Chapter 169: Great job, Commander
Worswyle.
A blacksmith who was considered the best by all proud dwarves.
As for his skills, it was better to show than to tell.
The design of Akshans decisive battle weapon, the Qirnberg Machine Tower.
Iron Castle, and even the gateway to the Dwarves hideout.
There was no field he hadnt touched.
Damn it.
Hey, you, dont say useless things!
Uh-oh.
The dwarves let out a sigh at the ethereal irons loud shout.
Chainwalker murmured.
Here it comes.
Survivors of the Dredsen Village.
The survivors, including Ransha, were quick to help the dwarves with their work. They never thought the dwarves they only heard about in old stories would appear on a flying boat.
It was unthinkable, but this was not a dream.
Anyway, if you dont want to get kicked out, you have to pay for your meal.
However, the atmosphere seemed too unusual to just pass by.
Besides, it was a talking rock!
Eventually, Ransha asked Chainwalker carefully.
Is there something serious going on?
Oh, you have nothing to worry about. According to our oath with him, we dwarves will protect you until the end. Did someone say something unpleasant? Dont act like Im being territorial
Then
The dark figure, Diend, had said something like that, didnt he?
Although she didnt know what kind of pledge he was talking about.
Ransha wanted to see her benefactors face at least.
But before that.
No! Its not like that, you just seem to be worried about something!
She had to resolve the misunderstanding first.
The person called Worswyle must be a great man!
You were talking about that? I am sorry about the rackets.
No. I feel more energetic and better for the first time in a while!
It wasnt an empty word.
Really.
She felt like she was alive for the first time in a long time.
Im glad then.
Chainwalker sighed deeply and continued.
The thought of suffering from Worswyles stubbornness already gives me a headache.
He had no choice but to acknowledge Worswyles skills, but when it came to smelting, Worswyle was truly a monster.
His eccentricity was indescribable.
He was tough enough when pounding iron ore that couldnt speak.
Now that he heard something like that from the ethereal iron, he wont stay still.
Indeed, Chainwalkers prediction was right.
The ethereal iron shouted.
Worswyle opened his mouth.
Ransha finally realized.
Ive been considerate, but youre so arrogant, ethereal iron punk!
Was that why Chainwalker was so worried?!
Thats unexpected, isnt it? Seriously?
She didnt expect such words to pop out of his stern, solemn, and serious face. As Ransha was unable to hide her surprise, Chainwalker covered his face with both hands.
Akshans survivor.
His ethereal iron had hurt that old mans pride.
Not even Chainwalker could guess what would happen from now on.
He couldnt even imagine what kind of equipment would be forged when the best blacksmith of the dwarves, Worswyle, and the ethereal met. Naturally, he couldnt help but feel concerned.
Come, no more consideration!
Crackle!
The ultra-high heat furnace burned redder as the power increased.
The ethereal iron responded to Worswyles words.
Its lukewarm. Even hotter!
Since ancient times, equipment must be considerate of the user.
From the design of right-handed, left-handed, and the design of the handle to detailed consideration of the users abilities. But now that the ethereal iron had fueled Worswyle.
Your master can handle anything, right?
Equipment solely for performance, without any consideration, would be born.
That was the reason why Chainwalker held and wiped his face.
Could Sir Hoyeol handle such a ridiculous piece of equipment? But his worries were useless.
Of course. Didnt you keep saying this?
The ethereal iron, who had been watching him more closely than anyone else, spoke.
His vessel is so vast that it will never be filled!
Indeed.
There was conviction in that voice.
Any more worries will become doubts about your skill.
Thanks to that.
Is that true?
Chainwalker, and of course, Worswyle, who was holding the hammer, were also able to shake off their worries.
Worswyle vowed.
Great!
He would pour out his sincerity that he had never expressed before.
In that case, Worswyle will forge you with all his might!
Good! Thats what I wished for!
Swoosh!
*
Is it really a good thing or a bad thing?
Haiel, Diend, the ethereal iron.
I understood everyones intentions.
It was all for my sake.
But sometimes their excessive loyalty overwhelmed me
I never would have guessed that the ethereal iron was having a war of nerves with Worswyle.
Worswyle would create equipment that would go beyond luxury-level goods and make a name in history.
Hed been pounding the ethereal iron day and night.
Im worried about the outcome.
From the Qirnberg Machine Tower.
To the Iron Castles ray cannon, which had wiped out millions of demons.
I had literally felt the technological prowess of the dwarves with my whole body. Worswyle, one of the best among those dwarves, declared that he would do his best.
Will I be able to wear it?
What if a level-1,000 item was born?
Seriously, I couldnt imagine it.
Of course, regardless of what I was thinking, I spoke.
As my weapon, it has a great stance.
For Grandfel, level restrictions were just numbers, so it wouldnt be a problem.
In the end, this was part of me too.
I had no choice but to solve the problem with shameless tricks.
Even if I couldnt, I had been practicing with [Evil Earth Dragons Fang].
There were many ways to use it.
Soon, I heard Diends emotional voice.
As expected of you, Master.
Dont take my nonsense for granted. Please.
I could feel his sincerity, but that didnt make me happy.
However, there was no time to pretend to be pitiful.
The demons of the Arcana Continent began to move.
The [Battle for the Demon King] was just around the corner.
I opened my mouth.
Haiel, Diend. Do your best in your position.
I will follow your words.
My lord.
And tell them.
I didnt have to add further instructions to the dwarves and Dredsen survivors.
Including them, the survivors of Arcana had struggled harder than anyone else in this living hell.
Grandfels pride didnt allow me to wish for anything from them.
From now on, it was our turn.
Your pride has reached us.
*
Yusra Kingdom, the Golden Palace.
As the leader of the Shadow Mercenary Corps, Kitch had touched countless gold and silver treasures, but she could never get used to the splendor of the Golden Palace.
Bounce
But Kitchs steps across the Golden Palace were extraordinarily light today.
Her expression and mood were the opposite of what she had until this morning.
Excuse me, Leader.
The second seat, Wolf, asked carefully.
Have you been drinking?
I havent. Why? Do you want a drink? Whats wrong with you, Wolf?
No, its not that, you just seem to be in a good mood.
Just a moment ago, Kitchs face looked dead.
Like she could kill someone.
The reason was obvious.
A member of the same group.
The lowest seat, Lakid, was seriously injured by the elf.
In that situation, she was drunk and fast asleep.
In many ways, it was only natural that she couldnt control her anger.
Golden Palaces annex.
When Kitch entered, the attention of the members who had been kicking up a fuss focused on her.
That included Lakid, who had just come to his senses.
Lakid said in a half-sinking, hushed voice.
Um, Leader.
What? Youre awake? Your arms and legs were shaking!
Tsk, I have no affection for talking brats.
The seventh seat, Alkali, took over to explain.
A mage from the Mage Tower stopped by here.
I see No, the mage of the Mage Tower?! Why?! Did anyone do something wrong? Did you get caught talking nonsense during the Demon Kings Castle rupture?
Youre saying troublesome things, Leader.
Huh? So its not that?
Why did Lakid wake up fine?
Because hes as ignorantly strong as an ogre
No, Lakids wounds were serious.
Even the potions produced by Alkali had little effect.
But for him to wake up completely fine
Dont tell me, that mage of the Mage Tower healed Lakid?!
Thats right. Among other things, the senior mage herself came.
Why?
Kitch knew well what the mages were like.
Many of them were on the list of assassination requests.
That alone was enough proof of how nasty they were.
If they were a mage of the Mage Tower, they couldnt be anything less.
In the first place, we never have any point of contact?
Was there any other point of contact other than the Demon Kings Castle rupture?
As Kitchs head was thinking.
A figure flashed by.
Commander Lee Hoyeol?
Alkali smiled and nodded.
She said she came to treat the wounded at his request. It was a great magic. A vast amount of mana enveloped Lakids body!
Despite Alkalis vivid expression.
Kitch couldnt hear anything.
Because of the voice that was stuck in her head.
I am responsible for you.
Kitch smirked.
The employer is taking responsibility for once.
Of course, Lakid didnt know that.
Sreuk
Lakid slowly raised his large body.
So where is that bastard?
That bastard?
That big-eared bastard. Since he got to me, I have to pay him back. This debt.
She managed to hold her breath.
What?
Paying off the debt?
Kitchs eyes narrowed again.
Youre still! Huft, no. Lakid.
It was back to the way it was.
Since he didnt know anything yet, it was only natural to react like that.
Wolf spoke for Kitch, who was busy suppressing her anger.
Just calm down for now, Lakid. Is it possible in that condition?
What would an archer know? If we fight again, I will win.
Really? Well, then.
Wolf shrugged and looked at Kitch.
Following him, all the members eyes turned to Kitch.
As she had said, the Shadow Mercenary Corps had rules.
Grit!
Lakid gritted his teeth.
I will pay as much as he has done to me.
It was finally time to get to the point.
Kitch opened her mouth.
Like we talked about in the morning. I had a conversation with Commander Lee Hoyeol. About the handling of the elves.
We have an excuse. The talk must have ended well, right? So where is the big-eared bastard now!!
First, calm down and listen, Lakid. The elf, that guy called Elsidore is in the Golden Palace now. They said hes staying in an annex like us.
What?
Lakid was shocked.
Because he fainted, his memory got cut off.
In his remaining memory, the elf was no different from a madman.
Putting his strength aside, the elf only said things he couldnt understand and suddenly lunged at him without any hesitation. The elf didnt seem to want to listen to anyone. So even after hearing the story, Lakid couldnt believe it.
H-He made that bastard kneel?!
And just buy opening his mouth a few times?
Lakid closed his mouth in disbelief.
But there was evidence.
Like the fact that the big-eared bastard quietly stayed cooped up in the Golden Palace.
As if Hoyeols unrecognizable level of sword skill and magic wasnt great enough.
This time, he made the elf obey by just using words?
Thats ridiculous.
Lakid glanced at Kitch.
Maybe Ive found a goal bigger than Leader.
It was something to be happy about, but he had to make sure.
So what does that have to do with paying off debts, Leader?
There was nothing wrong with what Lakid said.
The attention of all shadow mercenary members, including Wolf and Alkali, again turned to Kitch.
Kitch swept her hair up and boasted.
What you want is his life, right?
As expected of Leader. You know it well, dont you?
Our employer, the Commander, spoke about that.
?
As if raising their expectations.
She looked around at the members.
After dragging it out, Kitch continued.
He will make the elf spit out something more valuable than his life.
!!!
Kitchs words shocked everyone.
He would make the elf spit something worth more than his life.
No matter how you looked at this.
Isnt that something were good at?
Life-threatening torture, interrogation, intimidation!
Lakid raised the corner of his mouth.
This increases my favorability to our commander.
He thought Hoyeol was a stiff person.
They unexpectedly had one thing in common.
Kitch put her hand on her waist and laughed.
Look, you know why I came back smiling, right?
Lakid nodded broadly.
As expected, Leader. You have a plan!
So, get rid of your temper, Lakid. Hes an elf who lives for eternity. Isnt it possible that he will reveal a ton of information with just a little bit of digging?
Thats right! I can just ask him to pay the debt later. Hahaha!
Of course, youll have to pay your tab in the tavern first before that.
Ah.
Amidst the back-and-forth conversation, Wolf shrugged his shoulders
Everyone is completely mistaken, arent they?
Lee Hoyeol.
No matter how you looked at him, he didnt look like he was from the same kind as them.
The leader must have been mistaken. As always.
Of course, Wolf had no intention to correct it.
Kitch then continued meaningfully.
So from now on, our job is simple.
!
For great information. For great treasures. For a comfortable retirement. We have to make an impression on our employer.
This situation happened just at the right time.
Lets do our best, in the Holy War!
*
The gathering.
The location was the Golden Palace of the Yusra Kingdom.
The appointment time was noon.
Harkon visited the Golden Palace as soon as he finished his morning training in Frost.
There were still a few hours left until noon, but he was there to meet Yesica and Enoch, who were on a mission.
However.
Huh? Youre late. Ive arrived since a little while ago.
?
There was someone who arrived at the appointed place earlier than him.
It was Kitch, a figure he never expected.
Harkon was shocked.
The shadow that even the Empire couldnt control.
The black curtain of the Arcana continent.
Shadow Mercenary Corps.
What kind of wind was blowing them?
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