Wolves of Hader

Chapter 131

Urald folded the magic pouch.

A bag the size of a large jar had been folded down to smaller than the palm of my hand.

"You can put a greatsword and even armor into this magic pouch. This is the maximum size. If I make it any bigger, the magic won't activate."

Having just the armor fit was sufficient.

"Exactly where does it go?"

"Well, we don't know. It might be connected to a real warehouse somewhere, or it could be subspace. If it's subspace, you could store things endlessly."

"And when you take things out?"

Urald put his hand in the pouch.

Without any incantation, he just reached in and immediately pulled out a spear, as is, in its full, long form.

"If you think of the spear, it'll instantly summon that spear. But you can't pull out things originally put in by the pouch's owner. It's something like a promise between the owner and the elemental."

"I see. The material is unusual."

"It's not a special fabric. I just made the bag out of thin but tough cloth and it came out with this silver sheen. Seems like it has magic defense, and ordinarily it shouldn't tear."

Urald handed me the pouch.

"Keep this with you all the time. From now on, you won't have to travel in uncomfortable armor."

"That's true. And I can hide the greatsword as well."

I tucked the pouch away.

If this magic pouch is connected to actual space, it's probably somewhere in Aindel.

If we put our belongings in and they don't come out, then the owner of the accessible warehouse could take them.

I plan to put in a few gold bars and watch what happens.

For now, I decided to keep the elemental weapons here.

As we were recruiting new soldiers, I also decided to raise the skills of the existing knights and special forces by one level.

During the last voyage, Donnie stopped by Little Devil Island and brought back all sorts of materials.

Especially, he brought a fair amount of wellspring of magic, to replenish magic power.

Even the knights, not to mention the special forces, had improved their skills significantly.

They were perfectly ready for their magic vessels to become larger.

Everyone was about to level up by a step or two.

As for myself, unless I acquire another demon's essence, it seems unlikely that I'll rise another level.

It's not about merely expanding my magic vessel anymore—something will change.

I don't know what lies above that.

Just as not all Swords of Light are the same, there could be another sky above the sky.

Even compared to my own techniques, my magic power was still not abundant.

I could use the horizontal Sword Line up to six times in a row; my highest skill, at best three times.

So, if an army of ten thousand came rushing in—

It would mean I'd have a hard time holding them off alone.

Once I exhaust all my magic power and even my stamina runs low, I'd be in danger too.

I haven't created my ultimate technique yet.

The guildmaster only managed after ten years of research, so it can't be easy.

The officers' methods of handling magic power will be a big help.

In short, I was still lacking.

There's definitely a higher step, and I need to reach it, no matter how long it takes.

I stepped out of the workshop and looked over my territory.

Now I could make out a rough outline of a village.

Some residents had already moved in.

Thump-thump-thump—

Scrape-scrape.

Thud-thud-thud-thud—

The sounds of hammering nails, sawing wood, and digging land echoed through the territory.

Not only were the workers building houses; the residents were also building their own homes.

I walked to meet the person in charge of construction.

To build a temple, humble though it may be, in my territory.

I intended to somehow build it myself.

/ / /

Scrape. Scrape. Scrape.

Thunk—

I picked up the planks I'd sawn off and moved them.

After stacking the wood in one spot, I went back, laid down another plank, and cut it to the same length.

Within two days, I realized my ambitions were too big.

At first, I thought I could do it all myself, but that just wasn't possible.

Even my planing was a mess.

If I kept going alone, I'd have to tear everything down and start over, so in the end, the craftsmen handled the professional stuff.

There's a real difference between a humble temple and a botched one.

So I just dug the ground, cut and carried logs, and helped with simple labor.

Sometimes I was an assistant to the craftsmen. It's already been more than fifty days of this kind of work.

News must have spread about me building the temple, because even the Berserkers came to help.

They understood why I was doing this and felt the same way.

"It's already the first snow at the fortress."

"Is that so? It's still warm here."

It seemed winter had arrived at the fortress.

The new territory was still warm, thanks to the mountains blocking the northern wind.

"Donnie, now take your team and head back."

"We're comfortable here anyway."

Donnie brought over the wood I'd cut, and his five men were assisting the craftsmen.

Hans and the youngest were staying at the fortress, serving as instructors.

For around fifty days, I worked in the day and by night created new sword techniques or handled business documents.

I'd even delved rather deeply into magic power operation research.

I'd made a trade list for the second trade fleet and sent it to the east merchant guild, and I'd sent the design and blueprint for the rubber tires I'd successfully developed to Count Parde not long ago.

In the workshop, parde's craftsman was shaping the Rachrom he'd transported for us into weapons and armor.

We were also making new sets of armor for the new special forces, the Tuji brothers, and Allen.

We made Sonic Swords for the Buffers, too.

It's a peculiar sword with breathing holes in the blade.

The Buffers would use this sword instead of tuning forks.

"How did the mask and shoulder cape work out?"

"Yes. They seem very useful. No particular practice was needed. The mask should soon reach the intelligence squad in the capital, too."

I tried the mask and cloak myself.

The mask clung tightly like a skin to my face and transformed.

Other than making my face look deathly pale, it was perfect.

The cloak, as expected, copied the background behind me and projected it.

As long as I stood still, I blended perfectly into my surroundings.

It was only a little noticeable in bright light.

"Donnie, please help with the wedding preparations. I'll return three days before the ceremony."

"Understood."

Donnie called out to his team.

"Return!"

"Yes, sir!"

I quietly set to cutting wood again.

It looked like the temple would only be finished late next spring.

Construction would be difficult in the dead of winter due to the cold.

While staying at the new territory, I made a lot of magic stones as well.

They would be for the new special forces and soldiers, as well as for wielders of elemental weapons.

I'd already sent the magic stones made for the five officers some twenty days ago.

By infusing our techniques with their sword techniques, it would likely become a peerless sword art.

Maybe, if I could adapt the officers' sword techniques, I could even create an ultimate-level sword art.

It will take some time to fully realize it though.

/ / /

I stood in dress robes in front of the castle.

Ross was already out front greeting the guests.

In the plaza, the knight order was lined up, and all the residents had come out.

As special guests, only Lord Urke, Goose, and Lady Urada and her daughter attended.

We hadn't informed those in Tris of Elder sister Rozie's wedding. Everyone was busy after all.

An old Priest from Mouk not affiliated with the Order, just a priest of the people, performed the wedding blessing.

Roman and twelve Priests stood behind him as well.

"Now! We will commence the wedding ceremony for Commander Russell and Young Lady Rozie! Everyone, please stand!"

Ban-pa-ra-bam—

The trumpet's sound echoed out.

Petals scattered across the plaza.

"Waaaah!"

Russell and Rozie emerged from the castle, holding hands.

The residents and knights cheered and applauded.

As the couple walked into the plaza, Ross and I followed behind.

And so the bride and groom stood in the plaza.

The applause and cheers continued for a while, then gradually faded.

The elderly Priest, smiling, spoke.

"Please face each other."

Russell and Rozie looked at each other.

The Priest continued.

"Today, you two are joined in the bond of marriage. May you never forget the feelings you have today, and do you vow to always cherish and respect each other?"

"We vow."

"We promise."

"May happiness always fill your lives, and may you overcome hardships wisely. Please lower yourselves."

Russell and Rozie knelt on one knee.

The Priest sprinkled holy water on their shoulders and placed his hand on their foreheads, murmuring the blessing prayer.

This was the sacred ceremony, reporting the marriage to God and praying for the couple's happiness.

"Never forget that God is always with you, and always remember today's vow at heart. Now, please rise and exchange tokens of promise."

They put rings on each other's fingers.

The Priest spoke again.

"Do you declare that you will love and live happily together?"

"We declare."

"I promise."

"Then, prove it."

Russell approached Rozie and kissed her.

Cheers and exclamations broke out all around.

The Priest spoke once more.

"May God's grace be upon your future, and as this beautiful couple marches before you, please greet them with blessings and congratulations!"

"Everyone, attention!"

Shuk—

The knights raised their swords with disciplined precision.

"To the happiness of the couple!"

"To happiness!"

And amidst the hearty shouts of the knights—

Russell and Rozie walked onward.

"Young lady! You must live happily!"

"Best wishes, commander!"

"Commander! Don't overdo it on your first night!"

"Hahaha!"

Petals fluttered beautifully in the air.

Applause, cheers, and laughter filled the plaza.

When I looked at Ross, her eyes were shining with tears.

I, too, felt my heart swell.

It reminded me of my parents.

/ / /

The banquet set up outside the castle was lively.

Residents and guests all ate and drank, and even the new recruits enjoyed the festival today.

The newlywed bride and groom, having changed clothes, made sure to visit every group to thank them personally.

They received heartfelt congratulations and blessings in return.

I finished making the rounds with Ross, then shared a meal with Lord Urke and Goose.

When I noticed the five officers gathered in a corner, I went over to them.

They had all changed in remarkable ways.

Their muscles had increased, and their eyes were different.

Perhaps you could say they'd become fiercer.

As I approached, all five stood up to greet me.

It had been two months since I'd seen them.

"How have you been?"

"We've been well."

"Where has the leader been until now?"

I stifled a laugh.

"Leader," they called me.

"You must've had a tough time."

"The first two weeks, I thought I'd die. But I gradually got used to it. I used to wonder why you pushed us so hard."

The other four nodded.

They must have seen the special forces or the Elin siblings training during their time here.

Perhaps shocked, within less than a week, they all wrote down every detail of their own house's sword techniques, realizing it would help them greatly.

"How did the sword techniques work out?"

They all smiled at my question.

"When you said you'd give us sword techniques, I thought it'd be something totally different. But since it was based on our own sword arts, we progressed quickly."

"It's a wonder how that's possible."

"That's what I thought. You built on what we wrote, and yet you adapted our sword arts. Amazing."

I'd only applied their sword arts, not created a new one. For example, adding "Rush" to a thrust, or "Leap" to a downward strike.

In this way, I fused six techniques.

Spin. Explosion. Amplification. Compression, too.

I added these methods to their traditional sword arts.

They wouldn't know the exact ways to operate magic power; the elemental shifted magic in an instant, after all.

"So, have you gotten used to the sword techniques?"

"We're about halfway there. We got this far in just about thirty days. Given what you said, we might make it to the top rank in the four months left."

That's why the officers had become so cooperative now.

Because it was really happening.

"So, have you prepared the payment?"

"It's ready."

"We sent someone to Tris to deposit it. You can get it right away at the east bank branch here."

I'd also made armor and weapons for these officers.

It was necessary if they wanted to use our techniques.

But I couldn't just give them away for free, so I asked for payment.

The officers accepted without protest.

They'd seen the armor and weapons their men used.

And realized that you couldn't use the new sword techniques with regular gear.

Armor was 30 gold coins.

Weapons were 20 gold coins.

A significant sum, but the heads of their houses trusted their children and paid up.

Well, it wasn't money I needed, I just couldn't give them for free.

"But if we need repairs, do we have to come to the fortress? I've never heard of this strange metal."

"They'll last a long time. If you need replacements, you must come in person. Can these be used in the army?"

"For individual training purposes, yes."

"I see."

The officers were all craving something.

Since they'd advanced, they wanted confirmation.

It was a little early, but—

"Would you like to go hunting with me?"

"We'd love to. Monsters?"

"Very strong ones. But to hunt them, you'll have to pay."

"What do you mean?"

"Pay to hunt?"

Their faces tensed up.

But it wasn't like before, not unpleasant.

"I'm going to pass on magic power to you."

They all looked confused.

It must have sounded bizarre.

You only gain magic power through training, after all.