Chapter 126. When Steel Opens the Door (1)
Blanc placed Aselheit’s sword on a table made of marble and was grooming it with care.
It was Aselheit’s sword, something he couldn't even dream of in his past life.
Aselheit’s sword, which proved his honor and skill as a knight simultaneously.
Not only that, but Aselheit’s sword was also a sword that proved Blanc’s changed standing between this life and the past life.
It was a sword that held many meanings for Blanc.
“Count.”
A knock was heard by Blanc, who was concentrating on maintaining the sword.
“Come in.”
At Blanc’s permission, the Gray Knights opened the door and entered.
“Did you find it?”
Blanc, knowing the purpose of their visit, asked while carefully putting down Aselheit’s sword.
“We cannot be certain with just the abilities of the two of us, but we succeeded in finding the Evil resembling that woman.”
Tarania opened the Book of Grand Exorcism she was holding and showed it to Blanc.
The Book of Grand Exorcism, which was also the symbol of Demon-breaking Knights.
That Book of Grand Exorcism was a complete book recording the Evils that had existed and been active so far through close cooperation with the Order, and it was the same one Tarania had shown when explaining about Tiday to Blanc.
“We will have to go up to Moirai and investigate with the priests for details, but…….”
Blanc looked closely at the page of the Book of Grand Exorcism Tarania opened.
Unlike when examining matters regarding Tiday, the Book of Grand Exorcism Tarania handed over was stopped at a much earlier page.
“It took longer because we looked through the Evils known to be active first.”
A wrinkle formed on Blanc’s forehead hearing Fabiano’s words.
“That means then…….”
“It is presumed to be an Evil that was hiding deep in the darkness to the extent that we couldn't find traces.”
Blanc examined Tarania’s Book of Grand Exorcism.
A large eye was drawn in the middle of the page.
“If our guess is correct, she is an Evil said to have existed since the time of Wilhelm I, the founding king of Felix.”
Blanc read the phrase under the large eye while listening to Tarania’s explanation.
“The Evil of Greed and Charm, Carmen.”
“Since she is an old Evil, her surname is not known.”
Blanc saw that another sentence was written under the phrase with her name.
And read it down.
“One who charms humans through gaze and approaches human souls through greed…….”
The phrase describing Carmen reminded him of something engraved in Blanc’s soul.
-The Void propagates through gaze.
“Charms humans through gaze.”
-And is transmitted through fear.
“Evil that dyes souls black through greed.”
It might be a coincidence that two phrases overlapped, but Blanc thought the possibility that it wasn't was greater.
The Dark Wizard named Carmen was definitely an Evil related to the Void.
Blanc closed his eyes and recalled the words the woman wearing a black veil had said.
-The person who made what you just broke.
-And what you are seeing now.
-And what you cut down at the highest place in Norington.
The phrases describing her written in the Book of Grand Exorcism approached meaningfully.
“……Just as Tiday had the alias of Soul Collector, she also has an alias symbolizing her.”
“What is it?”
At Blanc’s question, Tarania hesitated for a moment and looked at him meaningfully.
It looked as if she was hesitant to speak.
Blanc quietly urged Tarania with his eyes.
“……Her alias is.”
Finally, her lips that were hesitating opened.
“The One Who Charms Knights.”
Hearing Tarania’s words, Blanc turned his head and looked at the Book of Grand Exorcism again.
A large eye.
There was an Evil that started to make a name for herself even before the country called the Kingdom of Felix was established.
She was an Evil who sought out honorable knights, charmed them with her allure to break their honor, and made them her dependents.
Therefore, the knights of the era when she was making a name for herself had to face her temptation at least once.
The first knight she tempted was Wilhelm I, the founding king of the Kingdom of Felix, and the knight known to be tempted last was.
“They say Sir Aselheit also once fell into her clutches.”
Tarania looked at Blanc with worried eyes.
Hearing Tarania’s words, Blanc turned his head to look at the large eye drawn in the Book of Grand Exorcism.
The woman hiding her face with a black veil seemed to emerge from within that eye.
Her lips, which curved dizzily under the moonlight, were purple.
***
Drogan, sitting on the jewel throne where only the Chieftain of Brotswav could sit, with the Largest Axe beside him.
Although Drogan had a magnanimous personality always smiling, his expression was stiff right now as he listened to Blanc’s report.
“The world has gone crazy.”
Hearing the story about the giant tree dancing under the moonlight and the new Evil Aleid was controlling, Drogan fell into deep thought with a long groan.
It was a story hard to believe, but the person named Blanc in front of him was the lord of a territory and a knight among knights recognized by the Goddess Order and the Torch Knights.
Since he was not only recognized in the human world but also a Golden Grade client of the Iron Bank, Blanc’s words carried that much weight and credibility.
“This is serious…….”
Hearing the story of dark things invading up to the front yard of dwarves, Drogan stroked his beard, his pride, and looked at the letter placed next to him.
Looking at the letter strongly sealed with golden thread so that only he could see it, Drogan had no choice but to admit it.
That it was time to turn his eyes to the world outside.
Dwarves had a unique single-minded aspect and didn't care about things other than their own business, but the air current surrounding the world seemed unusual.
And one of those ominous currents had taken root in the Neyanpalgar Mountain Range without him knowing.
“Good.”
Drogan thought there was a need to broaden their horizons to prepare for the current situation.
Although the existence called the Iron Bank existed, they were strictly an organization independent from Brotswav.
Therefore, Drogan intended to plant one of Brotswav’s eyes in the human world.
“Elves are despicable and humans are untrustworthy beings. However, aren't you an honorable knight who lifted a sword for dwarves you've never met and entered the Black Forest to exterminate the existence called Evil? If it is you, I can trust you.”
“Thank you for evaluating me highly.”
Drogan trusted his own eyes and Sten’s evaluation.
Since he was a figure gaining high reputation even in human kingdoms, it would be good to cooperate with Blanc through this opportunity and open at least one ear toward the outside world through him.
“There was something I promised you early on as you investigate the Black Forest.”
As Drogan signaled with his eyes, a dwarf warrior guarding his side stepped up in front of Blanc holding a tray.
“As promised, I will install a Dwarf Stonemason Guild in Norington.”
Although Blanc didn't show it hearing Drogan’s words, he cheered inwardly.
Dwarf Stonemason Guild.
That organization, which would be the only one created in the human world, would become an institution revealing the strong relationship between Norington and Brotswav.
The tangible and intangible profits generated through this would not only solidify Norington’s foundation but also strengthen its influence in the South.
It was a bonus that nobles and merchants who wanted to form a relationship with dwarves in the future would have to come to Norington.
“And.”
Blanc was staring intently at the confirmation letter stating the installation of the Stonemason Guild.
Seeing him, Drogan smiled.
“From now on, all goods we make will be sold using Count Blanc’s territory, Norington, as the base, not Baywood.”
“…….”
Blanc froze for a moment at Drogan’s unexpected words, but realizing the intention behind his words, he quickly bowed his head to express gratitude.
“Thank you for trusting me. Lord Drogan.”
“I beg of you, please don't rip us off like those Baywood bastards.”
Drogan spoke to Blanc in a familiar tone like a commoner despite being a Chieftain.
The characteristic of dwarves who didn't care much about position or status was visible in his behavior.
“Of course. Norington will do its best for the smooth trade of dwarves.”
Drogan smiled with satisfaction hearing Blanc’s words.
Until now, Brotswav had no choice but to choose Baywood while embracing somewhat unfavorable conditions.
Because Baywood was the only place that was closest and could reach all three human kingdoms.
However, from now on, as the option called Norington with an honorable, trustworthy, and shining lord had appeared, there was no need to force themselves to use Baywood.
“No. Thinking about it, this is our loss.”
Seeing Blanc rejoicing, Drogan, whose playfulness was triggered, deliberately frowned and said.
Blanc tensed for a moment seeing his appearance.
“There must be parts I can adjust.”
Blanc didn't want to miss the profits that would arise through trade with dwarves.
Drogan, seeing Blanc tense up, laughed and shouted loudly.
“Tell him to come in!”
One dwarf entered as the door to the audience chamber opened.
“I hope you broaden the dwarves’ knowledge through my son. I’d like to receive the shortchanged value through that guy?”
In Drogan’s view, the figure called Blanc was a person whose future was more expected.
Moreover, there were words Perlman had said.
It would be an excellent experience for Sten and Brotswav as well if he could see and learn the world beside such a person and deepen their friendship.
Blanc turned his head at Drogan’s words to look where Sten was.
There stood Sten, raising both hands high and smiling broadly as if to say he was here.
“It is fine to beat him up if he doesn't listen.”
Drogan smiled and reached out his hand.
“Thank you for lending me an excellent warrior.”
Drogan sent his son Sten to solidify the relationship between Brotswav and Blanc.
The standing of Blanc and the knight order would rise significantly just by the fact that Sten Excelheart, the Chieftain’s son, joined the Cadmus Knights.
“You won't regret choosing me.”
Blanc answered while grasping Drogan’s hand.
Through that handshake, Brotswav broadened their vision through Blanc against the approaching darkness and simultaneously gained a new base city called Norington.
Norington obtained an irreplaceable resource called dwarves and could solidify its foundation in the South through them.
The moment he grasped Drogan’s hand, Blanc became the only human lord possessing an official diplomatic channel with Brotswav.
***
After Blanc and Sten left the audience chamber.
In the empty space, Drogan picked up the Largest Axe that was leaning next to the jewel throne.
“For what reason did you send this? You big-eared bastards.”
And brought it to the golden thread wrapping the letter.
It was a letter strictly sealed so that only the one possessing the Largest Axe could open it.
The golden thread, recognizing the axe’s existence, unraveled itself as if alive and released the seal.
Drogan, taking out the letter through the open envelope, sighed deeply looking at the content written there.
“Damn it…….”
It wasn't just Brotswav.
“To think the World Tree is drying and twisting…….”
The world was breaking.
The world they had been standing on until now was crumbling little by little.
It was the End of Days.
Drogan looked at the Largest Axe with tired eyes.
That axe, which the First Chieftain used, was an axe made by the best craftsman of that era receiving the blessings of the Goddesses.
A single phrase was written on its handle.
-When steel opens the door, the will of Neyanpalgar shall follow from within.
Looking at that phrase, Drogan recalled what Perlman had said.
Perlman, the bank head of the Iron Bank, said Count Blanc was the owner of the first account.
He had thrown away the position and duty of the bank head to inform Drogan of the client’s information.
That the cool-headed Perlman, in whom gold flowed instead of blood, did that much meant.
“I must prepare.”
It meant the door of the Iron Bank would open soon and the time to follow the golden order was coming.
One dwarf, sensing the beginning of the End of Days, brought his forehead to the Largest Axe and sighed deeply.
His sigh, shouldering the fate of his race, was solitary and heavier than the Largest Axe.
-You won't regret choosing me.
The only thing comforting him was the single phrase left by Blanc.