Ch.49Chapter 49 – The Reunion with Her Was the Worst. (1)

After Rudger left, the three people returned a short while later.

“Kay… you seem to be in a good mood?”

“Do I?”

“Yes. Your face looks a bit brighter. Did the person who came earlier bring some good news?”

Everyone sat down, puzzled by my sudden change in demeanor.

“Something good happened.”

“What is it?”

Eve asked.

“I got permission to go to the Magic Tower together.”

“The Magic Tower? Who from?”

“Old man Rudger.”

I nodded to Sera who had asked the question.

Before Rudger left, I had asked if I could go to the Magic Tower with him, and I had just received confirmation that I could.

Meanwhile, Eve fell into thought for a moment before speaking again.

“You’ve been interested in the Magic Tower for a while, haven’t you?”

“Why do you think that?”

“When I was explaining about the Magic Tower before, you seemed to be listening very carefully.”

She must be referring to when we were returning from the New Kingdom.

That was quite a while ago, yet she still remembered.

“Correct.”

“So becoming an adventurer was your way of trying to get involved with the Magic Tower somehow.”

I nodded again at Eve’s words.

“…Well, I couldn’t think of any other way.”

“It might seem crude, but that method was probably the most realistic. The Magic Tower is extremely exclusive.”

“It’s amazing that it even exists, that place…”

Christina said this and then looked at me.

For some reason, she was smiling brightly.

“To think you’ll be able to go to a place most people can’t even visit—I should offer a prayer of congratulations!”

Yes, pray a lot.

With Christina’s voice as background noise, the rest of us started talking.

Sera was the first to speak up.

“I’ve always wanted to go there too. I’m envious.”

“Do you want to come along?”

“Well, since alchemy does use magic power. I wonder if I could possibly accompany you?”

Sera asked cautiously.

Seeing this, Eve also spoke up.

“Then, could I come along too?”

“You too, Eve?”

“Yes.”

Eve said with a smile.

“I might find some good business contacts there.”

Such a dedicated merchant spirit.

I wondered briefly if I could bring two more people.

‘I might as well ask.’

But this is old man Rudger we’re talking about. He probably won’t care.

He didn’t seem to care much when he gave me permission to come along.

“I’ll ask him. Old man Rudger probably won’t mind, so he’ll likely say yes.”

“Yay!”

Seeing Sera’s joy made me smile a little.

Considering how hard she tried to save me back there, asking this much is the least I could do.

Seeing this, Eve seemed to remember something and spoke up.

“Then, we should go to the workshop.”

“Why?”

“Your armor is completely destroyed, isn’t it?”

Cold reality hit me.

Eve pointed at her own clothes.

“While I’d like to see Kay in a formal suit like mine, armor is basically your formal wear, right? You’ll need it for work anyway, so you should get a new set made.”

“That’s… true.”

She had a point.

‘This is going to cost me again…’

Reality that I had forgotten came crashing back.

Just as I was starting to worry about money, Eve smiled and said:

“Since you returned safely, I’ll buy it for you as an investment this time too.”

“No, that’s too much.”

I tried to decline, but Eve shook her head.

“It’s fine. This time I’ll attach a condition.”

“What kind of condition?”

“What should it be?”

Seeing Eve’s bright smile made me slightly uneasy.

She’s probably saying this because she thinks it’s doable, but if it’s beyond my abilities, it could be difficult to handle.

“Nothing big—just help me make a connection.”

“A connection?”

Eve said something unexpected.

When I gave her a look that suggested I needed an explanation, she nodded.

“Normally, merchants like me can’t even approach someone like Paladin Rudger.”

“Huh? Really?”

“He’s a famous figure in the Jeolei Order with quite a high position, while I’m just a merchant in the Merchant Guild, to be frank.”

Eve said with a smile.

“He didn’t seem like that type.”

“You don’t realize it because you’re so close to him. That’s how status works.”

Eve crossed her legs slightly.

She seemed to be getting comfortable, probably thinking this would be a longer conversation.

“Most people are turned away before they can even approach him—that’s how it is.”

Even if Rudger himself doesn’t do it, others prevent people from approaching him beforehand?

Eve smiled and said:

“So, you’ll arrange an opportunity for me to meet Rudger, right?”

I thought about it for a moment.

I had a feeling he might be at the guild tomorrow morning.

“…I’ll ask him next time I see him.”

“Thank you. Now, let’s go get your armor fitted.”

I stood up.

“Oh, Rudger recommended his regular blacksmith. Should we go there?”

“I don’t mind, but are they skilled?”

“Very skilled. The best weapon I’ve used so far.”

“Ah, should we pick up your other weapons too? They looked like they needed some maintenance.”

“As Sera said, let’s stop by the inn first.”

I got up while exchanging words with Eve and Sera.

We passed through the reception room, Eve told an employee she was going out briefly, and then we left the trading company.

“Ah! Where is everyone going?!!!”

“Oh, we’ve been caught.”

“And we were being so natural about it.”

Christina, who had been so focused on praying that she hadn’t noticed us leaving, was hurriedly coming down the stairs when we saw her trip on her nun’s habit.

+

We came out of the inn after collecting the weapons that had been stored there.

Since all the weapon belts were broken, I had to carry them by hand as there was nowhere to attach them.

“Did you bring that too?”

“Yes. I thought Kay would want it.”

Sera answered while lightly showing the halberd she was carrying.

“Finders keepers, right?”

“You did well bringing it.”

It was good news, especially since my armor was completely destroyed.

I didn’t know at the time because I was unconscious, but Sera had brought all the weapons including the halberd.

“…When I see Seraphina carrying it, it looks so light…”

Sera was already the shortest among us, and holding the halberd made her look even smaller.

Anyone would think the same seeing her carrying it so effortlessly with one hand.

“I wonder if she’s stronger than Moo.”

“Moo? Who’s that?”

“Our trading company’s mascot.”

That was the beast Eve rode in the New Kingdom.

That furry creature had such soft fur.

“Come to think of it, how is Moo doing?”

“He’s doing well in the stable.”

I remembered how it pulled four fully loaded carts with ease.

I kind of wanted to see Sera and Moo have a strength contest.

“Kay, you’re thinking something strange, aren’t you?”

“No.”

How did she know?

Feeling Sera’s slight glare, we walked through the alleys until we reached our destination.

“I’ll go in and check first.”

After saying that, I went inside.

“Welcome~”

Peri was minding the store.

+

With Peri’s permission, we all gathered in the small smithy.

He had brought out chairs, so everyone except me was seated.

“So, armor, right?”

“Do you not handle armor?”

“What kind of blacksmith wouldn’t handle that? Just wait a moment.”

Peri said this and went inside.

A moment later, I saw him dragging out several sets of armor.

“I’ve brought everything I have in stock.”

“Thank you.”

“Try them on one by one to decide, and for the weapons, you just want maintenance for the damaged ones, right?”

“Yes.”

Peri smiled and held out his hand, and Sera, still seated, handed him the halberd she was holding.

“Let’s see… AAAGH?!”

As soon as Sera handed it over, Peri’s arm dropped downward.

Sensing danger, he immediately let go of the halberd, and there was a loud thud.

“…How were you holding this with one hand…?”

“It’s light, isn’t it?”

Peri’s arms were muscular, befitting a blacksmith.

Yet he struggled to lift it.

Sera is the strange one, not Peri being weak.

Peri picked up the halberd using both hands and spoke:

“Wow, the blade is really worn down. Did you use this to repeatedly strike stone floors or something?”

I hadn’t done anything like that, but thinking about it, I had struck something similar.

“It’ll be quite difficult to sharpen this.”

Hearing that, I decided to change my approach.

“Is it very expensive?”

“Oh, are you thinking of disposing of it?”

“Yes.”

There’s no need to insist on keeping the halberd.

However, Peri smiled and said:

“This is a New Kingdom weapon, right? There aren’t many of this quality around, so I’d recommend just sharpening it and continuing to use it.”

“If it’s expensive, I was going to put that money toward the armor.”

“If you buy armor, I’ll give you a discount on sharpening this.”

I nodded at his words.

While Peri examined the other weapons, I tried on each set of armor one by one to compare them.

After a long time, I chose an armor set and put on the helmet.

I selected a helmet somewhat similar in shape to my previous one.

‘The field of vision is indeed different.’

This is something I’ll just have to get used to.

“Have you made your choice?”

“Yes.”

“Then, the price would be about this much…”

Peri showed me a paper with the prices for the armor and weapon maintenance.

It was cheaper than I expected, but still expensive.

“Let me see.”

“Here…”

I showed it to Eve with a slight tremor.

Eve looked at the price and seemed a bit surprised as she asked:

“Is this price okay?”

“Uh, yes, it is…”

Peri answered politely, and Eve nodded.

Soon, she held out the sword she had been wearing at her waist.

“I’m sorry, but could you look at this as well?”

“That’s no problem. Should I calculate it separately?”

“No. I’ll pay for everything.”

Eve nodded, and Peri accepted her sword.

Then Eve handed over a money pouch, which Peri accepted.

And Eve added:

“I put a little extra in there.”

Peri happily took the money pouch and went inside.

“Take care on your way out!”

After leaving the shop and walking for a bit, I asked Eve:

“That was quite expensive. Are you sure it’s okay?”

Eve smiled at my words.

She looked very happy.

“Thanks to you, I found a really good shop.”

She murmured quietly while looking back:

“That quality at this price is a bargain. And his skills seem good too.”

“Really?”

“To think such a master was hiding without any sponsor.”

I started to see something dark emanating from Eve again.

“To think such a gem was hidden in an alley like this.”

What kind of plan is forming in her head?

“Somehow, your expression looks similar to when you look at me…”

At Sera’s words, I considered asking but decided against it.

Sometimes it’s better not to know.

“The armor looks great, my savior.”

“Thank you.”

The overall composition was similar to my previous armor.

Thick leather pants with greaves, chest armor, and arm guards.

It was clear that better ore was used compared to my previous armor.

“Your old armor was starting to wear out, so it looks good to have a new one.”

“With that, you’ll look like a proper adventurer when you go to the Magic Tower, which is good for you too.”

The other two said as much.

This is making me feel awkward.

“Thanks, everyone.”

“We’re a team, it’s nothing.”

Eve said.

+

The next day, I headed to the guild alone.

Normally I would have gone with Sera, but she had told me last night that she would rest today, so I let her sleep.

She must be exhausted after taking care of me for days.

Wondering if I should buy her something on my way back, I opened the door and entered to find Rudger reading a newspaper.

He immediately noticed me approaching and looked up.

“That gait. You… oh?”

Rudger, who was about to greet me happily, was surprised by my appearance.

“You got new armor?”

“I had it made at the place you introduced me to.”

“Well, your old armor was in tatters anyway.”

Rudger nodded as he looked me over.

“Hmm, not bad.”

“I chose well, right?”

“It’s not just about choosing well. You should use equipment that matches your hands and skills. Using just anything isn’t good.”

Rudger nodded with satisfaction.

“Since it’s been a while, let’s take a subjugation request as a warm-up. That one sword is enough, right?”

“Yes.”

Of all the weapons I had left with Peri, only this sword that I bought from his shop survived.

Of course, he sharpened it since the blade was a bit worn.

So I headed out with Rudger to take on a subjugation request.

On the way, I asked about Eve and Sera’s request, and Rudger laughed and said:

“I welcome it. Going just the two of us might feel a bit empty.”

“Why is that?”

“Because you’ll probably stay quiet trying to be polite. That’s no fun, is it?”

How rude, old man.

As we were chatting lightly and heading toward the city gate, I felt it.

A gaze.

“…What’s this?”

Rudger seemed to feel it too and stopped alongside me.

“It’s just one person… should we catch them?”

“Let’s watch for a bit.”

Feeling the gaze following us from behind, I continued walking with Rudger.

‘They’ve got some nerve.’

I’m not easy to deal with, but Rudger is even stronger than me.

Yet whoever was following us was trailing behind both Rudger and me.

Still feeling the gaze, we reached the city gate.

“Once we’re outside, we’ll turn around and catch them.”

I nodded at Rudger’s plan.

After being inspected by the guards, we went outside the city gate.

We planned to prepare and strike immediately while the follower was briefly detained by the guards.

We pressed ourselves against the side walls of the gate, ready to strike whoever came out.

‘Huh?’

But no one came out.

We remained tense for a few seconds, but there was no sign of anyone coming.

Rudger and I exchanged glances and peeked inside the gate.

We could only see a guard standing alone.

“Did they notice and run away?”

Rudger said as he approached me.

I also thought so and relaxed my guard.

“Well, attacking when I’m here would be ridiculous anyway. Let’s go on our subjugation mission.”

Rudger laughed heartily and slapped my shoulder.

Although it felt unsettling to have lost track of the follower, I thought it would be fine for now.

“Hello!”

A voice suddenly came from right beside us.

As soon as I heard it, I immediately reached for my weapon.

Rudger’s eyes widened as he also reached for his weapon.

Then I felt a sharp pain in my stomach.

“Ugh…”

Turning my head slightly, I saw a fist buried in my stomach.

As my body was about to collapse, something caught me.

I tried to resist, but my body wouldn’t move for some reason.

My body was turned around, and the attacker positioned themselves behind me.

‘What…’

I tried to turn my face to see the attacker.

-CLANG!

I felt the attacker swing something to deflect Rudger’s sword.

Rudger, also somewhat surprised, immediately tried to launch a series of attacks.

It was fast and efficient.

Amazingly, the attacker quickly swung something to block Rudger’s combo and then jumped back while still holding me.

“Who are you?!”

“I don’t plan on facing a Paladin head-on~”

I’ve heard this voice before.

Where have I heard it?

“I said who are you?!”

Rudger shouted angrily as he charged forward.

And finally, I could barely see what appeared to be the attacker’s hair in my field of vision.

Long, black, beautiful hair that might be considered pretty at first glance.

I remember seeing it before.

“Shall we go together then? Subject 13?”

How does she know that?

As I turned my face with difficulty in my confusion, I saw the attacker’s face.

It was that drunk woman I had seen at the mine, and who I had recently hired for a job.

The last thing I saw was her confident face before my consciousness began to fade to black.