Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Recognition and Reward
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The expedition force returned to Erkal.
Rather than reveling in the joy of their victory, they were busy tending to the dead and wounded.
Consoling each other for their fallen comrades.
They honored the spirits of the dead, praying for their peaceful passage.
It wasn't a grand affair, but they shared their sorrow, remembering the comrades they had fought alongside.
And then…
“Hahahahahaha! Cheers!”
A party was held to celebrate the success of the expedition.
The party consisted of nothing more than grilled meat and strong liquor, but for the soldiers, it was more than enough.
The officers gathered at a separate table.
“You’ve all worked hard. It wasn't an easy task… but thank you for doing so well.”
Wilkis said, raising a glass filled with liquor to the officers.
Although many had died during this expedition.
“Compensation will be paid to the families of the fallen. The officers of each unit are to investigate thoroughly so that no deceased member is unfairly treated.”
“Understood!”
“Yes, sir!”
After the expedition, Wilkis had subtly changed. No, to be precise, it started when the special assault team was formed.
It seemed he, too, had his own reasons for joining this expedition.
Wilkis looked at Hemeren, who was seated at the table.
“How are you feeling?”
Although he had been corrupted by demonic energy, Claire's purification had improved his complexion somewhat.
Hemeren nodded.
“I was able to overcome it with the power of the gods. Thank you for your concern.”
“Without you, this expedition would never have succeeded.”
Wilkis turned his gaze toward Tarone and Basel.
“Forgive me for looking down on you. It was because of you that this expedition was a success.”
“Not at all, sir.”
“It’s alright.”
A faint smile touched Wilkis's lips at Tarone and Basel's replies.
“Separate rewards will be given to both units, so wait for them. And…”
Wilkis turned to Tarone and said.
“The crystal, was it? The source that held the demonic energy.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“And who was it that shattered it?”
At Wilkis’s question, Tarone glanced at Hemeren.
Hemeren nodded at Tarone.
It was a sign that it was okay.
Tarone then spoke to Wilkis.
“It was Demian of the Neokalitz Unit.”
***
“…”
Demian couldn't hide his surprise at the phenomenon occurring within his body.
The Demian of now was completely different from the one who had first set out on the expedition.
A changed body.
It was similar to before, but his body felt much lighter, and his physical strength had increased significantly.
But the biggest change of all was…
“…Fourth-star.”
His Delft Mana Cultivation Method, which had been stuck at the second star, had risen to the fourth.
Moreover, his Mana Hall, which had been merely the size of a walnut, had grown to the size of a fist.
He had never expected that the demonic energy corrupting his body would be purified and converted into mana.
“…Hoo.”
The mana filling his Mana Hall was so abundant it was overflowing.
*‘Is this what it felt like?’*
The difference between the second and fourth stars was enormous. It wasn't a simple matter of being twice as strong.
If he had to compare, was it five times? No, even more than that.
Furthermore, even with his Mana Hall completely full, there was still excess mana roaming inside his body.
He couldn't use all of this excess mana right now, but…
*‘Later, when my Mana Hall grows larger, I’ll be able to use it all.’*
Though it was only a fraction of the vast demonic energy the crystal had possessed, this alone had advanced his progress by several years.
Demian gripped his spear and drew upon his mana.
*Wooooong!*
The aura, now a much more vivid shade of blue than before, swirled around him.
Demian’s eyes wavered slightly.
*‘It’s not just the quantity that’s increased.’*
He didn't know what had happened.
But the flow of mana within his body was much freer and smoother than before.
It was as if the channels through which his mana moved had widened.
*‘Right now…'*
Demian exhaled sharply and pushed mana into the spear in his hand.
As the mana flowed from his hand and enveloped the spear.
*Swoooosh.*
A faint blue light began to shimmer around the spear. But…
“Hah!”
Demian, who had been maintaining the flow of mana into the spear, let out a great breath.
Beads of sweat were already trickling down his forehead.
“This is quite exhausting.”
It seemed that reinforcing objects by expelling mana from his body would require training.
He had succeeded when breaking the crystal, but…
*‘That was only for a fleeting moment.’*
The important thing was that he needed to train to maintain it from now on.
Depending on how it was used, mana could become a powerful weapon or sturdy armor.
The way Demian was currently manipulating his mana was the most basic of basics.
“I never… expected it to happen this quickly.”
After surpassing the third star, mana control training becomes extremely important.
Reinforcing necessary parts with mana and using it effectively in battle was ‘essential.’
*‘Just looking at the knights I fought before… they were on a completely different level.’*
With their exceptional mana control, they displayed combat prowess several times greater than what they should have been capable of.
Demian clenched his fist.
A sense of urgency crept in due to the sudden change in his circumstances, but…
*‘First, I’ll do what needs to be done, one step at a time.’*
He forced himself to calm down and thought about his future plans. Just then.
“What are you doing here?”
“Why?”
Demian asked as Kyle approached.
Kyle said.
“The expedition commander wants to see you.”
“…Baron Wilkis?”
“Was that guy’s name Wilkis? I don’t know, but he told me to bring you.”
Demian tilted his head at Kyle's words, but…
“Let’s go.”
He soon made his way to where the officers were gathered.
***
The party was in full swing.
It was only natural.
The Bronserian Forest expedition had been far more difficult than reported.
Undoubtedly, Baron Wilkis, who had led the expedition, would see his prestige rise immensely because of this.
“For the glory of the kingdom!”
Arriving where the officers were, Demian saluted Wilkis.
Wilkis shot up from his seat and looked at Demian.
“Welcome. Your name was Demian, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Come closer.”
Demian, who had been at the entrance, walked to the center of the U-shaped table.
Wilkis looked at Demian and asked.
“I heard you were the one who destroyed the foul object that held the demonic energy. Is that true?”
“Lord Hemeren struck the first blow; I merely snatched the last one. I can hardly claim the credit as mine alone.”
“Kekekekek! An interesting way to put it.”
“Hehe, indeed.”
Wilkis’s face was red, perhaps from the alcohol.
He poured liquor into a new cup beside him and offered it to Demian.
“Do you drink?”
“Of course.”
Demian accepted the cup from Wilkis.
The liquor had a slight reddish tint.
The scent of mixed fruits wafted up strongly.
*‘…This is good liquor.’*
He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a drink.
Moreover, this kind of high-quality liquor was something he had rarely tasted, even in his past life.
*Gulp, gulp.*
Demian drained the cup in an instant.
Wilkis burst out laughing at the sight of Demian downing it straight without a single change in his expression.
“Hahahahaha! This soldier can really hold his liquor!”
He seemed very pleased, chuckling as he laughed. But soon…
“As you said, the credit belongs to everyone. But no matter what anyone says, you are the one who made the greatest contribution to this expedition.”
He had already heard the full story from Hemeren.
Hemeren had said the demonic energy within the crystal was so powerful that even approaching it was difficult.
Let alone shattering it.
It was a task that truly required one to risk their life.
“Accomplishments have no age. You should be proud of what you’ve achieved.”
“…Thank you.”
At Demian's words, Wilkis sat back down.
And said.
“I called you here because I have something to say. The official reward will come later, but if there is anything else you desire, speak now. I will grant you anything within my power.”
“…”
At Wilkis’s words, Demian’s gaze grew serious.
Seeing him go this far…
*‘It seems his difficult position has been resolved thanks to this expedition.’*
The Bronserian Forest expedition must have been a very important matter for Wilkis.
Demian spoke without hesitation.
“Because of your achievement, Lord Wilkis, the Bronserian Forest will change from this day forward.”
First, flatter the man.
Wilkis’s lips twitched at Demian’s words.
The others simply watched in silence.
“The Bronserian Forest holds immense potential. The herbs and various specialty goods that grow here are indispensable to the kingdom.”
Demian continued to talk about the Bronserian Forest.
Wilkis and the other officers looked at Demian with surprised expressions.
They had heard he was the youngest in the unit, yet his knowledge of the Bronserian Forest was quite extensive.
“And to smoothly transport the items from within it to the rest of the kingdom, a merchant guild to manage it is necessary.”
“That is correct.”
Wilkis agreed with Demian.
It wasn't enough to simply harvest a lot of herbs and specialty goods.
A means of transporting them to other places while maintaining their quality was needed.
“So, what is it that you want?”
As Demian’s explanation grew longer, Wilkis asked bluntly.
Demian replied.
“Please grant me the exclusive rights to manage the goods from the Bronserian Forest.”
“…Exclusive management rights?”
Wilkis’s eyes widened.
He had expected him to ask for money, a house, or perhaps an artifact.
But to ask for exclusive rights to the goods from the Bronserian Forest…
“Khahahahahahahahaha!”
Wilkis burst into a loud, unrestrained laugh.
He looked at Tarone and asked.
“Khaha, how old did you say this kid was?”
“…Thirteen, sir.”
“Thirteen? Kekekekek. Is this something a thirteen-year-old would say?”
Wilkis turned his gaze back to Demian.
“An unbelievably extraordinary soldier. To ask for exclusive management rights.”
Wilkis trailed off and stopped laughing.
Then, with a deliberately serious expression, he said.
“However, exclusive management rights are not something that can be given out lightly. It requires a great deal of power and effort.”
“…”
*So it’s not possible after all?*
He already knew it was a long shot.
He had just thought that, considering Wilkis's position and circumstances, it might be somewhat possible.
Demian bit his lip tightly.
“But.”
“…?”
At Wilkis’s word, Demian looked at him again.
Wilkis said.
“It will take some time to clean up and revitalize the Bronserian Forest. In such a chaotic situation…”
Wilkis pondered for a moment, then held up his index finger.
“One year from now. I will guarantee you the right to manage the goods from the Bronserian Forest for one year. During that time, I will ensure no other merchant guilds can come to Erkal.”
Wilkis’s lips curled into a smile.
“How about it? Will that be enough?”
At those words, Demian’s eyes sparkled.
“Thank you!”
Demian placed his right fist over his left breast in a salute and shouted.
Wilkis chuckled at his response, then…
“And one more thing. Demian, was it?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Would you like to join the knight order?”