It was somewhat confusing, but for the time being, he would give him the explanation for his motives which he had prepared beforehand.
“It’s because these runes differ slightly from the ones which I know of. You understand how someone can be interested in the historical background and spread of runecraft, no? If so, I hope you can answer my question.”
Gondo looked away, and fell into contemplation. They continued walking forward in silence for a while.
Just as Ainz was starting to get restless, Gondo finally answered him.
“I’m now experimenting with reducing the time it takes to performing runic enchantment, as well as a way to mass produce them. However, that is only a means to an end. My final objective is to develop techniques that make runes essential. In other words, I want to make runecraft unique and able to stand the test of time.”
In other words, he wanted to add value to runes. The boss of any company would understand that motivation. When developing a product, it was quite common for that point to be repeatedly emphasized, to the point of revulsion.
“Hoho. That’s pretty amazing research, is it not? How is it progressing?”
He did not think he would actually get an answer, but Ainz had asked that question anyway because he was confused on one point. Namely, that anyone who was developing a new technology like this should be a VIP in the Dwarven Kingdom.
I have no idea why he’s out here by himself, collecting samples in such a dangerous place. Shouldn’t someone like him be better guarded?
Ainz’s question was immediately answered.
“Not at all. There hasn’t been any progress,” Gondo mumbled in a depressed tone. “People who use runecraft to make magic items are called runesmiths, but I’m nowhere near amazing enough to be addressed by that title. I can’t even do what an apprentice should be capable of.”
Eh? Ainz mouthed in surprise. Did that not mean that someone who could not even apply proper runes was trying to advance the field of runecraft? This was an utterly ridiculous situation.
Could he really make any breakthroughs like this, or was this very normal for them?
No, this could not possibly be normal. If it was normal, Gondo would not have been so depressed. In other words, he too must have felt that he was merely fumbling around.
In truth, Ainz was in quite a quandary. He had no idea how to make use of Gondo.
“I’m not talented. I can carve runes, but it takes too long for me to do so… although, they say all runesmiths have to pass through this phase before they can grow. But other runesmiths progressed forward instead of being stuck at a plateau like me.”
Gondo drooped his head powerlessly.
“I’m no good as a runesmith. I’m just a useless descendant that my great father left behind.”
I see, Ainz mused. So his problem was simply a lack of talent.
After considering the knowledge from this world and that of YGGDRASIL, he was quite sure that this was the case.
One needed ten other levels in certain job classes before being able to take levels in the runesmith career. However, if his overall level cap was 11, then he would not be able to gain further levels as a runesmith. And if he had only one level of runesmith, he would only be able to learn skills of no great import.
There was nothing Ainz could do to help Gondo, so he said nothing else.
There were times when comforting someone could save them, and times when all they could do was give up.
If Ainz were in Gondo’s situation, he would not want someone he had met for the first time to comfort him either.
“…Is that so. Speaking of which, do all Dwarves have the goal of advancing runecraft and developing new techniques for it?”
“No, I’m the only one who does that,” Gondo replied, with a terribly lonely laugh. “All the runesmiths have given up on their craft. There’s nobody left who wants to break free of the current state of runecraft and develop new technology for it. They all feel that it’s alright to abandon it.”
“I see… Then, there’s something I’d like to know. What will you do after developing new runecraft techniques?”
“What will I do? I just want to use runecraft to enchant things and increase the number of runesmiths. Runes are an amazing technology. It would be a terrible waste to let them die out.”
“Is anyone helping you in this?”
“No. Like I said, almost all the runesmiths have given up their craft and spend their days drinking and cursing bitterly about how it’s going to die out with their generation. I’ve tried to talk them around in the past, but they all rejected me.”
“…Hm. Well, the weak perish. It’s only natural for useless technology to vanish.”
Gondo suddenly glared at Ainz, but his gaze lost its strength within moments.
As he watched Gondo hang his head and move on, Ainz contemplated the value of runes.
Frankly speaking, he had no interest in them beyond their historical involvement with players.
However, abandoned arts could be developed on the cheap, and a brief investment might not be a bad idea. The concept of not having to spend money was also very attractive. In addition, he wanted to collect rare technologies.
Also, if other players appeared, one could use their interest in runes as an excellent lure.
“…I have a question or two. What basis do you have that techniques like what you mentioned earlier can be developed? What I heard just now sounds like empty fantasies thought up by someone who knows nothing about the craft.”
“That’s not true! Well, it’s true that I don’t have the talent to be a proper runesmith. But my father, and my father’s father — my grandfather — were both the top runesmiths of this country, and they served the last royal — the Runesmith King — as his right and left hands. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I’ve read the literature and theses my father and grandfather left behind. I’m sure it’s possible! My father confirmed my theories on his sickbed. He told me it was difficult but not impossible!”
Gondo looked like he was going to cough up blood with his words as tears welled up at the edges of his eyes.
The feelings and thoughts he had long kept inside of him had finally burst forth.
Though that torrent of emotion crashed against him, Ainz remained unmoved. While Gondo’s words made him hope that the Dwarf’s research would bear fruit, the fact was that Ainz merely wanted access to rare techniques which might have otherwise been lost. If Gondo could not deliver concrete results, then Ainz would give up on him.
“It’s true that I’m useless as a son! Still, I don’t want to let the art which my ancestors passed down die out! I won’t let the glorious name of my father vanish from the history books, no matter what I have to do!”
And then, those words struck a chord with Ainz.
He too wished to preserve all the things left by his comrades in Ainz Ooal Gown. He wanted them to endure for all time.
In that instant, Ainz could understand Gondo’s feelings deep in the marrow of his bones.
His affection gauge maxed out in a flash.
At the same time, he understood why Gondo went on and on about runecraft.
To him, runecraft was dead, or perhaps, close to death. Thus, he had no reason to hide it. For all he knew, he might have wanted to let it spread as far and wide as possible, so it could survive in one way or another. Of course, he did not know if he had thought that far ahead.
“…Forgive me. This might anger you, but I hope you will permit me to say this. From my point of view, you are you, and you are neither your father nor your grandfather. Am I wrong?”
An inexplicable blend of emotions appeared on Gondo’s face. It was hard to tell if he was angry, hurt or touched. But it eventually faded into dejection.