Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Dwarves: Fortune? Or Disaster? (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Beer chugging contest! Any more participants?"
At that moment, a voice pierced the dwarf's ears.
They were holding a small contest at a festival stall, targeting tourists.
"First place gets five free side dishes!"
"I'm in, human!"
"Whoa! A dwarf!"
Whether his eyes rolled back at the promise of free sides or his reason went numb from the massive one-liter specialty beer mug, the dwarf barreled through the crowd on his short legs anyway.
'Isn't he having a bit too much fun?'
Dominic watched the dwarf one-shot the mug in an instant, shout "I won!", and strut around triumphantly, a complicated mix of emotions churning inside him.
"Do they set up stalls like this every day in the village?"
"No way. It's the eve of the festival today, so that's why. Though there are usually quite a few pop-up stalls catering to resort guests even on normal days."
"Uahaha! I like the sound of that!"
Stonehammer, thrilled by the bustling vibe, clutched spicy-sauced chicken skewers, honey-filled fried bread, sausages, and beer as he reveled in the festivities.
Dominic and Ian, ever vigilant against any mishaps from him until the eve wrapped up, were bound to wear themselves out eventually.
But contrary to their tension, the inaugural Birth Festival concluded amid rave reviews.
Not just the eve—the main daytime event the next day saw priests of the goddess of life and birth publicly bless the resort's first baby, the son of Baroness Owen.
The goddess's power descends... Gasp!
One priest, mid-blessing ritual, shuddered as if struck by lightning.
"A child beloved by mana has been born into the world! This child's future brims with glory, radiant beyond words, my servants! Remember this blessed moment! My hand shall guide the path this child treads—oh, what joyous tidings!"
⟨ Descent ⟩
A divine voice, utterly unlike any mortal's, poured from the priest's mouth.
It was a descent.
Baron Owen and his wife, overwhelmed by joy and emotion, could no longer hold back their tears.
The festival-goers, witnessing the goddess's voice firsthand, busied themselves with fervent prayers.
Dominic could barely contain his elation.
'Jackpot!'
The amulets inscribed with priests' blessings, prepared as festival souvenirs, were sure to sell out on the spot.
And that was just the start.
Countless nobles—resort guests and auction attendees alike—had witnessed the goddess's actual descent. For Evergreen's annual Birth Festival, it was the ultimate publicity.
Time flew by busily, and soon the festival's final day dawned: the auction of the giant centipede monster Centinellacid's exoskeleton.
"Please take any seat you like once you're inside the auction hall."
"Hold on, sir! You must wear this robe and mask before entering!"
They'd cleared out the resort's largest dining hall and hastily set up an auction space, but with fresh flower decorations, it exuded a luxurious vibe.
"Do I have to wear the robe? And the mask too? I went to all the trouble of getting dolled up..."
A noblewoman grumbled at the requirement to conceal her face and outfit before entry.
"Apologies, ma'am. With all the buzz around this auction, it's to protect bidders from risks or theft. We appreciate your understanding."
"Hmm. Fair enough, I suppose. Impressive setup. I heard the Village Chief's masterminding this—are they from some fallen noble house?"
"I'm just staff here, ma'am. Oh, and after the auction, there's a masked ball on the beach out front. Keep that in mind."
"Oh my!"
"If you'd prefer something more unique than the standard auction masks, the side room has options."
The well-trained staffer's words sent the noblewoman darting into the adjacent room displaying masks.
She wasn't alone.
Drawn by the pitch, guests ignored the complimentary black butterfly masks, blushing as they picked out flashy, ornate ones instead.
'A masked ball on the nighttime beach! So romantic!'
Of course, the separately prepared floral silk masks weren't free.
"The masks are flying off the shelves! Some folks who heard about it are skipping the auction but buying masks just for the ball!"
Dominic's mouth stretched into a massive grin at Raki's report.
His spirit, battered by the dwarf's bombshell, was steadily mending thanks to the festival's triumph and the mask windfall.
"Make sure you log which ones sold. We need to share profits with the makers."
"Of course. Becky's masks sold out already—gone in a flash, and they were pricey too."
"Her craftsmanship is top-notch. Deserved. But since when is it 'Miss Becky'? You two dating or what?"
"Huh? N-no, it's not like that..."
"Tch. Must be nice, less hassle."
Dominic teased the beet-red Raki a bit more before turning away with a wry smile.
She's barely out of diapers, and already romance? he grumbled inwardly.
"Village Chief!"
"Ah, Mr. Stonehammer."
"I wanna join the auction too!"
"Of course, as much as you like. But didn't you say you had no money?"
"Yeah. No money."
Stonehammer had apparently handed his entire fortune to his new apprentices when leaving the capital.
So they'd settled on the Old Lord covering forge and house construction costs.
'No money, yet so brazen?'
Dominic wondered if the Old Lord would foot the bill again, but the old man was nowhere in sight.
"Will the Old Lord pay if you win a bid?"
"Huh? No? Even for a friend, that's pushing it. I'm a dwarf who knows shame!"
"Then...?"
Dominic was dumbfounded.
"You're not asking me, are you? No dice. I'm selling this stuff."
"Puhaha. Village Chief, dwarves don't obsess over money like humans. Know why?"
"No clue."
"We dwarves are the money!"
"...Pardon?"
"Sell five of my custom forging slots before the exoskeleton auction starts. Promise delivery within three months of the forge finishing, with extra care. Advance deposits on five slots should cover a few broken pieces, right? If short, take a few more orders."
Dominic's eyes widened.
"Uahaha! Impressive, huh? I'm one heck of a dwarf. Walking gold mine! So, what's the house cut here? I'm an important client—give me a discount."
He could be penniless and still strut because he could always forge more wealth.
'Dwarves really are the best!'
Envy for the race sprouted wildly in Dominic's heart.
The auction curtain rose behind him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting!"
The auctioneer was a pro specially hired from a big-city house.
'Saw it in court once, but the auctioneer's role makes a huge difference.'
Trash wouldn't fetch top dollar, but skill in hype and bidding wars could swing prices by twenty percent, he'd heard.
Dominic didn't skimp when spending made sense.
"I'm thrilled to present this extraordinary item to you today. Behold! The demonic exoskeleton of the awe-inspiring giant centipede monster, Centinellacid!"
"Woooaaah!"
With the intro, the red cloths draping a dozen tables onstage were whisked away in unison.
Atop them gleamed black, lustrous segments, artfully arranged under the lights.
"According to the knights who fought it, this sleek black beauty shrugged off mana-infused attacks with godlike defense! The merciless behemoth's armor will now shield you in battle!"
Blood began to boil among the bidders.
"And that's not all! Our appraisal from the capital's Mage Tower revealed another shocker: extreme heat resistance! Evolved for survival in the scorching underground. Bidding starts with the leftmost piece! Raise your paddles! Bidder 3 takes the lead!"
"Not going to the masked ball?"
"Want to? Go ahead if you like. I'll be stuck here."
Dominic waved her off lazily.
"It's a resort event, so I asked. Plenty of nobles and rich merchants—thought you'd be interested in networking."
"Ah, connections?"
"Exactly."
"It's a masked ball. Everyone's busy sparking romances right now. No good for schmoozing."
"Hm."
"Check this out instead."
Dominic pored over a ledger, grinning so hard his mouth cracked and scabbed.
Today's auction proceeds.
"...This is..."
Ian gaped at the staggering total, speechless.
"Insane, right? Heh heh, I'm loaded now! But you've suffered alongside me, so let me treat you: dwarf-forged sword and plate, top to bottom."
"No need."
"Aw, just take it graciously this time. You saved my life. Could've been spider chow that day. Feels awkward thanking you late—please accept."
The near-miss with a thirty-centi meat-eater ripping into his calf still haunted Dominic, making him check under the bed nightly.
"...Thanks. But the sword's fine."
"How about a greatsword while we're at it? Don't know much about swordplay, but from what Kallon and the guys say, rapiers have limits."
"It's from my parents. I appreciate the thought, but no changes. Any gaps, I'll fill with effort."
That was when Dominic realized Ian had never opened up about himself before.
Despite all their time together, he knew so little.
'Well, he'll share when the time's right.'
Dominic had bigger priorities than Ian's past right now.
"Time to tackle what I've been putting off."
"Putting off?"
"Yeah."
With steely resolve, Dominic declared,
"Now I really have to make jajangmyeon. I can't hold out anymore!"
"...You're talking about food?"
"Yes."
Silence stretched.
"......"
"......"
"What? Why the face."
Dominic bristled defensively, but Ian just shook his head.