122 – Iron Blooded Heart
Nadal was the first to respond to the word “iron-blooded heart”.
“If you are an iron-blooded heart, you are talking about the four major challenges of alchemy.”
Rain Rover tilted his head.
“The 4th challenge? Isn’t that a holy thing?”
“The iron-blooded heart the alchemists refer to is the same but different. Do you know about the alchemist’s 4 greatest difficulties?”
The answer came from Tigris.
“I know that it is divided into four categories: the homunculus of human creation, the elixir of resurrection, the wise man’s stone of creation, and finally the iron-blooded heart of transcendence of human beings.”
“You know it well. All of your difficulties are problems that an alchemist dreams of solving at least once. There are records that three of them, except for the Philosopher’s Stone, were completed by previous alchemists.”
Nadal said, pointing at himself with both hands.
“My very existence is a living witness. I am a homunculus.”
“But why is it difficult?”
“There are many reasons. We made it, but there were cases where it was not known how to recreate it, or they lied because of a desire for honor or inflated research results.”
Nadal shook his head with the car and opened his mouth again.
“Of course, according to Sir Tigris’ regression, Rota and Arphem seem to be able to mass-produce homunculus, so homunculus should be removed from the difficult task…
Nadal continued his explanation.
“As explained above, the Elixir of Resurrection and the iron-blooded heart of human transcendence have been created. However, if you look at the records of actual research results, it was far from the ideal of alchemists. Elixir can’t bring the dead back to life, and an iron-blooded heart can’t transcend a human body.”
Tigris thought for a moment and then opened his mouth.
“By the way, Rakan bought the elixir from the point store. I even saved the dying Princess Rain Rover and Count Friharden as an elixir.”
“I know. I heard you can buy one for every 100,000 points? Later, if you have enough points, I asked you to make an elixir. Even if that elixir doesn’t perfectly match the ideals of the alchemists, it’s probably the closest thing to an elixir. Or it may be an elixir that can actually be resurrected.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be that great of a healer. If that was the case, I would have saved you with the Elixir.”
“I think so. Or maybe that elixir is the limit of the cure that humans can create.”
Nadal drank a sip of tea, choked his throat, and then continued the conversation.
“We will put off the Elixir story later, and we will talk about the Iron-Blood Heart again. The holy relic that Lord Tigris spoke of is the Iron-Blood Heart, which is quite famous among alchemists. He created an iron-blooded heart that was closest to the ideals of alchemists, and spread the recipe. So, to commemorate the achievement of the alchemist, the alchemists created a constellation, and the name of the constellation is ‘Regius’.”
“What does it mean to be closest to the ideal?”
“The ideal of the iron-blooded heart lies in literally transcending the limits of the human body. The most relatable example would be immortality.”
“So, does that mean that if you eat an iron-blooded heart, you will get immortality?”
“To be precise, it is to create an elixir that transcends the human body and becomes an incomprehensible god-like being that surpasses even giants and dragons. Immortality is a bonus.”
Tigris threw out a word.
“So that sounds like nonsense.”
“Yes. That’s correct. There is no way such an elixir exists in this world. So, most alchemists see the iron-blooded heart that Regius created as the highest level humans can manufacture. Of course I think so.”
Bastian said, stroking his beard.
“I also saw the research data of that Regius. But when I looked at the list of ingredients, I found that there were some things I couldn’t find.”
“Yes. That’s right. A typical example is the heart of a giant. The giants are already extinct.”
In addition to that, there are as many as two materials that are currently unavailable.
World Tree Fairy’s Wing Powder and Nixi’s Tears.
The World Tree Fairy disappeared naturally as the World Tree died, and Nixie was one of the monsters whose seeds had dried up due to overfishing by humans.
“Even if you create an iron-blooded heart, there is another problem. The iron-blooded heart does not transcend humans, but is an elixir that allows you to experience the limits of the human body for just one hour.”
Tigris nodded as if he knew.
“The effect of the Holy Spirit is the same. In the first place, the process of overcoming the dungeon of the constellation itself is manufacturing an iron-blooded heart.”
“But I know there are side effects. According to Regius, who had been experiencing the limitations of his body, he had been unable to do anything for almost a year due to a feeling of extreme lethargy and helplessness.”
“That’s the same problem I have today.”
Tigris has a memory of having a whopping 8-star knight, that is, the highest level of body that a human could achieve only through pure training.
But now that he only has the body of a 5-star knight, it wasn’t frustrating at all.
“Come to think of it, it might be better for Sir Tigris to eat an iron-blooded heart. You will be able to return to the body you were before your return. Or you could have more than that.”
“Yes. That’s right. If that happens, I will be able to complete the 7th ring, or the 8th ring, although it will be a one-hour limit.”
“Now that there are 5 rings of Lord Tigris in total, we will have to make three more rings within an hour. Is it possible?”
“It’s not that difficult as it’s a path I’ve walked once. Of course, it would be better to leave the 6th ring completed until you get the Iron-Blood Heart.”
“How long will it take to complete the sixth ring?”
“It will be possible before this winter break.”
“When winter break begins, we can go get the Iron-Blood Heart. Do you know the location of the relics?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
Tigris found the location of the dungeon through the starry sky map that Trisha had.
Its location was within the Norbert Frontier Territory.
Rain Rover opened his mouth.
“So, in the end, the first problem is to receive ‘Summer of Friharden’ from Count Friharden, and the second problem is that you have to enter the dungeon of the constellation to get the Iron-Blood Heart.”
Bastian opened his mouth.
“Finally, we need to unseal the Gold Dragon’s Aurom. You can’t hit the dragon’s head in the sealing ceremony.”
“Oh, I guess. Would it be possible?”
“Fortunately, Fateh has left a way to solve the sealing magic. But once the seal is broken, it will be impossible to put it back on.”
“Even if it fails anyway, it’s just a matter of teleporting it to the mysterious land, so unlocking the seal shouldn’t be a problem.”
Rain Rover shook his head.
“Then there are two problems to be solved. To convince Count Friharden and to overcome the dungeon of the constellation. I have to leave the dungeon of the constellation second and receive the holy relics from Count Friharden, but that is the problem.”
“Why don’t you tell Count Friharden of the existence of the regression record?”
“The Count Friharden is a reliable ally. If you tell the truth, you will probably lend it to me.”
Tigris shook his head.
“The Count Friharden will want to borrow it, but the knights of Gaheon will stop it.”
“Ah… Come to think of it, there were articles by Gaheon.”
Rain Rover furrowed his eyebrows as if in pain.
Friharden’s summer is not just a sacred item for Count Friharden, but a family thing.
Gaheon’s knights would refuse to allow anyone outside the family to touch the Friharden family relics.
“Then, isn’t it a problem not only to receive the Holy Relic, but also for Sir Tigris to use the Friharden-style swordsmanship?”
“Yes. That’s right. The moment you see an outsider wielding a Friharden-style swordsmanship, you may persuade Count Friharden to request a duel.”
“But, isn’t there a rumor that Sir Tigris can follow swordsmanship once he learns it? Perhaps the Friharden family is also aware of it, right?”
“There is a difference between knowing and expressing to the outside. So I watch Charlotte’s swordsmanship, but I don’t use it myself.”
“I thought this would be easy, but it’s going to be harder than I thought.”
Tigris shook his head.
“no. There is a way.”
“yes? Is there a way?”
“You can use Schubert.”
Schubert, a member of the swordsman family.
A kind of festival where swordsmanship families from all over the Empire can gather together to show off their own swordsmanship or freely discuss swordsmanship.
“In Schubert, you can freely discuss and exchange opinions about the swordsmanship possessed by each family. It is of course possible for me, the successor of the Marquess of Norbert, to discuss the swordsmanship of the Friharden family.”
“Then you mean it doesn’t matter if you practice Friharden-style swordsmanship on the spot?”
“According to Schubert’s noble law, it is possible only with the permission of the opposing family. Of course, borrowing the summer of Friharden is a different story, but Count Friharden and the knights of Gaheon will want to see a scene where they cut off the head of a dragon through Friharden-style swordsmanship at least once.”
Rain Rover’s eyes twinkled.
“Then we can open Schwert at the Imperial Palace this year. But do you know that Schubert has to be hosted by the swordsman family? The Lucet family is not a swordsmanship family, but a magical family strictly speaking.”
“This time, the Norbert family will host it. And there is no regulation that the venue must be within the territory of the host family. Of course, His Majesty the Emperor must give permission.”
“It will be possible. No, I will get permission unconditionally. Leave it to me.”
Bastian said, stroking his beard.
“Then the only remaining problem is one of the constellation dungeons. What are the conditions for entering the dungeon?”
“If Nadal participates in the dungeon raid of the constellation, it is possible. It is a condition that at least one alchemist from Circle 5 participates.”
Nadal thought for a moment and then opened his mouth.
“Personally, I want to attack the dungeon of the constellation. However, attacking the dungeon of the constellation will take quite a bit of time. As mentioned earlier, the condition for overcoming the dungeon of the constellation is to create an iron-blooded heart.”
“About how long do you think it will take?”
“I understand that it took Regius 10 years just to gather the ingredients. They say it took almost a full week to make.”
“Before entering the dungeon of the constellation, can’t we gather the materials before entering?”
“It’s possible, but you’ll have to get Nyx’s Tears, World Tree Fairy’s Wings Powder, and Giant’s Heart from the dungeon.”
Rain Rover’s complexion turned pale.
“Aside from Nyx’s tears and the World Tree Fairy’s wing powder, do you really need to kill the giant to save the giant’s heart?”
“To complete the Iron-Blood Heart soon, we will have to find and kill the giant. It will not be easy to save the heart of a dead giant who, like Regius, was accidentally banished from the giant clan.”
Bastian said with a cough.
“First of all, I think it would be better to think about it slowly, as there is still time to attack the constellation dungeon. We have to gather members to participate in the dungeon and also find materials.”
Bastian’s words made sense, so everyone nodded.
“Then it would be good to first solve the summer problem between Schwert and Friharden and see. I’m going to have an audience with your majesty this weekend.”
Tigris decided to include Schubert’s content in his regular monthly messages to Norverd.
* * *
Beowulf and Emperor Todd’s responses were positive.
“We also had our engagement ceremony, so we didn’t have to worry too much.”
Rain Rover and Tigris have not yet been engaged.
The Marquess Norbert had to come to the Imperial Palace for the engagement ceremony, so it wasn’t too much of a burden.
Even after the engagement ceremony was over, she had nothing but to stay in the zodiac for two more days to proceed with Schubert.
“While the Norbert Marquess stays in the Imperial Palace, we have decided to send golden knights and iron-blooded wizards to protect the Norbert Walls.”
“I’m happy.”
If the Golden Knights and the Iron-Blood Magic Corps are dispatched, even if Rota and Arphem perform strange feats, they can put their minds to rest for a while.
And in Norberd’s winter, the monsters in the Gaul Mountains were at least quiet, so even the Norbert Marquess was able to come to the zodiac with a light heart.
“If you see Byeong-baek this winter, how long will it be?”
“It’s been almost a year.”
“Byung-baek might be a little surprised. I would never have dreamed that Lord Tigris would grow so quickly.”
Tigris nodded without a word.
Come to think of it, this winter, I will become the same 6-star knight as Beowulf.
When Tigris became a six-star knight before returning, Beowulf, who was lying down at the time, was relieved.
Because he thought Tigris would keep Norberd safe.
So Beowulf could close his eyes somewhat comfortably.
However, Tigris did not fulfill Beowulf’s wish.
As soon as Beowulf died and Tigris became head of state, the Norberd family went down the road, and the wall was passed over to Lota and Arpem.
‘This time will be different.’
Even if Lota and Arpem directly attack the Norverd Lands, Tigris will surely block them.
Because that’s what I’ve been running for so far.
“Oh right. Did you hear that Prince Morgot asked Sir Tigris to interview him?”
“no. I haven’t heard it yet.”
morgot.
It was a name that had been forgotten for quite some time.
Before returning, he was a conscientious knight who had left the Kingdom of Gillion for the crumbling continent, and now he was a prince who fled to the Empire to survive from Prince Matthew.
He had been so busy that he could not afford to meet Morgoth.
“Why do you want to see me?”
“You want to receive swordsmanship instruction from Sir Tigris?”
Morgoth was one of the few geniuses recognized by Tigris, but he was an unfortunate genius who could not train swordsmanship because of Prince Matthew’s restraint for a long time.
What will happen if he learns swordsmanship in earnest from now on?
“Let’s meet.”