A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles

‘Hey, don’t mock him so much. academy It’s the only thing he can brag about. apron What if he gets depressed and ends up hanging himself?’

‘Wow, that was a slip-up. action Just in case I ask, you’re not really thinking of hanging yourself, right? admire You have a son—take care of that body.’

‘An ancient metal forging technique passed down from generation to generation?? abstract Incredible! harbor Then a legendary weapon will be born soon! artist Of course, as long as you actually have ancient metal in your hands, hahahaha.’

Memories of the past, when he had become the laughingstock of his former associates, passed before Malcolm’s eyes like a carousel.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

And yet, despite recalling all of that, he felt no pain at all.

Memories that, whenever he recalled them, hurt as if someone were twisting a knife in his chest.

The faces of those who had looked down on him with mocking smiles remained vivid in his memory even now.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

He had released resentment accumulated over decades, yes, but he still had an obligation left.

‘…It’s not over yet.’

It was as if those deep blue flames had reduced to ashes all the knots he carried in his heart.

Malcolm tensed his legs, which threatened to give out.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

The ingot, covered in cracks, shone with a hypnotic beauty, like an egg that held blue fire within.

The obligation to prove to the world the value of the knowledge his ancestors had passed down from generation to generation.

When the deep blue flames began to grow lighter, Malcolm once again pulled out the fairy metal with the tongs.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Clang!

Clang!

After checking its condition, Malcolm finally began to strike it with the hammer.

Clang!

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Seeing the ancient metal deform amid flying sparks, the knights’ eyes widened.

In the midst of a silence heavy with awe, Malcolm repeated the processes of forging, welding, and quenching over and over again.

With each blow, a clear sound rang out, and the fairy metal began to slowly change shape.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

They had already witnessed with their own eyes how the fairy metal was transformed through a process that defied all common sense.

The method was still chaotic, but unlike before, no one dared to say anything.

After a long time hammering the metal, Malcolm carried out the final quenching.

Hiss!

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Even so, just by virtue of its color, reminiscent of the night sky, the blade was extraordinarily beautiful.

When the dense steam dissipated, what emerged from the water had taken the shape of a sword.

A blade without a hilt, without a guard, and without a pommel.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Malcolm held the sword he had created with both hands and presented it to the duke.

The young duke, Lucian, took the blade in silence.

“It’s finished.”

He swung it through the air a couple of times, then exclaimed with complete sincerity.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Excellent!”

***

At that single word, Malcolm burst into tears.

In that instant, decades of frustration were repaid all at once.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

It depended entirely on instinct and talent.

Lucian did his utmost to suppress the smile that threatened to spread across his face.

‘This is a monumental stroke of luck.’

He had organized a blacksmith competition to uncover the forging technique of ancient metals, but, to be honest, it was not a particularly effective method.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Techniques obtained purely through intuition took an extremely long time to systematize.

‘Although, to be fair, there was no other alternative, and even if I discovered it this way, the road would be arduous.’

In the worst case, the slow pace of research and the high costs could render them useless in practice.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

And yet, there existed a book that had organized the forging technique of ancient metals in a systematic manner.

In other words, if that technique were taught to other blacksmiths, they could mass-produce weapons in a very short time.

‘This blacksmith may be skilled, but achieving immediate success with a technique described only in text proves that the method is extremely well structured.’

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

It was impossible not to feel satisfied.

Moreover, he had gained a blacksmith who, although lacking prior practical experience, understood the theory better than anyone.

He had obtained both invaluable knowledge and someone capable of passing it on.

“Malcolm.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Malcolm’s body trembled with emotion, but the words that followed left him stunned.

“I will employ you officially. armor From now on, you will have the authority to inspect all workshops in Asagrim, and when dealing with blacksmiths, you may act in my stead. apron This position has not existed before, so we will call it Master of the Furnace.”

“…!”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

“I… Your Excellency…”

In practice, it meant absolute power within the world of blacksmiths.

“The position of Master of the Furnace will be lifelong, and you will be exempt from the death penalty unless you commit a crime equivalent to treason. abandon If you choose to retire while alive, you will also have the right to recommend your successor.”

Although limited to artisans, he was being granted the authority to represent the duke.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Something caught in Malcolm’s throat.

Once the technique was mastered, there would be no need to rely exclusively on him, and yet the treatment was extraordinarily generous.

He had succeeded with the fairy metal, but even so, it was his first time working with an ancient metal.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Good. wizard I look forward to what you will accomplish from now on.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency! anchor This old man will devote the rest of his life to serving you with all his strength!”

For the first time in his life, Malcolm felt true loyalty.

He struck his forehead against the floor and shouted.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

The treatment Lucian offered Malcolm was, without a doubt, excessive for a mere blacksmith.

Lucian patted him on the shoulder and smiled deeply.

‘The one who should be grateful is me.’

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

With a single word, Lucian could revoke everything.

But no matter how extraordinary it was, it was still a position tied to Asagrim.

Even the clause regarding the death penalty merely meant that he would not be executed, not that he would go unpunished.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Of course, it would not be bad either if Malcolm maintained that loyalty and worked diligently until the end of his days.

He more than deserved the position of Master of the Furnace for the achievements he had attained.

‘Though if he becomes intoxicated with power without understanding the context of my words, he will have to bear the consequences.’

If he committed a crime deserving of death, he could save his life, but not the rest.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Come on, get up already. sphere You’ll have plenty of work ahead of you. arctic Are you planning to stay kneeling on a cold floor? auction What if you fall ill?”

That would only make Asagrim prosper even more.

In any case, Lucian had nothing to lose.

Furthermore, when Malcolm’s story spread, others would be willing to trust Lucian and offer up their own treasures.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

He swore to devote the rest of his life to repaying the kindness of that young duke.

Unaware of Lucian’s true thoughts, Malcolm silently swore as he felt the duke himself help him to his feet.

“Your Excellency…!”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

After obtaining the forging technique of ancient metals, Lucian decided to conceal Malcolm’s existence for the time being.

***

And he swore to reveal without reservation all the visions and knowledge inherited from his ancestors.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

After assigning a residence within the palace to Malcolm and his son, Lucian appointed as his escorts the knights who had directly witnessed the forging of the fairy metal.

In any case, if the competition was going to be held, it was better to postpone any news that might discourage the participants.

‘And with a bit of luck, perhaps someone else like Malcolm will appear, someone hiding a secret technique.’

Once the competition had been officially announced, it could not simply be canceled just because he had already found the talent he needed.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

As expected, the knights who had seen the forging with their own eyes accepted the mission without the slightest complaint.

It was better to entrust his protection to those who knew his true value, rather than ordering knights who knew nothing to protect a mere commoner.

“Even if he’s a commoner, he’s a blacksmith capable of refining ancient metals. voyage If we speak of the value of a life, he’s probably more valuable than any of us.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

“…It won’t be necessary to go that far. attic We’re inside the palace, so just make sure to protect him well.”

It was good that they were motivated, but it was also not advisable for them to treat a simple security measure as if it were a top-priority mission.

“If it comes to that, we’ll give our lives to protect him. orbit For the future of His Excellency the duke and of Asagrim.”

Lucian replied with a somewhat awkward expression at the knights’ fervor.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Yes. altitude After all the effort they went through before being formally admitted, they seem to be enjoying their rest. autumn Lately, they frequently meet with Sir Raymond.”

“How are the Black Lions who joined recently? apron Are they adapting well?”

After calming them down and sending them off with Malcolm, Lucian summoned Hans.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

“They worked together for a long time. atlas It’s natural that they have much to talk about.”

They would not have been assigned together without reason; it meant they had demonstrated excellent coordination in numerous missions.

Raymond and the four Black Lions who had arrived recently had once been part of Lucian’s escort team.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

“They’ve known each other far longer than they’ve known me. canvas Their bond must be deep, so as long as they don’t interfere with Raymond’s work, leave them be.”

“Understood. academy And also… we recently received a rather… discourteous request from outside.”

“The messenger of the first young master, Tristan, came to inform us that he plans to visit Asagrim soon to pay his respects to Sir Eisen.”

“Discourteous?”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Lucian had already heard that Tristan’s situation was not good and that he was seeking sponsors.

According to the rumors, even the support of his maternal grandfather had been cut off, so he must have been quite desperate.

At that moment, the only one who could afford to help him was Lucian, so it was natural that he would try to rely on blood ties.

“Just as I expected.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

“The problem is that he will not come alone. anchor He has requested to come accompanied by five hundred soldiers. beacon In truth, more than a request, it was practically a notification.”

It was an absurd demand.

However, Hans was not finished.

Even if it were a small force, bringing armed troops into another lord’s territory was a grave discourtesy.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Rather than erupting in anger at such an ill-considered request, Lucian let out a brief laugh.

And doing so under the pretext of attending a funeral, as a mere mourner, was even worse.

“Five hundred soldiers…”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

‘Without territory of his own, he has nowhere to quarter them. agent And even if he found a place, it’s doubtful the army would remain intact while he’s away.’

Leaving his army, the only pillar sustaining him, to travel to another region was a dangerous gamble.

Tristan was already struggling to maintain even that small contingent, which was why he was traveling from place to place seeking support.

Not because the number was insignificant, but because he understood Tristan’s desperate situation, having nowhere to station those troops.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

‘Either he accepts harsh criticism for bringing troops to a Swordmaster’s funeral, or he protects his honor and gives up ruling as the leader of a faction. meadow A true choice between two deaths.’

Tristan truly had no alternative.

No matter how disciplined the troops were, they would most likely disperse in a short time.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

Disbanding the army would mean losing even the slightest chance of independence he still possessed.

“Tell him to come with all of them.”

Sensing his situation, Lucian formed a bitter smile.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Are you sure? accent Even if it’s only five hundred, it’s still an external military force.”

If Tristan lost even that army, he would have no way to recover.

“It doesn’t matter. airport They won’t be able to do anything in Asagrim anyway. zenith And it would be worse if Tristan collapsed completely because we forbade it.”

He would end up being absorbed by another faction or losing his life.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 164 published by TrungTu Reads.

‘There are still things Tristan must do for me.’

Lucian preferred to avoid that outcome as much as possible.