There is a famous paradox in China.
Those who deserve to conquer the world do not aspire to it, while those who aspire to conquer the world are not truly deserving of it.
Unfortunately, in this undeveloped era, records from the time when China was still ‘China’ have not been passed down. However, as is often the case with proverbs, they are universally applicable regardless of time or place.
For these three students who know nothing about Joseon, China, or the Earth, it’s a pity.
Coincidentally, the three students who pledged the same goal were locked in despair upon realizing their inability to achieve that goal.
They were strategizing and assessing their abilities from their respective positions.
Side story: Each one’s perspective on the goal.
“Even if I have to do whatever it takes, I will grow uncle’s beard!”
Ecdysis, a true-born citizen of Drovian, who always opts for a direct approach in solving problems, made such a determination.
Unfortunately, she had the will for shaving, but lacked the ability to shave. Her attempts were thwarted every moment.
However, the word ‘give up’ doesn’t exist in the Drovian language. (It’s true.)
She clenched her fist with the determination to project life, and perhaps even more, into every punch. Little Violin-4 let out a strange scream.
“I’ll save my uncle!”
In the form of a princess rescue story from the evil hands of a demonic creature in the shape of a beard!
The vanguard of the warrior party, inheriting the talents of the slaughtering Einar, the strongest music student in history, put down his instrument and took up a dagger.
With shaving cream.
*
Even in this undeveloped era, there is the fragrance of a shining civilization. Tylesse, a cultural powerhouse, especially stood out. And indeed, the essence of culture lies in politics.
“I think the uncle’s beard is really cool!”
“…?”
Isabelle, who had to live in Tylesse’ royal palace as a hero’s daughter, surprisingly utilized sophisticated political skills.
Choosing a method to slowly captivate Ivan’s heart after taking a position completely different from her only and strongest competitor, she hadn’t shown significant effects yet, but at least she was a bit ahead of Ecdysis in this matter.
Since the hero of the hero party should be able to observe the situation from a macro perspective rather than a flashy one, the future of this warrior party is indeed promising.
*
“I am… a magician…!”
On the other hand, the elf from the Kalion military district had such thoughts.
Magician are those who turn fantasies into reality.
If there is something you don’t want to see and can’t physically eliminate, it can be removed from ‘conception’ and ‘perception’!
This realization was a valuable experience obtained through the ‘trap of happiness’ in the ruins of the Krasilov underground reservoir.
As Elpheira was a master of all magic accessible at a student level, she could instantly conjure the most appropriate magic.
“All hair below the nose… ‘conceals’ from my eyes…!”
She formed a spell in the air, gazing directly ahead in an instant.
The target is herself, and the confirmation of the results lies with the foolish human walking far away…!
Twisting the concept by casting a mind sorcery on her own mind, she distorts perception, casting an illusion spell to make her eyes ‘not perceive’ beards and other facial hair!
“It’s done…!!”
She has never been pleased with the success of magic even once.
Due to overwhelming talent and affinity for magic, using magic every moment of her life was natural for her.
But now, she was thrilled with her own genius.
With a firm grip on the hand that just touched the last seal, she muttered in a hissing voice.
“Grikencos-style illusion shaving…!!”
With the completion of the spell, a azure light shimmered in her eyes. Casting time is under 2 seconds, mana consumption is less than 3%, and the spell’s duration is one and a half hours…!!
“Calculated to be 50.3 hours, can be used continuously for 2 days and 2 hours 15 minutes…!”
If used until complete mana depletion, she can remove all beards from her sight for two days.
Now, the key is…
“To maintain even when concentration is disrupted by external shocks…”
Meaning the magic must be operated in the ‘unconscious’ realm. The spell she just created cannot do such a thing.
Therefore, Elpheira closed her eyes silently and took a deep breath.
Phew, with a resolute exhale. Her eyes opened strongly. Holding a burning determination!
“Until this spell is not broken in any situation.”
Until the spell concentration does not break even in extremely severe and embarrassing situations.
With a determination to not stop…
*
Completely harmless, with a appearance that could be seen anywhere in normal situations, and not imposing a sense of intimidation on anyone, Ivan, with an appearance akin to a herbivorous animal, was enjoying his leisure.
“Peaceful.”
Outside the window, birds chirped beautifully, and the summer sun brightly illuminated the surroundings. Hearing the chatter of orphanage students as they moved about, Ivan sipped his tea.
He took a moment to catch his breath, focusing his hearing on every nerve. Lately, some of the students had been engaging in discreet mischievous activities to an extreme extent, unavoidable as it was.
Alright, no one is here.
It was difficult to understand the minds of the children who wanted to visit the director’s office. Now, the memories were faint, but it seemed he had never visited the principal’s office during elementary school. He never even thought about it.
The tea he drank was a cheap barley tea made by roasting barley, and it was an item provided unlimitedly to all students.
Snacks like candies or chocolates were more abundant in the staff room than the principal’s office. It was easier and faster to sneak in there if anyone wanted.
“Hmm.”
Well, how can one understand the thoughts of little ones? After all, children are easily swayed by bizarre trends. He nodded briefly and relaxed.
This quiet weekend afternoon where no one came.
He cautiously opened the double-locked confidential storage cabinet under the desk with a careful touch.
After inserting the double-lock structure key and opening the 360-degree dial in a 5*2 pattern, a highly secure device that must be opened this way for the safe to open. Although he sacrificed some security to increase durability and didn’t use a sealing spell, Ivan pushed aside useless confidential documents and carefully picked up a sturdy box hanging on his fingertips.
-Click.
With a delicacy resembling handling a level-13 magic explosive just before detonation, Ivan, wearing gloves, dusted around the box with a duster and cautiously opened the box.
The contents inside the box sparkled in the light streaming in from the window, momentarily dazzling his eyes.
No, perhaps it was not just the ‘valuable item’ itself that dazzled his eyes.
He swallowed dry saliva and slowly lifted the ‘treasure.’
“Perfect.”
Made of metal, with restrained decoration, perfectly functional, and crafted with precise specifications for easy carrying. The built-in lock mechanism was cleverly concealed to the point that it wouldn’t be observed from the outside.
Sturdy, robust, and solid. It resembled a handcrafted pistol just made by a master gunsmith.
Sigh, a faint metallic scent lingering in the air, mixed with a subtle smell of oil.
There is no flaw. This is a perfect item.
“My instincts haven’t dulled yet.”
He had a favorite blacksmith when it came to sharpening or placing additional orders for his axe. An old forge located at the outskirts of the Frechenka region.
The artisan, known to him since wartime, now only crafted agricultural tools like hoes and plows. He had completely retired from the weapons market.
Of course, an axe is not a weapon. It’s nothing more than logging equipment. Therefore, Ivan’s convincing arguments about the retired blacksmith breathing new life into the forge had succeeded.
And with an irresistible ‘persuasion,’ the blacksmith had once again brought this luxury item to life according to Ivan’s design.
“Hmm…”
Suddenly, a sense of guilt stabbed his chest. It was partly due to impulsive consumption.
With the light streaming in from the window, the contents inside the box sparkled, momentarily dazzling his eyes.
No, perhaps it was not just the ‘valuable item’ itself that dazzled his eyes.
He swallowed dry saliva and slowly lifted the ‘treasure.’
“Perfect.”
Made of metal, with restrained decoration, perfectly functional, and crafted with precise specifications for easy carrying. The built-in lock mechanism was cleverly concealed to the point that it wouldn’t be observed from the outside.
Sturdy, robust, and solid. It resembled a handcrafted pistol just made by a master gunsmith.
Sigh, a faint metallic scent lingering in the air, mixed with a subtle smell of oil.
There is no flaw. This is a perfect item.
“My instincts haven’t dulled yet.”
He had a favorite blacksmith when it came to sharpening or placing additional orders for his axe. An old forge located at the outskirts of the Frechenka region.
The artisan, known to him since wartime, now only crafted agricultural tools like hoes and plows. He had completely retired from the weapons market.
Of course, an axe is not a weapon. It’s nothing more than logging equipment. Therefore, Ivan’s convincing arguments about the retired blacksmith breathing new life into the forge had succeeded.
And with an irresistible ‘persuasion,’ the blacksmith had once again brought this luxury item to life according to Ivan’s design.
“Hmm…”
Suddenly, a sense of guilt stabbed his chest. It was partly due to impulsive consumption.
If he could use the money spent on this item, he could provide meat dishes for the orphanage students every evening for a week.
Perhaps it was the influence of the ‘ruins trap.’ No, most likely. He had never been swayed by such meaningless desires for a very long time.
-Click.
Touching the device of the item, it changed shape with a sharp metallic sound. The item, which had looked like a small rectangular metal piece, now began to take on some distinctive shapes.
With cautious movements, Ivan picked up the item and brought it to his beard.
Smooth, smooth.
The sound of parting with a blade without friction, a smooth sensation as if applying camellia oil.
Living in this damn pre-modern world is never a pleasant thing,
“But this… makes me smile.”
This is happiness.
He obtained the ‘perfect beard comb.’
The blueprint for this item is arguably the greatest loot obtained from the ruins.
While three students were agonizing over erasing his beard physically, politically, or conceptually, Ivan was leaning back in his chair, enjoying a rest with a thin smile.
*
“Any traces of forgery in this letter?”
“Yes, sir. The handwriting matches Essi’s 100%.”
“Mord, no other contact from that damn bastard?”
“No, sir.”
Shattered into dust under the giant’s grip, the thick wooden table scattered.
In a dark room, a man draped in a fur-lined cloak, with the scent of a beast, stood up with his roughly tied back head.
“Sir, sir! Oh, no, Essi is not a child anymore. What mistake could she have made? Please, just hold on a bit…”
-Crack!
The warrior hastily blocking the man’s path flew away. The man continued walking, opening the door to the royal hall without stopping.
The sharp summer sun illuminated his court. He scanned the court with sharp eyes, growling like a wounded beast.
“Any other suggestions?”
“How about burning at the stake?”
“That would end too quickly.”
Drovian, the strongest, warrior king, slaughterer, commander of the grand army, a solitary mass killing weapon.
Ainar.
He crumpled and threw away Ecdysis’ letter, starting to walk.
-Should I try marriage?
The only remaining word on the torn letter sadly circled the sky before flying somewhere and disappearing.
“Let’s go, brothers. Let’s see what this guy is up to, at least his face.”
“Yes, sir!!”
