The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 64
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 64
After bringing Victor back to Orelion, we began our journey to the Archmage Domain in earnest.
“Here are your train tickets. I’ve reserved first-class seats, so you shouldn’t have any discomfort during your trip.”
Following Sheril’s prior arrangements, we took the transcontinental train heading to the Archmage Domain.
Benheim’s wealth was such that they could purchase those expensive first-class train tickets without hesitation, and since first-class was separated into private compartments from the regular passenger cars, we could enjoy our train journey leisurely.
“Ooh…”
As the train departed, the scenery of The Dominion flowed rapidly past the window.
“Not bad.”
This was my first time riding a train in my life.
When I was just starting out as a wandering mercenary, the Empire was peaceful, so trains used to run here and there.
However, since prosperous cities with train service had no need for wandering mercenaries like me, I never had the chance to encounter them.
‘They were expensive too.’
Back then, trains were like an exclusive mode of transportation for nobles. With that money, arranging a carriage would have been several times cheaper, so there was no reason to spend the expensive fare on a train.
So now, as Benheim’s son-in-law riding a train for the first time, leisurely watching the scenery outside had its own charm.
When I rode the pegasus carriage, I had no leisure to enjoy the scenery, and since we were flying above the clouds, there wasn’t much to see anyway.
“Lord Reagan, I’ll go to the front car for a moment.”
Meanwhile, Victor Otto was more interested in other things than the scenery.
“Going to the engine room again?”
“Yes. When I went earlier, I forgot to bring my notepad.”
True to his nature as a golem scholar, Victor had become fascinated with this magitech train’s engine.
“The design is truly remarkable. I think I could adapt parts of the structure for use in golems.”
His burning scholarly passion even in this situation wasn’t bad from my perspective.
“Do as you please.”
I waved Victor away and looked across to the opposite seat.
“Wow…!”
Half a day had already passed since we boarded the train.
Renia showed no signs of fatigue as she continuously exclaimed in wonder while watching the scenery outside.
I couldn’t understand why someone who had even ridden a flying carriage was so excited about a train, but…
‘This isn’t bad either.’
Her appearance was quite cute, making me chuckle softly. When Renia saw my smile, she grinned back at me in the same way.
“Reagan, why are you looking at me like that?”
“Just thinking how peaceful this is.”
During the war, I never had the leisure to travel so leisurely with Renia.
Magical beasts appeared constantly and ambushes sprang up regularly, so we couldn’t enjoy any carefree moments without worry.
Perhaps that’s why enjoying this journey with Renia in the same train car felt refreshingly new.
“Reagan, you’re really peculiar.”
“I hear that often.”
“Oh, right. Could you take that out?”
“That?”
“The elixir you received from the Mage Tower Lord.”
I took out a wooden box from my chest.
Inside was a single brown pill.
“This is the Essence of Earth.”
Sheril, who happened to be looking this way, explained.
“Among the artificial elixirs made by the Ochre Tower, this could be called the finest. It’s said that this item rarely circulates outside, so Lord Reagan is quite fortunate.”
“Do magic towers usually make elixirs?”
“Since the Seven Great Mage Towers cannot develop unique magical formulas, they instead develop artificial elixir manufacturing methods and such. Strictly speaking, the elixir is also a product of research from the Benheim Mage Tower, not the Great Magic Family Benheim itself.”
“I didn’t know that.”
Essence of Earth.
As Sheril said, the energy felt from the small mass was pure and immense.
However…
‘Is there really a reason for me to use it?’
I had consumed the elixir, called the Empire’s finest artificial elixir. On top of that, I had absorbed the mana from the barrier stone.
The energy already flowing within my body was overflowing. Even if I consumed the Essence of Earth, I probably wouldn’t see much significant effect.
I raised my head to look at Renia. And I barely held back my laughter.
‘…So transparent.’
Renia was looking at me with sparkling eyes.
From any angle, it was a look of expectation.
I briefly considered teasing her but soon gave up and spoke.
“…Renia, you said you wanted this, right?”
“Yes!”
“Then you take it.”
I pushed the wooden box toward Renia.
Renia smiled brightly and said.
“You’re giving it to me? Really?”
“Yeah. It’s a gift.”
“Yay!”
At those words, Renia jumped with joy.
Why was this girl, who had even tasted elixirs, so happy about this? That question was answered when I heard Renia’s next words.
“Then this is the first gift Reagan has given me?”
“….”
Hearing that gave me a strange feeling.
Come to think of it, had I ever given Renia a gift before my regression?
‘I hadn’t.’
But what about Renia?
The sword I wielded, the armor I wore, the improvement method for the Mana Core, even a second chance to make everything right.
Renia had given me everything, including her life.
“…I only receive from you.”
“Huh? I don’t think I’ve ever given you any gifts, Reagan?”
Renia tilted her head in confusion, but I smiled bitterly and looked out the window.
This new life I had.
This time, it would be fine for me to give more.
“I’ve already received so much from you. So now it’s time for me to give.”
“….”
I don’t know how Renia interpreted my words.
But Renia remained silent with her head down for a while.
“Really… you’re quite the smooth talker.”
Sheril, unable to stand it anymore, added a comment.
I ignored her.
* * *
After that, Renia decided to take the elixir right away.
The train journey was scheduled to last about five days. Rather than looking at the scenery outside during the boring time, it would be more productive to absorb the elixir’s energy.
“Reagan, you’re going to help me by staying next to me.”
Originally, when a mage takes an elixir, they must meditate for a while to digest it.
Since they become vulnerable to external threats during this time, it’s common to have a guardian.
And Renia specifically chose me as her assistant.
“Do I really need to help? You’ll do fine on your own.”
“Still, it’s reassuring to have someone next to me. And if that someone is you, Reagan, it’s even more reassuring.”
“….”
Having heard such words, I had no choice but to helplessly grant Renia’s request.
Actually, there wasn’t much to help with anyway.
Renia’s mana sensitivity surpassed most archmages, so she succeeded in absorbing all the energy from the elixir in less than two days after starting her meditation.
After circulating that absorbed energy through her body for half a day.
“Reagan, is there anything different about me?”
I was shocked to see Renia smiling broadly as she said this.
“Renia, you don’t mean…”
The density of mana swirling around Renia was thick. It was solid enough to not fall behind even compared to me, who was also 5th-tier.
Not stopping there, she extended her hand and drew a Rune character in the air.
Flash.
Uruz (ᚢ).
A Rune character that can only be used from the 5th-tier.
Which means…
“Renia, you… reached the 5th-tier?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
“So suddenly like this?”
“I just… while meditating and checking my mana circuits, I saw a wall. So I thought I’d try breaking through it, and it broke.”
She sounded like she had just been out for a stroll.
“…Hah.”
I sighed softly and pressed my forehead.
This woman had finally reached the 5th-tier before coming of age.
It was an absurd talent.
“The world is so unfair…”
As I was muttering like this, Sheril looked at me with an expression of disbelief.
“You have no shame. Is that something for you to say, Lord Reagan?”
“My case is different.”
I was a regressor. So I knew the tricks, and my advancement in levels was bound to be fast.
On the other hand, Renia hadn’t even reached adulthood yet. She had reached the 5th-tier at the mere age of eighteen.
“…Renia, the fact that you’ve become 5th-tier… let’s keep it secret from your brother for now.”
“Yeah. I think we should. Sheril, don’t report this to the main family either.”
“Understood.”
Even Sheril was convinced.
If Arno found out about this, he might wail in despair.
* * *
A few days later.
We were finally able to get off the train.
“Ugh… it’s cold.”
As soon as we stepped off the train, a cutting wind struck our faces. Renia hurriedly inscribed Kenaz on her coat and wrapped herself up tightly.
The Archmage Domain was indeed an environment of bitter cold where blizzards raged year-round.
“To think of establishing a domain in a place like this.”
“The major city of Karac here can supply high-quality magic stones year-round. For Arcamen, who primarily manufactures magical tools, it’s a blessed environment.”
I understood after hearing Sheril’s explanation.
The city ‘Karac’ where we now stood was a place where the magic stone mining industry flourished, famous enough that even my past life self knew of it.
“This is precisely why Arcamen is said to be the wealthiest family among the Five Great Mage Families.”
The trains that traverse the Empire were created entirely to transport magic stones mined from this Karac, so the wealth Arcamen has accumulated through this must be enormous.
“Ah, there they are.”
Renia said.
Just then, across from Karac’s train station, Arcamen’s mages had come out, apparently having received word.
The face of the woman standing at the front was familiar.
“Reagan! I’ve been waiting for you!”
Iline Arcamen.
The head of a Great Magic Family had personally come out to greet me.
Just how exceptional this treatment was could be seen from the reactions of the crowd that had gathered around.
“That man is Benheim’s son-in-law, right?”
“They say he’s of commoner origin, but dress him up well and you can’t even tell.”
Receiving the curious and awed gazes of Karac’s residents, Renia and I approached Iline.
“You didn’t need to come all the way here to greet us.”
“What are you saying? Someone who might become our benefactor has arrived, right? Then I should treat you accordingly.”
“I’m not certain whether I can fix it.”
“Really? Then I’ll have to hope you can.”
Iline laughed heartily while vigorously patting my back.
The residents of Karac’s expressions became even more subtle at her friendly attitude.
“…Well, wouldn’t it be better to move locations first? It would be troublesome to draw unnecessary attention.”
“Hm? Ah, right. From here, it’s just an hour by carriage to reach our domain.”
Iline’s gaze swept over Renia in turn, then Sheril who was behind us.
Finally, it stopped on Victor Otto, who was fidgeting and only watching for cues.
“Who’s that cute kid?”
“That fellow is Victor Otto. He’s a scholar researching golem studies. I’m personally sponsoring him.”
“Really? Then why did you bring him here?”
“I thought Victor might be able to help with repairing the ‘Organization.'”
Iline’s eyes narrowed. Not missing that opportunity, I quickly continued.
“The second reason is I was wondering how it would be to establish Victor Otto’s workshop in Arcamen’s domain.”
The one surprised by my words wasn’t Iline, but Victor.
“R-Reagan sir! What do you mean by that…! You never said anything like that!”
“I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this.”
This was actually the real reason I brought Victor.
Since the Amber Tower had harmed Victor, there was no guarantee others wouldn’t do the same.
More importantly, the infrastructure Arcamen provides is on a level comparable to the Orelion Empire.
If Victor’s golems caught Iline’s eye, he could receive even greater support than now.
“Hmm… If it’s a golem that Reagan acknowledges to that degree, I’m getting interested too.”
Iline looked Victor over with a smile spread across her face. When that greedy gaze touched him, Victor hiccupped.
“Well, that’s something we can deal with later. Victor, was it? I’ll remember. Come find me sometime soon.”
“Y-yes…”
Victor couldn’t bring himself to refuse Arcamen’s invitation.
“Be grateful, Victor. I’ve essentially given you a direct connection to Arcamen.”
Well, drawing out Iline’s investment would be entirely up to Victor.
But I didn’t think he would fail.
—Clatter.
We rode the carriage toward Arcamen’s domain, and before long saw a massive fortress built on a hilltop.
“This is Arcamen Castle. It’s called a castle, but Arcamen’s mages half-jokingly call it the ‘furnace.'”
As she said, Arcamen Castle indeed resembled a furnace.
“That mountain behind it is a volcano. The craftsmen who forged weapons using the lava flowing from there as fuel were Arcamen’s founders. Now the volcano has stopped, so it only remains as legend.”
Listening to the explanation, we headed toward Arcamen’s castle gate. At that moment, I felt a piercing gaze from above my head.
When I looked up, an elderly man with white hair was looking down at us from the watchtower.
The old man’s gaze toward us was far from kind. Rather, it was filled with hostility.
“Sorry, let me apologize first.”
Iline spoke with a bitter smile.
It wasn’t particularly unpleasant. Rather, I was simply curious.
“Who is it?”
“Ah, the Grand Elder. His name is Ivar.”
“Why does the Grand Elder dislike me?”
“Hmm… It’s complicated to explain…”
Iline scratched her head with a troubled expression.
“Actually, Arcamen is more like a coalition of various minor families rather than a single family. Among them, there are people who don’t look favorably upon repairing the ‘Organization.'”
“Why is that? Didn’t you say last time that repairing the ‘Organization’ was Arcamen’s long-cherished wish?”
“That’s exactly right. Because it’s the family’s long-cherished wish, they don’t look favorably upon it.”
Iline’s words were puzzling, and I frowned to demand an explanation.
“Hmm. What if, just what if. Let’s say we succeed in fixing the ‘Organization.’ But what if that ‘Organization’ turns out to be a worthless object?”
“…Hmm?”
“If we realize that the machine we’ve wanted to fix our whole lives is actually a useless pile of scrap metal, what happens to all the effort and time we’ve invested?”
“It becomes nothing?”
“That’s what the elder is worried about.”
“…”
I snorted.
“That’s foolish talk.”
“I think so too. But they are craftsmen before they are mages of Arcamen. From the perspective of craftsmanship, it’s not entirely incomprehensible.”
Iline shrugged and added.
“Even potters smash well-made pottery several times if they’re not satisfied with it, don’t they?”
“…Hmm.”
I frowned.
That was also difficult to understand, but…
“You mean the important thing is the final result.”
“Something like that.”
Iline nodded and made a strange expression.
Though she didn’t say it, I could sense it.
That the head of Arcamen also harbored, even if just a little, the same anxiety and fear as that elder.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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