Walls Whale, the Blacksmith Supreme
As expected of Commander-in-Chief Walls Whale, the blacksmith whom every single one of those prideful dwarves hailed as the greatest. When it came to his skill, showing was far better than telling. From the design of Akkshan's decisive battle weapon, the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower, to the Iron Castle Ho, and even the gateway to the dwarves' hideout—there wasn't a single place untouched by his hand.
"Damn it."
"Th-that idiot, spouting useless nonsense...!"
"Oops."
The dwarves let out sighs at the thunderous roar of Guicheol.
Chainwalker muttered,
"Trouble's brewing."
The survivors of Dreadsden Village. Lancy and the others had wisely lent a hand to the dwarves' work. Who could have imagined dwarves—straight out of old tales—arriving on a ship flying through the sky? It was beyond imagination, but no dream.
'Anyway, if I don't want to get kicked out, I have to earn my keep.'
But the atmosphere was too tense to just let it slide. Talking rocks, of all things!
In the end, Lancy cautiously asked Chainwalker,
"...Is something serious going on, by any chance?"
"Ah, no need for you all to worry. By our pact with him, we dwarves will protect you to the end. Did someone give you trouble? I told them not to bully you outsiders...!"
"Him...?"
The black silhouette Diend had mentioned—their lord, no doubt? She didn't know what pact he meant, but Lancy felt a longing to at least see the face of her benefactor.
But first things first.
"No! It's not that— you just seemed troubled!"
She had to clear up the misunderstanding.
"He must be an amazing person, the one they call Walls Whale!"
"That was it? Sorry for the commotion."
"Not at all. It's been a while since things felt lively and good!"
It wasn't empty flattery. Truly. It made her feel alive again after so long.
"Then I'm relieved."
Chainwalker let out a deep sigh before continuing.
"Walls Whale—that stubbornness of his already has my head throbbing just thinking about it."
His skill was undeniable, but when forging something, Walls Whale was a monster. Cantankerous beyond words. He was prickly enough even pounding speechless iron ore.
"Hearing that from Guicheol, he won't stay quiet."
Sure enough, Chainwalker's prediction hit the mark.
The thunderous shout from Guicheol. Without missing a beat, Walls Whale opened his mouth.
Lancy finally realized.
"You show a little consideration, and the bastard gets cocky, Guicheol!"
That's what he was worried about?!
"S-surprisingly... very?"
From that stern, dignified, utterly serious face, such words would emerge.
As Lancy failed to hide her shock, Chainwalker clutched his face with both hands.
"...Survivor of Akkshan."
Your Guicheol has poked that old man's pride.
From here on, even Chainwalker couldn't predict.
What equipment would emerge from the clash of Walls Whale, the dwarves' greatest blacksmith, and Guicheol? Unimaginable.
Of course it worried him.
"Fine, no more consideration!"
Whoosh!
Ramping up the output, the ultra-high-temperature furnace burned even brighter red.
At Walls Whale's words, Guicheol responded.
"Lukewarm. Make it hotter!"
Equipment, by nature, required consideration for the user. Right-handed, left-handed, handle designs tailored accordingly, down to the finest details of the user's abilities.
But with Guicheol egging Walls Whale on...
"Means your lord can handle anything, right?"
Equipment born purely for performance, without a shred of consideration.
That was why Chainwalker clutched his face and dry-washed it.
Can Grandfell handle such a monstrous piece?
But his worries proved unfounded.
"Of course. Haven't I said it all along?"
Guicheol, who had watched him closer than anyone, declared it.
"His vessel is vast enough that it never fills, no matter how much you pour!"
Indeed. There was conviction in that voice.
"Any more worry would be doubting him."
Thanks to that, not just Chainwalker.
"Truly so?"
Even Walls Whale, hammer in hand, shook off his concern.
Walls Whale resolved himself.
"Good!"
He would pour out his sincerity as never before.
"Then Walls Whale shall forge you with all his might!"
"Good! Just what I hoped!"
Fwosh!
Good my ass!
High El, Diend, Guicheol—even them.
I got their intentions. All for my sake.
But excessive loyalty sometimes overwhelms me...
Guicheol picking a fight with Walls Whale? Walls Whale vowing to craft equipment for the history books, beyond luxury? Beating on Guicheol day and night?
'The result worries me.'
From the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.
To the beam cannon of the Iron Castle Ho that swept millions of demons.
I'd felt the dwarves' technology with my own body.
And among them, the top-rated Walls Whale declares full sincerity?
'...Can I even equip it?'
Worst case, a level 1,000 restricted item pops out? It'd be pie in the sky.
Of course, regardless of my inner thoughts, I blustered on.
"A fine attitude as my weapon."
For Grandfell, level restrictions were mere numbers—no issue.
In the end, true to form.
I'd brazenly loophole my way through.
Already practicing with Fang of the Wicked Earth Dragon.
Various uses, that is.
Soon, Diend's awed voice rang out.
"As expected of my lord."
...Don't take nonsense as gospel. Please.
I felt the sincerity, but couldn't just rejoice.
No room for moping pitifully either.
The demons of the Arcana Continent were on the move.
The Demon King Struggle loomed.
I spoke.
"High El, Diend. Do your utmost where you are."
"As you command."
"Your will."
"And relay this."
No need to exhort the dwarves or Dreadsden survivors.
Including them, Arcana's survivors had thrashed desperately in living hell.
Expecting more would violate my—no, Grandfell's—pride.
Now it was our turn.
"That your pride has reached us."
Yusra Kingdom, Golden Palace.
As leader of the Shadow Mercenaries, Kichi had handled countless treasures, but the Golden Palace's splendor never grew familiar.
Light footsteps— but today, Kichi's steps across the palace were unusually light.
Her expression and vibe were the polar opposite of this morning.
"Hey, Captain."
Second seat, Wolf, asked cautiously.
"...Did you drink?"
"Nope. Why? Craving a drink? Weird for you, Wolf."
"No, just—you seem in a good mood."
Just earlier, Kichi's face screamed 'murder'.
Literally, a 'kill-you' glare.
The reason was obvious.
They rode the same ship. Bottom seat, Rackid, critically wounded by an elf.
While she was drunk and dead asleep.
Of course she'd be uncontrollably furious.
Golden Palace annex.
As Kichi entered, the members' pretending glances converged.
Including freshly awakened Rackid.
Rackid rasped in his half-hoarse voice.
"...Heh, Captain."
"What? Awake? Your limbs were flopping!"
"Tch, that attitude—ruins my appetite."
Seventh seat, Alkari, explained.
"A Mage Tower mage stopped by."
"I see... Wait, a Mage Tower mage?! Why?! Anyone screw up? That Demon King's Castle rift bullshit leak?"
"Don't jinx it, Captain."
"Huh? No?"
"Why else would Rackid wake up fine?"
"'Cause he's ogre-tough... "
No, Rackid's wounds were critical. Even Alkari's potions barely worked.
Yet he woke up fine...
"No way, that Mage Tower mage healed Rackid?!"
"Right. A senior mage came personally."
"...Why would they?"
Kichi knew mages well. Assassination lists full of them.
Proof of their foul tempers.
Mage Tower mages? If anything, worse.
'No connection to begin with...?'
Besides the Demon King's Castle rift?
A figure flashed in Kichi's mind.
"...Lee Hoyeol, Commander-in-Chief?"
Alkari chuckled and nodded.
"Said it was at his request, to heal the wounded. Ecstatic magic, it was. Vast mana enveloped Rackid's body...!"
Alkari's vivid description fell on deaf ears.
A voice echoed in Kichi's head.
-"I take responsibility for you."
Kichi smirked.
'Taking responsibility properly this time, our employer.'
Of course, clueless Rackid.
Creak—
Rackid slowly raised his massive frame.
"So where's that punk?"
"That punk?"
"The big-eared bastard. Gotta pay him back. This debt."
Our employer barely saved your ass.
Debt? Kichi's eyes narrowed again.
"Still out of it...! Sigh, never mind. Rackid."
Back to normal.
He didn't know yet—fair reaction.
Wolf spoke for the seething Kichi.
"Calm down first, Rackid. In that state?"
"What do you know, archer? Rematch, I win."
"Yeah? Sure, if you say so."
Wolf shrugged at Kichi.
All eyes followed to her.
Shadow Mercenaries had rules.
Grind!
Rackid gnashed his teeth.
"I'll repay every bit."
Time for the main point.
Kichi spoke.
"Like I said this morning. Talked with Lee Hoyeol, Commander-in-Chief. About handling the elf."
"We had cause. Went well? So where's big-ears now...!!"
"Cool it, Rackid. Elf—Elcidoir—he's in the Golden Palace. Staying in an annex like us."
"...What?"
Rackid flinched.
Memory cut off at blackout.
Elf seemed mad—babbling nonsense, charging blindly. Ignored everyone.
So he couldn't believe it.
"Y-you made that bastard kneel?!"
Just with words?
"..."
Rackid shut his mouth in disbelief.
But proof: big-ears holed up obediently in the palace.
Magic, swordplay beyond recognition—not enough, now words subdued an elf?
"Ridiculous."
Rackid glanced at Kichi.
'...Maybe found a bigger target than Captain.'
Good, but confirm.
"So how's that repaying debt, Captain?"
Rackid had a point.
Wolf, Alkari—all eyes on Kichi again.
Kichi swept back her hair, smug.
"You want his life, right?"
"Knew you got me, Captain."
"Our employer, the Commander-in-Chief, said something about that."
"...?"
Building anticipation, scanning members.
After a pause, Kichi continued.
"Make him spit something worth more than his life."
"...!!!"
All flinched at her words.
Make him cough up more than life?
Obviously...
"Our specialty, right?"
Torture, interrogation, threats—with life as collateral!
Rackid grinned.
"Affinity for our Commander-in-Chief rising."
Thought he was stiff. Surprisingly relatable?
Kichi slapped her hip, laughing heartily.
"See why I came back smiling?"
Rackid nodded vigorously.
"Captain's got a plan!"
"So cool your jets, Rackid. Elves who've lived eons. Squeeze a bit, info pours out—who knows?"
"Right! Debt later. Haha!"
"You first—pay your bar tab."
"Ah."
In their banter, Wolf shrugged.
'All massively misunderstanding.'
Lee Hoyeol. Didn't seem our kind at all.
Captain's delusion, as usual.
No need to correct.
Kichi continued meaningfully.
"So our job now is simple."
"...!"
"For massive info. Massive treasure. Comfy retirement. Impress the employer."
Perfect timing—board's set.
"Give it our all in the Holy War!"
All assembled.
Location: Yusra Kingdom Golden Palace.
Time: noon.
Harcon Kingsguard finished morning training in Frost and headed straight there.
Hours till noon, but to meet Jessica Bright and Enoch Loren on duty.
But.
"Huh? You're late. I got here ages ago."
"...?"
Someone had arrived before him.
Unimaginable: Kichi.
Harcon flinched.
Shadows the Empire couldn't control.
Arcana's underworld.
Shadow Mercenaries.
What wind blew them here?