Chapter 13

Episode 13. The Second Customer (1)

“Ugh?”

As Keter clutched his stomach, Vulkanus chuckled.

Vulkanus, though only half, had inherited the blood of the dwarves, who are sensitive to mana. Thus, he had noticed that Keter was subtly manipulating mana.

“That elf was right. The fruit wine of the World Tree is the ultimate elixir for those with mana. It seems to agree with your body.”

Keter couldn’t respond. The elixir that had settled in his stomach was rapidly decomposing into mana and spreading throughout his body.

If he didn’t concentrate now, the high concentration of mana he had just gained would scatter into the air. Keter began to focus to control the stray mana.

Vulkanus stood guard at the door with his hammer. Someone might come in and ruin Keter’s crucial moment.

After about ten minutes.

Whoosh!

Layers of mana formed around Keter’s body and were eventually absorbed through his nose and mouth.

Flash!

As Keter opened his eyes, a blue wave spread throughout the house.

“Phew.”

After catching his breath, Keter stood up, clenching and unclenching his fist, savoring the afterglow.

“Feel good?”

Vulkanus leaned on his hammer like a cane and asked. Keter responded with a serious face.

“I can give you 5,000 gold right now. If you give me time, I can add up to 20,000 gold.”

“Damn, you’re filthy rich. I used to think money wasn’t necessary, but seeing you changed my mind. Just give me one of those 1,000 gold bills you put on the table earlier.”

Without a word, Keter took out a 1,000 gold bill from his pocket and handed it to Vulkanus.

Vulkanus coughed as he received the bill.

“Of course, I’m not saying I’ll settle for just 1,000 gold. But I’m not asking for more money either.”

“Then what do you want? I didn’t ask for it, so don’t expect to get your money’s worth.”

Keter knew.

The value of the World Tree elixir Vulkanus gave him was immeasurable. If sold, it could easily fetch 500,000 gold.

‘I gained in an instant the mana that would take 10 years of training to acquire. And with no risk!’

In this world, there are not only orthodox methods to increase mana. There are various shortcuts, but they always come with a price.

For example, what if you wanted to gain mana at the cost of life force?

You could permanently gain a year’s worth of mana for 30 years of life, or temporarily use 10 years’ worth of mana. Alternatively, you could sacrifice another human to gain mana.

‘Big or small, equivalent exchange is the basic principle…’

The World Tree elixir has none of that. You can gain 10 years’ worth of pure mana without any risk or side effects.

It was worth asking why such a treasure was given, but Keter didn’t bother.

‘It’s none of my business, and even if I don’t ask, the one who’s reluctant will speak up eventually.’

Although he didn’t drink it willingly, Keter was grateful and intended to pay the corresponding value.

Vulkanus looked Keter in the eye and said.

“You’re a suspicious bastard. But you helped Taragon. Though rough, you made him realize he wasn’t fit to be the master of Amaranth and even showed him the future. What were you thinking?”

“I’m naturally kind to customers.”

“Then I should become your customer too. Even I, who’ve spent my life holed up in a smithy, know that House Sephira is in trouble. But all I can do is hammer away, as I always have.”

Vulkanus lifted his hammer and stroked the end.

“My hammer, which used to be the size of my head, is now only the size of my fist. I’m too old to step forward and do something like I used to.”

“You still look spry.”

“Flattery won’t work. I’m getting old, so I’ll cut to the chase. I consider the World Tree elixir I gave you as prepayment. So, grant me one request.”

“I’ll hear it.”

Vulkanus paused and looked out the window.

His face, gazing at the sunny sky, seemed to reminisce with a touch of melancholy.

After a moment, Vulkanus opened his eyes and looked at Keter again.

“Help House Sephira in their crisis. Just like you helped Taragon.”

Though his tone was serious, Keter’s response was light.

“Anyone listening would think I came to ruin House Sephira.”

“So, will you protect them or not?”

“Hmm, I don’t particularly want to protect House Sephira.”

“…I see.”

Vulkanus looked disappointed. Amused by his reaction, Keter laughed.

“Haha, what I mean is that just protecting House Sephira isn’t enough.”

“What…?”

Keter clenched and unclenched his fist.

“We need to make them strong. So strong that no one in this world can ignore them.”

* * *

Taragon, who had brought 200 gold for Keter, couldn’t believe his eyes.

Vulkanus and Keter were chatting like old friends.

“Basil was just like you when he was young. Always doing what he was told not to, and full of imagination. One day, he asked me to turn a bowstaff into a sword blade.”

“Did you make it?”

“I did! But Basil cut his hand using it, so it ended up in the warehouse! Hahaha!”

Taragon was perplexed.

‘Was Vulkanus always this talkative?’

Though not of House Sephira’s bloodline, Vulkanus had been as taciturn as them.

But seeing him converse with Keter, it seemed he hadn’t been silent all this time—there just hadn’t been anyone to talk to.

Keter turned and gestured to Taragon.

“Oh, Taragon’s here? Old man, let’s talk later. Customer service comes first.”

As Taragon handed over the pouch of gold coins, Keter flipped it over.

Clink, clink.

Gold coins the size of a pinky finger fell out. Among them were silver coins.

Keter glanced at them and nodded.

“201 gold, 9 silver. Deposit complete.”

After stuffing the change into his pouch and hanging it on his waist, Keter flashed a business smile.

“Now, let’s continue our earlier conversation. Just do as I say, and I promise your life will change.”

“…Really?”

“Don’t believe me if you don’t want to. But no refunds.”

“No, I’ll believe you. Just tell me what to do.”

Taragon had nothing to lose. He’d rather be fooled and shift the responsibility to Keter.

“Let’s move first. We should give the old man time to clean up.”

Vulkanus burst out laughing.

“Not planning to help clean up, are you?”

“That’s what servants are for.”

“Heh, true. Go on. I’ll tidy up here.”

Keter put his arm around Taragon’s shoulder.

“Let’s go, customer.”

“Where to?”

“Where else? To your room.”

And so, the two left Vulkanus’s smithy and moved to another location.

Taragon’s room was the complete opposite of House Sephira’s atmosphere.

It wasn’t so much messy as it was cluttered. Books of all kinds, numerous bows, weapons, and armor filled the space.

Taragon spoke to his personal maids.

“Leave the room until I call for you. Don’t let anyone in.”

As the maids left, Keter rummaged through the clutter.

“Your effort is commendable.”

Whoosh.

Keter tossed a swordsmanship book over his shoulder. Taragon caught it mid-air.

“Can you really help me? Can I trust you?”

On the way here, Taragon had come to his senses.

Though overwhelmed by Keter’s divine presence, he was still worried. After all, Keter had only been with House Sephira for less than a day.

Keter’s response was immediate.

“If you’re going to doubt, don’t believe at all. Half-hearted belief leads to the worst outcomes.”

How could a human be so confident? Taragon envied Keter’s boldness and self-assurance.

“I’ll believe you. I’m not in a position to question things now.”

“Then, let’s sit in this humble place.”

Keter swept the miscellaneous items off the table and sat down. Taragon sat across from him with a hesitant expression.

What advice would Keter give?

Taragon was even a little scared.

“Listen carefully, I won’t repeat myself.”

Gulp.

Despite the cool weather, sweat dripped from Taragon’s forehead. Keter spoke with utmost seriousness.

“From now on, when you wake up in the morning, run around the training field until the sun sets.”

“And then?”

“That’s it.”

“Huh?”

“What were you expecting? That I know some superior aura training method from a prestigious family?”

“Well, no… But will running around the training field really change my life? I mean, specifically… Can I become like you?”

“Like me? Rude?”

“No, no.”

Taragon hesitated in embarrassment, then spoke.

“Can I become as confident and strong as you?”

“Don’t aim to be like me. You’ll only get hurt.”

“……”

“And confidence and strength come hand in hand. Have you ever seen a strong person without confidence? You’ll become strong. Confidence will follow naturally.”

“Can just physical training do that?”

“The proof is right in front of you. You’ll become strong. I guarantee it.”

Taragon, who had been sulking, now had sparkling eyes. Keter’s words were filled with such certainty and confidence that he couldn’t help but believe.

“Enough chit-chat; it’s extra charge. Let me tell you why you need to run around the training field.”

“I’ll get something to write with. Wait a sec.”

“No. I’ll hammer it into your head. Those with bad memories don’t last long in this world anyway.”

Taragon, who had half-risen, quickly sat back down.

The archery skills of the Sephira archers are unparalleled. Even Keter acknowledges that.

But their approach is flawed. Archers who shoot from fixed positions may be strong in war, but an archer who sticks to one spot is easy prey.

Keter began to talk about the weaknesses of the Sephira archers.

Though he was only speaking to Taragon now, it was a start.

Taragon would achieve meaningful results, and through him, the knights would learn. If the knights learned, the soldiers would too.

Keter was educating Taragon with that influence in mind.

What if it didn’t work?

‘Just keep pushing until it does.’

Unaware of his own destiny, Taragon waited eagerly for Keter’s words.