Chapter 77
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Source of the Dwarves' Favor
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The sudden rise in the dwarf race's affinity was all thanks to Ddol Ddoli.
While digging through the system notifications to find the cause, he discovered the alert about Ddol Ddoli encountering the dwarves.
'What the hell did it do to win over those picky artisans?'
It seemed like it had been up to a lot.
It had been slaying monsters left and right, leveled up in the process to gain new skills, and then what? Transformed into a frost golem?
Ddol Ddoli could transform now?
'Ah, this is killing me with curiosity. It must look badass.'
His curiosity was bubbling over, but he decided to hold back. Ddol Ddoli had its own journey, and more importantly, this was a long-overdue visit to his parents.
'Last time I saw them... was it a year ago?'
It had been a bit longer than that.
They hadn't completely lost touch—he'd kept in regular contact via communicator, so at least he'd heard their voices.
On big holidays like Founding Day or Thanksgiving, he'd sent gifts now and then.
'Still, your son actually became a noble. They deserve to hear it straight from me.'
Of course, they probably knew already, but as his duty as a son, he figured telling them in person was the right thing to do. That's why he'd taken a day off to come visit.
"Well, if it isn't! It's the young master!"
"Bron, Colton. Good to see you both doing well?"
"We're doing great! It's been ages! Come on in! Hey, the young master's here!"
"Aw, no need to make a fuss. I'm not helpless."
"A noble lord has arrived! What was it? Count Ian Randert? Anyway, an important guest!"
"Quiet down, I said. And noble lord? Come on."
This bustling headquarters of the Bellic Merchant Company was as heartwarming as ever. It never changed, no matter when he visited.
The laborers were frantically hauling goods, mid-level managers bellowing orders.
Amid the chaos, the company's key executives—who had known Ian since he was a kid—greeted him warmly.
To Ian, they were like uncles and aunts he'd grown up with.
"Where's Father?"
"Inside. He's buried in the ledgers, but he'll make time now that you're here."
Being the head of a major merchant company meant being insanely busy.
He'd be wrestling with mountains of paperwork, out of his mind, but the moment he heard his son was here...
Well, he didn't exactly come running. He grumbled his way out.
"Showing up when I'm this swamped. Filial piety? You're a real piece of work."
"Your son came to see you. Can't you spare a little time?"
"Long time no see, and that mouth of yours hasn't changed a bit."
"Heh."
"Fine. Get in here."
His words were gruff, but he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.
"You've got a glow about you now. Must be eating well—your face is all shiny with fat."
"I've always eaten well. You, on the other hand, look even older."
"Of course. How could I not age with a kid sucking me dry?"
"Sucking you dry? That's a bit harsh."
He said that, but Ian felt a pang of guilt.
His father was speaking facts.
'Yeah, I've drained him pretty good.'
As a kid, he'd thrown tantrums about learning magic. As an adult, he'd constantly begged for alchemy research funds.
'Ugh. Total unfilial son.'
At least he'd attended the academy on scholarship?
It was one of the top academies, after all.
Tuition was steep, and even well-off noble families dropped out over it. He'd done pretty well, all things considered.
Still, he felt sorry.
He'd burned through a ton of money.
And hadn't shown his face much.
"Thinking about it, yeah, I'm a real unfilial bastard."
"Took you long enough."
"But from now on, I won't drain you so much. No need to worry."
"Oh ho. Something good happen? Makes sense—now that you're a big shot, your shoulders are broader."
"You knew?"
"Of course. Everyone's been coming around congratulating me non-stop about my son the noble. Driving me nuts, you punk."
Bellic rubbed his brow tiredly and shook his head. He acted disgusted, but the smile tugging at his lips gave him away.
'Playing it cool, huh? You love it.'
Ian had already heard how he'd bragged to the whole neighborhood.
Apparently, he'd planned a massive discount sale on all goods to celebrate but backed off.
Best not to mention it, though—hurt the old man's pride.
"How's it feel?"
"Feel? It's whatever."
"Kinda underwhelming. I came home to let you brag about your noble son."
"Nothing to be underwhelmed about. Your life's yours, mine's mine. Doesn't change my bottom line if you're a noble. Why jump for joy?"
"Fair enough."
True enough. Except this guy had gone around bragging anyway.
"Still, looks like my boy's turned into someone respectable. Out there handling his own affairs now."
"......"
"That slippery kid's serving His Majesty and earning merits for the empire."
"......"
"Fine. I'll admit it. You've earned some bragging rights. Good job."
Gruff, blunt words. But Ian beamed. He knew it was heartfelt praise from the heart.
"Why the grin?"
"'Cause you praised me. Rare to hear that from you. Should've recorded it."
"......Idiot."
"Heh."
"Mind if I ask something?"
"Sure. Shoot."
"Why pick that rundown barony? Word is, you could've chosen wider, richer land."
"'Cause I liked it. Quiet, good for relaxing. Nice views too."
"Relaxing? Views? There's a reason you're hiding, right?"
Bellic stared Ian down, like he could see right through him. Ian chuckled.
"I know your eye's sharper than most. You've been like that since you were little. Must be your instincts kicking in again."
"......"
"Monson territory's half mountains. Something buried there?"
"......"
"Or trade? Bad location, blocked by Eltea Forest. But you're tight with Eltea's princess, right? Picking it for elf trade?"
"Father."
"Yeah?"
"You a fortune teller?"
"Fortune teller...? What's that?"
Ian was floored.
No exaggeration—actual chills.
'Is he a mind reader or what?'
"There's a mana stone vein hidden in Monson's back mountains."
"Right. Mana stone v—what?!"
Bellic jumped in shock. A stark change from his usual stoic face.
"Mana stone vein! For real?!"
"Father, voice."
Ian hurriedly wrapped mana around them to block sound.
"Ahem. Is it true?"
"Yes."
"Kahaha! Knew it! Had to be! No way you'd pick randomly. My boy's got the eye!"
Bellic laughed heartily before calming down.
"But... you can just tell me? Info that valuable?"
"It's fine. Planned to anyway."
"......You punk."
Bellic's eyes misted over.
"Finally gonna do some filial duty after all the draining?"
"Nah. Just wanna drain more."
"......What?"
"Father, help develop the mana stone mine."
Ian grinned, locking eyes. Bellic stared back, then shook his head.
"Tricked again. You sly fox."
"You won't pretend you didn't hear that, right?"
"......"
"Tempting, isn't it? Think of the profits."
"Milking your old man to the end."
Agreement. Ian nodded, satisfied, and explained the plan.
Nothing fancy. Bellic Company—big scale, tons of know-how—handles development. Alchemy Company manages processing and distribution. Simple.
"What? Alchemy Company?"
But mentioning Alchemy soured Bellic's mood.
"Yes. You know them, right? Of course you do."
"Why hand processing to them when I'm here?!"
Made sense. They were rivals.
Or not—Alchemy was a corner store next to Bellic's empire.
"We can handle it no problem! Ditch them!"
"Nah, mana stone processing's best left to mages and alchemists. They're good."
"How much did they butter you up...!"
"Oh, right, didn't mention. Alchemy Company's mine."
"......?"
Bellic froze mid-motion.
"......What?"
"Alchemy's mine. Technically, my subordinate's the head, but same difference. Don't worry ab—urk!"
"C'mere, my boy!"
"Gah! What the—suddenly?!"
Bellic crushed him in a bear hug. Ian squirmed away in protest.
"Never dreamed you'd pull something this bold behind my back! Kahahaha!"
"Ow, let go! Oh, and it's a secret. Got it?"
"Obviously. Why would I blab? Who benefits?"
"Yeah, no worries. You're the tightest-lipped guy I know."
"No wonder they're rising fast! Only my son could threaten us! Kahaha!"
Huh. He was aware.
News to Ian. Thought he wasn't bothered.
Ddol Ddoli really took to the dwarves. They treated it casually, which put it at ease.
No one else did. Humans either feared it or treated it as an enemy.
Of course, it had been extra careful around human areas because of those few who freaked out.
But these guys? No special treatment.
Probably because golems were familiar to them.
And the clincher:
They liked its master.
Key point: No fakeness allowed.
These guys were genuine.
Ian could see their sincere praise.
By Ddol Ddoli's formula—'sincere master praise = good people'—the dwarves had won it over.
"Kahaha! That's how it was! You heard a noise, checked it out, and saw us!"
-Yes. Thought you were tiny humans. But you're dwarves.
"First time seeing dwarves, makes sense! You've only known humans!"
-No. Ddol Ddoli saw demons, dragons. Lots of monsters.
"Oh? Impressive!"
-Ddoli couldn't beat dragon. But maybe now.
"Even golems struggle with dragons! But you're strong—might manage! Kahaha!"
Ddol Ddoli had blended right in. Dwarves boozed and ate; it just watched since it didn't eat.
Silly talk flew. Then Ddol Ddoli got curious.
-But why were you in that forest?
"Why? To get a Frost Heartstone."
-What's that?
"Mystical treasure packed with extreme frost mana. Buried somewhere in the frozen north. We need it."
-Why?
"To revive our furnace."
Dolin's face turned grim. Others nodded solemnly.
-Furnace?
"Eternal Furnace. Our clan's treasure. Eternal flame, the heart of dwarf smiths."
The dwarves explained.
The Eternal Furnace was their most prized treasure, now on the brink of ruin.
"Too much heat buildup. Started overheating. If it goes on, it'll explode."
-Then what?
"Boom. Area turns to sea of fire. Ancestral legacy gone forever."
Ddol Ddoli tilted its head. Didn't know what a sea of fire was.
Sea made of fire? Never seen a real sea, so no clue.
"Anyway, need Frost Heartstone to cool the excess heat and balance it. But... couldn't get one."
-......
"We're doomed. No way out."
Ddol Ddoli looked at them. Faces full of worry. Sighs heavy enough to sink the earth.
-That overheating... cool with frost?
"Obviously. But not easy. Needs something like Frost Heartstone."
-Can Ddol Ddoli try?
"Huh?"
-Ddoli in frost golem mode now. Ddol Ddoli can cool with frost.
All dwarves stared.
"You... can cool it?"
-Don't know. Want to try.
Ddol Ddoli was curious too.
How strong was this 'elemental resonance' frost golem mode?
Could it cool the Eternal Furnace's heat?
-Ddoli curious. Okay to try?
Its face brimmed with eagerness.