Chapter 226

Chapter 226
Lion extended his hand and inspected the gemstone.

『Cosmic Crystal (★★★★)』

-An exquisite synthetic gem that radiates more brilliantly than the night sky.

-Goodness, even someone entirely unaccustomed to evaluating treasures would be spellbound by a jewel of this magnitude.

-This artifact remains unfinished.

The glowing gemstone nestled within his palm matched the immense scale its appearance implied.

Most notably, the fact that it possessed four stars despite being incomplete was extraordinary.

‘This is a first for me.’

Artifacts rated at four stars frequently emerged from Lion’s hands.

The initial creation was the tailored suit set he crafted alongside Andri, followed most recently by the Chardol Doenjang Stew.

However, an item crafted with a four-star ingredient…

‘Never happened before.’

Lion swallowed hard.

Without a doubt, utilizing this component would yield something magnificent.

Though the exact form it might take remained uncertain.

“Should I consult others first?”

Bringing the crystal forward to brainstorm collectively seemed far wiser than attempting the creation alone.

Lion reached back into the pot to retrieve the remaining two gems.

“Hmm?”

An unexpected discovery caused him to frown.

“No wonder the commotion sounded so loud…”

He slowly traced the interior surface of the vessel with his fingertip.

Despite prolonged usage, no prominent blemishes had previously existed.

Yet, the recent alchemy session had left scratches scattered all across the inner walls.

“Sip. It appears maintenance is overdue.”

Scheduling the upkeep after completing his visit to the Imperial Family would be ideal.

With that thought, Lion departed from the labyrinth and made his way toward the restaurant.

His intention had been to enjoy a hearty meal before proceeding with anything else, but—

“Brother!”

Spotting Lion’s current state, Rikschel abandoned his meal and dashed over immediately.

“Ah.”

Only then did Lion realize how disheveled he appeared.

While he had suffered no broken bones or critical trauma, tumbling from a lofty height had left him thoroughly ruffled.

He was coated in grime and, more importantly, covered in bruises that would undoubtedly cause deep anxiety for anyone witnessing him.

Recognizing the situation, Lion hastily attempted to formulate an explanation, but—

“This is severe.”

“……”

The Duke of Baidantis interrupted with a firm pronouncement, cutting the attempt short before it could even begin.

“Hahaha… I know this sounds unbelievable, but will you at least hear me out?”

Despite the circumstances, Lion offered a steady smile and did his utmost to reassure his younger brother and the Duke, though success eluded him entirely.

—

“Phew.”

Lion wiped his brow with a bandaged hand.

Perspiration had poured off him as he desperately worked to dissuade Rikschel from reporting the recent incident to their grandfather.

Fortunately, Rikschel calmed down once Lion solemnly promised to submit to proper medical attention.

“Brother. Exploration is important, but please prioritize your own well-being.”

“R-right. I understand.”

The memory of coughing up blood back in Easter was a secret he intended to carry to his grave.

“And on days when you feel unwell like today, please return home early.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll come back early today and rest thoroughly.”

At last, having slipped free of Rikschel’s watchful eye and finished a satisfying meal, Lion ventured back outside.

His first destination was Andri’s establishment.

“Young Master…!”

Andri, who had greeted him with an exceptionally radiant expression—likely anticipating news regarding his finished dye—was instantly horrified by Lion’s battered appearance.

“Good grief, what on earth happened to you…!”

Panicking, Andri hovered close, too distressed to even touch Lion’s injuries.

He muttered frantic phrases to himself, lamenting how a physique as flawless as the Young Master’s could be marred, or what might become of the realm of artistry if its finest artisan should fall ill!

‘Though my body isn’t exactly flawless right now.’

His face remained presentable, but his physique was somewhat lacking in ‘perfection’.

In truth, Barg, whose muscles had steadily developed through grueling training, was currently much closer to physical perfection.

“Now, calm down. Let me explain.”

Lion proceeded to recount the entire sequence of events.

He detailed how he had followed a specific recipe, executed the process, and unexpectedly produced a high-grade material of this caliber.

“Which brought me this.”

“By the heavens…!”

Andri stared at the gem, his jaw slightly slack.

The luminous glow of the cosmic crystal sparkled, casting reflections across Andri’s face and eyes.

“So, turning this into a dye would be somewhat…”

“No, absolutely out of the question!”

“Pardon?”

“To shatter such a magnificent object merely to create a dye! That is entirely unacceptable!”

Without missing a beat, Andri snatched up his sketch pad and began furiously scratching lines onto the paper.

His motions were so swift that Lion’s bangs fluttered with every stroke.

*Screech!*

He then tore the sheet free and presented it respectfully to Lion with both hands.

“Young Master.”

“Yes?”

“I believe several dwarves from the Baidantis Territory are currently stationed at Mudu’s Blacksmith. From what I understand, a skilled gem craftsman is among them.”

“R-right.”

“Take this jewel along with this design sketch to them. I have no doubt they will provide a solution.”

“……”

Silently, Lion accepted the sketch and reviewed the contents.

Indeed, he privately agreed that the crystal possessed far greater potential as a radiant accessory than as a mere coloring agent.

Even so.

“Are you certain you are alright with this?”

Andri had urged him toward this path even though utilizing the material for his dyes could have brought him unprecedented renown.

“It is fine. In fact, it is even better.”

Andri muttered, his nostrils flaring with enthusiasm.

“When this jewel is reborn into its true form, the inspiration I draw from it will surely surpass anything a dye could offer…!”

“Andri…!”

“Young Master…!”

*Clap!*

They struck the air with a high-five, mirroring a gesture from their past.

“However, I have one favor to ask. Once that piece is finished, please allow me to lay eyes on it at least once!”

“We will need to design an outfit that properly complements the jewel first.”

“Hahahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

Chuckling like minor villains plotting some grand scheme, they finally broke their handshake.

“I’ll be taking my leave, then.”

“Take care on your way.”

They parted ways with a brief farewell.

‘Very well. With Andri’s approval and the sketch in hand…’

Lion marched straight to the blacksmith shop, setting the gem down directly in front of the group of dwarves. They were currently engaged in a spirited debate over the nature of a Knocker, accompanied by a nearby case of beer.

“Th-this is…!”

“What in the world? I’ve never laid eyes on a gemstone like this in my life.”

The moment the gem came into view, the dwarves’ eyes widened to an almost comical degree.

Each of them swallowed hard before looking up toward Lion.

At that instant, Lion’s status as the eldest son of the Asteri family ceased to matter.

The only question that held any importance was whether the owner of this jewel would grant them a chance to work on it.

Nothing else mattered.

Fully aware of this dynamic, Lion spoke casually, dropping the words like a heavy stone:

“I am looking for someone capable of refining this.”

With that single sentence, the room erupted.

The dwarves’ dopamine levels skyrocketed instantly!

“I’ll handle it!”

“No way. I’ve set far more gems than you’ve ever smelted metal!”

Both Mudu’s family artisans and the technicians hailing from the Baidantis Territory surged forward, each loudly championing their own expertise.

“I will leave it to you all to decide who takes the task.”

“Pardon?”

“Shouldn’t the dwarf who gets to touch it first claim the right?”

Leaving the dwarves to ponder his cryptic words, Lion departed with a promise to return by evening.

Less than an hour after his exit, the craftsmen fully grasped the reason behind his behavior.

This crystal… truly defied all ordinary standards!

—

By that evening.

*Thud.*

Even the most seasoned dwarf artisan, possessing mastery over gem-cutting, dropped to his knees in defeat.

“This cannot be…”

He shook his head in absolute disbelief.

This was impossible. Utterly impossible!

“I understand your frustration.”

“Indeed…”

The surrounding dwarves murmured words of solace.

All eyes turned toward the Cosmic Crystal resting quietly beside the engraving apparatus.

Despite gleaming like the stars above, the gemstone stubbornly refused to yield to any instrument brought against it.

It resisted even the precision cutting machinery they had hauled in with immense effort, as well as every single tool housed within Mudu’s workshop!

“This defies reason!”

Initial thoughts had blamed their own hands for growing clumsy from a lack of recent practice.

Yet that explanation proved false.

When a different artisan attempted to score the surface, only the tool’s blade suffered damage, leaving the crystal completely unblemished.

“How can this be…”

As the dwarves’ voices trembled, Mudu stepped forward, waving his short arms to address the group.

“Now, settle down, don’t grow disheartened. That eccentric fellow always manages to unearth bizarre contraptions…”

“That is not the issue here.”

“Oh? It isn’t?”

The defeated craftsmen slowly lifted their gazes.

Then, peering calmly through magnified lenses, they inspected the gem once more.

And suddenly… they laughed.

A bright, genuine burst of laughter filled the room!

“To think an artifact of this caliber could exist!”

“Precisely my thought!”

“The most stubborn materials produce the finest beauty.”

“Imagine the breathtaking refraction of light we could achieve if engraving were actually possible!”

Mudu, who had been attempting to offer comfort, let his arms drop to his sides.

‘…Right, of course.’

He scratched his head sheepishly.

Dwarves were never a race to surrender to failure so easily, were they?

They were a people defined by challenge, who found joy in setbacks, conquered despair, and ultimately brought wondrous creations into existence.

‘How foolish of me to forget.’

Such spirit had simply slipped his mind after spending too much time away from the Dwarf Village.

“Hahaha. It has been quite some time since these engravers showed this much passion.”

The voice belonged to Mudu’s mother, known as ‘Meticulous Fingertips’.

“Ah, Mother.”

“I was much the same way in my younger days.”

She gazed upon the gemstone and the gathered artisans with a nostalgic expression, her thoughts seemingly drifting back through the years.

Observing her, Mudu scratched his head and ventured a cautious suggestion.

“Mother, why don’t you try your hand at it?”

“Me? Oh goodness, no.”

“Come on. Didn’t you always say you were an exceptional engraver before you settled down?”

“That may be, but still…”

Fingertips hesitated slightly.

“I am getting on in years, and I’ve been away from the craft for far too long. I doubt I could be of any assistance.”

“Even if the engraving proves too difficult, your vast knowledge is bound to be necessary.”

“He is entirely right.”

“Weren’t you considered the most gifted among all your siblings?”

At those words, the surrounding dwarves, their enthusiasm reignited, chimed in alongside Mudu.

“Come, step forward.”

“Just take a close look at it.”

Gently guiding her forward, they placed a magnifying glass in her hand and seated her directly in front of the crystal.

“Well, suppose I shall just take a peek, then…?”

Fingertips examined the crystal, putting on a show of reluctance.

In truth, a deep part of her yearned to participate, though her pride and age made her hesitant to push to the front.

After all, she was a true dwarf at heart.

As she carefully studied the facets of the crystal, Fingertips let out a soft exclamation of “Ah,” as if a sudden realization had struck her.

“Did you spot something, Mother?”

“I cannot say for certain, yet… I believe I have encountered this variety of gemstone within an old text before.”

“A text…?”

“You know, the volume supposedly authored by the Dwarf King himself.”

Mudu offered an awkward smile at his mother’s mention.

The legendary book attributed to the Dwarf King.

Mudu was well acquainted with it.

In fact, not only Mudu, but his children Gaji and Ipari knew it as well.

Because it was widely known as a children’s fairy tale.

“Oh. That sounds rather fascinating.”

Lion, having just re-entered the workshop with bright, curious eyes, chimed into the conversation.

“Would you mind sharing the details?”