Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Song of Iron (1)

#24

The unfair contract of the world was concluded.

Ilark who heard the work briefing from Bran nodded.

“Good. So if I guard you for fifteen days it’s fine right? Without taking eyes off even for a moment, eating sleeping fighting 24 hours.”

“Th-that is so but··· by any chance does it feel somewhat excessive?”

“Not at all. I’ve done plenty of more than that. During work I won’t drink alcohol either so don’t worry.”

As expected Ilark was a pro.

Hearing the sound of not drinking alcohol Leodorn sighed in relief.

“Haa··· fortunately. I will definitely pay my reward securely.”

“You should. It’s Ilark Zarheim. Just call me Ilark.”

“I am Leodorn Belmaier. I also believe in youook!!”

Leodorn who clasped hands with Ilark let out a strange scream.

She hurriedly removed her hand.

“Ik, sorry. It’s been a long time since I shook hands with a human.”

“I-it’s fine! Next time please be careful!”

Leodorn shouted while clutching his right hand.

It seemed the relationship had become good already so it was good to see.

“Huu··· anyway Bran, where are you thinking of going next?”

“For now I think I’ll go to the Steel District. There are various things to do.”

“Ooh, entering the heart of Valkeros. Are you planning to obtain a weapon or something?”

“That’s also one of the things to do.”

Bran nodded.

He had confidence to do above average no matter what he was given but it was gradually time to obtain a decent weapon.

Although he had not decided the type yet for now unconditionally a sturdy one.

‘Raising pure weight class is the top priority. There is still no leisure to take care of miscellaneous techniques.’

Currently Bran was nurturing himself with an orthodox physical build.

A type of character that defeats enemies based on high stats and enhancement-type skills.

The flashiness is somewhat lacking, but there was the advantage that the high point is high and most situations can be pushed forward uprightly.

In that sense Bran’s new weapon had to be unconditionally sturdy.

Black flames spurting out and wrapping the cut enemy, or cold energy exploding at the stabbed place is ultimately only an option.

···Of course it would be good if there is!

“I see. Fortunately.”

“Fortunately, what?”

“It seems I can be helpful in various ways. Actually, I to you guys···”

“Quiet.”

It was then.

Suddenly Ilark cut the two’s conversation.

“Why. Ilark?”

“Something is coming. Quite big.”

Walking with a stride she blocked in front of the three people.

The broad back blocked the view.

Staring at one point still, Ilark raised the corner of her mouth crookedly.

“This, right after starting work the luck is bad.”

“What···?”

Ilark’s eyes were narrowed vertically like a reptile.

It was a combat stance. The tail and thighs were gradually swelling.

It was the moment Bran turned in the direction she was looking.

Boooom-!

The concrete wall ten steps ahead exploded, and one bull made of steel jumped out.

“Hieeeek!”

“My god, Iron Bull?!”

Kale screamed. Bewilderment settled on Leodorn’s face.

The body made of steel was as huge as a real-world shuttle bus.

It was the Iron Bull, a manned transport vehicle made for the purpose of moving cargo on rough terrain.

“Kyaaaak!”

“Damn, what is the driver doing?!”

“Call the Steel Sentinel!”

Pedestrians began to flee while screaming.

Already having hit several people the horns were stained with blood.

Steam was pouring out from the exhaust holes in the form of nostrils.

The gaze of the Iron Bull that had been stomping and looking around turned toward Bran’s group.

“Eh. Surely.”

Kale’s face turned pale.

The surely caught people this time too. The Iron Bull that discharged steam began to sprint toward them.

At the same time, Ilark’s legs stretched out and her figure was shot forward.

Boom!

As the two large bodies collided, a boom that would occur at the accident site between dump trucks rang out.

“Ha!”

Bran let out a hollow laugh.

Ilark and the Iron Bull were confronting.

A aggressive smile had risen at the corner of Ilark’s mouth who embraced the neck made of steel.

“Where are you trying to go?”

“······!”

The Iron Bull had completely stopped in place.

A lump of iron whose main body weight approaches 7 tons, and the transport weight reaches dozens of tons was unable to push even one Ilark.

Pusik! Pushiik!

Even raising the output it was at best scraping the ground with the hooves.

Steam was pouring out fiercely from the exhaust holes of the entire body.

Suddenly, Ilark’s back and forearms began to swell rapidly.

“Hup.”

She was only now starting to put strength.

Body temperature rises. Heat haze was blooming over Ilark’s tanned skin.

The pedestrians had now stopped fleeing and were watching the unrealistic strength contest between the beastman and the steel bull.

Rumble···!

The legs of the Iron Bull that had been only stomping in place began to slowly leave the ground.

“I-impossible.”

“Hiiik···!”

Astonished voices burst out from various places.

It was reminiscent of a stag beetle lifting a rhinoceros beetle with its horn.

Just as the body of the Iron Bull that had been gradually rising formed a vertical with the ground.

“Kraap!”

Ilark shouted a kiai.

The body of the Iron Bull that surged greatly was driven down behind her in the end.

Boooom!

The roar shook the Wrought Iron street.

At the same time as the Iron Bull lay exposed while baring its belly, one horn broke and bounced out.

“This···!”

Ilark gasped.

This was unexpected. Just as a fragment of the iron horn the size of a child was about to pierce some laborer’s body.

Claang!

Bran who jumped embraced the fragment and rolled on the ground.

“Ha, quite something!”

Ilark called out cheers.

It was a close call. An animal-like sense not inferior to herself.

『You displayed amazing reflexes surpassing the limit. Weed’s Tenacity activates!』

『The growth speed of Agility increases slightly.』

Whether the system also acknowledged that it was a good response a message rose.

Adjusting his posture, Bran sighed in relief.

“Phew··· are you okay?”

“Y-yes. Thanks to you I lived.”

The laborer quickly nodded.

If it had been a little late his body would have turned like an avant-garde sculpture.

Click! Ilark gave a thumbs up toward Bran.

‘As expected amazing. The epithet Destroyer is not wasted.’

Bran let out a hollow laugh.

Even considering the mixed dragon blood it was tremendous monstrous strength.

With his current strength it would have been impossible even if he activated Power of the Giant Tree three times.

Bran muttered.

“If she just abandons the obsession with bloodline she could become much stronger.”

But compared to the potential there was a somewhat regrettable feeling.

She was definitely strong but she was walking the wrong path.

Bran who had experience playing Ilark of course, cooperating as NPC, even encountering as an enemy knew better than anyone what the optimal build for her was.

“Uung? What?!”

Ilark who did not hear properly asked back but Bran did not answer.

Before giving advice he should quickly finish his urgent matters first.

Finishing the thoughts, Bran threw the horn he was holding neurotically.

“Anyway which miscellaneous guy is driving like this?”

Even if he made a chimpanzee hold the control stick he would not drive like this.

Throwing the fragment neurotically he approached the Iron Bull that had fallen into an incapacitated state.

Clunk!

Tearing off the hatch on the back side the cockpit was revealed.

“This is···.”

Bran’s eyes narrowed.

The driver wearing goggles was dead while foaming at the mouth.

At a glance it seemed an accident that occurred due to an acute disease, but there were more than one or two suspicious points.

Ilark who arrived at the scene following raised an eyebrow.

“What. It’s not an accident?”

“Did you notice?”

“Of course. It smells of poison. Uek.”

Sniffing Ilark dry-heaved.

As expected perhaps because dragon blood is mixed the five senses were superior to humans.

Looking closely one pill was stuck to the driver’s left hand.

“Found it. While trying to disguise as an accidental death it went wrong so he ate that and committed suicide. Circumstantially it seems he targeted you.”

“···Already noticed. Where did the information leak from?”

“I don’t know. Anyway you, you were being chased by a much bigger shot than expected?”

Leodorn twisted his lips without words.

It was an assassination method an ordinary person could not even think of.

Yes, if not a person of the level of a White Silver Pine director.

Ilark cackled.

“You found properly. There is no one who can protect you besides me.”

“···I agree.”

“I’ll do the work properly so don’t worry. And if there is no more business I think it’s better to scatter gradually?”

Ilark glanced toward the main road.

Sharp sirens, the heavy footsteps of the Steel Sentinel were gradually approaching.

Just as Bran and Kale who exchanged eyes were about to leave the place.

“Bran. Kale.”

“Yes?”

“Wait a moment. I have something to give.”

Suddenly Leodorn stopped them.

Quickly entering the wagon and coming out, a small and old chest was held in Leodorn’s hand.

Smiling and dusting it off, he held out the chest to Bran.

“Receive it. It’s what I set aside last night. Because the Iron Bull suddenly popped out I couldn’t give it in time.”

“What is this?”

“It’s the same as the item loaded on my wagon. A thanks I’m giving to you guys.”

Bran’s eyes widened.

That cargo Leodorn had tried to protect while shitting all sorts of blood.

He doesn’t know what it is, but it was certain it was as precious as life to this uncle.

“Is it okay to give this to us first? You said it’s the trump weapon to return to White Silver Pine.”

“Hehe, if not you guys who would I give it to.”

Leodorn smiled while stroking his beard.

“I am a believer of Delpa the golden merchant. Do you know what Delpa values most?”

“Isn’t it gold.”

“It is trust. Trust between people, trust between companies··· an important emotion that is the basis of all transactions that are not fraud.”

Thinking about it it was correct words.

Leodorn continued.

“You guys are my benefactors. Not only guarding me to Valkeros but even introducing a reliable escort like Miss Ilark. And that without any compensation.”

“Uncle gave us a ride and also food. That’s the compensation what.”

“That’s the thing, usually it doesn’t pass that cheaply. You guys made me recall the value of trust I had forgotten.”

Leodorn cackled.

Approaching with a stride he forcibly made Bran hold the box.

“So receive it. This is the price of the trust you gave me.”

“If you say that much then what··· I’ll gratefully receive it.”

“Let’s meet in front of the Steel Tower in fifteen days. I hope we can meet while smiling.”

“Haa, finally ended.”

Leodorn turned.

Ilark who had been waiting anxiously sighed in relief.

Right before leaving, she who turned to Bran smiled while baring her teeth.

“See you again.”

Bran waved his hand.

With that conversation as the last the group parted.

Ilark put the two mules in the cargo area and pulled the wagon herself.

Behind the wagon sprinting between pedestrians Leodorn’s scream continued.

“Kyaaaak! W-wait! Wait a moment!”

“No time to whine uncle! We have to leave the place before other assassins come!”

“Puhing!”

It was like seeing a runaway locomotive.

The mules who became passengers not vehicles for the first time were howling with a cheerful sound.

Bran also hated becoming troublesome so he avoided the place with Kale.

Arriving at a back alley with few people, Bran looked down at the box and tilted his head.

“What is it that he’s like that?”

“Th-that’s right··· I’m also curious.”

Kale nodded.

He was also steadily expressing interest in Leodorn’s gift.

Click. Manipulating the lock the chest opened.

Two stones a little smaller than a fist were placed on silk.

“Um···? Pebbles?”

Kale tilted his head.

Just looking at the appearance there was no particular difference from pebbles rolling on the street.

The different point is that a subtle color is tinged over the bumpy surface?

Then, a low mutter leaked from Bran’s mouth.

“Isn’t this a completely crazy old man.”

“B-Bran?”

Kale leaked bewilderment.

Bran’s gaze was still fixed on the pebbles inside the chest.

Even if there was a ticking time bomb it would have been less surprising than this.

Leodorn was neither a patient with mythomania nor a man dreaming vain dreams.

Clack.

Closing the chest Bran gestured toward the main road.

“Kale. Let’s go to the Steel District.”

“Huh? Right now?”

“Yes. Originally I was going to eat or something and go but I can’t wait anymore. Heave-ho.”

“Huyak?!”

Bran said that and at the same time slung Kale over his shoulder.

Perhaps because he had done it once the posture was more stable than before.

Kale whose face heated up greatly struggled his limbs.

“I’ll walk on my own feet! Put me down!”

“No.”

“Uwaang, please! It smells of sweat!”

“You don’t smell. And what you’ve shed in the south so far is not sweat but dew?”

Bran shook his head decisively.

He was feeling the emotion of excitement after a truly long time.

“To entrust the request to that guy I have to hurry. There are only a few blacksmiths who can handle this even in Valkeros.”

“D-do you know a blacksmith in Valkeros?”

“Yes. That person doesn’t know me though.”

“What does that··· hiaaaak!”

As soon as he ended the words Bran began to run.

Behind his back sprinting like a gale Kale’s scream continued.

The scenery of the Wrought Iron street was quickly passing by on both sides.

Laborers soaked in oil, merchants, prostitutes, rusty chimneys rising from each house.

Recalling Leodorn’s gift Bran let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.

“The price of trust.”

He priced it extremely expensively.

The name of the mysterious stone is Numerite.

A material that can only be found in special veins randomly generated with an extremely low probability.

An item Bran had obtained only twice while playing Return Road so far.