Chapter 690 – Armor and Grasp

000

Led by Bourbon, Cleon and his party arrived at Daza’s blacksmith shop.

Then, Daza’s disciples were standing around something, looking at the chair next to their teacher, and continuously making exclamations of exclamation.

“It’s still like that.”

Bourbon put his hands on his hips and sighed, then pushed his disciples to the sides to create a path and walked across it.

“Oh. Bourbon is back!”

＂I never thought you would have been in the workshop with your teacher for a few days, making something like this…! As expected, dwarves’ blacksmithing skills are the best…!”

She brushes off her students’ compliments by waving her hands and briefly replying, ‘Yes, yes’.

Then, Bourbon’s work, hidden among the crowd, is revealed.

There, jet-black armor made of adamantite was quietly standing there, draped on a wooden mannequin.

The parts that make up the armor are, excluding the helmet, shoulders, torso, waist and legs, and gauntlets and boots.

Although well-balanced overall, menacing metal protrusions protruded from the shoulders, gauntlets, and knees, and the armor itself looked like a menacing beast.

Also, there was an inner armor next to it to wear on top of the armor. It also looked like fabric, but if you looked closely, it was made of very fine metal threads, showing that it was also made of adamantite.

It is made entirely of special adamantite refined with dwarven technology, and the joints here and there are engraved with dwarven rune magic to protect the wearer from injuries. Conversely, it eats up the magic coming from the inside, allowing the armor to repair itself. Or, it had the power to increase its defense.

A weapon so powerful that it is truly priceless.

“Now, this is the wedding gift I made for you.”

As Bourbon spoke to Cleon with a proud expression while rubbing his nose, Cleon stepped forward to the front of the armor.

＂This to us…?＂

“Okay. You are our precious person’s lover – and companion. I became the person who always had to protect Hertie. However, if I lose my life in the process, Herti will be really sad. So, I made an armor that can protect you.”

Cleon carefully placed his hand on the surface of the armor after hearing Bourbon’s words.

The adamantite, processed with the cold but clear will of the creator, was reacting to Cleon by showing subtle vibrations, as if it was happy to meet its owner.

“Kalia. How is it?”

＂I think it is armor of considerable quality. As for the price, it’s easily millions… No, this explanation is too polite. I think this is a masterpiece that suits Cleon well. Although I am a little concerned that there is no helmet.”

When Calia explained it to Herty like that, Daza, who was listening next to her, let out a laugh.

“Originally, I was planning on making a helmet, but if I made it according to this guy’s blueprint, the amount of special adamantite would be insufficient. Still, it was better to make something that could cover the entire body, so this was the design. Well, it’s just a helmet to cover up your handsome face, but you can make it with other materials as well.”

Daja said that and spoke as if teasing Cleon.

“Isn’t it amazing, Mr. Cleon? I saw the making process and must say I was overwhelmed…”

When Sasha also speaks a little excitedly, Cleon nods his head.

“It’s something that seems too much to me. Something like this… Can I really accept it?”

“I told you, right? This isn’t a gift just for you. This means wearing this and properly protecting Hertie by your side. ─With the armor of the dark dragon.”

When Bourbon mentions the name of the armor like that, Daza next to him sighs and speaks.

“That’s all good, but isn’t the name of the armor too childish? The female dragon’s armor. Of course, I understand that it rhymes with Sanghoe’s name… But then, even if it’s a female dragon… “

“But Cleon doesn’t feel like a rock. Isn’t it rather the dark side?”

I think that’s just rude… I feel the same way, but Cleon deliberately doesn’t say it.

Also, I think the title Dark Dragon itself is not a bad thing, and there may be a reason why my sensibility is close to Bourbon.

“Then Cleon. Please go and wear it right away.”

“… Now? There’s no need for a combat situation to occur, so why?”

“Okay! If the size doesn’t fit, you have to adjust it.”

When Bourbon says that to Cleon, Cleon, upon hearing the answer, thinks for a moment and then answers.

“… Now that I think about it, did you make the armor without measuring my body?”

“Oh, don’t worry. Because the wolf girl over there told me.”

＂Ehehe.＂

Sasha scratches her head and smiles fiercely.

It was a bit shocking that Sasha knew all of her body measurements, but it was also shocking that her personal information was being passed around without her knowing.

Is this the leak of personal information that has recently become a problem…

While Cleon thinks so, he looks at the armor hanging on the mannequin.

There’s nothing about her design, name, or performance that she doesn’t like, so if the truth is true, she’s itching to wear it right now.

I felt like if I got too attached, I couldn’t bring it up myself because of her pride.

＂Then, there is nothing we can do.＂

When Cleon speaks while clearing his throat, Bourbon smiles and speaks to him.

＂It’s a face that doesn’t look like you don’t like something?＂

“Because I never said I didn’t like it.”

It seemed that Bourbon could see Cleon’s true intentions to some extent, and she had no choice but to respond with a blush on her face.

001

After a while, when Cleon returns from the try-on room attached to the workshop, wearing all the armor, the people waiting turn their heads towards Cleon, who appeared with a clanking sound.

＂Oh…＂

When someone makes an exclamation, he probably reacts that way because the armor is the perfect size for his body and the color combination with him, a member of the dark horse family, is not bad.

And, he may have been thrilled by the fact that the armor, which can be called a masterpiece, has met its owner and is moving.

＂Amazing. Even though it is such strong armor, there is no problem in moving at all.”

“Yeah, yeah. That’s a good thing…”

But soon, everyone looks at Cleon’s face with a somewhat subtle expression.

＂… What’s wrong?＂

＂No, everything is good… The glasses on that face…＂

When Bourbon points to his face with a complex expression, Cleon thinks, “Wow,” And thinks of Maansal’s glasses on his face.

I had forgotten about it because I hadn’t had much to do with the magical eye recently, but now that I think about it, I was wearing glasses to seal the magical eye of fascination, and it was around that time that I started to feel like it was a part of his body.

“Sorry, it’s a bit hard to take it off right now… This is for sealing the demon eye…”

When Cleon says that, Bourbon speaks as if he is dumbfounded.

“Do you have something like that? Looking at that, it seems like he can’t even control it.”

“I’m embarrassed, but I have nothing to say…”

Actually, I wasn’t born with it, but I was given it in a way that was passed on to me…

Come to think of it, I was so busy with other things that I completely forgot about finding a way to deal with this magical eye.

As he was thinking that, Daza stood up and looked at Cleon from top to bottom.

“It’s not bad, but your jawline is thin. Build some more muscle. Even if it’s not at the level of unchecking.”

＂… I will try my best. ＂

When Cleon answered like that, he picked up the dark blue cloth that was lying next to him.

“Sit down and show your back.”

＂Your back…?＂

Then, as he said, Cleon sat down on the box instead of the chair that was placed next to him.

Then, Daja went behind him, tied the dark blue cloth around his neck, pinned it to his shoulder, and turned it over to make it look like a muffler.

＂This is…＂

When Cleon stands up and turns his head slightly, Daza sits down and looks up at him while talking.

“This is my gift. All the materials and blueprints used to make the armor were created by that guy… And I just added a spoonful to it. Anyway, I think we need to add a little more color.”

As Daja says that, he points to the cloth.

＂This guy is a fabric that shakes by reading the flow of magical power. Even in places where there is no wind, he sways with the flow of magic power, so he can tell in advance if an enemy uses magic or incantation. He made this a long time ago… But was unable to hand it over and kept it lying around. I’m glad he passed over to you.”

As Daja said that, he patted Cleon on the back.

“Armor is not omnipotent. The most important thing is to avoid attacks that can be avoided. “I, the one who created it, don’t care what I’m saying.”

＂… I will keep this in mind.＂

“You’re saying something wonderful, Mr. Daza.”

＂Heung…＂

Bourbon talks about Daza as if making fun of him, but Daza snorts as if he doesn’t care.

Everyone bursts into laughter, and the disciples approach to take a look at the armor Cleon is wearing.

Then, Herti quietly smiled slightly, fixing her head in the direction where the voice was coming from – Cleon.

Since she couldn’t see, she couldn’t tell what kind of armor Bourbon had made and what Cleon looked like wearing it.

It’s definitely something that suits you well.

＂…＂

Then Sasha looked at Herty for a moment, and then she closed her eyes.

If she received her imprint from Cleon, she must have thought, ‘It might be possible.’

Concentrating her mind on the imprint engraved near her heart and chest, she traces the thread of magic that extends through Cleon and finds the thread that leads to Herti.

And if she pulls that thread towards herself and lets her own magic flow over that thread-

“Mr. Herti. Please don’t be surprised.”

＂…?＂

When Sasha spoke like that to Herti next to her, after a while, it was a vision of something of hers flowing into her head.

No – for her, it could be said to be the ‘world’ she sees for the first time.

For the first time, she was able to see the shape of the world, completely without her eyesight, through Sasha’s eyes.

The colors and shapes are all things I’ve never seen before, but the reason it feels somehow familiar is that this is an image I received from Sasha.

When she turned her head, she saw a figure with long brown hair.

＂Is this me?＂

When she opens her mouth, she therefore sees it moving, and at the same time as asking a question, she is convinced.

“That’s right. And over there…”

And when Sasha’s head turned again, he saw a young man with black hair wearing armor and surrounded by people.

＂…!＂

Herti looked a little surprised.

I knew the shape of a person because I had felt it with my hands, but it was my first time seeing someone with my own eyes.

There was almost no difference between the image of Cleon in his head and the image of him seen through Sasha’s eyes –

In reality, Cleon had a slightly colder impression than Herti expected.

Of course, I’m not saying it was wrong, I just meant that compared to his usual kindness.

“This was your first time seeing Mr. Cleon, right?”

“… Yes. That’s right. Thank you so much, Sasha.”

But, I was relieved.

He is definitely a person who has been misunderstood several times due to his own impression.

Nevertheless, I think it was fortunate that he was a kind person.

Additionally, I think the armor matches quite well.

“Mr. Cleon! Please look here too!”

When Sasha called Cleon and smiled and waved her hand, Cleon suddenly smiled bitterly at her words and smiled in her direction.

Then-

Exciting…

＂Huh…?＂

Herty, who suddenly felt her heart racing, placed her hand on her chest and tilted her head.

“… Why are you doing that? Herti.”

When Calia, who was quietly staying by Herti’s side, asked her, Herti shook her head.

“No… It’s nothing. Just for a moment… I felt like my heart was pounding…”

“You had a lot of work to do this morning… Maybe you’re a little tired.”

When Calia talked about Herti with concern, Herti thought, ‘Is that so…?’

002

“I never thought I’d be told to go back after putting it on…”

When Cleon spoke with a slightly troubled expression, Calia also nodded her head.

Cleon and his group walk down the road once again.

＂If possible, keep wearing it. Because you never know when and where you might be attacked.”

When Bourbon says that, Cleon replies, “That’s a bit…”

Of course, I didn’t feel uncomfortable while wearing it.

“What are you going to do after this?”

“Now that the armor is complete, I’ll have to go back to the mine. There’s still a lot of adamantite to mine. If you get more special adamantite, I’ll even make you a helmet.”

＂… I’ll be looking forward to it.＂

When Cleon said that while smiling, Bourbon gave a thumbs up.

“Isn’t it okay to go back after the Five Elements Festival is over?”

“I thought so, but if I stay in Asteris, little Sasha will have to stay by my side. I think it will limit Cleon and his group’s movement.”

When Herty’s Bourbon said that, Sasha shook her head and waved her hand.

“Well, I’m fine! It was fun to help Mr. Bourbon work…”

“Thank you for that. But, if you keep sticking by my side to protect me, you won’t be able to do what you need to do.”

Sasha looked disappointed at Bourbon’s words, but nodded her head as if she understood.

“What. Please call me when you get married. At that time, should I at least bring a blueprint for the newlywed house?”

＂There is a mansion of the Dark Dragon Company?＂

“A newlywed home is different again.”

Haha, looking at Bourbon, who is laughing and jokingly talking, Calia sighs, ‘Are we paying the budget…?’

So, when I was walking towards the mansion with relatively light steps compared to the serious atmosphere of the morning.

Cleon suddenly felt the muffler hanging on him blowing from behind his back toward the front.

The wind wasn’t blowing.

＂!＂

When Cleon remembered Daza’s words and immediately turned around, there he saw the figure of a ‘silver-haired elf’ coming closer.

When Cleon was taken aback by the sudden appearance, others, including Sasha, followed Cleon, who turned around.

＂… Sniff…＂

The woman, in her tattered garb – her back bow as tall as her own – brought her face close to Cleon’s, snuffling her nose.

And, between her long bangs, she said this with her eyes that were not filled with light.

“A human who smells like a dragon… But he is not a dragon. … Then, you are a responder.”

“─You…!”

And the moment Cleon sees her, he remembers her identity.

That almost unchanged appearance is the dragon slayer elf that Gaius showed in his vision.

When Cleon reflexively stands in front of Herty, blocking her path, the elf speaks quietly to Cleon.

＂Is the woman behind him also a sensor…? It feels a bit more mixed.”

＂… I won’t let her touch Hertie.＂

At Cleon’s warning, the elf narrows her eyes and looks at Cleon as if glaring.

And, when there was tension between the two, she opened her mouth.

“Okay, well. The important thing right now is not you. Because it’s that article.”

After saying that, she just turned around and walked away.

A sudden appearance followed by a sudden exit.

Cleon watches her disappear through the crowd with a bewildered expression.

Soon after hearing her last words, her expression changed.

＂… That article? No way-“