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Chapter 222: Epilogue, part 1

Translator: Denryuu; Editor: Ryunakama

I had asked Warwick to take a look at Elvi’s demon sword, during which I had given him a full rundown of what had happened. I was now headed back to his workshop to give him the latest news and to receive an item I had previously asked for.

「Huh. ‘Arsenal’, is it?」, said the inventor, toying with something in his hands. 「Based on what you’ve told me, it sounds like an excellent ability to have. If I had a power like that, my research would be done in an instant.」

He paused.

「Nah, that’s kinda boring.」

「Why?」

「The results are important, of course, but equally so is the effort poured into achieving that end. It’s called being attached to your work.」

‘Attached’…

I thought of the knife I had received at the very beginning of my career. It was far from one-of-a-kind, but the more it accompanied me on my travels, the more fond of it I had grown.

Perhaps having set aside his other projects, Warwick examined my bracelet.

「Any issues?」, he asked. 「Like, the arm doesn’t come out? Or you can’t move it properly?」

「None at all. It’s been working perfectly.」

「Ah, really?」

Nodding, the inventor grinned.

「‘S what I thought. You treat it well. Any teething issues should be hardware-related, but I have full confidence that they won’t arise.」

He never failed to request for feedback every time I visited. The ‘prosthetic’ fully satisfied my needs, though, and I told him — as I always did — that no modifications were necessary.

「It’s great that I met a human who is able to test my prototypes. To be honest, I want to make an even better bracelet –」

「I’m afraid you’ll make it worse.」

「That’s fair.」

His face as pale as always, the inventor laughed.

「So what became of that Van?」

「He was taken to the Heavenly Kingdom of Reubens. I have yet to receive further news.」

I had not specifically requested for Elvi to keep me updated, so the trial could already be over.

「I want to see the magical weapons that Van has ‘Resurrected’.」

「Ah, that won’t be a problem.」

While hearing of my adventure at Jorvenssen, Warwick had been most interested in the magical weapons I had encountered. He had pressed me for every last detail including how they moved, what materials they were made of and their physical stature, et cetera.

「Please save the rest for next time」, I said.

「Eh?」

The inventor groaned like an unhappy child.

「I have something on today.」

After sorting out the issue regarding adventurers’ commissions, Iris had asked me out for dinner. Now that Lyla had returned, I was finally able to agree to meet Iris that evening.

「Oh yeah, hold up! That thing you asked for. It’s ready!」, hollered Warwick as I was about to leave.

He scurried up to me and handed me a small box.

「Ah. Thank you.」

「Don’t mention it. Take me to see the magical weapons when you’re free. There’s no telling what I’ll learn — not to mention that I’ll never grow tired of your stories.」

「I will. Till we meet again.」

There was no end to the inventor’s curiosity. Had he been a human, he would have passed away a long, long time ago. He may also be rather eccentric for a vampire, but this eccentricity was perhaps the best thing about him.