Episode 43
Episode 43
The Dwarf Merchant Group departed simultaneously with Aron's return.
Perhaps because it was a merchant group managed by the ducal household, knights were in charge of escort duties. And since they were the famous Northern Knights, they certainly looked formidable.
This time, the treatment was VIP-level, so I could ride in a carriage instead of a cargo compartment.
"I thought I'd be stuck in the cargo compartment again this time too."
If one of the knights hadn't come and told me, I might have remained in the cargo compartment.
"No matter what, they wouldn't send someone of our stature in a cargo compartment. This is the famous Frost Ducal Household, after all. Doesn't that mean the treatment is guaranteed?"
"...Really? I guess so."
The thought wouldn't leave me that both the immediate departure of the merchant group and the carriage were all arranged by Aron.
After briefly glancing at Aron, my gaze returned to the window.
"By the way, have you ever met a Dwarf? I thought you might have a Dwarf warrior in your harem too."
"Ah, the Dwarf was male. I couldn't exactly bring a male into my harem. This time... you might get to see one when we go to Petra?"
"Petra? Ah, the Dwarf nation... But how is that Dwarf outside the forest? Weren't they all supposed to be cursed?"
"He's a Dwarf."
"Ah..."
Just as beastkin have physical abilities and elves have spirits, Dwarves also have something exceptional.
That is their tremendous resistance.
It's a given that physical damage and magical attacks don't work well on them. They also resist others' opinions, making them quite stubborn.
I just didn't know that applied to curses too.
"Then I guess I'll meet one this time."
"It's been a while since I last saw one. Since it's my first time meeting in Petra, I'll ask for a tour while I'm at it."
"But why didn't you go to Petra when you went to the Red Canyon? Going to Petra would be much easier than meeting the Dragonkin."
"I was a bit busy back then. I only met Todin by chance and got lucky enough to go to the Dragonkin."
"So that actually works by chance. Amazing."
Meeting Dragonkin is originally quite difficult.
You need either incredible luck, possess something that would interest them, or pose a threat to the dragons. But to manage it with just luck...
In the game, you usually bring a rare artifact to meet one dragon. With that dragon's help, you head to the dragons' nest, and that's success.
"I didn't think that kind of luck would strike twice. That's why I came with you."
"It's not like I know everything either."
I'm planning to ask the Dwarves.
Since it's not a guaranteed method, I'm currently relying on the Yeouiju that Aron brought.
If the Yeouiju I know is correct, it should be an incredibly important item to the dragons.
"It's fine. Then we can just find a new method when we get there. When you travel, a method always appears eventually if you keep moving. So let's just head to Petra first."
"Right. By the way... what's that in your hand? You brought something strange."
At my question, Aron briefly looked at the box he was holding.
By Aron's large hand standards, it was about the size of four palms put together.
"This? It's something I left at the ducal household long ago. The Duke told me to take it with me now."
"Must not be important then. If you left it behind like that."
"Curious what it is?"
"...A little."
Though my face was turned toward the window as if uninterested, my eyes kept glancing toward the box.
Noticing my gaze, Aron immediately opened the box.
The small box opened to reveal a small ring.
"A ring."
I was slightly disappointed by how ordinary it seemed.
As if reading my emotions, Aron handed me the ring.
"Try wearing it. It should be very helpful to you."
I looked at Aron's hand for a moment.
The small ring on his large hand. The thought that it resembled a proposal briefly crossed my mind, but I quickly shook my head side to side.
I'm a man anyway.
Let's not have strange thoughts.
"I'll just try it on."
I carefully took the ring from Aron's hand.
The moment our skin touched, my body tingled briefly, but I quickly withdrew my hand and looked at the ring.
It was a ring I'd never seen in the game.
It didn't look like it had any special abilities either.
Even after thinking for a while, no items came to mind.
'Aron wouldn't give me something that would harm me.'
Thinking that, I naturally slipped it onto the ring finger of my left hand.
The ring fit my finger perfectly as if custom-made, settling into place naturally.
"What special ability does it have?"
When nothing happened, I looked at Aron as if asking for an explanation.
Aron pointed to the ring and said:
"With that, you can call me whenever you want. You can also use a bit of my power when needed. I originally made it to give to my marriage partner... but I'll give it to you."
After looking at the ring for a moment, I asked Aron:
"Why? There are many people you should give it to besides me."
"Well... you're the only person I need to protect now. The other three don't need my protection, and anyone else isn't my concern."
When I looked at him with incomprehension, Aron continued:
"So... unless something special happens, I'll only have eyes for you from now on. If you don't believe me, use the ring to call me anytime. Is that acceptable?"
At Aron's words, I stared at him blankly.
What should I say in response?
Should I say I like it?
What exactly is there to like?
I was just planning to get by like this and eventually return to Earth.
Despite thinking that, a smile formed on my lips. My sunken mood slowly rose to the surface and began to feel buoyant.
"I'll give you a chance for now. But you have to behave well from now on. If I see you with another woman, I won't forgive you."
Separate from liking or disliking him, I could grant forgiveness.
We have many days ahead where we need to travel together, and I don't want things to be awkward either. So I had no choice but to forgive him.
"By the way, how do I use this? Does it not work because I don't use aura?"
Basically, people's bodies contain mana. That's why even ordinary people can activate magic stones normally by touching them.
Artifacts often have conditions, so you need to figure them out to use them.
Aron shook his head side to side.
"Just wear the ring and sincerely wish for it."
"Just... 'I wish you were by my side'?"
"Anything. Just make a wish to the ring."
At Aron's words, I closed my eyes for a moment and made a wish to the ring.
Make it so I'm held in Aron's arms in the position I want most right now.
"...Did it work?"
When I slowly opened my eyes, Aron was in front of me.
But the position was a bit strange.
"...Huh? Wha...?!"
Aron was lying on the carriage floor, and I was straddling his waist.
It was the so-called cowgirl position.
This is the position I wanted most?
The cowgirl position?
Me?
Instantly, my face felt burning hot as if on fire.
Flustered, I pushed against Aron's chest and got up.
"I-I said I wanted to lie down comfortably! Wh-why is it this position?! It must be because the carriage is small, right?!"
My panicked state was obvious.
At the sight of Mia hastily making excuses and avoiding eye contact, Aron nodded.
"Artifacts tend to be like that. Since they can't completely read people's thoughts, they grant wishes approximately. So don't worry too much."
"Okay... then I'll try again."
Aron nodded and sat on the carriage floor, watching me.
In that state, I closed my eyes and made a wish to the ring.
Make it a position where I can smell Aron's scent well.
"This time it worked well."
At Aron's words, I opened my eyes to find myself in my usual scent-smelling position, held in his arms.
A position facing each other, sitting on Aron's lap.
My face was buried in his chest.
"You're right. This time it worked well."
Looking at Mia hugging him tightly, Aron thought:
'The person who contracts with the ring can know what the ring's owner desires... but it's probably better not to tell her, right?'
In truth, Aron already knew exactly what desire had produced the cowgirl position.
*
Petra, the city of Dwarves where most structures are made of stone and minerals.
The castle at its very center.
Sitting on the throne at the heart of the castle, Todin, king of the Dwarves, let out a deep sigh.
"Lately, we're really lacking new flavors. Don't you think?"
True to Dwarf nature, even a meeting with the king's participation involved drinking together.
It was natural for everyone to hold large beer mugs and drink comfortably.
"That's right. Dwarf beer is getting boring, and the recklessly strong ones make us drunk too quickly. We need drinks for everyday consumption..."
"How about sending out Dwarves to find new drinks on this occasion?"
"I think that's necessary too! The drinks we exchange with Northern humans are tasty and strong... but honestly, they're getting boring too."
At his subjects' unanimous opinion, Todin fell into brief contemplation.
When he traveled in the old days, he got to taste various drinks, but now he couldn't.
Fiddling with the necklace around his neck, he thought:
'Would it have been different if I were with those guys?'
Thanks to both the Dwarf race's characteristics and the sacred artifact his party members had given him, he was able to stay here, but sometimes he missed them.
Even though the curse was weak, he still couldn't leave this place to protect the Dwarves.
It just wasn't a forest.
Todin himself felt equally trapped.
"I wonder if anyone will bring some new drinks..."
Todin wanted to drink new beverages with his friends for the first time in a long while.