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060 Duke and
Zaigen Are Scary
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Translator : PolterGlast
I changed my main job
to Enchanter and my sub-job to Reincarnated Hero. This was the combination that
provided the most MP. I lined up the steel weapons and armor I had purchased
from Golteo Trading Company on the workbench and enchanted them. I had nothing
to do from the 66th to 70th day since my reincarnation, so I just kept
enchanting. My stomach was upset from chugging MP Potions so much.
Here are the enchanted
items:
Attack Sword: ATK+55,
Slashing Enhancement (Minor), Auto-Repair (Minor), Durability 57/57 (Steel
One-Handed Sword + E-rank Magic Stone + Enchant: Hard + Enchant: Attack +
Enchant: Regeneration)
Attack Buster: ATK+69,
Slashing Enhancement (Minor), Auto-Repair (Minor), Durability 68/68 (Steel
Two-Handed Sword + E-rank Magic Stone + Enchant: Hard + Enchant: Attack +
Enchant: Regeneration)
Attack Lance: ATK+71,
Piercing Enhancement (Minor), Auto-Repair (Minor), Durability 65/65 (Steel
Spear + E-rank Magic Stone + Enchant: Hard + Enchant: Attack + Enchant:
Regeneration)
Attack Arrow: ATK+45,
Piercing Enhancement (Minor), Durability 37/37 (Iron Arrow + E-rank Magic Stone
+ Enchant: Hard + Enchant: Attack)
Defense Shield:
DEF+40, VIT+1, Fire Resistance (Minor), Auto-Repair (Minor), Durability 64/64
(Steel Greatshield + E-rank Magic Stone + Enchant: Hard + Enchant: Fire +
Enchant: Regeneration)
Defense Mail: DEF+50,
VIT+1, Ice Resistance (Minor), Auto-Repair (Minor), Durability 57/57 (Steel
Armor + E-rank Magic Stone + Enchant: Hard + Enchant: Ice + Enchant:
Regeneration)
Defense Plate: DEF+30,
AGI+3, Auto-Repair (Minor), Durability 54/54 (Steel Breastplate + E-rank Magic
Stone + Enchant: Hard + Enchant: Accelerate + Enchant: Regeneration)
My Mithril Two-Handed
Sword now seemed considerably inferior. According to Golteo-san, blacksmiths
and item craftsmen usually create magic items like demonic swords.
In my case, I was
enchanting the purchased steel equipment. Perhaps because I used Enchant: Hard
as a base, I felt there was a significant difference in their abilities. This
is just a feeling, though, with no concrete basis.
Different production
processes lead to differences in item abilities. I suppose that's natural, but
it's a novel concept.
I tried applying
Enchant: Hard twice, thinking it might allow me to enchant even more effects,
but the second Enchant: Hard did not activate. It was either because its
proficiency was too low, or because the same enchantment couldn't be applied
twice.
Also, I couldn't
enchant leather products or robes. Not only did Enchant: Hard not increase
their durability, but it actually decreased it. Enchant: Hard seems to only
work on metal products or hard materials like fangs and bones. Perhaps because
of this, I couldn't enchant bows. However, I could enchant arrows, but not with
Enchant: Regeneration due to durability issues. If I had a metal bow, even if
not iron, I might be able to enchant it, but I don't have one now.
I had Gandarvan and
the others equip these weapons and armor. All equipment except the arrows had
Auto-Repair, and their ATK and DEF values were significantly higher than
standard steel items.
They changed into
their new equipment, but since it was already steel armor, their appearance
didn't change much. The color just shifted slightly from metallic silver to a
slightly yellowish silver.
I kept a few spares
and sold most of the rest to Golteo Trading Company. I felt like I had made a
small fortune.
***
On the 71st day since
my reincarnation, I finally received a summons from the Duke and headed to the
castle. The castle interior was quite clean, but the holes in the walls and
ceiling hadn't been filled yet.
I entered the Duke's
office, greeted him, and when asked what I had been doing these past few days,
I replied that I had been relaxing at the mansion. Enchanting only takes about
an hour. Drinking MP Potions has its limits, so one hour is my limit. After
that, I would nap on Anneliese's lap, read books on Anneliese's lap, or have
Anneliese clean my ears on her lap. It was a very meaningful time.
"What will you do
about the holes in the castle?" I asked.
"We've decided to
build a new castle," the Duke replied. It seemed it could be renovated,
but the castle was quite old, so they were going to build a new one. It was a
large castle, so I wondered how much it would cost. It wasn't my concern, but I
was a little curious.
"Now, Honorary
Baron Footscythel's family, I have a few things to discuss," the Duke
stated.
"A few
things?" I thought. I don't need any.
"Don't make that
displeased face," the Duke said.
"Was it visible
on my face? My apologies," I replied. The Duke sighed. I'm the one who
wants to sigh.
"The medal will
be awarded in a simplified ceremony. Honorary Baron Footscythel would probably
prefer that anyway," the Duke stated.
"Simplified
ceremony?" I asked. A civil servant brought a tray and placed it on the
Duke's desk. The Duke took a medal from it and offered it to me.
It seemed that would
be the end once I accepted it. No, I was wrong. A leather pouch also appeared.
I had received one last time too; it was money. The amount was higher than last
time, apparently reflecting the difference between "repelling" and
"subjugating."
"Is this
all?" I asked.
"The castle is in
this state. This time, it will be a simplified presentation. Please distribute
medals to your subordinates as well," the Duke replied. If it's this
simple, they didn't need to hold a ceremony at all.
"Just so you
know, this is an exception. Normally, it is a grand affair," the Duke
warned.
"Ah, yes. You're
right," I replied. The Duke seemed to hear my inner thoughts. He probably
saw right through my intentions.
"Next is the
matter of the reward," he continued. Huh? I just got money though.
"I will make you
a Baron."
"Eh?" I
asked, surprised.
"I actually
thought of making you a Viscount, but you probably wouldn't be pleased.
However, keeping your title as is would set a bad precedent, so I decided to
make you a Baron, taking the 'honorary' part away," the Duke explained. In
summary, he was saying he'd spare me the Viscount title, but I had to become a
Baron, without the "honorary."
"Your stipend
will not change, and you will not receive territory. The only difference will
be that you can pass your title down to your descendants. You should accept
that much," he added. Is he releasing information bit by bit so I can't
refuse? He understands my personality well. How does he know me so well?
"Furthermore,
this is a request."
"A request?"
I asked. Why am I asking so many questions?
"I wish you to
train my knights and soldiers."
"Huh?" I
blurted out.
"I see, so you'll
accept?" the Duke asked.
"No, no, no, that
was a question, not an acceptance!" I insisted.
"I
understand," the Duke replied. Ugh, is he playing with me? Am I being
teased?
"However, Your
Excellency, doesn't the Ducal House have a strong individual like Commander
Barukan? Wouldn't it be better to order Commander Barukan to train the troops
instead of asking me?" I countered.
"Barukan must
oversee the entire Knight Order," the Duke explained. Despite that, he
dragged me off and trained (drilled) me, didn't he? Every day, too. I won't
forget that month and a bit. It's a trauma.
"I only ask that
you take the young ones into the dungeon."
"Impossible,"
I stated flatly, refusing him. Training soldiers in the dungeon means leveling
them up, in essence. The soldiers are at least Level 10. Leveling up such
soldiers would require going to at least the 4th floor.
No matter how fast I go,
it would take a day and a half to reach the 4th floor. Just leveling up there
and returning would take 4 or 5 days. I couldn't be bothered with that.
Besides, I have many jobs and skills that I can't show to others.
"Don't be so
unkind," the Duke chided.
"Then, I will
politely decline," I replied.
"...Are you
absolutely sure?" he pressed.
"Yes.
Absolutely," I insisted. The Duke sighed deeply and simply murmured,
"Understood."
"If it were left
to Baron Footscythel, the quality of the soldiers would improve. Are you truly
refusing? I will prepare compensation," the Duke said. You just said you
understood! This Duke is as persistent as a woman, giving up so poorly!
"Yes. I
refuse," I stated, keeping my words short to avoid showing any weakness
that he might exploit. He asked persistently, but it was an absolute no. There
were things I could accept and things I couldn't, did he understand?
"...Next is the
compensation for the orb," the Duke said. Oh, that too. I'm already full.
"Are you not
interested in becoming a Viscount?" he asked.
"No," I
replied bluntly.
"Don't say it so
clearly," he chided. You know I'll say that, yet you ask, don't you? You
just said it earlier.
"I will transfer
the magic items held by our house. What kind would you prefer?" he offered.
"Magic items from
the Ducal House's collection!?" This is lucky. I wonder what kind of
treasures will come out.
"Anything in the
treasury, except for family heirlooms, is fine," the Duke said, placing a
thick stack of papers on the desk. "Choose from this list." Alright,
let's get started... This is exciting.
But there are so many.
How much treasure is he keeping in the treasury? Seriously, is it okay to show
me this? If I were a bandit, I'd break in to steal it. I won't, though.
Oh, there's a good
one. A magic item that boosts AGI. And this one is a magic item that increases
MP. As expected of items stored in the Ducal House's treasury.
"You can read
that slowly later. Let's move on," the Duke said.
"Is this not the
last thing?" I asked. Isn't it just about the medal and reward for
defeating the demon, and the compensation for transferring the orb? There
shouldn't be anything else.
"The Royal Family
has expressed their wish to bestow a reward upon Baron Footscythel," the
Duke stated.
"Huh?" I
blurted out.
"The Royal Family
has expressed their wish to bestow a reward upon Baron Footscythel," he
repeated. No, I just heard that. I asked for clarification, but you don't have
to repeat the same thing. You've been teasing me quite a bit.
"They offered a
reward after you repelled the demon, but yesterday, they re-offered a reward
for subjugating the demon," the Duke explained.
"Could it
be..." I began.
"You will go to
the capital. Refusal is not permitted. I will also be going, so you will
accompany me," the Duke declared. Nooo... I didn't hear about that!
"Subjugating a
demon is that significant. Not only the Royal Family, but other nobles must
also have taken an interest in Baron Footscythel," the Duke added. Ugh. I
don't need that kind of interest!
The Royal Family and
nobles alone are troublesome enough, but those guys are in the capital too. My
appearance has changed, so I don't think they'll recognize me, but given their
personalities, I'm worried they'll get involved with me, which would be a
hassle.
Rumor has it they've
fallen quite low, but the title of Hero still seems to hold some influence, so
I don't want to get involved with them. I can only imagine a future where they
annoy me.
To clear my
melancholic thoughts, I'll choose a magic item! I chose a magic item that
increases INT. I was extremely happy when the necklace was brought to me,
guarded by Zaigen and the escorting knights.
"Compared to the
value of the orb, that necklace is inferior. This is the difference in value,"
Zaigen said, offering a leather pouch. I thought this necklace was quite good,
but apparently, the orb was even more valuable. Is it okay to receive this
much? That's a huge amount!
Well, whatever. I'll
just give it to Mondark.
Anyway, this necklace
would suit Anneliese. I think it would make the beautiful Anneliese even more
beautiful. I'm glad I chose this. It was a Witch's Necklace with effects of
MP+150, INT+15, MIN+10, MATK+30, and MDEF+20. I chose this specifically for
Anneliese.
"We depart for the
capital in four days. Don't forget," Zaigen reminded me. Oh, Zaigen,
you're still here.
"No, I wouldn't
forget, of course!" I replied. I might get a stomachache on the day. Or a
fever. Or get sick.
"Even if you feel
unwell, there are good doctors. There's nothing to worry about, so please bring
him," Zaigen said. That Zaigen, he's putting pressure on Gandarvan. And
he's reading my mind. Scary!
The Duke and Zaigen
are both scary!
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