Dahuang projected an image completely different from the typical countryside. Terraced paddies were flanked by cutting-edge technology, and a dam at the end controlled the water from the lake and rainfall.
The dam wasn't shoddily built; it gleamed pure white, a testament to its meticulous maintenance.
The buildings were the same. Engineering that perfectly captured the feel of wood and Yanese architectural style. Saplings and seedlings grew under artificial light in greenhouses, and people in lab coats, looking out of place in a rural setting, walked about.
"…It's fascinating."
"Hmm? What is?"
"The amount of attention paid to farming methods. Ah, I'm not looking down on farming. It's just different from what I imagined..."
Yujin looked around like a child. Shu watched him with a pleased expression, running her hand over a nearby desk.
"It is a will forged over generations. Those who first planted seeds here, and those who carried on that will... they are all the same."
They passed through several zones. In a reception room, Yujin, Shining, and Theresis sat down with Shu, but Chongyue remained standing.
"Shu, I am not the only one coming this time. Other siblings will likely arrive."
Shu‘s eyes twitched momentarily at his words, but she quickly regained her composure. She had seemed a bit stiff with Chongyue too. Were there other siblings?
"Some may have already arrived and are doing their own thing. I will look for them while you talk."
"…Understood, Brother."
With that, Chongyue left. Theresis bowed politely to Shu.
"Shu, this is the person I mentioned before."
"I know. You always talked about him, didn't you? A good friend."
Shu held a uniquely shaped piece of wood as she looked at Yujin. When her gaze met his, she felt a slight unease.
Vivid platinum eyes seemed to pierce through her.
"It is an honor to meet you. Just think of me as an ordinary wandering knight."
"Yes, the Champion of Kazimierz."
Hearing that, Yujin shot a glare at Theresis, wondering just how much he had spilled, but Theresis avoided his gaze. Shu seemed to know Yujin‘s full story and radiated goodwill.
"You created a knight order for the Infected, crushed conspiracies, and proudly seized the title of Champion."
"…It was nothing special. I just did what had to be done."
"There are more people in this world who wouldn't do such things. So, your business is the same as Theresis's?"
Theresis's business: information on Dahuang's farming methods and land cultivation. Finding uncontaminated soil and cultivating it required immense effort.
If crops are grown in Originium-contaminated soil, nine out of ten die before sprouting.
Even if they survive, the crops are contaminated. Eating them is a direct ticket to Oripathy unless one is on the verge of starvation.
Well, in Kazdel, almost everyone was Infected anyway, so they ate it rather than starve.
"Yes, that's correct."
"Giving away information isn't easy... but I can't send children like you away empty-handed. You didn't come for profit, but to help others."
She was fundamentally a good person. That was how Shu appeared to Yujin.
"Instead, there is a condition. Try farming here for a year. Ah, since there are three of you, the numbers work out. Why don't I give you a plot to experience it?"
This was the condition Theresis had received.
Given an entire plot to farm. A long journey of one year. Theresis looked deep in thought, and Shining seemed blank but pondered how to farm.
Three people. Of course, Yujin knew little about farming either. But the person in front of him wouldn't have given a thoughtless task. Yujin nodded.
"We'll give it a try."
Essentially being forced to stay in Yan for a year, but it could be a valuable time.
Before Yujin could ask more, Shu set down the wooden piece, smiled, and spoke to Theresis and Shining.
"Theresis, and the nameless child. Could you wait outside for a moment? I have something to ask him."
Shu‘s eyes focused on Yujin. There was an unknown bitterness in them, and Yujin waited silently.
Theresis and Shining left without knowing why. Once the door closed and their footsteps faded, Shu spoke.
"…That comment bothered me. I want to know exactly what you meant."
Not human. The words Yujin had spoken upon seeing Shu. That was what she meant.
Yujin opened his mouth but couldn't speak. Shu fiddled with the wood, watching him, then added:
"Don't be formal, speak comfortably. It feels strange being treated like an elder."
That's because you feel like a grandmother... Yujin swallowed the words. Calling a woman old was never a good idea. He thought for a moment before speaking.
"…I have special eyes."
"Speak comfortably. We're similar in age anyway."
Similar age. Yujin made a strange face but quickly corrected it.
"Uh, um... okay, Shu. I'll speak like a friend."
Her eyes twinkled then settled, seemingly still bothered by titles.
"When I first saw you and Chongyue. It felt very different from other people. I read the flow of Arts. You two... your existence itself was faint."
Even uninfected humans carry Originium in their blood. If the density increases, Oripathy develops, leading to crystals and complications.
But Shu and Chongyue were different.
Chongyue had a very faint flow and trace of Originium, but Shu had none, as if it never existed. No Originium power or Arts existed in her body.
"That's why I said you weren't human. You surpassed the singularity of being human, and your origins were unknown."
It was a slip of the tongue. Even if true, he knew Shu was a good person. Yujin bowed his head to apologize, but Shu stopped him with a hand.
"…You aren't wrong, so no need to apologize. But can you keep this a secret?"
There was sadness in her eyes. Yujin closed his mouth and nodded.
After that, Yujin and Shu chatted about trivial things before going outside. Though it was casual conversation, Yujin couldn't hide his bitterness.
'Was it a mistake...'
He had spoken based on appearance and his eyes. Whether human or not shouldn't have mattered to him.
Theresis and Shining were nowhere to be seen. Yujin corrected his thoughts and moved forward. Even if he made a mistake now, he shouldn't repeat it.
"…Hah, a waste of a weapon."
He was walking thoughtlessly until he heard a voice from behind.
"The blacksmith has to bear the blood shed by the weapon. Yet the owner treats it like that... that silver lance is wasted. It must have belonged to a renowned hero."
Silver lance. Hearing those words, Yujin knew who she was talking about. He turned to see a woman looking at him arrogantly, and a young boy beside her looking at Yujin helplessly.
"Sister, if he hears you..."
"I'm saying it so he hears."
"If you keep this up, I won't cook spicy food for you."
"Eek, really? My dear brother is breaking his sister's heart!"
Two dragons stood in Yujin's line of sight. A woman dyed in fiery red from pure white, and a person creating a strange mix of blue and red.
Yujin approached the woman. The boy didn't know if Yujin was offended, but Yujin held out the silver spear.
"Are you a blacksmith?"
"…Yeah."
The woman looked at Yujin, who approached with shining eyes. Though reluctant, her gaze didn't leave the silver spear.
"Then... could you perhaps... repair this?"
The silver spear Yujin created had shattered during the fight with Tola.
He had visited many smiths and companies, but they all refused, saying the weapon's life was almost over and they couldn't fix a dead weapon.
This woman and boy were like Shu. If Yujin was right...
They were dragons. Ones who had lived a very long time.
The woman looked at Yujin strangely at the sudden request, but she had started it. She examined the spear, tapped it with a piece of metal from her pocket, and frowned.
"…Hey, this was shattered once and pieced back together clumsily."
She immediately grasped the essence of the spear. Though it looked whole, Yujin had pieced it together with his limited knowledge.
And not properly. Using Originium power and Arts.
"Hmph. It's twisted in a complex way, making me want to touch it. But my forge isn't here..."
Her eyes were deeper than masters who had hammered for decades. While touching the weapon, she suddenly grabbed Yujin‘s hand and started dragging him away.
"…Excuse me."
"I haven't handled a weapon like this often. Good. Let's do some hammering for the first time in a while!"
Yujin looked at the boy who seemed to be her brother as he was dragged away. The boy just waved, his expression saying, 'Please take care of that troublemaker... it was hard enough bringing her here...'
Thus, Yujin was dragged away by a woman he had just met, without even hearing a proper reason.
========================
The website for reading paid chapters is available on my Patreon. The number of chapters on Patreon: 121
Link: patreon.com/UltraMagnus_T