Episode 160: A New Foundation (2)
Back in his quarters, Damian spent time examining the crystal he had taken from the Mercenary King’s study.
No matter how hard he looked, the secret remained elusive.
“If only I could get a closer look at the structure of the ring inside,” he mused.
The reason Damian couldn’t tear his eyes away from the crystal was the intricate ring contained within. Its structure was not only complex but also meticulously crafted. Even with his extensive knowledge, Damian couldn’t fathom how it had been created.
“Should I just break it? Maybe absorbing the magic inside will reveal something…”
Suddenly, a realization struck him. Damian gripped the crystal tightly.
As it shattered, the magic within was released into the air.
The magic floated and began to weave itself into a ring, as if demonstrating the process for him.
“So this was the right approach after all.”
The crystal was like an egg; merely observing it yielded nothing. One had to break the shell to access the contents.
“What a twisted little trick,” he muttered.
Who would dare to destroy the legacy of the Empire’s greatest swordsman? The thought alone would deter most.
Damian watched the ring intently. How much time had passed?
“Indeed… it’s worthy of the Empire’s greatest swordsman.”
The knowledge left behind was a new method of mana cultivation.
Typically, magic accumulates in the body and flows like blood.
The Empire’s greatest swordsman had devised a way to form rings within the body, creating a separate reservoir for storing magic.
“No, this isn’t just a storage. It’s a new organ,” Damian realized.
The rings weren’t merely for storage. In battle, they could release magic, exponentially increasing output. The more rings, the greater the power.
Remarkably, this method reduced the risk of overexertion.
Normally, increasing magic output too much could strain the body, potentially leading to severe consequences.
But with this method, the strain was transferred to the rings. Even if something went wrong, only the rings would be damaged, leaving the user unharmed.
“To think of such an idea… truly impressive.”
Whether it was three or four generations ago, the legacy of the Empire’s greatest swordsman was undeniable.
No other mana cultivation method in the Mercenary King’s study could compare.
“This method is more than enough to form the foundation I need.”
With this, Damian had found one of the two pieces he needed to reach the master class.
“But just learning it as is would be boring.”
While the concept was fresh, Damian saw room for improvement.
He planned to modify and enhance it, integrating it with his existing methods.
And so, Damian spent the night immersed in the study of mana cultivation.
While Damian was engrossed in his studies, the Mercenary King was meeting with Athena.
“Hmph, you lost quite spectacularly,” he remarked gruffly. Despite her father’s criticism, Athena remained composed.
“What can I do when he’s just too strong?”
The Mercenary King found himself at a loss for words.
Athena was right. She had done her best. Her technique, her judgment—everything was flawless.
It was just that Damian Haxen was too powerful.
“Wait, ‘he’? Since when did you start calling him that?” the Mercenary King barked. Athena blushed quietly.
”…I decided to start today.”
“Don’t tell me… you’ve already gotten involved with him?”
Athena’s face darkened at her father’s question.
That was answer enough. The Mercenary King clicked his tongue.
“Looks like you’re doing everything on your own. Are you really my daughter? Why are you acting so clueless?”
“If I took after you, I’d be bringing men into my quarters every day.”
“Ugh.”
Athena’s retort left the Mercenary King speechless.
”…So, you like him, huh? That’s convenient. I feel the same way.”
Athena jumped up in surprise.
”…Dad, no matter how much you like him, going after men is a bit much.”
“What nonsense are you spouting? I meant I like his skills and talent!”
The Mercenary King shouted in exasperation. Athena sighed in relief and sat back down.
”…I’ve made him an offer. If he completes a mission for the Grape Kingdom, I’ll give him an elixir.”
“And?”
“I’m sending you and him alone on that mission. Make the most of it.”
Athena’s eyes widened. She hugged her father in delight.
“Dad! Thank you!”
“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”
The Mercenary King grumbled, though he didn’t seem displeased.
“When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Then I better get ready! I’ll be off!”
Athena dashed out of the room. The Mercenary King watched the door with a bittersweet expression.
“She’s just like her mother.”
Her single-minded focus on one man was uncanny.
What would her mother have said if she were alive to see this?
A wave of melancholy washed over him. The Mercenary King lost himself in thought for a while.
How much time passed like that?
“Hooper, I’m here.”
A woman entered the tent, and the Mercenary King’s face lit up with a smile.
“Rubia! What took you so long? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
As Rubia entered, the Mercenary King embraced her. She let out a small yelp as she fell into his arms.
“I saw Athena leaving. What did you call her for?”
“Nothing important. Don’t worry about it.”
Rubia’s eyes glinted slightly at his response.
“That’s a bit disappointing…”
A sweet scent wafted from Rubia’s body.
As he inhaled, the Mercenary King’s eyes grew hazy.
“Won’t you tell me?”
”…She seems to like Damian Haxen, so I arranged some time for them alone.”
Unlike before, the Mercenary King spoke freely. Rubia’s expression turned intrigued.
“How?”
“A mission came in from the Grape Kingdom. I’m sending them there alone.”
At the mention of the Grape Kingdom, Rubia’s expression shifted subtly.
“We can talk later… Let’s enjoy ourselves now.”
The Mercenary King pulled Rubia closer. She let herself be led to the bed.
That night, Rubia quietly slipped out of bed. The Mercenary King lay asleep, naked.
Outside, Rubia melted into the shadows. She stopped in a secluded spot and spoke softly.
“Kardak.”
The darkness coalesced into a man wrapped in black bandages.
”…You’ve been with him again,” the man said in a voice like metal scraping stone.
Rubia laughed and playfully tapped Kardak’s shoulder.
“What, jealous again? I told you, I have to handle the Mercenary King this way.”
Despite her words, Kardak’s gaze remained disapproving.
“Anyway, Damian Haxen is heading to the Grape Kingdom. Garot is there, isn’t he?”
”…So?”
“Tell Garot that someone of interest is coming to the Grape Kingdom. He should capture him alive.”
”…You want me to leave your side?”
Kardak’s voice was filled with reluctance. Rubia hugged him tightly.
“You’re the only one I can trust with this. You know how I feel, right?”
Kardak vanished into the shadows. As soon as he was gone, Rubia’s expression turned weary.
“Men… they’re so easy.”
The next day, Damian stepped outside, ready to depart for the Grape Kingdom.
He climbed into the carriage prepared by the Fafnir Mercenary Company.
“Huh?”
Inside, he found someone already seated. Athena Hooper was sitting there.
“You’re on this mission too?”
“Y-yes…”
Athena replied, her head lowered. Damian took a seat across from her.
Soon, the carriage set off. In the rattling carriage, neither spoke a word.
Damian was lost in thought about the mana cultivation method.
And Athena… she kept stealing glances at Damian.
Suddenly, Athena rummaged through a basket beside her.
She pulled out an apple and began peeling it with a small knife. The only sound in the quiet carriage was the soft scraping of the knife.
Watching her, Damian was taken aback.
Her clumsy hands were slicing chunks off the apple instead of peeling it.
“Um… ugh…”
Athena looked at the mangled apple, clearly troubled.
It was still edible, but it looked far from appetizing.
After much deliberation, Athena placed the remnants of the apple back into the basket and pulled out a second one.
With a determined look, she glared at the apple. Damian had a sinking feeling that she was about to massacre this one too.
“Let me see that for a second.”
Unable to watch any longer, Damian took the apple and knife from her. With practiced ease, he began to peel it.
As the thin skin fell away, Athena’s eyes widened in amazement.
“Plate.”
Athena quickly retrieved a wooden plate from the basket and handed it to him. Damian expertly sliced the apple and arranged the pieces neatly on the plate.
He picked up a slice and popped it into his mouth. Athena just stared at him, dumbfounded.
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Can I… can I really have some too?”
“It’s your apple, isn’t it?”
Athena picked up a slice and took a bite, her cheeks flushing slightly as she spoke.
“It’s… it’s really good.”
“An apple tastes like an apple.”
“But it’s still delicious!”
Whatever it was that delighted her so much, Athena beamed with a bright smile.
After several days of travel, the carriage finally crossed the border into the Kingdom of Grape.
“How much further do we have to go?”
“We’re almost there. The area where the undead have been appearing is close to the border.”
Just as Athena said this, a scream pierced the air from outside.
Both Damian and Athena quickly opened the window to look out.
In the distance, a fortress was under attack by a monstrous creature.
The beast resembled a wolf, except it was the size of a house and its body was composed of decaying flesh.
“Fenrir?”
Though smaller than in his past life, there was no mistaking it. The creature destined to be known as the Beast of Destruction stood before them.
“Don’t stop! Keep it away from the walls!”
“Get some stones! We have to slow it down somehow!”
The people on the battlements hurled rocks at Fenrir, but they had no effect. The beast continued to ram the walls relentlessly.
“I never thought we’d encounter it so soon.”
Damian exchanged a glance with Athena. In unison, they leapt out of the carriage.