Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Arrowhead
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Arrowhead.
It was a word meaning arrowhead, but above all, it could also be used to signify the vanguard that pierced through the enemy lines first.
At Raymond's words, Lian's expression brightened.
"Arrowhead... I like it."
"I'm glad it suits you!"
Raymond also wore a satisfied look.
Afterward, Raymond and Lian chatted about this and that.
"By the way, where are you planning to go on leave? You can take a full fortnight again this time."
"I'm heading to Velotra."
"Velotra? You mean the place with the Halotian Temple?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, I've been there a few times. It's a fine city."
"And you, Company Commander? Staying with the unit?"
"I've got a mountain of work. You'll experience it soon enough yourself, heh heh."
They had grown close enough to exchange light jokes.
As the conversation wound down, Lian stood from his seat.
"I'll make good use of the name you've given us. Thank you."
"I'm the one who's grateful to name a unit that's bound to rise to greatness. I look forward to your future exploits."
"Yes, sir!"
With that, Lian returned to the barracks. As soon as he entered,
"Uwaaah! It's the Lieutenant!"
"Isn't that the 100-Man Commander, sir? Where on earth have you been?"
"Lieutenant Lian, congratulations!"
It was absolute pandemonium.
Amid his squadmates' celebrations, Lian smirked and drove his fist into Kyle's gut, who was standing right in front.
"Hey, make some room!"
Thwack!
"Guh!"
Kyle's body folded in a V-shape from Lian's punch.
Why did a commander half his size pack such a wallop?
Kyle had no idea.
It was because Lian's body was growing tougher and stronger by the day, thanks to his steady training in the Child Mana Technique.
"Everyone, line up."
At that moment, Lian addressed his squadmates with a somewhat serious expression.
The sudden shift in atmosphere left them a bit flustered. Then Isaac was the first to step to the left side and call out.
"Line up!"
With his shout, the squadmates fell into position one by one to his right.
Lian let out a chuckle at the sight, then addressed them.
"From now on, our unit will bear the name Arrowhead Unit and operate as an independent unit under Eagle Company, with the authority to decide our own operations and actions."
He turned to Isaac.
"Isaac, as of this moment, I appoint you as the deputy commander of Arrowhead Unit."
The squadmates flinched for a second.
They might have usually made a huge fuss, but Lian's intensely serious demeanor had overwhelmed them.
Lian extended his hand to Isaac.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Yes, sir! The honor is mine!"
"And next, Brandt!"
"Yes, sir!"
Brandt, the nimblest and quickest to judge situations.
Standing right beside Isaac, Brandt responded loudly.
Lian looked at him.
"As of now, you are Squad Leader 1 of Arrowhead Unit, in command of ten comrades."
He was officially becoming a 10-Man Commander within Arrowhead Unit.
Lian's appointments continued.
"Kyle!"
"Yes, sir!"
Kyle, the iron shield of the unit.
"Floran!"
"Yes, sir!"
Floran, with his strikingly attractive blond hair and unique spear technique.
"Arthur!"
"Yeah!"
Arthur, who could charge straight ahead alongside Kyle.
"Hendrick!"
"Yes, sir!"
Hendrick, whose abilities hadn't yet specialized but were evenly balanced at a solid mid-level.
"Aeron!"
"Yes, sir!"
Aeron, swift on his feet and perfect at carrying out orders.
"Folk!"
"Yes."
Folk, who quietly filled in his comrades' shortcomings without fanfare.
"Jedron!"
"Yes, Commander."
"Semut!"
"Yes, sir!"
If anyone in the squad could fight Isaac, it would be when Jedron and Semut teamed up.
Jedron and Semut, whose teamwork was flawless.
Lian called out all their names, selecting the 10-Man Commanders for Arrowhead Unit.
"Looking forward to working with you all."
""The honor is ours!""
With a resounding shout echoing through the barracks, Arrowhead Unit was officially formed.
* * *
Clang-! Clang-! Clang-!
Unlike the old dead atmosphere, the forge was now alive with the heat from the furnace and hammering.
His thin upper garment was soaked with sweat, but Walter was loving every minute of it.
"Anyone here?"
"Welcome. Looking for something in particular?"
A woman asked kindly, spotting the man who entered the forge.
It was Claire, helping Walter with the forge work.
At her question, the man glanced at the long swords hanging on the wall.
"I'm an adventurer, need a decent sword. Got anything good?"
"Oh, for adventurers, check over here. They usually prefer blades that are sturdy yet lightweight."
"Hmm... All look solid."
The man had been adventuring for years now, so he had a trained eye for swords.
As he examined the ones Claire pointed out, his gaze fell on a cloth-covered rack in the corner.
"What about these?"
"Ah, those aren't for sale. They're special orders."
"Special orders?"
The man casually lifted the cloth.
His eyes went wide at what lay beneath.
"Whoa... These are on a whole other level."
"Yes, they're made with special metals."
"I can't buy these? Wait, special order, right? If I place one, can I get weapons like this?"
"Yes, that's possible. But you'd have to wait a while..."
"How long?"
"Hmm..."
Claire seemed to ponder for a moment, then glanced at Walter working stoically with his back turned.
She smirked at his gruff demeanor.
"About ten years?"
"Pardon?"
The man looked stunned, and Claire could only offer an awkward smile.
After the man left, not long passed before Walter emerged from the workshop, drenched in sweat.
The cool breeze outside felt refreshing against the sweltering heat of the workshop—like he could breathe again.
"Uncle, you done?"
"Hmm, more or less."
"Good work. Someone was asking about those again."
"Heh heh, sharp-eyed fellow."
Walter chuckled amusedly, but Claire pouted.
"Come on, can't you hide them out of sight? It's always me who has to deal with it. When's the guy who ordered them coming back?"
"Who knows? He'll show when the time's right."
It had been about five months since the kid left.
No word yet, but
'He's not the type to break his word.'
He said he'd be back soon, so he would.
Walter gazed at the neatly stacked items, reminiscing about that cocky little punk for the first time in a while.
* * *
It felt like it had been ages.
'A lot's happened in a short time.'
The Battle of Sallerone had little to do with Eagle Company, really.
They'd just gotten caught in the princes' power struggle and faced some danger.
But what Lian gained from it was immense.
In his past life, twenty years got him to platoon commander, and that was it.
Now, though,
"100-Man Commander..."
Days had passed, but it still didn't feel real.
Probably wouldn't until the unit was fully shaped up.
Upon arriving in Velotra, Lian headed straight for the Hamel Merchant Company.
"Oh... This is it?"
The company's location was a bit off the central district of Velotra.
Remote compared to other major firms, but the building itself exuded luxury.
"What brings you here?"
"I'd like to see Mr. Adelson."
"The manager? Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but could you tell him Lian is here?"
"I'm sorry, but the manager only meets by prior appointment. If you give me where you're staying, I'll pass the message along later."
Lian looked troubled at the woman turning him away.
She had that ultra-competent vibe.
Sharp, cat-like eyes upward-tilted—not just picky, but razor-sharp.
As Lian stood there awkwardly,
"Huh? Isn't that Mr. Lian?"
He turned at the voice from the opposite side.
"Oh?"
A familiar face.
From the first time he met Adelson...
"Sir Bex, right?"
"You remember me—thank you. Bex, bodyguard to Mr. Adelson. Here to see the manager?"
"Ah, yes. But..."
Lian glanced awkwardly at the woman ahead.
She looked flustered by Bex's sudden appearance, wondering if she'd slipped up.
"Niel, I'll handle this guest."
"Yes, sir!"
As the woman called Niel turned away, Bex said to Lian,
"If I overstepped, please forgive us."
"No offense at all. Nothing to forgive. More importantly, can I see Mr. Adelson?"
"He's upstairs right now. I'll guide you."
Bex led Lian up to the second floor.
Knock knock.
"Manager, Mr. Lian is here."
"Come in."
The voice wasn't loud, but carried genuine warmth.
As Lian entered, Adelson approached with a welcoming smile.
"Long time no see, Lian."
"Same here. Hope you've been well."
"Of course. You, though... you've changed somehow."
"Changed?"
"Yes. Tougher, maybe? More solid? The boyish look is gone."
"Boyish..."
Lian scratched his head sheepishly, then smiled.
The Battle of Sallerone must have changed something in him without realizing.
"Anyway, I've been waiting. Your letter had me so excited."
Seated, Adelson let out a hearty chuckle.
No wonder.
The attribute weapons he'd consigned last time sold for absurd prices.
He was probably itching to brag...
'And curious why I asked for what I did.'
As Lian sat, Adelson looked at him.
"Those items from before—can you get more?"
"Business was good, I take it."
"Good? They were a hit! Ended up auctioning them. Curious what they fetched?"
"Yes, very."
Around 200 gold each, probably?
Once supply increased, they'd stabilize around 100 gold.
Not chump change, but expected for noble-targeted goods.
But contrary to expectation, Adelson held up one finger.
"...100 gold?"
Lian blinked in surprise.
No way the debut attribute weapons went for just 100 gold?
Adelson shook his head.
"1,000 gold."
"!"
Lian barely stifled a gasp.
Even more ridiculous than 100 gold.
"Per piece. Sword and armor netted a whopping 2,100 gold. Bit embarrassing to say, but it's the most groundbreaking deal of my merchant life."
"..."
Unbelievable.
At this rate, maybe control the supply?
Still stunned, Lian met Adelson's gaze.
"So, can you get more?"
"...What about my request?"
"The mage? Hired one. But as you know, mages are tough to employ."
"True."
Adelson was right.
Mages needed innate genius, rare as it was—plus top-tier mana techniques and astronomical funds.
Even a 3rd Circle mage had mage towers and royal guilds fighting over them.
No reason for one to join a merchant company like Hamel.
"Still, we got one. Youngish, as you said, skilled in handling multiple attributes over raw power."
"Yes."
"He fits perfectly... but he's stuck at the second wall. Lingering at the edge for a while now."
Right on the cusp, but still a 1st Circle mage.
"It's fine. What we need to do next is different."
"Different?"
No telling what he could achieve, but...
Lian shot to his feet.
Adelson eyed him curiously, and Lian said,
"I have someone to introduce you to."