Chapter 59
Chapter 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Magnum Opus
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Alright, then. Everyone, come forward one by one."
A brief misunderstanding aside. Michellan had dragged a chair from somewhere and climbed atop it.
Standing in the middle of the room, matching our eye level.
As if he'd entered his true domain, even his passing glances carried a sharp weight.
"...So. What does this have to do with the item you were going to give us?"
Apparently displeased by his actions. Arien was straddling the chair crookedly, glaring at Michellan.
'Why... does he have so many suspicions?'
Of course, having many suspicions could also mean he had an ironclad personality...
"And why keep saying 'come here, go there'? Are you giving orders? You could just move yourself instead of wasting time on that."
"No, you humans have those long, lanky legs..."
"What does short legs have to do with rank? If your legs are short, you should think about moving faster yourself. Why make others suffer?"
"..."
...Or maybe he just has a foul temper?
Even after making such a blatantly species-discriminatory remark.
Arien wore his usual sullen expression, as if he'd stated the obvious.
And Michellan stood there with his mouth agape in shock.
Yet, realizing he was at the disadvantage, he awkwardly climbed down from the chair on those short legs of his.
Sometimes, I really wonder if he's the Hero...
Anyway, after climbing down, Michellan opened his mouth with a dejected expression.
"First off, the biggest problem is that none of the items I currently have are worthy to give to you all."
"...Weren't you supposed to be the greatest craftsman?"
"It's all your fault! Anyone can see you four are the kind who could etch your names in history books. How could I just hand over any old thing to you?"
Michellan shook his head, insisting the question itself was wrong.
"No matter how little I care for fame. I must at least present my benefactors with my finest works, right?"
As he said that and looked up at us, Michellan's eyes gleamed with confidence, competitive spirit, and a craftsman's zeal bordering on madness.
'That's why it's called a magnum opus.'
Michellan's magnum opus.
The pinnacle of his craft, forged directly from newfound enlightenment.
When the greatest dwarf pours his soul into transcending his limits.
The result is priceless, truly deserving the title of magnum opus.
'No idea what equipment he'll give, though...'
To begin with, a magnum opus isn't something pre-made.
Michellan analyzes the recipient's traits, skills, combat style, stats, and even minor habits.
And crafts the most optimal equipment from all that.
"Hmm, first up, Lea. Let's start with you."
After staring at us intently for a while, Michellan's gaze settled on Lea.
Well, if I were him, I'd prioritize Lea too...
Arien kept poking at him with his prickly personality, and Estelle offered nothing but cold stares.
Lea was the only one who'd treated him kindly with her bright nature.
In a way, it was a safe and obvious choice.
"Ah! Ehehe, great! Just stay there, I'll be right over!"
And with her sunny smile and polite demeanor.
"Heh heh, if only all humans were like Lea..."
Michellan watched her with a fond, fatherly smile.
'I wonder what masterpiece Lea will get.'
In the game, Lea received a massive shield carved from an ancient dragon's bone...
But since we've diverged so far from the original story, I couldn't guess what she'd receive.
To start with, she probably didn't need a shield anymore.
Handing a masterpiece to the early-game weak Lea was standard.
But for Lea, now firmly on her growth path, a mere sturdy shield held little value.
"Now, hold out your hand."
As Lea approached Michellan.
He'd already climbed back onto the chair, extending a pot-lid-sized hand toward her.
A hand devoid of any emotion, simply waiting motionlessly.
Lea tilted her head curiously, then cautiously extended her slender hand.
Clasp.
His massive hand enveloped hers.
Gripping it, Michellan closed his eyes, focusing on her breathing, pulse, mana flow, and such.
"A shield suits you... Your personality is so upright and steadfast. It's like you were born to protect others."
"Mmm..."
"And these muscles—tough and sturdy. You're strong as an ox. Your body... it's perfection itself."
The hand is a mirror reflecting one's efforts and hardships.
To Michellan, seasoned by years of experience, holding a hand was akin to glimpsing that person's life.
"However, for some reason, your hand trembles without cease. As if you're afraid of failing to protect someone."
"..."
"But that's fine. Fear isn't overcome—it's accepted. And since you possess a heart that surpasses even that, it seems you've found someone precious. Right?"
Still with eyes closed, Michellan murmured softly.
Each word pierced straight to the core with razor-sharp insight.
Lea, who had been listening dazedly, suddenly widened her eyes in surprise.
As if to say, 'How did you know...?'
She fidgeted with her mouth, hesitated, then carefully answered.
"...Yes, that's right."
"Good, finding someone precious is a wonderful thing. Love is the greatest emotion, after all."
"Hee hee..."
"...But, Lea, yours goes a bit overboard. It feels like it's surpassed love and veered into obsession and possessiveness..."
"?"
Sounds pretty scary...
Anyway, Lea's expression as she listened to Michellan wasn't bad at all.
After a long while, Michellan finished and gently released her hand.
His eyes remained firmly shut as he pondered.
"Yes, not a shield... An artifact would be better."
As if countless inspirations had flashed by. Michellan furrowed his brow repeatedly.
Then, as if finding the answer, he lifted his eyelids and parted his sealed lips.
"An artifact to ensure your precious resolve never breaks. That would surely help you, Lea."
Michellan spoke calmly, as if the decision was already made.
'Definitely better than a shield.'
Lea showed weakness more in the mental realm than the physical.
So a spirit-type artifact was far superior to even the finest shield.
'No... it might be the perfect choice.'
Thinking of [Unyielding Mense], which grants unyielding strength as long as one's will doesn't break.
A masterpiece that bolsters mental fortitude could truly be the best.
"I was thinking of centering it on aquamarine, symbol of courage, for the engraving. But now I see there's no need."
"...Pardon?"
"I don't know where you got it, but... the bracelet you're wearing, Lea. The gem shining in its center is aquamarine. And not just any—it's a supreme gem infused with vast mana over thousands of years."
With that, Michellan lifted Lea's wrist and carefully infused mana into the bracelet.
Shaaa...
The central gem shone even more brilliantly, revealing its true worth.
"How's that? Feel your mind clearing?"
"Eh? Whoa? It feels incredibly refreshing..."
"Whoever gave you this bracelet must cherish you deeply. A mana stone like this could buy a whole territory."
Mana stones are stones that accumulate mana over long periods in mana-rich areas.
Among them, gems with unique properties fetch prices tens to thousands of times higher...
"Hee, hee hee... So that's what it was, Rowen?"
"..."
I just thought it was a pretty bracelet... Never imagined it had such a secret...
Of course, an artifact's performance hinges on the core mana stone's quality.
Far from regretting the gem, it meant Lea would get an even better masterpiece...
"Ehehe, no helping it. Since I got such an undeserved gift... I'll have to repay it somehow. You can look forward to it."
"..."
Lea twitched her lips, trying to suppress a grin with her prickly expression.
At some point, it twisted into a strangely alluring smile, her face oddly flushed with excitement.
S-scary...
"However, as it is, it's hardly an artifact. It has ornate patterns, but no effects."
"Mmm... But you can't ruin the bracelet. An artifact would be nice, but... this bracelet is too precious a gift to me."
"Haha! Who do you think I am? I'll keep the bracelet intact, so don't worry."
No matter how friendly the dwarf before her seemed.
For one reaching toward legend beyond the pinnacle, precision was the bare minimum.
Swish, swish.
On the broadly unfurled drawing paper, thin and thick lines sprawled boldly.
Through refining, maximizing the ring's durability to the limit.
Through engraving, capturing both patterns and inscriptions perfectly.
Despite being sketched in an instant, every inscription focused on maximizing the aquamarine's effects.
"...Unbelievable. This design I scribbled in such a short time... It's more beautiful than anything I've ever made."
They say enlightenment comes in a flash.
The blacksmith who spent a lifetime in pursuit of imitation.
"Uahaha! It's all thanks to you all! I can faintly see the path that eluded me before!"
He laughed like an innocent child.
So thrilled by the fact, he bounced around excitedly.
That pure joy, uncrushed by the weight of being a craftsman, proved why he was the greatest.
"Hee hee, this is all thanks to Rowen."
"...Huh?"
Lea sidled up to me before I knew it.
Grab.
She snatched my idly fidgeting hand.
"Thanks to the gift from Rowen, he gained new enlightenment, right?"
"I... guess so?"
"And that's not all. Arien, Estelle—they've all changed for the better because of Rowen."
Squeeze...
Finishing her words, Lea yanked my hand hard.
Without resisting, I was pulled straight into her embrace.
"And me too... Thanks to Rowen, I found a new path."
"..."
"Plus, you keep wagging your tail and giving me such precious gifts. How am I supposed to hold back...?"
Her golden eyes sparkled warmly, half-lidded as they gazed at me.
Her face flushed red, beaming widely.
"I want to do whatever I please too... but I'm holding back. Got it?"
As strange glances flew between Lea and me, shifting the room's atmosphere.
"...Nngh, it's my turn..."
Estelle, looking somehow aggrieved, grabbed my other hand.
"Ahaha, got it. It's only fair to give Estelle a chance too."
"..."
Slip.
Lea released my hand and gently pushed me toward Estelle.
Then flashed a grin and spoke to her.
"Oh, right. Estelle, how about turning a gift from Rowen into an artifact too?"
"...Ngh."
"Ahaha, sorry. Estelle hasn't gotten a gift from Rowen yet, has she?"
Even though she said it smiling...
"..."
"..."
For some reason, the air in the room froze cold.
"Playboy bastard... Serves you right."
Somehow sensing I'd be stuck watching scenes like this from now on.
Wedged between Lea and Estelle, I could only shrink back nervously.