Overgeared Chapter 1120:

“I heard that the 12 Te are the heads of the family . Can you leave your position?”

Piaro was different from Grid .  They naturally had to be different .  Grid was born as a single person while Piaro was a hero who had been loved by beautiful women .  He had gotten married after a long relationship and had a family .

“I have been wandering about during the past few years, so my family was well-maintained even after I went into the rafflesia’s stomach . My family won’t be harmed in my absence . ”

“You’ve nurtured your successor . ”

“Huhut, that’s right . ”

The 12 Te each had a successor, with the exception of the young Deruyaru .  Additionally, the capabilities of their successors were superior to Deruyaru’s .  Apart from Deruyaru, the rest of the Te had been educated by the ‘male elves . ’ Meanwhile, Deruyaru and their successors had been educated by the ‘female elves . ’ 

“Then I can take you away with peace of mind . ”

“Huh?” Beniyaru had been bitterly smiling as she thought of those despicable men who sold their kin because they were weak and lazy . Then her ears pricked up .

Piaro’s deep gaze was focused on her .  “I like you . I will surely take away your heart so that you can completely settle in the Overgeared Kingdom . ”

Piaro knew that Beniyaru liked him .  It was just difficult for her to confess her heart first when considering the nature of the elves .  That’s why he pretended not to know Beniyaru’s heart and said he would take her away .

“Y-You . . . ” Beniyaru blushed . Her pointed ears flapped like butterfly wings . It seemed to be a habit for them to come out when flustered . “Are you serious? Even though I’m an elf and you are a human?”

“What is the relationship between races when it comes to love? I like you . I may have a shorter life than you, but I will cherish you more because of the short amount of time I have . I will love you and be happy with you . ”

Piaro had seen Beniyaru’s pitiful eyes and peeped into the darkness lying deep in her heart . He learned that her wounds were as deep as the ones he once had .  Piaro wanted to teach her that even the deepest wounds could be erased .  They could be happy again .  They deserved to be happy .  This wasn’t an emotion derived from cheap compassion .

“My heart is so dark that you have become deluded . I’m sorry . ”

Beniyaru had been eaten by the rafflesia .  She didn’t blame the rafflesia for eating her . It was natural .  What would it mean if she condemned and resented instinctive behavior? Moreover, her face was beautiful, and her habit of trying to look strong was cute .

Piaro really liked Beniyaru . He wanted to know her more and be happy together .

“You will fall in love with me,” Piaro said with a warm and quiet voice . However, the strength in his voice shook Beniyaru’s heart .

Beniyaru’s ears reddened as she lowered her head without looking at Piaro . “O-Okay . Let’s see what will happen . ”

‘What?’ Grid shook his head as he watched Piaro and Beniyaru .  So did the Overgeared Kingdom and the elves form an alliance or not? They were in the middle of an alliance formation, but it progressed to a proposal?

Ah, really . . .

‘Isn’t this too cool?’

Piaro’s faithfulness to love, regardless of time and place, inspired Grid .  Grid thought that Piaro was really cool .  In particular, he liked Piaro’s courage to not be afraid despite knowing he and Beniyaru had different lifespans .

‘It is a short time, so he cherishes it even more . . . ’

Grid was filled with regret .  His lifespan was different from Irene, so he regretted that he sometimes showed a sad expression in front of her .  He felt sorry for Irene because he felt he hurt her more than reassured her .

‘From now on, I will be like Piaro . . . ’

He shouldn’t resent the different lifespans .  Rather, he should cherish every moment and send her away faithfully .  He should reassure Irene with a bright expression and love her so that she couldn’t even feel grief .

Grid glanced at Mercedes . “ . . . ”

Surprisingly, Mercedes had a girlish expression on her face .  She wasn’t a legendary knight when she watched Piaro and Beniyaru . Instead, she was also a girl who dreamed of love .  Additionally, the person she had in mind was none other than Grid .  Grid also liked her .  Mercedes was everyone’s role model and a strong knight .  He couldn’t hate this beautiful woman who was loyal to her ideals .  Putting all that aside, Grid had liked Mercedes at first sight .

“Mercedes . ”

“Yes, My Liege,” the startled Mercedes replied with a serious expression .

“That . . . ” Grid blushed . He wanted to say something, but his mouth didn’t open easily .

“ . . . ” Mercedes waited for the hesitating Grid . As always, her eyes were gentle .

“I . . . ” Grid was encouraged by Mercedes’ eyes and broke through his hesitation .  He learned from Piaro and became honest, being faithful to the moment . “I want to love Irene and have no regrets . ”

“You are cool, Your Majesty . ”

To cherish and love one’s companion was the right thing to do .  Mercedes nodded with a pleased smile .  Then she doubted her ears as she blushed .

“I also want to do the same with you . ”

“ . . . Huh?”

“However, how can I share love with two people at the same time? I’m not sure yet . So give me a bit more time . ”

“ . . . ”

Mercedes had a personality different from Sua .  She had gone through a number of events with Grid and loved Grid, but she didn’t dare confess her heart to her liege .  

“T-That . . . ” Mercedes stuttered for a moment before stepping back . Her eyes spun .

‘He knows that I like him?’

Was she so obvious about it?

‘I-I’m embarrassed . ’

Duguen duguen!

Her heart seemed like it was going to burst .  Mercedes didn’t know what to do for a long time and stared straight at Grid . It was just that the position of her left eye and right eye were slightly different . Her face was looking at Grid, but her eyes were turned away from Grid . She was so nervous and embarrassed that she couldn’t look him in the eyes .

“ . . . I-I’ll wait . I’ll wait until I die!”

“ . . . ”

So cute .  Mercedes looked very cute as she clenched her fists and closed her eyes .  Hot steam rose above the red faces of Grid and Mercedes .

On the other hand . . .

“I-It is a country with loose morals . ”

“Let’s call it a free ethos . ”

“ . . . ”

A knight and a king were exchanging confessions while negotiating with another nation . . . ? Amelda’s group were shocked because they had never seen it before and never imagined it either . It was to the point where they had nothing to say .

Meanwhile, Skunk’s group was smiling .  It was a warm and pleasant smile, not filled with frivolous ridicule .

“Grid is surprisingly pure . ”

“Haha, that’s right . ”

Power seduced people .  People had been clamoring that Grid, as the first king among players, would naturally use his power and enjoy many concubines .  There was no reason not to when he could do anything he wanted .  Yet this wasn’t the case .  Grid pursued a true relationship without indulging in pleasure .  He was so pure that it was hard to see him as a devil who caused great slaughter every time he was angry .

‘He has many people following him because of such a personality . ’

People who knew the value of relationships . . .

Skunk’s liking toward Grid rose dramatically .

***

The negotiations with Grid ended, and the elves held a grand feast for Grid’s group .  Bonfires were lit all over the village, and fruit, fruit wine, and vegetables were served . Grid was treated with so much gratitude that he lost his appetite .  

“Excuse me, Mother . ” Grid, who had been sitting beside Mercedes and drinking, quietly approached the world tree .  His tone toward the world tree was becoming increasingly casual .  He knew there was a close relationship between the world tree and the gods, but he judged that the world tree was reliable .  The gods looked down on humanity from Heaven while the world tree had always been with humanity and cared for humanity .

According to Lauel, famine was a divine punishment, and abundance was a blessing from the world tree .  In fact, Grid had experienced the favor of the world tree, so he trusted the world tree .

-Yes, say it .

“Can you arrange an elemental contract for my knights?”

The world tree already favored Grid .  In addition to Grid, all the existing Overgeared members were blessed and were able to contract with the elementals .  Yet Mercedes and his other knights hadn’t been given a blessing .  At the time, Grid hadn’t dared to ask for more, but now his position had changed .

Asmophel, Mercedes, and Amelda had fought to protect the elves while Piaro had saved Beniyaru and the rafflesia .  Grid thought they deserved to be blessed by the world tree .  Yet the world tree unexpectedly declined, -It seems a bit hard .

“Why?”

One of the branches of the world tree moved .  The branch pointed to Piaro .

-He is sympathetic to nature itself .  The elementals that are a part of nature are meaningless in front of him .

“What about the elemental kings?”

-The elemental kings are still a party of nature .  They might be able to give support right now, but it will eventually be meaningless . They know this and will reject the contract .

The world tree’s branch continued to point, but now it was pointing at Asmophel .

-He has the qualities of the ‘King of Solitude’ and can’t communicate with the elementals .  The basic premise for contracting with the elementals is to feel their presence, yet he can’t even recognize them .  

“What is the King of Solitude? Is it because he has been single all his life?”

Grid wasn’t convinced .  Asmophel wasn’t lonely because he already had a connection with Grid .  Asmophel was slowly recovering from the scars in his heart .  Sometimes, he would show a bright expression .  Grid insisted this, but the world tree was silent .

Grid asked again, “Then Asmophel . . . Is he ready to leave at any time?” 

- . . .

Silence followed again and again .  It was a positive answer, and Grid was desperate .

“I . . . If I try it, will Asmophel change?”

-That isn’t something I can answer .

“ . . . ”

Grid believed it .  Asmophel would surely overcome his wounds .  Grid would make sure of it .

“Then what exactly does it mean by not being able to recognize the elementals? Does it mean Asmophel can’t see them?”

Grid pointed to the light elemental revolving around him .

The world tree confirmed it, -Yes .

“I thought he could see it . . . ”

-You told him ‘there is an elemental here’, so he believes it .

That’s it .  Asmophel would believe it if Grid said that fermented soybeans were red beans . It was similar to this .

Mercedes was the next target of the world tree’s branch .

-It is also impossible for her to contract with the elementals .

“Why?”

-It is because she has a power the gods are wary of .  The elementals that are the gods’ creation will instinctively reject her .

“Power the gods are vigilant of?” There was only one thing that came to mind .  “Do you mean Keen Insight?”

-Yes, it is a power that humans shouldn’t have .

‘Indeed . ’

It made sense .  The power to see through all things was close to almighty, and it was more suitable for a **** than a human .

‘I shouldn’t take Mercedes if I meet another **** . ’

It would be a big deal if he offended them .  Grid was still thinking as the world tree’s branch pointed to Amelda’s group at the end .

-They aren’t qualified yet .

“I see . . . ”

They needed to build up more contributions . Well, there was nothing to regret since the contributions could be slowly built up .

‘The problem is Asmophel . ’

Grid turned away from the world tree .  His gaze swept over the village and soon found Asmophel .  He was looking up at the night sky without mingling with his old colleagues or the elves .

‘King of Solitude . . . ’

Somehow, he thought Lauel would like it .  At this moment, a whisper came from Lauel, -Ke ong said it is impossible .

This was the answer to Grid’s question about whether the portable smithy could be made .

-Why is it impossible?

-The weight is the problem .  It needs at least hundreds of horses to move in a carriage, but you don’t always use main roads .  The horses will have to be placed in rows of twos or threes, but it isn’t possible for them to run .  It is hard to make wheels that can withstand the weight of the building in the first place .

-What if the smithy itself is smaller? It is enough if the space is approximately 3 square meters .

-To avoid damaging the carriage when the furnace heats up, the outer wall must be ridiculously thick .  The ceiling should be high due to the chimney installation and ventilation issues .  Shouldn’t Your Majesty know best how many tons of water is needed?

-You’re saying the weight will increase no matter how small it is .

-Yes, that’s why .  This is my opinion, but what if Your Majesty makes it yourself?

-What can I do when even Ke ong can’t make it? How am I capable of architecture in the first place?

-Is Ke ong a blacksmith?

- . . . !

-Ke ong is easily carrying out the expansion of the castle .  If dexterity is high, a blacksmith can learn architecture as well .  The dwarf’s racial characteristics aren’t bad, so it might be good to acquire them with the Different Species’ King title .

The characteristic obtained from the Different Species’ King title was random and couldn’t be directly selected by Grid .  It was better to give up if the reason why Ke ong could master architecture was because of his racial characteristics .  However, Grid held hope .

‘I’ve learned the Tailoring technique . Who says I can’t learn architecture?’

Of course, new techniques couldn’t be learned just because he had high dexterity .  He had to learn the foundation skills through quests .  What if he could get the quest from Ke ong?

‘No, wait a minute . ’

-Even if I learn construction skills, isn’t it impossible to make a portable smithy when Ke ong can’t?

-What if Your Majesty makes it with Greed?

-Eh?

-Let’s make a portable flying smithy .  Then all the problems raised by Ke ong will be solved instantly .

Hey, this person was a genius .  Grid prepared to return immediately .