Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Orichalcum (4)
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I'd seen it in dramas before.
The way political marriages worked, that is.
'Usually, the families would come to an agreement and marry off their kids, and then the kids would just start their married life based on that notice.'
In times like this, he was grateful for Regin's backstory as an orphan.
It wasn't a family with deep roots, but he was still nobility.
When a house like the Perecian family came knocking so seriously, what parent could say no?
'They'd probably try to persuade their kid, at least.'
Even Regin had nearly blanked out from the sudden marriage proposal by proxy.
The Crampl orange chicken he'd been enjoying so well wouldn't go down past his throat.
"Please think of it casually. My daughter thinks of you as more than just a benefactor."
Regin's gaze turned to Meriang.
No wonder she'd been fidgeting nonstop since earlier.
'She's definitely pretty, though.'
His first impression had been too intense, that was all. Her looks were actually quite good.
He could see why some DAT players said there were lots of hidden gems if you looked closely.
There were NPCs so beautiful you could forget they were 2D.
And since those beauties were alive and breathing here, even Regin hesitated for a moment.
"Thank you for thinking well of me."
He calmly gathered his thoughts again.
A glass of cold water cleared his head and got his mind working once more.
"But the life of an explorer makes it hard to fulfill responsibilities as a spouse."
"Hmm..."
"If we became a couple promising a future together, that promise would come with obligations. But as a newbie still, it's hard for me to make such a promise lightly."
Tolimba looked at Regin, swallowing his disappointment.
"I understand. If you change your mind, please let me know."
"Yes."
Meriang, grasping the situation, had her eyes tremble slightly too.
'It doesn't seem like she truly wanted to marry me. Still, it could feel like rejection.'
But he had no intention of making a hasty choice.
He'd marry if he had to, but the Perecian house wasn't the best option.
"I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable. It feels like I brought up something unnecessary during your meal."
"No, it won't affect my appetite."
Tolimba backed off more cleanly than expected.
Thanks to that, he could enjoy the rest of the meal to the fullest.
Well, there was no reason to refuse food that was already served.
'And once I enter the Tower, fancy food like this will be a pipe dream.'
That was even more true thinking about the raids ahead.
Unlike the 7th Floor, where he could at least hunt animals for meat, animals were scarce from the 8th Floor up.
It'd be all orcs, trolls, and golems.
By then, he'd really have to ration preserved food. That was why it was smart to savor good meals while he could.
"I hesitate to advise the head of a house, but maintaining a close relationship with the one who wields the Sword of the Saint will be important."
Regin timed his words carefully before speaking.
"The Sword of the Saint holds great meaning for Lady Chimihi. She might even see its wielder as her successor."
"I heard it was originally her weapon. But has someone actually found that Sword of the Saint?"
"Yes."
Even as a benefactor, giving advice like this at such a table carried some risk.
But there was good reason for his confident words.
"A close friend of mine has become the new owner of the Sword of the Saint."
"......!!"
"No other houses know about this yet."
Objectively, it was valuable information.
If another house had heard first, they'd already be swarming Apelion.
Its symbolism alone made it a major item, performance aside.
"......Could you tell me who it is?"
"Promise me one thing, and I will."
"Please, go ahead."
"I'd like the Perecian house to sponsor them. They're my friend, so I'd appreciate it if they could explore without any hardships."
"......If they wield the Sword of the Saint, we really have no other choice."
It was also Chimihi's condition.
Cooperate with the Sword of the Saint's wielder, and she'd help the house.
In truth, Regin had already advised him to absorb the Perecian house.
Either way, it'd be better for Tolimba than losing it to Delbach.
'The house can't even protect itself in its current state anyway.'
Just as Tolimba had said, they had no options.
"I'll send a messenger tomorrow to make contact right away."
"Thank you."
"Haha, no need. It's the obvious choice for us."
A hint of bitterness crossed Tolimba's face.
The frustration of being unable to protect his own house.
'Well, that's why he tried linking me with Meriang.'
Catching Regin would at least secure friendly ties with Nuada and Chimihi, he'd figured.
Plus, Regin's various feats and the rumors swirling around had eased his worries.
"Ah, we have a gift for you, Lord Regin."
Tolimba shook off those thoughts and looked at Regin.
He was leading a house, after all.
Better to focus on what he could do next than dwell on emotions.
"I'll deliver the gift myself."
"Hm?"
"Shall we do that, Meriang?"
Meriang suddenly cut in.
From her expression, it didn't seem like Tolimba had instructed her beforehand.
"You can follow my daughter."
Meriang stood and looked at Regin.
"......I'll, I'll show you the way."
He wished she'd stop fidgeting. Twisting her body like that was making the mood weird.
* * *
The place Meriang led him to was a storage shed right next to the mine.
"This is where we store the ores from the mine."
She mumbled awkwardly. Regin chuckled and shook his head.
"You can speak casually when it's just us."
"Hmm."
"You were using formal speech just to avoid worrying the head. It felt so awkward."
Meriang pondered for a moment, looking at Regin, then continued.
"Got it. I'll speak casually."
"Much better."
Well, she wasn't being rude like before. This was just right.
Watching her force polite speech had made him more uncomfortable.
"Like you told me, I spent 20 days in the Tower and came out, then delivered the letter to my father right away."
"You did well. If not, before I could even arrive..."
"Hm?"
"Nothing. Just that your timing was perfect."
What if Preton had learned early that Meriang had survived and returned?
High chance she'd have been taken out on the way home.
Killed, letter stolen.
'It wasn't intentional, but the timing worked out great.'
The 15th Floor full clear event, triggered as conditions filled quickly.
That was actually good news for Meriang and the Perecian house too.
'I'm not the only one rushing preparations. Preton must be moving for something too.'
It was like that in the game, and even more clear since entering.
Preton, who led the Delbach house, was a very diligent man.
Running the house while plotting to absorb others like this in the shadows.
Or moves to recruit Chimihi.
'He might be scrambling fast right after hearing about the 15th Floor.'
It was the time when he'd be most off-balance.
Since it was an unforeseen event for Regin, Preton was surely burning the midnight oil too.
Good news for Meriang and the Perecian house.
They'd linked firmly with Chimihi and bought time to protect the house.
Swish—
Meriang stepped into the storage and opened a box.
"This is the thing I promised last time. Remember? I said I'd give it to you if you took me to the 5th Floor."
Regin nodded and took the box she handed him.
Creak—
"They call it orichalcum. Supposed to have tons of uses... but you'd know better than me, right?"
The faintly purple ore sparkled in the box—a fist-sized chunk of orichalcum, as promised.
"Is the amount enough?"
"Yes."
Honestly, it was more than he'd expected.
He'd figured there might be some trick since she said a fist-sized piece.
Like handing over half the size and claiming, 'Meriang's fist is this big.'
'This size is like an orc's fist at least.'
It was about twice the volume he'd imagined.
"I'll put it to good use."
"Nah, Dad said this much was fine. Tell me if you need more."
"Well, if I need more, I'll buy it."
"Oh? If I ask, Dad might give you more?"
"Not to downplay you, Meriang, but orichalcum is quite valuable. Even the Perecian house couldn't provide more for free without strain."
"But if we just give it, it's good for you, right?"
Regin shook his head.
"Best not to trust favors without a price. You should remember that too, Meriang."
"Jeez. Same as in the Tower—you're so rigid sometimes."
"I'm just thorough with my calculations."
"What, scared that taking more ore means you have to marry me?"
Meriang smirked at Regin.
"Well, bluntly put, that's part of it."
"So you won't?"
"Haha. I get what the head asked of you, but you don't have to keep up the act."
"Act?"
Meriang tilted her head.
She continued, genuinely puzzled.
"You're good-looking, Regin. You nag a bit, but that's how I survived."
"......?"
"No reason we couldn't marry. I'm not ugly either. Not a bad pick for you, right?"
"......Do you marry just based on looks?"
"Then what? You already seeing someone? Maybe Celia sis?"
Regin let out a hollow laugh.
"No way."
"Tch. Might've bruised my pride less if it was her."
"What, is it that hurtful to your pride? I just have no plans to marry."
"If you change your mind, tell me. I won't for a while either."
Meriang turned to look at one side of the storage.
"Anyway, the important thing is this. They said since lots of people are after it, better to take it straight from our territory?"
Regin's eyes lit up. It seemed to be the reward Tolimba had mentioned earlier.
Another box sat in the corner.
Creak—
Opening it released a faint glow inside.
'I thought it'd be one of the ores from the mine.'
This was better than ore. Holding back a smile, he picked up the item.
"It's glow liquid."
A type of oil extracted from glow stones, neatly packed in a cylinder.
As the name suggested, a liquid that emitted light.
The special thing was that half of it was made of mana.
Hum—
As Regin moved his hand, the glow liquid began to stir in response to the mana.
Soon, it moved according to his will.
The liquid emerging from the cylinder floated in the air.
"You can control it?"
"It's mana-based liquid. Usually used instead of torches."
"Oh? But is it that rare? More than orichalcum?"
"Hmm."
Honestly, it wasn't that useful an item.
But there was a reason it was popular.
"I've heard a superstition spread that drinking it increases the drinker's mana."
"......For real?"
"Well, I think it's nonsense."
Half of it was nonsense.
Unless properly refined, it had no effect.
'Preton might've targeted the mine knowing this.'
It could fetch a high price from certain people.
Suddenly, he wondered if Preton knew its true value and went after it.
'If he knows about the Elixir of Light, maybe I should do some trading with Preton.'
A thrill ran through him.
He might've just snatched away the guy's biggest business item.
"If used right..."
"Hm?"
"......It might even make the Delbach house bow their heads."