Chapter 188: c188

Half of the first semester of the 3rd year had already passed.

During that time, I focused on two things.

My duties at the academy and strengthening myself.

I was confident that I had achieved satisfactory results in both areas.

But of course, I couldn’t be complacent.

‘I need to do as much as I can, no, even more than that, while I still have some leeway in the first semester.’

Although there was that unexpected incident at Schwarzfeltz, basically, I could consider the first semester safe for my life.

On the other hand, from the second semester onwards, there would be events that could threaten my life if I didn’t handle them properly.

The Red Moon tragedy, where I die, is a second-semester event.

Therefore, the time in the first semester was even more crucial.

I had to become as strong as possible and prepare as much as I could.

‘By the way, I think it should be almost complete by now.’

I shifted my thoughts outward.

The matter of the Holy City’s underground, which I had left alone for a while.

I had easily conquered the 11th underground floor, but I intentionally postponed the 12th floor.

Because I knew it required sufficient preparation.

I had requested those preparations a few months ago.

I provided Ran, the youngest disciple of the master craftsman Crave, with ample materials to build a forge and asked her to craft the items crucial for the conquest.

And by now, the results should be ready.

“Heh, then let’s go.”

As soon as I made my decision, I moved.

* * *

“It seems everyone’s doing well?”

I said, meeting Camian and Annette after a long time.

In their first year, they were full of rookie vibes, but now, as second years, they had a more relaxed and even mature air about them.

“It seems like you’ve changed a lot too, Senior.”

Camian said with a serious look.

It seemed his discernment had also grown.

“In what way?”

“Isn’t it obvious? What else would it be?”

“Obvious?”

“Of course, it’s your nickname that’s changed. ‘Beauty Hunter’ Max, Senior.”

“Cough, cough!”

An unexpected blow.

I didn’t expect him to jab at me with that, especially in front of Annette.

Hey… you’ve grown a lot.

“E-Excuse me, Camian.”

Annette, her face slightly flushed from the awkwardness of that strange nickname, tried to stop Camian.

But Camian was undeterred.

“It must be a proud nickname for you, Senior.”

“…Just what kind of person do you think I am?”

“A legendary… Mmmph!”

Annette covered Camian’s mouth with a “Please stop” expression.

Good job, Annette.

I gave her a thumbs-up.

Annette bowed her head apologetically.

You’re going through a lot too.

“Um… I don’t misunderstand, Senior. Nicknames are always exaggerated, right? Whoever came up with it, I honestly think it’s a bit too much…”

“Mmmph!”

Annette successfully stopped Camian, who seemed to want to refute her statement.

Yes, just keep doing that.

I chuckled.

As for who came up with it…

…It was my four dimensional classmate.

At that time, I didn’t expect that absurd nickname to stick so quickly.

To the point of even overshadowing my original, strong nickname, “The trash of the Celtrine Family.”

It must mean that my current image to people is similar to the feeling of that nickname.

But what was even more absurd and funny was.

That this new nickname was blatantly displayed as a title in my status window.

– A nickname given by your strange classmate.

– It strangely suits your reputation.

– Many beautiful women seem to have a strange attraction to you.

– Men are jealous of you.

– Having this title might give you confidence when dealing with beautiful women.

…What is this strange title?

I don’t even know what the effect is, and the description is just funny.

If I had to find meaning in this title, it would be this:

In the game, if a named character like the Blood Witch gets a nickname, it can become a title.

If it were a cool nickname instead of this weird one, wouldn’t it create a title with good effects?

Of course, it’s not something I can control, so it’s practically meaningless.

Ah, there was one more good thing about it.

It’s better than the embarrassing nickname “The trash of the Celtrine Family.”

Of course, it’s better than trash…

“Alright, alright. Call me whatever you want. So you don’t have to worry about it.”

“Ah, yes, Senior.”

“Then shall we go down?”

“Yes!”

It’s good to see them so energetic.

“Mmmph!”

You calm down, buddy.

“Let’s go.”

I chuckled and started walking.

* * *

The 11th underground floor.

The place, which I hadn’t visited in a while, had changed a lot.

“Shields up!”

The residents simultaneously raised large steel shields.

“Forward!”

They pushed their shields forward powerfully.

“Advance!”

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

They advanced with powerful steps.

The sight of people in full armor advancing with shields felt like a solid wall.

Moreover, their rows and columns were so perfectly aligned that there seemed to be no gaps.

“Thrust spears!”

Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!

A storm of thrusts, extending out as they tilted their shields.

They seemed ready to turn anything blocking their path into a porcupine.

“Wow… that’s amazing.”

Annette exclaimed in admiration.

“To think they’ve become such strong soldiers already… their development speed is terrifying.”

Camian also clicked his tongue in wonder.

“Of course. They’re all people who have survived here.”

This underground space was a hellish place, incomparable to the surface.

Every day was a struggle for survival.

Naturally, the weak had already perished.

Those who survived until now were strong individuals in many ways.

That’s why they were able to perfectly execute Gwen’s harsh training and become such strong soldiers.

And that very force was the key to my plan.

“Then shall we go to the forge?”

“What about Gwen?”

“It seems like she’s in the middle of training, there’s no need to interrupt her, right?”

And so, we headed to the forge.

* * *

The forge on the 11th underground floor.

It was practically a product of my full support.

Perhaps that’s why the sign that read had “Sponsored by Big Brother Max Celtrine” written in small letters.

It was a sign that made me chuckle every time I saw it.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!

The sound of powerful hammering.

Just by the sound, I could tell that work was in progress.

We waited outside so as not to disturb her, and the hammering stopped.

She must have heard us.

“Oh? Big Brother Max is here? Camian and Annette are here too?”

Ran greeted us, dripping with sweat.

Perhaps due to the intense heat, her face was flushed red.

“It’s been a while. I didn’t want to interrupt your work, but I feel bad.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve already finished all the important work. What I’m working on now is just a side project. Ah, maybe it’s a bit much to call it a side project.”

“You finished all the important work? Then what about the things I asked for?”

“Of course.”

Ran shrugged.

As expected of the genius craftsman Ran.

I knew I could trust her.

“Come this way.”

Ran led us to an open space behind the forge.

There were two large objects covered with cloth.

Ran removed the cloth from the one in front.

“First, the large ballista.”

Swoosh.

The cloth fell, revealing the large ballista.

“Wow.”

“Whoa.”

“Woah.”

The three of us exclaimed in admiration simultaneously.

We couldn’t help it.

First of all, its overwhelming presence.

It was twice the size of ordinary ballistae.

And it wasn’t just big, it exuded a sturdy solidity.

It wouldn’t be easy to give that feeling with just wood.

I thought it was the feeling of perfect craftsmanship, without a single flaw.

“How is it? Are you satisfied?”

Ran asked.

She seemed to be subtly fishing for compliments, which was cute.

She was still a young lady after all.

“It’s truly magnificent. It exceeded my expectations by far.”

My honest impression.

Even in my history of playing this game, this was the first time I’d seen something like this.

It seemed that even a skilled craftsman couldn’t fully demonstrate their skills without good materials.

It felt like a product that finally embodied 100% of her abilities.

‘This is her serious mode? I’m speechless…’

I had always wanted a large ballista that could take down ogres and trolls in one shot.

But that was a kind of exaggeration.

In reality, even if it took two shots, it was still considered good.

That’s the kind of weapon it was.

But this one…

‘Could this actually take them down in one shot?’

Since its size alone was on a different level from the ones she had made in the past, I couldn’t help but have high expectations.

“Yes, I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“It looks like it could even take down a dragon…”

Annette and Camian joined in with their praise.

A smile spread across Ran’s lips, and her shoulders lifted.

“Heh, this is nothing. It’s not difficult for me to make something like this if I put my mind to it. Anyway, I’m glad you like it.”

“Yes, you worked hard. Thank you.”

I looked around and continued,

“But why is there only you? Where are the others?”

“Ah, they’re being diligently trained.”

“Trained?”

“Yes, you need training to use a ballista properly, right?”

“Oh.”

My eyes changed.

I thought it would be too much for them to handle with just group combat training, so I didn’t mention it, but it seemed they had started training on their own once the ballista was completed.

It was a good, proactive attitude.

It also meant they understood that the stronger they became, the higher their chances of survival.

“I see. Very good. Then are the arrows there too?”

“Yes, they’re being used for training. Even the most powerful arrows are useless if you can’t hit the target, right?”

“You’re right.”

I chuckled.

The arrows, the core of the large ballista.

Ran wanted orichalcum to meet the destructive power I desired, and I met her request by providing her with the expensive orichalcum.

Although I hadn’t seen them with my own eyes, I was sure they were excellent products.

Because it was Ran who crafted them.

“Then let’s move on to the next one. The battering ram.”

Whoosh.

Ran removed another cloth.

“Wow.”

“Whoa, it feels so heavy… but also kind of cute?”

“I-Is this a turtle…?”

The three of us once again expressed our admiration and impressions.

A large turtle.

A battering ram in the shape of a turtle stood there.

The detailed depiction of its shell was a work of art.

And the turtle’s head.

The turtle’s head, which looked incredibly sturdy, was staring forward with a dignified expression.

“I thought it would be boring to just make it plain, so I added my own touch. Isn’t it nice?”

Ran once again had a subtle expression of wanting praise.

“It’s definitely cool. It has a certain presence.”

“Heh, Big Brother Max has good taste.”

Ran’s head lifted proudly.

“But is this cute thing really a siege weapon?”

Annette asked with wide eyes.

“Yes, even though it looks cute, it’s a very scary one. Especially this turtle head, right?”

Ran pointed at the turtle’s head with her finger and continued,

“It’s an alloy with plenty of orichalcum, so nothing can beat its sturdiness. It’ll smash anything, just you wait.”

Her words were filled with confidence.

It was trustworthy.

In my past playthroughs, the battering rams were made of common iron, so their performance during sieges was tear-inducing, but this one definitely looked different.

And another difference.

“That shell…”

“It’s for protection. Even a siege weapon is useless if it gets destroyed, right?”

“It looks incredibly sturdy, is that also…?”

“Yes, it’s an orichalcum alloy. Of course, the alloy content is much lower than the head, but I guarantee it won’t break.”

“Sob, sob.”

“Huh? Why are you crying?”

“My eyes are sweating.”

“What?”

“…There’s a reason.”

The battering rams that we finally managed to drag into position, only to have their tops shattered by magic attacks because they were flimsy.

Those frustrating days were over.

Tap.

I grabbed Ran’s hand.

“Wh-Why are you doing this?”

Ran stuttered.

Her face was slightly flushed, as if embarrassed.

“I’m so grateful.”

“N-No, you can just say it…”

“The beauty hunter’s habits never change, Senior.”

Camian interjected, seizing the opportunity.

“Huh? Am… Am I a beauty?”

Ran seemed pleased.

I smiled.

“Any woman who does her best in her work is beautiful.”

“Senior, come on…”

“You started it, buddy.”

“Still, let’s refrain from being cheesy.”

“I’m not being cheesy.”

“…”

Camian’s mouth shut tight at my words.

I like you, Ran.

“Oh right, Big Brother Max.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Are you busy?”

“No, I came down today to check on the work.”

Now that I had confirmed the progress, I needed to set a date for execution, but at least not today.

“Then can you wait a little longer?”

“What’s up?”

“You know the side project I was working on?”

“Ah, that. Why?”

“It’s my small token of appreciation for your sponsorship.”

“A small token of appreciation?”

“A gift. A gift.”

No one in the world dislikes gifts.

Of course, I’m no exception.

But what kind of gift?

“It’s in such bad condition and so old that it’s an eyesore.”

Ran’s finger pointed.

It was pointing directly at the sword hanging from my waist.

D-Don’t tell me?

“I happened to have some orichalcum left over, enough to make a sword…”

“Sob, sob.”

“Wh-Why are you crying again?”

“I love great swords. Please make one for me.”

“…”

An unexpected jackpot.