Dwarves and the Workshop (3)
Anyway, the silence around the campfire didn't last long, and by early morning, the carriage was rattling onward once more. Our destination, as mentioned before, was the Creasio Workshop. We all wanted to stop there to buy the supplies we needed, and even if not, I had to get the ancient mana analyzer fixed.
Right after meeting Asha, I'd shoved the analyzer at her to test it out, hoping it might react to her gray magic. But the beat-up antique was completely dead, dashing my expectations.
As I grumbled under my breath about it, Asha's voice whispered close to my ear.
"Ain."
"Ah, yeah. Need something?"
The clinical trial with Aberly's reagent was on hold after seeing the golem's list of materials. Thanks to days of deep sleep, Asha's eyes sparkled again as she gazed only at me.
"What's the workshop like?"
Her curiosity was about the workshop. A workshop, huh. From what I knew, the Creasio Workshop we were heading to handled and crafted everything you could call an object. Not just everyday ores like iron, but all sorts of woods, rare gems, synthetic materials from mages, and alchemists' experiments—they turned it all into goods.
Prices were a bit steep, but the quality was incomparable to what small-time artisans churned out. I heard they even supplied elven lands, beastkin territories, and dragon domains—places beyond human nations.
"Hmm... I've never been there myself, so I only know from records. But I heard some of the stuff that comes into Yansen's shop is made there."
"Really?"
Even in the empire, far from there, Yansen's place stocked Creasio goods without much trouble. As I explained, I smiled and flicked the sapphire necklace hanging around her neck.
"Yeah. That sapphire necklace you're wearing? Probably from the workshop. They do everything—regular items, gem crafting, magic engravings."
"Ah... So this necklace is from the workshop too."
"Not sure about the bracelets and anklets I gave you, but they're likely workshop-made as well."
Items that hid gray from ordinary people weren't something any old place could produce, even if not made specifically for gray users.
"Anyway, that's the place. They make whatever people want. So Asha, if there's anything you like, check if they've got it. I'll buy it for you."
"Hee, okay. Sounds good."
I must have explained all her questions for a good while. But Asha just kept grinning, head resting on my shoulder, imagining who-knows-what.
And then I noticed the others crowding around the driver's seat, eavesdropping.
"What are you all doing?"
"Listening to the workshop talk. You weren't telling us, just whispering to each other, so we had to sneak up."
No way.
"...I was gonna explain before we got there anyway."
I always gave detailed briefings beforehand—what was the big deal? I turned back with a dumbfounded look, and Horn scratched his head sheepishly before flopping onto the carriage floor. The others grinned awkwardly and scattered back to their spots.
Whatever. The workshop wasn't far now. I'd answer their questions once we arrived.
As I cracked the reins, a question I'd meant to ask after Asha woke up popped into my head.
"Oh, right. Asha."
"Yes, Ain."
She'd slept through the night, so she knew nothing about the ash suppressant.
"We used the golem to figure out the recipe and materials for the ash suppressant."
"Ah, that. But it's only once every ninety days—is it okay to use it like that?"
She blinked in surprise at my words, then bit her lip guiltily, as if sorry I'd spent the rare chance on her. But that wasn't what I wanted to say.
"Everyone said it was the top priority, so it's fine. But I need to ask you something."
"Ah, sure. Ask away."
So.
"According to the golem, one ingredient changes based on what the gray obsesses over."
"Mm... Yeah. And...?"
In other words, the final ingredient for her suppressant needed her input.
"If you tell me which of the four obsessions you have, that'd help."
"Th-that makes sense... Um, what are the types of obsessions...?"
As I continued, Asha's pupils started to shake.
"Survival obsession means using a poison herb from the Floy region. Violence or murder obsession calls for humid mold from desert undergrounds."
"Wh-what's next...? I don't think I fit those two...?"
She chewed her lips, then clung to my arm like she needed something to hold, avoiding my eyes.
"Yeah. Affection obsession requires hallucinogenic hallus mushrooms. Love or lust obsession needs phscentia flower roots."
"Ah..."
I didn't get why she was so hesitant, but yeah—even I'd balk at eating poison herbs, mold, drug-like shrooms, or mystery flower roots.
I stroked her head to reassure her and continued.
"Hallus mushrooms it is, then? We can't make it right away anyway, but better to ask now before I forget."
Asha had craved affection since childhood. She'd stuck close to Rendo before we left, and she'd gushed about Idrin, Yansen, Rini at the training hall, even my parents—all great people.
Grinning at the thought, I looked at her. She met my eyes, flinched with a shoulder twitch, and nodded.
"Y-yes... Hallus mushrooms should be it...?"
"Got it. That's what I'll go with."
"...Okay."
She snuggled into my arms and buried her face.
The carriage rattled on.
"Hm? Lady Asha? When you're with me, you speak infor—, mph! Mmph...! Mmmph!!"
Eileen's voice from behind cut off suddenly, leaving only the soft swish of grass around us.
The workshop loomed in the distance. About thirty minutes out, so I called back.
"Workshop soon. We'll find lodging first, unload the carriage and gear, then head out."
The three kids stirred from dozing, yawning and stretching. Aberly, shaking reagent vials over a thick book, grinned sheepishly and closed it. Horn paused sharpening the axe Asha gifted him and looked up.
"...No need for the usual rundown like other places. It's peaceful—no dangers."
They all grinned at me.
"I'll hunt down a craftsman for the ancient mana analyzer. And you all mentioned wants last night? I'll buy 'em if reasonable—please pick stuff in budget."
"““Yaaay!!””"
"New carriage and billiards table!"
"Reagent research set!"
The cheers were louder than ever the moment I said it. Expenses at the workshop were gonna be massive.
Anyway. I waited for the excitement to die down.
"...Twins, Horn, Aberly—grab your stuff and pick gifts for Lady Lucia too. Eileen, get something for your parents with a letter to ease their worries."
We needed gifts for Lady Lucia and the Delfinium count. Even if not traveling together, Lucia Vicente Todorica Whatever was our companion, and Eileen's folks were probably fretting over their eldest daughter's antics.
That sparked more cheers.
"Sweet, two more items!"
"““Yaaay!! Shopping time!!””"
"Haha, generous, huh."
No. I said pick gifts, not more stuff for you lunatics.