I Regressed to My Ruined Family – 51

 #I returned, and my family was ruined (52)

Ethan was momentarily speechless at the sudden mention of the word “kingdom.”

It was just then.

Popolence clapped her hands as if she understood.

“Ah… The Grand Duke has been unconscious for the past ten years.”

Come to think of it, it was only natural that he wouldn’t know. The Grand Duke was only nine years old when he collapsed.

He was at an age when it would be strange to know much about the state of the world.

It wouldn’t be any different for a noble. Popolence’s lips began to move rapidly.

Fifteen years ago.

After the war with the Yongin tribe ended, the dwarf tribes that had suffered great damage gathered in one place.

They came to the conclusion that a united kingdom was necessary to repel foreign invasions.

That was the story of how twelve great tribes came together to establish a single kingdom.

Muradni, one of the great chiefs, became the first king.

“That guy became king?”

In his previous life, he was one of the most skilled blacksmiths, always repairing Ethan’s weapons.

He was a dwarf blacksmith who always grumbled but was amazing at repairing weapons.

“I have a question.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Originally, dwarves weren’t very familiar with the word ‘capitalism,’ were they?”

“That was definitely true in the past.”

“When did this change happen?”

“It was after the kingdom was established.”

“Can you tell me why it changed?”

The word “craftsmanship” is inseparable from the dwarves.

I wondered why their nature had changed so much.

Now that I had the chance, I decided to ask for an answer.

“We dwarves suffered great damage at the hands of the dragon tribe. We lost our homeland, the number of our people decreased dramatically, and our infrastructure was completely destroyed.”

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Poporen sighed and continued.

“To restore everything in a short period of time, we needed money. Craftsmanship? It takes a year at best, and a lifetime at worst, to make a single sword by hammering away. If we could lower the quality a little and mass-produce them instead…”

“You mean you can make more money that way?”

“That’s exactly why we dwarves began to blend into the human world. With human currency, we could get most of what we wanted.”

“Do you give the money you earn to the kingdom?”

“A portion of the money we earn from selling our goods is paid to the kingdom.”

A miser and a miser.

Compared to what I heard from the soldiers who guided me in the city of Greston last time, the reason was surprisingly sound.

They were no different from laborers working themselves to death in a foreign country to create a better place to live.

“You said you would send a letter to the kingdom council.”

“Yes. If that happens, Williams will be summoned back to our kingdom. He’ll likely face severe punishment. However, there’s one thing that concerns me…”

“What is it?”

“Whether the Kingdom of Haidern will willingly hand over Williams. I’m not sure they’ll just let go of their kingdom’s master blacksmith so easily… If the situation has escalated to that point, I doubt he’ll willingly return to the Kingdom of Amelia.”

It was a valid point.

Williams.

The Kingdom’s master blacksmith who supplies goods to the royal family of Haidern.

He must have money, honor, and information in his hands.

Would such a man really accept this job for money?

“No matter how much money they offer.”

It’s foolish to recklessly attempt something that could get him into trouble with both the Dwarf Kingdom and the Kingdom of Haidern at the same time.

“Besides, he must know the kingdom’s policies.”

He must already know that the Kingdom of Haidern is not very friendly toward the dragon tribe.

“He must have someone backing him.”

And that backing must be powerful enough to protect him when this matter comes to light.

“…Yes. I think so too.”

Poporen spoke weakly. It didn’t seem as easy as he had thought to catch William.

Ethan, who had been tapping his fingers on the desk, slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

It was a meaningful smile.

“Popolence.”

“Yes, Grand Duke.”

“Don’t you want to play in bigger waters?”

“Bigger waters…?”

“Becoming the kingdom’s master blacksmith would be much more beneficial to the Dwarf Kingdom and to you than running a blacksmith’s shop in a medium-sized city.”

“…!”

Popolence’s eyes widened.

The kingdom’s master blacksmith!

If he could rise to that position, it would be a fantastic opportunity beyond comparison.

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‘Besides… if I rise to that position…’

He would be able to defeat his arch-enemy, William.

“That… That’s right! Is there any way to do that?”

“I’ll find a way.”

Poporen’s eyes sparkled.

“If… if that’s the case, I will devote all my strength to serving the Grand Duke!”

“Just words?”

“No… No! If you wish, I will swear an oath with a hammer!”

In the end, those were just words.

“There are many ways to show your will other than words. For example, a contract.”

“A… contract?”

“Do you dislike it?”

“Absolutely not! Of course, a contract is necessary to ensure mutual trust!”

Ethan immediately called for Silvia. He briefly explained the situation, and she nodded as if she understood.

“If you give us a place to meet, we will do our best to negotiate the terms of the contract.”

“Yes. Both of you, go wait outside.”

“Yes.”

After sending Poporen and Sylvia out, Ethan immediately called for Foltin.

“Sir Foltin.”

“Yes, Grand Duke.”

“I would like to use your communication device. Would that be possible?”

Falton hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Come to think of it, it was strange that the Grand Duke didn’t know he was in contact with the marquis.

“Please wait a moment. I need to speak with the lord.”

“Yes.”

The wait was short.

Falton returned to the office and handed him the communication device.

“The connection is established.”

He quietly left the room.

Ethan looked at the crystal ball.

An old man with piercing eyes appeared in the crystal ball.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from my son and Sir Fulton. It’s nice to see you, Grand Duke.”

“Nice to meet you, Marquis.”

“Heh heh. You’ve become so formal after walking the same path for so long. Just call me ‘sir’ or ‘you’ if you feel comfortable.”

“Then I will. The medicine you gave me last time was very useful.”

“It’s in our best interest for you to do well. I’m just happy that the results are good. By the way, what’s going on?”

“I found out that the kingdom’s master blacksmith is directly connected to the Yongin tribe.”

―…….

Bloten fell silent.

It was a more serious matter than he had expected. Ethan calmly continued.

“Would you consider replacing the kingdom’s master blacksmith? I happen to have a good candidate.”

The kingdom’s master blacksmith.

It was a position that supplied products to the royal family. Even with just the title, it was a high-ranking position that earned treatment above that of a count.

If he could put someone he could control in that position, the benefits would be considerable.

The merchant guild and the master blacksmith.

Even though they were completely different professions, when they joined forces, they could exert much greater power.

“Is there a way to do it?”

Ethan explained his plan.

The marquis’s eyes lit up as he listened.

This was the first time he had met the grand duke in person. His plan was bold yet meticulous.

“Excellent.”

“I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“Does the king of this country dislike the dragon clan?”

―…That’s a difficult question to answer. To be honest, it’s ambiguous. There are various political issues intertwined…

Ethan nodded.

If the king was hostile toward the Yongin tribe, the plan would be more effective.

“But that’s not decisive.”

In the end, it was only an additional factor.

“Shall we give it a try?”

―The Yongin tribe. I didn’t think we would be entangled with those monsters again. Heh heh.

The Yongin tribe.

They sacrificed much of the Ardan family and the Vessos family and caused them to lose their former glory. All they gained was the empty title of “heroes.”

At least the marquis did not regret his decision in the past.

It was simply his duty as a nobleman. Perhaps the grand duke felt the same way.

“Send my son.”

That was why the marquis did not reject the grand duke’s proposal.

“All right.”

With the marquis’s consent, the outline of the plan was set.

It was because of his close relationship with the marquis that this outcome had been achieved.

Just as they were about to end their conversation,

“Oh, I almost forgot to mention something. I will be sending you a gift soon.”

After giving him the elixir, now this?

The marquis laughed heartily, as if to confirm his words.

“If you want to keep hold of a goose that lays golden eggs, gifts are a must. You can look forward to it. Now, let’s get to work.”

And so, the secret conversation came to an end.

The next day, when Jayron visited.

“Please take care of it.”

“Yes. We will do our best to make the contract beneficial for both parties.”

Jae-ron, Popolence, and Lawrence entered the secret room. It didn’t take long to draw up the contract.

Ethan nodded in satisfaction when he saw the completed contract.

Popolence would become the kingdom’s master blacksmith.

The Viscount of Besos gained a sure foothold in politics and the important position of Kingdom Blacksmith.

Finally, Ethan had a great contract that would reduce the power of the Yongin tribe and allow him to reap the benefits in the process.

All three had made small concessions, resulting in a contract with perfect balance.

“Good work, young master.”

“What’s so difficult about making small concessions along the way? It’s only natural.”

Ethan looked at Jayron.

Through this incident, it was confirmed that they would work toward the same goal as the marquise. In order to make this relationship even stronger and more solid,

“Let me tell you about the second item. The name of the item I will tell you about this time is called the juice of vitality.”

As Ethan continued his explanation, Jayron’s pupils grew larger and larger.

Just like the herbal potion before.

This was also a product that was sure to be a big hit.

It was truly an excellent choice not to let go of the connection with the Grand Duke. Jayron’s mind was once again firmly set.

* *

After signing the contract.

Not long after, the marquis’s gift arrived. Ethan’s eyes lit up as he looked at the items.

The marquis had given him gauntlets and greaves. They were made entirely of mithril.

“Mithril.”

The price of these two items alone would be equal to the elixir he had received last time.

In fact, they might even be more expensive. Mithril not only absorbed mana well but was also much stronger than steel.

“What a wonderful gift.”

If these two pieces of equipment could be turned into artifacts along with the greatsword.

They would be useful for quite some time.

He summoned Ilia and Popolens.

Ilia was the first to arrive.

“What is it…?”

As she began to speak, she looked at the three pieces of equipment in front of her.

“I need your help.”

Ilia’s face lit up at his words.

Since arriving here, Ethan had not summoned Ilia even once.

Thanks to that, she had spent the past two weeks living among people, revealing her true identity, let alone uncovering the secret of the Grand Duke.

“Guest.”

Those were the words she had heard most often over the past two weeks.

With the added sense of crisis that she could be kicked out at any moment, each day felt like a year.

Finally, after such a long wait.

“Finally!”

The opportunity to prove her usefulness to that cold-hearted man had arrived.

Ilya raised her head proudly and looked Ethan in the eye, but then quickly lowered her face.

The memory of her hair being cut off suddenly came flooding back.

“Huu. Calm down, Ilya!”

After taking a moment to catch her breath, she asked cautiously.

“If you help me… will you stop treating me like a guest?”

“If you produce satisfactory goods.”

“I… I’ll do my best to make the artifact!”

Ilya took the items with a bright smile.

Soon after, the dwarf entered the office.

“You called?”

“There is something I must do before leaving for the royal palace.”

“Whatever you command!”

“Work with that mage to create an artifact.”

“…What? An artifact?”

Poporenca looked at the mithril gauntlets and greaves in the girl’s hands and tilted her head.

“It would take considerable skill to engrave a magic circuit on materials like that. If you work with an amateur mage, you might as well not bother.”

“Who are you calling an amateur mage? You little brat!”

“What… what did you say? You little brat? I’m done talking…”

Tsk!

The dwarf’s mouth shut instantly. It was because Ilia had used her mana. Only then did Popolence’s eyes widen.

“A… a high-ranking mage!”

An extraordinary feat achieved without a single spell.

It was a simple act, but the delicate control of mana behind it was enough to shock even a dwarf who had been through countless battles.

“Don’t fight. Bring back good results.”

“I don’t need to say that. Let’s go, you little runt.”

“…Ugh!”

Poporen and Ilia floated out of the office.

Two days later.

Ilya, with a confident expression, and Poporen, with a pale face, entered the office. They had brought three results with them.

Ethan began to examine the items one by one.