Chapter 222
Chapter 222
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 222
Chapter Title: Aurora Scal (2)
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【Hey, is the item I commissioned ready yet?】
"What the...?"
It was a heavy, low voice unlike any he'd ever heard before. It was deeper than Zaifa's growl or Itargand's tone when he was trying to assert dominance. Ronan's hand, which had been moving slowly, rested on the hilt of his sword.
Whatever it was, it felt dangerous. Ronan steadied his breathing and turned his head. A tall, slender man stood there with both hands in his pockets.
'...Human?'
His pale skin and perfectly chiseled features stood out. His black hair fell down to his waist, as long as Adeshan's.
Instead of a leather coat, he wore only a thin black overcoat—far too light for indoors, let alone the cold outside. Ronan immediately realized this was the 'black man' Catan had mentioned.
"...Huh?"
Suddenly sensing something off, Ronan twisted his lips. The ominous aura emanating from the man vanished in an instant.
It was so quick and seamless that it seemed impossible. One of the blacksmiths hammering away greeted the black man.
"Ah, there you are! We've been waiting."
"I asked if the commissioned item is ready yet."
His rumbling voice had returned to normal. The blacksmith chuckled good-naturedly.
"It's just finished, actually. Not even an hour ago. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"What...!"
The black man's eyes widened. His blood-red irises floated like islands in the whites of his eyes. The blacksmith burst into laughter and clapped his hands. Clap clap! The apprentices carried over a long, massive box.
"H-Here it is."
"Ugh... It's so... heavy..."
It was big enough to hold Zaifa's crescent blade with room to spare. The apprentices were sweating profusely, so it must have been incredibly heavy. Seeing it, the man muttered softly.
"...Finally."
His tone carried a sense of deep regret. He strode forward and placed his hand on the box. Glancing at the apprentices, he spat out curtly.
"Hand it over."
"W-We can carry it all the way for you. It's way heavier than it looks."
"Quiet."
Tsking in annoyance, the man took the box. The object that had burdened six grown men lifted as lightly as a reed. The onlookers' eyes bulged.
"G-Good lord. With just his left hand...!"
"My goodness."
Yet the black man's expression didn't change in the slightest. He rummaged in his pocket, pulled out a small pouch, and tossed it to the floor.
"The balance. Take it."
"Th-Thank you."
One apprentice bowed and picked up the pouch. The black man shouldered the box and turned to leave. Just before exiting the workshop, he glanced back at Ronan and muttered lowly.
"...Handing out an imprint to a human. Even the first flame has run its course."
His tone carried a hint of mockery. Ronan raised an eyebrow at the cryptic words, but the man was already gone.
The sound of his footsteps faded away. The blacksmith checked the pouch the apprentice brought and jumped in place.
"Whoa! Th-This much?!"
Clink clink! The pouch spilled open, revealing over a hundred precious gems—rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and more. Didikan shook his head.
"As expected, he's got class. Seeing him finally satisfied and leaving makes me proud."
"...Who the hell is that guy?"
"Huh? The black man I mentioned earlier. I thought it was a pretty intuitive and fitting nickname."
"Not that. What's his deal? Real name, origin, something."
Ronan asked. From their reactions, it seemed no one else had sensed the brief aura the man had exuded. Didikan scratched his head, puzzled by Ronan's seriousness.
"No idea why you're taking it so seriously, but calm down. No one knows his real name, that's why we call him the black man. He's been staying in Aurora Scal for the past month, coming by every midnight to check on his commission."
"What kind of gear did he commission?"
"Hmm, what to call it... It looked like a spear from the outside, but it was closer to a siege weapon. Anyway, he ordered something huge enough to fill that box. Big enough to take down a dragon, I'd say."
Didikan continued. A month ago, the black man had come to order a mystery weapon and holed up in Aurora Scal.
Normally, people pick up finished gear or have it mailed, but he insisted on waiting to see it done himself and took over a lodging.
Despite his stalkerish behavior, no one complained because the gold he threw down as 'room fees' was too much to refuse. Ronan raised an eyebrow, noticing something odd.
"Hold on. A month ago?"
A month ago was when part of the smithy had been kidnapped by Jaeger forces, and they were in the middle of a siege. Didikan nodded.
"Yeah. Didn't bat an eye even during all that chaos. We even asked him for help since he looked like a fighter, but he said it was none of his business."
Of course, he still checked on his commission every midnight. The more he heard, the shadier the guy seemed.
"...Suspicious."
Ronan frowned. The man hadn't done anything wrong, but Ronan's instincts were screaming warnings. That brief aura had been anything but ordinary.
Like seeing a volcano disguised as a hill, walking around. As Ronan pondered the man's identity, Catan finally called out, unable to wait.
"Hey, how long are you gonna brood? The customer's gone, so let's get started."
"...Yeah, right."
Ronan nodded. Worrying now wouldn't change anything. If he'd sensed malice from the black man, he might have chased him down for answers, but there wasn't any.
"Alright. What should I make for you? Just say the word."
"First, could you sharpen this sword? That's why I came here in the first place."
It was time to handle the planned business. Ronan drew La Mancha, still in its sheath, and handed it to Catan. Fused with Lin, the holy sword's blade glowed faintly even at rest.
"My god...!"
Catan's eyes went wide. The other blacksmiths, intrigued by her reaction, turned to look. Examining the sword from all angles, Catan spoke in admiration.
"This is an incredible sword. The black part looks like Master Doron's work, but the white part... No idea. What is it made of? How?"
"My friend's eggshell and... "
Ronan trailed off. Talking about the holy sword would invite a swarm of questions. They'd all demand details.
"...Various things. Oh, right, I have something for you."
Brushing it off, Ronan rummaged in his pocket. A small metal box appeared in his hand, another item from Parjan like the letter of recommendation.
"What's that?"
"Fragments that were originally part of this sword."
Catan raised an eyebrow at the contents. La Mancha fragments were neatly stacked inside. Impressed by the material again, she asked.
"So, you want me to melt these down and make a new weapon?"
"Doesn't have to be a weapon. Honestly, one sword is enough for me."
Ronan gestured at La Mancha with his chin. He was confident he could handle most enemies with it alone. He'd done so before. Extra gear would just weigh him down.
"Hmm. Let me give it a shot. The material's so good, it's tricky."
"Thanks. What about you, Adeshan?"
"Um... Something for defense or survival would be great. Possible?"
Adeshan asked. Her weak defense was a long-standing issue. Her combat prowess had reached a level where she could support Ronan, but her endurance was lacking.
The whip was for control, and her mind domination grew stronger against fewer targets, halving its power against groups. Catan replied confidently.
"Ah, that's simple. It's right up the alley of our Aurora smelting arts' essence."
"R-Really?"
"Of course, pretty lady. Trust me."
Catan winked. Her sticky tone felt suspicious. Adeshan's face brightened. Ronan snapped his fingers as something occurred to him.
"Oh, and armor too. For a girl about yay high, but she's stupidly strong."
He nearly forgot. He ordered the armor Marya requested. Luckily, her note with measurements was still in his pocket. Catan raised an eyebrow at it.
"Uh, isn't the chest measurement off? Seems huge for her height."
"Probably right. Asel's one lucky bastard."
"Impressive. Alright, hand over the gear to infuse with aurora. I'll do it for free as a special."
"What? You do that too?"
Catan offered to infuse existing gear with aurora for free. Ronan had nothing suitable, but Adeshan handed over her whip and crossbow. Catan's face stiffened as she examined the whip.
"This... Honestly, it might surpass Master Doron's skill. Who made it?"
"A dragon named Alibriehe. Never met her, so not sure."
"...Interesting. A dragon blacksmith."
She clenched her fist. Her expression showed frustration—Alibriehe wasn't just good at prosthetics; she excelled at weapons too. With her head wrapped in a hood, she spoke.
"Alright. I'll get started right away. New items by mail, sword and infused gear ready today."
"Thanks."
"My fighting spirit's ignited. Didikan, show these ice blocks around."
"You got it."
Didikan nodded and led Ronan and Adeshan out of the workshop.
"Haven't seen Master like that in ages. She's competitive, but no one better than her dulled her drive."
"Good for us. Hope to meet this Alibriehe in Ardrene."
"What, not enough with the Ghost Sea? Now Dragon City too? Rough road ahead."
"We'll manage. Oh, what's that dragon tattoo on your master's back?"
"Blue Dragon Radahis. Said to have created Aurora Scal. Got it tattooed in gratitude."
The three wandered Aurora Scal's interior, chatting. The ancient iceberg housed restaurants, lodgings, even sports areas like ball courts. The stables held their griffon devouring meat.
-Pyuht!
"Yeah, yeah, rest up."
It was warmer than most human dwellings, sweat-inducing. Better welfare than many public institutions. As they finished touring,
"Right. I'll show you infusing aurora into gear."
"Huh?"
"Outsiders forbidden normally, but no one'll complain for you two. Follow me."
Suddenly, Didikan grabbed their wrists and pulled. They followed, stunned, until he flung open a stone door. Whoosh! Freezing wind hit like it would freeze eyeballs.
"Kyaa!"
"Shit. Fucking cold."
The outside chill they'd forgotten. Ocean waves crashed again. A vast, flat open space like a plaza stretched out.
"Wow...!"
Adeshan looked up and gasped in awe. The aurora's beauty peaked in the deepening night. Ronan smirked.
"Grown woman acting like a kid."
"Haha. The sky's skirts turn adults to children."
Didikan laughed heartily. Ronan felt the same, despite his words—the view never got old.
Dozens of weapons and armor stood in four neat rows on racks. People with buckets slowly sprinkled a transparent liquid meticulously over them.
The gear soaked in condenser fluid glowed aurora hues. Ronan tilted his head at the bizarre sight.
"What're they doing?"
"Applying condenser fluid. To better absorb aurora power."
Didikan said it was Aurora Scal's unique technique. Aurora-infused gear boosted mana conductivity and could unlock new abilities.
'Better than I thought.'
Ronan nodded, satisfied. Adding a new ability regardless of existing enchants was valuable.
Adeshan moved to the plaza's edge to admire the fiery night sky again. It reminded her of her northern home; she loved it.
"So pretty..."
Ronan murmured, watching her. Amid the beautiful scenery, she looked like a fairy descended from the sky.
The eerie light must have messed with his head. Suddenly, Didikan asked mischievously.
"So, what's the deal between you two now?"
"Huh? What outta nowhere?"
"Don't play dumb. Your looks at each other changed since two years ago. Dating for sure? Promised marriage?"
He poked Ronan's side. His hot breath was unpleasant.
"Quit it, you furry bastard. You a schoolgirl or what?"
"I love these stories. Know how boring it is hammering at sea all day? Spill, my lips are sealed."
Ronan trailed off. He'd kissed her on instinct, but was that dating? Come to think of it, she'd been avoiding his eyes—was she repulsed? How do you even define dating?
"Well..."
Gulp. Adeshan, pretending to be aurora-struck while eavesdropping, swallowed. As Ronan started to reply. Crash clang!! Something shattered below their passage.
"Hey, how long do you plan to make me wait?!"
"E-Even if you say that, it's troubling. This voyage was to procure more ore already..."
"This is a blatant insult to Lord Poison Dragon Drahavie!"