Level Eater

Finally relieved that all the unpleasant matters were over, Brendan, the lord, and his daughter, Laurence, arrived with their escorts in front of the two. Following them were Reginald, the muscular head of the Mac Dermott family and a merchant, his chubby son Gillian, the elderly knight and security chief of the Mac Dermott family, Neville, Neville's subordinate and a female magic user, the former thief Salman, and the members who were present when the two arrived here.

"Truly, it seems you managed to accomplish what you said. I don't even know how to express my gratitude" (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"No, as a result, all our troubles have been resolved as well" (Tatsuro)

"I see. Well, when it comes to that, it's time for the reward… but what should I do? I do intend to provide money, but I feel like that alone might not be enough. Is there anything you desire?" (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"Something we desire…" Tatsuro and Ai's most desired item at the moment was SP (Skill Points), but it was not something they could ask for. Since money was assumed to be given, it would be preferable to seek something difficult to obtain without the lord's influence. However, Tatsuro couldn't think of anything right away. So, he sent a glance to Ai, wondering if she had any ideas. She placed her hand on her chin, pondered for a moment, and then sent a telepathic message.

{Come to think of it, I lost some of my equipment, so is there anything I could use?} (Ai)

{Ah, indeed. Since this is from a lord, there might be something that can withstand Ai's full power, like a gem sword.} (Tatsuro)

{Yes, exactly. In case of emergency, I tend to forget to hold back, and normal items end up breaking.} (Ai)

With that settled, it was time to consult with the lord. Tatsuro turned his gaze back to the lord and spoke.

"Weapons, Hmm? Well, specifically, what kind of weapon do you want?" (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"I don't have a particular preference, but I would prefer something made of a material that won't break even if a large amount of energy is poured into it." (Ai)

"No specific preference, huh? Hmm." (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

While the lord was contemplating if there was anything suitable, Laurence, who was following behind, joined the conversation.

"How about the family heirloom axe? That should withstand a large amount of energy, right?" (Laurence)

"Hmm? Ah, that's true, but… It's not something I can do. Even if it was used by thieves and got a bad reputation, it's still a symbol of our house." (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"Keeping something unusable just for the sake of tradition seems disrespectful to the weapon. If that's the case, what about that one?" (Laurence)

"That one…? Yeah, the one my grandfather bought when I was still little. He bought it just because it was rare, even though he couldn't use it." (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"That one… That one… Ah! That might work well." (Laurence)

With the conversation progressing rapidly, the lord issued a command to one of his guards, who then instructed another unfamiliar man. After waiting for about ten minutes, the man who had left the room earlier returned with another person, both carrying a massive bow together.

It was nearly three meters in size, with a thickness of thirty centimeters. In the center of the part that became thinner, similar to the handle, a thin blue sphere was embedded. A wire-like string of the same thickness as the handle was stretched across it.

Even though it was called a bow, it was too large, and the string was too thick. At first glance, it didn't seem usable as a bow. Tatsuro began to doubt whether they were trying to impose something unnecessary on him.

However, Reginald who was watching from behind, exclaimed in surprise.

"Is that celestial armour" (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"That right. This would be a worthy reward of this meritorious service" (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"Is that okay…? It won't be surprising if some other celestial armor is designated as national treasures due to their power" (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"You are right. No one who has ever obtained it has been able to draw out its true power, my father bought it as an artifact at an unbelievable price, and my father is no longer with us. Therefore, if these people can draw out that power it would be better to give it to them" (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"Ha" (Reginald Mac Dermott)

Reginald, who was confident that he could sell it for a high price, looked a bit conflicted, but knowing that it was not worth twisting the owner's words, he held his peace.

The atmosphere had somehow turned weird and Tatsuro and the others who had been ignored were wondering what was really happening between the two men.

"Um, can I ask what that celestial armor is?" (Tatsuro)

"What? You don't know about celestial armor? Well, celestial armor is—" (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

According to his words, celestial armor was a weapon that absorbed energy and manifested special abilities. It was an item that caused events impossible to reproduce even with the combined technology of all humanity.

As for where to obtain such a thing, it seemed it could be acquired very rarely in dungeons. Monsters defeated in dungeons might transform into celestial armor, or it could appear from treasure chests.

Moreover, this phenomenon could occur in any low-level dungeon, so acquiring it depended entirely on luck. It seemed that elements beyond one's strength were necessary, and that's why it was called celestial armor.

Its name came from being a piece of equipment bestowed by the heavens. A straightforward name established by adventurers, apparently.

"Like an RPG drop item, huh?" (Ai)

"Indeed, it's becoming more and more like a game world," (Tatsuro)

Furthermore, the bow they were planning to hand over this time couldn't even be strung, and even if energy was poured into it, it leaked out like a cup with a hole, making it utterly useless. However, according to the analysis, there was a possibility that it contained considerable power… or not. In other words, it seemed impressive but was difficult to understand.

"Heh, but it sounds interesting. Like Arthur who pulled the sword that no one could pull, I want to be like Ai-chan, using a bow that no one else can use." (Ai)

"Well then, why don't you give it a try? It's fine, isn't it, Lord?" (Tatsuro)

"Of course, that's the plan." (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"Great! In that case, please lend it to me for a moment." (Ai)

""Eh!?""

Ai quickly lifted the bow with one hand from the soldiers who seemed reluctant to put it on the floor. She held a slim spear handed to her as a substitute for an arrow, paying no attention to the soldiers who seemed slightly shocked. Then, facing an empty direction, she attempted to wield it sideways since the normal way was impossible due to her height.

However, even with Ai's enhanced strength, she couldn't draw the string. Pouring energy into it resulted in nothing but air leaking out into the atmosphere.

Seeing this, Tatsuro thought that if Ai couldn't draw it, then almost all of humanity worldwide probably couldn't either. He suspected there might be another factor.

"Does this require special arrows or something like that?" (Ai)

"Hmm. I don't know!" (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"…Is that so?" (Ai)

{Isn't this item we got useless? Ai, can you use it?} (Tatsuro)

{Well, let me see.} (Ai)

Ai then placed the spear she had been using as a substitute for an arrow on the floor and, without aiming at anything, began flowing energy throughout the entire bow as if holding an imaginary arrow. Suddenly, a visible arrow made of blue energy appeared.

"""" Wow!""""

Some of those present expressed their surprise, but the lord and his daughter were just tilting their heads in confusion. When Tatsuro asked about the reason, it turned out that others had tried without aiming arrows in the same way, but such a phenomenon had never occurred before.

"Indeed, a bow without needing arrows. Convenient, isn't it?" (Laurence)

"Yeah… But it looks pretty ordinary for its appearance." (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"Well, considering how desperately someone tried to use it, this level of effect isn't enough." (Laurence)

With the lord and his daughter seemingly convinced, Ai still felt something was off. However, she didn't want to reveal it here. So, she told the bow in her mind that she would check it later and stopped further investigation.

Having successfully demonstrated its usability, Ai received the bow as a gift from the lord, happily storing it in her Item Box.

"Hmm, it seems you're pleased. That's good above all. I've already prepared the money, so please wait for a moment." (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"Understood." (Ai)

During the gap in time, they were informed about the future of the lord's son and the town mayor. The mayor had been executed, and the son had wandered off, never to return. All the blame was shifted onto the mayor and the deceased Gregory, and it was decided to secretly execute them. The lord, with no strength in his eyes, as he spoke about this, would step down from his position as soon as the next mayoral election concluded. He would pass the lordship to his daughter, who would serve as his assistant for a while. After that, he planned to live in the countryside with only a small amount of money.

This heavy information about the father and daughter was too much for the young pair, so they lightly brushed it off. After the conversation ended, they headed towards Marikka and Ennio lying beside her.

"Still, this one feels different from Iarouris." (Marikka Shurjaniemi)

"Yeah? In what way?" (Tatsuro)

"Well, certainly, even when we fought there, it was powerful, but honestly, I don't think the dragon race would consider destroying it at that level. They're not the kind of race to act recklessly and make a species extinct just because they feel danger. So, thinking about it, Ennio is probably something similar to Iarouris." (Marikka Shurjaniemi)

"Don't you have a clear answer?" (Tatsuro)

"Yeah, and even though I saw the corpse of Paralaceus, I also felt that was different. Well, I've never seen it before this day, so it's just speculation." (Marikka Shurjaniemi)

While saying that, Marikka gently stroked Ennio. Ennio wagged its tail happily, and the three of them, including Tatsuro, discussed various things while continuing to pet him.

Then, they moved on to Gillian and Salman.

"I, I ended up working as Gillian's assistant." (Salman)

"I see. Does that mean you got away with the whole thief incident?" (Tatsuro)

"Well, not completely innocent. However, because I cooperated with you guys, and some people remembered me from when I was a guard in the previous town of Tofas, that person talked about my work attitude and personality. So, it seems I'll be able to settle it with a hefty fine and supervision. Well, it's a lifelong debt, but I plan to live the rest of my life with that burden. Just, if I ever cause even a minor problem again—well, you know." (Salman)

Salman made a throat-slashing gesture with his index finger and smiled wryly. Gillian, standing next to him, nodded solemnly.

"Hmm. Why did you decide to hire Salman again? Honestly, from the perspective of someone who doesn't know the details, it doesn't look good to be employing someone like that." ((Tatsuro)

"Yes. However, I became friends with Salman. Besides, even without that, he's excellent. From now on, if he works hard, people's opinions will change over time. I believe in that" (Gillian Mac Dermott)

Gillian said, firmly grabbing Salman's shoulder and smiling slyly. Salman, seeming pleased to be praised for his excellence, smiled somewhat bashfully.

After leaving them, they visited Reginald and Neville.

"Come visit our house again. When you do, let's properly thank you for saving our son." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"Yes, if there's a chance." (Tatsuro)

"Haha, not greedy even though you're young. Well, how about this? While gold doesn't seem to interest you much, it seems you're interested in equipment. We have some special items in our house, so how about providing them to you at a discount?" (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"Hey, aren't you giving them to us for free?" (Ai)

With a mischievous and slightly malicious look, Ai teased Reginald. He responded with a confident smile.

"It's quite difficult for someone in my profession to provide goods for free. However, I'll study harder than usual to give you a discount." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"I'm looking forward to it." (Ai)

"Do you have equipment for mages as well?" (Tatsuro)

"Of course." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

Reginald, with the demeanor befitting someone managing a large business, displayed an air of prestige. After some casual conversation, they were called by the lord again. There, after receiving the reward money, the lord began to talk about something unimaginable.

"What do you think? My daughter doesn't seem to be thinking about marriage, but I would like her to have a child. So, would you be willing to provide your seed to our house?" (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

""Eh?""

The sudden proposal shocked both Tatsuro and Ai. The lord, seemingly unbothered, continued with his proposition.

"I know you two love each other. So, I'm not asking for marriage or anything, nor am I trying to tie you to our territory for the sake of a child. I just want you to mate with her a few times until she conceives. We simply desire the blood of a talented individual for our family's prosperity." (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"That's…" (Tatsuro)

"Ugh." (Ai)

Feeling the atmosphere of refusal from Tatsuro and seeing Ai pouting beside him, the lord persisted with a strong push.

"My daughter is beautiful, even if I say so myself. Just think of it as a light-hearted affair for a few nights. I might even offer additional rewards if a child is born." (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

The situation made Tatsuro, already bewildered by this family, muster his resolve.

"I'm sorry, but we can't accept that offer." (Tatsuro)

"Why not? Is my daughter unsatisfactory?" (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"No, she's certainly beautiful. However, if I'm going to conceive a child with someone, I have already decided on the one person in the world." (Tatsuro)

Saying this, Tatsuro looked the lord directly in the eyes and firmly held Ai's hand, intertwining their fingers to show the connection. Ai blushed intensely at this bold confession. Laurence, slightly jealous, smiled with a hint of envy, and the lord looked solemn.

"Hahaha! I see, I see. Well, I guess it can't be helped. I apologize for suggesting something unreasonable. Forget everything I just said." (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"Yes, I've already forgotten." (Tatsuro)

"Good. Then, let's consider my proposition done. If anything happens in the future, feel free to rely on our house. At that time, I'll do my best to help with whatever little power I have." (Brendan Lyadas Bruitt)

"Yes, thank you." (Tatsuro)

With that unexpected and strange connection established, Tatsuro and his companion Ai spent one more night in the lord's castle before parting ways. On the way back to their base…

"Do you regret anything about Laurence?" (Ai)

"Do I seem like it?" (Tatsuro)

"Not at all" (Ai)

"Well, that's good then." (Tatsuro)

Arm in arm, the couple, their faces redder than usual, frequently stopped to exchange kisses, oblivious to the disapproving glances from people passing by. They remained blissfully unaware of the attention they attracted until the very end.

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