Chapter 71
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: The Key
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A 1 increase in physical abilities.
It was a reward I never could have imagined. Since it was the reward for reading the third swordsmanship manual, it meant I would receive additional rewards the more Cabal swordsmanship manuals I obtained.
I should check by reading the Delian Kingdom's swordsmanship manual.
Setting the Iokal Kingdom's swordsmanship manual aside, I opened the Delian Kingdom's basic swordsmanship manual.
The Heavenly Eye, subordinate to the Creator's Eye, imprints Chapter 1 of the Delian Kingdom's Basic Swordsmanship, 'Drawing the Sword'.
Due to the trait Heavenly Martial Body, you can immediately replicate 'Drawing the Sword'.
After reading the first chapter, the imprinting message appeared as expected. This one was genuine, too. I started reading with focused concentration, without hesitation.
You have mastered the Delian Kingdom's Basic Swordsmanship.
The Delian Kingdom's Basic Swordsmanship is now subordinate to the trait 'Sword Seal'.
Sword of the Forgotten Monarch 418
Experience for the trait 'Sword Seal' has increased by 15.
As an effect of gathering 4 basic swordsmanship styles in 'Sword Seal', all physical abilities increase by 1.5.
After I finished reading the Delian Kingdom's basic swordsmanship manual and turned the last page, a cascade of message windows appeared again, one after another.
Wow, is this for real?
Honestly, I didn't notice anything else. My gaze was fixed on the last line: the 1.5 increase in physical abilities.
If the increase went up by 0.5 each time I got a book like this, then by the time I read the last swordsmanship manual, my physical abilities would increase by 5.5 at once.
No, it might even be more than that.
Although obtaining the books wouldn't be easy, having my physical abilities enhanced by a percentage was an unbelievable benefit.
However, I wanted to find out if the increase in physical abilities was applied as simple or compound interest.
Thud.
Looking forward to what was to come, I closed the Delian swordsmanship manual and looked around.
Huraken seemed to be working at his desk, while Arin was looking at another swordsmanship manual.
Irea was pretending to read a book while cautiously glancing at me.
Hmm.
Thinking they would find it strange if I only read the Cabal swordsmanship manuals, I read the 'Essence of Swordsmanship' that Huraken had given me from beginning to end as well.
Experience for the trait 'Sword Seal' has increased by 0.5.
Compared to the other swordsmanship manuals I'd read before, this gave a significant amount of experience.
Have you finished reading?
Yes. All three were excellent swordsmanship manuals.
As I closed the 'Essence of Swordsmanship', Huraken spoke to me.
How did you come to know of the Cabal swordsmanship manuals?
My father once showed them to me, saying I would likely have many dealings with knights and should at least know the basics.
So you read them not to learn swordsmanship, but to understand what it is?
Yes. I never know when I might have to face a knight, so even if I don't learn swordsmanship, I should be familiar with it.
A fine idea. However, just reading books won't be enough. That's when practical experience becomes important. No amount of reading can replace real combat.
I'll keep that in mind.
I couldn't exactly say, I get stronger just by reading books, so saying I was reading them to understand knightly swordsmanship was the best approach.
The Cabal swordsmanship manuals were good, but Your Grace's manual was also very easy to read. Even someone like me, who knows nothing of the sword, could understand it smoothly.
A better basic swordsmanship manual than mine will likely never be written. Hahaha.
Pleased by the compliment, Huraken let out a confident laugh.
Thank you. I enjoyed them.
Not at all. I'm glad they were of help.
I gathered the Cabal swordsmanship manuals and returned them to Huraken. He accepted them with a smile.
We've been delayed longer than expected, so I think we should depart immediately.
Having thoroughly read three books, we were now well past our original departure time.
Hmm.
Ah
Yuren.
Huraken glanced at Irea beside him for a moment before calling my name.
Yes, Your Grace.
As I mentioned before, may I visit your home?
Of course. My entire family holds Your Grace in high esteem. You are welcome anytime.
Haha, now that you put it that way, I must be sure to visit.
Huraken looked at Irea again and nodded.
Lord Yuren.
As I was preparing to leave, Irea, who had been standing there blankly, approached me holding something wrapped in a cloth.
I prepared this in case you get hungry on your way to Mount Pimera.
Is it food?
Yes. I, I made it myself.
Food made by the Saintess herself. I'm truly honored. Thank you.
It-it's not that big a deal. I put some in for Bbaekbbaegi too, so please take good care of him.
Irea gave a refreshing smile as she looked at Bbaekbbaegi, who was rubbing his wings against my shoulder.
I will.
Bbaek.
Bbaekbbaegi flew over to Irea to thank her, acting cute.
And
Irea hesitated, biting her fingernail.
C-can I visit your home with my grandfather, Lord Yuren?
As I told His Grace the Duke, you are welcome anytime.
Thank you.
Irea blushed and scurried over to Huraken.
Well then, we'll be on our way. Thank you for everything.
Of course. I genuinely enjoyed my time with you all.
Please travel safely, you two.
With the Marquis and Irea seeing us off, we left the mansion. They stood at the entrance, unmoving, until we were completely out of sight.
It's a good thing we didn't accept the carriage.
Yes. If you were to ride in that carriage, Grand Prince, something like yesterday might happen again.
Huraken had offered to lend us a carriage, but it was so extravagant that I worried it would cause another commotion, so I said we would just walk.
They were good people, weren't they?
I never expected someone called a Master to be so down-to-earth and approachable. The Saintess was also a truly kind and gentle person.
Indeed. I received a lot from them.
It wasn't long before we arrived at the branch of the Magic Tower. Unexpected things had happened in Iokal, but I was in a good mood, feeling that it had all ended with a rather positive outcome.
Now, after sending Giranox and Arin home, I need to go get it.
As expected, in this world, status and fame are king.
Since it was a warp from another country, it would normally take a considerable amount of time due to identity checks and various inspections.
However, with the permit from Huraken, the seal of the Lox House, and the added value of the name Yuren Lox, we were able to use the warp without a hitch.
This must be why people try so desperately to make a name for themselves.
It didn't even take ten minutes. After moving to Veharn Castle, we headed for Mount Pimera where Giranox was.
Just like before, it took five days to reach the dwarven village, and I could see dwarves repairing the steel gate at the village entrance.
Huh?
Benefactor!
The Benefactor has come!
It seemed nothing major had happened in the meantime; the dwarves' expressions were bright and untroubled.
Giranox! Lord Yuren is here.
Really?
Giranox came running to the entrance. Seeing the soot on his face, it looked like he had been working hard.
Grand Prince!
How have you been?
Looking closely at his face, he seemed quite gaunt.
There were no problems. Are you alright, Grand Prince?
Nothing ever happens to me. But did you not rest after making Guiwangsal? You have dark circles under your eyes.
My master has been teaching me various things. I've been busy keeping up. Thanks to him, I've learned a lot of good things.
Giranox fiddled with the iron tongs in his hand, a thrilled expression on his face.
That's great. Congratulations on being acknowledged.
Ah, no! It's not quite an acknowledgment yet
Seeing that Giranox's skill and mental fortitude had grown, Testein must have passed down his techniques.
Having been acknowledged as a blacksmith by the dwarven chieftain, it wouldn't be long before this kid became the real deal.
Name: Giranox
Traits: Demonic Armament Creation, Flame Affinity lv3, Concentration lv3, Precision lv2, Judgment lv2, Appraisal lv2, Artisan's Soul lv2
Favorability: 77 (Deep Trust)
Giranox's trait levels had risen again since I last saw him. He was the most talented person around me, improving at the fastest rate.
Current Mood: Wants to show off his improved skills.
On top of that, although he was acting modest, Giranox wanted to show off his skills to me. That wasn't a bad thing.
Confidence is essential for a craftsman.
Where's the chieftain?
My master is inside. Shall I call him?
No, I'll go to him.
I'll guide you. The village has changed a lot.
You've already repaired the whole village?
Hehe, it's a dwarven specialty.
The half-destroyed village had been perfectly restored to normal. If not for the steel gate the dwarves were currently fixing, no one would ever guess the village had been attacked recently.
Benefactor!
Chieftain. Has everything been alright?
Fortunately, there have been no incidents.
Has Giranox been behaving diligently?
I don't know how you handled this kid, Benefactor, but he's a world apart from before. Thank you so much for making a man out of him. Hahaha.
Testein let out a hearty, pleased laugh.
It's because you raised him well, Chieftain. What could I have possibly done?
Whenever this kid starts to slack off, I just have to mention you, Benefactor, and he snaps right back into focus.
M-Master!
Testein and I smiled at the embarrassed Giranox.
I made excellent use of the weapons you and Giranox created, Chieftain.
Is that so?
Really?
Testein and Giranox looked at each other and grinned.
With the orb you made, I defeated a Death Knight.
A D-Death Knight!
Whoa!
Is that true?
It is.
Gald, who had come over at some point and was listening to the story, let out a cry of admiration.
And with Guiwangsal, I pierced the heart of the Demonic Tree, the main culprit of the recent demonization, killing it in a single blow. Because I took it down so quickly, there were no casualties in that battle.
Ah!
Hearing that the weapons they made had played such a significant role, Testein wore a smile so satisfied that even I felt proud just looking at him, while Giranox's eyes reddened and welled up with tears.
You used them for a good cause, just as you said you would.
Didn't I promise? That I would use them properly. I will make sure you never regret having made weapons for me.
You boy, you were really born with luck when it comes to people!
Thwack!
Ugh!
Testein slapped Giranox hard on the back.
M-Master.
It's hard to meet someone like him. No, someone like him will never appear in your life again, so serve him well until the end.
O-of course.
Please continue to look after this boy.
Testein bowed his head along with Giranox.
Thank you for making him into a fine blacksmith.
I smiled and bowed my head just as he did.
Giranox, get ready to leave.
Eh? Already?
What do you mean, 'already'?
Without me even having to say it, Testein was already preparing to send Giranox off.
He can stay for a day or so.
Seeing your face, Benefactor, it looks like you have things to do. There's no need to accommodate this kid. He's had more than enough time to loaf around.
What do you mean, loaf around
Thwack!
Ack!
Giranox, who was about to argue, was silenced by Testein's fist.
Shut your mouth and hurry up and get ready. Benefactor, would you please follow me for a moment?
Yes.
I followed Testein to his room.
Please take this.
This is a mana stone.
Testein handed me a volleyball-sized stone that glowed blue.
Yes. It's the highest-grade mana stone I mentioned before.
But why are you giving this to me?
Because if it stays here, creatures like that lava golem might come again.
Then you could just sell it.
I haven't given you anything, Benefactor, so I wanted to at least give you this.
What are you talking about? I feel bad enough that you barely took any payment for the weapons.
Testein had claimed he was happy just to work with good materials and create a fine piece, so he had accepted almost no payment for the production cost.
You saved us and turned my disciple into a proper man. This is a small price to pay.
That's not right. I'll buy this from you.
What?
I poured out gold coins from my magic pouch.
B-Benefactor!
You must need a lot of money for repairs after the attack. Please accept this, at least.
No. We have plenty of money.
Thanks to your weapons, Chieftain, I was able to save many people and received fine rewards from the royal palace. I want to give you at least this much.
Testein and I argued back and forth over the gold coins, eventually agreeing that he would take half. I had anticipated this, which is why I deliberately poured out more gold than necessary.
I felt that giving him this much was a fitting way to repay him for the excellent weapons.
When we finished our conversation and went outside, Giranox had finished his preparations to leave, and all the dwarves in the village had come out to see him off.
Benefactor, travel safely!
Thank you, Benefactor.
Giranox, take good care of the Benefactor!
Aish, Uncle Gald, I'll handle it myself! That old man really sticks his nose into everything!
Hahaha!
Hahaha!
Seeing the affectionate scene between Giranox and the other dwarves, a pleasant smile unknowingly formed on my face.
It's nice being alone, but also lonely.
Bbaek!
Bbaekbbaegi pecked my head once, as if to ask what nonsense I was spouting.
Sorry, I forgot you were here.
After sending Giranox and Arin back to the Lox Marquisate, I had come to a completely different place.
I had considered leaving them at the dwarven village, but I was afraid that would reignite Beil's dying interest, so I had no choice but to send them back to the marquisate.
To think Arin would make a face like that.
Arin had tried to follow me to the very end, but I managed to send her back only after lying about a secret mission from the Marquis. The look on Arin's face, being separated from Bbaekbbaegi for the first time, was quite a sight.
This job is dangerous. I have no choice.
Bbaek.
There would be many dangers this time. Even Arin could be at risk, which is why I had to send her away.
Wow, it's packed in here.
Bbaek?
Not you.
Bbaeeek
I was commenting on how packed the forest was with trees, but Bbaekbbaegi thought I was calling its name and cried out.
Now's the time. I can get it.
The reason I came to the hard-to-even-pronounce Pilose Forest was to obtain an item. Actually, it was less about getting the item itself and more about finding the key to get it.
This forest was teeming with various monsters, so humans rarely ventured here. That actually made it easier for me to move around freely.
Hm?
As I was fighting monsters and finding my way, I saw the corpse of a monster I hadn't killed. When I got closer, I saw it was a hobgoblin whose face had been caved in, helmet and all.
A blunt weapon? A fist?
The hobgoblin had taken a precise blow right to the center of its face.
The work of a human, and a skilled one at that.
Seeing that only a few insects had gathered on the corpse, they couldn't have passed by long ago.
A prior guest in this forest
It seems something interesting is happening here.