Chapter 12
Chapter 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: A Visit to the Armorer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
On the way to the armory by carriage, I took in the beautiful wooden buildings and savored a rare moment of peace.
‘Good. Perfect.’
I’d slipped out before the elf woke up, so she wasn’t by my side right now. That alone filled me with boundless joy.
A cool breeze blew through the window, lifting my spirits even more. The children’s playful chatter, the noblewomen washing laundry, and the merchants hawking their wares—all of it felt so idyllic, soothing my body and soul.
‘This place never changes. The whole city buzzes with life.’
It struck me every time, but Pelgaroin County in the empire’s heartland was truly a wonderful place to live.
The count’s standing army kept the peace, driving crime rates way down. It was far from monster territory too, so accidents were few and far between.
Ringed by towering mountains, it turned into a natural fortress in times of crisis, making pointless border skirmishes with other great houses unlikely. After all, starting a local war would put the aggressor at a disadvantage.
And since any trip to the capital had to pass through Pelgaroin County, trade flourished naturally. Merchants came and went, buying and selling exotic goods—a common sight around here.
No wonder the townsfolk all looked so content. They had that solid, good-hearted vibe.
I wasn’t just saying this because I lived here, but Pelgaroin County could easily claim the title of the empire’s best place to live—
“Snore. Hrrrmmm……”
A snort snapped me out of my thoughts. I glanced over to see a knight dozing in his battered armor, sprawled in an unseemly pose.
His scruffy black beard and half-assed belt job grated on me.
But I couldn’t say anything. His name was Bennon Brokena, the only retainer knight left in House Deharm.
We’d had two once, but one left after Father’s death, saying he’d fulfilled his duties. Now Bennon was our sole knight.
‘Maybe I should recruit another one……’
Entrusting my protection and the house’s security to this guy made me uneasy. I was seriously pondering hiring another when—thud!—the carriage halted, cutting my thoughts short.
The coachman opened the door and bowed politely.
“We’ve arrived, my lord.”
“Thank you. You’ve done well.”
As I thanked him and stepped down, he glanced at Bennon.
“Shall I wake the knight, sir?”
“Let him sleep. He’s just here for show anyway.”
Dragging Bennon inside would only get me dumb jokes. Better to leave him in the carriage.
“You wait here too.”
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
I gave the order, then pushed open the armory door and stepped inside.
The first thing I saw was the wall lined with weapons. The second was the open lot visible through the window.
The dirt ground was littered with scorch marks from fire and shrapnel from explosions. Yeah, I’d come to the right place.
“Welcome……”
The shopkeeper’s bored greeting lit up when he recognized me.
“Lord Theorad!”
His sullen face broke into a grin. He rushed from behind the counter and grabbed my hand.
“Thank you so much for the other day.”
“The other day?”
“You sent five pigs to celebrate my sister’s wedding! It really saved face with the relatives. She was over the moon.”
I was a bit flustered.
“Just doing what anyone would. You supplied weapons faithfully during His Majesty’s orc subjugation war eight years ago. Through our house, no less.”
“True. Unlike other nobles, you set a fair commission fee. That’s why I’m doing so well now.”
“You should thank my father for that, not me.”
“I’m grateful to both of you. And you personally looked after my sister’s big day. What noble bothers with a mere merchant’s sister? You’re too generous, my lord.”
It was just the decent thing to do, but his flattery was over the top. I cleared my throat awkwardly.
“Enough about the past. I’m not here to chat—I want to see some weapons.”
“Of course. What kind, exactly?”
“I heard you got some good stuff from the duchy lately. I’d like to check its power.”
“From the duchy? You mean the monster-hunting siege weapon?”
“That’s the one.”
He blinked a few times, then pulled a small box from the display case. It was wrapped meticulously in fine silk, small enough to fit in a palm.
“Wait here a moment.”
He carried it to the center of the lot, set it down, and returned with a small stone tablet that had two buttons.
“The duchy's outdone themselves this time. Press the top button, and……”
Click. The box instantly turned into a sandbag, blending with the terrain via automatic shapeshifting magic.
“Then the bottom one……”
He pressed it. A flash erupted.
BOOM—!
The ground flipped up, flames roaring skyward endlessly. The shockwave whipped up a gale that rattled the windows.
I flinched, hunching my shoulders, but the shopkeeper smiled smugly.
“It unleashes massive destruction. They call it a monster-hunter, but this Alkaera cloth covering it says otherwise.”
“Alkaera cloth?”
“Hides mana flow perfectly. Word is, even the Lord of the Ebony Tower couldn’t detect a magic tool under it.”
“The Lord of the Ebony Tower—the archmage of the Magic Realm?”
“That’s him. Proof the duchy made it for war. Pricey, so no mass production, but a dozen in full battle would shatter enemy morale and formations.”
“So……”
I swallowed hard.
“You’re saying this weapon can be detonated remotely from afar, completely undetectable?”
“Yeah, that sums it up.”
“And…… just to be sure, what if a mage steps on it?”
“A mage?”
Stroking his chin, he shrugged indifferently.
“A mediocre one dies on the spot. Even a skilled one gets mana exhaustion. There’s a limit to how much the body’s mana can buffer the blast.”
Mana-exhausted mages typically lay bedridden for three to seven days, neither eating nor drinking, hovering near death.
An elf would be no different. If I triggered it then, I could boot her out and reclaim my peaceful, comfortable life.
Hope glimmered. I shot the shopkeeper a sly grin.
“I’ll take it. Include the demo in the price—one just like this.”
“Yes, sir. But…… what for? Actual monster hunting?”
“Monster hunting……”
Heh. I chuckled, puffing up proudly.
“Call it demon hunting.”
After buying the “monster-hunting siege weapon” and scoring some jerky as a bonus, I returned to the carriage and settled in.
“Let’s go!”
Thud. The carriage lurched off down the main road at the coachman’s shout.
Gazing at the townsfolk out the window, I heard a yawn right beside me. Bennon had woken, rubbing sleepy eyes at me.
“Hmm…… Still not there? Taking forever.”
Unbelievable.
“I arrived, shopped, and we’re heading back now, Bennon.”
“Huh? What? Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Didn’t seem like I needed your protection for a quick purchase.”
“Sheesh. Since when do assassins pick times and places to hit you, young master?”
“You’re exaggerating. Like assassins are lining up to get me.”
I shot back curtly, but he nodded seriously.
“Fair point. House Deharm’s head isn’t a big enough pawn for political intrigue. Even if it were, no one would touch you easily. You’re like a beehive.”
“A beehive?”
“Yeah. As you know, House Deharm enjoys thick trust. The townsfolk love you, and the count shows firm support. Attacking you means making enemies of all Pelgaroin County.”
In short, poking the beehive for honey would just piss off the bees—totally counterproductive.
Beehive, though? Not sure if I should be flattered.
As I hesitated, Bennon chuckled and leaned back.
“That’s why I love being House Deharm’s retainer knight.”
“The trust?”
“Nah. It’s cushy—no danger, steady pay.”
My fault for asking. I recited ‘patience’ in my head before speaking.
“I hope you realize your salary includes a clothing allowance.”
“Dunno…… Have I ever tarnished the house’s reputation?”
“You say that looking like that? Armor maintenance is knight 101.”
He shook his head leisurely.
“You’ve got it wrong, young master. Fancy noble knights from orders fuss over appearances. Real traditional knights like me wear scratches as medals—proof of battles fought.”
I’d heard it a million times; it was tiresome. No point—he’d refused a new suit before.
I gave up and looked away. He turned toward me.
“By the way, young master. Having any fun with that elf slave?”