Earned a Compliment!
Rune watched Gaild and Heungmi like that and thought to himself.
Heungmi's dressmaker dwarf had such a backstory. No wonder it felt off.
The quality of the clothes was on par with entries from a master artisan contest.
Rune, having witnessed the greetings between Heungmi and Gaild, turned his head toward the door.
"Alright, let's head out now. The door's been rattling since earlier—it looks like Madam's patience has run out."
"Right! It's been shaking like crazy just a bit ago."
Sure enough, as Heungmi said, the door was trembling silently.
Rune spoke with a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"Well then, looks like it's time for me to do what I need to."
To Heungmi and Baekya, who looked up at him curiously, Rune flashed a slight smile.
The real show's about to start.
Rune grabbed the door handle and opened it.
Creeeak.
Standing there was the Madam dwarf, frozen in shock with her fist raised high.
"What is it?"
Rune fixed her with a steady gaze as he said it.
"Oh, uh, well..."
Suddenly realizing her pose might come off as violent, the Madam quickly lowered her fist.
She twisted one corner of her mouth into an awkward smile.
"I was getting worried since you were taking so long. I was just knocking on the door, but I guess I got carried away..."
That's not the real reason, of course.
Rune nodded as if he believed her.
"I see. Anyway, I have something to say. You planning to hear it like that?"
The Madam flinched and forced a grin.
"Of course... no, of course not."
Once he'd confirmed her awkwardly lowering the fist, Rune spoke.
"I talked with Gaild, and she's decided to come with us to the continent. We'll be parting ways soon, so I figured an early introduction was best."
The Madam dwarf jolted as if struck by lightning.
"What nonsense is that!?"
Heungmi peeked out from behind Rune.
Then, she wrote letters on his back with her finger.
—Her eyes look like they're about to pop out.
Told you so.
But when did this kid learn to write on backs?
Rune kept his gaze on the Madam dwarf and calmly continued.
"Gaild agreed to it herself. She's not a child anymore, so it should be fine, right?"
A venomous voice erupted immediately.
"What are you even saying!? That girl's legs—!"
Does she think yelling wins arguments?
The commotion had drawn the interest of the dwarfs drinking or eating; they clustered at the bottom of the stairs.
Rune cut her off.
"I know. Her body's been frail. Why don't you see for yourself?"
Better to show than tell.
As Rune stepped aside, Gaild stood straight and tall in the Madam's view.
"H-how... how is this possible...!"
To the slack-jawed Madam, Rune said,
"I healed her. Now she can walk and move freely."
"!"
Only then did it hit the Madam dwarf that dragons were a magic race.
It was like a smack to the back of her head.
Of course, Rune wasn't responsible for her ignorance.
Strictly speaking, I'm a hatchling, not a full dragon, so she probably didn't expect healing magic like this.
As Rune thought that, the Madam dwarf squeezed out an excuse.
"W-well! Even so, we're bound to the Lair of Fire... If you take that child like this, the Red Dragon Lord might feel... uncomfortable, right...?"
What a pathetic, baseless addition.
But Rune swallowed a laugh inwardly.
Her foolish excuse was the perfect opportunity for him.
She's tying her own noose.
On the surface, Rune nodded slowly.
"You're right. I can't just take your brother's people without permission."
Color returned to the Madam dwarf's face.
"Exactly!"
"So, I should ask for permission first."
Before the Madam could stop him, Rune casually pulled out the communication stone.
As soon as the signal connected, Perdikion appeared in the air.
<"What's up, Rune? You hardly ever use the communication stone." >
"I had a question for you. You busy?"
<"No.">
Through the image stone, Rune could see a long table with numerous dwarfs seated around it.
Clearly in the middle of a serious meeting.
Since Rune rarely used the image stone, Perdikion must have answered thinking it was urgent.
Better get to the point and wrap this up quick.
Rune spoke rapidly.
"Gaild here wanted to go to the continent, but her legs were bad."
Gaild's image reflected through the stone.
Emaciated body, tangled dirty hair.
Obviously hadn't been eating properly.
Perdikion's brow furrowed visibly.
<"I see. And?">
Rune replied,
"I healed her and agreed to let her go. It was her own wish, of course."
Perdikion on the other side smiled warmly.
<"Good deed. As Lair Lord, I'm grateful. Very well done.">
The Madam dwarf's face paled as she sensed the conversation turning against her.
Her premonition proved spot on.
"But this lady here said I can't just take your lair folk without permission, so I called to ask."
<"......What?">
A glare full of anger turned toward the Madam dwarf.
"Th-that's..."
Ignoring her stammering, Rune continued with an innocent expression.
"Now that I think about it, she has a point."
<"Ha!">
Perdikion let out an incredulous scoff and looked at the Madam dwarf.
<"You? You're the one who dared tell my brother he needs permission?">
"......!"
The Madam dwarf's fierce, stubborn face turned timid as a herbivore's in an instant.
Her sturdy frame seemed to shrink as she bowed her head immediately.
"No! I just..."
Ignoring the dwarf trying to speak further, Perdikion looked at Rune.
<"Rune, if she's bothered you, say the word.">
"She hasn't."
Perdikion's gaze shifted to the Madam dwarf, who still couldn't lift her head.
<"Foolish.">
His tone dripped with impatience at wasting time.
Having gotten what he wanted, Rune said,
"So that's permission, right? Thanks for making time despite being busy, brother."
Only then did Perdikion relax his expression and nod.
<"Be back before dinner. We're eating together at my castle for once.">
"Got it."
They exchanged farewells, and the image faded.
Rune turned to the Madam dwarf.
"Anything else to say?"
"No..."
"Good. Oh, Gaild."
Rune pulled various magic stones, gold coins, toys, and beautiful handkerchiefs from his subspatial pouch.
They were etiquette lesson props from Christina.
Who'd have thought I'd use these here.
Gaild, receiving three baskets full of fine items, asked,
"All this... for me?"
Rune explained to the hesitant Gaild as she accepted them.
"Yeah. On the continent, you need to know how to use these. But it wouldn't be fair to make you work without any fun."
For Gaild, who'd been confined, much of it was brand new.
Rune continued,
"These are fabrics and designs used on the continent. And snacks—what people eat, what they enjoy. Good to know."
Gaild scanned the items as Rune spoke.
Rune double-checked them himself and thought,
Perfect. Accessible, small, and cute-looking ones.
They were chosen based on Jed's words: 'Women love small, cute, and sweet things!'
Rune had added some continental culture items that seemed fun.
Rune went on,
"If you're unsure, ask the other dwarfs. These are more appealing to female dwarfs, so discussing with them would be good."
"Yes, sounds great."
Rune gave a few more instructions to Gaild and the Madam before leaving the tavern.
As they stepped out, Heungmi said,
"Rune-nim, everyone's eyes are this wide!"
"Yeah. I figured."
It was exactly as Rune intended.
The more buzz the items created, the better.
A dwarf who makes mana-infused clothes? Perfect for my plans.
Heungmi looked up at Rune and tilted her head.
"Rune-nim, you seem happy."
"...Maybe."
Heungmi giggled at his response and scampered off with Baekya.
Rune thought to himself secretly.
This kid's getting sharper.
As Heungmi said.
Rune was satisfied that things had gone according to his calculations.
This should naturally draw more dwarfs wanting to go to the continent.
Healing her legs in an instant.
Showing intriguing items from the continent.
Through Gaild, it would spread—appealing not just to female dwarfs, but ordinary males too.
If Jed knew, it'd be easier to convince them.
Why Jed failed to persuade the dwarfs.
He hadn't considered the image of "stealing manpower" to the continent.
An outsider trying to convince them is hard to swallow easily.
Locals discovering and sharing the benefits themselves is far more approachable.
To avoid showing Heungmi an unchildlike face, Rune glanced at the sky for a moment.
Hoo.
A sigh no one would notice slipped into the breeze.
Every now and then, such thoughts crept in.
The most efficient, harmless methods.
But whenever calculations were involved, his true feelings were always a bit different.
If someone ever learned these inner thoughts.
Would those around him still stay by his side?
"Rune-nim!"
Poke!
"...?"
Rune, who had closed his eyes briefly to compose his face, looked down at Heungmi.
Before him was a prettily twisted stick candy in pink and white.
Milk and strawberry scents wafted over.
"You were awesome. This is Heungmi's reward!"
"Pip-yak!"
Baekya flapped its wings and chirped.
Rune stared at the candy for a moment and took the stick.
"Thanks, I'll enjoy it."
"Yes!"
"Pyaak."
As Baekya chirped that it wanted some too, Heungmi pulled 'butter-roasted potato chips' from her pouch and gave them.
"Rune-nim told me. Baekya said this is its reward."
"Pii-yak!"
The bird nodded as if agreeing, then snatched the chips in its beak.
Heungmi turned to Rune.
"Rune-nim, did I do good?"
"Yeah. You did great."
Heungmi beamed and leaned her head forward happily.
Rune absentmindedly petted her head.
"I love seeing Rune-nim smile. I'll make you smile more!"
"Pip-yak pip-yak!"
It wasn't like they knew anything, but the words felt strangely touching.
Rune replied in a relaxed tone.
"You're already doing plenty of that."
"Really? Yay! I got praised!"
Heungmi's ears perked up and twitched in delight.
She's doing plenty well. And so am I.
Rune gazed at Perdikion's castle and thought so.
This reality proved it.
"I apologize, sir."
Jed arrived at the dinner table with a soot-blackened face, bowing his head deeply in shame.