It's Time to Gather Some Materials!

"My Cute Little Sister's New Advisor… So, you were the demons' target all along! Would you mind telling me what this is all about?" A gold and white short-haired man—seemingly in his 30s, said casually whilst holding a red book in his hand.

Since the man did not even manifest his mana, Arturo know that the man was not hostile towards him. Thus, Arturo simply stored the 'ring' and the 'glove' to his System Inventory before saying, "I am just having a late-night stroll outside the Kingdom, your highness!"

"I see…" The man simply nodded in response—as if he was actually believing Arturo's words. Then, a few seconds later, he raised his hand—consequently manifesting a black portal.

The man said, "I won't force you to tell me if you don't want to! But… I don't think it would be the same with my cute little sister and my 'strict' father!"

The man paused for a few seconds, before adding, saying, "Anyway… Before I go… I want to know…"

The man glared towards Arturo—full of murderous intent. Then, he asked, "Are you a friend or a foe?!"

Arturo simply laughed in response before saying, "Forgive me, your highness! Hahaha! But… To answer your question... I am not your foe nor do I harbor any ill intent against the Alvar Kingdom! However… I don't think that we're that close enough for you to consider me as a friend!"

The man simply sighed in response before saying, "You sure know your way with your words, young man! I just hope that Little Anmeerale won't fall in love with you because of that! Hahaha!"

Arturo could only shake his head in response as the man entered the black portal. Then, he grumbled to himself, "Aish! Why did things become this complicated?! I just want to farm peacefully and level up!"

"Liar!" Dark Dragon Milid angrily said in response. "Other than your true strength being revealed to the 'eyes' of the Kingdom… You seemed like you had a great time tonight!"

Arturo simply remained quiet in response.

A few seconds later, Wind Dragon Aba interjected the conversation, saying, "That aside… I am surprised that you allowed the 'impatient' demon to escape! What are you planning to do, human?!"

Arturo smirked before saying, "Well… I need someone who would bring a Demon Lord's Legion to us! That would save me the trouble of looking for them! On top of that, it would be a great opportunity for me to level up!"

"Hoo… You're even confident going against a Demonic Legion now, huh?" Dark Dragon Milid chuckled in response. Then, she paused for a few seconds before adding, saying, "Well… I love chaos, so… Make sure to entertain me well!"

"Yeah! Yeah! I know! You don't need to keep telling me that!" Arturo complained in response. Then, he sighed before saying, "Anyway… Before we go back to the Kingdom… Let's make a short detour to mining grounds—in the east! I need to bring back some ores for the Blacksmith and… I need to hunt some Elemental Slimes for the Blank Daggers!"

"Elemental Slimes, huh?" Wind Dragon Aba raised his brows in response. Then, he added, saying, "Using the Soul of Elemental Slimes to finalize the creation of the man-made artifact… If I were you, I would rather use a ring as a catalyst—or any accessories, instead of a Dagger!"

"That way, the owner of that man-made artifact would be able to freely manifest a weapon of his/her choice instead?" Arturo asked in response—as if he was able to see through what Wind Dragon Aba had in mind.

Wind Dragon Aba simply nodded in response.

That said, Arturo chuckled in response before saying, "I know that fact, at the least!"

"So…" Wind Dragon Aba could not help but frown in response.

Arturo simply explained in response, saying, "But… Have you forgotten that Runic Artifacts can be easily stolen?"

"If I made the Runic Artifact versatile and easy to use… It's like I am giving my 'possible enemies' a 'good weapon' that's very easy to manufacture!" Arturo added. "Since these Runic Artifacts would be just for the temporary use of my men… There's no need to go such lengths in improving it!"

"That way… Even if it was stolen—for some reason... Its range would remain 'short' and… It would take them years before they would be able to develop the 'more efficient versions' of it."

"Besides… You guys should not underestimate the Runic Artifacts! With the right monster and the right catalyst… Runic Artifacts could be as good as Ancient Artifacts." Arturo smirked mischievously in response.

"Hmm… Why are you going to such lengths to slow the development of other people—seemingly specifically the otherworlders?" Void Dragon Igil asked as his face wore a frown.

Arturo glared at Void Dragon Igil in response and said, "Those otherworlders… They are too intelligent for their own good! If you give them an artifact with great versatility in terms of use… I am afraid that it would cause the Kingdom too much trouble!"

"Don't get me wrong though! I am not taking the side of the Alvar Kingdom! I just think that… Maintaining the balance between the Kingdom and the Otherworlders would be the most efficient move to make for now—since we are aiming for the head of the Demon King!" Arturo said whilst releasing his grip to the Void Dragon Sword on his left hand.

Then, Arturo replaced it with the Dark Dragon Sword before adding, saying, "Anyway… You guys don't need to worry much about it! Just trust me that I am doing things for everyone's sake!"

"Yeah! Yeah! We get it! We get it, human!" Dark Dragon Milid grumbled in response. Then, she smirked before saying, "Just don't forget to 'try' turning some monsters into an undead servant! It's a cool skill, I promise!"

"I am not fond of undead, but… If the opportunity arises, then, why not?!" Arturo smirked mischievously in response.

"Hehehe… I can't wait to know what you'd turn into an undead, human! Perhaps a gigantic bear—like the one we fought earlier!" Dark Dragon Milid laughed out loud in response.

"We'll see…" Arturo casually said in response.

To avoid leaving the Dragons on their own after using teleportation, Arturo released a spherical room out of his own black mana—just big enough to fit the five dragons inside.

Afterward, he used teleportation to arrive somewhere in the forest located at the Mountain Range, Northeast of Alvar Kingdom.

"I thought we're going to a Mining Area? So… Why are we in a forest instead?" Dark Dragon complained to Arturo.

On the other hand, Arturo simply ignored him in response and started walking up the Mountain.

Minutes later… They were able find a seemingly abandoned mining site.

Broken crates, carriages, and even tents were scattered everywhere along the vicinity of the entrance of a cave—which was blocked by boulders that probably collapsed.

"It time to gather some materials!" Arturo said before his face wore a mischievous smile.