The heavy steps inside the hut did not rush even after Ludwig knocked on the door. That's the constant in this hut together with the sound of metal meeting another metal.
When the door finally opened, it swung with the same heavy motion as always Greito filled the doorway, his horns nearly brushed the top of the frame. His eyes landed on Ludwig first, irritation clearly already half-formed.
But when his eyes shifted to the side, the irritation on his face also changed.
"You brought someone." Greito said, tone flat.
"Yep" Ludwig answered simply as he brushed some dust off his coat as if they had arrived for tea.
Claire stepped forward just enough to be seen properly. "Hello there, My name is Claire."
Greito's gaze lingered on her. Though, it held no suspicions whatsoever. It was just there to measure her. After a moment, he stepped aside. "Get in before someone sees the hero in my doorway."
Ludwig could feel Claire's eyebrows raised at those words, but he just chuckled and walked in.
Whenever he came to bother Greito, stepping into his house was one of his favourite things to do. From the outside, the hut was a modest one with timber walls reinforced with brick as well as moss that were creeping along the edges. And with the smoke rising from a single chimney, it really looked like the dwelling of a craftsman who preferred isolation.
But inside, it was something else entirely.
The ceiling stretched high enough to accommodate Greito's full height without stooping. Thick beams crossed overhead, darkened by time and smoke. The walls were lined with sturdy wooden cabinets and weapon racks, most of them occupied.
To the left stood a long wooden table built to withstand weight. The surface carried faint scars from many of his creations that need late-night adjustments. Three oversized mugs rested near one end.
On the far wall, shelves held bundles of treated wood, stacks of shaped stone blocks, and coils of metal rods. Some were half-finished constructs like hinges, brackets, and reinforced joints.
Further inside, past a wide archway, was the kitchen area. Large counters built at Greito's height. Hanging racks filled with iron pans and heavy tools. A forge was installed along the rear wall, banked but not fully extinguished. The faint scent of heated metal lingered in the air, blending with woodsmoke.
And like the restaurant, the interior had been expanded through space manipulation. The edges of the room carried the subtle distortion Ludwig recognized. Greito had not been subtle about asking for the spell back then.
Ludwig stepped forward, boots hitting the reinforced planks. Claire paused just a fraction behind him, her eyes scanning the widened interior. No visible reaction, but she took in the impossible proportions immediately.
Greito closed the door and secured the latch before walking past them.
"You are staring." He said without turning.
"It's still one of my better works." Ludwig replied lightly. "I'm allowed to admire it."
"Hmph."
Greito moved toward the large table instead of the sofas near the hearth.
That was new. Which meant Greito already knew that whatever conversation he brought to his home right now wouldn't be as simple as conversation when he came alone. Smart guy, really.
But as Ludwig and Claire sat, Greito remained standing on the other side of the table, broad shoulders squared, one hand resting flat against the scarred wood. The light behind him cast long shadows along the beams overhead, carving deeper lines into his already stern expression.
"You did not come here for idle talk." He said flatly.
"When have I ever come here for idle talk?"
Greito's stare did not soften. "When you want to irritate me."
Claire did not interrupt. She simply folded her hands on her lap, posture straight, gaze steady.
Ludwig let out a quiet chuckle and then lifted his hand and the air beside the table parted without noise. Several ingots slid out and settled onto the table one by one. Silver first. Then common steel. Then a darker, denser alloy.
After that, come the Mithril and finally, a piece of Magisteel.
Greito's eyes moved over them. But, he did not reach immediately. However, the hut still plunged into a deep silence.
At last, he reached forward. The first piece he picked up was the silver. He turned it once in his thick fingers. Then he pressed a measured current of mana into it. Greito's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
"Surface chatter." He murmured. "Refined, but not deeply."
Ludwig nodded, though inside, he had no idea what he was talking about. But as someone who had experienced the society, sometimes nodding heads in topics they didn't know was the way to go.
Greito set the silver down with deliberate care and reached for the common steel next. This time, when his mana entered it, the response was uneven. The current shifted slightly off-center before stabilizing.
Greito's brow tightened.
"This one carries residue." He observed. "Energy imprint not native to mana."
Ludwig smiled. This one, he knew how to react. "Well… Their world has something like mana but different. They called it magicule, so maybe what you felt was it."
Greito grunted softly at that. Seemed like he didn't need any additional explanation from him.
The darker alloy followed. Only after he's done with it did he check the Mithril. Greito's eyes narrowed before he pressed harder. The Mithril adjusted, shifting under the influence of his mana before finding a stable alignment.
"This one have quite a charachter." He said quietly.
Ludwig watched him carefully.
Greito pressed again, this time pushing a different attribute signature into it. The metal responded again, not resisting, but reorienting itself to match the dominant pressure.
"This is not Ortus Mithril." He concluded.
"No."
"It adapts to alignment." Greito continued. "It does not anchor by saturation."
"Magicule-born," Ludwig said.
Greito turned the ingot once more in his hand.
"In Ortus, Mithril forms in dense mana fields. The lattice is disciplined by constant pressure. This…" He tapped the Tempest Mithril lightly against the table. "This was born in a shifting environment."
He placed it down with measured care.
"For weapons, that adaptability can be useful. For structures, not so much."
Ludwig did not disagree at all. He knew doing so would only brought him a sneer.
Finally, Greito lifted the Magisteel.
The difference was immediate. When his mana entered it, the energy did not reorient or flow through. It just sank into it.
Greito's posture shifted subtly before he increased the output. Yet, the Magisteel just absorbed more.
"This one... It stored mana." He said, voice lower now.
"Yes." Ludwig answered. "From what I heard from blacksmith over there, that thing accumulates and will releases under stress."
Greito struck it lightly with his knuckle. Then finally, he set it beside the Tempest Mithril and looked at the row again.
"Seems like these Magicule metals adapt." He said slowly. "They follow dominant alignment in the field. That creates instability when multiple attributes interact."
His finger tapped the Magisteel.
"But this one, it compensates by absorption."
Then he looked at Ludwig.
"So… is this all?"
Ludwig chuckled at his words, after all it could be interpreted into two things, Greito asking whether he brought more metals or he asked whether the alloys was the reason he came. But rather than answering straight, because it's no fun, Ludwig first plunged his hands into his Storage Dimension and brought out some hot coffee.
Once he gave two mugs to Claire and Greito and poured one for himself, he started. "So, all of the metals I brought are good for making weapons?"
Greito crosshed his arms in front of his chest, then he grunted. "If you can bring me more of that absorbing metal, it will be good. But without it, all of them are inferior to what we have here."
"I see." Ludwig nodded. "But what if it's a weapon that doesn't care for mana attributes?"
Greito's eyes glinted at the question before he looked back at the metals. "If that's the case, it will be a good base. Like those weapons for new adventurers who hadn't unlocked their attribute. Why do you ask?"
"Here's the thing, my friend…" Ludwig's tone shifted, it went an octave lower.
"There's a world where the people's mana didn't develop an attribute no matter how strong they became. However, just with pure mana alone, they could do what the top fighters in this world do.
"And the place I got those alloys from is a city governed by monsters."
"Monsters?" He asked.
"Yes. They are not human even when some resemble humans. But one thing is clear, whether you are an Orc, a Goblin, a Dragonewt, or a Slime. You won't be looked down upon there."
Greito's eyes went wide as he heard Ludwig's answer. It seemed like he finally understood where Ludwig was going with the conversation.
"You are saying…" Greito muttered.
"Yes… I have asked the leader there to take you guys. Do you think the others will agree to my proposition?"
Greito did not answer immediately. His broad hand rested on the table near the Tempest Mithril, fingers lightly tapping the wood without rhythm. The metals lay between them like evidence, like witnesses to something larger than metallurgy.
"You have asked the leader there to take us." He repeated slowly. Not accusing. Not surprised. Just confirming the shape of the decision.
"Yes." Ludwig answered without hesitation.
"And they agreed."
"He did."
Greito's gaze shifted briefly to Claire before returning to Ludwig.
"You negotiated what, exactly?"
"Just the usual. Labor integration, residential allocation, and freedom. Of course, inside the line they have set up." Ludwig shrugged.
Greito's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Freedom, huh?" He repeated.
"Yes, no one from the village will be forcefully conscripted." Ludwig said evenly. "No forced military service, no stripping of names, no dissolution of family units. They will enter as residents and will become one forever until they decide otherwise."
"And in exchange?" Greito pressed.
"Like I said, labor contribution." Ludwig replied. "As long as it benefit the place, I'm sure their leader will help you. They need skilled hands."
Greito leaned back slightly, weight shifting from his palm to his heels.
"You speak as if this is already decided."
"It is decided," Ludwig said calmly. "I just haven't informed you yet."
Greito's jaw tightened faintly.
"You have helped us before." He said.
"Yes."
"And you will help us again?"
"Yes. But this time, with better conditions."
Silence settled heavily over the table. Claire set her mug down carefully, the sound soft but deliberate.
"The difference." she said, voice steady and measured, "Is that this time you guys will not be hidden."
Greito's gaze moved to her fully now.
Props to Claire, she did not flinch.
"From what I heard from Ludwig." She continued, "You guys are just surviving here, not living. Both trade routes and opportunities pass you. That means, the children will inherit the isolation."
Greito's expression sharpened.
"And this nation of monsters?"
"Tempest is what the nation's called." Claire said. "They are recognized and connected. They trade with dwarven kingdoms and negotiate with human nations. In other words, they expand openly."
Greito's eyes flickered once at that.
"Human nations?" He questioned.
"Yes." Claire replied. "And they are not and will not be conquered."
The minotaur's fingers curled slightly against the table.
"You are certain this Tempest will not collapse under pressure?" He asked, this time directing the question at Ludwig.
Ludwig looked at Greito with calm eyes, then he smirked. "Well, I can't be sure about that."
He then leaned closer to the minotaur and spoke in low tone.
"But I can assure you this: If someone or something decides to attack the Tempest that housed you guys, I'll help them. Because you know, my movement there will not cause as much ripple as my movement here."
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