Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: 12. Survival Competition (15)
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"Took longer than I expected."
"It was much faster than I thought, though."
"I did hurry a bit. Still, I figured it'd be done quicker, but it ended up taking a little longer."
The newly forged twin swords weren't exactly the same shape as before, but they were still masterfully tempered into sleek, beautifully curved blades. I took them and swung them lightly a few times, feeling a sensation remarkably similar to the familiar one from the past.
Hm. Not bad.
It might sound a bit funny put like that, but this was a blade more than worthy of passing down to one's heirs.
"Not quite Dras level, but it's pretty damn good, right?"
"I think it's excellent."
"The sword from Dras you brought last time wasn't bad either, but it felt more like something convenient to use rather than top performance. Since I put real effort into this one, it's only natural it'd be better."
"You're right."
Hand this over, and they wouldn't have any complaints even as a gift. The relic from my ancestors held meaning in itself, but having commissioned swords from the same smith with the same intent made it even better.
I took the two swords, strapped them to my waist, and grabbed the one I'd left with them to inspect.
Now I had my original pair, the one Dras made before, and these new two—for a total of five swords. Holding that many blades felt downright weird.
"With that many, you look less like a swordsman and more like a cutler."
"I was just thinking the same thing."
"To be honest, if I had to say it... honestly, it kinda suits you. If you're handsome, maybe anything goes."
"Is that so? Lately, the only compliments I get are about my looks, so it's a bit embarrassing."
"Nothing wrong with compliments on your face. It's not just that you're good-looking—it's the kind of face that inspires trust."
"Does my face give off that vibe?"
"You can tell you've lived a pretty upright life."
Taking it as a compliment, I bowed deeply and turned to leave. These weren't really my belongings anyway, so I'd planned to just grab the swords and go without fuss, but that's when I ran into another dwarf.
"Are you Yulius Lebedev?"
"Yes. That's me."
"I'm Yumi, daughter of Dras Teriel, who came with you."
"Ah, hello."
"Where's my father?"
"He didn't want to come into the village, so he's wandering around nearby."
"Could you possibly bring him here?"
"I could find him, but no guarantee he'll come."
"Then at least please go find him."
I agreed for now, headed back to my lodgings to set down the hefty bundle of swords, grabbed only my usual twin blades, and stepped out into the street. I'd been visiting so often to check on Lambi hammering away at the forge and chat that I'd grown familiar enough with the mountain paths.
Knowing the village layout meant I had a rough idea of the remote spots too, so I ran straight to the place Dras would like best.
"Dras!"
Sure enough, just as I'd guessed. A pavilion overlooking the base of the mountain. He sat there peacefully sipping his drink.
His face turned at my call, showing hardly any sign of being drunk.
Dras as expected. You rarely see him actually intoxicated.
"About time you showed up."
"You knew?"
"Hard not to. Daughter, right? Only one kid bold enough to make a move like that."
"You gonna go see her?"
"Can't dodge it if she's come looking."
Tsking as he capped his bottle, he planted his staff on the ground, stood, and started walking.
There was a faint whiff of alcohol, but all dwarves smelled like that, so it was fine.
Not too fast. But not dawdling either.
With his usual gait, he entered the village, exchanging brief greetings with acquaintances, his expression relaxed as he headed home.
"...Didn't think you'd actually bring him."
"Figured if I didn't, you'd make unreasonable demands of the shopkeeper."
"Father. What do you even think of me?"
"You've been throwing tantrums since the days I worked here."
"That was back then. Back then. Now I'm a proper working adult in the king's office."
"Is that so. You've changed a lot since you left."
"Of course! You were gone for ages! Without a word!"
"I did send word. To the guy managing the traps I sold. But over time, even that faded."
"Not once to me!"
"No need for you to know."
Yumi looked ready to unleash all her pent-up resentment, her face twisting as she started yelling.
Her father was the king, who suddenly pulled some stunt, vanished, and never contacted her after.
For nearly a century, considering their lifespans.
"No need? That's your excuse? Even if no need, you could have. I knew nothing until that incident blew up!"
"True. I could've reached out. But that risked leaking information."
"More important than me?"
"Of course it was more important than you."
She fell silent at that. Honestly, I hadn't expected him to say it so bluntly either, but Dras clearly had his priorities straight.
Dras as king outranked Dras as father. Was that how to see it?
Not to brag, but having lived as a noble myself, I'd have done the same in his shoes.
In the end, one's self as a person differs from one's public self. And in a crisis demanding choice, it comes down to personal nature.
Dras needed a safeguard against national threats, while for Yumi, family—her father's whereabouts—mattered most.
Both right.
And fights running parallel like this usually happen when both are wrong... or both right.
Yumi vented at Dras—anger, curses, every emotion under the sun—but he stayed quiet.
"No matter how much we argue, the fact is we stopped the demon invasion. And that was my doing."
"I know! That's why I'm here now! It's all over anyway—just say you're sorry. Is that so hard?"
"...Maybe. Sorry. At least after it ended, I should've come for you."
Probably not sincere. And they both knew it.
Dras was stubborn by nature. Not just in metallurgy—unyielding on decisions he'd made.
And, not to brag, but so was I.
"You ever gonna act like a dad?!"
"Honestly, I gave up on that the moment I took the throne."
"Oh, come on."
Yumi hung her head, clearly done talking.
Dras gazed off into the distance.
"Yumi."
"...Yes."
"What do you want to do from now on?"
At my words, Dras turned to me, and Yumi's eyes went wide—clearly unexpected.
"...Honestly, I'd like to live together as a family."
"You're staying in Astraea, right, Dras?"
"Yeah."
"No thought to living together in Astraea?"
"Hold on, Shopkeeper. It's not that simple."
"But isn't this the best solution?"
They both fell silent, looking at each other.
No one jumped to refute, so maybe it was a decent idea after all.
"So, you two work it out."
With that, I bolted.
The reason? Watching that scene dredged up memories of my own father.
A stubborn father who never showed emotion.
A child with a lifetime of bottled-up rage, unable to release it.
I'd tossed them an easy answer for their issue, but between my father and me? No confidence there.
"Talk. Can we even...?"
Never once a real conversation with Father. I'd just grown into what he wanted, acted accordingly, then run off far away.
I couldn't predict if his first words would be anger, acceptance, or welcome.
Or how I'd respond.
"He won't say what I want to hear."
Thinking about it just depressed me. No matter how much I mulled, what we'd say to each other was a mystery.
A shitty reality where I couldn't even run simulations.
Heading slowly back to my lodgings, I spotted the two swords I'd had made to return.
I'd inherited mine around age ten, when my skills started taking off.
Back then, Father had a faint smile, I think.
Who knows.
To find out, I'd have to go.
This time, as the one handing over the sword, unsure what face I'd make—my thoughts just spun in circles.