Ch.179Chapter 179

When the first minor friction occurred, Dario honestly didn’t care much.

Both dwarves and elves knew they didn’t understand each other well, and ultimately, no one had died.

Compared to the old North where people would draw weapons when conversations went poorly, this was nothing.

However, after being fed up with elves and dwarves who kept coming day after day, Dario accepted reality.

They had absolutely no intention of apologizing first.

“They’re not children, yet these fellows have zero intention of yielding to each other. What’s so difficult about simply apologizing? Unbelievable!”

After rejecting countless requests from dwarves and elves, Dario irritably closed the VIP room door while complaining.

Wendigo, savoring fruit juice mixed with honey, asked Dario.

“Were you harassed again today?”

“Yes. They even brought bribes, demanding I put pressure on the other side. Anyone would think they’ve been mortal enemies for a decade.”

Dario carelessly poured tea into his cup and stuffed maple syrup-coated cookies into his mouth. At least eating something sweet calmed his anger a bit.

But reducing his anger didn’t solve the problem.

Dario was certain that elves and dwarves were still lurking near the VIP room, waiting for him.

“If they’re going to offer bribes, they should at least give smaller ones… Look at this. They’re handing over things too large to even hide in clothing.”

The elves gifted rare medicinal herbs and silk from Elvenheim.

The dwarves presented axes, swords, and ornaments they had crafted themselves.

Wendigo looked at the bribes Dario had placed on the table while sipping his fruit juice.

“You’re complaining, yet you’ve properly collected the bribes.”

“If I don’t accept these, all my suffering would be for nothing. Besides, they probably expect me to deliver them to Your Majesty rather than keep them myself.”

While he couldn’t deny feeling tempted by these valuable items, Dario wasn’t foolish enough to pocket bribes given so openly.

He had no desire to lose his head to the king for pocketing a few bribes. Now that he had a lover, he couldn’t die so pathetically.

At the very least, five children including a firstborn son to continue the family line…

“I don’t need these items, so keep all the bribes for yourself.”

“What? But…”

“You’re the one who suffered, so why should I take them? Don’t worry about it and keep them. You’ll have many expenses when you get married, so you should save up when you can.”

How does Your Majesty know about that?

Dario barely stopped himself from asking this question and bowed his head.

It would be impolite to ask such a thing, and moreover, as Wendigo said, it was good to save money when possible for the future.

After removing his empty cup, Wendigo asked Dario who was organizing the bribes.

“Are the weapons from the dwarves sturdier than those from Manheimr?”

“Yes. I’ve heard they grew up underground seeing only soil and metal, and it seems that wasn’t wrong. They say items of this quality are common there… It’s quite impressive.”

Dario spoke while flicking one of the swords he received as a bribe with his finger.

It wasn’t an extraordinary weapon worthy of being called a masterpiece, but Dario wasn’t completely ignorant.

Compared to swords commonly found on the surface, its quality was definitely superior. Flexibility, hardness, and sharpness—it had no shortcomings.

“To think that laborers carry swords of a quality that even wealthy young masters can’t easily obtain… Like the elves, these isolated folks all have something remarkable about them.”

“I can’t say for certain that isolation didn’t influence them, but environment likely played a major role. The elves had The World Tree, and the dwarves had abundant metals.”

“That’s true. Still, how fortunate that we have something to gain by selling trees.”

Apart from trading, the dwarves’ excellent metallurgy was good news to Dario, who hadn’t held high expectations.

Until the dwarves realized how superior their metallurgy was, they could gain enormous benefits in exchange for abundant trees.

However, his pleasant thoughts were brief, and Dario frowned again as he recalled the bickering elves and dwarves.

If only they would swallow their pride and reconcile…

“Is this the third day already?”

“Yes, we should be thankful they’re not hurling insults at each other, let alone reconciling. At times like this, I miss the North. They would just grab an axe each and bash each other’s heads—”

“Your language has become harsh, which suggests you’ve had a difficult time. I plan to resolve this issue tomorrow, so don’t worry too much.”

“Uh… is that true?”

Dario asked Wendigo back with a bewildered expression. Having been caught between two proud races, he realized that neither side seemed willing to apologize.

More precisely, the atmosphere wasn’t conducive to anyone taking the initiative to propose reconciliation.

At this point, making the first gesture toward reconciliation would be like admitting fault… and honestly, neither side seemed willing to bear that.

“Frankly, I don’t think it will be easy. The elves lack effort in understanding other races’ cultures, and the dwarves have a pathological tendency to keep score of grievances.”

When it was difficult to change an individual’s mindset, changing an entire race’s mindset overnight was impossible.

If it was challenging even for humans who burn through fleeting moments, how much more difficult would it be for races that live two to three times longer?

In Dario’s opinion, the most rational approach was to wait patiently until a suitable pretext for reconciliation emerged.

However, there was no need to solve the problem rationally.

“I think three days is enough time for even children to reconcile. It’s time to end this fight and move in a constructive direction.”

“I think it’s more dangerous than a children’s fight, considering they could kill someone at any moment.”

“That’s why they’ll stop when they realize they could be the ones to die. Stop arguing and gather the elves and dwarves tomorrow. The World Tree… well, it wouldn’t be interested, so leave it be.”

Dario nodded with a puzzled expression.

* * *

Dario faithfully followed Wendigo’s orders.

Led by Elhemina and Messina, elves and dwarves holding key positions in the temple flocked into the conference room.

The two groups entered while keeping a distance from each other, as if an invisible force was pushing them apart.

Both sides glared at each other as they took their seats, and the atmosphere between them was fierce enough to cause a storm at any moment.

Given the slightest provocation, they might try to resolve this issue with violence rather than words.

The only fortunate thing was that the representatives of the two races weren’t participating in this pointless pride battle.

“I’m sorry. I tried to calm them down, but the resistance was stronger than expected…”

“I know you tried, so don’t worry about it.”

When Elhemina apologized with sad eyes, Dario stroked her head and shook his.

Dario knew that Elhemina, Messina, and Trom had tried to stop the conflict.

However, orders from above weren’t always followed below. Above all, this was an issue of racial pride.

Dario wiped away the tears forming in Elhemina’s eyes and went to stand beside Wendigo.

“The implementation of the contract has been delayed due to recent conflicts between elves and dwarves. His Majesty has observed this and reached a conclusion, so please listen humbly to his words.”

The warm young man who had just wiped away his lover’s tears disappeared, replaced by a cold official.

Dario looked around the gathering and glared at those who had offered him bribes.

He couldn’t look kindly upon those who had fled after forcibly leaving bribes despite his polite requests for them to take them back.

Those with guilty consciences avoided his gaze and cleared their throats to hide their embarrassment.

“…I won’t expect you to show harmony between the two races. I only ask that you maintain silence while His Majesty speaks.”

Why couldn’t the parties involved resolve the issue before His Majesty had to intervene personally?

At these pointed words, the elves and dwarves glared at each other. Since each believed the other was at fault, there was no sign of remorse.

Wendigo observed this process and fell into contemplation. It wasn’t a profound thought.

‘Living longer doesn’t necessarily make one’s heart more generous.’

While they might be in their prime, many were as different from Dario as grandfathers from grandsons.

It wouldn’t be strange for these aged individuals to be criticized for stirring up trouble rather than setting an example for the young.

To be frank, the cause wasn’t even serious enough to warrant inter-racial conflict.

“I’ve been watching you argue for three days and defame each other with colorful insults.”

Wendigo began bluntly and directly. He showed no hesitation since he wasn’t stating falsehoods.

The elves and dwarves who had led these accusations flinched and shifted in their seats, and Wendigo stared at them for a moment.

Sometimes silence frightened people more than words.

The elves and dwarves who met Wendigo’s gaze trembled like rabbits encountering a carnivore. The anger that had burned fiercely toward their opponents was instantly extinguished.

The fear hidden in a corner of their hearts revealed itself regardless of its owner’s will, chilling the two culprits to their cores.

“I didn’t want to cause a disturbance in this land entrusted to The World Tree and the elves out of respect, but honestly, I have a lot to say.”

With each word Wendigo uttered, the air in the room grew colder. This wasn’t a metaphor—it actually happened.

It wasn’t intentional. The mystical power simply responded to his turbulent emotions, spreading frost and emitting cold air of its own accord.

The dwarves trembled at this presence, and the elves recalled their first meeting with Wendigo and feared him.

“I’m sor—”

“Shut up.”

When an elf, unable to overcome his fear, opened his mouth, Wendigo responded firmly.

An oppressive atmosphere that made everyone feel like they might collapse and vomit blood at any moment filled the room.

Both elves and dwarves kept their heads down and held their breath like criminals under interrogation.

Wendigo tried to think of more to say. But he realized that whatever he said would be of little use in the current situation.

What was needed now wasn’t flowery rhetoric, but short, concise, and truthful words.

After a brief contemplation—which might have seemed like an eternity to others—Wendigo asked in a gentle voice:

“Are you all so desperate to die?”

To clarify, a chilling beast-like voice echoed in everyone’s ears.

Like a cold blade held to their throats, no one could answer Wendigo’s question.

They felt that the moment they opened their mouths, an invisible blade would sever their necks.