Chapter 100: Art?

The dwarf who had come to the second home garden was apparently named Wide.

Like Io-san, he had reportedly crossed the so-called “Sea of Death Trees,” a place notorious as a magical wilderness.

…Could it be that it’s actually surprisingly easy to get through? No, more likely it’s just that these two are unusually exceptional.

“Actually, I was driven out of my village,” Wide began, a hint of resignation in his voice. “I had no choice but to set out on a journey.”

“Driven out…? What did you do?” I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.

“Nothing particularly serious. I merely made some personal use of the village’s adamantite.”

“…Huh?”

Adamantite was an incredibly rare metal. Surely, using it without permission would earn the wrath of any village.

“You used it for weapons or armor, then?”

“No. I am, believe it or not, one of the finest blacksmiths in the village. Had it been for that, I wouldn’t have been expelled.”

“Wait… then, what did you use it for…?”

When I asked, Wide puffed out his chest and declared with pride,

“For art!”

Art…?

I blinked in confusion. Wide, noticing my bewilderment, bristled with indignation.

“Honestly, the villagers are so narrow-minded that they cannot appreciate true art! What use is there in forging weapons and armor that seldom see action? It is far more valuable to create works of art that stir the soul, that move the hearts of those who behold them!”

I had always assumed that dwarves were obsessed with blacksmithing, but apparently, tastes varied wildly.

“Uh… by the way, what exactly did you make?” I asked, trying to sound casually interested.

“Oh! You’re curious!?” Wide’s eyes lit up.

He seemed to possess a magical bag, much like Rilcaria’s, and from it he confidently produced his “masterpiece.”

“Behold! This is art!”

…This is art?

I stared at it, utterly bewildered. The object before me made no immediate sense.

It was enormous—about two meters wide and two meters tall. Various sticks of differing lengths were haphazardly intertwined, forming a chaotic, nest-like structure.

On its own, one might think, “Oh, a giant bird’s nest,” but upon closer inspection, every stick’s tip was carved into a bird’s head. And these birds… their eyes and beaks were wide open, as if frozen in terror.

To put it bluntly, it was frightening… and grotesque.

Still, I couldn’t bring myself to say so aloud. I searched desperately for words, but none came. Wide seemed to interpret my silence as awe and declared with triumphant fervor,

“A magnificent work, isn’t it? Those who understand will recognize its value!”

“…Y-Yes, of course,” I stammered.

I understood absolutely nothing.

“This supreme work required adamantite,” Wide continued proudly.

What!? You used adamantite… for this!? All of it… made of adamantite!?

…No wonder the village expelled him.

“My art must endure for future generations,” Wide declared with unshakable confidence. “It must not break, deteriorate, or suffer damage under any circumstances!”

Yet the villagers, he raged, were outraged at the “waste” of such precious material.

…Honestly, I have to side with the villagers here.

“However, I knew it was time to leave. In that closed-off village, my talent could never grow any further.”

“Uh… I see,” I muttered.

“Ah, you understand me,” he said, beaming.

No, I really don’t.

“I am now preparing for my next piece while gathering materials. But finding adamantite… it is no easy task,” he sighed deeply, clearly frustrated at the scarcity of the metal he needed.

…Even the villagers probably don’t have easy access to adamantite. I pity them for having their precious metal wasted on incomprehensible art. Perhaps they were quietly relieved to see him go.

“Thus, I may have no choice but to sneak back into the village and take what is stored there…”

“Please, don’t!” I exclaimed.

“For art, a little risk is nothing!”

No, I’m not worried about you—I’m worried about the villagers!

“Since I was expelled, I may as well take it all…”

Oh no. His eyes… they’re deadly serious. At this rate, he could genuinely do it.

For the sake of strangers in that village, I sighed and intervened.

“Adamantite, right? I happen to have some.”

“What!? R-Really!?” Wide’s eyes widened in shock.

“Uh, careful—ouch!”

Suddenly, he grabbed my shoulder, his massive face looming close. Too much strength…!

“Geo!”

At that moment, a shadow intervened, calling my name. It was Io-san.

“Why are you here…?”

“I heard a tremendous noise and came to check it out!”

Apparently, she had heard the same thunderous sound as I had, when Wide-san had charged the magical barrier.

“You dwarf! Step away from Geo!” she shouted.

“Huh? Oh! My apologies, I… just got carried away,” Wide said, realizing he had nearly crushed my shoulder. He quickly released me.

“Ouch…”

“Are you okay, Geo?”

“Yes, just a little sore,” I replied.

“Huh? Sore… my… butt?”

“This dwarf! How dare you touch my Geo!?”

“Wait, Io-san, nothing happened!” I tried to explain.

And “my Geo”? What on earth…?

I managed to calm her down and explained the situation. Once the misunderstanding cleared, she said,

“Good. Seems I jumped to conclusions.”

“Y-Yes,” I muttered.

“But… hypothetically… Geo, you don’t happen to like wild, untamed types, do you?”

“…Excuse me?”

I had no idea what she was talking about.