Chapter 377: You're Asking For Way Too Much, Dwarf!
Alma POV 13/17
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After Rose took my measures and gave them to Balmonlir, he quickly after checked which stones, metals, and other ingredients I wanted to use in my armor. We ended using powerful and sturdy metals that were also light and not heavy, which included Spirit Gold and Mithril, which were the best there was, but very expensive. Alongside that he included Spirit Silver and also all sorts of Spirit Stones to build up resistance to all elements.
Lastly, I decided to give him a few of my Mana Cores and the Rank 5 Mana Core, I decided to not give it to Dagger because he was going to eat it most likely and barely get anything out of it, it was better to invest in my overpowered new armor made specially for me! Right? Indeed!
Balmonlir looked at the stones in awe, these Mana Cores were the real deal! They all emanated a strong presence, so they surely gave a lot of power. I couldn't wait to see my armor finished now…
"Amazing, these ingredients are truly top notch! Just adding this powerful Rank 5 Mana Core will ramp up the power of the entire armor set greatly! It will be a challenge to do it, honestly! But I will do my best!" said Balmonlir.
"I see, well said!" I said.
Suddenly, Dagger spoke to me.
"(Alma, why don't you use my materials? I can shape my body, so I can actually produce ingots made out of the metal of my blade… Here, take this ingot!)"
He suddenly generated an ingot inside my pocket, I took it out and then gave it to Balmonlir.
"Use this thing too." I said.
"Huh?! Princess, were you carrying that ingot around?" asked Rose.
"A-Alma, how can you carry an ingot around? Where did you got it?" asked Elred.
"I got it around the castle, I found it inside one of my chests where I save my jewels, perhaps my parents gifted it to me at some point and I just forgot about it." I said.
"Huh…" said Rose.
"But why an ingot?" wondered Elred.
"I don't know! My parents are eccentric… Maybe they wanted me to make an armor out of it?" I asked.
"Maybe?" wondered Rose. She was in the blue.
"Huh…" said Elred.
"T-This ingot…! It possesses such strong properties! It is an alloy that has combined many elements and metals! And… so many magical forces on it! I see! T-This could be it… with this, I will break my limits and become a Grand Magic Smith!" said Balmonlir.
"Oh really? See? It's the great gift of my parents, a magical compound ingot." I said.
"I-I'll make sure to add it to the craft too!" said Balmonlir.
"Good! I am counting on you. So, when will it be ready?" I asked.
"Taking into consideration all the modifications and custom creations… It might take a month to make everything… the price, I believe a hundred grands would be fair." Said Balmonlir.
"A hundred grands…?!" I asked.
"That's 100 million gold! You're asking a little girl so much money, you lecherous dwarf?!" roared Rose, I could clearly see the rivalry that elves had against dwarves now, as she seemed quite racist of him.
"B-But this is how the price would be! Making an armor with all the specifications the young princess wants… from shape adjustment, to magic resistance, automatic self-repair without the need for mana… all of that is very expensive! I cannot make it without asking for a lot of money, its fair…" he sighed.
"Rose, stop! He's right. I will pay for it." I said.
"T-That's a lot even for you, princess…" sighed Elred.
"I don't care! I'll bring you the hundred Gold Plates when you get things done, is that fine?" I asked.
"Yes, its fair, I will make it first and then you can pay it, young princess." Said Balmonlir.
"Good! Now let's get going, its too hot here." I sighed.
"Alright… See you in a month, please make sure to not forget it!" said Balmonlir.
"I won't! Rose, make sure to remind me later." I said.
"Understood… But my lady, where will you get so many Gold Plates?" asked Rose.
"From my family's treasury, of course. Its my family too, right? My parent's money is also my money, right? They're always so absent I doubt they'll get angry right?" I asked.
"I think that's not true…" sighed Rose.
"I-I could manage that for you, Alma, but you'll have to pay me back later… But you can do it in quotes without interest." Said Elred.
"To be expected of the son of a merchant… Fine, I'll borrow your money, dearie." I said.
I probably won't give it the money anyways, I will just pretend I am stupid and don't know what he's talking about.
Yeah, that will do- ugh, now I feel guilty. He's too nice with me… I might as well pay him a little month by month…
"I-I can also pay you half of it, so you only will own me 50 Plates…" he said.
"R-Really?! You would do that for me?!" I asked.
"O-Of course! That's what a husband would do… Helping… h-her wife…" said the boy, as he blushed.
"Hehe, you're a good kid! A good kid!" I said, as I petted his head and he giggled while growing more embarrassed.
"I wonder why my lady treats Elred as if she were his mother or something… Isn't she acting overly mature for her age?" wondered Rose in lower tone of voice, I heard her loud and clear.
"I heard that, Rose!" I said.
"Huh?! I apologize… I didn't mean to offend you, my lady…" she sighed.
"Ah, don't worry, I am just like that, you should be used to it already." I said.
"W-Well, I guess so…" she sighed.
"Alma, should we go in our date now? The day is still young, maybe we should go eat something delicious in a restaurant." Said Elred. As he held my hand like a gentleman.
"Fine, let's enjoy the rest of the day…"
And like that, we enjoyed all sorts of delicious food in restaurants. Overall, it was quite the busy day.
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