Monster Girl Development Master.

So-called magic iron equipment refers to equipment forged using magical materials. It not only surpasses ordinary equipment in hardness and sharpness, but also often possesses special abilities. A complete set of magic iron armor and weapons can sometimes be worth several years' income from a baron's territory.

It was because of this "vassal" that Jem Leon was able to raise over two hundred armored soldiers on his own; otherwise, even selling his hook wouldn't have been enough. Of course, the Harper family could only forge the most basic white-grade magic iron equipment; otherwise, Jem Leon wouldn't have been able to raise over two hundred men.

Therefore, Zhuang Sen was not surprised by the other Leon members' wariness. He simply shrugged and said with a mocking smile, "So what? You think you can offer a higher price than me?"

Apart from Ange, Leon's face darkened, and he cursed inwardly, "Damn mama's boy!"

The Farau family is very wealthy. Although Lia Farau can no longer freely access her family's assets, she can still easily crush these younger generations, even with her own private assets.

So what's mine is mine too? That's why I'll crush these poor bastards!

Zhuang Sen raised his head confidently and waved his hand at the manager: "Go and find him quickly, or else..."

The steward jumped up and ran to the manor's blacksmith shop. He dared not offend Zhuang Sen. In fact, he dared not offend any of Leon's men, but if he weighed the options, Zhuang Sen, who even dared to kill his former master, was the one he dared not offend the most.

Offending others might only result in being dismissed or whipped, but offending Zhuang Sen could mean being sent to the deepest hell.

Watching the manager slip away, Zhuang Sen looked at Anjie, who had a calm expression: "It seems that Anjie is very confident in her bargaining chips?"

Anjie snorted, her previous friendly demeanor gone. After all, they had already fallen out, and she genuinely looked down on Zhuang Sen. Indeed, even though Zhuang Sen had demonstrated his combat prowess and intelligence, she still felt he was inadequate.

In her view, Zhuang Sen must have bribed the Revenge Church with money, and where did this guy who couldn't do business get the money? It was all from his mother! Bah! Mama's boy! And to make matters worse, he didn't follow the rules and committed murder. For Anjie, who was determined to develop the economy, she admitted that Zhuang Sen was very strong, but she just couldn't stand him!

Dantalian looked at Ange's cold face, her eyes narrowing slightly, but she was quickly disturbed by a light scratch from her palm.

Soon, Harper and his family arrived, a total of three people: the robust but aging Knight Harper, his wife, and a petite but voluptuous girl.

In Zhuang Sen's eyes, the little girl had a chibi-style red-hatted dwarf on her head.

Chapter Twenty-One: Awakening (4620 words)

Nia Harper

[Bloodline: Dwarf]

[Development Progress: Not yet awakened]

[Development Rewards - Beginner: Random Demi-human Bloodline *1, Dwarf Race Encyclopedia Unlocked]

This was the real reason why Johnson came here. As for how he knew, it was because he had seen little Nia go out before. Unfortunately, she was the daughter of Jem Lyon's retainer, so Johnson did not immediately kidnap her.

Now that Jem is dead, he naturally wants to come and poach his men. It's just that Jem's funeral was a few days ago, so it wasn't a good time to make a move. The Harper family, as retainers, couldn't possibly switch sides at that time, so he came today.

The same applies to people like Anjie.

With the main figures arriving, the Leons naturally looked over as well. Old Harper, being a nobleman, didn't shrink back like the others. He politely bowed to each person and introduced himself: "Rome Harper, at your service. What are your orders, sirs?"

Tim Leon was the first to speak: "Uncle Rom, I want to sign a vassal contract with you. Don't worry, the treatment you agreed on with Brother Jem will not change, and I will even give you double the commission! And I guarantee to provide Nia with three bottles of Iron-Eating Rat Awakening Potion every year!"

The commission wasn't the point, nor even the awakening potion; the point was the address of "Uncle" and "Brother Jem"—purely an emotional appeal. And it was quite effective, because Jem Leon treated Rom Harper very well, and their relationship was actually quite good.

Rom Harper also clearly favored this approach. Although he was a noble knight, his primary profession was blacksmithing, and he preferred a stable and familiar job. However, feeling the gazes coming from all directions, he swallowed the agreement he was about to utter and gave a helpless smile.

Tim Leon looked grim, but he was powerless to do anything. There were four or five men present who could easily beat him up, and there was also a madman who might even dare to kill him. He dared not put on airs of nobility here; that would only bring him shame.

This is why Rom Harper conceded so easily. Tim is not Jem after all; he's only a second-tier bloodline, and the chances of him inheriting the Leon territory are too low. If he can't inherit the earldom, then a second-tier bloodline is at most a viscount, and whether he can afford the promised reward is questionable. In comparison, a third-tier bloodline is obviously the better choice, preferably the Shadow Raven bloodline.

As for pledging allegiance to no one and returning to the identity of a free knight?

Rom Harper is just honest, not stupid.

Seeing Tim's humiliation, everyone's smiles became more genuine, and they all offered their own terms, demanding salaries several times higher than before. Some even promised fiefdoms and titles, their confidence seemingly unfounded. Perhaps they simply knew they had no chance and were deliberately causing trouble?

Faced with these conflicting promises, Rom Harper was even more perplexed. He heard no promises of security or preferential treatment, only exploitation and hard labor—how far would he have to work to deserve such high pay? A fiefdom? He wasn't of the bloodline for fighting or farming; what would he need such a large territory for blacksmithing? Could he even defend it?

The honest man was completely dumbfounded.

At this moment, Ange stepped forward, her clear, melodious voice like a nightingale's, yet like a heavy drumbeat, directly drowning out the rest of Leon's buzzing: "Sir Harper, how about hearing my offer?"

Regardless of what Leon and the others were thinking, they all shut their mouths upon hearing Ange's voice. This was because Ange had awakened the Shadow Raven bloodline, because Ange was one of the wealthiest people in their generation, and even more so because she had just made a big splash in front of Kross a few days ago—yes, the time she led Kross around, causing Zhuang Sen's plan to fail.

Rom Harper, of course, could not refuse: "Of course, Lady Ange."

There are too many Leon characters to list, so I can only call them by their names.

Ange raised her head, her smooth chin resting on the sunlight, and said confidently, "Sir Harper, I won't beat around the bush. I know you've always wanted to forge better magic iron equipment. I guarantee to provide you with at least one ton of level three magic materials every month, at least half of which will be ore. In terms of salary, in addition to maintaining your current treatment, you can receive 10% of the income from every piece of magic iron equipment sold. In return, you need to provide me with at least ten battle axes, five longswords, and two sets of magic iron armor, including gauntlets, boots, helmets, and breastplates, every month. Furthermore, if you successfully forge even better magic iron equipment, we can discuss the treatment further."

Rom Harper was smitten.

Anjie's offer included not only opportunities for advancement and a generous salary, but also sales commissions and clear, moderately demanding work requirements—it was practically his dream job.

He tried hard to restrain himself, lest he directly agree and embarrass the other Lords of Leon. After three seconds, he spoke: "Marie, Nia, have you come to see... Nia?"

All eyes turned to Harper Knight's daughter, the adorable, rosy-cheeked Nia Harper. Then they saw Johnson, who was half-squatting in front of the little one, performing a magic trick of light and shadow using his bloodline abilities.

"How is it? Doesn't it look good?"

"Wow~ Brother Zhuang Sen is so amazing!"

Zhuang Sen's smug voice instantly raised the blood pressure of a group of people, while Nia's innocent answer further heightened their vigilance.

Rom Harper approached anxiously, but could only manage a forced smile and say, "Lord Johnson, my daughter was ignorant, please forgive her."

Zhuang Sen extinguished the light orb in his hand and was about to reassure his future second-in-command blacksmith when An Jie's voice rang in his ears, furious: "Hey! Zhuang Sen, you don't even spare little girls like this? Or do you lack the courage to compete fairly and only resort to underhanded schemes!"

Zhuang Sen reluctantly got up, and before leaving, he pinched Nia's rosy cheeks, causing Nia, who had been looking puzzled, to puff out her cheeks.

Ange was even angrier, but Zhuang Sen spoke first this time: "First of all, Miss Nia is the same age as you, Ange. Although the difference in your figures is as great as the difference in your height with Dantalian, you can't judge a book by its cover."

Ange's words caught in her throat.

Zhuang Sen continued, "Besides, you guys are having such a lively discussion, it's not appropriate for me to interrupt, after all, we should be polite."

Ange, who had just interrupted everyone, blushed, of course, out of anger.

"Since you're so polite, Zhuang Sen, then please don't touch a lady so casually, especially one of my retainers."

Even though she was furious, Ange still mixed her own agenda into her words, trying to achieve the established fact directly.

Zhuang Sen slowly reached into his robes and said, "No, no, Sir Harper hasn't sworn an oath to you yet, and I haven't stated my conditions either."

Ange was so angry she almost laughed. What kind of conditions could Zhuang Sen offer? Copying mine? But you're not of the Shadow Raven bloodline. Even if you raise the price, the Harper family will still prefer the Leon lineage to the Faraus hybrid eagle from the Holy Light Territory!

Most people now believe that Johnson has awakened the sacred eagle bloodline of the Falau family.

"So, what's your offer?"

Anjie was ready to watch the show. She didn't believe that Zhuang Sen, this mama's boy who relied entirely on despicable schemes, could offer a more tempting deal than him!

Zhuang Sen's hand, which had been inside his robes, reappeared, now holding a glass bottle filled with a yellowish-brown, viscous liquid that trembled as Zhuang Sen gently shook it, looking more like some kind of sweet jelly.

Ange suddenly had a bad feeling; this kind of medicine seemed to be...

Zhuang Sen flashed a bright smile: "My offer is that I can help Miss Nia awaken her bloodline..."

Anjie's heart skipped a beat, then she gave him a look as if he were an idiot: "Were you not listening to us at all? Polite Zhuang Sen? It's just an awakening potion, and you only gave me one?"

Throughout, Zhuang Sen maintained a caring gaze until Ange finished speaking before adding, "I wasn't talking about the Iron-Eating Rat, you impolite little sister Ange. Miss Nia possesses a level three bloodline—I think Knight Harper should know why?"

Rom Harper looked up blankly. He had no idea. His family had been at the first level of Iron-Eating Rat for five generations. His wife was an ordinary person without any extraordinary bloodline. Could she actually be a noblewoman with a third-level bloodline? That didn't make sense either. Couldn't a great noble with a third-level bloodline afford to raise a daughter?

Or is Nia not his daughter?

But whether his daughter, who has a third-level bloodline, is his or not seems unimportant.

Zhuang Sen shook his head, speechless at the illiterate people present. Just as he was about to explain, An Jie's voice rang out again: "No, it's also possible that your ancestors had this bloodline, but no one has awakened it, so it hasn't been passed down."

Intermarriage among noble bloodlines is perfectly normal. Some less ethical families even train their women to seduce men and produce offspring, thus stealing their bloodline, and many noblewomen are quite willing to do so. Although the Harper Knights are of first-class bloodline, five generations is not a short period, so such a situation is indeed possible.

However, it's usually okay if it's just a little bit off, but the difference between level one and level three is too big, and even if you awaken, you might not be able to keep it.

Rom Harper's expression changed again, not because he lacked composure, but because this matter was far too important.

Zhuang Sen withdrew his surprised gaze from Ange and added, "Don't worry, Miss Nia's bloodline is not from our kingdom, at least not in the records I have."

A completely new bloodline?!

Those present suffered another devastating blow, and their gazes toward Zhuang Sen became incredibly complex.

It's important to understand that every extraordinary bloodline possesses its own unique characteristics. Even the Iron-Devouring Rat, with only a level one bloodline, has its own special strengths in forging and metalworking. Therefore, every new extraordinary bloodline represents the potential for innovation, and even signifies an improvement in a nation's overall strength, potentially filling a weakness—especially a level three bloodline! This is a high-level bloodline that guarantees at least a viscountship and strives for an earlship!

Anjie's arrogance almost vanished, leaving only her last bit of stubbornness: "Heh, who knows if what you're saying is true or false? Awakening can't be tested immediately, and bloodline level can't be confirmed either."

Zhuang Sen understood An Jie's taunts; after all, she had almost died at his hands, so it wasn't surprising that she was exhibiting symptoms of stress-induced breathing.

"How about we make a bet? Let's bet whether this potion can awaken Miss Nia's level three bloodline." Zhuang Sen looked at Hagi and Ange, shaking the dwarf awakening potion in his hand. "If you win, I'll give you all my shares in the Falao Merchant Guild. If you lose, well, you'll give me half of your guild's shares. How about that?"

Ange shook her head without hesitation: "I refuse!"

She wouldn't take a gamble where there was no benefit to winning or losing! Although the Falau Chamber of Commerce was the largest in the area, precisely because of that, even if she took Zhuang Sen's small share, she wouldn't have much decision-making power; at most, she'd get an extra share of dividends. On the contrary, if her own chamber of commerce were to lose half its shares, it would be hard to say whether it would belong to Zhuang Sen or An Jie in the end.

That despicable Zhuang Sen, does he think she's an idiot?

Anjie gritted her teeth and looked at Zhuang Sen, who had a regretful expression on his face, as if she were chewing on his skin.

Although it was a pity that he couldn't fool Haki, Johnson didn't want to drag it out any longer. He turned around and stood in front of Nia Harper again, looking at her seriously and saying, "Miss Nia, would you like to accept my invitation?"

Perhaps due to her dwarven bloodline, Nia was remarkably petite. At fifteen years old, the same age as Ange, she was only 1.3 meters tall, with fair, delicate skin like a baby's, even possessing a touch of baby fat. Her rosy cheeks made one want to take a bite. Her simple white dress had few embellishments, or rather, the embellishments paled in comparison to the enormous breasts on her small frame.

Although she is far smaller than Dantalian, who dominates the entire city, she has an exceptionally breathtaking presence in this size, as if all the essence of her being, except for her height, has been concentrated here.

At this moment, the legally-made loli with a baby face and large breasts faced Zhuang Sen's serious expression, and a shy look appeared on her face. Her personality was naturally gentle, or rather, this was the normal attitude of a fifteen-year-old girl when facing a serious conversation, rather than being as timid as some harpy girl.

Dantalian also half-squatted down, gently patting Nia's head with the aura of a kind older sister: "Don't worry, Miss Harper, everything will be alright. Even if there is an accident, I will help you get better."

As the soft, warm light shone down, Nia visibly relaxed, and an innocent smile returned to her face: "No, I'm not doubting Brother Zhuang Sen, it's just that this is very expensive, isn't it? Let Father decide."

Naïve isn't stupid, and Nia isn't truly an ignorant child; she was merely yielding to Zhuang Sen earlier. Therefore, she clearly understands the value of the Level 3 bloodline awakening potion, and she's also aware of her family's situation. She doesn't want to cause her entire family to go into debt because of her.

Nia's smile seemed to glow, healing everyone present.

Zhuang Sen immediately pinched the little guy's cheek and added, "Then this bottle will be free, consider it a gift for our first meeting."

In any case, if the Harper family wants to develop their bloodline and continue to awaken it, they can only come to Johnson. In fact, Rom Harper has been silent for a long time, clearly deep in thought. As for the others, including Ange, they have basically given up on vying for the Harper family's loyalty. They are staying here more to see what kind of bloodline Nia really has.

Nia blinked her big eyes, caught her mother's gaze, and finally reached out to take the awakening potion from Zhuang Sen, saying very politely, "Thank you, Brother Zhuang Sen."

Zhuang Sen glanced at An Jie, and unsurprisingly received a glare in return.

Sigh, harpy girl.

Nia pulled out the stopper, and a fragrant aroma immediately filled the air. The scent reminded Dantalian of what had happened not long ago, and her gaze towards Zhuang Sen softened even more. The others stopped their thoughts and focused their attention on Nia. Being the center of attention for the first time, Nia blushed again, but she still held the glass bottle steadily and drank the potion.

As the potion transformed into a warm current and entered her body, Nia's anxious heart calmed down. She could clearly feel her body changing. Her limbs became strong and powerful, as if she could shatter iron armor with a single punch. Her mind became clear and agile. The forging skills and metal knowledge she had learned before became incredibly clear, and she gained many new insights!

But what's even more noticeable are the various new abilities she's gained—[Great Strength], [Forging Mastery], [Mineral Identification]... The girl is addicted to the thrill of rapidly becoming stronger.