“What will you use?”
“Supportive magic, artifacts. Come to think of it, the artifact from this dungeon is important… I can’t use that as a negotiation item, can I?”
It was no exaggeration to say that the Golden Falcon was legendary in terms of its history and capabilities.
However, its versatility was so extreme that there was no one but Tragula who could use it now.
On the other hand, Fulgor’s Pumpkin had good effects and relatively wide versatility.
It was no less of an artifact than the Golden Falcon Tragula had.
And Meyer, who had been the owner in the first round, should have known better how valuable the item Fulgor’s Pumpkin was. I began to wonder about Meyer’s mood.
But Meyer nodded pleasantly.
“Do whatever you want.”
It seemed that he was not interested in the Fulgor Pumpkin’s whereabouts. I was suspicious, so I checked once more.
“Can I hand it over to Tragula?”
“You thought it would be in my and the Black Knights’ best interest to give it to Tragula and get him.”
“That’s true, but…”
“That’s enough.”
“…Then I’ll take this opportunity to appease Tragula.”
I muttered resolutely. It was surprising that Meyer was generous with using Fulgor’s Pumpkin, but that did not mean that the value of the artifact fell.
Meyer nodded as if to do so, and soon added as if he was disappointed.
“I wanted to give it to you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. If you have Fulgor’s Pumpkin, you can use attack magic. It’s not bad for self-defense.”
I couldn’t believe he wanted to use Fulgor’s Pumpkin as self-defense. Meyer’s sense of artifacts was crueler than mine, as a player.
“I have the Commander. The Commander will protect me.”
I gently spoke with honey in my mouth. Meyer’s mouth quivered as if my words sounded satisfying.
I think I learned a little about how to deal with Meyer. I also smiled with pride.
***
At the demon’s lifeless body, Tragula exhaled.
An artifact appeared shimmering from between the demon corpse.
A direct spark splashed as if blocking access from others other than Tragula, who owned it.
But as Tragula reached out, the electricity that had been blasting around him disappeared, revealing a terminally strong and clear pumpkin.
Axion, the rest of the Black Knights, and the Fabian Expedition, minus Fabian, watched the whole process in a daze.
After a while, it was Axion who broke the desolation and raised a sharp voice.
“Tragula, are you crazy?”
Axion, who belatedly came to his senses, approached Tragula with a big fury. It was different from his usual attitude of pretending to be rational and smiling.
It was Jun who prevented Axion from making sense of the situation immediately.
“Calm down, Axion.”
“But Jun, this is a mutiny. It’s a violation of the rules of the expedition! I can’t believe he’s a captain of the Black Knights….”
“No.”
Jun said to Axion, who couldn’t control his anger and spat out.
Finally, Axion noticed that something was wrong and looked around. Meyer and August, who were stepping back behind Jun, were calm, unlike himself.
It was as if they had sensed all of this…
If he had thought about it, the normal Meyer would have gone ahead and condemned Tragula before he could even stand up.
As soon as Axion frowned, wondering, Tragula approached Meyer with Fulgor’s Pumpkin.
Then, he suddenly showed the artifact. Meyer replied, looking down at the artifact in Tragula’s hand.
“I have been informed that you will be taking possession of the artifact.”
“I didn’t mean to receive it.”
“Then don’t strike the last hit.”
“I think there’s someone who wants it.”
Tragula glanced at Fabian.
In all honesty, what Fabian had whispered was very tempting to Tragula.
If only he hadn’t heard the exact same thing from Jun before that.
Fabian’s complexion had turned white as he realized that the situation was going to change, not at all like the picture he had painted.
Jun, the party who had laid out the situation for all of this, approached Tragula, shouting in an audible voice.
“Tragula is also more interesting than I thought. He can match rhythms like this.”
Many in the room did not know who Tragula’s words referred to, but a few, and Fabian, who was involved, could not help but know.
Fabian’s face turned red, blue, and upside down, and you could not tell the color of his hair from the color of his eyes.
Whether Fabian did or not, Jun just wrapped Tragula’s hand, which he held out flatly to Meyer, and let him hold Fulgor’s Pumpkin.
“First, hold it and ponder about it. I don’t think I’ve given you enough time to think about it.”
Jun smiled and stared up at Tragula.
In the gaze of irresistible pressure, Tragula looked at Jun without being able to refuse.
When the two looked too close, Meyer’s face distorted and his murderous intent leaked. It was blatant and obvious hostility.
However, Tragula was more afraid of Jun in front of him than Meyer Knox.
Meyer Knox was a stronger man than him. It was natural to shudder and bow to his threats.
Jun, on the other hand, was much weaker than him. Even if her level was higher than his own, the stats she was born with would never be able to overtake him.
But Tragula was frightened of Jun.
That made her all the more grotesque and frightening. A vague fear consumed him as if he were facing an unknown entity.
He had known from the start that he could not underestimate her, but it had not been long since he had felt this kind of fear.
It had been just before he had entered the dungeon when she had paid Tragula a sudden visit.
***
<In a few days, a dungeon will open. It’s probably a wood attribute. His Majesty will send expeditions with fire wizards, and we will join the fight. An artifact will come from that very dungeon.>
<How do you know that?>
<There’s a way I know. Let’s say it’s my ability.>
He looked at Jun suspiciously, trailing off at the words she suddenly called out and handed over.
Information on dungeons was precious and should not be disclosed to anyone.
She would let him be informed of such things?
When he ruminated on their rapport, he was absolutely sure that the decision was not made based on trust alone.
Then Jun suddenly brought up something out of the blue.
<I think there is a great deal of dissatisfaction with the fact that the Commander has driven you to the frontier.>
<…>
<But you know better than me why, don’t you? Because your owner is not the Black Knight.>
<…!>
<I recently learned about what happened between you and Countess Nerus. She lent you the Golden Falcon.>
Tragula’s heart fluttered. As his work with Countess Nerus was public, it was natural for Meyer and Jun to know.
However, there was no excuse for loyalty. Tragula hurriedly tried to deny his position, having been collared by Countess Nerus.
However, Jun’s mouth was first to open.
<This time, the artifact is… Objectively speaking, it is second to none to the Golden Falcon. Perhaps some people prefer new artifacts.>
<…What is it that you want to say?>
<If you want, make the last hit. I’ll give you the artifact.>
<Pardon?>
<Take the artifact and ask Countess Nerus to exchange it for the Golden Falcon. If she doesn’t have any other dreams, she’ll exchange them for you.>
Jun said it as if it were nothing, but Tragula was puzzled.
She was just going to give him an artifact that was comparable to the Golden Falcon? Why?
While Tragula was making a silly face, Jun quietly continued to talk.
<If it’s a mother-son relationship, there’s no way Countess Nerus wouldn’t accept this proposal. But if not… She needs the Golden Falcon, or she’s going to use you to do something. It’s one or the other, isn’t it?>
It was both of them. Because Countess Nerus didn’t want to miss one of the two. Tragula swallowed his spit and muttered.
<… She won’t give up the Golden Falcon easily.>
<Then it will be much easier. Just give her the Golden Falcon and break off the relationship.>
<…>
At Jun’s light words, Tragula opened his eyes, bent like a fox.
If she hadn’t underestimated the Heavenly Palace, she wouldn’t have said something like that. Feeling insulted, Tragula clenched his fist tightly.
But Jun did not care. She spoke more bluntly.
<I know roughly what meaning you ascribe to the Golden Falcon. I heard that you are a descendant of the Heavenly Palace. Is the Golden Falcon your choice to rebuild your fallen family?>
Jun’s gaze landed on the golden bow that Tragula had on his shoulder. But not long after she shook her head.
<But your heavenly honor is not for the Golden Falcon, it is for your Heavenly Palace feats. Are you content to just use the Golden Falcon? Did you finally change your family and are loyal to Countess Nerus for that purpose?>
<…>
Having hit the mark, Tragula clammed up. Yes, he had. He had sold his feats to get the Golden Falcon back…
<I will get you a good bow, even if it is not as good as the Golden Falcon. You become a hero and make another Golden Falcon. You can do that.>
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