Episode 43 The Dwarf Workshop
Having been introduced to the dwarf workshop, Arthur left Edward’s manor and strolled through the city of Dorf.
“Still, Lord Glutton, huh… Never thought I’d hear that name in a place like this.”
Lord Glutton, like Greed, was one of the nobles in Arthur’s inner circle. Arthur recalled how he always wore accessories inlaid with all sorts of gemstones and would frequently lecture him about their magnificence.
In his previous life, Arthur remembered him saying something like, “Soon, I shall present you with a ring made from a rare stone, Lord Arthur,” while giving a cryptic smile.
“Pretty sure that guy got torn to pieces by dwarves…”
He’d heard that when the revolution broke out, while his retainers fled, Lord Glutton died clutching his gemstones inside his mansion. To Arthur, gems were just shiny pebbles, but to that man, they must have meant everything.
That said… Arthur hadn’t heard a single thing from Lord Glutton—neither in this life nor the last—about Edward’s daughter.
Something smelled like a conspiracy… but he had no clue what.
Indeed, Arthur was not exactly a brilliant man.
“Lord Richard, we’re almost at the dwarf workshop. I’m so excited!”
“I wonder what kind of old guy we’ll meet! Think he’ll be working with a drink in hand?”
It was Bedie and Ees who spoke to the pondering Arthur. Since Marianne and her escort Gawain had gone to visit the ailing Prim, Arthur was escorting the two in their place.
Edward had issued them identification documents, so safety shouldn’t be an issue. Marianne had seemed apologetic, but Arthur actually appreciated the break—being around her constantly was exhausting—so he was fine with splitting up.
“Ah, Lord Richard, the workshop’s this way. That’s the wrong path.”
“Mm? Right.”
Though whether Arthur was truly useful as a chaperone was questionable, given that Bedie was more reliable… Regardless, he handed over the map and let Bedie lead the way to the workshop.
It was a solid-looking brick building with smoke billowing from its chimney.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
Opening the door revealed a forge at the center of the room, surrounded by tools—hammers, cooling vats, and more.
Clang, clang!
Following the steady rhythm, they spotted a short, stout man with a bearded face engrossed in his work.
Kei had taught Arthur what to say in situations like this.
“Are you Gale? I’m Richard. I came to ask you to teach the kids smithing, by Lord Edward’s recommendation.”
“Mm… Ah, yeah, I think I heard something about that.”
Arthur gave his greeting with a smug expression, thinking he’d nailed it. The dwarf glanced at them, then resumed striking the metal with apparent disinterest. Bedie and Ees exchanged glances, while Arthur blinked and tried again.
“Are you Gale? I’m Richard. I came to ask you to teach the kids smithing, by Lord Edward’s recommendation.”
“……”
No response—just the clang of hammer on metal.
“Are you Gale? I’m Richard. I came to ask you to teach the kids smithing, by Lord Edward’s recommendation.”
“Shut the hell up!! I heard you the first time!! Can’t you tell I was ignoring you on purpose!?”
Unable to hold back, the dwarf raised his voice in frustration. It was the classic “infinite loop is scary” situation.
“Kei told me that in situations like this, I should confirm names, introduce myself, and state my business.”
“Who the hell is Kei!?”
“My personal maid. A loyal one.”
“I didn’t ask for your relationship status!! Man… talking to you is exhausting…”
Despite Gale’s bluntness, Arthur remained unfazed. Gale held his head in his hands. Lately, Kei had been subtly supporting Arthur or covering for him with her healing magic, which often led to misunderstandings—but the truth was, Arthur was socially inept and oblivious.
And now, that was on full display.
“Our work’s too hard for humans. Especially some pampered noble kid like you—pointless. You’ll run off the moment it gets tough. Just go home and suck on your mama’s tit.”
“I don’t have a mother, though?”
“Er… Uh… Sorry.”
Gale immediately apologized, caught off guard by the unexpected reply. Arthur, of course, didn’t realize it was meant as an insult.
“Um, excuse me—we really do want to learn. Would you teach us?”
“And we’re from an orphanage, not nobility. We’ve got plenty of spirit!”
“What? A noble brought commoners with him…? Wait—aren’t you two being treated like slaves or something…?”
Before Gale could finish his angry retort, Bedie shouted.
“That’s not it!! Lord Richard gave us this opportunity so we wouldn’t struggle in the future!!”
“Yeah, he might be a bit of a weirdo, but he even hired us private tutors! He’s a good guy!”
“Huh… I’ve heard not all nobles are jerks, but… turns out this one’s on the good side, huh. Sorry. I’ve just dealt with so many garbage nobles lately…”
Moved by the kids’ words, Gale bowed his head to Arthur and added in his defense,
“You’ve heard that our beloved Lady Prim is ill, right? So then this flashy noble comes in the other day and says we need to offer an accessory made of orichalcum—found deep in the mines—to get a big-shot to treat her… Now the rest of the dwarves have been locked in the mines trying to find it!”
“Hmm… Well, there are trash nobles, for sure. Nothing you can do.”
“Damn right. That bastard didn’t even understand the value of our work—he just bought up everything with money and then flipped it for profit! Bastard makes my blood boil!!”
Clearly, that noble had seriously pissed him off. Sensing a chance to earn some Good Deed Points by helping the dwarves, Arthur made a proposal.
“Hmm… Who was that noble? I’ll lodge a complaint on your behalf.”
“Some guy named Lord Glutton… and his boss, Prince Arthur!! I’ll never forgive that bastard!! Using our dear Prim’s life as a bargaining chip!!”
“Huh? Arthur? You mean me? Ah—crap!!”
The 50% slip-up struck again. Arthur immediately realized this was bad—his identity might be exposed. Even he had the awareness to shut his mouth.
Of course, Gale’s expression turned suspicious.
And normally, this was when Kei would swoop in to cover for him, but…
“Lord Richard, let us handle things here. Please return to the manor.”
“But—”
“It’s okay, really.”
Arthur was now the one being reassured by children.
Back at the manor, Arthur tried to think through Lord Glutton’s actions… but, as expected, came up blank.
Ugh, couldn’t he just go ahead and heal this Prim girl already? The Good Deed Notebook did say, “Do not use healing powers on a certain noble girl,” but maybe there was a loophole somewhere…
While pondering that, he encountered a tense-looking Marianne.
“Hey, you know, maybe I should just—”
“Lord Arthur… I understand now. I know the real reason you came here… and the reason you told me you wouldn’t use your healing this time…”
“Eh…?”
Just like that, his momentum was crushed. Marianne looked at him with eyes full of conviction, while Arthur hadn’t the slightest clue what was going on.
