Published: January 13, 2026
While prioritizing the furnace construction, before I knew it, Kamushin and the Espada had also returned.
They were accompanied by a dozen or so people, all looking over at us.
“Lord Van. We have selected those with business experience and those who wish to engage in commerce!” Kamushin called out.
I gave a forced smile and waved one hand awkwardly.
“Thanks. There are quite a few, huh? I thought the Espada’s screening would cut the number down a lot.”
“Yes. Originally, there were over a hundred.”
Apparently, they were the impressive few who survived a selection rate of only ten percent. That was definitely no problem.
“Well then, let’s build the shops first instead of the furnace. Let’s call it a day there.”
I said that, and from behind, I sensed Havel glaring at me.
“The furnace should be the priority.”
“I think we can get Orichalcum again, but you’re going to hand it over to the Dwarf king first, right?”
“Grrr...”
When I gave a reason to counter Havel’s grumbling, he expressed his frustration by waving his hands angrily. Quite a distinctive reaction.
“All right, then let’s head back to the adventurer’s town. Kusala’s inn should have the furniture ready by now anyway.”
Either way, this meant we wouldn’t have to endure the hellish furnace construction. Come to think of it, there was no need to get the furnace running in just fifteen days. I almost got forced into a black labor environment by Havel’s momentum.
Taking the sulking Havel and the other dwarves with us, we headed back to the adventurer’s town. Somehow, feeling relieved made my steps lighter.
Since it was already late afternoon, I turned back toward the people who planned to start their businesses as soon as we returned to the town’s main street.
“As for the shops, I’ll assist with upfront investment costs, first-year tax exemptions, and help with procuring materials. However, to avoid discrimination against those who want to open shops in the future, this assistance will be in the form of loans. Of course, the amount will vary depending on the shop’s size, but even if it takes time, the money must be repaid. Is that all right?”
When I asked, the gathered people nodded firmly. They must be quite passionate. I nodded back and looked around.
There was still furniture being moved in, and Bell Rango Trading Company’s apprentice merchants were coming and going at Kusala’s inn. Since Bell Rango Trading Company also planned to open a shop, I wanted to discuss the location, but Rango was nowhere to be seen.
“Rango is… ah, there he is… and Bell too?”
For some reason, I spotted Rango walking briskly toward us from behind, almost like racewalking, with Bell following close behind.
“Lord Van!”
“A dwarf blacksmith!?”
The moment we made eye contact, the two waved their hands and shouted loudly. They must have been extremely happy to have finally secured a blacksmith; their eyes gleamed dully like starving demonic beasts. Closing in, they looked back and forth between me and Havel standing behind me.
“Ah, well, right now the furnace is being built on the outskirts of Seato Village. But we need at least two large pieces of Orichalcum ore. So I thought we’d make the shops in the adventurer’s town first, then slowly build the furnace.”
I explained, and Bell and Rango exchanged knowing smiles. Then Bell turned back to me and spoke.
“Rest assured, Lord Van! When I checked earlier, Apcaluru had some Orichalcum ore in storage, so I negotiated and obtained one piece!”
“What have you done?”
I couldn’t help but complain and nervously looked behind me.
There stood Havel and the others with beaming smiles.
“There’s Orichalcum ore!?”
“What a surprise! To think it’s available right here in town!”
“Ha ha ha ha! We can return to the kingdom!”
“All right, let’s build the furnace!”
As the dwarves shouted excitedly, Havel forcefully declared the resumption of furnace construction. The other dwarves quickly turned to look at him, eyes wide open.