Chapter 29: The Two Dwarves (1)

Chapter 29: The Two Dwarves (1)

The first person to come running as soon as he heard the news was, surprisingly, Harkin.

Oooh, Sir Dale! Ive heard the story! You got involved with some thieves, didnt you?

Harkin blurted that out as he burst through the inns door.

Kayla who was wiping the tables shifted her gaze to Dale.

Who is this?

A mercenary.

Harkin strode over and placed his order with Kayla.

A beer, please. Ah, of course, its Sir Dale whos paying.

Dale smiled wryly at this guys astonishingly brazen attitude.

Arent you a bit too bold?

Hey, you can afford a drink or two for me, cant you? Im a bit strapped for money these days, so please let it slide this time.

Werent you paid handsomely by Garland?

After all, they had defeated a demons servant and had been amply rewarded with a bounty from the guild.

Harkin laughed awkwardly and said,

Well, you know how it is with mercenary work. There are so many expenses

Where a mercenary might squander his money was predictable. Either he had blown it on drinking, gambling, or

Dale advised seriously.

You should moderate your visits to the brothel. Its not just about the money, you could catch a disease.

Kayla who was listening nearby sent a look of disdain in his way, which prompted Harkin to hastily deny it.

Its not like that! What do you take me for! I dont go there that often these days.

Which implied that he used to frequent the place quite a bit.

Embarrassed, Harkin quickly gulped down the beer Kayla had brought him.

Kuhh. But this tastes pretty bad. There are taverns with much better beer than this.

Im sorry the taste isnt to your liking!

As Kayla responded sharply, Harkin scratched his head and whispered to Dale.

But this place has a pretty bold waitress, huh?

Shes not a waitress. Shes the owner.

Really?

Harkin looked at her with newfound surprise while Kayla glared at him sharply.

Dale asked calmly.

So, why did you come here?

Eh? Oh, well. Does there have to be some reason for me to visit? Im hurt by your words, Sir Dale.

Dale quietly clenched his fist, causing a visibly startled Harkin to chuckle sheepishly.

Just curious. I heard you completely wiped out a thieves guild, didnt you? Why did you do that? Everyones talking about it now.

Is it really something to make a fuss over?

It was just a thieves guild, after all.

Dale had thought it wasnt something people would be so interested in.

But he was wrong.

Sir Dale, you dont understand. The Black Serpent Brotherhood has a history as long as the Empire itself. Although most of their fangs have fallen out, they were once a force to be reckoned with, with many tangled alliances Thats how they were perceived. Since such a place was wiped out overnight, it was bound to become a hot topic.

Hmm. I see.

He hadnt realized the extent of the organization.

Its leader did use some unique techniques but they were hardly a threat to Dale.

Harkins eyes lit up with interest as he spoke.

Everyones buzzing about it. Saying that youve delivered justice to those trash thieves, that the dark knight finally revealed his true colors, and that this was the beginning of a back alley war. So, whats the reason you decimated them all of a sudden? It wasnt a mercenary request, was it?

Dale tapped the table lightly.

There were several plausible excuses he could offer for such a massacre but he didnt feel like sharing them.

I didnt like them.

Is that all?

Thats all.

Harkin, who was dazed for a moment, burst out laughing.

Haha! As expected of Sir Dale! Very manly.

Dale just shrugged his shoulders and offered no reply.

Harkin felt spirited and he stealthily ordered another beer.

Dale just pretended not to notice.

After gulping down his beer, Harkin said,

Anyway, I feel great.

The times ahead are going to be quite chaotic. Do you know who becomes most valuable in such situations?

Tell me.

Its the mercenaries who are both trustworthy and skilled. Like Sir Dale here.

In times of turmoil, the military might shine, and trust becomes even more valuable.

Single-handedly decimating an organization. This incident has more than proved Sir Dales strength. Especially since hes not yet entangled in the citys complex web of interests. That makes you all the more coveted.

I think youre overestimating me too much.

Garland spoke with confidence.

Just wait and see. Sir Dale will soon rise to the top. When that happens, I hope you wont forget me, Garland.

Was he being overly dramatic, or was he sincere?

Dale simply nodded his head calmly.

***

That evening, when Dale entered the inn, he was taken aback.

The inn was filled to the brim with customers.

Kayla who was bustling about greeted Dale cheerfully.

Ah, youre here? Whats with that surprised look on your face?

Its strange. Why are there so many customers?

Of course there are customers in an inn! What do you think this place is?

Kayla snapped back at him and resumed her task of carrying beer mugs to and fro.

From this, Dale realized that the people gathered here were not ordinary customers.

Theyre paying for beer that even Harkin acknowledged as terrible? Somethings off here.

As Dale took his seat, the customers inside the store glanced at him furtively and murmured among themselves.

Thats the one

He does seem alright.

We should keep an eye on him.

But isnt the beer here a bit strange?

Garlands words were true.

He didnt know which faction they belonged to, but these people had gathered here to size up Dale.

It was remarkable how he had attracted such significant attention overnight.

Annoyed by their covert stares, Dale thought about driving them away but then he saw Kayla working with a happy face and decided against it.

After all, a store should have customers; its not a pleasant sight to see it empty with only flies buzzing around.

Dale took his seat and sat blankly.

He could have gone straight to his room, but that would scatter these spies.

And then Kayla would be greatly disappointed if the sore became empty again.

So Dale chose to stay put.

Sitting casually, he figured it would deter anyone from approaching him rashly.

But his expectations were shattered. As soon as he sat down, someone approached and called out his name.

Sir Dale.

It was a familiar voice.

Dale simply lifted his gaze to see who was before him.

A short man with a bushy beard.

It was Balton, the dwarf Dale had rescued from the demons servant.

Balton bowed his head in greeting.

Sorry for coming so late. I couldnt go out for a while because I was recovering.

How are you feeling now?

As you can see, fit as a fiddle.

Balton clenched his fist and his forearm bulged with solid muscles.

Thats good to hear. So, why have you come?

To repay the favor! Didnt I say I would?

The favor?

Now that he mentioned it, Dale remembered such a conversation. Balton spoke with eager enthusiasm.

What do you need? Weapons, or tools? Just leave it to me. As Ive said before, Im a skilled craftsman and a blacksmith. Ill make whatever you desire.

After pondering over Baltons proud offer, Dale spoke up.

You said youre a blacksmith and a craftsman, right?

Thats right.

Then, can you modify me?

Hearing Dales request, Balton paused before replying,

Modify what exactly?