Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Take a Look
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The moment Forneus was defeated, the gems embedded throughout the boss room all began to emit light simultaneously.
The surroundings were bathed in a soft glow, as if an aurora had unfurled.
“……Pretty.”
“Yeah.”
As we stared at the sight in a daze, my gaze suddenly shifted to Luna, slumped on the floor.
The synergy between Magnetize and the reactive bomb was undeniable. However, this wasn’t something for Ellier to use—it was where Luna could truly shine.
After all, she knew Magnetize better than anyone. Only she would know the perfect timing.
‘Maybe I can get Luna handling bombs too.’
Anyway.
‘45-level Arts.’
Surpassing level 40 at first-year first-semester level was nearly impossible.
Even I had only just hit level 36. I had no idea how far 45 was from there.
Yet Luna had reached level 45 all on her own. What on earth had she been doing during the semester to get there?
But whether Luna was a stalker, a spy, or something else entirely, what mattered now was that she was on my side.
Times like this called for securing her loyalty firmly.
I approached Luna and extended my hand.
“Good job.”
“……Did I… help?”
“Help? You practically took it down yourself.”
I pulled her to her feet by the hand.
“……Hehe.”
She smiled with an innocent expression.
Ah, that smile. It was identical to the bright, cheerful Luna from the original story.
Come to think of it, she’d never smiled like that in front of me before.
Menhera treatment. Progressing smoothly.
“Our little apprentices? Save the touching moments for later and let’s grab the loot first, yeah?”
Adelin tapped the treasure chest. Next to it lay an unfamiliar ore.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem like we’d need to hunt around for it.
“This must be the rock that old man mentioned.”
A stone with a mysterious blend of purple and silver.
[Dronium Ore]
[A rare ore that floats on its own when mana is infused.]
“Yeah, this is it.”
I stowed it in my bag.
Quest complete.
With the mid-boss down, the demonic energy was probably clearing from the mine entrance all the way here by now.
Grabner’s miners could now start full-scale resource extraction.
‘Now what?’
Two options.
Push the momentum and take down Asmoreg, or make a clean retreat here.
Conquering the Demon Dungeon at this point wasn’t all that critical anyway.
We’d already cleared up to the midpoint, so equipment production wouldn’t face any major issues.
What was more urgent was rooting out the cult’s branches scattered across the Empire. This place was just a side trip for weapons.
Above all, I’d promised Ellier. To tackle the dungeon with him.
‘We can come back in the second semester or after cleaning out the branches. Ellier needs time to make the drones anyway.’
Dungeon runs had always been forced marches so far. We could afford a relaxed break.
I turned to the two and announced my decision.
“You didn’t forget Instructor’s promise to treat us to dinner tonight, right?”
Adelin grimaced and took the lead.
⁎⁎⁎
By the time we exited the dungeon.
Night had fallen outside.
But it wasn’t pitch black.
Dozens—no, over a hundred torches flickered before us.
As many people as torches had gathered at the entrance.
“Look! Real people came out!”
“The guy’s the Dirge Sword, and the woman’s the Empire’s Greatest Sword?”
“That one’s the Grace Family lady!”
Grabner citizens, every one of them.
‘I never told anyone. How did they know?’
“See! What did I tell you!”
“The Dirge Sword and Empire’s Greatest Sword went in! Our mine’s liberated now!”
Culprits identified.
The guards who’d opened the door for us.
They’d been smirking ever since they learned I was the Dirge Sword.
Loose lips, as expected. Their excitement must’ve spread the word about us tackling the abandoned mine.
Then, an old miner stepped forward.
“Um… so, does that mean we can use the mine like before?”
When the crystal mine was active, Grabner had vied for top economic spot in the Empire, excluding the capital.
The mine brought massive benefits, directly tied to citizens’ livelihoods.
The city’s heart had stopped dead.
Word that it was beating again was enough to drive anyone wild.
The miners nodded, holding their breath at the question.
‘Not without some anxiety.’
Fortunately, the door to the dungeon’s depths was far more securely sealed than the entrance.
No sane person would pry it open and venture inside.
Once a base camp was set up, it’d be fine.
I stepped forward to the crowd.
Adelin would look better making an official announcement like this.
‘But I know these people like me.’
With the conquest public, attention was inevitable.
If you can’t avoid it, use it.
This was a city of artisans. Winning their favor would pay dividends in gear and materials long-term.
“The conquest isn’t fully complete yet, so you can’t go to the deepest parts.”
Disappointment rippled through the crowd.
But I twisted the knife.
“However! We just cleared up to the richest vein zone. Mining there should be fully feasible.”
“Ooh…!”
“I’ve already contacted Princess Alicia, and a base camp for safety will be built soon.”
Of course, I hadn’t. Adelin would.
“But absolutely do not go past the sealed door. It’s still dangerous.”
“As expected of the Dirge Sword! So thoughtful!”
“We didn’t recognize our benefactor!”
As the crowd heated up, I drove it home.
“I promise you all. Soon, from here to downtown Grabner! The sound of pickaxes will echo once more!”
“Waaaaah!!!”
Thunderous cheers shook the night sky.
I signaled Adelin and Luna amid the fervor.
‘Let’s bounce.’
⁎⁎⁎
We’d slipped away from the crowd on purpose to return to Grabner.
But rumors had leaked somewhere; even late at night, the whole city buzzed with strange excitement.
We wove quietly through the citizens to the workshop.
Enedor greeted us upon entry.
Along with a fidgeting Ellier.
“……Hah. You came like that?”
Enedor scanned the three of us.
Sulfur stench clinging to our bodies, clothes caked in soot and dirt.
We looked no different from miners clocking out.
No regrets, though.
First sudden quest. We’d rushed here unwashed to complete it.
“I figured delivering this took priority.”
I handed the Dronium ore to Enedor. His expression was surprisingly calm.
Makes sense; as the city’s top artisan, he’d have heard about the conquest.
Enedor held the Dronium to the light.
“Real Dronium. Top quality, too.”
“Spit it out after we took down the monster.”
“Hah… Even with the Empire’s Greatest Sword, to think just three of you cleared Grabner’s old headache.”
“Not three.”
I glanced at Ellier.
“Four.”
“……What’s that mean?”
“The finishing blow on the monster…”
I approached Ellier and returned the two leftover reactive bombs.
“Was from these bombs Ellier made.”
I recounted the conquest tale to them.
Especially exaggerating how pivotal Ellier’s bombs had been.
As I spoke, their reactions diverged sharply.
Ellier’s eyes widened; Enedor’s deepened.
Finally.
“This is the chest dropped by the boss monster.”
I pulled out the treasure chest from the boss kill.
“Normally, party members divide the loot from the chest.”
“Why bring it all the way here?”
“To hear the absent fourth party member’s input.”
Enedor alternated glances between Ellier and the chest.
“If something useful for Ellier comes out, it’s naturally his share.”
Truth be told, he hadn’t entirely dismissed conquering the Evil God’s Abyss.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made monster-slaying weapons.
He’d just been scared.
Of his last remaining family—his wife’s fate—befalling his son.
“I see.”
Enedor closed and opened his eyes.
“I told you to prove yourself, and you did splendidly.”
He tossed the Dronium to Ellier.
“Ah, Father? Why to me…”
“Haribal Belder. That nonsense you filled my son’s head with. Remote… carrier, was it? Your own invention?”
“No.”
No hesitation; it really wasn’t.
“The greatest artisan I know came up with it.”
‘50-level Ellier, that is.’
Satisfied with my own answer, but Enedor curtly replied.
“Artisans have their pride. If it’s that artisan’s idea, tell him to make it himself.”
‘Not the response I wanted.’
But then.
“Ellier.”
“Y-Yes!”
“With that ore, can you make something better than what the Dirge Sword described?”
Ellier’s eyes went wide.
I knew, but for him, this was the first he’d learned Dronium was key for drone production.
It also meant Enedor had prepared the ore for him from the start.
Essentially, permission for dungeon entry and new weapon development.
“……You mean…?”
Enedor bellowed at the dazed Ellier.
“The best material’s in your hands—what’re you standing around for, idiot! Melt it and make it now!”
“Th-Thank you…! I’ll get right on it!”
Ellier bolted to his lab.
“You know why I allowed it?”
“Because I proved it?”
“No.”
Enedor picked up his hammer.
“Because of your eyes.”
He placed the glowing-hot iron on the anvil.
“I saw conviction in how you looked at my son. Conviction that you see him not as baggage, but as a comrade.”
Clang! Clang!
Cheerful hammer strikes rang through the workshop.
“Take him. My son’s set on joining you to cut down the Evil God instead of carrying on my line—how could a father stand in the way?”
He added indifferently, without pausing his hammering.
“But bring him back alive. If he loses so much as a limb, I’ll never forge your sword again.”
“Understood.”
“That aside… You carried my stubbornness, so I owe you proper compensation.”
Enedor pulled a small metal box from his pocket.
Looked like he’d prepared it the moment he heard of our success.
Quest reward time, finally.
“Take a look. Collected over a lifetime to give to someone I knew. Though that someone’s gone now.”
A bitter herbal scent wafted from the box.
“Use it yourself or give it to another—up to you. I’ve no need for them anymore.”
It was…
[Crimson Herb] [Azure Herb] [Golden Herb]
[Verdant Herb] [White Herb] [Black Herb]
[Consuming permanently increases the user’s stats.]
A set of rare permanent stat-boosting herbs.