” So– “
” Please, please take this sword! I don’t need any money! I really want you to use it!”
Saying that, Darkin handed me a sword. Sheathed in a black scabbard, when I drew it, a gleaming silver blade appeared. I could also feel strong magical power from it.
The blade itself is not much different from the replica I’ve been using. The grip feels good too. Hmm, excellent.
“Old man… This is mithril, isn’t it? Damn, it’s way better made than my sword. And I heard mithril is really hard to work with because of its high hardness…”
“Yes, Zack is right. This sword is made by taking the core of a black dragon’s bone and forging mithril onto it. The guard is made from a black dragon’s fang, and the scabbard is made from its scales. This is my finest masterpiece!”
“B-Black dragon…!? Where the hell did you get something like that?”
…Ah, a black dragon. A dragon with the [color] prefix, huh. A high-ranking monster above even attribute dragons and dragon kings, as mentioned in the [Demonology] lecture. I liked that professor, as he would share knowledge not found in the textbooks.
And I was looking forward to the [Monster Subjugation Practicum] starting in the summer… Damn these intruders.
Thinking that, I lightly swing the sword I received from Darkin. The reassuring weight transmitted through my hand, and the sound of cutting the wind feels pleasant. Indeed, this is a fine sword.
“..Darkin, I’ve changed my opinion of you…”
“Oh, ohhh… Grateful words…”
“..Grateful words..!? Darkin’s using polite speech…”
His rudeness is unforgivable, but I don’t dislike capable people.
I’ll let it slide. I’m a magnanimous person, after all.
“But give the money, Alfred.”
“Understood.”
“Wait a moment!! I don’t need the-“
“Don’t misunderstand. I want you to make an even better sword for me. This is an investment for that. Got it?”
“Uuu, uuuu… I’ll definitely, definitely do it!”
“…Hey, you’re being a nuisance. Zack, do something about him.”
“Again, it’s me!?”
While it is indeed my true intention to have him make an even better sword in the future, what I can’t stand is being indebted to him. That’s why I said I’ll pay, but… seeing the bearded man wailing at my feet, I feel a slight regret.
Well, I’ll leave it to Zack.
§
“Uhh, sorry… We just remembered something we need to do, so we’ll take our leave here. Sorry for the sudden departure. Thank you so much for today.”
“…Thanks.”
Right after leaving Darkin’s forge, Canis and Felis said that.
“Okay, that’s fine! Next time, I’ll take you to a delicious restaurant!”
Zack didn’t try to stop them, and simply saw them off. However,
“..Hold it…”
“…………”
Luke stopped them.
Canis and Felis felt like their hearts were seized just by that.
“I have some things I’d like to ask you as well. I’ll speak with you again when the time is right.”
“…Understood, Lord Luke. Then, we’ll take our leave.”
“Hmm.”
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That was all Luke said. This time for sure, Canis and Felis departed.
“Uh… I’ll be going this way too…”
Zack also tried to join in leaving. Ever since meeting Luke at the forge, he’s been feeling suffocated the whole time, constantly on edge and his stomach hurting.
Luke is a great noble, and Zack is a common adventurer. It’s an unreasonable demand to say he needn’t be mindful. His feelings are only natural.
“Zack, guide me to the Guild. Obtain the adventurer’s license.”
“…Huh?”
But Zack’s wish would not be granted.
“..I won’t repeat myself…”
“Hiiii, understood! I’ll guide you there!”
Zack had no choice at all. Even though he knows it’s futile, he steals glances at Alfred, but is only met with a sharp glare.
Feeling his stomach ache even more from that, Zack quickly gave up. He knows well that in life, sometimes giving up is important.
(I’m sick of this… I want to go back to my companions…)
He silently begins walking towards the adventurer’s guild.
After that, an awkward silence fell. Normally, Zack is quite skilled at lightening the mood with casual conversation.
But this time, he judged that remaining quiet would be wiser. He doesn’t know what might be considered rude. If he accidentally incurs Luke’s displeasure, it would be the worst.
So he chose to stay silent.
“Huh, that’s…”
“…………”
After walking for a while, several carriages came speeding towards them from ahead. Clearly belonging to nobles. Seeing that, Luke tries to recall if Claude had mentioned any scheduled visitors, but he wasn’t informed of any.
And at that moment, Luke and Zack happened to be thinking the exact same thing.
(…I have a bad feeling about this.)
(…I have a bad feeling about this.)
Zack and Luke fervently wish for the carriages to simply pass by without incident. But as if mocking their wishes, the carriages came to a stop.
“…The Godwin family, it seems.”
Luke mutters. The family crest adorning the carriage door belongs to the Godwin family, the leading noble faction alongside the Gilbert family.
And then, the door opens, and a woman emerges.
“It’s been a while, Luke.”
“…………”
Her features were very refined, but there was a rugged atmosphere about her that was not at all aristocratic. Her crimson long hair, like a lion’s mane, Her overly abundant chest, and Her considerable height.
With a bellicose smile, Her sapphire eyes held a quiet fighting spirit and an air of arrogance.
(It’s big……in various ways)
That was Luke’s honest impression.
“──Eleonora, is it?”
“I’m glad. You remember me.”
Seeing her directly, Luke felt the scattered puzzle pieces in his mind starting to fit together one by one. ──Yes, he knew her.
(Longer ago than when I recalled my past life…… [Luke]’s memories. Eleonora is──what you’d call Luke childhood friend.)
When he saw the name of the number one ranked person, and when he heard it from Polpon, the cause of Luke’s lingering unease became clear in this moment.
(……I’ve completely remembered.)
The Godwin and Gilbert families had gradually worsened their relationship after Claude lost his ambition. Until then, Luke and Eleonora had been on friendly terms, but they inevitably stopped seeing each other. And when rumors spread among the nobility that Luke had started learning swordplay, they became completely estranged.
“It’s been a while, Alfred too.”
“It’s been a long time, Lady Eleonora.”
“……I’m happy to see you both, but──”
Eleonora’s previously gentle demeanor changed drastically at that point.
“What are you doing with commoners, Luke?”
If possible, Zack desperately wanted to flee this place. Two great nobles. Even one was an abnormal amount of stress, let alone two.
And now, they were clearly directing unpleasant emotions his way. It was far beyond tolerable.
(Why am I always the one who has to go through this?!)
Unable to voice it out loud, Zack let out a lament in his heart.
“It’s none of your business.”
“You’re right. But I don’t want you to degrade yourself any further.”
“……Huh?”
“When I heard you had started learning swordplay, I couldn’t believe my ears.”
An terrifying aura of anger began to emanate from Luke, but Eleonora was unfazed. She even deepened her smile.
(Nooooooooo!!)
This tense, highly volatile situation was unbearable for Zack.
He was drenched in cold sweat.
“Hey, Luke. Do you remember our childhood? You were truly amazing. I admired you, who could do anything.”
“What are you getting at?”
“I became the top student at the Aslan Magic Academy in just one year. At the very least, I’m now ahead of you. Can you surpass me while practicing this swordplay?”
“……Kukuku.”
Luke chuckled quietly.
“I can settle this right here, right now. The result won’t change anyway.”
“……Hahaha!! ──Sounds good.”
Eleonora’s laughter echoed, enveloping the atmosphere in an even more dangerous aura. It was as if two beasts were glaring at each other, waiting for an opportunity to sink their fangs into the other’s throat. But──
“What are you doing, Eleonora. Hurry up.”
A voice from the carriage dispersed the suffocating tension.
“It’s a pity, but let’s leave it for another time. Then, see you later, Luke.”
“…………”
With just those words, Eleonora turned on her heel and returned to the carriage.
(……She didn’t get off to the end.)
Watching the carriage start moving again, Luke felt intense anger. It was because Eleonora’s father didn’t get off the carriage to the end. That was a clear indication that there was no need for greetings.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Ah, yes…”
But Luke immediately started walking. Zack and Alfred followed.
(Eleonora……that woman is my stepping stone.)
Seeing her directly had reminded Luke of certain source material knowledge.
(So defeating this exceptional talent who became the top in a single year is meant to demonstrate the formidable strength of [Luke], huh. Yeah, I was nothing more than the final boss of the academy arc. Oh well, it doesn’t matter. ──I will obtain a power that is not bound by such trivialities.)
His memories became a little clearer.
Renewing his determination to seize happiness, Luke headed towards the adventurer’s guild.
(But still, I wonder what the Godwin family came here for…)
§
“What’s wrong, Eleonora? Did something happen with Claude’s son?”
“No, not particularly.”
“Really? Your face seems flushed though…”
“I assure you, I’m fine.”
“I see. ──Whoa, what’s with that squirming motion!”
After parting ways with Luke and the others, in the carriage of the Godwin family,
(Oh my god, oh my god, Luke was so unbelievably cool…! He’s grown so much, and most of all, that unshakable strongman attitude even in front of me! So insane! I almost ended up screaming if I let my guard down! ──If it’s Luke, he can defeat me, right. Ah, I want to fight him with all my might as soon as possible.)
Gazing into the distance with a fierce expression, Eleonora was writhing.
The divergence where Luke started learning swordplay and they became estranged had also brought about no small change for her as well.
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