Both Astard, who was asked the question, and Merc, who was at his side, were flabbergasted by Foldia’s abrupt offer. After all, the person who had injured Kena, who was laying on the floor, was an Empire agent. Both Merc and Astard were caught off guard by the timing of it all, which seemed both excellent and horrible at the same time.
“Huh? Did I say something strange?”
“No… Actually, a bit. No, scratch that. It’s strange. What is the point of visiting the Chulice Empire? To begin with, why are you going there?”
“Well… There’s this weapon I want… So I intend on challenging the Anti-Darkness Dungeon in the Empire.”
“You never change, do you…”
I knew it…
Astard, arguably thinking along the same lines as Merc, threw Foldia a puzzled expression, but the weapon-crazed hero looked unfazed.
“The Anti-Darkness Dungeon is one of the continent’s few unexplored dungeons. I’m probably not going to be able to get that weapon on my own. That’s why I came seeking a trustworthy magician buddy.”
“…Good grief. What about your disciple? There should be a magician in his party, no? Why not just take your disciple party with you?”
Astard, who evidently did not want to be bothered with this, asked, to which Foldia responded by casually waving his index finger, clicking his tongue, and replying,
“I considered it, but three factors prevented me from doing so. The first is that, even though I am merely his nominal master, I would be embarrassed to seek a favor from my disciple. The second is that they simply lack strength. They can only take on an Orange Grade at the moment. And Red Grades will very certainly appear in the Dungeon.”
Wow. He’s given it some thought. How unusual of him. But he’s correct. Jonahim’s party isn’t quite ready for a Red Grade yet.
Foldia’s disciple, Jonahim, was without a doubt. He was handed Foldia’s beloved Anti-Mana Sword, after all. Despite being relatively strong considering their age, Blazing Impact had struggled against a Ghezo Velche. They were unprepared for an unexplored Dungeon.
“And the last reason?”
“What? How many factors did I say there were?”
“Three. So? What’s the last one?”
“The last one is… Haha! Sorry. I forgot.”
“……”
Astard shook his head, his palms on his temples, his expression one of disgust. Merc was on the verge of hurling a remark of her own as well.
He’s hopeless.
“In any case, that’s why I came to ask for your help. Please, Astard.” Foldia said, begging Astard for help.
“I refuse… is what I’d want to say but…”
Astard, on the other hand, simply looked at him, his arms crossed. He then gave out a deep sigh of dissatisfaction and stated,
“Fine. I’ll come.”
“What? Are you for real?!”
“Yes. Coincidence or not, you saved my disciple. I don’t wish to owe you.”
“Cool! Thank you, Astard. Then let’s not waste any time!”
“Hold your horses. What do you think will happen to my disciple if I leave now? Also, there’s one more thing…”
Astard spoke out, restraining Foldia, who was about to run off any moment now, and then turned to face Merc.
“Merc. If you’re not going to tell him, should I?”
“What?”
“Are you really going to keep quiet about it? Get a grip! You have no clue how much this weapon-crazed psycho wept. At that time… he grieved more than everyone else.”
Astard clenched his fist and directed his piercing gaze to Merc, as if he’d been hurt. With a troubled expression on her face, Merc gazed up at him.
“It was all over by the time Iriem and I awoke. Foldia was clinging to your body, wailing and yelling, his pride and shame nowhere to be seen. He was wailing his heart out. Are you really going to keep this from him?”
“Astard?”
“You might not think much of it because you didn’t see him, but neither I nor Iriem will ever forget that sight. That was the first and last time we ever saw his tears…”
“Foldia’s tears…”
Merc’s dormant memories began to resurface after hearing Astard’s speech. She recalled the moment before her death, just when her body had been pierced by the Falgaro’s breath. That was the first time she’d seen Foldia cry throughout their long friendship.
Estert’s death was the event that brought tears to the man who was lauded as a hero. It had been a truly sobering moment.
“Hey! What exactly are you two mumbling?”
Foldia asked, a confused smile on his face as he glanced at Astard and Merc. Even though he had no idea what they were talking about, he had a feeling it was important.
Merc shifted her gaze to Foldia, scratching her temple with her index finger.
“I guess you’re right, Astard. It’d be rude not to tell him.”
“I’m glad you think that way. After all, all three of us decided to disband Gust of Wind. I’m not going to be the only one that gets scolded.”
It’s not like I had any intention of hiding it in the first place.
Merc took a deep breath and then approached Foldia, her face flushed with embarrassment, carefully holding out her hand.
“Huh? What is it? Are you perhaps a fan of mine?”
Foldia asked, reacting in an unusual manner when confronted with Merc’s gesture, but still taking Merc’s hand. Merc smiled and glanced up at him as he did so.
“It’s nice to meet you after so long. My name is Merc…Although I used to be known as Estert, the strongest swordsman1.”
Robinxen: No beating around the bush this time either.
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