Chapter 80 – Stranger (3)

“What are you doing! Are you crazy?”

Adel blocked the front of Belloc and shoved the dwarf’s head away. However, the dwarf was immovable. He only flailed his short arms and splattered saliva.

“The sword! That sword! Show them to me!”

“This shorty!”

Before Adel could lift her hand and strike the dwarf, Belloc stepped forward.

“Are you talking about this?”

He leaned the king’s sword he was carrying and the greatsword in his hand against the wall with a thud. The dwarf snapped his head around, quickly approached, and examined the swords.

“Oh, my goodness, indeed my eyes were not mistaken. These are truly masterpieces, no, the word masterpiece is not wasted on them.”

The dwarf, eyes shining brightly, stroked the surface of the swords and caressed the blades. He seemed to pay no attention to the group. When this continued for a long time, Belloc patted the dwarf’s shoulder.

“Shopkeeper.”

The dwarf did not even pretend to hear.

“Oh! This is a weapon with spells cast on it. Sharpness enhancement, owner’s call, and…”

“A blacksmith who recognizes spells? My goodness. He’s a genuine artisan.”

Just as Kara was marveling.

“Why, you lunatic!”

Adel struck the dwarf’s head hard. This time, Belloc did not stop her either. The dwarf let out a groan and sat down on the floor, shaking his head. Soon, he looked up at the three people, blinking his eyes.

What. Why? Anyone would think we were the ones in the wrong. As the group made sullen expressions, the dwarf slightly averted his gaze. Then, clearing his throat, he stood up.

“Ahem. I’ve shown an unsightly side. So, are you the guests who brought these guys?”

“Yes. We came to look at some goods.”

“Goods? Ah. It seems you had a tussle with the fiends. You look a mess.”

The dwarf nodded in understanding.

“First, repairing two sets of plate armor, and that lady looks like a mage… oops. There’s a gaping hole in your robe. You’re lucky to be alive. You’ll need a set of armor too. And… is there anything else you need? Whatever it is, I, Bruce, am the best blacksmith in Altanis. Quality guaranteed. Go ahead, choose.”

The dwarf seemed to have calmed down a bit. He spoke solemnly while stroking his beard. However, his eyes were still glancing at the two swords.

That appearance, which seemed somewhat like a madman, was actually more trustworthy. It felt like they had found the right place. Belloc spoke with a smile.

“Don’t worry about the price, both of you choose whatever you want.”

“Aren’t you overdoing it? The expense will be quite large. I will also contribute… Ah!”

Adel was flustered as she rummaged around her waist. She had no money. To be precise, the luggage bag containing the money pouch had vanished. She wondered for a moment if it was the work of a pickpocket, then remembered that she had dropped the luggage bag in the water when they fell into the lake. *Fuck.* Belloc patted the shoulder of Adel, who had turned pale. It was a good thing he had hung his money pouch around his neck.

“It’s what I should do. Don’t feel burdened and choose.”

“Ugh… Then I will trouble you.”

Adel looked around the weapons with a gloomy expression, but soon her eyes shone. This time, Kara, who was next to her, spoke.

“I’m fine with just a few clothes and a robe. I’m a mage, after all. Wearing armor would only be heavy…”

Was she refusing because it was truly cumbersome, or was she worried about his pocket situation? Whatever it was, Belloc had no intention of listening to Kara.

“Is there any guarantee that what happened then won’t happen again? If you had been wearing proper armor back then, your injuries would have been significantly reduced.”

And I wouldn’t have had to give you CPR either. Belloc recalled the soft lips of the red-haired mage. It was not a bad feeling. The problem was that it was intense enough to make him forget his nostalgia for home, if only for a moment. Kara caressed her lips and mumbled.

“That… is true, but.”

“A leather armor won’t be that heavy or cumbersome. I will pick out a good one for you.”

“Yeah… I’ll do as you say.”

Kara slowly nodded and gently grabbed Belloc’s arm. Leaving the dwarf behind, who was distracted by inspecting the greatsword, the two examined the display shelves. Starting from those made of beasts like cows, bears, and wolves, there were also armors made by butchering monsters like goblins, gnolls, and trolls.

It was a diverse range of items that did not suit such a tiny shop. To think they even attached name tags. How kind. Belloc fiddled with the armors, checking the condition of the tanning, the processing of the seams, and how well the finishing work was done. And he chose one among them.

“This looks good.”

It was armor based on thick bear leather, reinforced with studs here and there. Gloves, boots, and leg guards were also included. It looked like a set. There was no grand reason he chose this. Since it was shaped to fit Kara’s chest well, it looked like it was for women. Before long, the dwarf, who had come up behind them, spoke.

“I made that for the Lord’s daughter under his orders. She said she was sick of the boring life of a noble family and wanted to become a true desert warrior.”

Belloc chuckled.

“I think I know how that story ended.”

The dwarf also chuckled.

“The moment the armor was finished, her dream also faded. How could swinging a sword under this scorching sun be easy? She returned to the boring life of a noble family once more. The history contained in this armor ends there. Isn’t it simple?”

Yes, those bastards were always fickle dogs.

“Sir Belloc. I will go with this.”

Belloc turned his head. Adel was holding a double-edged axe as tall as her height, which looked brutal just to look at. An axe instead of the sword and shield she favored. Had there been some change in her feelings? Well, though it was hard to handle, its destructive power was good. Belloc nodded. Then, he also picked up a slender rapier for Kara.

“We’ll take these. How much?”

“You said you’re leaving the armor for repairs too, right? Wait, but that armor of yours. Isn’t it an item with a spell cast on it?”

“That’s right.”

“Can you take it off for a moment? I need to inspect it closely to give an estimate.”

Belloc took off the armor he was wearing and showed it to him. The dwarf checked the crest armor, which had scratches and holes in several places, and clicked his tongue.

“As expected. The spell cast on it weakened as the crest engraved on the surface was damaged. I won’t be able to fix this perfectly.”

Shit. Things turn out like this. Belloc looked at Kara to see if it could be engraved again, but she also shook her head.

“It was a spell that far exceeded my level. It is beyond my capability.”

The dwarf spoke.

“That makes sense. I’ve handled many pieces of spell-bound equipment, but this is my first time seeing something like this. Is it some kind of ancient relic?”

Well, that was true. Although it was a pity… Belloc shook off the rising lingering attachment. Armaments were ultimately consumables.

“Then can you repair it as much as possible?”

“All I can do is fill in the gaps while preserving the spell engraved here as much as possible. If that is fine with you, I will do so.”

“Please do so. How much?”

The dwarf folded his fingers one by one. Soon, finishing the calculation, he spoke.

“Including the lady’s… you’ll have to give me three hundred gold coins. Every single one is in terrible shape. Did you fall into water and get slammed into sediment or something?”

“My goodness…”

Kara and Adel gaped. It was because they had not expected to pay such an amount. However, Belloc opened his money pouch with a calm expression. Soon, he picked up a handful of glittering gems and gave them to him.

For those who made a living by the blade, whether knights or mercenaries, equipment was directly linked to their lives. Thus, saving money on it was a foolish thing to do.

“Is this enough?”

“It’s enough. No, rather, it’s excessive. Wait a moment, I will give you the change.”

“Keep the change, and melt that sword down to make a decent weapon.”

When Belloc spoke while pointing at the sword used by the king, the dwarf’s jaw dropped.

“*Fuck?* Are you telling me to crush that masterpiece with my own hands?”

Belloc nodded calmly.

“That’s right. Because I already have a sword. I think a throwing weapon would be good. How about a spear?”

The size of that sword was too large to recycle into a dagger or an axe. That was why he came up with a spear.

“Are you serious? That sword is no ordinary item. It is truly something only a king of a country would have…”

The dwarf tried to dissuade Belloc while shaking his beard, but he did not listen. Even when he suggested exchanging it with other equipment in the blacksmith shop, it did not work. Ultimately, it was the dwarf who gave in.

As the shop owner, he had a duty to fulfill the customer’s request. At the same time, the blacksmith’s desire to dismantle that sword once was added. He let out a deep sigh and spoke.

“A throwing spear. Understood. However, it will take some time. Shaving that down without damaging the engraved spell requires immense mental effort. On top of that, there’s work left by other customers.”

“How long will it take?”

“A week. Just give me a week. I will do my best.”

It seemed to take too long. Couldn’t it be shortened a bit? Belloc thought to himself, but looking at the dwarf’s blazing eyes, he realized the fact that he had never had a proper rest since starting the journey with his companions. Yes, this place wasn’t some grey city, so why was there a need to be chased by time like this?

The goddess’s single remark, “Insufficient,” when he killed the Archdemon; his companions who had crossed the boundary of death; Isabel’s disappearance—all these thoughts struck his head. Belloc slowly closed and opened his eyes. His values regarding this world began to change little by little.

*Fuck.* What was this, was this self-abandonment? It was a shitty world. It was damn dangerous and uncomfortable too. But… how about looking for some happiness in a place like this? Recalling a pair of cat-like eyes and lips as crimson as her hair, he spoke.

“Then, I will come back in a week. Is there a decent inn here?”

“Desert’s Water of Life. The beer there is killer. The meat sandwich is also art.”

Leaving the dwarf’s words behind, the group left the blacksmith shop.

#

Candles stuck in wall sconces lit up the interior brightly. Beneath them, ten large round tables were spaced widely. The wooden floorboards were covered with bright yellow sand. It was a sight showing that this was an unfamiliar land. And there were a few more such sights.

“Oh—the endlessly unfolding stream of life—I lay my body beneath your feet, so even Shatra’s gaze dares not covet us—”

A dancer, bare-chested and covering only her lower body, fluttered her wings with elegant gestures. The turban-wearing soldiers, mercenaries, and farmers who had finished their field work stomped their feet to her dance. Then, they sang along at the top of their lungs.

Belloc drank beer using the dancer’s sweat-glistening chocolate skin, firm abs, and jingling accessories as side dishes. It was just as the dwarf had said. The taste was excellent. Soon after, two women came down the stairs.

Adel wore a white shirt and pants, while Kara wore a tunic with a long skirt reaching down to her knees. Leather boots and pointed shoes squeaked on the floor, and the round table became full. Belloc said as he took a bite of his sandwich.

“It suits you well.”

“Thank you, I will wear it well.”

“I’ll wear it well.”

The two bowed their heads and sat down. Soon, Adel saw the dancer who was dancing and frowned deeply.

“This country’s culture is truly vulgar. Did they bring someone like that as a bard?”

Kara, who had finished her bath, spoke with a much more relaxed face.

“I heard there are performances where they dance exposing their upper bodies and barely covering their private parts. It’s a cultural difference between the two countries, but it’s certainly a bit much in our eyes…”

“It’s hot.”

Belloc replied indifferently as he pushed plates of food and beer mugs in front of them. Kara took a bite of her sandwich. Her eyes widened.

“This is really delicious. What is it made of?”

“Hmm…”

Adel also pretended to be expressionless, but the twitching corner of her mouth showed that she liked the taste of the food quite a bit. Considering that food at an ordinary inn was usually a pig-slop-like stew and stone-like bread, this was extremely excellent. The singing grew louder, and the dancer’s movements became a level more intense. The cheers of the people also grew louder. It seemed to be the climax of the performance.

Leaving behind the lyrics sung completely out of tune and tempo by the drunks and the squeaking floorboards, the group washed away their travel fatigue. They emptied dew-laden beer mugs one after another, and even ordered meat dishes and stews to fill themselves. Kara rested her chin on her hand, placing her arms on the table. Her brown eyes were loosely relaxed.

Adel crossed her legs and carefully watched the performance she had called vulgar. Although there was much to talk about, such as discussing future plans, Belloc did not bother to open his mouth to break the mood. He just closed his eyes slightly.

The result of the two level-ups obtained by killing the Archdemon. He had not distributed his stats. He had been too distracted. Soon, entering the world within himself, he was startled. The new power written as ‘Lightning Sword’ had changed to ‘Dragon Slayer’s Lightning’. What on earth was this?