I Pull Out Excalibur

40 – Merchant’s Street (2)

Master Högell.

He was the owner of the largest blacksmith in Camberia and also a figure equivalent to the leader of the Artisan’s Street. He had such authority that even stubbornness was considered a virtue of an artisan.

Although he had a sharp tongue and a prickly attitude that brought him gossip among adventurers, there was no doubt about his skill.

Decades of honing his skills in blacksmithing.

He was a skilled individual who could hold his own even in the capital of the Empire, and if he had made up his mind, he could have received the title of a master. However, Master Högell was a person who didn’t want to be tied down by anything and chose to live in this city.

“I couldn’t have seen it wrong.”

He knew it was the work of a skilled master, inspired by that Hughes.

The black masterpiece in his hands that could be called a masterful sword. He examined the sword brought by the young man in front of him once again.

The method of finishing the sword.

The mana engraved in the blade forming a pathway.

A perfectly balanced and custom-made hilt.

A simple, unadorned sword with unmatched simplicity and elegance. Yet, that was why it was a longsword that conveyed the experience of a seasoned blacksmith. As Hughes examined the sword closely, he couldn’t help but marvel at it.

Austerity that discarded flamboyance.

A sword with beauty derived from simplicity.

It was a work true to the essence of the blacksmith to the point where comparing it with the works of today would be considered disrespectful.

“But…”

The problem lay in another aspect.

If it were just a well-crafted sword, Hughes would have limited his admiration to mere expressions of awe. However, the old man had discovered it. Traces of Atanga embedded in the sword.

Back when the old man was still young.

During his apprenticeship.

He had worked in the forge that had a contract with Atanga’s knighthood. He wanted to learn the art of forging under the renowned master. During those days, Hughes had witnessed the forging of senior blacksmiths from the closest proximity.

Knights who upheld honor and pride.

Guardians of the ancient traditions, knights of Atanga.

The pieces of metal hammered for those knights seemed to breathe, and the weapons completed at the end of the intense pounding were endlessly beautiful.

“I understand because I’ve seen it.”

A scene that remained unforgettable even after decades.

Recalling that scene, Hughes swept the surface of the longsword with the index and middle fingers. The unique finishing technique was used on Atanga knights’ swords. However, because of a certain discomfort, the old man squinted his eyes.

This, the finishing technique he had seen decades ago, was exactly the same. But the current Atanga knights are known to finish their swords in a slightly different way, aren’t they?

A longsword finished with the techniques of the older generation. However, the sword in his hand didn’t seem to have been forged so long ago.

“Ah, Master Hughes.”

As he was lost in thought, the blacksmith standing next to him whispered in Hughes’s ear.

“That adventurer, sir. Why, he’s been quite active lately. Defeated a Crimson Troll in one go…”

“That guy who defeated a Crimson Troll with single strokes?”

“Yes, it seems to be that adventurer.”

The adventurer who recently caused a stir in Cambria.

Hues Yeong-am’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the stout figure of Najin standing before him. Initially perceived as a naive youth, upon closer inspection, the posture revealed a seasoned demeanor.

“Calloused skin.”

Calloused skin etched into the young man’s knuckles. Paired with the slightly tilted stance, it emitted an air of a seasoned swordsman, always prepared to draw his blade.

“Hey, you there.”

The old man handed Najin his sword.

“Try holding the sword.”

“Suddenly?”

Without a word, Najin gripped the hilt.

While other blacksmiths may not have noticed, Hues Yeong-am did. The youth’s physique, the length of the hilt, the balance when holding the sword—everything aligned perfectly.

A sword tailored for this young man alone.

“Alright, you can stop showing off.”

“Since a while ago.”

Najin sighed deeply. With the scabbard at his waist, he faced Hues Yeong-am squarely.

“I came to repair the sword, so why are you asking so much?”

“Because it’s important. Will you tell me who made it?”

Najin remained silent, showing a lack of intent to disclose. Hues Yeong-am shrugged. He probably met Gyeon somewhere. While the idea of an excessive sword for the young man in front of him crossed his mind…

“A blacksmith capable of forging a sword like this wouldn’t have lost his touch.”

Regardless of the unknowns, Hues Yeong-am didn’t delve too deeply. His senior always had a saying.

“A blacksmith just needs to handle iron well.”

“Whether the guy holding the sword is a prodigy or a fallen noble who rolled in from somewhere, what do I care?”

“We are blacksmiths. Stay true to your craft.”

Tsk, Hues Yeong-am clicked his tongue.

“So, will it be repaired or not?”

“No need for repairs. It’s crafted in a way that will last at least a dozen more years without a scratch.”

“…Really?”

“It’s a sword made like that. I don’t know who the blacksmith is, but… they put a considerable effort into its durability. It’s a sword crafted to withstand any reasonable force.”

Slightly heavier than a sword of the same size.

Exhaling a sigh, Hues Yeong-am glanced at Najin.

“Is your name Ivan?”

“Yes.”

“So, you’re the one that the upper leader mentioned. I was thinking of sending you off with a sword… “

Yeong-gam shifted his gaze towards the longsword strapped to Ivan’s waist.

“I guess I don’t need the sword. Come inside.”

He had something else to show him.

2.

“Then I will send it to this address.”

After delivering the items purchased from the blacksmith to his accommodation, Ivan continued walking down the street. He was able to purchase a variety of things at a price close to half of their value at the blacksmith’s shop.

Dietta Sangdan, a patron of the blacksmith.

It was thanks to his introduction that Ivan was able to acquire simple armor and useful weapons. At first, Huse, the inspiration, seemed indifferent, but eventually showed interest and helped Ivan choose his armor.

“You have a keen eye.”

Remembering Huse, who smiled satisfactorily, Ivan continued walking. He stopped in his tracks as he passed the alchemists’ stall, where vials of crimson potions were lined up. The familiar scent of doping drugs wafted towards Ivan.

-Sangdan School.

Merlin’s voice whispered in Ivan’s ear.

-Don’t touch those. If you buy the wrong one, you’ll get addicted. The effects are short-lived, but the withdrawal is no joke.

I never planned on buying them in the first place.

Muttering to himself, Ivan pondered the name Sangdan School. Was Hakan, the alchemist who had helped him obtain Excalibur in the underground city, also a member of the Sangdan School?

It had been over a month since Ivan had left the underground city. Time seemed to have passed by quickly, yet also slowly.

“… “

Suddenly, Ivan looked up at the sky in silence.

The blue sky and bright sunlight. They were unfamiliar and unfamiliar but now they had become familiar. He hadn’t sought out shady and damp places to rest for a long time.

Slowly becoming accustomed to things.

Taking things for granted.

Feeling a newfound emotion, Ivan continued walking. In the artisan district, there were occasional glances from those who recognized Ivan, and they would look at him with the eyes of someone looking at a celebrity as they passed by.

One alchemist approached Ivan and asked if he would like to try out his work.

And another blacksmith proposed that Ivan should use equipment engraved with his own mark.

The city of opportunity, Cambria. Many people coveted the fame of Najin, who was rapidly climbing up with the opportunities he grasped in this city. Of course, the equipment worn by the most prominent adventurer in the city recently would naturally attract the attention of many adventurers.

“······.”

Although they were good suggestions, Najin did not accept those proposals. There was no need to accept them. Najin walked through the street of artisans towards the center of that place.

A place where artisans and merchants mixed together.

The upper part of Cambria, a city of opportunity, was a densely populated street. Najin walked towards the largest guild in that street. The guard who recognized Najin did not block his path as he did last time.

Thump, Najin climbed the guild’s stairs.

The reason for declining the proposals of numerous blacksmiths and alchemists was nothing special. It was because there was someone who presented a much more attractive proposal than them. There was someone who welcomed Najin as he ascended the topmost floor of Dieta.

“Welcome.”

The top guild master of Dieta.

Dieta Arvenia, the gold-eating snake, smiled towards Najin.

3.

The topmost floor of Dieta, the office.

“I have a discerning eye for people. I didn’t know I could skip three ranks at once.”

With a smile on her face, Dieta was conversing with Najin. She was in a very good mood right now, thanks to the young man sitting in front of her.

Ivan, the adventurer guaranteed by Dieta.

The news that the adventurer achieved a triple promotion spread even to the newspapers, resulting in the rising reputation of the top guild lately. And Dieta had no intention of missing out on this upward trend.

“It’s what I mentioned last time.”

She snapped her fingers.

The secretary standing next to her handed Najin a small box.

“Open it.”

When he opened the box, there was a neatly folded leather armor inside. A black base with a hint of light red. It wasn’t difficult to guess what it was made of.

It was an armor made of crimson troll leather.

About a week ago, Najin sold the crimson troll leather to Dieta. He could have received money for it, but he demanded that Dieta make armor out of it, and she accepted that offer.

It was a more advantageous proposal for Najin, but Dieta saw no harm in it as well.

“We made about 60% of it into armor, and the remaining 40% will be used elsewhere. It was made by skilled artisans sponsored by our guild, so the quality is guaranteed, you know?”

Try it on and come back. Dieta gestured towards a room in the corner of the office while humming to herself. After a short period of time, Najin changed his clothes and appeared.

Armor tailored to fit Najin’s physique.

It was more of a stylish design resembling the attire of a knight rather than a suit of armor. Since it was made of leather, it was comfortable to move in, and being troll leather, it was difficult to be cut by ordinary blades.

Squeak.

As if feeling awkward, Najin tightened his sleeves. He had never worn this kind of clothing before. Still, the fit was not bad.

“It’s okay. Thank you.”

Although Najin said so, there was no reply. Najin glanced at Dieta with a smirk. Dieta was looking at Najin with wide eyes.

Najin, who had always worn loose and light clothing, looked quite different. While her appearance was somewhat average, she had never properly dressed up until now. But now that she was dressed properly…

It made quite a difference.

Indeed, the saying “clothes are wings” is not just empty words.

Dieta, who had momentarily lost focus, nodded slowly. Her gaze was fixed on the patterns on Najin’s clothes. The patterns symbolizing Dieta’s upper body. That was why she accepted Najin’s proposal.

“It suits you well.”

This adventurer is supported by Dieta’s upper body.

So, don’t even think about touching her.

There was nothing as effective as proper equipment to express that. This might even intimidate those damn red eyes.

“It’s not easy to support such equipment.”

It was something only someone like Dieta, who had wiped out many artisans, could do. Dieta stood up with a bright smile and stood in front of Najin. Due to the slight height difference, it naturally looked like Najin was looking down at her.

Thwack.

She swept her hair back and spoke.

“Shall we go for a walk together then?”

This was also part of the contract.

In exchange for making armor for a cheap price, she would spend a day with Najin. Dieta had a reason for including this condition.

She needed to show it.

While wandering the streets with Najin, this adventurer was displaying a close relationship with her. It was to show that the rising adventurer and Dieta’s upper body were in a long-term exchange.

“She seems quite artistic too.”

Extending her hand to Najin as if requesting an escort. Najin, who had received relevant education, shook hands with Dieta as if shaking hands.

“Hoo…”

Seeing this, Pashion, the knight who stood next to them, sighed and taught Najin how to escort. Pashion, who taught Najin various things as she would be in charge of Dieta’s escort for the day, felt a chill down her spine.

An ignorant fool.

And a master who acts out of interest.

Their walk together didn’t seem smooth.

And Pashion’s intuition hit the mark about 30 minutes after Najin and Dieta set out.

“Who is this arrogant bastard!?”

A noble knight who drew his sword.

“Why is your tongue so long?”

Najin tapped her scabbard and spoke expressionless.

“If you’re so confident, then come at me.”

Insults are cleansed through duels.

Isn’t that the code of knights? The rationality of the knight’s escort was broken by Najin’s murmuring. He took off his leather gloves and threw them towards Najin’s face.

It was a challenge for a duel.

Of course, the gloves didn’t touch Najin’s face. Because she caught them in mid-air. Najin threw the grabbed gloves to the ground.

“Why throw them on the ground? Why not on my face?”

“Right now, on the battlefield -“

“While suggesting a duel.”

Najin made a sharp sound as she drew her sword.

“Why not draw your sword?”

The knight was speechless.

The face of the knight’s owner, a nobleman, filled with annoyance. And Dieta, barely holding back her laughter. Finally, even Najin, extending the tip of her sword with a grim expression.

It was a sight enough to catch the attention of the adventurers in the city.