chapter 20
20
Before he knew it, winter was approaching.
Habel was moving somewhere with Dante before climbing the tower.
Strangely, he was holding a cane in his hand.
Why would he be holding a cane when his legs weren’t even uncomfortable?
Dante wondered about that too.
“Are you sure that’s enough compensation?”
The cane was none other than Glysys’s compensation.
An apology for what Drathen had done.
Dante wondered why he had received a cane for that.
Well, it was obvious.
It was just a cane that looked a little luxurious, nothing special.
That’s why Glysys handed it over so readily.
They didn’t know what it was for, though they were suspicious.
“Banpelion was originally quite a wealthy family.”
Banpelion, which had become the best among numerous families.
Of course, it was a family that earned as much as it spent on its territory.
“So, they distribute their wealth in various places in order to use it according to the situation.”
In case of a disaster in the territory, they classified and set aside some wealth.
Only the successive heads of the family knew about these assets.
It was to prevent selfish interests from creeping in.
Now, they didn’t even have a territory like that.
With Habel gone, the existence of such assets was also forgotten in this world.
“This cane is the key to a vault that can open one of them.”
“The cane?”
“Yes, it was intentionally made in this shape.”
Habel stopped walking as he spoke.
He had come to the mountain of the territory that had once been Banpelion.
In the forest, there were many animals busy preparing for winter.
They looked at Habel and Dante curiously.
Habel looked up at a large tree.
The towering tree looked very old.
Habel brushed away the fallen leaves in front of it with his cane.
“There it is.”
Under the fallen leaves.
Habel discovered a small stone statue sitting there.
“Look closely.”
Havbel stomped his staff before him.
Light began to leak out from where the staff was planted.
“This is…”
“Magic. Magic cast by Banpelion’s exclusive wizard.”
Havbel briefly reminisced about the old days.
The one who could have made a greater name for himself as a wizard, but remained in Banpelion.
And his subordinate who fought alongside him in the Demon Palace.
Banpelion’s Grand Mage, Milerio.
His magic still protected Banpelion even now.
‘I owe you a great deal.’
The man who smiled brilliantly until the end was unforgettable to Havbel.
While Havbel was lost in thought,
The light had turned off at some point, and stairs had appeared beneath the tree.
Havbel started down the stairs, leaving the staff where it was.
As Dante followed him down, the wooden stairs continued downward.
At the same time, blue lanterns lit up one by one on the earthen walls.
It was proof that the magic was still operating.
“What a legacy from an incredible magician.”
“He was incredible, indeed.”
He had averted the crisis of their annihilation in the Demon Palace by offering himself in their stead.
Meanwhile, the stairs finally came to an end.
At the end of the stairs was a single door.
Havbel grabbed the door handle and pushed it open.
Creeeaak-.
The door handle opened with a rusty sound.
Dante lets out an exclamation as more blue lanterns lit up in succession, illuminating the darkness.
“Th, this is…”
There were several boxes filled with gold, silver, and jewels.
Funds to be used in the event of a disaster.
Naturally, it was a considerable amount.
Havbel went to the boxes and roughly checked the amount.
‘I should be able to afford a mansion with this.’
He didn’t expect anything as grand as Glysys’ mansion.
However, he needed to have at least the basics.
That way, more people would be drawn to Banpelion.
“Dante, can you put this in the subspace?”
“Yes, I believe I can fit everything.”
“That’s good.”
Havbel left the boxes and started walking.
“Dante, come over here.”
He called for Dante.
Dante, who had been looking at the box, immediately came to Habell.
Then, his eyes fell upon the swords hanging on the wall.
Swords that still retained their form even after a hundred years had passed.
Dante couldn’t help but admire those swords.
Because each and every one of them had a famous sword.
“Choose one of these.”
“Me? Really?”
“You won’t be able to go any further with that sword, after all.”
The sword Dante had was one that Van Pellio had prepared for him.
However, that sword was nothing more than a slightly sturdy sword at best.
But it would be different if it was a famous sword.
The power that the sword itself possessed could change the game.
That was why Dante’s heart pounded as a swordsman.
“Aren’t you going to take one, Habell-nim?”
But shouldn’t Habell choose first if it was this kind of sword?
Dante asked, hesitating slightly at that thought.
Then Habell tilted his head and soon burst into laughter.
“Every sword that my hand touches becomes a famous sword.”
No matter what sword he wielded, the moment it met Habell, that sword would become the best-known sword.
Would such Habell be greedy for a sword?
“Do those words sound arrogant?”
Dante shook his head.
Because he also agreed with Habell’s words.
Habell has already far surpassed the level of being attached to tools.
He himself was already the world’s best famous sword.
Even a wooden stick would be a famous sword in his hands.
However, Dante was different.
In other words, he had not yet reached the stage of becoming one with the sword.
“Take your time choosing. They all belong to Van Pellio, anyway.”
Even if he had brought Arthur along, Arthur would have bestowed the sword to Dante.
So, it didn’t matter which one he chose.
“…Thank you.”
Dante bowed his head to Habell and carefully chose a sword.
In the meantime, Habell looked around more.
He was wondering if there was anything he could use.
However, Habell’s level was too high.
‘I’m already past the level of relying on objects, so they’re all just clutter to me.’
No matter what item he took, his body would be stronger.
Even so, he was still getting stronger and stronger.
Honestly, I thought I was done getting hurt.
Then a photograph caught his eye.
Habel let out a bitter laugh as he picked up the photo.
‘I even have this.’
It was a picture of him as a child.
And next to him was a young girl.
She was hiding shyly behind Habel, her arms around his waist.
But her silver hair peeking out told him that she was Banphelion.
Habel slowly cared for the photo with his hand.
‘Aria.’
His little sister had followed him well.
Perhaps that was why Habel treated his much younger sister like a daughter.
‘Did you miss me until the end?’
Looking at the photo, he felt sorry.
He regretted not being able to return when Aria was alive.
“Dante.”
Habel called out to Dante, who was choosing a sword.
“Yes, Master Habel.”
“Do you know where the graves of the past Banphelion family heads are?”
Dante nodded.
“Yes, they are not far from the mansion.”
“I see.”
Habel took the photo out of its frame and carefully placed it in his pocket.
‘You did well while I was away.’
Once he had climbed the tower and Banphelion had regained its glory,
It seemed like it was time for him to visit her and share stories of what had happened.
“Master Habel, I will take this sword.”
In the meantime, Dante had chosen a sword.
“Valisadore.”
“Is that the name of this sword?”
“Yes, it is a sword with the ability to cut through objects.”
Dante’s eyes widened.
He knew it was a famous sword, but he didn’t know it had that ability.
That meant it was a sword that could pierce through defenses.
“Of course, that’s only if the user’s aura surpasses the opponent’s aura.”
“So it’s not all-powerful.”
“That’s the case with all famous swords. There is no such thing as an all-powerful sword. Only swordsmen can be all-powerful.”
They vary greatly depending on who wields them.
That’s what a famous sword is.
“You just have to become a knight worthy of that sword.”
“Yes.”
Dante cherished the Valisador and fastened it to his waist.
With that, Havel finally stepped outside.
Then, he took back his staff and handed it to Dante.
“Deliver this with the chests to Sir Arthur at Banphelion.”
“Why won’t you do it yourself, Mr. Havel?”
“I’m a mercenary. Sir Arthur will understand if I give it to you as an apple from Glyce.”
Dante took the staff.
He didn’t say a word since Havel had told him to.
“I’ll visit Belterra. Let’s meet at the tower after I finish my business.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll inform Sir Arthur and go to the tower right away.”
Havel nodded and left.
Dante looked at the sword on his waist and headed to the mansion with a sense of satisfaction.
Thinking that Arthur would be quite surprised.
* * *
After that, Dante went straight to Banphelion.
Then, when he took out the gold and jewels in front of Arthur, Arthur was naturally very surprised.
However, as Havel had said, it was a reward from Glyce, so Arthur quickly understood.
Someone like Glyce could easily afford this much money for the sake of honor.
Just like that, the money was properly delivered to Banphelion.
Dante, who had completed his mission, immediately left the mansion.
‘The story was longer than I thought.’
There were too many things to talk about as he told the story of the friendly match.
At this rate, Havel would definitely be waiting.
Dante hurriedly walked to Babel.
Havel said he would wait at the tower.
‘Then he must be in the 4th level safe zone.’
So it was the moment when Dante was about to enter the tower.
Whoosh!
A short sound of fire could be heard from somewhere.
Dante immediately pulled his foot back as soon as he heard the sound.
At that moment, a fireball flew past him.
“Ugh, what the hell!?”
“Who shot the fire?!”
A commotion broke out at the entrance of the tower in an instant.
Dante puts his hand on his sword with a hardened face.
Because he had come face to face with the one who threw the fire.
“Who are you?”
“Hey, nice to meet you. You’re Dante, right? I’ve been waiting for you to come to the tower.”
A little boy with an upturned hoodie.
He was juggling a fireball in his hand as if he was performing a magic trick.
‘Crimson Magician.’
Dante realized that it was magic and gripped his sword tightly.
Judging from how freely he was manipulating the fire, he was a high-level magician.
Magicians defy logic.
Dante had not fought many of them, so he was nervous.
“No need to be so nervous. I’m just testing your level!”
Immediately after the boy inspired, a fireball flew toward him.
Dante quickly moved his feet and dodged the fireball.
The blazing fireball was dangerous even for Dante.
“Good dodge!”
Meanwhile, the boy chuckled and created more fireballs.
Just keeping his distance would not solve the problem.
Dante lowered his sword into a ready stance.
Instantly, a pure, white light began to gather on the blade.
‘Charge.’
Dante stomped on the ground and accelerated forward.
His physical strength, honed through training with Habell, was tremendous.
Thanks to his strength, the distance between the boy and Dante closed in an instant.
Dante reached right before the boy and immediately swung his sword.
Swish!
The moment that clean motion ended, the boy’s body blurred.
Dante’s eyes widened at that moment.
“That’s a fake.”
Behind the boy who was turning into smoke, the real boy was smiling with a fireball in his hand.
Then the boy shot the fireball without hesitation…
Boom!
“Ugh!”
The boy collapsed on the ground.
Dante stared ahead with his eyes wide open.
Habell was standing there with his fist raised.
“I wondered why you were late, but what are you doing with such a guy?”
It was Habell who had defeated Dante’s struggling opponent as if he were swatting a fly.