Chương 95: The Sword Sheath of the Face-Obsessed

Isabella smiled and explained, "I noticed during the day that your scabbard was chipped, so I figured you might need a new one."

Richard paused for a moment, then subconsciously picked up the Excalibur at his waist and glanced at it.

This sword has had two scabbards. One was a piece of junk that the kobolds used, which Richard threw away after leaving the dungeon. The second one was something he bought randomly from a street shop after returning to the city. It was made of ordinary wood and cowhide and he has been using it ever since.

Upon closer inspection, several cracks were indeed found at the tip.

It's highly likely that it was caught in the crossfire during the previous battle, and then, while traveling these past two days, it gradually expanded.

I didn't even notice this myself, how could Isabella have noticed it?

I was a little touched.

But on the other hand, doesn't this mean that she—has been secretly watching me for a long time?

Richard pursed his lips, took the new scabbard, and used his Eye of Insight.

【Name: Thousand Suns Sword Sheath (Can be charmed)】 Grade: Excellent. Description: A finely crafted piece by the wood elves, sturdy and durable. The blade's hardness gradually increases with use. Note: This only works on swords; it has no effect on other objects. Do not insert unrelated items.

Putting aside that strange explanation...

It is an item of excellent quality, and it can also be alluring.

That's a really nice gift.

"Thank you, Isabella," Richard said sincerely.

Isabella replied just as sincerely, "This is nothing compared to the help you've given me. If there's anything else you want, feel free to ask me anytime."

Richard shook his head and chuckled: "Forget it. Just the fact that I've been in and out of your place is enough to convince Holcher that I'm a poet kept by a rich lady. If I make any more demands—" Isabella glanced at the ground and whispered, "What's wrong with that? —"

"Huh? What did you just say?"

"I just said that's only because he doesn't know about your deeds yet."

Isabella quickly looked back, her expression one of undisguised admiration: "You don't need to worry about your reputation, Richard. You're a hero. Just wait for the news from Phoenix to spread, and everyone will look at you differently."

Well— I'm not worried about my reputation; poets have never minded being kept by a man. I'm just afraid that next time he sees me, he'll kneel down on one knee, and I really can't handle that.

Oh well, some things are better left to their own devices.

Richard shrugged: "I just hope my colleagues don't portray me as an eight-meter-tall, eight-meter-waisted giant."

"Pfft—haha—" Isabella couldn't help but giggle at Richard's words.

A few minutes later.

Richard equipped himself with a new sword sheath and left the princess's tent.

Then he ran headfirst into a dejected Grace.

"This isn't the kind of fun I was expecting—"

"As expected, Amelie can't stop you—by the way, what kind of fun are you looking forward to?"

"For example, you just pounce on Isabella or something?"

"I have a bland palate and don't like to eat the Supreme Sliced Dish."

Joking aside, Richard couldn't help but ponder in his heart—of course, not whether the Holy Cleaver was delicious or not, but rather, what exactly was his relationship with Isabella now.

Strictly speaking, they were definitely just comrades-in-arms.

But more or less, I felt a sense of going beyond that of a comrade-in-arms.

At least from Richard's perspective, he had to admit that he did have some feelings for Isabella.

After all, he's a poet.

Faced with a beautiful, powerful princess who repeatedly bestows good things upon you, what poet could remain unmoved?

Not fickle — ptooey, if someone isn't moved, can they still be called a poet?

The key question is, what does Isabella think?

Is it like him, or pure friendship and admiration, or is it a deliberate recruitment by a superior to a subordinate?

It's not easy to say for sure.

As everyone knows, her liking me is a classic case of life illusion, which should not be ignored.

Especially when the object of his affections is a paladin princess with a complex background, who brings him new surprises every time they meet—although he is in some ways the same.

Forget it, if I can't figure it out, I'll stop thinking about it for now.

Since there are benefits, just feed it to them when it's offered.

Before he knew it, Richard had already walked back to his tent.

He shook off his random thoughts and, taking advantage of Grace's inattention, cast a charm spell on the sword sheath.

[Thousand Suns Sword Sheath: Ah, a handsome new master, what a wonderful start~] Oh wow, he's a sucker for good looks.

That makes things easier.

Richard whispered to the Thousand Suns Sheath, "I'm also very happy to be your partner. I believe we will definitely achieve great things in the future—" [Huh? Battle record? Master, are you really going to fight?]

"?"'

Otherwise, what would I need a scabbard for?

[I thought you were just a court poet, and that your only purpose in carrying a sword was to show off with a rose in your mouth.]' [Alas, if you really intend to go to the battlefield, then this is not good. Your appearance is beautiful, but your swordsmanship—] After whispering with the Thousand Suns sword sheath for a while, Richard confirmed that the sheath had a favorable impression of him, but it didn't quite trust his swordsmanship.

To put it bluntly, they disliked him because he only knew how to use one trick to kill.

To obtain the scabbard gift pack, he needs to learn some proper swordsmanship.

Thinking of this, he turned to look at Grace.

"Grace, what kind of swordsmanship do you know?"

Then they saw Grace secretly open his dimensional bag, take out a gem that the church had given him, and stuff it into her pocket.

After a few seconds of silence, the two remained silent.

Miss Red Copper Dragon sighed softly and explained, "It's like this, I found that this gem is very similar to the one I was allocated, and we seem to be mother and child, so I couldn't bear to see them separated—" Richard: "Oh, that's easy, just give me yours, okay?"

"Let's talk about swordsmanship instead."

Grace changed the subject, hands on her hips, and said, "You ask me if I know swordsmanship? The answer is—not very well."

Why are you standing with your hands on your hips if you don't know how?

Richard rolled his eyes, but then said doubtfully, "But I saw you use your sword very skillfully during the fight! You beat me to a pulp when we sparred—" Grace explained, "I do know some basic skills, but they're not systematic and I can't really teach them. I can use them well simply because I'm experienced and I'm a dragon, so I'm strong enough. You can't learn that."

Richard frowned.

Grace followed up, "Of course, if I were the only one by your side, I might be able to teach you a few tricks, but right now, you have a better option."

"for example?"

"For example, our princess—speaking of which, didn't she promise to be your harpist instructor? Teaching you swordsmanship should be her job~" Richard pursed his lips, feeling that there was some truth to that.

Early the next morning.

Despite some comical mishaps during the night, the group didn't forget they were still being chased by vampires, so as soon as the sun came out, they quickly got back on their way.

A few hours later, following the route on the map, they arrived at a town next to a large river, where they rented a boat about thirty meters long and planned to travel by water for two days to reach the lower reaches of the river.

After boarding the ship, Richard was about to talk to Isabella about teaching her swordsmanship.

Unexpectedly, Aisha beat him to it, asking Isabella and Josie Peigo, "Excuse me, may I learn some sorcery skills?"