Dwarf Blacksmith

[Nordri]

What...?

I don't have any

Eluniums or Oridecons!

Vestri took them all. *Sigh* Those were my treasures, you know...

What's happening?

I sense change in the winds, but what that change may be, I cannot tell.

Should I go into the cave to figure it out? Huh. This is most peculiar.

Bwahahah!

Even the gods know that we Dwarves are the most talented of artisans! Maybe it doesn't seem that way now, but someday we shall return.

Vestri took them all.

Don't you understand?

Eh heh heh~

It's nice being in the Mjolnir Forest. To be surrounded by the quiet, peaceful air and not having to worry about anything...

Shouldn't you be on your way by now? Eh, it's none of my business.

If you have the Zeny to spare, why don't you buy some snacks for your travels? Perhaps some delicious Bananas, or even some Pumpkins...

What business

do you have with

me, human?

Huh.

If that's the case,

then leave me alone.

That's fine. Still...

I'm surprised to see

such a polite human.

Ah, you've brought

me a Red Potion, just

like I asked. In return,

I will tell you an old story.

I'm sure you'll like it.

This is a legend about one

of Thor's journeys into Utgard,

land of the giants.

There, he made a wager with their king in which he would challenge

the giants of their land in tests of skill and strength.

The first was an eating contest. Thor ate all of the meat on his table, but his opponent, Utgardaloki, ate his meat, the bones and even the plates.

In truth, Thor was tricked, and the opponent that defeated him was not

actually a giant. Illusion was used to disguise Thor's opponent, but I forget was it was. Do you know?

Yes, only a Blaze could have effortlessly consumed meat, bones and plates by burning. Of course!

I remember now!

The next contest was a race. In that match, Thor's servant, Tialfi competed with the king's servant, Hugi. However, no matter how many matches they had, Hugi would win every time.

Once again, illusion magic was

used to disguise the competitor. Do you know what Tialfi was really racing against?

Yes, right! Tialfi was racing 'thoughts!' Nothing can move faster than the speed of thought, so it's no wonder Tialfi would always lose.

For the final contest, Thor would challenge an old woman in a wrestling match. At first, Thor thought his victory was assured, but he learned that he could not defeat the old crone.

Once again, Thor was the victim

of illusion magic. He didn't realize he wasn't actually wrestling with an old woman. Do you know what his opponent really was?

Yes, Thor was wrestling with 'Old Age!' No matter how strong anybody is, you can't fight against aging.

After Thor lost every match,

the king told him the truth about the contests. Thor grew furious, but it was too late. The king and the giants all vanished by then.

There are two lessons

to be learned from this tale. First, don't believe everything you see. Second, never be overconfident of your own power.

There will always be someone or something more powerful than you. It is important to always do your best and have an attitude of humility.

Try to live as good a life as you can. Remember that you can't have everything that you want. Obssession and irrationality go hand in hand.

Thank you for listening to my long story. If you meet someone with a dangerous obsession, please tell this story of Thor and the illusions of the giant king.

Huh...?

I don't think that's right. Let me think, maybe I can remember it. Hopefully, it'll come to me sooner or later...

Shall we talk more of this once again after enjoying another Red Potion? Hahahahaha~

Oooh...

I'm sooo thirsty!

Hm, didn't I ask you to bring a Red Potion? There's no way I can tell any stories with such a dry throat~

Odd. Recently, too many humans have been interested in meeting with me and my brothers. Still, I cannot say their visits have been unpleasant.

I'm a little thirsty. Would you bring me a Red Potion. If you do that for me, I will tell you an important story. Heh heh heh~

Zzzz Zzzz...

me a Red Potion...?

In return, I will

tell you an old story.

There is a story of a Dwarf named Alvis who contained more knowledge than a library and was braver than Siegfried the warrior.

Unfortunately...

He was too ambitious.

He fell in love with Thrud, Thor's first daughter, at first sight.

He asked Thor for permission to marry Thrud, but as was expected, Thor refused. Alvis should have given up there, but he didn't.

So Thor decided to test his knowledge by asking him some questions. The first question was, 'What is the name of the ground in human terms?' Do you know the answer?

Yes, that's right, 'Earth.' Alvis was able to also answer Thor's question correctly.

Thor then gave Alvis another question. What is the giant's term for the round shell that covers the earth?

That's it, 'High House.' Since the giants are so huge, it might have looked that way to them.

So Thor gave him another question. What is the term for the ball that rises in the sky at night, as used by the gods?

Yes! Gods refer to the

moon as the 'false sun.'

Although Alvis answered all of Thor's questions, he didn't notice the sun was rising.

Yes...

Thor prolonged his test so that Alvis would be turned to stone

once the sun rose.

There are two

things we can learn

from this story. First, do not covet something to the point of challenging fate or the gods.

Secondly, do not have too much pride in yourself. No matter how much ability or talent you may have, you cannot get everything

you want.

It's most

important to live a

good and virtuous life. It's great to achieve your desires, but be aware that some desires are not meant to be fulfilled.

Thank you for listening to my long story. If you meet anyone afflicted with an insatiable desire, please tell him this story of Thor and Alvis, a brave yet very defiant Dwarf.

You're funny, leave me alone.

Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz...

I am Nordri,

Dwarven Blacksmith.

I am in charge of this Northern part of Mount Mjolnir. If you wish to pass, you must first secure my approval!

Ho ho ho...

Calm down, it

was only a joke.

Hahahahaha!