𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 (9)
“. . .I can use it.”
“Amazing! If God had not helped, how could such a thing be possible?”
Volandrunt’s disciples next to him also nodded their heads in agreement.
“That’s a real miracle.”
“To think there’s someone using a weapon like that. . .”
The people here had a nasty habit of dismissing anything they didn’t understand as a miracle and moving on. Johan clicked his tongue and said.
“However it happened, as long as there’s no problem with the weapon, that’s good. Volandrunt. I have something to discuss with you privately, can you keep a secret?”
“I guard the secrets entrusted by my client like my own heart and fingers, Count. I can swear on the honor of my ancestors.”
Volandrunt spoke firmly as a rock. Johan nodded.
Johan had two things to ask.
One was whether he could buy the dwarf nobles’ full body armored plate armor. In fact, there was no need to hide this story. Although it was said to be worth a castle, Johan was now at a level where he could start eyeing it.
And the other was the ancient Empire’s striking clock he had obtained and hidden just in case, thinking now that Johan’s position allowed him to ask openly even about any suspicious item, since he could make up some excuse.
“If I ask the dwarf experts to make me a suit of plate armor, how long would it take and how much would it cost?”
“?”
“?”
Johan’s question perplexed Volandrunt, and Johan was puzzled by his confusion. What’s going on?
“. . .Count, did you happen to think that dwarves make plate armor themselves?”
“. . .They don’t?”
Volandrunt spoke very awkwardly.
“I’m sorry. You must have heard rumors spread by the elders.”
In the Empire, the dwarf nobles wielded power that no feudal lord could ignore.
The dwarves, ensconced in the mountains and guarding the traditions and rights passed down from the ancient Empire. They amassed enormous wealth by trading metals and armaments from their mines.
One of the Empire Twelve Electors was from a dwarf family, and the dwarves held the rights to mint the Empire’s gold and silver coins, considered higher quality than any other currency, so there was no need to elaborate further on their power.
Not satisfied with that, the dwarves enjoyed spreading certain rumors.
That unlike weapons made by elves or eastern pagans, the blessings of spirits and gods reside in weapons made by dwarves. That plate armor made by dwarves can even block the spears of giants. . .
These rumors allowed dwarf families to surpass continental competitors and stand at the top.
“. . .They can’t make plate armor?!”
“That’s the thing. . .”
Commonly known plate armor was not just armor. It had to wrap around the body as if the metal itself was alive, light and soft so as not to get tired even after wearing it for a long time. It also had to be able to repair itself to some extent even after being damaged. . .
Dwarf craftsmen often guessed that such skills involved ‘𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘳’. And all such skills were magical techniques perfected during the ancient Empire era. Present-day dwarves did not have the skill to make such things.
“Then what about the ones worn by people?”
“Those are armors from the ancient Empire era that were excavated and then only repaired by the dwarves.”
“. . .!”
Volandrunt looked quite ashamed. It was only natural since a count had been fooled by the dwarves’ tactics.
Even now, dwarf exploration teams were turning over places not yet reached by human hands, looking for ancient Empire ruins. They coveted various things, but the main purpose was such ancient Empire artifacts.
“So it’s not a money issue. Count. First you need the item.”
“. . . . . .”
Johan felt complicated, but not because of Volandrunt’s words.
‘𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘢𝘥𝘭𝘺. . .𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘵. . .’
Even though he was sure he had struck with all his might. . .
Out of regret and frustration, Johan covered his face with his hand. Misunderstanding that, Volandrunt cried out urgently.
“My apprentices and I are excellent craftsmen, Count. We will use the hides and rare metals from the monsters you’ve captured to make you new armor.”
Volandrunt eagerly explained the design he envisioned. It was a flamboyant brigandine style armor made by attaching thin sheets of rare metal to tough monster leather.
It could certainly be called armor suited for Johan the knight who hunted many ferocious monsters.
“Alright. . .do that for me.”
However, Johan’s voice still lacked strength. Volandrunt fidgeted anxiously. Johan collected himself and said,
“I’m ashamed to have shown such an unsightly appearance out of disappointment.”
“No, not at all!”
“I see. Later when I manage to find some armor, I’ll ask if you can repair it.”
“Yes.”
Volandrunt answered lightly. He didn’t have much expectation that Johan would be able to find ancient Empire era armor. It wasn’t the kind of item you could find even if you looked.
‘𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵.’
Materials from monsters like minotaurs and cyclopes were too good to throw away. Just cutting the leather and sewing it together made excellent leather armor, and twisting and tying together horns and sinews made tremendous composite bows.
In Achladda’s case, he would take out his bow when bored and giggle to himself, so one could tell how amazing the item was.
With armor made from such materials, and wearing Gulrak’s surcoat over it, the defense was practically sufficient.
“By the way, were you asking about that?”
“No. What needs to be kept secret is this item.”
Johan took out the ancient Empire striking clock he had picked up in a town long ago. Volandrunt looked at it with fascination.
“A dwarf artifact. It’s rare, where did you get this, Count?”
“Artifact? Isn’t it just a clock?”
“Ah, yes it’s a clock too.”
Volandrunt took the striking clock and skillfully wound the mainspring.
“It probably won’t work since it’s broken.”
“Dwarf wares do not break, Count.”
Speaking confidently, Volandrunt made a small cut on his fingertip with a dagger and let a drop of blood fall in. The striking clock, receiving dwarf blood, began to breathe again.
“. . .!”
