Chapter 10. Stubbornness and Arrogance (6)

“I don’t know why the dwarves are researching gates.”

The reason is quite simple. Gnomes don’t have gates themselves.

Gnomes are openly trading with other worlds and obtaining various things, but they cannot do that.

I don’t know exactly what the dwarves intended to do by opening gates.

However, I can be sure of one thing.

Often, religion becomes dogmatic over time. Even if it doesn’t become completely dogmatic, some parts become absolutely unyielding.

In the case of the church, it’s the being they believe to be God. And the words of that being, and the words of the beings chosen by that being.

If you deny those words, you are a heretic from that moment on, and if you actively try to deny them, they might even try to annihilate you.

Massacres committed in the name of religion are already abundant in the world. This world is fantasy, so it’s less so, but that’s how it was in the world I lived in.

Dwarves don’t know our world.

And that gate appeared in our world, in the middle of Seoul.

The beings who came through were all armed. Although they were already dead, that makes them even more suspicious. Is there a reason to arm undead and send them over? It’s more plausible that they were armed and waiting before they died.

I can’t be sure, but can’t I at least suspect? Of course, it’s a story that’s too sensitive to bring up at this moment.

“Your Highness, your internal mana is far superior to that of other dwarves. Dwarves don’t simply release mana; they draw intricate circuits and make them work together splendidly. Therefore, the more mana a person has in their body, the more excellent magic they can perform.”

“…”

The princess pondered for a moment and then put down the glass she was holding.

“Does that mean it’s a prophecy, not intelligence? Did the ‘god’ you believe in tell you directly?”

Of course, not at all.

It’s just my personal opinion based on the information I gained from reading the novel.

Beings who worship the power that creates gates as if it were divine power.

And those who believe they must conquer all worlds with that power.

To them, the dwarf princess could be an excellent ‘tool.’ A walking magic artifact, so to speak.

…Right.

The reason for creating such a ‘magic artifact’ was explained in only one way in the novel. To create gates in this world.

I can’t be sure if the magic artifact is entirely created by someone’s power or if it can be created naturally. However, the fact that it can be created at all is certain.

“…”

The princess ran her hand over her face.

“Did you intend to step into our world by creating a gate?”

“…Even if I say no, Your Highness, you already believe it. That’s how it is for those who follow religion.”

That was a somewhat interesting statement.

“What is your ‘religion’ trying to achieve?”

“It seems your god hasn’t told you.”

It was a slightly sarcastic remark, but I didn’t really care. Because it’s true, they never told me.

“Are you perhaps preparing for an invasion or a holy war?”

“…”

Slap.

The princess covered her forehead with her hand and looked up at the ceiling.

If the princess had a god she believed in, she would surely have said something like ‘Oh my god’ at that moment.

*

“Just in case I’m telling you, I’m on the side that wants to prevent war. Actually, it would be problematic if this was discovered like this.”

That’s right.

The moment we think there’s a possibility of war, there will be those on our side who will proactively step forward.

No, that’s the normal response in the first place. Even if you don’t blindly push troops across the border, you load artillery, redeploy forces to the border, and wait while staring intently at the enemy.

“Your Highness seems to view the possibility of winning with skepticism.”

“Rather than viewing it with skepticism, it’s frightening because we have no idea. We don’t know what the enemy’s strength is, so we have no way of knowing if we can win or lose.”

The princess sighed deeply, poured liquor into her glass, and drank it in one gulp.

Her face flushed slightly. Although she didn’t seem drunk.

“May alcohol make you forget all rudeness.”

Seeing the princess’s attitude loosen a bit, it seems the dwarven proverb wasn’t just about being wary of getting drunk.

“One fortunate thing is that our priests are very wary of you. Some even fear you.”

“Is it because of my power?”

“Yes, thanks to your power. I’m grateful for that. Although, under normal circumstances, there shouldn’t have been a reason to express such gratitude.”

The princess raised her glass.

“So, do you believe me?”

“…Well. To repeat, I am not someone who worships power itself. I cannot be sure if the being you follow is truly a god, or just power. Even if it is such a being, we cannot know if it will be for our benefit.”

Wow.

Every word she speaks stimulates my feelings.

Of course, the princess is actually speaking with a sense of resignation. If she were a diplomat from our world, she would have been welcomed with open arms, and if she were someone from a more conservative church, they would have openly expressed their displeasure.

While I am neither, I am also intrigued.

To be honest, I was worried that this person might be as rigid as the church. If she were to declare me a heretic for saying something wrong, it would be incredibly difficult from then on.

“Then, what about the King? Is he also preparing for war? Or is he someone who wishes to live in peace?”

“Either way, he is someone who agrees with the creation of gates.”

The princess answered somewhat neutrally.

“Whether we go to war or not, we must be wary of the gnomes. Besides, the reason we cannot trade is also because we cannot transport the equipment to gnome territories and put it into the gates.”

“…”

I thought for a moment and then said.

“Then, what do you think about the story that the princess might be kidnapped?”

At my words, the princess paused for a moment, her lips closed in thought,

“…I’m afraid. Whether you said that to intimidate me, or you genuinely meant it out of concern. I don’t think the ultimate goal is for the benefit of the dwarves.”

“…”

I hesitated a bit to tell the princess about her final moments. It felt like it would be an emotional blackmail.

However.

“It can be for the benefit of the dwarves. Because it’s true that your safety is a hope for these dwarves.”

I just replied like that.

The princess looked at me intently.

“And I am not opposed to the dwarves creating gates.”

“Then…?”

“Actually, the technology to create those gates is also necessary for me.”

More precisely, it’s necessary for Gloria, not me.

At this stage, I don’t know exactly what those who want to create gates are trying to do. But it’s very unsettling that they can do something that we cannot.

If we can create gates, perhaps we can find a more effective way to close them than we can now?

“Are you saying… to hand over the technology? In exchange for my life?”

“No. I mean we should exchange. If I solve one problem for the dwarves, I hope the dwarves can help me when I need it.”

“…”

The princess once again looked at me as if I were a strange being.

*

“Is that okay?”

On the way out after the meeting with the princess. Ria asked.

“Yes?”

“…Your power.”

Ria opened her mouth, looking a bit worried.

“Your power is power that everyone covets. You say you want the princess’s power, but even so, you can’t use your power politically. And what’s more, you give a task as if testing someone who is worried about you.”

“…”

“Wouldn’t it be better to get paid for your power? Because you just give without receiving anything-“

“Ria.”

I gently placed my hand on Ria’s shoulder.

“…”

At my words, Ria immediately became quiet.

“I won’t say ‘It’s okay’ anymore.”

I said as softly as possible.

“Instead, I’ll use the word ‘thank you.’ Thank you for worrying about me, Ria.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Ria answered blankly, as if she hadn’t expected me to react that way.

“So, won’t you trust me?”

“…”

“If I thought it was something I couldn’t do, I wouldn’t have started it.”

“…Seriously. What am I supposed to say when you put it like that?”

“Just say you trust me.”

Ria laughed as if it were absurd.

I shrugged and turned back again.

And then, I confidently walked forward and said.

“Well, shall we go? To find out what the princess really wants. After all, it’s natural that she wouldn’t believe me if I don’t prove my power.”

*

“…”

And then, I met a dwarf priest.

And then-

“…How is it? Do you regret it a little?”

“…Don’t talk to me. My head hurts.”

“As expected, you should get paid, right?”

“Ugh.”

Listening to Ria teasing me, I clutched my head.

No, in the world.

Where in the world is a religious temple located in the corner of a mine?