Ch.202Chapter 202 – I Need a New Hammer!

I unexpectedly found myself in a living arrangement that wasn’t quite living together with Regina.

Truth be told, I had no intention of living with her, but…

“Here. Ahhh~”

“Ah.”

At first, it felt a bit strange having her personally feed me my meals, but now I just accept it.

To be honest, my current life was the very definition of comfort.

Most tasks could be handled with Regina’s magic, and she even cooked herself and fed me by hand since I wasn’t yet accustomed to using my arms.

This level of devoted care could only come from genuine love.

That’s why I couldn’t help but gratefully accept Regina’s kindness.

‘It’s not like I could go anywhere by myself anyway, since my body and soul haven’t fully synchronized yet.’

Right after my resurrection, there was still some divine power remaining in my body that allowed me some control, but now there wasn’t a trace of divine power left, making it difficult to move my body at will.

I could at least move my head, but the rest of my body wouldn’t respond properly.

“How’s the synchronization between your soul and body coming along?”

“Still a bit uncomfortable. I can control my head somewhat, but my arms and legs don’t seem to move as I want them to.”

By the way, right now it was just Regina and me, so we were speaking comfortably with each other.

In public, we’d use formal speech to maintain noble dignity, but personally, I’m more comfortable speaking casually like this.

“Hmm. The synchronization seems to be taking longer than expected. According to the literature, you should be able to control your arms and legs by your own will after at least a week.”

“That literature… is it really reliable?”

The literature Regina mentioned was apparently an ancient document containing the resurrection ritual used to bring me back.

Being an ancient document, they needed the help of elves to interpret it, and thanks to that, I was able to be resurrected with 100% certainty.

Well, that’s not the important part right now, so let’s move on.

“After reading the contents of the literature again, it says that to accelerate the synchronization between a resurrected person’s soul and body, they should engage in activities they frequently did when alive.”

“What?”

Wait, that means… I need to use my repair abilities again.

But there’s one problem.

“I don’t have a hammer.”

My previous artifact—Infinite Shadow—apparently vanished the moment I died.

Why would a god-made artifact disappear?

When I asked, I was told that god-made artifacts are designed to vanish when their original user dies to prevent misuse.

Well, apparently creating such artifacts isn’t difficult for gods.

“A hammer… that was the tool needed to use your ability, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

My ability can only be activated through a hammer as a medium.

And only hammers with metal heads are permitted.

Considering the overpowered effects of my ability, it’s a reasonable limitation.

“Hmm… is there no way to get an artifact like the one you used before?”

“Since it was made by a god, I don’t think we can get another one.”

The artifact I used, Infinite Shadow, was created by Valkena, the guardian deity of blacksmiths.

I don’t think there would be any punishment for losing a god-made artifact through death.

‘If worst comes to worst, I could ask Epitrina to protect me.’

Ah, I should behave properly. My backer is a great goddess, you know?

Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll act recklessly.

Having a powerful backer is something you use to prevent unfair treatment, not something to flaunt carelessly.

Overusing it would diminish its value.

“Should I speak to Ironbeard, the ruler of the Grendillet Mountains?”

“If it’s Lord Ironbeard, I’m acquainted with him, so I could speak to him myself.”

“Hey, you can barely move your limbs. What are you talking about? Just wait here. I’ll bring a crystal ball so we can communicate directly.”

Oh, having a talented magician as a girlfriend really makes life convenient.

Otherwise, I would have struggled tremendously trying to make contact with this body of mine.

A moment later, Regina returned with a crystal ball and infused it with mana to activate it.

[Hmm, Lady Regina. What brings you to contact me?]

“It’s been a while, Ironbeard. There’s someone who wishes to speak with you.”

[Is that so? Who might that be?]

Ironbeard showed interest at Regina’s mention of someone wanting to speak with him.

By the way, I didn’t realize Regina and Ironbeard knew each other.

“It’s been a while, Ironbeard.”

[Oh! If it isn’t our clan’s benefactor! I heard news of your resurrection, but I’ve been too busy crafting weapons for the war against the demon cult to contact you.]

…What? The dwarves are also cooperating in the war against the demon cult?

“Ahaha, that can’t be helped then. More importantly, the reason I’m contacting you is…”

I explained to Ironbeard what had happened to me.

After explaining how I died in an explosion causing my artifact to vanish, and that I needed a new hammer to regain control of my body, Ironbeard fell into contemplation.

[Hmm, the artifact you used was personally crafted by Lord Valkena. It would be extremely difficult for us to create an artifact of that caliber.]

So even Ironbeard finds it challenging to create a god-made artifact.

[But… there is a way.]

“Is there?”

At the mention of a solution, I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

[Please wait a little while. I’ll find and send you a hammer that’s perfect for you.]

“Thank you, Lord Ironbeard.”

[Think nothing of it. If anything, I regret that this is all I can do for our clan’s benefactor.]

Impressive… as expected of Ironbeard, the king of dwarves.

Hey, who said dwarves were unlikable?

This is how dwarves repay kindness—with gratitude and generosity.

[I’ll send someone soon. Until then, take care of yourself.]

“I will.”

With those words, the magical communication with Ironbeard ended.

Regina put away the crystal ball and picked up the spoon again.

“Well, now that the hammer issue is resolved, shall we continue with your meal?”

“Yes.”

Sigh, it’s unfortunate that my limbs still don’t move properly, so I have to be fed porridge with a spoon by Regina.

“When will I be able to eat meat?”

“Hmm, according to the literature, your digestive system won’t function properly for at least two weeks. Until then, it says to feed you porridge.”

Tsk. Can’t be helped then.

Putting aside my disappointment, I accepted the porridge Regina fed me.

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

The Grendillet Mountains.

Home of the dwarves, the race of master craftsmen.

Ironbeard, the ruler of this place, summoned the finest craftsmen of the dwarf clan.

“Your Majesty! Why have you summoned us?”

“Indeed! The steel is cooling even now! We must hurry to complete the forging!”

As the craftsmen inquired about the reason for their summons, Ironbeard cleared his throat a couple of times.

“As you all know, our clan owes a great debt to a man named Patos.”

“We are aware of that, but…”

“That friend is looking for a hammer to use.”

“…!”

At that single sentence from Ironbeard’s lips, all the craftsmen trembled.

“We will make a hammer. A hammer that he can use. It’s a gift for our benefactor, so there must not be a single flaw.”

All the dwarf craftsmen gathered here looked at each other upon hearing Ironbeard’s words.

For the clan’s benefactor.

They must craft a hammer as a gift.

“What are you waiting for! Extract only the finest metals immediately!”

“Pure metals won’t do! We’ll create an alloy mixing the purest metals for this hammer!”

“The time has finally come to repay our debt to the clan’s benefactor! I’ll create the clan’s finest hammer!”

Realizing the opportunity to repay their debt to their benefactor had arrived, the dwarf craftsmen rushed to their respective forges.

The forges of the Grendillet Mountains, already hot from the Heart of Extreme Flame, began to burn with even fiercer flames than usual.

All for one purpose.

For the clan’s benefactor.

The Count of the Gelebrio Empire, Patos Severio.

To create a gift for him.

And to craft a hammer that would create legends in his hands.