Chapter 206

Kurt confidently revealed the performance of his artifact, but it was utterly pathetic.

The device generated a mana shield that even an ordinary person could easily tear apart with just a little force, let alone a knight.

Even the size of the mana shield it could create was pitiful, barely covering something as small as a chair before tearing apart.

At least, if the output was maxed out, the mana shield could last for about a day, which was its only saving grace. Without that, no one would believe it was an Artifact of the Ancient Empire.

‘What is this? Is he seriously calling this amazing? Is this Lizardman trying to deceive me?’

So, it was only natural for Albert to look at Kurt with suspicion, regardless of whether he had received racially biased education.

But Kurt’s eyes, glancing over, were sparkling as if begging for applause and praise.

“Wow, wow… It’s really amazing.”

“Y-yeah! It’s so amazing, I was speechless for a moment!”

The two forced themselves to feign admiration to meet Kurt’s expectations. Meanwhile, Kurt, who usually had sharp instincts as a hunter but seemed to lose all sense when it came to cooking, didn’t notice their forced compliments and nodded in satisfaction.

“That’s right. I never understood why people praised the Artifacts of the Ancient Empire so much, but after getting this, I finally get why they’re so obsessed with them!”

‘You’re impressed by this? Shouldn’t you be disappointed by how pathetic it is…?’

Kurt proudly boasted about his artifact and how it could be used to create amazing dishes. Albert, while keeping up with the conversation, felt his energy draining.

‘Is this… the treasure the Empire’s upper echelons so desperately wanted…?’

What he felt was emptiness.

‘What did I come all this way for… From the Spine Empire to this city…’

Albert felt a wave of dizziness along with the void.

“Captain? Are you listening?”

“Ah, yes. Sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment…”

Albert, who had been mechanically responding to Kurt while drowning in emptiness, snapped back to reality only after Kurt finished boasting and Louis approached him with a worried expression.

Realizing Albert’s poor state, Kurt, who had been excitedly talking about cooking, also looked apologetic.

“Ah. I must have kept you talking for too long.”

“No. Thinking about it, we just arrived in Astram, so maybe the fatigue from the journey is catching up.”

Louis answered for Albert and then turned to him with a concerned look.

“Hmm. Captain, if you’re tired, why don’t you rest today? We can start work tomorrow…”

Louis genuinely worried about Albert’s condition.

But Louis’s concern ironically became the trigger for Albert to pull himself together.

‘This is…! Showing such weakness in front of my subordinates…! As the captain of the Holy Sword Knight Order, this is unacceptable!’

The captain, who should always appear reliable and lead his knights, was now being worried over by a subordinate. It was absurd.

Snapping back to his senses, Albert smiled at Louis as usual and said,

“It’s fine. A little journey like that wouldn’t tire me out.”

“But still, you should rest…”

“I can’t do that. We didn’t come to Astram to play. We can’t postpone today’s work to tomorrow.”

With that, Albert took a deep breath and refreshed his thoughts.

‘Right. Thinking about it, even though it’s broken, it was originally a high-grade artifact. With the Empire’s technology, it might be possible to repair it. Even if it can’t be fully restored, restoring even part of its performance could make it several times better than it is now… Let’s think positively.’

Regaining his composure, Albert spoke to Kurt in a serious tone.

“Mr. Kurt.”

“What is it? If you’re not feeling well, don’t push yourself. I can recommend a good inn if you need…”

“The inn isn’t necessary. More importantly, about that artifact of yours.”

“My artifact?”

‘Yes. I am the captain of the Holy Sword Knight Order, one of the 11 knight orders of the Empire, a proud knight of the Spine Empire, a shield dedicated to the Empire’s people, and a sword loyal to the Emperor. So, I don’t need to judge the value of the mission given to me by the Empire. A shield doesn’t think, and a sword doesn’t judge. I simply receive and carry out my mission.’

Perhaps the turmoil in his heart had been caused by the existence of the Lizardman Master.

Fear creates confusion, and confusion shakes one’s beliefs.

But seeing Louis, who was worried about him, reminded Albert of his duties as a captain.

And those duties reminded him of the chivalry he owed to the Empire.

So, Albert, now fully composed, had no more hesitation.

“Yes, Mr. Kurt. By any chance, do you have any plans to transfer or sell that artifact for a price…?”

And

at that moment

Kurt’s

pupils

split

vertically.

“…Surely, you’re not seriously considering such a ridiculous idea, right? I was just joking. Hahaha.”

‘Eek! This crazy Lizardman is going to kill us all!’

It was a gaze as chilling as a dragon staring at a thief coveting its treasure.

Albert felt his resolve crumble instantly under the intense killing intent directed at him.

No matter how loyal he was to the Empire, he could only remain loyal if he stayed alive.

“Ah. Sorry. I got a little carried away for a moment…”

Realizing he had unconsciously emitted killing intent, Kurt looked embarrassed, but to Albert, who had felt it, even the apology seemed like a warning.

‘If he emitted this much killing intent just from a little irritation, then if I anger him further, I might become the next ingredient for Brisket!’

“W-well, now that I think about it, we’ve been traveling for a long time, so we must be quite fatigued. W-we should head back now! We need to find an inn soon!”

“Captain? Just now, you said you weren’t fatigued…”

“Shush! Be quiet! Follow me!”

“But what about the mission…”

“We can start tomorrow!”

‘Right. The mission will be completed someday, but it doesn’t have to be today! In fact, to increase the mission’s success rate, it’s better to approach it carefully rather than rushing…!’

With that, Albert muttered excuses to himself and hurriedly led the clueless Louis out of the Adventurer Guild.

“This is… I messed up. How can I apologize…?”

Watching the two leave in a hurry, Kurt reflected on unconsciously emitting killing intent and felt sorry toward Albert.

And at the same time

while Kurt was watching Albert’s retreating figure, thinking he should treat him to a delicious meal next time as an apology…

a Lizardman who had been sleeping soundly in an inn in Astram since midday woke up groggily and stepped outside.

Squeak

“Huh? You’re up? It’s already midday, and you’re lazing around outside the village. Aren’t you being too lazy?”

Her childhood friend Kirsh, who was polishing his spear, scolded her upon seeing her.

But Lakia, ignoring his scolding, opened her mouth with a dazed expression.

“The stars have gathered…”

“Stars? The sun is still overhead. What are you talking about stars for? Are you still half-asleep?”

“The stars have all gathered, so the time will come soon.”

“What are you talking about… Did you have a vision?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why are you just standing there? We need to call Kurt right now…!”

At first, Kirsh teased Lakia for being half-asleep, but realizing her words were related to a vision, he quickly tried to rush out of the inn.

But unlike Kirsh’s urgency, Lakia, still half-asleep, continued in a relaxed tone.

“No. The stars have only gathered. There’s still some time left.”

“…What do you mean?”

Kirsh, who had been about to run to Kurt with his spear, asked in a puzzled voice.

But Lakia, still half-asleep, answered.

“So, I’m going back to sleep.”

Squeak

Thud

Ignoring Kirsh’s puzzled gaze, Lakia returned to her room.

And soon, only the sound of her steady breathing could be heard.

“…What’s going on?”

Left alone, Kirsh muttered in a hollow tone, feeling an indescribable emotion.