Chapter 40 [Unedited][Unfinished]

“And that is how the current king establish the new rule” (Twins’ gramp)

*clap clap clap

The moment gramp finished his story, everyone that present is clapping their hands, including me. I thought it will be a very long boring story, since I always skip such long words of monologue about each kingdom history in the game.

At first, I didn’t really want to hear about it because it was boring, but the story begin turn to unexpected development. From politics to strategy, mixed up with fantasy. With gramp’s voice and passion, the story turn out become very interesting Although some part sounds exaggerating, it still is amazing story and I unconsciously get absorbed in it.

The story start from war between the elves and the dwarves. From the start dwarves are scatter around the north continent in form of clan while the elves were live inside the forest away from touch of outsider.

A small conflict between the elves and dwarfs without knowing who was start it first. The small dispute keep adding up and escalated into big conflict. Those conflict slowly bring each clan together. Fear for sudden outbreak war made both side prepare for any incoming attack, but no real fight ever happened.

When the demons start their invasion, the northern continent was working together to protect their country. This act bring both races into a mutual understanding and start to work things out between them. Friendship bloomed and races in north continent start to accepting each other. As they fight against the demons, bond between races become even stronger.

When the demon king was defeated by the hero, the land finally in peace and every country was in fast development...until 300 years ago, the sudden war break out in northern continent, known as the stain for the dwarven, the Bedriegen war. The first one to wage the war was the dwarven. The current king at that time start the war with the intention to take over minerals and natural resources from the elven forest. He realized that the nature of dwarven in creating things will cause the materials shortage in the near future. At that time, raising monsters as materials livestock has not been invented and instead of finding alternative, the council pressure the king to attack the elven, destroying the hundreds years of trust between races.

The invasion toward elven territory lasted for many generation… Until the current king’s father start to make peace with the elven.

The friendship between races had long gone, the elven and the dwarven back to original animosity. But that didn’t stop the late king from trying to mend their previous bond. Some said the reason behind his strong will to befriend the elven is because the previous king’s best friend is an elf.

Of course there is lots of dwarven who are in conflict between invading the elven territory for natural resources and oppose to fight their ancestor’s comadre in arm. With the previous king decree on stopping the invasion, he also start to find alternative solution in the materials shortage. He went on journey and found the technique on ‘monsters breeding’, then he start his own research on each different type of monster.

By passing the ‘monster breeding’ knowledge to his people, the dissatisfied masses. His book ‘How to Create Your Monster’ is number one best seller and had been copied more than a hundred thousands times. It spread to many part of the north and even become like a holy scripture for the dwarven and monster tamer or monster breeder has become one of the high pay job.

On the other hands, while the minerals in the dwarf kingdom still decreasing, it wasn’t as fast at the previous rate before the book was release. While the dwarven were in frenzy with developing their own monsters farm, the current king develop a new rule to safe the other minerals by preventing unauthorized mining and hunting.

The king made a decree which is why people can’t hunt, dig or sells freely without special permit. Each dungeon and mines are owned by the kingdom and nobles. The kingdom hire worker at the mine, the output will be submitted to the owner (nobles) of the dungeon or mines. Then they will sell it to the merchant guild to distributes to their member. There will be commission between the nobles and merchants. There is also special tax in these matter and those tax is used to fund expedition in searching new resources and partnership through other countries. This system is a revolutionary, although there still some insatisfaction, most of the people agree to this option. Most of the dwarven are devoted to this rules as they dream for the new mineral resources, evading kingdom’s tax is something dreadful similar to sin for them.

I don’t think the game tells the story this details...

“And then, what happened to those that enter without permit?”(Rune/Crev)

Gramp give me a crooked smile at my question.

“It isn’t something a child should know”(Twins’ Gramp)

Next, he pat my head with a very serious expression

“Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER, try to take crafting materials from a dwarven, especially stole from them. You will not want to know what we did to those criminals or where are they now. One thing for sure... their soul is now eternally bound in this world, they will have to forever wondering between the living and the dead without a single chance to rest in peace”

For a moment, I saw some scary light emerge from his eyes, sending chills to my spine and all I can do is nods my head meekly.

Note to myself, never mess up with gramp…

“You are a clever child...Unlike two ungrateful brat who can’t stay still and keep getting into trouble, end up running away, coming home as they like and they didn’t even apologize…”(Twins’ Gramp)

Gramp, your eyes isn’t smiling, it’s scary.

“You know, as an outsider, yourself isn’t that bad. You are pretty good listener and understood my words. Most outsider have no interest in listening dwarven history or only want the result of our craftsmanship without caring about the process. Even if some are interest in the process, they would only probing in those they called ‘secret fast way’...”(Twin’s Gramp)

There is a secret fast way?

“Those F**KIN’ RUST IN THE MOTHER BLADE! There is no freakin secret fast way in creating weapon and all! It is about the hard work, HARD WORK I tell ya! Keep forging and forging and forging everyday, using your ancestor knowledge then develop it! Each production have to be calculate, carefully, cherishing, detail and with a lot of effort! See the sword, feel the sword, be the sword!”(Twins’ Gramp)

I am sorry, I was about to asked the secret fast way...

Gramp is angrily roaring at me with a frustrated eyes.

“For each stroke, techniques, and steps held the story of our ancestors...by changing or decreasing each technique is the same as you erasing the memory of you ancestor, askin being teach is the same way askin to be part of our family!…*sigh*”(Twin’s Gramp)

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Eh?...”(Rune/Crev)

“No need to worry, I know you mean no such thing when you askin me about smithing technique, although I would be delighted if you ever change ye mind”(Twin’s gramp)

I shook my head as if my life depend on it, sorry but I can’t take your grandchild for a lot of reason…I can just imagine myself being blown away by their enthusiastic toward raw materials...I just don’t have the energy to stop them...

“...Could it be that is the reason why you angry at the twins is because you worried they forgot about their ancestor?”(Rune/Crev)

“Not that! They both blatantly dishonour our ancestor by erasing some of the process, makin’ it shoten, that is unforgivable!”(Twins’ Gramp)

Eh, this kinda different from story from what I heard…

“Isn’t it because using knowledge from outside is hearsay? Because you should go into seclusion to receive enlightenment from the dwarf god?”(Rune/Crev)

Once I said that, surrounding people have a face as if they had eaten a bug. One maid is so shocked that she dropped her tray and loud sound of fallen silver could be heard from the dreadful air.

“Who told you such absurd story?” (Twins’ Gramp)

“is not?”(Rune/Crev)

“*sigh*...Did those brats believe that story?”(Twins’ Gramp)

Once again the surrounding people sigh in unison.

“I am aware that there was an ridiculous rumour about how our race...but not that absurd...and don’t tell me that those brats believe that...”(Twins’ Gramp)

I can only sit still in my chair unable to speak a single words, not agreeing nor denying anything.

“Those stupid brats…”(Twins’ Gramp)

Gramp’s eyes look very tired and sad…

“...Do you want me to explain it to them? I am sure it’s just a big misunderstanding”(Rune/Crev)

“...yes, yes please explain it to them...I am feeling very tired right now…actually, no...just…*sigh* I will handle it by myself, it might be fault from my side for not being clear in educating them...just tell them to visit me as soon as they can...”(Twins’ Gramp)

Gramp is looking very beaten up.

“You look very tired…”(Rune/Crev)

“You think…”(Twins’ Gramp)

He made sarcastic remark along with one-side raised eyebrow, I can only reply with a bitter laugh.

“Since you have been a great listener, I might teach you some of the basic smiting. Tell me, what you are planning to make?”(Twins’ Gramp)

“I am thinking about making something for a present, a small weapon for self-defense, a pretty and light one but still maintain their sharpness”(Rune/Crev)

“Hooooo, is it for a girl sonny?”(Twins’ Gramp)

Gramp asking with a teasing smirk across his face.

“Why not jewelry? Usually women outside out race like those, it is the most high in demand as well”(Twins’ Gramp)

“Actually...I did, but it doesn’t seems to be well received”(Rune/Crev)

I told gramp about the ring and what Kiel did with it, instead of those telepathic call, I told him that we have been exchanging via letters.

“What a strange girl, you gave her [Bel’an Ring] for the love of GOD! That one is a rare to find, Bel’an priest usually hard to please and so having them to blessed an item is lot of work…. What make you think that hard to please girl would like a weapon instead of jewelry?”(Twins’ Gramp)

“Well… we used to train together, so I know for sure that she will used it in the future...even if she use it to peel a potato…”(Rune/Crev)

I am very pessimistic at this point...

“How dare you said that my weapon are used to peel a potato?! Well, it will become a great potato peeler but it was not what it created for!”(Twins’ Gramp)

Can you not brag in middle of scolding me?

“I know YOUR handmade weapon will be greatly appreciated...but I have a little confident in mine, she after all doesn’t like my previous present”(Rune/Crev)

Just remembering it make me feel depressed…

“Maybe I should just buy it from you-”(Rune/Crev)

Before I finished my sentence, I was cut by everyone present

“””“NO!””””

“Receiving a handmade item full of feeling is the romantic side of it!”

Said one maid with high spirit.

“The rush when you think of your other partner’s happy smile while fighting deadly monster for the materials, make every last drop of blood worth the fight!”

Said one soldier with fiery eyes.

No, I am not thinking of anything that dangerous! I was planning to buy the materials from the market, what the heck are you imagining?!

“The ‘batump-batump’ in your heart when you crafting while thinking of your partner...haa~<3”

Said another maid with flushed cheek.

...‘batump-batump’?

“I remember when my ‘batump-batump’ almost leap out of my body when I gave my present to my wife, it was nerve wracking”

Said one butler with novelty.

What the...WHAT THE HECK IS ‘batump-batump’?! Leaving out your body, that is sounds so scary.

“What they are saying is, handmade craft is most appreciated by the receiver since it shows your sincerity. I will teach you the basic later since it already very late today, but I can assure you she will definitely received it! After all, you learn it from me!”(Twins’ Gramp)

He said with full of confident.

As the gramp say, the sun already setting down. If I didn't go back now, the others will get worried.

“By the way, It was really an interesting story, I am very sorry to disturb your time” (Rune/Crev)

“Hah! What are you talking about, you didn’t disturb me, on contrary I should thank ye. For having someone to chat and listening to this old man’s rambling is a great way to pass time. Next time we will continue and I will teach you some basic, don’t forget bring more cake next time”(Twins’ Gramp)

The last sentence are told with a very small voice. I will bring plenty of cake next time.

Just we are about to shake hands, Kena descending from the sky with high speed while holding Lila in her arms. Her face is terrified

“RU-..CREV!!!!” (Kena)

Lila quickly get down from Kena’s arms and hug me with eyes full of tears.

“We are wearry, wearry worris!”(Lila)

Her speech is mess up because of the crying.

While Lila is hugging me tight, Kena walk with heavy steps and give me a hand chop in the head. It’s hurt.

“That is punishment for making us worried!”(Kena)

And another chop

“This is for missing so suddenly”(Kena)

And another

“And this for breaking your promise to stay at the inn!”(Kena)

“Auch!”(Rune/Crev)

The last one hurt twice the other.

“Next time we will not let you out of our sight ever again!”(Kena)

“You two, I am more reliable than that… Stop treating me like a child”(Rune/Crev)

“First, you are a child so of course we will worried. Second, we both are responsible for your safety and virginity! You have no idea how scary that is!”(Kena)

What about my virginity?! How is that you responsibility?!

“K-kena!”(Lila)

“You two are exaggerating!”(Rune/Crev)

“Crev, you don’t understand...the horror…”(Kena)

Horror of what?

“U-um! Whash Kena tryingsh to saish is”(Lila)

“Please stop crying first before talking, I really don’t understand what are you trying to say”(Rune/Crev)

I handed Lila my handkerchief for her to blow her nose.

“Please don’t disappear like that’ we both are assigned to protect you. It is bad enough we both were scolded by my lady over your run away last time”(Kena)

Ah, she is talking about the time when I snuck out and meet with Julia

“We were so scared what would Kiel said about this...that kid has not contact us...maybe that demon doesn’t know yet…”(Kena)

What are you saying? Why suddenly bring up about Kiel? Anyway Kena, stop shaking me!

It seems twins’ grampa can’t stand Kena and Lila being noisy inside his garden since he suddenly pick me up from Kena’s hand.

“I am the one that inviting him, do you have any objection?”

He said while glaring at them.

Even though I was the one who visited him unnoticed, he is still cover up for me.

“No..well, Crev shouldn’t walk out without any supervision…even if you said you invited him...”(Kena)

“I will have talk with your lady about this”(Twins’ Gramp)

‘Viva la gramp!’, is what I shout joyfully in my heart.

Since then, I no longer need to secretly visit him and I have consider him as my ally!

His nickname is Zoran, but he insist for me to call him grandpa.

The next morning, I bake another batch of cakes as I promised. But today instead of walk directly toward gramp’s house, I took detour to Twins’ workshop. I haven’t seen them coming back to the inn lately, not even a shadow spotted…

Suddenly a bad premonition flash my mind, I remember how they bragging about not eating for three days straight…

They are alive right? Now I am anxious.

With a fast pace I walk to where the twins are according to [Xarxa Cristal] while activating [Detector] skill in case of Julia is around.

The twins’ workshop is quite big, they have a big door open to let the fresh air in. From far away, I could hear a ruckus from inside.

“Clean your hands before touches the food!”

“Why? it will get dirtied again later!”

“Yea, yea! We are hungry!”

“You two will get sick eating with dirty hands! Clean your freaking hands or no more foods!”

“”Boooo!””

...It was Mark and the twins…

When I enter the workshop, somehow Mark figure who trying hard to feed the twins is overlapping with exhausted mother trying to feed their naughty child…

One of the twins is running toward me full speed with food in her mouth.

“Catch her Crev!” (Mark)

Instinctively, I did as I was told, catch the food thieves by her collar.

“Crev”(Perika)

“Ceff!”(Parika)

“Don’t talk with your mouth full”(Rune/Crev)

After being round up, Mark forcefully wash the twins hands before letting them to touch the food. I share some cake as the dessert. Which Mark compliment me after eating it, followed by asking about the recipe and ingredients.

“Recharge is full! Ready to work!”(Parika)

“Ready to work!”(Perika)

“Ah, I almost forgot, grandpa told me to call you guys back to mansion, he has something to say”(Rune/Crev)

When I called twins’ grandpa ‘grandpa’, they look at me weirdly.

“Crev...don’t tell me he got you too?”(Mark)

What do you mean too? Why are your face seems to be pale?

“Crev is also our fiancee?! Hurray!”(Perika)

“But which of us?”(Parika)

“What, NO! He said I can call him grandpa, that’s all!”(Rune/Crev)

“For a moment there I thought you also being forced into an engagement…I was worried about your girl back home...”(Mark)

“”Awww””(Twins)

No, I don’t want to join the mother alliance like Mark...also, Kiel is not my girl...well, if she is my daughter or little sister, I will not reject her thought.

It seems like Mark always keep his eyes over the twins, making sure both are having enough sleep and nutrients. He even come over to washing clothes, cleaning, prepare the bed, cook...wait he really is the mother!?

After checking the warehouse for a moment and watching the twins doing their work, I decided to start walk back toward grampa mansion. I say my goodbye and activated my [Detector] skill to avoid Julia. The one thing that I didn’t realize is the fact that my skill only able to ‘avoid’ Julia but not her companion. I walk without any worries while imagining grampa’s face full of smile when he received the cake. Thing that I didn’t know about it at that time is I was about to enter the tiger den.

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