Revelation and Mission
After the gun assembly duel, the party's atmosphere had grown warm and lively. The dwarves watched Ed with awe, lamenting that someone with such terrifying skill had not been born among their own kind. "It's astonishing that a human could possess such dexterity," they murmured. From ancient times, dwarves had been blessed with innate talents for mining and craftsmanship. Their ancestors had once dug deep into the mountains to escape the beasts of the snow peaks, carving out strongholds that would not collapse. That instinct to build the sturdiest fortresses was etched into their very blood. Naturally, they revered those who could create the finest works, elevating such masters as leaders who could protect them from calamity. Their goodwill toward Ed felt entirely natural. They had already heard rumors of his skill, and the spectacle he had staged had moved their hearts. Now, seeing his craftsmanship firsthand in the gun assembly contest, they were certain the rumors were no exaggeration.
"Kahaha! Your skill is truly remarkable! You must visit my forge someday. There's much we blacksmiths can share!"
"Are you interested in scholarly debate? If so, how about joining our research society? We analyze and study the techniques of titled blacksmiths every year..."
"Hold on, listen to me first. When it comes to weapon-making, materials matter most, don't they? If you join our trading company..."
"You there! I was speaking!"
The dwarves each vied for Ed's attention, eager to forge some connection. Even though he was human, they were willing to bow their heads and extend their hands to anyone whose skill surpassed their own.
"Heh. You look troubled."
At that moment, the Dwarf King appeared and pulled Ed free from the surrounding crowd. Already overwhelmed by the sudden flood of attention, Ed gratefully thanked the king for the timely rescue.
"No need for thanks. We both have matters we've been putting off, don't we?"
The Dwarf King led Ed to the upper seats of the party, a space somewhat separated from the main hall where they could speak privately. Just then, Ed felt someone's gaze upon him. It was Elena. Her silent look was a clear instruction: it was time to bring up diplomatic matters.
"Well then, speak. You have something you want from us, don't you?"
The Dwarf King cut straight to the point, asking the purpose of this visit.
"...Yes. In truth, my acceptance of this invitation was also to convey the Empire's position. It was not solely to participate in the exhibition."
"...Is that so? Then you came as a messenger. Was this an order from the imperial family?"
"Yes. But I also have my own intentions. Even without the imperial command, I would have wished for improved relations between our two nations."
"...Hoho. So improving relations between our countries is purely your own will?"
"Yes."
The Dwarf King stared deeply into Ed's eyes, as if trying to read his every thought. After a long moment, he finally spoke.
"How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
"Eighteen... The more I learn about you, the more remarkable you become. How could someone your age..."
The Dwarf King stroked his beard thoughtfully. Then he asked again.
"Then tell me. How did you become involved in such political affairs at such a young age?"
Ed's gaze drifted to Enya. She was performing a sword dance before a massive marble block, showcasing her skill before any critical decisions were made. Perhaps this single performance could help mend relations between the two nations. Enya poured everything into her dazzling display.
After quietly watching the scene, Ed spoke.
"Before that, may I ask a question?"
A question? The Dwarf King nodded. Ed then posed an unexpected query.
"Your Majesty, have you ever received a revelation?"
Revelation. To the dwarves, a revelation was akin to divine inspiration. It was the moment the blacksmith god granted them a vision of a masterpiece they must create, even if it cost them their entire lives. The Conductor of Emotions that Dagran had forged could also be seen as the result of such a revelation. The moment he realized he loved Layna, he had instantly known what he must create. When dwarves came to understand the object they were destined to make, they called it receiving a "revelation." Fulfilling that revelation became their sacred mission, and those who completed it often received that year's title.
"No, I have never received one. After losing my brother... I wandered the world searching for answers, but no inspiration ever came."
The Dwarf King had never received a revelation. Especially after ascending the throne and setting aside his blacksmith work, it had become even less likely.
"But why do you ask?"
Ed looked at the Dwarf King with a serious expression.
"Because I have received one."
"......"
...A revelation. The Dwarf King stared at Ed in astonishment. A human had received a revelation from the blacksmith god. Had it been any other human, he would have roared in outrage at such blasphemy. But this was Edga Fix. It was plausible.
"Interesting. You received a revelation? What kind?"
The Dwarf King regarded Ed with keen interest. This young man had a talent for revealing new facets of himself the more one learned about him. Yet Ed spoke of a dream.
"...In truth, I have had terrible dreams since I was young."
"...? Dreams?"
"Yes. Dreams of the Dwarf Allied Kingdom falling to ruin."
"...!!"
The king's expression hardened instantly. The goodwill in his eyes vanished, replaced by frost and anger.
"And dreams of the Empire's destruction. In fact, dreams of this entire world meeting its end."
But as Ed continued, the anger shifted into curiosity. Dreams of the world's destruction were no ordinary nightmares. Yet they could simply be meaningless. Such ominous visions in an era of peace...
"In those dreams, there are hundreds, thousands of monsters like the Ekayan that invaded the dwarf border forty years ago. But those are merely the lowest tier. Far more powerful and horrifying creatures swarm the land. Thousands of such monsters ravage the world, driving it toward annihilation."
The details were too specific to dismiss as mere fancy. Edga Fix was only eighteen, and until he glimpsed Layna's memories, he had not even known of the Ekayan's existence. How could he have dreamed of such things since childhood?
"...So you believe these dreams are revelations from the blacksmith god? That is blasphemy!"
Even so, the claim was absurd. The blacksmith god granted inspiration for creations one must make, not terrifying nightmares. Ed nodded calmly.
"Yes. The blacksmith god would not show such ominous things. But look at this."
Ed reached into the air. A rift opened, and a hammer appeared in his hand. It was the Creator's Hammer, an Eternal-grade item that had guided him down the path of a mechanical genius.
"!!!"
The Dwarf King's eyes widened at the sight of the hammer. Even at a glance, it was clearly no ordinary tool.
"Th-that hammer..."
Examining its form more closely, it matched the hammer described in myth—the very hammer the blacksmith god had wielded when creating the world.
"You recognize it. Would you like to try holding it?"
Ed offered the hammer to the Dwarf King. The king swallowed hard and grasped the handle of the sacred, radiant hammer.
-Thud!
He could not lift it. The moment he tried, an immense weight dragged his arm and the hammer to the floor. He strained several more times, but the hammer would not budge.
"You probably cannot lift it. Only I can wield this hammer."
Ed lifted the hammer effortlessly, as if it were a feather. He continued.
"No matter how great a being you brought here, none could lift this hammer. The moment it appeared before me, I knew that wielding it was my destiny."
Of course, Ed's words were a carefully crafted lie. The true reason only he could lift the hammer was because it was a bound item. But just as he had moved all dwarves with Layna's memories, he needed the right message to persuade the Dwarf King. And Ed possessed exceptional talent for such performances.
"Look at this."
Ed produced a fragment of the Mechanic Blueprint and showed it to the Dwarf King. The king's eyes widened again.
"Wh-what is this?"
"It is my mission. You could also call it a revelation from the blacksmith god."
The Mechanic Blueprint. The Dwarf King could not understand a single thing about it. It contained future technologies that even modern humanity could not yet realize, and the instructions were filled with incomprehensible characters.
The Dwarf King pointed at the text.
"Th-this... Could it be...!?"
"Yes. It is the language of the divine realm."
It was Korean. But since it had been created by the great King Sejong, it could reasonably be called the language of the gods.
"...Ah, how beautiful. Indeed..."
A script that was perfect both aesthetically and scientifically. Just as modern linguists unanimously praised it, the Dwarf King found Hangul harmonious and beautiful.
"Your Majesty."
Ed called to the Dwarf King. The king, who had been absorbed in the Mechanic Blueprint, looked up.
Ed spoke.
"The moment I received this hammer and these blueprints, I knew instinctively. My ominous dreams will one day become reality. If not, why would such tremendous things be given to me? Do you think the skills I wield are ordinary, Your Majesty?"
As Ed spoke, he summoned a bracelet. The bracelet in the air wrapped around his wrist, forming a sleek jet-black steel gauntlet. The Dwarf King swallowed hard.
"...No. Your skill is... not ordinary. It feels like divine craftsmanship."
"...Yes. So I have thought endlessly about why such immense technology was given to me. I pondered it day and night after receiving the hammer and blueprints. After much deliberation, I reached one conclusion. It was because of the dreams I had. I must stop those dreams from coming true."
The Dwarf King's mouth slowly opened. If Ed's words were true, then he was nothing less than an agent of the blacksmith god. A chosen incarnation sent to prevent the end of the world.
Ed continued.
"Since ancient times, dwarves have received revelations granting them the technology to overcome great crises. From the techniques to build underground dwellings to escape the beasts of the snow peaks, to fortifying those dwellings, to gathering fortified settlements into cities. When burrowing monsters appeared, they received the means to drive them out. And..."
Ed trailed off and pointed toward a section of the party hall. There stood the grand statue Enya had carved through her sword dance—the Great King, Greatun Dagrian.
"And... when the underground cities faced burial, Greatun Dagrian united all the cities, rose to the surface, drove out the beasts, and established the kingdom here. The descendants who inherited that great legacy carried on the fierce will of the Ironhammer, prospering the kingdom until Your Majesty now sits upon the throne."
Ed took the Dwarf King's hand. The king's eyes burned with intensity as he looked at Ed.
"Your Majesty. You asked why I became involved in the politics of both nations. It is because I cannot ignore the coming crisis. I have received a revelation, and I feel the mission to stop it. A crisis has once again come to the Dwarf Allied Kingdom. To overcome this crisis, humans and dwarves must join hands."
The Dwarf King nodded. From the moment he had invited Ed here, to the moment Ed restored his brother's and sister-in-law's honor and received the title of "Salvation," everything felt fated. This man was the messiah chosen by the blacksmith god.
"My thinking... was too narrow. You were looking at something far greater."
His purpose was the salvation of the world. Then he must follow that will wholeheartedly. The Dwarf King clenched his fist.
"Very well. It will take time, but I will work toward normalizing diplomatic relations between our two nations."
Thus, the Dwarf King accepted Ed's proposal. Having succeeded in his mission, Ed smiled faintly and added,
"Thank you. However, you will need a suitable justification to normalize relations. So..."
Ed mentioned the dwindling supply of Emerald Mana Stone. He asked if helping the Empire resolve that issue would serve as an appropriate pretext.
"You truly... have a remarkable talent for handling dwarves. To have prepared even that. Yes, of course it would be sufficient justification. The Emerald Mana Stone is our most precious resource."
The Dwarf King nodded readily. No matter how much ill will the dwarves held toward the Empire, resolving the Emerald Mana Stone problem would change everything. Moreover, the incident forty years ago had not been a deliberate act of malice by the Empire, but an accidental occurrence during territorial expansion. Of course, they should have been more cautious knowing the sparks might reach the dwarves, but the Empire had done its best in its own way. What had truly offended the dwarves was the Empire's "attitude" of trying to resolve everything with money without punishing those who deserved it, because they did not know the full story involving Dagran and Layna. But now that Ed had revealed the truth and the princess had apologized, the matter had been largely settled.
"Then, could you arrange a meeting tomorrow morning? I would like to discuss with the relevant parties how to resolve the depletion of the Emerald Mana Stone."
"Of course. If it is your request, there is nothing I cannot do."
Strong goodwill shone in the Dwarf King's eyes, along with respect. There was no reason not to revere the savior of the world who had received the blacksmith god's revelation. He only maintained a formal demeanor due to his position and responsibilities.
"Thank you. Then I will see you tomorrow."
Ed rose to his feet. Having completed the most important mission, it was time for the next one.
Charlotte.
The next mission was to use Charlotte's abilities to find a way to preserve the Emerald Mana Stone. To create cutting-edge equipment in the future, the Emerald Mana Stone would be absolutely necessary, so he had to succeed.
But she seems to have been depressed lately...
Still, Charlotte's recent behavior had been strange. Though she had always struggled to speak to him, she had always stayed nearby. Lately, however, the days she spent gazing sadly out the window had increased. Had something changed in her heart? She had not even appeared at the party. Ed headed straight for Charlotte's quarters.