What Changed in Pond, and What Didn’t – Part 07

They’d delayed their return by a day, but today Hikaru decided it was finally time to head back to the royal capital. Lavia was probably waiting for him.

But before he left, there was one last stop he wanted to make.

“Oh, if it isn’t Hikaru! How’ve you been?”

It was Leniwood, the stylish and dashing Elf. He sported a headband, and his sleeves were rolled up to reveal thin, pale arms. He ran Leniwood’s Weapon Workshop, where he sold weapons and armor.

“Long time no see,” Hikaru said. “You look well.”

“You’re looking good too. Well, I’m nothing if not full of energy. The shop, though? Still as dead as ever.”

Leniwood laughed heartily. He was as cheerful as the last time Hikaru had seen him.

“So, you still adventuring alone?”

Hikaru had asked Paula to arrange a carriage for later, so he came here alone.

“I’ve got a solid group of companions now.”

“Really? You’ll have to introduce them sometime.”

“Of course. Though, sadly, they’re not the type to fight on the frontlines, so they probably won’t be using any of your weapons.”

“I don’t care about that. I just wanna know what kind of companions you’ve found.”

Hikaru remembered bringing Lavia here once before, though she’d been wearing a hood.

Someday, I’ll bring Lavia out here without hiding her face. But it might take about a year before the dust settles from the Count Morgstadt incident.

Leniwood brought over a weapon he had recently crafted. He treated Hikaru no differently than an adult despite his age.

What a nice guy. There’s so many good people in Pond.

Leniwood was trying to bring over a massive hammer weighing about 100 kilograms, but Hikaru stopped him. There was no way he could carry that.

“But this one’s a masterpiece,” Leniwood said, still determined to show it off.

“Ah well, actually, I found something interesting. Would you take a look?”

Hikaru lowered his backpack, a mysterious bag that could hold a lot more than it appeared.

He had once stored dried meat in it, which angered Soaarunay. Apparently, it was made from the leather of a Dimension Dragon or something. A rare and possibly even national treasure, according to her. To Hikaru, though, it was just a handy bag.

“Interesting, you say?”

Before Leniwood returned, Hikaru pulled out a large shield. It was plain and smooth but large enough to cover his entire body, and unusually light.

“A shield. Where were you hiding it?”

“That’s not important. Just try holding it.”

“Whoa! What the hell is this? It’s ridiculously light!”

“Exactly. Can you tell what it’s made of?”

Neither Hikaru nor the Four Eastern Stars used shields, so for now, this large shield was a wasted treasure. Even though it was light, it wasn’t weightless. It was large and somewhat cumbersome. Hikaru could sell it, but if it turned out to be as rare as the ultra-sharp knife he cherished, he’d regret it.

Leniwood studied the shield intently, deep in thought.

“What’s wrong?” Hikaru asked. “I thought you’d figure out the material right away. There’s no magical signature, so no enchantment has been applied to it.”

“Where did you get this?” Leniwood asked gravely.

“Well… I can’t say.”

Hikaru could’ve lied, but he didn’t. Leniwood stared at the shield, gently rubbing its surface.

“This might have been made by a famous Dwarf.”

“A Dwarf?”

“Dwarves have the best blacksmithing techniques. A Dwarf might be able to tell us something,” Leniwood said somewhat bitterly.

“Oh, I believe Dodorono isn’t in Pond right now. He went to Vireocean to buy rare materials or something.”

“Your bringing this here today feels like the hands of fate at work.”

“Fate?”

“Yeah.” Leniwood crossed his thin arms, nodding solemnly. “Let’s go to Dodorono’s shop. He just got back to Pond yesterday.”

The simple name, Dodorono’s Armor Workshop, was unmistakable, and indeed, the shop was open. Inside, there were dresses displayed on wooden mannequins. Dresses, not armor. Fancy ones, with frills. It made you wonder what armor really meant in this shop. Either way, there were no customers. Not a single one.

“Oh! If it ain’t Hikaru!”

The moment Dodorono spotted Hikaru, his eyes lit up. The Dwarf was in his usual tuxedo. Hikaru couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You seem well,” Hikaru said. “I heard you went to Vireocean?”

“Aye, that’s right! Tons of rare materials, they had. With these, I could fashion a fine gown that’d turn every head at a ball.” He laughed.

Hikaru wondered what kind of dress would he even make here in Pond. He hadn’t heard of any ballroom event taking place here either.

“Hey, Dodorono.”

“Oh, Leniwood. What’re ya doing here? I already gave you yer souvenir yesterday.”

“Idiot, I’m not here to ask for more souvenirs. I have shame. Hikaru brought something interesting, and I thought you’d want to see it.”

“Interesting, you say?”

Leniwood set the large shield he’d been carrying down on the counter.

“Try holding it.”

“Why are ya acting so smug? And don’t be askin’ me ’bout forging. I’ve a dress to make.” Grumbling, Dodorono lifted the large shield. “Hm?!” His eyes widened in shock.

“Is something wrong?” Hikaru asked.

His gut stirred as he watched Dodorono stare silently at the shield. Apart from it being ridiculously light, it was just an ordinary large shield. So why was Dodorono staring at it like that?

“Hikaru, me boy. Where’d ya get this?”

Dodorono asked the same question Leniwood had.

“I can’t say.”

“I see. But this…”

“Is it that special? You can have it if you want.”

Dodorono looked shocked. “I don’t want it! It’s too… too much!”

“Huh?” Hikaru was caught off guard by the Dwarf’s reaction.

“I knew it,” Leniwood said with a nod. “This shield is special, isn’t it?”

“If my memory serves me right, I think so,” Dodorono replied gravely.

“What are you talking about? Stop being so mysterious and just tell us already.”

Hikaru was growing more anxious. He’d suspected an equipment from a chest in the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas might be extraordinary, but he hadn’t expected this kind of reaction. If he pulled out the ultra-sharp knife now, things could get complicated fast.

Dodorono took a deep breath. “Hikaru, this shield… is most likely the Progenitor’s Shield.”

“What’s that? I’ve never heard of it.”

“No surprises there. You’re a human, after all. But anyone who lives by the forge knows about it.”

“Of course!” Leniwood nodded proudly.

“Dwarves grow up hearin’ tales of things like this in fairy tales.”

Fairy tales?

“Is it… valuable?”

Things were looking increasingly grim.

“Of course. It’s a national treasure.”

“What?!”

Dodorono said it so casually that it almost sounded like a joke at Hikaru’s expense. But the Dwarf was dead serious.

“Centuries ago, this shield was carried into battle before it was lost. Despite its appearance, it’s astonishingly light and crafted using pure smithing techniques, without any sorcery involved. The founder and first king of the Dwarven realm, Ironforge, prized this very shield. Legends says it could withstand anything, even the breath of a dragon.”

“No way, that’s impossible,” Hikaru said.

“The design may look plain,” Dodorono continued, “but what clearly sets it apart from other shields is how light it is. The smithing technique behind it is remarkable, yes, but I can’t even tell what it’s made of. Perhaps a master blacksmith from the realm could, but I’m stumped. What about you, Leniwood?”

“I have no idea either, and it’s maddening.”

“Hmm.”

Silence fell. It was clear now that this shield—possibly the Progenitor’s Shield—was no ordinary artifact.

“Um… I don’t really need this. What should I do with it?” Hikaru finally said, breaking the tension.

“As a Dwarf, I’d want it returned to my homeland,” Dodorono replied. “Though I can’t help but feel weird when you say you don’t need it.”

“Sorry. I think I’m just a little overwhelmed.”

“Are you absolutely sure ya don’t want to keep it?”

“I’m sure. I don’t use shields.”

“Then… would it be all right if I sent this back to Ironforge?”

“Of course.”

“Wait a second,” Leniwood cut in. “If this is the real thing, it has to be worth tens of thousands—no, hundreds of thousands of gilans.”

“Ya can’t put a price on it,” Dodorono added. “If the Progenitor’s Shield went up for auction, Ironforge would burn through their entire treasury just to secure it. Nay, forget bidding for it. They might just send an army to take it.”

“Yikes.”

That was a close one. Hikaru was relieved that the first person besides his friends to see it was Leniwood.

Seriously, who stashes something this insane in a treasure chest? His anger toward Soaarunay flared anew.

“I don’t want money or fame,” Hikaru said. “If this is such an important artifact, I’d rather not be involved any further.”

“So selfless. I like that about you.”

“No one appreciates being liked by an old Dwarf,” Leniwood said.

“Me? A fashionista? Aw, shucks.”

Hikaru felt a bit lighter now that Dodorono was back to his usual flamboyant self.

“All right, I’ll leave the rest to you,” Hikaru said.

“Yeah, I’ll take care of it… is what I’d like to say, but I might need just a little help.”

“Help?”

“It’s too risky to rely on the Adventurers Guild or trade caravans to transport the Progenitor’s Shield.”

Dodorono was worried about the item being stolen during transport. Even though adventurers relied on trust for business, they occasionally vanished with high-value goods. The same thing could happen with trade caravans.

“I’ll transport it meself,” Dodorono said. “There aren’t many Dwarves here in Ponsonia, so I’ll take it to Bios for now.”