Level up with swords (113)
The border area of the Kingdom of Jugend, Area 13, was naturally one of the places furthest from Area 1.
The smaller the area number, the closer it is to the center.
Excluding Area 0, where the Royal Palace and the Treasure Hall are located, Area 1 was the only place that could be called the capital in Jugend, which had no concept of a city.
The name is ‘Iron Heart’.
Even within the Dwarf race, which was teeming with outstanding craftsmen, it was a place where about a hundred Meister-level blacksmiths gathered to create premium weapons.
It was literally the core of Youth.
A military prayer that is several levels superior to that of other countries.
There is also a steam engine that can only be seen in Jugend.
A multi-purpose golem that is active in farming and construction.
It was no exaggeration to say that all those achievements originated from Area 1.
For that reason, Area 1 had numerous first- and second-class important facilities that were not found in any other areas. There were many places that even citizens of the kingdom could not enter or leave.
“Area 1 is not only remote, but it is also difficult for outsiders to set foot in. “Even if you take just one step off the road, they say you are violating an important facility and try to kick you out.”
Garlond continued to look down at his feet and explained.
“It is also a place that outsiders have no particular reason to visit. Most of the weapons made in Area 1 are reservation-based, so even if you show up and pay for them, you’ll only get laughed at. In the case of ‘Jugend Steel’, it is necessary to hold a continental auction on an annual basis.”
“‘Jugendstil’… .”
“They say they don’t allow it to be bought for ornamental purposes. “I was able to buy it only after promising to give it to the country’s Aura Master or a renowned knight.”
It is said that former blacksmiths of the Kingdom of Jugend agreed that rotting in the cabinet was not the proper purpose of the weapon.
Leon could somehow understand that feeling.
What legend would there be and what glory would reside in a famous sword that could not cut anything? The honor of a weapon was determined by who wielded it and what it cut.
“Dwarves are a difficult race.”
[They are bastards.]
When Leon spoke while looking down at his feet, El Cid grumbled that that wasn’t enough.
Karen, who was listening to the conversation between the two, also added a word.
“If it’s a dwarf, I’ve met it before. Was it about four days? “I was asked to be an escort, but I had a hard time.”
“why?”
“It was annoying. He doesn’t listen properly, and he drinks from broad daylight until night, so the smell of alcohol is constantly in the air. Also, if I got stuck on something, I wouldn’t move from that spot for at least half a day, so I had to wait without being able to do anything. I don’t know if it’s a safe place, in the middle of a monster colony… ”
The incident at that time must have been quite disturbing, so she gritted her teeth and complained about the dwarf she saw at that time.
Leon also smiled bitterly at first, but as I continued to listen to him, I realized that it wasn’t just a matter of saying he was picky. As El Cid said, the expression ‘asshole’ was much more appropriate.
No way, I try to suppress the creeping anxiety.
‘I wouldn’t say things get more complicated here… ?’
Karen seemed to have relaxed a little while grumbling to him, and was once again amazed at the scenery passing by beneath her feet.
“and! It’s a dark cloud! “Even lightning flashes!”
It was just as she said.
The three people were riding in an airship floating 3 kilometers in the air, looking down at the flashing cumulonimbus clouds below.
Airship.
It was a type of transportation that existed only in Youth, and was a means of using the skyway.
Unlike the earthly road, which is largely dependent on geographical features, the heavenly road was always full of wind and as long as the climate was calm, it was possible to travel without worrying about bandits or robbers blocking the way.
However, the drawback was that the usage fee was considerable, and Leon and his party used their qualifications as investigators to charge the guild.
‘Jugend is not treated as a powerful nation for nothing.’
Leon’s eyes, which were looking at the ground, sank deeply.
While I was interested in the sights, I also realized that the military value of airships was significant.
Its mobility is natural and it can be used as a weapon.
From this height, just dropping a stone would increase the killing power several times, and dropping arrows or explosives might make it necessary to rewrite the manual for group warfare.
[No, it doesn’t just have that many advantages.]
El Cid denied it.
[It is also greatly influenced by the climate, and its defense power is low. Even the archer who broke up yesterday would be able to easily penetrate the surface of the airship, right? The same goes for attack magic of level 4 or higher.]
‘So vulnerable?’
[I think they said they would try to make it as lightweight as possible, but the structure is too weak. Is it just a hollow metal rod, bamboo, or thin wire and a tarp? It may not have been made for military purposes, but even if the durability was further strengthened, it would not be able to withstand the attack power of a wizard group.]
Leon agreed, saying yes.
If the power of the airship was as he assumed, Jugend might have attempted to conquer the world a long time ago. Unlike the elves, who had a strong tendency to stay within their own territory, the dwarves were not reluctant to expand their territory.
Still, I was fortunate to be able to board the airship. Since it only runs once every ten days, if it had arrived just two days late, I would have had to wait ten more days.
【Next stop is Area 1, Area 1. If you will be disembarking in this area, please prepare.】
As the emotionless guidance voice rang out, people spread throughout the airship began to flock in one direction.
Leon and his group also followed the flow of the crowd.
The landing was as quick as the takeoff.
“Please come in.”
The person who confirmed the identity of the three people at the station issued a warning.
“Even if you are a guild investigator, Area 1 is an area where important facilities are concentrated. “I would like you to leave as soon as you finish your business.”
“I was going to do that anyway.”
“Thank goodness.”
The snowball fight between Garlond and him was short-lived, and the three entered the first area. Although it didn’t have a strong iron smell like Area 13, the area’s level of development was higher than that.
Buildings soaring as if they could pierce the sky.
A forest of chimneys spewing out gray smoke.
A railroad that extends in all directions like a blood vessel.
As soon as I got off the aircraft, a scenery that went beyond exotic and seemed like another world unfolded.
“Be careful. “If you deviate even one step from the path, they will criticize you.”
As Garlond walked along the inside of the road, as Garlond said, they heard the guards clicking their tongues as they watched them.
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It has a different level of closure than Area 13 in many ways.
After walking for nearly 10 minutes, the information center located in the center of Area 1 appeared in front of the three people.
“How can I help you?”
When the employee with an expressionless face asked, Garlond pushed the document he received from the guild and said.
“I’m looking for Blacksmith Lombart. “I heard you went to Area 1 last week. I want to meet you face to face as soon as possible.”
“Blacksmith Lombard… .”
The information center employee was rummaging through something, then moved his eyes left and right as if he had found a name, then looked at Garlond again.
“I found it. You have been called as an apprentice to the Machina Blacksmith. “It is beyond the authority of our information center to call, but we can tell you where the Machina Blacksmith Shop is.”
“Can you give me directions?”
“It’s not a place that even needs directions. If you go three blocks to the left from our information center, you will see a blacksmith shop with a red sign. That place is the Machina Blacksmith.”
Three blocks was less than a 10-minute walk.
After thanking the guide, Leon and the others walked three blocks and arrived in front of the Machina Blacksmith Shop.
A place where the red sign says ‘MACHINA’.
Thump thump thump.
After knocking on the tightly closed door a few times, the sound of pounding footsteps could be heard from inside.
At least 120 kg.
As warriors before being mercenaries or adventurers, the three estimated the weight of the person approaching through the door. If he were human, he would be quite tall and have a huge physique.
“What! “Why are you knocking in broad daylight?”
A dwarf whose height was slightly longer than Leon’s belt, with a full beard and a red face, glared at them.
The forearms sticking out of the sleeves are as thick as logs.
The arms and legs, which must have been trained by hammering and bellows, are several times stronger than those of humans, and with those calloused hands, even if they hold a heated iron, they will not feel much pain.
Dwarf.
He looked at the three people in turn and shouted with a nervous look on his face.
“These guys are having fun. “What is your business?”
If they were stupid people, they would have shut the door in their faces.
Fortunately, I decided to talk to Garlond, Karen, and Leon because they were all capable of being considered top-notch.
Garlond, who was familiar with Lombart, walked forward.
“I heard there is a Lombard in this forge. Please tell him that Garlond, the one who bought the sword, has come to visit.”
“Lombard? Oh, the new guy who came a week ago?”
“It will be right.”
But the dwarf spoke without hesitation even for a moment.
“no! “Go back!”
“Then I will wait here… what?”
“No!”
Garlond, Leon, and Karen, who had thought he would naturally tell them, all looked at him with puzzled expressions.
If you’re going to say no, at least tell me the reason!
Whether they were staring blankly or not, the blacksmith dwarf was making a snoring sound and was about to close the door.
“what?!”
Before I knew it, the hilt of the dagger stuck in the floor caught on the door, stopping the door from half-closing.
There was no need to say who did it.
Karen took a step closer with an eerie expression.
“Hey, why can’t I meet Lombart?”
“How rude! “Quickly pull out this dagger.”
“hey.”
Karen’s eyes, opened for the first time in a long time, glowed bright blue.
“I asked why not.”
“Hiccup.”
Dwarves are much tougher than humans, and it was a life that even a bold race could not handle.
Assassin-Master.
Although it is not completed, Karen has already reached a level where she is no different from a legend in the back world.
“Yes, Lombard.”
“So, what about Lombard?”
“Yu, I’m participating in a challenge to Youth Steel… ”
The dwarf’s explanation was not long.
Machina Blacksmith has been recruiting apprentices from each area to take on the challenge of ‘Jugendstil’ since last week, and is banning its blacksmiths from engaging in outside activities until the work is completed.
‘Jugendstil’ was the goal and dream of the kingdom’s dwarves.
There is a sense of pride in having created a weapon that represents the country and even a guarantee that it will be found a suitable owner.
It was even more strange that the eye did not turn.
“So, no matter what happens, you can’t call me?”
That or not, it was none of Karen’s business.
As a member of the warrior party, he excludes those who stand in his way. It was Karen who was determined to go into the shadowy places on behalf of the warrior and to even try her hand at dirty work.
A sharp and secretive slash wrapped itself around the blacksmith’s neck.
“Kuh, kill it!”
Nevertheless, the blacksmith did not take one last step back. ‘Jugendstil’ was so important that the Assassin Master was able to shake off fear even though his eyes were rolling.
Karen’s reaction was unexpected and she looked annoyed.
[Ah, I feel dirty.]
Suddenly El Cid popped out.
[How dare a lump of hairy muscle say that line? I tried to kill my temper, but this wouldn’t work.]
‘Why are you so upset all of a sudden?’
[I’ll teach you later. From here on out, what should we do with that bastard first, huh?]
‘… I feel uneasy.’
For some reason, Leon felt a chill running down his spine at those words. It was a bad feeling.
But El Cid ignored his anxiety and whispered.
[If you recite exactly what I teach you from now on, those idiots who say you can’t even have a knife put to your throat will get out of the way. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to, but there’s no other way.]
‘What? ‘Isn’t that strange again?’
[I heard it’s okay. If a disciple cannot trust his teacher, who will he trust? huh? Just follow the instructions once.]
‘Off… .’
Leon thought for a moment, but soon accepted El Cid’s offer. As he said, there was no other alternative.
“Karen, wait a minute.”
“huh?”
After separating Karen and the dwarf, who were in a deadlock, Leon stood in front of him and opened his mouth with a shocked expression on his face.
Is it really okay to say this? It was a face I wanted to see.
“Is ‘Jugendstil’ that great?”
“Yes?”
“I’m asking if it’s so great that even if you try it, you won’t get a single claim.”
Perhaps because he was a little far away from Karen, the dwarf answered Leon with a face that had begun to turn red again.
“of course! Even if you’re a foreigner, you’ve probably heard the name ‘Jugendstil’ at least once. “Unless you’re a hillbilly!”
“Hmm, I don’t know.”
Leon deliberately put on a cocky expression and recited what El Cid said exactly.
“In the end, Roderick took one swing and it all shattered.”
“what?”
The dwarf’s eyes and lips widened like saucers.
“I ended up saying that ‘Jugendstil’ was the name of a bunch of failures that were completely shattered by Roderick.”
“… … .”
“Is there any reason to put so much effort into making a sword that will shatter like a glass piece?”
As El Cid spewed out verbal abuse using Leon’s mouth, the dwarf was at a loss for words and his complexion turned pale.
Even Garlond and Karen looked shocked.
Even though there wasn’t a single swear word, it felt like my heart was being cut out with a knife.
“… “Follow me.”
“yes?”
As Leon asked without realizing it, the dwarf shouted to the group with his bloodshot eyes flashing.
“I told you to follow me! Machina Blacksmith will accept that challenge!”
“… ?”
“How can it be that more than 300 years later, someone who challenges Roderick’s legacy appears at our blacksmith shop! “Don’t think you can get away with this insult!”
“… … ?”
Leon’s eyes widened at the unexpected sound, but before he could say anything more, the dwarf had already gone in.
Both Garlond and Karen didn’t know what was going on so they just blinked.
El Cidman said with a chuckle.
[What are you doing? I’m not going in.]
I don’t know why, but Leon felt like he had been wronged again.
