.” The men bowed gratefully. Being personally invited by the sage was a lifetime honor, and joining this institution guaranteed prosperity for generations to come.

“Good. Here is another design guidebook, [White Steel Armor] (Silver Tier). You can seek assistance from the local alchemists association. Some of their elites will also join this new institution.”

“Iron Anvil City will fully establish this steel and armor department over the next few years. You might face a tough period.”

“Clancia’s Will.” The men placed their hands on their chests and bowed in pledge.

(End of Chapter)