Episode 69
“As I am the elder, I will give up the first move.”
“No, I don’t want to hear that I took advantage of a player.”
Even if there are no concessions, I will definitely win.
Unless the other person was an idiot, there was no way he wouldn’t understand what he meant.
“It’s a bit careless to be called a genius. For your sake, I will teach you that there is a heaven above the heavens.”
Ramon Percival’s expression hardened and he took out Rampton’s sword.
At that moment, the magic stone embedded in the sword’s hilt vibrated, and a subtle glow appeared over his entire body.
“Oh oh!”
“That’s great.”
“Did the artifact produce such a beautiful effect?”
The audience around him was busy admiring, but Logan was laughing inside.
‘It’s not like I’m spreading rumors that I’m here… I’d rather die.’
I thought that the Count had given me an artifact as a gift that had flashy effects rather than practical effects.
I don’t know, but this guy named Lampton, as his name suggests, probably ended up serving as a lamp on the battlefield.
visor.
Even though there was no special magical effect, Lux gave off a subtle glow from the moment it came out of the scabbard.
Although the natural beauty of the sword was simple compared to that of the enemy, those interested in weapons recognized its value at a glance.
Perfect balance. A sharp and strong sword.
It seemed to prove that a sword can be so beautiful if it is made faithfully to its original purpose.
The eyes of treasure collectors and outstanding knights suddenly changed.
But Ramon Percival didn’t have the insight to recognize it.
“How can you handle an artifact with such a pretty sword? I’m worried that I’ll be told later that I lost because I didn’t have enough weapons.”
“That won’t happen, so you don’t have to worry.”
Ramon’s eyebrows twitched at Logan’s calm answer.
“Be careful.”
thud.
The foot he stepped forward seemed to have kicked the floor hard, and then Ramon’s slim body rushed forward.
His eyes were serious, and the outstretched sword had a subtle glow similar to his body.
It looks cool, like an old knight in a story rushing to put down evil.
There was the influence of the weapon, but Ramon, who thought he had some leeway because Logan was hiding his skills, intentionally paid attention to the directing.
‘I guess I should treat him appropriately.’
Among the audience watching them now was Moon Knight Plants.
I could hide my momentum, but I felt like I needed to act a little better to avoid the eyes of the top knight.
Kwaaaaang!
“Pfft!”
Even if you stumble a bit, give it to me.
Skag.
“Sigh!”
Scratch the skin little by little.
“The end… vain!”
Sometimes he makes sharp counterattacks.
“quite!”
visor! visor! visor!
Showing a little fighting spirit.
The final blow was dramatic, as if it was a bit of luck.
“Whoa. I got lucky.”
And when the sword held against Ramon’s neck shakes with a long exhalation.
He said that using Force Core to heat up his metabolism and make his whole body sweat was a perfect production with an emphasis on acting.
But the other actor seemed unable to agree to that.
“This is a mistake! Count! I’m not familiar with this sword…”
Ramon’s face turned red as he begged while looking at the head of the banquet hall rather than at his opponent, Logan.
but.
“stop!”
“If you give me just one chance….”
“I told you to stop, Ramon. You’re disappointing me. Especially with that attitude.”
Count Bipros’ reaction was cold, and the look in his eyes towards Ramon was extremely cold.
“If you feel unfair, you should tell the other person. Why are you telling me? Or are you just trying to say that you lost because of the treasure I gave you?”
“Oh no! I’m sorry, Your Excellency!”
Ramon, who had become contemplative, fell down on the spot, leaving Logan, his sparring partner, alone in an awkward situation.
“Tsk, tsk, all the way… Oh, I forgot to cheer for the winner. I’m sorry for making you look so ugly, Prince Logan. You won.”
“Thank you, Count.”
“Since my person made a mistake by ignoring you, I will open my special archive and allow you to choose the artifact yourself.”
“Oh oh!”
“As expected, Count!”
“You’re so brave…”
“Now, let’s all applaud the young hero!”
“Wow!”
The atmosphere changed in an instant at the count’s words.
However, the dramatic change in the Count’s expression, from his cold face to his now mask-like smile, was just funny to Logan.
‘You’re going to hold on to this somehow, right? So it doesn’t matter what I give them.’
The Count probably thought that no matter what artifact he was given, it would just be a matter of temporarily moving the material.
‘It won’t go as planned.’
For the first time in a while, Logan smiled happily without hiding his true feelings.
And then.
“Your Excellency! Just a moment…”
A man came running in with a slightly flushed face.
The man, dressed in overly luxurious attire to be considered a servant, bowed his head to the count and reported something.
Then the Count smiled brightly and tapped him on the shoulder.
Then, he whispered something again, and the man hurriedly ran out of the banquet hall again, and the Count looked around the audience with a bright face.
“A precious person who has a connection with this person contacted me as if it were too much for him. He personally sent me a magic message saying that he regretted not being able to come in person, and he would like to give a congratulatory speech in your presence.”
Who could Count Roger Bypros like so much just by a simple contact?
Everyone gathered here is confused.
The man who had rushed out came tumbling back in holding a crystal ball that was almost the size of a human body.
“Be careful! Man, no matter how urgent it is… tsk tsk.”
Since they are the Count of Biphros, voices of admiration can be heard from all over, saying that the size of the magic communication tool is also different.
The Count moved the communication device to the chair at the head of the table where he was and smiled softly.
“It’s been a long time since I last saw you, Your Excellency the Duke. It makes me so happy to see you so healthy.”
[I said that excessive courtesy is proportional, Count. Don’t humble yourself too much on a good day.]
“No. How dare I do that. Let me introduce you to everyone. The strongest superhuman in the kingdom and the pillar that supports the royal family. This is Your Excellency, Duke of Esperanza, Felix the Swordsman!”
When a bright smile spreads across the Count’s face as he introduces the protagonist who sent the magical communication in a proud voice.
Logan’s face, as he watched, became similar to his for the first time.
[…I sincerely wish a happy birthday to the count, a strong pillar of the kingdom. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but I believe that those who attended will be able to see for themselves the large distribution of Count Roger Bypros. This is the end of my congratulatory remarks. Please enjoy the party and wish the Count good health.]
“Ahahaha. Thank you, Your Excellency the Duke!”
The corners of Count Bipros’ mouth sound like they are about to tear.
[uh? But wasn’t he Logan there?]
His expression immediately hardened at the unexpected words that flowed from the crystal ball.
Puheap.
‘You’re really bad at acting.’
It was so awkward that I almost spit out the wine I had just drank.
However, as the person who made the ‘favor’, it was impossible for him to break the game.
A congratulatory speech from the swordsman, the highest noble of the current neutral faction who does not belong to either the 1st or 2nd prince faction.
The prediction that the Count would never be able to refuse no matter what faction was correct was correct.
‘I have to do better from now on.’
Logan bowed politely in the middle of the banquet hall, where he could clearly see the crystal ball.
“It’s been a while since I saw you, Master.”
With a simple word spoken along with a greeting, the banquet hall suddenly became quiet.
“teacher?!”
“Swordsmith?!”
“Huh…”
“Somehow…”
The banquet hall, which had become as quiet as a mouse, was soon filled with the sounds of people chattering and talking.
The duke spoke calmly, looking at the count’s increasingly stiff face.
[Why are you there…? Oh, your hometown was also in the southwest?]
“That’s right.”
[It’s absurd to see the face of an indifferent student with no contact like this. So, when are you coming to the capital? I said I was preparing a party.]
“I’m sorry, but I may have to stay at Bipros Castle for a while due to family issues. The Count has made me an offer I cannot refuse…”
Logan nobly said that he was being threatened. I turned around and said.
[count. Is that really true?]
With a simple question, the swordsman put the complex family history aside for a moment.
“Haha, that’s not it. Oh no. I heard the Sword Master is looking for me. It’s my business, so it’s okay to put it off.”
[Oh really? Yes, I would be grateful if you did so. Logan, I’ll see you in the capital soon.]
“I understand. Thank you, Master.”
Although it was according to the script that had already been written, the last words were sincere.
It was very refreshing to see the count’s slightly distorted face.
* * * The next morning.
– You must have had a good relationship with Prince Logan. But my suggestion is valid, so please think about it again.
As Logan was sighing, remembering the Count’s words and his stern expression at the end of the party, there was a knock on the door.
“The Count has ordered you to report.”
The stiff attitude of the knight, who seemed to have come reluctantly, actually made Logan glad.
There was a party scheduled for this evening, but he had no intention of attending.
‘There may be an excuse. I’ll just take the artifact and leave.’
If it weren’t for this, I would have left yesterday.
Of course, I didn’t have very high expectations.
‘I guess they’ve put away everything that’s really important.’
I thought about what it would have been like if the swordsmith had contacted me today, but it was a futile wish.
How fortunate I am that things worked out the way I expected.
Logan shook his head to shake off his greed and followed the knight with a light heart.
“You will only have one hour to look around. The Count has permitted only one piece of any treasure. Please understand that you may be inspected when you come out.”
“All right.”
A huge stone gate guarded by 18 knights, including three senior knights.
After listening to the warnings in front of the stone gate, as many as ten knights divided into left and right sides and started pushing the gate with great enthusiasm.
“Aaaah!”
“Haaaab!”
Coogugung.
A stone gate slowly opens, or rather begins to be pushed, with the shouts of knights.
Logan couldn’t keep his mouth shut in surprise at the unexpected security device.
‘What is needed to open the archive where the artifact is stored is pure physical force…’
I watched with a sigh, wondering whose idea it was, but the knights’ labor continued for nearly a minute.
Coogung.
With a heavy sound, the door finally opened, revealing the stairs leading to the basement.
however.
“Uh…? At least?”
In reality, the thickness of the open door was only about 1m.
‘It took ten knights just to push that thing out?’
Seeing as I couldn’t feel any magic at all, I don’t think it was a magical effect… I
didn’t have time to think deeply.
“Please come in. The time is one hour. The door will close after that.”
Logan entered inside, unable to answer his question and looking at the sweat-covered knights with resentment in their eyes.
Not long after walking down the narrow stone stairs, a wide and bright space appeared.
There. The moment he looked around, Logan let out an exclamation without realizing it.
“Wow…”
The stone room was hundreds of pyeong in size. The
huge stone room, which was obviously underground, was not dark at all because of the shining nightstone embedded in the ceiling. It had
its own light. Nightstone, a rare gem that emits light.
Just selling the hundreds of nightstones embedded in the ceiling would have generated tens of millions of gold.
Of course, the small item in the corner of the chamber illuminated by the nightstones seemed like it would easily exceed that price. .
‘About 30 or so.’
Half of the number of artifacts visible at first glance were weapons.
However,
“You cleaned them all out, right?”
It seemed like they were divided into three categories, armor, weapons, etc., but in the deepest part of each section, there were empty glass boxes that would have originally contained something. ‘What was left
was, at best, the same level as yesterday’s…’
Even so, there was no guide or explanation, so I couldn’t figure out what effect the artifact had. I couldn’t help but
click my tongue again at the pettiness of the count who was pretending to be bold on the outside. It’s not that I couldn’t understand the psychology.
“Anything, an artifact worth at least 10 million gold is free. Well, I’m grateful.”
Logan began to look at the artifacts with a happy heart. The amplified senses gained from learning the Force Core allowed him to feel the detailed differences in the quality and size of the magical power inherent in the artifacts.
And Logan was amazed at the artifacts just by that alone .
I was able to guess part of its utility.
I passed over the magically flowing swords and spears and weapons for now.
I was satisfied with just the look, and just looking at the magical power I could feel at a glance, nothing looked better than the items that came out at the banquet hall yesterday.
Logan brought along some appropriate armor. I looked around at the armor with the intention of seeing.
‘Is this lightning magic? The person wearing it will also be electrocuted? Is this flame? Is the armor used for attack? Huh…’
Among the mediocre items that didn’t look particularly outstanding, I found something that was better. It was difficult to choose.
Ultimately, there were three items that Logan chose:
upper body armor that felt almost weightless despite its strong hardness.
Gauntlets that instantly deploy shield magic.
Lighten the body and repel shock. Effective gaiters.
I was struggling to decide which one to choose among them.
‘…Huh?’
Suaa.
I felt as if the weak force I had spread around while examining the artifact was suddenly concentrated in one place.
