Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Leveraging Connections
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70
4
There are many ways to solve a problem, but they can be broadly categorized into two.
Either I solve it myself, or someone else does.
In other words, if I don't want to handle it personally, I just need to set the stage for someone else to take care of it.
It might seem like passing the buck, but even that's not entirely accurate.
After all, the protagonist of this Broken World isn't me—it's Leon Hilfenberg.
Therefore, all events revolve around Leon.
Naturally, specific NPCs who join as companions will end up with him in the future.
Memphis met me first, but after encountering Leon, he'll essentially become his exclusive blacksmith, so whether he's with me now or at the Starrap, it doesn't make much difference.
There are some divergences from the main story now, but the big picture remains the same.
In the end, Leon and those around him will follow the Broken World's flow to a certain extent.
However, not every NPC in this world follows Leon.
Even among the skilled and powerful, there are plenty who don't appear directly or intervene in the main story.
For example, someone like Paiyen Flora, who only gets mentioned through Ethan in the main game.
If I gather those kinds of NPCs... maybe I won't have to fight at all?
It's more of a hopeful wish, but the possibility is there.
Ultimately, it all comes down to connections.
Yeah, connections.
In this world, most problems can be solved with money, power, and connections.
That's why I'm now standing in front of Lucius Hilfenberg's office to manage my connections.
The butler who escorted me here politely knocked on the door.
With a casual permission to enter, the office door opened.
"Y-Yeah, you're here?"
Lucius Hilfenberg was... lying sideways on the sofa, flipping through a magazine.
He was dressed in fine attire, but there was no trace of dignity to be found.
"Yes, you summoned me, Duke Hilfenberg."
"No need for formalities when it's just us. I called you, so relax. Oh, want to read this too?"
Lucius shook the magazine.
I shook my head, and he chuckled lightly as he sat up.
"Anyway, down to business. I heard you stepped up and solved a problem in our territory first. Man, I can't thank you enough no matter how much I say it—words alone feel insufficient. So, I figured I should give you some kind of reward."
"I was just doing what needed to be done."
"Oh, noblesse oblige? Then no reward needed, huh."
"But if you're offering, I'll gladly accept."
I smiled brightly.
If they're giving, don't refuse.
That's my motto.
"Haha, you're a fun guy."
Lucius laughed heartily.
His red hair draped casually over his shoulder, and even as he laughed uproariously, not a single wrinkle appeared on his face—he looked exactly my age, no matter how I saw it.
"Anyway, the reward is modest. You can take one item of your choice from our family vault. Oh, but no titles or land deeds."
Tch, no land deeds, huh.
Still, getting access to the Hilfenberg family vault is more than enough—overly generous, even.
It's packed with rare items from private auctions inaccessible to just anyone or brutal battles.
I've only been in there a few times myself in the Broken World.
Even Leon, the adopted son, and Kuhn, the biological one, can't enter freely.
The security is so tight it rivals the forbidden library.
"As an outsider, you can only go to the first basement level, but there are plenty of useful items there, so look carefully."
"Thank you, Duke."
I bowed my head toward Lucius.
He was already lounging diagonally on the sofa again, magazine in hand.
"You can go now. You must be dying to check out that famous vault ASAP, right?"
"Then I'll be off."
I bowed once more and reached for the doorknob.
As I was about to leave, Lucius muttered offhandedly.
"You won't need a sword."
"Pardon?"
I turned back, but no answer came.
With his eyes fixed on the magazine, he just waved me off.
I had no choice but to leave the office...
Did he somehow figure out Deathwise is a magic sword?
"Nah, no way."
Impossible.
Enough useless thoughts—time to head to the vault ASAP.
5
"The Duke has ordered it. You may take only one item. Attempting to take more or using illicit means will result in immediate execution."
The heavily armored knight explained as he unlocked the massive vault door.
A grim warning, but... I have no intention of taking extras by force.
That would ruin my hard-earned connection.
Click. As the key turned, a series of locking mechanisms disengaged one after another.
The barrier over the door lifted, followed by its supporting barriers deactivating one by one.
-The key is an illusion.
Right you are, magic sword.
That key is just a half-baked trick.
In reality, you have to inject mana at the precise timing of the key turn and circulate it correctly.
Turn the key alone, and the alarm goes off.
-Quite thorough for mere a vault.
Because it holds so many valuables.
More importantly, you have no eyes, yet your eyesight is sharp.
Well, being kin to that holy sword, it's to be expected...
-Hah! Nonsense! I am far nobler and of higher rank than some Xwise!
Sure, sure.
Just then, the vault door swung open.
As I stepped inside, a complex array of scents hit me first.
Straight ahead, swords and shields stood neatly arrayed.
To the right, grimoires sealed tightly were lined up for easy viewing.
To the left, dozens of bottles containing liquids of various glowing colors were stored in display cases.
Armor and accessories donned on mannequins were there too.
-It's surprisingly small. About the size of that classroom you frequent.
Of course—this is just basement level 1.
It's where the Hilfenberg Duchy stores their least valuable items by their judgment.
Basements 2 and 3 hold gear on an entirely different level.
Those levels are so elite they're almost empty, while level 1 feels cluttered with lower-tier stuff.
-Can't go lower?
I only have permission for level 1.
Sneaking down would mean... not execution, but nothing good.
Besides, the so-called levels 1, 2, 3 have completely separate entrances, so give it up.
Anyway... who would've thought I'd get vault access as an outsider.
I scanned the area, jogging my memory.
Weapons are covered by the magic sword anyway.
What I need are accessories or armor with skills.
Let's see, what usable gear is on level 1?
"Oh, there it is."
Rolling my eyes around, I spotted the red armor.
The Passionate Executioner's Breastplate, which buffs you when you render enemies combat-ineffective.
Next to it, the Mischievous Sage's Gauntlets—probabilistic strong buffs on attacks, but occasional low-chance debuffs.
Kansas's helmet isn't bad either.
No defense, but stabilizes mind and body, blocks noise.
Wear it, and you can sleep soundly anywhere.
"About this much, huh?"
That's the usable stuff on level 1.
Buffs or sound sleep—which to choose?
As I racked my brain, Deathwise suddenly yelled.
-Fool! Take that ring!
"A ring...? This one?"
-The one next to it!
After some trial and error, I found the ring Deathwise meant.
A plain ring, no fancy decorations or gems—not even gold.
Rusted over, looking like it could give you tetanus if mishandled.
A ring I've never seen...
How did such a rusty thing end up in the Hilfenberg vault?
Looking closely, something was inscribed inside, but rust obscured it.
"Why this one?"
-Take it. It's worth more than all the treasures here... no, even levels 2 and 3 combined! Trust me!
This rusty ring is some huge treasure?
Hard to believe.
"Hmm... well, you've never lied to me before."
The other gear is nice-to-have, not must-have.
I've got Memphis anyway—if needed, I can just gather materials and have him make something similar.
So, figuring I'd take the loss, I pocketed the rusty ring and left the vault.
6
"I shall protect the ring's master... A fairly high-tier protection rune among them."
Under the central clock tower in Riverflow, in the warm sunlight, I deciphered the inscription inside the ring.
Memphis, holed up in his room, had cleaned off the rust.
Apparently, the ring itself is made of some unusual mineral, though he didn't know what.
"Why was something like this on basement level 1?"
A constantly active high-tier protection rune.
Gear like this shouldn't appear until mid-game at earliest.
It could've easily been on level 3.
-No matter the reason, it's a gain, right? More importantly, do you recognize my great discernment?
Yeah, I have to admit it.
How did you spot it?
-I've seen it before. Not recognizing it would be the odd thing. That ring belonged to the first king of the Tekat Kingdom.
Oh ho, then not knowing it would be weirder.
Probably the rust hid it...
Wait, hold on.
The first king's ring?
What does that mean? And how do you know that?
-I told you, I know things. No different from your weird knowledge. But now you get it? How amazing I am!
No, no...
Honestly, I have to concede this time.
To think he knows Esterro von Tekat, the first king of Tekat Kingdom.
Makes me wonder just how ancient this guy is.
-Umm, good. Admire me more! Be more curious! I won't tell you, though!
...What an annoying guy.
"You're out early."
I looked up at Leon's voice.
He stood before me, still in uniform rather than school clothes.
"Just got here."
"...Next time, come out even earlier."
"It's already 30 minutes before the promised time? Stop coming so early."
At this rate, he'll show up an hour early for sure.
I grumbled, and Leon nodded obediently.
"New ring, huh."
"Ah, sharp eyes. Got it as a reward this time."
"If you chose it, it must have some effect."
True, but... aren't you trusting me a bit too blindly?
Should I be flattered or worried...
-I detect a familiar wavelength. Looks like you've acquired the Ring of the Absolute.
A dignified baritone—Xwise's voice.
More than that, Ring of the Absolute?
-That's its name. Fitting for the first king's ring.
-An arrogant name. Daring to claim 'Absolute' while ignoring me.
-Deathwise's opinion can be safely ignored. The key point is that no ordinary foe can touch you now, magic sword wielder.
Not just the name, but the holy sword vouches for its power too.
Must be one hell of a ring.
"What are you thinking?"
"...Nothing. Anyway, lead the way."
Leon nodded and took the lead.
He suddenly offered to show me around Riverflow, so here I was.
I've long since memorized every street with my eyes closed, but refusing felt awkward, so I tagged along.
Since I ended up with a free day, might as well relax.
Thinking of lounging all day, Leon looked up at the clock.
"Food first."
"Sure, got any recommended spots?"
"There's a place I go to often. Marvel plums are in season now, so they'll have good dishes."
I know Leon's go-to spot well.
Hawk's diner, where he did all those grindy... er, gathering quests.
No menu, but they make whatever you order.
That's why Leon's a regular.
His birth mother made plum dishes every summer.
But in Riverflow, plums are just dessert ingredients—no similar dishes around.
He could ask the estate chefs, sure.
But knowing Leon, he probably doesn't want to owe the Hilfenbergs any psychological debt.
Too damn noble for his own good, twisted in his own way.
"Then let's go there. About time for seasonal fruits—looking forward to it."
It's not just seasonal fruits.
The weather's heating up—hard to get by without short sleeves soon.
Days are longer, evenings still bright.
Full-blown summer.
And summer means one unmissable event.
The festival at summer's peak is coming soon.
I looked up at the sun high in the sky.
It was summer.