The Branch of the Blue Star.
What I’m looking for is a staff used by mages. Of course, I don’t know much about its magical utility.
Judging value solely by combat power, a swordsman is several times better than a mage.
For success as a mage, talent alone is insufficient. Money and status must also follow.
I’ve tried it a few times, but never progressed the story until killing Arniel.
So what I know is that the Branch of the Blue Star has over a 90% chance of dropping from Arniel’s battlefield.
‘And that mages who saw it greatly coveted that staff.’
A distinctive feature is that there is a sword inside the Branch of the Blue Star. It can essentially be called a staff-sword.
It’s a slender, straight-bladed sword, thinner than a typical longsword.
The noteworthy point is that the sword rivals a named blade. It could be given to a mage or just a swordsman.
If I obtained it, I planned to use it myself.
While under the duke, I did handle staff-swords and sword-canes too.
But I didn’t use them often.
‘Their utility was lacking.’
This isn’t Earth. Unless it’s a specific situation, it’s easier to just pose as a mercenary.
And regular staff-swords lack durability too.
But the Branch of the Blue Star is different.
It widens my potential disguise as a mage, and the sword can rival a named blade.
‘Of course, there’s no guarantee it’s here.’
When I faced Arniel, it was during the war against the devil worshippers. No guarantee she still has it now.
But contrary to my worries, I soon found the Branch of the Blue Star.
It was right in the middle of Arniel’s room, as if on display.
The actual item was even better than seeing it on a screen.
A straight black wooden staff with a glowing blue gemstone embedded at the tip.
There were traces of magic around it.
‘This must have been the center.’
The Seven Stars of Illusion spell was triggered by a magic array drawn across the entire base, and the Branch of the Blue Star likely anchored it.
Now that Arniel was dead, there was hardly any residual mana.
“Wow, what is that?”
Even Denif, watching nearby, was amazed. It clearly looked extraordinary at first glance.
I gripped the Branch of the Blue Star. Nothing out of the ordinary happened.
I did feel a sense of magical fullness.
Though not an expert, I can use some magic, so I could perceive it.
I grasped the top of the staff and twisted. A clicking sound, like something separating.
Pulling it up revealed the hidden sword inside.
“Ohh...”
A dim, ethereal glow illuminated the dark room. The gemstone at the staff’s tip had become the sword’s pommel.
A lack of a cross-guard was a bit regrettable.
There were quite a few techniques that utilized a cross-guard. But the sword itself was decent.
Even at a glance, it was well-crafted.
Not just its sturdiness, but even the color emanating from the blade – Denif immediately recognized its quality.
“That’s no ordinary item, is it?”
“I’ll be taking this one.”
“Ah, why? What about me? I suffered too, you know.”
“Then you start your own organization.”
“Where would I even do that?”
“I’ll duel you for it.”
Denif flinched, then looked at me.
“...How many times?”
“Make an offer.”
“Ten times.”
“Don’t you have a conscience?”
“For something like that, ten times is fair.”
I firmly shook my head.
“I’m the one who brought us here. I promised Rina too. Whatever we get here, I can take.”
Denif glanced at Rina, then back at me.
“Fine. Five times.”
“Two times.”
“Hey, that’s too stingy, isn’t it? I almost died too, you know. You saw it – the massive waves crashing, the dragon swooping in, huh?”
I didn’t face that, so how would I know? Does he think I experienced the same illusion?
If so, I had even less reason to compromise.
I knew Denif’s capabilities, but no need to intentionally concede from my side.
“It’s a wound that will heal in a few days.”
Only then did the rest notice my chest, but I raised my hand to show I was fine.
Jofor came up to me with a face full of curiosity.
“Could you perhaps tell me if anything happened? That staff you’re holding looks really strange too?”
He’s wanted to join us for a while, so he must be quite curious. The others’ eyes were shining too.
They’re still just kids after all. Well, tales like this are enjoyed by adults and children alike.
The problem is that I’m a little, no, very tired.
Even if the dizziness is gone, I did go through quite an intense battle in the Worst Condition.
“Ask Denif about that. I need to rest a bit. I’ll show you the staff later.”
Knowing that I don’t entertain them when I’m tired, the group quickly lost interest.
Instead, their eyes turned to Denif instead of me.
“Brother!”
“Ah, why. I’m tired too.”
“I want to hear your amazing tales of valor. It must have been awesome!”
The others quickly nodded in agreement with Jofor’s words. Even Osten did the same.
Watching from the side, they look like fools.
Speaking of which, has Jofor already fully grasped Denif’s personality?
“Well, that is true.”
Despite being quite tired, Denif grinned smugly and nodded his head arrogantly.
Then Denif suddenly turned his shoulder and said:
“Then shall we talk while sparring to relieve the fatigue?”
“Huh?”
At this hour? Using swords to relieve fatigue? This guy is really crazy.
The others were just as bewildered.
“Mary and Osten don’t use swords though?”
“They can just watch.”
It’s none of my concern. Leaving the flustered group behind, I quickly headed for the bathroom.
It’s absolutely not because I was avoiding Denif suddenly challenging me to a duel.
But I couldn’t go straight to bed. During the bath, I thought of Rina.
She had looked quite exhausted earlier, and since Arachne’s revenge was complete, there was an issue left to address.
Time makes memories fade.
A person’s heart can change in a day. It doesn’t seem likely, but it’s better to speak when the feelings are intense.
I called Rina aside. Now that Arachne’s revenge is complete, it’s time to hear her answer.
Rina seemed to guess why I called her, nodding her head before I could open my mouth.
“Alright. I’ll join you.”
“Huh?”
I was taken aback by how easily she said it. Of course, the situation warrants it.
But it was because of my memory. Rina was a character who didn’t trust anyone and never joined others.
What I did for her was indeed a big deal. I even saw Rina’s tears during the process of revenge.
But the image of Rina from the past was too deeply ingrained in me. Memories only get stronger the older they are.
“I’m joining. You did say you needed me. I also received that much help from you.”
“Just in case, you don’t need to feel any unnecessary sense of obligation. I showed my sincerity, and you can leave on your own from here.”
And yet I’m saying this because I saw unwavering resolve in Rina’s eyes.
This act reaffirms that this wasn’t a transaction, but her own choice.
“No. You’ve shown enough sincerity. As I said earlier, I’m really grateful. I feel much more relieved.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Revenge was my only purpose in life. I feel refreshed yet somewhat empty at the same time, but it also seems like it could be fun to stay here.”
The Rina saying this seemed completely different from the Rina just a few hours ago.
She’s speaking much longer sentences, and her expression and intonation are different too. She seems a bit more relaxed.
People’s personalities can change after a major experience. The same may be true for Rina. It was a good sign.
Of course, she was still standing awkwardly when with the group just earlier, but the atmosphere did seem a bit different.
“Good. Well thought out.”
I readily nodded and extended my hand. Rina shook my hand.
It even looked like the corner of her mouth curved up slightly.
Well, I suppose we’ll head for the southern desert next?
That too was something I was quite looking forward to. The potential of the person I wanted to recruit was limitless.
Of course, I was worried too.
Their personality was a bit strange. But they were quiet, so better than Denif, Aron or Jofor at least.
Translator Note: Phew, what a not so bad arc. A little announcement, for those of you who bought the advanced chapters, and read this before this chapter got released to public. I’ll be taking a break around maybe until June 24th. And on the 24th I’ll be uploading more advanced chapters. So be sure to remember the day!
PS: Thank you so much for buying the advanced chapters! It really helps me a lot, really!
Author's Thoughts
Hi everyone, I've completely translated this novel! So, for those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until the last advanced chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price (basically you get around free 40 advanced chapters) instead of buying them here with normal price. Thank you for the attention!