Chapter 227

Chapter 227

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 227: Late Summer, Early Autumn (3)

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward. Ronan pointed to the box.

“Well, shall we open this first and then talk?”

“Wh-What is this?”

“Equipment from the North. I still don’t know what’s inside.”

The box from Aurora Skar was smaller than expected. It was barely big enough to hold half a watermelon, so it was impossible to guess what was inside.

‘Did they send something like a hatchet?’

Ronan opened the box. Inside lay a strange glove.

The wrist length gloves, like those worn by knights, were made of an unknown metal. Aselle tilted his head.

“...Glove?”

“This is unexpected.”

Ronan raised an eyebrow. He had expected to find a dagger or a hatchet inside. But it turned out it wasn’t even a weapon.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t bad. As he had mentioned during the commission, it was more convenient to use just one handle sword like Lamancha instead of dealing with multiple weapons.

“It’s well-made.”

Examining the glove, Ronan nodded. It was evident that a great deal of care had gone into making it. Thousands of small metal pieces were intricately joined together so seamlessly that no gaps could be seen. Suddenly, a question crossed his mind.

“Why is there only one? Was there a shortage of materials?”

“Ronan, there’s some paper here.”

“Hm?”

Aselle called him. A thick piece of parchment lay inside the box, hidden beneath the glove. Ronan slowly read the words written on the parchment.

“It’s a glove meant to be worn on one hand only, so don’t mistake it for being incomplete... Channel mana into it and see what happens. What does this mean?”

“It seems like the glove is imbued with magic. I sense something ominous.”

“Magic?”

Ronan brought his face closer. Sure enough, he could see geometric patterns engraved in relief on the back of the glove.

The intricately designed magic circle seemed to extend to the fingertips of each finger. Ronan cautiously put on the glove. It fit his hand perfectly, snug and comfortable.

‘I was told to channel mana into it.’

Following the instructions on the paper, Ronan moved his mana. For a moment, the magic circle glowed faintly, and hooked claws like those of a falcon grew from the fingertips of the glove.

Clang! The claws made of black blades pierced through the parchment lying beneath. Aselle recoiled in shock.

“Hieek!”

“Oh, shit”

Ronan’s eyes widened. He immediately realized that these claws were made from the broken fragments of Lamancha.

He had instructed her to use them at her discretion, but he never expected her to utilize them in this way. Furthermore, it seemed like he could retract each claw individually for each finger. As soon as he stopped the flow of mana, the claws disappeared as if they were never there.

“This is impressive.”

He found himself increasingly pleased. It was equipment that fulfilled the various utilities he valued most in combat. It also seemed sturdy enough to be suitable for defense. Turning to Aselle, he said,

“If I had known it would be so well-made, I would have asked them to make one for you too. I’m sorry.”

“I-I’m fine. I have enough already, yeah.”

“Thanks for saying that. Then let’s finish what we were talking about...”

“I’ll go with you.”

Before he could finish his sentence, Aselle responded promptly. Ronan raised an eyebrow. Aselle’s face, which had regained its calmness, was just as serious as his own. Without hesitation, Ronan asked again,

“Are you sure? This time, it’s no joke.”

“Yeah. Actually, I’m glad I can help. You’re my first friend.”

Aselle’s response was firm and without hesitation. Ronan couldn’t help but remember Aselle’s appearance before he first entered Philleon, a boy who couldn’t speak properly, whimpering and running away from Luna Goblins, tears streaming down his face. Now he had become a confident and powerful mage.

‘How time flies.’

Ronan twisted his lips. He couldn’t quite put a name to this overwhelming feeling. Unable to find the right words, he opened his mouth.

The campus, which had yet to rise, was shrouded in darkness. Adeshan, who had come to see them off secretly, asked with concern.

“You’re leaving as soon as we came back from the North. Please be careful.”

“Nothing will happen.”

“What about Itargand?”

“He’s already in the south preparing the ship.”

Although they had said their farewells yesterday, as someone who knew the details of Ronan’s plan, she couldn’t help but worry and couldn’t sleep. Adeshan asked.

“Are you sure I can’t come with you?”

“Don’t worry and focus on student council work. Besides, mind control won’t stand a chance against the dragons anyway.”

“That’s true, but... I feel uneasy about this.”

“We have to go now. It’s really okay, so go inside and get some rest.”

Ronan lightly kissed Adeshan on the cheek. Her stiff face turned as red as an apple.

“I-I really... Everyone’s watching...”

“So what?”

Ronan chuckled. It was a habit he had developed since childhood, so since they started dating, he started doing it almost out of habit. Watching from behind, Aselle clenched his fist.

“...I’m envious.”

“Pathetic.”

Ptuh. Shullifen, who had never seen anything like this before, spat out. He never imagined she would fall for such a deception by that thunderous boar. Lowering his gaze, he spoke solemnly.

“During my absence, you’re in charge. Protect Miss Iril.”

“Got it!”

Cita spread her wings as if to say not to worry. The two, who had become quite close like siblings while living in Iril’s house, had developed a rather peculiar relationship. Their mutual love for cleanliness and affection for Iril created a bond between them.

“Let’s go. Take this.”

Ronan, who had finished salting, approached. In his hand, there were piles of scrolls that looked expensive at a glance. They were teleportation scrolls to get to the Tandrey Port. He wanted to ask Katir for help if possible, but he couldn’t because Katir was on a business trip somewhere.

To cross from the north to the south of the continent, each person needed seven scrolls. Although an astronomical amount of money was spent, which was incomparable to renting a ghost horse, Ronan and Aselle had promissory notes they received from Garcia before. Ronan looked back at Shullifen and said somewhat apologetically.

“This is a bit too much. I know Garcia is doing really well, but still.”

“It doesn’t matter. Saving time is more important.”

“Thank you. I heard my sister was worried about you last night.”

“Miss Iril...?”

“Yeah. She said to come back safely.”

Suddenly, Shullifen turned his face. The corners of his mouth twitched, as if feeling a little upset. Maybe Ronan shouldn’t have told him. Aselle, trapped in a sense of betrayal and defeat, bowed his head.

“Uh...”

“Right. Aselle.”

At that moment, Adeshan seemed to remember something and flicked her finger. Approaching Aselle, who looked puzzled, she held out a wooden box the size of her palm.

To meet her gaze, he had to tilt his head back. Aselle hesitantly asked.

“Wh-What is this?”

“Marya told me to give this to you last night. I almost forgot.”

“Th-This is for me?”

“Yeah. It’s just for you. She said to come back safely.”

With trembling hands, Aselle opened the box. Inside were ten tiny glass bottles lined up neatly. Aselle realized that they were miniature special potions for mages and his eyes widened.

“Th-This is...!”

His face lit up. It was a gift separate from the potions prepared for all three of them. The shitty feeling he had been feeling was completely relieved. Ronan, who had been chuckling, spoke up.

“Well then, let’s really get going now.”

“Come back safely.”

Adeshan waved her hand with a warm smile. The three of them unfolded their scrolls simultaneously.

Boom! With a wave of mana, the space distorted, and engulfed their forms. When Adeshan opened her eyes after a moment of closing them, the three of them had disappeared without a trace.

[Translator – Peptobismol]