Chapter 207. Change (2)
Linus had been taught his craft by the dwarves.
It began when he was ten years old.
Because he had never learned manners, he was frivolous, yet when it came to creation, he was endlessly serious.
Together with his master and other disciples, he had seen and handled all sorts of materials, and countless results were born from his fingertips.
Rough hands, calloused all over.
A kind of pride, forged through a lifetime of tempering.
That was why he felt no nervousness at all.
No matter what kind of request it was, even if it was staff-making, how great a thing could they demand? Even if the client was a genius mage, it was the same.
'At best, noble-level would be the limit.'
Compared to the price of life, it was nothing.
What was needed was skill.
Material loss was nonexistent.
If he made a staff and cooperated with a marquisate, he could become free.
He did not particularly worry about being silenced.
Recalling old memories… he had once heard that the Marquisate of Esperanza was the most well-reputed noble house in the kingdom.
Even so, he would have to stay here for the time being. If he wandered outside carelessly and was caught by a court mage, that would truly be the end.
Well, in any case.
It was just a simple repayment of debt.
...Until just now, that was what he thought.
Crash.
The chair toppled onto the floor.
It was a rather loud noise, but Linus did not care. His gaze was fixed on the two materials Verden had placed upon the desk.
A radiance engraved into the mind.
Linus's voice trembled slightly.
"Wh-where on earth did you get this…."
The Breath of Element.
A rainbow-colored flame that encompassed all elements, including high attributes.
Hot, cold, hard, heavy, stinging—merely facing it made every sense in his body tingle.
And, the mana crystal.
A special magic stone that formed naturally with the most minuscule chance.
Its translucent interior shimmered like the Milky Way rippling within an ocean, and the self-radiant blue light emanated an indescribable pressure.
'Not fake. Genuine.'
Goosebumps broke out in an instant.
Just one would already be an astonishing artifact, but both together?
Even if one searched the whole world, only a handful could ever lay hands on such materials.
Linus quickly lifted his head.
"…Don't tell me, did this come from the Magic Tower?"
The Magic Tower.
'A sharp guess.'
Verden answered.
"Is that a necessary question?"
"No, not really. Even if you said it, you could just lie. It's not like I can investigate anything…. Still, even so, there are only a few places where one could obtain the Breath of Element and a mana crystal."
The ten Magic Towers.
Among them, the high-ranking towers that counted among the top four. And besides them, the mighty nations that reigned as rulers of the continent.
"I don't know where you came from. But one thing is certain, there's no way an individual could own such things. If they did, they'd already have been taken away."
That was true.
No matter who Verden was, by normal means there was no way he could have obtained these two materials.
In this world, the standard was power.
If even one of the higher Magic Towers took action, death would be inevitable.
'But I am different.'
He had stolen what had been secured by the Magic Tower.
He had broken through the tower master's magic circle, teleported across the continent, and still, no one had discovered that the culprit was Verden.
A noble artifact with its origin erased.
No matter what anyone said, it was entirely Verden's.
"Your reasoning makes sense. But I belong to no one."
"So you're saying you got this all on your own? Where did it come from?"
"I don't feel the need to answer that."
Verden refused firmly.
Linus rubbed his chin roughly and nodded.
"That's true enough. So then, what kind of staff do you want to make with this?"
"First, I want to create an orb."
Orb.
A staff component formed by combining the Breath of Element and a mana crystal. Among craftsmen, only an extremely rare few knew this method.
The corner of Linus's eye twitched.
"This crazy…! To think you'd even know that recipe. Hah… no matter how I look at it, this reeks of the Magic Tower."
"It can be done, right?"
"Well, for someone like me, failure is pretty much impossible. It's a technique I was taught directly by my master, after all."
If he said master, he must mean the dwarf.
Linus revealed his confidence.
Even with only one arm, it did not feel like arrogance at all.
"But if you've prepared an orb, then you must've gathered other materials as well. If you've got them, lay them all out."
That was exactly what Verden had intended.
He immediately lined up the materials.
The trunk of the Soul Tree.
The high-grade rune set received from the marquis.
And, the staff received from the Ark, Oculus.
"…What in the world is this."
Linus blinked, recognizing their value and usage.
***
"..."
Linus examined the materials in silence.
He bit into the trunk of the Soul Tree, glared wide-eyed at the rune set, and ran his hand across Oculus, tapping it with his finger.
A serious atmosphere settled.
As Verden waited calmly, Linus finally set the materials down and nodded.
"Alright. I've got a rough estimate. First, I'll say this, it's impossible to use all of these."
"Why not?"
"My rune craft is insufficient. To be honest, engraving both the high-grade runes on the staff and the rune set here at the same time is probably beyond any human. That's clearly in the domain of the dwarves. Put this one away."
Linus declared, pointing at the rune set.
The rune set had not originally been in Verden's plans anyway.
Of course, it was regrettable that it couldn't be used, but he had no intention of insisting unreasonably. The expert was Linus, after all.
"Then the rest is possible?"
"There are some materials I've never seen before, but it's definitely worth a try."
Linus presented a simple roadmap.
The orb would form the foundation of the staff.
The trunk of the Soul Tree possessed durability greater than metal.
And with its inherent restorative properties, plus mana receptivity and conductivity surpassing mithril, it was perfect for enhancing a staff's performance.
Lastly, Oculus.
The high-grade rune inscribed on it, Shock, would be extracted separately and engraved again. The alloy frame, partially composed of top-tier metals, would be melted down for reuse.
A straightforward explanation that hit the key points.
Verden understood easily without asking further.
Of course, to make the staff, these materials alone would not suffice.
Linus held up two fingers.
"There are two problems. First, we need a frame that can withstand the power of the orb. I plan to use alloy, but it'll need to contain at least sixteen percent of top-tier metal. Anything less, and it won't last—it'll shatter. Melting this staff down… we'd generously secure about ten percent separately."
"And the other?"
"The other is, obviously, the environment. Even with the materials, without a forge capable of tempering top-tier metal, it's useless. Plus, as a one-armed man, I'll need custom equipment."
Linus scratched his head.
"Without those two things, I can't do a thing. They're entirely the client's responsibility. And I'll say this, they won't be easy to prepare."
That was certainly true.
Top-tier metal was exorbitantly expensive, and even with money, difficult to obtain. Securing a forge capable of handling it was no less so.
But.
"I'll have them prepared soon."
"…Soon?"
At those cryptic words, Linus tilted his head.
Verden sipped the water before him.
To be honest, he wasn't certain how it would turn out.
But the feeling was good.
His intuition whispered it so.
'Top-grade materials, a forge worthy of them.'
The highest-ranking nobles of a kingdom would surely possess such things.
Here, the Marquisate of Esperanza would.
***
Two days later, in the office of the Marquis of Esperanza.
Two people faced each other, a drink filled with ice before them. The master of the mansion, the marquis, glanced through the list of materials Verden had provided.
"So, you're saying you want to make a staff, and you're asking for support in acquiring a forge and the materials listed here? As payment for the laboratory matter?"
"That is correct."
Verden nodded.
The marquis set the paper down on the desk.
"No."
It was a blunt refusal.
"I understand that your role was significant, and of course I am willing to pay you a reward fitting that. But what you have asked clearly exceeds the acceptable limits."
The facilities and materials Verden desired did exist.
But their worth was not something to be given as mere payment. That was what the marquis's refusal meant.
'Well, of course.'
It was fully understandable.
Even if it had been Verden himself, he would not have agreed.
He had expected this much.
And yet, the fact that he had come here meant he had a method to persuade.
Verden opened his spatial bag.
"Then what about this."
Clack.
An ancient coin was placed on the desk. It was the reward he had received in advance, before he and the black market broker Cland had infiltrated the first prince's castle.
Back then, the marquis had said:
───If you need the power of the marquisate, show me that. Then I will give. Whether it be money or anything else.
"Does what I ask fall under that power?"
"..."
The marquis looked at the coin.
His expression did not change, yet inwardly he was quite shaken.
'To think he would use this here.'
This had not been the intended use.
Verden was indeed an outstanding mage, but still only a commoner. The coin was meant to be used later, when he encountered difficulties and required the authority of the marquisate.
To use it for staff-making instead.
And not just any staff, but for obtaining top-tier metals. This was a matter not for the marquis alone to decide, but one requiring a council with his retainers.
But he could not refuse. He could not even ask for time to think.
He had already sworn that whether money or anything else, he would give. The Marquis of Esperanza was not the type of man to take back his word.
'It cannot be helped.'
The marquis picked up the coin.
"…I will accept. But I will need time. Convincing the retainers will not be easy."
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
Verden bowed his head.
As though he had already expected approval. The attitude was irritating enough that today, the Marquis of Esperanza let out a quiet sigh.
"Then the matter of your reward is settled. Next, there is a 'favor' I must ask of you."
A favor.
A request with no payment.
Verden could already guess what it was.
"Is it about Karans's treatment?"
"That's right. If possible, I would like to send the elf back to his homeland, the Great Forest, but that is not easy. The distance is too far to escort him, and he cannot be sent alone. He seems quite displeased at being confined indoors as well."
The marquis wet his throat with his drink.
"I am in quite a predicament. If that elf goes on a rampage, the damage will be considerable. And yet, I cannot simply restrain him…. But from what I hear from Edmon, he regards you as his brother."
"You wish me to keep him under control."
"More precisely, I would like you to take responsibility as his guardian."
Verden thought for a moment.
Karans's management.
When one thought about it, only Verden could fulfill such a role.
'…This is something I should yield on.'
He had already received great favor from the marquis.
This much of a request, he was more than willing to accept. To maintain good relations with the Marquis of Esperanza was worth more than could be measured.
"I understand. But first, I would like to hear Karans's thoughts."
"I leave all matters concerning the elf to you. Thank you for agreeing."
"Think nothing of it."
Their business with each other was done.
As Verden left the office, the marquis lifted the ancient coin.
Golden light reflected in his eyes.
"This came at a steep price."
The marquisate's treasury had been raided.
Still, the elf issue was resolved, so perhaps that was some consolation.
The marquis soon pushed idle thoughts aside.
There was no time to dwell on what was already done.
Tomorrow, he was to meet her.
He had to prepare.
And steel his heart as well.
***
Royal Castle of Estiria.
In the wide and long corridor, the sound of wheels rolling echoed.
A woman in a wheelchair.
Her platinum-blonde hair shone brilliantly as it caught the sunlight from outside. Her flawless features were the very symbol of nobility.
Even within the royal castle, she was an extraordinary existence.
Thud.
The wheel caught, and the woman's body jolted.
Normally, one would kneel and beg forgiveness. The woman held that kind of status.
"Oh dear, my apologies."
But the maid ignored her and walked on.
Whenever she felt no one was watching, she roughly handled the wheelchair. Every time the noble woman shook from the jostling, the maid sneered.
An insult worthy of execution.
And yet the maid felt no fear.
After all, the woman could neither hear, nor see, nor feel. She had long since lost her reason, and was so powerless she was even disregarded by a lowly maid.
Like a doll.
The royal family's tower.
A place none could enter, a prison-like space.
The maid pushed the woman inside.
The wheelchair rolled forward with a shove, stopping in the center of the room. To treat her as nothing more than an object gave the maid perverse delight.
Mocking the royal family was a pleasure she could not resist.
"Then rest well."
The maid turned to leave.
Hee-hee-hee. Her sneering laughter grew fainter as she walked away.
Silence settled.
The woman's lightless eyes slowly closed.
Her consciousness blurred.
Passing through the pervading darkness, light appeared.
A garden, set within the vast darkness.
This was the dream the woman ruled.
At the center of the garden, a man stood.
As he beheld her, he went down on one knee.
"Ruben de Esperanza, Marquis, greets Princess Silis Riven di Estiria, First Princess."
Platinum eyes.
An emotionless gaze looked down upon the marquis.