Chapter 108
“What kind of problem occurred?”
After finishing all my classes,
I immediately headed to Daigon Village to meet Regnil.
“My sword hasn’t been damaged, has it?”
“It’s nothing like that. Sir Gideon’s sword is, as you can see, perfectly fine.”
Just as Regnil said, the Mistcatcher in the forge looked almost the same as when I last saw it.
“I was in such a rush that I didn’t explain properly, but there’s no problem with the sword itself. To be exact, there’s a problem with enhancing it.”
“What kind of problem?”
“It seems impossible to obtain the materials required for the enhancement.”
With a sigh, Regnil explained the situation.
“Do you remember which materials were needed to awaken the power sealed within the weapon?”
“The Thunderbird’s feather, the Wyvern’s tendon, and the Omukade’s shell. Those three, right?”
“Correct. I ordered the Thunderbird’s feather and the Wyvern’s tendon through a contact, but the problem is…”
“The Omukade’s shell. So you couldn’t get that one after all.”
“Yes. At least within the Arium Empire, there was no way to obtain it.”
I nodded at Regnil’s words.
Honestly, this was somewhat expected.
Just as he said, the Omukade’s shell couldn’t be found anywhere within the Empire.
Even in the game, it couldn’t be acquired inside the borders, so my character had to personally travel beyond the Empire to get it.
‘I was hoping Regnil’s contact might somehow manage to find one, but… as expected, no luck.’
The Omukade was a powerful monster native to the far eastern edge of the continent.
And anything that came from its corpse was considered an extremely valuable resource.
Because of that, the eastern nations strictly prohibited any export of materials related to the Omukade.
“According to my contact, the only way is to go beyond the Empire and acquire it directly. But even then, the issue is…”
“There would be trouble when reentering the Empire. The eastern nations would prevent anyone from carrying the Omukade’s shell out.”
“Exactly. My contact said the same thing.”
In short, there was no normal way to acquire the monster’s shell within the Empire.
Well, normally speaking.
There was a way, though not exactly a legal one.
“I understand. And… if I were to somehow get that shell, would you then be able to awaken the sword’s power?”
“Of course. However, as I said, there’s no legal way to obtain the Omukade’s shell within the Empire…”
“Mr. Regnil.”
“Yes?”
“If I manage to bring back the Omukade’s shell within a few days… can you promise to keep that fact an absolute secret for the rest of your life?”
Regnil looked a bit startled.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. So… can you promise me?”
Feigning seriousness, I asked him directly.
He stayed silent for a moment before eventually nodding.
“…I promise.”
“Good. In that case, consider this a small fee for your silence.”
After pressing two gold coins into Regnil’s hand, I picked up the Mistcatcher resting in the forge.
“The Thunderbird’s feather and the Wyvern’s tendon — you said those two have already been ordered?”
“Yes, they should arrive at my forge within this week.”
“Then I’ll try to get the shell before then.”
“…Sir Gideon. But… how exactly do you plan to get that monster’s shell…?”
“I can’t say for certain. But really, isn’t it obvious?”
I gave Regnil a faint smile.
“When the legal way doesn’t work… there’s only one option left, isn’t there?”
After parting with Regnil, I went straight to the Academy Library.
If she was still the same as ever, she would definitely be there around this time.
“It hasn’t been long since exams ended, and you’re already studying hard.”
“…People like us commoners have to be desperate.”
A short girl with black bobbed hair looked up at me as she closed her book.
“With that desperate effort, I barely managed to enter the Academy. And if I want to succeed here, I have to work even harder.”
“You’re similar to me then. I’m quite desperate myself — to save my family.”
“…Honestly, you don’t look like someone who knows desperation.”
“No, I am desperate. If I weren’t, I wouldn’t have risked approaching you, Miss Serma.”
I smiled faintly as I looked at Serma.
“It’s been a while since we last spoke. Not since the start of the semester, right?”
“Yes, this is the first time since then.”
“So, how have you been?”
“As you can see, quietly and diligently.”
“That’s good to hear. Then, if you don’t mind me asking… may I inquire about your father’s health?”
At my words, Serma glared sharply at me, but I simply smiled back.
“…Do we really need to talk about that here in the library?”
“No, not necessarily. And Miss Serma, please don’t try to draw your dagger.”
I pointed to the hand moving under her skirt.
“I’d rather avoid being threatened in the library.”
“…Haah. Then shall we move? I’d rather not disturb the other commoners studying here.”
“Let’s head to a quiet corner of the hallway. We can talk there in peace.”
“Was the item I asked for delivered safely to your father?”
“It was. And just as you said before, he showed great interest.”
“Ah, really? Then why didn’t you inform me sooner?”
“My father received the item three days ago.”
Serma calmly explained the situation.
“As soon as he examined it, he showed strong interest in you, Sir Gideon.”
“In a good way, I hope?”
“Yes, in a good way. Originally, I was going to inform you right away, but my father told me to wait a bit.”
“Oh? Why?”
“He said he wanted to send a gift to you personally.”
A gift, huh.
Well, considering that man’s personality, that made sense.
“Since he received a fine elixir from you, he said it was only right to return the favor. He’ll send the gift through me by next week, and along with it, I’m to deliver his contact information to you.”
“I see. I appreciate his gesture, but I’d like to contact him directly — as soon as possible.”
“Contact your father… right now?”
At my words, Serma wore a troubled expression.
“He’s planning to reach out to you soon anyway. Can’t you wait until then?”
“If I’m going to meet him eventually, I’d rather get it over with sooner.”
There was no real urgency.
I just wanted to end this meeting with that man as quickly as possible.
‘Meeting the king of the black market… is something that could very well cost me my life.’
Rather than waiting nervously for his call, I wanted to deal with it right away.
“My father isn’t someone you can easily contact…”
“Just try reaching him through the crystal sphere. If it works, great. If not, then oh well.”
“I don’t see why I should…”
“Take it.”
I tossed a gold coin to Serma.
She fell silent for a moment, then took a crystal sphere out of her pocket.
“I’ll try to contact him. Please wait a moment.”
“Take your time.”
As expected from a merchant’s daughter, she really loved money.
Keeping a fair distance from me, Serma used the crystal sphere to contact someone.
After exchanging a few words with the person on the other end, she approached again and handed me the sphere.
“Here. Take it.”
“Serma’s father… Mr. Clergy, I presume?”
“That’s right. So, have a proper talk.”
Saying that, Serma stepped away again,
as if to show she had no intention of eavesdropping on my conversation with Clergy.
I exhaled softly and spoke toward the sphere.
“Mr. Clergy, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
— Not at all, Baron Kyrgram. The pleasure is mine.
A polite voice came from the crystal sphere.
Polite, yes — but I knew better than anyone how dangerous the man behind that voice was.
“Hm, Baron Kyrgram, you say…”
— …Did I perhaps say something wrong?
“No, not at all. It’s just… that title feels awkward to me. Could you just call me Gideon?”
— Of course, Gideon. I just heard from my daughter that you wanted to contact me directly.
“That’s right. But before that — how did you like the gift I sent you?”
A hearty laugh echoed through the sphere.
— Hahaha! Yes, I was quite pleased. I haven’t seen such a flawless elixir in the last ten years.
“I can continue to provide elixirs of that quality.”
As I spoke to Clergy, I quickly sorted my thoughts — recalling his personality from the game and preparing my next words.
“Mr. Clergy, I’ll be direct. I know about Tazera, your organization. And I want to make a deal with it.”
The sphere went silent for a moment.
— …A deal is always possible. As long as the proper price is paid, our Tazera works with anyone. Normally, such matters are handled by our officers or underlings… but in your case, I think I should handle it personally.
His tone was still polite, but sharper now.
— After all, Gideon, you already know who I am, don’t you?
“You’re the leader of Tazera.”
— Very few people know that. Even within Tazera, most are unaware. I’m quite curious how you found out.
“There are ways to know. Judging by your reaction, I’ve caught your interest, haven’t I?”
Just contacting Clergy was dangerous enough — but considering the help I needed from him, this was a risk I had to take.
The risk was high, but the benefits from dealing with him were far greater.
“Anyway, to get to the point — I’d like to meet you in person for the transaction. Would that be possible?”
— …Think carefully, Gideon.
His tone now carried a clear threat.
— I appreciate the perfect elixir you sent me. As thanks, I’ve prepared quite a generous gift in return. Once you receive it, I suggest you lose interest in me — and I’ll do the same for you.
“As I said, I want to do business with you, Mr. Clergy.”
— Haa… I’ll say it one last time. Think carefully. A baron — especially one from a fallen noble family, according to my research — can be erased from existence with a single command from me. Are you truly willing to risk that just to make a deal?
“Yes.”
Backing down here wasn’t an option.
Even in the “Underworld King” route, when confronting Clergy, confidence was essential.
“I have an item I need urgently, and I intend to continue trading with you in the future.”
— Hmm… It seems this isn’t a conversation fit for a crystal sphere.
His voice softened, the sharp edge fading away.
— This Saturday evening — are you free?
“I have no plans for now.”
— There’s an excellent restaurant in the capital. Let’s meet there. My daughter will guide you to the place.