I Became a Slave to a Mythical Shepherd

Episode 16. Quest (1)

“Your hammer skills are getting better and better. good. Now let’s move on to how to handle bronze.”

Instead of the smithy that Hephaestus had prepared for the first time in a while, the old smithy outside the smithy was cleared out to begin work.

Every day, the number of metals that can be handled increases, and the number of tools whose names and uses are unknown in the smithy decreases.

In fact, still in Greece and the surrounding world at this time, bronze wares were much cheaper and more common than iron wares.

This is because the technology and conditions required to make ironware have not yet been universalized.

Because of that, Skleos’ workshop at this time was similar to the blacksmith’s we know, but had a completely different look.

-Shoot it.

Just looking at it, the heavy copper melts red-red and is sucked into the mold little by little, giving birth to dark smoke.

I don’t know if it’s because my lungs have already gone bad, but my respiratory system didn’t complain of pain even in the feast of ashes and all kinds of vaporized heavy metals coming out of the smoke. If this is an adaptation, then it must be an adaptation.

“You are going to do this cleaning.”

“Ah… yes, I understand.”

After making the bronzeware, polishing it or soldering the broken parts, I take on some of the work and do it without realizing it.

Of course, it’s shabby and nothing special to be called a decent blacksmith, but at least I can imitate it.

Of course, I’m not a formal blacksmith like Skleos, and I’m not prepared to live like a rare animal living in a luxurious cage.

Instead, I practiced in the secret forge prepared by Hephaestus, occasionally showing off new inventions to Skleos and other blacksmiths.

Many of these did not materialize as expected. In fact, it is natural. I know only about the level of technology and society of this period as much as a 7-year-old shepherd boy knows.

On many occasions, Skleos would shake his head and offer objections beginning with “Good idea, but for now…”

Still, many ideas were enough to give Skleos and his colleagues credence.

In addition, blacksmith training gradually gained momentum.

“How can I fix this thing?”

“Uh… the blade is broken, so it’s not something that just needs to be replaced…”

“Wrong. There’s a crack here. can’t fix this I guess I have to clean the floor today.”

The word “getting momentum” here means that we started to teach in earnest. Just like you do with real disciples.

don’t hit Still, I have the idea that I am a child who is loved by God.

“Uhhhhh.”

However, because it is a forge bestowed by God, there is no such thing as automatically cleaning the floor.

It’s perfect to give cleaning as punishment.

“I’m going crazy, this…”

This happened several times, and it was inevitable that something would come to me as well.

-Kang. kang. kang. kang.

I go out early in the morning to clean the formwork, organize the shelves, correct my hammering posture, and manage the fire.

That late at night, at least I didn’t have to do the cleaning myself.

If you do that every day…

“Should I hit you?”

-Food deudduck.

“…What else are you thinking about that makes your expression look so gloomy?”

“Yes?”

“Scleos-nim will wait for you. I have to leave early today.”

Theo said to me as he sent away the dove that had been healed. The sound of those feathers colliding with each other brought me to my senses.

“I’m already nine years old, can’t I go around alone?”

“no. When you’re nine years old, do you have the confidence to run away alone when you run into a group of bandits who are after Skleos’ property? Wait until you are at least fifteen.”

I swallowed a bitter feeling in my heart at Theo’s firm answer.

Two years have already passed. Of course, it can be said that it is a short enough time for a kindergartener to be promoted to the second grade of elementary school at the most, but it is not from my point of view.

Growing up in a situation where you can be aware of your own body’s growth is a wonderful feeling. Height changes day by day, grip strength and endurance change. The pleasure of knowing that the boundary between what can be done and what cannot be done changes every moment every day is no joke.

When I was young, my nieces and nephews who insisted on pressing the elevator button were just annoying, but now I understand their feelings better than anyone else.

My brother Theo follows me on everything, and I can’t be bothered to control my activities and report to my parents every time I go to town.

furthermore···

-“Are you a trustworthy person?”

Although it has already been two years since Skleos asked this question.

I still haven’t been able to find an answer here.

Theo greeted most of the villagers with a wry smile and never took his eyes off me. I still couldn’t figure out how that was possible.

Today, we headed to the workshop prepared by Hephaestus.

Theo walked ahead, stepping on the worn-out grass for two years, and occasionally cutting off tree branches that invaded the road. couldn’t make a way This blacksmith’s place is so dishonorable.

And what this place is dishonest means…

“mister?”

“Can you guess who this child is?”

“Keuheum, this is the attendant I take with me. He’s quick-witted and takes him on errands.”

It also means that some dishonest guests may come.

Unlike usual, the man was not wet with sweat, his hair was neatly combed, and he was dressed in formal attire with an embroidered cape. However, the other party was wearing a light outfit that didn’t suit him, like…

“I didn’t expect you to come in person.”

“I am also going hunting with my servants. Don’t worry.”

It was like light hunting clothes.

Sensing the serious atmosphere, Theo fell into a corner and fed the pigeons with bread. It was so far away that no voice could be heard. After seeing the scene, the guest started talking with a clear cough.

“Your exalted reputation has been proven to match your skill with the previous transactions. Just when I thought I should meet you, ‘Tike’ came to me.”

A flirtatious way of speaking, an ostentatious accent, an emotionless expression that did not suit him, and a skinny body.

“I have heard of Cassius-nim’s high name for a long time, but this is the first time I have met him. It is an honour.”

“Everything is like that when you meet a merchant. Work, or a banquet pretending not to be work, is all.”

After saying that, the man called Cassius somehow darkly raised the corner of his mouth.

“In the case of now, it is ‘work’.”

You said you were a disrespectful guest earlier.

“What you said you wanted…”

“It’s nothing.”

Cassius nodded solemnly.

“About ten golden rings, three necklaces, five bracelets, a pair of anklets, and a pair of earrings.”

“Are you all talking?”

“Yes, everyone, hide your stingers. Ah, a dagger for bracelets and anklets, please.”

Yes. It is this kind of shamelessness.

***

Cassius, son of Hecaton.

heard the rumors

A merchant of the royal capital, the head of a historic freedman family, and a member of the royal party.

To put it simply, he is a giant.

In the middle of the day, Skleos’s colleagues were discussing ‘Why did such a big man flow to such an inhospitable colonial city?’, but it soon became unimportant.

“It looks like a silver spoon… a spoon that can’t detect poison?”

“It’s a ring that naturally injects poison into the other person’s hand when shaking hands.”

“Aside from that, I also ordered a glass that pours poison naturally when pouring water.”

Are you actually a serial killer? Is that why you got kicked out of the capital?

Cassius’ name soon became more than a celebrity in the forges of Skleos.

The stranger ordered a large quantity of tools for assassination, so that Skleos’ colleagues jokingly replaced the word assassination with ‘cassius’.

Again, for a while, the hot topic of discussion in the workshop was where and for whom to use so many killing machines, but that too was quickly dispelled.

“Hey, I got an order for a silver necklace to keep poisons hidden at all times. Everyone move.”

“Who is Cassius taking care of again?”

“No, the younger siblings ordered them.”

“···ah.”

Yes. The friendship between the brothers was pure.

After all, isn’t it said that if you use a lot of medicine, it becomes poison, and if you control poison in moderation, it becomes medicine?

If the affection between the Hagisha brothers is deep, it is possible to ‘accidentally’ exceed the proper amount while generously injecting medicine into each other’s bodies.

And just as there is an old saying, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (you have to wait 1,000 years for the Gospel of Matthew to come out.), it’s best to do such a good thing without the knowledge of the person concerned.

And to keep that secret…

“I heard that this workshop is the best, and I have been asked to work many times, but it was true. Perhaps my brothers also entrusted the commission?”

“…the identity of the client, in particular, is not disclosed here.”

“Ah, I see.”

At Skleos’ words, Cassius twitched his eyebrows with an expression that he could see everything.

Yes. The workshop in this suburb was originally like this.

A place where something dishonest is handled, a place where the most advanced technology is used for the most secret things.

In addition, Hephaestus-sama prepared a workshop just for me, saying, “Jaen.”

“How did you come to see me yourself?”

“This is the only servant in the house who was on my side.”

Saying that, Cassius spread out his five fingers and showed them.

“Are you 50? How come…”

“Five people.”

Skleos and I looked at each other involuntarily for a moment.

I heard that when Cassius first came to this city, it was magnificent.

I heard that he brought in 200 servants, bought 3 mansions, and used them as his own home, as a residence for his servants, and as a boss, and started a huge business…

“The total number of people left in the mansion right now is a little over 50.”

The rate of population decline that would give you a good idea of where the many assassination weapons were used.

“For new hires, I don’t have many connections in the city, so I don’t have many people I can trust. Fortunately, that is the case for my dear brothers as well.”

Cassius casually lays out the situation, ‘I am about to die because of that.’

“As far as I know, the brothers…”

“Three. As soon as I die, the upper house will be occupied by them. I can’t see it.”

“I heard you brought your son too.”

“Ha… you mean son? exactly.”

Cassius’ relaxed face cracked for an instant. There must have been some emotional upheaval, but he skillfully changed his expression and continued.

“I have to say that he doesn’t exist now. Anyway, the important thing is how I send my ‘beloved younger brothers’ to Hades.”

Cassius put emphasis on the phrase ‘beloved brothers’. With contempt, like spitting.

Skleos pondered for a moment.

“…As expected, it seems appropriate not to accept this request.”

I knew it.

There is no reason to side with the loser.

The fact that Cassius came in person like this now is probably a request for an alliance with Skleos, a powerful man in the city, and if he makes weapons here, it is an alliance acceptance.

However, after making a weapon and making a connection, wouldn’t the relationship become very awkward after the brothers ‘snacked’ Cassius? No matter how much they have no foundation in this city, it wouldn’t be that difficult for the wealthy people recognized in the capital to make money in this small town.

“I’m sure you’re just as concerned about your son’s safety as your brothers are.”

Besides, if you don’t have a son, it’s just game over when Cassius dies. Cassius’s brothers divide their brother’s property and leave the city.

“Ah, they won’t gain anything if they kill me. Because his wife is holding out in the royal capital.

And there’s no way the brothers who came together to kill the eldest brother could get along well. Don’t worry, I won’t be able to afford to harm you.”

Cassius smiled slightly as he assumed the situation after his death. It gave me goosebumps when a human who seemed to only come out of molten gold and iron when stabbed smiled.

. . . It was hard for me to even guess what kind of life that human was leading.

“Instead, after I kill my brothers, I can pay you a lot. After killing my brothers, ask the jury to ‘persuade’ me if I am charged with murder. Polemon?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Bring the chest.”

An old servant named Polemon flashed a large chest and brought it. When the lid was opened, jewels and gold overflowed inside.

“… I’ll buy 10% of this city.”

“Then, now 10% of this city will be yours.”

Cassius holds out his hand. Skleos responded to the handshake with an expression as if holding back a sigh.

“Please take good care of me. I’ll ask for the items in a week or so.”