Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Sword for Dianal
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Telpon wore a puzzled expression as he looked at Raymond, who had shown up out of the blue.
“Lian?”
“Yes, he sent a letter asking if we could hold off for about a week.”
“What’s going on?”
“There weren’t any specific details. He just said he’d report back when he returned.”
Leave was a tricky matter that could potentially lead to charges of desertion if mishandled.
Of course, he could quit anytime he wanted, but as long as he was in the military, discipline had to be strictly upheld.
Telpon responded to Raymond’s report as if it were no big deal.
“Just write it up as being dispatched to an operational area on a whim and approve it. That guy’s not the type to waste time on pointless nonsense, right?”
“Then I’ll handle it at my discretion: personal operation from leave straight to the ops zone upon return.”
“Good, perfect timing. I needed a bit more time anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“His request hasn’t been fully settled yet.”
It was something that could be handled slowly after his return, but Telpon wanted to time it for when Lian arrived, if possible.
At those words, Raymond asked cautiously.
“……Is there a chance it’ll be accepted?”
“Pretty much.”
“Really?”
Raymond’s eyes widened round.
He knew exactly what Lian had requested.
Telpon pulled out a thick cigar and put it in his mouth.
A long smile had already crept across his lips by then. Lighting the cigar, he said,
“He’s one hell of a guy.”
Had a mere ‘100-Man Commander’ caught the eye of a prince vying for the kingdom’s throne?
Seeing Telpon’s broad smile, Raymond couldn’t hide his stunned expression.
* * *
It had been over half a month since Lian arrived in Bellotra.
In that short time, the impact Lian had on Bellotra was immense.
“Wow…… today’s no joke either?”
“Doesn’t Dianal seem a bit behind today?”
“That’s ridiculous. He didn’t land a single clean hit today—what are you talking about?”
“Still, it felt like he struggled a little in the middle.”
“Heh heh, I’m living for these matches lately. So, who’s gonna rake in some cash today?”
Dianal and Lian’s training sessions had now become Bellotra’s signature spectacle.
The shards from torn wounds could no longer be contained by merely opening a few windows.
So the tavern owner had boldly demolished the walls entirely, making the whole area open and closable.
From his perspective, it was a daring choice.
Of course, he could make such a decision because Lian’s stay in Bellotra had been extended.
It had only been about ten days, but even so, he judged that tearing down the walls to attract more customers would pay off.
“Whew…… that’s enough for today.”
“……Good work. Thanks again today.”
Lian steadied his staggering body as he watched Dianal sheathe his sword.
For the past four or five days, their training sessions had been ending earlier.
Lian knew it was Dianal’s consideration for him.
‘Ever since I started using Aura, the stamina drain has been insane…….’
He hadn’t anticipated it at all, having never experienced it in his previous life.
He had no idea that continuously circulating mana to maintain Aura would be this taxing.
On top of that, the Child Mana Heart Technique required constant mana circulation, which also drained his mental energy significantly.
It eliminated the weakness of mana depletion, but if his mental strength couldn’t keep up, it was pointless.
‘Stamina consumption is out of control, and now mental fatigue too…… I still have a long way to go.’
In this state, if he trained for as long as before, he’d reach a point where he couldn’t even move properly by the end.
Dianal looked at Lian’s haggard face.
Contrary to Lian’s self-reproach, Dianal was amazed every single day.
‘What kind of growth rate is this…… Is this kid a monster?’
Especially insane was his mana sustain for maintaining Aura for hours on end.
Typically, newcomers who first manifested Aura lasted about ten minutes at most.
But Lian had exceeded an hour right from the start, and just days ago, he’d pushed it to several hours.
He seemed oblivious to it himself, but to those who wielded Aura, it was nothing short of miraculous.
“Eat well and rest up. Get plenty of sleep. You don’t need those brutal sessions like at the beginning anymore. Now it’s about maintaining Aura consistently and solidifying it.”
“……Got it. I’ll do as you say.”
“This is the timing to focus precisely on the right choices. Well…… you’re doing great as is, but a bit more attention could yield even better results.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Lian didn’t take Dianal’s words lightly.
‘I thought he was just a natural genius…… but he’s got incredible teaching talent too.’
Lian was continually impressed by Dianal.
It wasn’t just because the guy was an intermediate Aura user.
After every spar, he’d always give feedback on Lian’s spearwork during the match.
And that feedback was high-level stuff even regular instructors couldn’t match.
Pointing out flawed habits from military spear drills, specific tics in certain moves.
His eye for unnecessary combat motions and skill in correcting them efficiently—everything was top-notch.
‘If this guy were in our unit…….’
Ah, just imagining it was thrilling.
With him as an instructor, the unit’s skills would skyrocket several times over.
“……What’s up?”
Dianal tilted his head at Lian’s expression as he stared.
It was like he had something to say but was hemming and hawing over it.
But Lian shook his head.
“Nothing. I’ll head out then.”
A scouting offer meant nothing to him right now. Plus, a mercenary like him wouldn’t take kindly to joining the army anyway.
Regret lingered, but Lian turned and left the training ground.
And the place Lian headed to wasn’t the Hamel Merchant Company, but Walter’s forge.
Clang-! Clang-! Clang-! Clang-! Clang-!
As he approached, the faint sound of hammering reached his ears.
‘Hard at work again today, old man.’
He was swamped with orders that even two bodies wouldn’t suffice, yet he’d still popped over to the training ground briefly today.
As Lian entered the forge, the woman at the counter looked up at him.
The hot forge had her in a thin beige blouse and matching skirt reaching mid-calf.
Sweat made her clothes cling slightly, giving her an alluring vibe. She greeted Lian warmly.
“Oh? Hello!”
It was Claire, helping out at Walter’s.
It had been a while since they’d last met.
Lian gave a slight bow in return to her cheerful greeting.
“Is the old man inside?”
“Wait just a sec. Walter! Walter! Lian’s here!”
Claire called out brightly as she headed inside. Soon Walter emerged with her and shouted at Lian.
“Hey, I’m in the middle of work—what brings you without notice!”
“Passing by after training. You look good.”
“Good my ass, I’m dying here.”
But for someone on the verge of death, his face looked awfully cheerful. Lian gave an awkward smile.
“Sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”
“Heh heh, you look beat—spit out your business quick. What’s the favor?”
“Huh?”
Lian’s eyes widened at his words. Walter said it like ‘what’s with the pretense?’
“Your face screams ‘I’ve got a favor to ask’—cut the act. Out with it.”
“Does it really say that……?”
Lian touched his face lightly with both hands.
Walter and Claire burst out laughing at the sight.
Walter then said,
“I see right through you. Want me to guess what the favor is while we’re at it?”
“……You picking up astrology now? Give it a shot. If you nail it, I’ll talk to Adelson and get you a fine bottle of wine.”
“Heh heh heh, you’d better keep that promise.”
“I’m not one to go back on my word.”
Walter chuckled loudly at Lian’s response and said,
“You’re here to ask about Dianal’s sword.”
“……Chills. Whoa, real chills. See these goosebumps?”
Lian, genuinely shocked, rolled up his sleeve and thrust his arm toward Walter.
The fine hairs were standing on end, and his entire arm was covered in goosebumps like chicken skin.
“How did you know?”
“With your personality, you wouldn’t leave a debt hanging. Looks like you’ve finally recognized a bit of this old man’s fame, judging by your tone.”
“……Sorry, I didn’t know back then.”
“Heh heh heh, water under the bridge. Just don’t forget that promise.”
Walter waved him off.
Truth be told, after seeing Dianal’s amazement at the spear Walter had made, Lian had looked into him a bit.
Well, ‘looked into’ just meant asking Adelson, but still.
And what he’d heard from Adelson was pretty shocking.
“I had no idea you’d become this famous. Makes asking a favor feel kinda rude, honestly.”
According to Adelson, Walter was now the top blacksmith in the kingdom’s eastern region.
No, he dominated the east and was even mentioned as one of the kingdom’s top three blacksmiths.
Walter cleared his throat loudly, looking embarrassed at Lian’s words.
“Ahem! Cut the flattery. Anyway, Dianal’s sword is already in the works.”
“Huh?”
“Knew you’d come asking. It’ll be done in a few days—wait for it.”
“……Man.”
He had this knack for moving people like this.
Seemed gruff on the surface, but so attentive in these details.
No wonder masterpieces flowed from his hands.
Lian bowed his head.
“Thank you. It’s an unreasonable request.”
“Ahem! Then keep in touch more often. You look wiped—go rest. I’ve got work to finish.”
“Thanks for your valuable time.”
“Ke ke ke, I’ll be waiting on that wine.”
With that, Walter headed back into the workshop.
Claire chattered to Lian about how Walter had been talking about him nonstop lately.
For all his gruff words, he was extremely grateful to Lian.
“Take good care of the old man.”
“No worries. He pays well too.”
Leaving Claire’s kind smile behind, Lian exited the forge.
He glanced back at it.
“One of the kingdom’s top three blacksmiths…… Cool.”
If anything, the gap between him and old man Walter had only widened.
‘Gotta work harder.’
It sparked a surge of motivation.
Lian clenched his fist tight and headed toward the Hamel Merchant Company.