YM778.TV Book 2: 296
Book 2: Chapter 296
Lukas walked out to the street on his own and opened the map.
First things first, a blacksmith.
‘…there aren’t any nearby.’
It seemed that there was a street where all the blacksmiths were located, but it was quite far from where he currently was. To be precise, it was on the other side of the city.
On the other hand, antique bookstores were closer. In fact, there were two or three of them nearby.
“I’ll go to a bookstore first.”
With that thought, Lukas headed to the nearest one.
Ring-
“Welcome.”
The nasally voice of an old man who appeared to be the shopkeeper greeted him as he entered.
There didn’t seem to be any guests in the store, which smelled of old books and dust, other than Lukas. While it couldn’t be said to be good for one’s health, he couldn’t help but enjoy this stale smell.
Lukas began to browse through the collection of books on the shelves. Although it looked like the books had been placed randomly, he was surprised to find that they were actually organised by field.
[Fifteen Unexplored Secrets of the Kastku Empire that Most are Unaware Of]
[Determining Magical Aptitude with a Simple Test]
[An Atheist Speaks About Demigods]
[The Four Heroes who led the Era of Light]
[48 Instant Recipes developed by Adventurer Carlton Gowland]
Most of the books he saw there were books about magic, but there were also books about history and philosophy, novels, and even cooking books.
This was the advantage of coming to an antique bookstore.
He was able to find various books from several different fields all in the same place.
After browsing the shelves for a while, Lukas was able to find what he was looking for.
[A Systematic and Effective Guide to Physical Training by Nia Hamilton]
[Basic Swordsmanship by Don Giaski]
[Regarding the Knights of Luanoble]
The first two books were because he wanted help, but the third was purely out of curiosity. A quick glance told him that all the books were written in an easy to understand manner and were suitable even for those who had no foundation.
He could use this.
After looking at them for a while, Lukas decided to purchase them.
Tuk-
But when he turned around, he immediately bumped into someone.
“—ah, sorry.”
He heard a dignified voice. It was a woman.
She was taller than he expected. About half a head shorter than Lukas.
“It’s fine—”
Lukas stopped.
The woman in front of him was wearing a strange mask made of wood.
The shape of this mask was strangely familiar.
No. It wasn’t just the mask.
…Her voice, her aura.
“Do you plan to learn swordsmanship?”
The woman asked in a curious tone. The eyes behind the mask were looking at the books in Lukas’ hands.
“…right.”
“Hmm. I think it would be a bit difficult with the condition of your legs.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
As he responded in a cold voice, Lukas tried to walk past her.
Firstly, it was to give himself time to think.
But the woman didn’t move away, and instead put her hands on her hips, blocking him.
“Pardon my manners. This Queen… no, I am Swordna.”
“…”
Lukas’ expression changed.
He knew that pseudonym.
He also knew that old-fashioned way of speaking that didn’t match her thin, high-pitched voice.
“I would like to talk to you for a moment. That should be fine, right?”
There was a hint of mirth in her voice, but the eyes behind the mask remained cold. Nevertheless, Lukas couldn’t smile or answer easily.
…This woman.
Was obviously one of those that Lukas longed to meet.
But he couldn’t feel happy or relieved after reuniting with her.
-Those who managed to escape should have kept your appearance in mind. Maybe next time, they’ll send a stronger person after you.
-Do you really think they’d go that far?
-As far as I know. That’s the kind of group the Circle is.
Rina’s voice sounded in his mind again.
Lukas looked at Swordna… no.
He looked at the Elf Queen Snow de Predickwood and thought. (Note: So long since I tl’d that name)
…She…
Was she there to kill him?
* * *
If that was the case, then in all honesty, there was no way the current Lukas could run from her. With her skills, his entire body would be torn apart by her in seconds before he could even think of resisting.
…the word sword reminded him of something.
Lukas’ eyes fell to Snow’s waist. It was stuck in a simple sheath, but he could tell just by looking at its hilt.
It was Deukid, the beloved sword of Lucid, who could be called the greatest swordsman.
“…”
He couldn’t help but once again feel bitter about his situation. Since he wasn’t sure about the current situation within the Circle, he had decided that he wouldn’t reveal himself even if he were to be reunited with his companions.
But seeing Snow in person made him realise how difficult that really was.
The desire to reveal himself soared in his heart.
“I’m busy.”
But he was used to suppressing his desires.
So, holding himself back like he always did, Lukas opened his mouth again.
“I would like to leave, will you move out of the way?”
“…”
Snow looked at Lukas strangely for a moment before unexpectedly stepping back with a shrug.
After paying for the books, with a limp, Lukas left the antique bookstore.
He walked for a while before looking behind him. But he couldn’t find any signs that anyone was following him.
After confirming this, Lukas let out a sigh.
Snow de Predickwood.
Had their meeting only been a coincidence?
“…”
Lukas shook his head.
Of course, he couldn’t rule out that possibility entirely. After all, he knew better than most how common such situations were in the world.
But the timing was too coincidental.
Then was Snow someone that had been sent by the Circle? Sent to take Lukas’ life?
If that was the case, then why did she let him go? Was it because she could kill him at any time, anywhere?
Suddenly, Lukas stopped walking.
Without realising it, he had walked all the way to the blacksmith street.
Heat radiated from the smithys that lined both sides of the street. It seemed that his body had subconsciously walked to this place while he was lost in his thoughts.
He decided to go ahead and buy the gear he wanted. It wasn’t hard to purchase a few things while thinking things over.
With that in mind, he entered the first smithy he saw.
“What a coincidence. We meet again.”
Snow stood there as if it was natural.
Of course, there was no one in the world foolish enough to believe such a blatantly shameless statement. Unless they were incredibly naive or scatterbrained.
Lukas narrowed his eyes.
‘There’s no way I can detect Snow’s presence in this state.’
Despite Lukas’ rotten expression, Snow stood smugly in front of him.
“Now that I think about it, you never told me your name. I already introduced myself. I think that’s a bit unfair.”
That was just a pseudonym.
Forcibly holding back the words he wanted to say, Lukas decided to reveal his name.
“Lukas.”
It didn’t fall off his lips as easily as it did with Peran. Unlike him, Snow knew his true identity and they had even fought together.
Even if it was faint, he expected her to have a different reaction than Peran.
“Hmm. I see.”
However, Snow nodded without any sign of suspicion and changed the subject.
“…are you here to buy weapons or armour?”
“Both.”
“I see. How much money do you have? How about I pick out a few for you?”
“No thanks.”
Ignoring her, Lukas walked into the smithy. At this point, he didn’t want to talk or interact with her any longer.
“Why not? It’s a rare opportunity for this Queen to choose a weapon for someone.”
“…”
“Or is it that you think beautiful women don’t know anything about weapons?! You’re not that narrow minded? Right?”
If you want to claim to be beautiful, at least take off your mask first.
Lukas continued to ignore her. He had no idea what Snow was thinking.
No. Now that he thought about it, did she always have this kind of unpredictable personality?
‘…she wasn’t this energetic last time we met.’
Snow at that time had been made aware of her powerlessness and was frustrated by that fact. Lukas didn’t want her to collapse. That’s why he’d given her Deukid.
‘It’s been 10 years.’
It was enough time for anyone to overcome their setbacks and stand up on their feet again.
“How much for this sword and armour?”
“35 gold coins.”
“Here.”
“You have to show me some identification first.”
“…”
Lukas’ body froze at those words.
Rina had told him that it was difficult to buy things in the empire without an identification card. The bookstore hadn’t asked him for it so he’d forgotten…
As Lukas’ expression became troubled, he felt a cool presence behind him.
“Will mine suffice, sir?”
The shopkeeper shot an indifferent glance at Snow before speaking.
“Take off your mask.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t show my face without this mask. It is a very sensitive subject for me, I hope you’d understand.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s the law. I can’t-”
“Please.”
Snow’s voice became a whisper. The shopkeeper, who was shaking his head, froze. Then, his eyes glazed over and he nodded slowly.
Snow took the gold coins from Lukas and gave them to the shopkeeper before they left the smithy with the equipment.
“Such an inflexible shopkeeper.”
“…was that magic?”
Although he asked that, Lukas knew it wasn’t magic.
If it were magic, it wouldn’t have been able to escape his eyes.
“Well…”
“…”
“In any case, Lukas, you owe me now, don’t you?”
“…how much do you want?”
“Money doesn’t solve everything… Right.”
The eyes behind the mask seemed to curl slightly.
“Buy me food.”