Hilda Ironheart
“Take your time. You may go now.”
“Understood. Then, I’ll be leaving.”
Creak—
Thud.
Through the window, warm midday sunlight streamed into the study.
With the soft friction of the hinges, the door closed.
As Vanessa’s footsteps faded into the distance, I quietly stared at the headline of today’s newspaper on the desk in the study.
“2nd Prince’s shocking suicide…”
Looking at the newspaper covered with articles about Albireo’s death, I lifted the corner of my mouth.
In a politically precarious situation, pushed to the brink, the 2nd Prince’s extreme choice.
People would accept the news at face value, but I knew he had been killed.
Because I had instructed Laplace to do so.
With Albireo’s forces shrinking and Gawain, who always stayed by his side, gone, this was the perfect time to eliminate him.
In the end, Laplace successfully breached the strict security of the prison and dealt with Albireo, so a satisfied smile formed on my face.
“Hmm. Let’s see. As for his maternal family, the Lampersen Ducal House, I can leave that to my subordinates… As for Albireo, it seems to be settled.”
One of the main villains from the original story: Albireo Delalucia of Achmenes.
With that, the incidents related to him were roughly concluded.
The next episodes would unfold in the north, but there was still time before things got serious.
Before that, I should stop by the academy to help the protagonist’s group grow, and gradually proceed with establishing the Demon Archduchy.
‘Speaking of which, how are Eustia and Elda doing?’
Suddenly, the heroines who had returned to the academy after the Sword-Magic Festival came to mind.
Since I was planning to visit the academy anyway, I thought I could go with them, but before that, there was something I needed to do in the capital, so I sent them ahead.
It was to obtain a new sword.
Today, I was going to the weapons shop in the commercial district with Lucy.
Knock knock—
“Master, it’s time for you to go out.”
At that moment, Lucy’s voice came from beyond the door.
It seemed the promised time had come.
I got up from my seat, put on a light coat, and headed toward the door.
Creak—
“You’ve been waiting a long time, Lucy. Now, I’m about to leave… What is that outfit?”
“This is what the head maid prepared for me…”
Blushing slightly, Lucy rubbed her smooth thigh.
When I opened the door and faced her, she was wearing a dress that clung tightly to her voluptuous body, clearly displaying her powerful figure.
What they call a misiruk or bodycon dress, I suppose.
The narrow waist and the curves of her hips formed beautiful lines, and the cleavage was appropriately deep, revealing a deep valley as if created by an infant’s milk dispenser.
It was a dress that stimulated a man’s instincts.
I had clearly said I was going to the weapons shop.
Why was she dressed like this out of the blue?
Was it because I hadn’t spent the nights with her for several days after the Sword-Magic Festival, so she was trying to seduce me?
Well, whatever the reason.
I wasn’t a fool who would stand there quietly in such an outfit.
The first thing I had to say was already decided.
“You look pretty. It suits you really well.”
“Ah… Thank you.”
“I’d love for you to wear it occasionally in the future, but only when it’s just you and me at the mansion.”
“Yes… I will remember that.”
Lucy nodded obediently with a flushed face.
Soon after, as I watched her butt as she went to change her clothes, I smacked my lips.
‘Well, tonight I’ll definitely make her pretty.’
Speaking of which, since I was going to the commercial district anyway, I could buy her a gift, and she probably wouldn’t mind.
While thinking that I should also get something for Liliana, I changed out of my clothes and went out with Lucy.
***
Approximately an hour later, in the commercial district of the capital.
After riding a carriage for a while, I walked for a long time until I reached a remote alley. Standing there, I looked at the desolate alley scene and stroked my chin.
“Hmm. This isn’t it…?”
“May I ask what the name of the weapons shop you’re looking for is?”
“It’s the Ironheart Weapons Shop. It should be around here.”
“I’ll look for it too.”
“No, wait. I think I can remember where it is.”
Lucy was scanning the surroundings, but I stopped her.
The place we were heading to was the Ironheart Weapons Shop, the location where Luke obtained the sword in the original story.
It was definitely somewhere around here… but since Luke found it by chance, it wasn’t easy to find.
Still, with my eyes on fire, I was searching diligently, and suddenly I heard a commotion nearby.
“Ah, well. I’ll pay the balance soon.”
“But it’s been a month since you took the weapons from my grandfather.”
“Seriously, how many times do I have to say that if you wait a little longer, I’ll succeed in a big commission and pay you?”
“Ah. Fine, pay me the money right now!”
“What cheeky talk!”
Looking in the direction the voice was coming from, a small red-haired girl who looked like a mercenary was arguing with a man.
From what I overheard, the man had taken weapons on credit and hadn’t paid yet.
But perhaps because his emotions were heightened, the guy swung his hand at the girl.
Whoosh—
‘Oh no.’
The guy who farted is angry.
Actually, it was none of my business, but it felt awkward to just ignore it.
Thinking I should roughly help and ask for directions, I was about to take a step.
Crack.
“Ahh! It hurts! Let go!”
“Kallen, why are you suddenly swinging your hand? Are you crazy?”
“Ah! Swinging my hand! It was just a little joke, Hilda!”
“Is that a joke right now?”
“W-wait, I messed up, let go! My wrist is broken!”
“If you let go, I’ll bring the money today, right?”
“Damn it, I know. I’ll bring it!”
“Hmph. Just don’t bring it. I won’t leave you alone.”
The seemingly delicate girl grabbed the man’s wrist forcefully and quickly resolved the situation.
The man named Kallen, who had been grabbed by the wrist, barely escaped and fled somewhere.
Stunned by the unexpected development, Lucy and I stood there blankly, but the girl, sensing my presence, turned toward us.
“Who are you? You look like a noble from a glance.”
“Hmm…”
“Eh. Wait a minute. Black hair, red eyes, handsome face… Could it be the Grand Duke Behirit who defeated the Magic Tower Master in this year’s Sword-Magic Festival?”
“That’s correct.”
“My, my.”
The girl, who had her hand on her waist and was leaning on one leg, straightened her posture upon hearing Lucy’s answer.
She seemed surprised, but I was even more surprised.
If she was the powerful girl named Hilda, she was the granddaughter of Dunkel Ironheart, the owner of the Ironheart Weapons Shop and the empire’s renowned blacksmith.
It had to be Hilda Ironheart.
I opened my mouth toward Hilda, who was standing awkwardly with her hands clasped in front of her.
“We are looking for the Ironheart Weapons Shop. Do you know where it is?”
“Oh? That’s our grandfather’s weapons shop.”
“Perfect timing. I’d like to buy a sword there. Could you guide me?”
“Um… I can guide you, but are you really going to buy a sword?”
“Of course.”
I answered flatly to Hilda, who had a doubtful expression.
The reason she was saying that was because of Dunkel’s current situation.
Dunkel was a dwarf who had immigrated from Lothorn, the dwarves’ homeland, and had gained fame as a skilled blacksmith in the imperial capital for decades.
However, after some incident several years ago, he had lost his reputation.
The current Ironheart Weapons Shop had long become a place where only mediocre mercenaries came.
From Hilda’s perspective, it was unbelievable that I was looking for the Ironheart Weapons Shop to buy a sword.
But for me, I needed Dunkel’s sword.
More precisely, the cursed sword that had been the mastermind behind pushing him into the abyss.
The Heavenly Demon Sword.
‘Ugh, chills.’
How could the sword’s name be the Heavenly Demon Sword?
Setting aside the vulgarity, just from the name, I could tell it wasn’t a normal sword.
In fact, because of the powerful curse on it, it was a cursed sword that was difficult to destroy or discard.
In the original story, Luke eventually succeeded in destroying it and saved Dunkel.
But I planned to make it mine.
‘Speaking of which, the Heavenly Demon Sword.’
It seemed like it might turn into a real demon or demon king.
While I was lost in thought, Hilda asked a question.
“I understand. Then, I’ll guide you. The inside of the weapons shop might be a bit messy, but is that okay?”
“No problem.”
“Yes. Then, let’s start.”
“Wait, but was that ring made by you?”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
Hilda touched the ring-shaped artifact on her right hand ring finger and answered.
The ring wasn’t adorned with a large gem or fancy decorations; it was just a simple design, yet it was dazzlingly beautiful.
Moreover, it seemed to have the function of storing a considerable amount of mana.
As expected, her dwarven innate craftsmanship hadn’t disappeared, just like her grandfather.
I had confirmed it by recalling the original story, and it seemed to match my memory.
‘Wait a moment.’
Suddenly, I had that thought.
What if I gave her the ring she made as a gift to Lucy and Liliana.
It seemed that in this world, people sometimes wore rings as accessories, like Hilda was doing.
Since it was a good performance artifact, it would be fine as a gift.
Also, for some reason, I thought they would like the ring gift.
I immediately asked Hilda.
“That’s great. I was about to buy some suitable jewelry, so I’ll buy it from you.”
“Eek. I-I just started making things that can be sold now.”
“No problem. I can tell talented people well. I want to buy a few ring artifacts.”
“Huh? How many? Can you tell me the exact number?”
Hilda asked in surprise at my words.
Well, for now, I’ll give it to Lucy and Liliana.
And I should also prepare one for Raphaela and Milinarise?
For Eustia, it’s a bit tricky. Just throw it away. Since I haven’t met Elda for long, I can pass…
“For now, five should be fine.”
“Fi-five?! And f-first…?”
“Yes.”
“Hic…!”
At my words, Hilda’s eyes widened and she trembled.
I couldn’t figure out what kind of reaction this was.
But she was looking back and forth between Lucy and me with shaking eyes.
Then, she covered her small breasts tightly with both arms and muttered softly to herself as if it could be heard.
“I-I’m a pervert…”
“.....”