It wont take long.
Dale stared intently at the short phrase.
Who could have written such a phrase?
Could it be the work of a drunkard playing a prank under the influence of alcohol?
Or perhaps it was the work of a mischievous boy.
Moreover, what does it wont take long even an?
Logically, it seed foolish to pay attention to such a trivial matter.
Yet Dale found himself unable to just walk away.
It wont take long.
It felt oddly personal, as if it was directed at Dale, or was that thought too far-fetched?
Ding ding ding!
The sound of the bells that were rung by patrolling soldiers grew louder.
Tearing his gaze from the statue, Dale started walking towards the city gates.
The knight who had been guarding the gate in the morning was still there.
Perhaps because it was nearly the end of his shift.
The knight asked Dale with a relaxed expression.
How was District 3?
Dale glanced briefly at the city before he spoke.
It felt like a completely different world from the outside.
Whether in a good or bad way,
it was a world apart.
The knight chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.
An accurate impression indeed.
Dale nodded his head and was about to leave when the knight stopped him.
Hold on.
Whats the matter?
The knight rummaged through his belongings and then presented a thick book.
It had a familiar cover.
A novel featuring Dale as the protagonist that was currently popular in the upper districts.
Ahem. Ahem.
With an awkward cough, the knight said.
My daughter is quite fond of this book.
I see.
If you could write your na in it, she would be thrilled. Would that be alright?
Dale took the pen and book without a word. The knight hastily added.
Please write To Brayden. May you always be happy.
I dont think its a suitable na for a girl.
Ahem.
Dale complied with the request and then continued on his way.
In front of Kaylas inn, Harty was burying his face in his front paws.
When Dale arrived, Harty lifted his head and let out a low growl of displeasure with a disgruntled expression.
It seed he was upset about not being taken to the upper district.
Dale stroked Hartys mane reassuringly.
The knights would have been terrified if Id brought you there.
Harty seed to understand and wagged his tail vigorously. After a few more strokes, Dale entered the inn.
As always, the interior was quiet. Kayla greeted him.
Youve arrived? Would you like sothing to eat?
Dale shook his head and headed to his room.
He leaned against the bed after closing the door and the crudely made bed creaked.
He was deep in thought.
His thoughts were on the heroes. Or more precisely, on the characters Dale had raised himself.
Monsters that had been raised with the highest efficiency and displayed trendous abilities. Dale was sure that they couldnt be strengthened any further.
Back then, I was really absorbed in it.
As Dale reminisced about the past, his mories beca vivid.
And when he ca to, he found himself in a small room.
It was a familiar, dark, and cramped space.
In that room, a man who looked like a wreck with crooked eyes was sitting blankly in front of his computer.
Dale saw a man with a familiar face. It was Dale himself.
His original self.
The man simply fixed his gaze on the monitor.
Dale also turned his eyes to the monitor.
On the gas startup screen, four characters he had nurtured stood proudly.
The man clicked the mouse with a click.
Then, a warning ssage appeared.
[Are you sure you want to delete the character?]
The man was conflicted for a long ti.
He moved the mouse back and forth several tis.
Dale quietly observed the mans, or his own, actions.
He knew the outco but watched till the end.
After a long ti, the man ultimately couldnt bring himself to delete the characters.
***
The librarian of the library was soone who found satisfaction in his own life.
The very profession of being a librarian once secured, ant there was no worry about losing the job until retirent, and the work wasnt too demanding either.
Even though he felt as if he was wasting his abilities since becoming a mage, the librarian didnt much care.
He was a man without ambition.
Just living comfortably and reading books seems like the good life.
While generally content with his job, there was one aspect the librarian found difficult.
It was dealing with the hald-gno with a nasty temperant, the old scribe Andrei.
The librarian felt a sense of pity for the old man called Andrei.
Andrei was a man proficient in creating everyday magical tools, rune letters, and various non-battle magic.
He was certainly talented as he even received the title of Master at a young age within the magic tower.
However, Andrei was a genius marred by misfortune.
The war with demons changed everything.
All magic ca to be evaluated based on how effectively, extensively, and quickly it could kill the enemy.
The ethical standards that had governed mages for ages had all but vanished. Spells that were once banned because they were too deadly were revived due to their lethal efficacy.
Magic without killing power was deed useless and funding for research abruptly ceased.
Non-battle mages were forced to change their specialties to survive.
But Andrei couldnt make that change.
It wasnt just his pride and beliefs typical of mages; Andrei had a dreadful lack of talent for battle magic.
Let alone lethal spells, he couldnt even produce magical tools with offensive capabilities.
Andrei soon found himself treated like an old man in the back room.
Despite having the title of Master, he had virtually no say, and no young mage wished to be his apprentice.
It was almost inevitable that Andrei would leave the magic tower and seclude himself in the library while clinging to history books.
Like many who have grown old, Andrei ca to value the past, to cherish it as sothing precious, and sothing he longed to reclaim.
The librarian felt pity for Andrei.
However, dealing with him was an entirely different matter.
The mage who had long gone unrecognized had a nasty temper. The librarian had endured much before growing used to Andreis antics.
Andrei pushed everyone who ca near him away, much like a hedgehog bristling with spines.
He will probably never have sothing like a close friend in his lifeti.
Thats what the librarian thought.
But that notion was shattered.
The librarian held up a tray with snacks on it and took a quick look inside.
Dale and Andrei were playing chess. As usual, Andrei was on the losing end.
Ah, just concede one move.
How many tis has that been now?
Just this last ti, okay?
Very well. Ill make an exception this ti.
While were at it, could you concede just one more move?
The librarians eyes widened in astonishnt.
To think that soone could get along so amicably with the difficult Andrei.
Where most would have shuddered and fled, Dale did not.
Not only did he handle Andrei with ease, but they were also engaging in quite a friendly conversation.
He seed adept at dealing with old people.
The librarian looked at Dale curiously.
Perhaps hes surprisingly sociable.
Few had ever beco close with Andrei in such a manner.
The librarian couldnt help but take another look at Dale.
At the sa ti, he grew even more curious.
Whats the secret?
The librarian made a deliberate noise with his footsteps while holding the tray.
Andrei turned his head sharply and snapped irritably.
What is it?
Ive brought so snacks for you both to enjoy.
Thats unnecessary. He doesnt need to eat, you know?
Andrei gestured dismissively at Dale. Dale for his part thanked the librarian, took a cup of tea, and sipped it nonchalantly.
Andrei shook his head in disbelief.
A dark knight sipping tea, now thats sothing for the history books. Why drink when you dont need to and cant even taste it? Its a pointless act.
Its normal for people to eat food and drink tea. And even actions that seem pointless might have their own aning, dont they?
Huh? What a strange guy.
Andrei said this, but deep down, he seed touched by Dales words.
The idea that even seemingly pointless things have their aning resonated with him especially since Andrei was a mage who studied magic considered useless by many.
Seeing Andrei in a better mood, the librarian started to understand why the latter took a liking to Dale.
He might be a better person than he looks
Just then, Dale spoke.
Now that Ive won, you must honor our agreent.
Ugh.
Ive won five tis, so thats five favors you owe .
Cant you just let it go this ti?
Dale responded seriously.
Promises are ant to be kept.
Andrei cowered under the formidable aura Dale exuded.
The librarian reconsidered his thoughts.
Was I mistaken?
Andrei asked anxiously.
So, what do you want? But rember, I cant grant any unreasonable requests.
Its nothing like that.
Dale looked around before opening his mouth again.
Isnt Andrei quite skilled with magical tools? I recall seeing a self-moving carpet you had once, which seed to be a remarkable item.
Hmm. Well, yes, my magical tools are quite exceptional.
Andrei was visibly pleased as he stroked his beard.
It appeared Dale had completely forgotten that he was the one who had torn that very carpet.
Dale then extended the cape he was wearing towards Andrei.
Would you take a look at this?
What is this?
Its sothing I stumbled upon by chance, but it seems to have a faint power. Could you identify what it is?
Hmm.
Bringing the cape closer to his eyes, Andrei examined it carefully.
Indeed, this is no ordinary item. A skilled craftsman made this, and it seems they intentionally concealed its power. What did the original owner say about where they found it?
The original owner didnt know either. They said it was just passed down as a family heirloom.
Hmm, is that so? This wont be easy.
If its too difficult, then it cant be helped. I understand
When Dale attempted to retrieve the cape, Andrei swiftly snatched it away.
He then confidently declared,
But I am Andrei. Master Andrei. Nothing is impossible for .
May I entrust this to you?
Just wait patiently.
Andrei held a small orb emitting a green light in his hand and closely examined the cape.
Suddenly, his eyes widened in surprise.
Whats this?
What seems to be the matter?
Do you see this pattern?
When Andrei illuminated the center of the cape with the green light, a pattern of a blue lion trampling a sword and a book under its paws erged.
This symbol signifies
The Kingdom of Vyman.
Indeed. Those folks had a keen interest in magic. If they crafted this magical tool, it must be extraordinary.
Vyman Kingdom, renowned for its magic and swords.
Any relic or magical tool they produced would be far from ordinary.
On the other hand, if the creator of this cape intended to hide its effects, it would be no easy task to uncover its secrets.
From a certain point, Andrei closed his mouth and devoted his ti to examining the cape.
The librarian then spoke to Dale.
Once hes focused like that, the scribe can remain in that state for hours on end, oblivious to everything else. He wouldnt even notice if soone slapped his face.
Have you tried slapping him yourself?
Of course not.
The librarian hesitated before answering. Just as he was about to disappear with the tray in hand.
Thats when a commotion erupted from below.
Hmm?
The startled librarian hurried down the stairs, with a curious Dale following closely behind.
A line of knights clad in plate armor stood in formation in the library.
The librarian turned pale and murmured,
Th-The Imperial Knights?
The Imperial Knights, one of the strongest military forces in the empire.
Dale examined them closely.
Each one of them looks formidable.
Could the current Dale win in a one-on-one fight against these knights? He couldnt be sure.
They were very strong.
Perhaps sensing Dales gaze,
The mbers of the Imperial Knight Order turned their attention towards him in unison.
Among them, a figure who appeared to hold a high rank approached slowly.
His gaze was as sharp as a finely honed blade.
The knight approached Dale and asked,
You are Dale, the dark knight who defeated Ganiagos, correct?
Yes.
When Dale nodded his head in response, a mber of the Imperial Knights pulled out a piece of paper from within his clothes and handed it over.
What is this?
When Dale asked, the knight declared,
This is an edict from His Majesty the Emperor. Dale, you are to be awarded a dal. Take this as an imnse honor and make sure to attend the dal award ceremony.
It was a unilateral announcent.
Dale thought as he glanced at the edict.
A dal award ceremony, huh?
He had a feeling that yet another troubleso event was about to unfold.
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