Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Suddenly, there was a commotion in Duke Thermion’s group.

“Duke.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“It’s fine. Bring it.”

Soon, a servant brought a small package. Duke Thermion handed the package to Dain.

“Unwrap it.”

Dain nodded and carefully unwrapped the package.

Inside was a kind of emblem.

A coat of arms with a hammer and an anvil intricately engraved.

Below, the Thermion symbol, a man with a sword.

“Do you know what the Thermion symbol represents?”

“Vengeance, a sword, and… it’s a blacksmith.”

“Huh. Right. You’re correct, that phrase refers to the last blacksmith.”

Duke Thermion said, displaying his own sword.

“Our ancestors were blacksmiths, and it’s thanks to them that we have the largest and most powerful forge in the Empire, and indeed on the continent. All Thermion’s weapons, and the weapons of those ‘acknowledged’ by Thermion, are forged in our smithies.”

Duke Thermion’s gift was this.

The Thermion Forge.

It is the continent’s best forge, where all the world’s minerals are found, and where swords and mystical artifacts are forged.

“Go to the capital’s forge, show them the emblem, and they will forge any weapon you desire.”

The right to forge a weapon in the Thermion forge, which never hands out weapons to just anyone.

“Oh my god…”

“That precious forge!”

“I’ve heard it’s coveted even by the imperial family!”

Onlookers were left dumbfounded.

That phrase was not just a “pass to the forge.”

Not only the imperial family but also famous individuals and foreign nobles want to have weapons produced by that forge.

But Duke Thermion only bestows them upon those he approves.

It’s ultimately a guarantee and a testament to the honor and skill of the recipient.

You have the guarantee and recognition of the House of Thermion.

“It is indeed a precious item, Duke, and I accept it with gratitude.”

“Since you already have a good lance, perhaps a sword would be a good idea, or maybe some armor. Whatever you decide, think carefully when you go to the forge.”

“Yes, Duke.”

Everyone was astonished at this.

A gift from Duke Thermion himself, and it was the Thermion Forge emblem.

“What kind of talent is this…”

“Never in my life have I felt such envy for a seven-year-old.”

“That coat of arms will pay the bills for three, maybe five generations.”

Of course, from the viewpoint of the grant, the coat of arms is only symbolic.

Although symbolism alone has immense value, it doesn’t mean that someone other than the grantee can take it to a forge and have a weapon made with it.

“Are you sure you want to give away such a valuable item so easily?”

the Count Sogres asked mockingly, and Duke Thermion smiled satisfied.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen something so interesting and fun, so I hope you won’t be offended because I gave it to your son and not to you.”

“Do I look like someone who would be?”

“Haha, true. What other weapon would the master of Dragon Tail covet?”

Duke Thermion ruffled Dain’s hair.

“Grow up and help your father a lot.”

“Yes, Duke.”

Not just because he was his friend’s son, but because he seemed to genuinely like him.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t give something like this to a seven-year-old.

It’s something everyone would want.

“Hehe. It seems our little one is firmly in love.”

At Count Sogres’ words, Duke Thermion smiled satisfied and put a hand on Dain’s shoulder.

“As you wish. It’s been an excellent answer. I look forward to getting to know you when you grow up.”

With that, the duke stepped away and prepared to leave, and Duke Thermion allowed Leyla a moment to bid farewell to Dain in the meantime.

Leyla approached him with a gesture and said, “Thank you.”

“Make sure to call me when you reach the capital. Okay?”

“I promised the Duke, I’ll do it when I get to the capital.”

“No, not that! Call me. No, come to the capital to see me! You must! You have a wish. You must tell me your wish.”

Dain nodded with a huge smile on his face.

“I will.”

At that moment, a gust of wind blew, tousling Dain’s silver hair.

Leyla stared as he brushed his hair back reflexively.

“…”

“What? Is there something on my face?”

“No! Idiot!”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

Dain was puzzled but didn’t understand why Leyla was suddenly so angry.

“I’m going to leave anyway, you promised. You have to come.”

The words sounded murderous, and Dain knew he had to go.

“I will.”

“And since I’m going to take the name of Thermion, as the future head of the family, I need to know what kind of things are done in their forge.”

Dain laughed again, both for the reason of the digression and for Leyla’s aspirations.

“What are you laughing at?”

“At nothing. You have big dreams. You look good.”

“Don’t laugh. I’m serious, and I’m going to outsmart my brothers!”

Dain nodded in response.

“I know. I hope so.”

“And you still haven’t told me another reason why…”

“What is it?”

“Come to… watch my swordsmanship next time. You’re the one who told me how to unleash my blocked sword skills, so take responsibility.”

Dain nodded calmly, even though the reasoning was so elaborate and forced.

“I will. I will.”

Dain Sogres.

It was the moment he made a promise to the youngest daughter of one of the largest families in the Empire of Altheon, Duke Thermion.

“I’m so grateful to your son. Leyla, who didn’t talk to kids her age, has found a good friend.”

The Duke of Thermion looked between them.

It hadn’t always been easy to approach Leyla because she was the youngest daughter of the Duke of Thermion.

Innocence, if you will.

Children who had already grown up watching power struggles and eating everything that fell into their hands didn’t have that.

But Dain did.

It was like seeing the warmth of touch from Leyla’s brothers that she had missed.

“Tell her when you come back. Think of our little one.”

Count Sogres let out a hollow laugh.

“Was there any reason you gave him a sentence?”

So they say. It’s good to get to know each other, right? To have a good friend.”

“Me too. I’ll look for you when Dain goes to the capital.”

“Hmm. I promise to take care of him like a son.”

With that, Duke Thermion and his group departed.

Leyla peeked her head out of the carriage window as it passed through the gates, looked at me, and waved.

I waved back.

It’s a strange feeling.

I don’t think it’s love.

Maybe it’s because I’m parting with the first friend I’ve made in my life?

If you think about it, I never had a normal childhood.

Not in my previous life, nor in this one.

In my previous life, around this time, I would polish the weapons and armor of soldiers, boil bedding and fabrics, and transport food.

My definition of “normal” is a bit complicated, but at least I didn’t play with kids my age.

It’s a strange way to put it, but at least we won’t see them for a while.

“It’s a pity, Dain.”

“Yeah, a lot.”

I said honestly.

Unfortunately, quite a lot, too.

In my previous life, I didn’t have many friends because I traveled from war zone to war zone.

Although I had a companion who rode with me on the battlefield.

So Leyla is like the first friend I made.

“You’ll see her soon. One day you’ll go to the capital. I’ll be even more amazing, and Leyla will be very happy to see you.”

When I nodded, my father asked, “What are you doing?”

“Do you happen to like the duke’s daughter?”

“In what sense?”

My father stammered, embarrassed by my unexpected response.

“Is there something you can’t tell a child, Count?”

It was then that my mother appropriately intervened, preventing my father’s hesitation.

“Why, why, don’t you like her too?”

“What’s the use of telling such a thing to such a young boy like Dain, only to hurt his feelings later?”

“Injured, our Dain injured, huh, he’s a boy who’s going to go around fooling girls like me!”

“Ah. So you used to call many girls?”

My father’s pupils started to flutter.

I slipped into the gap.

I had seen this scene so many times that I knew how it would end.

“I need to talk to you, Aken Sogres.”

When my mother calls my father by his full name, it’s over.

“Hello, dear. Lily! Dain, where are you going, without your father…!”

I sneaked away, leaving behind my father’s pitiful voice.

Dad, I’m sorry.

You know I can’t do anything for you.

“The Count seems to be very calm again today.”

I nodded, agreeing with Herman’s general appreciation.

“Mmm. I guess so. Very calm.”

When Duke Thermion left, the other nobles left the castle one by one.

It wouldn’t be right to be the first to leave when the noble of the highest status hasn’t left.

I don’t know if I’ll end up like Count Tyren.

In any case, the castle will be quiet now.

And I will attend to my daily affairs.

“Would you like to go back and rest, and if so, I’ll prepare some snacks for you.”

“Mmm. No. I’m going to train.”

“Sure, but I hope you won’t overexert yourself.”

“I know. Thanks for caring.”

I smiled reassuringly at Herman and then said:

“By the way, bring something to snack on. I have a sweet tooth when I sweat.”

“Yes, okay. What do you feel like?”

“A pie made with apples covered in cinnamon and blueberry butter cookies. And a tea made with moon tree leaves.”

“Okay, I’ll put it in the kitchen.”

“Since you’re at it, tell them to prepare two.”

A smile formed on the corner of Herman’s lips.

I already know.

that Herman is very happy.

And I know this.

“And tell them to bake four more cookies while they’re at it.”

“Are you sure you want that many? We’ll have dinner in a few hours.”

“Just say it.”

The fact that Herman usually brings desserts home for his younger siblings when he’s fortunate enough to taste them.

I don’t know if Herman caught my intentions, or if he simply assumed I would eat a lot, but he nodded anyway.

“Thank you, Young Master,” he said, “I’ll stop by the kitchen and come back for you.”

“Sure. See you later.”

With that, I parted ways with Herman for a moment and returned to my room.

I took off the clothes I had put on to bid him farewell, hung them up to dry, put on my training clothes, and grabbed my dagger, which was now my alter ego.

Suddenly, I remembered the events from yesterday.

Invocation.

I must have a talent, a great talent.

Although there was no invocation mark, and it was a special case, after listening to my younger sister and practicing a few times, I managed to form a connection and even succeeded in dismissing the invocation.

In that sense…

“Will it react?”

I wanted to bring out the gift from my younger sister, fearing it might break if I mishandled it.