[WN] Emperor's Seventh Son : 14 - 3

14-3

The Lost History and the Blacksmith Who Lives Eternally

Translator : PolterGlast

The treasury of the Fimbul Duke House was vast enough to make one feel its endless history. Although named a treasury, it was something like a junk yard. But to those with an eye for it, it would probably look more radiant than a mountain of gold. Rather than gold and jewels, it was a warehouse packed with a very dilettante taste, the kind that hoards an inexhaustible amount of art and antiques.

「I heard the Blacksmith-sama almost completely stopped speaking 500 years ago. Even I have only spoken exactly two words with him so far.」

「That goes a bit too far even for a stubborn and taciturn craftsman...」

「No, the Blacksmith-sama isn't like that. His soul as a human is gradually transitioning into the state of a soul as an object. I heard the Blacksmith-sama said so.」

「No, I don't really get it. What on earth is that thing?」

「You'll understand when you see. Look, this is it.」

Even being told "this," I didn't understand the meaning at first. Fenrieda turned around in front of a pedestal in the back, and held her hand over a hammer displayed there.

「Stop joking around.」

「It's not a joke. This is the legendary Blacksmith-sama who has lived since ancient times and watches over us.」

「Even if you say that, I'm at a loss on how to respond...」

「You're the one who told me to let you meet him! I'm not making fun of you or anything!」

I stared intently down at that hammer. She called it a hammer, but it didn't look like iron. It was transparent like crystal, yet also possessed a metallic luster.

「I see. And what do you think, Zirant?」

「It seems to be the real thing. However, he doesn't seem to have any interest in Wagahai and the rest. Oi, wake up, Wagahai has come, help with some work!」

「Blacksmith-sama, please lend us your strength!」

It's a very strange exchange, as if I'm being shown a play. Even though the two called out, the forging hammer naturally gave no reply. An object is an object; there's no way it would speak.

「Let's go home.」

「You're giving up too quickly, you idiot!」

「I heard the last time he spoke was two years ago. He is that much of a very taciturn person...」

Let me dare to borrow a word from the other world. I don't feel like a blacksmith with such communication disorder can be relied upon from the start. ...That said, it's troubling. With this, there's no point in having made an expedition all the way here.

「Then I'll be resting outside. Call me if there's a reaction.」

「You are Wagahai's Apostle, aren't the roles reversed then!」

Who decided that just because I'm an Apostle, I have to serve my master. I have no intention of submitting to you. I turned my back and put my hand on the door of the treasury.

「Even if you say that, in this state... Anyway, I'll be resting outside, so later—」

「Oi kid, you planning on going home already?」

Just as I was opening the door, I stopped. A low man's voice echoed from behind me, making me reconsider my thoughts.

「Blacksmith-sama, you have finally awakened!」

「No, I was awake from the start. Good grief, what a noisy bunch...」

It wasn't just a voice. In the midair above the forging hammer, the figure of a cross-legged middle-aged man appeared. Half of his body was human, and the other half possessed a lustrous crystal flesh just like the forging hammer—a strange guy with a stubble.

「Are you the legendary blacksmith. You're quite eccentric.」

「Yeah. Even with this, I used to be a lively human in the past... I've lived too long, and I've started losing track of whether I'm a person or an object... Before I knew it, I ended up in this state.」

When I turned back and stood in front of the middle-aged man, his body was faintly transparent. When I reached out a hand, it was a mirage with no physical body.

「That guy's main body is the forging hammer over there. You could say that man is an Intelligence Hammer.」

「Nowadays, I don't really feel like I'm thinking (Intelligence), though. So, you guys are guests worth me speaking for the first time in a while, right?」

Even while saying that, the man laughed somewhat happily and enjoyably. He seems to harbor a strong interest in our appearance.

「Yeah, there's something I want you to forge.」

「That line, ah, it's nostalgic... Looking at you guys makes me feel like my heart from when I was still human is returning. Those times were fun... Though everyone has either died or gone to a distant world by now...」

The middle-aged man says with a distant look, but unfortunately, it's a story I don't have much interest in. My goal is not to chat with living history. I just need a blacksmith who can process Demonic Spirit Silver to protect Aniue.

「I am looking for a masterpiece that can fight against an Abyss magic sword. The opponent is a sword that gouges out steel like clay.」

「Kakaka, that's interesting, so the enemy is an iron-cutting sword, huh. Moreover, the guys from the Abyss...」

It seems I've caught his interest. So I showed him my trump card, the ingot of Demonic Spirit Silver.

「Now that's nostalgic again... Isn't that a bar of Demonic Spirit Silver.」

「I encountered an Abyss Demon Noble, and I don't know what he was thinking, but it seems he gave it to me.」

「Hmm... Those guys have an eccentric side to them... Alright, I'll finish up one for you.」

I wonder if the middle-aged man knows about the Demon Nobles too; he smiled broadly and seemed convinced of something. Was it just my imagination that his expression didn't feel like hostility, but for some reason closer to sympathy?

「Phew, good grief. But don't get sulky when you hear the details of the order, okay?」

「Hahaha, you're going to say this anyway, right? 'A Shovel.'」

「No, if possible, forge a sword too. The one being targeted by the Abyss magic sword wielder is my Aniue.」

「Heeh... The Ausar of this era is quite a reasonable guy. Alright. Then I'll finish up a Shovel for you first.」

「That helps. Then Yumil, guide us to A-Zir next.」

Ausar was the name of the first Emperor, right. I wonder if the middle-aged man is seeing me, someone of the same bloodline, overlapping with him. Anyway, one piece of business is taken care of. Let's handle the remaining selfishness of Zirant.

「Oi, you're going there...? But, that place is already...」

「I know. But Wagahai has a plan, leave it to me.」

「It seems she intends to make me maintain the ancient underground tunnels or whatever.」

「Aah... I see... Well, do your best at most. Look forward to it; I'll forge you the strongest Shovel that can slash right back through an Abyss magic sword instead. Hang in there, Ausar.」

「It's Ashley.」

「Names don't matter. A descendant of Ausar is Ausar.」

The strange middle-aged man looked at me nostalgically, making me bewildered. Anything is fine. If he says he'll forge a sword to protect Aniue, this guy is the best craftsman.

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[WN] A Hero From a Remote Village : Chapter 245

Chapter 245

The Itch

Translator : PolterGlast

After successfully subjugating the Rock Tortoise, we finished the harvesting and decided to head back to the inn. Even though it was the lower floors, we had gone through a dungeon capture and then a Rock Tortoise hunt on top of that. As expected, even Ginia and Aoi seemed tired and retired to their rooms immediately.

I'll leave the various reports for tomorrow... for now, I'm going to head out for one more job. The reason for specifically moving at night is partly because there's a wanted monster nearby that only appears then... but the biggest factor was that seeing Gree's struggle and Ginia and Aoi's battle made me start to itch. Lately, I've mostly been acting as support, and I'm in the mood to fight to my heart's content for the first time in a while.

While checking the wanted poster and doing some light stretches, I headed at full speed toward the location of the monster sightings. My target this time is a monster named 「Curse Mystery」, a mysterious existence only spotted at night and only by a handful of people. Since everyone who saw it witnessed people being attacked, it is ranked at 4-Stars (☆4) despite being shrouded in mystery.

It's a monster whose very existence is questionable, but the sightings are near the Dungeon City, and the wanted poster noted that the number of missing persons has been increasing in recent years. The connection is unknown, but if it truly exists, there's no doubt it's extremely dangerous. Organizing the information, I arrived at the place with the most sightings.

It was a wide, well-paved road with good visibility. Right now, there was neither light nor a sign of any person, but it's a place that likely has many users during the day. I wonder if the Curse Mystery will really appear here. For now, far from a strong presence, there isn't even a sign of a living creature.

I hid and waited for about two hours for some movement. Just as I was waging a fierce battle against a powerful wave of drowsiness due to sheer boredom—it appeared abruptly. A strong presence that emerged without a sound, as if it had simply sprung out of nowhere.

A humanoid monster wearing a large cloak... no, those aren't a cloak, they're wings. It was slowly scouting the surroundings while flapping large, bat-like wings. Fortunately, it hasn't noticed my presence since I've been hiding and watching.

Now, what to do from here? If there are missing persons, I'd like to follow it and find its stronghold. The possibility of survivors is infinitesimally low, but even just finding personal effects would make a big difference. However, it might vanish just as suddenly as it appeared. Finishing it off is the top priority, so is launching a surprise attack the correct answer?

After agonizing over what to do while hiding, I decided to tail it. That being said, I won't just let it roam free; the plan is to fight it here, inflict a fatal wound, and then track the Curse Mystery after it flees. Once decided, I stopped hiding and revealed myself boldly.

The Curse Mystery seemed startled for a moment by my sudden appearance, but it immediately approached as if to say it had found its prey. Whether it was floating or not, it closed in as if sliding, without its body swaying at all. It's a monster with many striking peculiarities, and judging by the strength of its presence, there's no doubt it's a considerably formidable enemy.

First, partly to feel it out, I decided to try attacking with a flying slash. It didn't react to the flying slash at all, continuing to approach straight ahead. And then it took the slash directly, but it showed no sign of taking damage and kept closing in with the same momentum.

To my eyes, the moment the slash hit, the Curse Mystery's very existence seemed to waver for an instant. I had a vague hunch because of how it appeared and its airy presence, but it's likely similar to the goblin that was with the Crimsonroid. The main body is elsewhere, and this thing itself is a double or something of the sort. Given the feel of its presence and its movements, unlike the goblin from back then, it's highly likely the main body has almost the same form as this one, though.

Anyway, now that I know it's a clone, further combat is meaningless. I focused on finding the main body while ignoring the attacking clone... but I couldn't find a presence nearby. Is it erasing its presence, or is it so far away that I can't detect it? If it's a true clone and not just being controlled, it's troublesome that there's a real possibility it's far away.

While clicking my tongue inwardly, I decided to erase the clone. I've only been attacked a few times, but by seeing the attacks directly, I've already formulated a plan to defeat it. This clone is basically ethereal like a ghost, but a physical form appears only at the moment it attacks. Therefore, I'll aim for that split-second opening when it launches an attack and hammer in a blow of my own.

It's a situation where the counter I've been drilling into Sonia and Zola is effective, and since I've been talking so big, I can't allow myself even a single failure. Well, since I'm the only one here, it wouldn't really be a problem if I failed, but this is a matter of my own feelings. I put unnecessary pressure on myself, but I won't miss against an opponent with this level of attack speed.

I deliberately created an opening, and against the Curse Mystery that fell for it and attacked, I hammered in my fist with perfect timing. A low, gravelly voice escaped the Curse Mystery, which hadn't expected to be hit, and at the same time, I followed up by chanting the magic 「Purifying Fire」.

The Curse Mystery, which began to burn slowly from its abdomen, let out a death-throe scream and burned away into the pitch-black night sky while still hovering. With this, the subjugation of the clone is complete. And—the direction the clone desperately tried to flee while burning was North. Since it was likely unconscious, there's a high possibility it was trying to flee toward where the main body is. I suppose I'll head further North to search and go subjugate the main body of the Curse Mystery.

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[WN] Jitsuwa 3-Domedatta : Chapter 332

Chapter 332

(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)

Confrontation with the Central Church ③ (Settlement)

Translator : PolterGlast

At this point, the attitudes of both sides—our camp and the church's side—were contrasting. I dared to maintain an arrogant attitude, Rosa also dared to float a smile unsuited to the current atmosphere while only her eyes looked at them calmly. Parish Head Grace deliberately maintained a detached attitude, and Carla and Sigurd emitted cold, sharp glares.

The two on the church's side were trembling with rage, seemingly at a loss for words.

「You vicious...」

Spitting out those words, the General Archbishop glared at me with a reproachful gaze. There was not a shred of his initial mild-mannered impression there.

「In the first place, you people are too carefree. The gold coins you constantly extort are coins the payers managed to scrape together as a result of various efforts; they are by no means easy money.」

「His Majesty the Archduke, that is quite a harsh way of speaking.」

「Cardinal, I have no intention of denying alms. My recognition that they are absolutely necessary remains unchanged.」

「Thank you very much. If that is so, it is also a fact that our side must exercise self-admonition. I dare to ask here, but in the event that our churches spread extensively across the new territory on the Empire side and it becomes possible to preach our teachings, would you permit us a monopoly on propagation?」

Saying so, the Cardinal showed an expression with some hidden meaning. This too... he probably wants to make me say something.

「Let's see... From its establishment, partly because it absorbed numerous nations and expanded its territory historically, the Empire is a tolerant country regarding religion. And in the former Roland Kingdom, numerous gods exist, and it would be no exaggeration to say eight million gods exist. It would probably be harsh to impose a monotheistic religion like the Kingdom's there.」

「If so, are you saying our God should also become one of those pillars?」

「I dare to say it, but that would be up to the church's skill. I forbid exclusive religion or monopoly, but I have no intention of finding fault if it becomes the overwhelming majority through the will of the people.」

「Hearing that much is sufficient. Thank you very much. Your Eminence the General Archbishop, I believe the direction is visible. His Majesty the Archduke is showing consideration for us and making concessions. I believe it is our turn to respond...」

「H-How is that a concession!」

The Archbishop was infuriated and snapped at the Cardinal. In response, the Cardinal let out a heavy sigh and began to speak dispassionately.

「Do you still not understand? His Majesty the Archduke is saying that even though it is a foreign country, if we simply turn a blind eye to trivial matters, he will permit our propagation in the former Empire territory and give us preferential treatment. Even though the former Empire territory is already being preached to by different sects, in the first place. Furthermore, he has permitted even us latecomers to become the majority in the future depending on our efforts.」

「How is that preferential treatment!」

「Archbishop, can the same be said for the Fearalt Principality? How about the Istoria Imperial Kingdom?」

「B-But...」

「His Majesty the Archduke has promised in the treaty with the Empire not to impair the interests of the territory residents of the former Empire. The very act of building churches in that land and permitting propagation is a risk for His Majesty the Archduke. Do you not understand that?」

「Such a thing... in the Kingdom...」

「To be repetitive, the Kingdom and the Dukedom are different countries. I believe we too must first change that recognition.」

「Guh...」

Now, time to wrap things up. If this continues, it will end in a fight.

「As a major premise, the Cardinal's insight is probably correct. But I too was originally a subject of the Kyle Kingdom; if the church's side shows a flexible attitude, I will not treat you coldly.」

「Meaning? If we accept the preconditions, you will grant us 'profit' too?」

「Cardinal, that is what it means. First, regarding the medicinal herbs for the new experimental cultivation, they shall basically be wholesaled through the churches in the Dukedom. Second, at that time, priority will be given to the churches in the Kingdom, and an appropriate price will be paid. Third, when treating Monster Disease in lands other than the Kingdom, cooperation will also be sought from the churches in the Kingdom. Fourth, at that time, an appropriate reward money will be paid to the churches in the Kingdom. Fifth, the churches in the Dukedom will be recognized as branch agencies of the churches in the Kingdom, and the dispatch of personnel and supervisors from the Kingdom will be permitted.」

Hearing this, the General Archbishop and the Archbishop changed their complexions slightly. Of course, in a good way...

「If you accept these proposals, I intend to offer all the gold coins behind me as alms to the Central Church as procedural fees for this. In other words, simply by permitting a little freedom of movement in another country, three unprecedented streams of income will enter the Central Church.」

Yes, if churches can expand into the new territory, the daily income will naturally increase, and regarding the medicinal herbs, royalties will come in, creating unprecedented new sales channels. And as reward money, the gold coins piled up behind me will also come in. It shouldn't be a bad deal.

「May we trust those words?」

「Yeah, I don't mind issuing an official document as the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom addressed to the General Archbishop. Of course, administrative fees are a separate framework, so I will leave that processing to the church's side.」

「I-If that is the case...」

Here for the first time, the General Archbishop and the Archbishop exchanged glances with each other and nodded.

「Then, it is sudden, but we would like to work out the details with the person in charge; how about it?」

「Then... Cardinal, I may leave that point to you?」

「Yes!」

「Then we shall go to offer the Archduke's alms to God, so please work out the details with the Cardinal.」

In the end, having obtained the immediate sweets (gold coins) and a firm promise to receive appropriate compensation (royalties), the General Archbishop and the Archbishop left their seats with satisfied expressions. As if to say they had no business in an uncomfortable place once they received what they were getting, they hurriedly left.

Well, I... only said 'appropriate'. Royalties are ultimately up to my discretion, though. It will be fine to shake hands on that area with the Cardinal.

And the only one remaining in the seat in front was the Cardinal.

「Fufufu, His Majesty the Archduke, that was splendid. Thank you very much for saving the church's face at the end.」

「Because I could confirm that there is a 'person who understands reason' on the church's side too. If so, there is no need to forcefully escalate matters.」

「The Central Church has probably also learned a lesson from this incident. With this, His Majesty the Archduke's evaluation will have risen, for better or worse...」

Saying so, the Cardinal was laughing with a face looking like he would burst out any moment.

Here, I couldn't help but confirm something that bothered me during this exchange.

「I hesitate to judge whether that is a grateful or an ungrateful story. By the way, Cardinal Crevaras, do you mind if I ask a slightly strange question?」

Yes, in the series of events so far, the Cardinal's stance somehow didn't sit right with me. From start to finish, his behavior could only be thought of as favorable to us, no matter how you consider it. Rather, there were even signs that he was guiding the flow of the conversation so that it would be easy for me to corner the church. Why would he, belonging to the organization called the church and in a position reaching its pinnacle, do that? Because such a thought was within me.

「Yes, whatever you like.」

「Between us and the church, whose ally should I consider the Cardinal to be?」

「His Majesty the Archduke, that is...」

「Parish Head Grace, I don't mind. It is a strange question, exactly as you say, directed at me in the position of Cardinal... but it is also a fact that doubts are harbored toward my actions.」

Saying so, the Cardinal restrained Parish Head Grace, who was about to start speaking.

「I am one of those in the mainstream of the Holy Mage Clan, inheriting Holy Magic as bloodline magic. Therefore, I have belonged to the church since my youth, but I was disgusted by their money worship.」

「Haha, that must have been painful while inside the church.」

「Yes, at that time I was a reckless youngster who only pursued ideals and didn't hesitate to declare them publicly. Therefore, I had no allies.」

Saying so, the Cardinal gazed at Parish Head Grace.

「When I was still merely an apprentice Father like that, there was a time I committed a blunder and fell into a predicament. At that time, the only one who extended a helping hand to me was the then Father Grace. I have not forgotten that favor even now.」

Hmm? Parish Head Grace is embarrassed. So he had that side to him too...

「Cardinal Crevaras has provided us with information and lent us his strength openly and secretly ever since then.」

Which means... The information about the Mages flowing out to the Royal Capital, the destinations of the outflow, the composition of factions, the power map, etc., which Father Grace (at the time) brought us long ago... was information from the Cardinal!

As if reading my thoughts, Parish Head Grace nodded and continued his words.

「It is not just that. Recommending Lady Rosa to the medical school, the church's attitude changing after she was announced as a Holy Mage, the Central Church finally yielding regarding the epidemic response, and recommending her for Honorary Bishop—it is all thanks to Cardinal Crevaras. Otherwise, things would not have proceeded this smoothly.」

In other words, the connection in the Royal Capital that Parish Head Grace spoke of previously was Cardinal Crevaras.

「I see... I didn't know that. Allow me to express my gratitude anew. And a token of gratitude later... No, would that be unfitting for the Cardinal's nature?」

「Hahaha, I too have learned a little worldly wisdom. And the two sides of things. However, I ask you to spare any concern regarding matters up to now. But, while I am not a money worshipper, I am still an economic supremacist... I consider it an upfront investment for now.」

「Oh, that is interesting. What does the Cardinal desire from here on?」

「The reason the church fell into money worship is, in the first place, that unlike other clans, they did not possess inherent territory; no, they could not possess it. It comes down to that. My goal is to change that foundation, meaning...」

「I acknowledge the Cardinal's thoughts. But it would be better not to say that right now.」

「Thank you for your concern. Right now... is it. We will secretly assist the Archduke's hegemonic enterprise. This is my personal proposal, but eventually, at the dawn when you expand your territory further than now...」

Eh? What do you mean? I merely meant it would be better not to say that the Holy Clan has territorial ambitions...

My hegemonic enterprise? Expand my territory? I have no such intention... The Cardinal closed one eye and restrained me as I was about to say so.

「We too pride ourselves on being somewhat familiar with the state of the world. The domain spanning from the northern frontier of the Empire to the Istoria Imperial Kingdom will likely change greatly from the current borders going forward. At that time, His Majesty the Archduke, I would be grateful if you remembered my words.」

I feel like I've been saddled with something outrageous with that... However, right now I want allies in the church's core too. Probably Cardinal Crevaras wants to build a cooperative relationship with me as a business on equal footing.

「Is that really all? Right now there is still a great possibility it will become an empty promise, but if you are fine with that...」

Thus, the Cardinal and I shook hands. I felt this was the greatest harvest of this visit. I was able to give a warning to the church, and the medicinal herb matter should be fine with my arrangements. And above all, gaining a cooperator in the Central Church's upper echelons is significant.

I was satisfied with the results exceeding expectations.

※

Later days... Parish Head Grace was appointed by the Central Church to a newly established position called Frontier Cardinal. And, taking the position of his superior and overseeing the churches in the southern frontier of the Kyle Kingdom, including the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom, Cardinal Crevaras assumed office.

These two will continue to increase their presence in the future as important figures supporting Takuhir.

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