A Stuffed Cheonma in my Head - Chapter 75



Only Noblemtl

Episode 075. The Matchmaker

* * *

The count closed his eyes for a moment, swallowed his breath, and then asked.

“… …Can I ask why?”

I answered simply.

“I’m not from Blake.”

“That is no problem. The Black Prince is a man who does not forget a favor. If your help allows the Black Prince to ascend to the throne, regardless of his origins, the Black Prince will repay you appropriately.”

The count tried to persuade me with great enthusiasm.

“What do you want? A title? Gold? A beautiful woman? Land? A great sword? Fame? Just ask. The Black Prince will grant you anything. He does not spare what he gives to his people.”

I shook my head firmly.

“I am not a person driven by wealth and fame.”

The count looked at me blankly and asked.

“A beautiful woman too?”

“yes?”

“I’m also thinking of connecting you with the leader of the Knights of Starvanger. She’s a woman as bright as the sun. She said she wouldn’t date anyone unless they were stronger than her, but in your case, I think you’ll meet her criteria… … .”

“Count. Count.”

I decided to make my intentions very clear to this matchmaker.

It was a little rude to say that to the person who saved me, but I did it anyway.

Because this is my honest feeling.

“So to speak, I am a free-spirited person. I am a man who tears apart whatever force tries to hold me back and leisurely walks away. It doesn’t matter if it is a beautiful woman or a strong man. I have no desire to belong or be bound anywhere, and even less do I want to get involved in a headache-inducing fight for the throne. And above all, I have a place to return to.”

“hmm…….”

The count nodded with his eyes closed.

After a while, the Count looked into my eyes and said:

“I understand your feelings. As I said before, this is just a suggestion, so I won’t force you any further.”

“yes.”

I focused on the lobster again.

Yum yum.

[Is it tasty when you eat it alone?]

‘It’s melting slowly.’

[It seems so.]

The count watched me for a moment, then resumed eating and spoke in a lighter tone.

“Actually, I had the second offer in mind in case the first one was rejected. If you had accepted the first offer, there would have been no second offer, so you could say it was a second-best option.”

“okay.”

So to speak, the second favor was a polite request to please accept it if possible.

Since I am human, I couldn’t help but be weak-hearted.

If you save them, treat them, feed them, put them to bed, and even protect them, and then they don’t do you a single favor, you’re considered a pretty annoying person.

I listened to the count’s words with the mindset that I should grant his second request if possible.

“The second offer I have for you is… … to borrow the ninth sword for a moment.”

“huh?”

My eyes grew wide at the unexpected request.

“Are you talking about the Demon Sword of Oposis?”

The count nodded.

His face didn’t look like he was joking.

“exactly.”

“Why the magic sword all of a sudden?”

“Because that sword has a close connection to the Blake royal family.”

“Oh.”

How many more secrets are hidden in the ninth sword?

I found it quite interesting because I never thought it would have anything to do with royalty.

“What is the connection?”

The count moistened his throat with water and then said:

“This is going to be a long story. Is that okay?”

“Yes. It’s exciting.”

I listened to the Count’s story while putting tender lobster meat in my mouth.

“The legendary blacksmith Oposus is a symbol of the Blake Kingdom. When other countries talk about the Blake Kingdom, nine out of ten people think of Oposus and his famous sword. He had a huge influence both domestically and internationally. Many families fell and were revived thanks to him. The Starvanger family was one of them.”

I felt like a lightbulb went off in my head.

“Oh, so Uncle Hans… … .”

The count nodded.

“Hans Gong came to find the family with the token that the previous head of the Starvanger family had given to Oposis.”

That’s why the coin looked so old.

While I was belatedly trying to understand the context, the Count continued speaking.

“His forge boasts a history as old as the Blake Kingdom. It is a very old forge. The forge has had frequent exchanges with the Blake royal family since ancient times. In fact, it began to be called the Ophiosis forge after Ophiosis became more famous than the forge.”

“okay.”

“For generations, the swords of the royal knights were forged in that forge. Among them was the Blue Sword Frostbal, which was born with the founding of the Kingdom of Blake.”

I tilted my head.

“Isn’t that something Oposis made?”

“To be exact, it was a rebirth. It’s not unreasonable to think so. After all, you are not from the Blake Kingdom. I will explain, so listen carefully.”

“yes.”

The count drank some water to moisten his lips and then continued his story.

“The Blue Sword, Frostball, was passed down from generation to generation to the most outstanding of the royal knights who protected the royal family. Naturally, it became the sword that symbolized the royal family, and the object of envy for the knights. Of course, until then, it was only a symbol, and it wasn’t that special of a sword. The sword itself was simply a great sword, nothing more or less. Until the sword was broken.”

At this point my ears perked up.

The sword is broken?

“Ophos was a close friend of the king during his lifetime. He knew the current king and the prince since their days. They always treated each other with good intentions. It is a well-known fact that Ophos had no small contribution in his taking the throne.”

“hmm.”

“However, not long after the King ascended the throne, the sword that symbolized the royal family broke. It was an old sword that simply broke after its lifespan ended, but the people did not think so. Disturbing voices began to be heard. An unjust person had ascended to the throne.”

“It was a crisis.”

“It was a crisis. The king immediately asked the best blacksmith he knew to fix the sword even better than before.”

I looked at the count’s mouth with a kind of anticipation.

“And so, the fifth famous sword was born. The Blue Sword, Frostbal.”

“oh…….”

“Naturally, the ominous voices have since disappeared. The bravery of the royal knight, who wields a pale blue sword and strikes down his enemies, has become known to the world. You, who have fought against the bitter cold, will know its power well.”

I nodded.

Truly, it was a terrifying force.

Thinking about that time still gives me chills.

“The Blue Sword Frostball passed through many masters and was finally passed down to the Knight of the Cold. Having a knight with the famous sword of Oposis has a greater meaning than just a sword. It is like a symbol of a knight serving the king.”

It was a sword that symbolized the king’s knights… … .

It was the first time I heard of it.

So that’s why you said that Hakhan was a knight who moved only at the king’s command.

“The famous sword of Oposis has power. In addition to the mystical power contained within the sword, it also has a symbolic power that moves people’s hearts.”

Only then did I begin to understand why he had asked to borrow the ninth sword of Ophiuchus.

“then……?”

“Yes. The ninth famous sword of Ophiosis. Although it is called by the ominous name of the Demon Sword, it doesn’t really matter. The fact that it is the last famous sword of Ophiosis is more important.”

I suddenly clapped my hands and said.

“I see. Since it’s the last famous sword, it’s a demon sword?”

“… … .”

The atmosphere suddenly became cold.

I heard Cheonma sigh.

“Oh, no, that’s not it.”

The count cleared his throat and continued speaking.

“The ninth sword. It may not be as powerful as the Blue Sword, but it has enough justification and practicality to take the throne. If he can just get his hands on it, the Black Prince will have a good chance of winning. He will suddenly become a strong candidate to become the owner of the throne. The fight over the throne will enter a new phase.”

I nodded.

“I didn’t know there was such a story.”

“You, the new owner of the Dagger of Opsis. And Prince Hans, the only one who holds the secret to the legacy of Opsis. What a coincidence that we are all gathered in one place. If this is not fate, then what is it?”

The count spoke in a heated tone.

“Of course, the dagger of Oposium that Hans gave you. The only key to the legacy of Oposium. Its rightful owner is, no matter what anyone says, Lord Ashvan. It would be natural for the legacy of Oposium to also become yours.”

I realized that the time had come for this long story to come to an end.

I answered, meeting his intense gaze.

“I’m listening.”

“I will help you find the legacy of Oposis. All the gold, silver, and treasures found there will be yours. However.”

“You want to borrow the ninth sword?”

The count nodded.

“I’m not asking for anything. I just wanted to borrow it for a little while.”

“until when?”

“Until the Black Prince takes the throne and secures the royal authority.”

“hmm.”

“… …Can you lend me that?”

He said he would lend me the magic sword… … .

Actually, I didn’t have much desire for that damn sword.

I just wanted to grab it at least once because I felt it was unfair that people kept rushing to get to this point.

They say that if you hold a sword, you will gain great power… … .

In the end, it was not my power, but the power of the monster. I had no desire to become stronger by relying on the monster.

Because it is not my sole strength.

A power that is useless without a sword? That is not true power.

Moreover, tracing the legacy of Oposus is quite a tedious task.

Because all kinds of devils are involved.

In order to find the tomb of Ophiuchus, we will have to shoot another star into the night sky, and all kinds of devils will flock to see it.

If it weren’t for Shushuruta, I wouldn’t have been able to sleep properly and would have spent the whole day fighting the demons that chased me.

I would have gladly accepted, but.

I could not help but shake my head.

“As I told you last time, I don’t have a dagger.”

“Did you hide it somewhere or give it to someone before you faced the bitter cold?”

For a moment, the image of Shushuruta curled up near the campfire and sleeping soundly came to mind.

“… … .”

“Ashban Gong?”

“Oh, yes.”

I gathered my thoughts and then answered.

“I gave it to someone, but I don’t know where it is.”

The count stroked his chin and asked.

“Does anyone know you’re here?”

“Yes, probably.”

“……then.”

“Unfortunately… … .”

I tried to keep a serious expression.

It wasn’t too bad, but in the end I ended up rejecting both offers.

Because I felt like the lobster I was eating was going to be stolen.

The count let out a short sigh.

“I see. I brought up a sore spot by talking nonsense.”

“no.”

“If you change your mind, please let me know. I will look into the dagger separately. As for the second proposal, it won’t be too late to talk about it after I find the dagger.”

“yes.”

The meal resumed.

Fortunately, no lobsters were stolen.

* * *

Good food, a warm bath, and a soft bed.

Everything was wonderful, but I still felt uneasy.

I looked out the wide open window and saw the leaves falling and fluttering in the wind.

The leaves were sparkling in the moonlight.

A heartless moon rose in the night sky.

Maybe it was because the moon was bright. I couldn’t see the stars.

A pure white moon in a pitch-black night sky.

It was a night when someone came to mind.

The words I had shouted at Shushuruta in a panic came back to me like a boomerang and rang in my ears.

‘Get out of here with that. That’s why you followed me around anyway, right?’

‘You got what you wanted. So stop talking nonsense and get out of here.’

‘It won’t turn off? Just like that.’

‘Get out! If you don’t want to get caught!’

Her face, which looked like she was about to burst into tears at any moment, was dimly lit by the moonlight.

I looked at the moonlight streaming in through the window and sighed.

“Phew… … .”

In any relationship, the only thing that is significant is the finite nature of the relationship.

It was my sister’s words.

A bitter smile lingered on his lips.

“… … I didn’t mean it, you thieving cat.”

A feeling of regret gathered like a dark cloud and tried to cover my heart, but I waved my hand to drive it away.

To be honest, I thought it would be the same for me too.

I’ve figured out how the dagger of Ophiuchus works, and I have a rough idea of ​​where the tomb is.

It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to monopolize the legacy.

What fool would miss this opportunity?

“Phew… … .”

I quickly took a deep breath, emptied my mind, closed my eyes, and began to meditate.

I have been eating the lucky breakfast that I couldn’t eat while being chased by the devils whenever I have time.

It felt different because I was having breakfast leisurely, as if I was dipping my feet in a lake, rather than in a rushed and combative manner as if I was being chased by something.

What should I say?

I couldn’t tell if I was sleeping, having a good night’s sleep, sleeping while sleeping, dreaming, or just dozing off and waking up frequently.

I was sitting there half-asleep, having a snack… … .

“Ashvan.”

A familiar voice was heard.

I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the place where the voice came from.

A window with moonlight streaming in through the open window.

A stray cat, soaked in the moonlight, was sitting on the window sill, looking at me.