Central Command Office of Keluhtan.
Harsen was conversing with Jelande.
“Has Young Master already departed?”
“Yes. He left as soon as he heard the news.”
Harsen, listening to Jelande’s answer, turned his gaze toward the window.
‘I thought there would be at least a hint of hesitation…….’
The image of the wastrel young master from old memories no longer existed.
The young master he met here had become a completely different person.
From his gaze, to his personality, appearance, and even his excellent exam results.
However, Harsen still couldn’t sense any Mana from Evan.
If only he had Mana, he’d truly be perfect.
“But with the results he’s shown this time, I’ll have to reconsider…….”
He didn’t know how Evan managed to take first place in the exam without Mana, but there must be a reason.
At that moment, as Harsen was muttering to himself, Jelande continued.
“But are you sure about this? Sending the young master to Talyn……”
“The Count must have his reasons. More importantly, contact Talyn and assign someone to the young master. It’s the Count’s orders.”
Someone would be attached to Evan to observe him discreetly.
Someone to watch Evan’s every move, while also protecting and assisting him.
With that information, Harsen would have to write a report to send to Clyd.
Of course, aside from that, Harsen had developed a personal interest in Evan’s activities.
***
Evan was traveling to Banher Village by carriage.
Before heading to Talyn, he decided to stay in Banher for a day or two.
‘There’s no rush anyway.’
In the carriage, Evan unfolded a map and began to survey the entire county.
Kerthen County, boasting vast lands in the northern part of the kingdom.
Its territory was comparable to that of a duchy.
It was a testament to the prestige of the Kerthen Family.
‘But there are danger marks all over the place.’
As vast as the territory was, there were just as many wastelands.
Most of them were dungeons and monster habitats.
The areas near the cities were well managed, but it seemed difficult to control the deep forests.
Evan searched the map for Talyn.
‘Talyn, huh…….’
Talyn was located at the very edge, near the border—a border town among many.
As befitting its position, it was surrounded by rugged mountains, with many warning signs around.
In short, it was a dangerous area.
Even so, a city could exist there because merchant guilds traveled across this border.
As one of the trade routes, a city was needed here, and so it was maintained.
‘If it’s a place like this, I actually welcome it.’
To Evan, dangerous areas were nothing more than good hunting grounds.
Rather than a safe area, he much preferred places like this.
‘But sending me here… what does it mean?’
Judging by Clyd’s personality, this situation was by no means a negative one.
Normally, people would think of it as a place for demotion or exile.
But for Clyd, “taking care of his children” meant pushing them even harder.
You could easily tell by looking at what happened to Delian and the role he played.
Alan had said Delian only reached his current position through many trials and hardships.
On the other hand, Evan had previously lived a comfortable life in a restricted environment, simply out of neglect.
In the end, indifference was even worse.
‘It’s probably because I took first place in the exam.’
Originally, he’d expected to fail and return to the main house.
But he’d overturned those expectations and even seized first place.
Clyd was probably thinking about many things right now.
‘In a way, maybe he’s expecting something from me.’
It was also an opportunity that had come to Evan.
***
After arriving at Banher Village, Evan and his group immediately headed for Airan’s Smithy.
True to its reputation as a blacksmith village, smithies lined every street.
Hammering sounds echoed everywhere, and smoke rose from the chimneys.
Walking through the streets, they could see crafted equipment displayed on stands for passersby to admire.
Amused by the unique atmosphere of the village, Evan looked around with interest.
As they moved toward the central district, the crowds grew even denser.
Evan frowned.
“There are a lot of people. Let’s hurry up a bit.”
There was a crowd as large as in Keluhtan.
But unlike Keluhtan, where most people were knights or aspiring knights, here, there were knights, mercenaries, guild members, adventurers, and all sorts of professions gathered.
It was probably because everyone came to get equipment.
Every time Evan passed by, he felt gazes from all around.
“Oh my, who is that?”
“He looks like a noble…”
“Which family’s young master could he be?”
Evan’s striking appearance instantly drew everyone’s attention.
‘This is a bit troublesome. It’ll get annoying. I’ll have to think of a way to deal with it later.’
Pushing through the crowd, Evan’s group finally reached their destination.
A smithy with a unique structure caught their eyes.
“So this is Airan’s Smithy?”
A massive furnace rose up like a volcano.
“Wow… I’ve never seen anything like that before!”
Reynold stared in awe at the magnificent smithy.
Alan nodded, then looked at Evan.
“I’ve been here a few times before to order things for the knight order, but it amazes me every time. Young Master, what do you think?”
“It’s certainly flashy, but that’s not what matters. Let’s go in.”
“Is that so?”
At Evan’s indifferent attitude, Alan just shrugged his shoulders.
***
Inside Airan’s Smithy, the interior of the huge building came into view.
Rows of blacksmiths’ stations lined up around the massive central furnace.
Partitions made of brick separated each personal workspace.
It was a uniquely structured building.
“Good grief! There’s no end to this! No end!”
“Damn it! Those royal bastards are so stingy…”
Large, rough-looking blacksmiths were cursing as they busily moved about.
Evan’s group passed them, looking for Airan, who seemed to be in charge.
“If I remember right, it should be this way……”
Alan tried to recall the place he’d visited before.
Then he pointed to a spot.
“There!”
Alan pointed with his hand.
There, an elderly man with white hair was hammering away with his shirt off.
His muscular build rivaled Reynold’s.
His white hair and beard were wild and unkempt.
His face was brimming with a wild, masculine energy.
“That’s the master craftsman, right?”
Evan approached, watching him with interest.
Noticing someone approaching, Airan turned his gaze.
A blond boy was walking toward him.
Airan gestured dismissively.
“No business here. Move along.”
He looked like a clueless noble’s son.
No matter what rumors brought him here, money couldn’t buy everything.
Evan looked pleased with the craftsman’s firm attitude.
He could see the conviction of someone who wouldn’t give equipment to just anyone.
He much preferred these straightforward types to sycophants.
“Hey! Even if you’re a great blacksmith…”
“That’s enough. Let it go.”
Alan and Reynold tried to say something, but Evan stopped them.
“Please take a look at this. I’ve come here with proper qualifications.”
Evan pulled out a scroll and handed it to him.
Airan paused his hammering, scratched his head, and accepted it.
The scroll was an Iron Forge Pass.
It was given to those who ranked first in the Knight Examination.
‘…He doesn’t look it, but he passed the exam as the top scorer?’
Airan looked Evan up and down, his expression incredulous.
But then he rubbed his eyes and took another look, standing up and coming closer.
“I’ve seen many knights, but never a body like this. Could you show me your arm more closely for a moment?”
Evan rolled up his sleeve and showed his arm.
“Excuse me. Since you came to buy equipment, we’ll need to measure your physical abilities anyway, so just a moment.”
Airan examined Evan’s arm intently with a sharp eye, then spoke again.
“Could you show me how much Aura you can release?”
Without a word, Evan nodded.
He concentrated his dense Aura into his arm and hand.
Airan watched him intently, not looking away for a moment.
After a few checks, Airan started to marvel.
“That’s enough. Your Aura control is truly exquisite. Your hands are so smooth, but the way you handle Aura is rough and skillful, just like a knight who’s seen many battlefields. It’s almost disconcerting.”
Airan stared at Evan’s whole body with a suspicious look.
Evan responded with an amused expression.
For the first time since coming to this world, someone had seen right through him.
‘They call him a master craftsman for a reason. His eye is sharp.’
Evan nodded slightly in agreement with his words.
“Impressive. To see through me like this.”
“I’ve made equipment for countless warriors. This is nothing.”
Airan got back to business.
“Wait here a moment. I’ll bring out what suits you……”
After saying that, Airan gave Reynold and Alan a quick once-over as well, then went somewhere.
***
A short while later, Airan returned carrying a large wooden box on his shoulder.
Thud!
He set the box down with a heavy sound.
Inside were helmets, armor, boots, and more.
There were full armor sets and weapons for three people.
Every piece bore the Kerthen Family Crest: two swords and a shield.
“These are the knight order’s official armors. And these weapons are prepared to fit each of you.”
Evan looked at him with a surprised expression.
Airan explained.
“Don’t you need to get equipment for those two behind you as well? I brought them out in advance.”
Evan liked his straightforward personality.
Evan bowed respectfully.
“Thank you.”
Alan and Reynold approached, looking puzzled.
“Young Master?”
“Huh? He’s even fitting us with swords?”
“Well, yeah. Since we’re buying anyway, might as well do it together.”
Airan pointed at the equipment and began to explain.
“I’ve brought gear tailored for each of you. First, this big guy here—he’s better off with a greatsword than a regular sword. The armor’s heavy, but with his strength, it’ll be solid…”
The gear suited Reynold’s traits well.
It looked like the heaviest material, focusing on defense.
And a greatsword with extreme destructive power.
It made the most of Reynold’s strengths.
Alan’s side was fitted with light chainmail, a balanced and agile set just like Evan’s.
Except for Reynold, Evan and Alan’s weapons and armor were pretty much the same.
‘Perfect. I can’t use the Sword of Jormungand’s Fang all the time anyway.’
He couldn’t carry an S-rank sword around all the time.
He needed a decent sword for his knightly duties.
Evan picked up a sword and checked its information window.
[Rank: A]
[Type: One-handed sword]
[Attack Power: 100~200]
[Durability: 150/150]
[Requirements: Strength 50+, Agility 45+]
[Effect: When clashing with another sword, it resonates, increasing its hardness and sharpness, boosting max attack power by 100. Additionally, critical rate increases by 20%.]
[Other: A sword with the Kerthen Family Crest, Airan-style one-hander. Used by lower and mid-rank knights.]
Do you like this personality?
It was just right for his current level.
Compared to other swords of the same level, its basic attack and durability were excellent.
‘A sword specialized for dueling?’
The blade strengthened when clashing with another sword.
“I’ve prepared equipment suited to your level. There are even better ones, so come back when you’ve improved.”
“Yes. Thank you. I’ll see you again.”
At that moment, burly blacksmiths came running over.
“Airan! There’s trouble!”
“W-what do we do? The carriage delivering to the royal palace was attacked……”
Airan’s eyes widened.
“What? What did you say?”
“The news stopped coming while it was crossing the forest. So now, a rescue team is preparing to recover the goods in Kavre Forest.”
“You idiots! Does that make any sense? There were knights escorting it! How could this happen?”
Hearing their conversation, Evan’s eyes lit up.
A problem involving knights.
It wasn’t something he could just ignore.
‘Was it the north of Kavre Forest?’
It also happened to be the location of a quest he needed to complete.