Published: January 12, 2026
On the unfinished castle wall, the soldiers hurriedly saluted at the promise exchanged. I wasn’t very familiar with the etiquette here, but I glanced at Til and Kamushin.
They both quickly bowed. For some reason, Arte also followed suit and bowed with everyone else. You’re not even my subordinate.
Satisfied that the alliance was formed, Lord Panamera wore an imposing smile and spread the hand that had been placed on his chest.
“This is our first memorable cooperation. If you can spare one of those ballistas, I will lend you one hundred of my soldiers for two weeks. Use them to help with the work. But don’t come back if any parts are missing.”
With a mischievous expression, Panamera said this, and the soldiers lined up behind him gave a synchronized salute. Considering Panamera’s personality, these must be well-trained and strong soldiers. A hundred of them. More reliable than hiring mercenaries.
“That sounds good. So, you only want that one ballista, right? What about a cart for transportation, or the arrows that need to be loaded?”
After confirming, Panamera walked over to the ballista and inspected it.
“It looks quite heavy. We should arrange a cart for it. As for the arrows... they’re just iron masses. We can probably make those ourselves.”
Panamera answered. Til and Kamushin exchanged glances at his words.
“Lord Panamera, perhaps you should at least keep one or two of Lord Van’s arrows...”
When Kamushin spoke up, Panamera tilted his head.
“Why?”
“This is a greatsword made by Lord Van...”
Kamushin said, drawing the longer of the two swords sheathed at his waist. It was an iron sword recently given as a gift during the festival. The blade alone was over a meter long and quite heavy to swing. Yet Kamushin cherished it and practiced with it every night before bed.
The blade was made a bit thicker for durability, but its sharpness was top-class.
Kamushin showed the sword to Panamera.
“...An interesting sword. I’ve never seen a shape like this. However, I doubt it’s very effective against opponents wearing armor or shields.”
Panamera said skeptically. Kamushin nodded and spoke.
“Do you have any swords that you don’t particularly care about?”
“You mean ones that aren’t important? Well, swords are consumables. I don’t really mind if they break...”
Saying that, Panamera took a stance with his sword. A thick, machete-like blade—or perhaps closer to a large cleaver.
“This is my spare. It’s been useful in many battles. Its slightly shorter length makes it easier to handle.”
“I see... then, please excuse me.”
“Ah, it would be great if you could at least chip the blade.”
Panamera said with a wry smile as Kamushin prepared to strike. Kamushin looked apologetic but swung his sword toward Panamera’s blade.
The sound of wind slicing and a clear ringing echoed, and Panamera tilted his head.
“I thought you hit it, but it only grazed. There’s barely any impact...”
As Panamera muttered with a puzzled expression, the sword suddenly snapped about halfway down the blade, falling to the ground.
The sound of the broken blade hitting the ground made everyone gasp in surprise.
Kamushin proudly sheathed the remaining part of the sword, while Til made a small fist pump at everyone’s astonishment.
After a moment, Panamera raised his sword and spoke.
“...It broke? No, it cut through? That’s high-purity steel... That sword, it’s not iron, is it?”
Asked, I shook my head from side to side.
“No, it’s iron. Just made differently.”
Upon hearing this, Panamera silently stared at his sword.
Then, he suddenly remembered the original topic and looked at us with a startled expression.
“...Wait a minute. Don’t tell me those ballista arrows are...”
“They’re a bit sharper iron arrows, just like that sword. They can penetrate two or three armored lizards.”
“Penetrate armored lizards!?”
Panamera exclaimed loudly, revealing his surprise. The soldiers stared at the ballista in astonishment.
“...I’ll pay whatever you ask. Sell me the ballista and the arrows. I’ll buy as many as my finances allow.”