< 109. Second weapon >
#109
“okay. “You are the one who has been sending me intelligence all this time…”
“Yes yes. “It’s called Balus.”
Balus bowed his head. I couldn’t understand why this was happening. Varen who had been quietly examining him opened his mouth.
“I was surprised that she was much younger than I expected. “The intelligence content was detailed and meticulous so I expected someone with more experience.”
“Haha…hahaha….”
Balus laughed awkwardly. On the afternoon of the last day of his reign he went to Tower 13’s office and was having a private conversation with Caribolo’s nemesis Varen Panasir.
‘They said they would save my life…! How can this save my life…!’
It was none other than Ronan who sent Balus here. He had been threatened to go if he didn’t want to be chopped up and turned into dog food so he had no choice. Ronan’s words that this is the only way for you to live kept ringing in his head.
‘I will definitely die.’
A heavy breath was escaping between his parched lips. There has never been a moment when I regretted getting into poaching so much.
He knew what Varen had done to Caribolo in the past. It was Varen who destroyed the Tetra branch once managed by Aarondale.
The story of the messenger sent by the devil has been passed down through the mouths of older gang members to this day. Balus was a car where he imagined what kind of dish he would turn into.
“First of all… it can’t go on like this.”
Suddenly Varen stood up. He could see a hand that could tear off his own head with just his index finger and thumb. Balus screamed and climbed onto the sofa.
“Huh! “Oh no!”
“Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”
“Didn’t he try to kill me…?”
“yes? Why would I do something like that? “Would you please sit down for a moment?”
Balus sat down again. Varen who was rattling something for a moment placed a large silver tray on the table.
Teaware that would have been seen at an aristocratic tea party was placed on a tray. Steam was rising from a teacup filled with black tea and freshly baked cookies were giving off an appetizing smell. Varen said.
“Please eat. It doesn’t taste good when it cools down. “It took some time to prepare because we were unexpected guests.”
“Thank you.”
Crispy. Balus chewed a cookie. There was no time to suspect that it was poisoned. Soon his eyes widened.
“This is…”
It tasted incredible even if it was made by a professional baker. Varen smiled softly.
“I’m glad you got it right.”
“It’s really really delicious. “How can you eat food like this…”
“Eat it slowly. First of all I would like to say thank you. “I heard that you played a big role in the Lakota student’s healthy return.”
“How do you do that?”
“Student Ronan told me.”
Varen continued. Last night Ronan told him all the information about Balus. Even the fact that he is actually an innocent guy. Varen laughed remembering his conversation with Ronan.
‘No matter what he’s a really good person.’
Ronan left after saying that he was worried about how Balus should be treated. It was an action whose meaning was self-evident. Varen brushed his mane once and opened his mouth.
“I’ll say it bluntly. “How about becoming my assistant?”
“yes?”
“Recently there has been a lot of work so I needed some help. If you live in Phileon you won’t be noticed by the organization. “It’s pretty good isn’t it?”
Tuk. The cookie fell from Balus’ hand.
****
Fortunately the Baeksu Festival took place in peace. There were no unpleasant situations such as angry poachers seeking revenge or the doppelgänger escaping again. Ronan and members of the Adeshan Express Adventure Club were able to enjoy the festival leisurely.
‘It’s a good thing that it’s a festival.’
When Ronan exhaled white smoke came out. I walked around so hard that my body was sore. On the night of the Baeksuje Festival a half-moon was smiling brightly in the cloudless night sky.
‘That idiot must have been hired by now.’
Ronan suddenly remembered Balus and laughed. Ronan wanted to give Varen a new opportunity by introducing him to him.
Regardless of its utility value I just hoped that my fellow student would lead a decent life. Of course he also had outstanding abilities so he would be of some help in his future journey.
‘Try better this time. Balus.’
After finishing his cigarette Ronan went back into the club building. The sight of Marya who was still paying her bills caught my eye. Ronan laughed when he saw the gold and silver coins lined up on the bar table. The number had doubled compared to before.
“So…you earned all this only during the festival period? “Did you sell alcohol secretly?”
“What about alcohol? “We have nine stores so we have to make this much.”
“This is so amazing….”
Marja hummed her tune and piled up the coins. Asher who was drinking milk opened her eyes wide and admired her.
Through this business she earned more than ten times the amount she invested. By reinvesting all of that money into students Marja will increase Caravel’s standing at the top she said.
“Anyway you’re amazing.”
“Hehe you knew from the start right? “You have to do this to lead the top team.”
“That’s right. So did you two kiss or something?”
“Phuet!”
Asher spit out the milk she was drinking. At the same time Marja threw down the coin she was holding. Pow! The gold coin flew past Ronan’s ear and became lodged in the wooden pillar behind him. Ronan whistled when he saw the half-buried coin.
“It’s bloody.”
“You’re going to die! Thanks to you do you know how awkward I’ve been with the cutie these past few days?!”
“Ma marya! calm down…!”
Marya huffed ready to tip over the desk at any moment. Asher used her telekinesis to stop her. Ronan chuckled without responding. She was glad that somehow their relationship seemed to have improved.
“Whew…yeah. “I the kind person I am have to endure it.”
“good idea.”
“You really…no. “Everyone got their bounty right?”
Ronan and Asher nodded. Since all of the captured poachers were wanted criminals Ronan and other members of the department were able to make quite a lot of money.
In particular the reward for capturing Aarondale was more generous than expected. In addition to the bounty there were many expensive items he had with him. Something like an enchanted ring or shoes made from ogre leather. Marya said looking back at Ronan.
“Ronan did you say you wouldn’t sell that mask?”
“ok. “It was useful in its own way.”
Ronan put the bear mask that was hanging on his belt over his face. It was the product used by Aarondale and had almost perfect gas and dust proof functions. It was a skill that would be helpful to me for a long time.
He also said that according to Balus’s explanation it was only given to Caribolo’s top executives and he liked that too. Ronan took off his mask again and the corners of his mouth turned up grimly.
“I also have a bit of a desire to collect.”
He made up his mind with this doppelganger incident. He had no intention of breathing the same air as Caribolo. Ronan who suddenly remembered the weekend’s schedule looked back at Asher and said.
“Really Asher. Are you reading that black book well?”
“to? For now…yeah. “It only took two pages to interpret it perfectly.”
“You’re doing well. “Give me a moment.”
Suddenly Ronan drew his sword. Asher who was about to hand over the Vajra suddenly stopped.
“Ro Ronan. Why the knife all of a sudden?”
“There is such a thing man. “It’ll only take a moment so give it to me.”
Ronan snatched Vajra away. Asher’s eyes widened at the strange events that soon unfolded.
“Why did you cut it?”
“I have a lot of questions. “It’s not a problem to read anyway.”
“That’s true but….”
Even while Asher was mumbling he looked like he didn’t know what was going on. Anyway the long Baeksu Festival ended like that. There were only about ten days left until summer vacation.
****
Saturday morning dawned. The refreshing sound of birds could be heard from all over the campus.
Ronan took Adeshan and headed straight to the new Gran Cappadocia. The entrance to the underground city was at the dry goods store located in the northwest of the island.
Ronan went into the corner of the store and operated the button on the wall. Kugugu… The building vibrated and the place the two people were standing on began to sink.
“Kyaaa!”
“Go straight down like this. “It’s okay don’t be surprised.”
“Is the bar floor moving?”
Just like last time they moved to the basement via the elevator. Because the visit had been announced in advance there was no one to stop the visit.
Kang…!
Kang…!
A descent in the dark followed. Soon after I started hearing the sound of hammers my vision cleared up. A scenery that could only be described as amazing unfolded before my eyes.
“Waaaa…!”
“Wow a lot has really changed.”
Adeshan exclaimed in admiration forgetting to cover his mouth. Ronan laughed when he saw that it was five or six times bigger than before. The new Gran Cappadocia was built on the Great Pupil where Ronan had previously captured Cirilla and Edeon.
The ecosystem stood out in contrast to before when it was just pure rocks. Strange vegetation that only grows deep underground was taking root here and there.
The walls and ceiling covered with luminescent moss were reminiscent of a night sky with the Milky Way. Lava from unknown sources had formed a lake in the middle of the Great Empty Hollow.
Not far from the lava lake was a natural lake made of groundwater. The artisans’ blacksmith shops formed a village lined up between the two lakes.
Stubborn dwarves were busily walking between buildings. In fact it seemed like the number of people had increased compared to before the accident.
Eventually the elevator stopped. Squeak – As soon as the door opened a huge shadow rushed towards Ronan.
“Hahaha! Ronan!”
“Didican.”
It was Didican a werewolf blacksmith. His grey-brown tail was swinging violently from side to side. He lifted Ronan up and put him down about five times before shaking his hand as if he had lost his temper.
“How long has it been since this? How have you been?”
“ok. “For some reason you seem to have become more fluffy.”
Didi Khan came out to meet us and greeted us with his fuss. The werewolf blacksmith I saw for the first time in a while retained the same cheerfulness I had seen before.
“Haha it’s time to shed sooner or later. how is it? “Our new home.”
“Much better than last time.”
Ronan looked around again and nodded. All aspects including facilities and living environments were greatly developed. Didican chuckled.
“Because the location itself is much better. The Grancia family paid all the rebuilding costs anyway. “There are some inspirational people who say that it would have been better for it to have collapsed at that time.”
“I made a mistake. “I should have let them all get eaten by the cave giants.”
“Haha maybe so. “By the way who is the lady over there?”
Adeshan still couldn’t get over the shock of seeing the underground city. Ade Shan who had been looking around in fascination turned his head only after Ronan nudged his shoulder. She bowed her waist and greeted him politely.
“Hot…! Oh hello. “My name is Adeshan.”
“It’s Didican. If you’re Ronan’s friend you’re just like my friend so take it easy. “You’re here to entrust us with a request to make a weapon right?”
“yes? I just followed Ronan because he said he had something to show me. “I don’t have the money to entrust a request to a place like this…”
“Hmm? The price has already been paid so that can’t be possible. “The letter clearly states the weapons of the two people…”
“Didican. “I don’t have time so just guide me.”
Ronan cut off Didican’s horse. Adeshan looked at the two people in turn with puzzled eyes. Didican who realized the situation stabbed Ronan in the side with his elbow.
“Ha that’s it. “It’s pretty good.”
“Are you still wearing invisible armor? “Let’s see if we can stop it.”
“Okay please take a look at that. “Then let’s go right away.”
Ronan and Adeshan entered deep into the forge under Didican’s guidance. On the left a lake of lava was bubbling and boiling and on the right a lake made of transparent groundwater was lapping.
All the blacksmith shops were located between the two lakes. Didican said.
“There will probably be no one who will refuse your request. No matter what anyone says you are the hero of Gran Cappadocia. But there must be a certain blacksmith who will entrust the request to you right?”
“Well that’s right. “You wrote it down in the letter.”
“Well there is no one like you. “It’s all there now.”
Before long Didican stopped in front of a building. The building was carved out of pure white stone and took the shape of a perfect cube. A long thick chimney extended to the ceiling of the cave. Everything was the same except for the volume which was about twice as large as before.
“They made it again in less than a month. “Anyway you’re a monster of inspiration.”
Didican opened the door to the blacksmith shop with those words. Suddenly Ronan pulled Adeshan by the shoulder. And he stood with her with his back to her door.
“Ro Ronan?!”
Adeshan surprised by the sudden action was about to say something. Quaaaaa! The light and heat pouring in through the door attacked the two people.
“Kwaaaah?!”
The back of my head felt so hot that it felt like it was going to cook. The shadow at my feet stretched long. Ronan turned away from her again only after her glow had subsided.
“You won’t get hit twice.”
It was a preparedness plan born from experience. Ronan said those words and walked inside the blacksmith shop.
Unlike last time I noticed a neater interior. This was thanks to selling all of the leftover weapons to Marya’s merchants. In the center of the blacksmith shop was a white anvil and a huge furnace that could fit an elephant.
A dwarf who looked like a rice ball and had a rich curly white beard was standing right in front of the brazier. The dwarf feeling popular turned his head. Ronan shook her hand happily.
“Doron. long time no see.”
“Ohh. Ronan. It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“In general yes. “What about you old man?”
“I am always the same.”
The renowned blacksmith Doron looked as healthy as before. The two men exchanged brief greetings and chatted. Doron who was stroking his beard and laughing opened his mouth.
“Yes I saw the letter. “You came to make a second weapon?”
“yes. However there is one thing I would like to discuss before production.”
“counsel…?”
“Is it possible to mix this with ingredients?”
Ronan who had been rummaging through her pockets took out something from her. They were black pieces of paper in the shape of small triangles.
“Isn’t this…paper?”
“that’s right. But it’s not ordinary paper. “I was wondering if I could use it.”
“It’s not normal… it certainly seems that way. Shall we take a look first?
The identity of the paper was the corner of Vajra that I had cut out last night. Doron took the pieces of paper and began to look at them. Just as when examining Sita’s eggshell a thorough inspection process was conducted.
“…oh my god.”
As the inspection progressed Doron’s expression gradually became more serious. He returned to his seat after some time. Doron with his brows furrowed looked up at Ronan and said.
“Where did you get this again…?”