Chapter 46: Oh Missy! You Have Been Thinking Too Much!
Chapter 46: Oh Missy! You Have Been Thinking Too Much!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When Baiyi mentioned Mia, Tisdale who played the role of an intermediary immediately feel relieved. Before that, she was worried about how she should broach the topic and introduce herself. But now, there was no need for that anymore. Standing by Undine's side while secretly sighing in relief that Master Hope was an amiable person, she intimately held on to Undine's arm and introduced, "Master Hope, this is one of my good friend, Undine. She was a senior here in the academy..."
Feeling Baiyi's gaze on her, Undine quickly put one hand on her chest while the other gently held up her skirt a little as she curtsied at him--- it was a standard formal greeting of an aristocratic lady. Following Tisdale's words, Undine continued, "Good morning, Master Hope. I'm Undine Dole, the second daughter of the Dole family. Your name has reached to all parts of Arfin City these few days. That is why I decided to pay a visit to you today."
As one would expect from a kid coming from a business family. The words that they say and the things that they do are completely different... Nonetheless, has my name really spread so far now? It has only been just a few days, hasn't it? Baiyi felt a little skeptical.
As a matter of fact, there was something that he was not aware of. Just a few days ago, a party was thrown by the aristocratic circle of Arfin City, during which some of the wealthy older people had inevitably chatted about their children. Amongst them, there was one who recounted the story of his son presenting the Everfrost Crystal to some blacksmith, showing off and praising the conduct of his son at the same time... Because of that, the story about the blacksmith slowly went around, to the point where even Miss Undine, who did not attend the party, heard about it..
The moment she heard of him, she quickly requested Tisdale to be the intermediary, making the arrangement for a meeting. There was nothing she could do since it had already been quite some time since the duo were last defeated by Sven the Rogue Kight in that ruins. If the arm of her Soul Armature was not re-attached to his body soon, the residual consciousness in the arm ran the risk of dissipating.
In the beginning, Undine did not feel that frustrated about their defeat. After all, they had not release their full power during that battle. So, to a certain degree, being able to force Sven the Rogue Knight to display a variety of techniques could also be considered as a victory. However, the moment he cut off the arm of her Soul Armature, the situation immediately became daunting and disconcerting.
The black gold armor was actually bought from the Manov family. It was made using the secret casting process of the Manov family. That kind of metal was extremely durable and had the ability to absorb all kinds of energy was really rare and it was not something that most blacksmiths come across frequently--- some of them had not even heard about the material before. Therefore, after visiting all of the blacksmiths in the city and being turned away every single time, she was forced to consider turning to the Manov family for help.
At that time when her Soul Armature's arm was broken, Undine had this thought in her mind, I've spent so much money getting them to forge that armor and now I have to go back to those perverts to ask for another favor? No freaking way! I rather have that bastard grab my chest again than going back to the Manov family!
That was why when she first heard about the existence of Master Hope, it was like a ray of hope appearing before her! It was with great hope that she came to visit Hope the Blacksmith Master.
It had never occured to poor Undine that the man in front of her was the reason for her trouble in the very first place. Even if she was the most intelligent person in the world, she would still never be able to associate Master Hope, who was indifferent to fame and wealth, to that stinky rogue, who stooped so low to join the Intermediate-Level arena just for the sake of money, together. Unaware of his identity, she even formally introduced her Soul Armature to Baiyi during the meeting.
"This is my uncle, Leo Dole. He used to be the most dazzling lion in the family but then, one day, an accident happened. So right now, he became my Soul Armature instead..." As Undine was speaking, the black Soul Armature bowed his head politely in a serious manner, ostensibly looking like an aristocrat.
Truthfully speaking, Baiyi did not find the news to be surprising at all. In fact, it was absolutely common to summon one's dead relative to become a Soul Armature. However, aren't these two being a little too pretentious? They were so rowdy before and now they are acting so respectful and poised? Okay, fine! I'll just play along. I guess this is normal behaviour for nobility.
"Well, isn't it nice to have a junior with two different natures and personalities? But sigh, it's a pity that the valuable things that we've gotten last time was burnt by a so-called noble fellow..." A voice could be heard complaining from the Void.
Really? Those few pieces of rags are all that you remember? Her real self is standing right in front of us and you're still thinking about those rags?
"B-B-But, Undine-chan is dressed so conservatively today! I totally can't see anything at all! Sigh, if I am the one doing the reparation, I would definitely ask for some extra payment..."
Oh? So now your so-called extra reward is the clothing of a girl? What a pity that I'm not a hentai like you then! Baiyi hissed inwardly, at the same time quickly turning his head away from Undine as he felt too embarassed to continue looking at her. He was not sure whether it was because of that fellow's influence or not, but he was subconsciously imagining Undine dressed in nothing but those flimsy underwear…
In order to alleviate the embarrassment that he felt, Baiyi put on a natural expression as he said, "Please have a seat inside," and he led them to his little blacksmith's workshop. After placing the little kitty coin bank onto the table, he walked to the iron felt and told the black Soul Armature as he turned his head towards him, "Alright, let me see your hand."
Immediately, the black Soul Armature extended his arm--- the good arm.
Hello? Is this guy an idiot?
"Oops I'm sorry... I'm still not used to it..." The black Soul Armature said as he quickly handed his severed arm over.
Without thinking too much, Baiyi adjusted his Mana and grabbed on to the severed arm using his hand. That method of grabbing was known as the Mage's Grip, it was a technique that was often used by sorcerers to grab an item. When Undine saw the technique, she awkwardly tried to stop him at once, "Master Hope! Wait a minute! That is... Eh?"
To her surprise, the broken arm was firmly gripped by Baiyi, so effortlessly that he appeared to be holding on to a normal item.
At once, a burst of excitement sparkled in Undine’s eyes. This Master Hope does indeed live up to his fame! Just one simple move and he managed to show everyone his potential. Looks like I’ve been worrying too much…
And why was Undine worried? Well, one of the abilities of the black gold was absorbing Mana. And usually, the Mage's Grip that sorcerers always use to hold an item would use a small amount of Mana, so it would most likely cause an embarassing situation if the arm drop to the floor as the Mana was absorbed by the black gold...
Even with that crude armour, it looks like this awkwardly dressed Master Hope is quite intriguing! Undine could not help but marvel to herself. Her eyes, unknowingly, revealed a look of anticipation.
Erm... why does this lassie suddenly looks cuter now? Why are you looking at me with that kind of eyes? All I did was use my Mana to grab that black gold! That's all! It is not even a big deal! As long as the method is correct, I can even show you how to grab an anti-magic metal using Mana okay? Baiyi thought inwardly to himself while he pretended like he was carefully inspecting the broken arm, "Oh? This is made by black gold? Ah, and here I thought that it would not by possible to forge a whole and complete armor with this material. Although there's no doubt that it is the most fitting material."
"Master Hope, it seems like you have not heard of this. Just a few years back, the Manov family found a rich black gold vein in a small realm. So right now, there are a lot of black gold in the market. It not like last time where the demand is more than the supply," Undine immediately explained, at the same time thinking bitterly to herself, It's all thanks to those uncouth nouveau riche who managed to run into such a huge treasure that now I, myself, am forced to carry out this dangerous North Commercial Route Development Plan. Urgh, and because of this, I even got molested by that frivolous bastard! And he even stole my freaking underwear too!
She did not know why but her mind involuntarily thought about that bastard who was fully cloaked in black. Once again, two intoxicating flushes crept up to her lovely and delicate face again, it made her look like a delicious red apple. It was so tempting that it was as if they were begging for a kiss…
When Baiyi saw this lovable side of Undine that appeared out of nowhere, he could not help but think to himself, Is there something wrong with this girl? Why does her expressions keep changing?
Well, she was a girl after all, especially since she was at the age where they like to overthink things. One could say that it was quite normal for someone her age. After all, she was not like those female Voidwalkers who were deeply profound and composed.
Baiyi continued to look at the severed arm carefully. The point where it was severed was smooth and neat, just like a mirror. He could not help but give himself a pat on the back and applauded himself for having such superb skills. But still, he feigned an alarmed tone as he exclaimed, "Whoa... The black gold is a very sturdy material but how could the cut be so smooth? Did you offend a Holy-Level Fighter?"
Alright! First of all, he was not trying to blow his own horn but in truth, he deliberately wanted to make Sven the Rogue Knight out to be someone who was very powerful so that Undine would not continue to pursue him. On the other hand, it was also the Merchant who instructed him to say so.
"No, it's not like that!" Undine quickly defended. Being a smart person, she understood very well what Baiyi was trying to imply. If the enemy was too powerful, nobody would be willing to get themselves involved in such a trouble. Hastily, she explained,"That bastard... Erm, I mean... that guy just has a few tricks up his sleeve. He's definitely not a Holy Level being. You must believe me, Master Hope!
When she was saying those words, a strange idea suddenly popped in her mind. Is that bastard really that strong? To the point that he is actually being mistaken for a Holy Level Fighter?
Chortle! The bastard that you're speaking of is just sitting right in front of you, you know! Baiyi smirked as he thought to himself...