The Grand Duelist

A few months ago, Joseph entered the world of Victory only for the money.

He didn't read anything about the world of Victory such as the lore, and some information about how the world of Victory came to be. At most, he watched a few minutes of the Beginner's Tutorial and he even skipped to the part where combat in Victory was described.

Because of this, Joseph wasn't that knowledgeable when it comes to tiers. Especially Item and Class Tiers.

Of course, he knew that the Mythical Class was the highest one, but he didn't know what were the names of the classes beneath the Mythical Class. He had an idea that Legendary was second to Mythical, but he didn't like assumptions without basis.

Right now, it was about time for Joseph to learn more about classes. Particularly those that had Legendary as their prefix, even though he knew that they were definitely powerful. He didn't know the true scale of their strength for he had no knowledge about them in the first place.

Ezreal had knowledge about them but from what Joseph knew about Ezreal's attitude, he's the type of person that would greatly exaggerate everything that he knew about something whenever he was bragging about it.

Joseph believed some of the words that Ezreal said but it being careful wouldn't hurt.

"The one and only Legendary Blacksmith? A legend is being imprisoned within the confines of this dungeon?" Joseph asked in disbelief.

Ezreal's expression changed into a serious one while the Jail Warden nodded his head and said.

"It doesn't make sense, right? Why would a Legendary Blacksmith be imprisoned? He should be glorified, treated as someone with equal status and should be given the highest treatment possible just so you could acquire his favor. But why did the Kingdom imprison him instead?"

Joseph glanced at Ezreal.

Ezreal was the one who told him that Krid was imprisoned within the Underground Penitentiary.

He might have an idea about why the Legendary Blacksmith was captured by the Kingdom and imprisoned, but when Joseph turned to look at Ezreal. The latter also looked dumbfounded.

Bitterly smiling, Joseph had no other choice but to ask.

"But why is someone like him imprisoned in here, honorable Jail Warden? It really doesn't make sense."

"Yeah, it doesn't make sense. But what if I told you that the Legendary Blacksmith had no intention of making friends with the Kingdom? What do you think would the Kingdom do?" The Jail Warden asked Joseph and Ezreal.

Ezreal frowned, while Joseph almost immediately answered: "Find another blacksmith?"

"Hahaha!"

The moment that his answer came out of his mouth. The Jail Warden laughed out loud.

His laughter lasted for a few seconds and he even held his stomach whilst his shoulders continuously trembled like a sieve.

"You're funny! You're really funny... Do you really think that the Kingdom didn't think of that solution? But who do you Legendary Blacksmiths are?"

"The reason why they became Legends in the first place was that they are at the peak of their profession. Do you think that someone like that can easily be replaced by some random blacksmith?"

Joseph nodded his head, what the Jail Warden said was reasonable. It seemed like he answered hastily and so, he bowed his head in apologies.

"Don't worry about it. I am used to such words, really. I mean, people often underestimate the value of the Legendary Blacksmith when they haven't even seen how terrifying could they become..."

"Especially Krid, that old man has a lot of tricks under his sleeves..." The Jail Warden's eyes briefly flashed in horror when he remembered Krid's might.

Joseph didn't notice this brief instance of fear for he had his head bowed and his eyes facing the floor. When he raised his head, that trace of fear within the Jail Warden's eyes disappeared as if it never existed in the first place.

"I thank the Honorable Jail Warden for his kind words." Joseph clasped his hands together.

"You're really polite." The Jail Warden lightly smiled and nodded his head before continuing: "Well anyways, the value of a Legendary Blacksmith isn't in their title, but their abilities..."

"The law of causality dictates that only those that have created their own art or technique are the ones deserving to be a legend..."

"In other words..." The Jail Warden swept his gaze at Ezreal and Joseph.

"In other words..." The expressions of the two turned serious and the Jail Warden finally continued.

"Krid's created technique is incredibly useful for the Kingdom. Especially now that the Kingdom is quite in an antsy state due to diplomatic matters." 

"If not for this so-called state of emergency, the Kingdom wouldn't resort to extreme means such as imprisoning a Legend then torturing him to work..."

"Krid's technique..." Joseph mumbled before he asked: "Then, are there any clues yet about what is the honorable Legendary Blacksmith's personal technique?"

The Jail Warden shook his head and said: "Unfortunately, there's not much information about that. Even I at the highest position of the Underground Penitentiary isn't privy with that sort of information. I also don't plan on involving myself in this matter, after all. The one who is commanding us to do all of these is that bastard duke."

When the Jail Warden completed his sentence. Joseph jolted in fear and hurriedly turned to look around him amidst Ezreal's confusion regarding his actions.

"Are you okay, master?"

"Hahaha, don't worry. This place is my exclusive and personal office. There's no way that any mole can get into this place without my knowledge." The Jail Warden reassured Joseph and the latter finally heaved a sigh in relief.

"Keeping that Legendary Blacksmith in the Maximum Security Cellblock has been a good choice so far, I can't really be angry at that duke. Ever since Krid came here, the Inquisitors who were too laidback on their jobs are finally becoming competitive. But unfortunately, that day will soon end..."

The Jail Warden sighed in bitterness and Joseph, who remembered the seven-days deadline of his quest shook in astonishment as he asked: "That day will soon end? What does Honorable Jail Warden mean by that?"

The Jail Warden turned to look at Joseph and said: "In four days, Krid will be publicly executed by the Kingdom due to high treason. Although this sentence may change if he does cooperate with the Kingdom before the stipulated date of his execution. Haist... A Legendary Blacksmith is really awesome, but he's gonna die like that? It's quite sad, really."

He once again sighed in regret.

Joseph, on the other hand, looked anxious and tense.

"Honorable Jail Warden, is there any way for me to meet that Legendary Blacksmith?" Joseph asked in a serious manner and the Jail Warden asked him with a frown.

"Why would you want to meet him? Is he even connected to your mission?"

"Ye-ah! Sir! He's a Legendary Blacksmith! It would be a shame if I cannot see such a prestigious man of his skills before his death."

Joseph almost subconsciously answered with a yes, but then he remembered that the Jail Warden wasn't talking about his quest but that other mission that he supposedly acquired from Fausto.

"In that case then feel free. I don't really care that much about a man that's already dead. Right now, he's just being used by the other Inquisitors as a dummy for their torture experimentations..."

"The guy is so tough that the Inquisitors actually gave up on forcing a confession out of him. The rewards from his confession are now being treated as a bonus."

The Jail Warden shook his head and looked like he didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.

"Ah, wait. Before you go and meet that Legendary Blacksmith. You can enter a squad amidst the Inquisitors. All the Inquisitors within the Maximum Security Cellblock deep within the Maximum Security Tunnel are separated into ten squads..."

"Just choose whatever you want and ask them about the qualifications of meeting that Legend."

Joseph looked confused, "But sir, didn't you say that I can feel free and meet him whenever I want?"

The Jail Warden replied: "Yes, I did say that but what do you think will those arrogant Inquisitors think if a new Inquisitor directly challenged the strongest and final boss of the prisoners?"

"Wouldn't they disdain and give you contempt and think that you are just showing off your insignificant might against an expert?"

What the Jail Warden said made sense and both Ezreal and Joseph nodded their heads in approval.

Afterward, the Jail Warden shooed them away as if he was scaring cats and dogs.

When the Jail Warden was finally left alone, a small smile lifted on his lips.

"The bait has been cast, could it be that sir Fausto really wants that to happen? I just don't understand, although the man next to him felt extraordinary. He himself doesn't really feel that special apart from the fact that he could endure my unbridled dignity..."

"But still... If this is what you want, sir Fausto. I'll gladly assist you. This is the only method that I can use for paying that debt that I owe you back then..."

"Of course, everything still depends on his ability. I am a mere Jail Warden, someone whose might exists only under the surface..."

"Oh, Divine Goddess Rhinna... May you bless him with success."

The Jail Warden kneeled on one knee and raised his head towards a portrait covered under the veil of darkness. Even though only a part of the portrait was revealed.

One could see from the rosy white skin of the woman within the portrait that she was incredibly gorgeous with a beauty that's holier than divine.