New chapter of Let’s Create a Dungeon is out! (1/3 chapters)
Short Story (7): Hide’s Anxiety
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Ran finished the task with plenty of time to spare. Shiba and Kai, though they had not yet completed the task, had heard that they had shown a certain degree of progress and had demonstrated the path toward completion to some extent.
As for Rin, Hide didn’t know much about how things were going. He didn’t know how difficult the task was, but he couldn’t imagine Rin and the others, who were doing daily training, failing to produce results.
As for Vi, there was no task. It seemed like she was always doing her own thing, but she had won the trust of the Demon King. Compared to that, Hide thought, as he looked down at the prototype, which was clearly a failure under the name of a prototype. When he had received the task, he was full of confidence. After all, anything he had been asked to make so far, he had been able to make. It was true that there had been a mistake with the fence, but that was only about the method of operation. There was nothing said about the creation.
So, he thought that the three tasks from the Demon King would be finished quickly. However, he soon realized that such thoughts were nothing more than arrogance. He couldn’t make them. Crossbow, ballista, repeating crossbow. None of them were made. The multiple drawings given by the Demon King, how they moved, how they were used, were clearly drawn, but no matter what, Hide, a small goblin, could not make them. They were different from the simple things he had made so far. Unlike a cart, which required multiple parts, these were so different that it couldn’t even be compared.
“…W-What should I do?” (Hide)
In front of the Demon King’s drawings, a Hobgoblin raised a voice of despair. Hide understood the meaning of that. Among the Hobgoblins who had gathered to make the designs, Hide was the one who understood the most.
Today, the Demon King would come to hear the results. It was happening. Hide had two choices left. Either he would honestly admit that he had no results and expose his incompetence. Or he would fake the many prototypes, which were nothing but failures, and expose his disgrace. Either way, his evaluation would plummet. There was a chance he might no longer be needed.
What value would there be in a small goblin who couldn’t make things? He was neither as well-coordinated and quick as the kobolds nor had the farming knowledge and strength of the orcs. He wasn’t as brave as the lizardmen, nor did he have the combat skills. He couldn’t even make or weave the threads like the Arachnids. Recently, such thoughts had been appearing in Hide’s mind. But as the days went on, those thoughts grew stronger.
“…!” (Hide)
“Chieftain!” (Subordinate)
Finally, he turned pale and collapsed. He was immediately helped up by everyone, but his face remained the same. In fact, as time passed, it only worsened.
“Chieftain, please rest. We will report to Maou-sama for you.” (Subordinate)
“N-No, that’s not acceptable. It is my duty as the leader to do that. Don’t worry about me.” (Hide)
“But…” (Subordinate)
Hide, rejecting the concerned subordinates, wouldn’t let them take responsibility. It seemed like it was going to be a long battle, but then…
“This way please.” (Guide)
“Thank you for the guide. …I’ve heard, Hide, that you’ve been deciding the order of the task reports, and it seems that today is your turn. I became curious, so I came.” (Nobunaga)
The Demon King had arrived. And it was because of the task report. The retreat was now blocked. While his subordinates were surprised by the sudden arrival of the Demon King, Hide took a step forward and lowered his head.
“Normally, we would report to you, but we deeply appreciate you coming all the way here.” (Hide)
Now, it was Hide’s turn to converse with the Demon King. His subordinates seemed to have realized a little late, but it was already too late. They couldn’t interrupt and could only watch in silence.
“First, about the task… I apologize. The crossbow, ballista, and repeating crossbow—none of them are completed yet, and there is no prospect of completion.” (Hide)
“I thought as much. Honestly, I would have been surprised if you had finished them or if there was any prospect of completion within that period.” (Nobunaga)
At those words, a flicker of hope rose in Hide’s mind. If it was such a difficult task and they didn’t expect completion, then maybe it would be alright. Unless, of course, they didn’t expect much from the small goblin. But immediately, Hide realized. The Demon King must have come because they expected some results. If they had thought nothing would come out of it, there would be no reason to come. But now, they had nothing to show as results to the Demon King. The fact made Hide feel like he was about to collapse, but he somehow held himself together with sheer willpower.
“Well, as for the results…” (Hide)
A slight hesitation. Expose incompetence or expose disgrace. But soon, Hide realized he could not lie to the Demon King and chose to expose his incompetence.
“There is still no result that I can report.” (Hide)
“I see. Oh, what’s this? A slingshot?” (Demon King)
The report, which was Hide’s resolute declaration, was easily brushed aside by the Demon King, who pulled out something that clearly looked like a failure from the pile of prototypes. A stick that branched into a Y-shape. Arachnid threads were wound around the branch tips, and a board was attached to the base of the branch, making it an early failed prototype of a crossbow. The Demon King, seemingly playing with it, pulled the string and launched pieces of wood as projectiles, but the range was virtually nonexistent, and they quickly fell.
“Ha-ha, it doesn’t fly at all. This is a toy, a slingshot.” (Demon King)
Yet for some reason, the Demon King seemed to enjoy the scene. Then, the Demon King continued to dig through the pile of prototypes, looking for something else. Seeing this, the Hobgoblins were filled with fear. To their eyes, it was a collection of failures. They didn’t know what might touch the Demon King’s reverse scale.
After a while, the Demon King’s hand came to a sudden stop.
“Hide, could this be a failed crossbow?” (Demon King)
“Y-Yes.” (Hide)
It seemed the Demon King had noticed the same thing in the other prototypes, and Hide’s spine froze. Would he be scolded for the sheer number of failures, or would he be disappointed for creating so many failures with no results at all? The words spoken to Hide were far from what he had imagined.
“Are you paying attention to the wood?” (Demon King)
It was advice.
“From the looks of it, you’ve never thought about it, huh? Even though it’s wood, there are various types, and naturally, their characteristics differ. Hard, soft, brittle, light. You need to study the characteristics of each type of wood and use the one suited for your purpose. Also, the Arachnid thread is durable and easy to use, but it lacks elasticity. So, looking for something new wouldn’t be a bad idea either.” (Demon King)
Hide, surprised that he was receiving advice, misunderstood the Demon King’s intention and was further lectured on the importance of materials. Regaining his composure and understanding the meaning of the Demon King’s words, Hide recalled a certain incident. The long-lasting carts and the quickly breaking carts.
There had been a complaint from the kobolds about the orcs having more of the long-lasting carts. He had always thought that it was because the creator’s skill was lacking, but perhaps it was because the wood wasn’t suitable for the carts? In other words, it was a problem he should have noticed. The words that came to his mind were all ones of self-deprecation and those were dull-witted, lazy, and so on. He swore to make further efforts.
“Hmm? Hide, are you not tired? Are you sleeping properly? Don’t tell me you’ve been worrying about wood and such. These things are hard to notice when you’re tired or trying your hardest. Sometimes they pop into your mind when you’re relaxing, like in the bath. You might realize it just before you sleep. So, when it’s time to work, work. When it’s time to rest, rest.” (Nobunaga)
Thus, there was no oath made in the face of the Demon King’s words. Looking back at himself, Hide realized that he had been pushing himself too hard. And now, he was about to repeat the same mistake. The Demon King had quickly noticed this and pointed it out, and upon realizing that there was kindness in the Demon King’s words, Hide fought desperately to hold back tears.
“It’s probably getting in the way, so I’ll go back. …Tomorrow, it’s Rin’s turn. I’m anxious.” (Hide)
It wasn’t that he was in the way, but Hide tried to stop him, only to find his voice trembling and unable to speak up in that embarrassing tone. The Demon King left without saying more. After a short pause, once Hide had calmed down, he turned and faced his subordinates. None of them had the confused expression they had earlier, when they were troubled by the lack of results. Instead, their faces were full of vitality, brimming with motivation. Seeing such a scene, Hide nodded with satisfaction.
“Everyone understood Maou-sama’s words, right? We need to investigate the wood and also research the threads. Additionally, we must review the blueprints and reassess where and what materials are needed. But right now, what is most needed is not those things. Do you understand? That is… rest! Everyone, go to sleep! This is an order. Anyone who disobeys will not participate in the work. Sleep first, then work after you wake up. Understood?” (Hide)
That day, Hide made a new vow.
When it’s time to rest, rest!
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