Ch.39Dwarf Kingdom (1)

After dealing with the Ogre, there were no particular problems during our brief journey.

This was thanks to the fact that other monsters couldn’t even come near what was originally the Ogre’s territory.

And even after leaving the Ogre’s territory, there were no attacks. This was because we immediately entered a lava zone.

While there are plenty of creatures that can live in such areas, we were using a road established by the Dwarf Kingdom.

Since they regularly cleaned around the road, most creatures didn’t even come near it.

“…We’re almost there, I guess.”

When I peeked my head out of the carriage to look ahead, I could see a massive fortress made of iron in the distance.

Despite still being quite far away, I could hear the noisy sound of hammers.

I vividly remembered turning off the sound whenever I visited the Dwarf Kingdom while playing the game because the background noise was so loud.

As I was reminiscing, the Hero who now completely calls me his master approached.

“Wow… Master. Is that a kingdom built on a volcano?”

“Yes, and it’s actually an active volcano that could erupt at any time.”

Of course, throughout countless retries, it never erupted naturally.

The Dwarves wouldn’t have built their kingdom on a volcano without preparing for that possibility.

‘Instead, it erupted plenty of times for other reasons.’

As the carriage drew closer to the Dwarf Kingdom, I could sense Leon fidgeting uncomfortably.

I could guess why, so I spoke first before he could say anything.

“When we reach the kingdom, I plan to leave immediately. Just as you have duties as a Hero, I have my own tasks to complete.”

“But…”

From what I observed during our short journey, Leon was a righteous person. I thought that might be why he became the Hero.

And I concluded that he did indeed have quests, which I had half-suspected.

He occasionally brought them up, mentioning revelations from the goddess.

‘At first, I thought about following Leon and aligning with his quests…’

But the state of the quests was strangely mocking.

I couldn’t tell if the goddess sending them was in a strange state, but looking at the quest content, it wasn’t good.

‘It seems like they’re meant to save the world, but…’

They didn’t consider the Hero’s condition. For example, the Ogre we just defeated.

The Ogre was also one of the quests. But Leon wasn’t prepared to defeat that Ogre.

‘They tell you what needs to be done, but don’t consider the person’s condition or surroundings. It’s mechanical…’

Because of this, I immediately scrapped my plan to coast along the quest line.

It seemed like if the Evil God appeared, the quest would just tell him to defeat it without considering his strength.

So I advised Leon to use the quests only to assess the current situation.

“Anyway, both you and I probably have similar goals. If we move around Gagap, we’ll meet again someday.

Until then, focus on training your swordsmanship. And fix that habit of reaching for the Holy Sword at the slightest provocation.”

“…I understand.”

As the carriage arrived at the checkpoint, I got out first and said this to him.

Leon nodded at my words, suppressing his disappointment, and saw me off.

“Then, I’ll see you again, Master.”

“Sure.”

Not just Leon, but the other two also got up to see me off.

“May the goddess’s blessing be with you.”

It hadn’t been that long since we’d been together, and I’d only helped them coordinate, but receiving such a send-off felt a bit strange.

“It’s hotter outside than inside the carriage… Anyway, take care, nyaa~”

I stroked Canon’s ears a couple of times before heading to the second checkpoint.

‘Fluffy things are nice indeed. Maybe I should get a pet or summon.’

While waiting for inspection, my turn came quickly.

This was because the second checkpoint was open for those with little luggage, like adventurers, separate from the first checkpoint used by merchants.

The Dwarf with a bored expression gestured to me, urging me to hurry.

“I barely have time to complete my work… Tsk, hey, quickly show me something to prove your identity.”

“Here’s my adventurer’s badge.”

I took out my adventurer’s badge and additionally offered a beer to the Dwarf on guard duty.

“You must be working hard during the Festival of Forging. Would you like a drink?”

“Can’t drink while on duty. There was an idiot who caused an accident by drinking too much on duty recently… Sigh…”

“Then, just keep it for later. I brought something special.”

I placed the beer on the Dwarf’s shoulder despite his initial refusal. After I insisted, he accepted it gladly.

“So, is there anything you want to know?”

“I was just wondering how the Festival of Forging is going. I heard the king himself is participating this time.”

“Has that news already spread outside?”

The Dwarf who had been smiling after receiving the beer now looked at me with narrowed eyes.

The origin of the Festival of Forging wasn’t simply about creating weapons to show off. It certainly wasn’t just a festival for playing and drinking.

The Festival of Forging was a ritual to resurrect their god who had fallen into slumber long ago.

And the king’s direct participation meant there were no more chances left. It meant they would use the minerals that had been prepared as the kingdom’s last resort.

‘Of course, there’s no need for me to reveal that I know something few people know.’

I put on an expression of not understanding his reaction and spoke.

“Um… rumors just spread, you know? I heard it from a friend. Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. Anyway, to tell you, the rumor about the king participating directly is true. And he’ll do it on the largest scale.

He plans to complete it on the last day of the festival, so if you’re planning to stay until then, keep that day free.”

“I’ll have to do that. If the king makes it himself, it must be an amazing work.”

“Yes… it certainly will be… it has to be…”

The Dwarf muttered that it absolutely had to be so.

It was a natural reaction because if this festival failed, there would be no more ways to resurrect their god.

“Well, take care. Oh, and do you know where Arges’s forge is?”

“Arges… Arges… Ah, that guy. He should be in the Ground Level D sector… What business do you have?”

“I want to ask him to make a weapon for me. I’m a swordsman, you see.”

The Dwarf looked at me with an expression that asked if I was serious. More precisely, he looked at me with pity.

“I don’t know who recommended that guy’s forge to you, but you should cut ties with whoever did.

Instead, I’ll write you an invitation in Hern’s name for the underground sector, and you can choose a suitable place there.

Some smiths should be starting to accept customers again after completing their works.”

“No, the forge I need right now is Arges’s forge. Thank you for telling me.”

I rejected Hern who was trying to put an invitation in my hand as payment for the beer, and went inside to find a suitable location where people weren’t walking around.

“You can come out now.”

“Phew, good thing your robe is spacious inside, or I would’ve thought about going back.”

“If you go back to the Fairy Kingdom now, you’ll be caught immediately and sent to the Queen, right? She’ll ask what trouble you’ve been causing.”

It had been quite some time since we tricked our way through the gate.

The deception would have been discovered by now, and while I had hidden my face, Lilly would have been identified long ago.

‘Still, given Lilly’s reputation, she probably hasn’t been put on a wanted list…’

I thought a few people from Apos Hunt might be coming to chase me.

“I guess so… Hmm, I need things to go well so I’ll have something to explain.”

“Don’t worry too much. If things don’t go well, we’ll all be dead anyway, so there won’t be any need for explanations.”

“That’s not helpful at all!”

Ignoring Lilly’s barrage of hits aimed at my head, I slowly started moving.

And accordingly, she used a wind barrier to blur both her appearance and mine.

While it wasn’t easy to use in confined spaces like carriages, it was good for places with many people like this.

‘It’s not meant for stealth anyway… using it like this is not bad.’

“Huh? Hasn’t the wind changed somehow?”

“Some forge must be raising the temperature like crazy. Let’s go.”

Those with sensitive senses noticed the change in wind flow, but soon went back to their own business.

“Thanks to the barrier, the noisy hammer sounds aren’t as loud.”

“Really, the Dwarves might be used to it, but how do the humans here walk around?”

“That over there answers your question.”

To Lilly, who was complaining that she almost bled from her ears because of the hammer sounds, I pointed to an item a merchant was selling.

“Is that… ear protection?”

“Yes, ear protection that blocks specific sounds like hammer noises.”

“I often think that humans sell all sorts of strange things.”

“Everything is created and purchased out of necessity.”

As we conversed while walking without hesitation or getting lost, Lilly opened her mouth with a question.

“We’re going to Arges’s forge now, right? It seems his skills aren’t good, so why are we looking for him?”

“Because that person is a god.”

“Huh?”

“That person is Vulcan, the god of the Dwarves.”

Well, neither the other Dwarves nor he himself is aware of this.