Chương 203: Chapter 186. Steepness Inspires Climbing

" But will you be able to finish them in 2 months?"" With the specs that you asked for... And the ring sizes... A little extra time to make sure the casts work... Everything should be done within 6 or 7 weeks, Lord Matthew. I'll move this to my top priority moving forward. This is the first time you've asked for something so specific after all. And the fact it's so important, Lord Matthew... I'm just glad you trusted me with it."" Thank you, Dale. As for being happy about it. I've seen the work you've done.

Everything has been of amazing quality in my eyes, Dale. I know you'll do good work with it."" No need to thank me, Lord Matthew, your trust is the most important. Though with all of these special metals, I feel like I need to give you something! This will make great practice for not only my Apprentices, but also myself. I can't believe you found 3 buckets worth of Orichalcum. I could buy a city block with that kind of money."" Yes, well... let's keep that to ourselves for now, Dale.

I want you to try infusing them with the Wyvern materials that are left."" What are you guys discussing?" Delcan interrupted my discussion with Dale Spada, The Demon Smith in charge of the crafting of weapons, armors and accessories here in Paradise. For now, his workshop is small. We'll be building him a bigger one in time, it's just that he's the only qualified weapon and accessory Smith in Paradise.

So we're trying to figure out where a good spot would be to stick him so everyone can visit his shop to make orders. He currently has 6 apprentices that he teaches as well. So we have things to worry about... Also 3 have already stated they want to stay with him... Because of that, in time, they'll need a bigger workshop. I wonder if Dale would like to send any of his Apprentices to Kuga to learn now that I think of it?

I guess I should make a questionnaire to hand out to the Heads of different Trades in Paradise to see if anyone in particular wants to go? If a bunch do, I might just have to do a lottery of some kind? Delcan was waiting for my answer to his question, I guess he finished the short tour around Dale's workshop? I don't want anyone to know what I'm doing with Dale, since I want it to be a surprise..." I was discussing a few things with Dale.

Due to my abilities, when I was on my way to Darkheim, we found some deposits of Orichalcum and Mithril. So I was wondering if he could combine it with either the Gator materials or any Wyvern materials that were left over from our recent hunting escapades." Are you talking about the Giant Demonic Alligators that surround the Swamps?"" Oh! So that's what they're called!? Everyone just calls them "gators" around here."" They range from A to S-Rank in terms of strength! And you're acting like it's no big deal?""

Well, once you've killed a few by yourself, I guess they kind of lose that "dangerous" vibe they have? Maybe we've been lucky and only had to fight the A-Rank versions?"" Lord Matthew, there's at least 1 S-Rank gator for every 7 A-Rank gators whose materials I get."" Ah, well there you have it."" You talk as if something like that is easy to deal with. You realize an S-class is capable of wiping out an entire village, right?" Delcan seemed to start moping around.

I mean I guess he hasn't fought a lot of S-Rank Monsters, but in my experience, there seems to be different levels of S-Ranks. For instance, the gators I've fought, after I've learned how they work, are relatively easy to deal with by myself currently. But a Wyvern, I'd die if I fought it by myself. Even with Sarah and Anna, we'd need to come up with a strategy like last time to kill 1. Let's just hope we don't have to anytime soon, I guess."

Wait, what are you doing with all of these Monster corpses in the first place? I mean you killed a Wyvern too!"" We're making weapons for the community." One of Dale's Apprentices spoke before I could lie." Damn it, Rudy!" Seems Dale knew I didn't want the truth getting out. I looked at Delcan and he seemed calm. I guess it's not shocking to learn that I was trying to make weapons for my People." Dale, just tell him that silence doesn't imply I want someone else to answer. The kid is only 11 after all.""

Will do, Lord Matthew. Rudy! Get to sweeping the store front with Taf!"" Yessir!" Rudy left in a hurry after Dale yelled at him. I looked back at Delcan and began to speak again." Yes, I'm trying to arm every man woman and child that can use a weapon here in Paradise."" Why?" Delcan didn't seem to think it was a bad thing. Seems he just wanted to understand what I was thinking. This is going to be a mouthful. Especially because I need to lie somewhat about why I'm doing it.

Since he's a Dark Elf, I think taking the self-defense route should work. I mean, it's not like it's a full-on lie since it is one of the reasons I'm doing it. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there." To begin to explain, I'll start with the original goal and move on from there, okay?"" Finally ready to reveal your masterplan to me? Are we becoming buddies as well as Business Partners?""

No, I'd never presume to befriend a Prince, even if I've risen well above my station as an jumped-up Marquess." I quickly put a stop to Delcan's idea. I'd hate to insult him into thinking that someone so lowly would try to befriend him." Wow. You have your work cut out for you."" If you think this is bad, you should've seen the afternoon meeting we had when we arrived. I've never thought I'd see people so determined to climb such a dense, steep mountain before.""

Aye, but it's a good mountain to be around regardless, I've got an arm again because of it after all." Delcan and Dale seemed to be speaking to each other while I was standing right next to them. As I was trying to think of the simplest way to explain to Delcan why I wanted to arm my citizens, I didn't really catch anything aside from them seemingly sharing a hobby of hiking. I thought I had reached a decent way to explain it to Delcan, so I began my explanation."

Anyways, you see when I first arrived here, I thought it would only be my Wives and I, along with some rough and gruff Demons. I thought they would've already had a decent number of weapons and training based on the fact that quite a few big names in the Royal Army of Diablos originated from Paradise. I didn't think they'd have an issue protecting themselves if a fight broke out."" A fight?"" Yes, a battle between me and one or more of the other Demon Nobles around the area."" Why would they fight you?"

Delcan again, seemed very puzzled." The 1st reason is that I'm a Marquess. Before I arrived, the highest authority of the land were 4 Count Families in areas around us. The closest being Lord Fracks to the West of us. He lives in a decently populated town called Zana. They're main source of profit is through their livestock. South of him is Lord Sark in Fallenroack, a town whose lifeline is a mine which produces large amounts of platinum and silver. Southwest of Sark is Lord Tye.

He lives in a smaller city surrounded by mountains called Trapda. They make their living through Smithing Work. And finally, to the Northwest of Trapda is a Lord Gorse, whose town, Skion, is known for its vegetables. Those family names have had a tight, vice-like grip on the area for at least the last 600 years. I'd be willing to bet that they wish to keep it."" So, you think they'll try to assassinate you?"" Quite possible. Or attempt a siege, try to meet me in battle.""

Or invite him to a birthday banquet and poison him." Dale added another idea. I cracked a smile." It's a shame they never studied up on what a Paladin is capable of. Otherwise, I might have something to fear this winter solstice."" Wait! You've been invited to something that resembles a trap? And you're going to walk into it?"" Yup. It actually is at a perfect time; I needed a way to spread my Business's name. What better occasion then when the Local Nobility in its entirety will be present?"" Who?""

That Fracks fellow. Honestly, I almost want to pay him. Usually, you need to pay a good amount of cash or favors to have an opportunity like this. He sent an envoy to my doorstep and happily invited me for free."" You're honestly going to walk into a deathtrap, just on the off chance that they end up liking ice cream?"" And cheese... And milk in general." Delcan seemed exasperated by my plan. I mean it is crazy after all." Wait, aren't you going to be risking Sarah and Anna's lives as well?""

No, Anna can check for poison with her eyes, we'll be fine. I can also just heal anything with a Spell I know. There's really no downside. If they try to physically attack us, well... I hope Zana has good construction workers." Delcan seemed to be getting a headache. I almost want to smile, considering he gave me 1 only 4 days ago." So, the first reason is that you're a Marquess... Is the 2nd because you're a Human?"" Close. That, and I'm Married to Sarah.""

But you said--"" Yeah, and you'd think that'd be enough, but apparently not, Warrick and Aqua still have an ear to the ground just in case anyone gets any funny ideas. Hell, Sarah and Anna still aren't completely at peace with me doing anything on my own because of my "unique" situation."" So, if it's for all of this... Why all of these weapons? I mean, you're already quite strong right?"" Yes, but what if the Counts decide to attack Paradise itself?"" And what if the population didn't have military grade weapons.

Which is where these gators and the Wyvern comes into play?" I nodded to Delcan. I looked out the window of the shop and noticed some kids seemed to be playing tag outside the shop." At first, I didn't really care about this place... If I could be blunt for a moment. I wasn't even sure if we would stay here for long. Sarah and Anna were quite okay to take my lead. No matter what, they just wanted to be together with me. If that meant abandoning our Titles and just wandering around, they wouldn't have minded.

Or at least, that's what they've told me."" But something changed?" Delcan's question brought another explanation out of me. It flowed out of me pretty easily as it was the truth of the situation." Well, first, 3000 Demons who I healed showed up, wanting to pay a debt, wanting to better their lives and betting that future on my work. Then Humans showed up wanting the same thing. Now even Dark Elves and Dwarves are here for 1 reason or another. I'm in way too deep now. So are my Wives.

Whether I like it or not, I have a Duty to these People now for believing in me and this town. So, I'll do what I must to protect it... Well, that's only if Warrick wants me to stay. If he wishes for me to leave. I'll follow the orders of my King."" Because he's your Father-In-Law?" Delcan spoke a simple answer, but it wasn't quite right. I looked at him in the eye." No, it's because he's my Friend. And I trust him."" How lucky."" Yeah, not many people can become Friends with a King." Delcan sighed at my words.

I guess he thinks I don't understand the weight of that? But my world used to have Kings, I know how special of a situation this is." Again, steep mountains, aye, Dale?"" Life does seem easier for Commoners in that regard, Prince Delcan."" Yeah, it would be nice to just be able to go for a hike when you want to." I tried adding in my thoughts on the subject, but it didn't seem to connect to Dale or Delcan. After a few moments, Dale asked us to leave the workshop so he could focus on his work for the day.

Since I didn't want to make him have a worse workload, I did as he asked and continued guiding Delcan around Paradise as a tour guide. I wonder how Sarah and Anna are faring with Charlotte?