Chapter 75
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 075
Chapter Title: Hero and Merit Distribution (4)
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More than three weeks had passed since we started using Flame Magic.
We finally received our weapons and armor.
Servants from Chester Castle delivered three longswords and three sets of chainmail to our quarters.
Naturally, the big three tried them on right away.
"Now we finally look like real knights?"
Once the big three finished changing, I looked at them in admiration. Their new appearance was striking.
With chainmail covering their entire bodies, they looked incredibly sturdy.
The only exposed skin was their faces.
Even that would be covered with a helmet that had a visor, making it full armor in every sense.
'As expected from an earl. He's straightforward.'
I'd thought one set of chainmail would be more than enough to be grateful for, but getting full sets for all three? I hadn't expected that.
Honestly, it caught me off guard.
A chainmail set consisted of a hood, torso armor, pants, and even gloves.
And they were all custom-made, fitting the big three's bodies perfectly.
They weren't slapped together haphazardly either.
The links forming the chains were uniform.
Considering it was handmade, that level of consistency was impressive in itself.
'The weapons are high-quality swords worthy of being called fine blades.'
The three longswords the big three received looked far superior to their old ones.
The blades were thicker, for one.
They were also custom-fitted to the big three's builds, making them much longer and heavier than standard longswords.
They could almost pass for greatswords.
But since none of them were weaklings, they handled them without issue.
"How's the gear?"
I asked the big three.
Bear and Conal answered immediately.
"The balance is excellent, making it very easy to wield. I like the size too."
Bear praised the longsword.
"Chainmail usually puts strain on the shoulders, but since this was made to fit my build, it's less noticeable. Definitely top quality."
Conal was satisfied with the chainmail.
And Gilbert... as always, said nothing.
"Good. Glad you're all happy. Now we can leave Chester without any regrets."
We'd received the weapons and armor as promised.
There was no reason to stay any longer.
It was time to go.
Before leaving Chester, I started visiting the people I knew.
To say goodbye.
Nina and Starling were of course included.
We met in her new lab inside Chester Castle.
"Heading straight north?"
As I and the big three sat at the desk, Nina set down silver cups filled with honey water and asked.
"No. We'll stop by Evergreen first. Since we received the territory, we should check it out."
I answered, then took a sip of the honey water.
Sweetness filled my mouth.
"Heros, mind if I come along? I could watch over your territory while you're away in the north."
Starling, sitting next to Nina, looked at me and asked.
I replied right away.
"Don't talk nonsense. You need to focus on settling in here. Why would you go to my territory?"
Starling had become one of Earl Chester's retainers, like Nina.
It was possible after several interrogations confirmed he had no ties to black mages.
Plus, all the earl's original mages had died, leaving vacancies.
Anyway, it was fortunate for him.
A wandering mage now serving a noble.
And he had a skilled senior right beside him.
Getting close to Nina would mean learning a lot.
'This is fun.'
Mages' conversations were all magic-related.
Thanks to my proper training under my master, I knew most of it, but some new tidbits popped up occasionally.
I lost track of time hanging out with them.
As the talk wound down, Nina clapped her hands and said to me,
"Oh, I have info on barbarians."
"Barbarians?"
I stopped myself from glancing at Conal and looked at Nina instead.
She nodded and continued.
"Barbarians have a unique blessing called 'Oath.' When they swear something to Akobar, keeping it grants them great power. Breaking it kills them or exacts an equivalent price."
Akobar was the god barbarians worshipped.
Like how the Viking god Worjo gave battle tattoos, he seemed to grant power through oaths to his followers.
"Could you give an example?"
"Say I swear not to drink honey water. If I do? I'd suffer severe internal injuries. And I'd lose all the power gained from the oath, naturally."
"Aha."
Did Conal have such an oath?
The thought crossed my mind, but I dismissed it.
It was sensitive; I wouldn't ask.
From Nina's explanation, barbarians' oaths weren't something to share lightly.
They were both the source of their strength and a weakness.
"Anyway, because of these oaths, barbarians rarely break their word in daily life too. They're people of their god. Keep that in mind."
"That'll help a lot if I meet barbarians up north. Thanks, senior."
I thanked her sincerely.
Grateful for the valuable info with no strings attached.
After farewells with those around me, I visited Earl Chester last to inform him of our departure.
He nodded readily.
And asked me,
"Planning to head north right after checking your territory?"
"Yes, for now."
"Have you found a proxy then?"
A proxy.
Someone to manage the territory in my stead.
Of course not.
It wasn't a position for just anyone.
But I did have a plan.
"Not yet. If there are no issues when I check it, I'll leave it to the original manager."
The territory I received, Evergreen.
From what I'd heard, it had gone without a lord for a long time.
The earl's proxy had been staying there, managing the village.
So, handing it back to him should work.
As I thought that, Earl Chester replied,
"He's too old. Could drop dead any day. Better to let him spend his final years comfortably in Chester."
"Ah..."
The proxy's age.
I hadn't considered that.
As I hesitated, the earl continued,
"Don't worry. I've already found someone suitable. The third son of Baron Everett's house. Very sharp. No better man for the job."
Third son of a noble house.
If the earl called him clever, he must be learned and quick-witted.
No reason to refuse.
Besides, the earl who wanted me on his side wouldn't do anything to harm me.
So I accepted promptly.
"Thank you."
The earl nodded at my polite thanks and replied,
"No need for thanks between us. Oh, and I'll assign one knight and ten soldiers. They'll escort you to the territory. With the state of things, more guards the better, right?"
Even with one mage and three knights, this was generous.
It seemed more for the elderly proxy returning to Chester than for us.
But not bad for me either.
So I agreed.
"Quite right."
As I answered, the earl asked,
"What about the kids and men you brought? If they stay in Chester, I'll take good care of them. Enlist the men as soldiers, the kids as castle servants."
"I asked them, and they all want to come with me. So I'll gratefully decline."
"Alright, then I'll pack plenty of food too."
The earl showed kindness to the end.
Just keep giving; as the receiver, it was burdensome.
Probably what he intended.
Weigh me down with obligation so I wouldn't forget his favors.
It could be pure goodwill, but knowing his personality, unlikely.
'Can't refuse gifts. Might as well accept.'
I thought, relaxing my mind.
The time to leave Chester had finally come.
Our group totaled thirty-eight.
Hence four wagons of food supplies.
"Depart!"
Bear led at the front.
Mounted, he shouted and advanced.
The rest followed.
Bear in full chainmail on horseback was the picture of a knight.
But something stood out more.
His surcoat.
'Feels off somehow.'
I looked at Bear's chest.
He wore a black surcoat emblazoned with an oak tree in the center.
That was House Evergreen's crest.
The earl had a craftsman make it.
Receiving a territory meant founding a house, he said, making them without my request.
So now I was Heros Evergreen.
But it wasn't just that feeling awkward.
'Me too.'
I was currently riding the warhorse from the merit distribution.
Possible thanks to crash courses in riding from Bear and Conal these past days.
A village outcast wouldn't have ridden before.
Anyway, riding like this made my elevated status feel real. Quite satisfying.
Then.
"Woooah!"
Cheers erupted.
Ahead, crowds lined the road from the city gate to the palisade.
Waving and cheering for us.
"What's this..."
As I wondered, an answer came from beside me.
A young man riding parallel.
He resolved my question.
"Isn't it natural for Chester's people to cheer their hero? Wave back at least."
This sharp-featured youth was Rupert Everett, third son of Baron Everett's house, the talent the earl introduced.
I followed Rupert's advice, waving to the crowd.
The cheers grew louder.
Seeing that, I knew my deeds here weren't in vain.
My chest swelled.
'Feels good.'
If I weren't a mage, I couldn't have brought joy to so many.
Glad I became one.
Four days since leaving Chester Castle.
And finally, I heard the words I'd been waiting for.
"This is Evergreen territory from here on."
Rupert, surveying around, said confidently.
That energized me.
How much further did we go?
Ahead, a palisade came into view.
A village in the plains with basic fencing, as heard.
Just as described.
But one odd thing.
People gathered outside the palisade.
Holding weapons.
At least dozens by a glance.
"Rupert, what do those look like?"
I pointed at the group before the palisade.
Rupert examined them closely, then replied.
"Like bandits."
"Thought so."
Anger surged inside.
Bandits eyeing my precious territory?
Couldn't let that stand.
I shouted to the group.
"Full speed ahead! Drive off the bandits and save the village!"
This was the first time such intense rage had boiled up since reincarnating here.