∗ ∗ ∗
“So this is Midrogue. It’s pretty busy for a frontier district. Seems like they’re growing,” Kuzan mused.
Merikur was similarly agape. “Yeah, I’m impressed. And the expressions on the demihumans’ faces here are way different than in Oraculum! Urizen really is great! Y’wanna settle down here?”
These carefree expressions, which she’d hardly seen in Oraculum, told her that the previous country they’d been in wasn’t a very good place. Kuzan felt guilty about that. Of course, he wasn’t to blame for the normal folk supremacism in Oraculum, but he was still employed by the government. Thus he still felt some responsibility for the country’s poor treatment of demihumans.
Nonetheless, Kuzan didn’t let his feelings show. “I don’t think I can do that. I’m here to look for my friend. But you can live here if you want. I bet a dwarf craftsman can get permanent residence pretty easily.” He’d be lonely without her, but if she liked the place that much, then so be it.
Merikur was bewildered. “F-For real?! I never got it in Oraculum, even after living in one of their towns for ten years!”
Now it was Kuzan’s turn to be surprised. “What, it was that bad? It wasn’t like that in Duke Olipiage’s territory...”
Oraculum was indeed very tough on demihumans, but that only applied to those who weren’t productive. Dwarves were treated relatively well because they were particularly skilled with their hands, especially with blacksmithing and in the industrial arts. There were also very stringent restrictions on travel in Olipiage territory, and Kuzan recalled there being various policies in place to prevent them from suddenly leaving the country. These travel limitations were probably only common in Olipiage territory.
Merikur resolved Kuzan’s confusion. “I lived in the Earl of Ermis’s territory. A lot of Oraculum’s dwarves live there!”
“Right, I’ve heard there are many dwarves there because of the booming mining and smithing industry. Is that where you come from?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m from Marquess Huebra’s territory,” she responded.
This made sense to Kuzan. “That’s where the headquarters of Oraculum’s blacksmith guild are, right? That sounds like a better place, so why did you go to the Earl of Ermis’s territory?”
“For training. There’s lots of blacksmith work around Marquess Huebra’s territory, but most of it is advanced and intricate stuff, like magic swords and armor. A dwarf who’s only got average skills isn’t any help with that. That’s why.”
“But you’re really talented!”
Kuzan had seen her skills firsthand on their travels when they had occasion to borrow a smithy in town. But apparently, she wasn’t fully confident in her own prowess yet.
Merikur replied, “I’m nowhere near good enough yet. Although, I think I’m on par with the foremen of your average smithy by now. Especially when it comes to infusing and engraving magic into tools.”
“Is that so? I guess the craftsman’s profession is a lifelong journey.”
“Exactly. Anyway, you really think I can get permanent residence in this town even at my level?”
Kuzan nodded. “I think it’d work out. From what I’ve seen, your work is first-class by normal folk standards. I bet they’d say the same wherever you went. Those top-tier master craftsmen are just off the charts.”
The dwarves who could forge superlative creations were referred to as master craftsmen. There were only a handful of these in Oraculum. For some reason, Merikur considered them as her benchmark, and thus undervalued her own skills.
“Huh, you really think? Guess I’ll skip the question of permanent residency for now and go check out the blacksmith’s guild to see if they’ll give me any work. Sounds like a good way to make money. Kuzan, you’re gonna stay here a while to look for your friend, yeah? We’ll need enough cash to get by in the meantime.”
Kuzan reacted with a wry smile. Merikur had been constantly considerate of Kuzan’s finances during their travels. She was a big eater, enough to make Kuzan’s cheeks blanch early in their travels. She’d started doing blacksmithing jobs to make up the difference, and had already fully repaid the money he’d had to spend on her. Even so, she hadn’t quit yet, seemingly still feeling an obligation toward him.
“I’ve told you before, you don’t have to earn enough for the both of us. I do have some travel savings...admittedly not a lot, but still.”
“Come on, don’t be modest! We’re pals, right? If you’re gonna look for your friend, then of course I’m gonna help out!”
Kuzan sensed that she wouldn’t let up about this easily, so he conceded for now. “Hmmm... Well, if you say so.”
“Okay! I’m off to the blacksmith’s guild. I can ask around for directions. How about you?”
“I’ll start by checking out the tavern. But first, we should find lodgings. Someplace that isn’t too expensive.”
“Oh, right. I almost forgot.”
And so the pair set off through the streets of Midrogue in search of an inn.