"I mean no offense, but most sellswords do have a bad reputation." Aedon shook his head. He always insisted on using the term 'sellsword' instead of the derogatory 'hedge knight'. "You are still so young, I believe there are plenty of opportunities."
"No," Ivan was somewhat puzzled as to why this old blacksmith wasn't doing his business but instead lecturing him, but he didn't want to get entangled with the other party, so he directly interrupted the old blacksmith,
"I have decided. I am going to The Wall to join the Night's Watch. That is the only place where I can gain honor. Becoming a black brother is my destiny."
"A fated destiny," The old blacksmith didn't know what he was thinking, tears welled up in his eyes. He didn't try to persuade Ivan anymore, but said, "Good boy, may the Seven Gods bless you."
"May the Seven Gods bless us all," Ivan replied.
Old Aedon picked up Ivan's armor again: "This armor can be sold for 450 silver deer."
"And this sword, this sword can be sold for 180 silver deer, but…" The old blacksmith picked up Ivan's hand-and-a-half sword again, checking its wear and tear, "Actually, I don't recommend you sell the sword too. Although the Night's Watch provides all equipment, it's never as good as your own weapon. What do you think?"
I think you're being too nosy!
"I think you misunderstood," Ivan quickly fabricated a new reason, "I'm not selling my equipment because the Night's Watch provides it, taking advantage of them. The main reason is that once I join the Night's Watch, I won't be able to stay and fulfill my filial duties to my parents. I want to leave them as much money as possible so I can leave with peace of mind."
"Your parents are not nobles?"
"Obviously, aren't they?"
"I mean no offense," The old blacksmith shook his head, "Since this is money you intend to leave for your parents to fulfill your filial duties, then I won't profit from you either. I can give you 550 silver deer for the armor, and I can offer 200 silver deer for the sword."
"Thank you, old sir." Ivan couldn't help but feel a little pleased. He hadn't expected that a random excuse would help him gain half a golden dragon more.
"And…" The old blacksmith paused, seemingly hesitating for a moment, but quickly made up his mind, "Since you are very short on money, I have a job for you here."
The old blacksmith's words surprised Ivan. He didn't know what a blacksmith from Harrenhal would need a strange sellsword like himself to help with.
Of course, no matter what the task was, he wasn't interested.
However, forced by the fact that he had just gained over a hundred silver deer from the other person, a direct refusal would seem too blunt, so he tactfully reminded him: "I am no longer a sellsword."
"Of course, I know, of course," The old blacksmith nodded repeatedly, and because of Ivan's refusal, he believed his story about joining the Night's Watch even more, "I'm not hiring you to fight for me, but since you are going to The Wall to join the Night's Watch, why not do me a favor and help me deliver something."
What? You want to give me something? Ivan's eyes lit up instantly.
He was currently busy going to Salt Field Town to wait for someone, so of course, he wasn't interested in all sorts of tasks.
But delivering something was different; once it was in his pocket, it was his.
"Tell me more?" Ivan replied with interest.
"After you go to The Wall, I hope you can go to Shadow Tower and find a ranger named Dovier, and then help me deliver a House sword to him."
So you're giving me a House sword, you really are a good person, Ivan nodded repeatedly.
"So you agree?"
"Of course, since it's on the way, I have no problem."
The old blacksmith nodded and turned to disappear behind a door.
"Ding! Optional quest updated." Annie's voice sounded in his mind, and Ivan quickly closed his eyes and logged into the system interface.
[Discovered Trigger Quest: Lion of Shadows
Quest Description: The old blacksmith has a House sword. He hopes you will take it to the ranger Dovier at Shadow Tower.
Quest Reward: Unknown
Additional Reward: Unknown]
[Accept (Consumes 1 point)] [Decline]
Seeing this quest, Ivan almost instinctively wanted to click accept.
Because if a player buys a money bag with their initial point in the points store, they can only get 300 silver deer, and the value of something like a House sword would be at least 3 gold dragons or more. It was clearly a good deal to exchange 1 point for a House sword at the beginning.
But just as he was about to click, a bold idea suddenly came to him.
What would happen if he clicked decline on the quest?
After all, according to the organizers, this was a real world, so this old blacksmith was a real living person, and whether he gave the quest to himself shouldn't be affected by the system at all!
If the old blacksmith suddenly turned hostile because he declined the quest in the system, then this old blacksmith wouldn't be a living person, but an NPC with AI!
Thinking of this, Ivan moved his gaze from the [Accept] option and clicked on the [Decline] next to it.
Soon, the old blacksmith walked out holding a House sword.
"This sword is made of fine steel, and the craftsmanship is perfect," Aedon said as he handed the sword to Ivan, "It's just a sword my friend wore when he was young, but let's not talk about him." The old blacksmith shook his head as he spoke.
He didn't turn hostile after all! Ivan was delighted. Although he didn't exactly exploit a bug this time, he saved one point no matter what.
Ivan took the sword from the old blacksmith's hand. His first feeling was that it was heavy. It was the same length as his own sword but slightly heavier.
He drew the sword from its leather scabbard. The blade's color was slightly dull, and there were many small chips on the edge, but they were much smaller than the chips on his own hand-and-a-half sword. He lightly touched the blade with his finger and clearly felt its sharpness.
"Remember, give this sword to the ranger Dovier at Shadow Tower," The old blacksmith instructed, "He has golden hair like you, and is around 35 years old…" The old blacksmith paused, then chuckled, "Considering he's been on The Wall for over ten years, he might look older."
"In any case, you must personally hand this sword to him. If he happens to be on a mission when you go to Shadow Tower, then take the sword back and wait for the next opportunity. Do not casually hand the sword to other members of the Night's Watch," The old blacksmith emphasized.
"May I know why?" A hint of vigilance rose in Ivan's heart, "Do you have something you can't let others hear that you need me to tell him?"
The old blacksmith clearly hadn't expected Ivan to ask such a question. He looked at Ivan in surprise, then shook his head: "No, no need. He will know everything when he sees this sword."