Translator: Tseirp
Paula entered the workshop.
Dolan didnât enter ⦠without entering, he touched the workshop, touched the entrance, and sat down on the spot.
âWhatâs wrong, Dolan?â (Luciel)
âWhat exactly should I do to repay Luciel-sama and elder brother Grand?â (Dolan)
Something glimmered in Dolanâs eyes.
Seems like the surprise was a great success.
Grand-san smiled delightedly as he looked at Dolan.
âFrom today on, Iâll propose plenty of ideas for things I want to be made so please help me actualize each and every one of them.â (Luciel)
âIâve been working with that intention all along. However, this is too much of a foul play.â (Dolan)
Dolan could no longer hide his tears.
âLuciel-dono informed me that Dolan was alive and well. I knew that someday you would return. Itâs natural to put in the effort for my fellow junior disciple.â (Grand)
âElder brother Grand!â
The 2 of them gave each other solid hugs.
I missed the chance to speak under the heavy atmosphere but Grand-san noticed it.
After making sure, I spoke to Dolan.
âLook, if you donât do in, Rician canât go in too. Sheâll be staying here from today onward after all.â
I looked over at Rician and she was looking uncomfortable.
âSorry. Come along then.â (Dolan)
Thus, we intruded? on Dolan and the otherâs home and workshop.
The second floor was built as their living space while there were 3 workshops constructed in the basement.
âThe above ground building looked normal but this basement ⦠I donât understand.â
The reason why I muttered so was not only because of the size of the workshop.
The size was about 2 times that of the workshop in Ienith, but it was made of semi-transparent glass-like materials that allowed one to guess what is inside and the glass was engraved with numerous magic circles.
âEngraved with sound-proof, vibration-proof, dust-proof, antiseptic and fire-proof magic circles, the walls were made from diamond and Adamantite to allow one to see whatâs inside in the unlikely event of an emergency. With this, there will no longer be a chance that the workshop gets blown up.â (Grand)
Just by looking, I could tell that it cost an amazing amount of gold so I was convinced.
âThis place wonât shake even if an earthquake comes. Because weâve completely immobilized the ground underneath.â (Grand)
Grand-sanâs motivations were overflowing.
However, he implied that the mistake that caused Dolanâs workshop to explode was influenced by the earthquake after all.
Paula and Rician both had booths that allowed them to peek at each other so they exchanged eye contact that showed their rivalry as well as their feelings of pouring everything they have into joint development.
Then, Lionel and Cathy who have been keeping silent since we arrived at Rockford spoke.
âLuciel-sama, I wish to request for the master on the apex of the blacksmithing world, Grand-dono, and Dolan-dono to construct armor jointly but â¦â (Lionel)
âWe understand that it is an impertinent request as slaves nya but we still wish to ask you nya.â (Cathy)
Was Grand-san famous even in the Empire?
As expected~, while thinking so, I accepted their request.
âIâm willing to dispel your slave contracts anytime so the 2 of you can be considered as slave (provisional) ⦠Grand-san. Iâd like to request of you to create armor for the 3 slaves here, is it alright?â (Luciel)
âEven for me as well?â (Kefin)
âYou plan to serve as my strength right?â (Luciel)
Kefin was flustered but itâs better to increase our combat strength if we have the choice.
âI agree since it is Luciel-donoâs request. However, I wonât be giving you a discount okay. Also, itâs time to maintain Luciel-donoâs armor as well.â (Grand)
âThank you. Iâm willing to pay as long as it is within my means.â (Luciel)
âUnderstood. Dolan, you think you can do it?â (Grand)
âIâll strike my heart and soul into it!! I accept this request. Elder brother Grand, please lend me your strength.â (Dolan)
âLeave it to me.â (Grand)
Thus, it looked like they were going to begin crafting the armor immediately ⦠but, Grand-sanâs next words caused the place to go silent.
âSo then, what materials should we craft them with? Monster materials? Or with Mithril, Adamantite or Orichalcum?â (Grand)
âDo you have them in stock?â (Luciel)
âWhat are you talking about? You brought it with you right?â (Grand)
â â¦â¦ â (Luciel)
What does he mean?
He directed his gaze at me but looks like weâll have to go to the mines.
⦠Even though we finally arrived at a safe land with a small party ⦠I could not fire up my motivation to risk my life for the sake of fabricating armor.
As if they perceived my thoughts, ãGashi Gashiã, Lionel and Cathy grabbed my shoulders.
âLuciel-sama, I wonât ask for any more selfish requests, so shall we go to the mines?â (Lionel)
âLuciel-sama, Iâll devote myself to serving you so please nya.â (Cathy)
âYup, no way.â (Luciel)
I turned them down with a smile.
Who would want to go to a mine where some earth dragon or land dragon sleeps!
â ⦠Is it alright to make the equipment for the 3 of them with the purified dragon scales and bones I passed to you previously to make the illusionary cane?â (Luciel)
âYeah. Of course. Thatâs also quite an amazing material so Iâll have to show my skill.â (Grand)
âI just donât want to go to the mine. It will definitely take quite some time right?â (Luciel)
âIf itâs for the 3 of them ⦠it will take at least 3 months. At most half a year.â (Grand)
The 3 of them were surprised to hear about the material but it was gathering dust in my magic bag either way so it was more meaningful to use them to save some time and effort.
Moreover, it reduced the risk to our lives.
The armor was for the 3 of them so I had predicted the time required and it wasnât a problem to me.
âAlright. I plan to visit the town of Meratoni once my armor maintenance and their measurements for their armors are done but would it be alright?â (Luciel)
I can get some training done in half a year after all, and I hope for some wonderful encounters instead of brutal encounters.
âYeah. No problem. Rather than that, today is the welcoming party for Dolan and Paula so Iâll have you accompany me to drink today Luciel-dono.â (Grand)
âSure. I donât have any strong liquor but I have some specially made mead so Iâd like it if you have a taste.â (Luciel)
âItâs fine as long as it has alcohol. All the better if it tastes good. Strong alcoholic drinks are good but I also welcome liquor that I rarely get to drink.â (Grand)
âIâm glad thatâs the case. Also, would it be alright to dispel Dolan and Paulaâs slave contracts during the event?â (Luciel)
âYeah. Of course.â (Grand)
âPlease wait a moment, if the dwarf king finds out â¦â (Dolan)
âDonât worry. Iâve already had an audience with the dwarf king regarding this matter.
You no longer have to worry about it.
Either way, the dwarf king regrets his decision in the first place.
To allow your promise that he can descend you into a slave or whatnot if you canât present the strongest sword to him.â (Grand)
âA promise is a promise ⦠I did not think that Paula would get caught up in it too.â (Dolan)
âStop giving strange promises that will cause you regret in the future.â (Grand)
âElder brother ⦠Iâll bear that in mind from now on and I plan to create the ideas that Luciel-sama comes up with.â (Dolan)
âTsk, showing off such a delighted expression. Youâll make me want to jump on board as well.â (Grand)
âSo Iâll dispel it tonight?â (Luciel)
âYeah. Thank you.â (Dolan)
Dolan lowered his head to me.
During dusk that is reproduced in the town of Rockford, for the sake of celebrating the return of Dolan and Paula, the researchers and engineers who finished their work gathered at the town square.
âGentlemen, thank you for gathering here.
This townâs Strong Arm Engineer Dolan and the golem-loving girl Paula have returned.â (Grand)
The people cheered and various words were tossed to the 2 people.
âThe 2 of them are currently slaves ⦠but I will now dispel their slave contracts.â (Luciel)
I applied ãDispelã on the 2 of them.
âWith this, the dispelling of the slave contract is complete.â (Luciel)
I told Grand-san and Grand-san gave a large nod.
âThe person who had just dispelled their slave contracts is Luciel-dono, the S-rank healer from Saint Schullâs church. He had humanely purchased the 2 of them and protected them.â (Grand)
The inhabitants were at a loss at what reaction they should give after hearing him say the 2 of them were purchased and protected.
âHe was a gentle lord that never once beaten or used us. Also, never once reached his hand toward Paula ⦠worthless.â (Dolan)
ãGan!ã With a soft drum, Paula whacked Dolanâs head as if it was a stand-up comedy tsukkomi.
I smiled when I saw that while the inhabitants roared with laughter.
Looks like their sketch comedy started since long ago.
âIâve returned. Please take care of me.â (Paula)
Everyone sent cheers over reminiscent of those sent toward idols as Paula cutely bowed to me.
ãPaula-chaaann~ã
She grew up here since young.
And as an Engineer, Paula must have been raised with love by everyone.
âEveryone in the crowd, Iâve caused you all a lot of troubles. Iâll be in your care from today onward as well.â (Paula)
This time, they replied with a warm applause.
âToday is a good day as well. With Luciel-dono around, I wonât be surprised if we drink too much and get a hangover for 2 days!â
ãOooohh~!ã
âTo celebrate Dolan and Paulaâs return, cheers!â
ãCheers!ã
Thus, the banquet began.
âI lamented when I heard that Dolan and Paula became slaves.
Which was why ⦠I complained to the dwarf king and the gods.
The dwarf king was feeling considerably depressed.
Why didnât you ask for my help?â (Grand)
As Grand-san and Dolan ⦠-san began drinking, Grand-san began preaching. (TL: Heâs not used to addressing Dolan with -san)
âMy bad.â (Dolan)
âI tried to look for clues to the whereabouts of you 2 ⦠but in the end, time passed but I couldnât find you.
At that time, a letter arrived from the Healerâs church S-rank healer Luciel-dono here.
He mentioned that he had secured the 2 of you, regenerated Dolanâs arms and requested me to construct a place that you 2 can return to.
Do you understand how happy I was?â (Grand)
âThank you, Uncle Grand.â (Paula)
âMm. Paula didnât do anything wrong after all.â (Grand)
Grand-san who had completely became a good-natured old man was patting Paula as he continued his preaching toward Dolan.
âLuciel-dono mentioned that I shouldnât reveal it to anyone else so even I was wounded by the strange look everyone gave me when I was reconstructing the workshop.â (Grand)
Grand-san who should be quite capable of holding his liquor suddenly tipped his head back to drink and the spilled alcohol almost reached me.
âElder brother Grand, thank you.â (Dolan)n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Dolan ⦠-san faced Grand-san and thanked him by lowering his head.
âDamn it! Donât say it anymore. But, Iâll have you accompany me to the very end today.â (Grand)
âI believe Elder brother Grand will be the first to collapse so leave it to me to look after you.â (Dolan)
âBring it on, Iâll make you collapse.â (Grand)
Thus, the 2 of them began their drinking game and Dolan-san and Paulaâs welcoming banquet continued deep into the night.
Authorâs note:
Thank you for reading.