"During the journey, I was bored, but this is good. Tell me, bro."
Pherdikion nodded readily.
"Before I was born... Even now, but in the past, dwarves were even more rough, hot-tempered, stubborn, and belligerent."
During the time when his father, Pashias, ruled the area.
The dwarves lost their homeland due to the aftermath of the Wyvern War.
The surviving dwarves had taken refuge in the lair of the red dragon, but for the proud dwarves, this fact was a humiliation.
Moreover, Pashias was a violent ruler.
They were not treated as craftsmen.
At best, they were mere refugees or workers producing weapons.
This was partly due to the agreement with Pashias.
In exchange for a safe place to live, they agreed to forge weapons whenever Pashias wanted.
Given that it was in exchange for settling in the territory of a red dragon, they had no choice but to agree.
"When I inherited this lair, the dwarves' sense of humiliation had festered to the point of rotting."
Pherdikion looked around the area with a bitter expression.
"Unfortunately, I also continued the same reign of terror as my predecessor, as I was taught by my father."
'So the dwarves were mostly afraid of Pherdikion.'
The lingering question was naturally resolved.
When Roon nodded silently, Pherdikion continued.
"But as I taught you, I began to want to change my approach. I pondered how to understand the dwarves' feelings as you suggested."
Pherdikion sighed, recalling the difficulties of the time.
"However, it was extremely difficult to change the dwarves' festering hearts. Some even suspected me of having ulterior motives."
Pherdikion's pace slowed.
"Then, I came to the conclusion that I needed to restore the dwarves' pride as craftsmen."
"Was that the <Craftsman Competition>?"
As they passed through an alley, the pace that had slowed down picked up a bit.
"Yes. I also received help from Berdin around that time. Even when we held the first Craftsman Competition, the other dwarves were uncooperative. But ultimately, it was a success."
Roon looked at him with renewed admiration.
"It must have been tough, bro. Anyway, it's good that I could help."
Sadly, that was the best he could say for now. But Pherdikion nodded.
"Yeah. Not only because of my goodwill, but also as a way for the dwarves to repay me. If you need any equipment, just let me know. Anything that comes out of this <Craftsman Competition> is also available."
'Not just weapons, but with this momentum, I might even be able to recruit dwarves to enter the <Abandoned Mine Dungeon> with me.'
If they were willing to repay him, he might get some good volunteers.
Pherdikion's suggestion was better than recruiting through his orders, as it would be more beneficial for Roon to have dwarves who were willing to help.
"So, which forge are we visiting now?"
"The traditionalists. We'll also visit the reformists' workshop afterward."
Suddenly curious, Roon asked.
"Do you support one faction, bro?"
Pherdikion paused for a moment before continuing.
"They are too firm in their values. Some even have a fiery competitive spirit. There was an incident where a fight between the two factions in a tavern caused damage to the tavern and destroyed a few buildings."
Just then, a dwarf stood at the entrance of a forge, hands behind his back, looking around.
When he saw the group, he widened his eyes and shouted something into the forge.
"If I take sides, they will immediately start fighting. So it's best not to mention the other faction in front of them."
It was a hint that things could get tiring if unnecessary conflicts arose.
'This is a case of overheated competition.'
Contrary to Pherdikion's worries, Roon found this situation quite appealing.
Given that they were already prone to fighting over who was right, they must have a combative nature.
A clash of pride between representatives of opposing views.
With the rare material of a red dragon's scale at stake.
The competition would undoubtedly be a crucial day, with the winner gaining more power and support.
'You have to stoke the competitive spirit of those with a strong desire to win.'
Craftsmen with pride in their skills.
The more pride they had, the more they would do anything to protect it.
'I need to increase the stakes for the winner.'
Roon gently rubbed his wrist.
Establishing a visible hierarchy would naturally fuel competition.
Especially if the prize was something they desperately wanted.
'I'll let the dwarves show off their skills, and I'll reap the benefits!'
Smirking, Roon turned to Pherdikion and said,
"Bro, can I make a suggestion?"
Pherdikion's eyes widened as he listened to Roon's suggestion.
After a brief moment of thought, he agreed, saying it would be good for the dwarves as well.
The competition would be among the dwarves, and the prize would be his.
If he played the role of a catalyst, they would naturally ignite and produce good materials and equipment.
The sounds of the bellows, the water wheel turning, someone shouting, and metal clashing were mixed together loudly.
Hei Mi exclaimed in admiration, looking up at the forge.
An excited Bai Ya fluttered as if about to fly up to the flag on top, then settled back into Hei Mi's arms.
A well-built dwarf, who seemed to have come out to guide them, looked at them with a stern expression and moved his lips a few times.
Then, with a face as if he were doing something he had never done before, he spoke.
Chapter 41: Do this for me.
"Welcome... I mean, welcome! Lord Pherdikion, Lord Roon, and your companions. I am Mile Cambry, the chief blacksmith of the Rubeus Forge."
His rough and coarse voice.
It seemed that using honorifics was not easy for him, as he flinched a few times.
His name was Mile Cambry.
Finally, Roon's group arrived at the entrance of the traditionalist forge.
At Chief Blacksmith Mile's invitation, Pherdikion nodded and entered the forge first.
They saw horns and body parts of monsters collected as materials, and several mass-produced pieces of equipment.
'The Craftsman Competition will take some time... If there's suitable equipment for the Abandoned Mine Dungeon, I should prepare it.'
Roon, feeling their gaze, turned his head.
Dwarves stood around, their eyes wide with interest and curiosity.
Pherdikion introduced the group to them one by one.
"This is Roon, a hatchling of the Black Dragon clan. His servants, Hei Mi and Bai Ya."
The dwarves here also avoided making eye contact with Pherdikion.
Instead, they stared at Roon and the others with wide, almost obsessive eyes.
He knew they disliked Pherdikion, but the atmosphere was still somewhat awkward.
'This is what he meant by not being surprised.'
It was fortunate that he had learned about the dwarves' past from Pherdikion beforehand.
Roon nodded and greeted them.
'It's not very comfortable.'
He could feel the dwarves' hostile gazes toward Pherdikion, but they were clearly restraining themselves in this formal setting.
"Hem! Come here. We need to take your measurements. I mean, let's take your measurements. The Master Blacksmith is busy with a task he can't put down, but he will come as soon as he finishes."
The dwarf skillfully extended a tape measure and looked at them.
It seemed that Berdin had given them a heads-up, as a simple table setting was prepared.
The problem was that it wasn't something children would enjoy.
'Dried meat and sour cheese?'
Ignoring the pungent smell and taste, it was clearly a drinking setup.
Bai Ya, being a bird, wouldn't be offended by not eating, and Hei Mi, who liked meat, coveted the dried meat.
Even though he wasn't particular about food in his Imugi days, this was...
'After eating only good and healthy food recently, the difference is more noticeable.'
Of course, he could guess that food would be scarce in a volcanic region.
Despite the inner sigh, he understood.
'I get why Pherdikion asked for cooking. The food is dry, rough, and sour.'
Feeling it anew, the food really was tasteless.
At least the dried meat had a smoky flavor and was edible.
Roon resolved to set up a meal as soon as the cooking utensils he had requested from Berdin were completed.
The dwarves suddenly stood up at once.
Finally, the Master Blacksmith approached them.
He was fully equipped with leather gear and armed with smelting tools.
"Lord Pherdikion, to what do I owe this honor?"
The newly arrived dwarf looked at Pherdikion with an unwelcoming gaze for a moment, then, to avoid an awkward atmosphere, nodded formally.
'There's a subtle coldness.'
Pherdikion's eyebrow twitched, but he accepted the greeting.
Then, the Master Blacksmith's gaze shifted to Roon.
"I am Kuwan, the owner of this forge."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Roon."
"Lord Kuwan! Here are the records."
Kuwan, who had taken a deep breath, read the paper and frowned deeply.
"A hatchling of the Dark Dragon clan... with demonic servants and a phoenix chick."
Kuwan took out a pipe and, out of habit, tried to light it, but seeing Hei Mi's wide eyes, he hesitated and put it back.
He stuffed the pipe into his pocket and placed the paper on the table, then looked at Roon.
"Do you have any special requests for the equipment?"
The sturdy dwarf, built like a couple of thick logs joined together, had a particularly deep voice.
Roon replied indifferently and immediately wrote down the items he wanted on the order form.
"The type doesn't matter, but it should be flexible and able to contract, and allow these guys to use their full potential."
Kuwan took the order form silently.
After reading what Roon had written, he twitched his eyebrow and folded it into a leather pocket.
"Understood. If you have a preferred material, let me know in advance."
Roon rolled up his sleeve and materialized his hand.
Then, he easily plucked out a scale.
At that moment, everyone's gaze focused on Roon's fingertips holding the scale.
"Use this. I want something that is most optimized for me."
A brief silence, as if the air itself had stopped.