A Blacksmith's Gift and Lieutenant's Stars
‘Well, not bad at all.’
With a true craftsman pouring his heart into it, the weapon was bound to be exceptional.
“Haha, got it.”
“Remember, don’t go to some sketchy forge.”
“I’ll come straight here.”
Bangkero’s lips curved in satisfaction at my firm promise.
“Thomas, grab the one from locker 21 in the private storage.”
“Yes, sir!”
Thomas dashed off somewhere and returned with a long box.
“Made it about seven years ago in a standard size anyone could use. Perfect for you right now.”
I took the box and opened it. A sword of deep, inky black gleamed inside.
“Oh…!”
I’d have to compare it properly, but it was almost the exact same size as my old one.
‘Easy to adapt to, clean design that looks premium too. Nice.’
The wavy patterns etched into the blade were strikingly artistic.
“How much for this?”
“I owe the Oclo family one. Just take it.”
“Thank you so much.”
A dwarf-forged weapon, no less.
Not custom-made, which was a shame, but more than satisfying.
“Any special care tips for maintenance?”
“Made with easy-to-maintain materials. Just sharpen the edge regularly.”
“I’ll treat it like my clone.”
“Mm, good. Your stance is solid—not like most Oclo brats. Come every half-year; I’ll sharpen it for you.”
He seemed to like the “clone” bit.
His gaze toward me warmed.
“I’ll be here every quarter.”
“Stubborn like the rest of ‘em. Business done? Get going. The princess is giving me a headache.”
“See you next time! Stay healthy!”
Clutching the box with my new sword—now my prized possession—I left the forge.
“Now I’ve got a real weapon.”
Time to ditch the training camp-issue blade.
“Young master, all done?”
The coachman waiting outside approached.
“For now.”
“Back to the estate? Or somewhere else?”
“Estate.”
“Yes, sir.”
Creak!
The carriage rolled off, the scenery blurring by.
“Meeting the princess must’ve drained me. So tired.”
Not physical exhaustion—just a bit of my energy sapped.
‘Mm, she was pretty, though.’
The empire’s flower earned her title.
Didn’t mean I was smitten, of course.
‘I straight-up told her I’m suffering on the front lines, and she still wouldn’t budge?’
I needed a weapon to survive. She was just there to impress a guy with a gift.
My guess, but dead on.
“Can’t forgive that. What’s the emperor doing, not raising his kid right?”
Treasonous talk that’d get my head chopped off if overheard—but the soundproof magic tool enveloped the carriage, so no worries.
Tap tap.
As I fiddled with my new treasure number one, the small window to the driver’s seat slid open.
“There’s a tail. Might take longer to arrive.”
“No problem. Just get us there safe.”
“Understood.”
As the coachman nodded and moved to close it, I grabbed it—sudden curiosity striking.
“One question.”
“Ask away.”
“What’s the word on the princess? Be honest.”
“Her Highness?”
He looked flustered, caught off guard.
“Speak freely.”
“She’s remarkable, isn’t she? Steadfastly serving the slums everyone avoids, a genius the Finance Minister himself—the empire’s brain—praises endlessly…”
Praise poured out like a machine.
The more I heard, the worse I felt for some reason.
“Anna.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Back at the palace, Renee summoned her lady-in-waiting Anna.
“Find out where a Palan Oclo is stationed and a brief on him. He’s military now, so it shouldn’t be hard.”
“Right away. I’ll report as soon as I have it.”
As Renee said, an easy request—Anna left promptly.
“Haa, why do I even care?”
Her mind had been uneasy since the carriage ride back.
If he truly served on the front lines and died for lack of a decent weapon…
The guilt would be unbearable.
‘I should’ve acted first.’
A gift for a real frontline soldier—not some ornament.
No reason for a guilty conscience.
“Ugh.”
Frustration mixed with vague dread left her fidgeting.
“Maybe get him a decent sword? But the Oclo family could get him whatever he wants.”
No good solution coming to mind, Renee flopped onto her bed.
That afternoon, Anna returned swiftly with a paper—though it only listed name and rank.
“That’s it?”
“Apologies, but access was denied.”
If even Anna was denied, so was Renee as princess.
That alone spoke volumes.
‘Intelligence Agency, Assassination Unit, Special Forces… Frontline elite.’
She’d figured just another western officer.
Her head spun.
“One thing: he’s the fastest from his class to special promote to lieutenant.”
“Merits, then?”
“Definitely.”
Palan’s words echoed in her mind.
‘Barely survived a near-death scrape. And I blocked him getting a weapon…?’
Guilt alien to royalty surged.
Unable to sit still, Renee stood.
“Send to Bangkero’s forge… Tell them to prioritize Palan Oclo’s weapon.”
“Yes. But weren’t you preparing a gift?”
“Have to take it slow. Uncle has plenty of good weapons anyway.”
“Such a kind heart. That young Palan Oclo will surely be overwhelmed by Your Highness’s grace.”
Anna praised her as if she were Palan himself.
“He will, right?”
“Of course. Any man would fall for Your Highness.”
“N-no need for that much.”
Anna smiled warmly at the blushing princess.
Vacation’s a mirage.
Feels real until you look closer—gone.
‘At least I rested properly this time. Satisfied.’
Returning sucked, but what could I do?
Damn war wasn’t over.
“Son, safe travels back.”
“Stay healthy. Life first.”
Father and mother saw me off again.
Family bonds felt tighter since enlisting.
‘Even greenlit the rare warehouse materials without batting an eye.’
Rumor had it Father was in the emperor’s favor lately.
‘Probably credits me for it.’
High chance it was true.
“I’ll do my best. See you next leave.”
After goodbyes, I headed to Arvion Tavern—like my western departure.
“To safe merchant travels!”
“To safe travels!!!”
Half the tables were company dinners.
“Heard you’re off to the west tomorrow.”
As I watched their cheers, Captain Eden’s voice came from behind.
“A little warning next time. Nearly reacted like you were the enemy.”
“Gotta watch that. Sounds scary.”
His cute tone grated.
“I’m not the trainee you first met.”
“I know. I assigned Alpen myself—think I wouldn’t?”
“You get reports on me?”
“Obviously.”
A chill ran down my spine at his words.
‘Why so interested in me?’
Never stand out.
“More talent than expected. Actions scream average Joe.”
“Hurts to hear.”
“Praise. You exceeded expectations.”
Praise? Didn’t sound like it.
“Your idea to Alpen wasn’t bad either. Saw better, so didn’t use it.”
“My suggestion?”
No clue what he meant.
“You suggested it, then forget? Told Alpen to treat you like the enemy to the end.”
“Oh, that.”
Honestly forgotten.
“Keep pitching ideas like that.”
“Not the brains type, but I’ll try.”
“Shame.”
Just humble talk, but he pitied me for real.
“Anyway. Next assignment?”
“First, a gift.”
Eden pulled a small box from his pocket.
“What’s this?”
“Curious? Open it.”
“Won’t hold back, then.”
Opened it on the spot—surprise inside.
“Lieutenant insignia…? Already promoted?”
Expected fast track with merits, but thought it’d take longer.
“Things fell into place. Caught me off guard too.”
Figured military ranks meant nothing, but it felt good.
And Captain Eden wasn’t the only one celebrating.
Merits acknowledged beyond promotion—massive points influx.
My lips stretched ear to ear involuntarily.
“That happy about lieutenant? Surprising.”
“No reason not to be.”
“Fair enough.”
“Now really—where to?”
Joy time over; face reality.
‘Stalling means frontline again. Damn it.’
Obvious.
“Ah, complication. Bottom line: west.”
“Wasn’t it always?”
“Hard to believe, but I planned east coast guard as you wanted. With a cover story.”
“Appreciate the thought.”
Didn’t buy it, but play along.
“It’s true—feels unfair.”
“I believe you. West where? Not Rimir Castle, I hope.”
“Not there, sadly.”
Why “sadly”?
His thinking baffled me.
“Then.”
“One step back from Rimir: 1st Division. Take supply company commander.”
“Pardon…?”