Before I could even respond to the Dwarf and her declaration, my head snapped sharply to the left on nothing but instinct as I felt a gaze pointed in my direction.

What is t…

Elder Zal appeared by my side from out of nowhere, and a frown was painted on her face.

"What do you want… Sir."

Did Elder Zal just say sir…? And who the hell is she talking to? I felt a gaze, but I was practically ready to chalk it up to the wind because I couldn't see or sense anyone actually looking at me.

Yet Elder Zal is here and referring to someone as sir.

In the middle of my thoughts, a deep voice that sounded like it came from the type of old man that knew everything about everything—but was always chilling—resounded in the area.

"You Infernal brats never know how to show manners. So unruly."

Honestly, I was struggling to comprehend the interaction that just took place.

Did this old man just refer to Infernals as brats? And to Elder Zal's face?

And taking a look at her… she doesn't look like she's even getting angry. Something about this seems entirely wrong.

Based on everything I know about Infernals, this type of perceived disrespect just seems like a reason for war.

Yet Elder Zal is not even reacting. She hasn't even responded.

Then I felt the gaze on me once more.

"What about you, brat, are you going to be one of the rude ones too?"

When the words were directed towards Elder Zal, I felt nothing, but now that they were directed at me, a splitting headache immediately threatened to burst my head apart.

It quite literally felt like just hearing him was causing a hemorrhage in my head.

But before it could get any worse, I felt the flames within me resonate with something. Something far away from where I was. From where Earth was.

I don't know how I knew that. It was just a feeling, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt what it was.

Another Patriarch.

I could feel the resonance between us like I did with Matriarch Arainian.

But even though I could feel the resonance, it was faint. Very faint… and there was also another feeling.

One of… disdain?

Though it wasn't necessarily coming from whoever triggered the resonance… instead, it felt like it came from… the world…?

I don't know.

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Nor do I understand any of this.

"Seems I got caught. Hey brat. You promised a spear. Deliver or destroy your hammer."

The Dwarf, who started all of this, fell to her knees and a hammer appeared out of nowhere and slammed into the ground in front of her with enough force to shake the building as she slammed her head into the ground.

"MY HAMMER SHALL KNOW NO REST AND MY FORGE SHALL KNOW NO COLD!"

And with that, the gaze—and even the feeling of resonance I felt—completely vanished as if they were never there in the first place.

Even my headache disappeared without a trace.

I just wanted a spear.

I was even willing to pay for it.

Looking away from the kneeling Dwarf, I turned my gaze toward Elder Zal and was a little surprised to see she had lowered her head and closed her eyes for a moment.

I waited until she looked up and opened her eyes to voice my question.

"What just happened?"

She turned an icy gaze towards the kneeling Dwarf as her voice could be heard in my mind.

'That was the voice of a xxxxx. You likely cannot even hear the name I just said. Do not try to think about it and do not try to think of the person who just spoke. They will be able to feel it and peer at you if they so wish.'

I… well.

Moving on… I guess?

As that thought—or I guess lack of thoughts in this case—settled into my mind, the Dwarf stood up and calmly grabbed her hammer, and then Elder Zal's voice resounded in the room.

"You. Never. Do. That. Again."

Black flames danced wildly in her eyes as she spoke each word with what felt like the weight of a mountain behind it.

She didn't even bother waiting for a response before sending a respectful nod in my direction and vanishing once more.

I looked at the spot she disappeared from, then back at the Dwarf, who was awkwardly scratching her face as if she was embarrassed about something she did.

"I apologize for my actions, Patriarch Raizen. Honestly… that is something I've done a few times before, but it usually never results in… this.

"That privilege is usually reserved for Dwarfs of a much higher standing than I."

"You didn't intend for that to happen?"

"No… I did not. But it changes everything. I will be pouring my everything into the creation of your spear.

"Please come back in around a year with your desired materials and specifications. I will have the forge ready by then."

"Wait, a year?"

She nodded grimly at me.

"Yes… it will take a while.

"For now, I have a few spears that I am still proud of that you can use in the meantime."

At saying that, three spears appeared and floated out toward me.

I looked at the spears for a moment, trying to figure out which one I should be using when she spoke again.

"You can have all of them. And remember, Patriarch Raizen. One year. The forge, my hammer, my spirit will be ready in one year."

…

By the time I returned from what was supposed to be just a simple meeting with the City Lord and the placing of a commission, I had a whole lot more on my mind than when I left.

There were some things I wasn't really allowed to think about, but just the stuff about the forge was enough of a thinking point.

An entire year dedicated to preparation. And I would need to show up with specifications and materials at the end of that year.

"Vrusha."

"Yes, Patriarch."

"Find Lidaz and tell him to gather anyone proficient in finding minerals and things of that nature."

"Yes, Patriarch."

He went off to do as I asked, and I made my way toward the station reserved for New Earth City.

Hopefully, there weren't any further surprises to be had here. Think I've had enough of that for one day.

Hm. Was that a flag?

…

Turns out it wasn't.

I was greeted at the station, as the people here pretty much knew who I was, and promptly led to the office of City Lord Johnson where I received his submission without any odd things happening.

We talked for a bit, and then I returned home to find Lidaz and Vrusha waiting for me.

"Got some people?"

"I do, Patriarch."

"Good. Dedicate a small team to finding minable resources. Report back when there's an update about findings on the minerals, significant progress on the district, or something you think needs my attention. Otherwise, I will be spending most of my time in the Library. Understood?"

"Yes, Patriarch!"

And with that, I quickly entered the Library. Marveled at its appearance for a moment, introduced myself to a startled librarian, and then found a section on the first floor titled Multiverse and began reading.

I was going to be here for a very long time.

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