Ch.38Warrior (5)

We followed Melody as she led the way through the corridor.

As we walked, I finally realized where we were—we seemed to be in the same inn where we had stayed when we first arrived in the city.

It appeared to be serving as a kind of temporary headquarters.

Among the busy people moving about, not many possessed combat abilities.

Those who did were either Inquisitors, Imperial Intelligence agents who had accompanied Melody, or Imperial soldiers whose lives I had saved.

“Inquisitor Melody! Reporting in!”

“Lady Melody, the local criminal organizations are colluding…”

“Food procurement is proceeding smoothly. We’ll distribute it to citizens as you initially instructed.”

They sought her confirmation, asked for help, and requested advice.

Melody led Isla and me while offering appropriate solutions or commendations to everyone, and only then did I truly grasp the position of the girl who had been pressing me just moments ago.

The Sword of the Guardian, the right hand of the Guardian and an elite of the Inquisition.

This was closer to the Melody I knew. Always composed, facing challenges with a smile.

Yet behind that confident and dignified appearance lay a scene I simply couldn’t forget.

What exactly was that?

I didn’t know. As I barely managed to hide my puzzled expression, I felt a finger poking my side.

It was Isla.

“Pay attention.”

Her tone was somewhat cold.

I can’t even think freely. Suppressing a sigh that threatened to escape, I continued walking.

Before long, we turned into a corridor filled with supplies.

It reminded me of the logistics center I had visited for a day or two when there was no rice to eat.

The supplies were stacked in boxes, with unsorted items floating around in unorganized chaos.

People moved busily through the spaces, working diligently. Even the atmosphere reminded me of a logistics hub.

Makes me want to throw up.

“Oh.”

When we reached the section where they were organizing the spoils of war, there was a familiar face.

The acquaintance who was busy organizing lists and directing where to move items—Mayor Servan gasped when our eyes met.

“My lord.”

“Mayor Servan.”

“What brings you here? And with Lady Melody as well…”

He looked visibly tired. His face was darkened with fatigue, deep circles under his eyes, and seeing him like that reminded me of my sister, making me uncomfortable.

To think of my sister first when seeing someone overworked. Her face is already fading from memory.

Suppressing a sigh, I glanced at Melody.

“There’s a reason for everything. How is the organization coming along?”

“I believe we’re about 80% done. Since you seem to have business here, I’ll just mention that the important items have already been sorted.”

He tapped the documents as he spoke. I nodded.

“How did you end up being dragged here?”

“Dragged?”

“I came from Servan to provide support. Somewhat forcibly, though.”

Melody crossed her arms pretending to be upset at his casual smile, but it only made her look cute.

She probably knew that and did it intentionally. I dismissed it casually.

“Marsi is the only functioning port in the New Continent. Although it hasn’t been an Imperial port until now, securing and developing it after this incident would benefit both Servan and… the Empire. I had no choice but to come and support.”

“There was also Lady Melody’s strong request,” he added. When Melody tilted her head, he apologized to her while wiping his forehead.

Despite his disheveled hair and the monocle hanging loosely around his neck, he still gave off an impression of neatness.

That was just how he was. His explanation reminded me of this quality.

“The flow of goods from the Old Continent to the New Continent brings more benefits than drawbacks. Since I stayed behind for the Empire in the first place… it would be good if things turned out that way. I consider this all part of my duty.”

“Though I would like to get some sleep,” he added, which was pitiful but not something I needed to worry about.

Mayor Servan was an adult older than me. He was capable of taking care of himself.

So there was no reason to worry.

“You’re working hard.”

“Good job.”

“Thank you.”

He expressed his gratitude with noble bearing in response to the praise Isla and I offered in turn.

I did wonder if Isla’s way of speaking was appropriate for addressing an elder, but I figured it was just a cultural difference.

Mayor Servan, perceptively reading my expression, added:

“Lady Melody rarely praises me. At least, not me specifically. So… it feels good to be complimented by a beauty.”

Isla puffed out her chest, as if to say, “See? He called me a beauty.” I smiled faintly.

“May I attend to my business now? I’m looking for something among the spoils to give as a reward.”

As Melody interjected, unable to wait any longer, Servan immediately wiped the good-natured expression from his face and looked at his documents.

“Could you please guide us to where the magical items have been sorted?”

“Certainly. Just a moment.”

Mayor Servan gazed wistfully at the documents in his hand, then set them down and guided us.

We passed through areas stacked with organized goods and through dizzyingly chaotic sections.

“Here we are.”

The place the mayor led us to contained neatly organized items with labels attached.

They were clearly magical items.

Even to me, who had no magical power and couldn’t sense magic, these items looked impressive.

I slowly examined all the items on display.

The displayed items were diverse.

There was a mace shaped like an anchor, a large hammer that looked threatening at first glance, and an ornate long sword.

There was also a crude but somewhat manic-looking trident, and several bows.

There was even a neatly arranged chainmail.

Among all these treasures, what caught my eye most strongly was a large crossbow.

It was even famous and powerful enough for me to recognize it.

It had an appearance that looked like bones fused together, and upon closer inspection, three human arm bones were harmoniously attached to the body.

It had a stable structure where the trajectories didn’t overlap, with geometric beauty and a somewhat chilling atmosphere.

I can’t believe this is here.

“Do you recognize this item? I’m impressed that you can identify it…”

Thanks to Servan’s words, I managed to suppress the exclamation that was about to escape and approached it.

“You have a good eye. This is indeed the best item here.”

Melody was right.

This would probably be the best among these items. It had to be.

It was an item I couldn’t fail to recognize.

It was a weapon with motifs taken from a famous game.

It did have the drawback that its power decreased if you didn’t use bolts carved from bone.

But if you could consistently supply the right “ammunition,” it was a weapon that boasted the highest firepower in the entire game.

It was called the Crossbow of the Dead—

“Dead Man’s Handiwork.”

I stopped in my tracks without realizing it.

“It’s a relic said to have been made directly by a necromancer of the Three Clans. You really do have a good eye.”

That can’t be right.

Melody smiled contentedly, pleased with my choice, but I thought something was wrong.

[Dead Man’s Handiwork]

[“The second was a dexterous and cunning villain.”

-???

This is the second prototype created directly by a necromancer. It has been modified for quick loading and use of various arrows, based on excellent durability.

After all, adaptability is crucial in the field.]

[Adds 1 point to accuracy and damage rolls, and can use any ranged ammunition.

Can be loaded and fired at twice the normal speed.

Projectiles fired from this crossbow are considered magical attacks and ignore related resistances.]

But when I reached out and grasped the crossbow, the window that filled my vision confirmed that I hadn’t misheard.

I inwardly let out a small sigh of disappointment.

Of course, this was still a good weapon.

It was excellent in terms of ammunition supply and had a much faster firing rate, allowing me to silence enemies more quickly.

But what was this feeling of disappointment? I carefully concealed my disappointed expression and held out the crossbow.

“…Are you giving this to me?”

I turned my head to see Isla, her tail swaying slowly from side to side, her eyes shining.

I couldn’t tell her that I had found something I knew and liked, only to be disappointed when I realized it wasn’t what I thought, so I quietly nodded.

“Are you sure about that? It’s certainly the best item here… but you could choose something for yourself.”

“It’s fine.”

Thinking about it, it was definitely not a bad choice.

Considering that Isla had always fulfilled her role but lacked the firepower to make a proper impact.

This seemed right.

I don’t know what Isla saw in me that made her designate me as husband material and try to kidnap me.

But as long as she viewed me that way, she and I were bound to be companions traveling together.

And I thought it was better to equip Isla and make her stronger rather than adding more to my already complete equipment.

Me getting stronger wouldn’t make much difference, but Isla getting stronger would make a big difference.

“Hmm… I’m not satisfied.”

Melody seemed displeased.

She frowned with her arms crossed, then blurted out:

“Choose one more.”

“Is that allowed?”

This wasn’t something to say lightly. Naturally, Mayor Servan asked, but she nodded, waving her hand dismissively.

“My authority allows it.”

It was forced. But it was a welcome kind of force that I couldn’t reject on moral grounds.

The reason was obvious. She found it unsettling that I had chosen an item to give to Isla as a gift.

She probably thought I would regret it and that I shouldn’t act out of jealousy, but for me, this was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss.

“I’ll take this one.”

Before she could change her mind, I reached out and grabbed an item.

“…That one?”

“Are you sure? That’s…”

Their bewildered reactions followed, as expected.

I had anticipated this response. To them, this probably looked like a worthless item.

But from what I knew, this was something that would synergize well with me.

I took the item with a smile.

It was a sweet item that I could exploit endlessly.