ALL NOVEL Chapter 150.1
150. Surprises Aren’t Always Singular, Isn’t It?
With the continuous appearance of legendary-level crests, even the crest officers are on alert. Their expressions said it all: “We won’t be surprised by whatever comes next!”
Thus, the ritual proceeded solemnly. An odd tension filled the room.
“Now then… [Crest Aptitude Judgment]. …!”
The resolute Generis grimaced. Oh yeah, I get it.
Something incredible must’ve appeared, right?
It was clear he was barely keeping it together.
This had to be the same level of shock as when Lifarn showed up.
“This crest, too, is one that was confirmed only once, during the same era as the Archer Goddess and the Sage. If you’re an adventurer or a knight, you might know the name.”
If you’re an adventurer or a knight?
Wait, could it be a Dragoon!?
No, Kyle’s dad has that one, and though it’s rare, there are still a few out there.
Hmm… nothing comes to mind.
“Crest Official-san, please tell me which crest I’m suited for.”
It seems Raidoc had given up thinking altogether.
“Very well. The crest you’re most suited for… its name is Sword Saint! Also known as Sword Master!”
“””!!!”””
Sword Saint!
I know this one!
It’s a legendary crest said to belong to the person who created sword techniques!
Though the name of the Sword Master hasn’t been passed down, their strength has.
If they existed during the same time as the Sage, they must have played a key role in expanding humanity’s domain.
The Sage, the Sword Saint, and the Bow Goddess.
I see, while the Sage stands out in most legends, it makes sense that such powerful crest bearers existed alongside them.
It seems Jabeel-sensei came to the same hypothesis, mumbling…
“If that’s the case, the conditions for crest manifestation are likely tied to combat. But back then, did humanity even…”
Still…
“Raidoc, Sword Master really suits you.”
“Hey, Craft! You call me the Bow Goddess, but Raidoc gets to be a Sword Master?! What’s that about?”
It’s because it’s funny.
But instead of saying that, I give another reason.
“The title Sword Saint is cool, but Sword Master’just sounds cooler!”
“Craft! I think Sword Saint sounds pretty cool too!”
“Yeah, totally!”
“Why am I the only one…”
Solar slumped her shoulders, but come on, the Bow Goddess crest is definitely the most powerful. You should be more excited! Maybe I’m just joking to ease Raidoc’s tension?
“The Sword Saint’s crest allows you to master all weapons. It seems to favor close combat over ranged weapons, but the specifics are unknown. It stands at the pinnacle of most weapon-based combat and allows the use of many weapon techniques. However, it can’t employ techniques that affect allies, like those of Holy Knights.”
“Totally specialized for solo combat, huh.”
“It might lack coordination techniques, but isn’t that how it’s always been?”
Raidoc nodded firmly at Generis.
Just like his previous swordsman crest, he’s never relied on support or teamwork, always relying on his own training and experience. There’s no fear in growing even stronger on his own.
“Now then, Raidoc. Do you accept this crest?”
“Yes. I will master it, no matter what.”
Clenching his fist with resolve.
“Then! [Crest Transmutation: Sword Saint]!”
The glow was as intense as that from mine, Leafan’s, Eva’s, and Solar’s!
A crest containing unbelievable power!
Yet, it felt natural that this crest suited Raidoc perfectly.
“… I can feel immense power. With this crest, I’ll protect everything, no matter what, this time!” “Haven’t you been protecting everyone up until now?”
“No, I couldn’t protect Kyle-sama. If Zaid-sama hadn’t intervened…”
I recalled the strange eight-headed hydra.
It was truly dangerous. If it had eaten Kyle, he might’ve died before we could even use an elixir. Zaid’s noble upbringing saved him that day. If it had been anyone else, they’d have died instantly.
That day, it was a series of misfortunes for everyone, not just Raidoc or Kyle. Everyone had something to reflect on, but Raidoc carried too much guilt.
“Raidoc, didn’t we all learn something from that?”
“Yeah, I know. So it’s not regret. But, if the same situation arises again, with this Sword Saint crest, I can save everyone. That’s what I believe.”
Raidoc raised his left hand, almost in awe.
As long as he’s not stuck in the past…
“Raidoc, you know I’ll be there too when that time comes.”
“Yeah, of course, Solar.”
“Wait a second! I’ll be there too! I have the Sage’s crest, remember?! The legendary one!”
“Haha, I’m counting on you both.”
Raidoc laughed it off, but Solar and Eva were glaring at each other. … Their teamwork’s looking pretty shaky.
“Anyway, Raidoc, congrats. It’s a crest that suits you perfectly.”
“I’ll make sure to master it, so I don’t lose to you, Craft.”
I’ve never felt like I’ve fully mastered the Crest of the Twilight Alchemist.
Without saying that, I’ll work hard so I don’t fall behind Raidoc.
We gripped each other’s hands firmly, and the kids, eyes sparkling, jumped into the mix.
“Me too! Me too!”
“Hey, Ed! Don’t interrupt their manly bond!”
“Manly bond… Oh no!”
“Azur?”
“It’s nothing! Nothing!”
“Hahaha. Alright, you all. Let’s put our fists together and swear to grow stronger!”
“Really, Blue Bro!?”
“Of course!”
“Yay!”
Raidoc’s whole party, along with the kids, me, Jitaro, and Persia, all joined in, bumping fists together.
And for some reason, Myrna joined in too. Guess she wanted to be part of it. But, Myna, you’re supposed to be on the side we protect, okay?
“Alright, we swear to grow stronger, to protect the Elixil frontier and the Golden Dawn!”
“””We swear!!!”””
Kyle, who had been watching our vow with a proud expression, stepped forward to face us all.
“Now that everyone’s ceremony is finished… Generis, thank you for your hard work today.” “Indeed, it was an exhausting day full of surprises, but as a crest officer, I learned a lot. I must immediately draft letters to inform the other crest officers of the new crests.”
Generis bowed and quickly left the room.
As we watched him go, Kyle turned back toward us, standing tall.
Everyone straightened up, sensing he had something to say.
“Now, I will announce one more reward for Raidoc and the others.”
“””Huh?”””
The adventurers echoed in unison.
Of course, they thought the crest aptitude test alone was more than enough reward. They didn’t expect anything more.
I had suggested two possible rewards to Kyle.
“As the lord of the Elixil frontier, I offer this reward.”
Kyle pointed to the weapons the adventurers carried.
“No way…!”
Raidoc seemed to catch on.
“Yes. The orichalcum equipment we’ve been lending you… it will now be yours as a reward.” “What!?”
That’s right.
We’d crafted orichalcum equipment, but it was so powerful, possibly even better than the king’s gear.
So we’d only been lending it out under the guise of a loan, along with requiring reports on how it performed. Knowing all this, Raidoc and the others were wide-eyed.
“Wait a second!”
It was Bep, the priest, who raised his hand to object.
“Raidoc, Solar, and the Casper sisters deserve such a reward, but it’s too much for the rest of us!”
Bep was flustered, but Kyle shook his head.
“No, Bep, Bardak, Morda, and even Leafan and Jitaro. You all shone just as brightly as the orichalcum itself. More than that, you’re all people I need for the future of my domain.”
“Kyle… sama.”
“There’s a bit of calculation in this too. Like the mithril weapons, you can’t sell or transfer these without my permission. So, you’re bound to this land.”
Kyle gave a mischievous grin.
“Besides, I’ve already gotten the king’s approval, so if you turn it down, my reputation will take a hit.”
All the groundwork was already laid.
Now that he’d framed it like that, there was no way they could refuse.
Kyle really is a sly one.
Raidoc glanced at everyone, then knelt before Kyle on their behalf.
“Kyle-sama, we humbly accept your generous reward.”
“Good. Oh, and remember to keep submitting those reports to the production guild.”
“Of course!”
And that’s how Raidoc and his party obtained both new crests and the strongest orichalcum equipment.
From then on, the exploits of Raidoc and Bep’s parties would only grow more legendary.
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