“Did you notice, Grand Mage?
Truth be told, I’m one of those who received your aid.”
King Clay said, stroking his beard.
I remember giving those bearded fellows a cat touch once.
Although I don’t recall every person I’ve dealt with, were they residents of Clay Kingdom?
“What do you say, Grand Mage? Would you come to my kingdom?
I’ll pay double the reward that stingy King Franbel offered! “
“D-Double?! “
King Clay’s words astonished King Franbel.
“Indeed. Without the Grand Mage’s assistance during this crisis, it would have been no surprise if five or six nations perished.
In other words, his achievements were so outstanding that even sacrificing an entire kingdom would have been a small price to pay.
And yet, we are grudgingly offering this paltry reward to that Grand Mage.
This is beyond words, King Franbel IV. “
“……”
No one argued with King Clay’s words.
It was probably just that they were too intimidated to say anything, even though he was a king of another kingdom.
“How about it?
[I don’t want it.]
“What?!”
I myself don’t care much about the reward.
But to show my gratitude to the soldiers who helped me wholeheartedly.
I also had to repay Yotsuba and Rion-kun, who guarded the shop while I was busy, and Nell and the others I made feel lonely.
In other words, it would be meaningless if I left this country.
“… I’ll give it. I’ll pay everything listed there, in the name of Franbel IV.”
“I will double it.”
“This is the reward agreement for the Grand Mage of our Franbel Kingdom.
Unrelated outsiders should keep quiet.”
“Guh… Grand Mage, a cart bearing my personal gratitude for you is waiting outside!
Please accept that at least!
Well then, I take my leave!”
King Clay flipped his cloak and departed.
I signed the document promising the reward items and left the castle.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
King Clay’s cart was loaded with vast quantities of gold coins, platinum coins, and jewels.
There were also books on metalworking techniques passed down by the dwarves.
After putting the cart away in Four-dimensional Space, I headed for Clover’s General Store.
“Long time no see, Master. I heard from Oliver.
He said you did great work protecting many people from the disease.
You must be exhausted.”
I pulled out my typewriter and typed, [You too, thanks for looking after the shop.]
I handed the book I received from King Clay to Rion-kun.
It’s useless to me.
Rion-kun, being a dwarf, could probably put it to better use.
“This book… But I don’t have any tools or a forge, so I can’t do blacksmithing.”
I typed, [Do you want to do blacksmithing?].
“Yes, if I can.
Blacksmithing is the pride of the Dwarf clan.
I haven’t held a hammer since my parents died.”
[I’ll buy you the tools you need.
I’ve been promised the land around the shop, so I’ll build you a forge soon.
I’ve also secured the rights to handle metals, weapons, and arms, so we should be able to sell the things you make.]
“Master… is it really okay for me to smith?
Is it really okay for someone like me, who fell into slavery after stealing, to hold a hammer again?”
[You’re young. Do whatever you want to do.
Oliver, I’m heading back to the forest.]
“Mm, see you later.”
I leave the shop.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
“Rion, why are you crying?”
“Sniff… Shut up.”
“If something’s bothering you, I’ll listen.”
“People always say you can’t read the room.”
“How do you know?!”