Chapter 163
GPL“Do you expect me to believe that now?”tS0cLUA
SKxSF“…I suppose that’s too much to ask.”4gVC
jBZd5Allow me to formally introduce myself again.taMUTT
gxykn“I’m Fernan Pellenberg.”PE3K3
fWj“I’ve heard your name. They say you fight against the Corrupted alongside Aint Armian.”x9x
vVGFXxU“How do you know that?”fbPPdDK
K6KHB“We don’t live completely cut off from the outside world.”5r68ra
DHwHQNAlthough, if they hadn’t noticed that the elves had granted development permits, it was nearly the same as being disconnected from the world. The mayor clicked his tongue.LNz7i
l1lzStill, it was natural that the dwarves didn’t know, as everything had been arranged swiftly through a secret pact between the Pellenbergs and Fridian.s7VQbw
feXUeD“Either way, thanks to you, I’ve received good news. Yes, I think it’s time we moved.”X57myt
1KwvrN“Where are you planning to go?”k76XBW
J3LNz“That’s none of your business. You’re a criminal who entered our city illegally. On top of that, you bribed a gullible dwarf with riches.”Eq6KF7
3GUEBz“In the human world, when you visit a friend’s house, it’s customary to bring a gift.”w3Q1y
c7z5x5“Ahgrot is your friend?”J82Yi
kddh“Of course. We have a bond stronger than blood.”IZwnLX7
MrM4n3SA friendship forged with money and minerals.2TwUZvB
gKd6“Ridiculous. There’s nothing more to say. Leave this city. The soldiers will escort you to the surface.”Tny99xF
dLZYp“I can’t do that.”yjP
ZSKS6VPWith nearly ten thousand dwarves and their entire city before him, leaving without achieving anything was unthinkable.v2h
CxXISQAfter seeing the prophecy that a demon would be summoned and destroy the city, leaving empty-handed wasn’t an option.lnwT2
vEOsiq“Do you think I’m asking for your help?”PxB
JTpqTsInstead of responding, Fernan pulled out a mineral. It was adamantite.WO8z
AQi“…Don’t mistake me for Ahgrot. Are you trying to bribe the mayor himself?”zko4WP
MaLTfCBut eyes don’t lie. The fact that he paused instead of immediately throwing him out was proof that it had an effect.ca0
b8ytY“Aren’t you curious why the elves granted development rights now?”3hlu
PVjv6l“Should I care?”pyy
YvMRZ3“Even if it’s just barren rocky mountains, elves love nature. Just like they love meat, of course.”8IN0P4H
SHO“What useless comments.”mxw
dDZAt last, a flash of curiosity appeared in the mayor’s eyes.eGir
R23“Since you don’t live totally isolated, I’ll tell you. On the surface, the demons are on the move.”wBEjWT
nYmKjk0“I know. In Bercheff, Demon Number 66, Kimaris, descended. Luckily, they contained it.”HjB
a1Is“Exactly because of that.”rKN4v
tsPf2W“…What do you mean?”VDbZc
67FDGwPThe mayor immediately put down his pen.YK4fhV
XGc“The elves tasked me with tracking the Corrupted. And those traces…”Z3wd
WML9w“…Lead to our city?”gbO
VcA“That’s right. Otherwise, why would they grant development permits? Only in the face of a common enemy like the Corrupted or demons would they do such a thing.”QeiqpKr
hHgop1bThe mayor pushed the documents aside. Some fell to the floor, but he paid them no mind.yMjZ
w8to2c“Don’t you see your words contradict themselves?”fbUu8CS
Obwzys8“Think of it this way—following the trail of the Corrupted led us to Fridian. We collaborated with them to explore the rocky mountains where the trail pointed. In return, we obtained mining rights for whatever minerals we discovered.”ZyP
2Cc“Following both minerals and footprints, I descended underground, and that’s how I encountered Ahgrot and the dwarven city. At first, I didn’t understand. Why would the trail end here?”SSi1e2
vqx9PaThe Corrupted’s ultimate goal was to summon demons. And to summon them, they needed an immense supply of mana.NTtI
WOLojxBut in those barren rocky mountains, no such mana existed. Not even plants grew there.EgRyam
ycU05XM“But if there’s a dwarven city, the story changes.”H7p41B
xNgLIt was known that the fastest way for the Corrupted to obtain mana was through blood and life force.S1ZyF
rcK“The Corrupted are targeting the dwarves. This city.”7eF9Z5
8U1f2“…Are you aware of the weight of those words?”PEIvEp
z7lvMyG“Yes. And if you want me to say it clearly—among the dwarves, there’s a traitor, a Corrupted.”WX2z
Na1The underground city belonged solely to the dwarves.L52jaAN
1y0If the Corrupted were acting here, it meant one of them was the infiltrator.E4MtByq
X7fJGNs“Can you take responsibility for that accusation?”1u2Uwa
x5YThe atmosphere turned heavy. A furious pressure filled the office.muHn0J
8NcRY9z‘He’s strong.’5d1H7Gc
ygyOPFernan understood he was facing someone he could never fight on equal terms.UZL
nwiMIAjStill, as the leader of an entire city, that level of power was understandable.ynb8Y
PFX‘Royal Knight level?’NnxDH
TlQc48dHe couldn’t be sure. He lacked the ability to measure it.V3h
a148F7“I don’t know.”AhKT
Xh2B“You don’t know?”o121Ejv
Tg6fI“I’m convinced, but there’s always the slightest chance I’m wrong.”3sV
UXg“And even so, you throw out that accusation without being able to back it up?”web
ZT4“Yes.”4Wvb7cU
xXgFernan nodded firmly. The mayor’s gaze turned strange, but it was impossible to demand absolute certainty when even prophecies weren’t unchanging.yQcLXst
qXTsq‘The future can change.’Azu2IG
w1MEven though he had seen it in the book of prophecy, there had already been times when the future deviated from what was written.6WlcSv2
8Jg8zwE“And even so, I stand by it—there is a Corrupted here.”y1mZ1
di8QHe even knew the name: Adguif. But, remembering what happened with Abel, he chose to keep it to himself for now.iTQz
wXJgwtL“You haven’t thrown me out yet because something is bothering you, right, Mayor?”LW7P
o5DKu“A simple suspicion. Nothing to do with the Corrupted.”bprRoKb
O3D“Do you really believe that?”VfcUSFr
ycpoQz“Are you implying otherwise?”tmMGb
T85n20O“Yes.”CaUnAs
rzSGGnFernan’s firmness drew a growl from the mayor. Anyone else would have been kicked out by now.RAKR
XZAosbBut not Fernan Pellenberg.HG7erF9
ENQHeir to the Pellenbergs.PGWb8Q4
PKMyKAlly of the rising hero, Aint Armian.XI0srf
pETA man who had hunted Corrupted and earned fame.Zzat
N6vFThe mayor pondered, and finally reached a decision.Xt07z
d6NFqM“I’ll give you one week.”N9isWm
ujqfNThe heavy pressure in the office vanished as if it had never existed.xyy2j
IChUIiN“Bring me the Corrupted. Or at least some proof of their existence. Otherwise, you’ll be expelled immediately.”8L018
xIFk“If I catch them, can I stay?”9x0JI
9m8O“That’s right.”p6dU
M7KZIG“Understood. I have a request as well.”XRLD
1Q4w4The mayor frowned but didn’t interrupt.jCXgE
zUSy1A“A request?”8kCTJLf
xUaiA“I don’t know this city well. I need a guide.”WPerjQt
dSf2j“That makes sense.”gCW
WrOy6“I want it to be Ahgrot. I feel more comfortable with him than anyone else.”vag8c
znke9eQ“Impossible. If he was bought once, there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again. I’ll assign guards to you.”a6gh
6Sij“If there are already guards, what’s the harm in adding one more?”PVp
GkjQva0Fernan gestured toward the adamantite on the desk.ScQm19
cTf“Very well. Ahgrot will be one of those guards.”DZNhiCS
s8OIsVo“Thank you.”OaMr
573wE“Now leave. Wait outside.”xSFQ
Toz“Understood. Ah, one more thing. Can I leave the city briefly? If I’m gone for a full week, my people will worry.”4SAbg
UPKyQzThe mayor, picking up the fallen documents, frowned again.s1XtBUg
4T6Xp“And how am I supposed to trust you?”vgv
Dyh“If the heir to the Pellenbergs disappears, it’ll be an even bigger problem. I’ll return in less than a week.”NTsBY
wKQmQ3O“Less than a week?”XyRyt1
ELjoQI“Yes. I have unfinished business above.”kFOO
altuxVU“…Fine. Exactly one week. Be back within that time.”gbl7
sTfwwFernan left the office.3JzUYsF
9K0FJn“…It’s definitely Fernan Pellenberg. He wouldn’t lie about something like that. He’s too blinded by money not to look for a way to exploit us.”ALqit3l
b9CugThe mayor had seen him in person once. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let him go so easily.0wwDKf
qV1Soon after, Ahgrot entered the office.nKQ
AQ0ZwvF“You called for me, Mayor?”1XFhIdK
6QmvwrThe dwarf looked nervous.O35Q
k2I“Ahgrot. I’ll overlook your mistake. From now on, you’ll live alongside that human.”7Lz
wYqr“You’re really letting him stay in the city? I mean—yes, of course. Thank you very much.”E4V2l
EJT1“But in return…”Vm10HkV
xVfanThe mayor extended his hand.LQc
cAKu“Give me everything he gave you.”ADHc2
vqkCC“What?”NoFeF5
Hq7w54“I won’t repeat the order.”nKGvE
vs1uyGM“It’s just that I…”s8TKRg8
owcnmGu“Do you prefer to be banished from the city?”oF1Jt
ufx“…”njFS0
pVhnXWith tightly pressed lips, Ahgrot handed over the three metals.gqgTE0I
aU7***utiacg
Q1epn“Human, from now on you’ll be under our watch. Any objections?”rmvZy
N4da7“None.”Mg4h004
pVXjQFive dwarves were assigned to Fernan as escort-guards.jt2Ykv
Lng“Before that, I heard you plan to leave the city and return within a week. Ahgrot will guide you to the surface. Go together.”kTtK7ji
2qo“Thank you.”Yk6
w9yThe city had ten tunnels connecting to the surface. Ahgrot chose the one closest to where he had found Fernan.P7LTo
DIg“Going up this path, you won’t be far from where you descended.”3TI9yv
Xv7v“Perfect.”1GKbir
WYXoThe passage resembled a regular cave. It wasn’t too steep, but it was long.qyBPM4
v2w“If you follow this route, you’ll reach the surface.”tiqi
f2qIwJ6The tunnel twisted and branched out in many directions, forming a complicated labyrinth.U9I0jq
noQ“One could easily get lost.”FAQrFh
9NxUE“That’s the idea. Thanks to that, we’ve been able to live here without being discovered.”7m8
kvBGd“Right. With such secrecy, you managed to build a city in elven territory. By the way, why does your face look so gloomy?”qCOZSW
v171“It’s nothing—hey, do you have any more of that mineral?”8NPne
b0bUv4dAhgrot laughed awkwardly.I9mbG
uInWq‘So they took everything from him.’KM0
7XpfIn fact, Fernan had expected that ever since he spoke of the minerals before the mayor.c4z0ez
bVS8Partly, he’d done it on purpose.79lRSH
g0nXi‘The dwarves’ greed for minerals exceeds what I imagined.’UPqC
hxxCIt was similar to how the Pellenbergs treated money. Definitely something he could use.rL29wo
0vDO0U“No, I don’t have any more.”ql4QO
HwU“…Damn it. Ah, I didn’t mean you.”dFG
Ig3“I get it. Let’s drop those depressing topics. Since we’ve met, why don’t we introduce ourselves properly?”QAxU
Ea9lM“Didn’t we already?”zyFfrJ
t5Vi1“We only exchanged names.”DXixvf
4Fu50wsIt was better to thoroughly know the one who would become Aint’s companion.mE5
lki53m“Alright. Like I said, I’m Ahgrot. A 21-year-old dwarf.”9Vm
nPxPZh“Fernan Pellenberg. Student at the Imperial Armian Academy, 22 years old…”xCAjXQQ
80CWait. What?YEaHncG
YOKg“…How old did you say you were?”sz20g
Zohm“Twenty-one.”AwiUHHx
XyIs“How many?”wVn
o1WFgThen Ahgrot also noticed something strange—Fernan was older than him.ADkNI
vYQ4w“Twenty-one.”CASYr
EoSby0“With that face?”mHnFG
lymvmcrBut what surprised Fernan wasn’t that the dwarf was younger—it was that his appearance didn’t match that age at all.YwRLyQd
EeeXo20“Does that make any sense?”hqgh
j5XofW“My face? What do you mean it doesn’t make sense? What are you trying to say with that?”1oWGwX
CVq55“With that?”xrpNv
bVp“…With that?”PlVMQ3u
4wcCAMkAhgrot’s voice, which had grown louder, slowly faded.zch78i
pG2K8“It’s not my fault… I thought I was older too.”J8bQGwO
YLxPBHl“Same here.”SUsB
1hYjA“…Ahem. Don’t judge by appearances. All dwarves look like this.”zyc7
X8bW“The dwarf professor I know is over fifty and looks younger than you.”jgBo
omhfu5“……”6Jnf
FLVd“Don’t curse me with your eyes.”q4Nc
UdwLG“You should be glad I’m not cursing you out loud.”N8Wj
sbwlrLAnyway, that wasn’t what mattered.D9ssy
D5S“Twenty-one… a suitable age.”zeQZfWt
VRlqk“Suitable for what?”lmXh28k
ZFWLAhgrot was the new companion of Aint, recognized by prophecy.vvCgApW
oh1QOAnd if he grew into what Fernan had seen in the vision, his level wouldn’t be low at all.1mdPuyh
9PTr90CHe’d be a strong card to play against demons.BW20B
RKFBut Fernan didn’t intend to accept him only after the dwarven city was destroyed and Ahgrot turned into an avenger.kbI
5JQcWDHe wanted to protect the city, turn it into a source of resources, and also help Ahgrot grow as he should to become Aint’s ally.4HBLWr
YMUAnd for that, the best method was—qHLHK
LD1u“You, what do you think about entering the Imperial Armian Academy?”BLoC
o7D3The plan was to make him a student and place him directly at Aint’s side.DTwy3Ci
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