"This doesn't change the fact this is wrong!" Nieve angrily said. "Give it back!"
"Nieve, that's enough." I said. "It is not like you to act this way, the Queen would also be angered if she saw you acting so unknightly."
"A-Ah…" Nieve gasped for air. "Right… I apologize…"
"However, it is not like I'll simply keep it forever." The King smiled. "If we can properly stop the Dragon Nest from expanding, and defeat Fafnir, then I'll give it back. Because after that, we'll be able to resume our mining and we'll be able to also make our economy continue to grow."
"I can also offer my protection." I said. "I don't think that would mean much for those that don't know me, but if they ever dare invade your kingdom, I'll crush them."
"L-Lady Planta…" The King and the Princess were both moved by my words.
"A-Ahem!" The King muttered. "A-Anyways, we would gladly receive such an offer, but that won't be enough for now… This is why I would like to first give you a special request, I believe it could be possible for you. To slay the other three Great Dragons in the meantime of young Richard's investigation?"
"I guess it does seem doable." Mark nodded. "Will you give the sword as a reward?"
"No, but I will give it as a reward after Fafnir is felled." The King nodded. "Until then, in exchange, Gram will be your reward."
As we spoke, the King and some guards opened the doors to the Dwarf Kingdom's treasury and showed us the entire mountain of items and gold. In the center of all, a stone table held the hilt of Gram, and a small part of its original blade stuck to it.
"Oooh!" Richard entered the treasury and looked at the sword happily. "Amazing! This is… I think it might really work! The texture and what my skills are saying… Maybe if we combine the Fangs of the Great Dragons together into a new blade… But we would also need the assistance of a capable, powerful blacksmith. However, it does seems doable to create a "lesser version" of Gram."
"With the Fangs of the Great Dragons…" The King said in surprise. "I see… Nobody is stronger than Fafnir except those dragons, who might not as strong, but are certainly right below him. Combining their fang's strength together into a blade could potentially create enough power to pierce through his impenetrable defenses."
"Well, actually, I am one of the most talented Blacksmiths so far, although I was unable to wield the divine hammer either. That thing had some sort of… will of its own." Sighed the Princess. "But my Magic is also dedicated to forging! If possible, I would love to help."
"Oh, certainly, the princess has the most talent in Blacksmith magic in our Kingdom." Richard nodded. "With your help, this hypothesis of mine could be possible!"
"Hehehe… I-I'm glad to help in anything I can, Sir Richard!" Brisingra giggled playfully with a slightly enamored smile.
Do these two know each other? They do seem slightly close when they talked. Or maybe that's just Richard's eccentric way of speech? Though Brisingra seems a bit in love with him, too much for this to have just surged today.
"Do you two know each other by any chance? You look like love birds." Jenny giggled while talking above my head in her small slime form.
"W-Well…" Richard muttered. "Yeah, kind of."
"W-We went to the same Magic Academy." Brisingra explained. "Richard was a good friend of mine. His eccentric nature is hard to get through, but he was… one of the few people that treated me like an equal friend, instead of just seeing me for my title."
"Hahaha." Richard laughed a bit. "It isn't that much, Brisingra."
"Well yeah, they do know each other…" The King said grumpily. "Though, Richard, I'm sure you're smart, but you better not do any funny business with my daughter while I'm not watching."
"E-Eh? My King, I would never…" Richard felt weirded out.
"Father stop being a douchebag!" Brisingra reprimanded her father.
"B-But my daughter, you're too young!" Cried the King.
"I'm already twenty two and I can do whatever I want, I'm an adult now." Brisingra crossed her arms. "Also, we're just friends, stop thinking weird, crazy stuff…" She sighed, although she blushed a bit afterwards.
"O-Okay, I shall trust my daughter's words." Sighed the King. "Anyways, let's make this official! This is a special request, Lady Planta and company. Defeat the three other Great Dragons, bring us their fangs, and then aid us in reconstructing a new Gram Sword so we can stop Fafnir from ruining our country!"
[You have received a {Special World Quest}: {Hunt The Three Other Great Dragons That Dominate The Dragon Nest, And Bring Their Fangs To Recreate The Radiant Sword, Gram!}
[Now that things have finally cleared up, you and your friends have learned the truth behind this dragon, the dwarven kingdom, and even a fragment of the Demon King of Death's backstory.
Having brought back the Fangs of the Viper Drake Queen, bring the Fangs of the other three Great Dragons within the Dragon Nest and aid in the reconstruction of Gram, so you can finally have a chance against Fafnir, the Dragon King of Greed!]
[Quest Rewards]: [EXP] [Gold] [Special Key Item] [World-Class Quest]
[Time Limit]: [7 Days]
There it is, a World Quest already! This means that this Quest revolves around the entire world of Arcadia! Amazing… With this, we can finally, finally continue this world's history.
"Alright, we'll bring them in then." Rita smiled.
"Yeah, leave it to us." Mark nodded.
"Got it!" Acorn said. "Though, can I help later on the sword's creation? I am a rather good alchemist myself! And if we use Lady Planta's Spirit Manipulation and Spirit Fusion Magic, the weapon could end up being even stronger."
"Oh, for sure." Said the King. "If Lady Planta recognizes you, young squirrel-kin, then we shall trust you."
"Looks like things are coming together nicely." I said. "Don't worry, Nieve, we'll retrieve your country's treasure."
"Thank you, Lady Planta…" Nieve sighed with a more relieved smile. "I'll do everything I can to help as well!"