episode_0161
by fnovelpiaA miner’s main enemy is heat.
There is no hellfire if you gather in one place with people underground and swing a pickaxe.
It’s uncomfortable to be drenched in sweat, and it can’t be more horrible when the sweat evaporates in a basement where there’s no ventilation.
It is also common to see apprentice miners let their guard down and suddenly collapse from heatstroke.
Dying from the cold is a whole other world.
They always crave for cold air.
Cold air.
A stronger cold air.
A cold that will chill you to the bone!
To those dwarf miners, the appearance of Assis was truly the coming of a god, the procession of a princess worthy of praise.
The Dwarf Cave, currently under construction.
A group of dwarves are gathered together, each carrying a hard hat and a pickaxe.
Karami stood in front of them.
“Everyone. Do you want to cool down!”
“Yes!”
“Your voice is small. Do you want to cool down? ”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
A cheer that shook the cave.
It was like an uncle coming to an idol fan meeting.
Raise your pickaxe high into the sky like a glow stick.
Someone is already dancing with their legs spread, holding two pickaxes in their hands.
“Now, Miss Asia. The people are desperately wanting you. Give them relief from the heat!”
Empowered by your support, Asis uses her magic. Snow falls to cover the underground heat, and she creates large ice cubes and gives them to the dwarves one by one.
Some people use it as a bed to lie down on, some use it as a chair, and some use it as a pillow.
Finish by making ice glasses and pouring the ale you brought in. The dwarves slurp down the appropriately frozen slush ale.
For dwarves, ale was a drinkable substitute for water, so there was no problem with drinking a bit during work.
“Oh my! This is it. This is it!”
The sighs of dwarves who have tasted paradise are heard here and there.
A sweet break.
It was a luxury that could only be enjoyed thanks to Asia.
“Hey, how can I do this without the princess?”
“That’s right. How else would you rest like this if you weren’t a princess?”
“Shouldn’t we call in a magician from outside?”
“Ah, come on. Those guys have really fucking bad personalities. If you expect someone like a princess, you’ll get sick and your brain will explode.”
The dwarves had no choice but to admit it.
I’ve become a body that can’t live without Assis.
Just thinking about a future without ASIA made my eyes darken.
‘Yeah, that’s it.’
And it was all Karami’s plan.
It is expected that Skadia will invade sooner or later.
The defeat of Skadia is the final gateway to Assis’ path to liberation.
The problem is that Assis alone cannot defeat Scadia. Although he is stronger than in the game with the Soul Shackles, the synergy between the two is not good.
Assis is good at using swords, but he can’t ignore ice magic either. The magic is enhanced by the protection of the dragon. It will be difficult for him to defeat Skadia, who gave him the protection.
It’s like a child having to overcome the parents who gave birth to him.
The key for Assis to defeat Scadia is the dwarves.
Seven dwarfs who protect the princess from her stepmother.
Not only the Seven Masters of Silk, but also the help of the dwarves of Doomheim is essential.
In other words, helping them now and gaining their favorability rating could be considered part of a strategy to prepare for the battle that will occur later.
‘It’s still a long way from being enough…’
We need to make the dwarves more willing to help Assis.
At least 90%.
Which one would be better?
It was while Karami was planning the operation.
Kuung…!
A huge vibration that shook the underground.
Assis raised his head, flinching.
“What? Earthquake?”
“Well, this sounds like it came from the ground?”
“The vibrations from the ground reach underground? Did a dragon come down?”
“Haha. A dragon, you idiot. Why would a dragon come to Doomheim?”
“Right?”
When the dwarves made lame jokes, Assis’s expression was one of bewilderment. His pupils shook rapidly from side to side.
A stronger aura than the Oak King.
A being that should not be here has come.
***
Doomheim is an underground city, but its entrance is above ground.
As befitting the name of the Dwarf race of craftsmen, the fortress is built sturdily, with magic turrets and brave Dwarf warriors. It is one of the best fortresses on the continent.
Although they were confident that they could laugh heartily and block anyone who attacked them, this time, the dwarves couldn’t help but be very tense.
Because none other than the primordial dragon Skadia has arrived. The most dangerous moment in the history of Doomheim has arrived.
The one blocking Grunskadia’s path was a tiny dwarf.
Although there is no rank distinction between masters of the same class, he is the strongest dwarf tacitly acknowledged in dwarven society. He is also known as the little giant.
Although his small body looked even smaller in front of the dragon, Ulbram’s spirit showed a greater presence. He raised his head proudly and met Skadia’s gaze.
“Why did Ice Dragon come to Doomheim?”
“Descendants of Bargan. I have come to ask you to repair something.”
“Oh, Bingryong, you have something for the dwarf to repair. I’m really curious to know what you brought.”
Skadia took out a magic mirror that she had hidden inside her scales. It was the size of a dragon’s claw, but to the dwarves it was as tall as their own.
“This magical tool seems to have extraordinary power. What is it used for?”
“Answer the question truthfully.”
“Okay, I understand. I have a craftsman who is very good at repairing magic tools, so I will leave it to him. Is there anything else you need help with?”
“Other business… .”
Skadia thought for a moment and asked with her sky-blue eyes narrowed.
“Do you know the princess of Prysian? She is the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Princess of Frisian… .”
Wolbram, who stares at the floor as if deep in thought, soon gives an answer.
“I don’t know. If Bingryong said so, I shouldn’t not remember it, but since I can’t remember it, I guess I haven’t seen it yet.”
“… … Is that so? Or maybe they’re hiding it underground.”
Ulbram and Skadia stare into each other’s eyes.
No one moves, their gaze fixed on each other.
It was Ulbram who broke the silence.
“How could I lie to Bingryong? If you have any doubts, you can check it yourself.”
“Okay. If I go in, the ceiling will collapse. I’ll wait here, so go fix the mirror.”
“I’m sorry, but it will take time to analyze the mirror’s magical properties and obtain the materials needed to repair it. It won’t be possible today.”
“How long will it take?”
Ulbram strokes his beard and drools.
“It would take a month at most, from a blacksmith’s perspective.”
“It’s long. Finish it within a week.”
“How can Bingryong, who lives for eternity, say that a month is too long? I don’t understand it at all, but everything requires an appropriate amount of patience. If you rush things, you might make a mistake. Please give me a month.”
Ulbram, who does not bow down to Skadia but instead bargains with her. The other dwarves are terrified and think, ‘Has that guy gone crazy?’, but Ulbram’s attitude is firm.
“Okay. Since you’re asking for it, I’ll give you a month. But.”
Skadia lowered her head for a long time and put her face right in front of Ulbram’s nose. Push- yik- As she snorted, frost formed on Ulbram’s beard.
“If you’re plotting something foolish, you’d better stop now. Otherwise, the dwarf clan will be forgotten in history.”
“I will engrave it deeply.”
Ulbram answered with a gentle smile, his expression not changing at all. Skadia sat up as if she had lost her temper.
“The blacksmith who even amazed the gods is struggling with a single mirror. If Bargan had seen your appearance, he would have been heartbroken.”
“I will try my best.”
“Huh.”
Skadia flapped her wings and flew into the sky, then disappeared over the horizon in an instant.
A storm that passed in an instant.
Ulbram let out a deep sigh.
***
A round table conference room located above the heart of Magmar.
An emergency meeting was called.
The ones gathered in the conference room were the seven masters and the ordinary dwarven citizens. And the fundamental cause of this situation, Assis and Karami.
Ulbram relayed his conversation with Skadia without missing a single word. From Skadia entrusting him with the repair of the mirror to his search for Assis.
Only the Meisters and Perka knew this fact.
When the dwarves learned the truth, they were naturally in an uproar.
“What should I do with this?”
“What should I do? I’m sorry to the princess, but I have to hand it over to the dragon. Do you think we should all become ice cream cones?”
“What about an ale slush? What about an ice chair?”
“Hey, you crazy kid. I’m about to die, and that little ale is the problem?”
“What? That Ale? This kid is a noble kid in dwarf clothing!”
A conference room in chaos due to loud noise.
Knock knock knock.
“Be quiet, be quiet.”
Urgdar thumped the table with his metal baton, quelling the commotion. The fiery atmosphere had visibly subsided, but a slight fever lingered in the air that had not yet been able to cool down.
There was no choice.
Because the kingdom and life were at stake.
It is a tightrope walk that seems like it could break at any moment.
Ulbram, looking around the bustling hall, quietly proposed an agenda.
“Let’s hear everyone’s opinions on what to do. Those who want to protect the princess from Bingryong, raise your hand. Don’t worry about what anyone thinks and do it comfortably.”
People raise their hands one by one.
Among the masters are Hargran and Urgdar.
And the number of spectators was about sixty. Of them, only about ten raised their hands, and most of them were miners who had received help from Assis.
“Next. Those who want to hand the princess over to Bingryong. Raise your hand. This time, don’t worry about what other people think.”
Then, unlike before, hands rose from all over the conference room.
Most of them, including the immortal blacksmith Hergen and the guardian of steel Turntu, do not have a deep connection with Assis.
The miner who had been idolizing Asis until just a moment ago was now caught between them, raising his hand.
Even though I received help from Assis, I thought, ‘Still, this is a bit…’
“No matter what, it’s not a dragon.”
“The dragon can’t win. He’ll swallow us up in one gulp!”
The dwarves were generous, but most of them were cowards.
You could tell just by looking at them that they were hiding in underground tunnels.
“Those who don’t raise their hands are considered neutral.”
The results were visible without any comparison of numbers. In a way, it was natural. All Asis did was to improve the comfort of the working environment.
It was not enough to ask someone to risk their life for that.
People’s eyes are focused on Assis.
The gaze that had been filled with admiration just a few hours ago suddenly changed into one of anxiety and avoidance. Just as someone who was usually called a hero suddenly fell into a traitor.
Assis lowered his eyes without realizing it, oppressed by that gaze.
“Then let’s conclude. It’s unfortunate, but a promise is a promise. According to the principles of the Iron Blood Council, the princess will be handed over to Bingryong by majority vote… .”
“Wait a minute, wait a minute~”
Urgdar about to strike his hammer.
As expected, it was Karami who interfered.
“I don’t intend to ignore your opinion. It’s a matter of life and death, so I would have done the same. Of course, it’s a reasonable judgment. I respect that.”
The attention that was directed towards Assis is now focused on Karami.
“But isn’t it too early? I see there’s still a month left until the deadline. Isn’t that right, Ulbram?”
“That’s right.”
Ulbram answered with a smile on his lips, as if he had been waiting for Karami to come out.
“Give us a chance. One month. We will change public opinion in one month. If there is no change after one month, we will go to Skadia on our own feet.”
***
The dwarves disperse after the meeting.
We left the conference room with a heated debate still going on.
An empty conference room.
What’s left are a few masters, including Karami and his party.
Karami bowed his head slightly to Ulbram.
“Thank you for your help.”
“What are you talking about?”
“A month. Didn’t you deliberately delay our time for us?”
That was right.
If you make up your mind to fix something like that mirror, it will only take a few days.
But Ulbram had extended the deadline to the maximum, even by deceiving Skadia. Ulbram also knew how the dwarves would react.
“It’s not for you. It was my personal greed.”
Ulbram was curious. In a life-or-death matter, what kind of amazing method would Karami use to change the minds of the dwarves?
“You look so confident, so it looks like you have a plan?”
“To some extent. I don’t know how well it will work though.”
“Could you give me a quick tip? I’m really curious.”
“Okay. But you have to cooperate with my operation.”
Ulbram nodded, bursting into laughter as if he couldn’t stop himself.
Karami said there was only one plan that would charm the dwarves.
“I will create a fairy tale. A fairy tale that cannot be learned without helping the poor princess.”
Operation name.
He became a plagiarized fairy tale writer in the game world.
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