They didn’t need to demand much from them. Simply promising them the same treatment as humans was enough to recruit them.
And Ian had clearly promised them exactly what they wanted.
“They’re handing over the land they’ve worked so hard to build to us so easily.”
At Oswell’s muttered words, Ian smiled.
It felt like they were handing over the foundation they had built, but in reality, what they had built wasn’t much.
At best, they had dug holes and lived underground.
In this dangerous land, living underground was the only way to protect themselves from monsters.
“But everyone looks so gloomy. Is there something worrying them?”
When Ian asked while looking at the dwarves,
“We’re happy to be under protection again, but our foundation is weak.”
They had managed to survive until now, but they needed to engage in economic activities going forward.
With no money, they had to worry about their next meal first.
‘Looking at their state, I can roughly guess how they’ve been living.’
Aside from the stench from not having washed for a long time, they were practically beggars.
Unable to grow crops, they must have survived by hunting or eating edible plants.
Their clothes were nothing more than animal hides draped over them.
“If you’re short on food, contribute to the mine development. That should solve your meals. Ah, and those who move to the pioneer village are exempt from taxes for three years, so you don’t have to worry about taxes during that time.”
“R-Really?”
“Didn’t you want equal treatment? Since you’re also moving to an undeveloped area, you should be treated the same.”
“Thank you, young master!”
[The dwarves are deeply moved by your generous heart. The loyalty of the dwarves within the Schrantz County has increased by 5.]
Ian watched as the dwarves expressed their gratitude and rejoiced, a smile forming on his lips.
“By the way, do any of you happen to be blacksmiths?”
As Ian spoke as if he had just remembered, one of the dwarves raised his hand.
“I’ve worked as a blacksmith.”
“Step forward.”
The blacksmith who raised his hand timidly stepped forward, and Ian grinned.
‘As expected, Olgrim was here.’
Olgrim.
He was the real reason Ian had come here.
The ghost story from Jurdan and the reason for coming here—it was all for Olgrim.
“How about working under me?”
This was the only event where you could recruit him as a vassal.
Hearing Ian’s scouting offer, Olgrim pointed at himself in disbelief.
“M-Me?”
“Yes, we happen to need a blacksmith in the territory right now.”
The recent monster uprising had left many weapons and armor damaged or destroyed.
Because of this, the blacksmith at the lord’s estate was busy lighting the forge without a day’s rest.
‘Dwarves are a race with exceptional craftsmanship. Even at the same skill level, equipment made by dwarves is overwhelmingly better!’
Dwarves possess unique skills: ‘Dwarven Craftsmanship’ and ‘Dwarven Senses.’
Dwarven Craftsmanship increases the probability of creating higher-grade weapons and artifacts by 20%.
Dwarven Senses is a combat skill that excels in crisis management.
The weapons and armor of soldiers and knights forged by his hands would become sturdier and more comfortable to wear.
When facing equally matched enemies, they could push through with superior equipment.
“Thank you. Just give me any task, young master! I’ll work with all my heart!”
[‘Olgrim’ has become your vassal.]
Name: Olgrim (Lv.30)
Race: Dwarf
Class: Commoner
Occupation: Blacksmith
Title: Skilled Blacksmith
Strength: 80
Agility: 15
Magic Power: 0
Leadership: 30
Craftsmanship: 70
When Olgrim accepted, Ian’s smile stretched from ear to ear.
He also checked the skills Olgrim possessed.
<Skills>
―Dwarven Craftsmanship (Unique)
―Dwarven Senses (Unique)
―Weapon Crafting (Intermediate) Lv.7
―Armor Crafting (Intermediate) Lv.6
―Equipment Repair (Intermediate) Lv.8
―Blunt Weapon Mastery (Advanced) Lv.4
‘He’s definitely lacking for a dwarf.’
Dwarves have an average lifespan of about 150 years.
Considering Olgrim is in his 60s, he should have already mastered all his skills to an advanced level.
But perhaps due to living in an undeveloped area for nearly 20 years.
Except for his heightened Blunt Weapon Mastery, all his skill levels were low for a dwarf.
‘But.’
There’s no need to worry.
Olgrim is the dwarf who will later become a renowned blacksmith known as the ‘Hammer of the Gods.’
‘With so much work to do right now, his proficiency will rise quickly!’
For now, he’ll handle the tasks needed in the territory.
‘But his real work will come later.’
Once mithril mining begins in earnest, Ian plans to entrust him with crafting weapons.
Despite having uncovered the truth behind the ghost rumors in the pioneer village, Ian stayed for two more days.
“Young master. Since the matter here is resolved, shouldn’t we return to Rosen?”
Clang! Clang!
Oswell and Ian continued their conversation while clashing wooden swords.
During his duties, Ian always spent an hour or two receiving swordsmanship training from Oswell.
That didn’t change just because they were in the pioneer village.
Since there was plenty of open space in the village, they had set up a temporary training ground with simple fencing.
Ian deflected the sword aimed at his neck and immediately counterattacked with a deep thrust.
Oswell, as if expecting it, lightly parried to the side and continued the exchange.
The knights watching this spectacle forgot their own training and stared in awe.
In less than a second, several exchanges of attacks and defenses occurred.
They had been maintaining this intense exchange for ten minutes without rest.
Both men were drenched in sweat, but they paid it no mind, as if it were routine.
“This is incredible. The young master’s attacks are ferocious.”
“Both the young master, who relentlessly presses the attack, and the captain, who blocks those savage strikes, are amazing.”
Even in such a situation, Ian’s ability to converse casually was extraordinary.
Among the knights of Schrantz, could anyone match Ian?
Probably not.
Clang!
“I plan to stay here for about a week longer.”
“You’re planning to stay that long?”
Oswell couldn’t help but be puzzled by Ian’s decision to stay for another week instead of returning.
