One day left until the next defense battle. Afternoon.

Elize had come to the lord’s mansion. The female swordsman, dressed as a maid and carrying a Sword Coffin, was as expressionless as usual, but I greeted her with a cheerful smile.

“Elize! How was it? Was Crossroad tolerable?”

“...There are too many facilities lacking, fitting for a Margrave, but the essential infrastructure is all in place. So yes, it was tolerable.”

Elize had not merely accompanied me here as a simple escort.

Silver Winter’s Merchant Guild planned to launch several businesses in this place, Crossroad.

She was dispatched here to prepare for this and to gather information.

From finding land to build the Merchant Guild branch to sourcing materials and labor for road construction, to figuring out how much magical stone stock needed to be transported to the Imperial Capital, and so on...

Anyway, she said there was an enormous amount of work to do. That’s why, after my escort mission ended, she was out of sight, only now to appear.

“Is the necessary investigation all done?”

“Yes. I have collected all the information our Merchant Guild needs. Now, I will return to the Imperial Capital, report to Master Serenade, and organize the workforce to send down the business unit.”

“You’ve worked hard. The way back will be tough too.”

I gave Elize a mischievous smile.

“Is today a farewell visit, then?”

“...Actually, I’ve come after hearing the news of the monster invasion.”

Naturally, I have been announcing the expected invasion date of the monsters within the city.

There’s no reason to hide it, and it’s better for the citizens to be prepared. Elize seemed to have seen that announcement.

“I heard that the monsters are attacking tomorrow. Is that true?”

“Yes. I expect it to be tomorrow morning.”

While there might be a chance that it could suddenly change like during Stage 3, it probably won’t.

I have already understood this stage’s dark event...

“You may think it’s a sudden imposition, Your Highness.”

Elize cautiously brought it up.

“May I participate in this defense battle?”

“What, what?”

Surprised, I hesitated, and Elize showed her chest by lifting her hand.

“Pardon my rudeness, but if Your Highness has faced my sword, you would already know my skills.”

“It’s not your skills I’m unsure of...”

I wasn’t bewildered by her skill level. Rather, I would be grateful if a strong person like Elize could help.

‘But... I don’t understand why.’

Why is she helping with the defense battle?

“Our Merchant Guild branch will be moving into Crossroad soon. And ordinary people, who have lived lives unrelated to monsters, will be deployed to start working here.”

Elize glanced briefly at the city wall through the mansion window.

“I would like to see the potential threat they might face with my own eyes.”

“Hmm, indeed...”

Is this also part of the investigation on the Merchant Guild’s part?

Convinced, I nodded.

“Alright. No, I’m the one who’s grateful! I’ll count on you for this one time, Elize.”

“I am the one who should apologize for making an unreasonable request. Tomorrow, I will faithfully follow Your Highness’s command.”

An SSR-ranked swordsman like Elize is going to help. Tomorrow’s defense battle seems like it will go very smoothly.

I was in high spirits when I let out a loud "Ah!" and asked Elize,

"But Elize, do you also have maces in your Sword Coffin?"

I would need a striking attribute equipment since the monster I’ll be facing tomorrow is a slime. Elize was a sword-type character, so I wondered if she would also have maces at her disposal.

"A mace... are you referring to?"

Tilting her head, Elize put down the Sword Coffin and sneaked a peek inside, then nodded at me.

"Yes, I have them. How many would you like to borrow?"

"No, I don’t want to borrow them, I want you to use them tomorrow..."

Besides, how many maces are even in there? How many weapons are in that Sword Coffin altogether?

***

Dungeon. Basecamp.

Today, I came here only with Lucas and Kuilan.

Flash!

As I passed through the teleport gate, Kellibey waved as though he had been waiting for me.

"Come on, move faster, you slowpoke! It was finished long ago; why are you coming so late? You’ll have me delivering it next, eh?"

"Oh, you deliver all the way to Crossroad? That’s great!"

"Like hell I will, you damn rascal. Hey, come on, just come and take it!"

Cursing and complaining, Kellibey pointed to the equipment placed on a display stand in front of his forge. I approached it.

One pair of red leather boots with metal plates attached. And also a short cape, similar to a muffler, in red as well.

In this world, not only metal equipment but also leather and cloth gear are produced in the blacksmith’s forge.

It’s because equipment to refine Magic Power cores and magic stones are basically found in the forge.

So in Crossroad’s forge, specialized leatherworkers and tailors are employed as well.

But Kellibey had crafted leather and cloth so neatly, all by himself.

Handling leather and cloth as skillfully as metal. Truly an impressive gentleman.

’Now, let’s see how it turned out...’

I checked the options on both pieces of equipment. Let’s see.[Vampire General’s Boots(SSR) Lv.35]

- Category: Shoes

- Defense: 25-30

- Durability: 20/20

- Agility +10

- Vampire-style Physical Enhancement: Strengthens the leg muscles, increasing movement speed by 1.5 times for 5 seconds. Can be used three times a day. If used all three times, it inflicts a random injury to the legs.

[Vampire General’s Muffler(SSR) Lv.35]

- Category: Auxiliary Equipment

- Durability: 5/5 (Irreparable)

- Agility +15

- Blood Mist Deployment: When struck, there is a certain probability that the muffler will deploy a mist of blood, causing the enemy’s attack to miss. When the option is activated, durability decreases by 1.

I nodded approvingly. Great! It came out just as I intended.

"I crafted it to increase agility and specialize in dodging enemy attacks, just as you ordered."

Kellibey clicked his tongue.

"Crafting this dodging equipment with such a precious Vampire General’s magic core instead of a magnificent weapon... Tsk tsk. It seems you don’t appreciate valuable items."

"What are you talking about, Master Smith? Good survival equipment is as essential as a good weapon. You must be alive to hit one more time, don’t you agree?"

"Tch, no use arguing with you..."

I handed over a few bars of gold and some fine liquor to the grumbling Kellibey, as a modest token of appreciation.

Kellibey pretended not to be interested but gratefully accepted. After all, there was no such thing as a dwarf who disliked gold and alcohol.

"Now, Kuilan."

I took the boots and scarf and handed them to Kuilan.

"These are yours."

Kuilan’s eyes widened in surprise. He must have recognized just how valuable this equipment was.

"Really, Your Highness? You’re giving this to me?"

"Who said I’m giving it to you outright? It’s a loan, a loan."

I chuckled, shaking my finger from side to side.

"Stay put at the front line until the end of your probation period, and it will be entirely yours once it ends. Understand?"

"Those words are golden! Ha-ha! Great! Probation for half a year? I’ll stick to it like glue on a bald head!" (TL Note: Weird Korean saying, basically it’s the glue that holds a wig.)

A broad smile appeared on Kuilan’s face. He seemed genuinely pleased.

I had been pondering a lot about Kuilan’s equipment setup.

Initially, I thought of making robust equipment for him. But soon, I reached a different conclusion.

This kid was fragile, falling at a single hit.

So, instead, let’s tailor the setting to avoid him getting hit at all.

Rather than increasing the chance of getting hit by dressing him in heavy armor, let’s make his body extremely light and set up safety measures.

That’s the conclusion I came to, and it led to crafting this high-grade equipment with expensive SSR-grade Magic Power cores.

’If I’m going to use it, I won’t skimp on the investment.’

Though flawed in many aspects, Kuilan was an SR-grade character after all, and one of the few pure melee damage dealers.

He was worth nurturing. That’s what I judged.

"Yippee~!"

"..."

As Kuilan ran around, trying on his new scarf and shoes, Lucas glared at him with displeasure. I smirked.

"What’s wrong, Lucas? Don’t like it?"

"... Yes, to be honest."

"You just got new weapons not too long ago."magic

"The more equipment my Lord gives me, the better."

This greedy guy.

I patted Lucas’s back reassuringly.

"Don’t worry too much; I’ll get new equipment for you soon."

Lucas’s level was slowly approaching 50.

After his final third-class advancement and awakening his ultimate skill, Lucas would also be able to use his exclusive equipment.

’The privilege of SSR-grade characters, exclusive equipment!’

The reason SSR-grade was considered the highest honor was ultimately because of the exclusive equipment that completed the character.

Thinking about Lucas flying around with his exclusive equipment, a smile inadvertently crept across my face.

Just wait a little longer, you monster brats. Our protagonist, the hero, is almost here. He’s already incredibly powerful, though.

"...?"

Lucas looked at me, puzzled by my sinister smile. Hmm. You’ll understand why I’m like this later, Lucas.

I covered my mouth, chuckling ominously, while Kuilan kicked the air, practicing a continuous aerial kick, adapting to his newly lightened body.

Then Kellibey yelled at us.

"Hey, if you’re done looking, get lost! I need to concentrate!"

***

That evening.

Crossroad. The Temple.

"..."

Kuilan’s brother, Kureha, was sitting on a single-bed in his room.

The pallor from the traces of illness had regained some color, and the once emaciated body had put on some weight in just a few days.But the left leg.

Compared to the right leg, the left one was particularly withered, just as it was.

He couldn’t walk because of this leg, which hung limp like a deflated balloon.

"The other symptoms can be treated, but this leg will be difficult."

The head priest, who was in charge of Kureha’s treatment, said so.

Kureha gave a bitter smile and ran his hand over his withered leg. He wasn’t disappointed because he hadn’t hoped for anything in the first place.

It had already been over ten years since the leg had become like this.

’Ah, but...’

Kureha faced forward.

And slowly, clenching his fists, he reached out.

’I always regret not being able to see the next move of this technique...’

Then it happened.

Bang!

"Kureha!"

With a boisterous noise, the door to the sickroom opened, and Kuilan walked in. Startled, Kureha quickly lowered his fists.

"Kuilan."

"Heheh, how is it? Isn’t the temple somewhat comfortable to stay in?"

Kuilan grinned and sat down beside Kureha’s bed.

"Damn Imperial bastards, but they do have one hell of a healing spell. Just look at how our brother’s complexion has improved."

Kureha smiled faintly and nodded.

"Everyone here is kind and takes good care of me. I’ll be almost fully recovered with just a few more weeks of rest."

"Good, good. That’s great. That’s really great."

Kuilan’s smiling face suddenly turned serious.

"As soon as you are fully healed, we’re getting out of this city."

Kureha’s face hardened as well. Kuilan clicked his tongue.

"Such nonsense. Do you think our grudge against the Empire will vanish if they hand us some money?"

"...Kuilan."

"Look at what they’ve done."

Kuilan looked down at his brother’s abnormally withered left leg, his mouth tightly closed.

"Look at what they’ve done."

Kuilan tapped the X-shaped scar on his forehead.

"Do you think we’ll forget even if they give us a fortune? Ha. Do you think we’ll be fools again?"

"..."

"As soon as you feel better, we will gather the troops and leave this city immediately. It’s a bit regrettable to leave behind that overly kind-hearted prince, but you know, caterpillars must eat leaves to survive, right?"

Kureha slowly reached out and grasped his younger brother’s hand.

"Kuilan."

"Huh?"

"What about making a new nest here?"

Kuilan’s face stiffened.

Kureha fumbled with his words.

"You can be pardoned for all crimes committed during the last three years if you serve for just three years. Moreover, they’re offering an annual salary enough to not only meet our targeted amount but exceed it."

"..."

"We didn’t become bandits because we wanted to. We didn’t become thieves by choice. We can turn back here."

"..."

"Let’s go back to the world, Kuilan. You’re still young. You still..."

Thump!

Before his brother finished speaking, Kuilan got up. Kureha cried out in desperation.

"Kuilan!"

"I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that, brother."

Kuilan strode back towards the door of the sickroom.

"The Kureha I knew... my master, who taught me martial arts, wasn’t a man who would speak such weak words."

"..."

"Make sure to recover quickly. Until you’ve finished recovering, I’ll be here earnestly brawling with monsters and earning my allowance."

"Kuilan!"

Kureha had heard and knew about the monster defense battle scheduled for tomorrow.

Stammering, Kureha spoke to his brother as he turned to leave.

"...Take care of yourself."

"Hahaha! I am Kuilan of Kangwoon, the miraculous Kuilan. Don’t worry."

With a grin, Kuilan left the sickroom.

"I’ll be back, Brother."

Thump!

The door closed, and his younger brother’s large figure disappeared outside.

Kureha looked down at his pitiful left leg with a disheartened expression. His two emaciated fists clenched tightly.

***

And the next day.

Morning broke on Stage 8.

--TL Notes--

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading

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