Chapter 339: Like a Platypus's Claws (3)
Chapter 339: Like a Platypus's Claws (3)
The equipment Fay crafted was well-received by everyone.
The customized performance was impressive, but much of the credit went to her making them similar in form to what they usually used, minimizing the time needed to get used to them.
In Carla’s case, for instance, the staff she’d recently received from the Imperial Family wasn't bad, so Fay only made magic tools in the form of clothing and a hairpin.
For the outfit, she took the design of the riding habit—similar to what adventurers often wear—that I had bought for Carla before, simply adding a few functions to it.
The flower pin was also modeled after the blue flower that serves as the symbol of the Lindelheit family, which Carla usually wore.
Perhaps that was why, despite being brand new, the equipment didn't feel foreign; it felt familiar.
Thanks to the System Correction, I can handle almost any equipment with ease as long as it fits a general framework, but that isn't the case for others.
For the record, Carla’s outfit, like my robe, was focused on defense, but because it covered more surface area, its output was even stronger.
Even though it was designed for constant, passive defense since her reaction speed is lower than mine, it apparently boasted performance comparable to my momentary hardening.
And what about that floral hairpin?
It was a masterpiece focused solely on increasing power and improving mana efficiency, tailored to her orthodox style of calmly preparing a single, massive strike.
They say it’s quite difficult to amplify mana a second time once it’s already been boosted by a staff. It’s not like holding two staves makes you twice as strong.
However, Fay pulled it off. The equipment for the others followed a similar logic.
Effects tailored to individual combat styles, familiar designs, and stellar performance to boot.
While everyone was slightly giddy at the thought of testing the gear in the upcoming operation—
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone tapped on the guest room door. There was only one piece of news expected at this timing.
Eda’s polite voice drifted in from behind the firmly closed door.
“Duke Lindelheit. Chancellor Milone informs us that all preparations are complete.”
“Understood. We’re coming.”
Well then. Shall we go see how much she managed to scrape together?
*
Guided by Eda, we arrived at Milone’s office.
The mountain of paperwork was as high as ever, but unlike before, Milone wasn't alone.
About twenty individuals, every one of them possessing a formidable presence, turned to look our way in unison.
So these are the people Milone gathered.
“Hmm… so that’s him.”
“He looks younger than I expected.”
“He is young, actually.”
“Tsk, tsk. Just how many women is he dragging around with him?”
“The weakest woman in that group could probably hold her own against you, so shut your mouth.”
Whispers rippled through the room. My senses, already sharp, had become even more acute after awakening with the Blessing of the World Tree; I could hear them as clearly as if they were speaking right next to my ear.
Most of it was curiosity, the kind of talk I’d grown used to hearing at the Academy.
I let it slide and calmly scanned the gathered crowd.
Most were Elves, but there were a few other races mixed in, and I recognized quite a few faces.
Of course, it was mostly a case of me knowing them one-sidedly.
Regardless, as I’d felt the moment I stepped into the office, the overall level of the group seemed substantial.
Most were at the level of Intermediate Magicians, but they were quite strong for their rank. There were also two individuals who appeared to be an Aura Expert and a Cardinal-level Priest.
However, there was one problem: the number of people was smaller than I’d expected.
Even considering they were gathered in a hurry, is this it? While not as large as the Levantine Empire, which occupies half the continent, Alfheim—which holds the Great Forest—is by no means a small nation.
Elves might have a low birth rate compared to their sexual appetite, but their lifespans are incredibly long, so it’s not like their population is small.
As I tilted my head in confusion, several Elves furrowed their brows upon seeing Elisha and Iris following behind me.
“Tsk.”
“How shameless.”
Some even went as far as to click their tongues audibly.
They were all Elves, and interestingly, they all looked middle-aged.
By Elven standards, where aging is almost nonexistent, that meant they were quite elderly.
I could guess what was going on.
A High Elf who got caught trying to summon a spirit at the Sylvan Magic Tower—a place built specifically to replace spirits.
And now, she was living as a slave under a man famous for being a lecher? All while retaining her mana core? How?
To them, she must have seemed like a disgrace to her race and her country in every possible way.
Perhaps because of their glares, or perhaps because of the subtle pressure they were emitting, Elisha shrank back slightly.
Carla and Iris immediately stepped forward as if to shield her.
Carla wore her usual beaming smile… but Iris was wide-eyed, seemingly trying to put on a scary face.
…She didn't seem to realize that it only made her look cuter.
Sensing the volatile atmosphere, the others began to look back and forth between us with intrigued expressions.
Milone, sensing trouble, moved to intervene, but—
“Ah, it’s fine.”
“Pardon?”
I stopped her.
“These people are all going to join us in striking the army of the Ugly Prosperity, correct?”
“That is correct, but…”
“Which means, for the duration of this operation, they will be fighting under my command.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Milone realize I intended to handle it myself. She took half a step back and nodded.
“That is right. Since Duke Lindelheit is the one who noticed the Ugly Prosperity’s plan, knows them best, and has the most experience actually fighting the cultists, that is the natural course of action.”
I gave a brief nod of thanks for her supportive statement and then scanned the room.
From left to right. A slow movement, as if to firmly burn the image of everyone present into my mind. However, I pointedly stared longer at the ones who had been emitting that unnecessary pressure.
Of course, none of them were the type to back down from just that. If they were, they wouldn't have sent out that pressure in the first place.
After making eye contact with everyone, I spoke with a bright smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. And thank you for rushing here to fight. My name is Yandel Lindelheit. It seems I will be leading you, if only for this operation, but…”
I trailed off, narrowing my eyes with a smirk.
“If anyone has a problem with that, please speak up now.”
Voom—!
Mana bordering on the level of a High Magician dominated the entire office. A hint of Dragon Fear was added for good measure.
“Urgh.”
“What in the—!”
“I heard he was an Intermediate Magician…”
I wasn't in my Dragonization state, nor was I going all out, but… hadn't I made good use of the Intimidation enchantment on my mask until now?
Recalling that sensation allowed me to emit a bit of Fear even in my normal form.
I looked down coldly at the people who were gasping as if they couldn't breathe. Are they only at the level of Intermediate Magicians?
Well, I suppose. People are often more disappointed when someone they know, or someone who was once above them, falls from grace than they are by a complete stranger.
Actually, I was just acting on impulse; their reaction was natural given they didn't know Elisha had been framed.
As for Iris… well, it was karma, but she was my slave now.
And I couldn't have people messing with her right in front of me, her master.
The ones who had been glaring were now staggering, nearly on the verge of collapse. Deciding that was enough, I withdrew the pressure and let out a long sigh.
“Haa… haa…”
“Ugh… what on earth was that…”
“At such an age, how…!”
The Elves clutched their throats, looking despondent as if the aftereffects were still lingering. Receiving their gazes, I gave them a gentle smile. My motif was Helena.
“I look forward to working with you.”
“……”
“……”
“……”
Naturally, no one answered.
But that silence was the clearest answer of all.
*
“That was impressive. They are all incredibly prideful individuals, so I was worried they would be difficult to handle…”
“Pardon?”
“It was a bit forceful, but to think you would bring them to heel in one go.”
“Excuse me?”
“Mhm, mhm. The more important the task, the more one should focus on ability, but there are always those who don't. Duke Lindelheit. Even if no one else does… I, at least, can understand.”
“Huuuh?”
After sharing brief greetings with the gathered allies and parting ways, I had stayed behind because Milone said a response had arrived regarding the request for support sent to the Levantine Empire…
But Milone kept talking nonsense. Is she misunderstanding something?
Milone, seemingly sensing that our conversation wasn't aligning, asked back with a slightly flustered expression.
“…Did you not do that to establish dominance, fearing those prideful people would act out because you are an outsider and young?”
“No? I just got annoyed because they were pressuring Elisha and Iris, so I acted on impulse.”
“……?”
“……?”
Milone and I tilted our heads at each other for a moment. But eventually, realizing I was being sincere, her expression turned hollow.
“Good heavens. That was really the reason.”
“Well… regardless, isn't it fine as long as the result is good? This should make them a bit more cooperative.”
“I suppose that’s true, but…”
Is this right? Is it really okay to just let this slide?
Milone blinked for a long time with that expression, but she eventually seemed to reach the same conclusion as me and nodded.
“In any case, the result was good, so it’s a good thing.”
“Exactly.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I checked on Elisha.
Far from shrinking back, she was sitting with her shoulders back in her usual straight posture.
When our eyes met, her gaze darted around for a moment before she sent me a grateful smile.
I stared blankly at her for a second before Milone cleared her throat, bringing us back to the main point of why she’d asked us to stay.
“Ahem. Anyway, regarding the request for support the Duke sent last time.”
“Ah, right. That. How did it go?”
“To start with the conclusion…”