Chapter 253 - Chapter 252: Thirst for Strength
The second day of the second week of the Second Month of Fire.
The Blacksmith District in District 3.
Inside the blacksmith shop of the old man, where the heat haze shimmered, Mika scrutinized the short sword he held in his hand as if glaring at it.
He extended his arm straight, gave it a light shake, and checked the weight and balance.
"............Hmm. It's good."
As Mika muttered, the old man let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally satisfied... Honestly, this was a much stricter order than Yaroibarov or Ozendorwa."
"I don't have the arms of two people, after all. I have to make up for that with the quality of the weapon."
"Hey, hey, you're joking, right?"
The old man made a dejected face.
Mika looked at the old man and put on a playful expression.
If one were to look only at the results of the performance test, it would be understandable why the old man made such a face.
But Mika wasn't joking.
[Physical Enhancement] spun around, sure, I could beat two of them.
But what if [Physical Enhancement] wasn't used?
Probably, it wouldn't even be a fight.
Boosting durability to the max with a heavily charged bracelet, exploding [Power] and [Speed] with impossible [Physical Enhancement].
If you did something like that, you wouldn't lose.
In terms of overall combat ability, Mika was indeed overwhelmingly strong.
But, simply speaking of technique, or pure swordsmanship, he still couldn't match the two of them.
In other words, that means there is still room to grow.
It means he hasn't reached the so-called 'cap' in the game sense.
So, Mika thought, let's go as far as we can.
Aiming for Status MAX, including proficiency.
The old man wiped the sweat flowing down his neck with a towel and asked Mika.
"So, what are we going to do with the old dull one? Crush it and sell it?"
"What kind of thing is that!? I won't do that!"
An announcement flashed in Mika's head that selling it was unthinkable.
Holy Sword Namakura-sama was already Mika's partner.
Surprised by Mika's strong reaction, the old man's eyes went wide.
"You're going to use it as is? That dull thing?"
"Of course. I will continue to use Namakura-sama."
"............Namakura-sama?"
The old man made a strange face.
"Well, never mind. The boots I ordered have arrived, so take them today."
"Oh, it finally came to you too."
For armor creation, craftsmen other than the old man's blacksmith shop inevitably get involved.
While providing technical guidance to reliable craftsmen with proven skills, the old man supervised the work.
"...And then, the robe, vest, and gloves, right? What about the [Enchantment] on the 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]' fabric?"
Asked by the old man, Mika grinned at the corner of his mouth.
"Finally, I have a plan for the [Enchantment]. I'll leave the fabric to you, so please start production."
"Oh, you finally did it."
The old man made a slightly surprised face.
"Even Adelriese and the others struggled this much. Honestly, my blacksmith shop was at a loss."
Blacksmiths can perform [Enchantment], but the basic method is mixing materials.
Complex [Enchantment] methods, or processing the materials themselves, were outside their expertise.
"I'm sorry. I asked too much of you."
"Hahaha. Well, don't worry about it. Tinkering with all that 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]' was actually fun. It was good practice."
When Mika said it with an apologetic look, the old man laughed.
Because the old man laughed it off, Mika felt a little lighter.
"Then, come by this shop at a convenient time to get measured. The deal is already settled. Needless to say, you can trust them here, and their skills are unquestionable."
Saying that, the old man quickly wrote a note on a nearby table.
It seemed to be a shop specializing in armor located in the same Blacksmith District.
"I'll just go there on foot while I'm at it."
"Oh? Well then, please take care."
Mika left the fabric with the old man and headed for the designated armor shop.
I thought I'd be measured like a pack of wild dogs, but that wasn't the case.
Speaking of which, when I bought the chest plate, I was measured, but nothing happened then either.
It seems getting swarmed by a pack of wild dogs is only for high-end shops.
That's weird.
■■■■■■
The third day of the second week of the Second Month of Fire.
Deep in the mountains, about one hundred kilometers northwest of the Royal Capital.
Zashu!
"Tch!"
Mika couldn't dodge the monster's attack and received a scratch on his cheek, letting out an involuntary click of his tongue.
Hyunssushushun!
Mika slashed and diced the horse-like monster with the new 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]' short sword he had prepared for him.
This short sword was not Holy Sword Namakura-sama, but the new one.
The new 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]' short sword cut through the monster's neck and front legs without any resistance.
"Damn it!"
Mika cursed and suddenly jumped back from the spot.
At that moment, three horse-like monsters swarmed into the place where Mika had been.
This monster is Regi-Weed.
It is a horse-like monster.
Its feature is five red, blazing eyes lined up in a straight line horizontally.
Four front legs, two hind legs.
However, the pair of front legs are equipped with hooked claws and can be used almost like arms.
It was these hooked claws that scratched Mika's cheek.
Mika quickly adjusted his stance and sliced the nearby Koot Viper into rings.
He grasped the surroundings with his magic range and, jumping sideways, severed the hooked claws of the Regi-Weed that attacked from behind.
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii......
Grimacing at the ear-splitting cry, he silently beheaded it.
Mika had come to this mountain for a practical test of the new short sword.
It also had a strong meaning as Mika's own training.
Currently, Mika had lowered [Physical Enhancement] to its limit, almost to his base state.
He couldn't use it suddenly if he cut it off completely, so he maintained the very edge where it wouldn't break.
It was a boost of only a few percent at most.
Not using [Physical Enhancement] while surrounded by many monsters is, frankly speaking, suicide.
But, in order to push himself to the limit, Mika chose to fight while suppressing [Physical Enhancement].
I can become stronger.
I want to become stronger.
So that I can protect the important people.
That thirst made Mika choose to throw himself into danger.
Many adventurers cannot use [Physical Enhancement].
They don't even have [Heal].
Still, they face powerful monsters and drive away monster swarms.
(More... come at me more! Go forward...!)
No matter how much power Mika wielded, he could not be satisfied with that strength.
Being able to use [Physical Enhancement] is one of Mika's strengths.
Being able to use [Heal] is one of Mika's strengths.
Magic that he can create freely is the true essence of Mika's strength.
He has no intention of denying those.
Even so――――.
Shashashun!
Mika slipped between two Regi-Weeds and quickly severed their heads.
He ran through them and bisected the Sai-Boar in front of him.
(I am! I will become stronger, even more!)
Slicing down the monsters that attacked one after another, Mika swung the short sword relentlessly.
"Haa! Haa! Haa..."
While catching his breath, Mika searched for the presence of monsters.
It seems all the monsters in this area have been defeated.
"............Damn..."
Only his impatience was rushing.
I want to become stronger...
How can I become like Yaroibarov or Ozendorwa?
Just going berserk is ultimately running in place.
I know that, but I can't sit still.
As Mika's anxiety grew, the effect of the Tranquilizer bracelet gradually calmed his feelings.
Once his feelings settled a bit, he felt the foolishness of his actions deeply.
"Phew... what am I doing..."
Muttering that, Mika raised [Physical Enhancement] to forty times.
Then, jumping with all his might, he flew towards the Royal Capital.
■■■■■■
[Holy Land Uup Saktu Great Cathedral]
In the Pope's office, 'Lumen' and 'Humus' were devouring.
'Humus' looked up, opened his mouth wide, and swallowed the 'Artorum' whole.
After taking a deep breath, he exhaled with a dazed expression, "Hou..."
"Hehehe... anger, grief, sorrow... How sweet it is..."
On the table, about ten 'Artorum' collected from all over the Empire were still placed.
'Lumen' picked up one of them and, like 'Humus', looked up and swallowed it whole.
"Hmm... not bad. Even with results like that, this much can be gathered."
"Not because it was just that level, right?"
"Hmm... yes, that's true."
Although they had invaded Ektrem, the people of the Empire were boiling with negative emotions like magma over the pitiful result of total annihilation in the battle that followed.
"At this rate, the next move should yield high-quality joy."
'Lumen' showed a cold smile, and 'Humus' picked up one of the 'Artorum' on the table.
"Bland things are boring, and I'm tired of waiting for them to accumulate. I want to gather them faster."
Saying that, he swallowed the 'Artorum' whole again.
"But it's better than before, isn't it? It was because 'Aquu' found the method called 'Artorum' that the quality and quantity became incomparable to before."
When 'Aquu's' name was mentioned, 'Humus' immediately made an unhappy face.
Seeing such 'Humus', 'Lumen' shrugged helplessly.
"It doesn't matter what you think of 'Aquu', but it is necessary for the purpose. You understand that, right?"
"............Yes."
'Humus' turned his head and reached out to pick up the 'Artorum'.
"...Eat well. We will need more red wine from now on. Your power will be the important key."
"I'll eat even without being told. I'm already exhausted..."
"Well, don't say that. Once we move forward, it will be done faster. It's just for now."
"I know that, but..."
Saying that, 'Humus' swallowed the 'Artorum'.
Seeing that, 'Lumen' also reached for the 'Artorum'.
"...However, what happened to 'Aquu'? It's troublesome if he keeps hiding underground forever."
"Isn't he being dealt with by a [Dispeller] user right now?"
Saying that, 'Humus' laughed raucously.
It seems the church members who were dancing so well have fallen, and the detestable [Dispeller] user has survived.
But, thinking about it, it is a stroke of luck in a way that the [Dispeller] user is alive.
Having the detestable 'Aquu' killed by a [Dispeller] user, and then killing the [Dispeller] user is not bad either.
Mostly, if they were someone who could be killed so easily, they would have been dealt with long ago.
There is not just one or two 'Son of God' who were killed by [Dispeller] users.
Those who survived have their own reasons for surviving.
It was not a soft era where one could survive by luck or coincidence.
'Humus' showed clear anger on his face, but 'Lumen' drank the 'Artorum' without caring.
'Lumen' exhaled deeply and looked at 'Humus' with cold eyes.
"Once we get this far, it's just a matter of time. Only those who can keep up will move forward, and those who can't will stop there."
When 'Lumen' said that, 'Humus' stopped laughing and nodded.
"If you stick to trivial things, you'll be left behind? ...I don't mind even if that happens."
'Humus' let out a deep breath and crossed his legs to change his mood.
"I won't do such stupid things after coming this far. My brother and I will definitely go up."
Shooting 'Lumen' with a sharp, glaring gaze, 'Humus' declared.
Seeing such 'Humus', 'Lumen' nodded.
"That's the spirit. We can't be holding back 'Aquu'. If you don't always look at the heights, you'll lose sight of them, right?"
"Yes..."
'Lumen' stood up and went to the cabinet, picking up tree wine.
He sent a glance to 'Humus' and nodded once.
Seeing that, he took two glasses and returned to the sofa.
"'Ventus' and 'Ignis' will be sent into Ektrem next month. By the beginning of next month at the latest, they will go to the Royal Capital."
"Oh? Was there such a procedure?"
"No, it was a sudden thought."
As 'Lumen' opened the bottle cap, he nodded.
"'Ventus' seems to have hoarded quite a lot of toys. I decided to use them."
"'Ventus' likes toys. I don't understand what's fun about such toys... I can't understand it at all."
At 'Lumen's' words, 'Humus' shrugged and smiled bitterly.
Pouring two fingers' worth of tree wine in front of 'Humus', 'Lumen' took a sip of his own portion and tasted the tree wine.
"Even so, isn't it the perfect setup to squeeze them out lavishly?"
"Hehe... maybe so."
'Humus' held the glass and poured about half of it down his throat.
The strong stimulation burning his throat made him grimace involuntarily.
"Cough... ah, it seems a bit too tough for this body. There was fruit wine too, wasn't there?"
"Yes, the bottle at the end is that."
'Humus' stood up energetically, took a bottle of fruit wine from the cabinet, and returned.
Then, he poured the remaining half of the tree wine into 'Lumen's' glass and poured fruit wine into his own glass again.
'Lumen' looked at his own glass, which had increased in volume, with an indescribable expression.
"............And, this one is about to happen soon. Probably moving this week or next."
"Oh, finally? I was getting a bit tired of waiting."
"Well, don't say that. I was desperately holding it back."
'Humus' took a sip of fruit wine and let out a sigh of relief.
"Then, shouldn't we go soon?"
"Yes. So, I am leaving today."
When 'Lumen' said that, 'Humus' froze.
Then, he took a sip of fruit wine.
"If so, did I have to stop by here?"
"It's a route anyway? You can rest appropriately tomorrow or the day after and then move. The tour of the Empire is paused for now."
Even though 'Lumen' said that, 'Humus' made a somewhat complicated expression.
Because next time, he would have to tour the whole Empire again.
It was just a change from touring the Great Cathedrals all over the Empire to touring another place.
Still, the places to go were somewhat fixed.
Was it a little better than before?
"You should deliver this 'Artorum' to 'Ventus' and the others."
"Can I take all the rest?"
"Yes. 'Artorum' can be obtained again soon. Without a doubt, the next one will be better than this one. Both quality and quantity."
'Lumen' drank the contents of the glass in one gulp and exhaled hot breath.
"From here on, it will be so much that gathering everything at once will make the previous petty efforts look ridiculous. The time of waiting is over."
Saying that, 'Lumen' stood up and walked towards the desk.
'Humus' watched 'Lumen', who was starting to prepare for departure, with emotionless eyes.