Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Forging an Alliance
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Jace's personal weapon.
The girls showed immense interest in my new sword.
“You can tell just by looking at it!”
“As expected of a master's work… It might even be better than my own weapon.”
“I may dislike dwarves, but I have to acknowledge their skill as blacksmiths. It's truly a magnificent sword.”
I smiled faintly.
Perhaps it was because it was forged just for me.
It felt so natural, not at all foreign in my hand.
Confidence swelled from deep within me.
I was eager to test this sword's power.
As if guessing my state, Esterize suggested a spar.
“Feeling antsy? Wanna go a round?”
“…”
“Hey, you don't have to look so disgusted. That hurts…”
The princess was quite flustered.
She waved her hands, saying she was just kidding.
I had made a stern face without realizing it.
It wasn't a matter of liking it or not, it was just… you know!
Even if I had gotten quite strong, I wasn't at the level to face a hero candidate.
The confidence I had just gained would plummet.
Now was the time to savor this feeling.
Wasn't there an easier opponent somewhere?
Just as I was pondering this non-dilemma, the dwarves approached.
“Oh, magnificent!”
“It seems a fine sword has found its rightful owner.”
“You were already handsome, but now you look even more dashing.”
“???”
Huh? What's with you guys?
They were showering me with compliments to an uncomfortable degree.
Was it because my affinity with them was high?
I wondered what was going on, but there was a good reason for it.
“How are you feeling?”
“Quite good, but…”
“Excellent. Then do us a favor.”
Finally, it was here.
I listened quietly to the dwarves.
“For the past month, a large monster has been appearing in the mine.”
“Normally, we'd handle it ourselves, but that thing is just too big.”
Excellent blacksmiths and, at the same time, valiant warriors.
There was no need to even mention the combat prowess of dwarves.
They could easily take down A-rank monsters on their own.
In other words, an S-rank monster must be causing a ruckus.
It would be tough alone, but with my S-rank companions, I felt reassured…
“Do you happen to know what a sandworm is?”
“???”
“It's similar to that. The only difference is whether its home is the desert or a mine.”
An earthworm was running rampant in the mine.
I briefly imagined that giant worm.
“…”
Ah, I'd rather not.
I felt a strong, visceral revulsion.
Why did it have to be a bug?
My sensibilities are as delicate as a young girl's, so I was reluctant.
[Sudden Quest]
[Defeat: Earthworm]
[Reward: Increased Affinity with the Dwarf Tribe & +300,000 Achievement Points]
Tsk, well, I guess I have no choice.
If I have to do it, I might as well make a show of it.
“You can count on me. I'll take care of your worries in no time.”
“Indeed, I knew you'd say that!”
“A noble character who can't ignore the hardships of others… He's practically a hero already.”
“Take care of it swiftly with that sword the chieftain made you.”
Their support was overwhelming.
They said they'd provide anything I needed.
I wasn't about to refuse their generosity.
I'll take this chance to grab a bunch of stuff while I'm at it.
I looked at my companions.
For some reason, every single one of them had a reluctant expression.
“An earthworm? Eww, it must look disgusting, right?”
“I've never seen one, but… I don't really want to fight it.”
“Can I sit this one out? I have no obligation to help the dwarves.”
“…”
They were certainly acting like typical girls.
No, but still, you guys are hero candidates, right?
“W-well, that's true… Alright. Let's get rid of it quickly.”
The princess answered reluctantly.
Our little cutie shrugged, as if it didn't matter to her.
The elf girl was stubborn, but in the end, she muttered that she would lend her strength.
“Hmph, I suppose it can't be helped. I'll use this opportunity to show that elves are superior to dwarves.”
Yes, that's more like it.
One way or another, their willingness to follow my lead was commendable.
The S-rank monster, the Earthworm.
It would be a tricky opponent, but it was no match for our party's strength.
* * *
Before heading to the mine where the Earthworm appeared.
We meticulously raided the dwarves' warehouse.
It was only their existing stock, but even that was of very high quality.
Gauntlets, shoulder guards, shin guards, and so on.
I chose practical defensive gear, and Esterize's choices weren't much different.
Meanwhile, Ilensia picked up a bow and arrows.
The way she held the bow was very elven.
Contrary to my impression, the dwarves tilted their heads.
“The Earthworm's hide is incredibly tough.”
“Even a full-force swing from an axe won't get through.”
“Arrows and the like will be useless…”
“I'm not doubting an elf's archery, but, hmm…”
At their veiled challenge.
The elf girl bristled, her eyebrows furrowing.
“Hey, why are you making a fuss when I'm trying to help? What do you know about me?”
The dwarves didn't retaliate.
They just chuckled as if they were enjoying it.
“Whoa there. No need to get so serious.”
“A grown lady with so much spirit.”
“It's been a while since I've been scolded by an elf. It's a fresh feeling. How about you get properly angry?”
“!!”
They were annoyingly playful.
A smile formed on my lips without me realizing.
She somehow noticed my reaction and glared at me.
Are you just going to stand there smiling?
You should be taking my side!
She seemed to be urging me on, so I said a word.
“She is essential for dealing with the Earthworm.”
“Hmm, if that's true, it's quite surprising.”
“You're not one to make empty claims. I'll look forward to it.”
Despite the lack of explanation, they nodded as if they understood.
However, the person in question looked bewildered, as if asking what I meant.
“???”
I went out of my way to boost her confidence, but we weren't in sync.
Perhaps our bond as companions was still lacking?
Well, I guess we'll have to start coordinating from now on.
I belatedly explained the plan to defeat the Earthworm.
“That's super simple.”
“I like it. Very efficient.”
“I'm not sure if it will work… but I suppose we should give it a try.”
The girls nodded readily.
Each seemed satisfied with their role.
Before long, we reached the entrance of the mine.
As soon as the dwarves finished guiding us, they quickly secured a safe distance.
Hey, how cheap of them to save their own skins?
It didn't really matter, but it was so blatant!
They paid no mind to the contemptuous glare from the elf girl.
“We've already had our fill of it.”
“We can't get in your way, can we?”
“We can cheer for you at the top of our lungs, though. Mwahaha!”
“…”
Huh? Don't you guys even stand up to dragons?
They were acting shamelessly, as if all that bravery was a lie.
“Our ancestors might have, but not us.”
“We've never even seen a dragon in the first place. They must all be sleeping.”
“Even if one appeared, we'd have to run. There's no reason to risk our lives fighting one.”
Hmm, strangely realistic.
I turned a blind eye to the dwarves' shamelessness.
From my perspective, they were like quest NPCs, so it didn't matter.
Their role was to craft weapons and armor.
As long as they performed that task properly, I had no complaints.
“If you stay right there, it'll show up soon.”
“It's been expanding its territory, and the entrance has become its front yard.”
That was good news, at least.
An open space would be more advantageous than a confined area.
A moment later, just as the dwarves had predicted, the Earthworm appeared.
The giant worm that shot out of the ground was horrifying in its very existence.
I calmly looked at Aruru.
As if she had been waiting, she smiled brightly and exclaimed with vigor.
“Uh-huh, leave it to me!”
The girl closed her eyes and focused.
The moment her open palm clenched into a fist, as if grabbing something, the Earthworm's massive body thrashed violently.
It had been bound by a high-ranking earth spirit.
I didn't know how long she could hold it, but it wouldn't be able to move for a while.
“Next, it's my turn.”
The elf girl skillfully drew her bow.
An arrow was nocked on the string, but a fire spirit was with it.
*Boom! KABOOM!*
The fire arrows, created through spirit archery, struck one after another.
Roaring flames and explosions.
It was truly a spectacular sight.
She had maximized the firepower and relied on her archery skills for accuracy.
Its power was more than enough to affect an S-rank monster.
But she herself tilted her head as if she wasn't sure.
Is this right? It feels a little awkward.
It seemed she was doubting her own skills.
Just then.
The dwarves cheered in unison.
“Well, I'll be! What an amazing lady!”
“I didn't expect much since she's an elf, but I misjudged.”
“When it comes to archery, is it really all about elves? Every shot is a bullseye!”
“!!”
Their cheering was almost excessive.
Ilensia stopped her attack, her face flushing red.
“Ugh… You hopeless fools! It'd be weirder not to hit a target that big!”
Inwardly, she couldn't hide her joy.
That dishonest part of her was, in a way, her charm.
I wondered how she would react to my words. I decided to try.
“That was excellent. I should call you a divine archer from now on.”
“Why are you saying that too? This is just the basics…”
She was at a loss, overcome with embarrassment.
If she had a tail, she might have been wagging it excitedly like our little cutie.
[Affinity +2]
Her affinity even went up.
Was she the type who's weak to compliments?
She's probably heard she's beautiful many times, but it seems she has less resistance to curveballs.
I've got a rough idea now.
I should try approaching the elf girl in that direction.
“Well then, it's about time to finish this…”
As an S-rank monster, the Earthworm had a massive body and tenacious life force to match.
It would only be silenced for good once its body was cut in two.
I gripped my personal weapon.
The chance to test this sword's sharpness had come.
The princess stepped forward with me.
We exchanged glances, then swung our swords in unison.
The giant worm's body was cleanly severed.
Like a tree with its base cut away, the upper part crashed into the earth.
It ended rather anticlimactically, but with three hero candidates, it was an expected outcome.
“Ooh, to think you'd defeat that disgusting thing so easily!”
“At this rate, you could probably take on a dragon, couldn't you?”
“You're certainly strong. We can entrust the future of this continent to you.”
[Sudden Quest Complete]
[Affinity with the Dwarf Tribe has risen from Friendly to Allied]
Done. I've accomplished almost everything I could here.
I could rest well today and leave early tomorrow morning.
“Wow! Jace's plan worked perfectly!”
“I felt this last time too, but I think Jace is the right person to be the party leader.”
“I agree with that. His judgment, decisiveness, and so on are very reliable.”
A deepening bond.
Everything was good, but successfully coordinating with my companions was the most meaningful part.
That night, a party was held as expected.
A few dwarves cornered me and chattered away.
“Try some of this.”
“Hmm, it's not beer.”
“It's a special brew. It has an excellent effect on virility.”
“???”
Huh? What were these guys offering me right now?
I had someone to use that effect on, but it was still a long way off!
“You never know, right?”
“Big things happen in the blink of an eye.”
“…”
The dwarves, advising me as elders in life.
I couldn't completely ignore their words.
If certain conditions were met, it was a situation that could actually happen.
I'll gratefully accept what they're giving.
How could I refuse something that's good for the body?
I mingled happily, thinking of the woman I love.
* * *
The next morning.
The chieftain gathered all the tribe members and made a declaration.
He announced that they would actively support the Crodain Family's knight order.
“Any objections?”
Was it the effect of raising their affinity?
You'd think at least one person would object, but strangely, everyone nodded in agreement.
With this, I had achieved the best possible outcome.
Not only did I get a personal weapon, but I also secured a steady supply of weapons and armor for the future.
“Thank you. I will be sure to repay your expectations…”
“That's not all.”
“???”
“I will personally handle the equipment that you and your companions will use.”
“!!”
I couldn't hide my surprise.
He was offering to craft S-rank items for us?
I hesitated, thinking it was a bit premature, but he offered before I could even bring it up.
Then there's nothing more I could ask for.
Someday I'd get the chance to obtain S-rank and EX-rank equipment, but just like my personal weapon, the chieftain's creations were no less impressive.
Ancient ruins, dungeons, and so on.
In the original story, after the academy arc, I had wandered all over the continent.
I had to go through hell, but now my options have expanded.
This was a total game-changer…
By saving time, I could expect smoother progress than originally planned.
“I'll have to shamelessly accept your generosity.”
“It's nothing… Anyway, hurry up and tell me what you need.”
How could I let this chance slip by?
I immediately ordered this and that.
I should be able to overcome minor variables with the power of items.
“Ugh, I wanted to hang out a little longer… Oh well, it was fun, so it's fine!”
“The support of the Dwarf Tribe… It's so incredible, I can barely wrap my head around it.”
“So you've captured the hearts of the dwarves, too. I'm not sure if I should be happy about that…”
My companions each shared their thoughts.
They all seemed generally satisfied.
This journey ends here.
We quickly returned to the academy.