Chapter 109: 110. Probing

At Wushan Fortress, Luoning gave a detailed introduction to the weapons and equipment made from Black Iron Wood.

Shields and spears were very common in style, but since the materials used to make them had all been replaced with Black Iron Wood, Luoning did not need to provide much of an introduction.

His focus was on the Iron Wood Breastplate and the Ironwood Lamellar Armor.

"The Iron Wood Breastplate is made by wrapping repaired Black Iron Wood in multiple layers of compacted Linen Cloth. It is lightweight and easy to wear; under the dual protection of the Black Iron Wood and the multiple layers of Linen Cloth, it can defend against longswords swung at the chest and incoming arrows."

"The Ironwood Lamellar Armor is made by processing Black Iron Tree into rectangular armor plates, then using high-quality leather strips to weave these plates together to form a tight structure."

As Luoning spoke, he took the Ironwood Lamellar Armor from Maiken and gave it a shake; the plates collided with each other, emitting a crisp sound.

"These plates overlap horizontally and vertically, making it difficult for an enemy's weapon to cut in. It can defend against both hacking strikes and the piercing of arrows and spears. Furthermore, even if a few of the assembly cords are cut, it will not affect the structure of the lamellar armor in the slightest."

He handed the Ironwood Lamellar Armor back to Maiken and said to everyone, "Everyone can come and see the results. I believe that if we can equip these, it will be a significant boost to the combat effectiveness of the Knight Order."

After his introduction, the people present were not only interested in this equipment but also gained a new understanding of this Baron from Shanlin Town.

Especially Lulansi, who was sitting in a high position; he only now discovered that besides the impressions of incompetence he had of Luoning, the young man also had bright spots—at least he had a certain understanding of weapons and equipment.

He could not help but sigh inwardly: why hadn't this child's talents been displayed at all in the past?

"I will come and test the effectiveness of this shield."

Jialier, the captain of the Knight Squad, walked out. "Baron Luoning, I wonder who will accompany me to test its effectiveness?"

"Your strength is extraordinary, Excellency. Let my Guard Officer Maiken accompany you to test it."

Luoning looked at Maiken and reminded him, "Jialier has Bronze-level strength; be careful."

"Rest assured, My Lord."

Maiken gripped the shield with his left hand and stood ready. "Come on, Jialier!"

Jialier performed a Knight Salute, then drew his longsword and attacked.

Because they were testing the quality of the shield, the two did not reveal any movement techniques, relying only on pure hacking and confrontation.

Of course, Jialier naturally did not use his full strength; an iron shield would struggle to withstand a full-strength blow from a Bronze-level fighter, let alone an Iron Wood Shield.

With a 'Boom', the longsword struck the shield, leaving a clear hacking mark, but because he had controlled his strength, the scar was not deep.

"It is capable of defending against the hacking strikes of a Primary Knight."

Jialier stepped back and delivered a second strike; this time, the strength increased to the level of an Intermediate Knight.

Maiken responded calmly and accurately received the second strike.

This time, a deeper notch was left on the shield, but because the shield had a certain curvature, it was still not cut through and could continue to be used.

Just as everyone thought Jialier had stopped attacking, the corners of his mouth curled up, and with a vigorous step forward, he actually launched an attack on Maiken.

The crowd was stunned, and Luoning frowned, subconsciously preparing to call for a stop, but he noticed that Lulansi did not show any signs of abnormality. Was this a test of Maiken's strength?

Luoning frowned; while he was lost in thought, the two had already begun to trade blows.

Maiken had noticed something unusual when the opponent attacked, and by the time Jialier's longsword thrust forward, he had already successfully dodged it and simultaneously drawn the longsword from his back with a backhand motion.

In an instant, the two who were originally testing the shield were fighting each other.

At the beginning, the two did not use Battle Qi, purely comparing movement techniques and strength, but they found they were evenly matched.

Subsequently, Battle Qi erupted.

The intense battle and collisions stirred up waves of airflow within Wushan Fortress. Even with the eruption of Battle Qi, which greatly increased their explosive power, Jialier only held a slight upper hand.

Jialier circulated his Battle Qi, preparing to use a Battle Technique.

However, at this moment, Lulansi, who was sitting above, spoke up: "That is enough."

Regiment Commander Tolu also followed up: "Jialier, I told you to test the shield; what are you doing?"

Jialier retreated after one strike and laughed, "I heard that the conquest of the savage tribe this time was largely due to the valiant fighting of Knight Maiken, and I couldn't help but want to test it."

He nodded toward Maiken. "Seeing you today, you are indeed very strong!"

Maiken returned the salute, then stood by Luoning's side with the shield.

Luoning chuckled. "Since you have tested it, Jialier, what do you think of this shield?"

"It's acceptable!"

Jialier nodded solemnly. "It might not be able to defend against many attacks from an Intermediate Knight, but it is completely sufficient for confrontations between ordinary soldiers or even average Primary Knights."

Tolu nodded. "In that case, we can equip some."

As he spoke, he pointed to the Ironwood Lamellar Armor that Luoning had just highlighted. "Compared to the shield, I value this set of armor more."

Tolu stepped forward and took the Ironwood Lamellar Armor, pinched one of the plates with his hand to test its hardness, then repeatedly examined the craftsmanship and weighed it.

"Daosen, come and see how this armor is."

The Quartermaster stepped forward. After paying his respects to Luoning, he took the Ironwood Lamellar Armor and began to experiment with it, including stabbing and slashing it with the Dagger he carried.

Luoning also had Wodun and Qiaozhi cooperate by performing hacking strikes.

"My Lords, the defensive power of the Ironwood Lamellar Armor is sufficient."

Quartermaster Daosen gave his opinion. "The Knight Order is currently equipped with Plate Armor, Chain Mail, and Brigandine. Although I have seen this type of lamellar armor, we have not equipped it."

"Chain Mail and Plate Armor have strong defensive power, but they are too heavy, and the production cost is high and very expensive; we have not prepared this kind of armor for all soldiers."

"Ordinary soldiers are generally equipped with Brigandine, but its defensive power is weak and cannot be compared to this Ironwood Lamellar Armor provided by Baron Luoning."

Listening to the Quartermaster's introduction, Luoning nodded secretly.

Chain Mail, Plate Armor, and Brigandine are common types of armor. On Earth, Brigandine eventually developed into composite armor, and its defensive power was not inferior to lamellar armor.

But in this world, Brigandine is really just made of multiple layers of Linen Cloth compacted together, and its defensive power is not strong.

"So what is your suggestion?" asked Regiment Commander Tolu.

Daosen did not hesitate and replied, "We can first equip one Knight Squad with it. If the results are good, we can then promote it to the entire Knight Order, and even other Knight Orders."

Tolu nodded. "Jialier, then let your Knight Squad do the testing. Later, you and Luoning can discuss how much of each item is appropriate to purchase."

"Oh, and please have Financial Officer Kuli discuss the price with Baron Luoning."

In fact, the discussion of product prices should have taken place before confirming the order; such an order of events could only mean that regardless of the quality and price of the products Luoning provided, they would be purchasing some today as a gesture of friendship.

Luoning smiled and said, "Each Iron Wood Shield is 6 silver coins, each spear is 3 silver coins, each Chest Guard is 1 gold coin, and for the Ironwood Lamellar Armor, because of the time consumed by the materials and craftsmanship, I have set the price at 3 gold coins each."

Kuli's eyes lit up, "This price is very reasonable!"

It was not that he said this out of face for Lulansi or Luoning, but rather that Kuli felt this price was indeed very reasonable.

On the market, a piece of ordinary Chain Mail costs 10 gold coins; the overall defensive effect of Ironwood Lamellar Armor is quite a bit weaker than Chain Mail, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Although it is made from special wood, it still has a certain value, so a price of 3 gold coins is quite reasonable.

Kuli had subconsciously assumed before that Luoning would open his mouth and ask for a lot.

This price is acceptable.

"Since that is the case, then let's proceed according to what you just said, Tolu."

Lulansi said, "Luoning, don't you also have a Curved Plow used for tilling land? I have called the Administrator Albert over; now he will take you to test it in the fields of a manor."

"Very well!"

Luoning looked at the last person in the fortress, who was the Administrator Albert, "I will have to trouble you, sir."

"It is my honor to serve you, Baron!"

Albert bowed slightly, then made a gesture of invitation, and led Luoning out of Wushan Fortress together.

After everyone had exited Wushan Fortress, Lulansi looked at Jialier, "How is that Maiken's strength?"

Jialier bowed and replied, "His combat techniques and movement skills are not inferior to mine; without using Battle Technique, the possibility of me defeating him in a short time is not high."

Lulansi couldn't help but scoff, "That kid actually told me that Maiken only just broke through from Intermediate Knight to Advanced not long ago."

Upon hearing this, Jialier shook his head, "Maiken's strength, even if not reaching Bronze, has definitely reached Advanced Peak."

Tolu asked, "My lord, then what is your intention?"

(End of this chapter)