Ch.122Chapter 122: Captain Balt.

“Until then. I need to restore Valt’s body to its original condition by tomorrow.”

“Hmm? Why? If the supply unit is passing through the day after tomorrow, shouldn’t we just push back the orcs to match their passage?”

The allied orc expedition force led by Grace needs to reorganize their troops for proper military operations.

Grace intends to appoint Valt as the commander.

“Me? Hmm? Is that okay when I’m of this race?”

Valt was genuinely surprised. Even though Gerungtu were becoming more common on the continent these days, appointing a Gerungtu as their commander was an entirely different matter.

However, those who had witnessed Valt’s achievements in Leverik and Beltrik would consider it natural.

“Yes, everyone’s welcoming the idea. So you need to look after your fellow troops as their commander, right? That’s why you need to recover by tomorrow for the appointment ceremony.”

“Why bother with such…”

While an appointment ceremony might seem like empty formality, it has the beneficial aspect of clearly establishing the commander to the troops and boosting morale.

Moreover, with Valt having defeated two Orc Lords, the momentum would be even greater.

“Well, I’m still a bit inexperienced in commanding a mage unit…”

“Huh? You’re not in a mage unit.”

“What? I’m a mage, so what do you mean I’m not in a mage unit?”

“Well… Valt, you’re a mage, but your fighting style is a bit different from typical mages. That’s why you’re the vanguard commander at the front lines.”

The front lines would make most Central Continent people shudder, but for Gerungtu, the front line is an honorable position where only the greatest warriors can stand.

“Ha! The front lines!?”

However, elves have the opposite view.

Elves, who are best at handling spirits and providing long-range support, command and support from the rear.

“Are you upset about it?”

But Valt just laughs heartily.

“Hahaha! Of course not. A front-line assault unit, something I couldn’t even do in my homeland—I’m absolutely thrilled!”

Arias smiles gently, seeing Valt’s good mood.

“That’s a relief. Lisa and Liris said you’d like it, and they were right.”

“Yes, I’m excited that such an opportunity has come. I can’t just sit still. I should recover right away.”

“Oh? Can you recover right away?”

Valt takes something out of his spatial pocket.

It’s a beautiful, bright, transparent jewel.

“Ah, not immediately, but I was told to use this when I’ve recovered somewhat. It’s a recovery medicine that Lamrpo prepared for me.”

Lamrpo was still devoting himself wholeheartedly to Valt.

His principle was that those who fall have no wings.

Though things were going well now, it all originated from Valt.

Lamrpo was not the kind of merchant who would mistreat the person who made him rich just because he was doing well.

That’s why he kept sending gifts like this that Valt might need.

“Huh? That’s a Mermaid’s Tear? Where did that old man get it?”

“Hehe, I don’t know either, but it seems Lamrpo travels around the continent as much as I do.”

The intermediate healing item, Mermaid’s Tear.

One of the reasons mermaids dislike humans stems from these Mermaid’s Tears.

Wars even broke out to obtain these tears.

However, the Imperial Emperor’s decision to ban capturing mermaids for their tears became an opportunity for mermaids to open their hearts to humans.

The fact that there was even a mermaid at Grovunt Academy shows how much relations have improved.

*Crack*

Mermaid’s Tears are solid, making them convenient to carry and use as recovery medicine.

Though it’s extremely tiny like a pebble to Valt, he puts just one in his mouth and bites down.

*Tsuzuzuzu*

“Ohh… this…?”

As everyone knows, mermaids are a race of the sea.

The sea is water. Water is the source of life, so it’s related to recovery.

It’s the same principle as Arias using water spirits to heal people.

That’s why mermaids excel at water magic and healing magic.

These characteristics of mermaids are clearly manifested in the Mermaid’s Tear.

“Amazing… I didn’t expect it to be this effective…”

And Mermaid’s Tears are very useful because they not only treat physical injuries but also conditions like Valt’s magic depletion.

“Wow… I’m seeing it used for the first time too. You’re almost completely recovered!”

“Hehe, yes, I’m just grateful to Lamrpo. He’s truly a helpful man.”

***

After recovering, Valt immediately goes to find Grace.

All troops had gathered here in Beltrik by Grace’s orders.

“Oh! Valt! Are you feeling better!?”

Grace, who was wrestling with paperwork at her desk, greets Valt warmly when she sees him.

“You have to do paperwork even in a place like this?”

“Haha, well, that’s what being a princess is about. It comes with responsibilities and duties.”

This woman, who is always pleasant to meet, now treats Valt like family.

‘Hmm, I wonder if things are going well with my brother. Well, it’s been nothing but war since then.’

While Valt is thinking this, he encounters someone truly unexpected.

BANG!

The door to Grace’s office bursts open, and a man of enormous stature enters.

Tanned skin and muscles that look ready to burst.

Even though he’s wearing clothes typical of Central Continent people, his appearance is unmistakable.

A silver-haired barbarian.

Valt’s sixth brother.

Luktan Gerungtu.

“Hahahahaha! Little brother!! Your brother is here!!! It’s been a while!!”

“B-Brother?”

Valt was confused by his brother’s sudden appearance.

“Wait, how are you here, brother…?”

Luktan goes to Grace’s side and places his hand on her shoulder.

“Hahaha!! How can a husband be absent from where his wife goes! It’s only natural, little brother!”

“!!!???”

As Valt and his companions stare at Grace with shocked expressions, she just clears her throat with her head bowed.

“Ahem… Well… that’s how it is. It’s not official yet, but we plan to marry.”

Lisa steps forward, unable to process this violation of normal relationship progression.

“No! This is too fast, even for fast relationships! I didn’t even know you two had met? Ah! Hello, Valt’s brother, I’m Lisa Valentine!”

Lisa bows politely, and Brother Luktan responds with a hearty laugh.

“Oho!! Valentine!! I have quite a history with the Valentines!! Nice to meet you. Former enemies are now allies!!”

Luktan had fought with a Valentine before. It was Lisa’s third brother, Rowin Valentine.

“How is that guy doing!? That pale one with his hair tied up tight. Ro? What was it, Ro-something?”

“Rowin, my brother?”

“Yes!! Rowin!! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that guy. We were supposed to duel again.”

That day’s match ended in a draw.

Rowin and Luktan had agreed to compete again later and withdrew their forces.

“Y-you fought with Rowin?”

Rowin Valentine is the third son of the Valentine family but is considered the strongest in swordsmanship. Of course, his overall combat ability is inferior to the eldest, Leon Valentine, but his swordsmanship is exceptional.

Since Rowin was a complete master, Lisa was impressed by Valt’s brother who had managed a draw with her brother.

“Does Kwan know? That you’re here like this?”

“Hahaha, of course. I told him I’d rather die than be kept from meeting Lady Grace.”

At those words, Grace appears extremely embarrassed.

“Ahem… You really… say such embarrassing things so casually.”

“Of course! To think of being confined to the south while such a beautiful woman exists! I couldn’t live like that!”

Luktan, who had always dreamed of romance with a Central Continent woman, had fulfilled his wish thanks to Valt.

“And what kind of man would I be to leave my woman in danger! I rushed here in one breath and smashed that orc or whatever’s head in.”

No wonder Grace’s advance was faster than Valt had expected.

With Brother Luktan’s help, it would have been possible to defeat the Orc Lord quickly.

“That’s reassuring.”

From Valt’s memories, Luktan Gerungtu could be considered the very embodiment of a Gerungtu.

The great warrior of the Gerungtu who overwhelms enemies with tremendous strength from his enormous body!

His massive battle axe was powerful enough to tear through dozens of approaching enemies with a single swing.

“Hehe, that Orc Lord or whatever was strong. He withstood even a joint attack from Grace and me. What do you think, little brother? Can you defeat him?”

Grace pokes Luktan in the waist.

“My future husband seems a bit hard of hearing. Valt has already defeated two Orc Lords by himself and is standing here, Luktan.”

Luktan looks extremely surprised at those words.

“W-what? Is that true, little brother?”

“Well, yes, it is, brother.”

Luktan then embraces Valt tightly.

“Sniff!! Our youngest has really grown up well!! I was worried that such a frail child could ever become a great warrior! But you’ve grown up so well!”

“Haha… is that so.”

Valt doesn’t remember being that frail. It’s just that with a five-year age difference, Luktan, who grew up quickly, remembers Valt as being weak.

In fact, Valt’s current perfected physique is even more solid than Luktan’s.

Though he’s Valt’s sixth brother, because Kwan had his children quickly after the first three, there isn’t much age difference between the remaining siblings.

The age difference between Valt and Luktan is just 5 years. He’s 2 years older than Grace.

“So, brother, will you also participate in the orc subjugation?”

“Is that even a question! Of course! Hahaha, I’ll slaughter them all!!”

He’s clearly a reinforcement worth thousands of troops. One Luktan would be better than hundreds of ordinary soldiers.

Valt had been worried about how strong the enemy’s two Orc Lords would be when combined.

But now their side had also received a proper strengthening of forces.

“The day after tomorrow will be so much fun!! Fighting alongside my youngest brother!! Hahaha, I’ll see just how strong you’ve become!”

Valt just grinned at Luktan’s boisterous exclamation.

“Just don’t fall over in shock, brother. Hehe.”