Chapter 376 – Money Making Time.

“Congratulations, Boss. It was a long time coming, I was starting to feel bad for the missus.”

“I suppose it was. I can’t quite explain why I delayed it for so long…”

“Hehe… but, um…”

“Hm? Is something on your mind? You do appear a bit pale. Are you sure you’re getting enough sleep?”

“I’m okay, I do get sufficient sleep… It’s just that my wife now wants one too…”

“Wants one?”

Merely a day had elapsed since Roland presented the ring to Elodia, and here he was, back to diligent work. This world had a similar engagement system before marriage. Only after going through a ceremony performed by a priest would it be regarded as complete. Bernir had followed this tradition with Dyana, holding a small ceremony at a nearby church, and Roland had even attended as a witness. Now, it seemed it was his turn to step into the spotlight.

He didn’t personally witness the culmination of the criminals’ sentences. As per tradition, their severed heads would be exhibited in the city. While somewhat barbaric, it was a measure favored by nobles to deter acts of violence. Thieves sometimes faced the amputation of digits for stealing, or injuries inflicted upon their tendons to impair their ability to flee. The world was still a cruel place, yet after addressing the recent challenges, it seemed a bit less bleak.

“Yes that shiny thing.”

“The engagement ring?”

“Yes, that thing! It’s the only thing she’s been blabbering about! The missus has been showing it of around the whole city since she got it.”

“Oh, has she?”

Roland found himself somewhat taken aback upon learning that Elodia, who typically exuded order and restraint, had made such a decision. It was likely there were nuances to the situation that Bernir hadn’t fully disclosed, yet Roland didn’t dwell on it too much. Given his influential reputation and the recent high-profile execution, it was improbable that anyone would dare attempt to pilfer the ring from his fiancée’s possession.

“So, did your wife want one too?”

“Of course she did! Now I have to make one… so uh…”

“I’m not giving you a raise, maybe if you didn’t spend so much on wine you’d have some saved up.”
Bernir’s expression contorted with disappointment, his midsection wobbling a touch as he did so. Since finding prosperity at the smithy, the half-dwarf had developed a taste for indulging in alcohol. His active routine at the smithy helped counteract most of the caloric excesses but it couldn’t handle it all. Despite his robustly muscular arms and legs, a sizeable paunch was amassing in the region of his belly. A testament to his fondness for drink, this rotund bulge seemed to expand in proportion to his drinking.

“Engagement rings are usually used by nobility or rich merchants… isn’t it already a bit late, you already have a child and all?”

“That’s what I said! But then she just gave me that look…”

His assistant appeared visibly disheartened, possibly due to his wife feeling excluded. It seemed her close friends had received something she hadn’t. Both Dyana and Elidia lacked an extensive friend circle. Their lives were often consumed by work, carried seamlessly from one task to the next. Elodia shouldered the responsibility of overseeing the orphanage, while Dyana managed her independent smithy within the city. Her smithy’s operations remained separate from his magic shop, allowing her to retain the entirety of her earnings from sales.

“How about we do this… There are probably some precious metals that we didn’t really use. You don’t need that much for a ring, just make one yourself and I’ll help you with the enchantment and the gem?”

“You would do that boss?”

“Sure, if it just gets you to start working normally.”

“You’re the best boss in the whole world! I’ll never forget this!”

The ring Roland had bestowed upon Elodia held a unique quality: a runic enchantment imbued within its design. Roland had a tendency to worry, so he decided to put a spell on the ring that was sort of like a tracking charm. Elodia was aware of this and didn’t mind. The ring could measure her stress levels and heart rate, and if something happened, Roland would be alerted quickly.

There was also a fun feature: the ring could take a few still pictures. When activated, a light would shine from the gem, creating a holographic image of the stored pictures. Accompanied by a sweet tune, it was a gift Elodia really liked, and it was something that other women might enjoy too. Maybe Bernir’s wife just wanted something like that to show off, and maybe it could even become a product that could be sold later on.

“Yeah, sure… Now don’t drop the prototype, this thing costs more than a gold ring. Those union dwarves will also complain if they even see one scratch.”

“Aye, I got it.”

The pair was managing an upgraded variant of a spider golem, a creation enhanced beyond the norm. Some of the parts were actually produced with the help of the Union. Despite the dwarve’s renowned stubbornness, their mastery in crafting metallic parts surpassed all. Roland’s task primarily involved drafting schematics and the rest was executed by them with remarkable exactness. Following a comprehensive review of every detail, the measurements deviated by less than a mere millimeter from his specifications.

This would actually be their first real joint endeavor. Finally, after having to perform his knightly duties it was time to work as a craftsman again. Roland was hoping to gain manufacturing insights by studying his former adversaries and perhaps enriching his underground workshop in the process. Brylvia, a Runesmith herself, presented an opportunity for learning. She would be helping him with this new prototype he had desiccated a few nights too.

‘I’ll get a good idea of how the other Runesmiths stand if I observe her…’

The completed prototype was carefully placed inside a sturdy box, marking the end of their work in the underground workshop. With their task complete, the two individuals finally departed from the underground. The span of a few weeks had brought substantial changes, a testament to their dedication and progress. To no surprise, a waiting carriage stood nearby, ready to transport the package to the dwarven union. In the past, they would have had to personally deliver such items to cut costs, but now their efforts were recognized and supported.

As they ventured further, Roland admired the ongoing expansion of his compound, with Agni, now a tier 3 monster, diligently keeping watch over the area. With this upgrade in security, there was little cause for concern. Additionally, the turrets were being upgraded, ensuring that threats like anti-magic powder would soon be rendered insignificant.

“Ah this is the life, I still remember having to use that old handcart in the beginning.”

“I made you that runic cart later though…”

“Hehe, aye that thing saved me a lot of time and effort.”

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Bernir observed as the two dwarves diligently packed the large box containing the golem. It was a sign that they had finally earned the respect they deserved. However, both men understood that maintaining this newfound recognition required continuous hard work. They were well aware of their relationship with the union – as long as they consistently produced high-quality products, they would retain their contract and receive the necessary assistance.