Chapter 23: An Unexpected Identity
Clang!
Swing.
The hand that held the pickaxe bore calluses. Even before one wound could heal, another would form and leave an unsightly scar. It was the hand of a laborer.
The morning air cooled the sweat on his forehead, but it was not entirely pleasant. By afternoon, the scorching sun would surely turn his entire body into a furnace.
Yet, Conrad had to keep swinging the pickaxe relentlessly.
With every strike, the burdens of reality would fade.
He wouldn’t feel the pangs of hunger. However, in the end, a single question would always linger in his mind.
‘How long do I have to keep doing this?’
Conrad had been working at the Blue Flame site as a laborer for over three years.
He had become adept at his job and was treated fairly well.
Yet, at the end of the day, he was still just a laborer. Unwelcomed everywhere.
****
“Where should I move this stone to?”
“Ah, over to that plot.”
“My pickaxe keeps slipping from my grip. Am I holding it wrong?”
“Yes. With time, you’ll get used to it.”
A newcomer had arrived in Blue Flame.
His name was Carl.
Usually, those who were dragged into such work had families to support or debts to pay.
They often radiated a strangely somber aura, but Carl was different.
Despite being a rookie, he was eager to take the lead. He didn’t try to show off his skills and would approach others for guidance when unsure.
That was why Conrad didn’t like him very much.
It felt like he was looking at a reflection of his younger self.
No matter how hard one tries, in the end, they just become such a pessimistic old man.
"Do you enjoy this labor?"
"Well, it's not so much that I find it fun, but it's fulfilling. Even the cold water tastes amazing after the work."
"I see. You're in that phase."
"Do you dislike this work, senior?"
"I..."
Ding-Ding
"Everyone gather! It's lunchtime!"
Conrad closed his mouth at the loud bell ringing.
"I'm salivating already."
"It's the same meal we always have. What's so special about it?"
"It's not like that. It tastes good every time. It feels different every time I eat."
The two went to get their lunch.
Carl dipped the distributed bread into the stew. The bread given out was so hard that it could hurt one's teeth if eaten as was.
That was why it was common to melt it in a hot stew and then eat it.
"Mmm. It's lamb stew today."
Seeing Carl enjoying his stew, Conrad felt a twinge of jealousy.
He had a wicked desire to dampen the happy-looking Carl's mood.
"Hey, Carl. Do you know?"
"Yes?"
"We're all going to be unemployed."
"What are you talking about?"
Carl looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Conrad answered with a smirk.
"Well, there’s no way the building we made is better than the Golden Hammer. Our guild leader might be frantically trying not to miss out on constructing the cathedral, but it's a foregone conclusion."
"Don't we need to wait and see?"
"You really don't get it."
Conrad looked at Carl with exasperation.
"Do you even know who's coming to evaluate this time?"
"Who?"
"Ascal Debrue, the Sleeping Dragon of the Empire."
Conrad pronounced each and every word with emphasis.
Sure enough, even a country bumpkin newbie like him recognized the name, as he seemed to be lost for words in surprise upon hearing it.
"Even if other officials have narrow views, that Ascal Debrue is bound to evaluate constructions impartially. There's no way we can win."
"You never know. Maybe that Ascal is just lucky and in reality doesn't know anything... an incompetent..."
"Carl!"
Conrad believed that, unlike other corrupt officials, Ascal was a genuine one who truly cared for the citizens. Such slander was absolutely! Unacceptable.
"..."
"Haa. You really don't know the ways of this world, kid. Just one swing of his hand and heads could roll, you know?"
"Is that so..."
As Carl grew quiet, seemingly lost in thought, Conrad appeared satisfied. Now he must've realized the error of his ways.
A moment later, a group of workers approached the two.
A man with plump cheeks, appearing to be their leader, greeted them warmly.
"Oh, Conrad. And the newbie. Since our bellies are full, how about a round of dice for fun?"
"You and your gang can keep playing those damned dice games."
"Is that so? Too bad. What about you, Carl, was it? What do you say?"
"I..."
Just then, Conrad whispered into Carl's ear.
"They're swindlers. If you join in, they'll rob you of your day's earnings. Say you're not interested."
The chubby man, seemingly having overheard the whisper, responded with feigned surprise.
"Come on, Conrad. You can't despise people just because you lost some money. Maybe you were just unlucky. What do you say, newbie? We've got a special spot open right now."
"Hmm, sounds fun."
"Carl!"
Conrad looked on exasperatedly. Those guys were notorious swindlers in the labor market. They cheated naive people out of their money with rigged dice.
Despite his warnings, Carl wasn't listening.
Conrad sighed.
Some people just have to get burned to learn.
"Alright, alright. This newbie sure has spirit. Come this way."
Linking arms with Carl, they disappeared into the gambling den.
Feeling responsible, Conrad followed suit. As a senior, it was his duty to at least keep an eye out to prevent any blatant scams.
****
"1, 1, 1!"
"How is this even possible!? How can the best score come up three times in a row? This is definitely a scam! Check the dice!"
"There's nothing wrong with them? ...What's this? There's something off about your dice."
"No, no, this is just..."
"You cheating scoundrel!"
The result was clear.
Carl cleaned out the swindling gang's entire stash.
And the scammers, having been exposed, were surrounded by workers and suffered a thorough beating.
"You, by any chance, were you a professional gambler?"
"No. I just played, and it turned out this way."
Dumbfounded, Conrad stared at the shimmering silver coins in Carl's hand.
He was envious. With that money, one could live comfortably for a month...
Approaching Conrad with a revived appetite, Carl came bearing gifts.
Deer meat jerky, soft bread sprinkled with spices, and fruits drizzled with honey filled his hands.
"Let's eat together."
"Carl... Are you an angel?"
It was touching.
Conrad felt remorse for how harshly he had treated Carl up to now.
He took a bite of the jerky. Despite being dried for a long time, it was surprisingly tender. But above all, the meaty flavor was no joke.
"It's delicious... So good... I'm not one to easily shed tears, but I'm almost crying."
"Indeed! This honey-drizzled fruit just melts in your mouth!"
"?"
Naturally, an old dwarf with a white beard was munching on the snack.
"I saw he looked hungry, so I offered to share."
"You really are something..."
What sort of rookie was this?
Conrad swallowed his words.
This disheveled newbie was in trouble if he lacked confidence. He seemed as vulnerable as a duckling left at the water's edge.
‘I need to take responsibility for this lad... help him stand on his own two feet as a worker.’
Conrad clenched his fist, resolved.
Even if this construction job fell through and they became unemployed, he decided he would take the lad under his wing and be responsible for him.
****
“The day has finally come, Robenharf.”
“Ha. I can see your legs shaking from nerves already, Sebenter.”
“You’re one to talk. I can see your shoulders trembling.”
“It’s because it's cold. Just the cold, I tell you.”
The appointed time had arrived.
The two guild masters of the Golden Hammer and Blue Flame were already sizing each other up.
A battle of pride between the two diminutive dwarves. It was a fierce face-off where neither could back down even an inch.
“So, you finished that grain warehouse? You think with such a tiny, adorable grain warehouse, you can rival the construction of a grand cathedral, Sebenter?”
“It’s a state-of-the-art design. Size isn’t everything. What did you do all those years as an apprentice? Just waste time?”
“Ha! Have you seen our new town hall? We used marble. Marble.”
“That wasteful, money-draining thing?”
The two had studied under the same master.
Having been rivals since their youth, even now, after establishing themselves, they were infamously at odds.
The dwarves, usually pouring insults on each other, suddenly fell silent. They had sensed something.
“It's about time Ascal Debrue arrives.”
“You mean the Ascal Debrue who is said to judge things with not even a hair's breadth of error, possessing perfect vision?”
“To be honest, it's nerve-wracking.”
On this, the two agreed.
Nothing was as stressful as waiting for someone who held decision-making power over them.
****
“We finally get to see the face of Ascal Debrue. Where did he go? Carl? Did he go to take a dump or something?”
Conrad looked around for Carl, but he hadn’t seen him for a while now. He was around just this morning.
‘He must’ve had some urgent business.’
Anyway, it was a chance to see the famous Director of Evaluation Department, Ascal.
From a distance, a carriage could be seen approaching.
‘That must be the imperial carriage...’
It was evidently a luxurious one at first glance.
And then...
Someone started to descend from the carriage.
Whispers filled the air.
Finally pushing through the crowd, Conrad, who had managed to get a closer look, was taken aback by the person who had alighted from the carriage.
“...Carl?”
Ascal Debrue.
Until this morning, he was just another man, working alongside Conrad, shoveling dirt.
