The Duke’s Madness

“How much money would you like?”

“Once you get rid of the pistol you used before, 100 gold.”

At the words of the host, Arthur took out 100 gold and handed it to me without saying anything.

The owner, who was slowly counting out the amount, puts a satisfied smile on his lips.

“hmm… . That’s correct.”

“Can I take it now?”

“of course. Performance is as expected. Even if it’s just magic, there are far more than the ones I used before… . For now, attribute enhancement is attached.”

At the explanation, Arthur tilted his head and asked a question.

“But no matter how cursed it is, isn’t it too cheap?”

“Not cheap. But no matter how good a thing is, what will it be used for if there is no owner?”

“… hmm. Will that happen?”

“It doesn’t happen. What if that pistol hadn’t had that curse? It wouldn’t even flow to me. There is a big difference between pistols with attributes, but there are times when 10,000 gold goes way beyond that.”

Arthur’s eyes widen.

‘Only gold… . Isn’t that the amount you can buy 2-3 mansions where you live now?’

To put it a little exaggeratedly, it was similar to the Bavarian family’s monthly operating funds.

In other words, it was something that Yonel couldn’t easily buy.

Though he thought it was a good pistol, Arthur, who had no idea it would be such a huge item, stuck out his tongue.

‘hmm… . But isn’t it true that the curse is real when the owner doesn’t appear for something this good?’

Arthur asked impatiently.

The answer came right back.

“why? Are you suddenly anxious?”

“no. But you’re curious. How many people died?”

The owner spread his palms with a playful expression.

“Five people I know of.”

“… .”

“What’s even more surprising is that it took a year for the five of them to change owners. I can’t even count how many people have died from the past.”

Arthur groaned.

“oh… . Hearing that story, I can understand why the price of this item is low.”

“A beast that bites its owner. The name did not come about for nothing.”

Arthur whirled the beast in his hand as if showing off.

“But I guess I can’t. No matter how beastly he is, he won’t kill someone who has already died once, right?”

“… ? What do you mean?”

“just joke. That means I don’t believe in superstition.”

The owner let out a belated laugh.

“This is one of the funniest jokes I have heard lately. Anyway, good use. I don’t feel too good when my guest dies.”

Arthur bowed his head and left the store.

After that, he raised the beast in his hand and murmured.

“hmm… . Is there anything special besides this energy surrounded by the barrel? But five people died, there must be a reason.”

Thoughtful, Arthur shrugged.

“So am I going to die this time too? Did old man Willet warn you?”

Arthur burst into laughter.

I don’t know if it’s an illusion, but it seemed that the beast was vibrating in response to that laugh.

In the meantime, Arthur moved and headed for the smithy located on the other side.

earth-! earth-! earth-!

As befits a smithy located in Area A, it is very sophisticated unlike other smithies.

First of all, it was very different from other smithies, even if the smell of fire and iron was barely noticeable.

At that time, a boy with impressive pitch-black skin approached and asked a question in a polite tone.

“… What are you here for?”

Arthur said, taking out the meteorite sword from his waist.

“I’m thinking of going on a date, is that possible?”

“Of course it is possible. If it’s just me, it’ll take less than an hour.”

With these words, the boy walked somewhere, and Arthur followed.

Then, there was a strong smell of iron and fire that I hadn’t smelled outside.

‘oh… . Was it blocked by magic?’

Along with the thought, Arthur implicitly admired it.

It was because it was the first time I had seen a smithy that cared about cleanliness.

In the meantime, the boy who had disappeared reappeared and beckoned to Arthur.

“Blacksmith No. 3 says it’s possible right now. Please come this way.”

Arthur followed the boy again.

Then, a middle-aged man who seemed to be 20 years older than the boy bowed his head.

“You said you came to sharpen the blade?”

“yes.”

“Will you show me your sword?”

Arthur held out his meteorite sword.

Blacksmith No. 3 took a closer look at the meteorite sword and was startled.

“… It’s a unique sword. No, it’s not unique, it’s a rare sword.”

At his words, Arthur raised an eyebrow.

“I heard that the sword is made of a meteorite.”

“meteor? her… . Then it’s a bigger sword. A sword made of ore from outer space… .”

The blacksmith, who was speechless, brightened his eyes.

“It is a sword with a sharp edge by nature, so it seems like it will end soon. Please wait ten minutes.”

With these words, the blacksmith turned around and the boy hinted at the question.

“Can I bring you some cold coffee?”

“Oh, do you have cold coffee?”

“yes! Very tasty!”

Arthur flipped out a fairy tale.

The boy who accepted the fairy tale quickly brought out a cup of Ahh and held it out.

“Does it taste good?”

“lol! Everyone says my coffee is the best!”

At the boy’s words, Arthur burst into laughter.

After that, it was time to leisurely drink coffee and watch the blacksmith sharpen the blade.

The blacksmith holding the meteorite sword muttered with a somewhat subtle expression.

“hmm… . customer?”

“yes?”

“Has this sword been in any great shock lately?”

Arthur narrowed his eyes.

“uh… . well? I think there was a time when I handled it a little rough… .”

“There is no problem with the blade itself, but the durability of the sword itself seems to have a problem with the center, to be exact.”

Arthur’s eyes widened.

“So you can’t use it anymore?”

“It’s best not to use it… . But for now, it should be much better than a regular knife.”

“If you use it carefully, there is no problem?”

“yes. It will never be broken unless you really ignorantly block the knight’s sword skill head-on.”

Arthur groaned.

“ah… . Then, was it because you blocked Mr. Taken’s fist at that time?”

“… What do you mean?”

“A few days ago, I blocked a fist wrapped in a sword with this sword. It was so urgent that I thoughtlessly blocked it, but I will have to be more careful in the future.”

“… ?”

The blacksmith narrowed his eyes.

It was the same with the boy next to him.

‘It’s not even a sword… .’

‘You said you blocked a fist clad in swordsmanship?’

However, Arthur, not noticing that fact, lowered his head as he put the meteoric sword he was handed over into the scabbard.

“Then have a nice day.”

Arthur exits the smithy with a greeting.

The blacksmith and the boy who were looking at the back muttered.

“That teacher… . Can you put swordsmanship in your fist?”

“Well, okay? Is that the first time I’ve heard of that?”

“then… . Did he lie?”

The blacksmith shuts up.

“… .”

The sword that was handed over a while ago.

At first, I thought the faint marks on the surface of the sword were from rough use, but after hearing that explanation, it looked like it was really a mark from being beaten with a fist.

‘then… . Did you really block the sword-clad fist?’

Along with the thought, the blacksmith burst out laughing.

What kind of madman puts his fists on swordsmanship?

The blacksmith tapped the boy on the shoulder and said.

“Where have the swordsmen who come here boast once or twice? Just do it.”

* * *

After finishing the maintenance, Arthur looked at the information about Hamburg that Willett had given him and thought.

‘300 fighting gangs, and 30 personally hired mercenaries.’

It was predicted, but there were more escort troops than expected.

With this level, it would be fair to call it a company even if it is considered as an almost military force.

‘First of all, 300 combat gangs aside… . The mercenaries are the problem.’

With concern, Arthur looked at the information about the 30 mercenaries hired by the Hamburg side.

‘At least Class D, and three of them are Class B.’

The sound of B-class meant those who had the same skills as Cassel or Carpe, whom they had encountered a few days ago.

‘It’s tricky… . The quantity is large and the quality level is not bad.’

That doesn’t mean I’m giving up, but it seemed like I needed to change my plans a bit.

‘Assassination taking advantage of the opening of the auction… . Or, enlisting someone to increase their strength. Realistically, is it the former?’

The best thing would be to collaborate with someone and kill Hamburg, but there was no one to do that.

Who would try to kill a slave trader with backworld connections?

It would be the end if you look bad in this backyard where interests are intertwined.

So, unfortunately, it was the time when I took the strand to assassinate Hamburg alone.

“… Why are you staring at me like that? What did you put on my face?”

The place where I met the prince and Yenika together for Professor Chizui’s group assignment class.

Arthur noticed Leon Madrid with a puzzled expression on his face and raised an eyebrow.

“There was. such a person.”

* * *

Looking at Leon, who tilted his head, Arthur thought.

‘It’s just right if I can trust it.’

The interests were aligned, and the ability was excellent.

The question is, can you trust Leon?

‘… hmm.’

It was because of Leon that he went hunting faster than he had planned.

Would it be the right decision to take this person with him in that situation?

Arthur, who was worried, raised the corner of his mouth.

‘It may not be the right decision, but I can see the benefits.’

In addition, through this incident, he may be able to recognize his sincerity.

And if that sincerity is different from the direction you want, then you can really cut your throat.

‘oh… It’s a win-win Check Leon’s trust and make things easy.’

After thinking this far, Arthur asked Leon.

“Do you have time after today’s assignment?”

“me?”

“yes. I have something to tell you.”

At these words, Leon tilted his head, but answered meekly.

“What time is it overflowing?”

At that moment, Jenika, who was sitting next to her, got up from her seat.

“Then I will go first. Because today’s portion is over.”

“Good work, Yenika.”

At Arthur’s greeting, Yenica left.

Leon, who had been watching the scene, looked away and asked a question.

“So what are we talking about? I hope you come and collaborate with me… .”

“ah. It’s not collaboration, would you like to work together, Prince?”

“… Day?”

“Nail. It’s something the prince would be interested in too.”

Leon narrowed his eyes.

‘Day? What happened all of a sudden?’

It was when Leon tilted his head with doubt.

Arthur suggested with a smile.

“Would you like to go on a trip with me?”

“… .”

“Because I got a ticket. However, they said that it is possible to travel together just in time.”

The prince narrowed his eyes.

“suddenly?”

“yes.”

“… is that the thing? I am not interested in men.”

“What are you saying? I am not interested either.”

The prince tilted his head.

“Then why do you want to travel with me?”

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

“The president of that travel agency owes me money. But you haven’t paid your debt and you keep hiding. What is it?”

“… .”

“So I’m thinking of going there and getting it myself, but I’m suggesting it because the prince would be of great help.”

The prince opened his eyes wide.

“You… . It really defies predictions.”

“What?”

“Look at me now and help me with the murder… . What is it?”

Arthur shrugged.

“In hindsight, it is, but if you hear it, you will probably be shocked.’

“Are you doing something?”

“yes. This man is a slave trader.”

“slaver?”

“yes. They even host an auction now.”

At the explanation, interest in Leon’s eyes lingered.

‘A slave trader, and one who hosts an auction… .’

When I heard the story, I felt like a criminal who had nothing to say even if I cut my throat right away.

The question is, why would Arthur Bayern want to kill the criminal?

‘If you have debt… . Could it be that something went wrong while trying to buy a slave?’

Concerned, Leon shook his head.

It was because the picture of Arthur Bavaria buying slaves could not be drawn.

Then, because he is an apostle of justice?

Leon shook his head again.

This one made no sense at all.

Leon, who was worried about that, threw the question again.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re together… . Can’t you figure out a little more precise reason?”

“Why?”

“I need to know about the situation, so I prepare something.”

At his words, Arthur nodded.

“hmm… . That’s right. Then I’ll just be blunt.”

“Directly?”

“yes. Hamburg Erison, a slave trader and now owner of a slave auction house… .”

Leon’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

“Count Kane Dormund. He is the one who creates the money behind this person. Do you understand what I mean?”

Leon’s lips went up.

“Hoo… . I understand. That’s an interesting story… .”

“Yes? I told you it was an interesting story.”

Leon’s eyes lit up and he lowered his head.

“I will accept, can you explain more? About that Hamburger Erison.”