The Opportunity from the Game Becomes Reality, Episode 79
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The Opportunity from the Game Becomes Reality, Episode 79
22. Monster Subjugation (4)
In Rondel, besides the other races, there exist various races like in Earth's Europe, Africa, and Asia whites, blacks, yellows, and so on.
Of Rondel's four great continents, our Kingdom of Rhinehearts, the Bringham Empire, the Croysen Empire, and the Holy Land Everhill are located on the Defteron continent, which is larger than the other three continents combined, and whites and blacks make up the primary races there.
There are eleven countries on Defteron; the Holy Land is an exception as it is a place where all races reside without discrimination, and of the remaining ten countries, seven were white nations and three were black nations.
However, the Bringham Empire, the Croysen Empire, the Kingdom of Rhinehearts, and the Kingdom of Lucias places boasting great scale in economy, military, and population were all white nations.
This is not simply because blacks are inferior to whites and thus their power has fallen behind.
If anything, their physical abilities and their senses for Aura and mana can be said to be superior to those of whites.
Blacks are concentrated in the three southern nations called Walter, Paulo, and Izes.
But the problem was that these three nations, which share the same culture, were extremely closed-off countries.
They valued bloodlines, did not acknowledge mixed-race people, and marriages between relatives within four degrees of kinship ran rampant.
Perhaps that was why?
Their birth rates were significantly lower than other races, and their population was declining.
To resolve this issue, the royal families of the three southern nations are making efforts to accept other peoples.
However, the citizens' exclusion of other peoples is severe, so it is not an easy task.
And in the first place, there were not many free citizens willing to head to the closed-off three southern nations with a different race and language.
Thanks to that, blacks are building walls against other peoples and living in their own world.
"A pleasure to meet you. I'm Coby Bentley."
The reason I suddenly launched into a lengthy explanation about races is simple.
It was because I encountered a black person for the first time since entering Rondel.
And not just any black person, at that.
I had met a very rare being a half-breed of a black person and a dwarf.
"Ah, my apologies. I am Adrian Lawrence of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts."
He was the technician of the Holy Relic artifacts introduced to me by Archbishop Fred.
According to Archbishop Fred, he was one of the top three technicians in the entire world.
I had seen dwarves here and there, but a black dwarf was a first.
One shouldn't judge people by skin color or race, but I couldn't help my curiosity.
"I've seen you a lot on broadcasts and online news. How fascinating. To think I'd get to see such a famous person."
It seems I wasn't the only one curious about the other party.
He studied me carefully, as if observing.
And then he said something hard to ignore.
"The robe of Marquis Lawrence is not easy to analyze. It seems you possess a tremendous treasure."
I wondered why he was staring so intently, but it turned out he was very interested in my equipment.
The robe he mentioned was a treasure left behind by Grand Duke Lucas.
So I couldn't help but show an awkward reaction to his behavior.
"Ah, I apologize. An engineer's curiosity makes it impossible not to observe when seeing new equipment."
When he offered his apology with a broad smile while scratching the back of his head, I could only shrug.
[Coby Bentley / Master Engineer]
Race: Half Dwarf
Age: 98
Affiliation: Sepia Church Appointed High-Rank Engineer
Talent: Technical Skill (Supreme), Rapport Ability (High), Intellectual Ability (Medium)
Traits: Equipment Appraisal / New Technology Acquisition
Relation: Interest / Neutral
Status: Favor / Curiosity
Judging by his stats, he is undoubtedly an exceptional figure.
For Coby, who was full of anticipation, I handed him the broken Holy Relic, the 'Heavenly Tribe's Sword Hilt.'
"What's this?"
I wonder if he knows the value of this object?
The moment he received it, Coby swallowed dry air.
"I'm guessing this is a sword hilt enchanted with ancient divine magic am I right?"
"Y-yes, that's correct. You recognized it properly."
As expected, he knew what it was.
I told Coby what I wanted.
"I want to make this usable."
"At this level, there's plenty of potential. I've seen a similar object deep within the church, and compared to that one, this is practically in near-original condition."
The high-rank engineer's positive answer brought a pleasant smile to my lips.
"But would it be alright to use Mithril for the blade? Orichalcum is rather hard to come by, after all."
Orichalcum is produced in the Holy Land Everhill, with only about 500g or so being made per year.
The reason is that Orichalcum doesn't come from mines it condenses in liquid form within the Holy Grail enshrined in the great cathedral of the Holy Land.
When holy water is poured over liquid-form Orichalcum, it hardens into a pure white state that is the metal-form Orichalcum people know.
That's why Orichalcum's price is astronomical.
Because of its perception as a sacred substance, it's used as the material for the crowns of emperors and kings across the nations.
To make a blade out of Orichalcum would require at least 1kg and beyond the price, the bidding competition was so fierce that it was hard to obtain.
So plating the blade in Orichalcum was impossible for the time being.
At my question, Coby blinked his eyes, then let out a low laugh and waved his hand.
"The blade isn't needed."
"Pardon?"
"Because this is already a complete piece by itself."
When I tilted my head in confusion, he gripped the hilt with both hands as if holding a sword and swung it through the air.
Naturally, nothing happened from the broken Holy Relic.
But at his next words, my eyes flew wide open.
"A sword that repels demons. A sword that cuts through darkness. It has many epithets, but I believe its most famous name would be this the 'Holy Sword.'"
"Huh?"
A Holy Sword appearing out of nowhere.
I had to put on a dumbfounded expression.
"Their forms and functions vary, but objects called Holy Swords are surprisingly numerous. The church currently holds three Holy Swords alone. It's said that six Holy Swords exist worldwide, so this would become the seventh."
"What do you mean the blade isn't needed?"
He pointed to the red gem affixed to the top of the sword hilt.
"If this sword is restored to its complete state, a blade made of sacred light will be formed from this Holy Blood Stone."
"Like a magic sword?"
There are magic swords that enjoy great popularity among the nobles.
They inscribe 5th-circle Fire Sword or Energy Sword onto artifacts and use them like lightsabers from the movies.
"It's on a completely different level from those flashy trinkets. According to literature I've read, a Holy Sword blade of this method rivals an Aura Blade, and against demonkind, it exhibits even greater power. Moreover, it's a highly versatile object that can convert all energy mana, Aura, Divine power, Spirit Power alike into a blade without distinction."
"Hah..."
Why would something that incredible be held by a provincial viscount family?
"If I hadn't had the opportunity to view Holy Relic-related literature through the grace of the previous Holy Son's Excellency, I would have passed over this object without knowing either. It's highly likely that the three Excellencies also don't know its purpose. So it's understandable that it circulates among common folk as just a lump of Orichalcum."
Indeed, since even the Myriad Mirror couldn't accurately identify it upon first discovery, I could accept Coby's words.
'So this is what they mean by "even when you fall, you pick up money"?'
The short club I'd thought was perfect for patting shoulders turned out to be a treasure among treasures.
"S-so, if this were to be fully operational, how much would it be worth?"
At my question, Coby let out a scoff as if asking why I'd even bother.
"At the very least, you could buy a major city. Honestly, it's hard to put a price on it."
I imagine this is how you'd feel if you found out the ashtray you used at home was Goryeo celadon.
I had truly hit the jackpot.
'This feels like heaven is helping me.'
I clenched my fist and cheered inwardly.
There was no way I'd lose in this Saintess contest.
Thanks to Coby, I was rapidly developing a fondness for the southern three nations' dark-skinned people and the dwarves of the Elysian Coalition, whom I'd never seen in person.
"Then can we begin repairs right away?"
"First, I'll need a Holy Blood Stone and a few new tools."
A Holy Blood Stone is a rare gem, but it's not on the level of Orichalcum.
I shared an account with him, telling him to spend as much as he needed.
"Oh my, that's a lot, isn't it?"
"Please consider it as labor costs including the material price. In return, if you succeed in the repair, I'll give you twice this amount."
"Well, in that case, I won't refuse. After all, it's an item worth that much."
"Good."
Since he was a technician certified by the Crown Prince's Office, there was no risk of him running off with the item, but just in case, I placed tracking magic on Coby and the Holy Sword's scabbard.
Naturally, given how valuable the item was, he understood my precaution.
"Give me a week. For the honor of my craft, I'll do my best to restore it."
"I'm counting on you."
Coby, the artisan of the Holy Land, took the item I handed him and headed to his workshop.
"Heh heh, heh heh heh."
Left alone, I let out a low laugh, thinking about what would come once the Holy Sword was completed.
A Holy Sword with a compact design.
If I could form an Aura Blade-class edge with magical power, couldn't I just wield it myself and play at being a Magic Swordsman?
Or maybe I could attach it to a Magic Staff and use it like a spear.
Just how long was I lost in that happy daydream?
[Lord Adrian!]
Arcia's urgent voice rang through my head like telepathy.
She'd been acting separately from me lately, and recalling the mission I'd given her, her urgent voice was enough to make my expression harden.
"What's going on?"
The mission I'd assigned to Arcia was to secretly Guard Ibril.
Stay out of sight, keep a certain distance, and don't intervene unless it was a real emergency.
But now she was urgently calling me?
She wouldn't be yelling like that just because she needed the bathroom, so the only thing I could think of was that something had happened to Ibril.
[Lady Ibril has been kidnapped.]
"What!?"
[Before I could even step in, enemies appeared, took down the party members, and teleported Lady Ibril away.]
"What about Lord Lopez?"
The party members I'd assigned to Ibril were all standout talents from the Gifted Institute.
Among them, Lopez had been a core figure alongside me since the early days of the Gifted Institute.
[Lord Lopez is in critical condition. The other three were also seriously injured, but Lopez is the worst.]
At least that's some relief.
As long as they're not dead, I can find a way to save them.
[I'm sorry.]
"No, if it was beyond your ability to stop, then they came in with full intent. It can't be helped."
[I've done a preliminary coordinate trace. It's the Anselon territory of the Walter Kingdom.]
The Walter Kingdom is one of the Southern Three Nations, Coby's homeland who I just met.
But the Walter Kingdom is likely just a relay point for the culprit.
They almost certainly moved somewhere else after passing through there.
"Arcia, give me your coordinates now. I'll head over."
[Understood.]
I'd prepared a few measures just in case, but if I was too late, the enemies would remove them, so I needed to respond quickly.
I immediately moved to Arcia.
The scenery shifted, and what came into view was a filming site in chaos.
It looked like Ibril's kidnapping had been broadcast live to the whole world.
What an audacious crime.
I felt an intense hostility from an unseen enemy.
"Lord Adrian!"
"L-Lord Marquis Lawrence!"
The eyes of the crowd poured onto me, and I walked over to Arcia, who was stomping her feet in frustration.