To Roselia Great War (1)
earth-! Daang-! earth!
In a room full of heat, the regular sound of metal beating resonated.
Chi-Ik-
Forging by beating iron, quenching by rapid cooling, and tempering by heating again.
The complicated and laborious process went smoothly without a moment’s hesitation.
“Whoa…”
And finally, all of that process is over.
The moment when a sword was completed by connecting the pre-made handle to the sharp blade that had been polished.
《The object has attained enlightenment through repeated training. Acquire the skill 「Metallurgy」》
···Dwarf Howard was able to be recognized as a ‘blacksmith’ by the system.
“Oh, it’s finally here! Uh-huh-!”
If a skill became a ‘skill’ through training, it meant that the karma accumulated in that act had exceeded a certain level.
One of the privileges of Awakeners from another world that helps them grow more smoothly by granting additional corrections whenever they do related work.
This was achieved in just a few weeks while working in parallel with the work of Hubert’s upper house.
Howard looked at his hand holding the hammer, slowly recalling his senses.
The dwarf’s sensitive senses sensed the subtle change in the hand holding the hammer.
And he could instinctively feel that he had become able to handle tools more precisely, more efficiently, and more naturally.
‘Oh, that’s good. The synergy with 「Craftsmanship」 is also considerable. This is also a skill that grows according to the accumulated proficiency, so the effect will become stronger as time goes by.’
The timing of acquiring the skill was also very appropriate.
Just in time, isn’t tomorrow the day to be introduced to the dwarf Zaonic through Harley, who has returned to Tarak?
‘Unlike before, the situation on the side of the Steel Citadel is much more stable now.’
The Steel Fortress, which had been driven to the edge of danger right after the outbreak of madness, was able to breathe a sigh as time passed and the number of troops that came to support began to increase one by one.
Also, perhaps due to the influence of the Principality of Rohan, the recent monster inundation has greatly decreased, creating an unexpected leeway.
So he thought of doing all at once the work he had been putting off for so long.
‘Before Harley leaves for the Great War of Roselia, I should introduce Howard to Zaonic and get him a new axe.’
The other day, Count Ionia had promised him a new weapon.
Zaonic did not object to the fact that it was a weapon that Harley would use, and immediately moved to Tarak’s forge and started working on it.
And now, several weeks later, the call came that the ax was finally completed.
Originally, Zaonic was supposed to pick up the weapons and transport them to the Iron Citadel, but…
‘Some news came from the temple just in time, so Harley decided to visit Tarak directly tomorrow to receive it. As a bonus, introduce Howard.’
That’s why I couldn’t help but be more than happy to have [Metallurgy] now.
At least at this level, you won’t hear that he’s not even basic.
The day passed in anticipation like that.
After completing his business as usual, Howard and Harley headed to the central forge owned by the city of Tarak.
‘Still, there are only a few days left until Hubert returns. There was a sense of considerable delay because I moved Hans around.’
Of course, measures should be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, but for now, I am satisfied that things are back on track.
buzz buzz—
“Hey, look over there.”
“Ah—the famous Harley these days. Have you returned to Taraq? ···huh? But that…”
“A dwarf?”
Eyes are drawn to them as they proudly walk down the street.
The sight of Harley, who was well over two meters tall, and Howard, who was not even taller than his waist, walking side by side attracted considerable attention, but now this level of attention did not tickle.
Arriving at the smithy, they were immediately guided inside as promised in advance.
Harley was finally able to reunite with Zaonic after a long time.
“Ha ha ha! Long time no see, Zaonic! How have you been?”
“···uh? Ugh! yeah, it’s been a while I’ve heard of your past activities. I’m glad you look healthy!”
However, there was something strange about his attitude.
To be precise, from the moment Harley met Howard, he was showing a subtle reaction.
“…Right, is this the dwarf you wanted to introduce to me? A friend who certainly looks quite young.”
And his head, which had been talking to Harley as if he was distracted, turned back to Howard.
As if he couldn’t stand being bothered.
“Hmmm! nice to meet you old man! My name is Howard.”
“Yes, nice to meet you. My name is Zaonic Steelstone.”
For a conversation between two men with shaggy beards, the sense of incongruity was great, but when viewed through the eyes of the same dwarves, it was nothing strange at all.
In the eyes of Harley, a different race, they only looked like hairy, similarly aged, but in Howard’s eyes, Zaonic was a handsome middle-aged man with a fairly mature look.
Conversely, in Zaonic’s eyes, he would look like a green youngster.
‘It’s been a little strange since before. I don’t think it’s negative, but something is subtle.’
His reaction now wasn’t the kind of thing you’d see simply because he hadn’t seen him in a long time.
How to say, it’s a little closer and more emotional than that…
“Hmmm, it might seem strange to say this out of the blue…”
At that time, Zaonic cleared his throat and carefully opened his mouth.
“… Have you ever seen me somewhere?”
“Well, I’ve been wandering here and there since I was young, but the elders are the first to come face to face with the same species.”
“Then, as expected, my parents…”
“Yes, he died when I was young and I have been alone all along. Until I met Harley.”
When their conversation continued to that point, Harley finally stepped out and tried to arrange ‘Encounter with the Wandering Dwarf’ in Act 5, Scene 2 of ‘Harley’s Great Adventure’, but…
“Yes, I see. I guess so.”
Zaonic still muttered to himself, lost in thought.
“Oh, sorry. It’s because you don’t feel like someone else. This is… Yes, it’s like a child or grandson who left a long way has returned. Of course I’m single, but that’s for sure! hahahaha!”
“Ah, that’s right. Ughhh!”
“hahahaha! I thought there were also separated families!”
On the way, Zaonic forced a laugh, probably noticing that the atmosphere was down because of him.
Howard and Harley laughed along as he was not embarrassed, but deep inside he was analyzing the situation in an instant.
‘This can’t be… Is it Elinne’s influence?’
Elinne, a new recruit in the pickaxe world, created by the dwarf Zaonic with all his heart and soul, and cherished like a child for a long time.
That was the medium upon which Howard was born.
‘If you look at it that way, the grandson is right.’
As an artisan, too, he seemed to feel something about Howard related to his creations.
“Whoa—I’m sorry. Stop getting soaked in sentiment alone. Oops! I’ll have to give you the ax first. Come over here and see.”
But soon he brushed his hair and patted their cheeks as if to control his heart, and guided them inside to hand over the weapons.
And there was ‘it’ inside the studio that arrived.
“It’s an ax that I did my best to make. Just as you ordered, the entire black magic steel is processed to increase durability to the limit, and the blade is covered with adamantium. It is a masterpiece!”
A huge ax made entirely of black metal lay where he pointed.
“The only downside is that it’s so heavy that it’s not even practical? Few people can lift it, let alone wield it, but… it doesn’t matter to you, does it?”
A large ax blade suitable for a thick and long handle over 2 meters long, the tip of a spear, and a sharp hook on the other side.
It had an appearance closer to an ‘axe spear’ than an ‘axe’, but also had a very large blade to be considered simply that.
“Ohh— this! How big and beautiful it is!”
And the heinous weapons that only the giant monsters in the game could handle were exactly Harley’s taste.
He quickly ran to the place where the ax lay and carefully picked it up with a pounding heart.
Huung—
I just lifted something off the floor, but I heard a heavy sound of moving air.
It had an overwhelming weight beyond what it seemed on the surface, but…
“It is quite heavy! After all, this is the best weapon! Ha ha ha!”
Of course, it was just the right weight for Harley.
Booung- Bung-!
On the other side of the large workshop, the wind blew up with a bloody sound resounding from the ax being whipped lightly with one hand.
“I named it ‘Giant Killer’ for now, but if you don’t like it, you can change it.”
“Ah, that’s enough! It’s a fitting name too! Ha ha ha!”
When I got the weapon I liked, I couldn’t help but laugh.
As expected of a dwarven weapon, this ax was also very aesthetically pleasing, and exuded a sense of luxury that could fill vanity just by holding it.
Of course, those who face this in person will have a lament that is closer to resignation than admiration for luxury goods.
“By the way… are you really okay? When I heard the news after my work was finished, I heard that a lot of things had happened.”
Seeing Harley’s satisfaction, Zaonic nodded happily, then suddenly spoke out as if he was worried.
“It wasn’t enough that the Undead King, who attacked the Great God Temple, destroyed the Principality of Rohan, and even destroyed the empire of Tobea a while ago, right?”
It was a story about the world situation that no one could know, but it was nothing to get this much information as he could be said to be an aide to the lord.
Besides, isn’t this a big issue that’s making a lot of noise on the continent without being particularly classified?
“But, out of nowhere, it was recommended to the death squad… Of course, I’m not saying you’re lacking, but I have a sudden feeling.”
The fact that he was recommended means that someone recommended it.
It was information that was not made public, but Harley knew very well who they were.
‘It was on the Mercenary Guild and Tribal Alliance side.’
The guild was familiar with him, so it wasn’t surprising, but the tribal federation in the south was a bit surprising.
No matter how much he claimed to be a southern warrior, there was no proper contact…
“hahahaha! Well, it doesn’t matter anyway! All I have to do is use this ax to crush the skulls of those who stand in my way!”
Harley, whose hands were starting to itch because she wanted to use the new ax quickly, snorted.
In my mind, I wanted to attack the northern mountains right away, but unfortunately, it wasn’t the time yet.
“Rather than that, Zaonic, have you thought about what I asked you to do? How about seeing it in person today?”
“Um… you mean you want me to give that friend some lessons?”
At his words, Zaonic glanced at Howard with a serious expression and fell into trouble again.
It was not just a few words of advice, but more careful teaching.
Although it is called the ‘Secret Secret of the Dwarves’, it was not open to all Dwarves unconditionally.
In the first place, there is no way that craftsmen pass on their knowledge to someone who is not qualified.
Of course, it was not as closed as other races, but their skills were usually handed down in families or tribes.
No matter how much Harley asked, it was said that it was not enough knowledge to pass on to someone who saw it for the first time today.
But···.
“…Yes, anyway, I can’t let the things I’ve built up remain forever. It must be fate that we met on the Ion Continent like this.”
What came out of Zaonic’s mouth was a cool acceptance.
“And above all, that friend, no matter how much I think about it, he doesn’t seem like a stranger. Huh, that’s strange.”
“Ha ha ha ha! Isn’t this all destiny! Cancer, no way!”
Harley, the man who kidnapped Eline, avoided his gaze with an awkward smile.
That way, Howard was finally able to officially learn the ‘Vision of the Dwarves’ from Zaonic.
After completing all the work, Harley moved to the Great Hall of Roselia with a light heart.
