Our next destination was approximately a quarter-hour walk away. We walked to the western side of the village while occasionally making idle chatter about the place and various nearby stores and people. Zack looked a bit wary of the people around us, though he didn’t mention it. Not thinking much about the matter, I also chose not to mention it and dismissed it as me overthinking things. Passing by a variety of stores and houses, we eventually reached our destination.

We stopped before a small house made up entirely of stone, even the roof. A dense tint of black colored the windows, as if curtains were closed shut. Meanwhile, smoke of the same colour billowed from the chimney. Sounds of metal striking metal rang out in the nearby area.

Walking up to the door, I knocked on it a few times.

After a few minutes of wait, the door creaked open and clouds of black smoke gushed out like flowing water. A smell of burning wood filled the area in an instant, making me retch a little.

From within the smoke, a muscular man with an oddly short stature — barely half a head taller than me — walked out covered in soot. He smelled a mixture of burnt wood, sweat, and whatnot. He wore a shirt and jeans with an apron with a tool belt on top of it. His white beard — now dyed black with soot — flowed down his face, hiding within the backdrop of his apron. Gloves covered his hands and a cap pointing backwards rested atop his head. He removed the glasses he wore before swinging it around to get rid of the soot.

Living in such a place and not even gagging half-a-bit, he is a dwarf, alright.

“Hello, Uncle Kyle!” despite the urge to empty my stomach a moment ago, a smile broke out on my face as I greeted the man.

“How’s it goin’, young man?” he asked, greeting me back. After saying that, he pointed to Zack as he asked, “And who’s the lad beside you? And why is he all patched up?”

“It’s going good, Uncle Kyle. About him…” I pondered over what to say for a moment before continuing, “He’s the one about whom all those talks are about.”

“Looking at him, he doesn’t seem as bad as rumours describe. Rather, he looks like any other normal kid,” he said while pondering. “Maybe it’s just another plot of that fatso. I pity that fatso’s father, to be honest. He is much better than his son.”

Zack seemed like he wanted to say something, but he held back. Remembering I hadn’t made the introductions, I amended my oversight.

“Ah, my bad, I forgot to introduce you two properly. Uncle Kyle, He’s called…” I paused for a bit before continuing. “He’s called Zack and is the son of one of my father’s old friends.”

“I see,” Uncle Kyle replied, as he nodded.

Turning to the nodding dwarf, I spoke, “This is Kyle Wyndham. He’s one of dad’s old-time friends and the best blacksmith in the village in terms of craftsmanship, if not the world.”

“Such flattery… might even bring tears to the eyes of the ones who do this all day if they look at your skill in this,” Mr. Kyle said in a chiding tone while a smile still hung on his face.

Heh, he caught on. Still, he seems to be taking it in strides… Let’s probe a bit more. Clicking my tongue internally, I scratched my chin.

I continued explaining to Zack while sneaking an occasional glance at Uncle Kyle, “My father said that the things he makes are the best, both in terms of quality and effectiveness. If not for the fact that he doesn’t enchant things anymore, he probably would rank as number one artificer in the world.”

Alright, he seems to be taking the bait. A little more… Though better play it safe in case it backfires.

“Enough, you little brat. Tell me your business,” Mr. Kyle said.

“About that…” I turned my head to the side before replying, “Nothing much, just showing him around.”

“Seems you don’t want that armour anymore. I almost broke the damn thing after being startled by that knock. Well, we decided that rest of the material is mine,” Mr. Kyle said while giving me a glare.

He is a dwarf alright. He won’t destroy the thing he worked on in a fit of rage, right? But he is he, and wouldn’t have any qualms about it so it could be… A chill crept down my spine the more I thought.

“Now, leave and don’t disturb me. For like, next four months or something.” His voice was full of wrath and the hammer hanging from his belt glinted ominously, despite being covered in soot. As if remembering something, his brows jumped as he said, “Ah, and on the note of that armour, what the heck is that black rod of rock made up of? It broke four of my grinders. Four. Just how the heck am I supposed to work on it? Do you know how expensive they were? It won’t be easy to replace them. It costs a lot, you know. I’ll be returning that abomination to your father. And that maggot better treat this lord better. While at it, your father, how’s he doing?”

Seems that making a sword from that thing is still a no go. Well, it was just a dream, so it’s already good enough that he went to such an extent. I sighed internally.

Regaining my composure, I replied, “He is doing fine. Yesterday some things happened, but it looks like mom pacified him. After that, he seemed a lot better than the past few months. I just wish he could get well soon.”

“Lucky bastard,” Uncle Kyle clicked his tongue. “Aria is wasted on a moron like him. He can’t even see what he’s doing. How the heck did she manage to fall for such an idiot?”

With a cough, I asked, “*Cough!* anyway, how’s Glenn doing?” I asked. “And where’s he? I’d like both Zack and Glenn to meet.”

“About that,” Uncle Kyle’s tone turned proud. “My Kyle got into an institution in capital for his skill in mechanics, being the first in his field, of course. He left a few days ago. Hehe, envious?”

“Not one bit. I am happy that he can realise his dream,” I replied. “Besides, I get to leave soon as well.”

“Good for you, brat. This little village is a small place for youngsters like you all.” Mr. Kyle snorted before saying, “Now, if there’s nothing else, I’d like to get back to my work. That armour won’t build itself. And remember to take that piece of rock as far away from my sight as possible. I never want to see it again. Never. I say.”

“Okay… Uncle, I’ll take it with me when I leave. See you soon!” I said while sighing before taking Zack and turning right the path we came from, going straight into the forest.