Chapter 160
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
Chapter 160: A New Foundation (2)
***
Damien returned to his quarters and took a closer look at the crystal he had taken from the Mercenary King’s study.
No matter how hard he looked, he could not figure out its secret.
“I wish I could at least take a closer look at the structure of the ring.”
The reason Damien couldn’t take his eyes off the crystal was because of the ring inside it.
The structure was not only incredibly complex but also intricately woven. Even with Damien’s knowledge, he couldn’t figure out how this ring was made.
“Should I just break the crystal? Maybe I’ll be able to figure something out if I absorb the mana stored inside…”
Suddenly, a realization flashed through his mind. Damien immediately grabbed the crystal tightly.
As the crystal shattered, the mana stored inside was released.
The mana floated into the air and began to intertwine, forming a ring.
As if to show someone, the whole process was very detailed and meticulous.
“I see. This was the right way.”
This crystal was no different from an egg. You couldn’t get anything by just watching it. You had to break the shell to be able to eat the contents.
“What a tricky trick.”
Who would dare to think of breaking the legacy left by the Imperial Supreme Sword? They wouldn’t have been able to bear to do such a thing, even if they wanted to.
Damien slowly observed the ring. Time passed without him realizing it.
“As expected… this is worthy of the legacy left by the Imperial Supreme Sword.”
The knowledge left by the Imperial Supreme Sword was the Mana Cultivation technique.
Originally, mana was stored in the human body and circulated like blood.
The Imperial Supreme Sword tried to create a separate storage space by forming a ring in the body.
“No, this isn’t… just a storage space. It should be called a new organ.”
The ring was not only used to store magic power.
During battle, it could be used to release mana and dramatically increase output. The more rings there were, the more mana output increased.
The surprising thing was that it could greatly reduce the risk while increasing the output.
Originally, if the output of mana was increased too much, it would put a great burden on the body, and in severe cases, it could even cripple the user.
However, by mastering this Mana Cultivation technique, the burden on the body could be transferred to the ring.
Even if something went wrong, only the ring would be damaged or destroyed, and the user’s body would be safe.
“To think of such an idea. It’s really amazing.”
I don’t know if it’s the previous generation or the previous-previous generation, but it’s definitely worthy of the Imperial Supreme Sword.
None of the Mana Cultivation techniques in the Mercenary King’s study are better than this.
“This Mana Cultivation technique is enough for me to use as my foundation.”
One of the two pieces that Damien needed to reach Master Class was in place.
“But it’s not fun to just learn it like this.”
The idea itself was fresh, but Damien still saw room for improvement.
He planned to disassemble and modify it in his own way, and further develop some parts.
If possible, he wanted to integrate it with the Mana Cultivation technique he had already learned.
And so, Damien spent the whole night engrossed in the Mana Cultivation technique.
***
While Damien was engrossed in the Mana Cultivation technique, the Mercenary King was facing Athena.
“Well, you lost pretty badly.”
The Mercenary King said bluntly. Athena looked dignified even in the face of her father’s ridicule.
“What can I do when he’s so strong?”
The Mercenary King was at a loss for words at that.
Athena was right. She had done her best. Technical perfection, judgment of the situation, etc. Everything was perfect.
It was just that Damien was too strong.
“Wait, ‘he’? What kind of title is that? Since when did you start calling him that?”
The Mercenary King roared. Athena quietly blushed.
“……I decided to call him that from today.”
“D-don’t tell me… you’ve already gotten that close to that guy?”
At the Mercenary King’s question, Athena’s face darkened rapidly.
That was enough of an answer. The Mercenary King clicked his tongue.
“Now that I look at it, you were just beating the drum and jangling the gong by yourself. Did you really inherit my blood? Why are you acting so coy?”
“If I had inherited your blood, I would have dragged men into my quarters every day.”
“Cough.”
The Mercenary King was speechless at Athena’s counterattack.
“……Anyway, you like that guy, right? That’s good. I feel the same way.”
At that, Athena jumped up in surprise.
“……Dad, even so, I don’t think it’s right to touch men.”
“What nonsense are you talking about? I’m saying I like his skills and talent!”
The Mercenary King shouted angrily. Only then did Athena sit back down in relief.
“……I made a proposal to that guy. I told him I’d give him an elixir if he could solve the request that came from the Grape Kingdom.”
“So?”
“I’m going to send you and that guy, just the two of you, on that request. Do a good job.”
At that, Athena’s eyes widened. She hugged the Mercenary King’s neck and rejoiced.
“Thank you, Dad!”
“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”
The Mercenary King grumbled. Contrary to his words, his expression was not so bad.
“When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Then I should hurry up and get ready. I’ll see you later!”
Athena ran out of the room like a shot. The Mercenary King looked at the door with a bittersweet expression.
“That girl……she’s exactly like her mother.”
The way she looked at only one man was exactly the same.
What would she have said if she had been alive and seen her daughter’s actions?
Suddenly, he felt a gloomy feeling. The Mercenary King was lost in thought for a while.
Some time had passed.
“Mr. Hopper~ I’m here.”
Someone entered the tent. Hopper’s face broke into a smile as soon as he saw the woman.
“Rubia! Why are you so late? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
The Mercenary King hugged Rubia as soon as she entered. Rubia let out a short scream and hugged the Mercenary King back.
“Athena left. What did you call me for?”
“It’s nothing big. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Rubia’s eyes changed slightly at the Mercenary King’s answer.
“It’s disappointing when you say that…”
A sweet scent wafted from Rubia’s body.
The Mercenary King’s eyes became hazy as he inhaled the scent.
“Can’t you tell me?”
“…I think that girl likes Damien, so I gave them some time alone.”
Unlike before, the Mercenary King readily spilled the beans. Rubia’s expression became interesting when she heard that.
“How about this? A request came from the Grape Kingdom this time. I’m thinking of sending those two there.”
Rubia’s expression changed strangely at the mention of the Grape Kingdom.
“Let’s talk about that later… Let’s enjoy ourselves for now.”
The Mercenary King pulled Rubia towards him. Rubia pretended to be reluctant and followed the Mercenary King’s hand to the bed.
That night.
Rubia quietly slipped out of bed. The Mercenary King was sleeping naked on the bed.
Rubia came out and melted into the darkness. When she reached a quiet place with no people around, she whispered.
“Kardak.”
The darkness solidified and a man appeared, wrapped head to toe in black bandages.
“…Did you sleep with that guy again?”
The man spoke softly. His voice was like metal scraping against stone.
Rubia laughed at that and patted Kardak’s shoulder.
“What, are you jealous again? I told you, there’s no other way to handle the Mercenary King, right?”
Kardak only gave Rubia a displeased look at her words.
“More importantly, I heard Damien is going to the Grape Kingdom? Garrot is there, right?”
“…So?”
“Go and tell Garrot. That a subject that he will be satisfied with is going to the Grape Kingdom, so ask him to capture it alive.”
“…You’re telling me to leave your side?”
When Kardak spoke as if he didn’t like it, Rubia hugged him tightly.
“There’s no one else I can ask, so I’m doing this. You know my heart, right?”
Kardak disappeared into the darkness again. As soon as he disappeared, Rubia put on a tired expression.
“Anyway, men… they’re so easy.”
***
The next day, Damien came out to leave for the Grape Kingdom.
And he got into the carriage that the Fafnir Mercenary company had prepared in advance.
“Huh?”
However, there was already a passenger inside. Athena was sitting on the chair.
“Did you also take the request?”
“Uh, yeah…”
Athena said, lowering her head. Damien sat across from her.
After a while, the carriage started. The two didn’t say anything in the rattling carriage.
Damien was contemplating the Mana Cultivation technique.
And Athena… was just glancing at Damien.
Then, suddenly, Athena rummaged through the basket she had left next to her.
She took out an apple from it and started peeling it excessively. The only sound that could be heard in the quiet carriage was the clattering sound.
Damien watched Athena peel the apple and was shocked.
Her skill was so poor that she wasn’t peeling the apple, but rather chopping it up.
“Hmm… ugh…”
Athena looked down at the mangled apple and was troubled.
It was still edible, but it didn’t look very good.
After contemplating for a while, Athena put the apple scraps back in the basket. And she took out a second apple.
Athena looked at the apple with a determined look. Damien had a bad feeling that she was going to butcher this apple as well.
“……Let me see.”
Damien took the apple and the peeler from her. And he peeled it off with skillful hands.
Athena’s eyes widened as she watched the thinly sliced peel come off.
“Plate.”
Athena immediately took out a wooden plate from the basket and handed it over. Damien cut the apple into nice pieces and placed them on the plate.
Damien picked up a piece of apple and put it in his mouth. Athena just stared at him blankly.
“What are you doing not eating?”
“Me, can I eat it too?”
“It’s the apple you brought.”
Athena also took a piece of apple and ate it. She said, blushing slightly.
“It’s, it’s really delicious.”
“It tastes like an apple.”
“But it’s still delicious!”
Athena smiled and said, not knowing what was so good about it.
After several days of continuous travel, the carriage crossed the border of the Grape Kingdom.
“How much further do we have to go?”
“We’re almost there. The area where the undead appeared is close to the border.”
As Athena said that, a scream suddenly came from outside.
Damien and Athena opened the window at the same time and looked outside.
A fortress in the distance was being attacked by a monster.
The monster’s appearance was reminiscent of a wolf. It was only different in that it was the size of a house and its body was made of rotting flesh.
‘Fenrir?’
It was smaller than in his previous life, but it was definitely it. The monster that would be called the Beast of Destruction in the future was right before his eyes.
“Don’t stop! Keep that thing away!”
“Rocks! Bring rocks! We need to stop it even a little!”
The people on the wall threw rocks at Fenrir.
However, it didn’t affect Fenrir at all. Fenrir continued to pound on the wall.
‘I never thought I’d meet you so soon.’
Damien exchanged glances with Athena. The two of them simultaneously jumped out of the carriage.
***
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
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