episode_0157

Episode 157 To the Holy Kingdom (2)

About a year ago.

Back when I commissioned the creation of a sword at Juwang’s Smithy, the dwarf in charge, Torka, used some of the materials I brought for Evan’s sword.

I was satisfied with the quality, and since it was used for Evan, I was going to let it slide. But the other party brought up the word “trust” and said they would compensate me, and I’m on my way to receive it now.

So, I arrived at Juwang’s Smithy. The smithy looked the same as I remembered. However, judging by the sounds coming from inside, they seemed busy.

I entered the store. I saw blacksmiths busily carrying items.

“Hurry, hurry, be careful carrying those! If there’s even a scratch! I’ll make you do chores for a month!”

Brand, the manager of Juwang’s Smithy, shouted. He was urging the other blacksmiths on.

Of course, the trainee dwarves followed without complaint, but naturally, the masters protested.

“Brand! You carry them yourself!”

“That guy only knows how to talk!”

“Quiet! Do you think I’m just playing around! I have a mountain of paperwork to deal with!”

Since their argument showed no sign of stopping, I made my presence known.

“You seem busy.”

Only then did Brand turn his gaze toward me.

“Oh, my, who is this. Isn’t it the Saint. What brings someone who never shows their face around here?”

He said sarcastically. But I knew why he was like that. It was because I hadn’t visited the smithy except during the monster season and other incidents.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been too busy to come.”

“Tsk, the apology is unnecessary. As a Saint, you must have had things to do.”

Still, he understood and let it go.

“More importantly, what’s the matter… Ignore this and carry the load, you old geezers!”

Numerous gazes focused on us. All the dwarves were looking at me.

It was only natural. Although smithing was the life and everything of dwarves, they couldn’t ignore the appearance of a Saint.

“Oh, come on, can we do that when someone as important as Estella has come.”

“Let’s talk and take a look at the sword for a moment….”

Even so, their interest in Karsa was still there. A truly dwarvish sight.

Fortunately, Brand blocked the other dwarves from approaching.

“Do whatever you want if you want to go back to Justia! Now, follow me.”

He spat out those words and led me away. Behind me, the masters carried the load with dissatisfied faces.

“Are you returning to the Holy Kingdom?”

“Not me, but the other old geezers are going back. We send them back every few years as a part of the exchange event. They can’t stay in the capital forever, and their minds get stiff if they stay in one place for too long.”

His words were right. It’s good to refresh your mind like this sometimes.

“More importantly, what’s the matter? I’m sure you’re busy with the exchange event.”

“I came to see Torka.”

“Why are you using honorifics for that old geezer. Speak comfortably.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Anyway, since I had business with Torka, he guided me.

“So why are you looking for that old man?”

“To receive the compensation you mentioned before.”

“I did say that a while ago.”

In the meantime, we arrived underground. Since all the blacksmiths were above ground, the temperature of the furnace was low. Still, one blacksmith remained.

It was Torka, one of the first dwarves.

“It’s been a while.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t visited often.”

“No, it’s alright.”

He shook his head as if he understood.

“What brings you here?”

“He said he came to get that compensation for using his materials.”

“Hmm, I thought you had forgotten since you didn’t come. I’m glad you remembered.”

Nodding, he asked me.

“So… what do you want? If you want a weapon or armor, I can make it for you, and if you need any materials, I can find them separately. Tell me whatever you want.”

I answered his question immediately.

“I want to use the rights of the first dwarf.”

“That means….”

“I want to borrow the power of Juwang.”

The first dwarf. A term referring to the first dwarf to be recognized by Juwang, and there are a total of 13, including Torka in front of me.

As such, the first dwarves received a lot of attention and love from Juwang, and unlike other dwarves, they had several privileges.

One of them was the right to work with Juwang, the god of blacksmiths, on production.

Then Brand, who was next to me, laughed loudly.

“This guy’s really trying to get some serious compensation!”

Ignoring his reaction, I asked Torka, whose expression was slightly distorted.

“Is it not possible?”

“No, I’m just surprised.”

“Then….”

“There’s no reason it shouldn’t be. I promised to compensate you within a possible range.”

“Thank you.”

He accepted the compensation I wanted. I bowed and expressed my gratitude.

“The production period can be anytime during your stay in the Holy Kingdom, right?”

“Yes, I’ll come whenever you call me when you have time.”

“I understand. I’ll tell that person.”

The conversation ended there, and I achieved my purpose here.

After that, I had Karsa’s condition checked since I came, and then went back up to the surface.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Then see you in Justia.”

“Come more often! Evan comes whenever he gets the chance! How come the Saint doesn’t come more often!”

I left Juwang’s Smithy while receiving such scolding.

***

Not all students can go to the exchange event. Even in Tianis, only the top students in terms of grades can participate in the exchange event.

The number is 50 per department.

You might think that’s a small number, but the exchange event was strictly an event to represent the academy.

Above all, considering Tianis’s four departments and the 1st and 2nd graders, that’s a total of 400 people. This time, including the 3rd graders, it’s a total of 600 people. That’s a large enough number.

Moreover, considering the fact that students from other academies will flock here, it was right to limit the number to this extent.

Anyway, as time flowed, around lunchtime with one day left until the exchange event.

The front of the student union building was crowded with people. It was because of the students and professors going to the Holy Kingdom of Justia. Not only that, but there were also people who came to watch them go, making it even more crowded.

Of course, the professors’ expressions were serious because they were going to the Holy Kingdom for work, but the students’ expressions were bright, probably because they thought they were going on a trip. In particular, some students had bags packed full of stuff.

“Ugh, I’m nervous….”

“I’m nervous too, Evan… How’s the princess?”

“I’m a little nervous too….”

The three of their voices trembled slightly. It seemed like they were nervous because they were going as representatives of Tianis, and all three of them were going to Justia for the first time.

“Aren’t you worried, brother?”

That’s when my younger brother, Veil’s voice, came from next to me. It goes without saying, but the exchange event was an episode in which all the main characters of “Academy Heavenly Demon” participated, so there were other main characters as well.

For reference, Senior Ruina is also going as a professor. She’s with another professor right now.

I answered nonchalantly.

“What’s there to worry about?”

“You’re the Saint, so you don’t need to worry.”

“…It’s not that, it’s just going to another country. What’s there to worry about. People live the same way there as they do here.”

I’ve met many countries and races, and wherever life lives, it’s all the same. There may be some cultural differences, but there’s no need to worry about being in an unfamiliar place.

“So don’t be like that before you go. And stop shaking your hands.”

As soon as I said that, Veil grabbed his hands and said.

“You’re the one who’s strange, brother. My reaction is normal. Well, you’ve been to the Holy Kingdom before, so you’re probably used to it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t you remember? Well, you went there when you were young, so you might not remember….”

“What is it….”

But before I could ask, Chloe’s shout, who was late despite the important day, was heard from afar.

“Senior, I’m here!”

Chloe greeted the other kids and ran towards me.

“…Try to be on time.”

“A woman has a lot to take care of~. Veil, hi?”

“Nice to see you. Then I’ll be going, brother.”

I wish he wouldn’t go. Veil went back to the other group as it was.

“Veil, really, there’s no need to be considerate.”

“…Sigh.”

“Why are you sighing~.”

“It’s nothing….”

Lana was right next to me, but I suddenly wanted to see her.

“So why did you come? You could have just stayed quiet.”

“What reason do I need to see my senior as a junior. I just came.”

“……”

Originally, when holding an exchange event, each academy sends students to the academy holding the exchange event. But this time, because of what happened last year, the Justia side decided to take them directly.

For that reason, it seemed like I would have to deal with Chloe until the Holy Kingdom arrived.

“But are you okay, senior?”

“About what.”

At that moment, Chloe put up a barrier around us. It was to prevent sound from leaking.

“You’re going to the Holy Kingdom, right? To that place full of divine power that you hate.”

“……”

It was true that I hated divine power. So hateful and loathsome that I would get hives all over my body just from feeling it.

But sometimes you have to endure it. I couldn’t refuse it forever just because I didn’t like it.

Then she said, shining her red eyes.

“Or… Do you want to skip this exchange event with me? It wouldn’t be hard to sneak away with you and my skills… Ouch!”

I stopped her nonsense by gently hitting Chloe on the head.

“Stop talking nonsense. And what’s with the whining. I hit you lightly.”

“Hmph… You’re mean, senior….”

“Leave if you don’t like it.”

“I don’t want to!”

Chloe shouted and clung to me even more. I sighed inwardly.

“But it’s a shame. I wanted to try skipping out at least once. They say that’s romantic for students, right~.”

“Romantic, my foot.”

“Geez, you’re the only one who says that. Everyone wants it so much. Even Evan says he wants to skip out sometimes.”

While we were talking like that. A group was seen in the distance. It was the Divine Academy of Justia that came to pick us up.

“Stop talking. It’s time to go now.”

“Ah… I wish they came a little later.”

Chloe expressed her regret and withdrew her mana.

That’s how I looked at the Divine Academy side approaching the student union building. I saw someone I expected in the group.

It was the elf group led by Elena. The Divine Academy was ultimately a place that revolved around the Holy Kingdom. It was only natural that people from the Justia side would come.

After that, the elves arrived in front of us. The moment Elena greeted the professors, someone popped out from among the elves.

“Hello, everyone from Tianis? We meet again? It’s been a while, Saint!”

It was the Saintess Estella. She smiled brightly and waved her hand this way. Looking at Elena’s expression, it was clear that she reluctantly brought her because of the Saintess’s childishness.

Perhaps because of the unexpected appearance, everyone’s eyes widened, and some people’s faces relaxed and they couldn’t take their eyes off her.

Well, Evan was looking at Elena more than the Saintess.

However, Chloe’s face was distorted at Estella’s appearance.

“Ah, that bitch again….”

She said with a lot of annoyance mixed in.

…I started to worry about the future.