Chapter 213: Wildflowers (2)

While Yuri and his group were elevating Luther as the new king of the Holy Kingdom, an unknown visitor appeared in the cave where the meteorite was kept.

He looked at the round metallic block with a smile.

Sybilla’s death hadn’t been part of his plan, but his master’s true wish was something else.

“Metal from another world…”

He opened both arms.

“A sacrifice.”

Standing in the middle of the empty cavern, he stretched out his hands, and a dark energy began to emanate in the form of thick mist.

The mist soon took shape. A creature with tentacles.

It was even more defined than the one Sybilla had summoned.

In front of that monster, the man approached the metal block.

Orichalcum.

A metal fallen from beyond the sky. This metal had the power to repel dark magic energy.

But paradoxically, it could also serve as a catalyst for that magic.

Because it couldn’t be corrupted by dark magic, orichalcum could become a beacon for beings from the other world. An empty space that couldn’t be hidden in darkness turned into a lighthouse for the summoned.

The dark energy he possessed penetrated the orichalcum. The metal began to vibrate.

“More…”

His spell tore through the orichalcum. A large piece broke off from the base of the block, leaving a visible indentation.

Though it couldn’t be tainted by dark magic, it wasn’t immune. The demonic energy managed to fracture it in multiple directions.

Soon, a sculpture of a monster the size of a human torso took form.

“Hah… hah…”

Cutting and sculpting the orichalcum was exhausting, even for him. He set the statue on the ground and caught his breath.

“Almost there…”

Then, he heard footsteps approaching from the cave entrance.

Alarmed, he looked around and ran with the statue in his arms to a corner.

The secret passage still remained—the one Yuri and the members of the secret order had used to confront Sybilla.

He disappeared down the tunnel. Just after, a group of people entered the cavern.

“Your Highness, why have you returned here?”

“There’s something I need to confirm.”

It was Yuri.

He had returned with Jared, Umstein, and Fenek.

He didn’t want to come back to the place where he killed Sybilla, but there was a doubt he couldn’t shake.

“The orichalcum…”

Yuri looked up at the metallic block.

“It seems to have strange properties…”

He placed his palm on its surface.

When Sybilla had transformed due to dark magic and released that energy, Yuri had observed it all from the soul realm.

The entire cave had been tainted—except for the orichalcum block, which remained untouched.

Perhaps it could become a tool capable of resisting the dark army the Empire planned to create.

Yuri pulled something from his chest.

A small piece of parchment the size of a finger.

The Holy Kingdom had recovered it from the place where Sybilla had fallen, and Fenek had handed it to Yuri.

Though small, it still contained traces of dark magic energy.

“Umstein, does orichalcum really resist dark magic?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t even know it existed. Maybe the elders of my tribe would…”

Yuri raised the parchment fragment and examined it against the orichalcum.

“Hmm?”

There was a mark where a piece was clearly missing.

It was in a shadowy part of the base, hard to spot at first glance.

Yuri stared at it for a moment.

“Hmm…”

Then, he examined the surroundings. He found a jagged corner of the metal.

He rubbed the parchment fragment against the sharp part. The parchment’s surface tore slightly.

“I knew it.”

No ordinary blade could damage that parchment, thanks to the dark magic residue.

And yet, a mere protrusion of orichalcum had torn it.

Yuri was now convinced—orichalcum could resist dark magic.

“Umstein, how many weapons could we forge from this orichalcum?”

“Do you really believe it holds that power?”

“Yes. I do.”

“Hmm…”

Umstein struck the metal.

“If we don’t make full weapons, but just coat them in orichalcum, we could make plenty. Isn’t that what you’re aiming for?”

“If that’s possible…”

“Of course it is. However…”

Umstein stroked his chin.

“To work this metal, we need a legendary weapon that’s been passed down in our tribe. Otherwise, we can only shape it crudely.”

“A legendary weapon?”

“Yes. In fact, Glutenshtein and I left the mountains to recover it. Though my brother got sidetracked along the way…”

“What kind of weapon is it?”

“Well…”

Umstein grinned with pride, as if recalling it filled him with joy.

“What do you need to strike, forge, and shape metal?”

He asked not expecting an answer.

“Nature itself.”

“Nature?”

“The elements that make up the world—fire, water, wind, and earth. Only when these elements are in harmony can we work metal properly. Extracting metal from the earth and forging it into steel is the result of that harmony.”

Umstein caressed the orichalcum with a nostalgic expression.

“To handle this, we need a sword that contains the power of those elements. A legendary relic crafted by our ancestors.”

“A sword of the Four Elements?”

“Exactly. Daggers imbued with the power of fire, water, wind, and earth. If I had them, working the orichalcum would be easy. But right now, their whereabouts are unknown.”

Yuri and Jared exchanged glances.

Umstein continued.

“They were last seen in the Empire, but have since vanished without a trace. Someone must have them…”

“And with them, you could forge the orichalcum?”

“Of course.”

“If I bring them to you, can you then smelt this metal and provide us with orichalcum-coated weapons for the army?”

“Hahahaha! You must be desperate, huh? Sure. If it turns out that way, hammering a bit of metal like this won’t be a problem.”

“Perfect.”

Yuri nodded and reached into his chest for something.

“Here.”

“Hmm?”

In Yuri’s hand were four daggers.

They were the ones he had obtained at the Empire’s auction: the Dagger of Fire, Crystal Dagger, Wind Dagger, and Earth Dagger. He had used them well until now, but since they seemed to have another rightful owner, he felt he should return them.

Umstein furrowed his brow as he observed them.

Then, he suddenly lifted his head.

His eyes widened. So did his nostrils and mouth. Even his ears twitched—as if every facial opening expanded all at once.

His control over facial muscles was astonishing.

“W-What… what the hell is this?!”

“What is it?”

“Why do you have these?!”

Umstein, stunned, held the four daggers in his palm.

“Why do you have these?!”

“I got them a while back in the Empire. I bought them at an auction.”

“You were the one who bought them?!”

“Yes.”

“This is absurd! Completely absurd!”

Clutching the daggers like treasure, Umstein began jumping with excitement.

“That you would have these! How can that be?!”

Fenek, beside him, spoke up.

“It must be divine guidance.”

As a paladin, Fenek had his own faith. He closed his eyes and crossed himself solemnly, truly believing it was divine intervention.

Jared spoke.

“Lucky us. So, will you make us the orichalcum coatings?”

“I’ll need to set up a forge. If you provide the facilities, I can begin right away.”

Umstein lifted the Dagger of Fire.

“I can feel the spirit of fire within it. If I use it, I’ll be able to create a furnace to smelt the orichalcum.”

“Perfect. Let’s get started.”

“It won’t be immediate. Orichalcum is no ordinary metal.”

“Understood.”

Yuri was left stunned. He hadn’t thought things would be resolved so easily.

In his past life, the one who used the elemental swords was a knight. He had no connection whatsoever with the dwarves. That’s why he never imagined those daggers had anything to do with them.

Somehow, now that he had returned to the past, he felt oddly satisfied being able to return them to their rightful owner.

“I truly thank you.”

Umstein wouldn’t stop shaking Yuri’s hand. For them, it seemed to be something very meaningful. Yuri shrugged.

“If you’re that grateful, then work with dedication.”

“Of course.”

That was how Yuri secured both the orichalcum and a dwarf craftsman.

“When I return to my tribe after this, everyone will be happy.”

Yuri watched him in silence and thought.

Even though he was living a second life, there were still too many things he didn’t know.

He had no idea dwarves existed, nor that they lived in the mountains.

After killing Cedric, he thought maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to visit the dwarven village and learn what he hadn’t before. It was a distant thought, but it crossed his mind.

***

Cory was researching how to break the chains limiting his mana.

But with his current strength, it was impossible. Besides, the lock was strictly controlled by the circus leader.

“Hey, ugly.”

“Orc pig.”

Though the other members provoked him, he no longer responded. Several times, a group beat him up together, but Cory had resigned himself.

The circus leader showed not the slightest interest in what happened to him. He only cared about making money.

That was when Cory made a decision.

Among the circus audience, important people sometimes showed up. And in front of them, the circus leader acted submissive, even bowing his head.

He had to win the favor of those people. Maybe one of them could take him out of there.

“Today, everyone be alert.”

The circus leader gathered the members and spoke seriously:

“A noble from the Empire is coming. These are people that trash like you will never meet in your entire lives. Don’t you dare disrespect him. If anyone offends him, I’ll cut your throat myself. Understood?”

Cory felt hope.

He had seen some Imperials when he was with the allied army. They weren’t close, but maybe someone would recognize him. If that happened, he planned to ask to be taken to Yuri.

But that hope was crushed.

The noble was nothing like the Imperial knights he had seen before. He was just a fat man with a greasy belly.

He didn’t enjoy the show; instead, he had fun humiliating the circus members.

“That’s how all Imperial nobles are. The worst.”

The other circus members whispered among themselves.

Cory waited backstage, trying to control his breathing. It wasn’t his turn to perform an acrobatic act, but to come out and speak.

He couldn’t predict how the noble would react. If the noble crossed the line, he would have no way to defend himself.

Cory looked at the stage with concern. Then, one of the acrobats made a mistake.

The noble stood up from his seat.

“I paid to see this and you make a mistake? Are you saying I’m not good enough for a decent show?”

“N-no, sir!”

“That’s what I thought.”

The noble smiled, as if he had been waiting for that mistake.

“Your agility isn’t bad, I’ll admit that.”

He said with a grimace.

“I suppose you won’t mess up twice, right?”

The acrobat bowed his head.

“It won’t happen again!”

“Good. Then…”

The noble turned and raised a hand.

“One of my men is an exceptional swordsman. He’ll swing his sword, and you’ll try to dodge it. If you survive, I’ll forgive your mistake. If not, you’ll die.”

“U-uh…”

From backstage, everyone exhaled in distress. That was practically a death sentence.

Cory soon saw the man the noble had pointed to walk onto the stage.

He was very thin and slender. His face was completely covered with cloth, leaving only his eyes visible, and through the opening, his skin looked burned.

Cory opened his eyes wide.

He seemed strangely familiar.

The way he walked, his posture—although not identical, reminded him of someone.

But what confused him the most were those cold eyes. Those, yes, were completely unfamiliar.