Chapter 76

Chapter 76
## Chapter 76: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Everyone remains too exhausted from the daily struggle of making ends meet to spare any energy for others.

‘And the swords…’

Aren’t they ultimately a necessity for the people who live here?

Lion gazed out toward the rugged mountain chain visible beyond the borders of the territory.

A vast, unbroken perimeter of snow-capped peaks encircled the entire domain.

This geographical barrier served as the primary reason why the Byrdentis Family had been forced to travel via warp gate.

The challenge lay not merely in the distance, but in the treacherous, mountainous terrain framing the settlement.

Furthermore, threats lingered in the form of wild beasts. Word had it that both feral monsters and lingering factions of the Demon Race still roamed these parts.

Such dangers made carrying a blade an absolute requirement for survival.

Barren.

Above all else…….

‘The inhabitants of this territory must surely know.’

They would certainly be aware of the brutal, blood-soaked war of succession that had torn through the Byrdentis Family.

With all attention consumed by that internal conflict, it was obvious the leadership could not properly look after the local populace.

Naturally, the living standards of ordinary citizens had plummeted rapidly.

Even though the current Duke, Clarentia, had managed to restore a degree of stability, scraping by day-to-day remained an uphill battle.

A swift glance.

Lion surveyed the narrow alleyways.

Youngsters with their caps pulled low over their faces scanned the thoroughfares with sharp, watchful eyes.

Homeless vagrants.

They had likely turned to petty theft to get by.

‘It appears I can hardly expect them to possess the luxury of caring for outsiders.’

When mutual trust among immediate neighbors was virtually nonexistent, strangers could expect no warm welcome.

‘Still, having secured a blade beforehand, I suppose I am managing somewhat better than Andri.’

Yet, even within this bleak Baidantis Territory, a single unifying feature stood out.

Everyone carried a weapon.

A sword served as an individual’s primary shield against harm.

While the local guards did their utmost to keep the peace……

True peace of mind fundamentally stemmed from the defensive power one carried on their own person.

‘Though, of course, the Asteri Territory is remarkably prosperous, which makes such precautions far less conspicuous there.’

Lion wore a dagger strapped to his thigh, courtesy of Mudu, who had equipped him in advance.

Perhaps because of that equipment…….

The expressions of the local citizens seemed to soften slightly as he made his way through the streets.

A few passersby even muttered in low, flat tones as they brushed past.

“That is a fine blade.”

…Though the delivery sounded closer to a man speaking to himself.

Still, it was likely the highest compliment one could offer an outsider.

Seizing the moment, Lion stepped forward and inquired.

“Much obliged. Could you direct me to the largest weapon shop in the vicinity?”

“Hm? Oh… just head down that way.”

Caught off guard by a direct address, the man looked momentarily flustered before readily pointing out the storefront.

“Thank you.”

With Andri trailing closely behind, Lion made his way toward the designated shop.

“Y-Young Master? Why have we come here…?”

Intimidated by the atmosphere, Andri spoke in a hesitant whisper.

“Can you not see that everyone around us is armed?”

“Pardon? Ah, yes. I see it now. So this place is a bit…”

Before she could voice her nervousness, the proprietor of the weapon shop spoke up.

“Are you a tailor?”

“Pardon? Oh, yes, I am. How could you tell?”

“Well, it’s plain as day for anyone with eyes.”

Indeed, Andri’s usual attire practically announced her profession to the world.

The shopkeeper casually wiped down the length of a sword with a rag as he continued.

“Folks around here can’t be blamed. Life is simply too harsh. Besides, only a few years back, the villagers were fractured by endless factional fighting. They weren’t looking out for their neighbors; they were fighting just to keep themselves and their families alive. It’s just… well. Tailor. You might as well view it as the local fashion.”

“……!”

Andri’s eyes widened in sudden realization at those words.

Now that he mentioned it…….

Andri turned her head to look around the room with fresh perspective.

“I see!”

As a sudden wave of inspiration hit her, Andri pulled a small sketchbook from her coat.

Everyone remains consumed by their own hardships, leaving no room to care for the plight of others.

‘And the sword…’

Wouldn’t such an item be an absolute essential for everyone dwelling here?

Lion looked out once more toward the jagged peaks framing the horizon.

Boundless, snow-covered mountains locked the territory away from the outside world.

This geographic isolation was the primary reason he had needed to utilize the warp gate to reach the Byrdentis Family’s lands.

The terrain was defined by treacherous mountain ranges that made travel arduous even before considering the sheer distance.

Rumors also pointed to the presence of monsters, rogue beasts, and remnants of the demon race.

Carrying a sword was simply the only logical choice for survival here.

It remains a desolate land.

More than anything else…

‘The people residing here must be intimately familiar with it.’

They knew all about the ferocious war of succession that had engulfed the Byrdentis Family.

Naturally, the ruling figures would have been entirely absorbed by the power struggle, leaving them entirely incapable of tending to the citizenry.

As an inevitable consequence, the common folk had suffered a severe decline in living standards.

Even with the current Duke, Clarentia, working hard to restore order, carving out a livelihood remained an uphill struggle.

A fleeting glance.

Lion cast his gaze between the shadowy buildings.

Children hiding beneath low-slung hats surveyed the surrounding paths with cautious eyes.

Destitute orphans.

They had undoubtedly been driven to pickpocketing.

‘I suppose nobody here has the breathing room to look out for anyone else.’

When basic trust between neighbors was a luxury, opening up to a traveler was out of the question.

‘Even so, having brought along my own blade beforehand puts me a step ahead of Andri.’

Even across this bleak Baidantis Territory, a single common thread bound everyone together.

The habit of going armed.

A sword functioned as a personal guarantee of safety.

While the local garrison patrolled diligently to keep order……

True reassurance ultimately relied on the physical defense a person carried at their side.

‘Well, in truth, the Asteri Territory is exceptionally affluent, which makes such sights far less common there.’

Lion wore a dagger strapped to his thigh because Mudu had provided him with a weapon prior to departure.

Perhaps for that exact reason…….

The longer he walked, the more he noticed the softened gazes of the people he passed.

Some even offered a dry remark as they strode past.

“That is a fine piece of steel.”

It sounded more like a soliloquy than a conversation starter, however.

Still, he figured it was the warmest greeting an outsider could hope to receive in these parts.

Lion took advantage of the opening to ask a question.

“Much obliged. Do you happen to know where the premier weapon shop is located around here?”

“Huh? Ah… you’ll want to head down that path.”

Taken aback by the sudden interaction, the man blinked in surprise before willingly providing directions to the store.

“Thank you.”

Lion proceeded toward the establishment with Andri trailing closely behind.

“Young Master? Why have you brought me here…?”

Feeling thoroughly out of place, Andri kept her voice down.

“Did you not notice that every single person in these streets carries a sword?”

“Pardon? Oh, yes. I see it now. So it feels rather…”

Before she could finish expressing her unease, the shop owner interrupted.

“Are you a dressmaker?”

“Pardon? Ah, yes, that’s correct. How did you figure it out?”

“Hah, it sticks out like a sore thumb.”

True enough, Andri’s standard clothing practically shouted her profession to anyone passing by.

The proprietor gave the blade in his hands a casual wipe with a towel as he spoke.

“You can’t really fault the people living here. Conditions are simply too unforgiving. Besides, only a few years ago, the locals were split into warring factions, constantly at each other’s throats. Nobody was worried about protecting outsiders; everyone was just trying to keep their own households breathing. It’s just… well, dressmaker. Consider it the local style.”

“……!”

Those simple words caused Andri’s eyes to open wide with astonishment.

Thinking along those lines…….

Andri swiveled her head to observe the armed pedestrians once more.

“Of course!”

A look of sudden comprehension washed over Andri as she flipped open her sketchbook.

Struck by a wave of creativity, she jotted down a few rapid notes…

Thump.

Her pen slipped from her fingers and clattered against the floorboards.

“Is something the matter?”

Lion paused his inspection of various blades that might suit Andri and Elvia, turning to her with a questioning look. Andri stared back, her complexion pale.

“If this is the regional style… I need to incorporate functional design elements into my garments!”

“Functional elements?”

“Indeed. Provisions for carrying a blade!”

A community where every single inhabitant remains armed regardless of circumstance.

And the ruler who governed them.

“Ah, I was truly like a frog at the bottom of a well. To have been so blind to this…!”

『 The perspective of the artisan tailor has broadened! 』

『 Tailoring proficiency experience has increased by 40 percent! 』

『 Tailoring proficiency has reached Apprentice Lv. 5. 』

Oh.

Prompting this kind of breakthrough hadn’t been his primary intent.

“Did you manage to find some inspiration?”

“I certainly did.”

Andri’s eyes burned with a fervor that far surpassed her usual demeanor.

She looked every bit the passionate apprentice craftsman.

The sheer rush of stumbling upon a fresh realization!

That intoxicating blend of excitement and creative fulfillment.

Lion had no desire to stymie such momentum.

“In that case, you may head back without fretting over me.”

Andri offered a hesitant expression that clearly communicated her reluctance, but Lion held firm.

“Our official objective here is to secure the ideal attire for you.”

At least, that remained the public explanation for their journey.

“Gah… Young Master!”

Muttering self-deprecating remarks about falling short of true craftsmanship, Andri retrieved her pen, expressed deep gratitude for the sword Lion handed over, and departed ahead of him.

“…….”

Lion remained behind, continuing his examination of the remaining weaponry.

“Hmm.”

“Are you searching for something specific?”

The proprietor’s curiosity was clearly piqued.

More precisely, his gaze lingered on the dagger secured to Lion’s thigh.

“We have plenty of masterwork blades available, so please feel free to browse at your leisure.”

“Well…….”

Opting against a direct answer, Lion resumed his slow circuit around the interior of the shop.

And the outcome aligned entirely with his expectations.

‘It isn’t here.’

Despite this being the largest armory in a Byrdentis Territory renowned for its martial heritage, not a single Dwarf-forged weapon was on display.

And the absence went further than that.

Even during his walk through the public streets, he had failed to spot a single piece of equipment crafted by Dwarf hands.

‘That simply doesn’t add up.’

This was Mudu’s place of origin, and reports indicated that Mudu’s kin still resided here.

Furthermore, Mudu held the title of Village Chief.

That meant a dedicated Dwarf settlement ought to exist nearby.

Or at the very least, an established community of artisans.

Something felt decidedly amiss.

“I was under the impression that the Baidantis Territory boasted numerous master blacksmiths.”

“That used to be the case.”

“If it used to be… does that imply the situation has changed?”

“Indeed. It has become a massive headache.”

“In what way?”

“Ah, don’t even get me started.”

Waving a dismissive hand, the merchant offered a condensed version of the local history.

To put the matter briefly…

“Your families… came to blows?”

Though the local Dwarves belonged to closely intertwined clans, a severe rift had torn their community apart following a bitter dispute.

“Those stubborn masters possess terrible tempers coupled with obsessive pride in their craft. They refused to divulge the root cause of the argument, slapped a total embargo on all weapon deliveries until the absolute finest blade could be forged, and effectively blockaded their own settlement… It’s an absolute tragedy. Tsk. That explains why you won’t find any Dwarf-made hardware around these parts anymore.”

“…”

Lion’s lips parted slightly.

In that case… what about the ring he carried?

‘At least everyone appears to be in good health.’

Lion expelled a heavy breath.

‘So that is why the inventory is missing from the village.’

Dwarf-forged swords functioned essentially as luxury collectors’ items.

If the creators collectively decided to halt production, market values would naturally skyboard.

Wielding such a valuable item openly out in the open might prove overly burdensome.

Besides, wealthy collectors driven by an obsession with rare artifacts would naturally hunt down every available Dwarf weapon.

‘Good grief… this commission might prove significantly trickier than tracking down the necklace.’

His original plan had been to drop off the ring swiftly before ever setting foot inside the Byrdentis estate.

That would have kept things neat and simple.

Yet with the situation turning out like this…

‘I may ultimately require assistance from Duke Clarentia.’

Lion scratched absently at his cheek.

“Does that mean entering the Dwarf Village is entirely out of the question?”

“Afraid so.”

That complication had entirely escaped his notice.

Who could have predicted a mass falling-out among the clans?

“Understood for the moment. I’ll take this blade.”

Lion settled the bill for the chosen weapon while tossing in a modest extra sum to compensate the merchant for the local lore…

“Ha-ha! I hardly shared any deep secrets, but I appreciate it!”

The shopkeeper’s demeanor shifted instantly to one of warm hospitality.

Moreover, clearly buoyed by the extra coin, the merchant volunteered an additional piece of intelligence.

“Though, truth be told, they still occasionally show their faces at the local tavern. Dwarves do love their spirits, after all.”

“Oh.”

Now that qualified as far better intel than anticipated.

Looks like the itinerary required a substantial revision.