Chapter 7 - At the capital (4)

"How did you tame it?"

"Rather than taming it, you can say we formed a relations.h.i.+p."

"Ahem! I would like to hear more about it."

The dwarf's eyes sparkled.

There was no way a story like this wouldn't stimulate his curiosity.

However, even Steven listened attentively.

Although he didn't show it, he was definitely interested in this topic.

"I'm sorry to say, but that's a little..I have many reasons behind it."

"I, is that so."

"Let me show you this instead."

Jade brought out a Black Drake's tooth and showed it to the depressed dwarf.

As he did, the dwarf's reaction changed.

"T, this is!"

"It's the tooth of a Black Drake. I want to create a weapon with this as its base."

"Are you serious?!"

"Yes, that's why I came all the way out here."

The dwarf made a radiant expression.

As he was born to be a blacksmith, he couldn't help but get excited with new metal, minerals, and materials.

Especially for something like a Black Drake's tooth, it was difficult to get even if he were to look for one.

Drake's were rare in and of itself, and even if one were to find their location, it wasn't easy to kill them.

"Ha! To think I would be able to see a Black Drake's tooth in my lifetime. Do you have more by any chance?"

"I brought two more with me as a reserve. I was going to use one as payment…."

"Let's immediately make a contract!"

Although it was the smallest tooth, the dwarf didn't need to even think twice.

As the most famous blacksmith in Arhan, he had plenty of work still pending, yet he still didn't hesitate.

It wasn't often that he got the opportunity to obtain a Black Drake's tooth.

"I would like to make a long sword with one of the teeth and a dagger with another. From the way I look at it, the length seems to be perfect for them, but is it possible?"

"Of course. Who do you think I am? There's more than enough to make you your weapons. But the remaining pieces that you don't need……"

Different from his first appearance, the dwarf appeared to be rubbing his hands together.

It was as if he was craving for something.

"You can have it."

"Kuhahahha! You're as valiant as I thought! I really like you!"

Tak tak tak!

Hearing the words he had been hoping for, the dwarf tapped Jade's hip while laughing.

He would much rather have tapped Jade on the back, but due to their size difference, the only place he could reach was Jade's hips.

Only, Hwid had now woken up.

It had been in deep sleep on Jade but woke up from Jade's body shaking.

Crack crack.

With sleepy eyes, Hwid opened its mouth. And, as it did, thunderbolts began forming inside it.

The dwarf walked back in fight as he saw the thunderbolts that were the same color as the drake's scales.

He had known Jade's skills were out of the norm, but a Drake was still scary.

"It's okay, go to sleep."

Ggyoong.

Feeling the hand caressing its back, Hwid buried its head into Jade's chest and closed its eyes once again.

It had naturally fallen asleep as it felt the warm hand on its back.

"Sigh!"

The dwarf was relieved to see this site.

It felt like he had lost 10 years of his life.

"How long will it take to make them?"

"I'm going to start immediately, so let's say about three days?"

"It's that fast?"

"It's only possible for me. I am THE Ralph!"

Tap tap!

A large fist, unmatching its body, tapped the dwarf's chest.

Even then, Ralph didn't appear to be in pain as he confidently smiled.

"I would be thankful if you can make it quickly."

"It could be late by a day since this will be the first time I work on Black Drake's teeth. I'm going to have to do a lot of research and try out different processes. However, the item itself won't be a problem. I guarantee it."

"I look forward to it."

"That's why…."

Rustle rustle!

Ralph's pompous att.i.tude disappeared, and he began to rub his hands together.

He appeared to be expecting something.

"Please talk without reservations."

"A, are you able to gather more Black Drake's teeth? I will give you as much as you want!"

"I do have some left, but I don't have them with me. Let's negotiate the next time I come back."

"Thank you!"

Ralph quickly grabbed Jade's hands.

He was excited to hear that Jade was willing to negotiate with him.

"Please do your best on my weapons."

"Don't worry! I will turn them into my best work of art! That's why don't sell your teeth to anyone else! I will outpay anybody for them!"

"Haha. Alright."

"Let's see. The contract….."

As if the begging wasn't enough, Ralph began to look for a contract.

He wanted to make sure that everything was perfect.

"Umm…."

Steven, who was silently listening to their conversation, carefully opened his mouth to speak.

He had the same expression and look in his eyes as Ralph.

"What is it?"

"Would you be able to sell some of it to us too? We want to research it."

"Cough!"

Ralph became uncomfortable to hear that he had gained a sudden rival.

As difficult as it was to gather the item, he didn't want to share it with Steven.

However, Steven wasn't one to back down easily.

The Black Drake's teeth were just as important to him as it was to Ralph.

"I will give you some. Do I just have to tell my price to the princess?"

"Uh, let me ask about that."

Steven immediately became crushed.

Although he was a court mage, he wasn't someone who had a lot of money.

"Kuhahahaha! Competence is what makes a man! I can even provide you with a down payment!"

Seeing the crushed Steven, Ralph yelled out in high spirit and appealed himself to Jade by telling him he had plenty of money available.

"Let's just make a provisional contract for now. I may immediately have to go to Paulstein."

"That's too bad. I wanted to try so many different things."

Ralph smacked his lips as he had heard what was happening in Paulstein, and he knew he didn't have the right to stick into human matters.

In return, he grabbed Jade's hands and earnestly spoke.

"I know you're not one to die easily, but please be careful! Even if you die, you must die after fulfilling out contract!"

"Hahaha."

Jade laughed as Ralph was completely serious, and it was also the same for Celestine and Elestra.

Especially Celestine, who had the biggest reaction.

-Kyahahahha! What a complete nut job!

-Dwarves are normally quite eccentric, but this guy seems to be super weird? Is it okay to trust Jade's weapons to this guy?

Elestra scrunched her brows as she stared at Ralph.

No matter how she looked at him, he looked unreliable.

"I'm joking, so look forward to it. I will make your swords into my masterpiece, and I'll even make you some usable equipment."

"You sounded serious to me."

"That's the skills of a jokester to you, Kuhahahaha!"

Ralph touched Jade in many areas as he heartily laughed.

As a master craftsman, he was able to get Jade's sizes just with the mere touch of his hands.

That was also the reason why Jade stood there without doing anything.

"I will look forward to them."

"I only make the best, hence the reason why I'm the most popular in Arhan. I'm sure I'll make quality items to meet your expectations."

"Then can you contact the royal palace once your finished with the items?"

"Will do."

"Then we'll be leaving now."

Jade turned around as he didn't want to take any more of Ralph's time.

And, as soon as the two turned away to walk out of the store, Ralph walked back into his workshop.

In his hands were the precious teeth of the Black Drake.

"Kukuk! Kuhahahaah!"

A little while later, a loud laugh burst out from the shop.

Completed - Chapter 4