Chapter 49: Chapter 48: Fine Steel Greatsword and Merit Points
"So, I want you to head out with a team of Night Watchmen today and clear out that filthy group of fish-smelling monsters. Or just chase them upstream; that's fine too. Next week, once my injuries heal, I'll personally lead a team to eradicate them all!"
Hamilton said with a solemn expression.
Glimmer Lake is the water source for Flashgold Town, and if it were contaminated by fish people, as the sheriff, he would bear an undeniable responsibility.
Upon hearing this, Rein started to think quickly.
Erasing fish people wasn't something he could not consider, especially since his Night Watchman Profession Level was about to increase. Indeed, a real battle presented a great opportunity.
However, he didn't know much about the group of fish people or their strength, so he decided it was best to ask first.
"Lord Hamilton, about the strength of these fish people...?"
"Rest assured, the intelligence reports indicate that only a small fish people tribe has moved near Glimmer Lake, and their numbers are not large."
Hamilton continued, fingertips crossed beneath his chin:
"The majority of fish people's combat ability is generally below that of militiamen. It's just that their numbers are a bit large, and they breed rapidly, much like wild weeds that grow wildly every year, making them impossible to eradicate completely."
"Additionally, when they encounter an enemy they cannot defeat, they quickly dive underwater to hide. Therefore, Rein, if I were you, I would find a way to lure the fish people away from the water before striking hard."
An injured Hamilton detailed his experience fighting the fish people.
"Okay! Lord Hamilton, but I currently don't have a suitable weapon. Could you lend me a Dual-Handed Greatsword?" Rein thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Since Hamilton had made it clear that the number of fish people wasn't large and their strength was not formidable, and considering he wasn't going to fight alone but with a squad of Night Watchmen, it was a suitable real battle opportunity.
There was no reason not to agree—through it, he could not only gain some valuable combat experience but also improve his Night Watchman Profession Level.
Additionally, if the fish people continued to breed, it would directly impact the water safety of Flashgold Town. By defeating the fish people, he would also be protecting himself and his family.
"Hahaha, a Dual-Handed Greatsword, you say? Of course, follow me." Hamilton laughed heartily and gave Rein a meaningful glance.
That made Rein somewhat puzzled.
Once Rein followed Hamilton to a small partition behind his office and saw a rack full of various short swords, longswords, bastard swords, and dual-handed greatswords, he couldn't help but feel envious.
However, there was only one dual-handed greatsword there.
At that moment, Hamilton had already taken the dual-handed greatsword from the rack.
"Thank you!" Rein said as he took it, simultaneously giving Hamilton a thoughtful look.
It seemed that the sheriff had guessed that he had been practicing the Giant Bear Sword Technique, which might explain the strange look he had given him.
It was probably because Hamilton had recognized it when Rein had killed a mutated hyena-man last time.
After all, the characteristics of the Giant Bear Sword Technique were quite distinct.
Rein weighed the dual-handed greatsword Hamilton handed him, finding it was around forty pounds, a perfect weight for his use.
The blade was about one meter and forty centimeters long, with a blood groove down the middle, a crossguard, and a pommel at the end of the handle with a small counterweight ball. On the ball was the emblem of the Night Watchmen: a figure holding a longsword and a torch, with a bow slung over its back.
From the white forging patterns at the blade, this was a rare fine steel dual-handed greatsword.
You see, a fine quality fine steel knight's longsword would cost over a dozen imperial gold coins, and naturally, a dual-handed greatsword was even more expensive!
Here, when we talk about fine quality, we refer to those knight's longswords that can be used for high-intensity combat, not the common iron swords that militiamen could own.
Those iron swords are more than ten times cheaper, costing only a few silver coins, and virtually every small town's blacksmith could forge one.
But a good-quality dual-handed greatsword, not only is the skill required for forging one higher than that of a similar level longsword, but the quality of the steel selected for the blade is also crucial. It needs high-quality steel and an experienced blacksmith to confidently forge a fine dual-handed greatsword.
"It's been a long time since someone in the Night Watchman used a dual-handed greatsword like you. This dual-handed greatsword is also part of my personal collection, Rein, do you like it?"
"Of course I like it!"
In fact, what Rein was thinking was more like, "Like it? A good weapon is half the life of a warrior, absolutely indispensable!"
"Rein, if you can clean up the merfolk for me this time, then this fine steel greatsword is my gift to you. It's also a reward for your assistance last time in killing that frenzied werewolf."
Lord Hamilton said heartily.
"This...." Rein wanted to refuse, but he just couldn't let go of the greatsword.
The greatsword was of excellent material and superb craftsmanship, and its weight was also very suitable for the level of strength Rein currently possessed, he really couldn't find a reason to refuse.
"Thank you for your gift, my lord!"
When the two sat down in the office again, Lord Hamilton suddenly remembered something, took out several documents from the office, and handed them to Rein, saying:
"One is the official document for you to join the Night Watcher's Army, which needs your signature."
"The other document records the merit event of your participation in killing the frenzied werewolf, which also needs your signature, then submission for archiving. This will serve as the basis for evaluating your Merit Points, and also as your qualification for future promotions."
Rein took them and started reading carefully.
The first document was unproblematic, just a standard form that required his signature.
The second document detailed how Rein participated in killing the frenzied werewolf and the role he played, very detailed.
Additionally, the document already had Lord Hamilton's and two other Night Watcher squad leaders' signatures, likely to prevent the fabrication of deeds and for easy verification by superiors.
Then, Rein readily signed his name on it.
Lord Hamilton nodded with a smile and said, "Excellent, Rein. Once your documents are officially approved, you'll be a member of the Imperial Night Watcher's Army."
"It's my honor, Lord Hamilton."
"By the way, Lord Hamilton, besides promotion, does this merit have any other uses? Can it be used to exchange for some training resources, like frenzied beast meat?"
"Haha, of course, there are quite a few things Merit Points can be exchanged for."
"Once your Merit Points come through this time, you should have a good look."
"However, Rein, are you planning to use the merit points from this review to exchange for beast meat? On this point, I wouldn't recommend it." Lord Hamilton first shook his head, then gave a mysterious smile.