Kays Translations

Chapter 222: Continued—At the Resting Pavilion

Tauro, Aeris, and Ankh began eating lunch without continuing their earlier conversation.

Ragune then happened to enter the dining room.

“I didn’t know all of you were here. What a coincidence.”

She sat beside Ankh.

“The miso vegetable stir-fry set meal, please.”

Ragune called to an employee and ordered.

“That’s unusual. You normally eat at the Dwarf Inn, and you chose vegetables.”

Aeris was surprised by the change.

“Well… when I returned to the village, the chief scolded me for gaining weight. Damn it, kill me…”

Tauro, Aeris, and Ankh had all expected as much and quietly suppressed their laughter.

“I have presents for the two of you.”

Tauro took the magic spear and magic greatsword from [Magic Storage] and handed them over.

“Th-This isn’t an ordinary spear. Is it a magic spear?”

Ragune gripped the weapon and immediately sensed the power within it.

“I used the ogre’s magic stone for your spear. It grants an earth attribute and enhances the wielder’s physical durability. I can’t explain every detail, but the weapon also has self-repair and regeneration, so minor chips and damage will restore themselves.”

“I wonder whether even the dragonfolk treasury contains a spear with abilities like these…”

Ragune’s hands trembled at receiving such an extraordinary weapon so casually.

“Next is Ankh’s greatsword.”

“Wait, Leader! This isn’t the sort of gift you casually hand someone over lunch.”

Ankh was visibly unsettled.

“Calm down and let me explain. I used the griffon’s magic stone. Wind magic increases the blade’s sharpness and improves the wielder’s agility. It also has self-repair and regeneration, so you don’t have to worry about the blade chipping in battle.”

“Knowing what it can do makes me even more uneasy. I won’t be able to sleep if you give me something this valuable.”

Ankh’s concern was entirely genuine.

“Both weapons are protected by appraisal obstruction, so other people can’t identify their abilities. They were also made specifically for the two of you. If anyone else tried to use them, the spear wouldn’t pierce properly and the greatsword would barely cut.”

“Those specifications are absurdly extravagant. A weapon like this would normally be passed down as a family heirloom.”

Ragune examined the spear with awe.

“I imagined them recognizing their owners at the hereditary level, so your descendants might be able to use them too. I can’t know without testing it.”

“Hereditary?”

“What does that mean?”

Neither Ragune nor Ankh understood Tauro’s modern terminology, but they understood that the weapons were exceptional.

“Is it really all right for me to accept this? I have nothing comparable to give you in return.”

Ankh looked over the greatsword from hilt to point.

“The same is true for me. I already owe Tauro so much that I should be the one repaying him. I can’t accept something this valuable.”

“I’ve already told you that I don’t care about repayment. We’re friends. Helping one another is enough.”

Aeris nodded in agreement.

“I’m overwhelmed. I thought protecting you was supposed to be my responsibility… Very well. I’ll make sure I live up to it.”

Ankh accepted the weapon.

“Then, while the timing is right… I want all of you to form a blood pact with me.”

Ragune’s face reddened as she finally gathered the courage to ask.

“The pact you mentioned before?”

Tauro and Aeris knew it was a dragonfolk sign of true companionship.

“What pact?”

Ankh hadn’t heard about it.

“Until now, I’ve only formed blood pacts with other dragonfolk. Asking all of you means that you’re truly special to me. Damn it, kill me…”

Embarrassment brought out Ragune’s habitual phrase.

“I’m glad. It means you recognize us as true friends. How do we perform the pact?”

“It’s simple. We each cut a palm, exchange a little blood, and clasp hands. Dragonfolk are bound to rush to the aid of anyone with whom they have exchanged blood when that person is in danger.”

“That’s a heavy promise… but I understand. Let’s form the pact.”

Tauro, Aeris, and Ankh each cut a palm and formed a blood pact with Ragune.

At that moment, the employee returned with Ragune’s order.

“Here is the miso vegetable stir-fry set meal. Everyone should eat before the food gets cold.”

The perfectly ordinary interruption made all four of them laugh.

“Then let’s eat. First, though, we should treat our hands.”

Tauro passed around a potion. After healing the cuts on their palms, the four companions resumed their meal.

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