Luna's beautiful face met his eyes when they entered her living room. But instead of seeing her welcome him with her usual shenanigans, he frowned at her narrowed eyes and trembling lips.
Seated, her fingers forcefully drummed on her dining table as her voice cracked.
"I told you I'm not his girlfriend, you obsessed old dwarf!"
Opposite her, Durgrim weaved his fingers before his solemn scowl.
"Why did you tell that white-haired man I wanted to see your boyfriend, then? Weren't you the one who wanted that?" His eyes narrowed, the intensity forcing her to gulp. "You took offence to a friendly joke. And now, you're blowing it up without reason. Think, child! I might be old, but my eyes still recognise what you are: a girl in l..."
Luna roared, her figure blurring. In the blink of an eye, she climbed on the table and gripped Durgrim by the collar. Green demonic essence wafted from her blazing eyes, a threatening spectacle meaning one thing—she wasn't joking.
Meanwhile, Adam's amused smile collapsed, and his heart hastened in his chest. Would Luna kill his new jewelsmith after all the trouble they went through to recruit him? Right after she spent a week healing him and before he even crafted a single piece of equipment?
Pupils constricted, he tried to rush to stop her, only for his legs to buckle under the forceful movement.
Like a salmon wriggling by the side of a river, he collapsed to the ground face first.
"ARGH. What the heck are you all doing?! I broke my nose because of you!"
Wailing on the ground, he rubbed his crooked nose, a sharp pain accompanying his lamenting touch. But the worst part? His arms felt like two heavy blocks of lead.
Still, through his interference, Luna finally noticed their presence.
As if a fire ignited a cat's tail, she released Durgrim and lept from the table. Almost reaching the ceiling, her heart drummed in her burning ears, and her face collapsed.
Landing back and sticking her back against the wall, her voice came low and stuttering.
"S-Since when did you enter? N-No... What did you hear?"
Meanwhile, Durgrim chuckled and raised his hands in surrender.
"Took you long enough to notice them." He gazed at Adam's sprawled figure and shrugged. "I teased her a little, but as you can see, she didn't like my jokes..." He turned his palm upwards and raised a brow. "Now I'm the one not understanding your joke. Aren't you going to stand up?"
Face laying on the ground, he rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth. But no matter how much he strained his arms, they only shook against the unforgiving floor.
Defeated, he sighed. "Please, help me up, Karna."
Karna chuckled as he gently passed his arms under Adam's and pulled, revealing his battered face for all to see.
The chaotic atmosphere collapsed when they saw it.
With a scream coming from his shuddering soul, Durgrim jumped from his seat and hid under the table. Trembling and sweating, he cursed under his breath before his voice cracked.
"Is that what you evolved into? What a... fitting form for a demon. You'll freeze your enemies' souls just by looking them in the eyes."
Adam clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking as he bit his lips. But he failed to contain himself.
"What kind of stupid idea is that?! My first training was a little harsh. That's it! I'm sinfully handsome the rest of the time!"
Durgrim peeked from under the table, observing his features with attention. The fear dancing in his eyes receded when he noticed the swollen concussions.
Then, he climbed out and approached, his face a mask of solemness contrasting with the others' earlier reactions.
With a gentle pat on Adam's shoulder, he nodded knowingly and pointed at Luna.
"I respect you even more, my lord. A demon of your calibre should indeed strive to gain strength and protect his girlfriend."
They both yelled in unison before the old dwarf slapped his legs and laughed like a kid.
But he knew better than to push the nail too far, even if their reaction brightened his sorrowful life. More than that, he scanned Adam and Luna with his softening eyes as his chest warmed at the new family who had extirpated him from the abyss of despair that had consumed his world.
Therefore, he dropped to one knee, the muffled noise of his fist hitting his chest echoing, and let his emotions out in the form of a heartfelt declaration.
"In the name of Sindri, my revered ancestor and patron of dwarven craftsmen, I pledge my allegiance to you." He lowered his face, hiding the determined tear streaming down his parched cheek. "Let demons and gods witness this moment and engrave my loyalty into my heart, soul, and bones until I breathe my last."
Taken off guard by the sudden shift, Adam's eyes widened at the notification showing that Durgrim's loyalty had reached the maximum. His bubbling frustration melted before his brows knitted.
'Sindri? Why does it sound familiar?'
Since his country didn't teach northern mythology, he rummaged through his memories of games he had played to find an answer. And five seconds later, his eyes trembled.
"Like the legendary craftsman who forged Thor's hammer? That Sindri is your ancestor?!"
However, he rapidly realised his mistake as Durgrim didn't move nor answer.
With a cough, he fixed his cracking voice and raised his palm before Durgrim's head.
"I vow to protect and provide you with a peaceful and fulfilling life. Foliaris will also fall, and you'll get your revenge..." His eyes narrowed into fiery slits. "Next month!"
Durgrim's shoulders trembled, and the corner of his lips rose as he struck his chest once more.
Simultaneously, a dense whirlpool of mana poured from it.
It swirled around him and shone on his bald head as his voice thundered.
"Today, I gave up on my dream to surpass my ancestor without his help. But I gained much more in exchange. A family, a strange demon lord to serve, and peace for my weary mind." The mana condensed into a solid yet ethereal ring and hammer that seemed to fold itself before it seeped into his skull and melted in his brain. "Today, I'll inherit my legacy to rise as a grandmaster jewelsmith.
Today, I am learning how to craft the ring of Draupnir and Mjölnir!"