Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

176. Dark Clouds [2]

While the two factions were fighting, classes at the Eldain Academy continued as usual. But, of course, the atmosphere was different from before. The professors, the children of high-ranking nobles. In addition, the monsters known as the Seven Stars of the continent. the three Sword Emperors and the four Sages. They are watching each other. Rumors about who had sided with whom spread like wildfire, and the momentum of the already ignited fuse showed no sign of dying down anytime soon.

It couldn’t be helped

In this situation, which could be seen as a game of chicken over who would become the next head of the imperial family, it’s only natural that they would be on high alert.

— So, Nox von Reinhaver has joined the princess’s side?

— Yeah, that’s what I heard… but didn’t his engagement to the imperial family get called off? Strange. Why would the Reinhaver family support the Imperial family even though the engagement has already been canceled?

— I’m not sure either… maybe the Reinhaver just abandoned Nox?

— No way…he’s still the top student in Eldain.

— What about the Rivalin Merchant Group?

— They’re leaning towards the Eleanor faction. They’re with the princess now, so that makes sense.

— Even so, isn’t the First Prince Louis going to win? He’s the regency and most of the power is on his side.

— From what I’ve heard, the Goff Merchant has fully allied with the First Prince.

— Hmm… that’s not like Eleanor. It would have been better for her to just go into exile.

People’s whispers could be heard from here and there. I thought to myself for a moment, wondering if there was anything I was missing from their stories. As that mysterious woman had mentioned in her letter, I have become a variable. And keep affecting the situation But this gave me one clear fact.

I might be only one person, but Nox von Reinhaver could dispel this dark cloud looming over me and the others. With that alone, I am feeling fortunate.

At least the situation could change according to my thoughts, even if only a little.

“Let’s head to the 4th commercial district.”

“Yes, young master.”

I spoke casually to Zitri, who was following beside me, I threw on my coat. Seeing how worn and tattered my blazer had become due to the recent event, the tailor Fuller had been shocked. But he quickly repaired my uniform. I don’t know if it’s right to express it as “repair”, anyway, since uniforms here were treated as gear of sorts, it doesn’t matter.

Anyway, after a brisk walk, I arrived at the 4th commercial district. Normally, I would explore a bit more, but today, I had another purpose. It’s because I heard that the new, special equipment, custom-made by a dwarf, had finally been completed.

“Arson, are you in there?”

“No?! I keep telling you, I’m not Dwarf 1, my name is Arson… eh? did someone just call my name?”

With a loud clatter, a small, muscular man burst out from inside. His broad, muscular shoulders were tense with power, and his nose breathing was rough. Even Zitri, who’s good at acting, looks frightened.

Of course, Arson didn’t bother to consider her or pay her any attention at all.

“Oh…… isn’t it the young master of Reinhaver! Hahaha! Come on in!”

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

As I responded while playing the role of the arrogant noble, he straightened his shoulders, flashing a grin that revealed his white teeth.

“You’re here to pick up the item you requested before, right?”

“Right. I heard it was completed.”

“Haha! It was completed! Hm, that’s right!”

He looked quite satisfied. It seemed he’d achieved more than he had expected. Thinking back to the glimpses of his character from the game, dwarves are dwarves after all. The more impressive their creations, the more they couldn’t contain their heart racing with excitement. Though he must have known the dark clouds were gathering, with war looming just around the corner, and he must have heard countless rumors of how I would move. He paid them no mind. The reason is simple. It’s because he’s a dwarf.

I think the game describes him that way.

Now, even though I know this world is my reality, I still can’t shake off everything from my past days of playing Inner Lunatic on a monitor. It would be best to consider this as just an adjustment period. A necessary time to fully accept that this world is now truly mine. With that thought in mind, I looked at him.

“Show me the item.”

“Of course! Come on in!”

With a full confidence look, Arson led me and Zitri inside. The inside of his workshop, dim and lit by only a single beam of light, was simple yet meticulously organized, with all the essentials neatly in place.

If we follow the game’s setting, this was a place that most players would never even get to see. Unless one requested a piece worthy of his interest or displayed enormous wealth, Arson would never reveal his personal workshop.

The reason?

— Not even a hint of impurity is allowed! That includes your spit!

— Only the worthy have the right to enter this workshop!

Just remembering the lines made my head spin. One of those worthy qualifications was a massive amount of gold to the point it was difficult for him to decline. That’s the reason. These guys, obsessed with money, weren’t all that different from Eleanor.

“Are you here?”

As I entered Arson’s workshop with that thought. A girl with familiar reddish-brown hair, somehow arrived ahead of me, was smiling sweetly.

“….Eleanor. Why are you here?”

I asked, genuinely curious. but she put on a pure, innocent expression as if she didn’t understand anything, though recently I hadn’t seen her acting, I wasn’t fooled. That was her lying expression.

“After I convinced Mr. Dwarf 1 that I was close to you, He let me in. Isn’t that right?”

“Ah? Haha…! That’s right!”

Arson secretly jingles the pouch of gold coins. Silence hung in the air. I reached for my sword’s hilt watching as he broke out in a cold sweat.

srrrng

The white blade slid out, igniting with the magic I channeled into it. As the blade began to darken, turning pitch black, Arson panicked, waving his hands frantically in surrender.

“Th…calm down! She just wanted to see you and take a look at the artifact. So I let her in”

“Answer carefully, Arson. Did you share the manufacturing method?”

“I swear I didn’t!”

Seeing Arson respond frantically, Eleanor chuckled and meddled in.

“That’s true. Mr. Dwarf 1 here just couldn’t resist my charming offer, He’s not guilty. Blacksmiths have the right to display their creations. According to Empire laws”

“I don’t care about the law. I paid for confidentiality, yet you broke it. You’re dead”

“The, There’s no such empire law! Y, You’ll feel better once you see the item!”

“It doesn’t matter to see the item after you are dead”

“Gah…! W-Wait, That sword! Was it fine to not hear about that sword? I’ll give you some worthy information! Fr fr fr, fr…..for free!”

Wow.

I guess even he’s intimidated by my sword. To think I’d hear the word “free” come out of Arson’s mouth.

‘Perhaps that’s enough playing around.’

Besides, to have already gathered information on my sword, Stormbringer. As expected, his resourcefulness is unique.

The first head of the family. The sword that was wielded by someone that even I don’t know. It piqued my curiosity, and I’d asked Arson to investigate it. All I knew was that it was crafted from the scales of a white dragon and once belonged to the first head of the family. A sword that consumes magic to strengthen itself? I never heard about it even in all my game completions.

No matter how I think about it, there must be something hidden within this.

“I’ll listen. But only after she leaves”

“Ara, but I do have a name, It’s Eleanor”

“…Well, I suppose it’s fine.”

After all, Eleanor had fought for my sake that day in the [The Frozen Frostwood Forest]. Thanks to her, I bought some time, making her something of a lifesaver from my perspective

Besides, as long as he hadn’t shared the manufacturing method, it’s not a big problem.

‘She didn’t use the Veil was most likely to save me. Probably’

If asked whether she’s truly on my side, it’s still hard to answer definitively, but the persistent gifts she sent my way back then… It’s safe to say she’s closer to my side now.

Even as the [Golden Fox] Eleanor, she eventually opened her heart to the one who saved her and helped her.

That’s good news for me.

She’s one of the key pieces to help me conquer Inner Lunatic, the world that has now become my reality. Of course, that’s not everything, what matters more is how they have become increasingly precious to me.

“Either way, You know I can find you wherever you are now, right? And this… it’s quite valuable”

With a transparent smile, Eleanor jingled the necklace on her neck. I couldn’t do anything. I wore the same piece around my neck, now it was tricky to explain regardless of what I said. It wasn’t something I could just use only when needed.

In Inner Lunatic, I have to be prepared for threats to my life at any moment.

So, as much as it’s been discovered, it couldn’t be helped, it’s important to content myself with it.

“It seems the necklaces are matching?”

Zitri suddenly remarked. Hmm, as I hesitated. Realizing I hadn’t yet explained this to Zitri. Feeling a bit of a cold sweat, I nonchalantly shrugged it off and began to talk.

“Rather than that”

I shrugged and took a seat in the chair at the center of the forge for the time being. Thinking it was time for a more focused conversation.

Of course, if asked why was there a chair in the middle of the forge? There was no answer. Anyway.

“Bring the item, Arson.”

“S, sure thing!”

Arson stammered, disappearing with a clatter and soon returning with a chain mail.

It was, of course, a familiar item to me. But it’s better to confirm it definitively. I moved in to examine the armor’s structure and texture in detail. It wrapped lightly around the neck, resting just below the Adam’s apple, a bit different from standard chain mail. It featured a leather strap and belt running down the center as a distinguishing detail. From it emanated a soft green glow, an effect from the essence of a griffin, which appeared when mana rose.

[You have obtained a new artifact.]

[Would you like to view its information?]

‘Of course.’

Finally, I had acquired one of the artifacts I’d been eager to get my hands on. I smiled, looking at the info screen that appeared. At last, I held the first piece of equipment worth of my delight. I couldn’t help but pleased And even though this was now my new reality, it was the same.