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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“It didn’t even last half the expected time.”
Volfete mourned the loss of his creation, but Hayun and Tana were impressed.
“We almost escaped in just over an hour. That’s amazing.”
“We’re almost at the kingdom’s border.”
Its speed rivaled the kingdom’s prized Sky-Piercing Iron Carriage.
Though its operating time was short, and the magic stones and technology expensive, it was comparable in value.
“At least we got the dagger.”
Hayun eyed the Dagger of Sealing clutched in Volfete’s arms. He coughed and tucked it away.
“Come on! Your workshop’s destroyed anyway! Just give it to us!”
“Ahem.”
Tana’s bluntness made Hayun feel better. She’d wanted to say the same thing.
“But…”
“Ugh! Just give it here!”
Tana was about to resort to force. Everyone was waiting for them back at the palace.
“Fine! Fine! With Hatsim expelled, it’s over anyway. I can’t let this dagger gather dust in storage.”
He clicked his tongue.
“Idiots. They’re offered a chance to solve the dwarves’ greatest challenge, and they refuse.”
The dwarves’ greatest challenge was this dagger.
For centuries, Maesters had tried to understand its structure and replicate it.
At first, driven by pride, they believed they could unravel any secret.
But they failed. Repeatedly.
Exhausted, they decided to hide the dagger’s existence.
They didn’t want to admit their limitations. The dagger, once their ambition, became their shame.
Volfete had only been able to study it thanks to Hatsim Bellok’s support, but…
The other Maesters, seeing no progress, had decided to confiscate and seal the dagger permanently.
“No desire for knowledge… if they recognize their limitations, they should strive to overcome them!”
Tana, tired of his grumbling, walked ahead.
Hayun sighed. She’d heard this rant many times while guarding his workshop.
As they headed towards the human lands, a rhythmic rumbling echoed.
They looked up.
A ship-like object floated in the sky.
“W-what’s that?”
Tana asked, but her question was lost in the roar of cannons firing from the airborne vessel.
“Those lunatics…”
Volfete stared at the ship in disbelief. The girls gaped.
“Wow…”
“A ship… in the sky.”
It was a shocking sight.
They couldn’t tear their eyes away, even as the bombardment forced them to flee.
More ships, like constellations, followed the largest one, firing indiscriminately.
“What are they doing, firing like that?!”
Tana exclaimed, and Volfete covered his head.
“The Dagger of Sealing is indestructible! It won’t even get scratched!”
BOOM!
Debris rained down. Hayun barely deflected a large piece with her sword.
“Let’s keep moving! We’re almost there! Once we reach the kingdom, they won’t follow!”
“Just an hour’s run!”
“That’s for your short legs! We can make it in thirty minutes!”
Volfete grimaced, looking at his stout physique.
He pulled out the Dagger of Sealing and handed it to Tana.
“I’ll try to keep up, but you’re faster. You should take this.”
“Volfete…”
“…”
Hayun knew the gesture, a concession from a stubborn craftsman, was filled with complex emotions.
She tucked him into her belt. He was surprisingly heavy, despite his small size.
“Hold on tight.”
“You… you…”
“Hayun, you’re so cool!”
Volfete was touched, and Tana cheered. Hayun ran through the forest, holding onto Volfete tightly.
‘We need to get out of range.’
The dense trees provided some cover.
“They have limited ammunition and long reload times. Let’s use this opportunity.”
Volfete, now reduced to baggage, analyzed the airships.
As he’d predicted, there was a lull in the firing.
‘But even if we escape…’
The area before the kingdom’s border was open plains. There were no barriers like the Dragon’s Boundary, but…
They would be spotted the moment they emerged from the forest.
“They even have dragon heads on their ships. Using the dragons they fear as a motif?”
“Huff… huff…”
“They’re charging their cannons. Another barrage is coming.”
“Shut… up…”
Hayun was getting annoyed.
Her hand was still trembling from the fight with Gromhelter, and now she was carrying a dwarf.
‘This reminds me of training…’
She remembered Daniel’s morning training sessions at the academy. He’d always emphasized stamina, making them run until they almost vomited.
“I… I never thought I’d be grateful for Daniel’s training!”
Tana, sharing her thoughts, shouted, but didn’t slow down.
She missed Aios Academy, even though she hadn’t even graduated yet.
“I’ve never seen you smile before.”
“Huh?”
Volfete stroked his beard. Hayun frowned at him, but he just nodded knowingly.
“You’re in love. Daniel? That boy? He must be something special to make you smile.”
“He’s super popular!”
Tana chimed in. Volfete looked surprised.
“Hmm? I thought you preferred hidden gems, not popular types.”
“…He’s… a hidden gem.”
She hadn’t intended to join the conversation, but talking about him made her feel better, stronger.
Like remembering her reason for living.
“Heh heh, what’s so special about him that he’s captured our swordswoman’s heart?”
“Shut up!”
Hayun snapped, but Volfete just grinned.
“Haa… I like his dedication.”
“Dedication?”
“And his integrity.”
“Hmm, sounds like you.”
When had she fallen for Daniel McLean?
She wasn’t sure.
Perhaps it was the time they spent together, discussing Eris’s love life.
‘He’s sneaky…’
He’d saved her from her uncle’s curse, revealed the Time Priestess as the one who destroyed her family, and helped her get revenge.
“It’s like… receiving unexpected gifts.”
“I see, you really like him.”
Volfete’s abrupt tone made Hayun bristle, but he suddenly wriggled free from her grasp.
“This is far enough. We’ll be caught on the plains anyway. I’ll create a diversion.”
Hayun, checking the Dagger of Sealing in her bag, started to protest.
“Think of it as a noble sacrifice. Saving the world. At your age, you should be flirting, not worrying about this. Let an old man handle it.”
She wanted to argue. She didn’t like Volfete, but she didn’t want him to sacrifice himself.
But she couldn’t find the words. There was no other solution.
Volfete smiled, understanding her feelings.
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
Tana kicked Volfete’s back.
“You were going to solve the dagger’s mystery! Don’t give up! Is that all you’ve got?”
“But…”
“If we’re surrendering, we’re doing it together. Better to be captured than die in a bombardment.”
“You’ll never escape. The dwarves’ resentment towards the dagger runs deep.”
They wouldn’t let humans who knew their secret go free. But Tana smiled.
“His friend will take care of it. He’s capable.”
“Friend…?”
“Daniel!”
Volfete looked stunned.
“You… you like him too?”
Tana frowned and shoved her hands in her pockets.
“I gave up.”
Now Hayun was surprised.
She knew Eve liked him, but Tana too?
But Tana’s words sounded strangely wistful.
“So don’t die. Find a way to survive. Daniel will find a way.”
“He always does the unexpected.”
Hayun added, standing beside Volfete.
The airships were preparing to fire on the forest. Smoke filled the air.
She felt bad for Daniel, but they had no choice.
‘I’m sorry for burdening you.’
Hayun closed her eyes, apologizing silently.
As they turned to surrender, a deafening roar echoed.
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