Chapter 561

The Dragon’s Materials
(Hmm. So you want my materials, as a farewell gift for the one who has long served as your escort?)

"Yes. I thought you might have some good materials, Lord Dragon."

(To so casually seek dragon materials—truly, you are the master of Tarachnathos. Normally I would say, take them by force if you can… but there is no way I could win against Tarachnathos. Take as much as you like. They’re nothing but a pile of useless things to me anyway.)

"Thank you very much!"

Yes! Dragon materials, acquired!
Now, what’s in the stash?

The dragon’s materials were apparently stored in a cave behind him.
When I went to look, there were heaps of scales and hides, along with a few piles of gold and silver treasure.
I don’t really need the treasure though.

"Lord Dragon, may I take these scales and hides?"

(I don’t mind. They’re just the scales and hides that shed naturally. But to process them, you’ll need craftsmen of considerable skill.)

"I’ve already found skilled craftsmen! And, I’m also looking for fantasy metals!"

(Fantasy metals… fantasy metals… Ah, master of Tarachnathos, by that you mean what humans call ‘Orichalcum,’ ‘Adamantite,’ or ‘Hihi’irokane,’ yes?)

"Eh? Probably. Well, that’s basically right."

(If a small amount is enough, I have some. Take it. And if you need a forge for working it, come to this volcano. Long ago, some eccentric blacksmith built a smithy here, and the facilities still remain.)

Hmm, an eccentric blacksmith?
When I asked for more details, he told me that indeed, long ago, a craftsman came to this mountain to build a forge specifically for working fantasy metals.
The craftsman apparently wasn’t much fazed even when meeting the dragon, and instead deepened their friendship over drinks.
In time, the craftsman grew too old and left this place, but the unused fantasy metals were left behind.
The dragon took over their safekeeping, with instructions to pass them on should another eccentric wander into these mountains.
… Well, it’s true, anyone coming to a place like this must be eccentric.

(That was the sort of man he was. So, would you like to see the forge?)

"Yes, please."

(Very well. This way.)

The dragon led the way with his massive body, down into a cave where magma flowed.
Looking closely, there was a path just wide enough for people to walk along, leading deeper inside.
Pretty dangerous, honestly.

And then, after passing through the cave, we emerged outside the mountain.
Not on a slope, but on a jutting rock ledge.
There, by a pool of magma, stood a small building, with the dragon waiting beside it.
So this was the forge.

(Here it is. As for which ores remain and how much, I don’t know. Check for yourselves and take what you like.)

"Yes, thank you very much."

After thanking him, I went inside.
Right away, it opened into a forge.
Though dusty from neglect, it was well stocked with sturdy smithing tools.
Now then, the fantasy metals I was looking for…

"Lady Lily. Over there is a warehouse. Inside are ores that appear to be fantasy metals. But…"

It was unusual for Modalfas to trail off like that.
What had he found?

"Honestly, the amount is… quite large. We’ve split up with everyone from the Dark Green Sprout to check the purity, but many of the ores seem fairly high-grade."

Yep.
Looks like the fantasy metal problem is solved.

What do you think about this chapter?