Chapter 127

Chapter 127

***

The place could be identified by the rhythmic sound of hammering iron. Steel was born in flames and cooled by shedding tears to become complete.

However, in one corner of the smithy, someone was trimming wood, not iron. The large Multi delicately trimmed the wood several times with rough and thick hands, weighed it by feel, and then trimmed it again.

First he whittled with a carving knife, then sanded it down, and finally was making it smooth with a leather strap.

To Rickart watching from the side there didn't seem to be anything more to touch either, but Multi trimmed it for another hour from there. Multi's eyes were so serious he dared not even strike up a conversation.

Then finally he attached the guard to the sword and combined the wood, secured it by heating with fire, and finally wound thin straw ropes tightly to complete the hilt.

"Want to try holding it?"

Rickart received the sword handed over. He thought the weight would be fine once he adapted to it and held the sword, but then he felt he understood why Multi had poured his heart into it for so long.

It fit perfectly in his hand to the point he wondered if he himself knew this sensation, and the weight balance was perfect.

"Wow, it's the first time, this sensation. It's perfect. You know it better than the owner of the sword?"

"That's a relief."

Rickart took out money from his bosom. Then Multi shook his head and extended his hand.

"You already paid the price in the past."

"When?"

"My life."

When Rickart was an academy student, he had gone out to support a deserter tracking quest, was struck by an unexpected ambush, and had saved Multi.

Thanks to that, Multi survived, married Lara, and already had two children.

"......Ah, right. I forgot for a while. But isn't it cheap for the price of a life?"

When Rickart said that with a playful smile, a deep smile was drawn on the blunt Multi's face as well.

Multi wiped his neck and hands with a towel that was already soiled from multiple uses. And while doing so, he said.

"I'll try talking to the Boss. Although it's not certain."

The boss Multi mentioned was the blacksmith who had given Rickart the meteoric iron sword in the past. He was currently unable to work due to cataracts, so Multi was running the smithy in his stead.

And what he mentioned about talking to him was essentially about the Nordic mercenaries.

Many Nordics who settled in Beringen had their ancient berserker bloodlines thin out over several generations and assimilated into the Empire, but there were also newly influxed Nordics. He was one of them, and had connections with Nordic mercenaries.

If talks went well and they sent real Nordic mercenaries, it would be a genuinely huge help. Far exceeding the price of a life.

"I should go see him and at least exchange greetings, but since I broke the sword. I'm a bit too ashamed."

"No. Actually considering the great deeds you accomplished with that sword, it's rather an honor for the Boss. Money is money, but for a true blacksmith, his crafted weapon being held in the hands of a proper owner is the highest honor. Ricky, you will definitely achieve great things in the future. I know."

"What 'great things'."

Rickart turned his head and chuckled feeling embarrassed. He did faintly remember what he had said.

'A hero needs a weapon fitting for him. The price will be replaced by the glorious achievements you will establish in the future.'

Cataracts, it was truly a pity. But isn't that just how people live. And he thought mere cataracts wouldn't suppress him.

"I'm going."

"Yeah, make sure to win."

Rickart acquired a new hilt and a new scabbard, wore it on his waist, and left the smithy.

And after untying the reins tied outside and mounting the horse, he rode off while being seen off by his old friend.

With this he secured the immediately needed funds, and obtained information about mercenaries too. Things worked out better than expected but there was still much to do.

Because the Flame Knights were at the southwestern edge border of the Empire, to get there he had to take a ship or visit a branch.

Rickart first thought he should return to Adelibari, explain the plan to Marie, Bori, and the people, soothe them a bit, and leave for a while.

Leaving Beringen, he rode busily. His heart was full yet light as if he could fly.

Because, due to his friends' unsparing support, the thought that he hadn't lived his life wrongly came to mind.

Facing the cool headwind, laughter naturally escaped him.

Upon reaching near the border of Beringen and Adelorn, villages were seen as he passed the road.

The people were stubbornly restoring their broken and burned villages, somehow continuing their harsh lives.

Although a terrible misfortune struck them, seeing them returning to their villages it seemed fortunately there were no longer mercenaries wandering like packs of jackals.

It wasn't that they came to meet him, but approaching the small group of soldiers guarding the road holding spears, he asked.

"What happened to the mercenaries?"

"Most fled across the Erne River. They are too scattered to kill them all."

They might cross over to other regions and cause harm, but what Rickart could do ended here.

However, remnants of a defeated army naturally melt away as time passes. After that, each destiny would be either becoming a wandering criminal, or returning to their hometown to spend time doing things like beating their family.

Everything, they chose themselves. Therefore there was no need to blame the Goddess of Destiny.

Rickart continued to ride along the road with his red cape fluttering.

Then a person pulling an oxcart from the opposite side saw Rickart, stepped aside on the road, knelt down, took off what he was wearing on his head, and bowed low.

Rickart was about to tell him not to do that, but stopped. Feeling embarrassed, he merely passed by quickly and rode toward the pass.

Clop. Clop. Clop. Clop.

Crossing the pass, the holistic view of Adelibari was seen. The most beautiful city among the ones he had visited so far. A city perfectly harmonized with nature making the war seem insignificant, it was like another world.

However, this city was effectively the last preserved city in the Kingdom.

When Rickart reached the city gate, a soldier confirmed his red cape and face and opened the gate on his own.

Then the people spending their routines inside the city saw Rickart, and everyone knelt down and bowed their heads. Regardless of whether they were men or women everyone did so, and children naturally followed seeing the adults.

Because he happened to be passing by, Markwin bowed his head from not far away.

Rickart approached him, dismounted, and said.

"Why are they doing this."

"What do you mean?"

"Why are the people showing me manners meant for a king?"

"That is because the Hero fought against the mighty enemies to save and protect them."

"I didn't do it wanting rewards or expecting to be treated like this."

"Thus they bow their heads even more."

"Why?"

"If you were someone merely coveting the throne, you would have used the people as tools. However, didn't the Hero treat them like people?"

"......Me? Well, I don't know. First I have matters to discuss so Mayor, please follow me."

Although Rickart was of noble origin, he had never reigned over people. At Stormhearts regardless of being nobles or commoners they all just got along well.

Since he called himself a dreamer, one who sees beyond, he felt merely embarrassed regarding what others coveted.

Entering the detached palace and heading to the office, Bori was seen scribbling documents.

"Where's Marie?"

"Probably at the armory or with the women? Roy is practicing his axe chops."

"Is that so? Mayor, could you call Marie, Lester, Herbert, and Bremen? I have things to discuss."

"Of course. By the way, please lower your speech to me."

"There is no need for me to do so even to a Mayor. There is no high or low between the Mayor and me. If by chance I fail or things don't work out well, Mayor, rule this place as you did originally. We will leave."

"That will not happen. If the Hero leaves, it means abandoning us. Where can sheep that lost their master go? Sheep have poor eyesight so they keep walking without knowing the front is a cliff and fall. Since we have already resolved to die, please do not say such things."

"......Good grief, just please call the people."

"Understood."

As Markwin left the seat, Rickart looked back at Bori, who shrugged his eyebrows and shoulders as if he didn't know.

After a little time passed, Marie arrived first, followed by Bremen and Roy entering the office, and Lester and Herbert entered together.

Roy didn't need to come but attended the gathering anyway. Since he had trained hard in his own way, he was covered in sweat to the point his clothes were soaked. Rickart playfully wiped his disciple with a towel.

And looking back at the people, he gave a sort of progress report.

"Karli says he will lend money. 1,000 gold coins, in installments over 5 years. Ah, Karli is the principal of Beringen Academy, he is my friend. And he promised to inquire around for mercenaries from the academy, and Multi said he'd look into Nordic mercenaries. In the meantime I plan to find out if the Flame Knights can help."

"Huh? Flame Knights?"

Marie, who was quietly listening, tilted her head and asked. Since the Flame Knights were widely renowned as the world's strongest assault unit like a sort of pronoun so she wasn't unaware, but it was somewhat unexpected in the current situation. They were far away too.

"My second older brother is a knight of the Order. First I'll ride a horse and visit a branch, and if I have to go to the headquarters, I'll take a ship. When the troops are assembled I will set out to attack immediately. My goal is to smash Grantz before this year ends, and finish the war sometime next year. Although Karli is lending money, we can't hold out long with that."

"I also know your brother is a knight of the Order since I heard it from you, Ricky. But it's too far away."

Adelorn was at the eastern edge of the Empire excluding the Eastern Frontier, and the Flame Knights headquarters was at the southwestern edge.

Depending on how many times one changed horses it varied, but generally even riding a horse it would take a month. However, this was strictly when traveling by land.

"Three days to the place to catch a ship, and three days to Sinatria if I take a ship. I think it's worth a try."

"To take a ship one must meet the right time. One cannot take it just anytime. Sometimes one might have to wait a month. Only if the wind permits, moreover if the wind doesn't blow properly one could end up going to a completely wrong place."

Bremen, who knew well about the geography of the Empire, said.

"If it looks like that will happen I will just return. By the way, how are the enemy's movements?"

Rickart asked Lester, the leader of the rangers.

"They are regrouping the unit that was meant to strike our rear."

"They will probably be around 7,000. And according to recent intel, there's talk they might go to the capital to reorganize. Because they will be concerned about the other warlords within the Kingdom as well."

Lester answered first, and Markwin, seemingly doing intelligence gathering activities in his own way, said.

"Then there's plenty of time. While I'm away everyone do what you were doing, and if instructions are needed, follow Marie."

Originally when the husband went to the battlefield, the lady of the house guarded the estate. And Marie herself was a Sword Master too, and her status went without saying. Even though she herself hated it, anyway she was the daughter of the previous Emperor.

"Mm...... But you're not leaving right now, right? Right?"

Marie asked. Rickart felt an inexplicable sense of incongruity from that question.

"......Well, yes."

"Then I'm fine."

If Marie approved, there was no point in other people objecting.

With this, the rough plan going forward was decided, and Rickart rested for three days before hitting the road again.

By the way, whether he rested properly or not, his face had halved. On the contrary, Marie's skin was shiny like clean porcelain.

"I-I'll be back."

"Take care. Don't overdo it. Got it?"

"Yeah."

Rickart hurriedly kissed Marie lightly, mounted his horse, and left Adelibari as if fleeing.

It seemed another reason to quickly end the war was added. Since he had to do what he had to do even while moving busily.