Chapter 161
Chapter 161. Dragon Riding Equipment
“—And that’s how I’ve been unofficially appointed as the head of the research lab.”
“Hmmm…”
Platy seemed unsure whether to be genuinely happy about my enthusiastic announcement.
“A fort… even though it’s just a loan… the lab director… and necromancy… plus, moving with Leila…”
Platy continued to ponder,
“Well, it’s great that you get along with His Majesty and have established a good relationship.”
She forced out a positive spin on things.
“Even if they’re family… it doesn’t mean they automatically get along…”
And she began to look distant. Ugh, I wonder if Gorirashia is sneezing somewhere right now.
Also, I definitely don’t get along with the Demon Lord, it’s just that I’m putting up with him… He seems to be having fun, though.
In any case, my meeting with Platy came to a close. Since the Demon Lord had already given his permission, it ended without any objections, which was a relief.
The necromancy research lab is essentially my base — a secret hideout, if you will. I couldn’t help but feel a bit excited, like a kid again.
However, I won’t be able to use the fort right away. The Demon Lord has ordered the Korvto Tribe to renovate it, and it will take at least a week before it’s usable. Once it’s restored, I’ll be sneaking in and out with a nonchalant face.
Since the Korvto Tribe is affiliated with Rubyphia, this is a precautionary measure to prevent misunderstandings about my closeness to them.
Still, there’ll be some whispers like, “Why is His Majesty renovating a fort that won’t even be used?” But it should be less noticeable than if I openly asked the Korvto Tribe or brought a bunch of beastmen to work on it.
“What if curious folks come to check it out?”
Antendeixis mischievously asked.
That’s obvious —! They’ll get executed for trying to snoop into state secrets!!
Anyway, when I return to the Demon Lord Castle, one of the things I wanted to do was procure horse gear — or rather, dragon gear for Leila.
I mean, it’s fine to reuse existing saddles, but it would be a hassle to carry everything, like leather straps and stirrups, all at once. So, it’d be better if I could create something convenient with magic.
With that in mind, I brought Leila and Liliana along to visit the dwarves’ workshop after a long time.
“Long time no see, Your Highness.”
Fisero, the workshop head of the Demon Lord Castle’s Dwarf Workshop, greeted me formally. He’s a skilled craftsman who created the armor known as “Cindy Kaioas” using Faravgi’s scales.
“Been a while. How’s your craftsmanship going?”
“Better than ever.”
Fisero responded with a frown on his gruff, white-bearded face. His arm, once cursed and severed, was now completely restored to its muscular form, making it hard to believe he ever lost it.
“Have you been well as well?”
Of course, he wasn’t referring to my health.
“Ah, yes. I just got back from visiting my maternal family’s territory yesterday, and I trained hard while using Cindy Kaioas. I was hit, slashed, and stabbed many times, but the armor didn’t get a scratch. I can confidently say I’m very satisfied with its craftsmanship.”
Without being fazed by my flattery, Fisero nodded as if it were expected.
“In the coming spring, I’ll also be heading into battle. I haven’t forgotten our pact, and it will be upheld firmly going forward.”
Saying this with a serious expression, Fisero’s face also turned grave as he bowed deeply.
According to our contract with Fisero, as long as I wear the Cindy Kaioas, I vowed not to harm any dwarves. This ensured that the dwarves on the battlefield would be safe from my dark hands — but on the flip side, I would rely on my allied soldiers for protection, which could lead to more casualties.
Even if it’s unavoidable due to my current predicament, I can’t shake off the feeling of guilt as a dwarf craftsman from the alliance…
“That aside, I have something to request today.”
I intentionally switched the topic to a more cheerful tone.
“I need a magical item — it’s a bit of a special request, but I thought a dwarven craftsman might manage.”
“Let me hear you out.”
Fisero, holding his pride as a craftsman, responded lightly. Being spoken to like that makes it hard for dwarves to refuse, even if their status is low. I could sense the other dwarves, engrossed in their smithing, also turned their attention towards us, which made me chuckle a bit.
I wrapped my arm around Leila’s waist and brought her closer.
“Can you make a convenient magical saddle for riding her?”
Leila blushed slightly from the subtle gazes of Fisero and the other dwarves.
“And this lady is…?”
Fisero looked suspiciously at Leila’s horn — a characteristic feature of transformed dragons that extends straight back.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Leila, the White Dragon.”
“White…”
Fisero echoed halfway before realizing something and recoiling in shock.
“The daughter of Faravgi!”
With my clarification, the atmosphere in the smithy dimmed as if it had just turned freezing.
It felt colder, or maybe it could be described as tense? The blacksmiths who were hammering stopped in their tracks and turned around, while a worker who was transporting materials slipped and caused a pile of steel to clatter to the ground.
If the dwarves made an armor using Faravgi’s scales, it was also the dwarves at the Demon Lord Castle who forged the collar that Leila once wore…
“Wha… What…?”
Fisero muttered, unable to form words and instinctively started to step back. I had never seen him so shaken before.
“What a shocking surprise indeed.”
Well, I expected this reaction, but since we would need to take Leila’s measurements, it’s unavoidable. It would also be rude to make her wait outside while we finished our greetings…
“Don’t worry about her. There are some things to be concerned about, but… that’s our problem.”
“Um, I… don’t mind at all…”
Leila nestled closer to me, adorning a serious expression, but her cheeks turned red as she seemed to get embarrassed partway through.
“………. So, you mentioned a magical saddle?”
After a brief moment of disbelief, Fisero seemed to regain his composure, wiping the sweat from his forehead and proceeding to speak.
“That means — it’s for riding this young lady in her dragon form, correct?”
“Is there any other way?”
“Ah, yes, I mean, that’s correct but…”
Fisero wiped more sweat with his sleeve, his expression hinted that he had something to say as he looked back and forth between Leila and me—
“…You plan to ride her?”
“Well, I’ve been on her back multiple times already, but it’s a bit unstable as I’m just clinging on with my bare hands. So I thought it would be nice to have a proper saddle.”
“Y-you’ve already been on her back multiple times…?”
The shock on Fisero’s face mirrored the surprised look on the other dwarves around us, who began to stir.
“Hey hey, how reckless is that noble prince…?”
“Poor dragon girl, she must be suffering from stress like a high elf…”
“Shh! They can hear you!”
Yeah, they can hear.
“Woof!”
Liliana clung tightly to my leg, feeling jealous just because of Leila. I had kind of neglected her for a while now. Sorry, sorry, I gently patted her head with affection.
“……..”
Fisero was staring at me as if I were some kind of monster.
“……I’ll need to discuss your request further.”
Yet his tone remained unchanged, which was impressive.
—What I requested was a magical saddle to fit Leila in her dragon form, one that was easy to put on and take off, and convenient to carry even in her human form.
“…I wonder what to do. Metal would be difficult.”
“Because it would end up heavy.”
“Dragons can handle it, but carrying it in human form would be troublesome…”
The craftsmen began to gather around Fisero, discussing.
“…Dragon materials are light enough, but…”
“Hey, idiot! That would be a bad idea!”
“You’ll get eaten alive!”
…Dwarves really aren’t suited for whispering secrets, are they?
“Is there no choice then but leather…?”
“Must be easy to put on and carry, but…”
“But such a complicated function… only he could achieve it…”
After some time of lively discussion.
“Your Highness. There is one craftsman who may be able to meet your request…”
Fisero returned with a solemn expression.
“Oh, as expected of a dwarf.”
But why do you look like you just ate something sour?
“Well… it’s a rarity among dwarves that we are better at leather crafting rather than metal processing, but our skills are certain…”
“Is there a problem?”
“He’s very eccentric. Is that alright?”
“Surely I am often called eccentric as well. As long as the skills are certain, I have no complaints.”
In response to my answer, Fisero nodded as if agreeing, then went to fetch the craftsman. That’s kind of annoying.
So, after a brief wait—
“I’ve come running upon hearing that His Highness called for me!”
A high-pitched voice that was unfamiliar in the dwarf workshop.
A short, slightly round girl came rushing over.
“Wait, a girl!?”
I was a bit surprised. Most of the people here are captives — the majority are those captured on the battlefield.
I never expected to see a dwarf woman in the Demon Lord Castle.
“Yes! I’m Kusemon, a leathercraft artisan!”
The girl craftsman, Kusemon, saluted dramatically and excitedly approached us.
“I heard that you need a leather fashion for a fresh dragon girl! Is that the cute one over there!?”
Ah, this one is definitely eccentric.
I instantly recognized it.
