Chapter 139


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    [PR/N: Too gross. Ew. I hate yall. Fuck valentines.]


    Gulp-


    With a determined expression, Luke downed a whole sk in one shot and reached out his hand.


    A tense atmosphere hung in the air, making it hard to breathe.


    Evergreen silently watched over him, cheering him on.


    Phew.


    Plunk-


    Droplets of water fell from Lukes fingertips.


    As soon as they touched, the potion inside the sk instantly turned pitch ck.


    It was undoubtedly a sess,pleting the task of expelling the snake venom from the sk perfectly.


    Only then did Evergreen exim in admiration and apud enthusiastically.


    Luke, feeling awkward, nced at her and muttered softly.


    So, I wanted to show you this.


    Why?


    Now that we can attend sses together.


    What can I say, it was truly an innocence that was unbing of a mercenary.


    That was what Evergreen liked about him.


    Evergreen realized she was smiling.


    In fact, the frustration and difort she had felt for the past few days since seeing Luke struggling with his assignment with those massive hands had evaporated by about half.


    But there was still the other half to deal with.


    I just felt like sometimes you dont stick to proper techniques.


    Recalling their conversation during lunch, Evergreen took a step closer to Luke.


    But, Luke, Im curious about something.


    Huh? What is it?


    Why did you avoid me all this time?


    Wait, was she asking so directly?


    Luke, taken aback, began to make excuses, waving his hands.


    No, its not that I avoided you


    To be honest, I was a little hurt.


    I was hurt.


    That statement echoed in Lukes ears like thunder.


    Two conflicting emotions wrestled in the boys heart.


    One, the joy of having a presence that could make Evergreen feel hurt.


    Two, self-loathing for being stupid enough to make Evergreen feel hurt.


    These conflicting emotions subtly twisted the handsome boys face.


    Caught off guard by the girls demanding expression, Luke stammered as he tried to exin.


    I mean, its just that. You know?


    Huh?


    I just dont like showing ugly sides.


    Ugly sides? What ugly sides?


    Feeling embarrassed to exin further, Luke shifted his gaze to the potion in his hand.


    This assignment he probably came close tost among the top students.


    As someone who always achieved excellent grades, this incident had really bruised his ego.


    It was then that Evergreen let out a quiet sigh.


    In terms of interpersonal rtionships, she realized she was more mature than Luke.


    Luke.


    Yeah?


    Among friends, its normal to show your ugly sides and be understood. Who in the world would only have good sides?


    Hero, Leciel, etc.


    As counterexamples immediately came to mind, Evergreen cleared her throat and continued.


    Maybe there are such people somewhere but anyway, if youpletely avoid showing your ugly side because its embarrassing, it feels like I did something wrong to be ignored


    Sorry, that wasnt my intention


    Building friendships by only showing off and admiring each others good sides isnt real friendship, right? Ugh, I hate the thought of having such ufortable friends.


    Luke looked at Evergreen with a serious expression.


    After a moment.


    The girl seemed to realize how impassioned her speech had been and btedly blushed.


    Anyway! Everyone has some ugliness or mediocrity. So, from now on, dont do that, okay?


    I doubt that.


    What?


    What ugliness or mediocrity do you have?


    Evergreen was speechless at Lukes sudden question.


    Oh, uh? My mediocrity?


    It wasnt that the question was difficult.


    She was always aware of her own ws, so listing them was easy.


    It was just that she hesitated for a moment in the face of the unfamiliar desire that crept up on her.


    As Evergreen pondered, Luke chuckled before her.


    If were friends, were supposed to share those things, right?


    So, that means


    Evergreen looked seriously at Luke, who was looking down at her.


    Maybe its okay to say it.


    She would never have said it under normal circumstances.


    More than anyone, she knew her own ugliness.


    That too was a part of her, and denying it was impossible.


    There had always been a desire to confide in someone and be understood.


    And if that someone was Luke


    Its okay, so Ill tell you.


    With a strong desire to be honest with someone, Evergreen didnt resist.


    Yeah.


    Since Luke had finallye close, it was only fair for her to take a step closer too!


    The girl reached a conclusion and opened her mouth.


    There were about twenty minutes left before curfew in the dormitory.


    Ugh Ill keep it brief. Luke, you know what our territory is like.


    I know.


    Luke nodded his head.


    As the Mercenary King had a good rtionship with the lord near Solintail, he had visited the area several times.


    As the boy recalled old memories, he realized that the sunny girls face had darkened.


    It was a sharp expression, as if she had been pierced by something.


    I


    Yeah?


    I shouldnt say this, but sometimes I feel fortunate.


    For what?


    That I can leave our territory.


    Her tone was deliberately devoid of emotion.


    Do you know why? Even now, there are small graves being dug behind the Solintail lords mansion.


    Whose graves are they?


    My friends.


    Evergreen couldnt help but be gloomy.


    It wasnt just because her chest felt tight aftermunicating with her parents.


    She was concerned about the well-being of the children, whom she had grown up with like siblings since childhood.


    But she couldnt bring herself to confess her guilt.


    I was only better than them because of my bloodline. Thats why I got the opportunity for education.


    Even now, while my friends are probably fighting against monsters eyeing the territory, Im here livingfortably, eating and sleeping, sometimesughing and chatting as if Ive forgotten my hometownpletely Its lucky that I can attend the academy.


    Evergreen bit her lip.


    It would be too melodramatic to cry here.


    Its really unfair. Its not right.


    Luke didnt respond.


    But he kept listening.


    Sniffling, Evergreen sniffed, making excuses.


    I spoke too randomly. Sorry. I guess I just wanted to vent to someone. Actually, I just finished talking to my parents and was on my way here.


    He knew.


    He had been waiting for the right moment to speak since dinner, lurking around her.


    Luke looked at the teary-eyed Evergreen.


    Actually, there were many things he wanted to say.


    Anyone could have such thoughts.


    If you were truly selfish, you wouldnt have seen the Solintail in your dreams.


    Was your diligence in learning day and night for the sake of your hometown?


    Impressive and admirable.


    Many words offort passed through his mind.


    Will suchforting words really resonate?


    Luke resented his profession.


    If he were not a mercenary but rather a poet or writer, he could havee up with more beautiful words to provide properfort.


    For now, all he could do was to promise something that would make her happy.


    When I be the Mercenary King.


    Yeah.


    Ill take on your requests for free.


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    Although it was a bit uncool, it could be considered a sess because it made his depressed friend smile.


    * * *


    It was two hours before the banquet hosted by Barun began.


    Okay, shall we organize the situation?


    Where did shee from?


    Larze brought a whiteboard to their hideout and stood in front of it like a professor.


    The chalk in her hand was a bonus.


    The Hero looked at the writing she was doing with the feeling of being a student again after a long time.


    Surprisingly, she had bad handwriting.


    You said the Iris of Lace hasnt shown the next milestone yet, right?


    Yeah.


    Hmm, I dont think just destroying one factory will be satisfying. We probably need to raise our progress to receive the next goal.


    So?


    Ive been thinking, and I have a way to increase the progress of your Forge.


    At the mention of his progress, the Heros eyes lit up.


    How?


    Would you let me borrow your sword?


    Without a word, the Hero handed the ck Hope, which had been hanging on his back, to Larze.


    Ugh.


    There was a momentary hup as she struggled with the weight, but the exnation quickly resumed.


    Larze looked at the de of ck Hope as if she were a master cksmith.


    It seems like youve seeded in awakening part of the Domain, right?


    Ive unlocked the first stage. It can only affect the weight of the greatsword for now.


    Then do you know what the next functions are?


    The Hero nodded.


    He knew this part from the Original.


    The first stage of the Domain only ends with momentarily adjusting the weight of the sword to maximize destructive power or maneuverability.


    He was currently at that stage.


    The second is creating a gravitational field.


    It creates an extremely powerful gravitational field centered on arbitrary coordinates, blocking various projectiles or attacks.


    It was extremely useful as even flying monsters could be mmed into the ground.


    Thest is gravitational interference, which adjusts the attraction and repulsion forces between objects.


    When mastered, its possible to instantly approach distant enemies or flee from nearby threats.


    This was an iparably powerful ability, unlike the previous two.


    It allows one to fly through the sky like a magician and perform one-sided attacks without suffering any damage.


    Larze continued.


    The main ingredients of the sword are gravity magic and iron, which have a good affinity. Probably a much better cksmith and alchemist than Noubelmag and Yussi coborated with a magician who is slightly less skilled than me.


    She continued, folding her eyes into crescents and smiling.


    I wondered why such a decisive weapon was made in such a peaceful era, but it seems it was because of your kin.


    So, whats the point?


    It means that I can fix the magic sealing circle that is ced in each stage so that it can be liberated ording to the skill of the owner.


    The Hero narrowed his eyes in amazement for a moment.


    If what Larze said was true, it was an achievement on par with opening another salvation.


    The enemies youll face soon seem to be stronger than expected. You cant afford to die, right?


    So how does the unsealing work?


    Larze twirled the pure white staff in her hand.


    The Heros gaze naturally followed it.


    The name of this staff is White Despair, and your swords name is ck Hope. Now, what do you think?


    They must be rted.


    Theyre not just rted, you know? They were found in the same ce.


    Found in the same ce? When?


    A long time ago. Ted and I found them while exploring the demonic realm, and theyre the most precious and powerful loot weve ever obtained.


    Loot from the demonic realm.


    The Hero looked at White Despair with narrowed eyes.


    A long staff shining pure white throughout its body.


    It exuded an immense power that was on par with some of the rare artifacts he had seen.


    A bright red crystal simr to Larzes eyes was embedded in the head.


    It is known to have the ability to positively affect all kinds of magic.


    When casting fire arrows, it sends out beings more powerful andrger than fireballs.


    They were even called three Divine Tools in the First Age.


    Whats the other one?


    Ashen Peace. Its an artifact in the form of armor, but nobody knows where it is yet.


    Having finished speaking, Larze brought White Despair over ck Hope.


    Anyway, take a good look.


    Can we do it now? Like this, right away?


    As a great magician, I have no reason to hesitate when I have artifacts of brotherly nature.


    Tap-tap-


    It was right after the red crystal of the staff tapped the surface of the sword a few times.


    Wooooong-!


    Instantly, ripples spread across the jet-ck de.


    It was like scattering white paint on a ck canvas.


    The white pigment, spreading out like human veins, soon formed geometric runes.


    It was a type of magic that disappeared in the Second Age.


    Ah.


    The Hero let out a small groan and released the heated handle.


    Despite no one holding it, the massive mass of the ck sword floated in the air.


    Paaaaah-!


    The faintly trembling de began to emit bright light and wind in all directions.


    Isnt it truly beautiful?


    Looking straight at the Hero, Larze, with her disheveled bangs from the aftermath, smiled mysteriously.


    It wasnt her usual formal and lightugh.


    It was a deep and moving expression she often made when she truly got what she wanted, like in the memory of Zero.


    I love moments like this where the breath of past eras meets the present.


    I love you.


    That was the moment when thest word dispersed into the air.


    Recorded Artifact: Unique Ability of ck Hope


    Forced to unlock by unknown power of Domain


    A powerful mystery dwells in the forge.


    And the Iris of Lace presented the next milestone he was waiting for.


    Reim the stolen blessings.


    The hero stared intently at thatstment.


    There was something to be guessed about this.


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