Ch.317Chapter 317 – A Request for Artifact Restoration Came In

Now, truly peaceful days continue.

At the academy, they say that thanks to the newly introduced system, there has been a noticeable decrease in the frequency of equipment damage by students.

Also, I’m currently in my third year, and after completing my fourth year, I’m scheduled to graduate immediately.

Because of this, Regina has used her authority as chancellor and our connections with Ironbeard to arrange for several dwarf craftsmen to be sent to the academy.

“But you’re saying that during the negotiations, the dwarves made a specific request?”

“Yes. They said it’s something only you can do, not anyone else.”

As you might guess from something only I can do, what the dwarves requested of me was to restore a relic that their ancestors had used for generations.

I’m told that for people of this land who live around 100 years at most, except for a very small minority, items called relics are at most 300-400 years old.

But for dwarves, things considered relics are made at least 700 years ago, even at the shortest.

Considering that they debate whether something around 500 years old should be classified as a relic, the worldview of long-lived races might be difficult for us to understand.

“So, what relic am I supposed to restore?”

“They want you to restore the forge of Lord Firebeard, who is said to be the most renowned craftsman among dwarf artisans.”

Firebeard, the name that came from Regina’s lips, is known as the most exceptional craftsman even among dwarves.

Through his hands, even the most garbage-quality iron could be transformed into a sword no less magnificent than any famous blade.

It says everything that craftsmen who have reached a certain level of skill and gained recognition from their kin would take new names ending with “~beard” after him.

In terms of some distant neighborhood’s way of speaking, he would be equivalent to a legendary big brother figure.

Given that they’re asking me to restore such a great blacksmith’s forge, there must be some reason, right?

“All dwarves are excellent craftsmen, so it seems strange that the forge would be damaged to the point of needing restoration.”

“It can’t be helped. He’s the most respected craftsman among dwarves, so they say they cannot lay their hands on a forge touched by him.”

Ah, I see. So he’s such an extraordinary figure that they’re afraid to touch it for fear of ruining everything.

If they were to touch it, it wouldn’t be ‘restored to its original state’ but rather ‘reinterpreted.’

So I understand why the dwarves couldn’t easily touch the forge.

If aspiring painters were told to restore a great master’s work, their hands would tremble so much they’d be lucky not to ruin it.

“So you’re saying I’m the only one who can ‘fix’ Lord Firebeard’s forge exactly as it was during his lifetime.”

“If you restore it to its original state, Ironbeard promised to send craftsmen to the academy in what would essentially be a permanent assignment.”

“Then I should do it right away.”

You mean I can legally create successors who will work here forever? This is something I need to do immediately!

I asked Regina to send word accepting the dwarves’ proposal.

And a few days later, as the first semester of my third year was coming to an end, I received an official invitation letter from the dwarves.

[The dwarf clan of the Grendillet Mountains respectfully invites our benefactor. Please come and repair Lord Firebeard’s forge.]

Well, I rather like that it’s written cleanly with just the requirements, without flowery rhetoric. I guess I’m still far from becoming a proper nobleman.

As soon as the official letter arrived, I headed to the Grendillet Mountains in a carriage prepared by the dwarves.

“Welcome! Benefactor of our clan and hero who saved the world!”

After arriving at the Grendillet Mountains and getting out of the carriage, many dwarves came out to welcome me.

Behind the dwarves, I could feel the intense heat from the infinite flames emitted by the Heart of Extreme Fire, and I felt proud seeing that the dwarves’ creative activities were proceeding properly.

“Welcome, lad.”

“It’s been a while, Lord Ironbeard.”

“Hahaha. Come this way. I’ll guide you to Lord Firebeard’s forge.”

“Yes.”

As expected of dwarves who handle fire, metal, and hammers, he’s guiding me straight to where I need to solve the problem.

This is why I like dwarves. Above all, they’re the ones who supply delicious carbonated beer to the whole world.

“Right here. Our clan’s hero, Lord Firebeard, created countless weapons and armor in this forge.”

“But the forge is…”

The forge is quite black? It’s covered in soot all around, making it difficult to distinguish anything.

“Hmm, Lord Firebeard declared he would create a flame hotter than the Heart of Extreme Fire and didn’t leave his forge. And he truly did create a flame that surpassed the Heart of Extreme Fire, and then…”

“He became one with the flames and disappeared.”

“That’s right…”

I can see why the dwarves respect him. He truly created the hot fire as he declared, and in return, he lost his own life.

But isn’t he someone who achieved true romance by fulfilling his will even though he was prepared to lose his life?

That must be why the dwarves respect him.

“Then I’ll begin the restoration work.”

“I’m counting on you.”

With Ironbeard’s concerned face behind me, I headed toward Lord Firebeard’s forge with a hammer in hand.

First, I swung my hammer toward the forge building.

With each thud, soot flew around, but soon my ability activated, and the soot began to disappear from the forge building, restoring it to its former appearance.

However, while the building itself was cleared of soot, the interior was still full of soot-covered items.

This meant I would have to swing my hammer at each item individually to restore them.

“It will take some time.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll have beer and meat brought so you can eat and drink comfortably.”

Ironbeard seemed to think I would need to work for about 3-4 hours.

To work faster, I need to use a different method.

“Lord Ironbeard, do you have craftsmen who can drive iron pillars into the ground?”

“Iron pillars into the ground? What are you trying to do?”

“I want to try fixing a wide area at once through iron pillars.”

“Are you trying to use your ability in a new way? Alright then.”

Ironbeard looked surprised at my mention of using my ability in a new way.

He immediately called four master dwarf craftsmen and instructed them to drive iron pillars around the forge.

“Your Majesty, why are we driving iron pillars around Lord Firebeard’s forge?”

“Our clan’s benefactor says it’s necessary for restoring Lord Firebeard’s forge and the relics inside.”

“Oh, then we must do it right away!”

The four dwarf craftsmen seemed very curious about what new method of ability I was going to use.

They brought hammers as tall as themselves from somewhere and began swinging them at the iron pillars while jumping into the air.

What would have taken me hours to do alone seemed to be an extremely easy task for the dwarf craftsmen to drive iron pillars into solid ground.

“There! It’s done!”

“Thank you for your hard work. Now, I’ll resume the forge restoration.”

I walked toward the iron pillars that the dwarf craftsmen had driven into the ground and struck each pillar three times with my hammer.

A subtle wave flowed from the firmly fixed iron pillars, enveloping the forge, and then they met at a single point, scattering light before disappearing.

Since I had already restored the exterior of the forge, there was no dramatic change visible from the outside.

But the interior of the forge was completely transformed.

All the items inside Firebeard’s forge, which had been burned, melted, covered in soot, and difficult to recognize, were restored to their original state.

From the fire channel that drew flames from the Heart of Extreme Fire, to the hammer he appeared to have wielded.

And the anvil and furnace, which could be considered the core of the forge.

Even various tools that he seemed to have used during his lifetime were hanging on wall shelves.

However, the dwarf craftsmen cheered about something else that had been fixed.

“The door to Lord Firebeard’s storehouse has finally been fixed!”

“Now we can gain inspiration to move forward by seeing his great masterpieces!”

They seemed more interested in the storehouse beyond the forge where Firebeard’s masterpieces were stored, rather than the forge itself.

Well, I was also curious about his masterpieces, so I followed the dwarves to what appeared to be the storehouse door inside the forge.

And what unfolded before my eyes was an empty space with nothing in it.