#154
Helmut
Episode 154
Two people were confronting each other on stage.
One is a young blond boy. Although he is young, the restrained atmosphere that pervades the air around him is a measure of his accomplishments.
It just wasn’t an appropriate look to attend a martial arts event like this. Especially here in Bashor.
But his movements were frighteningly fast. As soon as the match begins, he immediately throws his sword at his opponent without hesitation.
The opponent also had difficulty blocking the attack, wondering if he had come this far for no reason. Several sums came and went in an instant.
While watching the battle on stage, Kevin opened his mouth.
“That boy. “Is it true that you belong to Michael?”
Michael did not deny it.
“So what?”
“The work was delayed, so I came today to deliver the sword to the Knights of Palma, and ended up getting close to the stage.
I happened to see him on stage and his skills were truly impressive. But something else caught my eye more than his skills.”
Kevin continued speaking to Michael, who tilted his head.
“… … It looked familiar. His sword.”
Kevin narrowed his eyes and observed the stage. With the eyes of a blacksmith, not a swordsman, it is impossible to follow the movement of the sword at this great distance.
“Among the weapons made by my teacher, Layton, there are only 37 that have been hand engraved and certified. As you know, Master treats weapons other than the ones he engraved as failures, even if they were in his hands.”
“I’ve heard about your father-in-law Layton’s stubbornness.”
“Master, you don’t make swords for just anyone. We only sell or make engraved weapons to swordsmen who are qualified to use their weapons. Some people criticize him for being arrogant when it comes to blacksmithing, but that is the pride of a craftsman. “Unlike me, who makes weapons for money.”
Kevin burst out laughing. Michael received the words gently.
“okay. Layton’s reputation is well-known.”
“Of the 37 certified weapons made by the Master, three are swords of almost similar shapes. One day, after receiving inspiration, Master locked himself in the blacksmith shop and concentrated on smelting for several days. The first sword was created like that. However, I was not satisfied with just one sword, so I forged two more swords. Since I was nearby at the time, I watched it clearly. I am a blacksmith, and I rarely forget things about weapons. At that time, the sharp light of the newly forged famous sword was completed in the hands of the teacher! “I will never forget that light for the rest of my life.”
“… … .”
“The moment I saw that boy’s sword, I couldn’t believe my eyes. “His sword had the same light as it did back then!”
Interest rose on Michael’s face. He added Chuimsae.
“So?”
“But there is one strange thing. “Of the three swords, there is only one that was lost along with its owner and its whereabouts are unknown.”
In an instant, Kevin’s expression became serious.
“Sword of Sword Saint Darian Defert.”
For a moment, Michael’s face shook slightly. But he soon laughed lightly.
“Couldn’t it be a misunderstanding? He’s not from Bashor. It is difficult to have a relationship with the Sword Saint. I heard that elaborate imitations of Layton’s sword are popular in the Empire. “It’s so subtle that even Layton gets angry.”
Layton’s official weapon is the famous sword among famous swords. Even if there was a qualitative difference, it was possible to imitate only the outer shell.
However, Kevin’s keen eye was exceptionally good. She didn’t even check the engraving, but she recognized her sword simply based on its appearance and the light on it.
That’s why Kevin tilted his head. She seems unconvinced.
“Perhaps I can take a look at his sword? “I’d like to check it out.”
“Sure. But today is difficult. He’s a more sensitive person than he looks, and he’s even sharper after a battle. “Please visit the Golden Leaf Inn tomorrow.”
“Ah, I understand. Thank you for your time.”
Kevin nodded and happily left. It doesn’t seem like her question was impatient.
As soon as he disappeared, the smile disappeared from Michael’s face. He opened his mouth with a cold face.
“Cinus.”
“Yes, Michael.”
A man walked out and stood next to him. Robert’s face hardened in discomfort.
Sinus was a man with a cool, calm atmosphere. He was not knightly. He doesn’t feel like walking around.
Michael grinned again.
“I need Sinus to help me out.”
He looked up and faced Michael. An eerie command came from Michael, who had an innocent face.
“Cabin is a good blacksmith. Unfortunately, she can’t help it. “I need to silence her, so take her opportunity to deal with it.”
“yes.”
Sinus obeyed the order without saying anything.
The people at the blacksmith shop are busy and Cabin has no family. He is a man who often misses his due dates because of his pranks, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he suddenly disappeared.
As soon as he left, Robert opened his mouth impatiently.
“Michael, he is the swordsmith of the Knights of Palma. He is a famous blacksmith in the Kingdom of Basor. “If it becomes a problem.”
“Now that the martial arts festival is going on, there will be no time to worry about the whereabouts of the blacksmith who frequently deviates. “Rather, please keep quiet about the conversation that took place here today.”
“yes.”
When everyone responded politely, Michael’s eyes turned back to the stage.
‘He has the sword of the Sword Saint.’
It was interesting yet creepy. Hyde used common swordsmanship. Wasn’t that just an intention to hide one’s skills? Michael’s eyes narrowed.
Meanwhile, the game is over.
***
“Hyde, victory!”
Wow-
The game ended amidst loud cheers that shook the place like an earthquake. A person from the martial arts club handed him a cloth.
Helmut wiped the bleeding blade of his sword and put it on his belt. His limbs were stiff.
It was quite a struggle. Even though it was a classic, it only took about 20 minutes.
‘This is better than being a member of the Knights of Palma.’
An experienced and seasoned mercenary. He made his way out of it, occasionally digging in eerily.
Even if they had the upper hand in agility and vis, they couldn’t let them lose easily here. A difficult type.
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Helmut struck like a rock and his shield shattered. The other person stood up and laughed lowly.
“It’s an honest sword. “It is a trained sword that is faithful to its strength without any tricks.”
He was covering his bleeding shoulder with one hand. The pain must have been considerable, but he only squinted his eyes and did not moan.
He is patient and gentle. He was like that when he fought. He was not an opponent who could quickly end the fight without injury.
“An honest sword is bound to break someday. “The world needs to live weakly.”
“You just have to be strong enough not to break.”
“It’s not that simple. It reflects the black character. You are not the one to betray anyone. But such a person will be betrayed by someone someday.”
“Are you saying bad things about losing?”
“It’s not like that. Because in life, you will be betrayed no matter how big or small it is. It’s just that you don’t seem to have ever been broken. “It’s advice for winners.”
Perhaps because Helmut was young, I was anxious because I couldn’t give him advice here and there. However, he is an opponent whose advice cannot be ignored.
‘Did you say his name was Hutton?’
A person who has accumulated countless experiences before reaching the position of a first-class mercenary. The experience did not just mean a battle between life and death. The words spoken by such a person are not light.
“But once a tree has been broken, it becomes stronger.”
Hutton grinned and held out his hand.
“Please shake my hand.” “I think you will be in a position in the future where I won’t even be able to hold your hand.”
For a first-class mercenary, he had an easy-going personality. Even if you only become a level 2 mercenary, it already puts a strain on your head.
Helmut held his hand lightly. At that sight, cheers grew louder from the audience once again.
Hyde! Hyde! Hyde!
The scene where the winner and loser shake hands was a plausible ending to a tense game.
‘It’s a shame it’s not my name.’
I wondered what it would have been like if the name Helmut had been echoing throughout the martial arts venue.
This atmosphere would have felt much more vivid.
He was abandoned in the forest of Pahe, and here he is, giving off an overwhelming presence in the center of the martial arts club.
And once again, he must have realized that he had succeeded in the challenge of a lifetime.
‘It’s still okay now, though.’
A bouquet of flowers in full bloom fell on the stage.
“You can’t throw something like that there!”
Organizers were seen urgently restraining the participants from dropping foreign objects. It’s for the next game.
“He’s popular with women. “I heard your fans are anxious because you don’t wander around outside the barrel.”
Hutton chuckled and opened his mouth again.
“If you need to see me, you can always find me through the mercenary guild. “In the name of Hyde.”
I think they noticed that this person didn’t use their real name.
Helmut tilted his head to one side.
“What if I have to entrust you with a request?”
How can you come to a place like this and do business? Did you participate to make a mark? Helmut had his doubts.
The price of seats at the martial arts venue is very expensive. There were plenty of nobles from Basor and other countries who could hire first-class mercenaries.
Hutton burst into laughter.
“what? haha! Yes, with the martial arts prize money, they might hire me. I mean, anything. You seem like the type of person who causes trouble. “Some of those cases may require a first-class mercenary.”
It was an unknown sound. Helmut answered roughly.
“Ah, of course.”
“Let’s go first.”
Hutton is still bleeding. It was his turn to receive treatment.
Helmut came off the stage and moved toward the waiting area.
He was standing there again today. Luke Yeager. He is looking this way with his arms crossed.
Helmut suddenly realized.
‘I forgot to wave.’
He said I should wave to the crowd. But it was already too late.
When he reached him, Luke spoke to him.
“If we play today, we’re one step away.”
Until we met. Helmut also understood the omitted afterword.
Next up is Luke’s match. I haven’t seen them all, but among the remaining people, except for Helmut, there doesn’t seem to be anyone who can be Luke’s opponent.
Luke seemed relaxed as if he was aware of that fact.
“I guess I have nothing to do. “Stay here all the time.”
“Watching your competitors is meaningful. “Because you can figure out the pros and cons in advance.”
“Do you mean to ask me to watch over you?”
“Can you at least cheer me on? Arthur. I only get support from women. “It gives me strength to think that the audience is all pretty women.”
Helmut glanced around the audience. Although there are occasionally women, the majority are older men.
The martial arts festival is something that especially excites the men in Bashor.
“… … okay.”
It might take some imagination to think like Luke.
Although he had no intention of cheering, Helmut decided to watch him play today. I need to watch Luke Yeager’s game carefully and identify his weaknesses.
It is difficult to deal with him using common swordsmanship. However, Darian’s sword skills could not be revealed in the martial arts competition.
Before coming to Basor, I had planned to show off my sword skills while disguised to see the traitors’ reactions, but my plan changed.
Since Lutus Cicero, commander of the Knights of Palma, was likely to target Luke Jaeger, Helmut had to hide his presence. To exist as a variable.
‘The sprouts of darkness are a problem, and Darian’s swordsmanship is also a problem.’
There were many restrictions in one way or another. A situation rarely comes where one can fully demonstrate one’s skills. I haven’t met anyone worthy of that.
Helmut passed him by, just like last time, saying hello.
“I hope you have a good game.”
“But you don’t think you can beat me with common swordsmanship, do you?”
It was a sharp question. Helmut looked back. Luke Yeager had a stern face that I had never seen before.
“You probably have reasons you want to hide, but you won’t be able to do that until the end. You will have to demonstrate your skills. “I will make it happen.”
“… … .”
Helmut turned around. If Luke Yeager, who is practicing Darian’s swordsmanship, attacks with all his might as if he were going to kill him, will he be able to finish it off with just the common swordsmanship?
Even Helmut did not know the answer.
