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“Actually, Ayla has been making Temporary Cures for me. If I don’t take them periodically, I won’t be able to feel Mana.”
“That can’t be… I thought it was strange that Mana insensitivity could be cured so easily.”
The Duke stopped speaking and then looked as if he had realized something.
“So, it wasn’t a coincidence that you or your friend Ayla were cured.”
“Yes, you could say that I caught your eye thanks to Ayla.”
“…What an amazing talent.”
The Duke was deeply impressed.
It was rare for him to praise someone sincerely.
Perhaps that was why Felix felt a sense of pride, as if he had been recognized.
“And Ayla says that if we can get the herb called the Divine Step, she can make a perfect Cure.”
At those words, the Duke’s eyes sparkled.
“If I take the perfect Cure, can I be completely cured?”
“Yes, according to Ayla.”
“If that’s the case, I can give you as much as you want. Take as much as you need. You can take all that’s left.”
Felix’s ears turned red at the Duke’s enthusiastic reaction.
He had heard that it was a very precious herb, but he was giving it away as if it were a common weed.
Then the Duke continued.
“However, there is one minor problem.”
“What problem is that?”
“The herb you mentioned is in the Forest of Darkness. That’s because it’s a plant that grows by feeding on Mana.”
“……”
“Also, because it’s such an important herb, the Divine Beast is guarding it so that others can’t take it easily.”
Felix’s eyes widened.
“Is it that important?”
At Felix’s question, Duke Argenta replied in an indifferent voice.
“It’s important. It’s something our Noble house has been protecting for a very long time.”
With that, the Duke stared at Felix and said in a firm voice.
“But you are more important.”
“……”
“Everything in the Argenta Noble house is as good as yours. So, use the Divine Step as you please.”
Felix was speechless for a moment.
This was the first time he realized that the Duke’s words were not just empty boasts or formalities.
“…Thank you, Duke.”
He bowed awkwardly.
Watching him, Duke Argenta wore a bitter expression for a moment.
Then, as if he had thought of something, his face brightened again.
“That’s good.”
He smiled contentedly and continued.
“Originally, our Noble house has a ritual where we meet the Divine Beast and are recognized as the Heir when we reach a certain age. You can be officially recognized as the Heir of the Duke Argenta Noble house at this opportunity.”
The Duke said with sparkling eyes.
“Let’s go and pass through the place guarded by the Divine Beast and prove your worth.”
At those words, Felix’s expression darkened slightly.
“What happens if I can’t prove my worth?”
“Don’t worry. Those who are not qualified will not encounter the Dragon in the first place.”
The ruins were not an easy place.
It was a place that the people of the Argenta Noble house could enter without difficulty, but it felt like an impregnable fortress to others.
‘It shouldn’t be difficult for Felix to qualify.’
Like his blood, Felix was a prodigy who had already reached the level of Sword Expert at a young age.
He was also upright and kind, and quite intelligent.
So, the Dragon would have no choice but to recognize him as the next Heir to lead the Noble house.
He should be more confident, but seeing him worry about whether he was qualified made him feel affectionate.
And how careful he was when he asked for the herb a little while ago.
He didn’t even know how much he wanted to give it all to him, and he was just being so awkward.
Perhaps it was because he was not yet used to the fact that he was the Heir of the Duke Argenta Noble house.
‘It’s going to take time.’
Felix needed to know what his position was.
That if he wanted to, everyone here would follow him.
It would be awkward for now, but soon he would adapt to his position and status.
‘When that happens, he will be able to manage people easily.’
To that end, he was going to grant everything Felix wanted, as far as his power reached.
Felix asked Duke Argenta with a nervous face.
“What should I do?”
“You have to go there and prove your worth. That’s the only way the Divine Beast will give you the herb you mentioned.”
“Prove my worth?”
“Don’t worry, you just have to stay still. The Dragon will judge whether you are qualified or not. You just have to wait for the Divine Beast to appear and bring back the herb.”
Duke Argenta stroked his chin and smiled contentedly.
“Then maybe you’ll get an unexpected opportunity.”
“An opportunity?”
“The Divine Beast sometimes gives gifts to talented humans. Maybe that will happen to you too. Oh, that’s right. Come with me, I have something to give you.”
With that, Duke Argenta got up from his seat and led him somewhere.
It was a large reception room connected to the room they were in.
The Duke took out one of the decorative swords hanging above the fireplace and handed it to Felix.
“Take it. It seems like you don’t have a decent sword right now.”
Felix looked at the sword that Duke Argenta handed him with a bewildered look.
It was an object that exuded an extraordinary aura at first glance.
But the Duke said in an indifferent voice.
“It’s made of Mithril. It will help you deal with the Monsters in the Forest of Darkness.”
When Felix heard that, he almost burst out laughing.
Mithril was a mineral that even the imperial family was eager to own.
It was more expensive than the same weight of gold, so most ordinary people never got to see it in their lives.
Duke Argenta was handing him a family heirloom made of such a mineral as if it were a cheap iron sword.
He realized once again how great the Argenta Noble house was.
Felix carefully took the sword he handed him. Duke Argenta continued.
“Now that sword is yours. When you enter the ruins, offer it to the Divine Beast as a sacrifice. He will like it very much.”
“A Mithril sword as a sacrifice?”
“Yes, Dragons know what’s precious, so they especially like expensive things. Especially that guy who guards the ruins is very greedy like a Dragon.”
“……”
“Now that I think about it, it would be better to take more. The more you take, the more likely you are to get a better gift.”
Duke Argenta ordered the butler to bring more jewels. And he put them all in a pouch and handed it to Felix.
Felix accepted the jingling pouch with a dazed expression.
The weight he felt in his hand was heavy, and he couldn’t imagine how much value was inside.
Duke Argenta patted Felix on the shoulder and said.
“Now that we’ve talked about it, let’s go right away.”
The road to the Forest of Darkness was rough.
Felix was talented, but he was still just an academy student.
He had little experience in subjugation, so he was bound to be clumsy in practice.
‘But when I’m with him, I don’t feel like I’m in danger at all.’
Felix stared blankly at Duke Argenta, who was at the forefront fighting the Monsters.
His sword, which cut down the Monsters, had no hesitation.
The Monsters fell without even screaming at the sword he wielded with a cold hand.
‘As expected, he’s the best swordsman in the empire.’
Felix was so busy admiring him that he couldn’t concentrate on dealing with the Monsters.
After a while, the Duke finished off the last Monster and approached him.
“Are you hurt?”
“Yes, thanks to you……”
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