Chapter 162 – Orichalcum

“It’s pure silver…”

Even silver coins on the market are alloys mixed with other metals. However, the dagger in my hand is said to be 100% silver.

How much is it worth?

As an adventurer from the poor, I can’t fathom it.

“Can I accept this?”

“This is a reward for giving me enlightenment and protecting the people of the territory. Don’t worry, our family isn’t small enough to stumble just for a single silver dagger. Or… Do you not like the dagger?”

“Absolutely not.”

I quickly shook my head. This dagger was the most valuable gift I’ve ever received.

He lowered his gaze and gazed at the silver dagger again.

A blade that draws smooth curves and a silvery sheen that flows down the black surface.

Admiration came out of nowhere. A weapon like this was not seen in Marlton’s forge.

“You seem to like it.”

“Yes. I really like it. Thank you so much for giving me such a precious gift, Karen.”

He bowed his head to Karen. She waved her hand like it was okay.

“As much as you suffered, you will deserve it. Take it sweetly Rather, I’m going to take a break in my room, but do you have something else to do?”

She said as she sat down in her chair. It was a call to leave if there was no business. As I said goodbye and was about to leave, I remembered what I had intended to ask. I took out a glass bottle containing Orichalcum powder from my chest.

“What is it?”

“Orichalcon. I got lucky.”

“Hoo?”

Interest flashed in Karen’s eyes. She held out her hand.

“Can you give me a minute? I want to see it up close.”

I pondered for a moment before handing her her glass bottle.

I hope she won’t be eaten away by her personality.

“Is this the Orichalcum…”

Karen’s eyes began to shine as she looked at Orichalcum.

She turned the vial and looked at it from different angles. Then he glanced at me.

“Are you thinking of selling to me?”

“Karen-sama…”

“It is a joke. Joke. Oh, I can’t even joke with you.”

Karen smiled and waved her hand. She looks at Orichalcum and she licks her lips.

‘No matter how I look at it, it seems like I’m half serious.’

Feeling uneasy for nothing, she reached out her hand to get it back. Karen felt sorry for her and put Orichalcum on my hand.

“So, why did you show me this?”

“As you can see, the amount of orichalcum powder is not small, is it? It’s impossible to make a new dagger, so I’m thinking of mixing it into the existing dagger instead. But since this is a rare mineral, finding a blacksmith who can handle it is also a job.”

It’s hard to find, but the act of looking for it is dangerous. Show Orichalcum to each blacksmith you meet and ask them about it. Rumors will spread throughout the city that I have Orichalcum.

All kinds of guys will stick around. If you don’t give up Orichalcum, you may find it difficult to even sleep.

Just imagining it is terrifying.

“A blacksmith who knows how to handle Orichalcum…”

Karen rested her chin on her arm on her desk. She thought for a moment, then opened her mouth.

“There is one.”

“Are you sure?”

She asked just in case, but I never thought there would be. After all, there is nothing wrong with trying anything.

But when Karen heard my voice full of anticipation, she smiled bitterly.

“I hope you don’t expect too much. I meant that there was someone who would know.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It literally means. There is one person who understands, but he may or may not know how to smelt.”

Karen pulled out her jaw, which had been hers. She buried her back in the back of the chair.

“It was a few years ago. There was a time when a servant of an imperial nobility came in and out of Kalita without communication. As a result of a covert pursuit, the servant entered the captain’s guild. And he visited all the forges in Kalita, and a few days later he left Kalita with a blacksmith. At the time, she was puzzled, but later found out why. That the reason the servant took the blacksmith was to smelt Orichalcum.”

“Then doesn’t that blacksmith know how to smelt Orichalcum?”

At my question, Karen shook her head.

“No. The noble took blacksmiths from many cities as well as from Kalita. Later, I heard that the smelting of Orichalcon was successful, but I don’t know who did it.”

Indeed. Karen was right. The greater the number of blacksmiths invited, the lower the probability that the blacksmith she mentioned smelted Orichalcum.

“Still, it would be nice to meet you once. What is his name?”

“Madria.”

“Do you know where his forge is?”

“I do not know. Didn’t need to know The family blacksmith’s skills were excellent enough, and we never had to smelt such a rare mineral. I sent someone out of curiosity, but I was rejected.”

“Then it would be best to go to the captain’s guild.”

“I guess so. Are your questions resolved? Or do you have more questions?”

“Well, I have a small favor rather than a question.”

“Ask? What?”

At her request, Karen opened her eyes wide, expressing her curiosity.

I put up with my embarrassment and said a favor.

“Can I… Bring some banquet food?”

* * *

Way back home. My hands were heavy with baskets of food. When I opened the door to the inn and entered, Sister Seris welcomed me as if I had been waiting for it.

“Yooseong, are you here? I just can’t get over it today.”

“Brother. Have a serious talk.”

With the momentum that caught me very much today.

It must be because he was busy preparing for the banquet and did not properly explain the poisoning case. As usual, you will be scolded all night from now on.

As long as it’s original, that is.

“Huh? Sniff… A delicious smell? Human, is that food in there?”

Ariel, who was lying on the bed, got her body up.

Seris and Kara’s gazes also turned to the baskets in my hands.

I smiled and lifted the basket towards them.

“Shall we eat and talk?”

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A small round table was filled with banquet food. Cerys, Kara, and Ariel sat around the table and ate. A smile appeared on their faces.

“Delicious?”

Seris and Kara, who had just been smiling at my question, raised their eyes. The watery eyes were filled with anticipation.

An expression as if to say ‘I am still angry.’ It was very contrived, so I had to resist trying to laugh.

I gently stroked their hair.

“I’m sorry about the day before yesterday. I should have written the letter first so I wouldn’t worry, but I didn’t pay attention.”

“It’s not just about what happened the day before yesterday that we’re mad at.”

“Know. Are you talking about coming back after promising not to get hurt? Sorry. I will keep my promise next time.”

Side.

He kissed Seris and Kara on the forehead. The corners of his eyes, which had been raised, slid down.

“…Really, this is the only time.”

“I’ll be really mad next time.”

“Don’t worry.”

He put his hand on both of their shoulders. They leaned their heads against my arms and finished their food.

“…Ugh.”

Ariel looked at us with bug eyes.

See you later

* * *

After Yoosung walked out arm in arm with Karen, Orca just stood there blankly. Despite the opportunity to make faces with Kalita’s executives, she hardly moved.

She didn’t know how time passed.

Again and again-

Footsteps entering the banquet hall.

“Oh, Lady Karen. Where have you been?”

Familiar name.

Orca came to her senses and turned her head in the direction she heard her voice. I saw Karen talking to a certain lady. However, Yoosung, who was with her when he went out to her side, was not there.

‘Has it fallen?’

Orca looked around the banquet hall with a bright face. Naturally, there was no meteor. Because he had already gone home. The strength drained from her shoulders.

Soon, he shook her head and caught her spirits.

‘Now is not the time for this. I have to ask.’

She moved towards Karen, who had finished talking to her lady. Karen spots the orca and she stops her steps with a smile.

“It’s been a while, Orca. It’s been a month since we last ate together…”

“Yes, it’s been a while. More than that, Karen-nim, where did you and Han Yoo-seong go?”

Originally, it was correct to say hello first. But Orca couldn’t afford that now. Karen was slightly taken aback by her unexpected attitude, but she responded calmly.

“Han Yuseong? I don’t know why his name pops up all of a sudden. Is he acquainted with him?”

“Han Yuseong is an adventurer under my command.”

Karen’s eyebrows twitched.

“Your underling?”

“You didn’t know, Karen. He belongs to the Adventure Corps and is a member of my party.”

Karen closed her eyes and she let out a small sigh.

“Yeah… That’s right. I get it. But what does that have to do with what you ask?”

Orca was speechless for a moment. She came over almost as soon as she saw Karen, so she couldn’t think of a good reason.

But she had no intention of giving up.

She somehow squeezed out the reason.

“…Han Yuseong is a subordinate I personally like. It was surprising that he appeared at the banquet hall, but he seemed to have a relationship with Karen, so he became interested. So…”

Please tell me why you were together. I omitted that word.

Karen tilted her head.

“Personally, did you like it? Is this a selfish statement?”

Orca froze. She felt like her heart had dropped. Thanks to her, she opened her mouth a beat late.

“What, what…!”

“Hey, it’s a joke. She has a crush on a man who has a lover. No Orca I know would do such a shameless thing. Isn’t it?”

He talks like he’s joking, but his voice isn’t joking at all.

Her sharp eyes squeezed Orca.

“…Yes. That’s right.”

Orca reluctantly nodded her head. Karen smiled happily.

“As expected, Orca, you know honor. How glad I am to have someone like you in Kalita. I wish you well in the future.”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, did you say you were curious about what happened between me and Yuseong Han? I’m sorry, but it seems difficult to tell. Are you asking about me and his private life? I don’t mind telling you, but I don’t know what he will think. So, if you really want to know, ask him directly.”

Karen put her hand on her orca’s shoulder.

“If you really are a trusted boss, he won’t hide it either.”

After tapping a few times, he left as if the story was over. Even though Karen left, Orca stayed still.

Blood trickled from her biting lips.

* * *

The day after the banquet.

I woke up early in the morning and headed to the captain’s guild. The inside of the guild was similar to any other smithy, in case anyone thought it was not the captain’s guild.

The only difference is that there is a reception desk in the center.

I approached the man resting his chin on the reception counter with a bored expression.

“Hey, can you tell me where Lady Maddria’s forge is?”

At that, the man narrowed his forehead.

“Madria? Is that man dead?”

“Yes?”

“It’s been a while. He left behind a son, what was his name… Marlton?”