Woof, woof, woof...
As the party of five stepped onto the grounds, Big Yellow charged over, baring his teeth and barking furiously at them!
Clang, clang, clang...
At the same time, the crisp ringing of metal striking metal reached them.
Inside the courtyard of the two-story house, thick coal smoke billowed from a chimney!
A slender young man who looked eighteen was crafting an alloy scepter shaped like a magic staff. For now, he was only forming its outline.
Fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead. Beside him, a girl of twelve or thirteen, with the same blue hair and blue eyes, watched intently, wiping his brow whenever she noticed the sweat!
"Xin'er, I hear Big Yellow barking. Go see if someone's come in!"
The young man spoke to the girl wiping his sweat without stopping his work.
Today, he was making a Glorious Rank staff. After teaching himself artifact refining and producing thirteen pieces of spirit-magic grade equipment, this was his latest attempt at a breakthrough!
The girl nodded, then walked out of the courtyard!
Meanwhile, the party of five approached at a leisurely pace. A burly, honest-looking oaf at the front was carrying Big Yellow by his hind legs.
"Heh, the Commander must be living the good life. Even his dog's gotten fat!"
The burly man made a teasing remark.
Beside him, a girl in mage robes looked at the dog and nodded. "Seems that way!"
The Summoner girl leading them said mildly, "If you two want to know, just ask the Commander yourselves later!"
Only when a natural beauty appeared before them were they certain they hadn't lost their way this time.
This really was the Commander's dog!
"Whine, whine..." The frightened dog caught sight of the lady of the house, his round eyes filling with