The war was over, and news of the attack on Ferrum spread throughout the Mirror World. The dwarves, who had been scattered throughout the Mirror World, hurriedly returned to their home, and the other races attentively monitored the situation.

“Move your asses, you traitors!”

“Ptooey! Goddamn shitheads!”

The dwarves of Clan Blue Anvil were transported in a single-file line, their hands cuffed to chains. Hadafu’s son, Kazafu, was one of them.

“This... can’t be...” he mumbled in disbelief, still in shock that his father had lost.

The war had destroyed the city, but Ferrum had returned to its original, beautiful condition because Bafor had used his skill, Will of Steel, to restore the city to its condition before the war.

“Phew, we would’ve been in big trouble if it weren’t for Lord Bafor.”

“That’s an understatement. We would’ve been dead by now.”

“I’ll say. If that meteor covering the sky had fallen on us, Ferrum would’ve been obliterated.”

Even now, the dwarves trembled when recalling the moment. They would have been wiped out if not for Steel King Bafor’s absolute control over metal—at least, that was what they thought.

***

The banquet hall in the Golden Iron Palace had been filled with people during the Faber conference, but only three people filled it at the moment. However, their auras were gigantic enough to fill not just the banquet hall, but the entire Golden Iron Palace.

“Hmm... I can’t think of anything,” Bafor remarked.

“Creo would never have shown mercy on us,” Floriana said.

“I have never witnessed such a sight,” Kang-San added.

Darkness loomed over their expressions because they still couldn’t figure out what had devoured the gigantic metal meteor.

“Well, let’s not worry about that. If someone indeed helped us, they will show themselves sooner or later.” Bafor waved his hand as if saying he would stop thinking about it. “More importantly, words of gratitude must come first. Lee Kang-San and Consul Floriana, thank you for helping to protect Ferrum.”

Floriana smiled and replied, “The Sēmen exists to maintain balance. Rather, the damages were too great because I arrived too late. I would like to apologize.”

“Don’t. The damages were indeed great, but... we should be grateful it ended at that with Orbis as our opponent.”

The three nodded. Orbis was one of the top five powers of the Mirror World. The extent of the damage was great, but it was nothing compared to what could have happened.

“But of course... such calculations could never assess the pain suffered by your people,” Kang-San remarked.

Bafor smiled sorrowfully and continued, “The dwarves are... strong. They will carry the sorrow and pain in their hearts and raise their hammers, using their sorrows for creation.”

“I sincerely hope so. After all... dwarves and humans are now allies, are they not?”

“Ahaha! You don’t have to emphasize it. My mind hasn’t changed. Rather, it should be consolidated.” Bafor’s eyes grew firmer as he continued, “It is best for the two races who have earned Orbis’s detest to join forces.”

He said inwardly, I had only sent that alliance proposal to keep my promise to Cheon Seong-Hwi, but it has now become the framework that strengthens the bond between dwarves and humans. I had not foreseen this, but... I’m relieved by the result.

Bafor had confirmed the Tortoise Emperor, Lee Kang-San’s true power through this war. Kang-San was not one to remain a lower World Ranker. Furthermore, humans were rapidly gaining power after reclaiming the fourth zone.

How much has their population risen? They need items, and we need manpower. Both races have much to gain from this alliance.

The cogs in Bafor’s head turned rapidly, and he mumbled, “He doesn’t need a better weapon than those swords... and he wouldn’t need armor with his tortoise armor. In that case...”

He stomped on the ground. A wave pulsed under him, and black boots rose from underground.

“Take these. Consider them the spoils of war,” he said.

[Contendo (Item)

Rank: S(3)

Description: The boots of a legendary adventurer who is said to have traveled throughout dimensions. Legends have it that his one step is equivalent to an average person’s ten thousand steps.]

Skill: Ten Thousand Steps]

“These are... Hadafu’s boots,” Kang-San said.

“Consul Floriana has decided to send Hadafu to Justitia to be interrogated. These are yours now,” Bafor replied.

“This item has S-rank potential... and an S-rank stat. Are you sure?”

Kang-San stared at Bafor. Aside from special exceptions, races usually never let other races have items with S-rank potential because they could be used against them in the future.

“Receiving help from a World Ranker should come with its corresponding reward,” Bafor said with a smile, signaling his desire to strengthen his friendship with Kang-San.

“In that case... I will gratefully accept it. It will likely take some time to actualize it,” Kang-San replied as he took the Contendo.

It was far too enticing an item to refuse.

Mobility was one of my inadequacies. This item will be of great help, he thought.

As Bafor and Kang-San looked at each other with a smile, Floriana said, “Hmm... speaking of rewards, a group of people worked together to stop Creo’s advent by breaking the angel statue, correct?”

They were Sarazza of Clan Affligo, Lilicia of Sefirot, and more.

“I have already invited them all to the Golden Iron Palace. I plan to reward them accordingly,” Bafor remarked.

“I wonder if the one who broke the angel statue will be alright,” Floriana remarked.

“Same here. I had heard the angels lost their minds...”

Bafor and Floriana simultaneously turned to Kang-San, who scratched his head and said, “Well... I’m sure he can take care of himself.”

He awkwardly smiled as he recalled Seong-Hwi and thought, It doesn’t look like you’ll ever have a peaceful day, Junior.

***

Sarazza, a Balrog of Clan Affligo, boasted of his accomplishments to his subordinates as they ate and drank senselessly, enjoying the lavish feast prepared for them.

“Gahaha! And then, I said, Open your eyes, yawn-grade angel! Are you still fucking sleeping?!”

“Wow, to a first-grade angel? I’d expect nothing less from you, Sir Sarazza!”

“Gehehe! After that, I smashed this Evening Star on the ground. The angels flew up to the sky as they pissed themselves!”

Seong-Hwi stood in a corner of the party hall, frowning as he looked down at his palm.

“Hmm...” he groaned.

What in the world is this thing? I thought it was garbage... he thought as he rolled around the Steel Rice Grain on his palm.

His only thought when the colossal meteor was falling toward the city was to escape the city as quickly as possible. However, as he was about to move, the tiny Steel Rice Grain flew out of his pocket and up to the sky and ate the colossal metal meteor larger than the city.

It’s made of metal, but... Muka couldn’t figure out what it was. In that case, I should ask a dwarf with greater Mineral Force.

As he was thinking, Gilder approached him and asked, “Yo, whatcha doing? What’s that?”

“A rice grain,” Seong-Hwi replied.

“A rice grain? Why are you just standing there with a rice grain in your hand like a weirdo when there’s so much food around you?”

“Can it.”

“Why are you putting it in your pocket? Are you saving it for later?” Gilder asked teasingly, and the fairies flying around him giggled.

“Forget that, did you defeat Kirasosa?” Seong-Hwi asked.

“Oh, yeah. I sent his head flying with my Prosthetic Arm of Conviction. Where the hell have you been going since the war was over?”

“Nowhere,” Seong-Hwi played off. His eyes shone as he asked, “So, did you find the Cintamani?”

“The Dragon Heart? Of course, I did. It was in his pocket. Here it is.” Gilder grabbed a spherical gem the size of a fist from his pocket, shining with a mystical green light. “The dead Selfinus Canhel was a green dragon. Since he was ninety-second in the dragon ranking, he was probably stronger than an inferior race High Ranker.”

He repeatedly threw the Dragon Heart up in the air and caught it, continuing, “If this thing went to Spartoi of Clan Dragon Teeth... Urgh, I don’t even wanna think about it. He would have oppressed Vindicta even more strongly than he already is. We’re in the middle of electing a new queen by—”

“Can I have that?” Seong-Hwi interjected. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

“What?” Gilder blinked in confusion. “Only a dragon can use this thing. We were going to dispose of it.”

“Even better. If you’re going to throw it away, then just give it to me.”

Gilder met eyes with the fairies flying around him, who also tilted their heads in confusion.

“I’m fine with it as long as it doesn’t fall into Spartoi’s hands, but... what are you gonna do with it?” he asked.

“You could call it a gift. Anyway, I won’t be giving it to a dragon, so rest assured.”

“Keh, you have too many secrets. Anyway... I trust you. But can you do something for me in exchange? Here,” Gilder said as he threw the Dragon Heart at Seong-Hwi, who caught it and put it in his pocket.

Just then, as Seong-Hwi was casually looking around, he noticed a dwarf holding flowers walking past the party hall.

“Hm?” Seong-Hwi expressed.

“As I was saying, I’d appreciate it if you could help me with electing the new—”

“Just a second, Gilder. Let’s talk later.” He ran past Gilder out of the party hall.

“W-what? Hey! Where are you going?!” Gilder stared at Seong-Hwi’s back in confusion and mumbled, “Hah, that son of a bitch! He gets what he wants and plays dumb when I need something from him?”

“Stupid baldy!”

“You got played, octopus!”

“Guys! The First Knight isn’t just a baldy! He said he’s a baldy for fashion!”

“What? That’s even weirder!”

The fairies made fun of Gilder after being left behind by Seong-Hwi.

“Huuu... Fuck my life...”

***

“Lady Lilar!” Seong-Hwi shouted.

“Hm?” A female dwarf with white hair and green eyes, walking down a hallway, turned around. “Do I know you?”

“I am Cheon Seong-Hwi, a human.”

“Oh! You’re...” Lilar trailed off as her eyes widened, encountering the one who had separated the Chaos from her.

Seong-Hwi remained on alert despite waving at Lilar with a smile.

They’re powerful, he thought, his senses detecting the hidden dwarf warriors.

“Where are you headed?” he asked.

“To the backyard,” Lilar replied.

“The backyard?”

“Yes. That is where... Yadir’s grave is.”

Seong-Hwi stared intently at the flowers in Lilar’s hands. They were white chrysanthemums.

“May I accompany you? I would like to ask you something,” he said.

“Of course. Follow me.”

Lilar walked ahead. Seong-Hwi could feel the fabricated calmness of an individual suppressing their sadness from her back.

He mentioned, “I heard he was your fiancé.”

Lilar nodded. “He was. I called off our engagement, but Yadir couldn’t accept it.”

“You called it off?”

“Yes, as soon as I became the priestess. Of course, he didn’t understand why.” The flowers rustled, likely because Lilar’s grip tightened. She continued, “I told Yadir that I no longer exist for personal happiness, but for our race’s future.”

“The race’s future...” Seong-Hwi mumbled, wondering if it was due to the priestess being the only one who could light the Artisan’s Soul.

The secret might be the thing embedded in her heart. Could it be?

However, he was not foolish enough to blurt out what he was thinking.

As he remained silent, Lilar continued, “Even after that, Yadir still couldn’t accept it. He became one of the shrine guards tasked to protect me, and continued to do his best to change my mind.”

Seong-Hwi and Lilar arrived at the backyard where several steel burial mounds were lined up. On the tombstone of the endmost mound was written: Here lies Yadir Biju, a man who demonstrated the power of love.

Lilar set down the flowers in front of Yadir’s grave and remained silent momentarily. Then, she remarked, “Yadir kept trying... for years. I thought the only way to make him understand was to tell him the truth.”

“The truth?”

“Yes. There is a secret that only my father and I know, and I told him the secret to make him give up on me. However, I never could have imagined it would come back as a wretched tragedy.”

Lilar closed his eyes. She had told Yadir that she had become one with the dwarves' Race Stone. However, a Bachtasha-rank Chaos had been in hiding, listening to their conversation.

“Soon after, that Chaos monster attacked the Golden Iron Palace and massacred the shrine guards. All except for Yadir,” she said.

She still remembered what the Bachtasha-rank Chaos had said as it cackled.

— Yahaha! Stupid dwarf! Since you fulfilled your role as a spy magnificently, I’ll spare you!

After hearing that, his guilt of unknowingly forcing Lilar’s hand to expose such valuable information and being the only one left alive, agonized him without rest.

“In the end... that sense of responsibility seemed to have activated the Elixir,” Lilar said as her lips trembled.

Seong-Hwi stared silently at Lilar, and then mumbled, “Responsibility, huh? I don’t see it that way.”

“Pardon?”

“One could never lay down their life with such determination with responsibility alone. It must have been... love.” Seong-Hwi examined the words on Yadir’s tombstone and continued, “I don’t believe Yadir sacrificed himself because of a sense of responsibility for his people, or guilt. He simply wished for your future.”

“My... future?”

“Laying down one’s future for the sake of another’s... What else could that be but love?”

Truthfully, Seong-Hwi did not know what love was. However, if there were meaning to that word, it would surely include Yadir’s brave sacrifice.

Lilar bit her lip, and the tears she had been holding back poured out. “Yadir... There is no way I’d be happy with... a future without you! You idiot...”

She kneeled before Yadir’s grave in tears. Seong-Hwi simply protected her in silence from behind. After some time passed, Lilar calmed down, and her green eyes shone with determination.

“Yadir, my beloved fiancé. I will cherish this life you’ve extended. If we ever meet in the afterlife, please marry me. Even if you say no, I will chase you to the ends of the afterlife until you say yes.”

***

Once Lilar finished mourning for Yadir, Seong-Hwi brought up what he had followed her for.

“Do you think you could find out what this is, Lady Lilar?” he asked as he brought forward the Steel Rice Grain on his palm.

Lilar stared at Seong-Hwi and asked, “What is it?”

“I’m not sure either. That is why I am asking you, who has the purest Mineral Force out of every dwarf I’ve met. Perhaps purer than Lord Bafor’s...”

Lilar stared oddly at Seong-Hwi and grabbed the Steel Rice Grain. The Artisan’s Soul blazed beautifully and enveloped the Steel Rice Grain. Her eyes widened soon after.

“This is...” she trailed off.

— Why doesn’t Daddy play with me?

— Pwoo! I’m hungry...

— Having lots isn’t enough! I wanna eat yummy stuff!

— I need nutritious food. I’ll become stronger quickly so I can devour all of Daddy’s nightmares!

— Daddy pushes himself too hard!

The cute voice of a mischievous child who cared deeply for its daddy echoed from the Steel Rice Grain.