When Leon finished listening to Helmod's words, he placed his hand on his jaw and pondered deeply, trying to find a solution to Helmod's problem.
"Well, it's a truly annoying matter, but it's okay, I think there are two solutions for it."
Helmod was curious about the two solutions Leon claimed to have, and this curiosity prompted him to ask: "And how can that be? You claim to have two solutions, why don't you present them so we can see which is better?"
"Well, since you're as curious as I am, I won't make you wait long to hear them; here's the first solution: I will help you with your work. This might save a lot of time, especially since I possess considerable physical strength, and I would be a good assistant in your work."
When Leon finished presenting the first suggestion, Helmod scratched his head a little, but he wasn't entirely satisfied with this suggestion. His excuse was that Leon wasn't an expert in blacksmithing, so he would have difficulty understanding it. However, despite that, Helmod was grateful for Leon's generous offer, but he was more curious to hear the second suggestion: "Hmm... well, I think I need to hear the second suggestion before I decide."
"Ah, you're right. Well, I myself lean towards the second option, but I'll let you decide for yourself. Now, I won't prolong it; the second solution is very simple: all you have to do is tell me who the client who requested this from you is, and I will make sure he can never walk on his feet again."
Upon hearing this suggestion, an expression of confusion appeared on Helmod's face for a moment, then he said: "Ah... well, well, I prefer the first option. Forget about the second option completely. You're not actually thinking of doing what you said, are you?"
The question was very direct, yet posed in a sarcastic and comedic way, but the response was different; the look on Leon's face at that moment was enough to answer Helmod's question... A forced laugh escaped Helmod's throat as if he was trying to lighten the mood, and to himself, he was certain that Leon was serious about his second suggestion, so Helmod had no choice but to accept the first solution.
"Okay, okay, that's enough. I think I'll gladly accept your help. Forget about the client and try to focus all your attention on helping me these three days instead."
Since this was Helmod's choice, Leon had no option but to submit to it, but he was ultimately dissatisfied with this. Even after Helmod asked him to forget that idea, it was still the optimal and least costly solution for him: "Okay, I will respect your choice. Now, shall we start working?"
As soon as Leon mentioned starting work, anxiety appeared on Helmod's face again. It was truly alarming: "What's wrong with you this time? Are you having stomach problems?"
Helmod sighed and replied: "Ah... no, it's not about my stomach. There's another problem, similar to the three-day deadline for delivering the sword."
"Another problem? What is it? Speak... you're making me more curious."
"Well, the sword I'm working on is not an ordinary sword; it's a magical sword, and the raw material from which the sword was made is a magical ore with high magical density. Therefore, we will need to light a fire strong enough to soften this metal, and here lies the problem: to ignite this fire, we will need a specific type of wood that only grows on mountain slopes."
Again, Helmod's words were vague and didn't clearly state the problem so that Leon could know what to do: "Well, I think your words are not clear. Do you mean you need someone to collect this wood for you?"
"Ah... that's one aspect, but on the other hand, the problem doesn't lie in that. Collecting wood from mountain slopes is not a problem, but the problem lies in those areas being dangerous at this time."
"Dangerous? Perhaps the winds are strong on the mountain slopes, but it's okay. I will collect the largest amount of this wood for you and then return, and even if there are monsters roaming these cursed mountains, I will crush them for your sake."
While Leon was boasting, Helmod's frown remained, as if the problem didn't lie in that aspect either: "Don't get too excited. The area has become a forbidden place by the adventurers' guilds these days, as strange activities of some monsters were observed in those areas yesterday, so the guild issued a warning not to approach them until an investigation is conducted."
Considering Helmod's words, they were consistent with what Leon had seen a moment ago; monsters behaving strangely. Was he referring to those black birds Leon encountered a few minutes earlier? "Hmm... well, it's okay, I don't think this is a big deal. What if I went in alone and moved fast enough? Then I would bring some of this wood and return in a short period of time. No need to worry, leave this to me."
Despite Leon's courage and initiative, Helmod completely rejected this idea: "No, no, I don't think you need to do all this. I'll manage. I'll ask some blacksmiths in the neighboring town; I might get some of this wood from them, so there's no need for you to risk your life for this."
Leon was not pleased with Helmod's words and considered it an insult, even if Helmod's intention was honorable: "Stop... stop for a moment, Helmod, what do you think I might be?"
Helmod was a little surprised by this question, as it was strange, but Helmod didn't take it seriously and answered normally: "Hmm... what do I think you are? And what more could I think you are than just a lost human youth whom I sheltered in my home?"
Although Helmod's words carried no intention of offending Leon, the latter took them as such and retaliated by unleashing his full magical powers; suddenly, a complete silence enveloped the house, then, unexpectedly, waves of magical particles erupted and began to overflow from Leon's body like a waterfall. At first glance, you might think you were seeing an endless flow of magical particles hovering around Leon.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Helmod's hair and beard were barely clinging to his skin, while his hands were tightly clasped in front of his face.
The purpose of this was a clear and explicit display of power, and judging by Helmod's expression after Leon suppressed his magical power, it was clear that this display had borne fruit; sweat was pouring from Helmod's forehead, and his fingertips were trembling. This was one of the few times he had been subjected to direct pressure from such a powerful magical aura... But Helmod quickly regained his composure and self-possession in front of Leon.
"Ah... well, I don't think I can stop you if you wish to do this, but let me warn you; even if you are strong, always remember there is someone stronger. You must be careful while collecting that wood, and also, don't risk your life for a handful of wood. If you face a difficult situation, don't think of anything except escaping. I want you to promise me this before you go."
"Yes, I promise."
As soon as Leon and Helmod finished their conversation, Leon set off eastward at full speed, heading towards the mountain range from which he had come to Helmod's hut.
It was only a few minutes before Leon was able to see the peaks of those mountains looming in the distance... At this point, Leon began to continue his journey, but at a much faster pace than before. Leon's goal for this operation was clear: to collect the largest amount of this wood that Helmod had spoken of and return as quickly as possible. This was the plan Leon was following.
After five minutes, Leon was standing on the slope of the first mountain in this massive mountain range. Leon stood on the mountaintop, focusing all his attention on his sight and gazing everywhere... This time, Leon was not enjoying inhaling the fresh air or admiring the enchanting mountain scenery; he was only searching for what he needed: the wood Helmod required to complete his work.
Despite Leon's sharp eyesight, this was not enough to search for a collection of wood amidst this vast mountainous area, so Leon had no choice but to search the old-fashioned way.
Leon began to wander around the area, meticulously searching for wood. He ascended to the peaks of the mountains one after another, missing nothing, but this was not enough either, for despite Leon's dedication to his search, his dedication was not sufficient.
"Hey, alternative assistant, don't you have a solution for such a situation? Help me search at least." This was a desperate move from Leon; resorting to the alternative assistant was a clear admission of his failure to search, leaving the matter in the hands of the alternative assistant.
[Notification: I don't think this is currently possible. I need the player to give me more information about what they are looking for.]
Leon sighed in exasperation, and it could be said that he was tired of this search, but he also didn't want to return to Helmod empty-handed: "Ah... information? And how would I know that? If I knew, would I resort to you? Tsk... well, all I know is that it's wood produced by a tree that grows on mountain slopes, and also the color of this wood is a little strange, as Helmod described it as 'golden-colored wood'."
[Notification: I did not ask the player for this type of information, as I already possess it. What I mean is magical particles; can the player provide me with some magical particles of this wood or even describe the composition of these particles?]
Leon's appearance at this moment was pathetic; his head was about to explode from intense anger and despair combined, and he had no choice but to vent his anger towards the alternative assistant: "Hmph... and where would I get these magical particles? And also, why don't you stop talking about these particles? I'm fed up with them... And you also said you already know this information, so if you know, then why don't you know the magical composition of this wood? Isn't that strange?"
[Notification: Regarding my knowledge of the information the player possesses, it is not an inference but a reflection of the knowledge present within the player's mind.]
Leon looked like a complete fool in this scene: "Wait a moment, repeat what you said; did you take the information directly from my mind?"
[Notification: Yes, the alternative assistant has access privileges to the player's mind and memories.]
As Leon expected, but the problem was that Leon only realized this now, and this made him see himself as nothing but a fool in the hands of this alternative assistant: "Ah... so that's it, you fallen one, you've been spying on my mind and memories from the beginning... Tsk."
[Notification: ....]
The lack of a response was the answer that seemed to break Leon's back, but it seemed that the latter had no choice but to ignore it and began searching again.
End of Chapter