Episode 352
“I will tell you in advance. “If you came here with the intention of salvaging a dwarven weapon, you had better give up now.”
the next day.
Konjian, who was eating breakfast, suddenly said something like that.
Ludwig slightly tilted his head at the firm tone.
[Sandstorm Hill] is a fairly famous place among the southern dwarf villages–I told you not to say that–but… … .
As such, of course there are quite a few organizations that interact with this place. It is said that not only mercenaries but also Heroes of Heroes from all over the empire, the imperial family, and, in rare cases, the wizard of the Magic Tower personally visit.
Of course, these picky dwarves also get customers.
Apart from their arrogance and arrogance, the only way to make a living is to sell their works.
And Ludwig introduced himself as a merchant.
Even if you don’t know the name of [Romance Company], it’s strange to show this kind of attitude towards [Aibel], who clearly looks like he has some money.
in other words… … .
“The reason is?”
“… … .”
The moment Delak next to him asked that question, Ludwig once again realized the simplest method.
I should just ask when I have time to think. It’s a bad habit I developed after spending a long time disguised and infiltrated.
Konjian responded in a blunt tone.
“It’s hard to tell to outsiders.”
“… … .”
At first glance, the tone was so firm that it felt off-putting, but… … .
In fact, I know that Ludwig refused very kindly for a dwarf craftsman.
“That’s a shame.”
Of course, there is nothing to regret just saying.
The reason I stopped here in the first place was not to replenish equipment.
When the meal was roughly finished, Ludwig asked in a natural tone.
“Anyway, are there any other outsiders who have stopped by here these days?”
“Outsiders come and go often. “Most of them didn’t get what they wanted.”
“hmm. Actually, I think an acquaintance of mine stopped by here. I might still be staying here… … .”
“is it? I don’t think there are any outsiders staying in this town recently other than you… … . To be honest, I don’t think you can stay long.”
“ah.”
“Tell me first. “Who are you looking for?”
“She is a human woman. name is… … .”
Along with the name, I briefly explained the impression of Seren Goodspring that I heard from Luan.
Konjian, who was listening to the story, muttered.
“First of all, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before.”
“ah.”
“I will guide you to the Master, so you can ask him. “He’s the only one who remembers outsiders well.”
Master probably refers to the guild master.
Although it was a grand title, it was just the equivalent of a village chief.
Dwarf villages are basically not formed to help each other with food, clothing, shelter, or to work together.
Rather, it is closer to a form of association to make one’s work more outstanding, so it would be more accurate to call it a guild rather than a village.
The dwarves also seem to call this sandstorm hill the [Sandstorm Guild].
‘I can’t believe I can only stay for one day… … . If you do something wrong, you won’t even be able to pick up the crumbs and will be kicked out.’
At first glance, the size of the village was not that large, but considering their closed and uncooperative attitude, gathering information would not be easy.
This is Ludvik’s prediction, but if the atmosphere in the village is like this, it is highly likely that Seren Goodspring will not be able to stay for long and will be kicked out.
And it is unlikely that the dwarves, who have no interest in anything other than their own work, will remember the outsider who visited at least a few months ago.
‘The guild master’s memory is the key to this.’
Ludwig nodded and said.
“Where is the Master?”
* * *
Following Konjian’s guidance, I decided to head to the village’s master.
The road to the master.
I stayed a few steps away and overheard the conversation in front of me.
“Anyway, what determines a master here? Skills as expected?”
“exactly. “Once every 10 years, you can present your best work at the [Vulcan Festival].”
“aha. So, the position of master changes once every 10 years?”
“That’s right. But the person you are about to meet now… Visid Rani has held the position of master for 40 years.”
“That means… … .”
“exactly. “For about half a century, the greatest craftsman on [Sandstorm Dune] was Visid.”
The house where such a nobleman lived was not bigger than other places, nor was it in a special location.
However, the shape of the house looked a little interesting.
‘It looks like a hammer.’
A hammer turned upside down.
Konzian walked up to the door attached to the hammer head and knocked.
“Visid! master! We have a guest! Can’t you hear me? B-si—deuu—!”
Why are you calling so loudly?
I was puzzled at first, but I soon understood.
Even after knocking on the door for a long time, this man named Visid didn’t show up.
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
I wonder if he knocked for about a few minutes.
At this point, just as I was thinking that maybe I was just leaving the house, the door burst open and a dwarf appeared.
“Damn it! Konjian! “Didn’t I tell you not to touch anything for at least a week once I start work?”
It was a small dwarf.
Is this a tautology? anyway.
Konzian also had a temperamental appearance, but this dwarf had a much more violent appearance.
His face was as red as a ripe fruit, and his beard was long enough to cover almost his entire body.
It is said that the length or shape of the beard symbolizes the dwarf’s age or status, so he was definitely not an unusual talent.
However, Konjian answered calmly in a voice that did not seem particularly intimidating.
“… I said that two weeks ago. “I am a guest.”
“A guest? Umm… … .”
Master of Sandstorm Hill, Visid looked at us with dark eyes and said.
“… “We are not currently accepting production requests.”
“That’s what I heard.”
“There is no equipment worth selling. “I’ve already sold everything worth selling.”
“is it so? But our purpose is not equipment.”
“then?”
“I’m looking for an outsider who stopped by here a few months ago.”
When Ludvik said this and explained Seren’s facial expressions, Visid replied in a blunt voice.
“ah. I remember. “That kind of person definitely came.”
“What happened?”
“well… … . I think he asked me to make something. Even then, we refused because our situation was not good. I don’t really remember whether I left or what I did after that. “Did you happen to know that person?”
“yes.”
“It’s a shame. I have no story to tell about him. “Is that all you have to do?”
“… … .”
If that was the case, they seemed to want to tell me to leave right away.
“hmm… … .”
The moment Ludwig trailed off… … .
[how will we do it?]
Suddenly I heard Ludwig’s voice in my head.
Is it a conductive sound? It seems a little different. However, it doesn’t seem like it’s magic, so it’s probably part of Ludwig’s divine protection.
I thought it was quite useful protection for Ludwig, who had to move secretly, and I responded with a full tone.
[I think you’re lying.]
[A lie?]
[Seren did not come to entrust the production. I came to see the repair estimate.]
[okay? But there is no difference between manufacturing and repair. It may be confusing because it happened quite a while ago.]
[Probably not. The item that Seren brought is a bit unusual.]
[What was it like?]
[I don’t know the details, but these are pieces that would make a dwarf craftsman roll his eyes when he saw them.]
[hmm.]
Only then did Ludwig seem to understand, and he naturally continued speaking.
“… But why can’t I request production?”
“I can’t reveal it to outsiders.”
“I understand the situation here, but aren’t we still guests? I even sought out a craftsman from this village… … .”
“You saved it?”
At those words, Visid’s eyes turned to Konjian. Then Konzian slightly averted his gaze and said.
“… “They saved us from being attacked by sandworms.”
“We were attacked by sandworms? “Didn’t you hire a mercenary group?”
“I hired you. However, their skills are poor… … .”
“What a miserable piece of shit. They probably hired easy guys to save a few bucks. Damn it. Did I tell you? And then you will definitely die… … .”
Konjian’s face turned slightly red at the sarcastic words, but he couldn’t say anything except pursing his lips.
Visid glared at me with a disapproving look on his face, then sighed and said.
“… “It is not difficult to tell the situation, but please do not spread this matter.”
“Of course.”
“The God who is currently looking down on us dwarves is angry.”
“… … ?”
Ludwig blinked at the unexpected response.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know [Vulcan]?”
“ah. I’ve heard of it. God of flame, invention, and blacksmithing. The Avatar Dragon Vulcanus… … .”
Then Visid spoke in a somewhat surprised voice.
“You are quite knowledgeable. I thought humans from the archipelago had no interest in anything other than the 72 gods… … .”
“… … .”
Actually, it will.
The gods that the people of the empire mainly believe in are about 72 gods and five kings.
However, due to the characteristics of the region, the southern part was a place where you could hear more stories of various gods than other places… … .
Perhaps because it was a land where dragons once lived, the 13 Dragon Kings were especially famous.
This is in a similar context to the unusually large influence of the nine spirit gods in the eastern grasslands.
“From generation to generation, we offer him excellent weapons, and he bestows upon us the [Breath of Vulcan].”
“Breath of Vulcan?”
“The flame that can cast any metal… … . “It is our dwarf’s intangible treasure.”
“hmm… … .”
“But some time ago we could no longer breathe. I don’t know the detailed reason. All I know is that he was angry… … .”
“… … .”
“perhaps… God may have abandoned us.”
After listening to the story, it was clear that it was not an area where outsiders could intrude… … .
Apart from that, I narrowed my eyes.
‘… ‘Has there ever been an incident like this at Sandstorm Hill?’
Nothing comes to mind. So it’s strange.
It was about a few years later that I came to the South, and even then, the weapons made at [Sandstorm Dunes] were still doing well.
The fact that things are doing well means that supply is still steady… … .
So, is this the butterfly effect that happened because of me?
Or, it could be a case that will be resolved naturally if left alone.
or… … .
‘… Also, members of the cult may have been involved.’
The last one was the least likely, but it made me even more suspicious.
Ludwig said.
“Is there no place to honor God?”
“Temple… … . Of course there is.”
Visid sighed with an even more embarrassed expression.
“But I can’t go there anymore.”
“Even if the temple collapses?”
“Not really. To be precise, it is inaccessible. I just said it. Vulcan was angry… … . “His anger is now surrounding the [Temple of Vulcan] area.”
“… … ?”
“It means that the area around the temple is currently surrounded by hellfire. that… “The heat was strong enough to melt even the hardest metal.”
Open it… … .
I thought for a moment and sent a warning message to Ludwig.
[I think I need to check the temple.]
[Are you okay? It’s no joke, it’s hot.]
[If it were me, I would be able to endure it. Just make sure I can get in somehow.]
[I figured it out.]
“Where is that temple built?”
“Are you really planning on going there? “Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
“I listened carefully and understood. “By the way, can you see the Lizardman behind me?”
Only then did Visid’s eyes turn to me.
“It has a very strong tolerance to heat. “It means you can walk through the scars and into the temple.”
“That’s ridiculous. Do you know what happened a month ago? There was a dwarf who went to the temple wearing armor made from [desert ants]! He boasted that he could withstand hundreds of degrees of fire, but he gave up before even getting close to the temple. That idiot suffered burns all over his body, and is still lying in his hospital bed, suffering from death. “You’re going to go to a place like that with his bare body?”
Ludwig laughed.
“Why are you talking so seriously? Even if we fail, only one member of this species will die.”
“that… … .”
“I am a businessman. Although I didn’t come here specifically for the purpose of doing business, I wouldn’t hesitate if a profitable opportunity arose. So, let’s just talk about work.”
“About work?”
“If we resolve Vulcan’s wrath, please give us three of the best works in town.”
“Three?”
“It doesn’t seem like too much to ask.”
“… … .”
Of course, this may be too much to ask.
The weapons made by dwarves are truly expensive, and the brand called [Sandstorm Hill] is even more expensive.
Even if they are the three best weapons in an artisan village… … .
‘… In some cases, you can even buy a castle, isn’t that something like that?’
Actually, I don’t know much about these prices, so it may not be accurate.
“You speak well without listening to the opinions of the parties involved.”
Konjian interjected in a rather unpleasant tone.
“No matter how different the race is, this person is not a slave, but a mercenary. They can claim at least their own rights. “If you don’t want to do it, no one can force you.”
I looked at Konjian in slight surprise.
This is because he had a personality that was truly uncharacteristic of a southern-born dwarf.
As if he thought it made sense, Visid’s eyes were also focused on me.
I opened my mouth, appreciating his gaze.
“I accept it.”
“what?”
Konjian was even more surprised and spoke to me.
“Look. Didn’t you hear what the Master said just now? I don’t know how great your scales are with heat resistance, but I don’t think they will hold up better than [desert ants]… … .”
“I am confident. And if you continue like this and can’t use [Vulcan’s Breath], won’t you be in a lot of trouble?”
“Is that a problem now?”
“exactly. “I have to return the favor.”
“A favor?”
I slightly twisted the corner of my mouth as I looked at Konjian, who had a puzzled expression on his face.
It was an imitation of the smile Araksad sometimes displayed, which I found quite attractive.
“The meal you served me yesterday was just as wonderful.”
“… … !”
A lizardman warrior who risks his life to repay his debt for one meal… … .
This is romance.
