WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 255: While He Was Away (1)
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Hale Kingdom, located in the center of the continent, was a small nation. Compared not only to the great powers but also to the countless other nations across the continent, it had nothing particularly outstanding.
Its territory, finances, and military strength were all insignificant. It was a nation with less influence than a renowned fencing hall in the west.
The reason Hale had managed to preserve itself for more than three hundred years was its allied nations.
Sonan Kingdom.
Köln Kingdom.
And Bisau Kingdom.
These four kingdoms were too weak to overcome chaos on their own. Yet because of that, they had built an alliance stronger than almost any other.
When Hale suffered an injustice, Sonan rose up as though it were their own matter. When Koln faced a crisis, Bisau dispatched troops as though it were theirs.
For other nations, facing all four kingdoms, which helped one another like brothers, was an immensely burdensome prospect.
That was how the small kingdoms of the continent's center had survived until now. Even in this era of peace, they held a rotating banquet every year to preserve their old closeness.
But...
'That is all in the past now.'
Kyle Murdock, Duke of Bisau Kingdom, gave a bitter smile.
It was true. The strong relationship between the four kingdoms no longer remained.
Under the Holy Kingdom of Abilius's claim that chaos summoned demons, the entire continent had entered an indefinite peace agreement.
Of course, he had no intention of disparaging the Holy Kingdom's cause.
The world truly had stabilized since that noble agreement a hundred and fifty years ago. Demons, once commonly seen in ancient times, no longer appeared.
However, freed from the threat of foreign invasion, the unity of the four kingdoms could no longer be as strong as it had once been.
To prosper more than their brother nations.
To appear superior to their former friends and allies.
To avoid being disregarded, mocked, or torn apart.
That was why Kyle Murdock had come to Runtel Kingdom.
'Even so, the political marriage between the princess and House Slick is still... No. Stop thinking about it.'
The Duke of Bisau shook his head.
It was already in the past. Besides, it was not entirely bad.
Ephrein Slick.
A Grand Mage of Runtel, the kingdom of magic and one of the Two Continental Powers. He was also the second-in-command of House Slick, one of the three great magic houses.
If they had not accepted someone so powerful, someone even the kings of most nations would have to defer to, as the royal son-in-law, would a duke from a small kingdom like himself have been able to come here and ask for help?
The answer was obvious.
“Whew.”
Kyle Murdock examined himself in a mirror.
Was his clothing disheveled? Were there any stains? Was his smile perfect?
A short while later, someone from House Slick approached.
“This way.”
“Understood.”
He followed the expressionless servant, who looked like a doll, down a long corridor.
Walking, and walking, and walking again.
At some point, he wiped away the sweat that had begun to flow and steadied his labored breathing.
Before he knew it, he had arrived at the door.
Despite his feelings, the Duke of Bisau forced a smile and stepped into the room.
At the center of a room that was strangely vast, Grand Mage Ephrein Slick sat in the seat of honor and welcomed him.
“You've arrived?”
“Yes. Kyle Murdock of Bisau greets the great mage of Runtel, Lord Ephrein Slick.”
“There is no need for excessive formality. Sit.”
Despite his gentle tone, Ephrein's expression remained impassive.
The duke paid it no mind. There were far more concerning things before him.
Of course, he did not show it.
Forcing himself to ignore the women who were neither fully dressed nor fully undressed, Kyle Murdock took his seat.
Soon, the meal began.
Rare dishes, expensive wine, and beautiful women striking enough to make one's eyes widen.
Everything the duke enjoyed was gathered in that room, yet he wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Of course, he could not do so immediately.
He would first have to gauge the mood, then carefully broach the subject.
Afterward, he would bow low and ask for help. He could not afford to do anything offensive.
Yet before he could put that plan into action, the other man brought up the main subject first.
“I hear a Sword Master has appeared in Hale Kingdom.”
“Pardon? Ah, yes.”
“I also heard he is young. That must put you under pressure. Especially since this year's banquet is being held in Hale Kingdom.”
“Honestly, it does.”
“That must be why you came here. You need support. Bisau's own talent will not be enough to save face.”
“...”
“Good. Perhaps I'll take a trip outside for once.”
“Pardon?”
Kyle Murdock was startled by Ephrein Slick's words and asked again.
It was not surprising that Ephrein had brought up the matter first.
With House Slick's information network, they would naturally have a clear grasp of the situation.
As Ephrein had said, the duke planned to receive the support of a few high-ranking mages, bring them to the banquet, and display Bisau's strength before the other three kingdoms. He also intended to show off Bisau's relationship with Runtel Kingdom.
But...
'Ephrein himself is moving over something this minor?'
It was difficult to believe.
To be more honest, he felt deeply uncomfortable.
It was strange to think such a thing while receiving help, but he genuinely wished Ephrein Slick himself would not get involved.
Of course, he could not say that.
“Did you just question me?”
“...”
“Your answer is slow.”
“My apologies. I overstepped.”
“That can happen. I understand.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“...”
“Hm. The meat is a little tough.”
An insignificant question. An ordinary exchange.
Yet in that brief moment, the duke's clothes had become damp as though he had been caught in a downpour.
Sweat dripped from his forehead and continued to soak his clothes, but he could not even think of wiping it away. He only maintained his polite smile.
“Then I will see you at the banquet.”
“Yes. I can only be grateful for the Grand Mage's kindness.”
Thirty minutes later, the meal finally came to an end.
Yet Ephrein Slick did not leave the room.
The old man's hand, cold as a snake, wrapped around one of the beautiful women.
A faint moan. An expression beginning to break.
It would have been natural for his eyes to drift there, but the duke never met her gaze.
After offering his final respects, he quietly left the room and departed Ephrein's residence.
“...Whew.”
A deep sigh.
An even deeper sorrow.
Having met the former princess again after a long time, the Duke of Bisau climbed into his carriage with a dark expression.
* * *
“My father, my younger sibling, and I. The three of us have decided to attend together.”
“Thank you. Truly, thank you!”
“I mentioned this before, but... you may speak more casually with me.”
“Ah, right. Thank you, Master Farreira! Thank you so much!”
The Commander of the Twilight Order, still unaccustomed to speaking casually, was overjoyed.
He could not help it.
Airen's standing had risen so high that the commander had even concealed his status, fearing Airen might refuse the king's request. A reaction like this was not strange at all.
But to Airen, it was only natural.
'A wise king who dispatched the kingdom's finest knight order as soon as he heard news of a demonoid outbreak.'
A request from such a king.
And it was merely a request to attend a banquet. Airen was not cruel enough to refuse it.
Of course, that did not mean he felt no pressure.
'...It will not be a comfortable atmosphere.'
The sixteen-year-old Airen Farreira, ignorant of human relationships and political affairs, was gone.
Of course, he was still inexperienced.
However, he understood well enough what this banquet meant, and what it meant for him to appear there.
He would be displayed.
The other kingdoms would keep him in check.
Just like the banquet of the Six Southern Houses he had attended right after returning from Krono Fencing Hall, there would surely be people looking to disparage him, his house, and his kingdom.
But...
“I will think about that later.”
Airen muttered as he cut off the thoughts that kept spreading through his mind.
He was not planning to attend cheerfully and without a thought.
However, there was something more important.
He needed to take care of his people, those precious to him.
'Lord Lindsay, the countess, Sir Bill Staunton. And... Illia.'
Airen thought of several people as he headed toward Vulcanus's smithy.
Every one of them was someone important to him or someone he was indebted to.
'I cannot visit them immediately because of the Four-Kingdom Banquet... Still, would it not be right to at least prepare gifts?'
As for Illia...
He would prepare a letter for her as well.
It was fortunate that Lulu had decided not to accompany him. Thanks to that, he could easily ask her to deliver the gifts.
Of course, the thought also brought some doubt, but it was pushed aside the moment he reached the smithy.
Vulcanus, sweating profusely as he hammered iron, spotted Airen and spoke.
“What is it? Need something? A sword?”
“...How did you know?”
“I've spent my entire life making swords. I can tell just by looking at your expression. But this is funny. You're the one who took ten months to come see me even after I offered you a fine sword for free, and now you suddenly need a sword? Is it a gift?”
“...Yes.”
“Ha, unbelievable. You're going to give away a sword made by Vulcanus, the greatest blacksmith on the continent, instead of using it yourself. My pride is taking quite a beating.”
“I apologize... But they are people who would not be satisfied with any sword but one made by you, Vulcanus. They are also people I truly cherish.”
“...”
“Um, I will pay more than enough for them...”
“Forget it. What payment? I've got plenty of money.”
“Then...”
“I said forget it! Just follow me quietly. Then choose. Understood?”
Vulcanus spoke gruffly.
It was not as though he had no complaints, but Vulcanus believed he had received a far greater favor from Airen.
Honestly, a request like this was nothing.
Airen did not know what was in Vulcanus's heart.
That was why he worried. Was Vulcanus planning to toss him a few decent swords and call it a day?
Of course, that was not the case.
The moment Vulcanus opened the door to the storage room at one side of the smithy and Airen saw the weapon racks inside.
“...”
Airen could not even think to close his gaping mouth as he stared blankly at the swords.
'These are not merely decent.'
That was right.
Even saying they were incredible would not be enough.
After finally closing his mouth and swallowing, Airen picked up a heavy sword that seemed suited for a house lord. Then he awakened his senses.
...It did not fall short.
Not even compared with the other Numbering Swords he had experienced.
“Making your sword improved my skill somewhat. In the past, I could rarely produce swords of this quality, even when I put my utmost effort into them. Recently, though, they have been appearing quite often.”
“...”
“Of course, I have no intention of being satisfied with this. My goal is the golden Sorcery Sword you possess. I may not be able to surpass it completely, but I will not rest until I create a sword that exceeds it in at least one aspect.”
“Still, this should be more than enough for a gift. Don't you think?”
Standing before the greatest blacksmith on the continent as he asked that question, Airen did not think, 'This will let me save face before Lord Lindsay and Sir Staunton.'
Illia Lindsay.
Thinking of the person he loved, Airen asked Vulcanus a question.
“There is a swordswoman I know.”
“Hm?”
“She is highly skilled and overflowing with talent. She gives those who watch her fresh inspiration, like a cool breeze. I am certain she would also be of help to you, Vulcanus.”
“And?”
“Would you consider making a sword for her?”
“...”
“The swords here are all excellent, but I would like to give her a better gift. A sword she might like even more.”
'I know who he means.'
Vulcanus had once overheard Kiril and Lulu talking. Airen was likely referring to Illia Lindsay, House Lindsay's talented young lady.
He had also learned about Airen's feelings for her. The look in his eyes was unmistakably that of someone in love.
'Not bad.'
Vulcanus grinned.
No one knew what life had in store.
Still, he thought the two made quite a fitting pair.
'Airen Farreira, inspiration itself, and Illia Lindsay, another source of inspiration that this brat personally vouches for. Then...'
If things went well.
How remarkable would the child born between them be?
How much inspiration would that child bring him?
'...If I think that far ahead, I should put in some effort.'
Though he was not even involved in their romance, Vulcanus was already imagining a rosy future. He finally answered.
“Good. I will put some effort into it.”
“Ah! Thank you!”
“Not immediately, though. If it is a sword that needs such care, I want to see the person herself before I begin. Bring her here.”
“Pardon?”
“The smithy and I can't come to her, so bring the person receiving the gift here.”
“...”
“What? Can you not bring her?”
Airen Farreira listened to Vulcanus's words.
He answered with a serious expression.
“I can bring her.”
“Good. Then we will speak again when that time comes.”
The dwarven blacksmith grinned, his passion burning fiercely.
Beside him, the young swordsman's heart was also burning hotter than ever before.
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