"Phew... so they aren't that kind of relationship after all... thank goodness, really."
About three hours later, Loki woke up on her private bed in Twilight Manor just as the sun began to set. After hearing Finn and Aiz explain the situation, she let out a long sigh of relief.
"By the way, Aiz, what's that ring?"
"A magic tool."
"A magic tool... and it was made by that Bellf Crozzo, or whatever his name is?"
"Yes."
"...Where is that brat right now?"
"Probably at the workshop."
"I'm going to find him this instant!"
"No."
"Don't try to stop me! I'm a nagrang devotee through and through! I absolutely cannot accept this!"
"Haa..."
Finn let out a deep sigh as he watched Loki throw a tantrum.
"Why does my ear itch so much..."
*Is someone talking behind my back?*
"Hey! Are you listening!?"
"I'm listening, so just speak."
I was currently dealing with a Pallum who had come to my workshop.
"Why do you want my magic sword?"
"Because I want to get stronger, obviously."
"Then go home."
"What? Why!?"
"My magic swords are consumables."
If you're lucky, they last five uses. If you're unlucky, only one.
You really think you can get stronger with a magic sword that only lasts that long?
At best, you'd just bump up your status a tiny bit.
"..."
"In short, you've come to the wrong place."
"Damn it...!"
The Pallum stormed out of my workshop.
"He could have at least closed the door gently..."
Every Pallum who had visited me so far had been exactly like that.
"I get where they're coming from, but... still, a little courtesy with the door wouldn't hurt."
Pallums are similar to humans, but their growth stops at roughly the height of a human child, regardless of age.
Because of this, they are a race that often faces harsh treatment from other adventurers.
It hadn't always been this way.
Originally, the Pallums worshipped a goddess named Piana. However, after the gods descended to the lower world, it was revealed that no such goddess ever existed.
Having lost their spiritual anchor, the Pallums fell into a collective state of shock and lethargy.
The [Brave] who visited me previously mentioned that Pallums are naturally a race of strong mental fortitude, but that strength was eroded once Piana was proven to be a myth.
That was likely why some Pallums felt the need for a magic sword to compensate and gain strength, leading them to seek me out.
"I just hope they don't end up dying in some ditch."
As I closed the door, I stoked the fire in the forge.
"Bellf. Are you here?"
"..."
With the worst possible timing, Aiz had arrived.