episode_0070

In a distant past, several decades ago.

The Twisted Flame clan was at the forefront of magical engineering.

One might wonder about the use of magical engineering in a dwarf-centric society that doesn’t handle mana.

Through painstaking efforts to carve bones, they discovered ways to manipulate mana, becoming the sole clan capable of crafting exquisite magical artifacts.

The artifacts they crafted were mystical.

They engraved magical circuits that no one could replicate, ensuring unparalleled efficiency. Combined with the dwarves’ aesthetic sense, the artifacts resembled works of art.

And what about the golems?

Their movements were as natural as living beings’, earning praise like “beautiful” instead of the “rough” typical of other golem races.

Yes.

The Twisted Flame clan held an unrivaled position in terms of ‘technological prowess.’

That is until someone unknown made a peculiar request to them.

[“Create a masturbation device. Consider it saving a life. I will reward you handsomely.”]

It was an unusual request.

How could their hard-earned technological prowess be used for something as trivial as creating a mere masturbation device?

Naturally, they should have declined, but unfortunately, the timing wasn’t ideal.

It was a time of considerable confusion, as Stroheim, the first and last exile, had just been banished.

[…A reward is a reward. How about making it for fun once?]

Suggested by a dwarf.

While crude, technically, wasn’t this also a form of magical engineering?

Not solely relying on science like Stroheim or creating items that kill living beings.

Hesitant but intrigued, the Twisted Flame clan accepted the request.

Thinking it would be just a one-time deviation.

However, it was a clear mistake on their part.

The sinister artifact was revealed during its creation.

[“Solidifyiiing…♡”]

To sell magical artifacts, one must conduct a test to ensure there are no issues.

But when they began testing, the dwarves were consumed by the pleasure the artifact provided.

…Their overwhelming technical skill had led to an exceptionally well-crafted magical artifact.

Nevertheless, dwarves are dwarves.

With minds as strong as steel, they pulled themselves out of the pleasure, completed the artifact, and handed it over to the client.

They warned about pleasure and addiction.

[“We’ve made it, but be cautious always. This item could lead you to ruin.”]

“A stern warning indeed. Take it to heart.”

Yet, this was the last thing he could say to the dwarves.

The next day, he was found dead in his home, a victim of his own hubris, ignoring the maker’s warning and overusing the magical artifact.

[“…Indeed, such items shouldn’t be created.”]

The dwarves of the Twisted Flame clan were left with a sense of disappointment.

Under the principle of not creating items that harm lives, they had made it to save another life.

But the item they created ended up taking someone else’s life.

Therefore, they vowed never to accept such requests again.

However.

[“Ah, no… This isn’t right…! Oook♡”]

While some may have never watched explicit videos, it’s rare for someone to watch just once.

Once they experienced the ultimate pleasure, the dwarves became slaves to pleasure and started creating masturbation devices with their overwhelming technical prowess.

As a result, they descended from their position as leaders in magical engineering.

“…So, what’s the conclusion?”

“Losing something means gaining something, doesn’t it? It’s a bit embarrassing, but now there’s no tribe as skilled at making self-pleasuring devices as our twisted Flame Tribe.”

“It doesn’t seem like we’re targeting the crevice market… What are you trying to say?”

“So, let’s try using these excellent self-pleasuring devices.”

“Uh, um…”

I didn’t understand at all.

How on earth could those defective things be a solution?

Unable to comprehend from a normal perspective, I shook my head in confusion, and the Dwarf Inspiration added an explanation.

“Let me explain it simply. Didn’t I mention earlier? All of this started because of that prototype.”

“I see…?”

“That was an item even Dwarves with strong willpower couldn’t escape from the abyss of pleasure. So, how about now, with much more advanced devices?”

“Just a moment, just a moment… If I understood correctly…”

As I felt dizzy, placing my hand on my forehead, the Dwarf Inspiration chuckled sharply and continued speaking.

“Yes, we recruit manpower using these self-pleasuring tools. Making bodies that can’t live without these tools. If we hold them hostage, won’t they work like slaves? Hahaha!”

“It’s… unbelievable.”

Truly a world gone mad.

How could such an absurd idea even be conceived?

It’s just admiration, really.

What’s even more irritating is that…

It seemed like that ridiculous idea might actually work.

Think about it.

If just a prototype led the Dwarven tribe, once a master of magical engineering, into ruin, what would happen with much more evolved devices?

“Indeed… to gain more pleasure, I suppose I’ll have to cooperate properly.”

A solution I never imagined.

I let out a long sigh.

—–

“…Could you repeat that, please?”

“T-the thing is… our members have abandoned their tasks to make golem parts! They’re muttering incomprehensible words!”

“How many days has it been? And have you found the cause?”

“I-it seems like it’s been a month already! The cause is suspected to be the self-pleasuring devices made by the twisted Flame Tribe!”

“What on earth… What is happening!!!”

News came from a friendly inspiration of another tribe.

That their own tribe seemed to be getting stranger, continuously neglecting their duties to do other things.

When I heard the news, I laughed.

Can’t they manage even one simple thing properly? Can’t they control anything at their age, I mocked.

But…

“I never thought something like this would happen to our tribe.”

It was incomprehensible.

Just because of that flawed tool, they abandon their artisan spirit?

No matter how you look at it, isn’t it strange? No, how can the entire workshop be engulfed in madness just because of some self-pleasuring device?

“Gold Hammer.”

“Yes, Inspiration!”

“For now, order the warriors to confiscate all those self-pleasuring devices. And bring me one of the confiscated items.”

“Understood! We’ll finish the operation as quickly as possible!”

With a resounding response, the young Dwarf departed.

However, despite leaving with determination, he did not return for several days.

News came.

Gold Hammer had seized the tribe’s only solace and then disappeared.

Seeing many Dwarves showing signs of distress, at first, I thought they were hiding their true selves out of fear for their lives.

Even after the anger subsided, a hint of suspicion lingered in my mind.

Could it be that scoundrel is enjoying his time with the confiscated self-pleasuring devices?

So, setting aside my usual tasks, I went to find Gold Hammer’s whereabouts.

Please, let it not be what I’m thinking.

Yet…

“Ugh… damn it…!”

All that returned was despair and disappointment.

The diligent dwarf who seemed like he could become a future leader of the clan.

Why is he showing such a pathetic sight?

“Ah… Ah…”

As I dropped the hammer I was holding without realizing, feeling like falling into an endless abyss, the young dwarf who finally realized my presence started to tidy up in surprise.

“Master Craftsman?! I’m sorry! This is…”

“It’s okay, just finish what you were doing. The old man interrupted your good time.”

“Master Craftsman? Master Craftsman!!!”

Though I heard urgent voices from behind, I quietly closed the door and began to walk slowly towards the workshop.

A bitter smile formed involuntarily.

Mocking myself as an old man who can’t control anything, isn’t that exactly my current state?

It was laughable even thinking about it.

Failing to control a crude and grotesque tool like that, leading to this disaster… I am unfit as a leader.

I took out a magical tool brought from Gold Hammer’s house.

“What on earth is this?”

I know well that it provides a thrilling sensation when activated.

But having experienced the activation firsthand… Well, could this item cause a riot if stolen?

Dwarves, beings created by the earth mother, derive the greatest pleasure when crafting something.

Leaving offspring is almost an obligation, not for the joy of creation or experiencing activation.

So why is the current clan seeking the thrill of activation first?

Curiosity arose.

Therefore, as soon as I arrived home, I cautiously activated it.

And when I came to my senses.

“…Damn it.”

I was involved in the twisted Flame Tribe’s deranged project.