#114 Howard
“Ahem, ahem. Ah—!”
A low, resonant baritone as if echoing from within a cave.
Broad shoulders packed with dense muscle, fierce eyes, and even a lustrous beard.
“Bah—
This low eye level is something I just can’t get used to!”
Add to that a small stature that barely reached my chest, and here stood an absolutely perfect dwarf.
Needless to say, it was my newly created avatar. ‘Even after using 「Customization」 to increase the height as much as possible, this is all I get. I’d roughly expected it, but actually becoming one feels different.’ Perhaps because of the racial limitations, there was a cap on maximum height, so even after increasing it, the result was more or less the same.
I lightly stroked my chin and examined the dwarf before my eyes from every angle.
-Individual Name: Howard
-Race: Dwarf
-Common Traits: 「Mind Hub」, 「Persona」, 「Super Recovery」, 「Clear Mirror, Still Water」
-Individual Trait: 「Craftsmanship」
-Special Notes: Han Seonghyeon’s eighth avatar. Born as a dwarf through the use of a craftsman’s cherished pickaxe as the medium. Due to the effects of 「Craftsmanship」, additional corrections are applied to actions related to production.
The Immortal King Hans, Vampire Heinz II, Saint Heinrich, Dragonkin Harley, Merchant Hubert, Elf Harris—and now, Dwarf Howard!
Excluding the deceased original Heinz, he was effectively my seventh avatar.
“Good. Just as I expected. The initial skill turned out to be exactly the kind I wanted, too.”
As expected, an individual created through 「Customization」 seemed to acquire racial traits related to it. ‘I wasn’t planning to use Howard for combat anyway. A craftsman who can custom-make whatever I need right away, and has outstanding skill on top of that, is hard to find.’
Even if it was not necessarily limited to arms and armor, the act of making something produced results that varied drastically depending on the craftsman’s level.
As an avatar, Howard had not only 「Craftsmanship」 but also buffs to growth speed and learning ability, so his level would improve quickly as well.
And since Merchant Hubert could immediately procure whatever materials were needed, it meant the best possible environment was in place.
However, there was still one obstacle remaining…
‘As with Elf Harris, the problem is that I have absolutely no foundational knowledge.’
In fact, it could be said to be even worse than back then.
After all, technique was something passed down through generations, developed and refined along the way.
No matter how dexterous and talented one was, there was a limit to what could be accomplished through self-study.
‘I suppose I have no choice but to use Harley’s connections again this time?’
Harley and Zaonic were comrades who had gone through life and death together, so wouldn’t he grant a request of that level?
Besides, though he himself might not know it, he and Howard were by no means strangers!
Strictly speaking, one could even say they were father and son.
‘No, if I think about it that way, it’d be more accurate to call him a grandson.’
The daughter he had parted from for certain reasons, Elinne.
The son she had left behind in this far-off foreign land, Howard.
That was what it amounted to.
Somehow, a tragic tale had been completed in an instant.
‘Of course, since I can’t actually tell Zaonic, it’s a meaningless story.’
Still, since different races were not easily found on the Ion Continent, they tended to help one another whenever fellow members of their race were in trouble.
If I pretended to be a young wandering dwarf who had never properly learned a craft, he probably wouldn’t cast me out easily.
‘Though it does seem difficult right now.’
Since the situation was still in utter chaos, it would probably be best to wait until the turmoil in the north had settled to some extent before visiting.
In the meantime…
“Hwahaha—
Then shall I start by learning Earth’s technology?”
Howard stroked his beard and grinned broadly.
Rather than charging blindly into things with no knowledge whatsoever, it would be helpful in many ways to first learn theories that had been scientifically proven.
‘It’s different from spirit arts. Blacksmithing techniques can be learned sufficiently even on Earth.’
Of course, since the laws of the two worlds were different, there would likely be subtle differences once things became advanced, but the basics probably would not differ much.
Most of Earth’s technologies used machines, but simply understanding the principles incorporated into them would be a great help.
‘There might even be some gains later while researching the differences between the worlds. Since it isn’t hard to obtain related information on Earth, I should prepare on that side first.’
I decided to begin with materials engineering—specifically metallurgy related to metalworking.
Of course, I was not the one who would be researching the necessary materials.
When would I ever have the time to research data, classify techniques Howard could use in practice, and organize them step by step?
“Yes, Jin Soran. It’s been a while. Have you been well? There’s something I need handled urgently.”
Having finished strengthening the security around the garden, Heinz took out a burner phone and called Jin Soran, the administrator of Heterosis.
‘When else would I use my subordinates if not at times like this?’
The Blood Alliance did not consist only of vampires suited for combat.
There were many who had worked in office jobs or specialized professions, and now that the organization had grown in size, there were also quite a few ordinary people hired from the light of society.
“Yes, money is no object, so as quickly as possible. Bring in university professors, professional technicians, anyone you need…”
Whether it was papers, video materials, someone’s know-how…
All I had to do was give the order, then receive the organized results after my subordinates ran around until their feet were sweating.
‘I’ll need to prepare a workshop in Tarak. To save time, I have no choice but to do practical training in Auterica.’
All I had to do on Earth was read the materials.
Understanding and mastering them would be the job of Howard, the dwarf with 「Craftsmanship」.
‘With all kinds of corrections applied, he should be able to reach a certain level even through self-study. Once he surpasses that level, I’ll have no choice but to invite craftsmen on Earth and learn directly from them. …And if possible, craftsmen from other worlds as well.’
Craftsmen from other dimensions had not been very active on Earth, but their accumulated experience had not vanished anywhere.
Techniques developed under entirely different systems would surely have things worth learning in their own way.
And the Blood Alliance, which had grown into the largest power within the darkness of Seoul, the heart of South Korea—
Had more than enough ability to obtain information on people who met the conditions and secure their cooperation by paying compensation.
***
Rosellia Grand Temple.
“Hwaaa… I feel like I’m going to die of exhaustion…”
Saintess Riesta, who had come to discuss work-related matters with Heinrich, flopped down onto the table without dignity and let out a groan.
Contrary to her words, her appearance—smooth skin and glossy hair—showed not the slightest hint of fatigue, but that was merely due to the influence of her powerful divine power and blessings.
She was spending all of her time, excluding the bare minimum needed for sleep and meals, handling work.
Her responsible and meticulous attitude, in contrast to her usual clumsy behavior, was enough to make one see the saintess in a new light.
“Waaah—! I miss Tion and Mu and Selly! And the other children too! It’s already been a week since I last saw them. Do you think they’re all doing well?”
…Of course, because she displayed such words and actions whenever she had the chance, that impression never lasted long.
For reference, Tion and Mu were earthworms, and Selly was a ladybug.
How she distinguished between each individual, and by what means she found and observed such tiny things in a wide flower bed, remained a mystery.
‘And even though she’s attached enough to give them names like this, she doesn’t become too saddened even if they die according to the laws of nature.’
She poured blessings and divine power into the insects to help them live in the best condition possible…
But even if they were eaten by a natural predator right before her eyes, she merely watched with regretful eyes and did not intervene directly.
As if she were a god looking down upon this world.
“Why not take a little time to visit the flower bed? It wouldn’t take that much time.”
“Ugh… No. If I see them once, I feel like I won’t be able to leave for hours. I promised myself I wouldn’t go to the flower bed until the work is finished to some extent! And th-there isn’t much left now…”
The task assigned to the saintess was preliminary coordination for the continental summit.
There was no way gathering figures with full authority delegated by each faction in one place would be simple.
‘From the Kingdom of Thalia, they said Duke Bright would come in person. And from the Empire, was it the crown prince who would move? It can’t help but be difficult in many ways.’
Such external affairs were being handled entirely by her, who had long lived as a saintess and whose name was widely known.
Although Heinrich had been recognized as a saint, not much time had passed since he joined the order, so his reputation was inevitably still a little lacking for him to immediately stand at the forefront.
Therefore, as a former paladin, he was taking charge of the armed divisions, including the Paladin Order and the Holy Warrior Corps, spending busy days learning while handling the work.
Of course, since military strength was extremely important in opposing the Immortal King, the intensity of his workload was no less than the saintess’s.
While they were discussing duties that required mutual coordination—
“Ah, Lord Heinrich, you heard the news as well, didn’t you?”
The saintess, who had been speaking as usual, suddenly turned serious, and her voice grew calm.
There was only one topic she took such an attitude toward, so he quickly understood what she intended to say.
“…You mean the matter concerning the northwestern mountain range in the Kingdom of Tulk.”
“Yes. A clash of powerful mana was detected in the mountain range, where things are already in chaos because of the monsters moving south. And of course, the Immortal King’s dark magic was there as well.”
It was information he had also received in advance.
Hans had done his best, even setting up a barrier, but his fierce battle with the Mad Dragon could not be helped by a hastily prepared barrier of that level.
To say nothing of the saintess’s detection ability, which was particularly exceptional.
“…I can guess what happened. It has probably begun in earnest.”
With her golden eyes shining, she quietly spoke to Heinrich.
“Dragon hunting.”
The Immortal Kings of past generations had judged dragons to be the greatest obstacles to conquering the continent and devoted all their power to slaughtering them.
Thanks to that, dragons had now been driven to the verge of extinction, and those who remained quietly hid themselves away without appearing in the world.
“Moving monsters to incite chaos in the world, and at the same time even making moves to eliminate dragons. Time is truly running short now, and yet there are still so many people showing such complacent attitudes even in the middle of all this…!”
The saintess frowned and ground her teeth.
It seemed the stress she had received while carrying out the work had been considerable.
‘Mm, it’s true that a dragon was hunted.’
And while Heinrich comforted her with a solemn expression, inwardly he suppressed a bewildered feeling.
‘No, I suppose it’s only natural to think that way. After all, there is precedent.’
Who could he blame? Everything he had shown thus far had been like that.
Like a child tattling to her parents, her denunciation continued for quite some time.
The complaints that began with those who were not cooperating properly soon spread to the Immortal King, the cause of all these events, and she poured out resentment and anger in refined vocabulary.
And to borrow the saintess’s words—
The absolute evil of this continent, the parasite gnawing away at the world, the origin of all corruption and symbol of depravity, the Immortal King Hans, was currently doing what…
Namely—
He was joyfully opening the gift sent by Saint Heinrich.
***
[Indeed, this is extremely useful. To think it would fall into my hands so easily.]
With a sinister laugh, Hans looked at the pure-white crystal held in one hand.
Wrapped in solidified divine power, it was the origin of Arch-Lich Dwell McCain, which Heinrich had sent him through 「Avatar Cloud」.
‘In truth, he isn’t someone as widely known as Karam or Olivia, but this fellow is quite useful as well.’
Though he lacked martial power and held a rank in the fifties within the Immortal Army, separate from that, he had been one of its fairly competent staff officers.
Now that the Elder Arch-Lich, who had been the brain of the second Immortal King, had perished in the final battle, one could say he was perhaps the smartest of them all.
‘Though judging by his actions, he doesn’t seem all that trustworthy.’
Still, the only proper look at him had been his appearance in the trial manifested by the Holy Sword.
No matter how powerful the Holy Sword was, while it might be able to reproduce the power he possessed, it probably could not perfectly recreate his disposition or way of thinking.
‘Well, the more capable the one I’m going to work to the bone, the better for me.’
Hans poured his dark magic into the crystal in his hand.
Craack—!
In an instant, cracks formed, and the split divine power flashed brilliantly one last time before slowly being devoured by black energy and disappearing…
Wooooong—!
Immediately afterward, the previously still origin of the Arch-Lich began to tremble slowly.
[Kuhuhut! Now, rise. There is much for you to do from now on.]
And for Hans, who possessed an enormous amount of dark magic—
The energy needed for Dwell to revive was nothing at all.