Chapter 356 – The Dream of a Warrior

Morning. After doing some light training to loosen up my body, having breakfast, and taking a short rest, Mildred arrived. I went to greet her in the entrance hall.

“Good morning, Dame Mildred.”

“Good morning. I’ll be in your care today, Ambassador.”

Saying that, Mildred bowed.

“Not at all. Please, this way.”

First, I guided Mildred to the reception room.

“Do you know the details about the Blazing Fortress?”

“Only to the extent of the rumors adventurers know. But hearing about it and seeing it for oneself are vastly different. Since I’m imposing by asking to accompany you, I will follow your instructions in the labyrinth.”

It seems Mildred’s policy is to follow my lead since it’s an unfamiliar place for her.

The fact that she doesn’t let the title of Knight Order Commander go to her head or feel constrained by it makes me understand why King Melvin trusts her so deeply.

“Well then, first, I have several pieces of countermeasure equipment for the Blazing Fortress. I’d like you to put them on so I can explain.”

“Understood.”

So, I handed Mildred the magic tools and equipment I had received from Alfred. They were a cooling magic tool and a coat made from fire rat fur.

“I see. So with this, I can wear my armor as well.”

“That’s right. I don’t think you’ll get burned.”

Since the Blazing Fortress is extremely hot everywhere, wearing metal armor without countermeasures can actually cause burns from the heated metal. Therefore, it’s necessary to prepare at least a cooling magic tool.

Thus, I explained to Mildred how to use the magic tool and various precautions for the Blazing Fortress.

“Understood.”

Mildred nodded with a serious expression. She put on the necklace-type magic tool and wore the fire rat coat over her armor like a surcoat.

Once preparations were complete, we left the reception room. In the entrance hall, Grace and the others were also preparing to head to the Blazing Fortress.

“We are ready on our end.”

“Good. Then let’s go.”

I picked up the greatsword that had been leaning against the hall wall.

“Is that Sir Lazaro’s greatsword?”

“Yes. If you’re interested, would you like to hold it and take a look?”

Since she seemed interested, I handed it to her for a moment. She slightly drew it from the scabbard to look at the blade, then sheathed it again and closed her eyes.

“I see. It’s quite a masterwork.”

Saying that, she returned the greatsword and then bowed quietly.

With that, we finished our preparations and left the house.

“Well then, we’re off.”

“Have a safe trip, Master.”

“Don’t get hurt.”

“Be careful.”

Seen off by the servants like Cecilia, Old Sigmund and the others, and Floria, we boarded the carriage.

“…So, legendary knights really are special, aren’t they? I wouldn’t have thought you, of all people, would wish to accompany him, though I might understand others doing so.”

When Rosemary said that, Mildred gave a wry smile.

“I certainly understand why you would say that, Lady Rosemary. Until now, I’ve kept my surroundings separate in my mind and focused on my own training and fulfilling the duties assigned to me.”

The Adventurer Guild’s Vice-Commander Oswald had mentioned that Mildred prefers modest fighting styles, hadn’t he?

Between her policy after descending into the Blazing Fortress and her belief in steadfastness… Rosemary had previously kept an eye on the Knight Order as well. She probably thinks this is unusual behavior for Mildred.

“Even I have moments of doubt. I haven’t decided what exactly I’ll do upon meeting Sir Lazaro, but… well. Perhaps I’m seeking a guiding star for the path I should follow.”

“I see…”

At Mildred’s words, Rosemary closed her eyes and nodded. Mildred’s response seemed to satisfy Rosemary.

A guiding star. As one who leads the Knight Order, or as a single knight?

From what I’ve heard, the main family’s heir in Mildred’s house didn’t have much talent with the sword, so expectations gathered around Mildred, who had shown promise since she was young.

As for Mildred herself… they say she was a genius swordsman who surpassed both her father and the head of the main family early on and was considered one of the top five sword users in the Kingdom of Verdugal. She doesn’t have much political skill, but she is honest and her abilities are outstanding, beloved by the knights… that’s the kind of person she’s said to be.

In that sense, Lazaro could indeed be her guiding star. Mildred’s ancestor and a legendary knight. His techniques and his way of being as a knight.

The Verdugal knights of the past and the Verdugal knights of the present. For Mildred, he might be the perfect person to compare herself against and reflect upon.

We teleported from the entrance stone monument to the Blazing Fortress. The location, continuing from last time, was in front of the main keep’s castle gate where we fought Lazaro.

Flowing lava and blazing heat crystals covering the ceiling. The ruined garden illuminated by their crimson heat, and the rugged fortress gate towering before us. It’s an intensely powerful space just from its appearance.

Lazaro… doesn’t seem to be here. Well, it’s not like Lazaro would be waiting here at the gate all the time either… but if Lazaro is integrated into this place, he should notice our arrival soon.

“First, confirm the safety of the surroundings. After that, report on the effects of the blessing and magic tools.”

The area around the stone monument is secure. The monsters on the other side of the garden probably won’t come this close, but it’s just a precaution.

“Rocks that look like Bomb Rocks… don’t seem to be here.”

“Lady Tephra’s blessing is also active.”

“No elephant forms either.”

Following instructions, everyone quickly checked the situation. Marlene also looked at me and nodded.

I took out the monocle I received from House Broderick from the Chimera Coat’s pocket and looked around. I could see several rocks in the far distance faintly emanating magical power.

…So it can distinguish Bomb Rocks too.

“I also think I’ll be fine for a while thanks to the magic tool and coat. Though I must admit I’m overwhelmed by the sight, which surpasses what I’d heard.”

Contrary to her words, Mildred appeared to be in a natural stance.

“The concerning Bomb Rocks can now be identified with this monocle. This should make exploration easier, but… please keep in mind that our conditions are slightly different from yours, as we’re made more active by Tephra’s blessing.”

“Yes. I will report immediately if I feel my vitality draining.”

I nodded at Mildred’s words and turned back toward the castle gate.

“Then—”

Grace and Ignis in their released forms placed their hands on the left and right of the castle gate. Putting their strength into it, the heavy, massive gate swung open inward.

The rugged impression remains the same even inside the fortress. A stone-built fortress. The area immediately past the entrance is a great hall, with a large staircase directly ahead and spacious corridors extending to the left and right. There are huge stone statues on both sides of the staircase… are these merely decorations? Even when viewed through the monocle, I don’t sense any magical power. At the top of the stairs is another large door. In a normal castle, this would probably be the throne room.

“Solid Hammer.”

First, I used earth magic to create a rock and hurled it at the detected Bomb Rock, smashing it. Next. I went around crushing the Bomb Rocks before they could move.

Hmm… The monocle itself seems to be magically fixed in place while worn. It moved a little when destroying the Bomb Rocks, but showed no sign of falling off at all.

“…Good. This should be no problem then.”

This magic tool is more convenient than I imagined.

I’ll also replenish Balor’s magical power while he’s perched on my shoulder, ready to fire at any time.

“Which way should we go?”

“Well then… let’s aim for the upper part of the fortress. First, let’s check the door straight ahead, and if we can proceed further, we’ll go that way.”

Although the route probably changes, since the fortress lord is present, aiming upward is basically the correct approach. The barriers around the fortress were also set up to reject intrusions from above.

“As for the smell of enemies—I don’t sense any. No sounds either.”

“I don’t sense any either. But my detection isn’t very effective here.”

Nodding at Sheila and Irmhild’s words, I opened the door. I had braced myself for the possibility of monsters rushing out… but it was quiet.

A red carpet continued into the depths. At the far end of the spacious room lined with white columns, the floor rose in a pyramid shape, and atop it, I could see what appeared to be a magnificent throne-like chair. As I thought, the throne room.

And—one human figure standing before the columns. The figure of a knight in silver armor, standing perfectly still with his hand on the pommel of the greatsword taken from the Elephas Soldier.

“It’s been a while, Sir Lazaro. As promised, I’ve come to return the sword.”

“You’ve come, Theodore.”

Lazaro turned toward us. Beneath his helmet, he seemed to be smiling slightly.

I walked up to Lazaro and handed him the greatsword.

“May I check it?”

“Of course.”

“Then—”

Upon my reply, Lazaro drew the long greatsword and examined the blade. He tested it by imbuing it with fighting spirit, and after a while, he nodded and sheathed the sword.

“Magnificent work. The one who repaired this appears to be a blacksmith of considerable skill.”

“I’ll let him know. I’m sure he’ll be delighted.”

“To be honest, the swords of the elephant soldiers were terrible things that could only be used once and discarded. Though that made procuring them less troublesome.”

He said with a wry smile. Then he looked at Mildred and spoke.

“By the way, it seems there’s a new face among you that I didn’t see last time.”

“That is Dame Mildred. It might be better to hear it from her rather than have me explain.”

I kept my introduction to a minimum. Mildred stepped forward and saluted.

“Pleased to meet you, Sir Lazaro. I am Mildred Calvare. This time, due to my own selfishness, Sir Theodore, the Otherworld Ambassador, has permitted me to accompany him.”

“…That manner. Are you from the Veldgar Kingdom Knights?”

Lazaro looked at Mildred with interest. Lazaro uses a greatsword. Mildred also uses a greatsword. Two people with similar weapons… this probably isn’t a coincidence.

“A greatsword user from the Knight Order. Time has flowed since my era, but I’m interested in how the skills possessed by the knights have changed.”

For Lazaro, that must be like proof of life itself.

“My sword dance would be an eyesore before a knight of your renown, Sir Lazaro. However… if permitted, I would consider it an unexpected joy to receive even a single instruction from you.”

“If it’s not a duel or a fight to the death, then as a knight who served the Veldgar royal family, I have no reason to refuse. But this is the throne room. Would you mind if we moved locations?”

“Of course not.”

The two nodded in unison as if by prior agreement, then left the throne room and faced each other in the great hall at the bottom of the stairs. They’re an old-fashioned but straightforward pair.

“Oh…”

The moment he saw Mildred’s stance, Lazaro let out a delighted voice.

“So my sword has survived as a style.”

“That’s why—I believe that’s why I wished to come here. To speak without mincing words, crossing swords with the founder is surely the dream of every warrior.”

“Indeed.”

At Mildred’s words, Lazaro laughed cheerfully. Lazaro, who had been in a natural stance when fighting me—now showed an identical stance to the one Mildred was taking.