We stood by and watched as the magic concrete mixer truck poured a large amount of specially-made Mancrete into a hole. Personally, it’s also feels satisfying. This hole was the hole that the magic black stone had sealed. The magic black stone that was used has been shattered a while ago. The stone had a crack in it and the seal was about to break, so I thought it would be better to break it soon rather than waiting for it to come undone, and came up with this idea.
”Wait wait wait wait wait! You, what the h**l are you doing!” (Jay)
Jay, who had had a stupefied expression on his face, suddenly switched to a furious one and shouted. I just told Jay I had a way to deal with this hole, and immediately got down to work. It’s not really that much of a special method. I thought that, since we know the enemy is weak to the magic black stone, we should just solidify it around them. That way, they won’t be able to get out.
”What, it’s as you can see. This is the strategy I thought up to keep him inside the stone!” (Wirk) ”Ahaha… you’re crazy after all, huh.” (Eph)
Eph said so with a bitter smile. Is that a compliment?
”Haa~… it’s really untinkable. I didn’t expect you to pour in liquidised magic black stone.” (Jay)
Then for some reason, Jay said so with a sigh while holding his head.
”That ore has a high affinity with magic power. That’s why, even though ordinary flames can’t, magic flames are able to extract it. This means that by extension, it also has a good affinity with mana. Mancrete is concrete that contains mana. Therefore Mancrete and magic black stone are easily combined.” (Wirk)
That’s why magic black stone and Mancrete can be combined. Maybe I should call this raw Mancrete. Anyways, this strategy was to pour in as much as I could and fill the inside of the hole. The poured-in Mancrete hardened as it was. The King of Decay was now inside the stone.
”… hey, boss. Then why were we so eager to manufacture magic black stone equipment?” ”u~mu…” (Jay)
Having been asked by the other dwarf, Jay groaned.
”No, no, that’s something important. Sure, I’ve managed to banish that guy, but magic black stone equipment has high corrosion-resistance. I’ve heard it has many uses. As you can see, it goes well with equipment with magic enchantments, so you could incorporate it into a magic sword or magic armour, couldn’t you?” (Wirk)
Besides, it most likely has a good affinity with mythril. According to what Eph told me, it can normally be collected at this mountain.
”But Wirk. Is there any meaning in making that anymore?” (Eph) ”Mogyu~♪” ”Umu. Since there’s no enemies left to fight.” (Bamboo Princess) ”Kyupi~♪” ”No, no, this island is still filled with danger, isn’t it?” (Wirk)
”Koo~♪”
We had this conversation while Eph stroked Komatsu, and the Bamboo Princess squeezed Keon, and now I was also patting Kani’s head. We can already no longer do without fluffiness.
”That’s true, but still, we don’t really need that many.” (Jay)
Jay said this. Certainly, it is true that we don’t need many, but I thought of something.
”That’s the case, but haven’t you thought of exporting the products you made outside the island?” (Wirk) ”… outside, you say?” (Jay)
That’s right. If you keep smithing here on this island without saying anything, you won’t get a single buyer. If so, it should work if you go out and sell it.
”… sorry, but we dwarves aren’t good at that kind of thing. We’re not as good as the merchants or cat-sith.” (Jay)
Merchants and cat-sith, huh. Cat-sith are a race with a cat’s appearance. They’re also a race known to be good at business. On the other hand, dwarves are known to be clumsy with their words, and frankly seem inflexible, so they’re unsuited for negotiations.
”And if you’re going to do business overseas, won’t you need a certain amount of it? We’re confident in our skills, but they’re handmade one by one, so something like mass-production isn’t possible.” (Jay) ”Then why not let me help you?” (Wirk)
”What?” (Jay)
Jay looked at me dubiously. Rubbing his abundant beard, he tried to find my real intentions.
”Well, I thought I’d like to live here on this island, you see. And as a magic architect, I thought about making various things and living here. If it’s fine, I’ll help you, but I’d also like the dwarves to help me. I figured that that way, it’d be a win-win for all of us and we’d be able to get along, but what do you think?” (Wirk)
These were my true feelings. If I get the dwarves’ help, we can begin the magic generator’s construction. If we can do that, I guess we can use sophisticated magic architect techniques to also make a factory. I consulted Jay about that as well.
”… we’ll eventually be able to build a factory, huh. But if we do that, won’t there be no need for us anymore?” (Jay) ”No, of course not. Even if it’s a factory, it’s still simply a building. ~If it’s not filled with substance, then nothing good will be made.” (Wirk) ”… soul, huh… that’s right. Wirk, the truth is that my father, back then, was also proposed something similar by the magic architects. However, my father rejected it. That produced friction with the magic architects. After that, it lead to the contest, and my father left the country after losing.” (Jay)
That’s what we were talking about earlier… so that’s what happened, huh.
”However, from what you’ve said, no, from your speech and conduct, I’m starting to think my father was mistaken. No, we dwarves, including my father, are too obstinate. If it weren’t for the differences between races, making superior things won’t be possible unless you have both old and new techniques. If we both do what we can, we’ll be able to make something better.” (Jay)
Saying so, Jay’s smile deepened. Looking at this situation, it seems I’ve managed to get Jay’s recognition.
”I’ve taken a liking to you after this incident. What about the others?” (Jay)
”If boss says so.” ”Also, we saw that other thing.” ”That tunnel drill, it was really cool! Let me use it this time!”
They all spoke in unison. I’m glad the magic heavy machinery also got approved.
”Right now, the only magic heavy machinery I’ve got is this transforming bracelet. But with everyone’s help, I think we’ll be able to produce new magic heavy machinery.” (Wirk) ”Ooh! That’s awesome! Let’s do it!” (Jay)
Apparently Jay also seems interested in producing magic heavy machinery.
”Well, in the end, what was all that talk about magic architects being cowards anyway-noja?” (Jay) ”Go-?”
After the Bamboo Princess said that, Kobelco tilted his head to the side. That was certainly one of the factors that caused friction.
”Oh yeah. Thinking about it now, that’s also strange.” (Jay) ”Strange?” (Wirk) ”Yeah. I swear on my father’s dignity, but I don’t mean it as an excuse. The competition at that time was to have the prepared material processed and graded by each other. The materials for each were meant to be the same, but the material prepared for my father was clearly of a poor quality.” (Jay) ”Huh? So then…” (Bamboo Princess?)
”Given what you just said, I’m not surprised that the dwarves’ side thought they were being set up…” (Wirk?)
I also don’t think Jay would lie about such a thing.
”However. Had they not done that, my father would have still lost. He admitted so to himself. That’s why he was so frustrated. Anyway, that’s why father cut himself off and went out to the island, and furthermore, the minister at that time greatly insulted us.” (Jay)
So such a thing happened…
”Say, what kind of guy was the minister like back then?” (Wirk) ”A detestable guy. I properly remember his face now. That guy makes me feel sick. I also remember his name. That guy was called Dowal…” (Jay) [TL: uhh, let’s just ignore the obvious conflict of time. Right, its a fantasy, so we’ll say magic solves this temporal paradox…]