Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: A Blacksmith's Dream
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3
"Is this the thing you were looking for?"
I held up a massive ore in both hands.
The ore, larger than a basketball, gleamed pitch-black, as if a chunk had been carved right out of the night itself.
"Black tungsten...!"
Memphis took the ore in one hand.
He lifted it without a hint of strain, even though it made my arms tingle just holding it with both...
So, does having muscles really solve most problems?
"How did you find black tungsten so quickly...."
"Ah, well... I got lucky."
Black tungsten was a somewhat rare ore.
If you didn't know where to look, you'd never find it.
But I was a 3,000-hour veteran of Broken World.
Heck, I'd been playing so long I was practically rotting, so I had most resource locations memorized.
Excluding the ones that were outright impossible to obtain... it was just a matter of time or money.
In this case, there happened to be some nearby, so I just picked it up and brought it over.
Truth be told, carrying it back was harder than finding it....
"Will this solve the problem?"
"Yes...! With this black tungsten, I can forge a hammer suited to me...!"
Memphis's eyes sparkled as he caressed the ore.
Given his massive build, the ore—bigger than a basketball—looked like a toy.
His wide, eager eyes only added to the puppy-getting-a-new-toy vibe.
Anyway, the issue Memphis was dealing with turned out simpler than I'd worried.
Of all things... he just didn't have a hammer strong enough to handle his own power.
Seeing how thrilled he was, it clearly wasn't a trivial matter.
No matter how skilled Memphis was, without tools to match, he couldn't fully utilize his abilities.
The saying that true craftsmen don't care about their tools is nonsense from people who know nothing.
The better the craftsman, the pickier they are about their tools.
Without equipment that can fully channel their skill, even the greatest artisan can't perform at their peak.
"I'm glad it's enough. Though you're probably the only one who could turn black tungsten into a hammer."
"It's an ore with hardness rivaling diamond. Normally... it's used for generals' armor or swords that can't afford to break."
Hardness aside, the real reason was the price.
It cost about the same as diamond of equivalent weight.
Yeah, just selling the chunk Memphis was holding would keep someone fed for years.
Relationships are always give and take. For me, securing Memphis's loyalty was payment enough.
I wasn't hurting for cash right now anyway.
"How can I ever repay this kindness...."
Look at that.
Memphis beamed at me with those sparkling eyes.
It was a pure smile that somehow suited his bulk... or maybe didn't. Either way, it was an innocent grin that contrasted perfectly with his muscular frame.
Hmm, what to do.
First off, I'd bought Memphis's loyalty.
Mission accomplished, as far as my original goal went.
But should I part ways with him here?
Holding onto this rare connection a bit longer might be the smarter play.
I pinched my chin between thumb and forefinger.
I quickly gathered and sorted the whirlwind of thoughts in my head.
The conclusion came fast.
"If you're grateful, then come with me."
"Y-Yes? What do you...."
Startled, Memphis's eyes went wide.
They'd gone from sparkling to laughing to shocked in record time. Busy eyes.
"It's simple, Memphis. Join me. If you do... I'll make your dream come true."
"Do you know what my dream is?"
His voice dropped low as he muttered gravely.
The gentle, docile air from moments ago was gone.
Only the quiet battle-lust of a warrior on the eve of combat hung in the air.
He really looked more like a soldier than a smith.
"Whatever your dream is, I'll make it happen. Be it riches beyond measure, fame no one can touch, or crafting a masterpiece for the history books... anything at all."
I tossed out a blank check like bait.
Memphis's gaze trembled faintly for an instant.
He'd bitten, hook, line, and sinker.
I knew exactly what Memphis dreamed of.
A masterpiece to etch into history... more precisely, completing a work that surpassed even divine artifacts.
The ambition to surpass the gods' domain with human skill might seem arrogant, but for Memphis—no one else—it was achievable.
Specifically, after he met Leon.
All I had to do was take him along and stick him by Leon's side.
Memphis and Leon would synergize perfectly through mutual support, and I'd just skim some high-quality pieces from Memphis in the process.
Talk about a perfect virtuous cycle.
"......"
Memphis stared straight through me for a long while.
I didn't dodge his deep brown gaze.
Finally, he broke eye contact first and crossed his arms.
"...Since I owe you, it'd be easier to repay you if I stick around."
"Not that I mind saying it, but you have no doubts about me?"
"Your eyes hold not a shred of deceit. A craftsman without an eye for truth couldn't be one."
Self-assured, huh.
Good news for me—I could save his life once, after all.
"Please take care of me from now on. ...Your name?"
"Now that you mention it, we skipped introductions. Theo Agrit. Call me whatever's comfortable."
"I'm Memphis. Sir Theo."
I'd said call me casually.
Well, honorifics might suit him better.
"Once more, looking forward to working with you."
Memphis bowed his massive frame low.
I pulled him upright with a polite nod.
No need for one-sided thanks.
I wasn't volunteering out of the goodness of my heart.
Just grow strong alongside Leon and protect the world or whatever.
For the sake of my peaceful life....
4
"We've entered Riverflow."
I glanced out the window at the coachman's voice.
It had been a full three days since I'd picked up Memphis by chance in Sterrap.
I'd rushed here to the Hilfenberg Duchy right after getting my new outfit tailored.
The Hilfenberg Duchy bordered Esset to the east.
In another day and a half, I'd finally shake Dariund.
He'd bailed way too easily, like a deflated balloon.
I'd expected it... probably tagging along just to observe me.
No clue what conclusions he drew, but now I could finally breathe.
Still just the outskirts of Riverflow, so there wasn't much to see out the window.
I rested my chin on my hand and stared blankly at the passing scenery.
The Hilfenberg Duchy was the kingdom's second-wealthiest territory after the capital Esset.
To the south lay Pampreli, the kingdom's premier breadbasket; to the east, the Miheart Mines, which supplied thirty percent of the realm's minerals.
As a result, the duchy's living standards rivaled Esset's.
It didn't openly defy the crown, but its influence was comparable.
The current head, Lucius Hilfenberg, showed little interest in politics or power despite his noble pedigree, allowing harmony with the throne.
That said, the family's private forces were on another level for a single house.
Consensus held that if the Hilfenbergs ever rebelled and assaulted Esset in force, the royals would suffer heavy losses.
And Lucius himself was one of the kingdom's top powerhouses.
Not just in personal might, but charisma too.
Even without ambition, the authority of a duke overflowed.
Thus, the crown had long tried curbing the family's strength... but the Hilfenbergs, unambitious as they were, never let go of what they already held.
Every attempt had failed ages ago.
Now, it was practically a non-aggression pact.
"Oh."
Soon, the carriage rolled into the city center.
The bustling crowds mirrored Esset.
I savored the sight of a well-maintained fantasy city through the window.
Of course, looking wasn't enough, so I hit the streets the moment we reached the inn.
"There are... so many people."
For some reason, Memphis—who'd tagged along—darted his eyes around with bunny-wide surprise.
He looked just like a dog on its first walk.
A bear-sized dog, mind you....
"First time in the duchy?"
"Yeah, first time in any city, actually. My hometown was rural... and Sterrap's no metropolis either."
He was visibly excited, anyone could see it.
Even I, used to it through my monitor, felt my heart race—what must it be like for Memphis, seeing a city for the first time?
"The banquet's tomorrow, so you've got time until we leave. Take it slow."
"Then, mind if I wander alone for a bit?"
"Of course. Just be back before we depart. I've booked your room too, so relax."
"Thank you, Sir Theo!"
Memphis jingled a small coin pouch and vanished into the crowd.
His imposing stature made him stand out even among the throng.
"Shall we sightsee too?"
Choco, perched on my shoulder, nodded.
Riverflow itself resembled Esset.
Sophisticated and glamorous, but that was it.
No exotic flavors you'd expect from a travel spot.
Still, touring the beautifully adorned city was satisfying enough.
I wandered for a while.
Browsing shops, strolling residential streets—then something sharp pressed against my back.
"Don't look back. Keep walking forward quietly."
A low whisper in my ear.
I'd felt eyes watching me nonstop... this guy, huh.
It was a neighborhood street, but plenty of onlookers around.
No point resisting, so I obediently followed into a deserted alley.
Deeper in, several men waited.
A burly bald one stepped forward with a gravelly growl.
"Nice clothes—rich kid, eh? Don't want that pretty face scarred, hand over everything you've got."
"...So you're telling me to hand over my money right now?"
"You catch on quick. Yeah, everything of value. Now!"
"......Hah."
I thought they were scouts again.
-Those fools wouldn't be this sloppy. You're the fool here.
Fair point—scouts don't leave traces like this.
They screw up sometimes... but not this blatantly stupid.
"Wasted my time."
"Hey, what's with the muttering? You blind to your situation or what...."
"Situation? Crystal clear. You're back-alley thugs."
"We're not back-alley thugs—we're Riverflow gangsters!"
The man pressing the knife to my back snarled.
Sounded like a screeching chicken... was that meant to intimidate?
"Same difference...."
"Boss, no good. He's laughing."
"Tch, boys, teach this naive brat about the real world."
At the bald guy's word, the men snickered and drew their blades.
Ah, the classic types who advertise they're thugs.
In Broken World, they were dime-a-dozen trash mobs—not worth memorizing.
"You're annoying me."
Pain's worse than hassle.
I spread mana to warp the space.
I grabbed the thug behind me by the back.
"What the—!"
In their panic, I swung my sheathed demon sword.
Precise strikes to necks, jaws, and solar plexuses dropped them one by one.
Reminds me of the Corbus family brawl.
This was worlds easier, though....
-Of course. You've trained under this body!
"Fair enough."
I'd honed my body to wield Deathwise.
Mastering dimensional magic on top, and Deathwise had absorbed massive energy from the Void Dagger.
Add runes, and I could solo most early-game story events.
Not that I'd bother, too annoying.
Besides, my altered state from the ritual defied normal comparisons.
No confidence I'd beat a demon straight-up.
"Demons, huh...."
I'd thought they were wiped out, so they'd been off my radar.
But now that they'd shown up in this dimension, time to investigate.
No idea how, though....
I prodded the thugs with the sword sheath.
No reaction—they were out cold.
Guess I'll hand these to the guards first.