“Pfft, did you see that maid’s expression earlier? She looked like she was really going to kill me. Should I start calling her a half-dragon instead of a maid now?”
“Lady Shisha, it might be better not to provoke Sally too much…”
“Who are you calling Lady Shisha?”
“…Madam.”
“Yeah, yeah. We agreed to keep it that way when we’re together, right? If you don’t like it, just say so. I’ll remove that heart oath, and then you won’t have to stick around with me like this.”
“But wouldn’t Sally be in big trouble then? This is fine as it is.”
“Good, as long as you know… Ah, there. That spot feels nice. Give it a harder rub. You’re a man, after all.”
“I’m putting as much strength as I can into it…!!”
“You’re something else, huh? Even though you became a half-dragon and a Dragon’s Retainer, nothing about you has changed.”
Shisha lying face down on the bed, and me, massaging her with all my might.
Thanks to Shisha’s scoffing, I was able to carve the oath into my heart and become Sally’s Retainer to save her.
But at the same time, just as Shisha mocked, even though I became a Dragon’s Retainer, there was absolutely no change in me.
I was still a powerless person who couldn’t use magic or aura.
“Even if the talents gained from the oath are all being used to maintain the retainer status… Shouldn’t there be some changes, like increased strength or the ability to use dragon language? Really?”
“Why would I hide anything from you, Madam? I’m just as surprised as you are.”
“Is it because the dragon isn’t a real dragon but just a half-dragon? Or is there some other reason? Whatever it is, it’s pretty hilarious.”
Yeah, even I think it’s funny. Even War’s Hammer was really taken aback.
‘They said the Dragon’s Retainers during the War era were all incredibly powerful.’
I expected that kind of strength since I had seen and fought them before, but when they saw me with my physical abilities unchanged, they gave me a really pitiful look.
“Still, it’s not like there’s absolutely nothing. I can instinctively sense Sally’s location and presence.”
“If even that wasn’t there, I would’ve thought the whole retainer thing was a total scam… Ah, that spot. Press a little deeper.”
“…If I go any deeper, I’ll reach *that* area.”
“What do you mean by *that* area? Just say it’s the chest. It’s not like you’re groping me out of lust or anything, you’re just pressing the side. What’s the big deal?”
“Even so…”
“Chunsik?”
“…Yes.”
While holding back tears (?) and massaging every corner of Shisha’s body, I couldn’t let go of my tension.
Not because of Shisha lying there, but because of Sally staring holes through the wall from the next room.
I could sense Sally’s presence now that I was a retainer, so I noticed… Sally’s eyes are so empty, it’s genuinely terrifying.
‘With Sally, I’m a retainer; with Shisha, I’m a servant…’
Somehow, I ended up in a master-servant relationship with both Sally and Shisha.
With Sally, it’s now on an instinctual level, and with Shisha, I owe her a huge debt.
So, I had to do everything I could to prevent these two from fighting.
While desperately trying not to think about Shisha’s side chest as I massaged her, Diogenes suddenly appeared by the bed.
“Looks like you’re having fun.”
“Lord Diogenes, are you talking about me?”
“I’m talking to both of you. In the end, Kyle Byron got what he wanted, and Shisha Glesia also gained quite a bit.”
“You little brat, what did I gain? At best, I got this Chunsik guy.”
“Didn’t you hear the details about the ‘War’s Hammer’ and its vassalization? They even finished experiments showing it could work this time.”
“………Tsk.”
“This should restore some face for the former Master of the Magic Tower. Don’t you think you can finally acknowledge yourself and become the Tower Master now?”
“Stop talking nonsense. Did you come here to say that? If not, you can leave.”
“I came to deliver some other news. Hmm, Kyle Byron?”
“Ah, yes.”
“The Imperial Palace will be coming for you soon.”
“…………What?”
My body froze, and I stopped the massage. When Shisha’s ice shard flew toward my forehead, I quickly resumed the massage.
But my gaze was still fixed on Diogenes.
“What do you mean by that? Did they find out about this matter……?”
“Don’t worry. While the Guardian of the Imperial Palace can see inside this dome at any time, I’ve ‘cleaned up’ his gaze this time, so it should be fine.”
“Then………?”
“I only cleaned up this particular matter. Meaning, they and the Imperial Palace likely already know that you, not even a direct royal, came to the Dwarf Village.”
“I didn’t even know this was the territory of that brick Archmage. Did you know about this all along, Diogenes?”
“Of course.”
“……Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“You’ve already met him before, so you should be safe enough. I’m telling you now so you can hide the half-dragon when the Imperial Palace contacts you.”
“Ah…….”
Once the Tumbling Weapon matter is resolved, I’ll return, but for now, we’re still in the Dwarf Village.
Whether we’re back on the surface or still here, we’ll need to hide Sally when the Imperial Palace makes contact.
If the Imperial Palace discovers Sally’s oath and her half-dragon transformation here, the consequences are obvious.
‘Still, with Diogenes here, it shouldn’t be a problem.’
More importantly, the Imperial Palace is coming.
Will it be the High Magician of the Imperial Palace himself? Or another direct royal?
Did the Third Prince get into trouble because he gave me the Dwarf Village pass?
The more I thought about it, the more my head hurt.
“And………right. I got a message.”
“What else is there?”
“A message from the Dwarf Village. A dwarf named Charlie asked me to pass on a word to you about the board game───”
“………What? Where’s Chunsik?”
“He ran out of the room as soon as I started talking.”
“Tsk, he still needs more training.”
“By the way, it’s surprising. You’re treating Kyle Byron more favorably than I expected.”
“No particular reason. He just reminds me of my younger self a bit, and it’s amusing to see the kid those old hags and other Archmages dote on become my servant. And besides……”
“……?”
“Up close, his face is kinda decent? A bit too delicate, but not bad to have around.”
“…………….”
*
“……You’re here, human.”
“Sorry for being late. I heard you had something to say about the board game.”
After leaving the War’s Hammer’s house, I hurried to the front of the Dwarf Village.
The only difference was that the village had quieted down after the festival.
And Charlie, who usually stayed in the Watchtower, was standing at the village entrance.
“Is it okay if I come a bit closer?”
“What do you mean?”
“Last time, this was the limit, right? The crossbow bolt you shot at me───”
…was stuck here.”
“………….”
Originally, I couldn’t go beyond this point.
But Charlie was standing beyond it.
Charlie, who had been crossing his arms, nodded quietly.
Just that reaction was enough to tell.
What kind of performance the Tumbling Weapon had at the dwarves’ festival.
“How was the Tumbling Weapon? Did you enjoy it?”
“…Yeah, I think I get what that board game is about.”
“So, where is the Tumbling Weapon? I heard that War’s Hammer was supposed to bring it later, as promised by Brown Beard.”
“You call me Brown Beard… Sorry, but I couldn’t bring the Tumbling Weapon. I tried, but everyone resisted too much.”
The dwarf, Charlie, sighed. Only then did I realize he wasn’t being serious but rather restless.
Crossing his arms, sighing, and constantly moving his feet since earlier.
It must have been because he couldn’t keep his promise to return the Tumbling Weapon.
Of course.
“Well, that’s a relief.”
“…What?”
“Actually, you don’t need to return it. In fact, if the dwarves enjoy it, I’d be grateful. But!”
Emphasizing the last word, Charlie’s expression seemed to say, “Of course,” or “No way?”
I took a step closer to Charlie.
“I want detailed feedback.”
“Feed…back?”
“How was the fun of the Tumbling Weapon? What exactly did the dwarves find enjoyable? After all, the Tumbling Weapon was designed more for dwarves than humans, but since I’m not a dwarf, there might be things I missed. Are there any other issues? If played multiple times, even if the blades were dulled, wouldn’t the glass cylinders get scratched? What about dwarves injured by falling weapons? Isn’t the process of setting up all the weapons tedious when playing again? Did you ever find it cumbersome to move the daggers?”
“…………….”
“I want that feedback. That way, I can make a better board game.”
So far, I’ve gone through the process of making board games suitable for magicians or aura users, but ultimately, they were all aimed at ‘humans.’
So, even if I didn’t change much from the board games I originally knew, I could still produce them while keeping the existing framework.
But humans and dwarves are different. Differences in height, strength, agility, culture. The board game must change significantly to account for all these differences.
‘The Tumbling Monkey was originally a small game that could be held in one hand.’
But considering War’s Hammer’s circumstances, the size to deeply impress the dwarves, and the dwarves’ physical abilities, I made as many modifications as possible.
However, I’m still human. There might have been discomforts only dwarves could feel.
This Tumbling Weapon was clearly going to be a valuable experience for me in making future board games.
So, I approached Charlie and met his eyes.
“Uh, that.”
“No! That can be heard slowly. There’s something I need to ask first.”
“What?”
“How was the Tumbling Weapon?”
“I already told you…”
“Not the other dwarves, Brown Beard. I’m talking about you.”
At that.
Charlie paused for a moment.
“A board game made by a human, and an imperial, who deserves to be hated.”
“…………….”
“My sincerity and consideration…”
“Has it been conveyed to you? Has it eased your hatred even a little? Dare I… get closer to you?”
Talking to Charlie, persuading a dwarf, was impossible. I was a human, a target of their hatred, and an imperial.
So, I borrowed the form of a board game. I had momentarily forgotten because of Sally, but the reason I came to the Dwarf Village was to seek their help.
How did the board game, Tumbling Weapon, fare with Charlie?
“……Here it is.”
“Huh? What’s this?”
“You said a bell that even a grandmaster couldn’t break. It’s made from the hardest ore in the village.”
“Ah……”
So, in the end, they’re only giving this bell.
Was Tumbling Monkey not enough?
Are they really just giving the bell as promised and kicking me out───
“Ahem! But I’ve never met the grandmaster. So, I don’t know if this bell can really hold up.”
“……?”
“T-Therefore, strictly speaking, the promise hasn’t been fulfilled yet. We must compensate for that… Even if the other party is human, we are dwarves who keep our promises.”
Charlie said that while turning his head.
But I could pretty much guess what expression he was making.
Because my mouth was full of smiles.
“Then, as compensation, would it be okay to borrow a bit more of the dwarves’ power?”
“Ha! Humans, always needing the dwarves’ help in the end.”
“Exactly.”
“If you insist! The generous dwarves will… lend a hand.”
The cooperation of the Dwarf Village.
Success.
“I want a statue small enough to fit in one hand. It should be holdable and made of strong metal.”
“A statue that fits in one hand? Even for dwarves, that’s too small.”
“Ah… Is it too difficult even for dwarves? We humans can’t make it at all……”
“I’ll make it right now! Anything else you want!?”
“If possible, it would be great if the statue could hold other weapons. Like swords, spears, bows.”
“Then those would have to be made as small figurines too, right? The delicate workload seems too much.”
“Indeed, the dwarves’ sculpting skills, which once ruled the continent during the war era, have declined. Then, I guess there’s no choice……”
“Who said I can’t do it? It’s just a bit more tedious work! Fine, then that small statue───”
“Miniature, right?”
“Yeah, just make that miniature, right? Wait a bit! Something like that will be done in no time!”
“Fifty.”
“……What?”
“At least fifty, please.”
“……”
“Dwarves always keep their promises.”
“You can do it, right?”
