Chapter 58

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Ace

Chapter: 58

Chapter Title: Pebble Guardians

-----------------------------------------------------------------

A super-mini Ddol Ddoli that looked exactly like him.

It only made rolling sounds, but strangely enough, he could understand what it was saying.

Thanks to that, Ddol Ddoli learned who this little guy was and why it had followed him.

'Little Ddol Ddoli, made by Ddol Ddoli.'

Just as his owner had made him, this little one was something he had created.

He had no idea how it had happened, but that much was certain.

He could clearly feel his own power and his owner's power emanating from the little one's sturdy body.

A slow but incredibly strong and steadfast strength.

The proud power of rock flowed from them.

Yes. These little ones are my children.

'Little Ddol Ddoli, like Ddol Ddoli, so followed.'

And there wasn't just one—there were several.

The moment he realized they had followed him like they were drawn to him, Ddol Ddoli's tension melted away.

Ddol Ddoli soon shrank into first-stage mini Ddol Ddoli mode and stood before the pebble guardians.

First-stage mode was only about 150 centimeters tall—very small—but the pebble guardians were a mere 50 centimeters or so. Even so, the size difference was like that between an adult and a child.

-You all are pebble guardians.

Ddol Ddoli didn't know why he knew their name.

He just knew it the moment he saw them.

He looked down at them.

The gem eyes of these guys who looked just like him sparkled brightly.

'Like baby birds.'

On his wandering path, he had seen countless birds.

Baby birds especially.

Baby birds sitting in nests up in trees, looking up at the sky and waiting for their mother—they were such cute little lives, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ddol Ddoli quite liked watching them.

Listening to their chirps made his heart feel all soft and gooey.

But there was one thing he didn't like.

'Baby birds too weak. Can't do anything alone.'

They were weak.

Too weak to do anything on their own.

They were beings who needed care.

The mother flew around endlessly, bringing food to them, while the baby birds just waited.

Ddol Ddoli didn't like that.

'Young and weak natural. But must protect own body.'

There was always one thing Ddol Ddoli thought whenever he saw those baby birds.

If he ever had subordinates like that, he wouldn't raise them that way.

They might not be able to boast great strength or defeat enemies, but at least he wanted to give them the minimum means and power to protect themselves from predators.

-Pebble guardians. Nice to meet you. Wanted to see you all.

-Dol!

-Dol! Dol!

Joy overflowed from the rolling sounds from their mouths and their sparkling eyes.

They were so happy over just one word from him.

For some reason, it made his heart feel all soft and gooey.

Even more intensely than when he saw the baby birds.

'Did owner feel like this when seeing Ddol Ddoli?'

And were they feeling the same toward their owner as he had when he first saw his?

-Know you want to follow Ddol Ddoli.

-Dol!

-But no. You can't follow Ddol Ddoli. Shouldn't. Know why?

-Dol?

-Because you are guardians.

The pebble guardians tilted their heads in confusion.

Ddol Ddoli chuckled and lowered his stance further.

-Guardians protect. Ddol Ddoli protects owner. Getting strong for that.

-Dol….

-Guardian must protect someone, not be protected.

Suddenly, a roar echoed from afar. It was a troll.

Spotting Ddol Ddoli in his 150-centimeter form, it went berserk and charged wildly.

-Dol! Ddol ddol ddol!

-Yes. Monster. You know too. Seen before, huh.

-Dol!

-Good job. Not scared of that monster. Like Ddol Ddoli, brave.

Kieyak!

-Coming. Watch closely.

Ddol Ddoli stood up straight again. He clenched his fist, positioned himself to shield the pebble guardians, and faced the charging troll.

He bent his legs slightly and thrust his fist forward with all his might, like a straight punch.

Kwaaaang!

A massive boom. The troll's abdomen rippled violently like a wave from the rock fist, and it screamed as it crashed to the ground.

-Dol…!

The pebble guardians' mouths gaped open.

Taking down a monster twice their size with one punch!

Of course, Ddol Ddoli's original body was much bigger than this, but that didn't matter to these little ones.

What they saw right before their eyes was impressive enough.

A 150-centimeter frame overwhelming a 3-meter monster in one blow!

-Dol!

-Ddol ddol dol!

Their eyes lit up. Seeing the spark of determination awaken in eyes that had been innocently pure, Ddol Ddoli chuckled and patted them.

-Saw? Guardian must be this strong. Ddol Ddoli strong, so defeated monster.

-Dol!

-You must be like this too. Ddol Ddoli rock guardian, you pebble guardians. Must get strong yourselves to protect someone. Understand?

-Dol!

The pebble guardians nodded vigorously, as if they understood.

'Little Ddol Ddol Ddolis, smart like Ddol Ddoli.'

Ddol Ddoli nodded contentedly, thinking something Ian would find absurd if he heard it.

-Good. Now disperse. Like Ddol Ddoli lives to protect owner, you live your lives.

-Dol!

-What? Want ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to protect Ddol Ddoli?

-Dol!

-No. Ddol Ddoli not protected by anyone. Ddol Ddoli protects self. Rock's fate.

-Dol….

-Same for you. Can't be protected. You must protect someone. That's rock.

The little ones looked a bit downcast.

But no helping it.

He couldn't skip the education.

-Who you protect not decided by Ddol Ddoli. You decide.

-Dol!

-Wander world. Might find your own owner you like.

-Dol!

Ddol Ddoli turned to leave but paused.

It felt wrong to part like this.

'Owner gave Ddol Ddoli strong body. But little Ddol Ddol Ddolis not strong. Ddol Ddoli make strong.'

-Before go, Ddol Ddoli teach one thing.

-Dol?

-How to fight.

-Dol!

-And how to get strong.

-Dol!

Ddol Ddoli then began passing down his secret techniques to the pebble guardians.

Various know-how, including how to wield power.

A leisurely workday.

He checked Ddol Ddoli's notifications for the first time in a while and was startled.

'What's with all these?'

It seemed Ddol Ddoli had met the pebble guardians.

And trained them, among other things.

'Want to protect someone... Cute.'

He imagined tiny 50-centimeter pebble guys protecting someone.

It seemed really adorable.

Come to think of it, he hadn't checked the pebble guardians' abilities yet.

Maybe take a look?

'Oh, pretty solid?'

Nothing jaw-dropping, but a well-rounded setup.

'This pretty strong, right?'

Enhanced Strike should give decent attack power, and Will of the Rock provides constant damage reduction.

They'd even awakened Charge—Ddoli's bread-and-butter skill—so they had burst potential too.

'Pebble Throw looks a bit weak.'

Ddol Ddoli had 'Rock Throw', but these had 'Pebble Throw'. How pitiful did that sound?

'They throw little stones instead of rocks.'

But that made them seem even cuter, so it was a plus instead.

"Hey, left arm. What're you spacing out about?"

"...Pardon?"

Ian's reverie broke. He looked up to see Astheon standing at his desk.

"You're here."

"Spacing out, huh? That bored?"

"Yes. Ah, work's all done, so no worries."

"Not worried. Not here to scold you. Got a question."

"What're you curious about?"

"Follow me."

As he followed Astheon to his office, Ian wondered.

'What does he want to ask?'

Since being appointed court mage, Astheon had never given any special orders, making it even more intriguing.

'Secret mission maybe?'

It was possible.

Honestly, things had been too cushy lately.

He'd had plenty of time to invest in alchemy research.

Not that progress had been made, though.

The 'Master Alchemist' researches were brutally tough.

Low success rates, eye-popping rare materials, days-long research times.

He'd reached the point where even short-term gains were impossible.

Still, completing a few minor sub-researches in a week wasn't a total bust.

Far from a bust—pure honey.

'Guess it's time to work for real.'

He'd steeled himself, but Astheon's words threw him off.

"You know the Alchemy Merchant Guild, right?"

"Pardon?"

"Alchemy Merchant Guild. No way you don't know."

"Ah, I do. Just surprised by the question."

Definitely unexpected.

Astheon talking about the Alchemy Merchant Guild?

"Surprised my foot. You trust 'em?"

"Well... But why ask me?"

"Why? You're a merchant's son. Figure you know the trade scene."

"Yeah. Roughly."

Truth was, he didn't.

Just because Dad was a tycoon didn't mean his son ran the company.

But denying it wasn't smart survival.

"That's why I'm asking. Alchemy Merchant Guild trustworthy?"

"Yes. They are."

"Good. Got it."

Astheon stood abruptly, as if his dilemma was solved, and headed for the door.

Ian hurried after him.

"But why ask?"

"Oh, nothing big. Thinking of issuing them a special license."

"Pardon? Sp-special license? You mean the imperial special license?"

"Yeah. That."

"...Huh."

Ian's eyes widened. What the heck?

'Imperial special license? What's that mean?'

The imperial special license.

A privilege granted in the emperor's name to a specific merchant guild—think British royal warrant vibes.

How could they snag something that hard to get?

"Your Highness. One question?"

"Shoot."

"What did the Alchemy Merchant Guild do to earn a special license from you?"

"Something huge."

"Huge?"

"Yeah. Father's quite pleased."

"Pardon?"

'His Majesty?'

Now he was dying to know.

'What'd they do to win over these picky royals?'

Or rather.

Issuing special licenses based on one retainer’s word?

'Trusts me too much?'

Ian felt dazed.