032. Dwarven Way of Repaying Favors
『Wind Lotus, you say?』
“Yeah. The Wind Lotus on Amur's magic street. And its owner is Jetoson. Remember that well.”
『What’s this all of a sudden?』
“The cheeky bastard who tried to scam me.”
『...Does he have nine lives or something?』
“Well, he did scam a dwarf princess in my place.”
『...He’s still alive?』
“Anyway, I confirmed his talent. He’s a natural-born con artist. That’s why I plan to bring him to the Golden Moon Merchant Guild. I already gave him an advance.”
『Did he take the money and agree to come?』
“If he had, I wouldn’t have contacted you or told the princess. If he won’t come willingly, I’ll make it so he has to.”
『...Good lord. The princess.』
“Dig up everything on him. Where he’s from, his age, his background. Why he opened that shop, how he got it, his assets. Everything from one to ten.”
『...Poor guy. Or maybe he should pray he’s still breathing first.』
Berge cut off communication with Granada and bought Seniel powder from a deer leaf stall.
“We have low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and top-grade. Which would you like?”
“What’s the difference?”
“The quality of the mana stones and materials. It all combines to affect the purity and efficiency.”
“All the top-grade you have.”
“Ten top-grade Seniel powders, 10 gold.”
The top-grade powder was incomparably purer in mana than what Jetoson had sold him.
It was night and day. He realized that damned swindler’s stuff was low-grade at best—mid-grade if he was being generous.
“What about the others?”
“High-grade is 50 silver, mid-grade 30 silver, low-grade 10 silver.”
Should I have told the princess and smashed his limbs myself?
He liked the guy’s talent enough to use him, but thinking about how he’d almost been duped firsthand still pissed him off.
That was when it happened.
“You’re still here.”
It was Luize.
“Thanks to you, I avoided getting scammed. I want to repay the favor.”
“What’d you do with him?”
“Unfortunately, since it’s Amur, I couldn’t break his limbs. So many damn rules to hold back for.”
Luize smacked her lips and shot the knight a glare. It meant he’d desperately held her back.
Even with him stopping her, she didn’t break his limbs? She really held back for a foreign princess.
“Instead, I swept up a bunch of decent stuff. Want me to share some with you?”
“No need. It’s all junk anyway.”
“Yeah, figured. That scammer’s shop didn’t have a single proper item.”
Maybe she should’ve broken his limbs after all. Luize grumbled.
The knight shouted, “Absolutely not!”
“Anyway, how about we grab a meal together? I’ll treat you to something lavish.”
“No need.”
He had no desire to get tangled up with Luize.
He’d kidnapped Roger out of necessity, but to him, dwarf princes and princesses were shit to avoid.
“No. I was taught to always repay favors.”
“...Forcing it on someone who says no isn’t repaying a favor.”
“I was taught to repay favors no matter what.”
Luize grabbed his hand. She wasn’t letting go easily.
“...Fine.”
Not wanting to cause a scene, Berge reluctantly joined in on this dwarven favor-repaying ritual.
“How’s this! They say it’s the most expensive and famous spot in Amur, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The knight nodded vigorously.
As Luize said, the restaurant was luxurious. The interior was elegant, and the view from the 20th-floor penthouse wasn’t bad either.
And the food was undeniably delicious.
Granada’s cooking is food waste compared to this.
If he said that aloud, she’d probably jump up insisting she wasn’t a cook.
“You look loaded, so why were you poking around that cheap knockoff shop?”
“Looking for someone.”
“Can’t hire help for that?”
“It’s someone I wanna find myself.”
Luize flashed a cold smile. Berge vowed never to let her and Roger cross paths.
“Poor bastard.”
“Doesn’t deserve pity.”
From her resolve, Berge knew she’d chase Roger to the ends of the continent if needed.
Her pre-regression actions proved it.
What a pain.
He hadn’t found a trace yet, but if—just if—she ever learned he’d kidnapped him, who knew what she’d do.
Better to—
“That Roger Friedri?”
Bam!
The princess shot to her feet. The table flipped. The knight’s sword was at her throat.
“How’d you know?”
“Good ears. What’s hiding your face matter if you can’t watch your mouth? Luize Berft.”
“...Was I that obvious?”
“Your voice was a bit loud, milady. But figuring out you’re the princess from that alone is suspicious.”
The knight’s icy pressure bore down on Berge.
“Who are you? Approaching on purpose?”
“Funny. Who dragged someone here against their will? You, princess.”
“...Fair point.”
“I’m here to help. I’ve met Roger Friedri.”
“What? When? Where!”
“Two months ago, in Ormus.”
“Roger went to Ormus? That backwater?”
“I travel the continent hunting magic materials. Spotted him by chance in Tartar, Ormus’s jungle city.”
“Why should we believe you?”
The knight eyed him suspiciously, convinced it was deliberate.
“Don’t have to.”
Berge pulled something from his pocket. A necklace. It was Roger’s old one, removed for manacles on the Mana’s Phantom errand and never returned.
“This...!”
“It’s definitely Roger’s! His first creation—no effects, but he wore it like a talisman.”
Both dwarves recognized it.
That’s what it was?
No wonder he’d whined and fussed when told to hand it over. A few slaps had quieted him, though.
“Where’d you find this?”
“Told you. Tartar.”
“Roger would never take it off... Unless...”
“He didn’t die. Monster attack snapped it; I picked it up.”
“There’s a break mark.”
Berge had forced it off since he wouldn’t yield willingly.
“Thanks!”
The princess seized his hand.
“Now we have a lead. Another debt owed. How to repay...”
“Ridiculous.”
He grabbed the bare blade with his hand.
Screeech—
The sword bent with a grotesque groan.
“Threatening someone’s throat and talking favors?”
Daring to point a blade at me? You stunted runts.
“Uh...?”
“...Good lord.”
Luize and the knight gaped, dumbfounded.
“Learned how rude dwarves are today.”
Berge stood. Luize grabbed him desperately.
“Wait. I’ll apologize for this.”
“No need. Don’t want more dwarf entanglements.”
“The knight overreacted because of my status. Too many approach with ulterior motives.”
“Should I account for your issues too?”
“Of course not.”
She forced a small token into his hand.
“Proof you’re my benefactor. Bring it to the kingdom, and our finest smiths will craft you the best gear.”
“...Looks useful. I’ll take it.”
Berge vanished.
“...The sword?”
“Bent beyond use. An alloy blade, ruined so easily...”
Dwarven alloy was the continent’s toughest and most resilient.
“Without mana, crumpling a master smith’s weapon?”
“What now, milady? Could be a trap.”
“That necklace was real, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then we go. Trap or not, he’s likely there. Won’t rest till I thrash him.”
Luize’s eyes gleamed.
“Contact Father for reinforcements.”
“Yes.”
They didn’t know.
Ormus—half jungle, domain of the Beast Demon King Drakson—was assigned to Berge.
It was passing the hot potato.
“...Failed?”
“Couldn’t even glimpse the Demon King’s tower?”
“Hillon Kargil?”
Humans are social animals that form packs.
With heroes overflowing the dimension, it was natural they’d band together.
For their rights and smoother demon king hunts, heroes formed a guild to share intel.
Thus, the Hero Guild was born.
Nemesis of demon kings.
Now, centuries later, it toyed with them.
The guild was in uproar.
Unlike Waton Colro’s party descending early, this was different.
Erjest’s harshness just meant more time, they thought. No one foresaw total failure.
“Says the tower wasn’t anywhere.”
“Impossible...”
“Hundreds of years since demon kings descended. Dozens came. Not one hid their tower.”
“That’s why we’re reconvened.”
Elder meetings so soon were rare.
“We can’t underestimate this demon king.”
“Hillon Kargil is tenacious. He combed the mountains. Hiding it deliberately.”
“Even so, a demon king wouldn’t...”
“The results say otherwise!”
“Quiet, all.”
The elders fell silent at the head’s word.
“This new demon king warrants caution. Before discussing, awaited news arrived.”
“A reply?”
A hologram shot from the central mana stone.
“Name: Berge Dayas.”
“Wields fire mainly; physical prowess top-tier among demons.”
“Notably, mocks Demon King’s Canon—seen as an idiot even in Ma-gye.”
One elder frowned.
“That’s it? No race, specifics, minions, monsters, tower layout?”
“Correct.”
“These bastards breaking cooperation like this?”
“Pamper them, and they treat us like fools. Time to show ’em.”
“Round up heroes for a hero expedition now!”
Elders raged. But the man crossed his arms, shaking his head.
“No. Demon kings can’t enter others’ towers casually. It’s recent descent; natural they don’t know without asking.”
“Ah, true... Overlooked that amid the chaos.”
Demon kings rarely checked towers outside Tower Harmony. Even friends didn’t invite privately.
“So no tower intel yet.”
“Likely.”
Elders clicked tongues in regret. An unforeseen foe, zero info.
“Mobilize all heroes early and crush?”
“They sent a note: ‘He scorns canon. Un-demon-king-like, un-demon-like. Take note.’”
Interesting descent. The man smirked slyly.
“That’s...”
“A canon-breaker?”
Unimaginable worst-case. An irregular shredding the Hero Guild’s hard-won strategies.
Their tower of blood and experience could crumble.
“Isn’t he already?”
“But he kidnapped a princess. Even an imperial one this time.”
“Won’t break everything. Canon’s efficient for them. But he’ll twist unfavorable parts.”
“Good lord.”
Why could heroes mock demon kings?
Numbers helped, but knowing canon’s “sacred” reality—and exploiting it.
“What makes this bastard ignore canon? Ma-gye’s mad picking him?”
“Who knows.”
“Perhaps...”
An elder swallowed a groan.
“Perhaps?”
“Ma-gye might want to end this phase.”
“Go on.”
“Centuries of demon king descents. Now clear they’re vanguards.”
The man nodded.
“Dozens of failed vanguards? Smart demons change tactics. Berge Dayas is the first try.”
“...Plausible.”
“Tower Harmony excuse, but maybe hiding deliberately.”
“They didn’t seem fond of him.”
“New attempt; they might dislike it. But obey superiors.”
“Possible.”
“Demons would...”
Elders nodded one by one.
“Crush in first wave to prevent repeats?”
“No.”
The man licked his lips habitually.
“Let him be.”
“...You’ll stand by?”
“Good opportunity.”
His lip curled.
“Continent’s too cozy with demon kings. Damage down, nations thriving. Hence arrogant fools decrying Hero Guild’s irrelevance.”
No secret. Prolonged peace bred resentment toward the unaffiliated powerhouse.
“Who lets them rest easy? Saves the continent? Avoids demon king slaves?”
“They forget, now strut managing heroes.”
Clueless fools.
Subtle killing intent made elders shiver.
“A new absolute evil like Berge Dayas waking the continent? Reminding them this ‘peace’ is false?”
“Wise words.”
“Jespain’s insolence especially egregious.”
Post-9th imperial daughter kidnapping, Jespain envoys had wrecked the guild. No secret.
“Acting like that over pocket change...”
“Time they remembered who brings peace.”
“Then it’s settled. Minimal shows, then observe.”
Decision made.
Roger was deep in thought.
Disassemble? Or not?
Mana cannons were fully repaired. Refined mana stones added; durability dipped, firepower up.
Next heroes wouldn’t pass like Hillon Kargil.
Demon king’s orders complete. Time for personal projects?
It’s mine originally. So ownership’s mine, right?
Drooling, Roger eyed the fully integrated Mana’s Phantom.
Past traces faint. Power source magic points; structure overhauled.
He craved its principles. How it became tower gear? Hid the tower? Dissect fully.
“Yeah. Not the tower. My artifact. Can’t claim full ownership now, but a little peek okay?”
Breathing ragged, he slowly gathered tools.
Hammer to test durability? No, might shatter. Unscrew, full teardown...
“Gonna disassemble that?”
“...Eek!”
Roger collapsed. Tools flew. Wind spirit caught them gently.
“Why so jumpy?”
“Please don’t pop up behind me like that!”
“Gonna disassemble it?”
“...No.”
Roger sheepishly set down the hammer.
“What’s up?”
“Need a reason to visit? Us?”
“We’re nothing.”
“Kidnapped together. Few survive demon king grabs. Chance of chatting freely like this?”
“...What’re you getting at?”
This haughty princess baffled him. Her playful face like a mischievous imp.
“Cookie?”
“Sure.”
Herb-infused cookies always welcome. Crunch. She bit one too.
“New princess settling in?”
“Not meek. Not wild either.”
“Ambiguous?”
“Swings sword all day.”
“...What now.”
“First three days, slept quietly. Adjustment? Dogs stay in cages new places too.”
“She’s no animal.”
“Message matters?”
“...Fair.”
Roger wasn’t etiquette-obsessed. Especially after Luize; no love for princesses or imperials.
“Next two days, polished weapons and armor nonstop.”
“She wore knight armor entering, yeah.”
“Now swinging sword.”
“...Right now?”
“Stinks of sweat. Wanna bond, but no openings beyond meals and training.”
“So you came down?”
“Thought more princesses meant better fits. Tough.”
Ernan grumbled softly. In this hollow tower, newcomers sparked her dull routine.
“Still, more people’s nice.”
That spark ignored her, self-absorbed—regrettable, but life’s presence felt good.
“Doubt she thinks so.”
Word was, imperial daughter and Hillon ally, hero-hunting demon kings...
Just looks like training to escape.
Whether she could, who knew. As a hero, slim chance.
“Another?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
Ideally, she’d smash the tower training. Demon king’d assign me repairs? Legal disassembly...
Munching idly, sweet-bitter taste lingered.
“...What?”
『Wind Lotus in capital Amur. Owner Jetoson. Figure how to ruin him clean.』
“Demon King’s order?”
『Yeah. I’m swamped, unlike some.』
“Shut it.”
Giggling echoed from the crystal. Gordon barely suppressed ripping his yap shut.
『Anyway, commissioned intel guild. Updates as they come.』
Click. Link cut.
“What? Slacking?”
It infuriated because it wasn’t wrong.
Demon king’s adjutant managed the tower, advised against errors.
But no tower to manage; king knew Alein better. Deviated from studied canon—no advice possible.
Even in hero assault, outshone by kidnap princesses. Humiliating.
Gordon floated uselessly. Academy topper, now redundant.
“Fine.”
Gordon gnashed teeth.
“I’ll ruin this fucker no matter what. Prove I’m essential!”
Wind Lotus’s Jetoson. Gordon burned the name deep.