Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Steel Tower (1)

#39

The sunlight illuminating the Golden District is intense.

A fleet of cumulus clouds was slowly crossing the blue sky.

The afternoon of the fifth day after receiving the invitation.

Bran and his group were finally heading to the Steel Tower.

“But Bran. Couldn’t we have asked Lady Freude for help?”

“What?”

Kale asked.

He was walking beside Bran while gripping the staff with both hands.

Meeting Bran’s eyes he continued in a voice that was crawling in.

“Th-that is absolutely not because I’m scared! Just having her behind would put my mind at ease··· although it won’t happen if we fail even if she steps in···.”

“Aha. I thought what.”

Bran raised an eyebrow.

It was a sufficiently askable question.

Freude was a considerably strong dragon and had an intimate relationship with Ilark.

Her assistance would definitely be a big help even in facing the Abyss.

But this kid. If that was possible I would have asked for help first.

Just as he was about to explain why he cannot draw the cute dragon maid as an ally.

“Unfortunately that won’t do Kale. Because it becomes violating the dragon’s rules.”

“Dragon’s rules?”

“Yes. It is the only law the well-born dragons have to keep. All winged dragons must not actively intervene in disputes of other races unless they receive permission from the Ancient Dragon Council.”

Ilark answered in his place.

Definitely because she is a dragonblood she knew well about dragon society.

“For reference the Ancient Dragon Council is like a senior center where seven old dragons gathered. The problem is that they are fearsome old men that no one can stop even if they smear shit on the wall as if showing off.”

She was walking behind Bran and Kale like a mercenary who took on an escort mission.

Leather pauldron covering one shoulder.

The giant double-bladed axe shouldered on her back was giving a sense of intimidation like looking at a tank.

“Th-that is. What happens if you violate the rules?”

“You die.”

Ilark drew her neck with her thumb without a shred of hesitation.

Kale hunched his shoulders.

“Hik.”

“It differs depending on the severity of the crime but almost becomes like that. The old men of the Ancient Dragon Council regard tradition really importantly. If I say up to here it becomes too long and uninteresting so skip··· anyway Freude cannot help us.”

It was as Ilark said.

Her father Zarheim consecutively burning six countries was also a matter possible because the Ancient Dragon Council approved.

Although she said senior center or something, the Ancient Dragon Council was a group with dignity comparable to that Pantheon.

It was not a rule that Freude who is a mere attendant of Alto could defy.

There was also no one who wished for her to help even while risking death.

“Is it okay for Miss Ilark to go around with us?”

“I’m fine. By the standards of the old men of the Ancient Dragon Council hybrids are not dragons. Even without wings why would I be bound by that kind of rule?”

“That··· s-sorry.”

“Enough. Rather good that I’m not bound by an idiot-like law.”

Ilark cackled.

It was felt that her self-esteem had risen.

Originally it was a line she would have said while making a self-deprecating bitter smile.

“But Kale. When are you going to drop the honorifics with me?”

“Eh?”

“No. I talked even while eating yesterday. While calling Bran comfortably why am I only ‘Miss’ Ilark. Aren’t we friends?”

Approaching with a stride Ilark placed her hand on Kale’s head.

Because the hand was originally large the fingers came down to his nose.

“Th-that··· anyway the habit doesn’t form··· I’ll try from today.”

“Yo?”

“Hiiik, I’ll try!”

The small face turned pale.

Ilark patted his head while cackling saying good posture.

Whether because they experienced all sorts of things together it seemed the two had become quite close now.

Bran asked.

“So Kale. Do you like the cloak?”

“Ah, yes!”

Kale nodded.

He proudly spun once in place and showed off the new clothes.

Flutter. The dark red cloak fluttered as if flapping.

“Even though the inside is fur it’s not hot at all and extremely light. Ehehe, this kind of thing is the first time wearing.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“And because it’s the same shape as Bran I like it. Somehow it’s also cute.”

“Ha··· I also wanted it. If not for this damn size.”

Ilark who could not receive a cloak due to the hide shortage issue grumbled.

They distributed and took the equipment made from Zerban’s hide last night.

Himself gloves and shoes, cloak.

Kale cloak.

Ilark took the pauldron wrapping one shoulder.

‘Bilmoris would have succeeded even as a fashion designer.’

The options fitting a hidden piece were options but the wear feeling was very excellent.

After trying on all equipment Bran distributed the items so that each could bring out their abilities.

Since he was an all-rounder position he naturally ended up taking the most parts.

『Set effect activates by wearing three or more parts of rare grade armor.』

『While wearing the armor Strength, Agility, Endurance increase.』

『The power of skills obtained by wearing each armor increases slightly.』

······Actually it was not very natural.

Deciding to take the shoes useful to everyone himself was after knowing that like the game the set effect applies.

Still don’t be too unfair kids. I’ll get hit more and hit more.

Just as they were walking along the main street of the Golden District while sharing this and that conversation.

“Ah. Arrived.”

A thick shadow was cast over the head.

Stopping in place the three raised their heads almost at the same time.

“······Wa.”

“Fuck. To think I would enter here while alive.”

And almost at the same timing spat out admiration.

Even knowing it was the position of entering a tiger’s maw it could not be helped.

Bran muttered.

“Amazing.”

Even if he completely tilts his neck he cannot see the crown.

The pentagonal pillar that surged toward the sky looks like a key that starts the giant mechanical device called the city.

Steel Tower.

The second wonder of the great blacksmith Valkeros, and the castle the lord resides in.

“Citizen. What business do you have at the Steel Tower.”

“Eh?”

It was then.

Suddenly a voice mixed with mechanical sound rang out from behind.

Turning his head a magic golem that looked about 3m tall came into view.

The plate armor covering the entire body was blazing while receiving the summer sunlight.

Kale was astonished.

“A-golem speaking?!”

“Kid, looks like it can fight a bit?”

Ilark smiled while baring her teeth.

It was a design much more specialized for combat than the existing Steel Sentinel.

Because it is an individual guarding the Steel Tower.

The difference was not only that.

Bran calmly took out the invitation and held it out to the golem.

“Here.”

“······Thank you for confirmation. Please follow me.”

Confirming the invitation the golem turned its back and began moving to the Steel Tower.

The appearance of walking on all fours with long arms like a gorilla was impressive.

When the three were dumbfounded the golem turned back and said.

“F o l l o w m e.”

“Ah, yes.”

Bran’s group moved following the golem.

The appearance of people stepping aside from the golem’s path was exactly like a school of sardines avoiding a shark.

“Waa. How does the golem understand all that?”

“Occasionally there are kids like that. Sometimes it just feels like a person.”

Kale and Ilark conversed in voices mixed with admiration.

As Bran who knew the secret he had nothing to say, but if not knowing it was definitely a wondrous appearance.

At the front gate of the majestic Steel Tower inspection by human soldiers was conducted once more.

“Huff···! You were honored guests. By any chance did our golem commit rudeness?”

Confirming the invitation the soldier’s eyes widened round.

He thought invitations were all the same but it seemed there was some difference.

“There was nothing like that. It was quick.”

“Yes! I hope you have an enjoyable time. The lord’s audience chamber is on the top floor!”

“Open the gate!”

“Open the gate!”

The soldier saluted.

The golems next to him also took a similar posture.

By the way the security is strict once.

The only place where more golems are gathered than here would be the research institute that produces golems.

Rumble···!

Along with a heavy sound the castle gate opened.

At the end of the long corridor a pentagonal lobby unfolded.

Wider than the square of an average village.

Officials in suits were busily going around the lobby.

“Documents to solve by today are a mountain! Come quickly quickly!”

“Yes. Yes. The golem research institute is not here but right below.”

“A telegram came from the capital!”

Looking only at being mentally noisy it is a level not much different from the Steel District.

Looking at the elevators installed two each on every wall it also felt a sense of déjà vu as if only the skin was changed from reality.

If it was just a busy public office as it looks how good it would be.

“Everyone ready right?”

Still the presence of the Abyss was not sensed yet.

Bran turned to the remaining two and asked.

“Of course! Tell whatever to come out fuck.”

“I-I also prepared···!”

Ilark pounded her chest with a bang bang.

Kale was also taking a deep breath and gathering his weak mind.

Fortunately both looked overflowing with fighting spirit.

“Good. Let’s enter.”

Saying that Bran moved his steps forward.

Bang.

At the same time as the three entered the corridor the main door closed.

The future could not be predicted, but probably it would be fine.

Because he did everything he could for this day.

****

“This is the waiting room. Please rest comfortably until the lord calls.”

“Uum··· thank you.”

Getting off the elevator Bran expressed gratitude.

The pretty guide in uniform politely bowed her waist.

Creak. Thud.

The elevator door closed.

Unlike the modern lobby the waiting room was decorated quite splendidly.

People who seemed to have received invitations like Bran’s group were gathered in threes and fives and chatting.

Judging from the attire most were nobles. There were almost no adventurers.

Ilark muttered.

“Hmm. Nothing happened.”

“Uuu··· my stomach is not good.”

All three could not hide a flustered sign.

Of course it was not that he thought there would be an attack by masked strangers as soon as they entered the Steel Tower but this was too peaceful.

There was also no matter of wandering.

Before Bran could utilize his knowledge as a player the guide who attached followed them kindly guided them to the top floor where the lord was waiting.

Still just as he was not relaxing his guard thinking there might be some scheme.

“Ooh, you guys! You finally arrived.”

From not far away a welcome voice was heard.

A mid-low tone that seemed fortune in wealth rises just by hearing.

Moving their gazes the three’s eyes opened round.

“Leodorn?”

“Good to see faces after a long time. Have you been well?”

It was Leodorn who had now become the managing director of White Silver Pine.

The neat suit suited quite well.

The wounds that occurred while being tortured were completely healed.

“Why has uncle come here?”

“I just came for work. While doing merchant group work I end up dropping by the Steel Tower often.”

As expected an executive of a large merchant group.

Ilark asked.

“Glad you look healthy Leodorn. How did you know we were coming?”

“I’m also glad to meet Ilark. Your visit the lord personally told me.”

“The lord?”

“Yes. I don’t know why but he said it while extremely excited. It seems he wanted to meet you guys quite a bit.”

Leodorn swept his beard.

Bran’s eyes narrowed thinly.

“He was excited? That lord?”

“Yes? Yes. Because it was different from the usual appearance I was also a bit flustered honestly.”

“···Hmm.”

Something was strange.

The lord of Valkeros he knew was absolutely not that kind of personality.

A person whose abundance of emotions loses to a golem.

Suddenly, looking around Leodorn brought his face close and whispered.

“Actually. Even so···”

“Lord Bran, Lord Kale, Lord Ilark. The lord calls.”

Precisely just as he was about to whisper.

The soldier standing at the door connected to the audience chamber called the three.

Leodorn smacked his lips.

“Uum, later after coming let’s talk. It’s not a particularly important matter.”

“Yes. See you soon.”

Regrettable but now there was no choice but to enter.

By the way why call us first when there are so many people waiting like this?

Just as the wondering Bran was entering the audience chamber.

“Haha, welcome! Heroes who saved Valkeros!”

A thunderous voice rang out.

For a moment, a hair-raising chill ran through Bran’s entire body.

Hurriedly raising his head a man standing at the end of the red carpet was visible.

An amazing tall middle-aged man.

Armor attire that does not match a lord doing national affairs.

On the hair flowing like a lion an iron crown symbolizing the leader of Valkeros was worn.

Up to here it was the same as the appearance Bran remembered but the problem was his tension.

The man who met Bran shouted while widely spreading both arms.

“Why are you doing that there? Come here quickly!”

“······Yes. Understood.”

Answering like that Bran moved his steps.

While finishing the preparation to pull the sword hilt right away.

‘Fucked.’

That guy.

He was not the lord.