Chapter 62

This story is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictitious and have no relation to any real entities.

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060 - The Duke and Zeigen are scary

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I lined up the steel weapons and armor I bought from the Gorteo store on the table and enchanted them.

From day 66 to day 70 after my reincarnation, I had some free time, so I enchanted a lot. Thanks to drinking a lot of MP potions, my stomach is feeling bad.

- Attack Sword: ATK+55, Slash Enhancement (Minor), Auto Repair (Minor), Durability 57/57 (Steel One-Handed Sword + E-Rank Magic Stone + Enchantment Hard + Enchantment Attack + Enchantment Regeneration)

- Attack Buster: ATK+69, Slash Enhancement (Minor), Auto Repair (Minor), Durability 68/68 (Steel Two-Handed Sword + E-Rank Magic Stone + Enchantment Hard + Enchantment Attack + Enchantment Regeneration)

- Attack Lance: ATK+71, Pierce Enhancement (Minor), Auto Repair (Minor), Durability 65/65 (Steel Spear + E-Rank Magic Stone + Enchantment Hard + Enchantment Attack + Enchantment Regeneration)

- Attack Arrow: ATK+45, Pierce Enhancement (Minor), Durability 37/37 (Iron Arrow + E-Rank Magic Stone + Enchantment Hard + Enchantment Attack)

- Defense Shield: DEF+40, VIT+1, Fire Resistance (Minor), Auto Repair (Minor), Durability 64/64 (Steel Great Shield + E-Rank Magic Stone + Enchantment Hard + Enchantment Fire + Enchantment Regeneration)

- Defense Mail: DEF+50, VIT+1, Ice Resistance (Minor), Auto Repair (Minor), Durability 57/57 (Steel Armor + E-Rank Magic Stone + Enchantment Hard + Enchantment Ice + Enchantment Regeneration)

- Defense Plate: DEF+30, AGI+3, Auto Repair (Minor), Durability 54/54 (Steel Chestplate + E-Rank Magic Stone + Enchantment Hard + Enchantment Accelerate + Enchantment Regeneration)

The mithril two-handed sword ended up with rather inferior abilities.

According to what Mr. Gorteo told me, usually blacksmiths or item crafters make magic items like magic swords.

In my case, I enchant the steel equipment I buy. I think the significant difference in abilities is due to the Enchantment Hard, which serves as a base. However, this is just a feeling, and I have no concrete evidence.

The production process affects the item's abilities. This is expected, but it's still fresh.

I tried applying Enchantment Hard twice, thinking it might allow for more effects, but the second Enchantment Hard didn't activate.

It's either due to low proficiency or that the same enchantment can't be applied twice.

Additionally, I couldn't enchant leather products or robes. Not only did Enchantment Hard not increase durability, it actually decreased it.

It seems Enchantment Hard only works on metal items or hard materials like fangs or bones.

That's why I couldn't enchant the bow, though I could enchant the arrows. However, due to durability issues, I couldn't apply Enchantment Regeneration.

If I had a metal bow, I might be able to enchant it, but I don't have one right now.

I equipped these weapons and armor to the Gandarvans. Except for the arrows, all the equipment has the auto-repair effect, and the ATK and DEF values are significantly higher than those of regular steel items.

I had them change into the new equipment, but since it was originally steel, the appearance didn't change much. The color slightly changed from a metallic silver to a slightly yellowish silver.

I kept a few as spares and sold most of them to the Gorteo store. It feels like I made a fortune.

On the 71st day after my reincarnation, I was finally summoned by the Duke and went to the castle.

The inside of the castle was quite clean, but the holes in the walls and ceiling were still not sealed.

I entered the Duke's office, greeted him, and when asked what I had been doing these past few days, I replied that I had been relaxing at the mansion.

Enchanting takes about an hour. There's a limit to how many MP potions I can drink, so an hour is my limit. The rest of the time, I took naps on Annelise's lap, read books, and had my ears cleaned. It was a very productive time.

"What about the holes in the castle?"

"We decided to build a new one."

It can apparently be renovated, but the castle is quite old, so they're building a new one. It's a large castle, so how much will it cost? It's not my concern, but I'm a bit curious.

"Anyway, I have a few things to discuss with the Footsickle Honorary Baron family."

"A few things?"

I don't need them.

"Don't look so unhappy."

"Was it that obvious? I apologize."

The Duke sighed. I want to sigh too.

"I decided to award the medal in a simplified ceremony. The Footsickle Honorary Baron would prefer it that way."

"A simplified ceremony?"

A clerk brought a tray and placed it on the Duke's desk. The Duke took the medal from it and handed it to me.

Once I accepted it, that was it. No, not quite. A leather bag also appeared. I received one last time, and it contained money. It seems to be more than last time because of the difference between repelling and defeating the demon.

"Is that all?"

"The castle is in that state. This time, I'm awarding it in a simplified ceremony. Please distribute the medals to your subordinates."

If it's this easy, we don't need a ceremony.

"Let me make it clear, this is an exception. Usually, it's a grand ceremony."

"Ah, yes. I understand."

The Duke seems to hear my thoughts. He must know what I'm thinking.

"Next, about the reward."

What? I just received money.

"I'm making you a Baron."

"Really?"

"I actually wanted to make you a Viscount, but I don't think you'd be happy. However, leaving your title as is would set a bad precedent, so I decided to make you an Honorary Baron."

In summary, he's sparing me the Viscount title but making me an Honorary Baron.

"Your salary won't change, and you won't have a fief. The only difference is that you can pass the title to your descendants. Accept this much."

Is he spacing it out so I can't refuse? He knows me well. Why does he know me so well?

"By the way, I have a favor to ask."

"A favor?"

You're asking a lot of questions, aren't you?

"I want you to train our knights and soldiers."

"Really?"

"Will you accept?"

"No, no, no, that was a question, not an acceptance."

"I understand."

Damn, am I being toyed with? Am I being teased?

"But the Duke's family has someone like Mr. Balkan. Why ask me to train the soldiers when you can command Mr. Balkan?"

"Balkan has to oversee the entire knight order."

That's why you dragged me in and made me train them every day. I won't forget that month. It's a trauma.

"All you need to do is take the young ones to the dungeon."

"No way."

I firmly declined. Training soldiers in the dungeon means leveling up. The soldiers are at least level 10. To level them up, we'd need to go to at least the 4th floor.

It would take at least a day and a half to reach the 4th floor. Leveling up and returning would take 4 to 5 days. I can't afford to waste that much time.

Besides, I have many jobs and skills I can't show others.

"Don't be so dismissive."

"Then I'll politely decline."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

The Duke sighed deeply and said, "I understand."

"If you entrust the soldiers to the Footsickle Baron, their quality would improve. Are you really going to refuse? I can prepare a reward."

I just said I understand! This Duke is really persistent.

"Yes, I decline."

I keep my words short to avoid being pressured. Can you understand that there are things I can accept and things I can't?

The Duke kept asking, but I refused absolutely.

"Next, the compensation for the gem."

There's that too. I'm already full.

"Do you want to become a Viscount?"

"No."

"Don't be so firm."

You knew I'd say that, didn't you? You just said it.

"I'll give you a magic item from our family's collection. What would you like?"

"A magic item from the Duke's collection!?"

This is lucky. I wonder what treasures will come out.

"Anything from the treasure vault except for family heirlooms."

The Duke placed a stack of papers on the desk.

"Choose from this list."

Let's see... I'm excited.

But there are so many. How many do you have in the treasure vault? Is it okay to show me this? If I were a thief, I'd break in. I won't, though.

Oh, there's a good one. A magic item that increases AGI. This one increases MP. These are truly treasures from the Duke's collection.

"You can read this later. Let's move on."

"Is this not the last thing?"

Aren't there only the demon defeat medal and reward, and the compensation for the gem? We don't need anything else, right?

"The royal family has offered a reward to the Footsickle Baron."

"Really?"

"The royal family has offered a reward to the Footsickle Baron."

No, I just heard that. I was asking for clarification. You keep teasing me.

"After the demon repulsion, they offered a reward, and yesterday they offered another reward for the demon's defeat."

"Could it be..."

"You'll go to the capital. Refusal is not accepted. I'm going too, so we'll go together."

Eh... I didn't hear about that.

"Defeating the demon is a significant achievement. Not only the royal family, but other nobles are likely interested in the Footsickle Baron."

Ugh. I don't want their interest!

The royal family and nobles are already troublesome, but the capital is where they are.

Even though my appearance has changed, I think they'll recognize me. Considering their personalities, they'll probably cause trouble.

Rumors say they've fallen, but the title of hero still carries influence, and I don't want to get involved.

I can only imagine a future of annoying interactions.

To clear my gloomy mood, I'll choose a magic item!

I chose one that increases INT.

When the necklace arrived, protected by Zeigen and the guard knights, I was very happy.

"Compared to the value of the gem, this necklace is inferior. This is the difference."

Zeigen handed me a leather bag. I think this necklace is quite good, but the gem is even better.

Is it okay to receive so much? It's a huge amount.

Well, I'll give it to Mondaluc.

Still, this necklace would suit Annelise. I think it will make her even more beautiful. I'm glad I chose it.

It's a witch's necklace with the effects MP+150, INT+15, MIN+10, MATK+30, MDEF+20. I chose it for Annelise.

"We'll leave for the capital in four days. Don't forget."

Oh, Zeigen, you're still here.

"No way. I won't forget."

I might have a stomachache on the day. I might have a fever. I might get sick.

"There are good doctors even if you're ill. There's nothing to worry about, so bring me along."

Zeigen is emphasizing to Gandarban. He's also reading my mind. Scary.

The Duke and Zeigen are scary!

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