Chapter 145 - Parents' Responsibility!
Hypno, returning to the smithy, headed straight for the reception building. Behind the counter stood the tall dwarf youth with small horns he'd seen two days ago.
"Welcome. ...Mad Dog?"
"What the fuck, you know me?"
The youth seemed to recognize Clarice right away.
"...Who in Sliem doesn't know the Mad Dog?"
"Hey, Clatris. You're really infamous, huh."
"Fuck off, don't call me by that shitty name!"
"I... came for the swords."
"Ah, yes."
As Wintineas stepped forward and stated their business, the youth immediately ducked down and placed the swords on the counter from below.
"Here you go."
"Whoa..."
Wintineas gasped in admiration at the swords, which looked perfectly repaired, and picked one up in each hand.
"Hm...?"
Wintineas tilted her head and swung them lightly a few times.
"H-Hey, don't swing swords inside!"
"This... isn't mine."
"What?"
"What do you mean, Winte?"
Wintineas, insisting the swords in her hands weren't hers, looked at Hypno and repeated herself.
"It's... different from mine. The feel when I swing it is totally different... uh."
"For real?"
"H-Hey, don't accuse an innocent man. We fixed it just fine, and now you're saying it's not yours?!"
The youth snapped a bit at Wintineas. That's when Clarice stared intently at him.
A big dwarf with small horns... I've heard of someone like that somewhere. ...Ah, this fucker.
"Hold on. Hey, Winte. Give that to me."
"Here."
Clarice took the sword from Wintineas and examined it closely. Then.
"Heh, so that's how it is."
She grinned sleazily at the youth and said,
"Hey, your name's Mozral, right?"
"H-How do you know my name...?"
"Fuck yeah, I know. Who else is a big mixed-blood dwarf with small horns like you?"
Clarice approached the counter, set the sword down, and continued.
"You're kinda famous too, aren't ya? The guy who takes repair jobs, makes an exact copy, and swaps the original for a fake."
"What!? H-How...?"
"Dumbass fucker. Everyone let it slide 'cause the fakes were disposable dagger quality even if they got wrecked, but you didn't know that? What a thick-headed shit."
And this bastard tried to scam them before I could? No way. These are my marks.
"W-What?! H-How dare you accuse me like that! Proof! Where's your proof?!"
"Pro~of? Puhahaha! Hey, we don't need proof for shit. Hey, you little-dick fuck, make this bitch spill everything with your best trick...!"
Smack!
"Haaah♥♥"
Clarice collapsed on the spot, pussy juice dripping. Amid the sudden chaos, Mozral blinked in confusion.
"W-What the!?"
"Y-You fucking... bastard. Why are you... ha... helping him...!"
"You're calling people little-dick fucks so naturally. And what, am I your subordinate? You toy, who the fuck do you think you're ordering around?"
"Fucking... bastard...!!"
Smack! Smack!
"Ooooh♥ Hiiiiiing♥♥♥"
Ignoring Clarice, who was gushing so much her pants were soaked, Hypno walked to the counter.
"Anyway... if you really swapped Winte's swords, I can't forgive that."
"Th-That was just this crazy bitch suddenly flipping out and lying...!"
Hypnosis Wave.
Before Mozral could finish, Hypno cast the weakest hypnosis wave and asked,
"Tell me where Winte's real swords are."
"I really repaired them and took them home. Uh!? What is this?!"
"Why'd you take them home? Tell me."
"It used really good iron, so I was gonna sell it for a good price later. N-No, that's not...!"
"Then what's this sword?"
"It's one I whipped up quick. Same shape, but shitty iron quality, though I put some effort into it. Ugh...!"
"Instead of putting effort into shitty fakes, you should've just repaired it properly and handed it over...!"
"W-What is this! What's happening?!"
Mozral panicked as hidden truths spilled from his mouth. Hypno shot him a cold glare.
"Gonna have to make you pay properly for this. Hey, Claris."
"It's Clarice... fucker... hng♥ Ung♥"
"What's this guy's rank here in the smithy?"
"Just past total newbie."
"Oh ho~ Then we need to call the head of this smithy."
"N-No! Don't...!"
"Shut up and stay still."
"Mmph...! Mmmph...!!"
Under Hypno's command, Mozral froze in place.
Hypno immediately called for the dwarf in charge of the smithy and explained the situation. The boss dwarf pressed a hand to his forehead, sighed, and ushered Hypno, Wintineas, and Clarice into the reception room.
The dwarf then leaped forward, pinning Mozral's head to the ground with his hand.
"We're terribly sorry! Come on, apologize quick, Mozral! You idiot!"
Smack!
"Mmph...! Mmmph!"
"Not even speaking—what a rude display!"
"Ah, he can talk now."
"Pha! S-Sorry...!"
The boss dwarf bowed his head alongside him in apology.
"We're truly sorry! I never dreamed this fool would pull something like this again...! I specifically warned him last time...!"
"Nah, skip the apologies. Just hand over the swords quick and have this Mozral guy pay compensation."
"C-Compens... ation...?"
"Understood. I'll have Mozral fetch the swords right away. As for compensation... we'll cover it from the smithy."
"Huh? No, the fault's on that fucker. So he should pay."
Tap tap.
"Hey."
Clarice nudged Hypno's arm and spoke up. When Hypno turned, she gestured for him to lean in.
Hypno bent down slightly, and Clarice whispered,
"That fucker's family ain't got much money. Mom's a cow beastkin, dad's a dwarf. Dad died early, so mom's been raising him alone since he was little. And yeah, he pulls this shit to make a bit of cash and treat his mom right."
"...How do you know that?"
"Overheard some guild asshole he scammed bitching about it. Said 'poor kid, fuck it, let it slide' or whatever. Oh, and his mom's a looker, apparently."
"Oh ho~."
Jackpot.
"Heh heh heh."
Hypno chuckled lewdly, straightened up, and said,
"You know, forget the compensation."
"R-Really?!"
Mozral's head snapped up at the words, staring at Hypno.
"Yes, but I'll take a proper 'apology.' From your mother too."
"M-My mother's got nothing to do with this! Th-This was all me acting on my own...!"
"I get that you care about your mom. But that's why she needs to apologize too."
"Why...!"
"It'll be punishment for a filial son like you. And so you won't pull this shit again just to avoid seeing your mom apologize."
"Ugh...!"
Mozral had no comeback to Hypno's words. The dwarf boss bowed again, offering apologies and thanks.
"Thank you truly for your generosity."
"Heh heh heh, no problem. But... you're going pretty easy on this Mozral guy."
"...His father was my friend."
"Aha."
So he got in through connections.
"Even if you generously forgive Mozral, he's still family to our smithy. Even without money, is there anything else we can do?"
Unlike that fucker, this dwarf's got real conscience.
"Hmm... in that case."
Hypno stroked his chin, pondered briefly, then glanced at Wintineas.
Come to think of it, Winte doesn't have spares, huh?
"Then make a pair of swords suited for Winte. Top-quality. If it's too much, we'll chip in some gold."
"No need! We'll handle all costs."
"If you insist."
Oh yeah, Maiking said to show this at other smithies for VIP treatment.
"Oh, right."
Hypno pulled out Maiking's business card from Cheonma's Orb.
"Do you know what this is?"
The boss dwarf's eyes went wide at the sight, his face a mask of pure shock.
"Th-This...! The legendary blacksmith Maiking's card...?! H-How did you...!!"
"I'm friends with Maiking. He gave it to me. Said to show it at other smithies."
To dwarf smiths, handing out a card like this meant deep trust and friendship. Meaning Hypno was basically a treasured guest—or friend—of the dwarves' legend, Maiking.
If this guy doesn't forgive us, our smithy bears the ultimate dishonor of wronging Maiking's guest...!!!
Trembling, the dwarf boss straightened rigidly and declared,
"W-We will pour every ounce of our manpower and resources into crafting the finest swords!"
Oh yeah, hits hard. Thanks, Maiking.
Hypno inwardly thanked Maiking while feeling smug about his own actions.
This is all thanks to the favor I earned saving Maiking with hypnosis. Obviously.
"Great? Oh, Winte. I'm thinking of heading to this Mozral fucker's house now. What about you? Wanna come get your apology?"
"Ah... no. They're making my swords... here, wanna watch... um."
"Yeah?"
Hypno was surprised, assuming she'd tag along.
"Yeah. Since it's like this... I want ones that fit my hands perfectly."
"Got it."
Makes sense. Winte's an adventurer too; she'd want custom weapons made to order.
"Perfect! If the user stays, we can ask about your grip habits, main sword styles, magic use, and craft the optimal swords!"
"Ah, figured as much."
"Yes! We'll use every resource for the perfect blades!"
The dwarf boss was dead serious.
"Then we're counting on you. Hey, you come too."
"Fuck, why am I the side dish? And we figured it out thanks to me."
"Yeah, yeah. But you've fucked up way more up till now?"
"So what! I'm doing good now, aren't I?!"
Still playing the victim, huh.
"Fine, I'll give you a reward later."
"Reward? What kind?"
"Tell you later."
Gonna have to personally develop her G-spot myself.
Hypno eyed Mozral.
"Lead the way home."
"...Understood."
Mozral slumped his shoulders and stood.
"Winte~ See you later."
"Yeah, come back... safe. Hyp... no."
Hypno and Clarice followed Mozral to his house, where Wintineas's swords were.
"H-Here we are."
"Let's go in quick."
"...Yes."
Creeeak...
They entered the house and followed Mozral to the kitchen. There sat a black-haired woman with white horns, a cow beastkin, braiding one side of her hair over her shoulder while knitting at the table.
"Oh, Mozral, home already?"
She stood at the sight of him, radiating a warm, gentle aura.
Boing!
Whoa.
Her massive breasts jiggled just from standing.
Staring at them, Hypno thought,
Lenia level. Ah, suddenly miss Lenia.