After clearing out the remaining magical beasts and recovering the bodies of the fallen, the Dwarves invited the chiefs of each beast tribe and Xu Xin to their cave.
Each beast tribe chief sent their warriors back to the valley first and then headed to the Dwarves' cave.
The Dwarves' cave was very similar to the beast tribes' caves. This was natural since the beast tribes' caves had been made by the Dwarves in the first place.
"Now, tell us what you want. We'll make anything as a reward for helping us."
The Dwarves said after bringing out simple drinks and food.
In response, the beast tribe chiefs made various requests. From weapons and household items to cave expansions, there were truly diverse requests.
The Dwarves accepted all these various requests without refusing a single one.
'Despite all these different requests, the Dwarves agree without even showing signs of deliberation. Is it because they can make everything? If so, they are truly universal craftsmen.'
Xu Xin thought this to himself as he took a sip of the drink the Dwarves had brought. The drink with a burning taste was, surprisingly, alcohol.
Although he didn't know much about alcohol, he could tell that the Dwarves' liquor had a unique flavor.
'Are the Dwarves also excellent at brewing alcohol?'
Just as he was admiring the surprising taste, the Dwarves who had accepted all the beast chiefs' requests turned to Xu Xin.
"Elf who killed the Ogre. Xu Xin, was it? Anyway, tell us what you want."
Putting down his cup, Xu Xin answered without hesitation:
"I would like to request a sword."
"A sword? Good, what kind of sword do you want? What material, what length, what weight? Since you killed an Ogre, we'll put special effort into making yours."
Xu Xin spread his hands wide.
"I want the total length to be this much. The handle should be long enough to grip with two hands with space for one fist between them. The blade width should be more than two finger joints but not exceed three, and the spine..."
He recited the specifications of his desired sword one after another. Since he was describing the exact specifications of the sword he used in his previous life, there was no hesitation.
But for some reason, the Dwarves who heard his request blinked with blank faces. It was quite a different reaction from when they heard the beast chiefs' requests.
Xu Xin tilted his head.
Compared to the various requests of the beast tribe chiefs, his request for a single sword was so simple it was almost trivial.
Yet the Dwarves didn't readily accept it, which left him puzzled.
"Xu Xin. Your request is truly unique. Is it because you're an elf? Asking for such a long sword."
The Dwarves, who had been whispering as if discussing something, suddenly said to Xu Xin.
"We've made many things over the years. While serving Titans or Dragons, we made shovels, hammers, pickaxes, axes, knives, and the like."
"Since coming here, we've also made spears, metal clubs, and other weapons for the beast-people. But we've never made a long sword like your request."
"A sword so long it must be held with two hands. Why have we never made such a thing? It might be more difficult to make than a short knife, but it's certainly an interesting request."
Xu Xin's face showed slight surprise.
"You mean you've never made a long sword, or even heard of or seen one?"
"That's right. Many of us are Dwarves who escaped from Titans and Dragons, and among them, not one has ever made a long sword."
"Does that mean you can't make a long sword?"
"No, no. It just means we've never even thought about it. Now that we've heard your request, it doesn't seem like something we can't make."
Xu Xin had a peculiar expression upon hearing that although the Dwarves had the ability to make long swords, they had never even conceived of making one.
'Come to think of it, none of the beast warriors used long swords either.'
He pondered about why the Dwarves, despite their excellent metallurgy, had only made short swords.
'Considering the magical beings and magic of this world, perhaps it's not so incomprehensible.'
Xu Xin recalled his memories from his previous life.
The origins of axes, clubs, short knives, and spears were unknown. In contrast, the origins of long swords could be easily found in ancient literature and historical records.
In the Mozi, which he had once read, there was this record:
"The people of Chu are good at forging, and their swords are long and sharp."
In the Strategies of the Warring States and Records of the Grand Historian, there were these records:
"Chu soldiers carry long swords, and their sharp spirit is unbroken."
"The people of Chu have many long swords and are skilled in using them."
As far as Xu Xin knew, in the world of his previous life, the first long swords were made in the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period.
The character for Chu meant a dense forest.
The land of Chu had many jungles and wetlands, making it unsuitable for raising horses. Instead, the people of Chu excelled in metallurgy.
So the soldiers of Chu made and used long swords to counter the northern cavalry. Long swords could only be made when sufficient forging abilities were available.
'In my previous world, long swords were created when Chu possessed sufficient forging abilities and simultaneously faced specific situations that necessitated them. In contrast, how is this world?'
The Dwarves possessed sufficient forging abilities. But they weren't in an environment that particularly required making and using long swords.
Beings like Dragons wouldn't have needed weapons at all. Human slaves serving Dragons and others would have only needed tools.
Even the beast warriors had no reason to need long swords. Given their strong bodies and stamina, it was hard to see swords having any special advantage over other weapons.
Therefore, the Dwarves had no reason to make long swords that no one needed.
Because no one needed them, no one had tried to make them.
As Xu Xin was lost in thought, the Dwarves said:
"Xu Xin. Although your request is unfamiliar, it's extremely interesting. Alright! We'll make you a long sword as requested. There might be some trial and error, but we'll definitely make you the best sword."