Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Mana Affinity Rejects
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“What do you mean by that?”
In response to Arthur’s question, Millerph began to speak of the Magic Tower’s hidden shame, unknown to the world.
“There are people born with an affinity for mana. Most of them end up walking the path of a mage.”
“That figures.”
“The ways to become a mage are either to become an apprentice to someone like me and learn magic, or to enter the Magic Tower and become an official trainee.”
“There must be certain requirements to enter the Magic Tower.”
Millerph nodded.
“That’s right. They check for mana aptitude and test the degree of affinity. But among a hundred people, one or two suffer side effects.”
“……?”
“During the affinity test, the examiner infuses a tiny amount of mana into the subject to observe the reaction. That’s when the side effects appear in some. In severe cases, they die on the spot or become vegetables. But usually, it stops at physical changes—changes drastic enough to upend their entire lives.”
“So their appearance becomes hideous.”
Millerph nodded silently.
Arthur fell into thought for a moment.
Accepting them would boost his forces, but could they mingle with people?
He hadn’t seen them himself, but if Millerph was asking if he could embrace them, the changes weren’t minor.
Still, he didn’t judge people by looks alone.
“No other issues?”
“They’re divided into those who overcame themselves and those who didn’t. The ones I want to bring in are those who overcame it.”
“Hm.”
He had a rough idea.
Some would accept their lot and live righteously, while others would curse the gods and resent the world.
They might have become monsters who weren’t quite monsters.
The place Millerph wanted to visit didn’t sound safe.
“Where is it?”
“A small island at the southern tip. The locals call it ‘Selrom.’”
Arthur nodded.
“I’ll leave the judgment of them to you.”
“You mean I can bring them if I decide to join them?”
“I trust your judgment. And take the Devil Squad with you.”
“The Devil Squad?”
Millerph looked slightly puzzled.
“Guys who rely only on their own strength and run wild all die young.”
Arthur turned his head toward the territory.
From the fact that he was assigning his personal guard, the Devil Squad, Millerph could feel how much Arthur thought of him.
Watching how he spoke and acted with his subordinates made him smile involuntarily.
Every time he saw Arthur treat his inferiors with sincerity, he felt respect and saw him as a true leader.
On the battlefield, his bravery ignited the allies’ morale and became a reliable pillar of strength.
Following such a man was the greatest honor.
He was certain.
The Julius Kingdom would conquer the Oscar Empire!
The five continents would bow to Arthur Julius next.
The Demon King would perish by his hand.
And the Julius Kingdom would become an empire, standing tall over the five continents.
Thus, golden glory would shine brilliantly across them.
Millerph bowed politely to Arthur and spoke in a reverent voice.
“May the World Tree’s blessings be upon Your Majesty.”
***
“It’s finally looking decent.”
Ban gazed proudly at what he’d produced without sleep for days.
It was a shield made by melting gold.
Surrounded by a golden glow, it shone majestically, and at its center was engraved the steel emblem of the Daemor Count family.
It exuded the craftsman’s touch unique to dwarven work, along with a noble aura.
“This should shake him. Anyone holed up in a forge would have to be moved.”
Ban smirked in satisfaction.
“Ban, you still working?”
Rasety entered the smithy.
He pointed at the shield with his finger right away.
“Old lady, what do you think?”
“You damn geezer, what the hell!”
“Again with that? Have you seen a more spry old man? And don’t call an old lady an old lady—call me miss!”
“Tsk tsk, you miserable geezer. That’s why you’ve lived alone your whole life.”
“What’d you say! This old lady’s been drinking since morning?”
The two had met often while preparing the delegation and, upon realizing they were the same age, decided to drop formalities.
In just a few days, they’d become as close as lifelong friends, bantering freely.
“Anyway! You know we’re leaving today?”
“Of course. That’s why I finished it right on time.”
Ban gestured for her to come closer and take a look.
Rasety shook her head pityingly but glanced where he pointed.
“……!”
The moment she saw the shield, her eyes widened.
Surrounded by golden light, it radiated immense nobility.
And she could feel the craftsman’s touch only a dwarf could produce.
“You really made this?”
“What? This hag really…….”
As Ban’s face twisted, Rasety smiled with her eyes.
“Can’t take a joke?”
“Ugh, don’t smile like that—it makes your wrinkles pop out, creepy.”
“Must’ve been hard work.”
Rasety approached Ban and patted his shoulder.
Ban, who’d been huffing, soon curled his lips upward and burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahaha! Now you get it—I’m one hell of a guy.”
‘Geezers are so simple.’
As Rasety shook her head,
“Looks like good news.”
Arthur entered the smithy with a faint smile.
Ban and Rasety bowed deeply at the sight of him.
“We greet Your Majesty.”
Arthur spotted the shield Ban had made as soon as he stepped inside.
“A gift for the Daemor Count?”
“Yes.”
Arthur approached and examined the shield from all angles.
“You made it temptingly well.”
“It’s for display on the wall. I’ll make a proper battle-ready one magnificently when I return.”
“That’d be great for me.”
Arthur continued with a smile on his lips.
“You’re leaving today?”
“With the gift ready, how about departing in an hour? What about you?”
When Rasety looked at Ban, he nodded.
“That’s plenty of time.”
Arthur asked Ban,
“Have you thought about how to persuade the Daemor Count?”
“I’ll clash with him head-on. Folks like us don’t like planning ahead and sticking to it. A few hammer strikes on-site will tell me what kind of man he is, and I’ll adjust accordingly.”
“You’re the delegation’s representative anyway, so do well.”
“I’ll bring back good news for sure.”
Ban brimmed with confidence.
Arthur gave Rasety a meaningful smile and a word.
“Good thing you’re not alone.”
One hour later.
Ban and Rasety’s delegation departed for the Balkan territory, escorted by Jonathan’s Assault Squad.
With all the envoys from subjugated territories having visited the kingdom, Arthur decided to tour outside the castle for once.
He planned to inspect the ongoing border defense construction and head to the western mountains for reconnaissance.
Before leaving, he visited the training grounds.
There, Helm and Skevin were locked in a one-on-one duel using only daggers.
As a Sword Master whose main weapon was the sword, Skevin handled daggers proficiently, and while Helm’s primary was the bow, it was clear his dagger skills had reached a considerable level.
“Ah…….”
The knights gasped in repeated surprise and shock each time the two moved or clashed.
They were so engrossed they didn’t notice Arthur approaching.
Arthur watched the duel alongside them.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew each time their daggers met.
The techniques weren’t flashy, but every thrust and swing carried heavy weight.
After over ten minutes of intense stalemate, they exchanged glances and stepped back.
Helm lowered his dagger and said,
“Let’s call it here for today.”
“Sure.”
As Skevin relaxed his stance and went to sheathe his dagger,
Clap clap clap!
“……!”
Both turned toward the sound of applause.
Arthur stood among the knights.
Seeing him there, they panicked and fell back flustered.
Skevin quickly represented them, fist to chest, bowing his head.
Arthur approached the two.
“Your dagger skills have improved a lot since before.”
“Did it look that way?”
Faint smiles touched their lips.
Regardless of anything else, Arthur’s boxing and dagger techniques were at an unmatched level.
Praise from him was naturally pleasing.
“If you don’t mind, how about I offer some advice?”
“It would be an honor.”
Helm bowed deeply.
Desperate to grow stronger, he’d accept advice from anyone.
Especially from Arthur, who’d reached the pinnacle of dagger arts—there was no reason to refuse.
Skevin felt the same.
“If you’ve spotted any flaws, please point them out boldly.”
“One moment.”
Arthur went to the weapon rack, picked up a dagger, and returned.
“You probably know this, but I’ll explain simply first. What we generally call a dagger or dirk is around 30cm long, weighing about 300g…….”
As his explanation began, the surrounding knights gathered close.
They listened intently, not missing a word.
He explained how the suitable dagger depended on its use, and thus the grip changed.
Skevin and Helm already knew, but some knights were learning it for the first time.
“So that’s how it is?”
“Ah, I’ve been swinging a thrusting dagger like crazy without knowing.”
“No, how didn’t you know that?”
Some looked baffled, others nodded in understanding.
“On the battlefield, we only face enemies with our main weapons. Honestly, we barely use daggers except in the worst situations.”
“Ah…….”
They all nodded in agreement.
As the knights quieted, Arthur continued.
“There’s one big misconception when using daggers.”
He thrust the dagger at Skevin’s chest.
Thud-.
“……!”
Skevin’s eyes widened instantly.
The knights startled at the sudden move, staring at Arthur.
“That was a normal thrust. See how the breastplate’s fine?”
“Ah, yes…….”
Skevin answered dazedly, and the knights nodded unconsciously.
“Now I’ll thrust harder—watch closely.”
Arthur glanced at Skevin, then struck the same spot again.
Whoosh-.
With the sound of cutting air, it hit the breastplate.
Thud-.
The dagger embedded in the breastplate.
But only the tip penetrated—not deep, no threat to life.
It looked menacing but dealt no real damage.
Most watching trembled with realization in their eyes.
Skevin and Helm grasped what Arthur meant.
Helm asked cautiously,
“You mean don’t use a dagger like a sword?”
“Right. When you have to use a dagger, it’s probably not a good situation. The longer it drags, the worse it gets—so subdue and kill in one go, or flee.”
“Could Your Majesty teach us the dagger techniques you use? I’d love to learn them this time.”
Skevin had long wanted to learn Arthur’s dagger arts.
But relentless crises had left no time.
Arthur had planned to pass on a few techniques during this lull.
“You two master them first, then teach the knights.”
“Thank you.”
Skevin beamed.
Helm, having seen Arthur use a dirk before, was thrilled.
A Bow Master focused on ranged attacks, but when not, daggers were essential.
A sword was fine, but with the massive Death Bow, adding one hampered mobility.
Improving his dagger skills now would expand his range greatly.
His heart raced with anticipation.
Seeing their eager faces, Arthur grinned.
“Watch my movements closely from now.”
He demonstrated techniques he’d learned that best suited them.
The fluid, lethally efficient motions of CQB maximized killing power.
“Ah…….”
The knights on the training grounds gaped at the dagger arts of supreme efficiency, palpable even to the eye.