At Ian’s proposal, the Dera tribe glanced at one another. Then, as if they had reached a silent consensus, they formed a circle and put their heads together.

Mutter, mutter. Their snouts, which also served as noses, twitched incessantly. Due to Beric’s drunken singing and the clamor of hammers, Ian couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he could guess the gist of it.

“He’s giving us the Dripper? Why?”

“He must want something, right? I’ve never seen one of those government types offer anything out of pure goodwill.”

“It was made so long ago, we need to see its condition with our own eyes first. It’s one of the very first Dripper models, after all.”

“Improving it will be quick. No problem. As long as the form is there.”

“He said he’d help with the material supply too, so why don’t we just accept? It’s not like we’re only going to make Drippers with it.”

“Hmm. The problem is we don’t know what he wants.”

“What if he’s telling us to get out of Mount Raza?”

“What? Why?”

“To get the Dryads and develop this area, of course!”

“If that’s the case, I’m dead set against it! I’d rather start over from scratch—”

“That’s not it.”

“Aaargh!”

As Ian quietly interjected, the Dera scattered with a shriek. He hadn’t spoken very loudly, but they seemed quite startled.

I suppose they didn’t expect me to just join in like this. Ian smiled faintly and brandished the Dera hammer once more, as if to say, Here, this is what I mean.

“Are you aware of the political situation centered around Bariel and Burgos?”

“Of course not!” a Dera boomed in response to Ian’s question.

“What about the passing of His Majesty, the Emperor?”

“Hah! He lived a long time. So he’s finally gone?”

“When the master of an era changes, the political landscape changes with it. A war between Bariel and Burgos is foreseen. And beyond that, with the north as well.”

After Burgos would come Toolun. As it was a nation consumed by the Shadow of God, it was necessary to drive out that darkness. He wanted to achieve this result with as little war as possible, but would that be feasible?

No. Ian drew a firm line.

Faith and love were things that drove humans to their deaths, and the intersection of the two was religion. It would not be easy.

“When you say the north, where? The monster zone?”

“I cannot go into detail right now, but what’s important is that Bariel needs a more advanced military force. A power that can support a large number of soldiers, beyond the few specialized talents like Sword Masters.”

“Aha!”

The Dera’s small eyes blinked as they looked at the hammer.

“You want us to make you hammers?”

“Is it made of a special material? I heard you knocked Beric out with just two strikes. It was a most unusual event, and I have a deep interest in your weapons.”

“Hmm. Well, you could say it’s special. Ian, are you human?”

“I am.”

“Then, excuse me!”

CLANG!

Pim lightly struck Ian on the shoulder.

The sound rang out clearly through the tunnels. Beric, who had been singing, faltered and turned toward Ian, spotting the hammer resting on his shoulder. One second, two seconds, three seconds.

“Hey! You crazy son of a bitch!”

The moment Beric charged forward to unleash his mana, Ian calmly stopped him with a gesture.

“It’s alright, Beric. It doesn’t hurt.”

“What?”

“I barely felt it.”

“But it made a ‘clang’ sound! Shit, it was a really loud ‘clang’!”

Ian smiled as if to say it was true. He had assumed it wasn’t an ordinary weapon, but it was more than that.

Pim spun the hammer lightly and gave Beric the middle finger, as if to say, Come at me anytime.

“It all started because of the Dryads. When you cut down the tree, not only do your eardrums burst from the scream, but more importantly, you can’t get any fruit the next year.”

“Does it only work on non-human species?”

“That’s right. I’d stake the pride of the Dera on the fact that we could even take down a dragon with this.”

“Then did you also know that Beric was non-human?”

“Nope. How would I know? Don’t care, either. I was just using it against the humans as a threat, but it had a surprisingly good impact.”

Hmm. Ian rested his chin on his hand, pretending to think for a moment.

In truth, it was actually for the better. It meant that even ordinary soldiers could face monsters, and that the citizens of the empire could protect themselves from them.

But Ian let out a troubled sigh, and the Dera’s noses twitched, sensing the change.

“If you want, we can forge any number of conventional weapons. The swords and shields we make are the best on the continent.”

“I’m sorry, but the blacksmiths of the Imperial Palace are just as skilled as you.”

At Ian’s reply, the Dera waved their short arms in displeasure. How dare he compare them?

“What, what nonsense is this! See for yourself before you speak!”

“Shall we? Then I’ll receive the non-human-specific weapons first, followed by the conventional ones. I would like to bring the Dripper to you myself, but I am heading north, not to the capital. An investigation team from the Imperial Palace will be dispatched here soon. How about meeting them and heading to the capital in advance?”

The Dera paused at the smooth, natural proposal. Wait, so what’s the deal here? We’re supposed to supply both non-human and conventional weapons for a single Dripper?

“Of course, we will provide a fair price and the necessary materials. The details need to be discussed in the capital, not here. Don’t you agree? You’ll need to see the Dripper with your own eyes, after all.”

“Ahem. W-Well, that’s true, but…”

Something felt off, like they were getting the short end of the stick. They wiggled their small, stout fingers, weighing the Dripper, the supply of materials, and what they had to give in return. Or is it? Is it a fair trade?

“Then I’ll take that as a yes and write you a letter. Lend me a pen and paper. When the investigation team arrives, show them this and accompany them. Who will go? Pim?”

Ian took the pen the Dera handed him and raised an eyebrow. Several of the Dera nudged Pim in the ribs, and Pim reluctantly agreed. Since he was the one who had brought the outsiders here, it was his job to see it through to the end.

“Alright. So I just need to go to the capital first?”

“I won’t be long either. If the timing works out, we might arrive on a similar day.”

“What business do you have in the north?”

“To meet a colleague.”

Ian murmured as he wrote a short letter. It was a request for the Imperial Palace to treat the Dera with the utmost courtesy, as the Minister of Magic had business to transact with them. Pim tucked the note securely into his pocket and asked.

“A colleague? Are there any ‘colleagues’ worth mentioning in the north? Then again, you do travel with that thing.”

Unaware that the mages were stationed in the northern region, it was a genuine question. Though, as Pim glanced at Beric, the meaning seemed to have soured a bit.

“That thing? Did you just call me ‘that thing’?”

“Yeah. You stupid-faced oaf! You wouldn’t make a peep if I bashed you with a hammer. All you’ve got is a rotten attitude.”

“Come here. I’m gonna kill a mole for the first time today.”

“Two hits knocked you out, right? What do you think will happen after three?”

“If you’re gonna fight, fight outside! This whole place is full of works in progress!”

“Beric! Sing us another song, eh?”

“Hey! Let go of me!”

As Beric and Pim were about to fight, the other Dera piled on top of them, creating a tangled mess. It was hard to tell if they were trying to stop them or just playing along.

Ian clicked open the pocket watch he’d bought at the market and checked the time. Being inside the tunnels seemed to dull his senses. If it was like this just a few dozen meters underground, the strange sensations he’d felt in the Sea of the Abyss were beyond words.

Realizing that more time had passed than he’d thought, Ian stood up.

“Beric. Are you sober now?”

“Sober? I sobered up from being so pissed off at this bastard! Why?”

“Why else? We need to set off for the north. My stamina isn’t good, so we need to move diligently.”

At Ian’s call, Beric stopped struggling and slung his bag back onto his front.

The Dera crowded around as well. Other than the petty thieves, it had been a long time since they’d had a guest in their tunnels, and they offered their reluctant farewells.

“You’re leaving? Already?”

“At least have another drink before you go.”

“If the contract is finalized, we’ll see each other again in the capital. I’ll raise a glass with you then.”

“I’m heading out first! Ian, hop on.”

Beric lifted Ian onto his back and stomped his foot down on the path leading upward.

“And instead of making things, fix this entrance. This is why you get robbed by any worthless punk who comes along. Tsk tsk.”

“Get lost! You moron.”

“Yeah, you too. Take care, halfwit.”

Beric and Pim gave each other the middle finger, neither backing down an inch. Ian calmly raised his bandaged wrist.

“Thank you for the treatment. See you again soon.”

“Hmph. Just manage your subordinate better.”

Whoosh!

Pim tossed a hammer to Ian. Yikes! Beric, who nearly got hit in the head, jerked away in fright, but Ian caught it lightly.

“It’s a sample. I don’t know who will arrive first, so take it with you.”

“Thank you.”

As Ian smiled and waved, the Dera waved back in response.

Beric bounded up the slightly steep incline with powerful strides. In the distance, the white moon began to appear.

“Beric. Do you remember where we tied up the horse?”

“Of course!”

Beric answered confidently and leaped gracefully toward the moon. But before he had even taken a few steps, Ian had to grab his face and correct his direction.

“…Not that way. This way.”

***

“Captain Hale!”

With a rough beard and hair cropped short, Hale, a cigarette dangling from his lips, turned toward the sound of the voice. It was his subordinate.

They were on a temporary rampart in the northern monster zone. The smoke visible in the distance beyond the wall was either the breath of monsters seeping from the rift or a sign that the Atan tribe was roasting monster meat.

Whatever it was, it was an abnormal situation, yet Hale felt a monotonous peace. It was a moment that made him realize anew that humans are creatures of adaptation.

“What is it?”

“Whaaat? Did you just say ‘what’? Do you know what time it is, and you’re still smoking that thing? For goodness’ sake, you’re supposed to come relieve the shift! The men have been waiting for you forever!”

“Ah. Is it that time already?”

“I swear, you’ll be the death of me.”

“You sound just like Akorella when you talk like that.”

“If Captain Akorella were here, you wouldn’t be able to smoke so leisurely, Captain. You know that, right?”

Hale didn’t deny it. He kept the cigarette in his mouth and headed down from the rampart. Fully armed Bariel soldiers packed the area in front of the temporary wall.

The rift zone in the north was too old and vast for the Ministry of Magic to manage in its entirety. Therefore, they had arbitrarily divided it into sectors and were controlling it by focusing on areas with unusual activity.

In other words, monsters could appear from the rift below the wall at any time, and the Atan tribe, aiming for them, could launch a surprise attack.

Crackle, crackle.

As he descended the rampart, an indescribable foul smell and heat rose up to meet him. And in the distance, a faint amber light spread out. The mages were controlling the rift’s mana using Yggdrasil.

“The control range hasn’t changed in nearly a fortnight.”

“That’s because we’re short on Yggdrasil. Anyway, Captain. What’s with you lately? You seem out of it. You can’t seem to focus.”

“Ah—”

Hale casually tossed away the burnt-out cigarette and answered.

“Is it just me? Hasn’t something felt strange these past few days?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Something… hmm. I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

“You’re driving me crazy. Maybe it’s a side effect of the cigarettes.”

Though chided by his subordinate, Hale just smiled. What could he do? It was the truth. This feeling was difficult to explain. His sixth sense was sending him a signal, but its identity was hard to discern.

And for good reason. How could he possibly imagine that Ian, after ten years, had returned and was heading this way? His keen senses could only brush against a faint, yet undeniably familiar, shadow.