Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: The More, the Merrier
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"What... what is this?"
"Haha, there were so many things that needed repairs, so I brought them all. How's the magic furnace running, anyway?"
"Oh ho, it's all mithril alloy."
Rather than answering the question, the dwarf Cassias's eyes lit up as he examined the shattered wyvern armor and air plate.
"I can feel the touch of a master's hand. The work of the Tarbarba Clan. Haha, what fine craftsmanship."
No matter how I looked at it, I couldn't tell, but Cassias picked up the wyvern armor and beamed with delight.
"For human work, it's impressive. Still nowhere near our clan's level, though...."
Following Chieftain Cassias, the other dwarves picked up the armor and air plate, inspecting them meticulously.
"Remelting them will destroy the magic circles, is that okay?"
"Of course. While you're at it, make them as sturdy as possible."
"Naturally. Once it passes through the hands of our Luhalumer Clan, it has to become the finest item in the world."
As expected from artisans, Cassias puffed up with pride over something trivial.
I'd wrapped up all the wyvern armor I'd collected from battles so far and hauled it to the dwarf village.
I'd let broken gear sit unused before, with no ties to the Mage Tower or dwarves, but that was then.
Now, these dwarves boasted after-service rivaling Korea's top-tier Samsong Group.
It couldn't get any better.
"And please make these items too."
"What's this?"
Cassias took the few sheets of blueprints I handed him.
"Isn't this a drabilt? Oho! Made with this design, it'll run smoothly on its own."
The dwarf chieftain instantly recognized the drabilt and its function.
"With these steel balls, the motion should connect naturally. If the magic circle is usable, efficiency should go up by about thirty percent over the old one...."
At the chieftain's words, the elder dwarves crowded around, debating eagerly.
"And what's this?"
Cassias picked up something else besides the drabilt blueprint and asked.
"It looks like a plow, but not quite...."
"It's a plow, yes."
"Really? What an unusual shape. If it's finished like this, it'll match several horses plowing the field. And the depth adjusts naturally too.... Did you design it?"
'Who else but a genius like me! Umhahhahha.'
A product that was a bit iffy to call twenty-first-century science and technology.
I'd based it on the farm implement attached to a tractor I'd seen at my countryside grandfather's place.
And I'd drawn on my experience pulling a plow myself in Luna Village to devise this special design.
"Please take a look at the next one too."
"Hmm.... This is...."
"Just coat the spear tip with mithril. Make it as light as possible overall, and if you can, engrave a magic circle in the middle section."
An improved blest spear I'd need in huge quantities going forward.
A new model spear, incorporating my master's knowledge and cost efficiency.
"That's nothing for us. Still, impressive. To think a human came up with all this. As expected! You're worthy to be friends with the sons of stone!"
A pleasant chime rang out—affinity rising.
"No, no matter how talented I am, how could I compare to the rock folk who mimic the hands of gods? I look forward to working with you more."
"Hahaha, seeing you know your manners just brightens my mood. How about it, tonight again...."
'No way! Another festival?'
Cassias smacked his lips, clearly tempted by the ample beer supplied by the Rubis Merchant Guild, and asked my opinion.
"The territory matters are keeping me busy...."
"Hmm.... I see. A bit disappointing...."
The dwarves made no effort to hide their sulky expressions, childlike as ever.
'Aigoo, poor things.'
What more could I expect from folks whose life's joys were booze and hammering?
"When I come back for those items, I'll bring beer brewed with a new secret recipe. The kind so good, two could drink and one die without noticing."
"Such beer exists?"
"Of course. Just trust me!"
"Got it! We'll start work with every dwarf in the clan today. Don't worry—just come back in a fortnight!"
Not unlike the monkeys in the Jo Sam Mo Sa tale, the dwarves perked up at the promise of new beer flavors.
I could see why humans had hoodwinked them all these years.
A few humans exploited that innocence, not seeing purity as purity but as desire to manipulate.
They'd never understand.
That dwarves living simply like this were happier than those scamming them.
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"We need to secure more warhorses. Cavalry is essential for emergency territory defense."
"Keep importing them through the Rubis Guild. Price doesn't matter—get the best."
"Understood. Next, a report on seed planting. If the Korbein Guild—which has clearly turned against us—and other guilds, plus the Mage Tower, start pressuring us, supplies through Rubis will get tough. It's fine for now, but if you're not formally appointed imperial lord and the Bazran high nobles get bought off, other kingdoms will cave to the Tower and guilds too. Before that, we need food security—planting is urgent."
'That damn temper of mine.'
By plan, I could've slowly turned on the guilds and Tower next year or later, but my dislike for their arrogance blew it up.
No regrets, though.
Better to punch clean than watch their filth.
Worry about what comes tomorrow when it does.
"Wait a few days. I've got a good plan."
"Understood. Finally, a report on supplies for full-scale monster subjugation. Reports say monsters, spurred by the skyknights' activity, are stirring unusually. Especially the orcs massing in Neruman, frequently hitting forward forts and villages."
As expected.
Instinct-driven beasts would sense the threat closing in.
"Gather the knights and commanders to plan the attack in detail, but driving monsters out won't end it. We can't sweep to the Rual and Kobiran ranges, so full territory stability won't come easy. Plus, for the city you're pushing, we'll need massive stone and timber—but as you know, Neruman Plain lacks mountains or forests beyond the ranges. No matter how I think... it'll be tough for a while."
Derbal conveyed polite impossibility, gazing at me as I eyed the Neruman Plain map.
At his level, no solution.
Even the great empire had abandoned this place—Derbal, administration school grad, knew money alone couldn't fix it.
But that was just Derbal's view.
Mine differed.
"In your view, what's the biggest threat right now?"
"...Forgive me for saying so, but enemies surround us everywhere. And it's hard to rank them."
Derbal didn't say it, but I knew.
And among those foes, the biggest was me—rushing headlong without strategy.
"In a few weeks, we'll launch full monster sweeps. Starting here, to here."
I traced from Haviss Kingdom's border across the vast plain linking Rual Mountains and Denpos.
"....."
No hearty "yes, sire"—just Derbal staring gravely at the path I'd marked.
'We need forts. Build massive ones at the range-plain borders to separate them. Pave roads too. Otherwise, we're done for.'
Driving monsters out wouldn't finish it.
With their weed-like vitality, they'd target Neruman again at any gap.
A few repeats, and like the old empire, we'd raise the white flag.
"As you will, my lord!"
Derbal's fervent voice from behind.
He trusted me.
Even if I said attack the empire tomorrow, he'd follow.
No need for long words.
A man proves with actions, not talk.
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"Some worries on your mind?"
Being a lord wasn't the romantic job from novels.
Sure, if playing villain like Carric, but driving overall progress? Not easy.
Lost in thought over dinner, Armis timidly asked if I had troubles.
'Whew, just looking at her eases my heart.'
Holy power, magic, mana—things I saw and felt, yet hard to believe.
Especially this continent, pulsing with God's grace.
Saintess Armis's warm face, softly glowing with holiness, swept away all worries for any viewer.
"Haha, nothing at all. Just pondering tomorrow's breakfast menu."
"Liar...."
"Hm?"
"I can see the lie."
Armis smiled with even teeth, eyes crinkling happily.
For a moment, the dining hall seemed abloom with freesia flowers.
She rose at dawn for prayer, treated and comforted the sick all day—yet beamed radiantly before me.
Complaining of hardship before such an Armis felt ridiculous.
"Go wild. This lacking me prays for you daily...."
Two loaded words.
Go wild. Prays.
My heart warmed.
"Thanks. You've done so much, yet I shamelessly just receive."
"So much? You set me right before God. That awakening—I couldn't repay it even in death."
Armis's brown eyes moistened.
She looked ready to bawl like a fool.
"Shall we go out?"
"Really?"
I lacked the iron heart to watch a beauty's tears.
I pointed skyward with a finger signal.
Armis clasped her hands, delighted.
"Let's go, lady."
"Thank you, knight."
I rose, offered a hand for escort.
Armis curtsied lightly in reply.
Thump thump.
My heart raced.
This slightly stuffy moment.
A sky drive with a beautiful-hearted woman.
I envied no one.
Not even the emperor....
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"Whoa, you're giving me a wyvern!!"
"Didn't you train as a skyknight?"
"W-well, yes, but...."
"Who but Neruman's First Knight Captain could become a skyknight? I heard a few knights under you got formal training—set them aside. I'll procure wyverns for them soon."
"M-my... lord...."
Knight Captain Sedlian choked up, addressing me as "lord."
Not all knights were equal.
Skyknights were the true knights in this world.
I'd retrained(?) three mercenary wyverns that survived combat, plus Bebeto, into combat assets.
And bestowed one on Sedlian.
"Prepare for immediate flight."
"Yessir!"
"Tch, some get skyknights and wyverns, while I'm stuck on endless patrol flights! Lord, this is too unfair!"
Raiker, prepping morning patrol, griped and complained.
Unsure when Temir might invade, Orak Fortress skyknights in the north hadn't called southern ones.
Thus, Jenis and three others flew double duty daily.
No wonder lazy, fun-loving slacker Raiker griped.
"Sir Raiker, want a break?"
"Of course! Haven't had a proper drink in a month! Now even mounting a wyvern makes me nauseous!"
"Is that so? Then take one."
"Heh heh.... With new skyknights joining, can I rest a bit?"
Raiker's sly grin, eyes glinting wickedly with schemes.
"If you insist, rest."
"R-really?!"
"Tell Derbal and collect a thousand gold too."
"Gasp! N-no need to go that far...."
"What, that's nothing. A bit stingy for severance, but glad you're satisfied."
"Huh? S-severance?"
"Good work all this time. Heard a few First Knights trained as skyknights. Put them on your wyvern. Go rest up. No need to report starting today."
Raiker's jaw dropped as my words ended.
"Sir Berces! What are you doing! We gotta launch quick. Weren't orcs massing near Sithus Fortress yesterday?!"
Clatter clatter.
Raiker bolted to his wyvern without looking back.
"Lord! I'm off!"
He vaulted aboard, snapped a crisp salute.
"Launch now, you slow fat lump!"
Yelling at his innocent wyvern.
Flutter flutter flap flap.
Kicking up dust, Raiker and wyvern soared into the sky unit's domain.
"Pffft hahahahaha."
"Kekekeke...."
Knights and soldiers on the ground doubled over laughing.
'Always scheming with petty tricks. Heh.'
No matter Raiker's wiles, they wouldn't fool me—someone who'd survived eighteen lives.
"Ready to fly right away?"
"Yes, my lord!"
Sedlian replied vigorously.
I'd invested well—his mercenaries integrated into the knights without resistance.
Unlike other mercs, Sedlian's knew letters and etiquette.
Likely, he'd planned to make them his knight order upon reclaiming his lands.
Of course, imperial or royal elite orders matched top mercs, so a notch below.
But so what?
We weren't in a position to be picky.
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"Oho! What is this mind-blowing taste?!"
"Sweet yet bitter, with an extraordinary aroma. Truly the kind where two drink and one dies unnoticed."
'Just how many side dishes does Master have stored up?'
Any decent one popped into my head like a formula at a thought.
Among them, eleven killer beer recipes even dwarves would love.
"How go the things I requested...."
"No worries. All done yesterday. Two hundred spears, mithril alloy armor and plate mail—all repaired. And five plows completed."
True to the godlike race, the dwarves fulfilled their word.
In a mere fortnight, tasks seeming impossible—done.
"Progress on the drabilt?"
"Hmm.... That'll take time."
'Eh?'
Cassias stroked his beard, face troubled—not his usual confident self.
"A problem?"
"Our mithril ore's run out."
'No way. Even dwarves hit snags with ore?'
I'd thought even world-famous mithril was no issue for innate miners and smiths.
But his grave look said otherwise.
"No mithril mines?"
"We have one. A top-quality vein too."
"Then why...."
I asked cautiously, in a needy spot.
"Those bastards won't let us in. Since when was it their turf, blocking us dwarves! Arrogant, rude pricks!"
Cassias spat, foaming at whoever he pictured.
"Beasts the issue? Don't worry—I'll handle them."
"Not beasts! Worse—vile, vicious scum! Brainless oafs who won't even talk!"
'Who the hell? D-dragons?'
Nah.
History said dragons last appeared in human lands millennia ago.
And no dwarf but a blue-balled madman would badmouth dragons.
"The forest's blockheaded denizens—the elves' domain holds the mithril mine. Haven't crossed paths in a century thanks to other veins, but now they're dry. Such a shame.... Could've mined a thousand years easy."
'E-elves! Oho!'
Noble race from novels.
Half-elves rare on this continent—pureblood elves? Almost unheard of.
They shunned outsiders, loved nature, boasted unmatched magic and spirit affinity—no human could touch them.
"No way around it?"
"Nope.... Tried everything for centuries to get friendly, but those lanky rude sticks wouldn't even snort. Hold on a bit—we'll find a new mithril mine soon!"
"How long...."
"If we go all out with the lads, a few years tops? Rual if not, then Ritor Mountains—no need to fret."
"....."
Cassias spouted nonsense casually.
Not months—years, and if not Rual's vastness, scour another range. Utter nonchalance.
Rage boiled inside.
Most items I planned needed mithril alloy.
Ordinary arms or gear couldn't overcome our power gap—that gap led straight to ruin.
"Where's the place?"
"Where? The elf village?"
"Yes. I'll go negotiate."
"Whoa, curb that greed. You'll just get hurt. You don't know the elves have skyknights too?"
"Skyknights?"
News to me.
As outlandish as a drunk tiger mounting a bear cub.
"Magic holds with artifacts and mana, but approach their turf and ghosts appear—loosing arrows on sight."
"Arrows, not spears?"
"Spirits guide mana arrows—hundred percent hits. That's why we've wandered centuries for mithril. Thing is, mithril veins cluster uniquely. And this big one's the largest known."
Just the raw ore was a fortune.
Even a small territory developing a mithril mine rivaled a duke's power and wealth, I'd heard.
This continent's true lotto.
"Where exactly?"
"You really going?"
Words were cheap.
With foes baring teeth all around, I needed defenses now.
Especially with dwarves helping.
No mithril meaning no work? Unacceptable.
"Sigh, human stubbornness.... Not far. Three days walk, instant on wyvern. North from their village...."
Cassias explained the location, sensing my resolve.
'Should I kill Raiker like he said?'
Something more vital than mithril.
The elegant, noble elf queen from Lord of the Rings.
'Heh heh heh.'
An inexplicable chuckle rippled through my chest.
Recalling our ancestors' wisdom: the more the merrier, and red skirts are fine.