Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Five Days (5)

#38

The duel ended in an instant.

Results achieved in exactly 12 hours.

Ilark’s terrible training process naturally flitted before Bran’s eyes.

“···There was reward for the hardship.”

It was a night that was hot in another meaning.

All of Ilark’s training was done right in front of the Dragon Heart Furnace.

In a space where a hot wind hot enough that even a Fire Dragon would have difficulty enduring blew she endlessly swung the axe, and struggled to control the heat rampaging inside the body.

『You are enduring high temperature surpassing the body’s limit. Weed’s Tenacity activates!』

『The growth speed of flame damage resistance increases slightly.』

Since Weed’s Tenacity activated twice on Bran who was far away the words were all said.

The result achieved by overcoming that hardship was the construction of the “Central Heat Line”.

If comparing to reality the Gyeongbu Line.

The first stage of heat control, and creating a passage that becomes the foundation of the heat circuit.

‘A much more dramatic change than the game. I didn’t know she would become this strong.’

A clear red light was flowing along Ilark’s spine.

Ilark who constructed the Central Heat Line could now circulate the heat of the heart along the spine and abdomen.

The effect displayed in the game is improvement of athletic ability and stamina.

At a glance it felt like a change that is nothing special, but the value of investing effort was sufficient.

“Haa··· haaaa···.”

Freude who was catching her breath with wings out was proving that.

Instant firepower that overwhelms a pureblood.

This is a fragment of Ilark Zarheim the strongest close-range Nuker of Return Road.

Just as silence was continuing.

“······I have no choice but to acknowledge.”

Freude’s wings slowly folded.

The lightning light wrapping both arms was subsiding.

Turning to Ilark Freude smiled faintly.

“I lost. Young lady.”

The eyes that had been open round had already returned to the form of a thin line at some point.

Despite losing in an instant not a sign of hurt emotions was felt at all.

Ilark dropped the axe with a thud.

“Heh.”

Sizzle!

The pebbles that touched the axe blade melted.

Evidence that Freude’s choice of avoiding even by taking out wings was not wrong.

To show this much performance as the first stage, the future is expected.

Slowly turning to Bran Ilark smiled while baring her fangs.

“This works.”

I told you it works.

****

The duel ended.

The people who returned to the forge immediately entered rest.

Since the time to visit the Steel Tower was only a few hours later there was a need to rest fully.

Ilark who was having a late meal raised an empty plate.

“Freude! Give me more of this!”

“Yes~ a moment.”

Freude raised her body.

Returning again she put down a plate piled with thick steaks like a mountain in front of Ilark.

Crunch! Biting half of the steak in one bite Ilark trembled and admired.

“This, this is it. There is no shop that brings out this taste even in the Golden District.”

“Come to think of it it’s really been a long time since I prepared a meal for the young lady. Does it suit your taste?”

“Yes. The only thing I missed from that house corner was your cooking. Honestly speaking I was more regrettable that I was driven out without being able to eat this than not being able to collect Alto’s treasure.”

“Huhu, eat a lot. I can make as much as you want.”

Freude had completely become a different person from when she faced the duel.

Is it because there is no longer a matter to fight?

The affection dripping from the eyes was reminiscent of an older sister taking care of a late-born younger sister.

Treating her comfortably was the same for Ilark.

At the scene that somehow made the mood good Bran smiled.

‘There was even a dragon that close. I didn’t know.’

It was a relationship he did not know at all as a player.

It felt like he found a back setting the creator hid tightly so he felt unnecessarily proud.

Tak! Having cleared about half the plate Ilark snapped her fingers as if she remembered something.

“Right. What are you going to make up to Alto?”

“I plan to say as is. That young lady Ilark is sufficiently strong.”

“Hmm. Won’t he get furious saying I defied the order?”

“If I say it was my judgment he will respect it. Originally the reason the master issued that order was not to bind the young lady, but to really train her. Rather it is thought he will be glad.”

Freude answered immediately.

Having lost the duel she kept the promise to a scary degree.

To the point of wondering if she originally wished for this kind of result.

Ilark raised an eyebrow.

“Hmm. Then fortunate but.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll also convey the news that you obtained a reliable lover together.”

“Epep!”

Even before Ilark could react.

The water Kale was drinking sprayed from his nose and mouth.

“Cough! Cough! L-lover?!”

“Hey. It all sprayed.”

Bran who was sitting opposite him frowned.

Kale had become an expression as if about to cry and was alternately looking at himself and Ilark.

Sly guy. Pretending not to I knew it would be like this.

“Gak···! Kuek! Gak!”

Ilark also seemed considerably flustered.

The steak stuck in her throat she who was pounding her chest with a bang bang barely opened her mouth.

“Puha···! Suddenly nonsense? L-lover what freezing lover?!”

“······It was just a joke though.”

Freude blinked.

Whether considerably surprised the thin eyes were wide open.

But that was only for a moment.

The eyes that had been round like a full moon transformed into a playful crescent moon.

“The reaction is too intense more than expected. By any chance do you really have someone you have in mind?”

“Th-there’s no way that kind of thing··· what am I···.”

“Don’t be like that and try telling only me a little. Isn’t it a time when you’re very interested in that kind of place?”

“I said there isn’t!”

Bang! Ilark drove her tail into the ground.

He seemed to know why she was called a girl.

At the impact that shook the entire forge Bilmoris woke from sleep.

“Hueeuk! Is it an enemy surprise attack?!”

“It’s not that so sleep again Bilmoris.”

Bran cackled and waved his hand.

Whether because he ran without even time to open his eyes and nose for five days this noisy time felt more special.

“Huuum··· uuum···.”

Kale was desperately listening to the two’s conversation while sitting with the chair pulled tightly.

Exactly like a spy who came out as a secret agent.

Definitely both were young so they seemed interested in that kind of subject a lot.

“There has to be this kind of time too.”

Bran muttered.

Freude’s teasing continued until the moment Ilark who was soaked in fatigue fell asleep like a narcolepsy patient.

The sound of voices subsided, around the time the pitch-black night sky was dyeing blue.

.

.

.

“Then. I’ll go back now.”

Freude politely greeted.

It was a composition perfectly matching when she greeted her at the front door.

Bran waved his hand.

“Yes. Go carefully.”

“G-glad to meet···.”

Kale next to him also bowed his head and greeted.

Whether affection formed in the meantime regret was tinged in the voice.

Since Ilark and Bilmoris were completely stretched Bran and Kale the two saw her off.

“By the way.”

Suddenly, Freude took out one small silk pouch from the pocket of the apron.

“Lord Bran. When the young lady wakes could you convey this?”

“Mm? What is this?”

“You can open and look.”

Bran did so.

Seeing the inside of the pouch his eyes widened round.

“All high-grade potions? My, there is even revival grass.”

“Since she is originally a tough person the wounds received yesterday and today will be fine even without that. If there is a time needed someday please use it.”

“Aha. This must be that. The prize promised to give to Ilark.”

With this much it is definitely worth calling a prize.

No, for a prize received with a verbal promise it also felt a bit excessively good.

Since high-grade items that even adventurers clearing dangerous ruins buy while trembling their hands and feet were in a bunch.

‘This is a windfall.’

Even most were plant-based medicines so it seemed good even if he uses them himself.

If he amplifies the effect double with the Heart of Harmeno there was room to be used extremely usefully.

Just as Bran was about to express gratitude, Freude shook her head.

“No.”

“Yes?”

“The prize promised to give to young lady Ilark is prepared separately. That is an item the master instructed to convey in case he cannot bring the young lady.”

“···Lord Alto?”

“Yes. He handed it while saying exactly like this. A low-grade item that perfectly suits the weak body of a half-penny! Khahahat!”

Freude suddenly burst into laughter.

The startled Kale reflexively hid behind Bran’s back.

When the echo subsided silence came.

“······.”

“······.”

Truly awkward silence.

Freude bowed her head.

“······Sorry. I tried to imitate as similarly as possible. As expected I seem to have no talent for jokes.”

“No. I think I know what kind of feeling it is.”

Bran shook his head.

Thinking of Alto Zarheim he met beyond the monitor it was considerably excellent acting.

By the way she was a truly tiresome dragon.

Anyone could see she picked only good things and gave them, saying low-grade item.

“I’ll convey this well. Also tell Lord Alto not to worry.”

“Thank you. Before leaving could I hear the information promised?”

“Ah. That.”

It was the condition Bran put forward to persuade her.

Giving information that solves Alto’s worry.

Not difficult either.

Recalling the memory as a player he continued.

“As I said then it is not certain information. Since renowned adventurers said the same place I only guess it is there. I definitely heard it is in Lar Norn at the edge of the west.”

“If Lar Norn··· that floating island. It seemed it was already on the candidate list.”

He doesn’t know how Alto will accept it but there is nothing to lose by believing.

Because the item that dragon is looking for is definitely there.

Only that reaching Lar Norn is close to impossible.

Freude nodded.

“I will definitely convey to the master. And this is the prize I mentioned earlier, promised to give to the young lady.”

Saying that Freude held out something sparkling.

One scale scattering a brilliant color was held between her index finger and thumb.

The size was ordinary but the radiance was extraordinary.

Noticing what it was Bran let out a huh sound without realizing.

“Wait. Is it okay to give this kind of thing?”

“Anyway it fell from the body a hundred years ago. Since the young lady came to handle weapons like a human I thought she could use it more specially. As long as agreement is reached it doesn’t matter which of the group uses it.”

“For now··· I’ll receive it gratefully.”

Bran received the scale.

It looked like she ordinarily tore her own scale and gave it but the true nature was completely different.

To casually give this kind of thing. It seems she really cherishes Ilark.

“Then, I’ll really go.”

“Go well Freude. It was fun.”

“It was a good experience for me too. I hope there is a chance to meet again someday.”

Flutter! Wings unfolded behind Freude’s back.

The wings covered in golden plum blossom-colored scales were beautiful even looking again.

The current flowing over the membrane was implying her true form.

“Please take good care of the young lady.”

Freude said.

At the same time her form surged becoming a flash.

Spat!

It was the moment the ray that extended in a straight line dug into a giant cumulus cloud.

Rumble-!!!

For a moment the cloud brightened greatly and a giant dragon’s shadow crossed.

The width of the wings alone reaches dozens of meters. The tail that disappeared into the cloud in an instant was long and thick enough to collapse the Song of Iron forge at once.

That is Freude’s original form.

Just hearing the thunder that rang out following one could guess that strength.

Even if she fought while releasing only one part of the polymorph Ilark would have rolled on the ground.

Fortunate that she accepted his proposal.

Kale opened his mouth and admired.

“Waa···!”

“Let’s go in gradually Kale. We have to check the remaining equipment too.”

Bran said.

Before sleeping there was a need to check the performance of the remaining equipment Bilmoris made.

Judging from the precedent of the gloves and axe there would absolutely be no matter of disappointment.

Nodding with a resolute expression Kale followed behind him.

“Yes. Understood.”

“Finally today.”

The five days of grace given before heading to the Steel Tower.

That last night was deepening.