Chapter 52: Contract of Steel and Magic

The sudden mention of a kingdom left Ethan momentarily speechless.

It was at that moment that Poforens clapped his hands as if he finally understood.

“Ah… Your Highness, the Grand Duke, you had been incapacitated for the past ten years.”

Looking back, it was only natural not to know. The Grand Duke had been only about nine years old before he collapsed.

He was at an age where it would actually be strange for him to be well-informed about the state of the world.

Being a noble wouldn’t make much of a difference at that age. Poforens’ lips began moving rapidly.

Fifteen years ago.

After the war with the Dragonkin, the dwarf clans, having suffered heavy losses, all gathered in one place.

They concluded that to fend off foreign invasions, they needed to unite into a single kingdom.

Thus, twelve major clans came together and established a kingdom.

The first king was none other than Muradni, one of the great chieftains.

‘That guy became king.’

In his previous life, Muradni had always been one of the most skilled blacksmiths who repaired Ethan’s weapons.

The dwarf blacksmith who, despite his grumbling, was unmatched when it came to repairing weapons.

“I have a question.”

“Yes, please ask.”

“Originally, dwarves weren’t very fond of the concept of capitalism, were they?”

“That was certainly true in the past.”

“When did that fundamental principle change?”

“After the kingdom was established.”

“Can you tell me why it changed?”

Dwarves and their craftsmanship were inseparable concepts.

Ethan was curious why their nature had shifted so drastically.

Since this was a rare opportunity, he intended to get an answer.

“We dwarves suffered greatly at the hands of the Dragonkin. We lost our homeland, our numbers drastically dwindled, and our infrastructure was completely destroyed.”

Poforens sighed and continued.

“To recover all of that in a short time, money was needed. Craftsmanship? Rather than spending a year or even a lifetime hammering out a single sword, if we could produce slightly lower-quality goods in bulk…”

“More money can be made that way, is that what you’re saying?”

“Our gradual assimilation into the human world began for precisely that reason. With human currency, most of what we needed could be acquired.”

“Do you then give some of that money to the kingdom?”

“A portion of the revenue from our sales is settled with the kingdom.”

Stingy and miserly.

Compared to the soldiers who guided him around the city of Greston last time, the reasoning was surprisingly sound.

They were simply workers laboring tirelessly in a foreign land to build a better living space.

“You said you’d send a letter to the kingdom council.”

“Yes. If that happens, that scoundrel Williams will be summoned to our kingdom. He’ll probably face severe punishment. But what worries me is…”

“What is it?”

“Whether the Kingdom of Haidern will hand over Williams without resistance. I’m not sure they’ll let go of their royal blacksmith so easily… And if things have gotten that bad, I doubt he’ll willingly go to the Kingdom of Ameria.”

That was a valid point.

Williams.

The kingdom’s blacksmith who supplies the Haidern royal family.

He held onto money, fame, and information tightly.

Would such a man accept this job just for money?

‘No matter how much money you offer.’

It would be foolish to recklessly attempt something that risks getting caught by both the Dwarf Kingdom and the Haidern Kingdom.

‘Besides, he probably knows the kingdom’s policies quite well.’

He’d already be aware that Haidern’s stance towards the Dragonkin wasn’t exactly friendly.

“He must have powerful backing.”

A strong enough backer to protect him if this matter comes to light.

“Yes. That’s what I suspect as well.”

Poforens spoke with resignation, realizing catching Williams wouldn’t be easy.

Ethan tapped his fingers on the desk and slyly raised the corner of his mouth.

A meaningful smile.

“Poforens.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Don’t you want to play in a bigger pond?”

“A bigger pond?”

“Being the kingdom blacksmith would bring far greater benefits to both the Dwarf Kingdom and yourself than running a forge in a medium-sized city.”

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Poforens’ eyes widened.

The kingdom blacksmith!

If he could rise to that position, it would be an unimaginably fantastic post.

‘Besides… my rise would mean…’

It would be after toppling his nemesis, Williams.

“Y-Yes! Do you… perhaps have a plan?”

“A plan? You just have to make one.”

Poforens’ eyes sparkled.

“I-I will pledge my full loyalty to you, Your Highness, if it can be done!”

Words were just words, though.

“There’s more than just words to show one’s will in this world. For example, a contract.”

“A c-contract?”

“Don’t like the sound of that?”

“Not at all! Of course a contract is needed to ensure mutual trust!”

Ethan immediately called for Silvia. After briefly explaining the situation, she nodded in understanding.

“If you just provide the position, I will do my best to negotiate the contract terms.”

“Good. Both of you go out and wait.”

“Yes.”

After sending out Poforens and Silvia, Ethan summoned Polton at once.

“Sir Polton.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I’d like to use your communication crystal. Is that possible?”

Polton flinched for a moment but nodded. Come to think of it, it was stranger if the Grand Duke didn’t know he was in contact with the marquis.

“Please wait a moment. I need to speak with my lord first.”

“Do so.”

After a brief wait, Polton returned and handed over the crystal.

“You are connected.”

He quietly left the office.

Ethan gazed into the crystal.

Inside, an elderly man with sharp eyes appeared.

—I’ve heard a lot about you from my son and Sir Polton. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Grand Duke.

“Likewise, Your Grace the Marquis.”

—Haha. The formalities make us stiff, but you can just call me ‘sir.’

“Then I shall. The elixir you provided last time proved very useful.”

—Your success is our gain as well. I’m glad the results are good. Now, what brings you here?

“The kingdom’s blacksmith has direct ties with the Dragonkin.”

Bloten fell silent.

It was a heavier matter than expected. Ethan continued calmly.

“Have you considered replacing the kingdom blacksmith? There’s a good candidate available.”

The kingdom blacksmith was a post responsible for supplying the royal family.

Such a position warranted treatment above even a count.

If they could install their own people there, the potential gains would be significant.

Guilds and blacksmiths, though different trades, could wield much greater influence when united.

—Is there a way?

Ethan explained his plan.

The marquis’ eyes shone as he listened.

Meeting the Grand Duke in person for the first time, he found the plan daring yet meticulous.

—Excellent.

“I have one question.”

—What is it?

“Does the king of this country dislike the Dragonkin?”

“That’s a difficult question to answer definitively. To be honest, it’s ambiguous. There are all sorts of tangled political issues…”

Ethan nodded.

If the king were hostile to the Dragonkin, the plan might be more effective.

‘But that’s not a decisive factor.’

In the end, it was just a supplementary element.

“Shall we try it?”

—Dragonkin, huh. I never thought I’d get involved with those monsters again. Haha.

The Dragonkin had caused the Arden Duchy and Besos Marquisate to sacrifice much, losing their former glory.

What remained was only the hollow shell of a so-called hero.

At least, the marquis did not regret those past decisions.

As a noble, it was simply what had to be done. The Grand Duke probably felt the same.

—I’ll send my son.

The marquis didn’t reject the Grand Duke’s proposal for that reason.

‘Good.’

With the marquis’ agreement, the plan’s blueprint was set.

Maintaining a close relationship with the marquis had produced this outcome.

Just as the conversation was about to end.

—Ah, I almost forgot to tell you. You’ll be receiving a gift soon.

More elixirs after the last time?

The marquis’s face seemed to say exactly that, and he laughed heartily.

—If you want to hold on to a goose that lays golden eggs, a barrage of gifts is essential. You may look forward to it. Well then, good luck.

With that, the secretive conversation ended.

The next day, Jeyron visited.

“Looking forward to working together.”

“Yes. We will do our best to negotiate the contract in a way that benefits both sides.”

Jeyron, Poforens, and Lawrence entered a private room.

It didn’t take long to draft the contract.

Ethan nodded with satisfaction upon seeing the completed contract.

Poforens secured the position of kingdom blacksmith.

The Besos Marquisate secured a definite foothold in politics and gained the crucial card of the kingdom blacksmith.

Lastly, Ethan had crafted a brilliant contract that would reduce the Dragonkin’s influence and allow him to reap the benefits in the process.

All three made small concessions, resulting in a perfectly balanced contract.

“Well done, Lord of the County.”

“When we walk the same path, making small sacrifices is no hardship. It’s only natural.”

Ethan looked at Jeyron.

It was now certain they were running toward the same goal as the marquisate.

To strengthen and solidify this relationship further.

“I will tell you about the first product. This time, it’s two items called the Vitality Juice.”

As Ethan explained, Jeyron’s pupils dilated.

Just like the previous herbal potion,

This was sure to be a huge hit.

Maintaining ties with the Grand Duke was truly a wise choice, Jeyron’s thoughts firmly settled once again.

After the contract was signed.

Not long after, the marquis’ gift arrived.

Ethan’s eyes gleamed as he examined the items.

The marquis had sent a pair of gauntlets and greaves made entirely of mithril.

‘Mithril, huh.’

The value of just these two items would likely match or exceed the previous elixirs he had received.

Mithril held mana well and was much stronger than steel.

‘A fine gift indeed.’

If these two pieces could be forged into artifacts alongside the greatsword,

They would be incredibly useful for a long time.

Ethan called for Ilya and Poforens.

Ilya arrived first.

“What is it…?”

As she spoke, her eyes fell on the three pieces of equipment laid before her.

“I need your skill.”

Ilya’s face lit up.

Since arriving here, Ethan had never called on her even once.

Because of that, over the past two weeks, she hadn’t uncovered the Grand Duke’s secret nor revealed her true self; instead, she lived cramped among the people.

‘Guest.’

That was the word she had heard most in those two weeks.

With the ever-present fear of being cast out, each day felt like a year.

After such a long wait.

‘Finally!’

The cold man had given her a chance to prove her usefulness.

Lifting her head proudly, she met Ethan’s gaze.

Then she suddenly bowed deeply.

The memory of her hair being cut off came flooding back.

‘Hoo. Calm down, Ilya!’

After a brief pause, she cautiously asked,

“If I help… will I no longer be treated as a guest?”

“If the items are satisfactory.”

“V-very well! I will do my utmost to forge the artifacts!”

Ilya eagerly accepted the items.

Soon after, a dwarf entered the office.

“You called?”

“There’s work to be done before leaving for the palace.”

“Whatever you command!”

“I want you to work with that magician to create artifacts.”

“…Excuse me? Artifacts?”

Poforens looked puzzled as he glanced at the mithril gauntlets and greaves in the girl’s hands.

“To engrave magic circuits into the materials requires quite advanced skill. Working with an inexperienced magician could result in wasted effort…”

“Who called you an inexperienced magician, you runt!”

“W-what! Runt? You just said that…!”

Thwap!

The dwarf’s mouth snapped shut immediately, silenced by Ilya’s mana.

Only then did Poforens’ eyes snap open.

‘A… a high-ranking mage!’

Without a single incantation, she performed a miracle.

A simple act, but the delicate mana control behind it was enough to shock even a battle-hardened dwarf.

“Don’t fight. Let’s produce good results.”

“You don’t have to tell me. Let’s go, runt.”

“Ugh!”

Poforens and Ilya floated out of the office.

Two days later.

Ilya entered the office with a triumphant expression, while Poforens looked pale.

And they carried three results with them.

Ethan began inspecting the items one by one.