Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Karadun Kingdom
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The moment magic settled into the sword, it shattered. Without a proper vessel, it couldn't contain the power. Unless it was something special like a golem's core, any other object would react the same way.
In that sense, runes were vessels. They allowed ordinary objects incapable of withstanding magic to hold mystical power. Engraving magic was the process of creating those vessels.
"Master... what in the world..."
I glanced at Durel's faint voice and checked his expression. His wide eyes trembled nonstop. The destruction of his beloved sword had clearly shocked him deeply.
My enthusiasm had gotten the better of me. A clear mistake. If only I'd experimented on something else instead.
'I can't exactly say the sword itself was defective...'
If I did, Durel would rage and storm off to confront the dwarf who sold it. But that dwarf had sold a perfectly good sword. The fault was mine.
'Admitting my mistake feels awkward too...'
This was in front of my young disciple. I wanted to always show him my best side. To avoid hurting his young heart, I needed to choose my words carefully.
"Durel."
"Yes?"
"It wasn't a sword suited to you. You'll need something of much higher quality."
"R-right...!"
Durel nodded blankly. His face lit up as if he'd just had a revelation.
"So the sword was defective?"
Shimo's question. I hurriedly shook my head.
"The sword was fine."
That was when it happened. No sooner had I finished speaking than Durel let out a sigh and approached Shimo, speaking softly.
"Didn't Master say it? It wasn't a sword suited to me."
"Yeah?"
"What Master means is that the sword itself had no issues, but its quality wasn't sufficient for me to wield."
"Then why not just buy a different sword from the start?"
"Shimo. I chose the sword myself. Master was waiting for me to realize it on my own. I should have picked a far better one without holding back."
"No way...! So he gave me a chance, but I didn't catch on, and that's why he...!"
"Exactly."
"Then we should get a refund on the sword..."
"You can't turn back every event in life. Master is using this to teach me a lesson."
Having finished their exchange, my two disciples looked up at me with admiration. Watching them, I thought to myself: Better a dream than its interpretation. Thank goodness Durel was so cleverly misguided. My face was burning with embarrassment.
I quickly turned away.
Repairing the runes on Kaidrak's sword didn't take long. About five minutes, perhaps. After waving his mana-infused hand a few times, he stood and turned around.
"All done. So, you've seen the engraving magic you wanted. Satisfied now?"
"Yes. More than enough."
"I just can't understand it... Was seeing engraving magic itself really your goal?"
I smiled without a word. I'd achieved my objective. I'd gained insight into runes and imprinted engraving magic into the Infinite Archive. No way Kaidrak would believe that even if I told him.
And I had no intention of telling him.
"Guess that means you're done here. Then take this and go."
With that, Kaidrak handed over the thick book he'd been holding. It showed clear signs of rough handling. As I reflexively accepted it, he spoke.
"You haven't forgotten what I said earlier, right? You barged in when I wanted no interruptions. If not for Mangor, I'd have called the guards."
His tone was even, but the faint anger laced within was easy to read. The homeowner had issued his eviction notice. Our group was promptly ushered out the door.
"This is something... I still don't get it..."
Mangor muttered blankly as we stepped outside, clearly still baffled. As a non-mage, he couldn't be expected to grasp the situation fully.
"Sorry, Mr. Mangor. I didn't mean to get you in trouble."
"No need. I offered to help first, so it's on me. Besides, that guy's temper will cool with a cold beer. He'll be fine."
"That's a relief."
"So, where to next? We've still got plenty of daylight left."
I glanced back. Durel stood there holding the broken sword in both hands, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. I'd promised to buy him a new one. I needed something worthy of that excitement.
"Let's find a master smith. Somewhere with expensive... swords."
"Right this way!"
The place Mangor led us to was the largest forge in the fortress. The heat billowing from the massive furnace was impressive. The huge black building gleamed, and its spotless interior buzzed with customers.
"High-end swords like what you're after? Only available here."
"Mm."
I nodded at Mangor's words. I had no clue what made a good sword, but the price tags below made it clear these were leagues above a regular smithy.
"Master. My eyes aren't sharp enough to pick a good one."
"Go for the sturdiest one they have."
"The sturdiest...!"
I nodded. As long as it was tough enough to hold plenty of runes, that was fine. Any shortcomings could be filled with magic.
"Looking for something specific?"
A dwarf who seemed to be a shop assistant approached.
"It's for me to use. Something as sturdy as possible..."
"Any other requirements?"
Durel turned to me at the assistant's question. I nodded silently, and he replied.
"As long as it's sturdy, it's good."
"Something like that... this way."
Following the assistant, we arrived at the second floor. Unlike the first-floor displays, these were kept in transparent glass cases—clearly premium items.
I glanced at the price tag below and silently gripped the pouch in my pocket.
'This is gonna hurt.'
"Master. How about that one?"
Durel, scanning the displays, pointed excitedly at a sword. It was a standard arming sword shape, plain in decoration, but its blade gleamed with a dark sheen, giving it an air of luxury.
"Made of black iron. Sturdy as requested. Good mana absorption too, so it's decent against mages. Only downside is it's a bit heavier than regular steel..."
As the assistant's explanation continued, Durel's face brightened, but my heart grew heavier. The sword he'd chosen had the highest price tag here. But what could I do? I'd already committed.
No backing out now. I opened my pouch.
The amount paid was fifty Karadun Kingdom gold coins.
"Master! Thank you so much!"
Durel beamed, clutching his new sword. It was a painful expense, but seeing his joy softened the blow.
Leaving the forge, I immediately pulled out the rune dictionary. I'd figured out how to use engraving magic. No more mishaps like before.
"Mr. Mangor."
"Hm? More requests?"
"Is there a version of this rune dictionary in Ber Kingdom language, by any chance?"
"Not that I know of. Runes are a magic script used only by us dwarves."
"So you can read it?"
"Of course I can read it, but... I can't use engraving magic."
"Reading is all I need. Just help me find a few specific runes."
"Well, that's not hard..."
It was a task of opening the book and copying various words. Not something for the street, so we headed to an inn.
Once there, we got to work in earnest. We sat facing each other across a wide table in the center.
"Describe the runes you want."
"Sharpness, acceleration, destruction, defense—anything combat-related, really."
"Tall order... I'll give it a shot."
As expected, it wasn't quick. I meticulously copied the runes and descriptions Mangor read aloud into a blank notebook.
Mangor finally stood around late dawn.
"Whoa... lost track of time..."
"Sorry for dragging you into this."
"No apologies. I did it willingly... Well, time for me to head out."
After farewells, Mangor left the room.
I looked down at the now-filled notebook, then at Durel and Shimo. Exhausted from waiting, they'd curled up in the corner and fallen asleep.
'Alright then...'
I stood, approached the bed, and picked up the sword leaning there. It had real weight; swinging it recklessly might sprain my wrist.
Shring—
Drawing it from the sheath revealed a pitch-black blade.
I took a deep breath and touched the tip of my finger to the blade. My heart's mana circle spun wildly, and a book unfurled in my inner world.
Flip flip flip—
'Time to get to work.'