Chapter 17
Silveryn had briefly left to contact the academy about this alchemist matter.
Was he approaching me while taking advantage of that? Although there seemed to be no malice, I had to stay alert as I might receive unexpected questions.
Due to his age, he didn't jump into the frontlines directly, but he had an impressively sturdy build. As he commanded the Knight Order, his experience and discernment were unmatched.
Clumsy lies could become poison.
I unfastened my belt and handed him the sword in its scabbard.
Popper received it and drew the sword with a disciplined movement.
Ching!
The elegant silver blade revealed itself.
He swung it in a figure-eight pattern, then held it up to the fading sunset light.
Popper's eyes narrowed. My heart sank following his expression.
"It's a good sword."
Popper silently sheathed the sword and handed it back to me.
Will there be no further questioning?
I received it and said, "...Thank you."
"How long have you been learning the sword?"
"..."
It was an ordinary yet difficult question to answer. I didn't want to lie about my experience, but blurting out the truth might give the impression of deceiving the knights.
Seeing me hesitate, Popper smiled gently.
"Hahaha! Is it so difficult to say you've never properly learned?"
"...?"
Popper patted my shoulder vigorously. I looked at him with a puzzled face.
How did he know? Or rather, was he testing me by asking?
Not just me, but the knights eavesdropping on the conversation also had bewildered expressions. It must be because of the statement about me not having learned swordsmanship.
How much does this old man know? I need to stay on high alert.
"Your master is a comrade who fought alongside me on the battlefield. I've already heard about you."
So Silveryn had already talked about me. Knowing they have a close relationship was reassuring but also chilling.
A veteran who fought on battlefields with Silveryn would be able to dissect my sword-holding posture in detail just by looking.
"It's an honor to meet my master's comrade."
"Ho ho, it's my honor to meet you as well. You've done a great deed. We, no, this entire village is indebted to you."
"It's all thanks to having the best master."
Popper smiled gently and said, "Your master hinted that you accomplished everything on your own. Whose words should I believe?"
"..."
Strangely, I suspect Silveryn might have intended for this situation to take place. From handing me the Stitch when I left to conveniently stepping away and letting me face Popper alone like this.
"It's admirable to give credit to your master, but we clearly distinguish merits. This is all your achievement, and it's right that you choose the reward."
"I only did what needed to be done. I don't deserve a reward."
Popper spoke in an admonishing tone, "Do you intend to leave the Knight Order in your debt?"
Cold sweat ran down my spine.
"I was thoughtless."
"Tell me what you want. What do you need? I can give you a useful artifact or gold coins."
It was very kind of him to push me to accept something, but I had no sense of how significant this merit was.
It was unavoidable since it was the first time I had experienced something like this in my life.
Since this was an opportunity that might not show itself again, I wanted to receive the most useful reward possible.
Artifacts and money. While either would be good, they weren’t particularly useful to me.
But if I asked for an excessive reward, I might end up diminishing my own merit, which was quite troublesome.
Silveryn, the only person I could seek advice from, was away.
It wasn’t that I didn't need anything. The problem was that I couldn't judge if it was appropriate.
Well, there was something I needed the Knight Order's help with, but...
Strictly speaking, the Knight Order and I just cleaned up after this mad alchemist. It was the alchemist who should be rewarding me.
However, to extract a reward from that alchemist, I desperately needed the Knight Order's help.
What I urgently need is...
"I need griffin blood."
Popper's pupils dilated. He must be bewildered that I was asking for Griffin blood instead of choosing something good.
Instead of answering immediately, he gently stroked his beard.
Griffin's blood was one of the many ingredients in Zverev's potion recipe.
While reading the research notes, I found an enticing potion that I wanted to steal.
Among the ingredients, there were many unknown herbs, and I couldn't tell which ones were difficult to obtain, but I excluded them from the list since Wiesel was a blessed environment where alchemists came to find all kinds of herbs.
Among the many required ingredients for the potions, the only non-herbal one was “griffin blood.”
Since magic creatures were extremely rare in Wiesel, it couldn't be procured here, meaning I would have to go through a merchant's hands.
But I didn't know where griffins lived, and what merchant would believe a 16-year-old boy and procure ingredients from such a distant place? It would be a task to persuade them, and even if persuaded, they would charge a hefty premium.
If the Knight Order handled this instead, my problems would be solved all at once. They would have connections and could provide ample quantities.
I watched Popper's expression.
This person. His eyes were sparkling as he looked at me. It seemed like a good sign, but it was strangely burdensome.
"Looks like you're planning something interesting again."
I wasn’t entirely sure, but he seemed to have some expectations of me.
"Griffin blood isn't difficult to procure. I won't ask about its use. I'll be looking forward to what you're planning. Heh heh."
"Thank you. I'll do my best to meet your expectations."
It was burdensome.
Knights poured out from inside the mansion.
One knight who came out of the mansion approached Popper and reported, "The subjugation of remaining ghouls is complete."
"Good."
Just then, servants approached with clothes for me to change into.
"Let's wrap this up now. Everyone has worked hard."
As Popper turned to leave, he seemed to remember something he hadn't said and added one more thing to me.
"Ah, I'm thinking of holding a social gathering soon. I'd like you to attend."
"I wouldn't dream of refusing. It's an honor."
I'm doomed, a social gathering? I'd rather push logs and be covered in ghoul blood.
Popper left with his adjutants. It seemed things were wrapping up now.
A few knights who hadn't followed the commander remained in front of me.
Knight Joyce, whom I was familiar with, and a big guy who looked about my age were watching me.
When our eyes met, Joyce gave me a light bow and left. The big guy next to him looked down at me unpleasantly and followed Joyce.
Having experienced too many things in one day, I didn't have the leisure to pay attention to every little thing.
I quickly changed clothes and left through the gate.
The knights were lined up, moving towards the wide intersection in the center of the village.
And on one side of that road, Silveryn was holding the reins of a horse, waiting for me.
My suspicion became half certainty.
You were already here but deliberately didn't show your face, right?
As I approached her, Silveryn spoke softly, "Well done, my disciple."
"You're a bit late."
Silveryn's lips curled up slightly at my rebuke.
She said nonchalantly, "Get on first."
As I mounted the horse, Silveryn followed and got on behind me.
We also followed the procession of knights towards the intersection.
While riding, I couldn't contain my curiosity and said, "Teacher, you knew everything, didn't you?"
"Knew what?"
"That ghouls were hiding in that mansion."
"Yes. I suspected it. There was residual magna in the barrier."
"..."
"I left you to see how you'd handle it, but I didn't expect you to do everything alone."
I was momentarily at a loss for words.
"The Knight Order wouldn't just let it go. So what reward did you receive for snatching up the merit alone?"
Don't you know that already?
"I asked for money."
Silveryn suddenly let go of the reins. The horse stopped abruptly, and Silveryn remained silent for a moment.
Soon after, Silveryn pinched both my cheeks hard.
"Ouch!"
"Are you already trying to deceive your master?"
You knew everything and pretended not to? This is getting a bit scary.
"Yoou kneww so whyy didd eveen askk?"
"My ears are quite sharp, you know."
"I'lll nevver doo itt againn pleasse."
This is bad. If she finds out I've smuggled out the research notes, I'm done for. I need to keep this a secret for a while.
Silveryn finally released her grip after massaging my cheeks for a while.
My cheeks still stung.
"I need to learn how to ride a horse quickly."
"You're still far from escaping my embrace, my disciple."
It was said that humans were creatures of adaptation. Truth be told, although I didn't show it, it was scary how riding with Silveryn was becoming more comfortable.
I needed to get out before I became completely accustomed to it.
I can't go to the academy like this!
The knights were lined up in the wide intersection at the center of the village.
Villagers surrounded them from a distance, watching the scene.
We also stopped at a distance on one side of the formation.
Popper announced to the villagers that the subjugation was complete.
They would now return to their original posts, leaving only minimal personnel.
However, the villagers were whispering while looking at us.
From what I could overhear, the talk was mainly about me. Words like the Archmage's disciple, genius swordsman, and so on were being exchanged.
It seems the rumors had already spread.
"You've become quite famous?"
"It feels like they're overhyping me."
It was embarrassing to listen to.
"This place is so peaceful that they make a fuss over anything related to magic creatures. You just have to accept it, what can you do?"
Silveryn's tone suggested she didn't entirely dislike such a fuss.
Having finished the work earlier than originally expected, we set out for Silveryn's mansion.
The sun had already set, and we were moving forward, relying on nothing but the moon’s light.
Silveryn, while admiring the starlight, shared the conversation she hadn't finished earlier.
"I asked the Alchemy Association, and there was no alchemist named Zverev on their list."
"Then what does that mean?"
"You need to register with the association to have your research protected, so not doing so means he's probably extremely shady. The name Zverev is likely an alias, too."
"What are you going to do, Teacher? Will you continue investigating?"
Silveryn let out a long sigh.
"Whatever I do, you don't need to be concerned about it anymore. You won't have time to worry about such things now."
"...Why? Is there something else?"
"While contacting the Magic Society, I received a reply to the recommendation letter I sent to the academy."
"...What?"
"The academy's examination committee will come to Wiesel to see you."