Chapter 43.1

“……..!”

This was more surprising than learning that Nadia had a very good discerning eye. The dwarves looked at her with utter astonishment on their faces

“How do you……!”

Bellows were large braziers that worked by funnelling air into them. They were used to heat or melt iron, but in order to make fine steel, advanced bellows were a necessity. The dwarves had been using them for over a decade now in their village, but knowledge of the bellows would not reach the human world until far into the future.

So how did a noble lady come to know that they had advanced bellows?

Seeing the shocked eyes that the dwarves looked at her with, all Nadia did was smile, her smile pregnant with meaning.

“I know all about it.”

She wanted to say that anyone who returned from the future would know, but she swallowed the words as she could not utter them.

To accomplish all that she had planned, she needed the dwarves’ advanced bellows. So no matter what, she needed to convince them to stay.

“I am not hoping for you to teach or pass down your technique to anyone. All I wish is for you to do your very best to produce all that we ask of you for the next ten years. Does my offer still sound unsatisfactory to you?”

“N.. no, Madam.”

“That’s a relief.”

At that point, expressions of relief appeared on the faces of the dwarves.

Now that Nadia had reassured them, in her characteristic soft voice, it was Glenn’s turn to talk to them.

“Read this. It contains all the detailed information. If there are any parts you would like to discuss, speak freely.”

The servants placed papers with the contract written on them before each dwarf. The dwarves, who were hesitant at first, picked up the papers one after the other. As they read, the quiet tea room, in which only the rustle of the paper could be heard a moment earlier, became clamorous as they fired questions at Glenn.

“You say you will give us time off to go back to our village. Does that mean that we can decide the amount of time however we want?”

“This confidentiality clause for the goods commissioned by Winterfell… Of course this has to be mentioned.”

“Wages per month…… Ack, we, we don’t need this much!”

There were a number of questions and reactions to the clauses of the contract, as well as some requests for modifications. When their voices had died down, Glenn’s eyes swept through the entire room, as he asked.

“Do you have any more questions? Or any other demands?”

“……..”

In order to get them to stay put, they had been offered several shocking terms. Asking for more on top of that would make them thoughtless fools with not a whit of conscience. As expected, no one spoke up to reply to Glenn.

“It seems there are none. I’ll ask this time. Is there anyone here who would like to return to your village first?”

“Ah……”

“Not to worry. Even if you say that you do not want to work here, we will not force you to stay.”

Among the seven dwarves, five said that they wanted to return. The other two decided to remain temporarily. Those who were returning also agreed that if there was anyone from the Dwarf village who wanted to come to the human world, they would introduce them to Winterfell.

Nadia laughed as she spoke.

“Is everyone satisfied?”

“Yes. Just saving us was enough to put us in your debt, and now you have shown us such generous kindness……”

“Then you can sign at the bottom.”

“Pardon?”

“You can also place a thumbprint. It’s to make it hold legally. Oh, is there an inkpad?”

All of a sudden? Miar blinked confusedly.

‘Shouldn’t she give us a day to think on the terms some more?’

But it was difficult to complain because of the hospitable treatment they had received so far. Besides, wasn’t she also the benefactor who had saved their lives?

Seeing that the dwarves were confused, Nadia tilted her head as she asked.

“Are there any problems?”

“Ah, that…… We didn’t know that things would proceed this fast……”

“Since you are all gathered here already, I think we should handle it quickly.”

“Ye… yes Madam.”

Are humans always in such a hurry? Doubt clouded Miar’s face.

‘Maybe it’s a cultural difference. Afterall, they have shorter lifespans than we do.’

Miar began to convince himself, making excuses for Nadia.

Just as he moved to pick up the pen, Nadia tacked on another sentence.

“By the way, once you sign the contract, we will have an employer-employee relationship, and I will lower my register.” [1]

“Of course Madam.”

It was rare to even find a noble that used honorifics when speaking to subhumans. So although he was older than she was, Miar had no complaints. Four dwarves, including Miar, signed the contract, and immediately, Nadia’s smile deepened. [2]

‘It’s done finally!’

With this, all the things she needed to prepare were done. Because things went smoothly, Nadia automatically felt more charitable. With a radiant smile on her face, she spoke.

“We promise to give you the best treatment so that you will not regret signing the contract today. For that reason, you may continue using the same guest rooms you are in currently, even after you recover.”

“But the rooms are too luxurious, Madam.”

“No, we promised to give you the best treatment. Having one’s employees live well and in great condition is also a good thing for the employer. Ah, yes. They said you have mostly recovered?”

“Thanks to Madam’s care, I think we have all fully recovered.”

“That is great.”

“Hmm?”

Nadia’s question seemed to just be asking after their health, but there was a slightly different nuance to it. Miar looked at Nadia, his pupils wavering. As before, Nadia stood, smiling at them.

“I would like a sample of an item made, before it goes into mass production.”

“……..”

Her smile was that of an employer looking at their labourers. Watching her, Miar felt he could almost hear her saying, ‘shouldn’t you earn your keep?’.

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Notes:

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[1] ‘…lower my register.’: 말을 낮추다. Korean has several different levels of speech, corresponding to the different degrees of formality, societal hierarchy and status. All this while, Nadia had been speaking to them using honorifics; going forward, she will drop the honorifics. However, it doesn’t mean that she will be rude to them. Rather, instead of treating them as honoured guests, she will now treat them as her subordinates. [But the dwarves will have to maintain the honorifics when speaking to her though]

[2] No idea why it says four instead of two. Maybe another two wanted to return to the Dwarf village and then come back?

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