Time Travel? Rebirth? I Win This Time!

Despite Mike Bai's demonstration not being successful, the blacksmiths agreed to attempt the cold forging and tempering process. After all, for them, improving their craft with someone else's coal and iron was still a worthwhile deal.

Moreover, considering the decline in his wool business due to the recent troubles caused by Saladin's forces in the Kingdom, Mike Bai decided to free up a few windmills to assist the blacksmiths in their work. The massive windmills converted wind power into a steady stream of mechanical energy, which either helped to fuel the blast furnace with gusts of air or powered large hammers to strike the metal.

The furnace burned day and night, the rhythmic sound of forging gradually building to a steady cadence. After three months of experimentation and countless coal and iron consumed, the blacksmiths finally succeeded in creating the first prototype according to Mike Bai's vision — a piece of plate armor.

At first glance, the armor looked like a leather vest studded with steel nails. But between the layers of leather, the blacksmiths had inserted curved iron plates, fastening them with steel rivets. As a prototype, it was rather ugly, resembling an irregular pumpkin. But Mike Bai, upon seeing it, couldn't help but admire it.

A scarecrow, dressed in a combination of padded armor, chainmail, and the experimental plate armor, was placed in an open field. Surrounding it were a crowd of curious blacksmiths and knights.

"Mike Bai, do you really think this thing will work?" William asked skeptically, eyeing the strange "pumpkin" vest. Though he knew it contained iron plates, his confidence was lacking. "The iron plates are so thin, I don't think they'll hold up."

Mike Bai ignored William's doubts, determined to prove his point with results.

"Patrick! You can begin!"

From a distance, Patrick nodded. He slowly pulled his finely crafted purpleheart longbow back to a full draw. With little aim, the string released with a hum.

A piercing armor-piercing arrow shot through the air, covering 30 meters in an instant, and struck the plate armor with a sharp "clang!" The arrow was deflected, spinning a few times in the air before burying itself weakly in the ground.

Subsequent arrows, fired from 20 and 15 meters away, were also deflected. Only at 10 meters did the armor allow the arrow to penetrate, but it still lacked the force to go deep, falling to the ground without further damage.

"Hmm, this works," Mike Bai nodded in satisfaction. He then gestured to Demore, who brought over a large toy — a heavy crossbow.

This crossbow was far larger than the one Mike Bai had bought originally, standing nearly 1.2 meters tall with bow arms nearly a meter wide. The string was made of thick animal sinew twisted into double strands, as thick as a finger.

Even someone as strong as Demore, a knight, had difficulty drawing the string with just his hands. He had to step on the front of the bow and use a special lever mechanism to draw it.

After struggling for half a minute, Demore finally got the crossbow cocked and aimed at the scarecrow. He pulled the trigger, and the bowstring released with a deafening twang, sending the bolt hurtling down the track with tremendous force.

"Clang!" The bolt sank into the scarecrow, its tail feathers trembling as if resisting.

Mike Bai, though prepared for the result, was still somewhat disappointed. As he pulled the bolt out, he found that it had penetrated the plate armor and chainmail, but due to the cushioning of the padded armor, it only managed to penetrate about an inch.

"Mike Bai! This is really something!" William exclaimed, forgetting the doubts he had expressed just moments earlier. His eyes were wide with admiration as he gazed at the armor, no longer seeing it as a mere piece of cold steel, but as something priceless.

No wonder William was so enthusiastic. The heavy chainmail armor knights wore often left gaps between the rings, and while it offered decent protection against slashing, it was much less effective against piercing projectiles like arrows.

Seeing William's eager reaction, Mike Bai flashed his signature grin. "Uncle William, this is such a great piece of gear. Would you like one?"

William, still staring at the armor, nodded enthusiastically. But then he remembered something. "But I don't have any money…"

"Of course you don't," Mike Bai shot back, though with a smile. "All your money's gone on drinks and fines. What do you expect?"

Despite the inner grumble, Mike Bai maintained his sweet smile. "We don't need to talk about money. Why don't you try it on first, and see if it fits?"

William, who had been feeling uncertain, now found himself charmed by Mike Bai's expression. Overcome with his admiration for the armor, he reluctantly agreed and donned the plate.

"It fits pretty well," William muttered, nodding in satisfaction. But when he turned around, he found Mike Bai holding an axe that was even taller than him.

"If you want the armor, then one good swing and it's yours," Mike Bai said with a sly smile, revealing his true intentions.

Seeing Mike Bai's move, William, now emboldened by the earlier tests, surveyed Mike Bai's smaller frame with a grin. "You said it! One swing, and the armor's mine!"

"That's right, just one swing," Mike Bai confirmed, his grin unwavering.

"But what if you break it?" William asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll just give you a new one!" Mike Bai responded, his smile never fading.

William, finally satisfied, stood tall, puffing out his chest. "Bring it on!"

Mike Bai, still grinning, handed the heavy axe to Demore, the leader of the Nordic mercenaries, who had been watching the exchange.

"Isn't it supposed to be you swinging it?" William asked, stunned.

"I never said it was me," Mike Bai replied with a sweet smile. "I just said it would be one swing."

Before William could protest further, Demore, the two-meter-tall Nordic giant, swung the massive axe with ease. The heavy weapon, which would be unwieldy for most, moved as if it were weightless in Demore's hands. With a mighty swoosh, he brought it crashing down on William's chest.

The plate armor let out a horrible grinding noise, and with a flash of sparks, the once-rounded shape of the plate armor buckled under the blow, creating a huge dent. William was sent flying backward, his body landing in a cloud of dust like a baseball hit by a home run.

For several moments, William remained motionless on the ground.

Mike Bai, watching in growing concern as William didn't get up, began to worry. Did I go too far?

His anxiety rising, Mike Bai stepped forward, gently calling out, "Uncle William? Are you alright?"

BOOM!!

With a loud shout, William sprang to his feet, startling Mike Bai, who nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Ha! Got you, you little rascal!" William laughed, clutching his stomach as he doubled over in laughter. "Didn't think you'd fall for it, huh?"

"Seriously, you scared the daylights out of me!" Mike Bai gasped, clutching his chest in dramatic relief. "Do you still want the armor or not?"

"You said it! One swing, and the armor's mine!" William grinned, his eyes glinting. "Unless you're backing out?"

Mike Bai found himself momentarily speechless, his words choked in his throat.

Seeing Mike Bai flustered, William let out a triumphant laugh. "Alright, alright. Now that I've got you, let's hit the tavern. I'm treating."

At the mention of a tavern, though, William hesitated, glancing at his empty pockets. "But… you'll be paying, Mike Bai!"