Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: To the Roselia Cathedral (1)
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Clang—! Thwang—! Clang!
In a space brimming with sweltering heat, the rhythmic sounds of metal being hammered echoed steadily.
Sizzle—
Forging by striking the iron, quenching it rapidly to cool, reheating it, and so on.
The complex, labor-intensive processes flowed seamlessly without a moment's hesitation.
"Hoo..."
And finally, as all those steps concluded.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The entity has gained enlightenment through repeated training. Acquired skill 「Metallurgy」.] ...Dwarf Howard had finally been recognized by the system as a 'blacksmith'.
"Ohoh, it's finally here! Urhahat—!"
Gaining a skill through training meant that the accumulated proficiency in that activity had surpassed a certain threshold.
It was one of the privileges of this world's awakeners from beyond, granting additional bonuses to related tasks thereafter to facilitate even smoother growth.
And he'd achieved it in a mere few weeks, all while juggling the Hubert Merchant Company's duties.
Howard gazed down at his hammer-gripping hand, slowly reliving the sensation.
His dwarf senses picked up the subtle changes in his grip.
And instinctively, he knew he could now handle his tools with greater precision, efficiency, and natural flow.
'Mm, nice. It synergizes well with 「Craftsman's Spirit」 too. Since this skill grows with accumulated proficiency, its effects will only get stronger over time.'
The timing of acquiring the skill was perfect.
Tomorrow was the day he'd be introduced to Dwarf Zaonik through Harley, who'd returned from Tarak.
'Things have stabilized a lot on the Steel Fortress side now, unlike before.'
The Steel Fortress, which had been pushed to the brink right after the Mad Dragon incident, had finally caught a breather as reinforcements trickled in over time.
Plus, monster outbreaks had sharply declined lately—likely due to the Rohan Principality's influence—granting some unexpected leeway.
So, he planned to tackle all the postponed tasks at once.
'Before Harley heads to the Roselia Cathedral, he'll introduce Howard to Zaonik and pick up the new axe.'
Count Aonia had once promised him a new weapon.
Zaonik hadn't objected upon hearing it was for Harley and had promptly moved his forge to Tarak to get started.
And now, after a few weeks, word had come that the axe was complete.
Originally, Zaonik was set to deliver it personally to the Steel Fortress, but...
'With the news from the cathedral arriving just in time, we decided Harley would collect it himself tomorrow in Tarak. And introduce Howard while at it.'
That made acquiring 「Metallurgy」 all the more welcome.
At this level, at least Zaonik wouldn't dismiss him as a total novice.
Thus, a day passed amid anticipation.
After finishing the merchant company's routine work as usual, Howard headed to Tarak City's central forge with Harley.
'Only a few days left until Hubert returns. We were quite delayed moving Hans around like that.'
Of course, measures needed to be taken to prevent repeats, but for now, he was satisfied that things were back on track.
Bustle, bustle—
"Hey, look over there."
"Ah— that's the famous Harley these days. Back in Tarak, huh? ...Huh? But who's that...?"
"A dwarf?"
The gazes drawn to them as they strode boldly down the main street.
Harley, towering well over two meters, walking side-by-side with Howard, who barely reached his waist—it drew plenty of attention, but by now, such stares barely itched.
Upon arriving at the forge, they were ushered straight inside per their prior appointment.
And at last, Harley reunited with Zaonik after so long.
"Uhahat! Long time no see, Zaonik! Been well?"
"...Huh? Oh, yeah! It's been ages. Heard about your exploits. Glad you look healthy!"
But his demeanor felt off somehow.
To be precise, from the moment he laid eyes on Howard, whom Harley had brought, he'd shown subtle reactions.
"...Right, this is the dwarf you wanted to introduce me to? He does look awfully young."
And as he chatted with Harley, his head—distracted elsewhere—swung back to Howard.
As if he couldn't ignore whatever was nagging at him.
"Ahem! Nice to meet you, elder! Name's Howard."
"...Yeah, likewise. I'm Zaonik Steelstone."
For two bushy-bearded men, the exchange felt oddly incongruous, but to another dwarf's eyes, it was perfectly normal.
To other races like Harley, they might just look like hairy peers, but in Howard's view, Zaonik was a dashing, mature middle-aged man of considerable refinement.
Conversely, Zaonik likely saw him as a green youngster.
'He's been acting strange since earlier. Not negative, but... something's off.'
This wasn't mere surprise at meeting a fellow dwarf after ages.
What was it... more intimate, emotional...
"Ahem, might sound weird saying this out of the blue, but..."
Then Zaonik cleared his throat and cautiously spoke up.
"...Have we met before, by any chance?"
"Mm, I've wandered since I was young, but you're the first of our kind I've met, elder."
"Then your parents..."
"Yes, they passed when I was little. Been on my own since. Until I met Harley, that is."
As their talk reached that point, Harley nearly launched into his epic tale, 'Harley's Great Adventure' Act 5 Scene 2: 'Encounter with the Wandering Dwarf,' but...
"...I see. Figures."
Zaonik just muttered to himself, lost in thought.
"Ah, sorry. You just don't feel like a stranger, is all. It's like... yeah, like a son or grandson who's come back from a long journey. Not that I'm married, of course! Hahaha!"
"Ah, I see. Urhahat!"
"Kahaha! Thought you had some lost family for a sec!"
Noticing the mood dip on his account midway, Zaonik forced a laugh.
Howard and Harley joined in to spare his embarrassment, but inwardly, Howard swiftly analyzed the situation.
'Could this be... Elinne's influence?'
Elinne—the divine pickaxe of legend in the mining world, crafted with Zaonik's utmost care and cherished like a child over long years.
That very tool had been the catalyst for Howard's birth.
'Come to think of it, that does make him a grandfather of sorts.'
As a fellow craftsman, he'd clearly sensed something about Howard tied to his creation.
"Phew—sorry about that. Got sentimental for nothing. Oh right! The axe first. Come this way."
But he soon shook it off, slapping his cheeks lightly to compose himself, and led them deeper for the handover.
And there, in the workshop's back, 'it' awaited.
"My best work yet. Per your order, I forged an entire blackmagic steel body to maximize durability, then plated the blade with adamantium itself—a true masterpiece!"
A massive axe, entirely of dark metal, lay where he pointed.
"Only downside? It's so heavy, it's got zero practicality. Hardly anyone could even lift it, let alone swing... but that won't matter to you, right?"
A huge axe blade and spear tip to match its thick, over-two-meter haft, plus a sharp hook on the reverse side.
It was less 'axe' and more 'axe-spear,' yet the blade was far too grand for that label alone.
"Ooh— this! So huge and beautiful!"
And this brutal weapon, fit for the colossal monsters in games, was perfect for Harley's tastes.
He rushed over, heart pounding, and carefully lifted it.
Whoosh—
Just hoisting it from the floor stirred the air with a heavy whoom.
Its weight surpassed even appearances, but...
"Pretty hefty! That's how a weapon should be! Kahahat!"
To Harley, it was just right.
Swoosh— swish—!
In one corner of the spacious workshop, a menacing whine and gusts erupted as he swung it one-handed effortlessly.
"I named it 'Giant Killer' for now, but change it if you like."
"Nah, that's perfect! Suits it to a T! Kahat!"
Having snagged a weapon he loved, laughter bubbled out uncontrollably.
True to dwarven make, the axe boasted exceptional aesthetics too—exuding luxury that stroked one's pride just by holding it.
Though anyone facing it would sooner lament in despair than admire the craftsmanship.
"But... you sure you're okay? Heard a ton's happened since I finished up."
Zaonik nodded contentedly at Harley's delight, then voiced sudden concern.
"The Immortal King that hit the cathedral didn't stop at toppling the Rohan Principality—word is it turned the Empire's Tobea into a wasteland just recently too?"
Not some obscure geopolitics, but hot continent-wide news—easy enough for a lord's close associate like him to know.
"And now you're nominated for the strike team out of nowhere... Not saying you're unqualified, but it feels abrupt."
His nomination implied recommenders.
Info not public, but Harley knew exactly who.
'Mercenary Guild and Tribal Federation.'
The guild knew him well, so no surprise, but the southern federation was unexpected.
Even if he posed as a southern warrior, they'd had no real contact...
"Hahat! Doesn't matter! Anything blocking my path gets its skull smashed by this axe!"
Harley snorted impatiently, itching to test his new toy pronto.
He longed to charge the Northern Mountains right then, but alas, the time wasn't ripe.
"More importantly, Zaonik—thought about my request? What do you think now that you've seen him?"
"Mm... you want me to properly mentor this lad?"
Zaonik glanced seriously at Howard, sinking back into thought.
Not mere advice, but true instruction demanded caution.
Though called 'Dwarven Secret Tradition,' it wasn't open to every dwarf.
Craftsmen wouldn't share knowledge with the unqualified.
Unlike more insular races, it was often passed family- or clan-style.
No matter Harley's plea, today's first meeting didn't warrant such lore.
But...
"...Alright. Can't hoard what I've built forever. Meeting here on Ion Continent must be fate."
Zaonik's crisp assent surprised them.
"And above all, this kid doesn't feel like an outsider, no matter how I look. Heh—strange, isn't it."
"Ha, hahat! Must be destiny! Sure is!"
Harley, the culprit who'd 'kidnapped' Elinne, chuckled awkwardly and averted his gaze.
Thus, Howard at last gained formal tutelage in the 'Dwarven Secret Tradition' under Zaonik.
With all settled, Harley departed for the Roselia Cathedral in high spirits.