Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Power Upgrade (4)
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Nellis stared at her sword with utter disbelief in her eyes.
"B-broken? For real?"
"Yeah. What the hell did you even fight with it? Or rather... what monster's attack did you block?"
"W-well..."
The most intense attack she'd recently withstood flashed through Nellis's mind.
"I-I blocked an attack from the Kobold King once."
"That explains it. An old sword that's seen plenty of use blocking a hit from something like a Kobold King? It's no wonder it was on the brink."
The old man snorted and continued.
"Good thing you came to trade it in. In this state, it's little more than scrap metal."
"M-my...! Alexcalibur is scrap...!"
"Alexcalibur?"
Kalt shot Nellis a puzzled glance at the sudden name-drop.
Scarlet stepped in to answer for her.
"It's the name Nellis gave her sword. Alex was her dad's name, apparently."
"Why name your sword after your dad?"
"W-well... I heard rumors that naming your weapon after family makes it easier to survive... But slapping Mom's name on a monster-slaying blade felt kinda wrong..."
"I see."
The old man didn't care about the sword's backstory, crossing his arms as he addressed Nellis.
"So, which sword are you picking? Hurry up. I'm a busy man."
"Y-yes! K-Kalt! Which sword should I get?!"
"You're leaving it to someone else?"
"Huh?! I-I mean..."
Kalt spoke up to the old man, who eyed Nellis with clear disapproval.
"Sir, Nellis doesn't have much experience judging swords yet, so let me pick for her this time. Everyone's gotta start somewhere, right?"
"Hmph! Doesn't matter. You'll just keep picking for her forever. She'll never develop an eye for them."
"I don't plan on babying her that much. Besides, everything you've made is top-notch, so it's not exactly great for honing judgment anyway."
"You sure know how to talk."
Kalt caught the slight upward twitch of the old man's lips.
He then selected a few swords from the display case that seemed suited to Nellis.
"This one, this one... and this. Give 'em a swing, Nellis."
"Got it, Kalt!"
Nellis carefully picked up each sword Kalt had chosen, swinging them in place to avoid knocking into anything in the smithy.
Whoosh! Whoosh! The sounds of her swings echoed through the forge.
Once she'd tried each one, Kalt asked,
"Which feels best?"
"Hmm... the second one! It swung most like Alexcalibur!"
"Perfect. We'll take that one. Mind handling it, sir?"
"You really gotta ask?"
"Please."
"Hmph. Hey, you greenhorn hero."
"Y-yes..."
Still reeling from the sword's evaluation, Nellis timidly replied.
"Stick out your arms. Both of 'em."
"Like this?"
The old man handed Kalt's sword to his apprentice and grabbed Nellis's hands.
"Hmm."
He kneaded her palms and fingers with his thumbs, left then right, before moving up to her forearms and doing the same.
"Eek!? K-Kalt!"
She shot Kalt a pleading look, but he just smiled reassuringly.
"Relax and stay still, Nellis."
"O-okay..."
Moments later, having thoroughly checked her arms, the old man took the sword she'd chosen, then retrieved Kalt's from his apprentice.
"Come back tomorrow."
"Will do, sir."
"Um... what about my Alexcalibur...?"
"This scrap? I'll melt it down and recycle it. Adjustment's on the house as a bonus."
"A-Alexcalibur's getting melted...!"
"Let's head out, Nellis. Next up's gear for Scarlet."
"B-but Kalt! Alexcalibur...!"
Kalt gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"The day comes when you part with your weapons. Today is that day. Accepting it and growing stronger—that's what a hero does."
"Ugh...! Right!"
"She was that attached to it?"
"It's her first sword she ever bought. Figured she had some sentiment for it."
Leaving the smithy, Kalt led them to a magic tool shop in Tridia.
"You know this place too?"
"Yep. Came to check for anything useful last time. Nothing caught my eye for me, though."
Creeeak. They pushed open the door.
A bell tinkled.
Shelves and displays burst into view, brimming with countless magic tools that filled the party's sight.
At the back of the shop stood a lean, middle-aged man wearing a monocle, greeting them.
"Welcome to Wings of Gold Magic Emporium. Oh, if it isn't Mr. Kalt."
"Hey, Joseph."
"Hmm, new party?"
"Yeah."
"Got it."
Joseph kept it brief, no prying further.
"What brings you to our humble shop... Ah. Looking for something to aid that mage over there, I take it."
"Spot on. Anything that boosts spells or protects from backlash? Or grimoires with unique magic?"
"Of course."
Joseph pointed to what Kalt wanted.
"This Brooch of Wisdom gathers and stores mana leaked during spellcasting, then lets you use it for the next one. Not a huge amount, but invaluable in prolonged fights."
Next, he pulled a book from the shelf.
"And this grimoire's penned by the mage Tactick. No heavy hitters, but packed with versatile spells. Like Grease to slip up foes on the floor, Warm Wind for a comforting breeze, or Lost Nose to temporarily dull their sense of smell."
Just hearing the spells convinced Kalt of their utility.
"Whoa, spells like that exist? Amazing grimoire."
"Knew you'd appreciate its value, Mr. Kalt. Oh, and we have other enticing items... but they're not for just anyone. For you, though? Follow me a moment? The rest of you, feel free to browse."
Kalt followed Joseph behind the counter.
"Joseph, what's this about? You don't have anything too risqué to show, do you?"
"Haha, can't fool your eyes, huh? You're right—no shady goods here. Everything's top-shelf. I called you back for some advice."
"Advice?"
"Yes."
Joseph adjusted his monocle frame and spoke.
"That staff your mage companion carries. Red gem like a blazing flame—high-purity magic stone, refined to perfection. And those phoenix wings spreading from the gem? That's the hallmark style favored by the renowned Burnings mage nobles."
In a trade city like this, knowing your wares inside out was key to thriving.
Joseph's sharp eye had pegged Scarlet's origins on sight.
"Mr. Kalt, there's a rumor circling about the Burnings family. Reached my ears too. Their prodigy youngest daughter ran away... and the reason? Some grave issue with her that's finally come to light. If you still have a choice..."
"Joseph."
"Yes?"
"The mage in my party isn't the Burnings youngest daughter."
"But that staff..."
"Joseph, she's Scarlet. Our party's mage... and even if she's got issues now, she'll overcome them and rise to greatness. I'm sure of it."
"...Understood."
Joseph nodded without argument.
"If you're set on that, I won't overstep. No—presuming to advise you was out of line to begin with. Haha, embarrassing."
"Nah. I'm glad you were looking out for me."
They synced their story before stepping out.
"A shame. Nothing met your standards."
"Not at all—they're all great magic tools. Just not what our party needs right now. Someone perfect will come along."
"Fingers crossed."
Kalt approached Scarlet first.
"Scarlet."
"...What?"
She answered while eyeing items on the lower shelf.
"Find any other magic tools or grimoires you want?"
"No, just... whatever you picked is fine."
"Nothing else you need?"
"Nope! Let's just go already."
"Got it. Joseph, we'll take those two you showed me."
"Thank you for your business."
"Next stop: the church."
Kalt took the lead again toward Tridia's church.
"..."
Trailing behind, Scarlet kept her head down the whole way.
Her downcast eyes glistened with faint tears, cheeks flushed red.