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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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Chapter 143: Gift from Ardehain
'The Swordmaster gave me a gift?'
Wasn't the Flower Sword Ship enough?
I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.
However, what the lotus flower swordsman took out from within her clothes was none other than a shabby-looking stone bracelet.
At first glance, there was nothing special about it.
"Hmm."
"Would you like to try it on?"
Thinking that Loren surely wouldn't send a shabby stone bracelet as a gift, I put the bracelet on my wrist.
With a click— the bracelet clung tightly to my wrist.
Just in case, I channeled mana into it, and I was so startled that I looked up at the lotus flower swordsman.
"...!"
Whiiiiing—
I immediately opened five circles in my heart. The mana flowing through the bracelet continued to amplify, and the stone bracelet turned red. As I let out a groan, the immense amount of mana surpassed its saturation point, and for a brief moment, one more circle was created.
"Do you like it?"
"...What in the..."
It wasn't a matter of liking it or not.
Because of the forcibly amplified mana, a sharp pain surged through my heart, but that wasn't important.
With just this much pain, I could maintain six circles, even if only for a short time?
"...What exactly is this?"
I had never heard of this kind of artifact before.
"Broken Joy."
The lotus flower swordsman said,
"It's a weapon that the Swordmaster cherished. She said it was more suitable for a mage than a knight."
Indeed, Loren accurately understood the value of this weapon.
If a knight used it, it would simply amplify the power of their aura, but for a mage, it was a matter of changing the spell itself.
As soon as I cut off the flow of mana from the bracelet, the red glow disappeared, and it turned back into an ordinary stone bracelet.
Perhaps, if I did well, I could use it to cast one or two 6-circle spells.
I channeled mana into the bracelet once more, but this time there was no reaction.
The lotus flower swordsman said,
"You won't be able to use it again for at least a day."
I couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh.
An artifact of this level would be at least SS-grade, if not higher. For me right now, it was no different from a divine relic.
I suddenly noticed a small blue gem embedded in the stone bracelet.
"What is this gem? It doesn't seem to be related to the flow of mana."
"Hmm."
The lotus flower swordsman narrowed her eyes and looked at the gem.
"So there was a gem embedded here. This is the first time I've noticed it. There was no explanation about the gem."
With a groove in the center, it was a gem that made me want to break it.
It didn't seem like it was just for decoration.
As I looked down at the stone bracelet in silence for a moment, the lotus flower swordsman said,
"Are you hesitant to accept the gift? If you really don't want it, I'll tell the Swordmaster."
"Excuse me, Lotus Flower Swordsman."
"Yes?"
I let out a sigh and said,
"How can I refuse something given directly by the Swordmaster? Of course, I also believe that excessive gifts are a form of courtesy, but the Swordmaster must not consider this gift excessive. Please convey my gratitude for her intentions."
My true feelings were different.
Excessive gifts are excessive courtesy. The more excessive the gift, the better.
The lotus flower swordsman said with a smile,
"I have met the Crazy Mage Squad Commander before."
"Is that so?"
"I was in Urgon as well."
Looking closely at the lotus flower swordsman's face, she seemed familiar.
She was probably the lotus flower swordsman who had bowed before Loren when she declared herself as the representative of the clan head to Balkan.
The lotus flower swordsman spoke to me with favor,
"I understand your intentions, Ruin. The Swordmaster will be pleased as well."
"Thank you."
At that moment, the Crazy Mage Squad members, who had been watching us, gathered around.
"What is it, Commander? What is it? Let me see too."
"Be quiet, Business Manager."
"I'm curious too. Can't you show us, Commander?"
"Control yourselves, Makan."
"I'm curious too."
"Be quiet, Arin. Why are you like this again?"
"Is it something to eat?"
"Hey, you fat bastard."
Whack—
The pig, hit by the slingshot, rolled around and got up, rubbing his head.
"Why do you only hit me?"
"You're the biggest problem."
Seeing the light emanating from Palge's forehead, I shook my head.
'Oh dear.'
I spoke to the fools, each holding a weapon they liked,
"Is everyone ready?"
The Crazy Mage Squad members shouted in unison,
"Of course, Commander."
* * *
For a long time, Fichte didn't seem to want to leave the clan head's quarters.
Even after the Ardehain clan had finished organizing all their luggage, and even after all the other families from the Quebek region had visited and left, there was no news.
The evening glow faded, and the moonlight filled the sky.
With the sound of youthful shouts echoing from beyond the mountain ridge as a backdrop, I looked at the clan head's quarters from the railing of the manor.
The lights in the clan head's quarters were still bright.
"It seems they have a lot to talk about."
I didn't know what the clan head and Fichte were discussing.
But I had a feeling that their long conversation wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
After gazing at the clan head's quarters for a while, I rolled up the sleeve of my wrist and looked down at the stone bracelet.
'Broken Joy.'
Why was the name of the weapon 'Broken Joy'?
I couldn't figure it out.
I thought I should ask Loren about it when I see her next.
I sat cross-legged on the railing and thought about fighting using Broken Joy.
I couldn't just use it recklessly during battle.
The forcibly created circle was difficult to control. The intensity of the pain was also a problem.
However, if I could create enough of an opening, it would be enough to turn the tide of the battle.
'They've really gone out of their way for me. Thank you.'
I meant it sincerely.
The Flower Sword Ship was surprising enough, but a weapon of this level too?
It couldn't be a coincidence.
Loren must have personally chosen and delivered the weapon I needed.
Suddenly, Loren's words flashed through my mind.
"...Comrade."
Had Loren truly meant those words?
"What are you thinking about?"
At the sudden voice, I opened my eyes to see Blair approaching.
With an awkward expression, Blair scratched his head and sat down next to me.
I stopped my thoughts and quietly looked at Blair before saying,
"You destroyed your mana core."
Blair nodded and said,
"Arin did the same."
"I see you've realized something."
Blair's voice sank.
"The demon realm is dangerous."
"What are you trying to say? Are you trying to tell me not to go?"
"I know it's necessary. I just wanted to tell you, Ruin. I know you're capable, but the demon realm is a place where unexpected things happen. Both monsters and people."
With that, Blair turned his gaze towards the training ground.
I was about to reply when I followed Blair's gaze.
Taylor and Cliff were quietly meditating in a corner of the training ground.
Blair muttered softly,
"Senior Brother won't use incantation magic."
I replied,
"That's a foolish thing to do."
Blair shook his head.
"I respect senior brother. He's that kind of person. You wouldn't know, Ruin, but he shouldered a lot of responsibility before you came along. He's someone who endured without a single complaint. If it's the commander, he'll surely move forward in his own way."
"..."
"Because that's who he is."
I looked at Taylor, then at the gradually darkening sky.
Complete darkness was setting in.
I looked at the clan head's quarters, still brightly lit, and then got up from my seat.
"It seems it's too late today."
* * *
The next day, as I stepped out of the manor early in the morning, Fichte was just leaving the clan head's quarters.
He looked around and, upon finding me, approached with a smile.
"You're up early. I was worried I might leave without saying goodbye, but thankfully I found you."
"Are you done talking now?"
Fichte replied with a slightly tired face,
"Yes. I'm in trouble because I have a mountain of work piled up back home. Haha."
"Did the clan head keep you the whole time? Just talking about his own stuff? Back in my day, you know? Like this? I didn't think our clan head was like that."
"That's not the case at all."
Fichte said with a laugh,
"Actually, I was the one who did most of the talking. I lost track of time while talking with the clan head. It took much longer than I expected."
"Well, that's good then."
Fichte looked at the swordsmen waiting at the main gate and said,
"I think I should get going. I've been delayed for too long."
"Indeed. I can't keep a busy soldier like you waiting."
Fichte looked at me with a serious expression.
"Then I'll see you next time, Young Master Ruin. I wish you all the best in everything. I will contact you."
Fichte left the estate with his retinue.
A strange mana wave lingered beyond the main gate, and then a beam of light shot straight up into the sky.
The beam of light split the sky, and darkness swirled in a lotus pattern within the gaping hole.
Then, the elongated, blade-shaped airship grew larger and larger before soaring into the sky.
It seemed there was another Flower Sword Ship.
I waved until Fichte, standing at the bow of the Flower Sword Ship far away, disappeared.
"See you again, soldier."
As the Flower Sword Ship vanished, the split in the sky closed, and the blue sky reappeared.
I looked at the closed sky for a moment and thought,
"I'll have to create a proper barrier later."
I couldn't let just anyone intrude upon the Samael Clan's airspace.
A short while later, youthful shouts began to echo from beyond the mountain ridge.
As the sunlight fully emerged, the Crazy Mage Squad members, one by one, gathered at the manor, dressed in their combat uniforms.
I didn't say anything, but everyone had a solemn expression as if they instinctively knew the time had come.
"Let's greet the clan head and depart."
The Crazy Mage Squad members lined up in a horizontal row in front of the clan head's quarters.
I looked over at the members and suddenly realized there was one more person than usual.
"Why are you here?"
"I want to go too."
"Only the Crazy Mage Squad is going."
"That's why I'm saying..."
Arin looked at me and said with determination,
"I'll join the Crazy Mage Squad starting today."
"Suit yourself."
I had no intention of objecting.
Arin was a good fit for the Crazy Mage Squad. I hadn't even noticed she was there because she blended in so well with the other members.
It was then that Kazen appeared, opening the door to the clan head's quarters.
Following him, the elders appeared one by one from somewhere and lined up in a row on the veranda, facing the Crazy Mage Squad members.
I stood at the forefront of the Crazy Mage Squad members and met the clan head's eyes.
The clan head approached me for a moment and handed me a flag.
"Take this with you."
The Blue Sea Flag.
And, the Black Ring Flag.
[TL/N: Name not final]
I carefully folded the Black Ring Flag and put it in my pocket, then attached the Blue Sea Flag to the flagpole and held it myself.
"We'll be back."
There was no need for long farewells.
"Be careful."
The clan head didn't say much either. Neither did the elders.
Now, everyone in the Samael Clan knew what they had to do.
"Let's go."
After bowing deeply, I immediately left the Samael estate with the squad members.
As soon as we exited the main gate, I looked back at the members.
Seeing them looking at me with determined expressions, I said,
"Don't strain your eyes unnecessarily. Just act like you normally do. Listen carefully from now on."
I planted my feet firmly on the ground and said,
"Our destination is Poeta, the public magic circle. Everyone runs at full speed. The last one to arrive..."
"Fuck!"
Whoosh—
Before I could even finish my sentence, the fools cursed and dashed forward.
"Oh man... these guys didn't even wait for me to finish."
I laughed and kicked off the ground.
While running diligently, I briefly looked back.
Beyond the main gate of the Samael estate, the clan head and the elders gathered in front of the clan head's quarters on the high ground looked as small as dots. It seemed like they were watching us until the very end.
"They're always so worried."
I had a feeling they had a lot to say.
While running, I deliberately raised the Blue Sea Flag high towards the main estate.
The clouds fluttered in the sky above.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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