Chapter 134: Loggil, The Craftsman
[Sara POV] Year 5, Day 207-208 (Night)
Sara also found the dwarf — tracked him through the establishment territory with professional efficiency.
[His name is Loggil. Sara heard others call him that. Nice, easy name — Sara will remember.]
He worked in the coca-cola factory as a maintenance technician — handyman work, basically. Helped keep various equipment running, including maintenance of enchantments. He clearly knew his way around technical work as part of the job.
[Oh. That's useful. That's why he gave the diagram — he understands enchantments professionally. Not just random helpful dwarf but actual expert craftsman. Sara is pleased.]
After his shift ended, Loggil drank for a few more hours with other dwarves in the resting area next to the factory. Then moved to his place of living — one of the apartment houses in the establishment territory used for non-maid staff.
[Nobody looks up. Nobody ever looks up. Sara's oldest advantage still working perfectly — dwarves are a below-eye-level people.]
When Loggil arrived home, first thing he did was set up new cookies and a new box of coca-cola outside — same as yesterday, same pattern of kindness.
Sara reasoned it out. [This is how he has that much coca-cola. He literally works where it's made — professional access explains the endless supply. Mystery solved.]
By that time, it was totally dark outside — perfect timing, perfect opportunity.
Sara first collected today's donation — cookies and coca-cola both. Never waste gifts.
Sara pushed the door open — not even locked. Dwarf was either very trusting or very drunk.
[Doesn't matter which. Sara's inside now.]
Inside was total mess — alcohol bottles everywhere, some empty, others still unopened. Functional alcoholic maybe, but alcoholic regardless. Basically a regular dwarf.
[Dwarf drinks a lot. But that's just dwarves — standard culture, Sara doesn't judge.]
Loggil himself was passed out in the living room, bottle of alcohol still in hand — even further gone than when Sara had watched him drinking earlier.
Sara studied the sleeping dwarf. [How to wake him gently? No experience with this whatsoever. Sara has knocked people unconscious plenty of times — waking them gently is the opposite skill set.]
Then she remembered something — seen someone use a feather for it once. Tickling maybe, or noise, or some combination.
Searched Item Box, found one — big exotic bird feather. Sara had no idea where she'd collected it from. No memory, just stored somewhere and available when needed.
[Sara has everything in Item Box — centuries of collection paying off yet again. This time it's a feather. Sara's hoarding habit vindicated for the thousandth time.]
Sara started tickling his nose with the feather — brushing his face, making faint noise, generally annoying him.
The dwarf swatted at it a few times with the coordination of a very drunk toddler — annoyed but nowhere near waking.
But eventually he woke up — almost jumped up, panic and confusion mixing on his face. Someone in front of him, large and dangerous, with a large feather in hand.
Then recognition hit, and relief spread across his face.
"Welcome Cookie Fairy, Lady Sara — my lifesaver!" He bowed, still a bit confused and lost, but making a friendly and grateful attempt.
Sara tried to be nice, made a bow in return — as pleasant as possible, professional courtesy applied.
"Thank you, Loggil. Your cookies yesterday were really nice."
She continued with more detail. "And your gift of coca-cola was really nice too. But my friend drank several bottles today, then shared most of the rest with Snakes." A small observation followed. "Well, Snakes did not think much of it — but they're probably not the main target group for this drink."
She added Dominos's specific request. "My friend also asked me to collect any coca-cola donations today. You were the only one who shared coca-cola."
The dwarf watched a bit strangely — probably didn't expect this long an answer. Probably expected simple thanks and got detailed report instead.
[Sara forgot herself. Got excited talking about friends — about Dominos, about Snakes. It's a new thing, having friends to talk about, people who matter. Sara forgets to be brief and just talks. Too much probably. But can't help it — friends matter and deserve mentions.]
The dwarf finally got words out — slow, careful, still drunk and processing.
"Thank you. I'll try to get you more coca-cola in the future — probably nobody really knew you wanted it. Plus this drink is quite hard to get hands on nowadays. Supply issues, production problems, distribution difficulties everywhere."
Sara felt the topic drifting off track — needed to redirect and refocus.
She just pulled the diagram from Item Box — direct approach, simple question.
"What does this do?"
The dwarf answered carefully, hesitant — trying to be sensitive with his word choice.
"It's a jammer. To hide the problem this fake pointed out."
[He was clearly a bit hesitant to fully describe the issue — trying to be sensitive. Sara quite surprised. This dwarf is clearly drunk but can still be kind and thoughtful. Good person, even when intoxicated.]
Sara pushed back. "But jammers can be even bigger issue — makes people paranoid, jumpy, trigger-happy. Assassin Guild even bans them inside for exactly that reason."
The dwarf pointed proudly at his modifications. "See these? Jammers are quite basic normally — but I short-circuited some lines so this one also hides itself. Nobody usually bothers because you burn most of the jammer's power hiding the jammer instead of hiding what you actually want hidden. Inefficient and wasteful, sure — but it solves the paranoia problem."
Sara asked directly. "So with this, Sara can hide the enchantment?"
The dwarf nodded. "In theory, yes. If the jammer is powerful enough and has spare resources to hide itself, the enchantment becomes undetectable — even to experts."
Brief silence while both processed the answer.
"Can I look at your dress a bit closer?" the dwarf asked. "Need to see if this will work. The enchantment is already hidden quite well — I work with enchantments daily and didn't notice it before it was pointed out."
He paused, thinking back. "Actually, I bet most of yesterday's mess was people trying to spot it and failing. The officer said it was there, but nobody could actually find it — that kind of gap makes everyone uncomfortable in a hurry."
Sara felt a bit surprised. [Which makes the evil officer even more of a specialist — most missed it even when told exactly where. Bad luck to run into someone with that kind of skill.]
Sara nodded, indicating consent. "Please look. See if you can help Sara."
The dwarf approached with a small wand pulled from his Item Box — the same kind of analysis tool Sara had seen mages use for reading enchantments.
He asked one more time. "Can I touch Sara's dress?"
Sara nodded. If a drunk dwarf wanted to wave a wand at her dress, that was fine.
The dwarf put the wand against the dress.
The dwarf jerked back like he'd been burned — clearly shaken.
Sara asked. "What's wrong?"
The dwarf answered slowly — not really wanting to, but doing it anyway out of professional honesty.
"This dress is clearly legendary. Built like a tank — never seen anything like it." Weight built as he continued. "But it also blocks any efforts to get a reading. I just see that something is under there. And it's probably mostly built into other enchantments, integrated so it stays hidden."
His face went red. "Can you maybe lift the dress? So I can see under it?" He rushed to add, apologetic. "Of course you don't have to. Just can't get a proper read otherwise — but your choice entirely."
Sara just lifted the dress — simple action, no hesitation or embarrassment.
[This dress has so many layers of fabric even underneath — nothing really visible anyway. Dwarf probably sees nothing interesting, just more fabric and layers of protection.]
Sara found the dwarf actually funny — red like an apple. Sara had never seen anyone make that expression at her before. Everyone usually ran in horror, attacked, or froze in fear. But embarrassment? Blushing? That was new, different, and genuinely amusing.
[Dwarf is good, kind, professional — and also just a person with real reactions. After centuries of horror-and-flee response from everyone, actual embarrassment is genuinely refreshing.]
The dwarf watched with confusion visible on his face, processing what he saw. Then asked directly.
"This dress is cursed? You can never remove it?"
Sara nodded. [This dwarf clearly knows things. Maybe can help Sara actually.]
The dwarf approached again, clearly trying to be careful and respectful — movements deliberate, hands steady despite the drinking.
He touched with the wand, eyes blinking the way Sara had seen mages and enchanters do when using their abilities — detection magic active, analysis spells running.
It went like that for maybe 10 minutes — systematic, thorough examination.
Then he stepped back — conclusion reached, assessment complete.
"Uh, whoever made this is way beyond my ability level. But the author clearly tried to hide it well — you'd need a master-level expert to detect it."
He thought a bit more, processing. "Jammer would work well here. This clothing seems to have massive extra reserves — plenty of room to add more if needed. Adding a jammer should not be an issue, and you should even be able to control it. Turn it on and off, change what's being hidden. Flexible system."
Sara asked. "Materials?"
The dwarf explained. "Jammers are quite simple by design. You need a magical diagram to run it, plus three items."
He counted on his fingers. "Something divine to modify the rules of the world. A diamond to focus the power. And some kind of energy source to power the jammer itself."
Sara asked. "Can you give examples?"
The dwarf thought for a moment. "Divine element — the Church sells some for this exact purpose. For the diamond, any works really — but general rule of thumb is: pricier means better. If it looks bigger, cleaner, higher quality — it'll perform better in the jammer."
He paused, considering Sara's dress. "For energy source though... given this dress's quality, I'd suggest a dragon heart. Can provide power and also act as transmission point. Proper integration for something this high-end."
Sara thought a bit, reasoning through her options.
[Sara is still harpy. Can detect value, evaluate quality, compare options — racial advantage plus lifelong skill working together.]
Examples formed clearly — items Sara had detected before, items Sara remembered.
[Once when flying over the Holy City in Church State, Sara saw the Pope giving prayer. He had a staff with some clearly divine rock on top — Sara's value-detection skills went total overdrive over it. Near-infinite value, divine presence, absolute power. That's divine element at maximum quality.]
[For diamonds — heard stories. Kingdom queen has some crazy diamond in her crown. Literally causes distortions of fabric around it, almost makes it look divine. Reality-bending, impossible quality. That's diamond at maximum focus.]
[And dragon heart — true dragon? Can't go better than that. Apex creature, maximum power, perfect energy source.]
So Sara just asked the dwarf directly. "Something like the holy rock on Pope's staff, the Kingdom queen's crown diamond, and a true dragon heart? Would those work?"
The dwarf's mouth opened, then closed. Clearly he didn't expect this kind of answer — didn't expect Sara to casually mention impossible legendary artifacts.
He answered, still stunned. "Those would work. With items of that power, you could hide anything and everything from this dress. Nobody would ever find it."
Sara asked for more detail. "And about this magical diagram. If it's made — how are items connected? How does the full flow work?"
The dwarf explained simply. "Items just melt into it. Once all items are added, the jammer becomes usable. Nothing really complex — straightforward process."
Sara asked the crucial question. "And this diagram — can you do it?"
The dwarf was a bit taken aback, hesitant. "In theory, yes. But I shouldn't. This dress is so high-tier—" Panic showed clearly. "—I'm just a maintenance technician, not a master enchanter or legendary craftsman. This dress is priceless. I shouldn't touch it — can't risk it, too valuable and too important."
Then he tried to escape the task entirely. "Also I would need special thread to make it — it's clothing, takes special materials." He pulled some kind of black string from his Item Box and showed it to Sara. "It's the same type but lower quality. For this dress, something much higher quality would be needed. I don't have it, can't get it, can't do the job without it."
Sara watched the string, and recognition hit immediately.
[Sara seen something exactly like this. It's exactly like the magic thread-wires that elven Archmage Aelorin used to connect Sara's dress to Sara. Same material, same type.]
Sara had been curious about it later. Searched Item Box after the surgery and found several spools of the same thing — looted somewhere, no memory where or when, just stored and available. Professional collection vindicated again.
So Sara just pulled a few spools from Item Box and put them on the table — simple, direct demonstration.
"Like this?"
The dwarf took it, examined it. His mouth opened in shock and disbelief.
"Yes. Never seen one this high quality. Something like this costs absolute fortunes. Where did you—" He stopped, realizing the question was stupid. "Never mind. Of course you have it."
Sara pressed on, insistent. "Can you do it using these?"
The dwarf was still confused, still hesitant. "Yes, in theory. But I still—"
Sara saw the confusion, fear, and hesitation. Decided to try cheering him up a bit — reducing his fear, building his confidence.
"How many enchantments have you done? Have you done jammers? Have you done things in clothing? If it goes wrong — what happens?"
The dwarf answered. "Enchantments? Thousands probably, over my career. Done plenty of jammers. Also worked on various clothing items before."
He paused, thinking about risks. "If something goes wrong? Nothing really. This dress would just reject it — destroy the work over a few weeks if the diagram doesn't connect properly. No permanent damage to the dress itself."
He shrugged. "Only real risk is wasted materials. But no harm to you or the dress."
Sara pressed with a final push. "So you can do it and there's no real risk of failure? Would you please help Sara out?" She bowed — deep, respectful, grateful.
The dwarf looked at Sara, at the bow, at the whole situation. Processing, deciding, accepting.
"You saved my life. Least I can do is try."
Sara almost wanted to jump in happiness — almost wanted to scream joy, almost wanted to cry relief.
[Yes! Friend said yes! Dwarf will help! Sara has solution, hope, path forward — everything working out and possible again!]
She contained the excitement, stayed professional and focused.
"What's needed to get it done?"
The dwarf pulled out proper drafting paper — the real stuff, not scrap.
"Okay, let's look at this thing closer." His voice shifted — no longer drunk dwarf, but proper craftsman now. Focused and determined, expert engaged.
He spent nearly an hour drawing the diagram on paper, comparing it against what was in Sara's dress — checking, verifying, adjusting, refining. Meticulous expert craftsmanship.
Until it was finally complete.
Loggil showed the diagram to Sara. Sara didn't understand anything — just lines, symbols, notations, all meaningless to her. But clearly important to the dwarf.
He walked her through it, craftsman's pride showing. "This is it. Full control — turn it on and off, change what's hidden, adjust as needed. And if the power's sufficient, you can even project it outward — extend the hiding effect beyond the dress itself. Advanced setup, but this diagram supports it."
Then he took one spool of the wire Sara had given him, testing and evaluating it. "Since we can't remove the dress, we need to add it directly while it's on you. Can be painful in theory — the insertion and connection process isn't gentle."
Sara just shrugged, unconcerned. "Archmage Aelorin used a week to connect it. Cut Sara hard when putting it on. Sara is used to it, Sara can handle pain. Just do it."
The dwarf's eyes almost popped out of their sockets — total shock, complete disbelief, recognition and horror mixed together.
"Archmage Aelorin? The Mage of Blood?"
Sara confirmed casually, as if discussing a helpful neighbor. "Yes, the same. Really nice fellow — made Sara beautiful for free after Sara won a bet. Sara is grateful, hopes to pay him back one day."
The dwarf went silent — clearly processing, overwhelmed, reconsidering everything.
Then he decided, resigned. "Okay. Let's just do it. Before I lose my mind here — before I think too hard about how insane this situation actually is."
He pointed to Sara's belly — professional assessment mode active. "It's a nice location. Flat and close to the mana center for maximum efficiency, good power flow and energy distribution."
Sara lifted her skirt even higher, exposing the work area.
The dwarf did a really fast and professional job — expert, skilled, practiced. Perhaps 10 minutes at most, and Sara hardly felt anything. Minimal pain, minimal discomfort.
[This dwarf really knows his things — professional craftsman and expert technician working at master level. Sara is impressed, professional respect earned.]
Then the dwarf stepped back, wiping sweat from his forehead — exhausted, relieved, completed.
"Okay, done. When you get the three items needed, just put them against your belly and they'll melt into it. You can put them there in any order — delays between inserting things are fine if you're missing something but want to store them safely. Nothing rushes and nothing gets damaged waiting."
Sara bowed deeply and gratefully — as nicely as possible. "Thank you. Thank you so much. Sara is grateful and appreciates the help. Sara will remember this kindness always."
Then Sara felt it — the familiar pulse of the dress stirring from its beauty sleep.
«Blood?»
The dress's excitement was clear. Wanted to know what was happening. Wanted the new part explained.
Sara sent thought back — reassuring, showing the plan.
[Three items needed. Divine rock, big diamond, dragon heart. Then dress gets full new toy. Dress gets shiny new jammer part. Sara promises.]
«Blood!»
Impatient like a kid who got half a toy and won't stop asking about the rest. Wanted all three items now. Wanted the new part of itself completed already.
Sara sent one more calming pulse back to the dress — later, patience, three items coming soon.
Attention returned to Loggil. She indicated the wire spools on the table — the high-quality ones she'd given him. "Keep those. Sara has no need of them. You're a craftsman — may need them for something. Yours now."
[Plus Sara has a few more in Item Box anyway — don't need these specific ones. Can give freely and support the craftsman properly.]
The dwarf protested immediately. "Those things are worth a fortune. You sure you want me to keep them? Can't accept — too valuable. You saved my life already, this is too much payment."
Sara thought about it. [He has a point. Maybe Sara gives him tasks then — makes it a trade, makes it fair and acceptable. Proper professional exchange.]
"Okay. Maybe you can get Sara some coca-cola then? Sara's friend really likes it and wants more. Sara wants to make friend happy."
She continued with a second, more important task. "And maybe see if you can hear where Courtesan-1, the dryad, is. Sara has seen dwarves talk a lot when drinking — gossip spreads, information flows."
The dwarf agreed immediately, relieved that a fair trade was on the table. "Okay. I can get you more coca-cola. And I hear lots of stories about courtesans — they're quite a hot topic over drinks, including this dryad. Will share what I know if anything comes up. Bar intelligence is usually good."
Sara made one final bow. "Will come again in a few days to check on things. Coca-cola, gossip, whatever you managed to find."
Then she exited — fast, clean departure with professional stealth.
She flew off into the darkness — into the night, into freedom.
[Sara has solution path. Sara has expert help. Sara has materials to collect. Sara has hope — real, achievable hope.]
Sara had items to collect though — three impossible legendary items. Would need planning, effort, significant work.
[But Sara is Painting Lunatic. Sara found the chain, made the dress talk, achieved the impossible already. This time it's just a heist of known items — not digging half the desert, not searching randomly. Items and locations both known. Much easier. Sara can do this.]
The city disappeared behind her, the cave waiting ahead. Friend waiting, Snakes still busy, guests being entertained. Everything stable and progressing.
[Good day. Very good day. Sara has a path forward, hope restored, solution forming — everything possible and achievable again.]
[Three items. Impossible for anyone else to collect — but Sara has never been more motivated. Popes and queens and true dragons should wait patiently now. Sara is coming to collect the dues.]