Chapter 147
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 147
“Merchant Guild Master Dominic knows a casting method for a metal comparable to Adamantium!”
“He says it can even be mass-produced easily enough to fully equip ten thousand troops!”
The conversation between Lucian and Dominic spread across the North in an instant.
It was news far too shocking to be dismissed as mere merchant bluster.
What kind of metal was Adamantium? It was the King of Metals, so incredibly hard that the mining and casting processes required astronomical amounts of time and money. Because of the difficulty of extraction, the annual yield never exceeded a certain amount, regardless of how much ore a mine actually held.
To be able to mass-produce a metal comparable to that as easily as harvesting crops from a field?
“He’s gone mad. Has that Dominic fellow finally become senile in his old age?”
“There’s a limit to exaggeration. A casting method for a metal rivaling Adamantium?”
“But if it’s true, wouldn't it be a discovery that turns the entire continent upside down?”
“A merchant of Dominic’s stature wouldn't just make things up out of thin air.”
The eyes of the entire North were instantly fixed on Asagrim.
If there was even a one-in-a-million chance that Dominic’s words were true, it was not a matter to be taken lightly.
Lucian had already brought a massive number of giants from beyond the snowfields. Even with ordinary equipment, they would be a formidable force—but to have them outfitted with gear on par with Adamantium?
It was no exaggeration to say he would possess the power to conquer the entire North.
Conversely, it meant that any lord who recruited Dominic could make that power their own.
‘He may have earned the Duke’s resentment, but he’ll be released soon enough once he delivers the promised quantity.’
‘I must be the first to approach and recruit him then.’
‘If only I can get my hands on a manufacturing method for a metal equal to Adamantium…!’
While the Northern lords watched Asagrim with their own hidden agendas, Lucian made no move. He simply looked after the tribespeople settling in Asagrim and waited quietly for the date he had promised Dominic.
Of course, he was keeping a close eye on the movements of the surrounding lords, so he could see right through their thoughts.
“I can hear them salivating from here. Everyone is in such a hurry when it hasn't even been proven whether his words are true or not.”
“That is true, but… what do you intend to do if Dominic really does bring a metal comparable to Adamantium?”
“Why? Are you worried he’ll be forgiven?”
“On the contrary, I am worried Your Grace might ignore his utility and kill him anyway.”
Hans spoke while looking at Lucian with a serious expression.
“Your Grace, if he truly keeps his promise, you do not need to worry about me. Though I am of humble birth, I know that for the sake of a greater cause, minor grievances must be set aside.”
“So, you’re saying I should forgive Dominic if he actually brings a metal of that caliber?”
“Your Grace has caught his weakness. You have seized the opportunity to bring him under your command before anyone else. Please do not let such an opportunity slip away just because you are concerned for me.”
Lucian gave a bitter smile at Hans’s sincere advice.
He was pleased by the unclouded loyalty of his retainer, but at the same time, it pained him that Hans seemed to value himself so little. To think he would place a mere profiteer like Dominic above his own worth.
“I understand your intent. However, that will not happen. Because he will not be able to keep his word.”
“From what I have heard, the Dominic Merchant Group is already transporting black, lustrous metal ingots this way…”
“Just because someone confidently presents a result doesn't mean that result is a proper product.”
“How can you be so certain?”
Hans found it difficult to understand Lucian’s conviction.
This was the Dominic Merchant Group, one of the most famous merchant groups on the continent. They weren't lacking in capability, yet Lucian didn't seem to have even the slightest expectation.
Facing the questioning Hans, Lucian spoke with a faint smile.
“Because I think I know exactly what kind of metal he’s bringing.”
“Pardon?”
“Since things have turned out this way, I’ll tell you an interesting fact.”
Lucian whispered softly into Hans’s ear as he leaned closer.
“That metal he’s so confidently bringing will turn to dust in less than ten minutes.”
“…!?”
*
On the day promised for the unveiling of the metal ingots, Dominic appeared before Lucian with a confident expression. He then carefully presented one of the many black, lustrous ingots he had brought.
“Your Grace, here is the ‘metal rivaling Adamantium’ that I promised you before.”
“Hmm.”
Lucian received the black, lustrous metal ingot with a disinterested look. Aside from the fact that it was black, it didn't look much different from an ordinary steel ingot.
“It is an alloy called Tenebrium. I cannot disclose the manufacturing method or the ratios, but it certainly possesses strength rivaling Adamantium.”
“The name sounds plausible enough. Did you bring equipment made from this metal as well?”
“Of course.”
When Dominic clapped his hands, workers brought forward several items from behind. There was a breastplate, a sword, and a spear, all bearing the same color as the Tenebrium.
After glancing at the items, Lucian turned his head to the side.
“Hugo. Test it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hugo stepped forward without hesitation and drew his sword. After enhancing his body with mana, he swung with all his might at the breastplate standing nearby.
It was a strike using a swordsmanship style—a blow that would have cleaved an ordinary breastplate clean through.
Clang!
“…!”
However, the sword that struck the breastplate was deflected back with a loud metallic ring. Even Hugo, who had swung the sword, was startled by the unexpected hardness of the armor.
As the onlookers stared at the breastplate in shock, Dominic spoke with a deep smile.
“Did I not tell you? It is strength rivaling Adamantium. Unless you strike it with a metal of equal hardness, an ordinary sword won't even leave a scratch.”
“Hugo. This time, use the sword the Merchant Guild Master brought.”
“Ah, yes!”
Lucian ignored Dominic’s explanation and commanded Hugo again. Though looking bewildered, Hugo faithfully carried out the order.
With the exact same strength as before, the black blade collided with the breastplate.
Crrack!
“Gasp!”
The surrounding crowd gasped as they saw the blade bite halfway into the breastplate. This was a result that could never occur unless the hardness of both items was similar.
Having proven the strength of Tenebrium, Dominic bowed with a relaxed expression.
“You may test it as much as you like, Your Grace.”
“No, I don't think that will be necessary. It is indeed impressive strength. I don't know if it truly rivals Adamantium, but it is certainly second to none.”
“Since Your Grace says so…”
“However.”
Lucian cut Dominic off and tapped the Tenebrium ingot.
“It seems to me there is one serious flaw. Merchant Guild Master Dominic, is there something you’re hiding from me?”
Dominic flinched at Lucian’s sharp gaze. Could he possibly know something about Tenebrium?
‘No, that’s impossible.’
Dominic immediately dismissed the thought. He was the only person who knew the manufacturing method for Tenebrium. Technically, three others had known, but those three had already departed for the afterlife.
‘He’s testing me. He’s pretending to have noticed a hidden secret to try and shake me.’
It was a decent attempt for a noble who was young—practically a child—but it was far from enough to rattle Dominic. He had experienced this kind of psychological warfare more times than he could count throughout his life.
Convinced of Lucian’s intention, Dominic shook his head with an air of innocence.
“How could I possibly hide a flaw in a product from Your Grace? Furthermore, Tenebrium is the very item meant to earn me forgiveness for my crimes. To play tricks with such a thing would be no different from defiling my own soul.”
“Is that so?”
At Dominic’s shameless reply, Lucian let out a short laugh and commanded one of the servants.
“Bring a large basin filled with salt water. It must be large enough to submerge this entire breastplate.”
“…!?”
At the mention of salt water, Dominic felt a chill run down his spine as if an icicle had been driven into it. Of all things, why salt water?
Realizing too late that something had gone wrong, Dominic stammered.
“Yo-Your Grace.”
“Shut up.”
But Lucian snapped sharply, as if he had no intention of listening to excuses.
While Dominic stood there with his mouth agape, unable to say a word, a basin filled with salt water was prepared.
“I have brought it, Your Grace.”
“Submerge that breastplate in the salt water.”
“Pardon? Ah, yes!”
Though confused by the sudden command, the servants submerged the breastplate in the salt water. The onlookers watching the scene all tilted their heads in confusion.
It was well known that metal was weak to salt, but that only applied to long-term exposure. Simply dipping it in salt water shouldn't do anything, so what on earth was he doing?
Fortunately, the questions of those watching Lucian’s eccentric behavior were soon answered.
Crackle, crumble.
“Wh-What?”
“The armor is crumbling!”
Just as someone shouted, the breastplate began to disintegrate bit by bit inside the salt water. It was a transformation unbelievable for the same material that had just blocked a knight’s sword.
In less than ten minutes, the breastplate had completely crumbled and dispersed within the salt water.
“Throw the other equipment in as well.”
“Yes!”
The servants began to drop the equipment Dominic had brought into the salt water one by one. Just like the breastplate, every piece of equipment crumbled with ridiculous ease the moment it touched the salt water.
Eventually, after watching all the equipment dissolve, a voice filled with ridicule flowed from Lucian’s lips.
“It melts well. Is this the metal that rivals Adamantium?”
“Your Grace…!”
Turning pale, Dominic trembled violently and pressed his forehead to the ground. When it became clear they wouldn't get an explanation from Dominic, the people’s gaze naturally turned toward Lucian.
“Your Grace, what is the meaning of this?”
“It is Black Magic.”
“Black Magic?”
“Among the arts of Black Magic, there is a spell that absorbs life force and infuses it into other objects or living beings to temporarily strengthen them. He made use of that magic.”
“That is not true!”
A scream erupted from Dominic’s mouth.
He had certainly used magic. It was a spell from the Metal School that drew earth power from the ground and transferred it into other ores. Ores infused with earth power increased in strength proportional to the amount injected, but they would return to their original strength after a certain period.
It was merely a spell of that level, yet he was calling it Black Magic that absorbed life force!
“I-It is magic, yes, but it is not Black Magic! Why, why would I ever use Black Magic…!”
“I’m the one curious about the reason. Why did you dabble in Black Magic? Knowing full well what kind of foul creatures Black Mages are.”
“Your Grace!”
Dominic, about to protest his innocence again, froze when he saw the smile playing on Lucian’s lips.
Why did Lucian believe he had used Black Magic? Even if it wasn't Black Magic, there were countless spells that could produce a similar temporary effect.
‘Wait.’
What if the mention of Black Magic wasn't a misunderstanding? What if he knew it was ordinary magic but was intentionally framing him as a Black Mage?
As that thought took hold, Dominic felt goosebumps break out over his entire body.
‘I’ve been had.’