Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Ownership (8)

#82

【Dwarf guy. That words are true.】

Alto growled.

Bringing the face too close the nose was to the point of stabbing the eyes.

One stream of tears flowed down Benden’s cheek.

“Grammar. Eobeobeo.”

【Speak. How you of all things undo a seal even I cannot open?】

Benden became taxidermy as is.

His own face wavering in Alto’s red pupils seemed to imply a future of dying burned by fire.

The legs dangling in the air were pitiful.

‘Exactly like a baby mobile.’

Pitiful but an unavoidable choice.

Because if saying in advance he absolutely would not have done.

Of course it was not an action rushed without a countermeasure.

“Bran you. On earth what thought···”

“Okay Ilark. Because there is all thought.”

Because Benden was too valuable a person to end as Alto’s one meal.

From the point of not fainting or wetting even in that situation there was already a chance of winning.

Facing Benden from behind Alto’s back Bran whispered with mouth shape.

- Moth Key.

- What.

It was the name of some relic in Benden’s backpack.

The trembling Benden’s pupils stopped.

Because frightened he forgot for a moment.

He actually had a method to open Heaven’s Lock!

【Did even the ears go deaf.】

Just as red light was wavering through the gaps of Alto’s teeth whose patience ran out.

【If not answering immediately that stupid head···】

“C-c-can do!”

Benden shouted loudly.

Puchat!

Saliva that popped out like a fountain covered Alto’s face.

【Ah.】

“Hiiik!”

“Fate ended.”

Kale covered his mouth.

Arazan also closed her eyes tightly.

Benden whose face paled like white paper hurriedly spat.

“Hueeeuk! Sorry! Please mercy!”

【Do not care. Done so spout now.】

Fortunately the Mad Flame Duke was merciful in a strange part.

But the important thing was from now.

If failing to persuade Benden becomes dragon dung.

Catching the quickened breathing, he began a speech that might be the last of his life.

“I-I have devoted my body to relic research for life! Among them what I particularly hung on was the method of releasing ancient seal formulas. Heaven’s Lock also corresponds to that, and now the research is about to bear fruit.”

【Many words. A characteristic of fraudsters.】

“T-to explain summarizing as much as possible··· uum, so···! I have a treasure that might even undo Heaven’s Lock!”

【Oho.】

“Here. I brought it.”

Bran intervened between the two.

On his palm one small model moth was placed.

Complex. The structure is precise like seeing rice grain craft.

The component parts whose material cannot be guessed at all were all made with ancient technology.

“A treasure unique in the world more precious than Heaven’s Lock or key.”

“Oo, Bran!”

Benden’s face brightened.

Scanning the Moth Key Alto narrowed his eyes.

【Definitely. An unusual energy is felt.】

Moth Key.

The only treasure Benden stole while leaving the family.

It was no exaggeration to say the most valuable item among the tools he has.

A master key that if only grown to the final stage can release almost all seals existing in Return Road!

Benden continued.

“This moth emits a power that melts seals. Finding the same frequency, and raising the output accordingly opening Heaven’s Lock is not a dream either.”

【Then why not opened earlier?】

“That··· because the moth has not grown enough yet. As a research result to properly use the Moth Key numerous materials and magic were needed. While going around the entire continent I was fitting materials that can grow the moth one by one.”

Benden deeply lowered his head as if no face.

His Moth Key was still not even grown half of the complete form.

If obvious it was obvious.

Benden as an NPC of Return Road growing the Moth Key to the complete form was around the later years of ascending as the leader of the empire explorer guild.

‘Even for balance that was right.’

Of course Bran had no thought of waiting that long.

Alto was the same.

【The story is that it is possible.】

“Y-yes! If only giving budget and time···!”

【How much time is needed?】

Silence descended.

Folding and unfolding fingers while calculating Benden carefully opened his mouth.

“If I devote all strength and concentrate on research··· around when five years pass it seems I can produce meaningful results.”

【Five years. The last time I ate dwarf meat seems around that.】

Alto smacked his lips.

Probably not a lie.

Benden gasped.

“Hueuk.”

【Quite okay. Except the beard getting stuck between the teeth.】

Silence again.

Looking at Bran again Benden vigorously mumbled his mouth.

- Now what! Even five years I called recklessly to the point of terrible!

- Rush. Trust me.

And showed one index finger.

At the gesture whose meaning is clear Benden’s complexion paled.

- A-are you in your right mind now?

Instead of answering Bran only nodded.

Benden’s expression became serious as if.

If another person he would have driven a pickaxe into the crown saying you try once, but if Bran says like that there would definitely be a reason.

Like fulfilling his long-cherished wish in Kargai.

“Th-then···!”

The pondering Benden finally made a decision.

“Good! I Benden Kradil! Will resolve within one year!”

“One year. Not bad.”

Alto nodded.

The pressuring voice returned to original.

When he finally put Benden down, the hand mark remaining as is the gripped shape was revealed.

“Good. I’ll trust you dwarf.”

“Th-thank you. I’ll meet the expectations!”

“Since gold is strewn use budget as much as you want. If requesting materials needed for research to my subordinates they will obtain even mediocre things.”

“Yes?”

Benden’s eyes widened round.

Infinite budget.

It was a statement no different from a research job’s dream.

But liking too much is forbidden.

Barely holding the laugh he politely waved his hand.

“N-no need to do so. There is also a city called Morken not far··· I’ll supply myself. Funds also gathered quite.”

“Mistaking something. You cannot leave this city.”

“······Yes?”

“You remain here with me. Until Heaven’s Lock is released.”

Benden’s time stopped.

Even a Greek soldier facing Medusa would not freeze this perfectly.

Bran nodded.

‘This is right.’

The only one in the world who can bloom the ability of the Moth Key is Benden.

With Alto’s full support and Letunir’s facilities he could produce results pulling forward tens of years.

Slightly approaching Bran put an arm on his shoulder and whispered.

“Benden. This is an opportunity.”

“Wh-what?”

“You’ll research in an environment that won’t exist twice. Whatever you want they’ll bring right?”

Benden’s eyes widened.

Actually this was the main purpose.

The suspiciously money-rich dragon uncle would not care how much the dwarf living attached to his house spends, or where he spends.

As long as not putting hands off the moth research.

“Only one year. Only one year returning to the empire is delayed. During that time do all the research you couldn’t because no money this opportunity.”

Bran poked Benden’s belly.

Literally the devil’s whisper!

Although the fact of selling himself to the dragon did not change, it could not be denied it was a truly rational claim.

The frozen lips finally opened.

“I-indeed··· might be so.”

“Right?”

Bran smiled.

With this it is done.

Alto whose mood improved at the good news muttered in a voice with a smile smeared.

“Good. Then I should proclaim this city as my domain. I’ll also tell those sparrows.”

The sharp gaze was toward the ceiling.

The group’s gazes were drawn at the same time.

Opening eyes thinly wondering if something is there, the thick stone ceiling was only covered with mold.

Ilark tilted her head.

“Yes? Sparrows?”

Instead of answering Alto extended his arm.

Tukwaaaaaaang-!!!

From his palm a shockwave burst.

A wave no different from a steel battering ram blew the ceiling of the ossuary at once.

Hwaaaak!

The midday sunlight poured over the head.

Many things had changed from before entering the ossuary.

Looking up at the wide open sky the group froze at the same time.

“Heu, hueeuk.”

“Kyaaaaaak!”

Dozens of airships were staying in the sky of Letunir.

Not a single ship is not giant.

Slowly turning drawing a wide circle exactly like a school of fish.

On the sails of all airships the pattern symbolizing the empire and the emperor was drawn.

Arazan seeing airships for the first time was astonished.

“What. Ships flying in the sky···!”

“A-are they going to war or something?”

Benden’s legs were trembling.

Only large assault ships five.

Cruisers specialized in long-range bombardment exceeded ten.

Even the assault ships were the same model as the flagship of the 7th Descent Mobile Unit called the White Swords.

But the most amazing was the giant battleship positioned in the center of the fleet.

“Forgarion-class battleship. Brought an amazing thing.”

Bran whistled.

On the battleship whose name is taken from Great God class the resident mages exceed ten.

A giant that symbolizes the power of the empire itself, shooting giant cannons as powerful as a dragon’s flame!

Everyone was shivering at the power that can unilaterally destroy a mediocre country.

“Arrogant guys. Daring to stand over my head.”

Except one.

Even in front of war-unit forces Alto had no tense sign at all.

【Just in time. I was feeling itchy from half-hearted fire play.】

Alto smiled while baring his teeth.

Saaaaaa···!

Over the suit red wings began to grow.

At the appearance anyone sees preparing for battle Ilark’s nape scales stood.

“S-surely fighting again?!”

【Aren’t they picking a fight first from that side.】

“Damn. Stop immediately! This time you’ll really break the rules!”

Although she tried to stop it was in vain.

Just as the dragon’s pressure that fainted the group was about to rise again over Alto’s shoulders.

[Wait. Please calm. Mad Flame Duke.]

Suddenly from beyond the sky a heavy voice rang out.

It was the air battleship side.

Whether using magic or a resonance stone it was heard clearly even from far.

[Did not receive a combat order. As evidence have not yet deployed even one ground force. Can we converse?]

“This voice··· the window keeper guy.”

Alto’s voice softened much.

As if accepting the proposal the dragon’s pressure subsided.

Soon, on the bow of the air battleship one man in uniform and captain’s hat stood up.

Lightly bowing he continued the words into the microphone.

[Long live His Majesty the Emperor. I am Admiral Albert Bastion of the 2nd Sky Fleet.]

“Fuck. Sky Fortress.”

This time Ilark showed a reaction.

A famous person of the imperial army no less than Colonel Bardo.

Bran raised an eyebrow.

‘Another big shot arrived.’