Chapter 70
Chapter 70
But Deliver Us (5)]
Everyone, without exception, went into the dormitory and sought sleep. The matter in the desert had been that exhausting.
“I’m so tired I could die.”
I remained alone in the chapel. Regardless of the others, I had to wrap things up.
I billed the Kargula Family for the expenses and received compensation as well. A considerable sum of 3,000 knuckles. It was the combined reward for securing two bottles of Slime of the Acid Gecko and the statue of the desert eagle.
“The Holy Brush is a bit ambiguous, though.”
The Holy Brush I obtained in the process was somewhat ambiguous. It was an item received through a religious quest, yet the Holy Brush possessed a will of its own.
Perhaps it had taken a liking to Winter, because it clung to her. Since it was an item I had never seen even in the game, I would have to look into what abilities it had.
“Then.”
I finished organizing the expense details and completed the report regarding the long-term mission. Once Winter, who would arrive soon, reviewed it and submitted it, that would be the end.
At last, the long-awaited moment arrived.
▶ Random Artifact Summon Ticket.
I received the same reward in the game as well. Most artifacts were quite usable, so there were no real duds.
If it had been a selection ticket instead of a random one, I could have drawn whatever was necessary for a dangerous situation, but there was no need to save it now.
▶ [Laurel Crown of Victory] acquired.
Upon victory in battle, restores 50% of lost stamina.
“Hmm.”
A crown woven from laurel leaves formed in my palm. It was an item I had seen in the game. Though the description said “upon victory in battle,” in reality, it simply required killing the enemy.
It wasn’t an unusable item, but compared to others, it was a little disappointing. Still, since stamina was important because of Anaye’s skills, I was reasonably satisfied.
‘Now only the vacation remains.’
The major matters had been resolved. Although Episode 3’s side quest remained, that was something to deal with after the vacation.
During the break, I only needed to consider the pilgrimage. Since it was a place where an event quest would open at a 100% rate, I had to prepare appropriately.
“Ah.”
Suddenly, something amusing came to mind. At present, the only item I possessed was the [Laurel Crown of Victory].
The rest were merely ordinary things like a military shovel. As for weapons, I planned to replace them with a Relic, of which each character could obtain only one.
Since I used stamina as a cost, depending on how I utilized it, the [Laurel Crown of Victory] could demonstrate high potential.
“Artifacts can be enhanced.”
Only someone on the level of the Imperial Princess could use artifacts as basic attacks.
Rather than obsessing over obtaining something else, it wasn’t a bad idea to easily enhance what I already had.
“Hmm? You’re out early.”
The chapel grew briefly noisy at the sound of its door slowly opening.
The one who appeared, eyes heavy with sleep, was Winter. She greeted me in a half-dazed voice.
“Yeah. Have you come to your senses, Ms. Win폐?”
“…Yes.”
At my words, Winter replied sullenly. I chuckled and organized the documents.
On the train back from the desert, Winter had shed thick tears and apologized. She said she felt like she had been a burden.
“Why are you sulking over something like that?”
“…I’m not.”
I didn’t particularly think of her as a burden. It seemed that because her combat ability was lacking, she had ended up comparing herself to the others.
But Winter’s identity was that of a healer, a supporter. At the very least, there was no healer capable of dealing damage in the [Difficult Dungeon].
“To be honest, wasn’t the real burden Her Imperial Highness?”
“Senior! Please! Watch what you’re saying! Okay?”
Startled by my words, Winter hurriedly tried to stop me. If someone overheard that by mistake, my head would roll.
“Am I wrong?”
“…I don’t know.”
I made a sulky face. She had sliced apart that black hand-shaped structure.
Thanks to that, we finished the quest easily, but it didn’t change the fact that it had been a rash attack. It was fortunate that the result turned out well, but it had been sufficiently dangerous.
“But didn’t Her Imperial Highness help us a lot too?”
“That’s true.”
The Imperial Princess’s combat power had been remarkable. She dealt with one of the bosses alone and showed undeniable force in the final battle against the heart.
“Anyway, you’re a supporter. You don’t need to be strong.”
“……”
“You gathered us back together with Silent Bell when we were scattered, and you freed us from the mirage too. It wasn’t bad.”
Only after I praised her like that did Winter make an embarrassed expression. More than anything, her true value showed itself here.
“Oh, you’ve organized the documents.”
“You just need to review them.”
“Yes.”
Administration. What had only been roughly finished after I stayed up all night, she would wrap up within just a few hours.
That alone was enough.
“What about the Holy Brush?”
“Oh. Right.”
As if she had just remembered, Winter lightly patted her shoulder. The Holy Brush poked its head out from between her school uniform.
“…Why is it coming out from there?”
“I think it likes me.”
When I narrowed my eyes, Winter let out an awkward laugh. It seemed they had grown much closer in just a day.
“Do you know the Holy Brush’s ability?”
“I’ve only heard about it in legends, so I’m not sure yet. I’ll look into it properly.”
She gently stroked the Holy Brush as if cherishing it. I thought it was a pet snake. Since it was an item comparable to the Holy Scripture, it must possess an ability befitting that status.
Or I could simply offer it up to Anaye as a tribute.
“Oh. The Holy Brush wrote something for me.”
“What?”
Winter pulled a sheet of paper from her embrace and handed it to me. The handwriting was round and neat.
“But deliver us?”
“Yes. It’s a passage from the Holy Scripture, and the Holy Brush translated it for me.”
A translator? I stared at the text with a puzzled expression. It was a passage that looked somewhat profound.
If it suddenly wrote something like this, what could it mean?
“More importantly, Senior.”
“What is it?”
“Why was Her Imperial Highness there?”
Only then did Winter ask what she had been curious about. The sudden appearance of the Imperial Princess during the desert expedition.
For people of our status, even seeing her face once was difficult, so it was only natural to wonder about her appearance.
“You know that superior the Vice-Commander mentioned from time to time?”
“No way.”
“Yeah. That very person.”
Winter nodded as if she understood. Then she tilted her head, puzzled.
“But last time, when that superior told you to come, you didn’t go, did you?”
“That’s right.”
“…Is that really okay?”
Winter seemed to realize just how outrageous what I had done was. I shrugged.
“At the time, they hadn’t even revealed their identity. What were they going to do if I didn’t go?”
“But you knew who they were, Senior.”
“That just means I was exceptional.”
“Heh.”
Now Winter laughed as if dumbfounded. She looked as though she was thinking something over.
“Well. I’m sure you’ll handle it yourself, Senior.”
Was that avoidance, or trust? I looked at Winter with an amused expression.
“Senior.”
“Yeah?”
“Are you going to buy another military shovel?”
I supposed so. Every time a battle broke out, I had to buy a new military shovel.
There was a Relic weapon I had in mind, so I intended to fight with ordinary weapons until then, but even that wasn’t quite suitable.
“I should get something sturdier this time.”
***
“Hmm? Hm.”
Worden had no idea why he was here. The moment he entered the workshop, he had been dragged along as if kidnapped.
“It looks… scary?”
Worden stared at the vicious-looking horn slung over Davide’s shoulder.
“It’s a Hellhorn Bull.”
“Is it strong?”
“Fairly strong.”
At the word strong, Worden showed interest. Davide shook his head from side to side.
“Are you taking me too?”
“It’s the Poison Swamp.”
“Oh? Then I won’t go.”
Even Worden, who would leap into a blazing inferno for fun, avoided the Poison Swamp. Not because it was dangerous, but because it was troublesome.
“Where are we going now?”
“We need to get a weapon. Something sturdy.”
They strolled through the marketplace, chatting idly. Worden didn’t take the lead in conversation, but he answered diligently when spoken to.
“So you’ve finally come.”
The moment they stepped into the workshop, they were met with a sharp glare. The owner, who shot them a fierce look with a sullen face, was certainly intimidating, though not on the level of Astral.
“My apologies.”
Watching Davide bow obediently, she clicked her tongue. She had tried to appear intimidating in her own way, but he didn’t so much as flinch.
The owner rose from behind the counter. She didn’t forget to shake her head as she looked at the long, bulky item Davide had brought.
“Follow me. Your item is ready.”
Davide and Worden tilted their heads.
“What? Did you place an order?”
“No idea.”
At Worden’s fixed stare, Davide merely shrugged.
Seeing their behavior, the owner furrowed her brow openly.
“You idiots. The two of you came and left those Swamp Ant antennae with me.”
“Oh.”
“Oh? Oh.”
Only then did Davide and Worden nod. The owner clicked her tongue low and turned around.
Without a word, they followed her. They headed toward the curtain drawn behind the counter. From beyond it, an inexplicable chill could be felt.
“Hm. Seems you’re carrying something rather strange.”
“Well. Something like that.”
The owner not only sold goods but also worked as a blacksmith. A blazing furnace came into view. Yet even that fierce heat could not be felt.
“It’s cool in here.”
The source of that abnormal phenomenon was magic, or something derived from it. The owner didn’t seem related to magic, so she likely possessed some peculiar item.
“You noticed?”
At Davide’s remark, she looked at him with mild surprise. She seemed impressed that he had grasped the workshop’s secret at once.
“Is this the reception room, by any chance?”
The room they arrived at under her guidance was spotless. So spotless that it contained nothing but a table and chairs.
“That’s right. Important guests are brought here.”
“…Good heavens.”
There wasn’t even wallpaper. Wondering if she truly used a place like this as a reception room, he asked—only to receive a confirming answer.
Davide felt oddly conflicted. Should he be grateful for being treated as an esteemed guest, or admire her audacity in calling a place like this a reception room?
“Have a seat. I’ll bring it.”
The hand that lightly patted his shoulder felt surprisingly friendly. Swallowing a sigh, he sat in the first chair that caught his eye.
“It’s… hard.”
The absurdly stiff texture reminded him of the chapel. The chapel’s sofa wasn’t luxurious, but whenever he sat somewhere this uncomfortable, it inevitably came to mind.
“Now then. Since you’re guests, it’s only right to serve you something to drink.”
The owner entered carrying a massive bag and immediately tossed something to Davide. He caught it smoothly.
Feeling the cool sensation filling his palm, he checked what it was—a bottle of water.
“Much appreciated. Want some?”
“No.”
Ever since hearing this was the reception room, he had stopped expecting proper hospitality. Though Davide offered, Worden shook his head vehemently.
Davide gulped down the water and looked at what she had brought.
“When I used the processing method you mentioned, it really did turn out that way.”
“Yes. Well.”
“These are the additional improvements I researched. Quite high-grade.”
She opened the bag and took out what was inside. The material felt tough. Grasping it by the shoulders, she lifted it up.
“I’ve got your height and build, so it should fit perfectly. You can try it on if you’d like.”
It was a black coat with a subtle sheen. On the back, Anaye’s emblem was embroidered in golden lines.
There was also an additional shoulder piece, covering not only the shoulders but the chest as well. It fastened with buttons, making it look far more flexible.
“Clothes? Did you order that?”
“No.”
The design was good. He liked it. The texture was fine too. The only problem was that he hadn’t ordered it.
“Wasn’t the commission only for processing the materials?”
“It was. But I rather liked the material. You said you had to make priest robes anyway.”
Davide frowned. She had used the materials as she pleased, and that was her excuse.
“Of course, it’s free.”
At the owner’s next words, Davide clapped his hands. He offered praise for her lovely brand of tyranny.
Worden, not understanding what was going on, clapped along. Watching Davide’s displeased expression instantly vanish, the owner broke into a cheerful grin.