Chapter 77

"Hmm…"

Ian let out a hum as he gazed at the item presented by the dwarf craftsman.

He had intended to make it even smaller if the material was copper.

But the craftsman's skill was better than he had expected.

Although he couldn't replicate the color.

The wrist guard was seamlessly attached, and the chain guard for the forearm, which would connect to the chainmail, was intricately crafted with sturdy joints. The shoulder guard was so well-made that it was impossible to tell where it had been dented.

How did he finish this in just one day?

"As I said, I couldn't revive the enchantment circuit. It will also be a bit heavier and less durable. But this is the best I can do with the current materials."

"...It looks that way."

Ian put the item down.

The craftsman snapped his fingers, and an apprentice who had been watching from behind rushed over.

"Could you... raise your arm?"

The human, glancing at Charlotte, asked. The chain guard still needed to be finely connected to the upper body and shoulder.

Charlotte readily complied with the request.

She seemed satisfied with the quality of the item. In fact, even if she had complaints, she wouldn't be in a position to express them.

"I heard you caused a big accident."

The dwarf craftsman asked, half-heartedly observing the scene.

Ian replied calmly.

"The accident was caused by a demon. I stopped it."

"Did the commander believe your story so easily?"

Is he trying to pick a fight?

As Ian turned his head, he met the craftsman's eyes and realized he was genuinely curious.

"...Let's say I swung a sword at you. If you blocked it and ended up killing me, whose fault would that be?"

"Obviously, the one who swung first."

"What if I knocked over a stall while falling down?"

"Well... hmm, I see. That's how you convinced him. You have quite the skill."

"That's the truth."

"Was it really a vampire, as the rumors say?"

Northern people are supposed to be all gruff, but maybe that's an old story.

After all, in a city like this, there's always a need for gossip.

"It seems so."

"Did you really take it down alone?"

"Pretty much."

"Hmm... You're heading to the mountains, right?"

Instead of answering, Ian turned to look at the dwarf craftsman again.

The craftsman gestured at his body with a nod.

"I'm asking because your equipment is in a terrible state."

This was the main point.

Ian finally chuckled and said,

"You have even more impressive skills. Will you repair it for me?"

"That's why I brought it up. Take it off and put it here."

Without hesitation, Ian began to remove his armor.

His chainmail was riddled with holes where the crescent sword had struck, and the plate reinforcements were dented in several places.

With a craftsman of such skill, he might even improve it beyond its original state.

"How much will it cost?"

"There's no need. There's still a lot of money left from what you gave me last time."

"......?"

Ian's brows furrowed.

The craftsman snorted at his gaze.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I've never seen a dwarf refuse money before."

"Your bargaining skills are terrible. You can make me want to take money I didn't plan to."

He clicked his tongue and added,

"The mountains were originally our dwarven land. Since you've taken down a demon alone, you'll probably take care of a lot of other pests in the area. I can't send you out in this state, can I?"

"I heard it used to be the land of the giant kingdom."

"They used us and humans as slaves. After the giant kingdom fell, dwarves and humans started living separately. We've had our share of bloodshed, but that's all in the past now."

"Is that so…."

It wasn't a story that particularly interested him, but Ian nodded readily.

Since the craftsman was offering to repair his equipment for free, he could at least listen to this much.

"So, how long will it take?"

"Four days... no, three and a half. The other customer's item was small and I had the chains ready, so it was easier, but your equipment will take more time."

Looks like I'll have to stay a few more days.

Ian nodded.

"I'll come back in the morning four days from now."

***

When Ian returned to the inn, he took a hot bath and went straight to bed.

When he opened his eyes, it was the middle of the night. The noise from the lower floor suggested it wasn't too late.

'Really, there's no soundproofing here at all.'

His past life, where even the faintest car exhaust could disturb his sleep, now seemed luxurious.

Now, it felt more like a dream or a fantasy.

Thinking about it, he rarely dreamed of the original world these days.

Perhaps his subconscious already considered this wretched world as his own.

After all, it wasn't entirely wrong.

'If I can't find a way back... I'll have to live here for the rest of my life.'

Despite the dirt, stench, and savagery, and the constant threat of death, he had no desire to spend his life in this world.

He didn't need powers or abilities that bordered on superhuman.

A warm home. A decent job, even if it wasn't great. Delicious food and a simple, peaceful life.

All he wanted was to regain the things he realized were precious only after losing them.

'There must be a way.'

Ian muttered to himself, trying to convince himself.

If there was a way to come here, there must be a way to go back.

He would survive desperately to find it. And he would see the end of this wretched world, no matter how it turned out.

If he still couldn't find a way back...

'...I'll have to go find those gods and grab them by the collar.'

Whether that was possible or not, he didn't know.

Shaking off the depressing thoughts he had repeated countless times, Ian sat up abruptly.

Beyond the darkness, the gazes of the other strangers focused on him simultaneously.

Ian looked at the orange and red eyes that were watching him and said,

"You were all awake."

"I was hungry."

"...I couldn't sleep."

"You must have. You slept a lot during the day."

"......"

Charlotte frowned and fell silent at Tesia's reprimand.

Ian shook his head and got up.

"Where are you going, Ian?"

"To eat."

Charlotte raised her head.

"Can I come with you? I want a drink."

As Ian nodded, Tesia sprang up.

"I'll come too. I won't eat, but..."

"Stay here."

"What? Why?"

Is she really asking?

Ian narrowed his eyes and looked at her.

The fangs protruding from her lower lip. The red eyes glowing with hunger.

These were not sights to be seen by others, especially not after the vampire demon attack.

"Stay inside during the day until we leave. Charlotte will catch your food for you."

"I can catch my own food, Ian."

"Do you want rumors of another demon to spread?"

"......"

Ian, who had silenced Tesia, opened the door and left.

Charlotte, who was following, turned to look at her.

"Stay quiet. Unless you want to eat a scrawny mouse."

"Two. At least two. If you're a grateful beast—"

"Bringing you food is enough to pay off your debt."

Saying this, Charlotte closed the door and followed Ian.

As they descended, the noisy tavern fell silent for a moment.

But it was only for a moment.

Soon, everyone resumed their chatter as if nothing had happened.

There won't be any trouble.

Thinking this, Ian sat down across from Charlotte at a corner table.

Soon, a waitress placed food and drinks on the table.

Ian tilted his head.

"We haven't ordered yet."

"I know. This is on the house."

"...Why?"

"You took care of the demon that entered the village. No one knows how it happened, but you saved several villagers."

"Who said that?"

"Everyone. They say it's no wonder you're heading to the mountains."

"Ah, I see…."

Ian glanced around.

No one seemed to be paying attention to them, not even giving them a glance.

Is this northern hospitality?

"Well, I won't refuse. Thank you."

Ian shrugged. The black-haired waitress smiled and added,

"Speaking of which, can I ask one more question?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you take small commissions?"

"I do, but I don't see anything here that would need me."

"That's not true. There's a haunted house on the outskirts of the city, and there are rumors of monsters hiding near the mines. There's also an abandoned mine said to be cursed. There are quite a few issues that have been left alone because they don't cause much harm."

"Is that so…?"

Perfect for passing time.

Thinking this, Ian took a sip of his drink and said,

"I don't work for free."

"Of course not."

"But I don't need money right now. I have enough."

"Is that so…?"

"You might not know, but this is my first time in the north. I've never been to a snow-covered area."

As Charlotte looked at him inquisitively, Ian gazed at the waitress with a relaxed expression.

"There are many immigrants here. So, I'll take payment in things we might need when traveling through the snow. Size doesn't matter. Of course, better payment means better service."

"......!"

The waitress's eyes widened.

Ian continued without waiting for a response.

"Tell them to bring their items and come to us directly. We'll leave in four days. We'll start taking commissions tomorrow morning. Understand?"

"Yes, I understand. Thank you…!"

The waitress's expression brightened.

She must already have some ideas.

Ian nodded and gestured.

"Bring a few more drinks if you understand."

"Of course."

The waitress quickly turned around.

Soon, she was passing on the message to the other drunkards.

The drunkards began to debate.

Mostly about what was most important when traveling in the cold.

All kinds of stories would come up.

Thinking this, Ian raised his glass leisurely.

The blessing from the Temple of Fire was almost gone.

The items the northerners would bring would be practically helpful for the journey in the harsh north.

As Ian sipped his drink, he met Charlotte's gaze.

"Why?"

"I was impressed. You have the courage of a lion and the cunning of a fox."

I wondered what she was going to say.

"It's just a trick. We'll see if the clients bring anything useful."

"People don't easily discard things they brought from home, even if they're no longer useful."

Charlotte took a sip of her drink and added calmly.

"But if there's a reason, I'll let go without hesitation. The present is always more important than the past."

"You sound like you're speaking from experience."

Ian chuckled.

Charlotte took another sip of her drink without answering.

Her thoughtful gaze.

She seemed to be recalling the past, or perhaps reflecting on her current situation.

He suddenly saw himself in her.

"Do you want to get it back?"

As Ian said this, her orange eyes met his again.

She asked softly,

"Your past life? Or your tail?"

"Both."

"…Do you want to get rid of me? Because I'm no longer useful?"

"I don't plan to. But that's what you wanted, right?"

"Yes. I still do... but not right now."

Her eyes, holding a complex inner struggle, shimmered as she held her glass.

"Not right now."

"Why?"

"…If you were someone like Javier, I wouldn't feel any shame. I would have considered it justified. But you are a warrior, Ian."

She looked at him again.

"Since we fought over what was most important to each of us, I will ask for its return only after paying a fitting price. Especially now that I owe you my life, getting my tail back would have no meaning. It would be a lifelong disgrace."

Is this a thought she's always had, or a conclusion she's reached to rationalize her dependence on me?

After a moment's thought, Ian shrugged.

It didn't matter either way.

"You don't seem to assume I won't give it back."

"If you were someone like Javier, I would. I would overcome the fear inside me and find a way to kill you. Even if it meant my own death. But now, it doesn't seem necessary."

"You really hated Javier."

Ian chuckled. It wasn't entirely wrong.

He didn't plan to drag Charlotte around forever. There would come a day when he would return her tail.

If she was still alive by then.

"So, feel free to send me into the most dangerous battles. I hope you do. Even if I die, it wouldn't be a bad ending for me."

"Don't worry. I will if necessary."

Charlotte smiled.

She soon drained her glass and stood up.

"Then, I'll go catch some mice."

"Things might get busy from tomorrow. Keep an eye on Tesia so she doesn't cause trouble."

"Of course."

Charlotte turned around.

Ian watched her retreating back for a moment, then silently tilted his glass.

Until the tavern grew quiet in the early morning. Alone.