When I replied, Soleo awkwardly scratched his head and tried to cover up by saying he was now completely fluent, attempting to somehow salvage the situation.
“Soleo, even if that’s true, how can you do such a thing right in front of everyone! And, you should have told us about this too! Fortunately, you’ve learned your lesson, otherwise it would have seemed like I was the only one causing chaos!”
Leone scolded Soleo with a voice so sharp it was hard to believe her usually gentle demeanor. The other women also seemed to agree with Leone, subtly chiming in or silently approving.
As for me, while I couldn’t exactly say I wasn’t unpleasantly surprised, seeing them gang up on him like this felt a bit excessive. It wasn’t just a word or two; it seemed they had some pent-up frustration, and their tone was harsh enough that interrupting might have caused more trouble.
Soleo looked rather pitiful, squirming uncomfortably despite his imposing appearance. He seemed to be more of a homebody than we thought. Anyway, after redirecting my attention from their commotion, I finished inspecting the armor by giving it a few taps.
This should… barely suffice, right? Is it more than enough? No, considering the thickness, it might still be insufficient. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked Yuna to make arrows for me.
I’ll find out once I try making something. If it’s lacking… well, I can just wear less. Honestly, being bare doesn’t make me particularly weak either. As long as there aren’t any arrows like Yuna’s flying around, this should be enough to block most attacks.
While lost in thought, my stomach began to ache again, and I saw Myungho wrestling around with three others. It was shocking when it happened to Yuna, but this time, it didn’t hit me as hard.
Well, married women wouldn’t fool around with random men, would they? I’ve seen how much those women adore the big guy over there.
Thinking it was probably just an illusion conjured by the Demon Tribe to bother me, I shook my head to clear it. Rather than shocking, it was more absurd. Shaking off the unpleasant image, I moved on.
Myungho glanced at me disdainfully before approaching, seemingly bothered by my persistent tapping on the armor. “You interested in buying it?”
“No, not really… But if I had to buy something…”
I wasn’t planning to buy anything here. After all, most things can be made on the spot. Still, I felt a pang of guilt for touching something I wasn’t going to buy. I felt like I should purchase something.
Myungho looked at me curiously upon seeing me eye the greatsword. That made sense since I always pulled swords out of the ground. But I did have a reason.
“Didn’t they say using magic beyond the border would be difficult? I’m worried about finding myself without a weapon when I need one. Who knows? Even pulling out stones might take longer.”
After hearing my explanation, Myungho wore a face that mixed surprise that I’d thought of that with approval, saying, “Ah, is that what this is about?”
What exactly do they think of me? Do they see me as someone who only understands half of what’s explained? I quickly dismissed the thought. Let them think what they want.
“Leone, I fully understand my mistake now. Could you please wait a moment? There seems to be something important that lady over there wants to discuss…”
“Alright. I’ll stop for now. But tonight, you’d better be prepared. It’s been a while since I’ve had to punish you…”
Leone, glaring at Soleo with a cat-toying-with-a-mouse intensity, returned to her usual gentle expression.
“Hmm, where were we? Oh yes, the battle situation. I can’t say it’s good. With the open wasteland already tough enough, they’ve dug trenches and are holding out. Even when we try to overwhelm them with numbers, strange new weapons keep appearing endlessly.”
Trenches? What could they possibly do with trenches? Before I could figure it out, Leone said showing would be faster than explaining.
“Hmm, let’s wrap up the small talk. By the way, you’ve been eyeing that greatsword since earlier. Quite an excellent eye you have! Though it looks crude, it’s actually…”
Before Leone could continue her rambling about the sword—detailing which metals were used and how much power Soleo expended crafting it—I politely interrupted.
“So, is it good?”
“It is. Soleo made it himself. Sure, he sometimes shows regrettable behavior, but he’s still an excellent warrior and blacksmith. I guarantee the quality. By the way, can you lift it? It might be a bit too heavy for you…”
Swinging it with one hand, I found it surprisingly light and well-balanced. It was far superior to the makeshift ones I usually created. This will do.
“I’ll take it. How much?”
Though I had tapped the armor casually without intending to buy anything, this turned out to be quite a good item. Soleo responded.
“It’s only 50 silver coins. Given the current situation, most equipment is being handed out for free, but providing everything for free isn’t feasible. Still, elsewhere, it would cost ten times as much, so this is practically a steal!”
No need to think twice.
—
Alterra seemed pleased with her newly purchased greatsword, swinging it enthusiastically without caring about the onlookers. Her smile stretched from ear to ear, making it unnecessary to ask if she liked it.
Even with plenty of money, buying something at a discount feels good, doesn’t it? I felt an odd sense of camaraderie but suggested she tone it down a bit so no passersby got hurt.
“I guess. Sorry. I just got too excited…”
I understood. When I first held a brush, I was so thrilled I waved it around in the air.
…Now that I think about it, that’s when the mages’ impressions seemed to sour. Perhaps I could have stopped writing then. If only I’d been more perceptive, I wouldn’t have ended up with one blind eye.
And there’s no way Alterra could have had that mark on her belly. Just now, I saw faint traces of letters glowing on her. Not as intense as last time, but subtle.
She even seemed dazed for a moment. She must have been uncomfortable. While I remain unfazed unless it’s those annoying old men or illusions, it seems Alterra hasn’t reached that level yet.
Why does everything I do end up like this? Nothing goes smoothly.
…Let’s stop the pessimism here. It only makes me feel worse.
Regaining focus, I decided to grab a nearby inn and eat with Yuna, hoping to resolve some questions before heading to the training grounds beyond the boundary.
“…There’s something ahead that looks like a shimmering wall.”
“Is that so…? I don’t see anything, though. Akashi, Myungho, what about you?”
“Do you know who I am and are still asking me this?”
Approaching the boundary, everyone voiced their observations. Akashi and Alterra could clearly see it, while it appeared blurry to me. Yuna couldn’t see it at all.
“It’s blurry, but I can see it. Looks like you’re the only one who can’t, Yuna?”
“What?! That can’t be…”
Did she feel defeated? Yuna hung her shoulders dejectedly. Hmm… isn’t it better if you can’t see it?
Yuna is purely physical after all. Crossing that line won’t hinder her in the slightest. Leaving behind Yuna’s disappointment and Akashi’s teasing, Alterra crossed the barrier.
“Well… I’m going through.”
With a tense expression, she stiffly stepped forward and soon passed through the barrier completely.
“How is it?”
“I just came in, why are you asking already? Still… ah, I get it. It’s suffocating. Extremely.”
After Alterra crossed, everyone followed without hesitation. Although she mentioned it being suffocating, it wasn’t as bad as expected.
It felt slightly constricting, like diving underwater, but not overwhelmingly so.
Out of caution, I circulated my mana and noticed it flowed here like honey instead of water.
“…What is it? Didn’t you say it was suffocating, Alterra…?”
“What… Why are you guys fine…?”
Alterra looked bewildered at us. Akashi chuckled and clarified her confusion.
“Well… You use the most mana here, worm. In this barrier, the speed of mana flow is restricted. No matter how wide your channels or how much mana you have, the more you have, the more suffocating it gets.”
Akashi added nonchalantly, “For me, it’s not much of an issue since my book form isn’t greatly affected.” Meanwhile, Alterra attempted to manipulate mana, raising the earth or pulling out stone swords, but her expression was full of dissatisfaction.
“This is too slow. Will I adapt eventually…? Before that…”
Interrupting her muttering, I looked around and suddenly felt something coming toward me. Turning my head, I found myself hit by something.
Pulling it off hurriedly, I realized it was Alterra’s shorts and underwear.
Huh?
“Wait a second. Why are you…”
Yuna was equally flustered, asking Alterra what she thought she was doing.
Ignoring both of us, Alterra pulled out some black metals, placed them on the ground, and gestured with her hands.
The metal chunks floated into the air, separated, formed into armor, and…
Wrapped around Alterra.
