The Strongest in Our Neighborhood - Chapter 23

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Our Neighborhood’s Strongest (23)
“My lord! Disaster has struck!”
Baron Zabedra, who had been sitting at ease awaiting Dimitrion’s return with Jang Cain’s head, started at the sight of the flustered captain of the guard, Crudawan, rushing toward him.
His original plan had been to guide Dimitrion to Jang Cain, and then, while the two fought, he would aid Dimitrion alongside the other knights to attack Jang Cain.
Yet here was Crudawan, dashing frantically toward him alone.
“Disaster? Surely… Sir Dimitrion hasn’t failed to kill that wretched Cain?”
“Not only did he fail—Sir Dimitrion has been beaten into a pulp.”
Thud.
Baron Zabedra felt his heart plummet.
“B-beaten into a pulp? What of Cain? What became of him?”
“Cain hasn’t a scratch on him. Not a single scratch. We dared not even attempt to engage him.”
“What? N-not a single scratch? How is that possible…?”
“Sir Dimitrion didn’t fly back like I did or Sir Molson, but he couldn’t land a proper blow. His armor was shredded to tatters, and in the end he was left begging for his life.”
“Sir Dimitrion, one of the Ten Blades of our homeland… begging for his life?”
“You must flee at once, my lord. I slipped away and rushed here to warn you, but Cain will be coming soon.”
“Flee from my own territory? Gather every knight and soldier at once.”
“Surely you don’t intend to fight Cain?”
“Even if I run, he’ll catch me before long. Better to resist to the end. What are you standing about for? Gather the knights and soldiers now!”
As the knights sprang forth at the baron’s command, Crudawan’s face fell into despair.
“My lord, Cain toyed with Sir Dimitrion. Even with me, Sir Molson, and every knight and soldier we have, we cannot stand against him.”
“Then what do you have me do? Sit here with my hands folded and wait for death?”
“Originally I was going to kill you, but I’ve changed my mind—so stop trembling like that.”
A voice rang out suddenly.
The baron, in the midst of scolding Crudawan, felt his mind halt the moment he heard that voice.
How could he ever forget it?
He turned slowly toward the source of the sound. There, perched on the windowsill’s railing, sat Jang Cain and Ingram, with Dimitrion standing beside them.
“H-how? When did you…?”
The castle’s guards surely weren’t blind—how had they gotten inside?
“I was speaking with Dimitrion when the captain of the guard quietly slipped away. Curious where he was going, I followed. Turns out he was headed straight to you—the very person I was looking for.”
Baron Zabedra gazed at Dimitrion, whose armor hung in shreds without a single intact patch, and swallowed hard despite himself.
Indeed, Jang Cain bore not a scratch, while Dimitrion was a mass of wounds—it was a wonder he lived at all.
“W-what did you mean about changing your mind just now?”
“Originally I planned to kill you for hiring this man to assassinate me. But when he mentioned a share of the Centron Mine, I thought—what if I spared you in exchange for that share? So I’m giving you a choice.”
“A choice? What choice do I have?”
“He told me you promised Baron Daparon fifty percent of the Centron Mine’s share as payment for him to kill me. Is that right?”
“Y-yes, that’s true.”
“Give me that fifty percent share.”
Jang Cain had been about to say it should go back to the original developers, the Dwarf Clan, but changed his mind and demanded it for himself instead.
It seemed to him the baron would otherwise dismiss the Dwarf Clan as beneath contempt.
“What? That’s absurd! The Centron Mine lies between our territory and Baron Daparon’s—the shares are divided accordingly.”
“So you won’t give it? Then I’ll have to collect payment for the assassination contract with your death.”
Jang Cain descended from the railing, drew his blade, and began walking toward the baron. The knights quickly raised their weapons and stepped in front of their lord.
“W-wait! Hold! I’ll give it. I’ll give it—just stop!”
As Jang Cain halted, the baron’s knights exhaled a quiet breath of relief.
“You should have said so from the start. Must I always draw my sword to get you to behave?”
“I’ll give it, but not fifty percent.”
“But you said you promised Baron Daparon fifty percent?”
“Baron Daparon has ancestral claim to the land, so he has grounds for his share. You have no such claim. I’d ask you to accept a lower percentage.”
“Hmm. I didn’t want to bring this up, but are you aware the Dwarf Clan was already developing the Centron Mine?”
Jang Cain tilted his head toward Ingram, and Baron Zabedra turned to look at him.
“Yes, I was aware.”
“Since you seized what the Dwarf Clan started developing first, I have every right to claim fifty percent.”
“That’s nonsense! They’re not the rightful owners of the land!”
“They may not own the land, but if the Dwarf Clan hadn’t discovered it and begun development, you wouldn’t even know the Centron Mine existed.”
“Th-that may be true, but fifty percent would bankrupt our territory.”
“This assassin Baron Daparon sent—his name was Dimitrion, yes?”
“Yes, sir. If I may add, my name is Dimitrion Marshal.”
“Right, Dimitrion Marshal. In any case, since this man failed to kill me, you have no obligation to give Baron Daparon the share you promised.”
“True, I no longer need to give fifty percent—but I should still give at least twenty.”
“I’m told Baron Daparon invested nothing in developing that mine.”
“There’s nothing there, but the land isn’t worthless, is it?”
“Still, don’t give it to him. And if he complains about why you won’t, tell him that since the Dwarf Clan — or rather, I — am the original mine developers, we’ve agreed to take a fifty percent share, so there’s nothing left to give to Baron Daparon.”
“If you say that, will Baron Daparon simply accept it and move on?”
“If he can’t accept it, tell him to come complain to me.”
For a moment, Baron Zabedra’s eyes gleamed.
“What! To you? You mean… you’re saying you’ll protect me from Baron Daparon’s attacks?”
“Since I’m taking the share that Baron Daparon was trying to seize through intimidation via this fool, I’ll step in for the Centron Mine specifically.”
“Does that mean if someone other than Baron Daparon demands a share of the Centron Mine, you’d also step in?”
“If they give me a fifty percent share, it’ll be half my mine, so of course I’d interpret it that way. But is there really someone else eyeing the Centron Mine?”
“Not right now, but if Baron Daparon doesn’t get his share, I don’t think he’ll sit idle.”
“I said I’d stop him.”
“If I were Baron Daparon, I’d propose a deal to a Count or Duke connected through the Centron Mine share, using it as leverage.”
“Ah! ‘If I can’t have it, neither can you.’ That’s possible, I suppose. If they send a Knight from a Count or Duke, there could be someone stronger than Dimitrion.”
“Not just Knights, but Mages and Spirit Users too. You, who subdued Dimitrion with ease, might not fear such people, but I do.”
“Fine. Regarding anything to do with the Centron Mine, I’ll face whatever enemies come. I’m actually curious to see what kind of people show up.”
“I envy that confidence of yours. But instead of just talking, let’s draw up a contract document for the Centron Mine share and keep it in writing. That way, when others come, I’ll have grounds to speak from.”
“Do we really need to bother with a contract?”
“Whether you do or not, I’m a noble, so I need to keep documents for these matters.”
“Well, if that’s your reason, fine. Draw up the contract.”
“Understood.”
Shortly after, the Baron’s clerk brought the contract document, and Jang Cain reviewed it before signing.
Once the signing was done, the Baron had an attendant bring a Communication Device and handed it to Jang Cain.
“From now on, I’ll contact you about anything related to the Centron Mine through this Communication Device.”
“Got it. Oh, and free the Dwarves who were enslaved at the Centron Mine. Pay them for their labor too.”
“What! But… without them, mining output will drop significantly. If that happens, the money I pay you will decrease as well.”
At that moment, Ingram, who had been listening nearby, stepped forward.
“You don’t need to worry about mining output. Since Cain promised to ensure our tribe’s safety, people from our village will be brought in.”
“Ah, then I’ll order their release.”
Baron Zabedra let out a long sigh with a half-resigned expression.
How had things come to this?
* * *
Jang Cain watched Dimitrion and his servant following along with an indifferent expression.
“I clearly said I had no intention of taking you as a disciple.”
“If I can’t be a disciple, please let me serve as a retainer instead.”
“A retainer? You mean like the one who attends to you?”
“Yes. Just as Egoedan serves me, I will serve you, Cain.”
Jang Cain thought for a moment before speaking.
“The reason you’re clinging to becoming my retainer is ultimately because you want to learn Martial Arts, isn’t it.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve told you I have no intention of teaching you Martial Arts.”
“Even if you don’t teach me, I want to learn by watching from your side.”
“If you’re hoping I’ll have a change of heart and teach you, I want to tell you that’s wishful thinking.”
“I don’t explicitly teach my own retainer anything either, but by watching what I do, he’s naturally reached the level of an expert. So please give me the chance to learn by watching what you do from your side.”
“I hate having people buzzing around and bothering me.”
Despite Jang Cain’s cold rejection, Dimitrion continued to follow.
Then, as the two were conversing, Ingram, who had drawn closer, asked Dimitrion a question.
“Say, Sir Dimitrion. Could I take a look at that sword?”
“This sword? It’s been pretty damaged from blocking Cain’s attacks.”
“I was wondering if it might be a sword made by our Dwarf Clan.”
“Ah! Yes, it is a sword made by the Dwarf Clan.”
When Dimitrion drew out the sword and handed it over, Belirao and Muranguti, who were nearby, came closer to examine it.
“This sword… it has Cloud Iron mixed in.”
“So I wasn’t mistaken after all.”
“We don’t give swords mixed with Cloud Iron to just anyone.”
“Right. If we gave them a sword with Cloud Iron mixed in, there’d definitely be initials engraved somewhere… Ah! Found it. There’s a flame pattern on the hilt.”
“Isn’t this the symbol of the legendary Great Chieftain Diphiran?”
“Yes, it’s the symbol that represents Great Chieftain Diphiran!”
“If so, this sword is a legacy from him… To think it’s damaged like this!”
As the three examining the sword took on expressions of dismay, Dimitrion wore a puzzled look.
“Is there some story behind my sword?”
“Yes, this blade is a legacy of Diphiran, the Great Chieftain of our Dwarf Clan and a legendary warrior of his time. It holds profound significance for us.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s precisely why we cannot allow it to fall to ruin as it is now. We humbly ask that you entrust its repair to us—to our clan.”
“Ah! If the Dwarf Clan will undertake the repairs, then I’m more than satisfied.”
Jang Cain, listening to their words, tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
“What manner of figure was this Diphiran, that his name alone draws such awe?”
“Diphiran was one of the foremost champions of the Dwarf Clan. Some three hundred years past, when the Demon Race poured through the Demon Realm Boundary and invaded this world, he stood among our greatest warriors in that war.”
Jang Cain’s brow furrowed as he absorbed Ingram’s words.
“The Demon Race invaded this world?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————