2nd team Inquisitor of the 5th Inquisition Office, Nord, had heard rumors.

From night until dawn, Jahad was teaching Austin and his gang.

At first, he didn't think much of it. Even though Jahad had surpassed him through sheer strength, he was still just another member of the Empire.

Different from those like Nord who had crossed the Northern Mountain Range. It wasn't the first time they were treated unfairly.

It was something normal by now.

This kind of treatment was familiar...

"Hey."

Nord flinched. He quickly put down the axe he had been polishing in his room.

The axe was a weapon of the Barbarian. The Order disregarded the ways of handling an axe, often scoffing at it for being brutal and lacking elegance.

Yet, Nord still remembered the edge that gleamed ominously in the frozen mountains.

Even if it was an axe, it was never to be underestimated against a sword.

But that was one thing, and this was another. Other Paladins didn't much like Nord's preference for the axe. They critiqued him harshly enough to fuel his defiance.

Nord casually kicked the axe under his bed. However, the person who called him approached confidently and searched under the bed.

“An axe, huh?”

A hand flipped it over nonchalantly. It was his junior, who had arrived later but had once hit him.

Jahad, the apprentice Paladin.

“...What brings you here?”

Trying to change the subject proved pointless. Jahad held the axe and pondered briefly. He even tossed it lightly into the air once.

“Is it important?”

“No matter who you are, if you mess with that...”

“What? Tear it apart?”

It was an item filled with his memories. It was a weapon that had saved him multiple times in the Northern Mountain Range. More than just a weapon, it could be considered a comrade.

Nord bared his teeth.

He clenched his fist.

"Put it down."

"Whoa. Are you going to hit me? You mean..."

Jahad firmly gripped the axe.

"Can you hold this properly?"

"...What?"

"No, I mean, do you know how to hold it? It's pointless to just polish the blade. You need to know how to use it in real combat. The Order doesn't teach how to handle an axe systematically, right? They just favor swords and spears; they're not really good with anything else."

‘What is he talking about?’

Nord blinked in confusion while Jahad gave a sly smile.

"How about it? Don't you want to learn how to properly handle the axe?"

"...How do you know that?"

It was a loaded question.

‘Why is a Paladin like you interested in the axe? How do you know how to wield it? Despite holding an axe against the guidance of other senior Paladins, why aren't you reproaching me?’

Jahad dismissed these inquiries with a simple answer.

"If you're interested, you learn. Why can't you?"

"...But the axe is a weapon of the Barbarians..."

"The ones who dismiss Barbarians on the battlefield are often the first to die. So, what's your answer?"

"Can you really teach me that?"

"Of course."

Jahad offered a fist bump.

"We're a team, after all."

‘A team.’

Nord's mouth opened in slight surprise.

He stared blankly at Jahad’s fist. Words he had never once heard from anyone other than fellow Barbarian Paladins.

Nord clenched his fist and, after looking down for a moment, extended it.

Thud.

The sound was brief. But it was enough to ignite a spark in Nord's heart.

Isabelle frowned upon hearing Jahad's proposal. She didn't understand.

"You're saying you'll teach us weapon skills separately?"

‘Why?’

That was Isabelle's question. He didn't particularly demand anything, yet he suddenly offered to teach them.

‘Why on earth would he do such a thing? What could he possibly gain from it?’

Isabelle calculated in her mind.

However, no matter how she calculated, she couldn't make sense of it.

"...Why? Could it possibly be that you have feelings for me..."

"Of course, I've already spoken to Austin and Nord about it."

"You're saying you'll teach everyone?"

Was the man before her capable of doing that?

Isabelle looked Jahad over. She had checked his brain, but never his body.

She had heard he was part of the Subjugation Battle of the Demon of the Snow. But did he really play a significant role?

It seemed impossible. An Apprentice Priest is limited in what they can achieve. Surely, he must have just been carried back by the flying Inquisitors.

She had heard that he overpowered Nord, but still...

Whether that strength could match a 1st Inquisitor was uncertain. Nord was among the upper ranks of the 2nd Inquisitors but never reached the level of the 1st.

"So why, then?"

Among the many questions she had, this was the biggest one.

"Did you receive money for this? Or did someone tell you to do it?"

"No?"

"If we learn from you, will we owe you something? Will it become a debt we need to repay later?"

"It would be nice if you did, but I'm not really expecting anything like that."

"Then why do you want to teach us?"

The world is made up of calculations. Even if a touch of human emotion is added, one still needs to thoroughly calculate the costs and benefits within that context.

Isabelle furrowed her brow, her mind constantly running numbers.

"Are you trying to buy our favor or something?"

Even as she said it, it felt strange.

What value would it be to gain the favor of third-raters like us?

Jahad lightly flicked Isabelle's forehead.

"Ouch?!"

"Stop calculating and see with your eyes. Your head is about to start smoking."

"But I just don't understand! It's different from the High Potion situation, isn't it?"

"What's different? They seem the same to me."

"...Huh? But there's hardly any benefit that comes back to you..."

"There is, though."

Jahad grinned widely.

"I want to buy your trust."

"...Trust? But why go out of your way for the trust of people like us..."

"Because you're capable."

Capable.

Isabelle paused. It was an appealing word. She had always been labeled as someone only interested in money, never hearing anything beyond that.

Wasn't she slightly swayed when Jahad mentioned it last time as well? Isabelle leaned her head against the backrest, trying to mask the smile creeping up the corners of her mouth with a neutral expression.

The man in front of her was different.

He was much younger too.

‘I must not be swayed any further!’

"Why do you think we're capable?"

"You have plenty of talent, but you just haven't met the right mentor."

"And how do you know that..."

"I just know."

His earnest eyes looked into hers.

"I've already seen that you're capable once, haven't I?"

Isabelle struggled to calm her racing heart.

To survive, she always had to be calculating. To live even slightly better than others, she needed to quickly weigh the pros and cons.

That's how she had lived, and it was for that reason she was ostracized by the Order. She laughed at those who called her life's choices foolish.

But because of this, she was lonely.

She had no meaningful relationships around her; any connections she had were all built on money.

"...I, I am..."

Her voice trembled.

"I'm not capable. I might be more incompetent than you think."

"Are you undervaluing yourself before a deal? That's not like you, Isabelle."

"But, still..."

A deal.

A transaction.

That was the world.

Yet, deep down, Isabelle longed for something else. A relationship where she could reveal herself without being bound by transactions and calculations.

"...I..."

Perhaps this is the start of something new. A way out of a routine filled with the constant urge to wash away complicated thoughts with drinks each night.

A strange man.

He was not flowing along with her predictions.

Maybe with him...

"......"

He could become... a friend.

Isabelle lifted her head.

She let out a deep sigh. Gambling wasn't her hobby. However, it's impossible to go through life without taking a gamble at least once.

If she were to do it, it should be at a time of her choosing, with a person of her choosing.

"...You said you wanted to buy my trust?"

‘Let's give it a try.

Let's see what this man can really show.’

"Alright. Let's give it a go. But remember, this is still a transaction."

For now, it might still be called a transaction.

But in the future, maybe it could be different.

Isabelle hid her true feelings deep inside. She didn't want to be disappointed ahead of time.

Beatrice was trembling.

【I spent years just learning these...】

"I still have a long way to go."

【No matter how you look at it, this is way too fast!】

[You have tasted the essence of fire.]

[You have partially understood Beatrice's secret skill technique.]

[You have acquired 'Flame Climbing the Cliff - Guillotine (A)'.]

[You have tasted the essence of fire.]

[You have partially understood Beatrice's secret swordsmanship.]

[The realization of Sword of Condemnation (A) integrates into your swordsmanship.]

[Sword of Condemnation (A) has been changed to 'Heavy Downward Strike of Darkness - Stomp (S)'.]

I learned all three of the main core combat techniques. Furthermore, the swordsmanship evolved into great swordsmanship, reaching an S-rank level.

A unique skill grade. With just one of these, you could obliterate an entire group with overwhelming power!

"Hehehe."

I couldn't help but laugh. This was it. This is it!

As I swung my custom-made greatsword around, the others who were training with me quickly stepped aside. Nord, Isabelle, and Austin, who had become close by now, huddled together and whispered.

"Why is the boss suddenly doing that?"

"Talking nonsense to the air isn't a rare occurrence, is it?"

"He probably... has a plan or something... I guess."

These guys.

I glared at them discreetly. I had taught each of them a skill that suited their individual inclinations.

For Nord, I taught him the ax technique 'Flame Climbing the Cliff - Guillotine (A)'.

For Isabelle, I taught her the greatsword technique 'Heavy Downward Strike of Darkness - Stomp (S)'.

For Austin, I taught him the spear technique 'Devouring Light - Luin (A)'.

Even though the basics were not yet fully established, these were the most precious weapon skills and holy spells even during the glorious Sun God Religion of the golden age.

Their skills progressed rapidly.

When Nord moved, the scarecrow shattered into pieces and scattered on the ground.

When Isabelle moved, the scarecrow split in two and hit the wall.

When Austin moved, the scarecrow was riddled with holes and collapsed to the floor.

In Austin's case, his efforts seemed to exceed his innate talent.

Austin practiced even later than I did, so it would be strange if his skills weren't improving.

Austin's gang was similar to him. Their captain led by example, and as his skills visibly improved day by day, the others gradually began to follow suit in their practice.

A balance was being established among the three groups. They all grew evenly, checking each other but also stimulating mutual progress.

I rubbed my hands together behind the scenes.

Good. Very good. Grow just like that. Secure enough trust and respect so that you can step up and be my shield in uncertain times!

Amidst endless training, good news also came my way. Matier's messenger delivered a message to me.

"He has asked me to convey that preparations are complete. If you hand over the items to me..."

"Tell Matier to come in person. I can't trust anyone else."

"Understood."

The backdoor dealings were also finished. I wondered what kind of expression Dimona would make if a sudden windfall of cash came her way.

I licked my lips.

I can't help but feel curious!

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