Episode 45
Episode 45
I was a bit flustered by the Master Craftsman who had approached right before my eyes, but I fixed my gaze on the ring.
A silver band with a red gemstone embedded at its center.
At first glance, it just looked like a pretty ring, but upon closer inspection, a rose was engraved inside the red gemstone.
That was the famous 'Silver Rose' from the game.
'What was its effect again...'
If I just pretended to recognize it and left it at that, I'd only end up being disliked.
I needed to at least be able to predict the ring's effect. And with a convincing reason to boot.
Fortunately, it came to me quickly.
Thanks to it being famous equipment, I hadn't forgotten even after so much time had passed.
"When attacked, a rose blooms from the ring to block it... that's the effect, right?"
"Oh! You recognized it? Why did you think that?"
I avoided the Master Craftsman's gaze, who was so excited that his arm muscles were bulging as if he might hug me any moment.
Even if he asked how I knew, I just knew.
Still, I made up something plausible.
"Well, first of all, it's a rose. Roses have thorns, so I thought it was intentionally engraved inside the gemstone. Since you're the Master Craftsman."
"Ooh... Then what about the silver band and the red gemstone?"
I stared at the ring for a moment.
If both answers were correct here, it would be amazing, and even if I got just one more right, the favorability would be sufficient.
"First... the reason for using silver is that it's one of the minerals with the least mana loss during transfer, and at the same time, it's abundant in dwarf mines."
"Hmm..."
The Master Craftsman nodded while stroking his beard, looking interested.
"Its only drawback is durability... but someone of your skill level could compensate for durability, so you just used silver, right?"
"That's a reasonably logical deduction. Then what about the gemstone?"
"Hmm..."
I didn't ponder for long.
"Didn't you use it to make the rose look prettier?"
"A dwarf chose the color for the appearance of the artifact? Are you sure?"
"Yes. Most red gemstones either increase power or are fire-attribute, so they wouldn't be related to the ring's effect. So I thought you probably used a suitable red magic stone."
After my explanation, the Master Craftsman nodded for a moment.
After nodding leisurely a few times, he grabbed both of my hands firmly.
"Hic!"
Startled, I looked at him for a moment and then at my hands.
My small hands were covered by his thick, rough ones.
"May I ask your name? I'm curious about your name."
"It's Mia."
"Mia. Mia! Miaaa!! I've memorized it perfectly. No one has ever understood my work so perfectly before. In that sense..."
The Master Craftsman took out a hammer and showed me the side engraved with a golden hammer.
"If there's anything you want, just name one thing. If it's something I can do, I'll help you as much as possible."
"Ah! Then, could you help me meet a dragon?"
"A dragon... I think I can arrange an opportunity for you to meet one. I've only met one directly about twice in my life, so I can't be certain."
"That's enough! Then I'll ask for that."
The Master Craftsman watched my delighted expression and nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Understood. Then... if you could tell me where you're staying, I'll come by when everything is ready."
"Ah, yes! This is the inn... and the room is..."
"That's a famous inn. Then I'll be going."
Just before finishing our necessary conversation and parting ways, alcohol came to mind.
Since we've become this close, it might be an opportunity to offer him some alcohol.
Who knows, the reaction might be different from the game.
"Master Craftsman-nim! Could you... wait a moment? There's something I'd like to ask and hear your opinion from a dwarf's perspective."
"Of course. What is it?"
"Aron. Just bring out that one thing."
I didn't specify what, but Aron seemed to understand and nodded.
He immediately reached into the air and pulled out one of the makgeolli we had purchased, handing it to me.
"This is an alcohol called makgeolli."
I handed the makgeolli in a jar to the Master Craftsman, not in a whiskey or wine bottle.
As if a dwarf's instincts couldn't be helped, he first admired the jar itself.
"Hoho. This is an interesting vessel. It's definitely made of clay... but the structure is unique, so I'd like to try making one sometime. And..."
He then took the jar I handed him, opened the lid, and smelled it.
"A soft aroma, not strong. Definitely different from the alcohols I've had so far. I'll try a sip first."
The Master Craftsman began drinking the makgeolli directly.
Whether it was accurate or not, even though it was small, the jar was quite large, but the Master Craftsman, who had said "a sip," drank it all in one go and nodded with satisfaction.
"It seems really good. The alcohol from the Northern Region was always strong, and the dwarves' craft beers had a similar feel, but this is completely new."
He smacked his lips as if disappointed and looked at me.
"Do you happen to have a little more? I pride myself on having lived a long life, but this fresh and smooth alcohol is a first for me."
"Ah, yes. Aron. Give him a few more."
Aron handed four more bottles of makgeolli to the Master Craftsman.
The Master Craftsman looked at them with satisfaction and carefully held them.
"Master Craftsman-nim, do you think this would sell well? I want to try selling this... but I don't know how to sell it, or if it will even sell."
"It will definitely sell well. I don't think there's any way this wouldn't sell... If needed, I'll personally promote it and help you."
"Ah, then I'll definitely ask for your help later."
I lightly bowed in greeting, and the Master Craftsman returned the gesture.
Seeing his sincere smile, I turned away, confident that the makgeolli would sell well.
"Aron. Shall we go back now? I think it's enough since we've even made a connection with the Master Craftsman."
"Hmm... I don't think we can return to the inn though?"
"Why?"
Not understanding Aron's words, I looked at him when a voice came from beside us.
"Are you Aron-nim and Mia-nim? His Majesty the King wishes to see both of you."
Looking at the speaker, it was a dwarf wearing armor.
With armor devoid of any decorations or frills, I could tell he was a soldier without even asking.
"Of course. Shall we follow you right now?"
While I was momentarily flustered, Aron answered first.
For some excited reason, a smile was plastered on his face with no sign of coming down.
"Yes, you can follow us right away. We'll lead, so please follow behind."
Aron started walking with a beaming smile, and the dwarf soldiers, though puzzled by his attitude, didn't seem to mind much.
Their reaction seemed to be that they just thought he was crazy.
Following slowly behind, I asked Aron.
"You're really not getting involved with dwarves, right? Like with the Northern Duke, if you go into the bedroom with the dwarf king and come out with a better atmosphere..."
"Really, no. I've never been with a man, I told you."
"...I'll believe you for now. Let's hurry."
Leaving behind Aron with his sullen expression, I followed the soldiers with quick steps.
Before I knew it, a huge castle came into view.
*
"Hmm, it's taking longer than I thought."
Todin muttered as he waited after sending the soldiers.
If they were from the Northern Region, they would already know about dwarves' personalities. That's why he just sent soldiers.
Nobles tended to bother with flowery language or speak in roundabout ways.
The Chancellor listening beside him spoke.
"It hasn't been that long since they left. If you wait, they'll bring them eventually, why are you so impatient? Shall I call Her Majesty the Queen for you?"
Queen.
At that lovely but terrifying word, Todin shook his head.
"No need. Let's not bother Her Majesty who's resting comfortably. More importantly, did you find out anything about the two I summoned?"
At Todin's words, the Chancellor approached him.
"This is all the information we have. It seems this is their first time coming with a merchant group. At least the woman has more information since she's famous."
"Black Iron Wall... I thought she was dead, but she managed to survive. So she quit being a mercenary and chose to be a merchant? Well, after going through such a big ordeal, that makes sense."
The fact that the racial alliance was severely defeated in the Forest of Temptation was already famous.
Since the hero party emerged unscathed, they attributed that fact to the sacrifices of those who died.
Those in high places knew the truth.
That they all died meaningless deaths.
According to the hero party's explanation, they were saved by someone else.
"Your Majesty! The two merchants you ordered have just entered the palace!"
Right when negative thoughts were forming, one of the soldiers he had ordered earlier entered.
Todin nodded at the resounding voice of the dwarf soldier.
"Skip all unnecessary procedures and bring them forward."
"Yes, understood!"
And a little later, the door opened.
With a heavy sound, the stone door opened, and two humans entered from behind it.
"Hmm?"
The first to react was Todin, who had been watching expressionlessly.
Black Iron Wall, whom he had heard much about through rumors.
She looked a bit more mature and taller than the rumors, but that wasn't the issue. He hadn't expected the man beside her.
"Huh?"
Aron was the same.
He entered expressionlessly and looked at the king.
He was about to greet him, but his actions stopped the moment he identified the king. A face he hadn't seen in so long, yet so familiar.
"Aron?"
"Todin?"
The two pointed at each other with surprised expressions.