Chapter 43

†† (From King Gunther the Dwarf's Perspective)

The warmth of the young man's hand, which I had just been holding, still lingers.

—No, it's strange to think of the hand of an undead demon being warm.

It was probably just an illusion of Gunther's.

But his eyes were full of life.

I could see a warm human heart in them.

In these times, in this world of war, he was a young man with rare eyes.

It had been a long time since I had seen someone with such eyes.

I decided to believe this man's words.

His words carried such weight that I felt I could trust him.

Even though our meeting was brief, I thought it was worth supporting this man's dream.

That's what I thought.

*The Revival of the Dwarf Kingdom*

For years, I was imprisoned, but there wasn't a single day I didn't think about it.

During the day, the dwarves, each with their own jobs, work hard, sweating.

The blacksmiths strike their hammers, and the stonemasons wield their chisels.

The streets are filled with noise and vitality.

In the evening, they stop working and gather in their homes, sharing drinks.

It might be possible to restore the scene that existed there just a few decades ago.

That young man said he could bring back such a kingdom.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't excited by his words.

I had no lingering attachment to being a king, but I did have a lingering attachment to the country.

I wanted to create a country where dwarves could gather and live happily.

Even if the person sitting on the throne of that country wasn't me.

If a country where dwarves could live and laugh merrily could be created, I didn't care what happened to me.

Faster.

I want to see that scene sooner.

I want to see the streets filled with the cheerful smiles of dwarves, to hear their laughter again.

If that young man, Ike, can make that dream a reality, then perhaps he can.

There is something in him that makes me believe.

His boldness in cutting through the battlefield of Rozaria and attacking Ismus.

His skill in taking advantage of the chaos to save me.

And his knowledge is also astonishing.

A lathe—, I had never heard of such a word, but if we adapt the techniques of the potter's wheel and casting molds, mass production of screws should be possible.

This means that the mass production of matchlock guns would also be possible.

If those weapons are given to the Undead Brigade under his command, the tide of the war will change.

The balance between humans and demons, which is currently at a stalemate, might tip heavily in favor of the demons.

Gunther decided to bet on his pure eyes and talent.

O God of Minerals, Gustav, please bless that young man.

While praying, he wrote letters to the dwarf craftsmen scattered across the various countries.