Onwards, to the Dwarven Village

Well, let's just put Elma aside for now.

I told Leia-san the purpose of my visit and handed Hinokaguzuchi to

her.

After I did, Leia-san pulled a wry face and said, "It's so terrible…

You, just what kind of people were you fighting against?"

"What kind of people you ask…"

"Me."

"Me."

"Me?"

"No, I did fight with you three, but…"

The major ones should be Terra-sama… I mean, Mother Earth-sama

and King Vale.

Especially the battle with King Vale as I put all my power into each of

my blow.

It must've sustained considerable damage at that time.

"Sure, I can fix it, and I can give it some slight enhancements as

well. But you're getting stronger and stronger, right? In that case, this

guy is going to be inadequate to you. And though I hate to admit, I

can't make anything stronger than it."

"No way… Can't you work something out…?"

To my question, Leia-san frowned, "Hmm…"

"Mom…"

As Fio-chan was also looking up at her anxiously, Leia-san muttered

a word, "…Dwarves."

"Come again?"

"If it's the 'dwarves', they may be able to create something that suits

you."

"What are dwarves…?"

Ophir chimed in, "Oh, I know! The hag once said that they were a

bunch of people who had nimble fingers and could make super

powerful arms, y'know?"

Arca nodded, "Umu. I also heard our Holy Armaments could only be

created thanks to help of the dwarves. However, the dwarves seem

to be a fairly closed race. It's said that they never welcome other

demi-human races, let alone humans…"

"Yeah, my husband said so, too. —'The fact that I was able to enter

their village was a miracle,' he said."

"""""""!?"""""""

He once entered the village!? We all made surprised expression on

our faces.

"Yeah, that's right," Leia-san continued nostalgically, "it was before

he met me. My husband was on a journey to polish his blacksmithing

skills. At that time, he accidentally lost his footing and fell into some

valley. When he came to, he found himself being nursed by

dwarves."

"I-is that so… Fio never knew…" Fio made a pretty surprised

expression, looked like it was her first time hearing it, too.

"So you're saying that Rafla-dono's blacksmithing techniques came

from the dwarves?" Arca asked.

"No, they wouldn't go that far for him, it seems. But he did able to

'watch' during his stay in the village. Maybe that's why my husband

was able to become the best blacksmith in this town—or so I think."

Listening to Leia-san's story, Magmell nodded as if convinced, "I see.

Even just from the things he learned from watching them, he was

able to become the best blacksmith, so the dwarves' real techniques

must be far more amazing—is what you mean, isn't it?"

"Yeah, that's right," Leia-san nodded and turned towards me. "So, if

by any chance, you are able to get the help of the dwarves, wouldn't

your dream come true? A weapon like those girls' 'Holy Armaments',

I mean."

"I understand. Then, as Leia-san says, I'll try to find the dwarven

village!"

"Yeah, you do that. And if you do get their help and are able to get

the strongest weapon you're dreaming of, at that time—" Leia-san

paused her words, before smiling boldly and saying, "I'd like you to

introduce me to the dwarf who made it, in return. I'm going to take

my chances to become their disciple."

"M-mom!?"

"Hahaha, why are you so flustered? That's a cheap price if you can

save the world thanks to the information." Leia-san laughed heartily.

I nodded vigorously to her and said, "Got it. At that time, I'd definitely

introduce them to Leia-san."

"Ahh, I'm counting on you."

We both laughed, then the girls and I left the Rafla Arm Shop.

◇ ◇

And so, we returned to the inn and immediately discussed the

whereabouts of the dwarves.

Still, the quickest way to find out about something had gotta be

asking someone who'd likely in the know.

"In that case, the most likely ones are the goddesses, eh," Arca

remarked.

Ophir nodded, "Ou, at least my hag also knew about them."

"I see. In which case, the goddess who is the closest from here is

Terra-sama, who is near Algren, isn't it?" asked Zana.

Magmell agreed, "Indeed. Terra-sama is the goddess of earth too, so

I think she may be familiar with the dwarves."

"Mm, I also want to meet another goddess," said Tirna.

I nodded to the girls' opinions and said, "All right, that decides it,

then. Let's head for Terra-sama's place tomorrow morning. She

should have some information on them, I'm sure."

"""""—""""" The girls all nodded.

Then the next morning, I promptly set out to Terra-sama's place

along with the girls.