To the Holy Kingdom (2)
About a year ago, when I commissioned a sword from the Orange Forge, the dwarf who took the job, Torka, used some of the materials I'd brought for Evan's sword. I was satisfied with the quality, and when he told me he'd used them on Evan's blade, I was ready to let it slide without a second thought.
But the guy brought up trust and offered compensation anyway. Now here I was, heading over to collect it.
I arrived at the Orange Forge. It had been a while, but the place looked just as lively as ever. The clamor from inside suggested they were swamped.
I stepped into the sales area. Dwarves were hustling back and forth, hauling goods.
"Hurry it up, careful now! Scratch anything and you're on chore duty for a month!"
That was Brand, the manager of the Orange Forge, barking orders as he prodded the other smiths. The apprentice dwarves obeyed without complaint, but the master smiths grumbled.
"You carry it yourself, Brand!"
"All he does is talk!"
"Shut it! You think I'm just slacking? I've got paperwork piled to the ceiling!"
The bickering showed no signs of stopping, so I cleared my throat to announce myself.
"Looks like you're busy."
Only then did Brand glance my way.
"Well, well, if it isn't the saint himself. What brings the guy who never shows his face around here?"
He said it with a sarcastic edge, but I knew why. Aside from Monster Season and a few other incidents, I hadn't dropped by the forge much.
"Sorry about that. Things have been hectic."
"Tch, apology accepted. Bound to be busy as a saint."
He let it go without much fuss.
"Anyway, what brings you... Forget that—move the damn cargo, you old fossils!"
A dozen pairs of eyes turned our way. Every dwarf in the place was staring at me. No surprise there. Forging was their lifeblood, but even they couldn't ignore the arrival of a Saint.
"Hey now, you can't just brush off someone as important as Lady Estella."
"We could chat a bit, check out the swords..."
Still, their fascination with Carssa held strong. Classic dwarves. Brand blocked the others from crowding me, at least.
"If you wanna stay outta Justia, keep working! C'mon, follow me."
He grumbled and led the way. Behind us, the masters hauled cargo with sour looks.
"Heading back to the Holy Kingdom?"
"Not me—the other geezers. Every few years, we ship 'em out around Exchange Meeting time. Can't keep 'em in the capital forever. They get rusty if they stay put too long."
Solid reasoning. A change of scenery kept the mind sharp.
"So, what's the visit for? You must be slammed with Exchange prep."
"Came to see Master Torka."
"No need for the fancy titles with that old coot. Just call him Torka."
"I'll think about it."
Anyway, he escorted me since I had business with Torka.
"So, why're you after the old man?"
"To collect on that compensation you mentioned before."
"Right, yeah, you said something like that."
We'd reached the underground forge by then. With all the smiths up top, the furnace heat was milder. One smith remained, though: Torka, one of the first dwarves.
"It's been a while."
"Sorry I haven't visited more often."
"No need."
He shook his head understandingly.
"What brings you here?"
"He said something about compensation for using my materials."
"Hm. Thought you'd forgotten since you never showed. Glad you remembered."
He nodded and turned to me.
"So... what do you want? Weapon or armor? I can forge it. Need rare materials? I'll procure them. Name it."
I answered without hesitation.
"I want to invoke the rights of the first dwarf."
"You mean..."
"I want to borrow Juhwang's power."
The first dwarves—the thirteen, including Torka—who'd earned Juhwang's direct recognition. They enjoyed special privileges other dwarves lacked, like collaborating on a forge project with the god himself.
Brand burst out laughing beside us.
"Ha! This guy's going for the big payout!"
I ignored him and pressed Torka, whose face had twisted slightly.
"Not possible?"
"No, just surprised."
"In that case..."
"Nothing's impossible. I promised compensation within reason."
"Thank you."
I bowed deeply in gratitude. He'd accepted my request.
"We can do the forging anytime while you're in the Holy Kingdom?"
"Yes, just call when you're free—I'll come."
"Got it. I'll let him know."
That wrapped things up. Mission accomplished. On the way out, I had Carssa inspected too, then headed topside.
"I'll be off, then."
"See you in Justia."
"Come around more! Evan's always popping in—how's the saint the lazier one?!"
I left amid the ribbing.
Not everyone could join the Exchange Meeting. Even at Tianis Academy, only top performers went—fifty per department. It might sound few, but it represented the academy officially. With four departments and first- and second-years, that's 400. Including third-years this time made 600. Plenty. And with crowds from other academies, the cap made sense.
Time flew, and by lunchtime the day before departure, the Student Council Hall buzzed with people. Students and professors heading to the Justia Holy Kingdom, plus gawkers. Professors looked serious—it was work. Students? Vacation vibes, faces lit up. Some bags overflowed with stuff.
"Ugh, I'm nervous..."
"Me too, Evan. What about you, Princess?"
"A little tense myself..."
Their voices quivered slightly. Representing Tianis, first trip to Justia—natural jitters.
"Not worried about big bro?"
Veil's voice from beside me. The Exchange Meeting featured all Akacheonma leads, so other mains were here too. Ruina-senpai tagged along as faculty, currently with the profs.
I shrugged nonchalantly.
"What's to worry about?"
"As the saint, no need for you."
"...Not that. It's just another country. Same shit everywhere—people living their lives."
Having seen countless nations and races, life's the same across worlds. Cultural quirks, sure, but no need to freak over new turf.
"Quit stressing before we even go. And stop shaking."
Veil grabbed his hand.
"You're the weird one, bro. This is normal. You've been to the Holy Kingdom before, though."
"What're you on about?"
"Don't remember? You were little—makes sense."
"The hell does th—"
But before I could ask, Cloi's shout cut in from afar, late as ever despite the big day.
"Senpai! I'm here!"
She waved at the others, then bolted to me.
"...Get here earlier next time."
"Girls have a lot to pack~ Hi, Veil."
"Good to see you. Heading out, bro."
Wish he'd stayed. Veil rejoined the group.
"Veil's too nice sometimes."
"...Sigh."
"Why the sigh~?"
"It's nothing..."
Rana was nearby, but damn, I missed her suddenly.
"So why'd you come? Can't you just chill quietly?"
"Does a kouhai need a reason to see senpai? I just showed up."
"......"
Normally, academies hosted at the main site. But after last year, Justia was picking us up. Meant dealing with Cloi till we got there.
"Senpai okay with this?"
"With what?"
She threw up a quick mana barrier to block sound.
"The Holy Kingdom. Full of holy power you hate."
"......"
True, I loathed holy power. Hated it to my guts—gave me hives just sensing it. But sometimes you grit your teeth.
Her red eyes gleamed.
"Or... wanna ditch the Exchange with me? Our skills could sneak off easy... Ow!"
I lightly smacked her head to shut her up.
"Cut the nonsense. And don't whine—barely tapped you."
"Hiiing... Senpai's mean..."
"Then go if you hate it."
"No way!"
She clung harder. I sighed inwardly.
"Kinda bummed, though. Always wanted to play hooky once. They say it's romantic for students~."
"Romantic my ass."
"Only you'd say that, senpai. Everyone dreams of it—Evan even gripes about wanting to skip sometimes."
Mid-chat, a group appeared in the distance: Holy Academy from Justia, here to fetch us.
"Enough talk. Time to go."
"Aww... if they'd come a bit later."
Cloi grumbled, dropping her mana.
I eyed the approaching Holy Academy crew. As expected, Elena led an elf contingent.
Holy Academy revolved around Justia—elves made sense.
They reached us. After Elena greeted the professors, someone burst from the elves.
"Hi, Tianis folks! Us again? Long time no see, Saint!"
Saintess Estella. Beaming, waving cheerily. Elena's face screamed "dragged along by her whimsy." The surprise had everyone gawking—some slack-jawed, staring. Evan eyed Elena over Estella, though.
Cloi's face twisted at Estella's entrance.
"Ah, that bitch again..."
Spitting venom.
...This trip was gonna be a headache.