475 [475] Stefan Caraval[4]
Jame’s stopped his usage of the [Frost Dragon’s Breath] and looked around. He found Stefan sitting in front of him, tending to the fire, and said.
“Surely, A man of such prestige like you shouldn’t dirty yourself sitting next to a barbarian, in the dirty ground?”
Stefan, surprised, looked up.
“I was unaware you had…such a mastery over the language.”
He said, eyeing Jame’s more carefully. He had just come over here to learn more about the man, where he came from…but this was surprising.
It was very, very unusual for a barbarian to even know the common language of his land, much less be fluent with it. All the barbarians he had met were people who were all muscle and no brain. Ruthless, cruel warriors who bowed down to no oppression. It was because of this stereotype that he had taken interest in James. Who showed a peaceful side to him in the cave.
This was what intrigued him, yet it also made him somewhat restless.
‘Is he lying?’
He thought for a fleeting moment, before disregarding it. His eyes, blessed by the holy deity, would not allow any lie to go unnoticed in his gaze.
“I learned a lot on my travels.”
His eyes shone a golden hue when the barbarian like man said those words, they informed him that he told no lies, thus his guard diminished.
“What is your name, brother?”
Asked Stefan, curious. He had asked the man his tribe and profession, but he had not yet asked him of his name. Feeling ashamed, he lowered his head.
It was good manners to inquire the name of the individual you wished to speak too first, but he, despite all his education, had forgotten it.
“James, I do not possess a family name.”
‘James…?’
Once again, he was taken aback. James was a common name of these lands, but of the barbarians? It was as rare as hygiene among the tribes.
The man, who he now knew as James, was as enigmatic as ever, portraying a sweet smile that seemed harmless.
“I see…”
“May I be given the opportunity to inquire the reason of the Cardinal’s presence?”
“…”
Stefan, sighed and answered.
“I cannot hide it from a warrior, huh…”
James remained silent, eager to know his next words. He still had no idea how to clear this floor.
“I need your help.”
‘Expected.’
James had expected this, but it did not mean he would agree right away.
“Pardon? You want my help? Cardinal, you must have thou-”
“I need you to join my personal guard.”
“Why so? I’m but a barbarian.”
“A barbarian, yes, But I trust my instincts more. People in the church, tainted by the devil who wish to kill me, the Apostle.” .𝒎
‘Oh. So it is this cliché…’
When he heard about Stefan’s predicament, he sighed, he had expected something much more grandiose, fighting the Demon king, or the evil god or something like that. But it was just the standard infighting in the Church. Kind of boring.
“Alright, So what services would a barbarian like me be able to give to you, provided you yourself are so…strong?”
He said, faking a hint of surprise and respect in his voice.
“Haha, It seems you saw right through me.”
“With such an astute arsenal, it would be hard to believe you are weak.”
There was a large weapon on Stefan’s back, covered with a cloth. Stefan removed the cloth and a pure white spear, as if it was made of bone, appeared. The spear was 2 meters long and had small spikes on its blade.
“This is Gaebolg. A holy artifact. I have been the only one to wield it in centuries.”
James’ intently stared at the spear, from his observation, the Spear was weaker than the Ame-No-Sakahoko, but not by a lot.
“And the bow?”
However, He was not done.
Stefan, now, was shocked. Whilst the spear was easy to see, He didn’t think James would be aware of his Bow as well. Which was hidden inside his body.
He held out his palm, and a blue light escaped it, coursing a path towards his hands, and taking the form a bow that was like it was made of steel. The string was thick, and the bow was a longbow, perfect for ranged attacks.
The bow had few indentations which shone blue, the color of Stefan’s hair, and just by a glance James could tell it was a good weapon. HE stared at it in delight, like it was good food.
There was holy aura around both the weapons, but he knew it wasn’t real. Authentic, celestial aura is different, this was but a failed copy.
Jame’s had seen his fair share of ‘holy’ weapons. And the weapons before him possessed no real divinity, they were simply…enchanted to appear like they did.
‘Even this tower, with all its might, was unable to copy divinity… Haha…’
He laughed inwardly, the incompetence of this tower was surprising.
“Such amazing…weapons…”
He feigned surprise, and reached out his hand as if to touch them. But he knew he couldn’t do it. He was just faking it. Even though they were fake, he knew that such weapons would never allow themselves to be touched by someone they had not chosen, besides, The tower wouldn’t let him.
The orange glow of the fire cast a peculiar haze around them, the air vibrated as Stefan took back the bow and covered the spear. James eyes shone an emerald hue, and he said.
“What is in it for me?”
“Titles, Land, And Fame.”
“And what if I want none?”
“Then you will have faith.”
“Haha…”
As he dragged out the time, he thought.
‘Oh well, this will be fun…’
James thought, as he agreed.
“Very well, I suppose I can agree as a payment for saving my life after all.”
Hearing Jame’s agree, Stefan left after bidding him farewell and giving him the keys to a room inside the church.
However, Jame’s attention was not on his leaving back, but the two displays in front of him.
The secrets of the weapons presented by Stefan, were laid bare.
This content is taken from 𝘳.𝑐𝘰