Chapter 86.5: Interlude: The Reminiscences of a Dwarf Blacksmith
My name is Aiakos. I am a Dwarf blacksmith. It was truly a shame that we could no longer withstand the offensive of the monsters and had to leave our hometown in the Sea of Trees. The power of darkness was increasing little by little, but after the World Tree was cut off from the outer leylines and weakened, the situation deteriorated like rolling down a hill.
Thanks to the Chieftain and his wife serving as the rearguard, we managed to escape the Sea of Trees. It is said that we got separated from the two of them in the Sea of Trees, but there are many who understand the truth. Even though he is still a child, Theo lost his parents and ended up all alone. It is because we were weak. I feel truly frustrated about it. Since Theo, who must be suffering the most, endures without crying, we cannot cry either. But sometimes, when I drink ale and remember the Chieftain and his wife, I cannot stop the tears.
Lady Mary, who accepted Theo like real family, is indeed a Saint. His Excellency the Margrave also gave us, who fled the Sea of Trees with nothing but the clothes on our backs, homes and food, and even exempted us from taxes. I was dumbfounded that Lord William built the houses all by himself. Thinking we must repay that debt of gratitude, everyone is working hard at smithing and road construction. I am a blacksmith, but road construction makes everyone happy, so it is rewarding.
Recently, the use of materials with multiple properties enchanted on them has increased. It is a material worth working on as a blacksmith. After all, the better the material, the more worth there is in exercising one’s skills. However, Lord William is exceptional at Enchantment Magic as well; he is a frighteningly talented Producer. On top of that, he has a broad perspective and is kind. Even though he can make swords with his Production Skill, he tells us that the swords we forge are better. Well, swords we forge with our heart and soul have a sharpness that goes beyond logic, but for him to see through to that and respect our pride as blacksmiths… It is something even adults struggle to do.
It is also a happy thing that Theo became Lord William‘s apprentice and rapidly gained skill. That child, who worried about his slight build and being poor at smithing, has had his talents blossom, and now he has become Lord William‘s right-hand man. I wish I could have shown Theo‘s success to the Chieftain and his wife.
Recently, the Fairchild Family Knights expanded their exploration range to the Middle Layer of the Sea of Trees. And when the news came that they found Mithril ore, all the Dwarf blacksmiths got excited. To be sure, the Fairchild territory is a good place. But for us, who used to smith using Mithril ore in the Sea of Trees, we still had a desire to use Mithril.
Mithril is difficult to handle, but that is precisely why it is a rewarding material. We know it is soft yet strong and conducts magic power well, but it is a material of unfathomable depth, and I feel even we haven’t drawn out everything from it. We all thanked the Goddess that we became able to smith using Mithril in this land as well. Moreover, when Lord William enchants it, surprisingly, four properties are attached. Even ordinary Mithril is enough, but using Mithril with four properties attached is the greatest honor for a blacksmith.
Recently, I heard a rumor that Theo forged a Mithril sword with Lord William. Since it is better to have a lot of magic power to handle Mithril, it seems the two of them, with their extraordinary magic capacity, forged a good sword. Even so, since he usually leaves the Mithril smithing to us, we have to do our best. A while ago, the Chief called the Fairchild family “Friend of Dwarves.” It is a weighty phrase, but everyone agrees with it. We shall walk together with the Fairchild family.
