Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Hall of Harmony (8)
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The two adventurers who spotted Armand and Paolo couldn't contain their excitement and bounced around like kids.
But it didn't last long.
Because they had spotted Martin standing between the two.
Martin smiled slyly and approached them right away.
"Hey there."
"We greet the young master!"
"We swear we won't breathe a word about what happened here!"
The red-haired adventurer and the black-haired adventurer shouted loudly, their faces drained of all color.
Martin ignored their panic and slipped right between them.
Then he threw an arm around each of their shoulders.
Their faces turned an even paler blue at the unexpected situation.
"You two, what's your names?"
"L-Lothar, sir!"
"Winfried, sir!"
"No need to be so scared. I don't plan on harming you or anything. If anything, I'm glad to have more spectators."
With that, Martin plopped down onto the ground.
The red-haired adventurer Lothar and the black-haired adventurer Winfried exchanged glances.
Then, cautiously, they sat down beside Martin.
"There's just one thing I want from you. It won't be hard, so don't worry."
"Please tell us!"
"We'll do it without fail!"
"Everyone will know they've entered the dungeon and become adventurers, so that's fine to talk about. But don't tell a soul about how strong they are. Sound easy?"
"We won't say a word!"
Lothar and Winfried shouted in unison.
Martin patted their shoulders with both hands.
"Good. Since you're here, stick around and watch till the end. Pay special attention to that hammer of his. It boasts performance on par with the elf's staff right there."
"Yes, sir!"
The two shouted together once more.
Martin nodded in satisfaction at the sight.
While the three chatted, Paolo pulled his hammer from his subspace.
"Kiiik!"
"Kieek!"
Goblins swarmed along the trench carved by Armand's magic.
They had clearly felt that massive power just moments ago, yet showed no sign of agitation.
They revealed only a single-minded intent to kill their foe.
"Even after burning them to death like that, they're still crawling out in droves. And their killing intent is downright creepy. I get why they call this place the monster cradle."
"Doesn't it explain human strength too? Anyone tempered in a place like this couldn't possibly be weak. We owe the young master our sincere thanks for allowing us here."
"Agreed. Even with the goal of exchange between us, he took on all the extra responsibilities."
Paolo nodded at Armand's words and strode forward confidently.
Branch Chief Bayeren watched and reactivated the mana gauge.
Boom! Boom!
Each step Paolo took echoed with a thunderous roar.
A powerful shockwave erupted simultaneously, sending unbalanced goblins staggering wildly.
Whoosh!
Paolo kicked off the ground and leaped high.
Rising dozens of meters on pure physical prowess alone, he channeled mana into his hammer.
Whumm.
An indigo glow rose, thickly enveloping the hammer's head.
And that wasn't all.
'Got to help with product sales.'
Flash!
A brilliant light bloomed across the entire hammer, seeping into the aura blade.
The aura blade's glow brightened accordingly, and its size grew larger.
"Hah!"
Just before hitting the ground, Paolo expelled mana from his entire body.
He halted mid-air for an instant, then swung the hammer down with all his might.
KABOOM!
The roar shook everything around.
But the true terror was the attack's aftermath.
"Good lord..."
"...That's just insane power."
Lothar and Winfried were genuinely stunned.
In terms of sheer destructive aftermath, Paolo's strike fell short of Armand's spell.
The crater wasn't that large.
But what really mattered was the depth—over dozens of meters.
"You two seem to have trained in martial arts. That's the path a true warrior should pursue. While a mage grows stronger by attacking wider areas, a warrior focuses power on a single point. It's the difference between area and penetration, you could say."
"Th-thank you for the wisdom!"
"We'll never forget this grace!"
"It's no great grace. Did you get a good look at their weapons?"
The two adventurers nodded vigorously.
Martin continued in a subtle tone.
"The emporium we're preparing opens in about a fortnight. We'll sell elf-made and dwarf-made goods along with other items, but weapons are the star. Not every one matches that level, but elf magic weapons basically amplify spells. Dwarf-forged arms enhance auras."
"Th-that's incredible!"
"It rivals the top gear from the blacksmiths' guild or magitech guild!"
"That's what I think too. So, how about spreading the word? You don't have to mention your skills—just say you saw the weapons' power firsthand."
"Got it!"
"We'll make sure of it, no worries!"
"Good. I trust you both. Oh, and if you work hard... this'll be worth your while."
Martin formed a circle with his thumb and index finger.
A bright smile bloomed on the two adventurers' faces.
'To sell properly, we need promotion, and plenty of good stories.'
Martin immediately acted on what Kurt had stressed repeatedly.
Judging by their reactions, the tale would spread across the city in no time.
"P-Paolo is S-rank too. Congratulations on becoming adventurers, both of you."
"Take good care of the others."
"No worries. I'll check them myself. We'll issue your adventurer certificates as soon as you return to the guild."
"Got it."
Paolo replied with a satisfied look.
Branch Chief Bayeren, watching, turned to Martin.
"You've reached 8th circle too, young master. And you've proven it by defeating Heinz Schwarzenbeck and Matteus von Gustin. You can register as S-rank right away."
"I'll do it after the new year. Gotta come back to the dungeon anyway."
"Ah, right. We'll coordinate preparations with the Adalbert family then."
"Please do."
With that, the group returned to the surface.
And a fortnight passed.
* * *
Adventurers Lothar and Winfried kept their promise, eagerly spreading what they'd witnessed.
At first, many doubted, but skepticism vanished quickly.
Even though they claimed to have seen Martin, neither the Adalbert family nor Barehain City authorities issued any restraints.
Word spread that elf-made and dwarf-made weapons boasted incredible performance, along with a variety of other products.
It swept across the entire empire in no time, igniting countless desires.
How fierce those desires were would be proven on the emporiums' opening day.
"Wow, huge crowd."
"Only to be expected."
Martin and Kurt chatted leisurely.
The area in front of the emporiums—not just that, the entire district—was packed with people from all over, no room to step.
And they weren't just waiting—they were subtly jostling for position.
All to get inside faster.
"Those two really hustled, spreading the word everywhere, huh?"
Martin precisely spotted Lothar and Winfried amid the throng.
They were shoving others aside to hold their spots, eyes blazing with desire.
"Yes. So the reward was generous."
"Generous? They came all this way despite the high prices on elf and dwarf gear—must be confident they can afford it."
"Even so, it's dust compared to future earnings. And stingy rewards breed trouble later."
"Fair point."
Martin nodded lightly.
Then.
"Thunderbow Helmut Breiner's here!"
"Storm Spear Bernd Kaltz and Moonlight Sword Paul Oberat too!"
Shouts erupted here and there.
A-rank adventurers active in the Alteria Empire's dungeon city had arrived.
Their skills and fame rivaled Christian Haberz, potential next elder of the Adalbert family.
Other famous adventurers appeared one after another. Vassals of great nobles occasionally caught the eye too.
"If we could reel in folks like that with weapons as bait, it'd be perfect."
"No matter how superior the elf and dwarf gear's performance and quality, you think they'd bite that easy?"
"Just saying."
The moment Martin's words ended.
Dong! Dooong!
A heavy bell toll resounded.
Noon had finally arrived.
The doors of the two adjacent emporiums, "Fairy's Cradle" and "Dwarf's Ironclad Fortress," swung wide open as if on cue.
Step step.
Paolo and Armand emerged next.
"Real dwarves and elves!"
"The rumors were true!"
"How does the young master's pull work? Even after smashing the slave market, reeling in these recluses?"
The crowd in front of the emporiums buzzed with excitement.
With the key rumor confirmed, the weapons and products they made were likely legit too.
"Welcome to Fairy's Cradle and Dwarf's Ironclad Fortress, humans. I am Armand, master of Fairy's Cradle."
"I'm Paolo, in charge of Dwarf's Ironclad Fortress. Here to lay down one rule."
"Consumables like tea leaves, infusions, beer, and potions are limited to three per person."
"Elf-made and dwarf-made weapons: one per customer, no exceptions. No haggling. Cause a scene, and you'll meet the Adalbert family's White Dragon Knights and Gold Dragon Knights."
The adventurers barely registered Paolo and Armand's words.
Their eyes spun just from the pair clearing a path.
"Outta my way!"
"That's my line!"
They devolved into a free-for-all brawl, desperate to enter the emporiums.
Those lucky enough to enter Dwarf's Ironclad Fortress first gaped in awe.
The interior was vast, one display wall crammed with weapons.
Each emitted a subtle glow, marking them as far from ordinary.
Dwarf-brewed beer kegs filled another wall.
"You're free to handle the goods or trickle in a bit of mana!"
"But no auras or swinging! And don't take products outside!"
"Beer tasting: one per customer! Disobey, and we report straight to the Adalberts!"
The dwarf clerks bellowed.
Dwarves, famed for their pride.
It was baffling they'd shill for the Adalberts, but no one objected.
They just browsed with measured excitement.
"Jackpot!"
An adventurer gripping a longsword's hilt let out a whoop.
The weight and balance were flawless, fitting like it was custom-made.
He trickled in mana just in case—and a bright glow bloomed instantly.
It absorbed and manifested mana at incredible speed.
'I'll buy this no matter what!'
Eyes wild, the man checked the price.
His elation plummeted.
He inspected other weapons, and now his heart froze solid.
"Every one's 10 gold..."
Ordinary commoners rarely saw gold, let alone silver.
Dungeon city Barehain was different, though.
Prosperous as it was, even average folk handled silver often and saw gold occasionally.
But even they seldom transacted in gold directly.
10 gold? That matched famed master smiths' work.
Even for top-earning adventurers, it was steep.
Unless you were elite.
'Grab something else at least.'
No way he'd leave empty-handed after making it this far.
The man headed inside to buy dwarf beer.
"Think they'll complain about the prices?"
"No chance. The performance is guaranteed. And at that price, it's on par with master smiths—many sell for more."
"We've got better stuff too, right?"
"Yes. When the time comes, we'll auction them."
"Perfect."
Martin watched the crowd with a pleased smile.
'Got to hustle into the new year.'
First goal achieved—it was time for the next phase.
Surpassing the other three great houses and the imperial family to claim absolute supremacy.
He'd achieve the dream cut short in his previous life.