#144
To Rosellia Temple (1)
Bang—! Taang—! Bang!
In the space filled with intense heat, the rhythmic sound of metal being struck echoed.
Chiiik—
The clanging of steel being hammered and rapidly cooled, then reheated again.
The complex and labor-intensive processes flowed seamlessly without a moment’s hesitation.
Hoo…
And finally, as all those processes came to an end.
With the sharp blade polished and the pre-made handle connected, a sword was completed.
《The entity gained enlightenment through repeated training. Acquired skill: 「Blacksmithing」.》
···Dwarf Howard was recognized as a ‘blacksmith’ by the system.
“Oh ho! Finally, it’s here! Uhuhuh—!”
The fact that a technique had become a ‘skill’ through training meant that the accumulation of that act had surpassed a certain level.
From then on, every time he did related work, it would provide additional adjustments and help him grow more smoothly, one of the privileges of an Awakened One who crossed over to this world.
He achieved this in just a few weeks while juggling duties with Hubert’s guild.
Howard gazed at his hand gripping the hammer, slowly recalling the sensations.
The dwarf’s keen senses detected tiny changes in the grip of his hammer.
And he instinctively felt that he could handle tools with more precision, efficiency, and naturalness.
‘Hmm, this is good. The synergy with 「Craftsmanship」 is considerable. This is also a skill that grows according to accumulated proficiency, so the effects will only get stronger over time.’
The timing of acquiring the skill was very appropriate.
Tomorrow was the day he would be introduced to Dwarf Jaonick by Harley, who was returning to Tarak.
‘The situation at Steel Fortress has stabilized a lot compared to before.’
The Steel Fortress, which had been in a dangerous situation right after the outbreak of madness, could finally breathe a sigh of relief as time passed and reinforcements began to arrive one by one.
Also, perhaps due to the influence from Rohan Principality, the recent monster onslaught had decreased dramatically, creating unexpected leisure.
So he planned to knock out several long-standing tasks at once.
‘Before Harley departs for Rosellia Temple, I need to introduce Howard to Jaonick and receive the new axe.’
Previously, Count Aonia had promised him a new weapon.
Jaonick didn’t have any particular objections to the fact that it would be a weapon for Harley and immediately moved to the blacksmith shop in Tarak to get to work.
And now, after several weeks had passed, he finally received word that the axe was complete.
Originally, Jaonick was supposed to personally deliver the weapon to the Steel Fortress, but…
‘Coincidentally, since news was delivered from the temple, Harley will come to Tarak tomorrow to pick it up. Plus, I’ll introduce Howard as well.’
So it couldn’t help but be even more delightful that he had acquired the skill of 「Blacksmithing」.
At least at this level, he wouldn’t hear anyone say he was a novice.
With that expectation, a day passed.
As usual, after finishing his duties at the guild, Howard headed towards the Central Blacksmith owned by the city of Tarak with Harley.
‘Still, it’s only a few days until Hubert returns. I feel like we’ve been pretty delayed because of moving Hans here and there.’
Of course, he needed to come up with measures to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, but for now, he was just thankful that things were back on track.
Whisper whisper—
“Hey, look over there.”
“Oh— that’s the famous Harley these days. He must be back from Tarak? ···Huh? But that’s…”
“A dwarf?”
Attention turned toward them as they confidently strolled down the street.
The sight of Harley, towering over 2 meters, walking side by side with Howard, who didn’t even reach his waist, prompted considerable curiosity, but they were used to this level of attention by now.
Arriving at the blacksmith shop, they were immediately escorted inside as per their prior appointment.
Finally, Harley was able to reunite with Jaonick after a long time.
Wahaha! It’s been a while, Jaonick! How have you been?
“···Huh? Oh! Yes, it’s been a while. I heard about your recent exploits. I’m glad to see you healthy!”
However, something seemed off about his demeanor.
Specifically, from the moment he faced Howard, whom Harley had brought, he showed some subtle reactions.
“···Is this the dwarf you wanted to introduce? He definitely looks quite youthful.”
Then, as if his mind had wandered, Jaonick turned his gaze back to Howard.
It seemed he couldn’t quite suppress his curiosity.
Hrumhrum! Nice to meet you, sir! I’m Howard.
“···Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Jaonick Steelstone.”
Though the conversation between the two bushy-bearded men felt quite awkward, from a dwarf’s perspective, it was nothing strange.
To the other race, Harley, they might appear as similarly aged, hairy individuals, but to Howard, Jaonick seemed like a sophisticated middle-aged man with a distinguished air.
Conversely, Jaonick likely saw him as a greenhorn.
‘Something feels a bit off. It doesn’t seem negative, but it’s quite subtle.’
His reaction was not simply due to seeing a kin after a long time.
Rather, it felt more intimate and emotional…
“Excuse me for saying this suddenly, but…”
At that moment, Jaonick coughed lightly and spoke carefully.
“…Have you ever seen me somewhere?”
“Hmm, I’ve roamed about since I was young, but you are the first of my kind I’ve met, sir.”
“Then your parents are…”
“Yes, they passed away when I was young, and I’ve been on my own ever since. Until I met Harley, that is.”
When their conversation reached that point, Harley tried to launch into the ‘Chapter 2: Meeting the Wandering Dwarf’ of ‘Harley’s Great Adventure’ but…
“…I see. That makes sense.”
Jaonick was still lost in his thoughts, muttering to himself.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Somehow, you don’t feel like a stranger. This is… Well, it feels like a child or grandchild returning home after a long journey. Though I’m single! Hahaha!”
“Oh, I see. Uhuhuh!”
“Khaha! I thought you might have a family you parted with!”
Perhaps realizing he had dampened the mood, Jaonick forced a laugh.
He felt awkward but joined in the laughter with Howard and Harley, all the while analyzing the situation in his mind.
‘Could this possibly be… due to Ellinne’s influence?’
The remarkable pickaxe that Dwarf Jaonick painstakingly crafted, nurtured over many years like a child, was the key that led to Howard’s birth.
‘When you think about it, he is like a grandson.’
Being a craftsman, it seemed clear Jaonick felt something toward Howard related to his creation.
“Whew— Sorry about that. I got a bit carried away in my emotions. Oh dear! First, I need to give you the axe. Come over here.”
But soon, he shook his head and lightly slapped his cheeks to steady himself, guiding them inside for the weapon’s handover.
And inside the workshop, ‘that’ was there.
“This is the axe I put my utmost effort into crafting. As per your order, I worked to maximize its durability, using the Dark River in its entirety for processing, and for the blade, I even coated it with adamantium!”
There lay a massive axe made entirely of black metal.
“The only drawback is that it’s so heavy that it has practically zero practicality in actual combat. It’s tough to wield, let alone lift, so not many can. But it should be no problem for you?”
With a thick, long handle over 2 meters, a huge blade, and a sharp hook on the opposite side, it looked more like an ‘axe spear’ rather than just an axe, but it was undeniably a massive weapon.
“Oh— this is magnificent! It’s incredibly large and beautiful!”
And that fearsome weapon, one that could be wielded by the game’s gigantic monsters, perfectly matched Harley’s taste.
He rushed to where the axe was placed and carefully picked it up with a racing heart.
Whooosh—
Just lifting it off the ground created a weighty sound as the air shifted.
It bore an overwhelming weight beyond what it appeared to have, yet…
“It’s perfectly hefty! This is how a weapon should feel! Haha!”
Of course, it felt just right for Harley.
Boooom— Bang—!
On one side of the large workshop, a menacing noise erupted as the axe was swung effortlessly with one hand, creating a gust of wind.
“I named it ‘Giant Killer,’ but if you don’t like it, we can change it.”
“Ah, that’s more than enough! It’s a perfect name! Khahaha!”
Upon acquiring a weapon he was so pleased with, Harley couldn’t help but let out gleeful laughter.
As expected from a dwarven creation, this axe also boasted exceptional aesthetic appeal, exuding sophistication that could satisfy t he most pretentious of egos.
Of course, anyone facing this beast would find lament more fitting than admiration.
“By the way… are you really alright? Seeing how pleased you are, I’ve heard quite a bit has happened lately.”
Jaonick, who nodded contentedly, observing Harley’s satisfaction, hesitated before bringing up his concerns.
“The Undead King that attacked the temple has not only toppled Rohan Principality but recently devastated the Empire’s Tobea too?”
This was general knowledge about the world that anyone could know, yet being close to the lord, he could easily obtain such information.
Moreover, it was a significant matter that had erupted continent-wide.
“But out of the blue, a recommendation to a Special Task Force… Of course, I don’t mean to say you’re lacking, but that seems quite sudden.”
The fact that he had received a recommendation implied that someone had vouched for him.
While this wasn’t publicly disclosed information, Harley knew exactly who that someone was.
‘It was the Mercenary Guild and the Tribal Alliance.’
While the guild was familiar with his background, the Tribal Alliance from the south was somewhat surprising.
Despite branding himself as a southern warrior, he hadn’t had any real contact with them…
“Haha! Well, it doesn’t really matter! I’ll just smash through anything in my way with this axe!”
Harley felt an intense urge to start using his new axe immediately, snorting in excitement.
He wanted nothing more than to march toward the Northern Mountain Range right away, but sadly, it just wasn’t the right time yet.
“More importantly, Jaonick, have you thought about my request? What do you think now that you’ve seen him in person?”
“Hmmm… you mean about wanting to teach that friend?”
Jaonick looked at Howard with a serious expression and fell back into contemplation.
This wasn’t just about a few bits of advice; proper teaching required careful consideration.
Though it was called the ‘secret teachings of the dwarves,’ they weren’t something that was freely taught to just any dwarf.
After all, craftsmen would never impart their knowledge to those unworthy of it.
While they weren’t as closed off as some races, their skills were generally passed down within families or clans.
Even considering Harley’s request, sharing knowledge with someone he just met today was not a light matter.
But…
“…Well, I can’t let the things I’ve accumulated over the years go to waste forever. It must be fate that we’ve met here on this Ion Continent.”
Jaonick’s response was a refreshing acceptance.
“And more importantly, that friend… no matter how I think about it, doesn’t feel like just any other person. How interesting.”
“Ha, hahaha! Isn’t that all fate! Yes, indeed!”
Harley, who had kidnapped Ellinne, awkwardly averted his gaze from Jaonick.
Thus, Howard was officially granted the opportunity to learn the ‘Secret Teachings of the Dwarves’ from Jaonick.
Having wrapped everything up, Harley made his way to Rosellia Temple with a light heart.
